Knight Life - Fall 2020

KNIGHTLIFE

“WE SHALL STEER SAFELY THROUGH EVERY STORM SO LONG AS OUR HEART IS RIGHT, OUR INTENTION FERVENT, OUR COURAGE STEADFAST, AND OUR TRUST FIXED ON GOD.”

St. Francis de Sales

FALL 2020

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Donald R. Carroll `68, -Chair

Thomas J. Manahan `77, -Vice-Chair

Philip J. Andryc `73

Jennifer J. Antonini

John D. DiSalle `82

Dr. Karl S. Fernandes `83

John T. Hall `02

Donald L. Harbaugh `67

Aaron F. Hood `90

Maureen M. Kenney

Rev. Jack Loughran, OSFS

Patrick J. McGrady `60

Gary E. Miesle

Rev. Joseph A. Newman, OSFS `03

Rev. Geoffrey N. Rose, OSFS

Jeffry M. Schaaf `94

Tonia Schoen

David R. Snell

Christopher P. Spegele

Sydney Spraw

Michael S. Stubblefield `94

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION BOARD

Rev. Ronald W. Olszewski, OSFS `62

- Chair

Rev. Joseph A. Newman, OSFS `03

- Vice-Chair

Paul J. Bishop

J. Ryan Carroll `93

Richard R. Davis `62

Paul T. Frye `12

Michael J. Gallagher Jr. `80

Aaron F. Hood `90

PUBLICATION STAFF

John Adams `71

Maureen DeLaney

Toni Kelly

Cindy Meinzer

Rev. Joseph A. Newman, OSFS `03

Rev. Ronald W. Olszewski, OSFS `62

Rev. Geoff Rose, OSFS

Janice Schlachter

Joe Sweeney `83

Dennis D. Johnson `65

Lori Johnston

John P. Kraus `79

Jeffrey J. Kuhr `70

John R. Pierce `82

Rev. Geoffrey N. Rose, OSFS

Thomas L. Schlachter `62

David R. Snell

David Walrod `64

Follow St. Francis de Sales on:

facebook.com/sfsknights

@sfsknights

Website: www.sfstoledo.org

EDITOR’S NOTE: Pictures in this magazine where masks are not worn or social distancing is not being practiced were taken prior to COVID-19 or are pictures of families.

MISSION STATEMENT

is Dr. Karl Fernandes `83 with his son, Jayan Fernandes `24. They represent the impact our past, present, and future Knights have made and will continue to make while serving others in the tradition of our Patron Saint, Francis de Sales.

Getty Images/ Stocktrek Images

We are a Catholic, college preparatory school community for young men. We promote the academic, spiritual, and physical development of our students. We do this in the spirit of St. Francis de Sales, who challenges us to “Be who we are and be that well.”

Knight Life Magazine is published two times per year for alumni, families, and friends of St. Francis de Sales. Direct all comments or inquiries to jschlachter@sfsknights.org.

We would love to hear from alumni with any news you would like to share in our Class Notes. Please send information to alumni@sfsknights.org.

Pictured on the front cover

Dear Friends of St. Francis de Sales

The world has been turned upside down. We have gone through many trials and tribulations throughout 2020. Almost every organization was caught off guard by the pandemic. At the same time, racial and social uprisings necessarily propelled new conversations that have impelled calls to action to heal wounds of injustice.

On all fronts, we learned a great deal in a short time. Educational institutions, which are not known for their ability to pivot and change rapidly, were catapulted into crisis management mode and changes were forced upon us. In certain circumstances, I am sure that we did not meet the expectations of others. For those we disappointed, I apologize. However, in many ways and due to our nimbleness and size, we were able to quickly adapt and implement necessary changes. For this, I am grateful to my faculty and staff. I am also grateful to our board of trustees who demonstrated true leadership by funding a $250,000 challenge grant to provide a tuition grant for SFS families. In times of crisis, families bond together to help each other out. We could not do this without the generosity of our Board of Trustees. Their unprecedented support will help to ensure that in this year of crisis, no young man is unable to attend St. Francis for financial reasons.

In the middle of any crisis, it is difficult to share this perspective, but what if we look back on this period and see what we have learned as a blessing? We learned a great

deal. Organizations that realize they can no longer operate as usual will, most likely, continue to thrive. Yet, while our 65-year track record of success in guiding young men to becoming leaders of tomorrow is a tribute to the culture that has been fostered over time, it does not guarantee our perpetual existence. For our most urgent funding priorities, we have incorporated the wisdom gained during these times which have exposed our deepest vulnerabilities.

This global disruption has accelerated our shift to become even more intentional about every student experience. This requires a deep commitment. Three new funding priorities have emerged that will reimagine our mission. With too many examples in the world of poor leadership, we have developed an even more robust Salesian Leadership Initiative . Second, is the myPREP Initiative, which is focused on delivering a highly personalized, comprehensive learning experience for every student based upon their unique, God-given talents. Finally, ensuring we have a campus, programs, and facilities that serve current students and the Next Generation of Knights is the commitment to our students, families, and the community. In particular, as with many academic institutions, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed a wide gap in technology platforms. To get to our desired state, we will need to invest in changes in our basic technology infrastructure and rewire the building to improve Wi-Fi bandwidth.

In this modified issue of Knight Life, due to COVID-19 planning requirements, we feature a tiny fraction of the goodness of our alumni who serve on the front lines bringing hope to those in despair and justice for all. It has always been the focus of the Catholic Church to build community, but we can and must do better, in order to be better. Faith, family, and education are the answers to many of the toughest challenges our society faces. St. Francis de Sales School is well-positioned to be the agent of change and leadership.

... what if we look back on this period and see what we have learned as a blessing?

Cor ad Cor Heart to Heart

Cor ad Cor

IN MARCH, when we were forced to shut down due to the pandemic, we did many positive things. We equipped each Knight who needed a computer with a Chromebook while making sure the internet was available to all and we switched to virtual education overnight. Coach Dan Chipka provided workouts to try to keep our Knights physically fit while our Oblates spiritually fed us through online Salesian Salt Masses.

In our mission for us to “be who we are and be that well,” we realized we also needed to try to be cognizant of and intentional about all of our four pillars: spiritual, social, physical as well as academic. So, Fr. Rose shared four Cor ad Cor (heart to heart) videos with each video focusing on one of the four pillars. These were shared with our students, parents, faculty, and staff in an effort to intentionally remain connected with them as well as encourage our students to remain connected with SFS and each other. Take a moment to peruse these Cor ad Cor videos by scanning the QR codes to the right with your phone. Enjoy!

