Luke Kaster (GS '93) is one of the main managers at The Bullfrog Cajun Bar, a recently opened new restaurant in Downtown Minneapolis.

In eight years as a BSM English teacher, Kari Koshiol (GS '93) has served as an adviser for the Knight Errant student newspaper, coached speech and debate, and served as a junior class adviser. Last spring the BSM community celebrated her achievement of being honored with the Apple Polisher Award, sponsored by the National Honor Society. Kari says she loves her job, especially when the students are having fun…"They’re the life of the school."

Ella Hamilton (PC '97) is to be married to Doug Biglow (PC '98). Ella, a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison, is a registered nurse at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale, and is studying to be a nurse practitioner at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Doug is a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison and is in his third year at William Mitchell College of Law. An August 2012 wedding is planned. All of the engaged couple’s siblings are in the wedding party: Kelly (PC '00), Connor (PC '03), Molly (GS '06), Devin (GS '06), Megan (GS '09) and Rory Hamilton (GS '17); Ellie (PC '00), John (PC '02) and Mary Biglow (PC '05).

Kirsten Farrar (PC '99) recently completed her masters degree in Social Work at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. Kirsten says teaching 8th grade science as a long-term substitute at a behavioral school in Las Vegas has brought home to her the work ethic and dedication her Parkvalley teachers had. "I feel that the great teachers and values I had gained at Parkvalley has helped me get this far in life," says Kirsten.

Tsana Allen (PC '04) has accepted an internship at Winona State University, to cover public relations for WSU sporting events. She is a sophomore majoring in Mass Communications there.

Vince Beacom (PC '05) was one of two students awarded the annual Al Reger Award by the BSM faculty and staff for his "outstanding dedication and zeal to the service of God and school." He was also named to the North Suburban Conference All-American Hockey Team. He is a freshman at Marquette University, studying Bio-Medical Engineering. Vince was a 2005 Parkvalley Marian Award winner.

Mary Biglow (GS '05) embarked on three mission trips during the summer of 2010 to Costa Rica, Panama and Guatemala. She journeyed with her mother and sister, working as nurses by assisting in the set-up of small clinics in remote towns. Mary, a freshman at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, is studying art and psychology.

The following students from Parkvalley class of 2005 were 2011 honor graduates of BSM: Cum Laude: Grace Helgager and Alex Sherman; Magna Cum Laude: Vince Beacom and Kathryn Cullen.

Paige Erickson (PC '05) was crowned BSM Prom Princess last April. Hailey Hansen (PC '05) was an emcee for the coronation.

Good Shepherd alumni receiving the President’s Volunteer Service Award on May 25 at BSM were (senior high): Emily Boole (GS '06), Caroline Kupchella (GS '08), Jack Tift (GS '05), Sierra Twesten (GS '08), and Elizabeth Vertina (GS '07); (junior high): Audrey Jewett (GS '09), Kelly Johnson (GS '10), Amanda Kautzer (GS '10), and Kayla McMenamy (GS '10). The award is sponsored by President Obama and is intended to acknowledge service work that is having a significant impact in local communities. Senior high students who receive this award have completed a minimum of 100 community service hours in the past twelve months and junior high students have completed a minimum of 50 hours in the past 12 months. Students may accumulate hours by working at churches, schools, or other community locations.

Leila Aboussir (GS '06) was crowned Benilde-St. Margaret’s Homecoming Queen at the coronation held Monday, September 26. She is a senior at BSM.

Anna Landis (GS '06) and Leila Aboussir (GS '06) were recognized as individual award winners within the SpotLight Award program, sponsored by the Hennepin Theatre Trust, for their roles in the May 2011 BSM production of "High School Musical." Anna, who played "Kelsie," won Outstanding Supporting Role, and Leila’s turn as Martha Cox was selected Outstanding Feature Role. The overall production won Outstanding Production Award. Both are seniors.

Mikayla Coulombe (GS '06) was featured on the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association website at www.mctaa.org in the March newsletter. In an article about Minnesota’s state tournament, she was one of two girls highlighted for placing second in the first ever girls’ division in the high school state championships. She is a senior at BSM.

Brian Tobelmann (GS '06), Kiley Peterson (GS '07) and Elizabeth Vertina (GS '07) were part of the 2011 BSM Senior High Math League that qualified for the state tournament by coming in first place in the Metro Alliance Division for the year.

