Summer 2014 Black & Gold magazine

The Official Magazine of St. John Vianney High School The Official Magazine of St. John Vianney High School

WINTER 2014

SUMMER 2014

St. John Vianney High School is dedicated to forming young men for spiritual, academic and personal excellence in the Catholic, Marianist tradition.

The Official Magazine of St. John Vianney High School

Summer 2014

Inside Senior Moments ..........................................................................4-5 The graduating Class of 2014 left behind an impressive legacy

Lyons, Griffin Chess Impress at Nationals.....................................7 Jack Lyons won a national chess title in April, and Vianney Chess placed third overall

Vianney Making Stadium Improvements ................................8-10 New turf, other stadium improvements are underway

ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES The Black and Gold Magazine is a product of St. John Vianney High School, 1311 South Kirkwood Road, in Kirkwood, Mo. To submit items for the Black and Gold, contact the editor, Rob Staggenborg, Director of Communications, at rstaggenborg@vianney.com or call (314) 965-4853 ext. 270.

Vianney Duo Bringing Heat In Competitive BBQ......................13 Eliot Mellow ’05 and uncle Jim Randall ’76 having success in competitive BBQ circuit

FACULTY PROFILE

MARIANIST PROFILE: The Rev. Joseph Uvietta, S.M..........14-15 Profile of Marianist priest and longtime Vianney mainstay, Father Joseph Uvietta, S.M.

President Mike Loyet ’77 Principal Dr. Tim Dilg Assistant Principal – Academics Dennis Matreci Assistant Principal – Student Development Scott Brown ’84 Director of Athletics Terry Cochran Director of Finance and Facilities Wendell DePhillips ’71 Director of Campus Ministry Rev. Tim Kenney, S.M.

COVER STORY

Men of Character & Accomplishment....................................16-17 New branding campaign focuses on values of Vianney students and grads

FEATURE

2013-14 Rewind: A Look Back ..............................................18-19 Taking a look back at the school year that was - 2013-14

Director of Advancement Peter Cerone ’93 Director of Admissions Tom Mulvihill ’04 Director of Constituent Relations Molly Walsh Director of Events Mark Schuermann ’03 Editor, Black and Gold Director of Communications Rob Staggenborg

Stay in touch at www.vianney.com

BLACK & GOLD

School News

SENIOR MOMENTS The Class of 2014 was an impressive group of young men.

Through June, the class had earned a total of $14.5 million in scholarships. Here is the Class of 2014 - at a glance.

74% 20

The percentage of graduating seniors who received at least one college scholarship.

The number of college scholarships earned by a single student (Zachary Roseman)

13% 2 0

17 99%

615

The number of service hours by senior Ben Dombrowski over the course of four years.

141

The average number of service hours by the senior class as a whole.

The number of Missouri Higher Education Bright Flight scholars in the Class of 2014.

The percentage of graduating seniors who are going on to college next year.

The percentage of graduating seniors who are attending a Catholic university,

The number of National Merit Finalists in the senior class. They are Jack Lyons and Anthony Schrader, who was named a National Merit Scholar for 2014.

The number of school days missed by Tim Stark and Nikita Thompson over their four year Vianney careers.

Griffins Accepted into Highly Competitive Schools: * Data according to study by IvyWise.com based on Fall 2014 applications and acceptances

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The number of seniors who finished with an identical grade point average. All three were named Class Valedictorians. They are, from left, Kyle Williams, Jack Lyons and Tim Stark.

• NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY - Accepted only 12.9% of all applicants

- Mathew Jones accepted • UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME - Accepted only 20.8% of all applicants - Kyle Williams accepted • VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY - Accepted only 12.5% of all applicants - Anthony Schrader and Joe LaMartina accepted • WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (STL) - Accepted only 17.1% of all applicants

- Kyle Williams, Anthony Schrader, Alex Moellering accepted

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WINTER 2013 2014

CLASS OF 2014 - PEOPLE

CLASS OF

JACK LYONS - Earned designation as

a National Merit Finalist and earned a scholarship to attend the University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa. Lyons also earned the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Model of Justice Award in 2014.

JOE LaMARTINA

- Named the Griffin of the Year for 2014, LaMartina is headed to Vanderbilt University.

Visit the Vianney website at www.vianney.com to review the impressive list of college scholarships and other senior awards!

ZACHARY ROSEMAN - Aside from

his 20 scholarship offers, Rosemann was named the Post-Dispatch Scholar Athlete for Vianney for 2013-14. He was also the class salutatorian.