SFS Board of Trustees –A Commitment of Time, Talent and Treasure

education with a backbone for the youth in our community.

During this difficult time, we couldn’t think of a better use of funds.”

Spraw PhD Board of trustees

Over the past five years, the Board has worked with our Finance Department to enhance financial reporting, and ensure that the school is in a sound financial position. It has facilitated a restructuring of the debt carried by the school, and significantly reduced debt-servicing costs. The Board was integrally involved in the transition to our current school President, and the selection of our current Principal. All Board members participated in a day-long leadership retreat each of the last three years. This has enabled us to develop a very strategic approach to Board meetings and future planning.

The Coronavirus pandemic has challenged our Board to stay involved, and to continue to communicate effectively. While our recent Board meetings have been conducted via Zoom, the commitment remains. We have worked closely with the Oblates and school administration through the

challenges of the pandemic. Our singular focus has been the welfare of the students at St. Francis, and a continuation of the Oblate mission. In response to the challenges of the Coronavirus pandemic, our Board members have personally committed over $238,000 to a match challenge pledge fund to create an additional pool of tuition assistance for our families most affected by the pandemic. The Development Office is working hard to double that pledge, with the hope of creating a pool of tuition assistance funds approaching $500,000.

This is a very special group of people. They are committed to ensuring that the Oblate mission of educating and developing young men in the Toledo area continues, and thrives in the spirit of St Francis de Sales. Suaviter et Fortiter!

Donald R. Carroll, `68 Chairman, Board of Trustees

John Adams

ENGAGING ALUMNI, STUDENTS, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS

St. Francis de Sales School is excited to welcome John Adams `71 as our new Engagement Officer. John is happy to return to his roots and build meaningful relationships and involvement with SFS alumni, students, and community leaders.

John says St. Francis was his first life-changing experience and has very fond memories of his time as a student at St. Francis. He feels the teachers taught them how to study, the need to be thorough, and the consequences of not being prepared. Fr. McMenamin made a significant impact on John’s life and he considers Fr. McMenamin a major reason for the foundation and success that over-prepared John for college. The Knight spirit and brotherhood grew stronger each year. So much so, that John claims, “My four years at SFS prepared me for life after high school, allowed me to develop lasting relationships, showed me the value of being kind and helping others, and the need to make a difference.”

After graduating from St. Francis, John attended the University of Toledo and began a career in advertising and communications at a few advertising companies and Merillat Industries. He was offered a position with the Medical College of Ohio where he was responsible for institutional communications.

After the merger with the University of Toledo, he moved to the main campus where he was responsible for the team that created the new branding, marketing, and advertising for the University of Toledo.

John and his wife, Mary, were married in 1976 and have a son, Zach, who graduated from St. Francis in 2003. Zach lives in the Columbus area with his wife, Allyson, and daughter, Mackenzie.

John is honored to be back at St. Francis in the role of Engagement Officer where his primary role is to ensure that SFS becomes and remains relevant to its alumni. He is busy working on establishing a successful class agent program to assist in keeping alumni, by graduation year and/or affinity group, connected to the school, each other, and our current students. He will also be managing a bank of key alumni and friends to volunteer in the name of St. Francis de Sales on projects that help promote a stronger quality of life in our community. Collaborating with the Guidance Office, John will recruit alumni to assist in college selection advice for students, including re-establishing the College Vision Program, while expanding the thought process on post-secondary opportunities.

When asked about being back ... John replied, “It’s not not where you start that counts, it’s how you finish and I have been given the opportunity to give back to the school that has given me so much!”

Welcome home, John!

JOHN

It’s not where you start that counts, it’s how you finish and I have been given the opportunity to give back to the school that has given me so much!

SFS Alumni Making an Impact During

COVID-19

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES has the distinct honor of having so many alumni committed to their communities.

During COVID-19, graduates all across the country have responded to the call of aiding their fellow man.

Here are just a few of the many St. Francis de Sales alumni who have been busy caring for the sick, dispensing meals, providing spiritual guidance, producing cleaning products, procuring PPP loans, and being superheroes during this historic time.

RICHARD LANGFORD ‘87, SITE DIRECTOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE/HEAD START & OWNER OF OUR LITTLE VILLAGE DAYCARE & DEVELOPMENT CENTER; SAFEGUARDING THAT YOUNG CHILDREN RECEIVE EDUCATION THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC AS WELL AS PROVIDING MUCH-NEEDED CHILD CARE FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS

SUPPLYING BUSINESSES (SFS INCLUDED) WITH CLEANING AND DISINFECTION SUPPLIES,

PAUL BETZ ’70, BRAD BETZ ’00 (PICTURED), BARRETT BETZ ’06 (PICTURED) BETCO, CORP.;

ASSURING HEALTHY WORK SPACES

WADE KAPSZUKIEWICZ `90, MAYOR, CITY OF TOLEDO; LEADING THE CITY WITH HUMBLE CONFIDENCE THROUGH A GLOBAL PANDEMIC

FACES AND STORIES OF COVID-19

CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS

DR. MOHAMAD MOUSSA ’97, UTMC EMERGENCY ROOM PHYSICIAN BRINGING HOPE AND HEALING TO COVID-19 PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. @MMOUSSAMD

DR. JAMES DIETHELM`68, AND DR. RYAN SZENDERSKI `00, WORK TOGETHER TO TREAT THEIR PATIENTS FOR ALL DIFFERENT SYMPTOMS INCLUDING COVID-19 DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

CHRIS EWRY ’09, PROMEDICA BSN, RN, CCRN; DELIVERS COMPASSIONATE HANDS-ON CARE TO

REV. DONALD PERRYMAN ’69, SENIOR PASTOR THE CENTER OF HOPE COMMUNITY CHURCH; EMPOWERING AND FEEDING THE UNDERSERVED IN OUR TOLEDO COMMUNITY

JEFF WALTER `78, MAYOR, VILLAGE OF ELBURN, ILLINOIS, HELPS NAVIGATE THE ENDLESS LEGAL, FINANCIAL, GOVERNMENTAL, AND HEALTH CHALLENGES HIS MUNICIPALITY IS FACING.

