Bill Brinkel
Alumnus

At 95, Bill Brinkel still has his humor. “I was born on October 29, 1929. You know what day that was? Black Tuesday! I came into the world, and all the banks were forced to close!”

Bill graduated with the first Billings Central Catholic High School Class of 1947. “My mom was born and raised in Helena graduating from the academy there. She wanted us to attend Catholic Schools, so she signed us up for the new Catholic high school.” He goes on, “There was 13 of us who graduated. We went to class in the basement of Fratt. Central hadn’t been built yet. And there was an annex where the parking lot is now.”

Initially began as St. Patrick High School, it started teaching students in 1943. Attending the “new Catholic High School” was not an easy decision for Bill’s parents.

“We lived on the farm west of Broadview – a 40-mile drive to Billings. It was my grandmother’s original homestead. My father and mother farmed. I took over the farm in 1950. And now my daughter and her husband, Karen and Keith, are farming the land. Four generations of farmers!” Bill reminisces.

Traveling every day was not an option for Bill, so he boarded in Billings during the week. “There was a boiler house next to the convent. I stayed in the boiler house Monday through Friday and went back to the farm on the weekends. Or I would go with Jim Badura down to his farm in Sheridan, WY.”

Bill retired from farming after 40 seasons of planting winter wheat, barley, and running cattle with his wife, Shirley, and kids, Karen and Michele. “Shirley grew up in Billings, but she took to farm life.” Sadly, Bill lost Shirley to lymphoma in 1990, after 29 years of marriage.

“But I have had two 25-year wedding anniversaries!” Bill interjects quickly with his good nature. He married his now wife of 27 years, Char.

Today, he keeps busy in his wood shop. “When I moved to town, I thought a little 12X12 shop would be good. I spoke to my guy and he said, ‘Oh no, you need a 40X40,’” Bill states as he gives the tour.

Bill and his daughter, Michele, work in the shop together most days. Bill’s designs include trivets, cribbage boards, pens and holders, salt and pepper grinders, cutting boards, and kitchen utensils. Michele has taken to colored resins as she crafts one-of-a-kind tables. “We’re doing pretty well at the trade shows!” Michele chimes in.

As a result of his experiences, Bill and his family created the Brinkel Family Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to out-of-town students to attend Billings Catholic Schools. With students and families driving from Pryor, Park City, Huntley, and Broadview, the scholarship is needed.

To finish, Bill gives one more bit of advice. “I’d like to live to 100. So, to stave off Alzheimer’s, doctors say you need to do four things: Dancing, to keep movement and rhythm. Woodworking, to engage the hands. And… playing bridge, to keep the mind sharp…And…I can’t remember the last…,” he says with a grin.

Michele, with a glance and a smile, deadpans, “He loves that joke.”

Dan Pearson
Alumnus

On May 13, Carroll College announced its 29th Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Dan Pearson, BCCHS Class of 2008. “It’s cliché, but there’s always something about coming home.” Dan starts. Upon graduating Billings Central, Dan took his talents to Carroll College.

“When my mom married my dad, it was my grandfather who insisted that they send all their kids to Catholic schools. And they did. I’ve been formed in Catholic schools my whole life. Carroll was a natural extension of Billings Catholic Schools,” he reminisces.

Dan’s basketball coaching journey started familiar enough for those climbing the ranks. At 16, he started coaching at NBC camps. During summers in college, he became a Master Teacher and Co-site Director for the camps. After graduation, he began as an assistant coach at Helena Capital. Dr. Carson
Cunningham, then the Head Coach at Carroll, brought Dan on as an assistant for several years.

An International Turn

In 2016, a fellow BCCHS grad and Dan’s best friend, Phil Barndt ‘08, told him of an Assistant Coach position at the University of Calgary. “Phil has been my best friend since Central, and he played up there.” With Phil’s support, Dan took it. “Calgary is great, loved coaching there, had a great head coach,” Dan opined.

Interestingly, Calgary’s women’s head coach, Damian Jennings, also happened to be the coach of the Great Britain Women’s National Team. With those European connections and a recommendation, Dan went to London in 2021 to become head coach of the Reading Rockets, a Men’s Professional Basketball team, as well as heading up an elite basketball academy and club.

