Success Stories of
Guerin Prep, Mother Theodore Guerin and Holy Cross Alumni

Read about:

Vince Bufalino, MD HC '70
Cyndy Brucato
Jack DeGrenier HC '69
Joe Dobner HC '66
Dr. Ralph Esposito HC '94
Michael Furlan ’67
Regina Gallo ’90
Kerry Molchanov Jannuzio ’97
Danielle Piagentini GP '07
Mary L. Milano ’70
Anna Musso MTG '97
Steven L. Stancy
Mike Sullivan ’65
Gina Volpe ’81

Kerry Molchanov Jannuzio ’97 has medicine in her blood. Her mother Debra is a disease management RN and her grandmother Virginia was an LPN. “You could say the desire to be in the medical field runs in the family.”

While at Mother Guerin, Kerry worked with her mom at Family Practice Center in River Forest. She went on to study nursing at Triton College while working at Lutheran General Hospital as a patient care technician on the OB floor, then earned a medical assistant certificate online.

After working for a few years, Kerry returned to Triton to finalize her Associates Degree in general studies. In 2007, she graduated from Triton’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Ultrasound) program. Kerry says she chose ultrasound “because of the advancing technology, responsibility that comes with the job and the patient interaction.”

Today, at Valley West Hospital in Sandwich, she performs ultrasounds on hundreds of patients. “My favorite thing about being an ultrasonographer is showing new parents their little baby for the very first time, before it’s even born!”

Kerry has very fond memories of her time at Mother Guerin, particularly of her homeroom teacher Mrs. Bess and anatomy teacher Mr. Stuart. “These two teachers pushed me farther than I probably would have pushed myself. Mrs. Bess spent time with each and every one of us. She showed a genuine interest in her students and was very in tune with our moods and needs.”

“Mrs. Bess gave each of us, as seniors, a card with personalized messages of her belief in us, pointing out our best qualities, many that we probably didn’t see in ourselves. She reminded us that with determination, we could succeed. Mr. Stuart was very easygoing and made the class fun and interesting. And, we actually wanted to do our homework.”

Thanks to Mr. Stuart’s temperament and teaching method, Kerry became even more interested in healthcare. He helped build the confidence she needed to believe that she could and should pursue a career in the medical field.

Kerry and her husband Joe reside in Sycamore. Kerry’s brother Adam Molchanov graduated from Holy Cross in 2001.

Vincent Bufalino, M.D. - Cardiovascular specialist  

A 1970 graduate of Holy Cross, Vince Bufalino specializes in prevention of cardiovascular disease and stroke. He is Board certificed in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease and practices in Elmhurst, Naperville, Sandwich.   

He graduated Magna Cum Laude, Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois and obtained his medical education at
Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois. He completed his medical training as an intern and resident in Internal Medicine and Fellowship in cardiovascular Diseases at Loyola University-Foster McGaw Hospital, Maywood, Illinois.

Vince has been appointed President/CEO, Midwest Heart Specialists. Chairman of the Board, Midwest Heart Foundation. President/Medical Director, Edward Cardiovascular Institute. Medical Director, Edward Heart Hospital. Fellow, American Heart Association Council on Clinical Cardiology.

Among his many awards are: AHA "Physician of the Year," 1997. IANU "Man of the Year Michelangelo Award," 1999. AHA "Coeur d'Or (Heart of Gold) Award," 2001. AHA American Heartsavers "Long-Haul Award" for Community Service, 2002. OSIA "Leonardo Di Vinci Award for Excellence," 2004. AHA "Chairman's Award," 2005.

He also serves as Member, Board of Directors, DuPage County Medical Society. He has more than 20 years active participation in the American Heart Association including: Past Chairman, AHA National Business Committee for Emergency Cardiac Care. Past President, AHA Greater Midwest Affiliate. Member, AHA Expert Panel on Disease Management. Chairman, AHA National Advocacy Coordinating Committee. Member, AHA National Board of Directors. Member, AHA National Administrative Cabinet. Co-Chairman, ACC Advocacy Committee.