LARRY

DR. MATT RENNELS `02, PROMEDICA; PROVIEDS ROUND-THE-CLOCK WHILE CARE TENDING TO THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF COVID-19 PATIENTS AS WELL AS HIS CURRENT PATIENTS

FACES AND STORIES OF COVID-19

DR. TED WYMSLO `70, FORMER STATE OF OHIO DIRECTOR OF HEALTH FOR GOVERNOR JOHN KASICH; ASSISTED COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS AROUND THE STATE OF OHIO DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND WORKED WITH LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO ADDRESS WHERE GAPS IN HEALTH CARE EXISTED.

EUSTACE FERNANDES `91

KARL FERNANDES `83

BROTHERS DR. KARL FERNANDES `83, AND DR. EUSTACE FERNANDES `91, ARE BOTH SERVING ON THE FRONT LINES AS PULMONARY/ CRITICAL CARE PHYSICIANS. KARL IS WITH THE TOLEDO CLINIC PRACTICING AT BAY PARK, ST. CHARLES, AND ST. LUKE’S HOSPITALS. EUSTACE IS IN FORT WAYNE AT THE LUTHERAN HOSPITAL OF INDIANA.

BOYER ’66, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT WATERFORD BAND; ENSURING SMALL BUSINESSES SURVIVE IN RECEIVING THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM (PPP) FUNDS

On Top of

THE GAME

THERE IS NO QUESTION WHATSOEVER THAT GOVERNOR MIKE DEWINE’S ORDER CLOSING ALL K-12 SCHOOL TO STUDENTS EFFECTIVE MONDAY, MARCH 15 STRUCK LIKE A BROADSIDE HIT. THE ST. FRANCIS ADMINISTRATION RESPONDED IMMEDIATELY!

On Friday, March 13, the last day students would be in the schools, St. Francis students were told to take all their books and notebooks home with them at the end of the day. Anticipating online learning, students were told if they did not have their own personal computers at home, they should report to the Achievement Center before leaving school to check out a St. Francis Chromebook.

The following week, Principal John Hall contacted Buckeye Broadband to secure at least basic internet access to Knight students who did not already have that service.

On Monday, March 16, an all-day faculty meeting focused on giving teachers the basic tools for online teaching, a teachinglearning mode that would continue for the remainder of the school year, more than two months.

All was not perfect. Administrators learned from parent surveys that students experienced challenges because teachers used different online platforms, e.g., ZOOM, GoToMeeting, Google Classroom, and others. There were also some irregularities in classroom attendance. As a result of those surveys, toward the end of the regular school year, a decision was made to have all St. Francis teachers become certified in Google Classroom. Google Classroom has the ability to be integrated with TeacherEase from Common Goal Systems, Inc., the school’s current grade reporting system. That certification was completed prior to the beginning of the 2020-2021 academic year.

All was not perfect, but because the St. Francis Administration was on top of their game, the 2019-2020 school year, difficult as it was, ended successfully.

Summer REPs – Review, Engage, Prepare

From a series of “Faculty Huddles” in the wake of COVID-19 and the disruption it caused in the teaching-learning process, the idea of summer REPs for St. Francis students emerged. Fr. Joseph Newman, Vice President, said that, “Emerging from faculty huddles and a review of the survey sent to parents toward the end of the normal school year, the St. Francis REPs (Review, Engage, and Prepare) are academic programs to help students realize maximum academic development over the summer months. The idea was to give both new and current Knights the opportunity to engage with classmates and faculty, review topics, and prepare for the fall.”

There were two sessions of summer academic REPs, each three weeks in length, one virtual session from June 15 to July 3, and the other in person and on campus from July 6 through July 24.

There was no cost for a student to take the REPs and registration for them was completely optional. The academic REP’s were offered in all disciplines: Computer Science, English, Mathematics, Science,

When an athletic coach or physical trainer speaks of a rep, it is short term for repetitions. It refers to the number of times a particular physical exercise should be performed for maximum development. The idea is always improvement, achieving the optimal benefit from training.

History and Social Studies, World Languages, and Theology. There was also an opportunity for a college prep REP and to engage with guidance counselors. Some of the topics offered were: Historical Places in Toledo discussed in Spanish, ACT Prep, Diving into the Scientific Method, and Becoming a Better Person. In all, twenty faculty members taught the REPs and one hundred and thirty-five students were registered for them.

In light of educators’ estimates that, due to the COVID-19 disruption to normal schooling, there would be significant cognitive loss over this summer of 2020, the St. Francis REPs provided a great opportunity for Knight students to be better prepared for the beginning of the new school year. The REPs were mission-focused and, consistent with the myPREP strategic initiative, offered to benefit individual students and their individual academic needs.

THE SWEET REWARDS

OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE DELIVERED

BY FR. ALAN ZOBLER, OSFS ’97

ach academic year, I always look forward to celebrating Pi Day (March 14) with my math classes. We celebrate the day by discussing the history and some fun facts about the number pi, and, of course, everyone enjoys a slice of Toledo’s own Schmucker’s pie. The day tends to be one of the most memorable days of the school year. Since March 14 fell on a Saturday in 2020, I naturally moved the celebration to Friday, March 13. Little did we know, and perhaps no one could have ever envisioned, that our festive Pi Day celebration would turn out to be the final day we were allowed to meet in person at 2323 West Bancroft Street. Ironically, following Pi Day, things in our world seemed to get a bit irrational (pun intended).

But we were undaunted in our pursuit of excellence in mathematics. The following Monday, I started meeting with my students using Zoom technology. With my

VIRTUALLY

iPad as a whiteboard and a solid Wi-Fi connection in our Oblate community room, I set up meeting times every day for my Algebra 2 and my AP Calculus students. Algebra 2 met each morning at 9 a.m., and I had over 50% attendance each day. That number increased as time passed. While students were not huge fans of the time I selected (i.e. “too early, Father”), I heard great and consistent praise, support, and gratitude from parents. Regardless, students who could not participate in the morning session were able to watch the recorded lesson later in the day (at their convenience; asynchronous learning was a real blessing for many of my students).

Later, nearly 30 students met for AP Calculus AB at 10 a.m. while another 12 met with me for AP Calculus BC at 11:30 a.m. While they

were safely sheltering in place at home, I presented new material on my shared screen, and I continued to review topics that were required for the AP Exam in May. I maintained my high expectations throughout quarantine, but I tried to be equally compassionate and generous with my time and energy. I offered additional meeting time to any student who requested it, at whatever time of day that worked for both of us. It was the least I could do for these young men who had worked tirelessly all year.

