PATRON SAINTS

PATRON SAINT: MARY LOU LACHVAYDER

MARY LOU LACHVAYDER is the epitome of what everyone on our campus should be. Those are the words of NDP social studies department chair David Lamb. He’s not the only one who feels that way. Many former students echo Lamb’s sentiment because Lachvayder lives her faith the way Jesus asks.

She does not hide her light under a bushel basket, but rather shares her faith unwaveringly with students, family and colleagues. That is why she was selected to be one of the Patron Saint Award recipients for 2019-20.

Lachvayder serves as Director of The House System and was a theology teacher. She uses her time at NDP to build relationships with her students and truly gets to know their hearts. Her goal is simply that all her students know that they are beloved children of God.

Several NDP alumni were eager to share heartfelt stories about how Lachvayder helped them through difficult life struggles and why they are happy to see her receive the Patron Saint Award.

“When my dad had a massive stroke from which he did not fully recover, she helped me get through,” said Jason Alderson ’09. “I felt completely alone and that I had the weight of the world on my shoulders. Mary Lou was there through all the tears.”

Her absolute trust in God impresses and inspires the people in her life. Her faith and smile never left her even as her husband of 37 years, Gary, died in July after a long battle with cancer. “My greatest mission is to live so that others see what a gift faith is and experience the love of God through me,” she said. “I think hardships should make us better, not bitter.”

So far, it seems Lachvayder is achieving her goal of making an impact on students and their faith. “Mary Lou, or Momma Lachvayder as I call her, was my true north while I was at NDP. She was able to be an

objective third party who showed me that tough times don’t last but tough people do,” said Dan Fischer ’10.

His classmate Natalie Ault

agreed, “Mrs. Lachvayder emulates goodness and kindness. I hope the current students know what an asset she is to their lives.” Lachvayder is everpresent at student theater performances, concerts, athletic events and school fundraisers. “She is NDP’s biggest cheerleader,” Ault added.

In 2017, Lachvayder and her team were given the monumental task of developing the NDP House System; a natural fit since the goal of the House System is to provide a safe space for everyone on campus and give them a sense of belonging. That is what she has been doing for students since she arrived at NDP 14 years ago.

“Mary Lou has a desire to be Christ-like in everything she does, even when she is angry or upset, she still always maintains the dignity that we all wish we could,” Lamb said. “I can’t think of anyone who deserves the Patron Saint Award more.”

PATRON SAINT: PAUL RUBSAM

EVERY SUCCESSFUL INSTITUTION needs a hardworking individual overseeing the budget and maintaining financial sustainability. For nearly two decades that person at Notre Dame Preparatory has been Paul Rubsam, one of two 2020 Patron Saints Award recipients.

With his New York accent and ever-present smile, Rubsam is a behind-thescenes kind of guy whose pastoral demeanor, humility and thoughtfulness have made him a respected and beloved member of the NDP community since the school’s beginning. “I have known Paul since

the inception of Notre Dame Preparatory,” said MaryBeth Mueller, the former superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese

of Phoenix from 1992 to 2017.

Rubsam volunteered for the

initial planning committee and served as chair of the finance

committee preparing for the opening of NDP. “I was so pleased when he decided to apply for the finance director position because he was very invested in the success of the school from the very beginning,” Mueller added.

As a source of calm and guidance for all the administrators at NDP, Rubsam has consistently been a responsible steward of NDP’s financial resources while meeting the needs of students, teachers, administrators and the advancement team.

An avid golfer and supporter of Catholic education, Rubsam garnered high praise from many of his colleagues including his friend and 2019 Patron Saint Awardee, George Prelock. “Paul is always very generous and willing to support teachers with what they need to best provide for the student body,” Prelock said.

Then he added, “Paul is a pillar in the NDP community even though the students may not know him. He is the reason NDP is so successful.”

Notre Dame Prep is near and dear to Rubsam’s heart. “My prayer is that parents and students continue to see the value in Catholic education and that NDP is the preeminent Catholic high school in the Diocese,” he said.

Earning the Patron Saint Award came as a pleasant surprise to Rubsam. “I am truly humbled to be given this award,” he said. “I have had the honor to work closely with all the past honorees and I am truly grateful to be included in this group.”

Rubsam retired from Notre Dame Preparatory at the end of August 2020 so that he could spend more time with Karen, his wife of 37 years, play some golf and read more. With him goes a piece of NDP history.

“He deserves to retire and he will be missed, but I know that he will always continue to care about NDP,” Mueller said.