ANTHONY SCHRADER - Finished

the school year by being named a National Merit Scholar and earned a $2,500 scholarship from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. He also received the Enterprise Holdings scholarship to attend Washington University in St. Louis.

That scholarship is worth an estimated $209,784.

MARKEL SMITH - The Post-Dispatch

Offensive Football Player of the Year for 2013 signed a letter of commitment to attend the University of Iowa on a Division I football scholarship. He finished his senior year as the No. 2 all-time area rushing leader in the St. Louis area.

NICK WOJCIECHOWSKI - Nick

won the Chick Evans Scholarship. The scholarship is for caddies who have gone through a rigorous review process.

More than 750 students applied for the scholarship.

Follow Vianney on Twitter @vianneygriffins.com

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BLACK & GOLD

VIANNEY

PEOPLE

Mike Babb Selected for top Science Student Award through UM-St. Louis Congratulations to Mike Babb (pictured, center) who was selected as Vianney’s 2014 “Distinguished Achievement for Excellence in Science Award” winner. The award is sponsored by the University of Missouri at St. Louis and recognizes top area students who show proficiency and an interest in science.

Vianney’s Pleimann Honored for Sportsmanship

by STL Sports Commission Congratulations to Vianney graduating senior Kenny Pleimann, who recently received the 2014 Carl Fricks Sportsmanship Scholarship from the St. Louis Sports Commission.

Pleimann (pictured) will receive a $1,500 scholarship award. He will attend McKendree University next year.

The Carl Fricks Sportsmanship Award is presented annually to graduating high school students from the St. Louis metro area who demonstrate outstanding sportsmanship.

The scholarship recognizes individuals who exemplify integrity, civility, selflessness, kindness and compassion in athletic competition. The award is unique in that candidates are evaluated strictly on their approach, character and respect for others on the playing field. Athletic performance is not a factor in the selection.

Pleimann served as a student assistant for the football, basketball and baseball programs at Vianney. He is the first student manager to receive the Sportsmanship Scholarship. Kenny stood out among the athletes at Vianney for his class, integrity and unselfishness.

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Kevin Walsh, varsity basketball coach and a mentor of sorts to Pleimann, recounted how Kenny would work with Walsh’s son, who was serving as a waterboy.

Pleimann taught the young assistant about sportsmanship, respect for the opponent and respect for the game.

“As a coach, I am so proud of Kenny for understanding the importance of sportsmanship,” Walsh said.

“The MAG” Literary Magazine Makes Debut Featuring the Works of Vianney Students The MAG has made its debut!

The MAG is an annual publication produced by Vianney students and faculty members as an effort to support the living arts through words and images.

The MAG was organized by Eric Sargeant, with help from Ms. Colleen Judge, Communications Director Rob Staggenborg, and a staff of student writers and editors.

“The title is an intimation of the Marianist Art Gallery (MAG) where the late Brother Mel Meyer, S.M., created works for more than 35 years,” Sargeant explained.

The MAG can be accessed on Vianney’s website - www.vianney.com.

Junior Charles Barker Receives Sacraments during Easter Vigil Congratulations to Vianney’s Charles Barker, a junior from the class of 2015.

Charles was baptized, confirmed, and received his First Holy Communion at Vianney’s Easter Vigil on April 19, 2014.

He is pictured above in the center with Vianney Chaplain Rev. Tim Kenney on the left and Charles’ sponsor, Michael Bruener.

SAVE THE DATES:

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION GOLF TOURNAMENT Date: August 23, 2014 Course: Tapawingo National Cost: $125 per player (before Aug. 1) INFO: gogriffins.org

CLAY PFEIFFER MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT Date: August 2, 2014 Course: Pevely Farms INFO: www.claytonpfeiffer.com

WINTER 2014

FINAL 4:

Griffins Earn Trip to State Baseball Semis

Congratulations to Vianney’s varsity baseball team which won the District Championship and advanced to the Missouri State Baseball Semifinals.

Vianney fell 3-1 to Francis Howell at T.R. Hughes Ballpark. In the third-place game, Vianney lost 2-1 in extra innings to Blue Springs South to take fourth place among Missouri’s large schools. Columbia Rock Bridge was the eventual state champion.

Vianney finished 29-9 on the season - the most wins in the history of the program. The trip to the Missouri Final 4 is the second in four years for Coach Scott Brown, a 1984 Vianney alum.

The Griffins were paced by the pitching of senior Jake Hemphill. He was the area leader in wins with 11. Hemphill’s only loss came against Francis Howell in the State Semifinal game.

Vianney’s road to the Final 4 was marked by stunning come-from-behind wins in two District games and in the State Quarterfinals when they scored four runs in the bottom of the 7th to stun host Marquette.