He is affiliated with Edward Hospital/Edward Heart Hospital, Naperville, IL.

Cyndy Brucato - Anchor
Cyndy Brucato returned to her television roots in May 2004. She began her journalism career as a reporter and editor for the EPA Journal in the Chicago District.  From print, she transitioned into television at the Hubbard owned and operated WDIO-TV in Duluth, MN.  After a brief stint as a WCCO-TV reporter, Cyndy’s career took her to WBBM-TV in Chicago, IL, where she served as general assignment reporter.  She then moved to KSTP-TV as reporter and principal anchor.  During her tenure at KSTP-TV, Cyndy received the Peabody Award for Excellence in Journalism.  From television, she transitioned into public relations, expanding her role in mass communications, government, politics and business.  Cyndy’s unique experience in Minnesota positions her as a leader in the community and as one of the area’s most respected journalists.

Public Relations experience
Before rejoining 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, Cyndy spent eight years as President and Chief Consultant of Brucato & Halliday, Ltd., a Minnesota-based public relations company.  Her business was certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, the nation's leading advocate of women-owned businesses.

Other experience
Prior to launching Brucato & Halliday, Ltd., Cyndy worked in government and politics.  From 1990-1996 she served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Director of Communications and Press Secretary for Minnesota Governor Arne H. Carlson.  In 1994 she served as Campaign Co-Director for the Carlson-Benson Gubernatorial Reelection Campaign.  She also served as Director of Communications for the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

In addition to anchoring evening newscasts on 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, Cyndy also delivers news updates weekdays at 4 pm on AM1500 KSTP.

Better Later than Never
Mike Sullivan ’65 received his calling late in life. Just recently ordained a permanent deacon for the Rockford Diocese in May of 2008, he never truly had designs to become a deacon when he was younger. “There was always something in the back of my mind, a nagging feeling, that maybe someday I might go down that road.” In fact, he had considered becoming a priest and attended Mater Dolorosa Seminary for one and a half years of high school before transferring to Holy Cross.

It wasn’t until 10 years ago when he and his wife, Ellen, joined their current parish, St. Peter in Geneva, that he seriously considered the diaconate. The couple became very involved in the parish and Mike befriended a current deacon. With his new friend’s encouragement, Mike embarked on a seven-year journey. It wasn’t easy. He owned an insurance and risk management business and was trying to find a way to balance it all, tempted to give up more than once. But, the Holy Spirit was clearly at work, enabling him to continue. Mike likens it to the phrase, “the body is weak, but the Spirit is strong.”

Today, Mike is a permanent deacon at St. Peter. A people person, he enjoys interacting with people in different stages of their lives. He often performs baptisms and enjoys classroom visits with the children. He and his wife are active in the parish’s marriage preparation process and lead the FOCCUS inventory for engaged couples. Mike also visits the sick at Delnor Hospital in Geneva. “I like being around people of all ages, especially the young and elderly. I try to help where
I can. Sometimes the best help is to just listen.”

Mike still works part-time at his insurance and risk management business, where he currently serves as Chairman of the Board and a mentor to those who are just starting out. His two sons are now running the day-to-day operations of the business. This affords him the flexibility to serve his church as permanent deacon.

Mike credits his complete Catholic education, from grade school at St. Angela to college years at DePaul University, with not only educating him, but also teaching him discipline and forming his character. He has fond memories of Holy Cross, and in particular, Brother Raymond who taught Religion and lead the Mission Club, of which Mike was a member. Today he still lives out their mission, “to be mindful that there is a much bigger world out there than just our school
or neighborhood.”

Walking the Narrow Edge between Church and World-
Theologian, professor, attorney, dancer, choreographer, poet, mother, priest and executive director of the largest public guardianship agency in the country, the Rev. Dr. Mary L. Milano finds her passion by living in the middle of God’s marvelous mystery-a mystery that challenges every part of her. Intrigued since her first taste of philosophy and theology in high school and fueled by a desire to be a priest since her first communion day in the second grade, Mary has forged a life that combines creativity, intellectual pursuit and faith.