And the results from our efforts? Well, for the fifth consecutive year, the students in AP Calculus BC had a 100% passing rate (in fact, 10 of the 12 earned a 5, which is the highest possible score) Students in AP Calculus AB had a 93% passing rate, with 21 out of 29 students earning a 4 or 5. Moreover, each one of my Algebra 2 honors students participated in a fifteen-minute meeting for a final exam, and, to the person, these students overwhelmingly impressed me with their confidence, problem-solving skills, creativity, and maturity. Two of the students even dressed up in a sport coat, tie, dress shirt, and sweat pants for the meeting.

As a proud alumnus and an Oblate, I remain committed to excellence in all four pillars of our school, and especially to our student success in their academic pursuits. Student engagement and high expectations remain a consistent theme in our school environment – both physical and virtual. As I look back on the final quarter of the school year at SFS, lessons of perseverance, flexibility, discipline, commitment, and fidelity abound. The Knights truly rose to the occasion this past semester, and I know they will do even greater things this coming year. And those kinds of results and hopes are sweeter than pie! Go Knights! St. Francis de Sales, pray for us.

6 Knights of Honor

37 Recipients of Academic Honors

20 Members of the National Honor Society

GRADUATION

GRADUATION highlights

CLASS OF 2020 GRADUATION HIGHLIGHTS

SFS

While time-honored traditions have served St. Francis exceptionally well for 65 years, school leadership and the SFS Board of Trustees are keenly aware that the school must continue to innovate to excel.

Organizations are challenged with responding to the immediate needs of the day, but also setting a compelling vision for the future. All things considered, St. Francis is well-positioned to balance short term operating needs with long-term planning.

Efforts are underway to move SFS forward with various funding priorities that are designed to align the highest institutional funding priorities with donor interests. These priorities are ultimately driving at keeping SFS affordable and providing value-added experience above and beyond the cost of tuition. The three funding priorities are: the Salesian Leadership Initiative, myPREP (professional readiness Educational Program), and Next Generation Campus and Programs Initiative.

St. Francis de Sales School provides opportunities for young men to improve their quality of life. It is not just a 4- or 6-year experience. It is a passionate way of living life. Forever friendships are formed, values are upheld, intellectual curiosities are stirred, balanced living is modeled, good citizens are formed, and democracy is served.

Salesian Leadership Initiative:

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES RECEIVES $1 MILLION DONATION FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Business leaders and hiring executives across the country have expressed a tremendous need to address recruitment and retention challenges faced by many organizations. Employers are seeking intangibles or soft skills, commonly referred to as emotional intelligence. Daily examples of poor leadership are grabbing headlines across the country. To address this well chronicled leadership void, Fr. Geoff Rose, OSFS, initiated a comprehensive, multi-layered effort creating a series of intentional and highly connected formational experiences for every student uniquely rooted in the teachings of the school’s patron, St. Francis de Sales, who is known in the Catholic Church as the Gentleman Saint. School administrators seek to build a successful model and share it with other schools in Toledo, and eventually to the extended network of schools affiliated with the spirituality of Francis de Sales.

“Doubling down on the investment on intentional leadership development experiences makes even more sense in today’s political and social climate. We need strong leaders well-versed in civil discourse and poised for action,” said Fr. Geoff. Research indicates that the teenage years are most ideal to instill skills such as: self-awareness, empathy, humility, and relational transparency. There is extensive research that concludes emotional intelligence is twice as important in excellent performance as technical skills and IQ-type abilities.

Local community leader, Joe Napoli, added, “Leadership training and insight has never been needed more. One can look at recent examples in Major League Baseball – “Astrotrashgate,” for example, to see that temptation and short cuts lead to poor choices and decisions. Excellent effort balanced with thoughtfulness, mercy and humility in a world of

misleading, but tempting shortcuts makes leadership training a necessity. St. Francis de Sales’ dedication to this topic is much needed in today’s world.”

To accelerate the Salesian Leadership Initiative, a $1 million gift was recently made to the St. Francis de Sales High School Foundation in honor of its former President and civic leader, Father Ronald Olszewski, OSFS, ‘62. Dick and Nancy Davis, who reside in Chapel Hill, NC, decided to honor their long-time friend by establishing the Fr. Ronald Olszewski Academic Leadership Development Endowment at St. Francis de Sales School. Their investment will fund in perpetuity a new class taught by an instructor qualified in leadership development studies. It will also fund other necessary elements to academically prepare students with the leadership skills needed to achieve success in today’s workforce. The course of study has begun this fall with an inaugural class of approximately 25 students.

Fr. Ronald Olszewski, who has committed almost his entire adult life to youth education, civic leadership, and authored a book on raising boys to become gentlemen, served as principal and president of St. Francis de Sales School for 40 years. Dick and Fr. Olszewski both graduated from St. Francis in 1962. Nancy Davis is a graduate of the former DeVilbiss High School. “First and foremost, Nancy and I wanted to honor our good friend, but we are also in a brave new world, wherein the disciplines of leadership should and must be rigorously taught as part of a well- rounded education,” states Mr. Davis.

“The investment of Dick and Nancy Davis will have an exponential impact on our community, and beyond. A teenager who experiences this course and initiative will be able to apply it daily to his relationships and responsibilities. These years are the most transformative, so learning and honing these skills in high school will serve them now and equip them for their future,” Fr. Rose emphasized.

Fr. Olszewski said, “I am humbled by the honor Dick and Nancy are giving to me in this initiative. Having worked with teenaged boys for more than 40 years, I know the importance of Christian leadership education during these years. I also express the sentiment of all in the St. Francis community in saying how grateful we are to Dick and Nancy for their philanthropic leadership in giving a gift of this magnitude.”

For more information on the Salesian Leadership Initiative please contact Joe Sweeney, Director of Philanthropy, at jsweeney@sfsknights.org or call at 419-214-5438.

myPREP:

Intentional Learning, Intentional Pathways

Starting with the admissions process to better understand the goals, desires, and interests of every student and continuing through graduation and life beyond St. Francis, integrated curricular and co-curricular programs are being intentionally coordinated to forge pathways that maximize every young man’s strengths and, ultimately, enhance the portfolio of his experiences. This initiative is myPREP.