The Griffins finished the regular season as champions of the Metro Catholic Conference.

PNC ALL-STARS: Congratulations to Seniors Nick Allgeyer, Jake Hemphill (pictured) and Mat Jones for being selected for the PNC Bank Missouri/Illinois Baseball Showcase. The All-Star game was played in June at Busch Stadium. This marks the fourth straight year that Vianney had at least two players selected for the All-Star Game and the first time that Vianney had three players selected.

Senior Jack Lyons Wins National Chess Title Congratulations to Vianney senior Jack Lyons, who captured an individual national chess title in April. Vianney’s Chess Team took 3rd place at the National Chess Championship in the K-12 Division in the recent National Chess Tournament in San Diego. Vianney had 3 players finish in the top 25 nationally.

Vianney was the defending K-12 Under 1200 Champion, having won the title last year in Nashville, TN. Vianney won national titles at the 2009 and 2011 Chess Championships as well.

Senior Alex Moellering also starred at the competition in the U1600 Division, where he finished 25th in the nation in that division.

The Griffin Chess team pushed it way up on the leaderboard over the threeday event, and on two occasions were tied for first place. All eight Vianney players opened the tournament with first round victories which put the team among the leaders on the first day.

Vianney finished with 21 points in the tournament, a point total which would have won the national title last year, according to Coach Ed Baur.

“That just goes to show you how tough the competition level was at the national tournament,” Baur said. “We played well enough to win it but came up just a little short. Still, a third place finish at the national tournament is something that we are very proud.”

Lyons, a senior, is a National Merit Finalist.

He brought home the individual title with stellar play throughout the tournament. He won six games and played to a draw in the final round.

“There were some very good players there but I guess I was just on my game,” Lyons said.

“Winning the national title in my senior year is very gratifying. Vianney Chess made a big impact on me over the past four years and this is a great way to go out – on top.”

Members of Vianney’s team making the trip to San Diego were Lyons, Marshall Harney, Gage Kramer, Andrew Krekeler, Nathan Mittenzwey, Alex Moellering, Dan Owensby and Trevor Vogan. Baur and Mr. David Peterson were the coaches.

Krekeler, a senior, won five games and lost two games. Owensby, a sophomore, won four times, registered a loss and two draws.

Follow Vianney on Twitter @vianneygriffins.com

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BLACK & GOLD

Vianney Looks to the Future With New Turf, Other Improvements to Don Heeb Field The stadium improvements are the latest in a series of improvements that were made to the school’s educational facilities

Vianney’s Board of Directors has approved a significant stadium improvement project calling for the installation of synthetic field turf on Don Heeb Field, resurfacing the track and the completion of other stadium improvements. Work began in May, with completion expected in early August, said Mike Loyet, the President of Vianney.

The scope of the project includes the installation of a new synthetic turf surface and track. New light standards will be erected, and a new entryway and patio area have been constructed.

In recent years, Vianney has invested more than $7 million in academics through various construction and renovation projects at the campus.

These projects include the construction of a new Educational Wing, a new Leadership Center, and a new Technology Center.

Vianney will continue to invest significantly in its academic programs and facilities in the future, Loyet said.

Funds have been invested to make significant classroom improvements such as new windows, improved lighting, a new HVAC system and new flooring.

In addition, funds have also been allocated for professional development opportunities for Vianney faculty and staff, as well as investments in the school’s Scholarship Fund.

“The stadium project is the next item on a list of improvements we have planned for through our master plan.

Our first priority was always to make necessary enhancements to the academic programs at Vianney. It was through the generosity of a handful of donors that we are able to make changes at the stadium. Our plan is to make Vianney’s athletic stadium experience for our student-athletes, our coaches, alumni, parents and fans one of the absolute best in the St. Louis area, said Rick Davis, Chair of the St. John Vianney High School Board of Directors.

There were many factors that went into the decision to make changes at the stadium, Davis said. Don Heeb Field, named for the longtime Vianney Football coach and athletic director, was a grass field that quickly showed wear and tear as the fall seasons were played. The field is only used from September to early November, in addition to a few lacrosse games in the spring. By late October, the field surface is usually in extremely poor condition.

In fact, the condition of the field limited Vianney at times, as home playoff soccer games had to be moved in recent years to offcampus venues such as the Soccer Park, according to Terry Cochran, Director of Athletics.

The track and field areas will also receive attention with new surfacing and improvements to other areas used for competition. The track has reached the end of its useful life, and is in need of resurfacing and striping, Cochran said. This new field benefits the other sports programs and the entire Vianney community, he said.

