Warrior Gala 2024 Newsletter

JANUARY 2024

WARRIOR GALA NEWSLETTER Meet our 2024 Gala Chair Couples and everything you need to know about the Warrior Gala!

Please join your friends and fellow WJ supporters at WJHS as we celebrate our 52nd Warrior Gala with the theme, James Bond 007! The Warrior Gala is our premier fundraiser of the year, which supports the Warrior Fund, the operations of the school and offsets the difference between the actual cost of a WJ education and the amount charged for tuition.

The excitement kicks off in February at the Parent Zone Parties hosted in the homes of Walsh Jesuit families. Be sure to watch for your invitation from the host family in your area. We look forward to seeing you there!

We will continue to have online bidding open up for the Silent Auction on Wednesday, April 24th.

However, you don’t want to miss the exclusive items only available to bid on in-person!

Please join us Saturday, April 27th for the 52nd Warrior Gala. Break out your best attire and enjoy our signature drink, while bidding on a wide variety of silent auction items and compete for live auction treasures. It’s an evening not to be missed!

Timeline of the Warrior Gala Evening: 5:00 p.m. Mass 6:00 p.m. Cocktail Hour 7:30 p.m. Dinner Live Auction 10:00 p.m. After Party

Meet your Co-Chairs Perry and Christie Demming are honored to be co-chairs of the 52nd Warrior Gala with longtime friends Jeff and Christine Kavlick who are all anticipating another record-breaking year for the Gala!

Meeting as students at Kent State University, they will celebrate their 27th wedding anniversary in April and have the blessings of two wonderful children; Emma and Ryan. Perry is a graduate of Walsh Jesuit High School, Class of ’91. He went on to further his education at Kent State University, earning a degree in Aerospace Engineering. He currently serves as a Captain for United Parcel Service (UPS) flying both domestic and internationally. In addition to flying, Perry created the Perry Thomas Demming Foundation that provides wounded veterans in Northeastern Ohio the opportunity to participate in various outdoorsmen sports. Perry was a volunteer Hudson Firefighter for over 15 years and served as a curator for the Hudson Firefighter Museum. He serves on the Board of Directors for

CHRIISTIE & PERRY DEMMING ‘91

NEOPAT and is also a member of St. Mary’s Kings Men. Christie obtained her Bachelor of Business

Administration from Kent State University and then went on to earn an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. She served as the Director of Human Resources for a restaurant franchise before choosing to stay home and raise Emma and Ryan. Christie served as the Chair for Seton Catholic’s A Night to Remember Fundraising Gala, was a room mom for several years, and volunteered for Seton’s PTO as the social co-chair. She currently volunteers for Our Lady of Perpetual Helps Bereavement ministry, where the Demming’s have been members for over 14 years. Their daughter Emma is a 2021 graduate of Walsh Jesuit where she played soccer and ran track. She is currently a junior at Ohio University studying Journalism and is a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority. Ryan is a senior at Walsh where he was the kicker for varsity football, played CYO basketball, and is a member of both the French Honor Society and National Honor Society.

Ryan will be attending The Ohio State University in the fall with plans to major in finance. Since Perry walked the halls in the 90’s, it has been a blessing to be a part of the Walsh family. Within these walls, we have absolutely loved seeing our children become a part of a community that truly fosters faith, growth, and excellence. We are beyond grateful and owe sincere gratitude to Walsh Jesuit for the true fulfillment that comes not from personal gain, but from selfless dedication to others and the greater good to be true Men and Women for Others.

Jeff and Christine Kavlick’s love for Catholic education and their faith has led them to be the co-chairs for the 52ndWarrior Gala and are looking forward to making it a fun and successful event for the Walsh Jesuit community! Jeff and Christine have been married for nearly 32 years and have two children. Bennett, their oldest, is a graduate of St. Ignatius and Ohio State. He currently lives in Washington D.C. and is an advisor with UBS. Mia is currently a senior at Walsh Jesuit and is ready to begin her fourth season as the starting lacrosse goalie with an opportunity to become the alltime career saves leader in Ohio. Mia has loved her time at Walsh from day one.

