SMCS Alumni Newsletter

August/September 2021

Celebrate SMCS Homecoming 2021

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Welcome home, SMCS Alumni! Join us at a variety of activities during our Homecoming Week 2021, including:


  • Parade: Friday, September 24, 5 p.m., Schildt Park to SMCMS/HS Campus

  • Homecoming Tailgate/STEM Club Open House: Friday, September 24, 5:30 p.m., SMCS STEM Center (on SMCMS/HS Campus)

  • Varsity Football Game: Friday, September 24, 7 p.m., Zephyr Fields

SMCS Alumni receive free admission into Friday night's football game and pregame festivities (tailgate, open house, etc.) Sign in/check in at the Zephyr Fields ticket booth upon arrival for free entry and to enter your name for an alumni giveaway drawing of Zephyrs apparel and swag.


Check out more here: https://smcatholicschools.org/smcshomecoming2021/.

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Alumni Updates

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Emily (Becker) ('12) and Josh Rieth welcomed their daughter, Mia Germaine, on August 4. Congrats, Rieth family!

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Melanie (Andersen) ('11) and Tyler Burton welcomed their daughter, Charlotte, on August 22. Melanie is also currently a teacher at St. Mary Elementary. Congrats, Melanie and Tyler!
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Pat Knapinski ('16) joined the McKendree University (Lebenon, Ill.) Bearcats Athletics Office as assistant sports information director in August 2021.


Prior to the Bearcats, Pat was a graduate assistant with University of Southern Indiana (Evansville, Ind.) Pat earned his bachelor's degree in sports management and minors in public relations and business from Xavier University (Cincinnati, Ohio) in May 2020. As an undergrad at Xavier, he worked with the university's sports information office, and during his college years, he also held multiple internships with the Jupiter Hammerheads (Advanced-A, Miami Marlins) and Palm Beach Cardinals (Advanced-A, St. Louis Cardinals) at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium (Jupiter, Fl.) and with the Milwaukee Brewers. Congrats, Pat!

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Ethan Unruh ('19) graduated from Air Force Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, on August 26. Ethan was dorm chief for the 47 airmen in his flight and also earned the best Physical Fitness Training award out of almost 600 graduates. He continues his training to become a loadmaster in the Air Force Reserves. After his training, he will complete his degree at the University of St. Thomas and hopes to become a pilot in the Air Force Reserves.
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Maria Schmitz ('09) has joined the St. Mary Catholic Schools team as the Grade 7/8 religion teacher.


Before joining SMCS, Maria was a missionary teacher with the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT) in Benque Viejo del Carmen, Belize, for three years. Prior to that, Maria taught biology and religion at Pacelli Catholic High School in Stevens Point for four years. Maria graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville for undergrad, majoring in Biology and Theology and minoring in Chemistry, and she attended the Concordia University of Wisconsin to complete her teaching certification and receive her master’s degree in education. Welcome back, Maria!

Alumni Share Your News/Contact Information

We enjoy recognizing, celebrating, and connecting with you! Please share life updates, career advancements, professional honors, and other news. You can also update your contact information.

Class Reunions

The SMCHS classes of '74, '75, and '76 gathered for a celebratory combined class reunion in early August 2021 at SMCHS.
The SMCHS Class of 1970 gathered to celebrate its 50th (+1) class reunion in September 2021 at Pullman's in Appleton.

News in the Zephyrs Community

Here are the latest blog articles posted on the SMCS website:


Upcoming Events

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All Aboard

October 16, 2021, 5-10 p.m.

St. Mary Catholic Middle School/High School Campus, 1050 Zephyr Dr., Neenah

Join us Saturday, October 16, 2021, for a casual evening of drinks, delicious food, and entertainment to ignite giving for all SMCS elementary schools (St. Gabriel Elementary, St. Margaret Mary, and St. Mary) and St. Mary Catholic Middle School. Gather your friends and family, and celebrate and support your former elementary and middle school(s)!


This inaugural joint fundraiser (taking the place of individual school fundraisers TASTE!, Wines Around the World, Winter Escape, and Meet Me In The Middle) will benefit SMCS academics, technology, financial aid, and more for our elementary and middle schools' students, staff, and campuses.



– Miron Pre-Event/Pig Roast Tailgate, 5-7 p.m.: Join us in front of the SMCMS campus for a pig roast tailgate dinner, drinks, and live entertainment.


– All Aboard, 7-10 p.m.: Join us at SMCHS for fellowship, live entertainment, food, drinks, and opportunities to support our elementary and middle schools through silent auction, event boards, teacher wish lists, and much more!



Learn more, sponsor, and register to attend here. Stay tuned for the opening of silent auction items and other exciting event information in the coming weeks!

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Mass of Remembrance

November 2, 2021, Morning

Jane Bergstrom Fine Arts Education Center, St. Mary Catholic High School


St. Mary Catholic High School will host a Mass of remembrance on All Souls Day in honor of SMCHS alumni who have passed away during the last year. Invites will be sent to immediate family members or other contacts we have for the deceased in early October (to attend the November 2nd Mass and carry up a candle in his or her memory at the Mass.)

Zephyrs Spirit Stop

Zephyrs Spirit Stop

Show your Zephyrs pride with apparel from the Zephyrs Spirit Stop. Alumni-specific apparel, discounted styles, and new items for fall are available. During this homecoming week, use the online code HOCO to get 10% off all items.


Shop online here.

Zephyrs Spirit Stop
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Connect With Fellow SMCS Alumni

Whether you are looking for updates, upcoming events, or trying to engage with other alumni, become a member of our SMCS Alumni Facebook group.
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Looking for a new intern or employee? Want to connect with other professionals who are SMCS alumni? Connect and reach out to former Zephyrs in the SMCS Alumni LinkedIn group.
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Enroll at SMCS throughout the year!

SMCS offers rolling registration/enrollment throughout the school year. If you, your family, or your friends and neighbors are looking for an exceptional Catholic educational experience for children preschool - grade 12, contact Kelly Beisenstein-Weiss at kbweiss@smcatholicschools.org or click here to explore more about SMCS.
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1050 Zephyr Drive, Neenah, WI, USA 920-722-7796 smcatholicschools.org/