From the Jungle of Nool to Lake Catholic: Freshman Stars as Horton
October 24, 2025
In a moment of downtime in Health class one day, the students were Googling each other to see what would come up. They’d search for one name after another.
Then came freshman Ethan Monaghan (St. Paschal Baylon).
“Wait! You’re famous,” Ethan said he remembers them saying. “I told them I wasn’t famous. If someone saw me walking down the street, they wouldn’t know who I am.”
Well, if a blue elephant is walking down the street, most students and anyone else would certainly know Dr. Seuss’s Horton. So, in a sense, they would know who Ethan is.
Ethan is Horton.
On Monday, October 6, 2025, Netflix released the first seven episodes of Dr. Seuss’s Horton! - bringing the beloved elephant back to the screen in a brand-new animated series.
Ethan technically isn’t a blue elephant, but Horton is voiced by Ethan.
“I auditioned for the show in early 2024, got a call-back, and then got the job,” he said. “From February 2024 until April of 2025, I recorded an episode a week for 40 weeks and then had 30 more weeks of pickups.” Pickups are re-recordings of a small portion of an audio project, like a single sentence or phrase, rather than the entire script.
According to an article by Common Sense Media, “Dr. Seuss's Horton! is a preschool animated series based on Dr. Seuss' classic Horton Hears a Who. Here, the animals are younger and cuter versions of the book characters, living in harmony in the Jungle of Nool. Horton is an optimistic elephant who, alongside his sidekick/best friend, Samson, is eager to help anyone in need. Their challenges start small—like rescuing a kite or finding a birthday cake—but quickly turn into imaginative adventures where they fly on leaf airplanes or get catapulted using a slinky toy.”
Despite his mom, new Lake Catholic Performing Arts Director Kelly Monaghan, turning her home office into a studio and their basement allowing for more video recordings, Netflix rented studio space at Breakthrough Studios in Valley View for those 70+ weeks where he would record the episodes while on Zoom with the show’s writers, designers, and voice directors. The show isn’t recorded like a traditional live-action production where the actors are all together. In fact, he said, he would have the script so he could see what the lines were before and after his lines, just so he could judge the tone, inflection, and emotion of each of his lines.
“It’s funny, Horton’s best friend is Samson, and I never met him,” Ethan said. “I waved hello to him once on a Zoom, but that was it.”
Although the first seven episodes of Horton! have been released, Netflix has not announced when the rest will come out yet. In the meantime, while Ethan is waiting for his next opportunity on the screen, he said he plans to continue to be involved with the Heights Youth Theatre in University Heights.
“I really enjoy all parts of acting – the singing, dancing, whatever,” Ethan said. “But I do prefer acting over the voice work.”
Last Christmas, he starred as Ralphie in A Christmas Story at the Allen Theater in downtown Cleveland. Rehearsals started in September for the December run and ramped up as the show neared, working for 12 hours or more that final week before it opened. Then it was three weeks, consisting of 24 shows – one each on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and two shows each on Saturday and Sunday.
“That was a lot. We only had Mondays off,” Ethan said. “And I would have loved to go back this year, but I’m too old now. You have to be 13 (years old) or younger. So, I miss all my friends who were in it last year. They’re all back again, but, unfortunately, I’m too old now.”
As his career continues to evolve, Ethan said he’s up for any opportunity but would prefer to get away from the voice work in children’s shows and move on to something more his own age range. Besides Horton, he’s also voiced Kyle, a polar bear friend of Goofy, in Mickey Mouse Funhouse, and George, a kindergarten friend of Kotaro, in the English version of Kotaro Lives Alone.
“I want to work on something with kids my own age,” he said. “In my perfect world, I’d love to be on the Outer Banks, or a show like that.”
Ethan is no stranger to “live acting” on television or the big screen, so a move like that wouldn’t be too daunting. He said he’s been in 8-10 commercials. He’s credited for his part in Sweet Girl, a 2021 movie starring Jason Momoa, although his scene was cut. He was also in three episodes of season two of Manhunt, which premiered in 2020. The season followed the hunt for Eric Rudolph, who was the perpetrator of the Centennial Olympic Park bombing.
“I was in Pittsburgh shooting Manhunt,” he said. “That’s a lot of waiting around for your scenes. So, I had a tutor on set. She was more of a teacher and just kept me on track with my schoolwork.”
Now that his part of Horton! is done, Ethan is just a high school student walking the Lake Catholic halls. Although his previous commitments are keeping him from taking part in the Performing Arts Department’s Fall Play – Peter and the Starcatcher – he didn’t rule out helping with the show in some capacity or joining one of the casts in the future.
“I don’t know if I’ll take part in the fall play or spring musical. We’ll have to see what my schedule is like when those shows audition,” he said. “In the meantime, with this show just starting, I might come in and help with tech or the lights or something like that.”
Whenever that next part comes, Ethan will be ready to continue on his path. He said he wants to go to college in New York or Los Angeles. And eventually end up permanently in LA, where he can act forever.
