MoeFW1171.qxp 12/13/11 3:06 PM Page 1 FALL/WINTER 2011 Archbishop Moeller High School NON-PROFIT ORG. 9001 Montgomery Road US POSTAGE Cincinnati, OH 45242-7780 Celebrating our PAID Marianist CINCINNATI, OHIO A Catholic School in the Marianist Tradition Tradition. Permit No. 9931 M ELLERDeveloping Leadership in Young Men A publication for alumni, family, and friends of Archbishop Moeller High School “Through These Doors Walk the Men of Moeller,” says the signage over the entry into the central section of the building. It harkens to the days when that phrase was first painted on the door leading to the lower-level locker rooms that proudly reminded our athletes they were the “Men of Moeller,”evolving into a winning tradition in all sports. Now, the phrase has an even richer meaning, deepening to encompass the holistic development of our students. By the time they graduate, it is our hope that they see themselves as the Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, envisioned more than 150 years ago: as young men of faith… formed academically in a family-oriented community… committed to service, peace, and justice… and constantly adapting to our changing world. It is these aspects of being a Man of Moeller that we highlighted in our new exhibit that now graces the main hallway of the school. Called the “Timeline,” it visually chronicles the five timeless Characteristics of a Marianist education from the past 50 years. And underneath each section are literally hundreds of statements from our alumni defining parts of who they are as Men of Moeller. We dedicated and blessed this exhibit in September, and we cordially invite you to visit Moeller to experience it in person. (See “New Timeline Tells the ‘Truth’ about THE MOELLER STORY,” page 25.) MoeFW1171.qxp 12/13/11 3:06 PM Page 3 MOELLER STORIES: Scholarships Impact Lives Harvard graduate Matt DePetro (photo on Rick was killed by a hit-skip driver in 2006 top right), Moeller Class of 2001, flew in from while riding his bicycle. He was 55. Silicon Valley, California, to address the Moeller In response, Rick’s parents established the I’m putting these thoughts together as we end the school how they can continue to have a sense of wonderment for their scholarship students and donors at the Eric J. Schlueter Scholarship to memorialize year’s first quarter. The beginning of the 2011-12 school year faith. How do these young men move into the world following school’s Named Scholarship Breakfast their son and to pass on the lessons that has come and gone already, and I am reminded of how Christ—being more loving, more patient, and more forgiving? Program in September. He had a story to tell they believed Moeller students could learn blessed I am to be working together every day with a great Our young men become more formed in their faith. And and an important message to give: “Moeller from his life: group of students, faculty, and staff. I hope that all of us in the while one need not be a Catholic to attend Moeller, we believe is a foundational experience, not an end-game,” Moeller community will be open to learning new things this that to be a student at our school is to experience a rich, he said. Moeller’s “foundation” enabled Matt 1. Develop strong family values. BREAKING NEWS: Alumni Association year and really stretch ourselves. Christ-centered community. to pursue his dreams: graduate from Harvard 2. Follow your dreams. in 2005 with a bachelor’s in engineering; work Vice President Nick Hodge ’94 just announced the 3. Finish the job that you started to the I think it was Aristotle who told us that we are all the sum Our faculty works hard with our young men to appreciate all kinds of on a team that developed the microprocessor new Alumni Class Scholarship Program for each best of your ability. of our actions and our motivation. The actions and motivation literature; to write an analysis on a certain topic; to identify and for the world’s fastest computer; play graduating class. “These scholarships will help are something to behold here on a daily basis. I get a chance to solve problems of all kinds; to think critically; to perform publicly; pro/semi-pro football in Japan, and more... These stories are at the heart of the ‘bridge the tuition gap’ and will provide a way for witness students, parents, faculty, staff, and even our Board of to move the conversation forward; to dip into the often tragic but None of this would have been possible without Moeller Scholarship Program. In November our graduating classes to directly impact the life of Trustees working hard to further enhance the excellence of all-important specifics of history; and to work collaboratively. Our the aid of an academic scholarship. 2009, a new scholarship committee was formed. a future Man of Moeller,” he said. “(Alumni Moeller. Our faculty and staff are a remarkable group of young men learn how to achieve academically. Thanks to their leadership, the number of Tyler Himes ’14 (photo right) also had a individuals whose collective actions deserve our thanks. Named Scholarships has grown in the last two President) Phil Kreiner ’76 and I have spent the What a powerful list that certainly emanates from! They come story to tell that morning. “Since I was in the Our Board of Trustees gives focused and heartfelt expertise years from 5 to 21. All scholarships are based last year in discussions with our Class Captains, out of our Marianist roots and should be at the center of all of our second grade I knew I wanted to go towards the strategic direction of Moeller. Our parents give on financial need, academic excellence, and we have learned that one of the most pressing daily actions and motivations. If an action or initiative is not serving to Moeller. I couldn’t explain why. selflessly and enthusiastically in a myriad of volunteer roles, and donor-specific criteria. To honor concerns of our alumni base is the rising cost of our mission, it should be critically questioned. We need to draw on I had no legacy, and no one whether it is supporting fundraising or community-building both the donors and recipients, tuition and the inability for future young men tested experiences and hold on to what works; we need to introduce pressured me to go. It was efforts. Our students also contribute through their motivation the committee re-initiated the new thinking and new approaches where appropriate; and we need my own decision. (especially children of alumni) to attend because of in the classroom and grasping all the co-curricular activities Scholarship Breakfast. to stop what isn’t working. I always knew that Moeller that cost. Every year there is significant demand for available to them with both hands. was something different…” “The scholarship program tuition assistance that goes unmet. Our goal is to Further, in trying to deliver on our mission, the name “Moeller not only profoundly impacts the Despite all of our action and motivation, we certainly still Now a sophomore, Tyler fund each Class Scholarship as quickly as possible High School” must become synonymous with excellence, integrity, lives of the recipients,” said do face challenges. How we examine and deal with them is can explain why he made that to begin witnessing the benefits of tuition assistance.” and outstanding quality and service. The service aspect of this Advancement Director Debbie Geiger. what really defines us. We can view them either as obstacles or decision. “Academically Moeller has For more information, contact Advancement delivery becomes another of our opportunities and even more “Creating a Named Scholarship also helps stepping stones – problems with all of the associated negativity challenged me to do the best and be the Director Debbie Geiger at [email protected] crucial than ever, whether dealing with a prospective student and fulfill the dreams of the donors, either by or stepping stones with their associated opportunities. best I can be,” he said. “I take Honors and his family, a faculty or staff member, an alumnus, a parent – you honoring or memorializing a loved one. For or call (513) 791-1680, ext. 1320. More information AP classes. In grade school I was one of get the idea. We need to always be working towards promising those of us who fervently believe in the value is also available on the school website, It’s my belief that one of our challenges and thus one of our those kids who never studied for a test less and delivering more…every time. If we keep our mission of a Moeller Marianist education, there can www.Moeller.org (see “Support Moeller”). opportunities is to stay laser-focused on our mission. I’ve had and still got all A’s and B’s. Now there are simple, based in our roots and focused, then we will turn this be no greater gift.” some very recent opportunities to participate in some of our nights when I have three or more hours of service delivery from a potential obstacle into a stepping stone. student recruitment efforts with our Admissions Department. homework… Moeller has led me to Principal Blane Collison articulates the Throughout the course of these information sessions, numerous Are we perfect? Absolutely not and never will be. We must, realize that anything is possible essence of this “gift” when he addresses parents reasons are cited as to why a prospective student and his family however, commit ourselves to excellence every day. We have if you have the will and desire about the power of a Moeller education: should choose to attend Moeller.