BCHS Alumni News Blog

Jackie Appleman, ’05, becomes a mom

Congratulations to Jackie Appleman, BCHS Class of 2005, on the adoption of her daughter, Jessica in March 2020! We wish them the best of times as mother and daughter!

Eleanor (Ellie) Smith, ’08, receives doctorate

Congratulations to Eleanor (Ellie) R. Smith, BCHS Class of 2008, who successfully defended her dissertation in May, 2019, for the degree of PhD at the Graduate School of Education of Fordham University, NYC. Her dissertation is titled “Fighting Cyberbullying with Technology: Anonymous Reporting; Access Impact on Student Perceptions of School Climate.” Ellie received her bachelor’s degree at Indiana University and her master’s degree from Fordham University. She currently works in Indianapolis for Washington Township Schools as a school psychologist.

Jenny (Bryant) Lis, ’03, and family welcome new baby boy

Jenny (Bryant) Lis, BCHS Class of 2003, and her husband Eric welcomed their third son, Elias Joseph, in early January! He joins big brothers Gabe and Gus who are very excited to have another brother. Congratulations to the Lis Family!

Nikki (Kirschner) Robbins, ’10, weds

Congratulations to Nikki (Kirschner), BCHS Class of 2010, and Eric Robbins on their recent marriage at Irwin Gardens in Columbus, Indiana.

Sarah Fulton, ’16, begins teaching career

Congratulations to Sarah Fulton, BCHS Class of 2016, who began her first year of teaching at Our Lady of Grace Catholic School in Noblesville. She teaches middle School English Language Arts as well as Religion. She also graduated from Ball State in 2020 with Honors.

Jana (Wallander) Gemkow ’10, is wed

Congratulations to Jena (Wallander) Gemkow, BCHS Class of 2010, who married Benjamin Gemkow (of La Grange Park, Illinois) on August 1, 2020, at St. Mary’s of the Lake Catholic Church in New Buffalo, MI.

Courtney (Chesebrough) Whistler ’99: New Owner of Binkley’s

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.

Rachel (Newkirk) Barsella, ’07, receives degree

Rachel (Newkirk) Barsella, BCHS Class of 2007, attained her Doctor of Nursing Practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner from DePaul University, Chicago, in June 2020. Her study “Educational Tool Reduces Parental Stress at Home Post Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: A Pilot Study” has been published in the Progress in Pediatric Cardiology journal. She is now employed as a Nurse Practitioner in Adult Congenital Heart Disease at the University of Chicago. Congratulations Rachel!