January - Kerri Boros
c/o 2003 - "HOME"

December - Desirae Grunwell
c/o 2012 - "FAMILY"
November - Connor Mooney
c/o 2015 - "PROTRACTED"
OCTOBER - Tim Novak
c/o 1989 - "FAMILY"
SEPTEMBER - Sarah Mooney
c/o 2012 - "HOUYHNNHNMS"
AUGUST - Adam Pavlik
c/o 2001 - "COMMITMENT"
JULY - Alex Joynt
c/o 2015 - "TENACIOUS"
JUNE - Dr. Natalie Bartnik
c/o 2007 - "COMMUNITY"
APRIL - Matthew Federico
c/o 2001 - "REWARDING"
MARCH - Michael Williams
c/o 1990 - "BOND"
FEBRUARY - Peter Bartels
c/o 1987 - "COMPETITIVE"
January - Robi Stuart
c/o 2017 - "PREPARED"

December - Elizabeth (Irish) Marshall
c/o 2008 - "FOUNDATIONAL"
October - Nicole Buckingham
c/o 2015 - "COMPETITIVE"
September - Matthew Kelly
c/o 2000 - "OPPORTUNITY"
August - Erica Decker
c/o 2011 - "WELL-ROUNDED"
April - Megan Sullivan
c/o 2011 - "EMBRACING"
March - Michelle (Fulsher) Mitchell
c/o 1994 - "MEMORABLE"
January - Michael Bujold
c/o 2005 - "VALUES"

December - Ben Schuller
c/o 2009 - "INSPIRING"
October - Danielle (Kamm) Carter
c/o 2003 - "ENRICHING'
September - Jay Mohan
c/o 2005 - "REWARDING"
August - Jen (Thieme) Kehres
c/o 2003

Nouvel is continually proud of the impact our alumni make after they graduate. It is our honor to spotlight those alumni who truly represent our Nouvel Strong culture of believing, learning and succeeding. Our Alumni Spotlights feature outstanding alumni succeeding in their careers and showng pride in their Panther heritage.

Nominate your fellow Panthers for the Alumni Spotlight. Send an email to jgentner@nouvelcatholic.org or fill out an Alumni Spotlight Nomination form on this page.

Kerri Boros graduated from Nouvel Catholic Central in 2003. Upon graduation, Kerri attended Delta College and Saginaw Valley State University where she graduated with a Bachelors in Psychology in 2007. She then entered the workforce as a counselor in a high security juvenile rehabilitation center and began her graduate degree at Spring Arbor University. She graduated with a Masters in Counseling in 2011 and has obtained a certification in brain injury counseling. 

Kerri is now back at Nouvel where she is the High School Guidance Counselor. Prior to this new endeavor, she volunteered at the Saginaw Community Foundation as a scholarship reviewer. When she is not at work, Kerri enjoys using her crafting skills to donate to community causes. She is passionate about spreading awareness to causes such as Be the Match, particularly after her mother’s successful battle with plasma cancer.

Kerri and her husband Kyle were married in 2014 and now have two sons, Blake (5) and Bryce (3). Her oldest son is in the Young Fives program at Nouvel and her youngest will start in the Preschool program next fall!

To describe Nouvel, Kerri uses the word “HOME”. “I believe the true meaning of home is somewhere where you can live, learn, and grow and where you are supported and loved unconditionally. I was lucky enough to grow up in a home like this and be a part of the Nouvel (and St. Thomas) community my entire life. Although it has been many years since I left Nouvel, the only way I can describe the feeling of my return is coming home again. The sense of acceptance and community within the Nouvel family is unprecedented and I feel so blessed to be a part of it as an alumni, parent, and now staff.” 

Kerri credits her Nouvel education to so much of her academic and vocational success and hopes she can provide support from those successes to the current students at Nouvel.

Desirae Grunwell graduated from Nouvel Catholic Central in 2012 where she was involved in choir, theater and community service. After earning her associates degree from Delta College, she then studied at Saginaw Valley State University where she gained a Bachelor’s of Social Work and later a Master’s of Social Work. Desirae is now a clinical therapist based in the mid-Michigan area. She credits the theater department for giving her self-confidence to do things she is afraid of, public speaking skills and the ability to think on her feet quickly when things don’t go as planned.

During undergrad, Desirae worked with expecting mothers, families and caregivers throughout various internships. She provided supplies such as diapers, formula and clothes to those who needed as well as educational classes to expecting parents such as safe sleep and developmental steps. During graduate school, she worked at the LGBTQ+ center on SVSU’s campus where she provided safe space training to the community, ran educational groups, networked to bring new resources to campus and fundraised for AIDS and HIV research.

Outside of work, Desirae is active in the local and surrounding communities. She has participates in several protests and marches for freedom and equality. She is SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) trained and has taught other professionals how to make their spaces, classes and work environment a safe space for LGBTQ individuals. She says, “If I’ve learned anything the last 26 years it's that everybody needs somebody. Somebody in their corner; somebody to listen and lend a hand when it's needed. I am both humbled and blessed to be that somebody.”