The field will provide the soccer program with much needed space for practice, and gives the football program additional practice space for three teams – Freshman, Junior Varsity and Varsity. Vianney’s Lacrosse program will now have practice space on campus and be able to play a full schedule of home games,.

Another positive was that a turf field can be used year round

by Vianney students, and can be rented to outside groups.

Many recent studies have shown that synthetic turf technology allows for safer fields that meet national GMAX ratings for concussion prevention.

“This project will significantly improve our facilities without borrowing or having to conduct a capital campaign,” Loyet said. “This is thanks to the generosity of a few key donors who have come forward to make an investment in our athletic facilities.”

SAVE THE DATE - FIELD DEDICATION The new turf will be dedicated during a special ceremony on August 29, 2014 at 6:45 p.m. before the Jackson-Vianney varsity football game

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CONSTRUCTION ZONE - Stadium Field Project

Workers excavate the natural grass on Don Heeb Field to prepare it for installation of a new synthetic turf.

d the crews had installe By early June, the orts the synthetic rock layer that supp turf.

The football goal posts frame excavation work conducted on the first day of the project in May.

A new educational wing was added in 2007.

The Media Center was added in 2007, as well.

Technology improvements in classrooms and campus-wide are on-going.

Professional development and scholarship fund investments are on-going.

New brick facade, new windows and HVAC units were added in 2013.

The Leadership Center opened in 2011.

WINTER WINTER 2014 2014

ALUMNI

In Focus: Vianney Legacies

Like Father, Like Son Craig Hingle ’91 had to laugh when asked if he was given a choice of what high school he would attend.

“The choice was basically wherever my older brother chose to go, and he chose Vianney,” Hingle said. “So that’s where my other brother (Scott Hingle) and I went to high school.”

Times have certainly changed. Today, parents often let their sons chose which school he would like to attend. Grade school prospects look at a number of schools in the area and narrow their choices to a few to visit. Through Vianney’s admissions efforts, prospective students have ample ways to visit Vianney for a few hours, a half day or for a camp experience.

Hingle’s son, Matthew, faced a similar, yet decidedly different task as he looked at which high school option was best for him.

He chose Vianney, and his father couldn’t be prouder. The decision was Matthew’s and Matthew’s alone, Craig said.

Steve Wendl ’86, has seen Vianney’s admissions process with his older son, Joe, a 2014 grad, and more recently with his 8th grade son, Alex, who will attend Vianney next year.

Vianney’s location made it an attractive option for his son Joe, who had 10 other boys from his 8th grade class at Assumption Catholic School attend Vianney as well. And for Alex, the Wendls encouraged him to look at all the local Catholic schools before deciding.

“As we looked around, Vianney really stood out to us,” Steve Wendl said. “Not only were the faculty and students excited to show us the school, but they seemed to be focused more on teaching leadership skills. The students who spoke for Vianney were just

fantastic; they really knew the school and were proud to show it.”

Wendl joked how much the school looked different than the Vianney he attended in the mid-1980s. The educational product, he said, has improved dramatically as well.

Joe Wendl concurs. He is headed to Saint Louis University next year where he intends to major in engineering.

“Vianney definitely prepared me for SLU academically, I believe,” Joe Wendl said.

Rick Lux ’77 has had one son, Philip, graduate from Vianney, and one, Mitchell, who is currently a junior. He said he was not surprised when his sons chose Vianney. Rick Lux had brought them to Vianney for games and other family events most of their lives, so they were “preprogrammed” to love Vianney, Rick Lux joked. Additionally, as a volunteer track coach for St. Simon’s CYC Track team, Rick Lux worked out a partnership with Vianney to have his teams practice on campus.

“I did give both of my sons the choice of where they wanted to go,” he said.

Philip Lux is headed to the University

Joe Wendl ’14 stands proudly with his father, Steve Wendl ’86. The Wendls are one of several legacy families that have multiple generations of Vianney grads or current of Missouri - Columbia next fall. Rick Lux knows his son will be prepared for the academic rigors of college, thanks to Vianney.

“More so now than before, Vianney is a big family and we felt that right when we walked in. The teachers work hard to make Vianney very inclusive of all kinds of students.”

For Craig Hingle, he is especially proud of Matthew. He was the only student from his grade school to choose Vianney.

“We were very proud that he chose to attend Vianney,” Craig Hingle said.

_____________________________ SUPPORT VIANNEY LEGACIES:

Donate to the Alumni Association Scholarship Fund. Contact Pete Cerone ’93, Director of Advancement, at (314) 965-4853 ext. 118 or you can send him an e-mail at pcerone@vianney.com.

