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Table of Contents Mission. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
President’s Message. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Chairman’s Message. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 For God’s Greater Glory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Year in Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Reflections are Timeless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Always Giving for God’s Greater Honor . . . . . . . 14 Fire that Kindles Other Fires. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 We shall be Judged by Our Charity . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Rising to the Challenge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Find A Way to Pay Tribute to a Legend . . . . . . . 18 What do I Owe my Father? Everything! . . . . . . 19 110 Years of Excellence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Rockhurst Leadership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 By the Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Mission Rockhurst High School serves the greater Kansas City area by educating Ignatian leaders, “men for others,” in the Roman Catholic, Jesuit college preparatory tradition. In the spirit of Saint Ignatius Loyola, its goal is the formation of the whole person within a diverse and disciplined environment, as one who is open to growth, strives for academic excellence, is religious, loving and committed to justice through service.
Vision Rockhurst High School will be sought out and recognized for its ability to educate “men for others.” Rockhurst High School will, in the Jesuit tradition, foster lifelong friendships based on enduring principles and Ignatian values. It will be nationally and locally recognized as the best value-added education because of its success in developing community leaders for an increasingly diverse world.
President’s Message Dear Friends, Whenever I introduce myself speaking publicly, I generally say, “My name is David Laughlin and I am very proud to be the President of Rockhurst High School.” In my prayer and reflection, I recall that pride is one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Humility is a virtue. Maybe I should think about that more deeply. Being the President of Rockhurst is regularly a very humbling responsibility, not in the sense of difficulty, but rather in awe of the way our community works together to make our students’ formation a success. Let me explain. Each year, we have about 250 incoming families to Rockhurst. Some are very familiar with the school, are part of family legacies or parish feeder schools where a long-standing relationship breeds familiarity. For many other families, they have come to Rockhurst by its reputation, by word of mouth, or by active researching for the best education for their son. Whether these families are familiar with Rockhurst or they are beginning a new legacy, the excellence of a Rockhurst education is apparent
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to them – STEAM education, Catholic Identity, AP Scores, Innovation, etc. But the ability to afford the school may be less so. For many, in considering a Rockhurst education, it is a Catch-22. To me, these families’ commitment to attend Rockhurst is humbling. This is where you enter the tradition. It is also humbling to meet and come to know many benefactors, who know the value of a Rockhurst education for our boys. Some remember their own Rockhurst experience. Others have seen the impact of a Rockhurst education through the experience of their son. Still others know of the school’s excellence for the good of the community. You will read of a few significant examples in this year’s President’s Report. • I never had the chance to meet Michael Gravino ’74, though I know some of his family. Michael never forgot the impact of Rockhurst and upon his death, he gave it to other young men for decades to come. Humbling.
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• Here you will find stories of alumni like Jerry Kelly ’73 and his wife Bonnie, who wish to make the dream of a Rockhurst education possible in our Hurtado Scholars Program, a wish shared by alumni families who don’t live in Kansas City anymore; • Like Susan and Pat Brosnahan ’68, from Texas or; • Molly and Mike Trigg ’96, from California. Humbling. I hope as you read this collection of profiles and know that YOU are part of Rockhurst where the virtue of humility is so evident. The fourth leg of a table of Rockhurst success – parents, students, and benefactors is our faculty and staff. A significant part of this story is the great men and women whose lives are given to actualize the vision of Rockhurst. Their life’s commitment is humbling. Jesuit priests who gave their whole life to ministry - men like Fr. Luke Byrne, SJ, and Fr. Tom Cummings, SJ. Educators who spent nearly their entire careers in one place – almost unheard of anymore – like Tom Norman, Jerry Goben and Tony Severino. This past year, our school year theme was Reconciliation. The very story of this President’s Report is itself a reflection of that theme. You will see in the financial reporting for the year that Rockhurst commits a metropolitan area-leading $2.7 million of scholarship assistance thanks to you. You not only help our boys, but you help their parents achieve the dreams they have for their sons. This generosity is humbling and it is an act of reconciliation for the ways in which education can form the world for good. Thank you.
