This year Tara Calahan King was honored as our Distinguished Graduate for 2016. After graduating from St. Martin School in 1987, Tara went on to Mother of Mercy High School and then received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the Art Academy of Cincinnati. Tara is a professional freelance artist; a commercial and residential muralist, an illustrator (for children’s books, greeting cards, brochures, magazines, etc.), a public sculpture designer; she provides literacy and arts programs in schools and libraries across the country, and she also helps create theater sets for the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.

Tara has been able to work with children all over the country, providing art and literacy programs for 20 years. She was commended a Kentucky Colonel by the Governor, Steve Beshear, for these programs. Tara has received awards for her illustrations in her children’s books, and her book entitled Enemy Pie, was chosen to help promote and save the children’s television program, Reading Rainbow, raising over a million dollars in one day. This book was also chosen by Reading Rainbow, and narrated by the Emmy Award winning actor Ed Harris, to address bullying among children.

Tara has created artwork for the Dragonfly foundation at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, for sick children and their families. She has designed and painted over 7,000 square feet of murals and interactive sculptures for children in two public libraries. She also has the blessing of nurturing, teaching, and loving her two beautiful children. Tara said her Catholic education helped develop and strengthen her foundation in life. She will continue to use her talents and to share her creativity and enthusiasm for art and literature, and her artistic experiences with the world around her.

St. Martin School celebrated National Catholic Schools Week in grand style. This special week was established in 1974 to recognize Catholic Education as a great gift to the Church and the nation. Our theme this year was, “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.” Faith, Knowledge and Service are evident in our SMOT Faculty and Staff.

This year Lois (Borgemenke) Sundrup, our parish Business Manager, was honored as our Distinguished Graduate for 2015. After graduating from St. Martin School in 1966, Lois went on to Mother of Mercy High School. She married Don Sundrup (St. Martin Class of 1964) and together they raised four wonderful children. Everything Lois has achieved in her life has been through her hard work and determination. 

Lois became the first Business Manager for St. Martin of Tours in 1995. Anyone who knows Lois knows that she is dedicated to her job and our parish community. Lois puts in countless hours in the office and at late night parish related meetings. Plus, she works every Wednesday at our parish Bingo. Lois balances all of this with her family life, maintaining close relationships with not only her own children and grandchildren, but also her beloved siblings. 

Her Catholic Faith can be seen in all she does. Lois believes that her work here at St. Martin of Tours is a Ministry of her faith. Faith, Knowledge and Service is certainly the theme to Lois Sundrup’s life. Congratulations to Lois on this well deserved award!

Larry attended St. Xavier High School. Larry went on to Xavier University where he majored in psychology and minored in natural sciences. He attended medical school at the Ohio State University. Dr. Tenkman completed an Ophthalmology residency at the University of Cincinnati. He spent a year at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia for a glaucoma fellowship and another year at Price Vision Group in Indianapolis for a cornea fellowship. Dr. Tenkman currently works with Bennett and Bloom Eye Care Centers in Louisville, Kentucky.

Allegra attended Mother of Mercy High School. After graduation, she went on to Xavier University for her undergraduate degree. Allegra completed Medical School at the University of Cincinnati and her residency from Bethesda Family Practice. Dr. Tenkman practices Family Medicine at Dent Crossing Family Practice.

Both Larry and Allegra thank their parents for the sacrifices they made to send them to St. Martin School. They feel that the teachers at St. Martin worked harder than the average teachers and provided them with a strong foundation to continue their education and follow their dreams.

EJ Krabacher graduated from SMOT School in 1936 along with his only sibling, twin sister Erma (now deceased). At the urging of SMOT Men’s Society, he attended Western Hills High School. He then went on to earn his degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati. EJ is the proud father of two sons, Tom and Dan, who are both SMOT alumni.After returning from his time in the military, EJ spent his entire career (over 40 years) working for Cincinnati Milacron. EJ also served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at St. Francis Hospital. As a dedicated volunteer, he co-chaired the Building Committee for the new St. Francis/St. George Hospital. He also founded the hospital’s Legacy Society.

SMOT Parish has been fortunate to have EJ Krabacher as a devoted life- long parishioner. Throughout the years, EJ has served on several parish boards including; first parish Planning Commission, SMOT 75th Anniversary Chairperson, Finance Commission, Pastoral Council, and Executive Committee member for our Parish Center. EJ has also been a SMOT Bingo volunteer and has been an Usher for the past 15 years.

In 1992, EJ founded our SMOT Heritage Society with the purpose of identifying and recognizing parishioners and friends who have included SMOT in their Will or other estate plans, and to encourage others to do the same. Through the income from the estates of several Heritage Society members and other generous parishioners, our parish has been able to make major capital improvements over the past 20 years.

EJ was honored and thanked at our Catholic Schools Week Liturgy for sharing his love of his faith and his life-long devotion to his parish. St Martin of Tours has truly been blessed with parishioner and alumnus EJ Krabacher.

Congratulations to our 2013 Distinguished Graduate Award Recipient!