For the next 3+ years though, Lake Catholic will be his home.
“Everyone here is so welcoming and understanding of what my goals are,” he said. “The teachers are all willing to listen and give me any help I might need.
“Lake Catholic allows me to be able to do what I love and still get a great education at the same time.”
Entire Lake Catholic Student Body, Faculty, Staff Attend Diocese Jubilee of Hope Rally, Mass
October 23, 2025
Looking out at a congregation of more than 5,000 high school students at the Cleveland Public Auditorium, Bishop Edward Malesic reflected on the building’s history - concerts, political rallies, basketball games, and even boxing matches.
But on Thursday, October 23, it was the host of the Diocese of Cleveland’s Catholic High School Rally and Mass.
The entire Lake Catholic student body, faculty, and staff traveled downtown on 11 buses to join the more than 20 other high schools for a day of music, reflection, and worship.
This is the second time Bishop Malesic has hosted the event. Two years ago, nearly 100 Lake Catholic students and a handful of faculty members attended. This year, Principal Tom McKrill (’07) made it a priority for everyone to experience the celebration.
“The Jubilee of Hope was an incredible chance for our students to see faith come alive in a real way,” McKrill said. “As a Catholic school, we do our best every day to help students encounter Christ, but this event gave them the chance to experience that on a much bigger scale — surrounded by thousands of other young people celebrating the same faith. I wanted every Lake Catholic student to feel that sense of belonging, joy, and hope firsthand.”
In this, the Jubilee Year 2025, the Church’s motto is “Pilgrims of Hope.” The Jubilee Year is a sacred time to rediscover God’s mercy, and the theme reminds Catholics to walk in faith, bring hope to others, and move forward together toward God.
Before the mass began, Damascus Worship, a missionary movement devoted to bringing revival to the Catholic Church, led the crowd in upbeat praise and worship. Students sang, clapped, and even danced in their seats.
Fr. Eric Garris, a 2008 Lake Catholic graduate and the Diocese’s Vocation Coordinator, served as emcee and introduced testimonial speakers Claire Green, a senior at Stow-Monroe Falls High School and a member of the Diocesan Youth Council, and Meg Hunter-Kilmer, an author and national speaker. Both spoke about self-worth, especially that of high school-aged people.
“Jesus doesn’t need me, but he wants me,” Green said. “It’s real, undeserved love – not based on performance or anything, just about me. You don’t have to do anything, or prove anything, to be loved by God.”
“The hope that Jesus brings is when he sees all of you – all of your sins, your suffering, your goodness – and he loves you,” Hunter-Kilmer said.
The speakers set the tone for Bishop Malesic’s Mass, which began with a procession of nearly 100 people, including representatives of each high school carrying their school flag as well as petitions from their students, priests representing the participating schools and areas, and seminarians leading Bishop Malesic to the altar on the stage.
During his homily, Bishop Malesic mixed humor and heart, referencing Taylor Swift lyrics and even revealing his Cleveland Browns loyalty, despite being born and raised near Pittsburgh. He then outlined four practices that will help keep the fire of faith alive:
- Pray daily – through Scripture, the Rosary, or even quiet reflection in nature. Prayer also means listening to God.
- Let Jesus plan your life. Invite Him into every part of it.
- Share your faith with others
- Ask God your purpose. Why are you here, in this time and this place?
Echoing the earlier speakers, he encouraged his “youngest brothers and youngest sisters” to be aware of their purpose and that no one can determine that besides themselves and God.
“You be you. That’s what God wants,” Bishop Malesic said. “That’s why He put you here.”
Loncar to Represent Country on Team USA
October 16, 2025
As the libero on the three-time state champion volleyball team, sophomore Lola Loncar (St. Gabriel) always wears a different-colored jersey than her teammates.
The different uniform allows her to stand out to officials because of the special substitution rules for that position.
As any volleyball fan around the area and state could attest, Loncar doesn’t need a special uniform to stand out. Her play does that on its own. And now it’s earned her a different uniform altogether – one that is red, white, and blue.
Back on September 11, while she was on the court for the Cougars’ match against Hoban, Loncar received an email letting her know that she had been selected as one of 17 players for the US Volleyball’s first-ever U17 Girls National Team. The roster was officially announced on September 26.
“I didn’t even know the emails were coming out, but I was just so excited when I opened it,” said Loncar, who was in the car with her dad, Marty (’92), when she finally checked her phone.
Now she’ll be off to participate in a training block from Oct. 26 to Nov. 1 at the Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Following the training, 12 athletes will be named to the final competition roster to represent the United States at the 2025 NORCECA Women’s U17 Continental Championship, set for early November in Costa Rica (with the other five named as alternates). With a good showing there, the team could qualify for the 2026 World Championships.
“When I think about the opportunity, I get excited, but also a little nervous,” she said.
While she’s the only player from Ohio to be selected for the team, that’s nothing new for her. She’s the only girl from Ohio in her age group who’s been a part of the National Team Development Program (NTDP), but it’s an honor and recognition that is truly deserved.