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In turn, our young men and their teachers continue to make us very proud. This past year, Rockhurst was one of 10 schools selected in the world as a STEM School of Excellence by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association. This is one example! A quick snapshot of our Class of 2020 accomplishments is, well, humbling. And it represents only one-fourth of the boys. This report is an expression of my gratitude to you for allowing Rockhurst to achieve our mission. With a gap each year of more than $5 million needed to meet our budget, it is a very accurate statement to say that, without you, we could not help these young men excel. Maybe I should be saying: “My name is David Laughlin, and I am humbled to be the President of Rockhurst High School.” Yes, that sounds better. May God bless you and those you love! St. Ignatius of Loyola, pray for us. In Christ,
David J. Laughlin President
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Message from the Chairman of the Board Dear RHS Family, A year ago, when I became Chairman of the Board of Trustees, my outlook for the future of Rockhurst High School could not have been more optimistic. What great satisfaction it brings to find those thoughts and feelings are all justified – even by our current reality. The coronavirus pandemic clearly demonstrates our vulnerability. So much more the vital role for institutions like Rockhurst High School that develop intellectual fortitude, resilience, creativity, and perhaps mostly, a heartfelt sense of cura personalis with real concern for each person around us. How wonderful to see the Rockhurst High School community bind together during such unprecedented times. Under the wise, careful and sustained leadership of President David Laughlin, Rev. Vincent Giacabazi, SJ, our principal, and their entire team, students are thriving! While the sensible
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The foundation of support your generosity provides makes Rockhurst High School a stable and special place, where any young man who wants to earn it can enjoy and grow from his Rockhurst experience. I know this first-hand, and remain as grateful for The Rock today as I was nearly four and a half decades ago, and when my sons graduated.
and necessary containment and isolation measures taken by governments have caused every one of us to change our everyday lives, the Rockhurst High School team of educators brought a certain normalcy to students, even when a viral stress-test raged across the globe. The Spirit of The Rock remains strong and proud. On behalf of the entire Board, we are deeply grateful.
Someday, we will all look back at the year 2020. In those reflections we will see that though the challenges were significant, together we rose to meet them and flourish within the Rockhurst High School community. After all, we are forming “men for others.”
Let me assure you that Rockhurst High School is poised for the year to come and beyond. The Board of Trustees is greatly pleased with the school’s condition at every level – curricular, co-curricular, spiritual, and financial. Our resolute intent is to build upon Rockhurst High School’s 110 year tradition, so that generations of future Hawklets benefit from a Jesuit education and become leaders for our society and world.
With excitement for our collective future, I am. Sincerely yours,
Your charitable donations to Rockhurst High School are profoundly impactful for each one of our students.
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Mark R. Teahan ’78 Chairman of the Board
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Legendary Icons Leave Legacy of Love
For God’s Greater Glory “Fr. Luke Byrne was one of the most faith-filled Servants of Christ it has ever been my honor to know. His service to the Catholic Church, and care for the formation of young people, was inspiring. He truly lived the Jesuit ideal of being a ‘man for others’.” - David J. Laughlin —
Rev. Luke J. Byrne, SJ ’52 1935 – 2020 — • RHS President, 1975-1980
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“Fr. Cummings was my favorite teacher. Why? The answer is simple: passion! He taught with passion! Everything was important! ‘Oh Paul please read that chapter...you will be so happy you did!’ He was right.” - Paul T. McGannon, Jr. ’72 —
“I will always remember the lessons Dr. Goben taught us. He gave us someone to look up to and try to emulate, and held the attention and respect of all of his students. I will try to take his lessons and pass them to my children.” - Nathan M. Crowe ’02 —
“Tom was the first person new faculty would meet. He would show a simple image of a bumblebee with his lesson: God is a ‘busy bee.’ He was Cura Personalis (i.e. care for the entire person); the hallmark of Ignatian spirituality.” - Matthew R. Nickson —
1938-2020 — • RHS President, 1986 - 1993 • English Teacher, 1963 - 1966 • Dept. Chair, 1970 - 1976
1944-2020 — • RHS Principal, Vice Principal of Curriculum, Department Chair, Social Studies Teacher & Football Coach during his more than 30 years of service, 1982 – 2014
1941-2020 — • RHS Theology Teacher, Pastoral Dept. Chair & Director of Ignatian Identity during his more than 30 years of service, 1981 – 2013
Rev. Thomas W. Cummings, SJ
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2019 / 2020 S A L U T E
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Year in Review
Fourteen seniors were recognized by the National Merit Program. Six became Finalists and eight as Commended Students. Pictured with
30 Vincent Giacabazi, SJ, are Finalists (l-r) Michael Navato, Casey O’Halloran,
Brendan Kiefer, Watson Deacon, Caleb Phillips, and Joseph Berglund.
Grant Auman was named the Garrett Clark NSDA Show Me District Student of the Year.
Thirty seniors were recognized as Advanced Placement Scholars for achieving a score of 3 or higher on at least three full-year AP examinations. Twelve seniors were named Advanced Placement Scholars with Honor for receiving an average of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of the exams. And 10 seniors were named Advanced Placement Scholars with Distinction for receiving scores of 3.5 or higher on five or more AP Exams.