While the myPREP concept has been around for several years, school administrators are collaborating to implement and communicate across operating areas in a more expeditious manner, accelerated by the challenges of COVID-19. For example, the emotional wellbeing of students was compromised when schools were forced to close. Due to lack of connectivity and structure, student stress levels were heightened and the rationalization for withdrawal from learning was all too common. Administrators and teachers were reminded of the great need to make personal communications even more personalized. “Even if this pandemic did not take place, we were already making the commitment to differentiated and individually tailored platforms. COVID-19 simply cast a spotlight on the need to connect at deeper levels with every student. We are excited about what we can do for young men through myPREP,” says Fr. Joe Newman, Vice-President.

The investment of Dick and Nancy Davis will have an exponential impact on our community, and beyond.

A “one size fits all approach” is an outdated education model. Extensive educational research indicated significant intellectual and social growth opportunities when a student’s individual learning and emotional needs are identified and understood by teachers, coaches, and counselors.

St. Francis de Sales prides itself on its socio-economic, racial, and thought diversity which not only mirrors the population of the community at-large, it also makes the student experience stronger. The valedictorian of the Class of 2020 was Jalen Ballard, who is blind. “It is safe to say that our students and teachers learned more from Jalen than he did from us,” stated John Hall, SFS Principal (see related story). Tailored individual experiences require detailed planning, cross-departmental communications, and a deeper investment of resources. A primary objective of myPREP is to maintain diversity through tuition assistance for qualified students adding to the value of the SFS experience and providing lifetime opportunities for students. Attracting and retaining experienced and highly qualified faculty is a pre-requisite for myPREP. School administrators

desire to limit the number of lesson preps any given teacher might have. The more lesson plans a teacher has, the greater the likelihood of spreading that teacher too thin. Conversely, limiting teacher preps maximizes student/ teacher communications in any given subject. This is especially important in a school that places great emphasis on Advanced Placement classes. The faculty works exceptionally hard to prepare students for AP success.

“Even if this pandemic did not take place, we were already making the commitment to differentiated and individually tailored platforms.”

The Only Constant in Life is Change

- NEXT GENERATION LEARNING

During any crisis, an organization’s vulnerabilities are exposed. While St. Francis was able to rapidly respond to satisfy the immediate needs of ensuring that every student had access to laptops and internet access upon their departure on March 13 when it switched to a virtual education platform, other challenges immediately emerged.

Teachers were operating off of different technology platforms for “classroom” instruction. The faculty comfort levels with technology tools for virtual education varied greatly. Some teachers are well versed in virtual learning; others were forced to adapt and learn quickly. No doubt, challenges previously unknown were commonplace. Students and teachers alike were competing for internet bandwidth and dedicated learning/ working spaces.

Nationally, 1 in every 5 students will be left behind because of technology shortcomings. This cannot happen at St. Francis de Sales School. Approximately 15% of the SFS population is at or below the federal poverty level.

Fortunately, prior to the pandemic school administrators were already exploring options to move to a 1:1 technology where every student has access to Chromebooks

for individual learning. Previously, the policy was Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). However, even if every student had a school-purchased laptop, the bandwidth to provide internet access at SFS is not large enough to handle the demand. The building, built in 1955, requires significant technology upgrades to expand internet access. Fortunately, the strong collegiality and willingness to help find new teaching proficiencies will continue to emerge and make SFS stronger into the future. There is good news. There is strong collegiality among teachers, a deep commitment to mission, and an understanding of the role of technology regardless of a pandemic. Plans are underway to address these short and long-term deficiencies. Training and education is taking place to get all teachers on one technology platform. Other innovative technology solutions in the classroom are being implemented to better serve students. Personnel solely dedicated to improving utilization of technology in and outside of classroom will be hired. It may be an area where the school was vulnerable, but it is also an opportunity where, with proper planning, we will reimagine the SFS mission into a 21st Century Ministry and a campus designed for the next generation of Knights.

There is strong collegiality among teachers, a deep commitment to mission, and an understanding of the role of technology regardless of a pandemic.

SFS Connect

A New Way to Connect, Coming Soon!

Welcome to the Pit Go Knights! BC

Gentlemen, we have a perfect sentence

These and many other declarations are reminders of the times you spent at St. Francis de Sales as a young Knight. In addition to receiving an excellent education, spiritual foundation, and competing or cheering for your athlete Knight brothers, you made new friends and started forming relationships, many of which are still in place and stronger than ever. A number of our alumni, back to our first graduating class of 1958, currently stay in contact through group breakfasts, dinners, emails, and even Zoom virtual meetings. They do it because being a Knight isn’t just a four-year gig, it’s for life. This fall, we will be introducing an exciting new way to build and strengthen connections with your Knight brothers, revisit nostalgic moments of the past, and keep you informed about all aspects of St. Francis de Sales School. Each class will have a group created for them and two liaisons from the

class will act as administrators and information managers working with Engagement Officer, John Adams ‘71, to disseminate information and to solicit other alumni from their class to become members, who can then contribute photos, memories, personal news, and comments, etc.

If you have any questions or would like to be considered for a liaison position for your class, please contact John Adams at jadams@sfsknights.org

It’s all about the Knight Brotherhood; the relationships we’ve formed, and those to come. It’s a great time to be a Knight.

Go Knights!

The

Provincial’s Reflection: salesian paTience and the moso Bamboo planT

There is so much wisdom in These few words from st. francis de sales on The virtue of paTience: “Be paTienT! The Thorns grow Before The roses Bloom.”

Over many years in the ministry of spiritual direction, I came to appreciate more and more the need for the virtue of patience in making progress in one’s spiritual growth. Many feel that immediately, they ought to be as perfect as they have resolved to be. Francis wisely advises that it takes time, effort and perseverance to overcome the thorns of sin and the tenacity of habit before the roses of virtue and a state of continual union with the divine will can take root deep within us. Thus, he advises us to begin anew each and every day with cautioning against discouragement and underscoring this wise spiritual principle; in this life, spiritual perfection lies not so much in its complete and total accomplishment as in our willingness to just keep working at it.

I think we can learn much about the need for patience from the Moso bamboo plant that grows in China and the Far East. After it is planted, there is no visible growth for up to five years – even under ideal conditions! Then, as if by magic, it suddenly begins to grow at the rate of nearly two and a half feet per day, reaching a full height of 90 feet within six short weeks!

But it is not magic that produces such an abundance. Its rapid growth is due to the miles of roots that it develops during

those first five years – five years of getting ready to bloom while, on the surface, nothing at all seems to be happening.

In many ways, our prayers in holiness can seem at times to mirror the patience needed during those first years of the Moso bamboo plant when, on the surface at least, it seems that nothing is really happening. At those times, we just need to hold on to the promise of God’s Word and to trust that his grace will – with time, patience and hard work – break through our resistance, shatter our spiritual deafness, and produce a rich harvest of good deeds, an abundant harvest of 30, 60, or even a 100–fold! God be Praised!