In this high school season alone, which isn’t over, Loncar has 28 aces, 49 assists, 307 serve receptions, and an astonishing 450 digs – which is around 6.6 per set and 22.5 per match.
“Those dig numbers are insane,” Lake Catholic head coach Tess Connolly Alcantara (’16) said. “Lola has skills beyond her time. She strives to be the best. And even with all those great stats, her best quality might be her mindset for her game, as well as the entire team.
“I’m very proud of her and honored to be her coach. This invitation is well deserved, and I’m excited to see her play at that level.”
Despite missing about half of last year’s high school season because of a knee injury, she still received that invitation to her initial NTDP camp.
According to its website, the NTDP, which was launched by US Volleyball in 2021, is the official youth development program for the senior men’s and women’s national teams, with the mission of identifying and accelerating elite player development to ensure sustained competitive excellence on the international stage.
Loncar has been a part of the NTDP since last winter, when, after the Cougars' third straight state championship, she trained for five days in Colorado Springs.
“When I started to get serious about volleyball, my goal was just to be invited to the NTDP, so when I got the invitation, I was just as shocked,” she said. “I never thought I’d get to the national team. But now when I go, it’s great to see all the same girls working on the same things the National Team does.”
After her trip in the winter, she participated in similar camps at the IMG Academy in Florida in the spring and in Cincinnati over the summer – where she was coincidentally coached by newly inducted Lake Catholic Athletic Hall of Famer Abby Detering (’14).
While playing for a high-level Junior Olympic (JO) club, Academy Volleyball Cleveland, and now taking part in three NTDP trainings, Loncar has played against and with some of the best players in the state and the country. Despite that, it hasn’t been lost on her how being a part of the Lake Catholic volleyball program has set her up for this success.
“We have one of the best programs in the state,” she said. “I’m surrounded by older players who have come up in this program. They know what it takes to be successful, and it trickles down to all of us. It’s such a great environment, and we just all push each other to be better.
“The stuff we do with Coach (Jimmy) King (’11) not only during our season, but all offseason is unmatched.”
It’s been a long journey — and it’s far from over. From a third-grader at St. Gabe’s to wearing the red, white, and blue, Loncar’s story is one of steady growth, big dreams, and a community that’s been behind her every step of the way. The next chapter begins in Colorado Springs.
Sophomore Runs to Give Back
October 14, 2025
One of the core values held closely by all Lake Catholic students and alumni is a Willingness to Serve.
So, when there’s someone in need, it doesn’t matter how difficult the task is.
For sophomore Nick Evangelista (St. Mary of the Assumption), putting his body through extreme conditions was no deterrent to raising money for children battling life-threatening illnesses.
For 24 hours, from noon on Saturday, October 4, to noon on Sunday, October 5, Nick took part in the 24:in:24 presented by CleanEats at the SPIRE Academy. According to the 24:in:24 website, the event itself features challengers attempting to run one mile every hour, on the hour, for 24 consecutive hours.
“It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done,” Nick said. “I was still so sore for about four or five days afterward.”
After watching his aunt take part in the race a year ago, Nick, who is a member of the Lake Catholic track and field team, decided he wanted to give it a try.
“I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it, all the while raising money for a good cause,” he said.
By himself, he raised more than $1,100 for the cause. He said his mom’s employer, Jenniffer & Co., was the biggest donor, but he also had a lot of single contributors. Last year, the event brought in $565,000 for A Special Wish – Northeast Ohio Foundation.
Nick said he’s been running on his own since about fifth grade after having played basketball for a few years, but he’s never actually trained for something like this. And really, he didn’t train much for the 24:in:24 either. He said he trained for just one day to try to get his endurance up, but then just spent the entire day before the event resting and saving as much energy as he could.
He started off the 24 hours well, doing his one mile per hour in under 7 minutes.
“After each mile, you had to go up two flights of stairs to get back to where we had our camp set up. So, you think you have close to an hour in between each mile, but really it was just about 35 minutes.”
It did get to the point where his mom actually made him sleep for an hour to help his body recover. He slept from 2a-3a on Sunday, which caused him to miss miles 15 and 16.
“You are able to make up the miles you miss,” he said. “So, by mile 19 I was caught up.”
Some of the families and children who benefit from A Special Wish were on hand to cheer on all the runners, and as Nick said, they helped serve as extra motivation for those last few miles over those last few hours.
“The last lap was absolutely the hardest,” he said. “But when you are carrying that flag that you are on your last lap, and then when you cross that finish line, it’s the best feeling.”
After the grueling day, he said he slept until 10a Monday morning, waking up for just a couple of hours before that. Despite the challenge, he said he would do it again.
“Being a part of this school, a place that does stuff like this all the time for other people, is what made me want to do it,” he said. “And when it’s an event like this that helps so many people, anything I can do to help raise money, or just spread the word about it, it means so much regardless of what I have to go through.”
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