Follow Vianney on Twitter @vianneygriffins.com

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BLACK & GOLD

Alumni News

Vianney’s Hall of Fame Grows by 5 Members Congratulations to the five men who were recently inducted into the St. John Vianney High School Hall of Fame.

The 2014 inductees were: • • • • •

Members of the 2014 Vianney Hall of Fame are pictured (front row, L-R): Jim Gansner ’90, Dr. Chris Bowe ’73, and Richard Basler. In the back are Bill Paradoski ’69 and Mark Kohlberg ’77.

Mr.William Paradoski ’69 Dr. Chris Bowe ’73 Mr. Mark Kohlberg ’77 Mr. Jim Gansner ’90 Mr. Richard Basler

The Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held on June 1, 2014 at Andre’s Banquet Center in Fenton.

Mark Klose ’71, a member of the Vianney Hall of Fame, served as emcee for the event. More than 150 people attended the Hall of Fame Banquet.

Paradoski was a former Vianney basketball star who went on to star at SLU. Bowe was recognized for his work as one of the presidents of St. Anthony’s Hospital.

Kohlberg, a former board member who remains active in alumni events, is the President of Zeller Technologies.

Gansner was recognized for his extensive volunteer work as president of the Vianney Alumni Association.

Basler was active as a past board member and served in key advisory roles on the school’s finance committee.

The Marianist Community Mourns the Passing of Fr. Osborne and Br. Lootens The Vianney community and the worldwide Marianist family mourned tha passing of two vowed religious who spent many years in service to the Vianney community.

Rev. Robert Osborne, S.M., a former president of Vianney from 2002-2006, and a committed Marianist religious for 58 years, passed on April 27, 2014 in California. He was 81.

Br. Harold Lootens, S.M., a colorful, well-liked counselor who is credited with penning the Vianney Fight Song, passed on May 24 in San Antonio, Texas. He was 90 and served 66 years of professed religious life.

Father Osborne led Vianney during a period of growth and expansion, said Mike Loyet, Vianney’s current president.

Father Osborne had served the

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Marianists at Vianney as well as at Chaminade in Frontenac.

“Father Robert was a friend and a driving force for the building of the fieldhouse, commons, and educational wing. This forward thinking has led Vianney into a strong position in the St. Louis area,” Loyet said.

Br. Harold served at Vianney from 1968-1994. He had served at Chaminade previously. He professed his first vows in 1947, and graduated from the University of Dayton in 1950.

Music was always his first love, and he turned on a lucrative opportunity to become a professional musician to join the Marianists.

Br. Harold said the rosary each day from the time he was a soldier serving in World War II until the day he passed, those who knew him said.

The Vianney community and the worldwide Marianist family mourned the passing of Br. Harold Lootens (top photos) and former school president Rev. Robert Osborne.

WINTER 2014

ALUMNI NEWS AND NOTES Chris Schmid and his wife welcomed their first child, a son, Benjamin George Schmid, on October 12, 2013.

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Vianney Alums Bring Heat in World of Competitive BBQ

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Tim O’Donnell and wife Julie, welcomed their second child, a son, Landon James O’Donnell on March 5, 2013. Landon joins his big sister, Ashlynn.

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Patrick Higgins completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois/UrbanaChampaign and went on to attend SLU Law School. He is licensed to practice law in both Missouri and Illinois, having passed both Bar exams. For the past year and a half he has worked as an Assistant State’s Prosecutor for the State of Illinois out of Salem. Recently, he accepted a job as Legal Counsel for Heartland Dental with headquarters in Effingham, Ill.

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William Jackson and his wife, Katie, recently welcomed a daughter, Alice, on March 22, 2014.

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Kenny Higgins received his business/marketing degree from Missouri State University in 2012.

He works as a Commercial Analyst for Capstone Financial, a commercial real estate company in O’Fallon, MO.

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Rob Hogenkamp, a senior baseball player at Georgia College, won a Division II Region Gold Glove Award, sponsored by Rawlings and the American Baseball Coaches Association.

Hogenkamp is the first player in Georgia College baseball history to win a Gold Glove.

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Joey Lux is currently triple majoring at the university of Indianapolis in actuarial science, math, and finance and was honored as the Outstanding Sophomore in the area of mathematics.

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Two Vianney alumni, Elliot Mellow ‘05 and his uncle Jim Randall ‘76, are bringing the heat on the professional, competitive BBQ circuit.

Since 2006 the pair has been involved in the world of competition BBQ, competing under the team name ASAP (Always Smoked Absolutely Perfect).

