This year marks Mrs. Lori Payne’s 25^th year of teaching, and her years of experience at Bishop Fenwick have been some of the most powerful! This year Lori was recognized as one of Cincinnati Magazine’s Outstanding Educators, which for many of her students and colleagues, is no surprise.

Lori herself is transformational for her students. She is attentive, caring and driven by her faith… not to mention she is a math whiz! Lori is the type of teacher who truly goes above and beyond for her students. For example, one early morning a student approached her in the parking lot of school with a math question. With no materials there to show him, she actually used her finger in the dew of the window of her car to explain the equation for the student. Morning or night, Mrs. Payne is here for the students of Bishop Fenwick.

In describing Bishop Fenwick Lori states: “The students at Bishop Fenwick are the nicest, most respectful students I have ever worked with. Hands down, I would out them up against any school around!”

Lori has been happily married for many years and is a devoted Military mom to her son, Elijah, who is currently attending West Point Academy. Bishop Fenwick is so blessed to have Mrs. Payne!

Senior year for Tyler is looking a little different then he expected. At a football camp in May Ty sustained a tear to his ACL, ending his football career at Bishop Fenwick. Did that hold Ty back from being a major part of the team? Of course not! Ty is on the field every day of practice and has even lifted with the team while injured. Through these hard times, he remains dedicated to his team.

 

“Ty prides himself in working harder than any of his peers.  He constantly is pushing himself to his limits in the weight room and on the field, even winning an award for hardest worker in practice.” Falcons Head Coach, Dan Haverkamp described Ty as, “He was dealt with a devastating knee injury that ended his senior season before it began, yet he has embraced staying engaged with the team and being a leader despite not being able to suit up. He is the first person who will address the players every Friday night because he is such a strong leader and has such a passion for our team.”

 

Ty is still part of a team in many ways; As he says “There is ALWAYS something to do on the field!” Ty wanted to lead on the field this year, but now resides as the leader off the field. He describes the team as “his family and brothers,” something that he knows is special and unique.

 

This young man transformed into a dedicated, passionate hard worker… who will be a Bishop Fenwick alum sooner than he realizes!! Join Ty and many other Fenwick faithful this weekend to catch the Falcons football team take on Anna at 7:00pm at Anna High School.

Sometimes the students are the teachers! Fenwick Development Director Mike Raiff, shown here, is getting ready to participate in the 2019 American Cancer Society Pan Ohio Hope Ride from Cleveland to Cincinnati to raise critical funds to support cancer patients and ultimately find a cure. Riders will set off on July 25th and ride four consecutive days; a total of 344 miles to downtown Cincinnati.

Why does Mike do this? His answer was simple, cancer doesn’t discriminate, it doesn’t care if you are rich or poor, young or old, it doesn’t care if you are a PhD, CEO, or leader of a country. He lost his mother to cancer eight years ago, as well as many friends, including three friends just last week.

In Mike’s own words, “I have seen the fight put forth by these people to battle this despicable disease. Participating in this ride, puts me WAY out of my comfort zone- it is mentally and physically demanding. In a very small way, I feel like this effort helps create awareness that we need to keep fighting for a cure. I work in this great Fenwick community where each day we encourage and expect our students to think beyond themselves and serve others. I am inspired by our kids to be a servant leader and catalyst for good. This is my way of ‘walking the talk’.”

Part of the Pan Ohio ride is to honor designated people. If you have a friend or loved one affected by cancer, and you want Mike to ride for them too, please share their name. Mike will wear their name on his shirt and carry the memory or fight, on your behalf. Good luck Mike!

Follow the Pan Ohio riders on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PanOhio/
Website: Pan Ohio Hope Ride

The following AP Courses from 2018-19 had 87% or more of students earn a 3 or higher on the 2019 AP Exams. Unlike many schools, Fenwick requires ALL students enrolled in an AP course to take the end of year AP Exam. Congratulations to the students and teachers in AP Biology, AP French, AP Spanish, AP Art: 2D Design, AP Art: Drawing, and AP English Literature and Composition!

Growing up in Middletown, Chris and I, both Middletown graduates, had always viewed Fenwick as the “other” high school in our area.  Our perspective was limited but we knew it had to be special because so many cherished friends were Falcons. Although we had always heard so many wonderful things about Fenwick, sending our children to school there, was not a consideration.  We were intimidated by the cost and not Catholic, so initially it did not seem like a place where we would “belong”.

In 2014 Chris was asked to coach baseball for the Fenwick Falcons. Although we had no children at Fenwick, and no plans to send any there in the future, Chris proudly and without hesitation, accepted the position. I still remember the day he brought home his first Fenwick baseball hat… He was so proud!  He was a part of something special, doing what he loved most.

Inevitably, our son Carter became the bat boy for Fenwick baseball as well as the water boy for Friday night Falcon football.  Our daughters Ellie and Evie and I would watch as they left each day to go cheer on “their” Falcons.  Carter instantly felt like a Falcon and becoming a “real Falcon” someday was something he talked about often.

Chris fell in love with Fenwick as well.  The pride, the honor, the traditions and the community at Fenwick was something he often would try to put into words.  He would say…”it’s just different”… “it’s what you want your kids to be a part of”.   And so it began…our goal to send Carter to Fenwick.

Becoming a part of the Fenwick Community has been one of the greatest blessings of our lives.  At the time, we had no idea that our Fenwick plan would also include Ellie (who would transfer to Fenwick in the middle of her junior year) and a plan for Evie to attend as well.  We thought we were just trying to help Carter achieve a goal…little did we know; Fenwick would become a gift to all of us in so many ways.

Ellie graduated from Fenwick this year.  She entered Fenwick a little late in the game but took the advice of her favorite teacher, Coach Aregood. Mr. Aregood told her to “be a part of everything she possibly could and to embrace everything Fenwick had to offer.”  Through these words of encouragement…the greatest transformation I think I will ever witness happened.

Ellie joined every club and organization she could and became a fixture at Campus Ministry. On Tuesdays, she would “Jam with Jesus” and eat lunch with new found friends.  Whether it was packing lunches for those less fortunate or serving as a school Ambassador, she absolutely flourished in her new “home”. Her courage to take a leap of faith and transfer to a new school was proving to be an absolute life changing decision.   A child with little coordination tried out for the cheerleading squad and cheered proudly through her senior year.  Even though she was only an official member for 2 months, she became part of the National Honor Society. Later this month, she will join other Fenwick students on a powerful mission trip to Tennessee.

Bishop Fenwick students, teachers and staff wrapped her up, gave her love and taught her how to shine.  She was a part of something that she not only embraced, but embraced her as well.  Seeing this in my daughter, literally transformed me as a parent. It taught me about hope and perseverance and it taught me that God will listen to heartfelt prayers.

Through Fenwick, our entire family was given the chance to grow closer to God and at this past Easter vigil, we proudly converted to Catholicism.

What started out as something that felt meant to be, ended with a family transformed and more confident than ever of God’s purposeful plan…all because of a school where we thought we may not belong.