Congratulations to Denise Morrow, BCHS Class of 1992! In June 2021, she graduated with her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University.
On Sept. 10, 2021, BCHS hosted a Mass in partnership with the Indianapolis Fire Department’s Emerald Society on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Dozens of firefighters came to the school to pay tribute to the first responders who gave their lives to help others after the terrorist attacks on 9/11.BCHS
The Sept. 10 Mass was also an occasion to pay tribute to Warren Smith, a 1990 Bishop Chatard graduate who went on to become an IFD firefighter.
He died in the line of duty in 2000 during a diving exercise. A plaque honoring Smith was given to school leaders after the Mass so that its students can remember the self-sacrifice of the school’s graduate.
Smith’s brother Marc Smith, a member of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis, attended the Mass.
“Throughout the years, I’ve known how they felt about him,” said Smith of the way IFD firefighters have honored his brother. “It means a great deal. To me, he was my big brother. But to see how other people see what kind of person he was is very fulfilling and uplifting.”
IFD battalion chief Dudley Taylor, who served with Warren Smith, spoke about his fallen comrade.
“Many may only remember the tragic day on which he lost his life,” said Taylor. “But we’re here today to remember and honor all the days of his life, especially those within Bishop Chatard High School. The lessons he learned at Bishop Chatard served him far beyond the confines of his classroom.”
Congratulations to DuJuan Daniels, BCHS Class of 1998, who was inducted to the Indiana Football Hall of Fame. DuJuan was the 1997 Mr. Football at Bishop Chatard and a former player at Boston College. He went on to spend 13 seasons in the New England Patriots Scouting Department and is currently working for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Courtney (Chesebrough) Whistler ’99 became the sole owner of Binkley Kitchen & Bar last year. During the pandemic, she oversaw cosmetic and physical renovations of the restaurant and navigated the switch to a carry-out menu, followed by a limited in-person, menu.
Congratulations to Paul Mullin, BCHS Class of 1997, who was elected by his colleagues to a 2 year term as Managing Partner of Lewis And Wilkins LLP, an Indianapolis law firm.
He and his family are members at St. Pius X Parish. Other members of the firm with children at BCHS are Steve Koers (St. Simon) and John Lewis (Christ the King).
Larisa shares this information about her life’s journey:
“I got married in 2009, to my wonderful husband, Sam, while still living in Indianapolis. My son, Alex, was born in 2013.
After many years working as a dog groomer, I switched gears and got into the travel industry. After working for other agencies for the last 4 years, I made the leap and opened up my own travel agency.
Rivertown Travel is based in Hudson, WI where we have lived since 2015. We share our house with 2 cats and a Golden Retriever named Flash. ”
Larisa, congratulations and best wishes on your new venture!
Nichelle Leavell, BCHS Class of 1995, owns Experience, Strength & Hope LLC, the only agency in Indianapolis that is dedicated solely to individual Recovery Consulting services.
She employs 10 clinical contractors focused on mental health and addictions work.
Personally, she is one of the only Black and women-owned DMHA certified Mental Health and Addictions Agencies in Indianapolis.
Nichelle and her sister Rochelle, Class of 1997, are proud to be second-generation Trojans.
She shares her accomplishment because it is something to be celebrated (after years of hard work towards ownership), and attributes this success, in part, to her education at Bishop Chatard. She also hopes that, if someone needed help, they may know where to come.
Due to the crisis in our country and lack of mental health and addictions services, this is a very important service to the community.