Gratefully,

V.Rev. Lewis S. Fiorelli, OSFS Provincial

Thank you for allowing me to be part of your journey the moment we walked through the doors of St. Francis. I thank you for all the football Fridays and all the memories we had in The Pit. I thank you for showing me how deep and real the brotherhood is. I thank you for lifting me up whenever I felt lost or down. I thank you for singing the Alma Mater with me countless times. I thank you for challenging me spiritually, physically, socially, and academically. It has truly been a pleasure. I thank you for allowing me to share a part of my life story and in return sharing a part of yours with me. The friendships I made were always God-sent. We were taught to live courageously and love greatly; we were taught to change the world with every little thing we had, and finally, we were taught to not be discouraged by our imperfections and to

rise up with fresh courage. Well, my brothers, it’s been real. I love you all, through thick and thin, because once a Knight always a Knight. I once learned that the will of God will never take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us. From my first step in the school to what has become my last, we’ve all been protected. I will forever cherish the moments I had with each and every single one of you.

The start was bitter and sweet just like the ending. Although it did not come to closure as pictured, I wouldn’t change a thing for it is shaping me each day. The circumstances that are happening around the globe today are our first step to the outside world to see how we can handle it. I conclude that nothing is impossible with God because He takes the impossible and makes it the, “I am possible.” You have taught me the art of patience and silence. For in our noisiest and heartbreaking moments, the silence of the heart is the best remedy. For all of this, I thank you, Class of 2020.

Kofi Ohene-Larbi signing out.

Thank you.

To watch the video Kofi created of this beautiful testimony, scan this QR code or visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=93Ccc8Er5p0&feature=youtu.be

CLASS NOTES

Tom Karazim, `62, Todd Karazim, `04 and future Knights, and a Knight cheerleader spent the day at Fun-a-Rama. Tom is enjoying retirement life as well as the grandchildren. Todd is an attorney with Union Home Mortgage Corporation.

Garry Roberts, `71 was honored as the “12th Man” recipient at a University of Toledo football game last year for his support of the University of Toledo athletics. Garry and his wife, Janice, have three children; Amanda, Lindsay, and Andrew, all of whom live in Toledo. Amanda works in marketing, Lindsay works for Hylant, and Andrew works in medical sales.

The Knights Around The Table are a group of alumni from the Class of 1971 that meet every other month for dinner. Starting in the lower left-hand corner and going clockwise are Mike McKelvey, Rick Frame, Pat Kriner, Mike Manahan, Fr. Chris Hudgin, Bill Conlisk, Paul Pellioni, John Adams, Mike Scalzo, and Denny Polito. Missing were: Mike Willinger, Gerry Amborski, Tom Cherry, Tom Deckelman, Harold Hanley, Bill Schuck, John Streicher, and Mike Tice. This group so enjoys getting together, to stay connected they are meeting virtually during COVID!

Jim Stengle hosted a group of his `72 classmates at the Catawba Island Club in July. At the outing were: Jim White, John Nelson, Bob Eddy, Fritz Reifert, Vince Marinelli, Larry Gagin, Jim Korsnack, Mark Walters.

Linda and Phil Andryc, `73 welcomed their first grandchild into the world. Maia Corey Andryc was born July 5 at 6:30 p.m. weighing in at 8 lbs. Congratulations to the Andryc family!

Tom Francel M.D., FACS, `74 is a board-certified plastic surgeon in St. Louis, Missouri. He has been providing plastic surgery coverage for the St. Louis Blues professional hockey players, their wives, their girlfriends, and the Blues administrative staff for 30 years. Last year, for the first time in franchise history, the St. Louis Blues won the Stanley Cup, crowning them the National Hockey League Champions. Dr. Francel was proud to be a part of the celebrations.

Joe Torti’s, `76 daughter had a baby girl, Cecilia Torti Moran. This is Joe’s first granddaughter. Congratulations, Joe!

Mark Buganski, `77 recorded his first hole in one at Highland Meadows Golf Club. Congrats, Mark!

Michael Gallagher, `80 has been ranked in Barron’s 2020 Top 100 Financial Advisors for the second year. Michael is a Financial Advisor as well as the Managing Director for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management / Corporate Equity Solutions in Chicago.

Members from the Class of 1983 gathered at The Blarney for lunch and fellowship on Presidents’ Day. Pictured are Roy Hodge (center Left), Shawn Reid, Chris Keller, Joe Sweeney, Phil Nussel, Mark Kott, Doug Dymarkowski, and Kevin Casper.

Todd Deindoerfer, `83 was awarded the Legatus President of the Year award. Legatus is the world’s premier membership organization for Catholic business leaders who are committed to learn, live, and spread the Catholic faith. Pictured from left to right are Fr. Ron Olszewski, OSFS, Todd Deindoerfer, Fr. Jim Greenfield, OSFS (President of DeSales University), and Fr. Joe Newman, OSFS.

CLASS NOTES

Jeremy Lindsay, `89, Drew Lindsay, `95, and Dan Abu-Absi, `95 have helped form a rock band, Birds of Chicago. Since their beginnings in 2012, they have quickly attained popularity in the American musical scene with many generations due to their mix of indy, jam, rock, and soul. Once bands begin to tour, look for them to play in a city near you!

Jeremy Jagielski, `96 and Tim Wagner, `96, both former SFS baseball players, ran into each other at the 12U LeConte Baseball Tournament at the Cal Ripken Baseball Experience in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee this past July. Jeremy’s son, Elliot plays for a team from Perrysburg and Tim’s son, Zach plays for a team in Michigan.

Casey Wieck, `00 was featured on the Today Show last April along with his wife, Laura, and baby son, James. Casey and Laura were one of the first couples, if not the first, to finalize the adoption of their son, James, via Zoom due to the COVID pandemic. To watch them on the Today Show, click the QR Code.

Daniel Knaggs, `01 is a professional musician, a conductor as well as a concert composer whose compositions range from solo and chamber music to orchestral works. In 2019 alone, his music has been performed in Japan, Australia, Poland, Israel, Scotland, England, Germany, Italy, and throughout the United States.

For the third consecutive year, Mike White, `83 and his company Buckeye Real Estate Group was chosen to build the St. Jude Dream Home which was raffled off on August 13. Every dollar raised through ticket sales goes directly to St. Jude Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. This year over $1,250,000 was raised to help find cures for children from all over the world!

