About The Awards
The Catholic Memorial High School Legacy Awards celebrate alumni and friends of CMH who exemplify and sustain the mission to educate, guide, and prepare students to become leaders to serve the Church and the world.
The Catholic Memorial Legacy Awards are presented during the Annual Crusader Auction as we reflect on the visionaries who helped move CMH forward and celebrate what is yet to come.
2025 Legacy Award Recipients
Caritas Service Legacy Award - John Paul Marchan ’98
The 2025 Caritas Service Legacy Award recipient is John Paul Marchan ’98. John Paul has routinely demonstrated a commitment to service, embodying CMH’s motto, Caritas in Omnibus—Charity in all things. As a student, he was actively involved in a variety of sports and activities. Perhaps his most profound impact began with a single conversation. After meeting Michael, a man experiencing homelessness, John Paul co-founded Operation Michael along with members of his senior class, CMH’s homelessness awareness club. Through this initiative, he inspired students to engage with the community, culminating in Box Night—an overnight retreat experience where students spend the night outside to better understand homelessness. Today, John Paul remains involved in Operation Michael, returning to speak to students as they continue this powerful tradition that has been carried on by hundreds of students over more than 25 years.
After graduating from Catholic Memorial, John Paul’s dedication to service never wavered. John Paul spent the year after high school abroad in South America: traveling to Asuncion, Paraguay where he spent ten months volunteering as a teaching assistant at Fundacion Dequeni, a local non-government organization that provides services to children who live in the chakarita (cha-ka-ri-ta), or shanty town. John Paul volunteered alongside teachers in a one-room school, helping elementary age students who, due to poverty and life circumstances would otherwise be denied the chance at any education.
As an established attorney, he has selflessly given his time and expertise to support CMH’s mission. From 2018 to 2024, he served on the Catholic Memorial Board of Directors and continues to shape the school’s future through the Human Resources Committee. He also mentors CMH’s newly formed Mock Trial club, inspiring the next generation of leaders. His willingness to step up and give back was never more obvious than during the COVID-19 pandemic. John Paul generously donated countless hours of legal guidance, helping craft a plan for CMH’s safe return to in-person learning. His efforts ensured that students could continue their education, experiencing firsthand the mentorship and community that define Catholic Memorial. John Paul’s unwavering commitment extends beyond CMH, as he gives back to his parish and local organizations, always answering the call to serve those in need. His humble nature and tireless dedication make him a true inspiration—a shining example of what it means to live a life of service.
Distinguished Young Alumni Legacy Award -
Dr. Christopher Baggott ’04
Dr. Christopher Baggott ’04 is the recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Young Alumni Legacy Award. Dr. Baggott has reached a level of excellence in his career that rivals those in his field decades older. His impressive resume begins with earning the top-class rank as the Catholic Memorial Valedictorian for the class of 2004. He continued to excel in his academic ambitions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Science in three years, graduating on the Dean’s List and with Distinction. He then entered Medical School earning his Doctorate of Medicine in three years with the honor as a Medical Scholar. Pursuing a path for neurosurgery, Chris became a Neurosurgery Resident in 2010, a Neurosurgeon in 2017 and Associate Medical Director for Stroke in 2021. His extensive list of awards includes the 2010 Mark Gichert Memorial Award for Outstanding Medical Student in Neurosurgery, 2011 Patient and Family Centered Care Award, the Class of 2013 and 2014 Outstanding Neurosurgery Resident Award, and the 2014 Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society Housestaff Inductee. In addition to these honors, Chris has numerous publications, memberships, renowned lectures, and presentations. Dr. Baggott has dedicated his career to helping others with his gifts in the medical field, but equally as impressive is his character and dedication to family, friends, and especially CMH. His willingness to help guide others in the medical profession, giving of his time and talents is a testament to his drive to always give back. He has continued to be a proud CMH alum and show his support of Catholic Memorial, attending the Annual Golf Outing each year and even supporting as a major sponsor for the event. He continues to showcase the Catholic Memorial values in his professional and personal life.
Legacy Awards Presented
The Caritas Service Award is presented to an alumnus/a who has:
- Demonstrated outstanding service to Catholic Memorial High School and the greater community through participation in:
- Alumni programs
- Committee membership
- Volunteer leadership positions
- Efforts to ensure the success of CMH
- Various religious, civic, charitable and social causes
- Exemplified the CMH motto of “Charity in All Things” in both his/her personal and professional life.
The Distinguished Young Alumni Award is presented to an alumnus/a who has:
- Reached a level of professional and/or personal achievement by the age of 40-years old or younger;
- Demonstrated service to CMH and the community;
- Exemplified the Catholic Memorial mission in both his/her personal and professional life
2024 Legacy Awardees
Catholic Memorial High School was honored to recognize the 2024 Legacy Award recipients, Christopher Rebholz ’81 and Dr. Kathleen Cepelka. The Legacy Awards are presented to CMH alumni and community members who live the Catholic Memorial mission personally and professionally. Thank you to those who attended the 75th Diamond Jubilee – Crusader Auction to honor the 2024 Legacy Award recipients on Saturday, February 17, 2024.
