uniquely brother riceuniquely brother rice

ricereview

Strong Growth forOur Students

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Science and Computers

Eddie Olcyzck ‘84

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a legacy of s

uccess

Eddie Olcyzck ‘84

December 2010

a p u b l i c a t i o n f o r a l u m n i • f a m i l y • p a r e n t s

uniquely brother riceuniquely brother riceGreat things are happening at Brother Rice! We have seen many positive changes take shape over the past couple of years. As a result of the efforts and generosity of many people, our students now enjoy new academic opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities, which will help to prepare them for success in life beyond high school. Robotics, virtual experiments, and computer programming are today a reality at Brother Rice.

Some things which remain unchanged, however, are the special spirit and love for Brother Rice, which has been passed on from one generation of students to the next. They are the intangibles which give Brother Rice its unique identity and remain at the core of who we are and all that we do. As we enter the holy season of Christmas, we will celebrate these special gifts which God has bestowed on us. We are indeed thankful that we are Brother Rice.

Kevin BurnsDr. Kevin G. BurnsPresidentBrother Rice High School

Members of the Congregation of Christian Brothers are those

spiritual sons of Blessed Brother Edmund Rice. Founded in Ireland

by Edmund Rice in 1802, the Congregation now serves the

Church in countries throughout the world.

For over 50 years, Brother Rice High School has been fostering

a community of faith where each young man is accepted,

recognized, valued, and challenged to grow while Acting Manfully in Christ Jesus. Brother

Rice has created a Catholic destination where young men have come to learn, compete,

and profess their faith. It is with this tradition and commitment

to excellence that Brother Rice is positioned to continue

its leadership in academics, athletics, spiritual guidance,

and service to others. Brother Rice has been recognized by the Educational Services for ACT as

one of 382 schools across the country, and one of only 2 high

schools in Chicago, that met the ACT’s exacting criteria for

rigorous core courses.

ricereviewb r o t h e r r i c e h i g h s c h o o l

Take a moment and read

through the next few pages

very carefully. There is a new

spirit here at Brother Rice – an

excitement and energy that

permeate everything we do

here. From our new president

and energized board of

directors to a new admissions

director, our school has a

vibrance that is being felt

throughout the community.

This year alone almost 380

students attended our Shadow

Day. That is almost 3 times

the previous year!

In these difficult economic times, many schools have especially felt the strain. Many of the public school systems have faced teacher layoffs, larger class sizes, and discontinued programs.

Our children are our future, and all of us at Brother Rice are happy to say we’re growing stronger and working even harder for our students’ futures.

Beginning in 1956, when our First Class Crusaders, the Class of 1960, led the way, the Brother Rice way has been a unique linkage of the past with the present in order to provide the best possible future for young men. We did not invent Catholic education, nor did we invent specializing in educating young men in Catholic high schools, but we learned from Leo High School, our fellow Christian Brothers school, established in 1926, and found our unique way to introduce and produce in our young men a sense of what it means to Act Manfully in Christ Jesus. Every change since then has contributed toward the evolution of Brother Rice’s emerging as the first choice for boys becoming men in a Catholic high school.

Perhaps our most significant recent change began last summer when Dr. Kevin Burns became our second president, wasting no time linking the past with the present in moving Brother Rice High School forward.

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s t r o n gg r o w t h f o r o u r s t u d e n t s

B r o t h e r R i c e B e g i n s a N e w E r a

AP Scholarsof our 2010 graduates were admitted to their first college choice.

of the class of 2010 continued on to college.

million was the total amount of academic college scholarships awarded to last year’s seniors.

81%

96%

$7.1

At a time when others do less, Brother Rice provides more.