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six Six swimmers were named Academic AllAmericans. Three basketball players were named to the Academic All-State Team.
President David Laughin and Principal
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Wes Kelley, Phil Licata, and Michael Navato were selected to the Kansas City All-District Choir. Jacob Borchert, Nate Ciocca, Ryan Flood and Luke Rottinghaus were named to the Kansas City Honor Choir.
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Seniors earned individual recognition for their athletic efforts: Wes Porter was named the KC Cross Country Runner of the Year and the Gatorade Missouri Runner of the Year; Dylan Nill was named an All-American in the 500 Freestyle in Swim and Dive.
26,000 The Class of 2020 donated more than 26,000 hours of community service during its Senior Service Projects. Seniors volunteered at 57 different Kansas City agencies, and 62 seniors participated in immersion trips to Guatemala and Tijuana.
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Twenty-one senior student-athletes have signed to play a sport in college.
Seven seniors were selected to All-State Teams: Wes Porter (cross country), Tommy Eckels, Owen Lawson (football), Thomas Gansner, Max Goodwin, Caden McLagan (soccer), Dylan Nill (swim & dive). Spring sports seasons were canceled.
National Speech & Debate Association National Tournament qualifiers were (l-r) Kenan Blakey, Grant Auman, Alex Gallagher, Jackson Valenti, and Harper Molen. Among the senior student-athletes signing to play in college were (l-r) Thomas Eckels (Vanderbilt), Owen Lawson (Kansas State), Tucker Atwood (Northwest Missouri State), Tim Glaser (South Dakota).
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Seniors In addition, seniors were significant contributors to overall Rockhurst accomplishments during the 2019-20 school year, including: • Rockhurst was a recipient of the STEM School of
Luke Brown (third saxophone players from right) earned a position on the Kansas City Metro District Jazz Band on tenor saxophone
Excellence Recognition by the International Technology
and was also selected to the Missouri All-State Jazz Band.
and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA). There were only 10 schools selected in the world for this honor for the 2019-20 academic year. • Rockhurst was ranked in the 98th percentile of News week Magazine’s list of “Top 5,000 STEM High Schools.” • Rockhurst’s Speech & Debate Team won the year-long Overall Sweepstakes Trophy for the Kansas City Parlia mentary Debate League. The team also earned member ship in the NSDA’s “200 Club”, which ranks Rockhurst among the top 10% of schools nationwide. • During Mission Week, students raised more than $30,000 for local, national and international agencies. • Seniors led the Hawklets to strong athletic seasons, including a Second Place finish in Swim and Dive, as well as a Sixth Place finish in Cross Country.
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School Theme 2019-20 - “Reconciliation”
Reflections are Timeless President David J. Laughlin offered these thoughts at the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year as context for the Rockhurst High School faithful. They are still very relevant, and even timeless, for today and all our tomorrows. AMDG
The response to the question is grounded in divine love, but it observes that human beings, whom God loved into existence, had gone far astray from the goodness inherent in their creation. So, the Father sent the Son into the world to reconcile us to a greater understanding of that goodness and to infuse our faith in God with the assurance of eternal life in that divine love.
with God and one another and our home, continued to live in the message of Christ. But, alas, we know of and can even be entrapped by the polarization and brokenness of our world. We witness a world less inclined to consider an Almighty and a world less inclined to treat our fellow sisters and brothers with the dignity deserving of the respect of one created in the image and likeness of God. War, poverty, polarized politics, religious factionalism, racism, economic disparity, confusion and abuse in human sexuality, disconnectedness of understanding of the use of resources from our common home ... there is a long list of examples apparent to us daily which illustrate a continuing need for the Almighty amidst the chaos.
If only the gift of our creation, the human condition in both our relationship
Sometimes, it seems so very complex that it is hard to know where to start.
Why did Jesus come to be among us?
In a prayer called the “Contemplation on the Incarnation in the Spiritual Exercises”, St. Ignatius of Loyola asks us to use the gift of our imagination, to consider a conversation among the Father, the Son and the Spirit, a conversation focused on the question “Why?”
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Sometimes, when we try to start, a world of quick judgment, sharp criticism, and continued fractioning can make any attempt to be a companion of Christ the Reconciler a painful exercise for any individual. Conscience, Competence and Compassion. “Men for others.” Words often used with Jesuit education as hoped-for outcomes. As we begin the 2019-2020 School Year at Rockhurst High School, I invite you to embrace this school year’s theme of Reconciliation. In 2016, Fr. Arturo Sosa, SJ, Superior General of the Society of Jesus, asked Jesuit works to consider the person
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of Christ the Reconciler and invited Jesuit schools like Rockhurst to consider our role in three areas.
