Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School Faith
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STATE OF THE SCHOOL Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School Faith. Family. Future. Magazine Thriving on every level SUMMER 2016 Villa Angela-St.Joseph High School PUBLISHING STAFF 2016-17 MERICI-CHAMINADE FUND Published by Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School www.vasj.com Editor: Emily Robinson ([email protected]) Graphic Design: Anne Pillot Photography: Various contributors VASJ ADMINISTRATION Bill Cervenik ’72 - President Richard J. Osborne ’69 – Previous President David Csank – Principal Thomas Erzen - Dean of Student Life Timothy Neary ’03 - Dean of Academics/Director of MUSP Kellie (Clinton) Watrobski ’03 - Director of Admissions Nate Zavorek ’94 - Director of Athletics Emily Robinson - Director of Communications Kevin Flynt ’70 - Director of Community Outreach/Alumni Coordinator Robert Buskey - Director of Finance Ruby Harris - Advancement Services “We are proud of our students at Villa Angela-St. Manager Joseph High School who are not only benefitting Martin Neary ’95 - Property Manager from the Ursuline and Marianist-sponsored educations they are receiving, but who are also creating memories and building on the traditions that each of us hold close to our hearts.” ~ VASJ President Bill Cervenik ’72 By giving to the Merici-Chaminade Fund, you are helping support READER FEEDBACK our mission to provide each We’d love to hear your thoughts on VASJ Magazine. Send your questions, child the highest quality Catholic comments or concerns to Director of education while helping them to Communications Emily Robinson at grow spiritually, academically, and [email protected] or 216-481-8414 ext. 235. personally. Your support directly benefits our students as these funds WHAT ARE YOU UP TO? Faith. Family. Future. remain an important component We need your help to stay current. of our school operating budget to Help us update our records or share information for the next issue of the support classroom technology, equipment, and student programs and services. magazine by providing us with your updated contact information. YOUR SUPPORT DIRECTLY BENEFITS OUR STUDENTS Mail To: Your gift is not only an investment in the outstanding students we serve today, Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School ATTN: Advancement Office but also in the future of the school you love. Every contribution of any size 18491 Lakeshore Boulevard makes a difference. Cleveland, OH 44119 Fax To: The students, faculty and staff appreciate your support and continue to pray for 216-486-1035 you always. Or Update Online: www.vasj.com/alumni Make your gift today. Visit vasj.com/donate. FROM THE PREVIOUS PRESIDENT A rich path I’m a pacer. Always have been. Even when I ingredients along the way – including (one of the best worked in sterile offices that were dominated by treats of all) cookies coming fresh from the oven in endless rows of identical cubicles and desks, I the Culinary Arts room. walked around and around as I was thinking through In one of the first sessions I attended at a an issue or problem. I might stop and chat with a fundraising seminar after my appointment as colleague along the way, but otherwise the diversions president here at VASJ five years ago, an expert in were few and the scenery was nonexistent. the advancement field told us that the most essential Among the many blessings I’ve found at VASJ component of effective fundraising is storytelling. is that my daily treks have been full of discoveries. I remember thinking how fortunate I was to be at There is always – always – something new to a school with so many touching and inspirational experience. Our remarkable new Men’s Choir might stories to tell. be rehearsing in the chapel, tryouts for graduation Our students daily provide the stories that have speakers might be going on in the Villa Angela touched you to support them through their academic Heritage Room, volleyball practice might be achievements, their sportsmanship and teamwork, occurring in the gym, a football scrimmage might be their kindness to one another, their gratitude for the happening out on the field, our Student Ambassadors gifts that you’ve given them – gifts that have changed might be busy preparing for an Open House. their lives – and their earnest resolve to pass those And that’s just after school. As I’ve walked our gifts along to others. floors during the day, I’ve heard bits and pieces of God bless you for listening. God bless you for lectures on presidential politics, reports on the virtues caring. God bless you for responding as you have. that characterize the spirit of our founders, laughs Because of you, our school is flourishing today and that ring out between friends at adjacent lockers, the our students and graduates are spreading the Good melodic sounds of French class, the passionate tone News you have shared with them. of a serious discussion on social justice. Thank you for allowing me the joy of walking this In an address to Italian educators, parents and rich path with you in the search for truth, of what is pupils a couple of years ago, Pope Francis said: “The good and beautiful. mission of schools is to develop a sense of truth, of what is good and beautiful. And this occurs through a rich path made up of many ingredients.” What a rich path we walk at Villa Angela- Richard J. Osborne ’69, Previous VASJ President St. Joseph High School. And how flavorful the Table of Contents SUMMER 2016 From the Previous President ...........1 In the Village ................... 