“My Mother Guerin High School and Mundelein College experiences exposed me to strong and powerful witnesses in the Sisters of Providence and Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary as well as in the faithful lay women who had the ability to inquire, lead and believe. I saw them challenge the world and demonstrate faith in community. I was excited that what I felt going on in me could take that shape.” Mary was particularly influenced by the dynamic way she saw faith and scholarship expressed and formed into contributions to the world by the church. While becoming more deeply involved in scriptural study at McCormick Theological Seminary, she began to focus on the social justice component of her faith. The trajectories of her life began to come together, leading her to attend law school while in seminary. She viewed the law as a language to express and empower social justice. For Mary, the church must be part of the world.

Life brought her what she refers to as the fabulous experience of self-suffering, weakness, sickness and loss. “These are the experiences that shape us into something useful to touch people. It’s part of the process of finding our essence. It evokes what God desires within you.” Her lifelong, innate curiosity fueled her pursuit of a post-graduate degree from the University of Leicester, England, in European law and a Doctorate in Ministry from the Graduate Theological Foundation in Indiana. Her creative spirit led her to professional dance and choreography. Her abiding passion and faith came to life in her doctoral project, How Can We Tell the Dancer from the Dance: The Sacramentality of the Body at Worship.

Mary is dedicated to taking the “profound stuff” and putting it into words that resonate with both church and non-church people. To her, the truth that can be found in God, Christ and faith works for everyone, not just the churched. Recently, she prepared a talk for the National Guardianship Association in her role as Executive Director of the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, an Illinois agency known as the guardian of last resort caring for the elderly and disabled. In it, she challenges these guardians of the poor to look not at what they do, but at who they are becoming as guardians and the relationships they are building with their clients and the institutions they encounter. Her desire was to touch their hearts and have them experience grace without the burden of religious overtones, walking the narrow edge between the church and the world. “Because grace will work, whether you are professing faith or not.”

Mary’s career has spanned 10 years practicing international law at a major Chicago law firm followed by instructing graduate students in moral theology in the Pastoral Theology Program at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana. Today, Mary is thrilled to be raising her young son, Jean-Paul, who is almost 10 years old. “He is a marvelous, near young man, with a profound soul. He is exploring his giftedness as a dancer and loves the visual arts. Like his mom, he does not enjoy math.”

As an Episcopal priest, Mary guides the people of St. Alban’s, her parish in Chicago. She also continues as a part-time professor at the Woods. She has published many articles within the legal and liturgical communities and is a remarkable poet. In addition to the adult role models Mary experienced at Guerin, she recalls an intense sense of community and support as well as being challenged emotionally and intellectually by her peers. Many of the friendships she enjoyed at Guerin continue on today, nearly 40 years later.

Once “Furlan,” Now I am “Father”
Michael Furlan ’67 wasn’t your typical high school boy. He didn’t excel at sports or chase girls quite as successfully as some of his classmates. Instead, he was unknowingly preparing to answer God’s call to a life in the priesthood.
During his time at Holy Cross, Michael was a member of the “Perpetual Rosary Club,” where members were assigned days and times when they would leave their classes and go to the Brothers’ Chapel to pray the rosary. While many classmates joined because it provided an opportunity to get out of class for a half hour, which was as good a reason as any, Michael believes this extra time in prayer opened him up to other experiences where he would hear God’s call.
Foremost among those other experiences were the Brothers of Holy Cross. The joyful witness these men gave with their lives positively influenced Michael. Brother Thomas Moser holds a prominent place in his mind and heart as one who spent many hours with him after school discussing the theology and philosophy of Teilhard de Chardin in relation to the subject of evolution they were covering in biology class. Brother Raymond Dufresne was Michael’s earliest exposure to the Brothers of Holy Cross, who taught religion and shared what it was like to be a member of a religious community of men. Michael also recalls Brother Louis Ripple who ignited his passion for Scripture and Brother John Emminger who provided an understanding and appreciation for the renewal of the church being carried out at the time by the Second Vatican Council.