Forming young men in the Jesuit tradition means shaping lives of Competence.
• Academic achievement is not some segmented bragging right. It is maximizing • Reconciliation with God – How do we con our intellect, which is a gift of our creation. tribute in forming our young men to grow in relationship with a loving God in a world Forming our minds and achieving great outcomes is our hope and expectation – and Church witnessing less participation? because God gave us the ability. • Reconciliation with creation – How can we • We need competent, relevant, educated, see the natural resources gifted to us in our capable, integrity-driven leaders. Every creation to live in harmony with God and where. Business, medicine, law, arts, with simplicity found in the beauty of the education, social service, politics, public natural? servants… everywhere. We are proud of the • Reconciliation with humanity – How can we professional achievements of our alumni look at our local circumstance in Kansas because they help build a framework for City, and more broadly in the Midwest, the society. United States, and the world – and see the • We need husbands, fathers, friends, and role of our formation as one important to help lead all people to a dignity and respect priests who commit themselves to their best ability to their vocational lives. which looks upon the “other” as a beloved son or daughter of God? Forming young men in the Jesuit tradition means shaping lives of Compassion. Forming young men in the Jesuit tradition means shaping lives of Conscience. • We are called to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to grow in listening and accompanying as • There is a God who loves us. Christ would for all those who come into • There is an eternity promised to us. our lives. • There are objective moral truths, right and • We have a preferential option for those in wrong. need – materially, spiritually, educationally. • There is the need for forgiveness, our own • Our competence and our conscience call and of the other. us outside of ourselves to be reconcilers in • We have a duty beyond our own existence.
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service to the world. • As the “Prayer for Generosity” from St. Ignatius states, we are called to “give and not to count the cost.” Formation in our tradition means the purpose of school has a context. School can otherwise seem something unto itself. Classes, co-curricular activities, athletics, arts, STEAM, even community service can all be busy activities with a very short-term goal for college preparation. And, while all are important, they have a context. We hope to change the world. We form young “men for others” to be companions of Christ, sent as Christ was, to reconcile the world to evermore become as God intended it. Whether current parent, student, staff, alumni, benefactor, or friend, I ask for your prayer, if not also your participation, in considering this school theme: Reconciliation. May God bless you and those you love.
David J. Laughlin President
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Always Giving for God’s Greater Honor An Ultimate Gift for Others
The estate gift Michael left to Rockhurst High School is valued at an estimated $1 million to build these funds in perpetuity.
Michael J. Gravino ’74 loved his family. He loved his parents, grandparents, and siblings. He loved his Catholic faith. He loved Rockhurst High School. Michael showed his love throughout his life and even when he went to God. Michael passed away on May 13, 2019. His family and friends gathered at Redemptorist Church in Kansas City on June 29, 2019 to celebrate a generous, compassionate, humble and loving person who exemplified the Jesuit ideal of being a “man for others.” They also celebrated the legacy Michael left behind for Jesuit education. During Michael’s life, he carefully fostered scholarship funds at Rockhurst High School. One remembered his maternal grandmother, Mabel Batchel. Another his grandparents, Mary and Philip Gravino. Still another in loving memory of his parents, Maureen and Joseph Gravino, Sr., which his siblings helped him to establish.
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Jesuits took a primary role in Michael’s education, even beyond Rockhurst High School. He later attended Regis College in Denver, and then Gonzaga University in Spokane. Michael always wanted to give that precious gift of Jesuit education back to others with his caring acts. Professional and personal acquaintances always spoke of his Christ-like way that showered them with kindness. “Mike was proud of our family, our Catholic faith, and Rockhurst High School,” said his brother, Joseph P. Gravino, Jr. ’82. “This ultimate gift was a real way for him to show future generations of students how proud he would have been of them, by helping them, even when they couldn’t know him. He was the most gentle and generous person I have ever known.”
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Michael Gravino ’74 loved family, Rockhurst, and the great outdoors.
Rockhurst High School awards $2.7 million in financial aid to families on an annual basis. Estate gifts, such as Mr. Gravino’s, are becoming one of the most important ways donors can help build the school’s scholarship base to help every student who wants a Jesuit education to have that opportunity. “Mike was extraordinarily,” wrote his friend, Warren Schlettert. “Only through his passing are we allowed to discover the depth and breadth of his giving back. The scholarships he established for those in need are not surprising at all, because we knew his character.”
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Fire that Kindles Other Fires Bonnie and Jerry Kelly ’73 Bonnie and Jerry Kelly ’73 are the kind of American-made success story that people love. Even more, their desire to share that success with others is the fabric of dreams for God’s greater honor and glory and building the Kingdom here on Earth.