In a given year the team competes in 12-15 BBQ competitions all over the country.

A few weeks ago the team competed at the renowned Memphis in May World Championship (pictured at right) and walked away with a prize for 4th place for Pork shoulder out of more than 250 teams.

This award adds to BBQ ASAP’s streak of success at high level national events including: First Place for Beef Brisket at the 2009 USA Barbecue Championship; 2nd Place Tomato BBQ Sauce at the 2013 Memphis

in May World Championship, and 3rd Place Pulled Pork at the 2012 American Royal World Series of Barbecue. For the past 2.5 years Jim has owned and operated our restaurant in Ballwin, BBQ ASAP. This month, Mellow and Randall launched a BBQ flavor company, Absolutely Perfect Sauce & Seasoning.

“The family that barbecues together stays together! We have such a great time being with family while competing against the best BBQ cooks in the world,” Mellow said.

SEND US YOUR ALUMNI NEWS!

Send your news and photos to alumni@vianney.com Follow Vianney on Twitter @vianneygriffins.com

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BLACK & GOLD

Marianist Profile

FATHER UVIETTA

Father Joseph Uvietta, S.M., Reflects on His Illustrious Career as a Vowed Marianist

F

ather Joseph Uvietta was in Lourdes, France, of all places when he first heard of plans to build a new Marianist sponsored school in Kirkwood.

He and a group of young Marianist brothers were on a trip through Europe. They started in Fatima, Portugal, and made their way to Lourdes, and finally to Bordeaux, France, the gravesite of Blessed Father William Chaminade, the founder of the Marianists.

At Lourdes, Father Joe (he would later become an ordained priest), ran into no other than Archbishop Joseph Ritter, the archbishop of St. Lous, who just happened to be at Lourdes that day as well.

“Archbishop Ritter, upon hearing we were Marianists from St. Louis, told us of a new high school that would be run by the Marianists and built in Kirkwood. It would become the school we know today as St. John Vianney High School. But the first I heard of this new school was in Lourdes.”

about the Gospel. Aside from participating in staff and faculty Masses, Father Joe has helped celebrate all-school Masses with the entire student body, was a concelebrant at the annual Grandparents Mass, and he has celebrated Mass for Vianney alumni classes. He also works closely with the Sisters of Mercy and celebrates Mass with them each week, as well as a Saturday Mass for Visitation Academy and a Saturday Mass at Chesterfield Garden Villas, a retirement home. He is in service to local Catholic parishes St. Peter’s of Kirkwood and Our Lady of Providence, as well.

THROUGH THE YEARS, FATHER UVIETTA has struck up Father Joseph Uvietta has friendships with alumni, teachers, been a Marianist mainstay in St. Louis, and at Vianney. staff, adminstrators and parents. It Here is pictured in 2014 is these memories - “the people,” he (above) and in 1977. stresses - that have given him the greatest joy. He speaks fondly of the Class of 1954 at St. Mary’s High School, where Father Joe first taught. The group of men gather each FATHER JOSEPH UVIETTA IS AS PART of the rich Vianney month and Father Joe is always a featured guest. tradition as the Griffin itself. Father Joe has spent a number of years at “What I am most proud about that group is that they live the faith Vianney in various roles as a vowed Marianist. He arrived at Vianney and each of those men are part of their parishes and are active in their for his first stint in 1950 at Maryhurst, then again in 1963 as a communities,” he said, adding that many of the Vianney alumni he member of the Marianist Formation Team. In 1977, he joined the staff encounters in the community share those same values and maintain a at Vianney. He’s taught Spanish, French, History, Theology and more. reverence for the Church.

He’s currently a member of the executive committee of the school’s “Over the years, I got to know and get very close to many of the Board, serving as the Mission Integration Team (MIT) Chairperson. teachers and staff people here,” he said. “I got very attached to them For a period of time he ran the Marianist Retreat Center in Eureka, and they were very good to me. I’ve met some great students and and he led retreats all over the nation for various religious orders. families from Vianney and our other Marianist schools as well.”

From 1987-1995, Father Joe served as the top Marianist official as The future, he said, is bright for Vianney and the Marianists.

Provincial.

“I have no fear for the future, as the spirit of Vianney and the Father Joe, a Texan by birth, has been a veritable “jack of all trades” Marianists will live on,” he said. and a leader in Vianney’s efforts to evangelize and teach young people

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“Over the years, I have met so many great students and families from Vianney and our other Marianist schools. ”

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WINTER 2014

HONOR FATHER JOSEPH UVIETTA: If you would like to make a donation to Vianney in honor of Fr. Uvietta, send it to Pete Cerone ’93, Director of Advancement.