A graduate of Holy Cross and Loyola University, he attended major seminary at St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein. He received his Master’s of Divinity and was ordained in 1975. Michael’s first parish assignment was at St. Celestine in Elmwood Park, which brought him back to his stomping grounds only four blocks away from his alma mater, serving as associate pastor until 1980. This assignment reunited him with some of his classmates who were raising families of their own with future Crusaders and Guerin girls. “It was quite a treat to see many of my former teachers again and to be treated with a deference I had not experienced eight years earlier. I was no longer just ‘Furlan.’ Now I was ‘Father.’”

Michael then spent 22 years at St. Leo the Great, first as an associate and ultimately as its last pastor.
Michael was not very outgoing or gregarious as a high school student. Some might say that he was shy or at least reticent. If you tell that to people who know him now, they laugh and find it hard to believe.
“Holy Cross helped me to see the light that was within me and the priesthood has enabled me to let it shine.”

A Different Kind of Shopper
Regina Gallo never planned to be a sister when she grew up. She had boyfriends and thoughts of getting married and having children someday. Yet, she felt a constant pull to choose a religious life instead. After years of trying to ignore her calling, Regina finally accepted what God had in store for her.

It seems as though Regina was destined to lead a religious life long before she recognized and accepted the calling. At Guerin, she was drawn to the sisters. After high school, she became very involved at St. Celestine Parish in the ministry of care, the youth group, teaching confirmation, being a Eucharistic Minister and serving on the Pastoral Council.
Ideas for what Regina could do with her life would come and go, but the idea of becoming a sister kept coming back. Through her positive experiences with the Sisters of Providence at Guerin and spending more time with the sisters at St. Celestine, in 1998, she seriously began to consider pursuing a religious life. She finally decided to discuss the option with a counselor at Guerin.

After Regina accepted her calling, she looked at several communities, or as she says, she “order-shopped.” She felt this was necessary since the Sisters of Providence was the only order with which she was familiar. During her search, she looked at the founders of the orders, what they were about and what they stood for. Drawn to
Saint Mother Theodore Guerin’s vibrant character and strong will, Regina felt a deep connection with her. “Saint Mother Theodore Guerin’s ability to deal with tragedy, which she faced a great deal of, with faith and hope, and her ability to forgive was amazing to me.”

Regina entered the Sisters of Providence in 2001. Over the last several years she’s continued her volunteer work at St. Celestine while being a full-time student. She received her bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Ministry this past May from Dominican University. Currently looking for a job, Regina is considering pursuing her master’s degree and would like to focus on counseling with an emphasis on addictions. She believes that there is an intense need to minister to those who are suffering from addictions. “This is such a problem and there is a lack of help for it.” Again, Regina is drawn to pursue a special role for her life, but this time
she is not ignoring the call.

Following God’s Providence
Children dream of becoming great things when they grow up-firefighters, police officers, nurses, doctors, nuns or priests, just to name a few. These are all perfectly normal ambitions for a child. This wasn’t the case for the Rev. Gina Volpe, ’81. She knew from a very young age that she wanted to be a priest, but as a young, Catholic female, this career path was not an option.

Gina fondly recalls her teachers at Mother Guerin, Sisters Jackie Hoffman and Dawn Tomaszewski. “They are two women who really touched my life. Through their openness we learned that we should follow our vocations; follow our dreams. They taught us acceptance and providence and that God’s path isn’t always straight, but you just need to follow it.” Studying music at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana, she considered the possibility of becoming a nun, but she knew that vocation wasn’t going to satisfy her desire for priesthood.