President David Laughlin (left) honors Bonnie and Jerry Kelly with Principal Vincent Giacabazi, SJ and Jesuit Rector William Sheahan, SJ.
The Kellys donated $500,000 for Rockhurst High School’s Hurtado Scholars Program operations. They then pledged another $2 million toward a $12 million goal for a fund to help endow the Program in perpetuity, one of the largest charitable commitments in school history.
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A virtual presentation of the “Fire that Kindles Other Fires Award” was made to the Kellys on July 23, 2020 during the school’s annual Hurtado Scholars celebration.
it when he championed the phrase “a fire that kindles other fires.” With it, we are called to set all things alight with the love of God.
“As Bonnie says, ‘We are all in!’” said Jerry. “We believe there is nothing more sustaining in life than faith, family, and a good education. Rockhurst provides of all of these. Young Hurtado Scholars are exposed to the mission of Rockhurst High School from a faith-sustaining, ‘men for others,’ perspective. They make life-long friends who are their Rockhurst family. What appealed to us most was the Program’s focused outreach on a diverse community, which makes the entire Rockhurst community stronger. Fr. Hurtado would be proud. They need all our support.”
“What an extraordinary example of stewardship Bonnie and Jerry have given us,” said David J. Laughlin, Rockhurst High School President. “This transformative gift will begin to ensure the Hurtado Scholars Program can and will remain a vibrant part of our school. They have made it possible for countless families to realize their dreams by giving the gift of a Jesuit college preparatory education to their sons. I am confident that this gift will have a positive impact on Rockhurst for generations to come.”
Saint Ignatius, founder of the Society of Jesus, when he sent Saint Francis Xavier to the East, told him: “go, set the world alight.” With the birth of the Jesuits, a new fire was lit in a changing world. The fire that was set alight then continues to burn in Jesuit schools today. St. Alberto Hurtado, SJ knew
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The Kellys co-founded Silpada Designs in 1997 with family friend Teresa Walsh. Silpada focused on jewelry design and developing the home party experience for customers. It became one of the largest and most successful direct selling jewelry companies in North America, with millions of customers throughout the Unites States and Canada.
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We shall be Judged by Our Charity “See Christ in Everyone” The Hurtado Scholars Program at Rockhurst High School continues to inspire donors to give in extraordinary ways. The Program, which was established in 2012, not only is changing lives, but is serving as a wonderful example of Christian thought with an unselfish love for humanity.
St. Alberto Hurtado, SJ gave the less fortunate of Chile, particularly children, a warm home at his “El Hogar de Cristo” during the 1940s.
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was finished, $172,000 was raised for the Program in four short weeks. The Hurtado Scholars Program assists boys who have great potential, but for whom a Catholic, college preparatory education may not be attainable. They receive training and experiences that enable them to be well prepared for a college preparatory high school. There are currently 30 middle school students enrolled in the Hurtado Scholars, as well as 33 young men who graduated from the Program and are now enrolled at Rockhurst. The first seven Hurtado Scholars Alumni graduated from Rockhurst in 2020.
“What a person does in life shows what he or she cares about,” said Patrick J. Brosnahan ’68. “Acts of charity and kindness must be what defines us here on earth and before God.”
“The Hurtado Scholars have a deep appreciation for learning,” commented Jaymie Bonavia, in instructor for the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art “Thinking Through Art: program. “It is joyful to be a part of their journey.”
Pat and his wife, Susan, offered to match donations dollar-for-dollar to the Hurtado Scholars up to $50,000. When the Brosnahan Challenge
During Fiscal Year 2019-20, donors made cash donations of $597,734 to the Hurtado Scholars operations. In addition, gifts of $520,000 were
received toward a fund that will be held in perpetuity to support tuition assistance grants for students. Certain donors have decided to pledge support for the Hurtado Scholars over a period of years, not only to increase the score of their generosity, but help the school plan for its future. A record amount of $1.2 million of multi-year pledges to help build the Hurtado Scholars in years to come. Alberto Hurtado was born in 1901 in Viña del Mar in Chile. Fr. Hurtado was canonized in 2005 by Pope Benedict XVI. St. Hurtado was incapable of seeing pain, nor indeed any need, without seeking a way to solve it. He tirelessly for the less fortunate people in Chile, especially the disadvantaged youth and young adults. He call his friends to “see Christ in everyone.” St. Hurtado is the Patron Saint of Multi-Taskers. He died of cancer at the age of 51 in 1952. Although suffering toward the end of his life, he was heard to say, “I am content, O Lord, I am content.”
These top donors to the Hurtado Scholars offered gifts of $5,000 or more in FY 2019-20 that amounted to $1,372,671 for operational support and scholarships.