14-15 Our New President ..................2 Donor Recognition Report ......... 16-21 Victoria Francetic ’16 ............... 3-5 Class Notes .................... 22-26 ON THE COVER: Victoria Francetic ’16 and Christopher Boykin ’18 ............. 6-7 In Memoriam ................... 27-28 Christopher Boykin ’18 State of the School ............... 8-11 Look at us Now ................. 12-13 Advertising/Copyright Information Any viewpoints that are expressed are those of the editor, writers or their subjects. COPYRIGHT 2016 VILLA ANGELA-ST. JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced for profit without the written permission of Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School. Printed by Northcoast Litho. 1 Faith. Family. Future. OUR NEW PRESIDENT A VASJ welcome to William R. Cervenik By Mike Tobin ’91 illa Angela-St. Joseph High School did not have to go very far to Vfind the leader who will guide the school into the future. William R. Cervenik ’72 was selected as the school’s next president. He succeeds Richard Osborne ’69, who retired in June after five years as VASJ president. Cervenik, 61, comes to VASJ after having served as Euclid’s mayor for the past 12 years. “I am very impressed by the student body, the staff and the good administrator of financial stability and cares very deeply about administration,” he said. “I am really excited and looking forward to the community.” this.” Cervenik credits his career in politics and accounting directly to Margaret Lyons, former Superintendent of Schools for the Catholic his experience in high school at St. Joseph. He was inducted into the Diocese of Cleveland, who also retired this year, said: “Bill has been VASJ Hall of Fame in 2009 and has been a leader in numerous civic a longtime friend to Villa Angela-St. Joseph and has demonstrated activities in the Collinwood-Euclid community for many years. He a keen understanding of its rich heritage, its strengths, and its was named Euclid Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the challenges moving forward. These insights coupled with his love for Year in 1995 and 2006, and American Legion Citizen of the Year in VASJ and its wonderful community make Bill the right choice.” 2007. He received the Euclid Hospital Community Service Award Cervenik took part in the school’s Founders Day Mass. He was in 2008 and the Rose Mary Center Angel Award in 2009. He served impressed by the way the students took the lessons of the Ursulines on the boards of the Regional Transit Authority, the Northeast Ohio and Marianists to heart. Areawide Coordinating Agency, the First Suburbs Consortium and “They weren’t just taught the lessons, they knew them and were was a member of the Cuyahoga County Mayors and Managers living them,” he said. Association. As president, Cervenik is the school’s chief executive officer, Cervenik and his wife, Mary Kay (Gross) Cervenik, a 1971 graduate responsible for all aspects of the school including budget oversight, of Villa Angela, have been married for 42 years. They have two fundraising and implementing the school’s long-term vision. He children, both of whom are VASJ graduates, Billy ’94 and Katie ’97. acts in unison with the principal to ensure academic excellence and Cervenik said that while society and the world change, VASJ’s mission effectiveness. mission and its students remain the same. He has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1983. Prior to his “The students are just like we were,” he said. “For many of these service as mayor, which ended due to term limits this year, he served students, this is their family. They look out for each other, care for for 12 years on Euclid City Council. For five of those years, he was each other, just like we did. We’re making strong men and women to City Council President, replacing legendary St. Joseph High School lead us into the next generation.” math teacher Joseph Farrell upon his untimely death. Kirsten Holzheimer-Gail ’88 served with Cervenik in Euclid politics Mike Tobin ’91 is vice chairman of the VASJ Board of Advisors. A before succeeding him as mayor. She’s also the mother of two VASJ former journalist, he now serves as Community and Public Affairs alums and has a daughter in the school.