You can call Pete at (314) 965-4853 ext. 118 if you have any questions.

Senior Keaton Wall stops to chat with Father Joseph Uvietta as he’s distributing copies of the school newspaper.

Follow Vianney on Twitter @vianneygriffins.com

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BLACK & & GOLD GOLD BLACK

Vianney’s Ad-Hoc Communications Committee Develops Fresh Branding Approach and Tagline

H

ow does one summarize the rich, 54-year history of St. John dedicated many hours and design hours to the development of the Vianney High School? brand position and the tagline.

That was the question posed to a group of nearly 30 The brand position, he noted, was developed as a “guidepost” for communications professionals who served as part of the school’s marketing efforts. A Brand Position is not necessarily Vianney’s ad-hoc Communications Committee. This a public document, but often used internally to generate ideas and committee was developed at the request creative approaches to communicating the brand of the Board of Directors to examine benefits. In this case, the “brand” is a Vianney education, “It’s the 10-second Vianney’s market position among Boston said. elevator speech the other private, Catholic boys high The brand position reads, “For families who want to that represents a schools in St. Louis. The group looked at give their sons the best opportunity to grow, St. John wealth of positive all aspects of Vianney’s communications Vianney High School is the Catholic high school that attributes.” efforts - from the branding of transforms boys into exceptional men of character and Mr. Paul Boston ’84 publications, social media efforts, accomplishment. Vianney offers a 4x4 block curriculum, Jager/Boston and electronic communications, to taught in the Marianist tradition of humiity and Vianney’s recent advertising campaigns acceptance, that focuses on leadership in a welcoming, and key messages directed at specific family environment.” groups of constituents. These groups include potential students, “The statement sums up what Vianney is about,” said Rob young alums, parents of grade school students, alums with families, Staggenborg, Vianney’s Director of Communications. and donors.

Through a series of meetings and brainstorming excercises, the “This committee identified nearly 40 different groups that Vianney group narrowed the focus of the tagline development to the phrase communicates with on a regular basis,” said Mike Loyet, Vianney’s “men of character and accomplishment.”

President who developed the committee. “How we communicate “Early on in the process, that phrase jumped out to many on the with them, what we communicate to them and how often we committee,” Staggenborg said. communicate were all closely examined.”

“It’s the 10-second elevator speech that represents a wealth of Loyet explained the committee had three simple goals: positive attributes and value that can be discussed,” Boston said.

Loyet added the group first met in September and gathered each 1. To develop Vianney’s message month throughout the year, with the final meeting - the unveiling 2. To use that message in a consistent manner, and of the campaign - was in May. The committee included several 3. Share that message with all constiuents. alumni and parents who work in the communications, direct mail or advertising industries.

Paul Boston, a 1984 Vianney alum and a current father of Andrew Check out samples of the new design and tagline on the Boston, a sophomore student, chaired the committee. Paul Boston accompanying page. is a principal in the creative design firm Jager/Boston Creative. He

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Visit us online! www.vianney.com

WINTER 2014 WINTER 2014 FALL 2013

Updated Facebook page - June 2014

Qualities of a Vianney education The following are statements commonly used to describe Vianney and served as background material for the communications committee. The statements are: 1. We are a family. (The Vianney Family).

Updated Billboards (Fall 2014)

2. “Give us a boy and we will return you a man.�

3. We bring young men closer to God while preparing them for a challenging world.

4. Excellence with humility.

5. We believe in the human potential of all students.

It is OK to accept (welcome) all students. This is what Jesus did.

6. We educate young men with academic tools to better touch the hearts of others and to make the world a better place.

7. High school is a time to participate, to grow and to develop your unique talents and gifts. Vianney offers a wide array of activities to keep students engaged.

Updated Parking Lot Light Pole Banners (Summer 2014)

8. We are honored when a family chooses Vianney to entrust their son.

9. Vianney provides a moral compass.

10. When you are part of Vianney, you become part of a lifelong community.

11. Ultimately, Vianney graduates are honest men, hard workers, community leaders, men of faith, good husbands and loving fathers.

Social media embeddable images (Summer 2014).

Follow Vianney on Twitter @vianneygriffins.com

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BLACK & GOLD

A LOOK BACK

>> REWIND | 2013-14

The 2013-14 school year was memorable in many different ways

T

he 2013-14 school year seemed to pass very quickly, but not before Vianney and our studdents made their mark. Academics was a frequent topic of discussion as our students showed that hard work in the classroom pays off in the gradebooks.