— Bank of America Charitable Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Michael E. Becker, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. John J. Becker Mr. and Mrs. Kelly M. Bonavia Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. Brosnahan Mr. Peter C. Brown, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. David G. Dehaemers, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Kevin R. Fahey Fendler Family Fund Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey G. Flathman Frank and Margaret G. McGee Fund Mr. and Mrs. Paul P. Holewinski Mr. and Mrs. Gerald A. Kelly, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Todd A. Koca Mr. and Mrs. Mark D. Kozikowski Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Massman, IV Mr. and Mrs. Michael T. Mayer Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. McCarthy, IV Mr. and Mrs. Timothy K. McNamara Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Mr. and Mrs. Robert T. Muleski Mr. and Mrs. Gregory P. Reintjes, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. John J. Sherman Sherman Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Matthew P. Smith Mr. and Mrs. Paul M. Stucky Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. Stueve The McGee Foundation The Ronald D. Deffenbaugh Foundation Thomas Fahey Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. M. James Van Dyke William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Owen M. Zidar
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Golden Jubilee Classes Live as “Men for Others” —
The past three Golden Jubilee classes have made
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a significant impact on Rockhurst High School’s students and mission with their charitable giving. Alumni from the Classes of 1968, 1969, and 1970 have joined together to donate $391,556 for scholarships to give future Hawklets the same type of Jesuit education they enjoyed. “I have immense gratitude to these classes for their clear vision of how philanthropy makes Rockhurst High School stronger now and in the future,” stated Rockhurst President David J. Laughlin. “The impact their combined giving is collectively making a transformational opportunity for our students to earn a Jesuit education.” Each of the classes built their success upon a dollar-for-dollar gift challenge to its members. The steering committees quietly raised pledge commitments toward its goal, and as each Golden Jubilee Reunion approached, announced a public number to be matched by the rest of their classmates. “One of the many gifts we all share as graduates of Rockhurst High School is a unified spirit, even 50 years after graduation,” said James T. Glynn, a 1970 Steering Committee member. “As students, we did not always recognize our similarities. Yet as alumni, we do. We care about Rockhurst and its students. We are a part of a community.”
Rising to the Challenge Community joins Together during Pandemic When the COVID-19 pandemic reached the United States in March of 2020, the world events set everyone’s lives into sudden change. The timing of the economic strains across the globe came to Rockhurst High School during a year that was going well with fundraising on target to reach our goals. Before the pandemic struck, Rockhurst needed $5.1 million to balance its budget, including $2.7 million for financial aid to families. In mid-March, the school was $800,000 short of its annual fund-raising needs. There were additional appeals from families who had lost income that reached $200,000. An estimated $1 million needed to be raised before the end of the school’s fiscal year on June 30, 2020. True to its reputation, the Rockhurst High School
community rose to the challenge. A total of $1,298,610 in cash contributions were given by 1,681 people from March 15, 2020 to June 30, 2020 to meet the need. “It was simply amazing,” reflected Rockhurst President David J. Laughlin. “Alumni, parents, and friends rallied for our students. Even when the times are most difficult, and people could have been thinking only about themselves, they gave for others. We are truly grateful.” The “Rising to the Challenge” campaign had three primary areas of focus for giving: 1) Successfully reaching the Spectacular 2020 goal for the auction on April 18, 2020; 2) Maximizing alumni support through a “$20 for 2020 Campaign.”
3) Building the maximum amount of giving for the Hurtado Scholars. Each one of the campaign’s platforms combined for success. Auction donations were more than $854,000 during the timeframe, toward an overall auction net result of $1.2 million; alumni giving reached $283,327 during the three-and-a-half month time; and gifts to the Hurtado Scholars surpassed $175,000, thanks to the Brosnahan Challenge, by early summer. Charitable donations allowed the school to honor its commitment to families with a vibrant financial aid program. At the time, 462 students received financial assistance from 83 different zip codes across the greater Kansas City area. The average financial aid award was $5,900.
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Find A Way to Pay Tribute to a Legend Coach Honored as Remarkable Role Model Through a principal gift of $50,000 made by Kelly and Bob Pascuzzi, along with donations offered to match that extraordinary example of stewardship from family, friends, and former football players of legendary Coach Tony Severino and his wife, Marilyn, the “Find-A-Way” Scholarship Fund has been established at Rockhurst High School. “This tribute is humbling to both Marilyn and me,” reacted Coach Severino. “The idea that Kelly and Bob would offer such a wonderful gift, and inspire others to match it, is remarkable. I am so glad and honored that future students will have the chance to earn a Rockhurst High School diploma through this fund.” Coach Severino led the Football Hawklets for 37 seasons. He retired after the 2019 season. Since 1983, the Hawklets had 11 appearances in Missouri State Championship games, winning seven state titles. Coach Severino is the third-winningest coach in Missouri high school football history with 344 career victories in 381 games. “Find-A-Way” is the memorable inspirational saying Coach Severino would offer to his players, students, coaches, fellow faculty members, alumni, and friends of The Rock. He spoke annually at the school’s Alumni Spaghetti Dinner and was often heard using the phrase.