Of the experience, Dan says, “I coached over 100 games that year. And I needed the reps. There are things as head coach that you don’t do as an assistant, and I learned so much. But I knew it couldn’t last. My now-wife and I were engaged then. I couldn’t keep up that schedule and be a good first-time husband!” He chuckled as he concluded, “I had to keep my priorities straight!”

Looking for work-life balance, Dan and his wife, Ashley, landed in Jena, Germany as assistant coach of Medipolis SC Jena, a German Pro A team just one division below Germany’s top basketball league. But the desire to be head coach persisted.

After the 2022/23 season, Dan made the move to the Danish Basketligaen, taking Team FOG Naestved to the 2024 Danish Cup Championship. For his efforts, Dan was recognized with 2 Coach of the Year awards, one by his fellow coaches, the other by sports media.

“Coaching in Denmark is hard. It’s a mid-tier league. Many of the guys are imports from the United States trying to improve, get noticed, and move up to a higher, lucrative playing career. We really built a culture there where everyone played, with a fast-paced offense, to get their stats, with a lot of strategy. There was such a fraternity at the end!” Dan proudly stated.

Catholic Educated, Catholic Formed

But as he traversed the world, home always held firm in his heart. “After a while, you miss the things that Carroll College, that Billings Central
represent; forming hearts and minds. I wanted to get back to that, the values that are so meaningful.”

He continued, “It’s Catholic education that formed me to my core. At its best, it’s deeply relational. Mr. Hanser, Keenum, Hawbaker, Mrs. Mattix, I could go on just listing people who impacted me at Billings Central. Fr. Marc (Lenneman, former Chaplain, and BCCHS Class of ‘94), Dr. Cunningham at Carroll. That’s how I plan on building Carroll College basketball. Building relationships with guys who fully commit to this.”

Dan concludes, “As Fr. Marc always says, it’s about ‘having life, and having to the full.’ John 10:10.”

Amy Reger, Class of 1992
Alumna and Parent

When it came time for Amy Reger to attend high school, her parents gave her the choice between public school or Billings Central Catholic High School.

“I am so grateful that I chose Billings Central,” she said. “At Central, I was no longer just a face in the crowd or a number. I received an excellent education, had defining life experiences, and developed my faith.”

Life at Billings Central Catholic High School

Reger remembers feeling like someone was always watching out for her and supporting her during her time at Central – whether a peer, educator, or parent.

“The small classroom sizes and positive environment allowed me to feel comfortable to ask questions, make mistakes, and be vulnerable,” she said.

The education was also top-notch. She credits Mrs. Maddox for developing her strong writing skills, which prepared her for success in college. She also strengthened her faith in school.

“I learned so much from my religion teacher, Ms. Smith, and I will never forget how she encouraged us to be curious in our faith formation,” she said. “I learned how to live my faith and found joy in serving others through the volunteer programs that I joined.”

Reger graduated from Billings Central Catholic High School in 1992. She went on to earn bachelor’s degrees in Communication Disorders and Audiology, as well as a master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology. Since then, she has worked as a speech language pathologist in public schools and clinical settings. And the values of the Billings Catholic Schools have stayed by her side through this journey.

Giving Back

Two of Reger’s four children are currently attending Billings Catholic Schools – one in eighth grade and the other in third grade. Her oldest daughter graduated from BCCHS in 2021 and is now attending Gonzaga University. They are third generation – as Reger’s parents and mother-in-law are also products of Billings Catholic Schools.

As a parent, Reger has found opportunities to be involved with the school system and support her children and their teachers. She has assisted in classrooms, worked as a lunchroom aide, and chaperoned field trips. She also helped to plan Ram Jam, an all-night alcohol-free graduation party.

Billings Catholic Schools have additionally created service opportunities for her family. Together, the Reger family has picked up trash in the athletic field as a part of her son’s sacramental prep service project. Her dad has even helped the middle school science teacher, Mr. Dale Rumph, in the greenhouse. These activities have strengthened her children’s faith and life skills preparedness.

“I believe that Billings Catholic Schools focus on the whole child,” she said.

Reger has also found a calling to donate to Billings Catholic Schools Foundation.

“I believe in ensuring a seat at the table for all families,” Reger said. “Every parent who wants a Catholic education for their child should have that opportunity. That’s why the Billings Catholic Schools Foundation provides scholarships and assistance to countless families who need a hand up.”

She remains inspired by loved ones who have served the Foundation before her, as well as by those who contribute their gifts of time, prayer, and financial support to the security and development of Billings Catholic Schools.

