Rivals…United in Marriage!
Michael & Ann Bogdan
Michael and Ann Bogdan have been married since 2006 but it took some time for them to get to the isle. At the start, they were rivals, Michael is a 1997 Central Catholic graduate and Ann (Pederzolli) is a 1997 St. Thomas Aquinas graduate.
They met in junior high at the Aquinas post-game sock hops. Michael shared that Ann “was very pretty and very shy,” and that he “was very loud and not so pretty - it was not love at first sight. We had a lot of mutual friends in high school because most of my friends from Our Lady of Peace went to Aquinas but we never socialized much - she still didn't like me.”
That all changed when Ann transferred to John Carroll University, where Michael was a student. He was asked by a mutual friend to show Ann around campus. Michael says that he “finally wore her down and we have been together since.” They were married on April 22, 2006.
On how attending rival Catholic high schools influenced their union, Michael joked that it was easy for him but tough for Ann’s dad who has always been a committed Aquinas supporter. Their families have a long history of supporting Catholic education, not only did both of them a Catholic school, Ann’s parents and Michael’s father attended Catholic schools, and now their sons are enjoying Catholic education. Each of them says that they had excellent Catholic school experiences.
They had great insight to share on coming from rival schools. They wrote, "Regardless of what some people thought and still think, our schools at that time were very similar and the people who valued them were very similar -- which side of 77 you live on does not change someone that much. We are lucky to have that shared Catholic school experience and happy to be able to provide that for our sons. Of course, as a Central Catholic family now, the boys have pointed out that I do not wear a lot of spirit gear but, Mike wears enough for the both of us.
Reflecting upon their own time at their Catholic high schools, they both appreciate the environment that a Catholic school provides. Ann loved going to football games on Friday nights. Being with her family and friends, surrounded by a "community that cared so much about each other and loves to spend time together - it was incredible." Michael remembers that while the high school years aren't smooth sailing for everyone and that students can take classes, play sports, or meet people anywhere they go, "the environment at Central Catholic was unique and special. Going to Central Catholic was one of the best decisions I ever made - or, more accurately - one of the best decisions my parents ever made for me."
They made that same decision for their children. They have 4 sons, Dominic (CCHS '27), Joey, Mikey and Anthony -- all at St. Michael's Catholic School.
Michael and Ann noted that Catholic schools, and education in general, have changed a “great deal since Joe Bogdan showed up at St. Benedicts in 1948, Andy Pederzolli showed up at Regina Coeli, Anita Archer showed up at Sacred Heart in 1959, we started at Aquinas and Central in the '90s. Change and growth are good things, but one thing we feel has never changed in Catholic schools over three generations and nearly 80 years - the great people and the great environment. Outstanding learning environments, a commitment to teach the faith, top-notch programs inside and outside the classroom are all important. But the people - kids, parents, educators - are what makes our schools special.”
They’re right, no matter which Catholic school a person attends, their experiences are special. Thank you, Michael and Ann for sharing your story with us!
#UnitedByMarriage
#AlwaysACrusader
Do you know a couple with one person who attended Central Catholic and one who attended St. Thomas Aquinas? Send them this link, we’d love to share their story.
https://forms.gle/hUqhYqUq9z8q2Zaa6