Leila Aboussir (GS '06), Jack Tift (PC ' 05), Anna Landis (GS '06), Sian Last (GS '06), Rachel Hogen (GS '07) and Sierra Twesten (GS '08) qualified to represent BSM at the National Forensic League National Tournament held in June in Dallas, Texas. The team captured the section championship and was named the All-Conference Academic champion.

Mikayla Coulombe, Leila Aboussir, Lauren Effertz, Anna Landis, Brian Tobelmann (all GS '06), Ruby Ford and Kiley Petersen (both GS '07) and Laura Shannon (GS '08) are on the staff of the “Knight Errant," Benilde-St. Margaret’s student newspaper and news site (www.bsmknighterrant.org). Mikayla is the Features Editor, Leila is the Online Photography Editor, and Lauren, Anna, Brian, Ruby, Kiley and Laura are Staff Writers. All content is written and produced by the students of the Journalism I and Journalism II classes at Benilde-St. Margaret’s School. The online edition is updated on a daily basis, and the print edition is distributed every two to three weeks.

Haley Jerabek (GS '07) set a new BSM track and field record for the mile, running it in 5:19.60 on May 6, 2011. She is a junior at BSM.

Maddy Fox (GS '07) auditioned and was accepted into Midori, an eight-girl a cappella vocal group at Hopkins High School. She sings second alto in the group, the lowest vocal part. All the girls are new to the group this year, and Maddy says they’re off to a great start. "Our first performance was singing the national anthem at HHS’s homecoming football game, and we’re currently working on a couple pieces and can’t wait to perform throughout the year," said Maddy. She is a sophomore at HHS.

Charles Houtz (GS '07) received a qualifying score and bronze medal on the National Spanish Test last spring. He is a junior at Hopkins High School.

Lexi Johnson ('08) and Anna Landis ('06) are featured in the upcoming Benilde-St. Margaret’s Production of Fiddler on the Roof. Lexi will be performing in the role of Hodel and Anna will performing in the role Golde. The show will be performed October 28th and 29th at 7:00 p.m. and October 30th at 2:00 p.m.

Lexi Johnson (GS '08) earned first place honors at the Hennepin County Fair Talent Contest held June 18. She participated in a duet performance of the song "For Good," from the popular musical "Wicked." By winning both the teen division and the overall, she earned the opportunity to perform in the semifinals at the Minnesota state fair. She is a sophomore at BSM.

This past summer, Caroline Kupchella (GS '08) and her father, Rick went on a mission trip to Kenya with Smile Network International, a non-profit organization that provides impoverished children with free cleft lip and/or palate surgery. While there, she assisted with medical records, served as a translator and comforted families prior to surgery. "I just loved working with the kids," she said. "Just playing with them is helping them." She also enlisted her school’s help in the collection of over $3,000 for the organization. Caroline is an enthusiastic participant in the Red Knight Volunteer Corps, and also enjoys spending time reading to children at Mary’s Place and also serving on the board for the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota as a youth leader for girlsBest. She is a sophomore at BSM.

Katie Segner (GS '08) represented the BSM Knightettes Dance Team at the Miss Dance/Drill Team USA National Competition held in Los Angeles, California. Katie’s jazz solo dance placed second overall in the ninth grade category. Katie was also chosen to be a part of Team Minnesota, a combined group of elite dancers selected from high schools across Minnesota. Team Minnesota’s jazz dance placed first overall in the small group jazz category. She is a sophomore at BSM.

Audrey Jewett (GS '09) won a first prize award for her photo in The Views of the Valley photo contest, held each summer in Golden Valley. Her photo "Life is a Journey" won in the category "significantly altered by editing software." The Views of the Valley contest aims to promote Golden Valley and civic pride. She is a freshman at BSM.

Ann Curme, Grace O’Neil and Noah Peterson (all GS '10) were honored in May at an awards ceremony at North Hopkins Jr. High School for their outstanding academic achievement. All are currently 8th graders at NHJHS.

Charlie Wolfe and Daniel Keefe (GS ’10) played for the Robbinsdale Indians in the Armstrong Cooper Youth Baseball Association this summer. Their team took first place in the Minnesota Youth Athletic Services, 13-and-under division state championship baseball tournament which took place July 29-31 in Ham Lake, MN. The team played three games in 90-degree heat and humidity before being crowned champions. Both are 8th graders, Charlie at BSM and Daniel at Plymouth Middle School.

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