Fr. John Pankratz, Class of 2010
Diocesan priest of the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings
Parochial Vicar of St. Patrick Co-Cathedral in downtown Billings
Theology Teacher, Billings Central Catholic High School

Father John Pankratz grew up in a household that placed God first. Attending Mass on Sunday wasn’t the only expectation; their family lived the Catholic faith every day. John, his parents, and his seven siblings prayed every night before bed as a family. His parents taught the faith at home, and the entire family was involved in their local parish.

When he first stepped foot into St. Francis Upper as an eighth grader in the fall of 2005, he wasn’t totally surprised by the experience.

“Before this I was homeschooled, so St. Francis was my first experience of conventional school,” he said.

His family has had at least one child in the system for 17 consecutive years and counting. All of them have graduated from BCCHS except for one brother who will graduate in 2025.

It has been a financial sacrifice for his parents to put their eight children through Billings Catholic Schools. However, it was a decision that would be life changing – especially for John.

Billings Catholic Schools Experience

John became involved in every activity at Billings Catholic Schools that he could fit into his schedule. He played soccer and tennis, was on the debate team and academic team, participated in honor choir, and was in the musicals all four years of high school. During the fall of his senior year, he was on the soccer team that won the first state championship in Boys Soccer for BCCHS in 2009. He graduated as salutatorian of the Billings Central Class of 2010.

“To be a part of a local community centered on Christ has been a blessing for me personally both as a student and now as a priest,” he said.

As a priest, he has served as an assistant coach for the boys’ and girls’ soccer teams at Central High School. Father Pankratz has also been a substitute teacher in religion and math, as well as saying Masses at both schools, hearing confessions, serving on retreats, and leading a faculty Bible study. In the fall, he will teach religion half-time at Billings Central.

“As an alumnus and member of the community, I feel like not only do I belong to BCS, but that BCS belongs to me, in the sense that it is my community, my school, my teachers, my students, my sports teams, and my community’s future,” he said. “It has been a joy to reconnect with BCS and give back in my unique role as a priest.”

A Calling to the Priesthood

After graduating from Billings Central, Father Pankratz attended Montana State University in Bozeman to pursue bachelor’s degrees in Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering.

“During my final year of college, I felt a strong tug on my heart to go to the seminary and see if priesthood is what God wanted for my life,” he said.

After graduation in 2015, he applied and was accepted to the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings. He then enrolled at the Saint Paul Seminary in St. Paul, MN, where he studied philosophy for two years. He went to Rome for major seminary at the Pontifical North American College for four years. While in residence there, he studied theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas and earned his Bachelor of Sacred Theology (S.T.B.) in 2020 and a Diploma in Pastoral Theology in 2021. While in seminary, he was ordained a transitional deacon in St. Peter’s Basilica. He was ordained a priest in St. Patrick Co-Cathedral in Billings by Bishop Michael Warfel.

A Brighter Future

Father Pankratz believes Billings is fortunate to have a robust Catholic education system.

“In a world of darkness, BCS has a fantastic opportunity to be a great light to our students, our families, our Church, and the wider community, and that light can be nothing less than the Light of Christ,” he said. “We must strive to educate the whole person in each and every individual child, which means not only preparing them for life on this earth, but always looking ahead to the eternal destiny that God has planned for each one of them.”

From bedtime prayers to serving the community as a priest – Father Pankratz’s journey in the Catholic faith has become an opportunity for him to help others know, love, and serve God.

Ryan Toner, Class of 2010
Banker

Ryan Toner and his older sister, Ashley, attended Billings Catholic Schools from kindergarten through graduation. Their family chose BCS because their mom, Sally, was a special education and physical education teacher there for more than 30 years.

“She kept an eye on my sister and me,” Ryan Toner said. “While we didn’t have her as a teacher, she did occasionally substitute in some of our classes.”

Life as a Ram

During his time in school, Toner shared in a greater family community created by the Billings Catholic Schools system.

“Jesus’ life is a great example on how to treat others by his kindness, service, and forgiveness and those actions are at the forefront of the Billings Catholic Schools,” he said. “I love the smaller community and the values the Catholic Schools embrace.”

Toner played Ram football and participated in the math club during his time at Billings Central. He was also on the tennis team, and they won the state championship during his junior year in 2009.

“Our team was very close and we were all good friends,” Toner said.

