November-Jaime Kuzniar
c/o 2008 - "INSPIRING"
March-Madison Velez
c/o 2020 - "COMFORTABLE"
March-Matthew Bartels
c/o 2017 - "MAGNANIMITY"
CSW-Sarah Ehlman
c/o 2016 - "FAMILY"
CSW-Allie Buckingham
c/o 2017 - "SUPPORTIVE"
CSW-Jason Payne
c/o 2012 - "INVOLVED"
CSW-Nick Young
c/o 2016 - "LIFE-ALTERING"
CSW-Natalie Murray
c/o 2005 - "FAMILY"
January-Claire Donnelly
c/o 2007 - "FOUNDATION"

December-Shannon Kessler
c/o 2003 - "GRATEFUL"
November-William Federspiel
c/o 1986 - "OPPORTUNITY"
October -Gary Hrywnak
c/o 2001 - "LUCKY"
June - Julie Miller
c/o 2003 - "STEPPING STONE"
May - Hunter Krawczak
c/o 2013 - "ATTENTIVE"
April - Tom Hickson
c/o 1992 - "HONOR"
March - Andrea McNab
c/o 2002 - "DEDICATION"
February - Cecelia Irish
c/o 2013 - "DEFINING"
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 tpinkerton@nouvelcatholic.org or fill out an Alumni Spotlight Nomination form on this page.

Douglas Putnam is a 2008 graduate of Nouvel Catholic Central High School. After graduating, he attended Central Michigan University and achieved a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education with a cognitive impairment endorsement and Elementary Education.  Douglas is pursuing a Masters at Central Michigan University right now in Special Education with an additional endorsement in Autism Spectrum Disorder.  He is currently a Special Education teacher with Livonia Public Schools at Franklin High School and is tenured at Lansing School District. Douglas is a tutor at Novi Best Brains. He is a member of St. Mary Our Lady of the Snows and enjoys time with his family and fiance, Wendy Wichert. When asked to choose one word to describe Nouvel, he chose SPECIAL because Nouvel is "a family and I could be my crazy loving self and was able to do theater as well and everyone supported me for it." He tells his students stories about what he was like as a student and they don't believe him. Douglas shared he could be himself and it made the ride and time at Nouvel so special.  He loves Nouvel and misses the days spent here.

Dr. Jaime (Muter) Kuzniar is a 2008 graduate of NCCHS. After graduation, she attended Saginaw Valley State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in 2012, and then graduated from Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University with a Doctorate of Optometry in 2016.  She completed her Corneal Disease and Contact Lens Residency at Indiana University.  Dr. Kuzniar is the Owner/Optometrist at Elevate Eye Care + Eyewear in Rochester Hills, Michigan and a Consultant for Bausch and Lomb, Alcon, and Glaukos. She has volunteered providing eye exams on two medical mission trips to Peru and Mexico and is an active member within the Rochester Chamber of Commerce.  Dr. Kuzniar was voted onto Newsweek's Top Eye Doctors in America List for 2021 (#25) and 2022 (#15).  She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and Scleral Lens Society.  She has received the George Mertz Contact Lens Residency Award and Clinical Excellence in the Field of Gas Permeable Contact Lens Award.  Her husband, Colin, and her have 2 daughters Olivia (3) and Eloise (1) and an Australian shepherd, Luna. Her one word to describe Nouvel is INSPIRING because “the education I received at Nouvel was phenomenal. The teachers and coaches truly cared about you as a person and taught many great life lessons every day that set me up for success as I moved onto college.”

Congratulations to Madison Velez (c/o 2020) and Matthew Bartels (c/o 2017) for March's double alumni spotlight feature! Madison and Matthew were nominated for their role in creating The Hopeful Futures Scholarship, a scholarship for pregnant and parenting mothers at SVSU and Delta.
Madison Velez is a 2020 graduate from Nouvel Catholic Central High School. She attends Saginaw Valley State University, studying medical laboratory science while working part time at the Saginaw Valley Equine Clinic. In addition to being a co-founder of The Hopeful Future Scholarship, she is the President of Protect Life SVSU, which is a pro-life organization. She states “We aim to talk to our peers about the evil of abortion since we know that the abortion industry intentionally markets to college-aged women the most.” When Madison was asked what is one word that she would use to describe Nouvel, she said COMFORTABLE. Madison says “I say this because I developed wonderful friendships starting in elementary school. By the time we got to high school we were very close. It was amazing getting to see my best friends almost every day!” 
Matthew Bartels is a 2017 graduate of Nouvel Catholic Central High School. In 2021, he graduated from Saginaw Valley State University earning his Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN). Currently he is a registered nurse in the Surgical ICU in Midland. He mainly cares for patients after open heart and other cardiovascular surgeries. He is involved at NCC as an Assistant Cross Country Coach, an Usher at Holy Family Parish in Saginaw, Involved with Intentional Disciples Saginaw and Protect Life MI - Young Professionals for Life (group of young adults that engages in pro-life outreach across Michigan). Some of Matthews recent awards and honors are Eagle Scout rank, the 2021 Outstanding Graduate in SVSU’s College of Health and Human Services award, graduated Summa Cum Laude at SVSU and holds the NCC 1600 and 3200 meter record. When Matthew was asked what is one word that he would use to describe Nouvel, he said MAGNANIMITY. He said, “Pope St John Paul II said 'We were not made for comfort; we were made for greatness.' The environment at Nouvel gave me the skills, drive, and desire to not only aspire for greatness but also the confidence to know that it is possible.”

