The Paw
November 22 Edition
This week's Alumni Spotlight highlights Thom Zahler (Class of 1989), who is a self-employed cartoonist.
Why do you support Lake Catholic?
I love Lake Catholic's strong religious and moral foundation which everything else builds off of.
What specific areas or missions are you drawn to at Lake Catholic?
I always did art and art-related things, cartoons for the newspaper, drawing the musical and drama posters, and doing illustrations for the yearbook as well as four years of Mrs. Kane's art class.
What do you wish others knew about Lake Catholic?
How Mike Burkhardt wrote his name on the ceiling of the stage.
What is your favorite memory of Lake Catholic?
Working stage crew on "The Pajama Game" musical is probably a highlight for me. So many great times and great friends.
What are you currently up to? What's new and exciting that you have going on now?
I have several comics coming out or in progress. I have a kids' comic about cats that see ghosts called "The Ghost Whiskerers" coming out from Storm King (John Carpenter's comics line) and I am drawing the "Angry Birds" comic.
If you're interested in being a part of our Alumni Spotlight, or would like to nominate someone, please reach out to our Director of Alumni Relations Bill Weaver.
November 8 Edition
This week's Alumni Spotlight highlights Patrick Ebner (Class of 2001), who is a self-employed Estate Planning, Probate & Family Law lawyer.
Why do you support Lake Catholic?
Lake Catholic did a great job of preparing me academically, but more importantly, spiritually. I was lucky enough to go to Catholic schools from kindergarten through college, and I have my own children enrolled in a Catholic school as well. I believe you can get an education anywhere, but what separates Lake Catholic is the religious focus, and the family atmosphere.
What specific areas or missions are you drawn to at Lake Catholic?
Sports teams. The football team has been phenomenal with our All Saints flag football team. We practice next door to them, and they even invited all of our players to come do drills with them. Their kindness created a lot of young Cougar fans!
What do you wish others knew about Lake Catholic?
How much Lake Catholic has to offer, and that it is affordable. A lot of my clients say they could never afford a Catholic school, and then I tell them about all the opportunities available.
What is your favorite memory of Lake Catholic?
Strangely enough, my favorite memory of Lake Catholic was after I graduated. Watching my little sister's basketball team make it to States two years in a row was something I will never forget.
What are you currently up to? What's new and exciting that you have going on now?
I own and operate my own law firm with an office in Downtown Willoughby. I have four children, ages 10, 8, 5, and 2. My only/favorite hobby is coaching my kids in their CYO football and basketball teams.
If you're interested in being a part of our Alumni Spotlight, or would like to nominate someone, please reach out to our Director of Alumni Relations Bill Weaver.
October 18 Edition
This week's Alumni Spotlight highlights Frank Whalen (Class of 1979), who is semi-retired, but also does work as a consultant
Why do you support Lake Catholic?
Lake Catholic taught me lifelong lessons and grew my Christian and Catholic beliefs exponentially.
What specific areas or missions are you drawn to at Lake Catholic?
Performing Arts and Athletics. Played football and baseball while I was there so I know how tough that is and always admired those that can get on stage and transport the audience with them.
What do you wish others knew about Lake Catholic?
Education is fantastic but that’s true of many high schools. The lifelong friendships you develop are priceless.
What is your favorite memory of Lake Catholic?
A few BIG sporting events but our Junior and Senior retreats stand out the most. The memories of bonding with your classmates away from the daily class schedule will stick with me forever
What are you currently up to? What's new and exciting that you have going on now?
Enjoying a less stressful time in my career and traveling with my wife of 40 years.
If you're interested in being a part of our Alumni Spotlight, or would like to nominate someone, please reach out to our Director of Alumni Relations Bill Weaver.
October 4 Edition
This week's Alumni Spotlight highlights Eileen Kilroy (Class of 1976), a Senior Compliance Analyst at Liberty Mutual Insurances Company.
Why do you support Lake Catholic?
I was very fortunate to attend Lake Catholic, and I am blessed that many of the relationships I first developed there continue today. So now that I am able, I try to share my time, talent, and treasure.
What specific areas or missions are you drawn to at Lake Catholic?
Visual and Performing Arts
What do you wish others knew about Lake Catholic?
Lake Catholic continues to be a special place where all of its students are uniquely valued, supported, and encouraged in all aspects of their high school educational experience, including academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities.
What is your favorite memory of Lake Catholic?
My time spent in various art classes and working behind the scenes on the plays and musicals.
What are you currently up to? What's new and exciting that you have going on now?
I am still not ready to retire, and I am fortunate to be working remotely. I continue to volunteer at my local parish, St. Mary Magdalene in Willowick, on several committees, but especially the Art and Environment Committee which decorates the church for each liturgical season. I have been a Class Ambassador for the Class of 1976 for the last two years and worked with a great team of classmates on the annual Alumni Class Challenge. And just recently I was privileged to participate in the working groups to assist in developing a strategic plan for Lake Catholic.
If you're interested in being a part of our Alumni Spotlight, or would like to nominate someone, please reach out to our Director of Alumni Relations Bill Weaver.
September 27 Edition
This week's Alumni Spotlight highlights Corey Regovich (Class of 2014) who currently is a Manufacturing Supervisor at Swagelok.
Why do you support Lake Catholic?
The Lake Catholic community and the values I learned throughout my Catholic education have helped guide me through life. There is such a strong family atmosphere and I still have countless good friends I’ve known for more than 14 years now. Having opportunities to give to the next generation and strengthen the community is the least I can do to give back.
What specific areas or missions are you drawn to at Lake Catholic?
I am definitely still drawn to the sports at Lake Catholic, having been a two-sport athlete myself. It is fun to watch the teams over the years.
What do you wish others knew about Lake Catholic?
Lake Catholic is so much more than just a high school. People say it often, but Lake really is a family built upon Catholic values. Everyone is always there to help serve when asked and so willing to offer their support.
What is your favorite memory of Lake Catholic?
One of my favorite memories was beating NDCL in football during my senior year. We were down late in the game and drove down the entire field to score with seconds left on the clock. Instead of tying the game up, we went for two and scored to win the game. In that moment, it felt like the entire stadium rushed onto the field with excitement.
What are you currently up to? What's new and exciting that you have going on now?
In July, Mary Kathryn Lillash (Class of 2015) and I got engaged before a family trip to Hawaii. We have been in full wedding planning mode for the last couple of months and are excited to have the bulk of it laid out for next fall.
If you're interested in being a part of our Alumni Spotlight, or would like to nominate someone, please reach out to our Director of Alumni Relations Bill Weaver.
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