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“Just being a good young man is what Coach Sev helps us to become,” reflected Thomas Eckels ’20. “He’s such a great mentor. He’s taught so many life lessons that will go with me past the game of football. I will have them into college and my job.” “We are incredibly grateful for Coach Sev’s dedication to Rockhurst and the Pascuzzi family’s remarkable giving inspiration in his honor,” said President David J. Laughlin. “The FindA-Way Scholarship will no doubt be just that for many future generations of Hawklets by giving them the opportunity to earn a Jesuit education.” Gifts to the “Find-A-Way” Scholarship can be made at rockhursths.edu/giving.
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“What do I Owe my Father? Everything!” Molly and Michael Trigg ’96 That is the famous quote by author Henry Van Dyke – “What do I owe my father? Everything.”
sending me to Rockhurst High School. He encouraged me to give it a shot. I have been grateful ever since.” Trigg and his wife, Molly, established the Louis B. Trigg Scholarship Fund in 2019 to honor his father. The fund will provide tuition assistance for students who have graduated from the Hurtado Scholars Program and are now enrolled at Rockhurst High School.
Michael Trigg agrees. “My father gave me so many gifts,” said Trigg. “One of the most important was
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The Hurtado Scholars Program is an educational and leadership opportunity offered by Rockhurst High School to prepare middle school boys for success at a college preparatory high school and beyond. Named for St. Alberto Hurtado, SJ, the Hurtado Scholars Program is inspired by a Chilean Jesuit priest who founded homes and offered education to impoverished boys throughout his native country in the mid-20th century. There are currently 30 Hurtado Scholar middle school students and 33 who have gradu-
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ated the Program and are enrolled at Rockhurst. Last year, the first seven gentlemen graduated from Rockhurst High School who were alumni of the Hurtado Scholars Program. “Our hope is to eventually fully endow the Hurtado Scholars Program,” commented President David J. Laughlin. “To do that, we will need to have more than $12 million in a scholarship fund to be invested for growth in perpetuity. The Trigg family, and donors like them, are helping to make that goal a reality.” Trigg is an Owner, Portfolio Manager and Business Analyst for WCM Investment Management, an independent asset management firm that is motivated by a spirit of broad-based employee ownership, headquartered in Laguna Beach, CA. He joined WCM in 2006 and is recognized globally for his expertise in developing fundamental growth strategies.
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Cultures Grow on the Vine of Tradition
110 Years of Excellence The entire world has been affected in some way by the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. Rockhurst High School’s annual auction, Spectacular 2020 on April 18, 2020 was no exception. Still, the event shattered all fundraising records at the school by raising net revenue of $1.2 million for tuition assistance. “When the pandemic struck, we knew everyone would be facing an uncertain economic future and even many of our donors could be dealing with their own financial struggles,” remembered Moira Kelly Healy, Rockhurst High School’s Director of Parent Engagement and Major Events. “Our auction chair-couples did not hesitate. They realized our families would need the auction funding more than ever and we must raise revenue to help them.”
Spectacular 2020 Co-Chairs (from left) Kate and Patrick Carr, Dori and Brad Boers, Kara and Doug Ciocca, and Patty and Rob Hummel with President David Laughlin.
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The Auction Co-Chairs for 2020 were Dori and Brad Boers, Kate and Patrick Carr, Kara and Doug Ciocca, as well as Patty and Rob Hummel. The theme they chose was “Traditions, 110 Years of Excellence.” The school relied on a large team of volunteers to achieve the extraordinary results. The overall gross proceeds were $1,282,719 from 1,574 donors, including “Fund-A-Need” donations of $435,513, underwriting and sponsorship contributions of $365,820, and the Car Raffle with $92,310 of shares sold for a 2020 Ford Escape SE donated by Bob Allen Ford. A highlights of the auction’s success was its Giving Tuesday on November 12, 2019. A goal of $100,000 was set. Then, a small group of generous benefactors offered a $50,000 dollar-for-dollar match. Not only did the Rockhurst community successfully reach the original goal, they went far past it, by donating a total of $162,425. The remarkable talents of President David J. Laughlin and Principal Vincent A. Giacabazi, SJ, ultimately made the on-line auction one of the most entertaining and philanthropically compelling for the world to see. The auction became a destination point for homebound friends of Rockhurst with 1,400 guests pre-registered to view the event. The delightful show generated $650,765 on auction night alone, which combined with the pre-event giving, generated the unprecedented amount of funding for families.