To describe her experience at Nouvel, Desirae uses the word, “FAMILY”. “It’s been almost a decade since I’ve graduated and I still find myself checking in one those I graduated with because I’m genuinely interested in their lives. Some of the bonds that have come out of my high school experience have withstood time, moves, varies degrees, marriages and the building of new families. It’s been such a privilege to see some of the people I went to school with grow and make their own lives. It’s been great to be able to reach out to some of my Nouvel family during some hardships in life and have them support you, no questions asked. I chose family because even if some of us don’t talk often or see one another, they are always the ones to wave at you at the store or share your posts when you take on a new endeavor.”

Connor Mooney is a 2015 graduate of Nouvel Catholic Central. Following high school, Connor pursued further education at Michigan State University where he earned a spot on the Dean’s list and graduated with honors studying public policy and international policy. During his time at MSU he formed a non-profit organization aimed at enhancing the lives of homeless individuals. 

Connor is now in his second year at the University of Wisconsin School of Law. He also conducts legal work for a non-profit called EXPO of Wisconsin where he advocates for and works with prior convicted individuals helping them ease back into society. Additionally, Connor is working for the Wisconsin Supreme Court conducting legal research and drafting bench memos for the Justice he works under.

To describe his experience at Nouvel, Connor chose the word “PROTRACTED”. “Protracted means something that either lasts for a long time or feels like it has lasted a long time. To me the years a person spends in high school are incredibly important for that person’s development. Like anyone else, I had good and bad times while at Nouvel, but no matter what the experience was, it is a time in my life that has helped mold me into the person I am now.” Connor adds, “my parents chose to send me to Nouvel because they believed it was the best for me and I owe any success I have to them.”
 

Tim Novak graduated from Nouvel Catholic Central in 1989 and went on to continue his education at Michigan State University. At MSU, Tim earned a degree in political science and pre-law. He also earned his teacher’s certification from Saginaw Valley State University in 2002. 

No stranger to Nouvel schools, Tim was a teacher at the high school for 6 years before starting as County Treasurer in 2013 - where he is currently employed. Aside from work, he coaches youth football, basketball and baseball, is a member of the Saginaw County Board of Health, the chair of the Saginaw County Land Bank Authority and is the former Saginaw County Commissioner. He also generously gives back his time to Nouvel where he is a field trip chaperone, volunteer for Pantherfest, mentor for students and helps with the scoreboard, clock and chain gang at athletic events.

Tim resides in Carrolton with his wife, Kristin (1994 NCC graduate), and two sons – Max (current NCCHS 10th grader) and Jack (current NCCE 5th grader). He and his wife love the Nouvel community and are happy to be able to experience being parents of kids attending the school. 

To describe his experience at the school, Tim uses the word “FAMILY”. “When you have attended Nouvel, you become part of a family for life. No matter what years you attended we all have a special bond.  I loved how students from different grades were friends.  This continues today as we see each other at events or activities or work (or as parents of kids at Nouvel now).”

Sarah Mooney graduated from Nouvel in 2012 where she was active in student government, NHS and athletics. She then went on to earn her Bachelors of Human Biology with a minor in health promotions from Michigan State University. Sarah now attends medical school at Loyola University, Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, Illinois with the plans of starting a pediatric residency this coming July. 

Throughout undergrad, Sarah volunteered at a number of institutions including; Sparrow Hospital, Habitat for Humanity and a brain injury rehabilitation center. She also served as an undergraduate student mentor, a recreational therapy volunteer and a tutor for the last 3 years of medical school. She has been on the medical schools admissions committee for all 4 years of school and has been director of a student ran mentorship program at the medical school. In her free time, she enjoys spending time by Lake Michigan and exploring the many neighborhoods and amazing food Chicago has to offer.

Sarah chose the word “HOUYHNNHNMS” to describe her experience at Nouvel. She shared, “For as long as I can remember, I have planned on going into medicine but it was studying literature at Nouvel with Mrs. DeLong that made such a huge impact on my career choice. The way she made you think about the stories read in her class, made you think beyond the context given, and I have used that concept over and over again as a medical student and soon to be physician, both in and out of the hospital. I think back to this particular character from Gulliver’s Travels often because houyhnnhnms were simple, acted justly and fairly, were generous and were devoted to reasoning. I try to exemplify those characteristics daily in school, with my family and in the community. Mrs. DeLong’s classes not only laid the foundation for my future academic pursuits but also taught me many lessons on how to carry myself as I grow as person.”
 

Adam Pavlik graduated from Nouvel Catholic Central High School in 2001. He was awarded the Distinguished Freshman Scholarship (MSU), a 9-semester full-tuition scholarship, given while a senior at NCC. He attended James Madison College at Michigan State University, where he obtained his B.A. in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy and his B.A. in International Relations in 2005. He was a member of MSU’s Honors College as an undergraduate and graduated with Honors. He went on to study at the Michigan State University College of Law and graduate Suma Cum Laude with his J.D. in 2008. He was a Dean Charles H. King Scholar, which is a full-tuition scholarship for law school.

