St. Mary’s School for the Deaf Alumni Association 28TH Alumni Reunion “Summary of Reunion from Pamela Rohring, President of SMSDAA”  Last June 20-22, 2008 SMSD Alumni, Teachers, Staff, Retirees, Family and Friends were gathered together for our 28th Alumni Reunion. They came home to St. Mary’s School for the Deaf. Friday, June 20, 2008, the Board of Directors and Committee were thrilled to see all SMSD Alumni’s happiness to see their friends, classmates, Sisters, faculty and retirees. They were catching up with friends and telling stories of the good old days at SMSD. Also they hugged their friends at New Gym where we had an Open House at SMSD. Everyone loved the food -hors d’ oeuvres! We had more compliments on how great the food was. We had a tour of school and history exhibits in Old Chapel by Jr. NAD members. They noticed many physical changes at SMSD. There are new bleachers in the gymnasium, a newly remodeled Parent’s Center, new trees planted on the grounds to replace the ones that were destroyed in the October storm of 2006. We had a Power Point Slide to show everyone through the evening. Also we had some people selling various souvenirs. After 9:00 PM they went to Buffalo Club of the Deaf and they had a GREAT time gathering with their friends!!!

 

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Saturday, June 21, we had a workshop, History of Buffalo Sign Language, and the presentation given by Dr. Betsy Mc Donald and Mr. Steven DeBottis. Most of us did enjoy their presentation. It was very interesting!! 

 After the workshop, we had the Sport Award Luncheon in the New Gym. Again, we enjoyed the luncheon by Culinary Training Institute, CTI. The Sport Inductee of 2008 are David Haywood, Donna Concoran, Ed Green, John Borkowski, Jim Sittniewski, Pam Rohring, Michael Cross, Andrew Leffler, Jeff Mosher, Raquel Pierce – Kasperski, Melissa John, Kathleen Rozanski Saunders, Jodie Ackerman, TaWanda Barkley, Jerome Griffin, Jayme Williams Maloney, Kim Bradshaw – Gonzalez, Sharon DiTondo, Jerry Heider, Brain Leffler, and Jeff LeRoy. Lou Pennella, Frank Podsiadlo, Judy Carroll, Anne Kist and Bill Steger gave us sweet and short comments as well as we (Sport Inductee) gave our warmest thoughts and comments about our former coaches. Later SMSDAA Board of Director and Alumnus gave Lou Pennella, Frank Podisadlo and Judy Carroll the Sport Hall of Fame – Athletic Director, and Coaches. The plaques were gorgeous! They were made from our old blenchers in New Gym. Lou, Frank and Judy were so surprised to receive the plaques.

After Sport Luncheon, most of us had our “free” time schedule to do our own plans. SMSD Alumnae went to Hearthstone Manor for banquet. We enjoyed ourselves during Power Point Slide Show, Oscar Night and etc. We had SMSD Alumni Hall of Fame Leaders – Leadership, Professional, Recognition and Russell Martin Award. The award to the alumnus for leadership within St. Mary’s School and the community. Francis Tadak ‘57 got a Russell Marina Award, Wendy Dannels ’85, Jeff Perri ’80 and John Patrick Sullivan ’70 got the Professional Awards, and Steven DeBottis ’73 got his Leadership Award. Kathleen Mc Donald got her Recognition Award. In Appreciation for years of dedication and Service to the Students of St. Mary’s School for the Deaf –Rose Dabbikeh, Theresa Abraham, Michael Dowling, David Berg, Melrose Mc Clenathan, Jo Ellen Pennella, Catherine Kibler, Anna Barrett, Mary Pericak, Mary Hendricks, Judy Embree, Sr. Virginia Young, Sr. Loretta Young, Mark Dulakis, Paul Crowley, John Adams, Millie Milligan and Linda Michaels received the awards.

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Sunday, June 22, we had a MASS by Rev. Thomas Coughlin in New Gym.

 After the mass we had a short meeting for New Nomination Officers -2008 – 2013. 
New Officers
President- Pamela Rohring
Vice President – Sharon LeRoy
Secretary – Suzi Behun
Treasurer – Kevin LeRoy
We will be taking our steps before we will get ready to plan for our next reunion. 


Kevin Suzi Sharon Pam

We had a brunch (Joseph’s catering) outside on campus ground at SMSD. 

Lastly, the reunion was AWESOME!! My thanks go out to Alumni Officers and Committee and everyone on the reunion committee who worked so hard to make the event a success. Your hard work showed!! I appreciate everything that you did. I could not have done it without you. THANKS AGAIN!!!

Looking forward to see all of you in next 5 years reunion 2013!!!!