NOVEMBER 2010

Our alumni have spread their knowledge and impact throughout our state, nation, and world. With each graduating class, a new chapter is added to our collective story.

Being a Crusader has had an impact in all our lives whether profound or subtle. Each of us as Alumni hold a piece of the story in Crusader history and, in some way, participated in the traditions of our school and have kept its story alive.

We are rooted in a tradition. Excellent education. Strong participation. Unfaltering faith.

You are important to us. We want to hear your memories, news, accolades, and loses. You are part of our collective story.

Jane Cates (Joslin) ‘01
Alumni Coordinator
 

Interview with George Cumby ’75

Recently I have had to opportunity to interview Bishop Gorman alum (‘75) and former NFL player George Cumby.  Mr. Cumby currently lives in Tyler and coaches football at Tyler Junior College.  In his college football career, Cumby became a three-time All-American at the University of Oklahoma (1977-1979), Defensive Newcomer of the Year for 1978, and Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year both in 1978 and 1979. He finished his career in college football career with a total of 405 tackles.  After an amazing career in college, George went on to the National Football League playing for the Green Bay Packers (1980-1985), Buffalo Bills (1986) and Philadelphia Eagles (1987).  After retiring from football, George Cumby began his life as a husband, father, and pastor.  In 2006, Bishop Gorman was honored to have him coach football.  His number is currently the only number Bishop Gorman football has ever retired and is displayed proudly over the field house at McCallum Stadium.

Homecoming Reflection from Deacon Bill Necessary ’82

“My perceptions of Homecoming have changed since the first one I remember from November of 1976. I was in seventh grade, in what was then called Junior High. I recall that it was a week of celebration that included dress-up days and gathering in the middle of the halls for cheers before classes began. But, it was somehow incomplete. Although the entire Student Body could go to the bonfire and the junior high kids had the privilege of yelling their lungs out with the rest of the student body at the Friday pep rally, only high school students could attend the dance. I felt like I was on the outside looking in. I
was not quite there yet; the homecoming experience was somehow incomplete.

In high school, I had arrived; or, so I thought. I was able to spend a small fortune and take a date to the dance. Also, there were other benefits that came from the week. Members of the football team received various tokens of esteem throughout the week, which culminated in the ultimate honor of having one’s house wrapped in toilet paper by the cheerleaders , an honor that even I, the lowly team manager, received.

At this point, fully able to immerse myself in all that the Gorman community had to offer for the week, I thought I knew what Homecoming was all about. Surely these annual revelries were meant for the students alone! Why else was the royal court made up of princesses from the student body, with a graduating senior named Queen? Of course there was some mention of past students, and every year the school sign by the loop always read “Welcome Back Alumni,” but that was just the school being polite and inviting back past graduates to OUR party.

However, that perception changed in the years following graduation. Perhaps I was wrong in my earlier assessment of Homecoming. Maybe it was intended for alumni after all. I discovered that Gorman certainly was “home” to me. It was the place where much of my growing up happened, the time where I came of age. My faith, my beliefs, and my outlook on life were all formed there. Most of my closest friendships were made within those halls. In fact, the school became as familiar to me as an old friend. Walking around
campus or strolling through the halls was as comfortable and as natural to me as being back in my mother’s house. Both were homes I grew up in.

Homecoming had become the celebration of joining my fellow alums as we stood around in the stands during the game and shared “remember whens,” reminiscing the glories of times past. It had become a kind of looking back to the Golden Age of my adolescence.

Now, as I get older, observing my 34th Homecoming this year I see another dimension to Homecoming, an aspect to it that became clear to me during the annual celebration in October.

I had the honor of presiding over a Memorial Service in the Gorman Chapel honoring all of the alumni who have passed away over the past 50 years. Many of the souls we prayed for on that Saturday afternoon were people that I have known personally, including a friend from my graduating class. Not only do we remember the living, but the dead as well. It dawned on me that “Homecoming” is more than just a fun-filled weekend with a ball game or a dance or a time to relive the past. It’s an allusion to the greatest

Homecoming which is yet to come when, by God’s grace and mercy, all of us, even those who have gone before us, will be together, celebrating forever.”