Ian Gallagher, `00 and his wife, Amanda, are happy to share the recent birth of their son, Cormac. They currently live in Twinsburg, OH.

After 11 years with JP Morgan Asset Management in Cincinnati, Mike Schlembach, `03 began a role as a managing director and portfolio manager with Marathon Asset Management in August. He will be commuting from Cincinnati to NYC Monday to Wednesday for now, and looks forward to staying in touch with Knights in both cities. He and his wife, Lauren, have 4 children: Lillian (4), James (3), Thomas (2), and Nicholas (9 months).

Zach Malosh, `05 was nominated for an Emmy Award by the National Academy of National Television and Arts for Transmedia Coverage while with Fox Sports for the Women’s World Cup.

Zach Rost, `06 just completed his fellowship in Vascular and Interventional Radiology from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, and is now practicing with Toledo Radiology Associates. He and his wife, Tia, are expecting their second child this fall.

Nick Glover DNP, CRNA, `09 graduated from Duke University School of Anesthesiology in December 2019 (pictured with grandmother Dolores Czerniak). His paper, Preoperative Cognitive Assessment Recommendations for the Older Adult, was published in the Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing. In 2018, Nick was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. In May 2020, after two years of chemotherapy, he successfully beat his cancer while maintaining his studies. Nick recently purchased a house in Raleigh, NC with his girlfriend, Nicole Caruso, and is now serving on the front line of the COVID-19 crisis at Duke Raleigh Hospital.

Danny Drain, `11 just celebrated his one-year wedding anniversary in July. He also had an essay on education published through the University of Notre Dame. In this essay, Danny discusses how education is not a program but a formation of one’s soul to be continued throughout one’s life. He currently is a Ph.D. Candidate at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute in Washington, D.C., completing a dissertation titled: Saving Finite Freedom: On the Meaning of Freedom in Hans Urs von Balthasar’s Theology of Holy Saturday. Working full time as a Director of Religious Education in Doylestown, PA, he also teaches courses as an adjunct professor in the Department of Philosophy and Theology at DeSales University. You may find his published essay here: https://churchlifejournal. nd.edu/articles/education-should-aim-at-god-not-the-jobmarket/?fbclid=IwAR1Q99rUPXOKVCtaifWA14tCJKAZp36CRb9ml4KYIbZ7iEOq-LVZkyYQNw

Mark Blowers, `08 professionally known as Mark William, recently won the 2019 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards for Best Debut Show and Best Independent Album. He has played five sold-out engagements at The Green Room 42 in New York City and has been a headliner at The McKittrick Hotel, The Actors’ Temple, and on Azamara Club Cruises. His debut album, Come Croon With Me, which was called “Album of the Year” by BroadwayRadio, is available wherever you buy or stream music.

Jacob J. Hamilton, `12 was sworn into the Ohio Bar Association in November 2019. He received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Toledo in May 2012 and is currently employed as a full-time attorney with the law firm of Semro Henry and Barga Ltd. and concentrates his practice on trust and estate planning, business planning and civil litigation. Jacob is honored to be part of that Brotherhood and looks to give back to the Knight community any way he can. Jacob says, “The intrinsic worth of a St. Francis education is invaluable. St. Francis consistently produces well-rounded men who go on to be very successful and make the world a better place. Go Knights!

Alex Stoiber, `13 graduated from the University of Dayton in 2017 majoring in Operations and Supply Chain Management. Alex leads the manufacturing planning team at the Canadian -owned Magellan Aerospace- an Aerospace parts supplier. He is pursuing an MBA from Wright State University.

Jacob Beakas, `14 and his business partner recently launched Urbivors LLC, a fresh and healthy produce option that is sourced locally and in-season, directly from the farmer. The service is provided to the University of Toledo students as an alternative option to long grocery trips and gives students healthy options that are cost-efficient and sustainable.

IN MEMORIAM

The St. Francis de Sales School Community joins in prayerful remembrance of those who have died. Eternal peace grant unto them, O Lord.

I am writing this letter to personally thank all of the faculty and staff for everything that was poured into my son, Zion, while a student at St. Francis de Sales. I had no doubt that he would do well in college, however, the extent to which he excelled in his freshman year in college was incredible.

lead community service efforts.

Zion was also selected as a top student in the science department and as a result, was given the opportunity to go to Atlanta in January 2020 to represent his HBCU on the Black College Quiz game show. Zion was the only the only freshman selected to compete from any of the universities in attendance.

ZION JUSTICE

During his 2019-2020 year in college, Zion attended Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio on a partial athleticacademic scholarship as a biology major. Not only did Zion remain an honor student and on the Dean’s list but he was named Mr. Freshman and served as the male face of the freshman class, acting as an ambassador for the school, taking the lead to help ensure that services are in place to make sure that freshmen have the proper social, mental and academic support to ensure collegiate success, and bridging the gap between the university and the community by helping to organize and

JALEN BALLARD

My name is Michelle Ballard. I have been married to my husband Scott for almost 20 years and we have two sons, Jalen and Eli. Our oldest, Jalen, was born with congenital microphthalmia with cataracts and right lambdoid craniosynostosis with mild Arnold Chiari Malformation. He had his cataracts removed when he was three months old which allowed him to have some useful vision, mostly out of his right eye for many years and cranial vault remodeling at twelve months old. He developed glaucoma at the age of 2½.

To round out the year, Zion is performing cancer research this summer. He is 1 of 7 students selected by The Ohio State University Medical Center for a paid internship to perform cancer research from MayAugust 2020. Zion was the only freshman selected for this particular internship.

While all of these accomplishments are due to Zion’s hard work and determination, it also speaks to the leadership skills, preparation, and education that he was afforded at St. Francis. I cannot thank all of you enough for helping me to prepare my son to compete in college and in life. I will forever be grateful. If there is anything that I can do (answer questions, speak to parents, welcome parents) please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you,

Lukesha Anderson-Justice

I was born and raised Catholic and attended Catholic grade school and high school. Catholic education was always my plan for my children until I had Jalen. Since Jalen was born blind, we were advised he needed to attend the local public school so he could get the services he needed to succeed. We were willing to send him to the public elementary schools, but we always knew we needed to find an alternative for high school. We did not want him attending the public high school in our district. We also faced numerous challenges and obstacles to get the services that were to be provided. No matter how many times we tried, there were always complications. We either had to move, which we could not afford, or look for an alternative education. Jalen had a difficult 8th-grade year with getting services and materials needed and his eye pressures also became extremely high. He had to have approximately 11 surgeries in 9 months to try and save the small usable vision

I cannot thank all of you enough for helping me to prepare my son to compete in college and in life.”

he had left in his right eye.