Prior to the January 8, 2011, Entrance Exam, the administration will have organized more than 20 Meet-and-Greet home parties this year, with families from neighborhoods near and far from campus, hosting coaches, school leaders, and board members, each taking turns relating what is uniquely great about Brother Rice. Admissions Director Tim O’Connell ‘03 is visiting more schools than anyone has in recent years and has gladly accepted the standing offers of Tom Harrigan ‘64, Bob Alberts ‘85, and Jim Casey ‘70 to represent their alma mater at a few of them, reinforcing the efforts of Pat Richardson and Steve Nye ‘81. Early results are rather promising, as there has already been a sizable increase in the number of boys visiting Brother Rice on Shadow Day and at Open House.

Everyone who presents Brother Rice as the first choice for boys becoming men has more to talk about this year. This past summer, Marty Grogan ‘73 helped install new computers (a total of 300) in every classroom and in 6 dedicated computer labs in time for the beginning of school, when O’Connell and Brian Barkowski ‘95 also introduced the use of iPads for recruiting and classroom enhancements.

On Thursday, November 18, 2010, Dr. Burns, former President Brother Karl Walczak, VP Mike McShane ‘87, Science Department Chairman Brother Hayes and the science teachers, and Board Chairman Burt Odelson and fellow board members, along with IA alumni and staff, were on hand to host alumni, parents, and other benefactors for the dedication and blessing from Bishop Gorman of the new science labs.

Along with the impressive grounds improvements made to the stadium and baseball field in 2009, the 2010 technology and labs once again position Brother Rice as the best choice for 2011, especially when considering the amazing results that take place in the classrooms.

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B r o t h e r R i c e B e g i n s a N e w E r a

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Like the Circle of Champions, another concept considered for many years finally materialized under our new leadership, as Eddie Olcyzck ‘84 can now be recognized as a Brother Rice graduate. Eddie’s first major move toward becoming a hockey legend as a player and now a broadcaster, began in Canada at age 16, but like most graduates, Eddie never forgot Brother Rice. He remained so close that Dr. Burns and Principal Jim Antos were pleased to make it official, by presenting a diploma to him this fall in front of the entire student body. The students swelled with pride, and Eddie himself was moved to tears, at the surprise presentation of the diploma and a Brother Rice hockey jersey. This accomplished man, whose own unique story of making good choices inspired the students, can now unequivocally claim Brother Rice as his own alma mater!

In appreciation for alumni and friends participating in the Endowment Classic XIII at Beverly Country Club on August 30 and those attending the 26th All-Alumni Reunion Dinner on November 12, Dr. Burns rose to thank everyone and invite them to visit the school to view the new science labs, computer labs, stadium improvements, and new parking lot, all made possible through the generous contributions of some of the graduates in attendance, and to also ask all who were present to give what they can during the most difficult economic period in Brother Rice’s history.

Dr. Burns is excited about introducing himself to more alumni, while encouraging them to come back and meet today’s faculty, administration, and Institutional Advancement (IA) alumni, now spanning five decades of graduating classes with the addition of Admissions Director Tim O’Connell ‘03 and Executive Director Tom Harrigan ‘64, who joined Vice President Mike McShane ‘87, Alumni Director Jim Casey ‘70, Director of Annual Fund Gus Sundermeier ‘76, and Director of Media and Public

Relations Brian Barkowski ‘95.

a l w a y s c o n n e c t i n g

c o n t i n u i n g t h e t r a d i t i o n

C i r c l e o f C h a m p i o n s

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Two years ago, while as the dean of faculty,

Dr. Burns began emphasizing and supporting the efforts

of Athletic Director Phil Cahill, Brother Ickes, Bob Jacob ‘67, Shaun Jacob ‘93, and a host of school and alumni

volunteers to launch the school’s first athletic hall of

fame, officially named the Circle of Champions and

announced at the first Homecoming celebrated under the

new administration.

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Take a moment and look through these photos. Recognize anyone? Some faces are from the past, some are new, and some have changed. What hasn’t changed is the caring, dedication, and comradery that exist among the members of the Brother Rice family.