Later, working at North Central College, Naperville, Gina was exposed to Protestantism. Attending an Episcopal Mass with a new friend intrigued Gina. It had the same general format as the Catholic mass-the music, the procession, the liturgy and the Eucharist. What was different was that the priest was a woman. Right at that moment, Gina thought, Many years passed, but she couldn’t shake the feelings to pursue her dream of becoming a priest. It was then that she realized that God wasn’t going to tell her what to do.

On Dec. 16, 1995, Gina was ordained an Episcopal priest. The morning after she was ordained she remembers waking up and joyfully thinking, “Wow! I’m a priest!” She still wakes up every morning with that same joy. Rev. Volpe has great respect for the Catholic Church and especially those who had a hand in her formation while at Guerin. “My time at Guerin taught me to be a strong young woman; to be articulate and to see beyond the box. It’s an amazing, nurturing place where I was taken care of.” The Sisters of Providence taught her that when you are called by God, you’ve got to go. And go she did.

NFL to NFP, the Jack DeGrenier HC '69 Story

What moves a man from the dream career and toehold in the National Football League (NFL) to half a lifetime as a dedicated professional in the Not for Profit (NFP) world? Perhaps the larger question is what moves a man at all?

For Jack DeGrenier HC ’69, the answer is at once both overwhelmingly huge and incredibly simple. Following graduation from Holy Cross, Jack found himself at Northern Arizona University in the hands of outstanding football coaches who could open the door to Jack’s professional football career. And they did. In 1974, Jack signed on as a running back for a year with the New Orleans Saints. He followed with a quick stint with the short-lived Chicago Wind, leaving shortly before they closed up shop.

“But something wasn’t right,” Jack reflects. “It was an exciting life, maybe too exciting for my level of maturity. Stepping outside of football, I felt like something was missing… I couldn’t seem to connect all the dots.” Jack began looking at his roots; after being born into a Catholic family and lifetime of Catholic education, he didn’t feel he knew God. At 26, he knew that he wanted to build a personal relationship with God and use his life for the plan and purpose God had in mind.

His career took a few twists and turns for the next few years and his journey continued. He worked many years in retail, first in athletic footwear then five years in sales for True Value. He went back to school, earning a master’s degree in education administration to supplement his bachelor’s degree in community recreation.

He continued to develop a personal relationship with God. He met a lot of people on his journey and studied the scriptures. “What I found out was that God wanted a relationship with me, too, but somehow I had missed it.” Then, Jack began to understand that God had a plan and purpose for his life—that he was to serve others.

In his mid-thirties, he started to get involved in fundraising for para-church organizations. He taught and coached for a while at a private school, where he took on many hats outside of those he was paid for. One of those was development – fundraising. A series of events brought him back home to Arizona, where Jack and Food for the Hungry came together.

About nine years ago, he began his true dream job as the director of major gifts for Food for the Hungry, an independent organization dedicated “to walk with churches, leaders and families in overcoming all forms of human poverty by living in healthy relationship with God and His creation.”

In his role there, Jack has visited the poorest of the poor in countries including Bolivia, Peru, China, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. “I have the privilege of taking donors to see where there money is being invested and how significantly it is impacting the community. We are about transforming a generation to become self-sufficient,” he said.

“My years at Holy Cross provided the foundation on which to build, on which I still stand today. God allowed me to try out my dream of football as a Crusader, a Lumberjack and a Saint. Then He called to me and showed me a bigger dream. Now, by living His dream for me, I’m impacting people around the world. A baby born in the bush of Africa has just the same potential as one born at the local clinic here in Arizona, but not the opportunity. I’m hoping my work broadens those opportunities as far and wide as possible.”

During the last 25 years, Jack’s life has revolved around giving back. “I had the benefit of my family and great schools. These benefits now allow me to give similar opportunities, although to a much lesser degree, to those in need. People in the Third World don’t have to go to high school to become self-sufficient, but they need food to eat and water to drink to even have a chance. And then there’s the spiritual component. I know God wants a relationship with each one of us. Each of us has value; each is made in the image and likeness of God.”