He and his tennis partner also placed fourth in the state that year.

“We didn’t have any expectations on placing, but we were playing our best tennis at the right time and we were having a lot of fun doing it,” he said.

Preparations for Life

After graduating in 2010, Toner went on to attend Rocky Mountain College for business management. Now, he is a banker at Yellowstone Bank in Billings. While he is not Catholic, Toner credits Billings Catholic Schools with helping to shape him as a person and prepare him for the rest of his life.

“The teachers I had at BCS were so helpful,” he said. “They prepared me for life by sustaining a relationship with me through college and even after. They were truly an invaluable resource.”

Looking forward, Toner said he will continue to support the school that gave him a solid start.

Caitlin Corson, Class of 2010
BCS Parent, Alumna, and Consultant

When Caitlin and Jordan were making their decision on where to send Mae – their oldest daughter – to school, they knew they wanted a faith-based, smaller private school. “Yup, I was a Billings Catholic Schools kid – kindergarten through 12th grade,” Caitlin states matter-of-factly.

Caitlin is a 2nd generation, 2003 graduate of Billings Central. Her father and mother, Chris and Cathy Read, were teachers and administrators of our Catholic schools. For Jordan, he also graduated from a smaller, faith-based school system in Billings.

“Both Jordan and I knew the value and wanted similar experiences for our kids,” Caitlin stated. When the time came, they decided to send Mae to her father’s school system.

Mae is a person all her own. She has a friendly disposition and uniqueness about her. As a child with ADHD, educational and behavioral supports help Mae in her learning and formation. After a few years, it became clear that Mae needed more resources from her school. With that, Jordan and Caitlin began considering their options again.

“When we toured St. Francis, we met with Mrs. Hayes (St. Francis Principal) and Mrs. Colloton (St. Francis Counselor). We discussed the supports Mae could have with counseling and the teacher’s aides who assist in her learning,” said Caitlin.

As Mae transferred into 3rd grade at St. Francis, Caitlin admits that the whole family was nervous. Would Mae fit in? Would the additional resources help? Would Mae’s younger brother, William, do well? As Caitlin describes, “we were scared to make the transition.” But soon, the whole family felt the inclusion that is a hallmark of our Catholic schools. Mae made friends quickly – a struggle for her before. For William, he came entering kindergarten.

In discussing our schools more, Caitlin speaks emphatically about the teachers, “Since coming into the schools, everyone has been wonderful. We love Mrs. Reas and Mrs. Vaira!” Mae’s 3rd and 4th grade teachers respectively. As she reflected, “Every teacher has been a perfect match for our kids.”

Last summer, after one year in our schools and taking the time to evaluate, both Jordan and Caitlin asked the kids, “Is St. Francis where you want to stay?” Mae and William both gave a resounding, “Yes!”

As for Caitlin, it was a bit of a home-coming. “It’s funny, there are five of my ’03 Central classmates’ children are in William’s class! It’s special to continue the Catholic schools experience with people I’ve known since kindergarten.”

Fr. Curtis Seidel
Alumnus and Priest

Fr. Curtis Seidel, a 2005 alumni, never expected his life to go the way it has. “I was marginally Catholic when I started at Billings Central my freshman year,“ he states matter-of-factly. As he goes on, “Attending Central was significant for me. I’m not saying I wouldn’t be a priest without Central, but God would have had to do something completely different!”

Like many before him, Fr. Curtis made the transition to Billings Central Catholic High School after completing 8th grade, “Even then, I knew I wanted something different than what I was getting up to that point. I chose Central for soccer and academics!”
What he found Billings Central was different.

Teachers’ expectations were much higher, he explained, “My teachers expected a higher level of learning from everyone. It was a culture there of high expectations. What I thought were good grades before was not considered good enough, especially when teachers believed you could do better.”
After dropping soccer, Fr. Curtis joined speech and drama, theater, and the pep band. “I only played soccer for one year. I wasn’t that good. But I loved being involved in music and the arts!”

A Community of Faith

Beyond academics and activities, the close relationships built with his fellow students transformed Fr. Curtis into who he is today. “I fell in with a group of guys who were active in the faith. We became great friends with shared experiences while at Central and we were involved in our church youth group.” When he had time, Fr. Curtis took moments of prayer and silence in Central’s chapel to be in the presence of Jesus, participated in Search, and made retreats that continually deepened his Catholic faith.