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ANSWERS:

Tom DuMais ‘66 withson Dr. Brian DuMais ‘93

Admissions Director Tim O’Connell ‘03

Executive DirectorTom Harrigan ‘64 and Vice President Mike McShane ‘87

Junior of the Year Bill McGivern ‘11 with mom and sisters

From left to right - Paul Napleton ‘76, Jerry Napleton ‘73, Ed Napleton ‘69, Bill Napleton ‘81, Mike McShane ‘87, and President Dr. Kevin Burns

Ed and Jerry Napleton

Rico Hill ‘94, Assistant PrincipalBob Alberts ‘85, and Sidney Holmes ‘00

Tom Gorman ‘85 and Dr. Burns

Brian Lynch ‘80,Bob Twardy ‘65 and Mike Coffey

Tom Billish ‘64 and Steve Ruff ‘64

Wrestling Coach Yon Murzyn

Al Radz ‘70

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recognize anyone? the answers are in this box.

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Long before he died on April 20, 2010, Louis Cainkar and his wife Ruth, who died in 2006, had left a lasting legacy through a series of donations that not only kept them on the top of our donor list throughout most of the 90’s, but also kept Brother Rice High School ahead of the competition in providing media and computer educational enhancements for our students.

Much of what the Cainkars provided was clearly visible in the form of a wide collection of multi-media software, televisions on wheels, and the computers in the state-of-the art Cainkar Computer Lab, named in memory of Joe Cainkar ‘68. Much of their generosity was not overtly visible, as their donations also paid for the connections of cables that ran above the ceiling tiles, from one end of the building to the other. And yet, like the invisible cables, their generosity made inspiring connections with students and teachers that have left a lasting sense of what can be possible, as Brother Rice continues to lead the way in providing state-of-the art technology that brings the world to our campus.

Louis was 44 years old when the construction of Brother Rice was near completion. He was an established municipal attorney, laying the legal groundwork for burgeoning suburbs in the area, while settling two blocks away from Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church and School, where his five children attended grammar school.

In his eulogy to his beloved father, Vincent Cainkar ‘67, the eldest of four sons, including Joe, Jim ‘69, and Mike ‘75, and one daughter Louise, said that in “the 1950s, mayors of Evergreen Park, McCook, Hometown, Hodgkins, and Oak Lawn relied upon his legal advice when those communities were first growing. In later years, he gave advice to other mayors in Burbank and Hickory Hills, besides numerous park districts and other elected officials.”

Vince added, “He was a trusted advisor to many and a teacher to many young lawyers in the field of municipal law. In fact, the highest compliment paid to him is that I have never ever heard anyone say anything bad about him. In this world, all of us should be so lucky! As one lawyer once said, ‘He forgot more than I ever learned.’”

Vince acknowledged and expressed gratitude for his father’s generosity to his children and grandchildren, adding that “his kindness was not restricted to his family. He gave sums to Brother Rice High School, Mother McAuley High School, and DePaul College of Law. One his proudest moments was his establishing the first computer lab at Brother Rice and serving on their Board of Directors. Later (January 17, 1995) he and my mom were named to the Brother Rice Hall of Fame.”

Mr. Cainkar enlisted into the United States Marines and “worked his way up the ranks by being smart and dependable,” Vince learned and shared with family and friends. “He served in WWII, …a

t h e i r g e n e r o s i t y

Robert F. Weiland ‘60 – Retired from IBM after 35 years in 2002. Moved from Kansas City back to Raleigh area of NC.

John A. Gorman ‘86 – Has worked for AT&T since 1993.

Brian Gomez ‘95 – District Manager at CDWG, focusing on state and local entities in PA and TX. Son Brady Daniel Gomez is two years old.

Jourdan Sorrell ‘00 – Currently works for Kraft Foods in Addison, Illinois. Job responsibilities include managing 10 warehouse branches in four states for product supply issues with their Nabisco (Oreo, Chips Ahoy, etc.) product line.

Christian Kelsey-Sledge ‘02 – Recently obtained 1st B.S. degree and 2nd A.S. Degree. Member of the USAF Presidential Honor Guard.