What’s next for Jack? He’s not planning on any more moves. This is a great chapter in his life. And, it’s filled with outstanding characters, his wife of 36 years, three children and a half-dozen grandchildren. “One of my sons coaches football at a high school in Cape Creek, AZ. He lets me horn in on that from time to time.” How much better could it get than having the opportunity to coach with his son.

“I have no regrets. I love the way my life turned out and what I’m doing now. If I had played 10 years in the NFL, what kind of impact would I be having? Would I still be married, have all those great kids and grandkids? There’s no doubt I’m thankful for those chances so many years ago and I cherish those moments, but right now, I’m where I ought to be.”

Jack credits his education and upbringing for teaching him resiliency. He believes when the world knocks you down, you pick yourself up and with God’s help you get through it. “That’s the same message we give to people around the world, He will provide,” says Jack.  

Learn more about Food for the Hungry at www.fh.org.

Danielle Piagentini GP '07: The Joyful Jogger
On December 26, 2005, Meredith Schleehauf was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a condition that was addressed by immediate surgery, but one that will require additional treatments for the rest of her life.

Meredith is lucky to have a Guerin Prep graduate as her cousin, Danielle Piagentini GP ‘07. (Meredith’s mom is Patricia Fisher Schleehauf MTG ‘91 and Danielle’s mom is Janine Karnick Piagentini MTG ‘75.) Over the last two years, Danielle and her mom have hosted meetings to organize a benefit for Meredith. This inspired Danielle, who will be a sophomore at ISU in the fall. A three-sport athlete during her high school career, Danielle decided to use her love of running to raise money for Meredith and all children affected by heart conditions. She’s dubbed herself the “Joyful Jogger” and will be competing in the Chicago Half-Marathon this September and hoping people will have a heart for her cause.

“Mr. Falcone, my soccer coach at Guerin Prep, told us to find something we love doing and are so passionate about that we can change other people’s lives. That’s what I am trying to do,” said Danielle.

Learn more at www.meredithsjoyfulheart.com

Behind the Scenes with Anna Musso MTG ‘97

Some call it “the road less traveled.” According to Anna Musso, MTG ‘97, she’s living a life “I had no idea was even possible.”

Anna took a less than ordinary path following high school, moving to New York City to follow her instincts and attend the School of Visual Arts. “Somehow, even as a little girl of eight, I loved the Village Art School I attended in Skokie,” says Anna. This is where her understanding of art as the opportunity to fill a “white box” and express herself began. At 17, when it was time to choose college, she knew that the idea of a four-year university was not the right decision for her – despite the preferences of her parents.

“I was very afraid to leave Chicago and my friends cautioned me that New York was too big and strange. But even though I wasn’t sure why, I knew I wanted to pursue art and to experience something different.”

First she studied painting; but the chance to act in a fellow student’s film opened her eyes to even more possibilities. Anna had always loved movies. Suddenly, she realized regular people like her made them! She was fascinated by the collaborative process of a number of artists. “Filmmaking is the opportunity to put people in a dark room, shine a light on them and tell the world what you are thinking,” Anna says. “On film, we reflect people’s lives through our own interpretation. That’s how we inspire one another.”

Switching majors was a challenge, with only one of a full year’s classes counting toward her film degree. So Anna found herself working hard through summer school and racking up those student loans. “But it was worth every penny,” she says.

An amazing eight years later, she picked up everything and headed across the country to “Hollywood” with the dream of one day being a film director. To pay off those with college loans, she started working on what she refers to as “‘not the best movies.’ But I was open to taking almost anything I could to gain experience.” She worked on a number of independent films, a documentary that never aired and the popular movie, “Friends with Money.”

In the midst of regular 20 hour days, Anna met a stranger and had what turned out to be a life-changing conversation. They were chatting about dreams and careers when Anna mentioned her goal of being a director and a handful of people she’d love to apprentice under someday. Nearly six months later, she answered the phone to “you probably don’t remember me, but my cousin who is a producer is forming a corporation with Alexander Payne.” Anna was driving at the time, she recalls and “nearly crashed my car.” Of the six or so directors Anna had mentioned, Alexander was one of two who were still alive.