Athletically, our teams were very competitive and went deep into their respective playoffs. No one will soon forget the creative drive of the Griffin Theatre, which transformed its performing space into a replica of the famous Globe Theater in honor of Shakespeare’s 450th anniversary.

Here is a quick rewind on some of the great activities and accomplishments of our students and faculty last school year.

CURRICULUM CHANGES

2. In summer 2014, Vianney will be offering its first-ever online elective course in Military History.

3. In the past two years, Vianney has added 12 additional courses.

4. All seniors are now required to take a Civics and Personal Finance Course.

FACILITY CHANGES 1. Significant technology upgrades made over the summer of 2013 continue to infuse our curriculum and learning.

2. All classrooms were given a facelift in the summer of 2013 with new windows, HVAC units and new carpeting. The installation of the new windows made a major aesthetic change to the older portions of the campus and gave them an updated look.

Visit us online! www.vianney.com

4. Vianney will invest nearly $1 million in its athletic stadium this summer.

5. Vianney made significant improvements to the weight room and fitness facilities.

STUDENT GIVING 1. Vianney students raised $8,000 for the Toys for Tots Christmas Drive this year.

Vianney’s Pro-Life Club went to Washington, D.C. amid snow and ice.

1. Vianney added two additional college credit courses: College Algebra and Statistics.

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3. Additional security cameras were added to protect our students, and a full-time receptionist greets visitors each school day.

2. Vianney students in one day raised $7,200 for the Our Lady of Nazareth School in Nairobi, Kenya. President Mike Loyet and Principal Dr. Tim Dilg received buzz cuts after our students met the fundraising challenge.

3. Vianney students performed more than 15,000 hours of Christian service to the community.

4. For 14 straight years, Vianney has hosted a Special Olympics event. This event allows our students to get to know and work with students with disabilities.

FACULTY 1. Five faculty members were invited to present at the Midwest Educators Technology Conference on how Vianney is using technology to transform its classrooms.

2. Vianney was recognized by The Gurian Institute as one of 10 Model Schools in the U.S. for Vianney’s approach to gender-based education styles.

3. More than 78 percent of all Vianney faculty members have a masters’ degree or above.

‘ WINTER 2014

4. This summer, Vianney faculty participate in Tech Tuesdays - a program administered by the Technology Coordinator that provides additional technology training to help teachers augment the classroom experience.

5. Under the direction of Mr. Al Book, Griffin Theatre built a replica of the famous Globe Theater stage and performed three different shows in 2013-14.

6. Two band concerts under the direction of Mr. Jim Neyer were streamed live across the internet.

OUR FAITH-FILLED MISSION 1. Students pray The Angelus Prayer every school day before lunch.

The faculty and staff gather for Mass once a month as a group to share and renew our faith.

2. Vianney now has a Living Rosary to pray.

3. Our Pro-Life efforts were recognized in September when Vianney’s Pro-Life Club was awarded the Bishop McNicholas Award.

4. All head coaches at Vianney participated in the “Play Like a Champion” Faith Formation Program presented by the University of Notre Dame.

5. All juniors at Vianney took the ACRE (Assessment Children/ Youth Religious Education) and scored 85 percent and higher on this assessment of Catholic beliefs and teachings.

ALUMNI ACCOMPLISHMENTS 1. Two alumni reunion nights in late April and early May brought 300+ alumni back to Vianney.

2. PICTURED: Two recent alums were part of the University of Central Missouri’s national Division III basketball title - Sean O’Brien and Brad Woodson (redshirt season).

3. There were 615 alumni who made gifts to the Griffin Fund in 2013-14.

4. Trent Green ’88 joined CBS as an NFL football analyst.

5. More than 150 alumni and friends came to Vianney for a special Night with a Brewmaster to learn about the art and craft of beer.

Mike Amad was the presenter. Alum Jeff Welker ’87 coordinated the event.

Check out all the great new styles in stock at the Griffin Gear Store.

The store is now

ONLINE!

Visit co-store.com/vianney or visit the Parents’ link on the main Vianney website

KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST VIANNEY NEWS AND EVENT INFORMATION Follow us on Twitter @VianneyGriffins “Like” us at facebook.com/vianneygriffins

Follow Vianney on Twitter @vianneygriffins.com

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A MARIANIST COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

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1311 South Kirkwood Road St. Louis, MO 63122 www.vianney.com Twitter: @vianneygriffins

Freeze Frame

Vianney baseball players react with joy after scoring the winning run in the Missouri State Baseball Quarterfinals in May against Marquette.

The Griffins stormed back from a 3-0 deficit in the bottom of the seventh inning to win 4-3 and earn a trip to the State Final 4.