Previous Legacy Alumni Award Winners
- Professional Achievement Award - Christopher Rebholz '81
- Memorial Award - Dr. Kathleen Cepelka
- Professional Achievement Award - Cheryl Hutchinson Blackstone '86
- Caritas Service Award - Mary Kuemmel Petrie '76
- Distinguished Young Alumni Award - Ashley Dentice Miller '01 & Meredith Dentice Johnson '09
- Memorial Award - Bev McCarthy AP ’76, ’77, ’79, ’80, ’81, ’83, ’87, Alumni Grandparent ’03
- Professional Achievement Award - Jerry Jendusa '85
- Caritas Service Award - Ann Stollenwerk Maas '77
- Distinguished Young Alumni Award - Jeff Krause '03
- Memorial Award - Tom & Kristi Czarnecki AP ’10, ’12, ’13
- Professional Achievement Award - Marie Smith O’Brien ’80
- Caritas Service Award - Debra Behring Schneider ’79
- Distinguished Young Alumni Award - Krystina Finn ’07 (posthumous)
- Memorial Award - Art & Mary Stout AP ’03, ’06, ’11
- Professional Achievement Award - John Bunce ’67
- Caritas Service Award - Mary Beth ’77 (Armstrong) and Tom Gotzler ’77
- Distinguished Young Alumni Award - Matt Sabljak ’02
- Memorial Award - JoAnn Krause AP ’03, ’05, ’11
- Professional Achievement Award - Timothy Sullivan ’71
- Caritas Service Award - Ann Marie Wick ’88
- Distinguished Young Alumni Award - Dimas Ocampo ’97
- Memorial Award - Mary Kinateder AP ’98, ’00, ’02
- Professional Achievement Award - Col. Gregory J. Rosenmerkel ’84
- Alumni Service Award - Karolyn Kneser Krueger ’69
- Distinguished Young Alumni - Bryon Riesch ’97
Memorial Award
- Mr. & Mrs. Larry Neuman AP ’67, ’69, ’70, ’72, ’74, ’75, ’78, ’84
- Mr. & Mrs. M.E. (Bob) Nevins AP ’63, ’65, ’66, ’70, ’73, ’74, ’77, ’80, ’82
- Mr. & Mrs. John Nevins AP ’71, ’73, ’75
- Memorial Award - Pat Farrell
- Outstanding Service to Society - Sarah Holtz ’00
- Outstanding Service to Profession - Marty Frank
- Outstanding Service to Memorial - Judy & Jerry Boll AP ’03, ’07, ’11
- Outstanding Alumnus Award - Joe Vitale ’56
- G.O.L.D. - Tara Schmitt ’00
- Outstanding Service to Profession - Chadd Frank ’90
- Outstanding Service to Memorial - Sandi Streit Keyser ’62
- Outstanding Service to Society - Bobby Warns ’99 (posthumous)
- Memorial Award - Dennis Sage AP ’83, ’85, ’93, ’98, ’04
- G.O.L.D. - Leslie Osborne ’01
- Outstanding Service to Profession - Tim Hanley ’74
- Outstanding Service to Memorial - John Bisswurm ’77
- Outstanding Service to Society - Mary Jo MacGregor ’81
- Memorial Award - Ken Riesch AP ’96, ’97, ’01, ’05
Criteria for the Legacy Awards
The minimum requirements for election into the Legacy Alumni Awards are as follows:
- Exemplifies living the Catholic Memorial High School mission in his/her personal and professional life.
- For the Professional Achievement, Caritas Service, and Distinguished Young Alumni awards, recipients must be alumni of Catholic Memorial High School.
- For the Distinguished Young Alumni Award, alumni must receive the award within 15 years of graduating from Catholic Memorial High School. Should the nomination not be chosen within the 15-year timeframe, the nomination will expire, and someone will need to re-nominate the person under the Professional Achievement or Caritas Service award categories.
- For the Memorial Award, the recipient must NOT be alumni of CMH but has/have demonstrated distinguished leadership and/or service to Catholic Memorial High School. *
Nomination forms will be kept for 2 years and reviewed if a candidate is not inducted. Nomination forms will expire after that time unless someone re-nominates them.
*Catholic Memorial High School reserves the right to remove any individual from the Legacy Alumni Awards for personal conduct which reflects discredit upon the school.
Bylaws of the Legacy Awards
Candidates for selection to the Legacy Awards shall be proposed by CMH leadership, faculty and staff, alumni, students, and friends of Catholic Memorial High School. Solicitations of recommendations shall be accomplished through CMH publications and the online nomination form.
The selection committee will accept nominations for induction of Catholic Memorial High School graduates and friends of CMH who exemplify and sustain the CMH mission to educate, guide and prepare students to become leaders who serve the Church and the world. Candidates must have distinguished themselves and, ideally, CMH in their endeavors while a student at or as an alumni or community member of Catholic Memorial High School.
The final selection of the inductees will rest with the committee which will review the proposed candidates and others the committee members might recommend.
Final inductees will be confirmed by the President of CMH.