Today, she works with a “wonderful little film company” called Ad Hominem, a shingle for Fox Searchlight, with film director Alexander Payne (“Sideways,” “Election,” “About Schmidt”) who’s been her hero for years.  She’s enjoyed being a part of this five-person company, working as the assistant to both the producer and director and bringing a number of projects to life from the ground up. “Film projects take a long time,” she says. “Some we began three years ago are just getting into production, but we’ve got several to go that will show up sometime in the next three years.”

“Many parts of my job are not glamorous, but I am blessed to work for a group of nurturing, supportive people who take a genuine interest in helping me learn and grow. They are extremely rare for Hollywood,” Anna adds.

In short, “my life has been an amazing adventure. I want to especially encourage young women to pursue that life which may seem scary for all its unknowns, yet can prove to make all the difference.” Just as MTG teacher Ms. Diana Tesauro challenged her, Anna suggests “ask questions about careers you don’t see every day and jump into the adventure of picking up and exploring other parts of the world— whether you’re a graduating senior or ready for a second chance.”

In Ms.Tesauro’s AP English class, she found a teacher who strongly encouraged her students to think for themselves. She urged them not just in regard to the literature they studied, but in all parts of life. She advised “don’t just read and take it for granted. Stop and ask great questions.” “Through her class I saw a greater world beyond Mother Guerin.”

“Sure,” Anna muses, “I could have chosen other noble pursuits, perhaps been a doctor. We need bus drivers and scientists, too. All these avenues sustain life. Through filmmaking, I hope to reflect emotion and make people think.”  Anna’s current goal is to complete her nearly finished screenplay, find financing and get started as a director. To all alumni, she recommends, “Fly little bird, fly.”

Dr. Ralph Esposito, putting one foot in front of the other since HC ‘94

You can find Dr. Ralph Esposito, HC ‘94, right here in Chicago practicing with Affiliated Podiatrists, Ltd. But last year, he was the invited guest for a training course in Verona, Italy where he learned new applications to help people with foot problems.

“Holy Cross is where my interest in biology and science took root. I then carried what I learned at Holy Cross as an undergraduate and continued to read and learn, especially the sciences,” says Ralph. “Holy Cross was an exciting time for me, I had an excellent class and made great friends. I still keep in touch with some of them and we always laugh at how crazy and careless we were. What a wonderful time.”

Ralph studied business and chemistry at Elmhurst College, leaving early to pursue studies at the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in Cleveland. In 2003, he moved to Detroit for a residency at Kern Hospital/Southeast Michigan Surgical Hospital. He has been published in “The Foot,” a medical journal for his study of the effects of Ceralas D-15 Diode laser on wound healing. Ralph is engaged to Anna Danielle Randazzo with marriage plans for Aug., 2009.

Dr. Joe Dobner, HC '66
Doctor, Teacher, Farmer, Family Man and Bronze Star recipient

Submitted by Joe Dobner
After leaving Holy Cross High School, I was a four-year scholarship football player at Wake Forest University. In my senior year, I was chosen to be a part of the All Atlantic Coast Conference team. My sophomore, junior and senior years, I was chosen academic all-ACC.

I won a NCAA post grad scholarship, which I used to attend Wake Forest medical school. I completed my specialty training in orthopaedic surgery in Denver at Fitsimons Army Medical Center, followed by two years at Fort Knox before moving to Frankfort, Kentucky, where I still reside.

Currently, I am in private practice as well as an instructor one day a week at the University of Kentucky as an associate clinical professor of Orthopaedics.

I am still in the National Guard and have been awarded a Bronze Star. During Desert Storm, I was the commander of the 475th MASH hospital deployed to Saudi Arabia and Iraq. In 2003, I was deployed to Afghanistan with the 10th Mountain Division. I continue to serve in the Guard with 42 years of service. I'm a little to old to be deployed again but you never know.