Currently, Adam is the Senior Law Clerk to Justice Elizabeth T. Clement of the Michigan Supreme Court. As one of four Law Clerks, Adam advises the Justice on cases, as they come through the Court. They perform a screening function, helping the Justice identify cases that are worthy of close scrutiny. Once those cases are selected, he then assists the Justice in developing a position in each case. He works very closely with other colleagues in the office to come to a consensus on the Court’s view of the law. As Senior Law Clerk, Adam is responsible for 25% of the cases, as well as serving as somewhat of a Chief of Staff for the office and keeping an eye on the other 75% of cases.

Adam is a member of St. Mary Cathedral in Lansing, where he is the Recording Secretary to the Parish Knight’s of Columbus Council #11694. He is also a member of the Bishop Albers KC 4^th Degree Assembly #496, the Vice President of the Lansing Catholic Lawyers Guild and an active member of the Michigan Political History Society.

Adam used the word “COMMITMENT” to describe his experience at Nouvel. “It was palpable how dedicated everyone was to what they were doing and the mission to the school.” He remembers individuals like Stan Krajkowski. “When a Mr. Anything, like Stan, was available to do absolutely anything that needed doing, everybody else knew what level of commitment they needed to live up to. Outstanding theology faculty, like Mary Speaker and Pete Bartels, were committed to teaching the truths of the faith.” Adam credits his inspiration to many past educators like the Szymanowski brothers, Steven Tack, Carolyn Hubbard, Nancy Irish, Deb DeLong and Carol Brown, and current educators such as Julie Wigen, Gary Rocha and Mark Bradtke, also mentioning his teachers from St. Stephen’s. “Their ongoing commitment to the mission of Catholic education is an inspiring example I draw upon all the time. The most enduring source of success I’ve had in my career is simply embracing the task at hand and doing it to the best of my ability—being committed to the job you have, not something else you could be doing.”

Adam also used the word “EXCELLENCE” when describing Nouvel. “I think it’s easy to overlook the effects of a culture of excellence. Just look at my graduating class of 2001—it abounds with engineers, educators, and other leaders in their fields. It’s a tradition I hope future generations continue.”

Alex Joynt graduated from Nouvel Catholic Central High School in 2015 and comes from a long line of Catholic school graduates, including brothers, Bradley (NCC, ’11) and Christopher (NCC, ’13), her parents, Sean (Bishop Foley) and Sue (SSPP, ’83) and her grandparents (Holy Rosary). Alex was no stranger to high achievement during her time at Nouvel, making the Dean’s List, being crowned Homecoming Queen (2014) and taking home the Girls Basketball State Championship title along with her fellow Lady Panthers. Alex went on to attend Grand Valley State University where she obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Hospitality Tourism Management in 2018. She is currently working as an Executive Personal Assistant at MassMutual Great Lakes in Southfield, MI. Alex enjoys giving back to her community and those in need as an avid blood donor and volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.

Alex uses the word “TENACIOUS” to describe her experience at Nouvel. “I learned this word from Coach “K” and it stuck with me ever since. Throughout my years at Nouvel, I always had to keep a tenacious mindset, both in sports and academics. The guidance from staff and teachers, and being around so any of my peers with the same mindset, really prepared me for college and the demands of work.
During her years in college, Alex was able to travel and work internationally, which gave her the opportunity to experience different cultures. “I’ve held many different positions in the hospitality industry and have learned how to work well with many types of people and the importance of patience, all while relying on my faith in God in any situation. I feel the combination of all these helped me become a successful career woman.”

Alex enjoys living and working in the Detroit area and participating in all it has to offer. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, working out, running and learning sign language.

Natalie Bartnik graduated from Nouvel Catholic Central High School in 2007. As class president, she was very involved in leadership and stewardship, governing the Nouvel student body and serving the community. In 2011, Natalie earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Loyola University Chicago and went on to complete a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Michigan in 2013. Upon completing her master’s degree, Natalie focused her talents on research while working for the University of Michigan investigating the psychosocial aspects of genomic testing in medicine. Three years later, she expanded her clinical knowledge by applying to medical school. After four more years of education, Natalie became a doctor of Osteopathic medicine graduating from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in May of 2020. Beginning July 1, 2020, she will begin her residency in Neurology at the University of Kansas School of Medicine where she will be reunited with her husband, Jonathan, a PGY2 Emergency Medicine resident. Natalie is grateful to have the love and support of her parents, family and friends.  She is particularly proud to have her sister, Catherine Bartnik (NCCHS, 2004) as a strong female mentor and someone she greatly looks up to.
 
“COMMUNITY” is the word that Natalie chose to describe her experience at Nouvel. “In my opinion, it takes a village to accomplish a goal. Without a doubt, I would not be the person that I am today without the help, love and support of family, friends, peers, colleagues, mentors, faith and community members. Beyond a strong educational foundation, my experience at Nouvel provided me with a sense of community. The values of teamwork and community service were instilled in me through the mentorship and guidance of teachers, staff, coaches and students at Nouvel. As a student body, we were a family working together to help each other thrive. Even today, it brings me great joy to see the accomplishments of my fellow peers as we continue to advance in our lives.”