The Class of 1950 Endowed Scholarship Joe Galati, Hanna Galati ’22, Cork Stickel ’50, and Mary (Wilson) Mauldin ’10 at this year’s Scholarship Breakfast.
“This is an unusual class,” says George Galati ’50. “You have to look at it through the lens of history. Here’s what happened. These guys were born in 1932. We are depression babies. We went to Central Catholic from 1946-1950. [. . .] After graduation, the Korean War starts. So all of us went out to the Selective Service Board and registered for the draft. That says something about this class. It’s duty, duty, duty.” For George, and for many of his classmates, these values of service and duty were motivating factors in giving back, to Central Catholic over the years. The Class of 1950 has been gathering now for the past 15-20 years, and a few years back, the group decided to start directing their donations to a Class of 1950 Endowed Scholarship.
goal of which is to provide a Catholic education to high school-age students with developmental and intellectual disabilities. “Along comes my grandchild, Hannah, who has Down syndrome,” says George. “When [our family] was informed about a special needs program at Central Catholic, I thought to myself, ‘There is a need here’.” So at one of their class gatherings, George petitioned the group to direct The Class of 1950 Endowed Scholarship to benefit Rams Program students and their families. His classmates agreed. This year, Dave and his classmate, Cork Stickel ’50, represented their class at the school’s annual scholarship breakfast. The
For Dave Andresen ’50, supporting Catholic education is a no-brainer. “Why have [an education] if it’s not Catholic? Everyone needs that moral compass and religious background. You have got to get [students] while you can and you can get them here. So I think all the guys are for that.” While the Class of 1950 worked to get their scholarship endowed, Central Catholic introduced a new inclusive program to the school—The Rams Program—the primary 16 | Central Catholic Magazine
two were able to meet this year’s recipients of the Class of 1950 Scholarship: Nate Trevino ’20 and Hannah Galati ’22 along with their parents. Nate’s mom, Sandy St. Clair, shared with the two men what an exceptional program Central Catholic has created and the real impact it has had on her son. “There are no words to describe how Central Catholic has changed his life. I wanted him to be a hundred percent included and Central was offering that. [. . .] Nate is so independent and confident. I don’t know if he knows that he is different. He knows that he is a part of something here. So, thank you both.” It was a special moment to watch as these men, who graduated from Central Catholic almost seventy years ago, witness the huge strides the school has made in regard to inclusion—and were recognized for the important role they are playing to ensure that Rams Programs families can make it work financially. “I just wish we would have started [the scholarship] sooner,” Cork concluded. •••••
Nate Trevino ‘20 and this mom, Sandy St. Clair, pose for a photo before Prom.
If you would like to support Rams Program students, please direct your gifts to The Class of 1950 Endowed Scholarship at Central Catholic High School.