My wife Bev and I have four children: Joseph, Betsy, Megan and Andrew. We also enjoy our two grandchildren, Mary Grace and John Luke. I lost my dad in'80 and my brother in '86. My mom is still kicking at age 92.

Steven L. Stancy '83 - Man with Honor: Holds Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Service Medal (4), Navy Meritorious Commendation Medal, and the Navy Achievement Medal (2)

On Tuesday, 2 September 2008, Commander Steven L. Stancy was promoted to Captain, United States Navy, at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) by Captain Richard D. Berkey, the Shipyard Commander.  Captain Stancy, a 21-year naval veteran, is currently the Production Resources Officer at NNSY, responsible for the training, qualifications, and processes employed by the shipyard’s 4000 mechanics.  Captain Stancy is a 1983 graduate of Holy Cross High School in River Grove, IL and a 1987 graduate of Northwestern University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering.  

Previous Navy sea tours include Boilers Officer onboard USS JULIUS A. FURER (FFG 6) homeported in Charleston, SC, Combat Information Center Officer and Repair Officer onboard USS WILLIAM H. STANDLEY (CG 32) homeported in San Diego, California, and Engineer Officer onboard USS ARIES (PHM 5), a hydrofoil homeported in Key West, FL.

From 1993-1995, Captain Stancy attended the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, CA, where he earned a masters degree in mechanical engineering.  While at NPS, he transferred from the Surface Warfare community to the Engineering Duty Officer (EDO) community.  Prior to his first assignment as an EDO, Captain Stancy attend the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center in Panama City, FL, where he qualified as a Navy Diving and Salvage Officer.

Captain Stancy’s first EDO tour was at the Ship Repair Facility (SRF) in Yokosuka, Japan from December 1996 to November 1999.  There, he was responsible for the maintenance and modernization of the USS MOBILE BAY (CG 53) and the USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63), the Navy’s only forward deployed aircraft carrier.  At SRF, he was also a qualified docking officer and the command’s diving officer. 

Following the tour in Japan, Captain Stancy was transferred in December 1999 to the staff of the Commander, United States Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, HI, where he was the Deputy Director for Surface Ship and Aircraft Carrier Maintenance and the Pacific Fleet Diving and Salvage Officer.  During this tour, Captain Stancy participated in the relocation of the Japanese Fishing Vessel, Ehime Maru, which sank after being struck by the U.S. submarine USS GREENEVILLE (SSN-772) in February 2001, and the recovery of nine missing crewmembers and students. 

In July 2003, Captain Stancy was transferred to the Supervisor of Shipbuilding , Conversion, and Repair (SUPSHIP) Portsmouth, VA as the Engineering Officer.  In 2004, he became the Amphibious and Auxiliary Ship Class Team Leader when SUPSHIP was merged with other Norfolk-area maintenance commands to become the Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center.

Captain Stancy transferred to Norfolk Naval Shipyard in July 2005 and was assigned as the Military Deputy Project Superintendent for the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75) Docking, Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA).  After completing the TRUMAN’s ten-month DPIA, Captain Stancy deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in January 2007 as an Individual Augmentee supporting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ reconstruction effort.  Captain Stancy worked to restore the electrical transmission infrastructure throughout Iraq.  Upon returning from Iraq in August 2007, Captain Stancy was assigned as the Production Resources Officer at NNSY.

Captain Stancy is married to the former Karyn Jurgens of Palo Alto, CA.  They have four children, whom they homeschool, and reside in Chesapeake, VA.

Captain Stancy’s personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Service Medal (4), Navy Meritorious Commendation Medal, and the Navy Achievement Medal (2).

At Holy Cross, StancyI loved science and math - in addition to music and being active.  The teachers at Holy Cross High School encouraged him to do my best in all his subjects.  "The knowledge I gained at Holy Cross is still with me every day - 25 years later," he says.