5th Quarter Reflection

Being the new Alumni Coordinator at Bishop T.K. Gorman has been a challenging adventure full of new and old faces, tasks, and memories.  In order to continue to grow Homecoming week as an Alumni as well as current student event, I decided it was the perfect time to host a get together after the game specifically for Alumni calling it the “Alumni 5th Quarter”.  It was a great success (if I do say so myself!) with nearly 200 people in attendance including two class reunions (1990’s 20 year and 2000’s 10 year), other alumni present, teachers, and administrators. Entertainment was provided by alum Matt Begley (‘03) and his band Bitter Whiskey, along with food provided by Chez Bazan, grilled hamburgers by alumni dad Kevin Hill, and beverages donated by Giglio Distribution.  It is my hope that this and many other Alumni events will become new and long-standing traditions as our Bishop Gorman community continues to grow and prosper.

Building the Chapel of Sts. Peter and Paul:

In July of this year, Bishop T.K. Gorman Catholic School under went the change of becoming a regional school.  With this change comes new opportunities for growth and ministry. Due to the anticipated rise in student population, we have outgrown the chapel at the Chancery and are currently constructing a new one on campus:  The Chapel of Sts Peter and Paul.  This project is slated to be complete sometime during the school year of 2011-2012.  The Chapel of Sts Peter and Paul will be able to seat 750 people and is situated on the northeast corner of campus.  In order to keep you aware of the construction taking place, this newsletter will provide a monthly update.

Class Notes:

New Additions:

• Congratulations to Will (‘01) and Becky (‘01)Woods on the birth of their second daughter, Sarah Riley Wood
• Alum Chris Streit (‘01) and his wife, Abby, welcomed their son, John Landry Streit, on October 14. 
  
• Emily Caplinger Hallum (‘00) and her husband recently welcomed their third child, Karlee Emma Hallum in May
• Kevin Schrader (‘02) and wife celebrated the birth of their child in July, 2010.
• Dena Kirkland Begle (‘03) and her husband, Justin, celebrated the birth of their son, David, this summer. Older sister Leila Kirkland Belaire (‘01) also  welcomed her son, Mason, this summer.
• Congratulations to Skyler (‘01) and Katie (‘01) Clarkston! Their first baby is due in the spring of 2011!
• Alumna Courtney Bowles Powell and husband Matt will welcome their first child in March of 2011!

Marriages, Anniversaries, and Engagements:

• Alumna Jadwiga Mews (‘02) is engaged to Colby Robert Walters. 
  
• Aaron Hill (‘02) will marry Olivia Kalinowska in February 2011.
• Chris Hall (‘98) recently proposed to Kalie Kendrick. 
  
• Congratulations to Jade Engle Morris (‘00) and husband Justin celebrated their one year anniversary on September 26.
• Alum Jason Zemer (‘02) and wife recently celebrated their one year wedding anniversary.
• Kalen Boren (‘02) is engaged to Sheena White.
• Alumna Allison Elliot Hunt and husband Justin will celebrate their one year anniversary in January.  Allison’s sister, alumna Jennifer Elliott Williams (‘97) recently married as well.

Milestones and Accolades:

• Christy Capet (‘98) recently finished medical training from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
• Katie Cottle (‘00) graduated from Arkansas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.  Katie now works for the distinguished Baylor Healthcare System in the Dallas area.
• Kim McElyea Macedo (‘99) began teaching Spanish this year at St Mary’s (Longview).
• Monica McCubbin (‘01) graduated from the University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy in Aug 2010 with a Doctorate of Pharmacy.  She became a licensed and registered pharmacist (RPh) at the end of September 2010.
• Matt Begly (‘03) and his band, Bitter Whiskey, played the “Fifth Quarter Alumni Party” during Homecoming.  Thanks for making that party a great success. 
• Tim Davenport (‘02) and his band, StillBent, performs often in the Tyler area.  

Obituaries:

• Alum Seth Porter (‘00) passed away in September. His funeral mass was celebrated at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.  Alumni family members include Josie Porter Huffman (‘), Sarah Porter Robinson (‘99), and mother Linda Khirallah Porter (‘67)
• Dr. Berman Shieldes, father of Dan Shieldes ('68), Tim Shields ('69), Kathy Shieldes Harry ('72) and maternal grandfather of Gregory ('05) and Rebecca ('07) Harry and Colton Shieldes ('14) passed away in August of this year.