Peter Leverette ‘06 – Currently attending the Illinois Institute of Art.

a l u m n i u p d a t e s

What new with you?If you have changed jobs, been promoted, received an important honor, been recognized in your career, been married or had kids, please share your good news.Have you moved? Please help us update our records by completing this form and returning it.Mail to: Rice Review, Brother Rice Alumni Association, 10001 S. Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL 60655-3356E-mail: kgiblin@brrice.orgGo to www.brotherrice.org Alumni link for on-line updating.

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survivor of Tarawa (the first American offensive in the Pacific region, where more than 3,000 Marines perished),” Vince proudly added.

Mr. Cainkar obviously instilled a lasting sense of tradition and local connection into his family, as Vince’s son, Joe Cainkar ‘96, is also a vital member of the team of attorneys that carry on his grandfather’s name.

“For good or for bad, our father had few hobbies. His life was his work and us kids. His legacy is his family,” Vince said at the end of his eulogy. “Nothing more and nothing less,” he added.

Fortunately for many parents and grandparents from our shared community, the Louis Cainkar legacy of living and working for his kids and grandkids extended outward to sons and grandsons who attended Brother Rice and who should long remember the Cainkar generosity.

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In building on the past, the Alumni Association saw fit to honor and pay tribute to the men who make all of our unique accomplishments possible, those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty to keep us safe and free. The full text from the program booklet and video of the November 12, 2010, All-Alumni Reunion Dinner can be found on-line at www.brotherrice.org. At the dinner, a special induction was made to John Knight, Class of 1978, shot and killed on January 9, 1999; Alejandro Valadez, Class of 2000, shot and killed on June 1, 2009; Jared Stanker, Class of 2006, killed by a roadside bomb on October 27, 2009, while serving in Afghanistan; Brian “Boo” Carey, Class of 1999, killed in a fire on March 30, 2010; and Thomas Wortham IV, Class of 1998, shot and killed on May 10, 2010. Proud and deeply grateful alumni, represented by Harrigan from the 60’s, Sundermeier from the 70’s, Alberts ‘85 from the 80’s, Barkowski from the 90’s, and O’Connell from the 2000’s, simultaneously presented Alumni Hall of Fame plaques to the families of the three slain police officers, the army specialist, and the firefighter, as Donn Domico ‘90 completed the tribute with a reading of the inscription.

h o n o r i n g t h o s e w h o m a k e i t p o s s i b l e

At the Alumni Dinner, the Alumni Association

also honored Joe Terrell ‘70 for his tireless and

innovative work with the Dads’ and Alumni Dads’

Clubs and Tom Gorman ‘85 for his unwavering

generosity and his selfless and inspired

leadership as a member and chairman of the

Board of Directors. Both men were honored as

2010 Men of the Year and thereby inducted into

the Alumni Hall of Fame, since they are graduates.

Acknowledging what is, what has been, and

what can be uniquely great about Brother Rice is

embraced and emphasized across the spectrum

of potential resources, from the school board

to the alumni board, from the administration to

the faculty and staff, from the Class of 1960 to

the Class of 2010, and from our parents as well

as our students. Everyone has latched onto the

enthusiasm of what is uniquely Brother Rice!

See website www.brotherrice.org for complete

articles about honorees and for a list of friends

and relatives resting in peace.

Rest In PeaceBrother Rice Alumni and StudentJames Borke ‘60of Chicago, IL., July 30, 2010 Brother of John ‘74

John R. Bercier ‘61of Elmhurst, IL., May 5, 2005 Brother of Edward J. ‘60

Alexander V. Pizza ‘64of Blue Island, IL., March 7, 2010 Father of John A. Pizza ‘89

Chuck Rufa ‘66of LaGrange, IL., September 8, 2010

Bob Holland ‘67Father of Matt ‘97 and brother of Pat ‘69

Thomas Chaps ‘69of Michigan, August, 2007

Daniel E. Flynn ‘70of Brodheadsville, PA., September 7, 2009

J. Thomas O’Hara ‘70of Evergreen Park, IL., January 23, 2010 Brother of James C. ‘61, W. Patrick ‘67, and Kevin M. ‘72.

Timothy J. Roche ‘70of Orland Park, IL., October 23, 2010

James L. Augustine ‘72of Orland Park, IL., April 23, 2010 Brother of Jerome T. ‘78. Member of the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame and a Tony Lawless recipient.

