2023 Alumni Awards

Rehgan Avon '11

Rehgan Avon is the co-founder & CEO of AlignAI, a Knowledge Management Platform helping companies sustainably transform their organizations to effectively build and use Artificial Intelligence. With a background in Integrated Systems Engineering and a strong focus on building technology to support analytics and machine learning, Rehgan has worked on architecting solutions and products to operationalize machine learning models at scale within the large enterprise. Rehgan’s previous experience has been fueled by a passion for early-stage startups and product development.

Rehgan has built an extensive community of analytics & data experts through Women in Analytics, a global organization she founded in 2016 to provide more visibility to diverse individuals making an impact in this space. She hosts a global annual conference that has put over 250 women on the stage. The community has over 5000 members from around the world that participate in tutorials, learning groups, discussion boards, and mentorship programs. She was also inducted into the inaugural class of Columbus CEO’s Future 50.

Dr. Francis Gregory Noveske '66

Dr. Noveske's family is from the Grafton-Elyria area. His two siblings also graduated from Elyria Catholic, Terrence Noveske '62 and Michaeline Noveski '68. Dr. Noveske's experience at EC was both formative and a pleasure. He studied hard and but had a great time along the way. He fondly remembers attending dances and sporting events, singing in the choir, participating in science fairs, serving as senior class treasurer, working on the year book and school paper, and playing on EC's chess team which finished third in the high school state team championship. Dr. Noveske especially remembers making many friends many of whom he has known throughout the years. He and his future wife, Janet Wood, were in the same class and both were voted ‘most likely to succeed.’ They began dating in those high school years. After undergraduate school they married in 1970 and now have three grown children and six growing grandchildren. "They are the greatest success and the greatest joy of our lives." Janet has deep ties to EC as well having four sisters, two of whom are Notre Dame sisters whose order originally taught at the school. Another sister now deceased was a Dominican sister with the fourth sister marrying.

Their family home in Grafton was destroyed on April 11, 1965 in the “Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak” when I was a junior. My family was fortunate to survive but were financially affected. I worked in a variety of jobs; drug store, factory loading dock, factory machine work, automobile line work, brakeman on a railroad, and in various janitorial services at EC to help with tuition.

 Jobs in my youth were easily available even for young people and usually paid fairly well although I remember earning fifty cents per hour one summer working at EC. "The halls you walk I once swept. Please remember to help keep them clean as someone else is cleaning them today hopefully for more than fifty cents per hour."

From 1966 to1970 Dr. Noveske attended John Carroll University supported significantly by a scholarship where he earned a degree in chemistry with honors and then went to medical school at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. While on partial scholarship, Janet supported them working as a teacher. She continued to work as a teacher and as a church musician until her retirement a few years ago. Dr. Noveske received his Doctorate of Medicine in 1974 and then had five years of residency training becoming board certified in adult and child psychiatry which he was privileged to practice until his recent retirement from medicine. "Many of my patients are among the finest people I have ever met but, unfortunately, there remains a strong bias against psychiatric disease. They are among current ‘lepers’ in our midst misunderstood and ridiculed by many. Any family can be affected by psychiatric illness just as they can by other illnesses." Dr. Noveske was primarily in private practice in psychiatry but also served in various

consulting positions such as Catholic Charities, community mental systems, and in faculty positions teaching psychiatric residents and medical students in training. He served as Chairman of Psychiatry at St. John Hospital for many years and directed its inpatient psychiatric unit. Dr. Noveske is a long time member and Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.

His Catholic roots were gifted to him by his family as well as other faith-filled people including those affiliated with EC. "My faith is central to my life. I have prayed the Divine Office faithfully for over 30 years. Daily prayer deepens our relationship with Our Lord and supports and continually refreshes us whatever life may bring. I recommend it to each of you. Life is full of challenges. Prayer has supported me during tornadoes, my studies with hundreds of exams, personal and family struggles, many years caring for patients, and raising a family alongside my wife." In 2007 Dr. Noveske was ordained a Permanent Deacon for the Diocese of Cleveland. He belongs to St. Richard Parish but have served in various diocesan roles alongside parish work.