CHRISTINE & JEFF KAVLICK

The Kavlicks are residents of Aurora and are active parishioners both liturgically and in social concerns ministries at the Church of the Resurrection in Solon. Mia and Bennett are graduates of Seton Catholic School in Hudson where Jeff served on the

school board for six years and coached several sports for both kids. Christine was very involved with Seton’s PTO and continues that engagement with the WJ Mother’s Club. Jeff is the founder and CEO of MorelandConnect, a custom software consultancy with offices in Cleveland and Nashville. He is very involved in the Cleveland community.He was the Chairman of the Board at Cleveland Catholic Charities and at Borromeo Seminary. He also serves on the boards of Shoes and Clothes for Kids and Believe in Dreams. Christine was a dental hygienist and dental sleep specialist for many years. She is a graduate and now an instructor at Encounter School of Ministries’ Akron Campus. Last year she and a friend started an Inner Healing Prayer Ministry with Peter’s Shadow at IHM Parish. Together, they have been members of the team for the Alleluia Ball, helping to bring Catholic education to all. Both Jeff and Christine are graduates of Case Western Reserve University and Wichita State University. We are grateful and honored to be hosting this year's gala along with our lifelong friends Perry and Christy Demming and we look forward to celebrating and supporting the wonderful place that Walsh Jesuit is for our children!

Walsh Jesuit has been a perfect fit for Mia and our family. The students, the teachers, the staff and coaches create such positive energy and joy in our Mia. Being Co-Chairs of this year’s Gala gives us a way to thank this community for the blessings that WJ has given to our family.

HTTPS://WWW.WALSHJESUIT.ORG/GIVING/WARRIOR-GALA

Parent Zone Parties

Parent Zone Parties are a wonderful way to meet other WJ parents in your area and gather with friends. The Warrior Gala raises money for the Warrior Fund, which benefits ALL Walsh Jesuit students. Monetary contributions or an auction item are accepted at zone parties and are put towards the Silent or Live Auction at the Warrior Gala. Come eat, socialize, help us gather items for our auctions, and learn how you can join in the fun to make the Warrior Gala a huge success.

ALL ARE WELCOME AT ANY ZONE PARTY! YOU CAN ATTEND A PARTY EVEN IF IT ISN'T YOUR DESIGNATED ZONE.

Zone 1 Party

Zone 2 Party

Friday, March 8, 2024

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Host: Tim & Amy Conti

Host: Tim & Robin Courtad

Co-hosts: Brian & Keirsten Madden

Co-hosts: Scott & Becky Crosley

Zone 3 Party

Zone 4 Party

Zone 5 Party

Saturday, February 24 2024

TBD

Friday, February 23, 2024

Host: Lex & Lindsey Tomaszewski

Host:

Host: Chris & Laura Longo

Co-hosts: Craig & Shelly Kohrs

Co-hosts:

Co-hosts: Hannah Oakes, Al & Reva Barner

Your donation could be an item to be auctioned on its own or combined with other items. We are always humbled by the generosity of our families and the creativity of the donations!

Any item, big or small, whether it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience or tickets to an event, vacation home, gift cards, or something you make or sell, is greatly appreciated. Anything makes a great donation for the Warrior Gala. Additionally, if you have baskets to help display our auction items, please bring in on our Gift Gathering Day! To expedite the process even further, please fill out the donation form (scan QR Code) so we know to expect your donation.

Walsh Jesuit High School is a qualified 501C3 corporation. Our Tax Identification Number is 34-0947373.

EVENT ATTIRE

Warrior Gala Attire Black-tie optional

Zone Party Attire Smart Casual

MEET OUR VOLUNTEER CHAIRS

SARAH KURTZ DECORATING CHAIR

ALEXIS FEDAK GIFT PROCESSING CHAIR

We need your help and creativity!

Join a committee, meet new people, create memories, and transform WJ into an elegant black-tie gala!

The Warrior Gala would not be successful without our volunteers. We have fun gatherings to plan and get to know each other better along the way! Any amount of time is appreciated.

Upcoming Volunteer Gatherings: February 8th @ 6:30pm at WJ February 13th @ 7:30am-4:00pm at WJ March 7th @ 6:30 at WJ

Scan QR Code to sign up to help during I Love WJ Warrior Gala Gift Gathering Day!

Corporate Sponsorship Do you have a business or know someone who does? The Corporate Sponsor program is a great way to support the Warrior Gala and promote a business at the same time! There are different levels to support and promote all businesses!

SCAN TO VIEW OUR CORPORATE SPONSOR PROPOSAL!

WARRIOR GALA TICKETS EARLY BIRD TICKETS On sale late February!

Ticket Options Individual ticket Purchase a table of 10

CAR RAFFLE Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with the Sky One-Touch Power Top

PUSH WEEK March 18-22 Each family will receive 2 books of raffle tickets in January. They will be sent home with the oldest student in the family.

Ticket Pricing 1 Ticket = $50 6 Tickets (Book) = $250

Purchase Tickets

Please help your student(s) sell the Car Raffle Tickets. During Push Week, the students who sell tickets will have the opportunity to win different prizes for their efforts.