John C. Gorman ‘72of Los Altos Hills, CA., October 14, 2010 Uncle of Brian A. O’Connell ‘04

Ralph W. Arnold ‘77of Oak Lawn, IL., November 14, 2010 Son of former staff member Mary Kay Arnold. Brother of faculty member Michelle England. Uncle of Russell T. England ‘10.

Thomas E. Wortham IV ‘98of Chicago, IL., May 19, 2010

Brian Colin Carey ‘99of Evergreen Park, IL., March 30, 2010 Brother of Kevin P. ‘05 and cousin of Daniel J. Panfil ‘95

Kirklinn J. Fowlkes ‘09of Chicago, IL., July 23, 2010

Jarrett X. Rowe ‘11of Chicago, IL., September 22, 2010

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The Class of 1960 led the way at the dinner on November 12, just as they have been our First Class Crusaders all along, reuniting with 70 of their classmates, some bringing wives, with Ron Trepac ‘60 bringing a table full of family members, and Tom Blanchfield ‘60 bringing Sacred Heart Pastor Emeritus, Father Robert McGinnity, whose first parish assignment was Most Holy Redeemer and who is pictured in some of the first photos taken at Brother Rice, capturing the opening dedication of the school. Father McGinnity was busy all night, greeting MHR graduates who knew him when they went to Rice in the 60’s and 70’s. The First Class came from coast to coast, with seven guys standing when Jim Casey asked those who came from more than 500 miles to do so.

The second largest group at the dinner was “Boo” Carey’s family and friends, uniting many graduates like Boo’s uncle Pat Condon ‘66, a 2006 Man of the Year, Boo’s cousin Dan Panfil ‘95, one of the latest additions to the Brother Rice Counseling Department, and Boo’s friend 2009 Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee JJ Konstant ‘99, who, along with the John Doody family and many others, brought more than 80 people.

Bob Demes ‘70 had almost 50 classmates call in and say they were coming because of his phone calls, including 2005 Man of the Year Tom Palmer ‘70, with the 1969-70 student council president Ed Keeley ‘70, making the trip from Easton, Kansas.

See more on the 26th All-Alumni Dinner the Circle of Champions and much more at the alumni link at www.brotherrice.org.

f i r s t c l a s s c r u s a d i n g

F i r s t C l a s s C r u s a d e r s L e a d t h e W a y A g a i n

Upcoming Opportunities

Dr. Burns’ plans include joining

Harrigan, Casey, Sundermeier,

Alberts, McShane, Barkowski,

and O’Connell for various alumni

events: December 9 at the

Beverly Woods restaurant to meet

alumni from the 60’s, with similar

events for the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s,

and 00’s to follow; February 11

for Alumni Night; March 16 for

Career Day; April 16 for the Circle

of Champions Athletic Hall of

Fame Induction; June 17 for the

26th Alumni Golf Outing.

Dr. Burns and his team of

alumni administrators – twelve

other alumni on the faculty and

staff, spanning from 1964 to

2003 – will be here, there, and

everywhere, linking the past and

present, building a better future

for our young men, so they too

can benefit from an education

that is uniquely Brother Rice.

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Established events like Career Day and the Larry Platt ‘68 Essay Contest are showing that more alumni than ever are making meaningful connections with the students of Brother Rice. It’s all about connecting alumni with our teachers and young men, who not only choose to come to Brother Rice, they also choose to succeed here. In 2006 twelve of the students who took the entrance exam scored in the 96th percentile or higher. By the time they took the ACT and SAT and graduated in 2010, 26 members of the same class scored in the 96th percentile or higher. (Stop and reread the previous sentence; then ask yourself what that says about Brother Rice.) The Class of 2010 earned 7.1 million dollars in academic scholarships to major universities, such as Notre Dame, University of Chicago, Northwestern, Illinois, Ohio State, Purdue, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Washington U in St. Louis, the United States Naval Academy, Boston College, Georgetown, Loyola, Marquette, St. Xavier, and many more, large and small. Some graduates had already earned enough college credits to begin their sophomore year, thereby saving thousands of dollars in tuition.

d e l i v e r i n g a n d s h o w i n g r e s u l t s

Emerald Page ($1,000)Dr. Kevin G. BurnsUnited Association

Front Inside Cover ($400)Law Offices of Louis F. Cainkar, Ltd.