"it is a privilege to receive this Distinguished Alumni Award. I am very grateful for the honor especially given the esteem and respect I hold for Elyria Catholic High School. Thank you!"

Eric Gaines Jr. '02

Eric Gaines is the husband of Morgan Mabry Gaines '01, father to Peyton and Emory, son to Eric and Vicky and brother to Alana Gaines '05. He currently works as an Orthopedic Physician Assistant at University Hospital’s The Center for Orthopedics. Over the years he has developed a passion for serving others whether it be through taking care of patients at work or coaching multiple youth sports teams, including the Avon Varsity baseball team.

He was born and raised in Oberlin, Ohio where he learned the importance of community and love for thy neighbor. Being humble, compassionate, and hard working are three core standards that he continues to uphold. His job, team, and community experiences have been positively influenced by these standards and his relationship with Jesus. His time at Elyria Catholic is one that is unforgettable. From the relationships built to the lessons learned; it helped shape him into the man he is today.

He played college baseball at Eastern Michigan University and University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) before earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Physician Assistant studies from UMES, and his Master’s Degree from the University of Nebraska. He has been a practicing Physician Assistant for 15 years and is proud to say that his calling in life is to serve those in need.

His greatest achievement thus far is his family. His girls, Morgan, Peyton, and Emory give him renewed purpose every day to not only live by the standards of being humble, compassionate, and hard working but to truly BE THE STANDARD. He enjoys nothing more than being a husband and a father. He is very grateful for every opportunity God has given him to not only succeed in life but to help others do the same in their lives.

The Sisters of Notre Dame
 

The Sisters of Notre Dame are grateful to have shared more than fifty of Elyria Catholic’s seventy-five years of history. When the pioneer ninth graders began classes at the

St. Mary School campus, two sisters were among the teachers: Sister Mary Dolora Horning and Sister Mary Ralph Fahey, who was also the school’s first principal. Eight sisters were on the faculty when the new school building on Gulf Road opened its doors on September 17, 1947 to 254 students in grades 9 through 12.

From the beginning until 2003, 118 Sisters of Notre Dame have had the privilege of serving at Elyria Catholic as teachers, tutors, administrators, and campus ministers. Among them were Sisters Mary St Michael (Margaret McGovern), Agnes Ann, Aimee, Carl, Linette, Justille, and Giovanne. In more recent years, Sisters Mary Frances Murray, Jacquelyn Gusdane, and Joanne Keppler served as teachers and administrators. The Sisters of Notre Dame welcomed eight graduates of Elyria Catholic as vowed members: Sisters Charlotte Manzo ’52, Kathleen Knechtges ’56, Anne Marie Robinson ’56, Lucia Haas ’58, Seton (Mary Rita) Schlather ’62, Elizabeth Wood ’62, Jeanette Brown ’65, and Renee Pastor ’65.

Joanne Romero Loos '02
 

Julie Poling Bonacci '02

While a student at EC, Julie served as a student ambassador, National Honor Society member, Challenge Staff member, Peer Minister, Captain of the Cheerleading Squad, and Big Senate Vice President. Julie cherishes her Elyria Catholic memories, particularly cheerleading, and will always hold them dear to her heart. She will forever be grateful to her loving parents, Edward and Mary Martin Poling '76, whose countless sacrifices made it possible for herself and her siblings, Kathryn Poling Staker '01, Nicholas Poling '07, and Zachary Poling '09 to attend such a fine, Christ-centered and instructionally strong high school.

Julie received her Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education in 2006 from John Carroll University. While there she served as a Resident Assistant for two years. As a junior Julie was awarded the

Rev. Joseph Owens, S.J. Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to an outstanding junior education student who best exemplifies the values of scholarship, leadership, and service. As a senior she received the J. Joseph Whelan for Leadership in Service Award, which recognizes a graduating senior in the Department of Education whose life is a reflection of the Jesuit mission and who has distinguished him or herself as a person for others and a leader in service. In 2010 Julie obtained her