During this time, I had a conversation with an old friend of mine expressing my strong desire for Jalen to attend a Catholic high school but didn’t see how it was possible. Jalen is blind and a braille reader/writer, so he’s not your “typical” student. My friend’s wife was and still is a principal at a local Catholic elementary school. She called me to discuss what she thought were some possible options and informed me of something called the Jon Peterson Scholarship for students with an IEP to attend private schools. I had never heard of this scholarship. She suggested I call the local Catholic high schools to inquire about Jalen. She suggested St. Francis de Sales as some of her former students had thrived there. I did just that, and I will never forget my return message from the Director of Admissions, Brenda Skinner, telling me how excited she was to talk to me about Jalen and discuss-

It brought me to tears hearing someone was excited about the possibility of Jalen attending their school, especially after all of the challenges he and we had faced over the previous 8½ years.”

ing the possibility of Jalen becoming a member of the Knight family. To be honest, it brought me to tears hearing someone was excited about the possibility of Jalen attending their school, especially after all of the challenges he and we had faced over the previous 8½ years. After several phone calls, meetings at SFS, applying for the Jon Peterson Scholarship, applying for financial aid, finding a teacher of the visually impaired, SFS Orientation, and mobility services, Jalen was officially a Knight!

I know how hard everyone worked behind the scenes for Jalen. I also know teaching a blind braille reader is expensive, especially high-level math books. Not once did any of the teachers or staff make Jalen feel like he was a burden. In fact, it was quite the opposite. With the support and guidance from everyone at SFS, the Oblates, and especially his teachers, Jalen finally felt like he belonged. He felt his teachers genuinely wanted to help him succeed, because they did. They were always willing to meet with him to discuss questions or concerns he had. He was able to trust again and enjoy learning. He was able to take college classes through College Credit Plus, and to be challenged academically, emotionally, and spiritually.

I am writing this to let you all know how extremely grateful and thankful I am that my oldest son, Jalen Ballard, was able to become a St. Francis Knight. He formed some healthy teacher/student relationships that helped him gain confidence in himself and his ability to be his own strong advocate. He was able to grow in his faith and fully embrace who he is and what he has to offer to become a responsible young man. Through everyone’s dedication and hard work, including Jalen’s, he graduated Valedictorian of his Class of 2020. He will be attending the University of Michigan in the College of Engineering for Computer Science this fall.

The path to Jalen becoming a Knight was definitely not easy, but we are so grateful he was able to spend the last four years at St. Francis de Sales. We are also excited for our other son, Eli, to start at St. Francis de Sales this coming school year as an incoming 7th grader. I am overjoyed that my sons are able to receive the Catholic education I have wanted for them. The Oblates and staff at St. Francis de Sales truly believe in their motto, “Be Who You Are and Be That Well.” They want each and every student, no matter their differences, to become a part of the brotherhood and to succeed. Once a Knight, Always a Knight!

– Cody Sisler ’12

“My favorite is the book Fr. O would read from for the CCHS pep rally. We actually used to BC back in those days!!! Go Knights!!!”

More an a Game

– Nick Middleton ’13

For the next issue of Knight Life, please answer this question:

What is your favorite binge-worthy show?

Catch-22

– Andy Walko ’98

e Gunslinger. If we are talking e Bible I was always partial to e Gospel of Mark

e Great Gatsby

– Zach Musial ’15

e Gospel of John in e Bible

– Fr. Olszewski ’62

“Something Steinbeck... let’s say Cannery Row”

– David Gstalder ’81

– Aaron Woolard ’91 A Gift of Laughter by Alan Sherman

– Dave Domanski ‘79

– Robert Solon Jr. ’85

Where the Red Fern Grows

– Jason Bryan ’97

To Kill a Mockingbird or Trinity by Leon Uris

– Maureen Martindale, Parent ’20

Fish

– Cathy Trimble, SFS Club Moderator & Past Parent ’10 & ’13

Stalingrad

– Drew omas ’11

e Everlasting Man by G.K. Chesterton

– Joseph Henzler ’79

e Power

Broker

– Mark Kunkel ’78

e Great Gatsby

– Stephanie Miller Lenkey

SFS English Teacher, Parent ’23

Ivanhoe – Howard Bierley ’66

Rape of the Taxpayer by

Philip Stern

– Bob Daney ’66

–

To Kill a Mockingbird

– Kathee Konnert, Former SFS Guidance Counselor

“To Kill a Mockingbird. Seems everyone had to read it at one point but it always just stuck with me.”

– Don Ska ’87

My favorite is a tie between Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian and John Steinbeck’s e Grapes of Wrath.

John Yaggi ’02

2323 W. Bancroft St. Toledo, Ohio 43607

TAX LAWS

NEW WAYS TO SAVE

DON’T PAY MORE TAXES THAN YOU SHOULD

Recently, Congress made significant changes to our nation’s tax laws. After 2020, taxpayers must take distributions from their IRA at age 72, not age 70½. Gone is the ability for children to inherit an IRA and stretch payments for their lifetime. They must now take the payments in 10 years. With these and all the other changes, it could be easy to miss some deductions and pay more than you should.

You have ways to reduce your taxes, increase your income and provide for your family and the causes important to you. Here are some quick ideas to take advantage of (or not be disappointed by) the recent tax law changes.

IF YOUR CONCERN IS: TRY THIS:

INCREASED STANDARD DEDUCTION

STRETCH PROVISION OF YOUR IRA

NEED MORE INCOME

If you want to have a higher income tax deduction, bunch your charitable donations. Gift more in one year, then take a year off. Take the itemized, higher deduction, then the standard deduction the next year.

Establish a charitable remainder unitrust that your IRA fully funds when you die. You can choose the length of time your children receive money from the trust without the 10 year limit.

Establish a charitable gift annuity that pays you fixed, reliable payments for life.

These are just some quick ideas to show you that even with the new laws, you can still maximize your deductions and provide for your family and the charities you cherish.

Call or email Renee Winkler or visit our website, sfslegacy.org.

Renee Winkler Director of Gift Planning & Stewardship

419.214.5429

RWinkler@sfsknights.org