Back Inside Cover ($400)Odelson & Sterk, Ltd.

Back Outside Cover ($600)Crusader Alumni Athletic Foundation

Gold Page ($250)Bartz & Bartz DentalCrawford Roof/Exterior Building MaintenanceThe Lexington HouseMike Gilmartin ‘95 Chuhak & Tecson, P.C.Beverly Bank & Trust CompanyDr. Michael Lynch ‘73The Redemptorist Renewal CenterThe Horton GroupPeloza ConstructionQuerrey & Harrow, Ltd.The Brother Rice Mothers’ ClubFernwood Printers, Ltd.

Full Page ($150)The Barton FamilyMark Battaglia, P.C.Automotive Painters SupplyHR Imaging Partners, Inc.McLaughlin and Associates, Inc.Edward J. ZabrockiMike’s Barber ShopStandard Bank and Trust Co.Brother Rice Lay Teachers AssociationFarrell, Tracy & FarrellHilton Oak LawnAmerican Import Tiles, Ltd.Lowery Tile CompanyCardinal Pallet Co.William Quin & Sons, Inc.Kenwood Wine & LiquorsBroderick Insurance Group, Inc.Thomas Broderick ‘78 and FamilyPickens KaneGregory Papiernik ‘76 Levin & Brend, P.C.Shirey CadillacJoseph W. Brosnan ‘71Butler Orthopaedics

Denny Goggin ‘60Raleigh Kean ‘60Gus Sundermeier ‘76Baker TillyBrian P. Farrell ‘74 Century Ear, Nose and Throat/Head and Neck SurgeryMichael Elwood ‘74 Baird & WarnerPaul Duggan ‘68 and FamilyJenny’s Steak House & PubDr. John McInerney ‘75Gleneagles Country ClubLarry Heavey ‘71 and Dan Petrik ‘77Village of Melrose ParkFirst Personal BankBr. Rice Alumni Dad’s ClubJoe Kenny ‘87 Coldwell BankerState Senator Edward MaloneyKevin M. McCarthy ‘69

Half Page ($100)r.p.m. Cellular Telephone, Inc.Complete Plumbing, Inc.

John McVey ‘94 Donriver, Inc.Michael ‘92 and Brian ‘95 McVey D&M StripingM/R Plumbing Mart, Inc.Midland FederalBill McGann ‘68 Beverly WoodsSchramm FamilySt. Linus ParishProspect Federal Savings BankJack & Pat’sAthletex Sports and Orthopedic Physical TherapyBremen VFW Post 2791Hayes Beer Distributing CompanyThe End Zone TapKevin P. Camden ‘90Eduardo Coronado ‘80 World’Vest Base, Inc.Amex Construction Co., Inc.Br. Rice Dads’ ClubDrs. Van Lente and Leahy and AssociatesPark Promotions, Inc.

Business Card ($60)Brdar DecoratingHicks Insurance GroupAnnie’s Ltd.Little Company of Mary HospitalBarry Gaw ‘66 ReMax “10”Daniel Toner ‘75 Daniel Toner & AssociatesDennis L. Duffy ‘64 Village of Evergreen ParkFood Service ProfessionalsSt. Laurence High SchoolCenter for Psychological Services, Ltd.Park LawnValley Fire Protection SystemsChatham Glass & Mirror Co.Robert J. Sheehy & Sons Funeral Home

1/8 Page ($40)William J . Petzel ‘61Walsh’s Service Station

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December 2010

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