Sarah Ehlman is a 2016 graduate from Nouvel Catholic Central High School. Afterwards, she attended Saginaw Valley State University and in 2021 she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education. Her parents are Bryan and Callie Ehlman and both of her brothers, Michael and Nicholas, are proud Nouvel graduates as well. When Sarah was asked what is one word that she would use to describe Nouvel, she said FAMILY. Sarah shared, "because Nouvel creates life-long relationships that go beyond the walls of Nouvel. After my brothers' car accident in 2018, we had a tremendous amount of love and support from the Nouvel community. Current and past Nouvel families stopped everything to help my family.”

Allie Buckingham is a 2017 graduate from Nouvel Catholic Central High School. After NCCHS, she attended Alma College and in 2021 she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Early Childhood General and Special Education. Currently, it is her first year as a Kindergarten and Young Fives Teacher at St. Mary Catholic School in Alma, MI. She is a member at St. Dominic Parish in Saginaw. During her time at Alma College, she played volleyball, served as a house manager at the performing arts center, a student phonathon caller for the campus advancement office, and as an office assistant in the education department. Studying education, she has been able to work with all kinds of students to expand her learning and experience as a teacher.  She has taught in low income areas, schools for the gifted and talented, and also in a special education program. During these experiences, she has been able to teach both in person and virtually at grade levels ranging from preschool-4th grade. Each of these opportunities have shaped her to become the well-rounded teacher she is today. Allie Buckingham was nominated by Alma College faculty for the Barlow Trophy, the recipient of the president’s Cup Award, the recipient of the Harlan R. McCall student teaching award and graduated college summa cum laude.
Coming from a family of seven, she is the second oldest of five children who have attended Nouvel. She has loved getting to watch and support her four best friends during their own Nouvel experiences and beyond. The time she values most is that spent with her family.  Her favorite times are the moments when everyone is together. They love spending Sundays at church, laughing together, taking family walks, going on trips, and cheering each other on throughout life. They keep her grounded and inspired as she navigates through the new experiences life brings her. One word to describe her experience at Nouvel would be “SUPPORTIVE”. During her four years at Nouvel she felt supported in her academics, athletics, and faith by her family, friends, teachers, and community. Allie Buckingham says, “There wasn’t ever a time when someone didn’t have my back during each moment of triumph or disappointment. The special thing about Nouvel is that the support doesn’t end once you graduate. I have felt just as supported by my Nouvel community after I graduated. The connections I made continue with me throughout this next phase of my life. Undergoing the big transition from college to my first job, I feel very grateful and prepared for the future that lies ahead for me!  I will forever cherish the memories, experiences, and relationships I made and have continued to foster thanks to Nouvel Catholic Central.”

Jason Payne graduated from Nouvel Catholic Central High School in 2012. After Nouvel, Jason went on to graduate from Saginaw Valley State University with a Bachelor’s Degree of Philosophy and Religious Studies. Recently, Jason came back to campus to help fill the role of our freshman and sophomore Theology instructor.  In the community, he is involved as a Cantor, Lector, and faith formation member at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption. He is also an Eagle Scout. Jason and his wife, Mary Kate, have three children, Mary Therese and twin boys, Maximilian and Patrick. When Payne was asked one word he would use to describe his experience at Nouvel, he said INVOLVED. Jason shared, "I believe this is the experience of most students at Nouvel and I know there are many who are even more involved than I was. For myself it took the form of being captain of the tennis team, drum major of the marching band, lead in the spring musical, science olympiad, students for life, and NHS.” 
 

Nick Young is a 2016 graduate from Nouvel Catholic Central High School. After attending Nouvel, he went to Aquinas College to achieve his BA in Theology and graduated in 2020. While attending Aquinas he received the St. Dominic Award for his commitment to ministry. He currently works as a Theology Teacher at Grand Rapids Catholic Central. His family has also been involved at Nouvel. His mother was the last graduating class of St. Peter and Paul, and his grandmother worked at NCC for years. She instilled in him and other students the importance of Catholic Education. 
When asked to describe his time at Nouvel and his Catholic School education, he says it was “LIFE-ALTERING.” When he first started at Nouvel, God was the last person he wanted in his life. He was there because his friends were going there. Through the Theology classes and faith-filled atmosphere at NCC, his life was changed. He received an opportunity to go to the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. Getting to experience Mass with Pope Francis and millions of others, allowed him to experience God in a way he never had. That weekend is when he felt called to the vocation of teaching.  He would not be the person he is today if it was not for the experience offered to him by Nouvel. In his spare time he loves to hunt, fish and go camping. He also loves leading retreats for high schoolers. His goal is to give them an avenue to have a similar experience that he had during his time in high school.
 

Natalie Murray is a 2005 graduate from Nouvel Catholic Central High School. She received her
BA from the University of Michigan in English Literature and Post-Baccalaureate certification
from St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, PA in Secondary Education. Her current occupation
is a 5th Grade Teacher at St. John the Apostle Catholic School in Virginia Beach, VA.
She has four young daughters, ages 9, 7, 4, and 2. Three of them go to school with Natalie at St.Johns, and her husband is a fighter pilot for the US Navy. She is involved with her daughtersactivities and much of her community involvement is through them. She is a girl scout leader forher daughter's troop, soccer mom, dance mom, and military spouse.
When asked to describe her time at Nouvel and the Catholic School Education system, she says"Family" hands down. Years after graduating, her NCC friends are still some of the closestfriends that she has. They still love and support each other through all hardships andcelebrations. At the time, she didn't think she realized how special it was to attend Nouvel or aCatholic school in general. Now she is in even more awe, after having her children attend aCatholic school and because she teaches at one. It is an amazing blessing in her life and aninvaluable experience that she wouldn't trade!