Upon graduation, Fr. Curtis continued his Catholic education and formation at Gonzaga University. Just as he did at Central, he found a fellowship of students to pray, discuss, and live the faith. He joined Gonzaga’s College Seminary – Bishop White Seminary – his sophomore year. To complete his major seminary (i.e. graduate studies before being ordained), the Diocese of Spokane sent him to Washington D.C. at the Catholic University of America. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2014.

Coming Full Circle

After 4 years as parochial vicar in parishes around Spokane, Fr. Curtis was assigned to Walla Walla Catholic Schools. “It was with great excitement to receive the appointment, first as chaplain, teacher, and board member, and then as president of the school system! I get to lead Catholic schools that were so formative for me in who I am.” Soon thereafter, Fr. Curtis enrolled in the Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program through the University of Notre Dame receiving his master’s in educational leadership. COVID-19 struck in his first year as president, navigating unprecedented times that challenged the most veteran of school administrators.

In everything, Fr. Curtis maintains his passion for Catholic Schools. “Catholic Schools are different, forming the entire student in body, mind, and soul! We talk about that a lot at Walla Walla.” When asked about his experiences at Billings Central informing his work now, he stated, “It gives me a perspective and reference in my work. De Sales High School feels similar to Billings Central. Faith is present, academic excellence is a culture here, and students participate in the extracurriculars. In my experience, those three things are the secret to a great Catholic high school!”

“There was no other option for us, it’s just what we did,” says Rich Hall when asked why his parents, Lou and Tatty Hall, sent him, his 4 other brothers and sisters to our Catholic schools. When asked why he sent his own kids to our Catholic schools, Rich replied, “There was no other option for us, it’s just what we did!”

The Hall family’s legacy within our Catholic schools is its own tradition. Richs’ father, Lou, joined as one of the original 5 member trustees of the Billings Area Catholic Education Trust (BACET). Seeing the struggles of our schools at that time, and having participated in another Foundation board, Lou brought his experiences and connections to ensure our schools’ future. With BACET now at its 50th anniversary, Lou and his fellow trustees succeeded.

Lou’s passion for the schools extended to his generosity. When a family he knew desired to send their kids but couldn’t, he’d make sure it happened by helping to pay the family’s tuition.

Rich graduated Billings Central in 1964. With a one-year detour at Assumption Abbey in Richardton, ND, he received his degree from St. Martins in Olympia, WA, served as a marine officer, and was briefly a teacher at Lewis and Clark Middle School. “One day, my dad told me that I’d be a good salesman, and I should come work for him at Streeter Bros. Insurance. It turned into a 40- year career.”

Knowing the value of the Catholic education he received, Rich gave back. He walked the halls of Central as a volunteer for Young Life ministries. He participated in Mayfair. He gave of his time with board service to the Foundation. As a tribute to his father and desiring to see our schools for generations to come, Rich has religiously given to BACET for decades now.

As a self-described “Fratt Bratt,” Leslie (Hall) Schaff attended Kate Fratt Memorial and graduated Billings Central in 1992. “We used to wear a plaid jumper with a white top. In the winter, we wore plaid pants. We looked like golfers,” she reminisced with a chuckle.

Our schools certainly left an impression on her. After college, she became a social worker in Spokane. After deciding that prevention was the key, Leslie went back to school to become a teacher, which she did throughout Washington and Oregon. The family moved back to their hometown in 2016.

Now known as “Mrs. Schaff” to her students, she teaches 7th grade science and math at Lewis and Clark Middle School – the same school her dad taught at. But as a legacy of Catholic schools, her kids – Tiernan and Annika – attend Billings Central. “It’s tradition at this point!” she exclaims.

In that same vein as her father and grandfather, Leslie continues the family legacy of giving back to the schools that gave her and her family so much. “I work at my own school during the days, so can’t really volunteer at our schools. But I had a deep desire to give in some way. That’s when I saw the opportunity for the school board. They meet after school hours. It seemed like a perfect fit.” As an educator with a deep understanding of our system, Leslie was a natural choice. She began her school board service in 2022.

As for her kids, Annika, a junior, participates in speech and debate and the art club. Tiernan, a sophomore, is a speech and debater too, a member of the Central Science Bowl team, and plays baseball.

It’s certainly too early to say, but here’s to hoping that the Hall family legacy continues for generations to come!