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Rockhurst High School Leadership BOARD of TRUSTEES 2019-20 Mark R. Teahan ’78 Chairman James B. Betterman Mildred “Millie” Brown Rev. Ian R. Gibbons, SJ LaShelle Ginther Rev. Jeffrey C. Johnson, SJ Gregory M. Kratofil, Jr. ’92 David J. Laughlin Michael T. Mayer ’82 Michael G. McMahon ’67 Jeff A. Mohajir Rev. Ronald R. O’Dwyer, SJ Anita P. Paredes Edward “Jay” Reardon, II ’76 Anne Riggs Robert J. Rodriguez ’80 Rev. William T. Sheahan, SJ Andrew F. Stafford, Sr. ’93 David M. Staker ’88 Owen M. Zidar ’75
NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Andrew F. Stafford, Sr. ’93, President Frank C. Allen ’05, Vice President Gerald W. Brenneman ’82 Lawrence C. Egan ’81 Spencer H. Hardwick ’07 Thomas P. Knox ’88 Ivan L. Nugent ’99 James C. Shay, Jr. ’11 Andrew P. Switzer ’02 James T. Van Dyke ’05 Richard J. Welsh ’83 PARENTS’ CLUB PRESIDENTS Therese M. Smith, 2019-2020 Kristine A. Penn, 2020-2021 Catherine M. Prososki, 2020-2021 ROCKETTES LEADERSHIP Donna M. Teahan, President Marianne Damon Kathleen M. Callahan Sarah K. Evans Moira Kelly Healy Rebecca Herring Paula S. Holmquist Judith E. Karlin Kathleen M. Jantsch Patricia A. Zidar
SPECTACULAR 2020, CHAIR-COUPLES Dori and Brad Boers Kate and Patrick Carr Kara and Doug Ciocca Patty and Rob Hummel SPECTACULAR 2021, CHAIR-COUPLES Christian and James Brown ’88 Lisa and Michael Connor, MD ’88 Courtney and Patrick O’Farrell Courtney and Robert Sprague LEADERSHIP TEAM David J. Laughlin, President Joanne M. Comiskey, Assistant to the President Michael A. Comiskey ’93 Director of Admissions and Marketing John B. DeGraffenreid Director of Facility Management Laurence W. Freeman ’82, Chief Advancement Officer Rev. Vincent A. Giacabazi, SJ, Principal Allen K. Roberson, CPA ’84, Chief Financial Officer
ADVANCEMENT OFFICE Laurence W. Freeman ’82, Chief Advancement Officer Nancy M. Czinege, Database Assistant Turner Robert Haden ’09, Director of Communications Moira Kelly Healy, Director of Parent Engagement and Major Events Timothy R. Reidy ’02, Archivist Sylvia M. Smith, Auction Office Manager Raymond J. “Gus” Sonnenberg ’90, Director of Principal Gifts Mrs. Loretta Verbanic, Foundations Specialist and Gift Clerk
Rockhurst High School offers profound gratitude to all leadership volunteers who offer their time, talent, and treasure on behalf of our students. — Suscipe “Take Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess. Thou hast given all to me. To Thee, O lord, I return it. All is Thine, dispose of it wholly according to Thy will. Give me Thy love and thy grace, for this is sufficient for me.” - St. Ignatius of Loyola
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Families Served by Financial Aid FY 2019-2020
9%
Income more than $150,000
$344,448
18%
Income $100,000 to $125,000
Friends of the Rock
$668,450
$2,361,389
Foundations
11%
Income $125,000 to $150,000
40%
22%
Income less than $75,000
Income $75,000 to $100,000
Alumni
$265,274 Businesses
$1,026,467 Parents of RHS Alumni
$791,146
$150,674
Parents of RHS Students
$2.7 Million in Financial Aid Awarded —
2 in 4
students receive financial aid —
$5,607,848
$5,900
Sources of Funding
Average Award per Family
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$351,711
Campus Renewal & Innovation
$323,042
$2,339,903
Student Body Excellence
$647,264
$365,820
Item Sales / Silent Auction
Underwriting & Giving Tuesday
Where Needed Most
$92,310 Car Raffle
$2,268,970
$435,513
Endowment
Fund-A-Future
Every Gift Counts Gifts of $200 or less raised a total amount of $102,577
$5,607,848
$1,216,685
Funding Areas of Support
Auction Highlights
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