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2012 Alumni Awards of Distinction

St. Francis DeSales would like to celebrate the accomplishments of members of the DeSales family with the 7th annual Alumni Awards of Distinction. If you feel you know someone deserving of this award, please honor them with a nomination. The nomination deadline is March 16, 2012. Applications are available on the DeSales website.

Class of 1967 Reunion
Mark your calendars!  The Class of 1967 is planning their 45th Class Reunion on Saturday, July 7, and plan to start off the weekend with the annual All School Cluster Reunion on Friday, July 6.  Location and other info to follow.  Please contact Barb Froehlich Varley at bvarley@insight.rr.com or 614-668-2604 with any questions.
Click here to check out all class reunion information!
The French Club is holding a coupon drive to benefit military families overseas from March 19th-March 30th. If you would like to help out, start saving your coupons! Coupons are accepted up to 6 months after their expiration date. They do not have to be cut out, but it would sure help! Last year, over $20,000 in coupons were raised.  What an amazing show of support for our military families overseas!
Wanted: Videographer
DeSales is looking for a professional videographer to create a variety of marketing videos for the school.  Anyone interested is asked to contact Terisa Sites at
Student Career Fair
Our annual Student Career Fair will be held Tuesday, March 20th from 6:30-8:00pm in the DeSales gymnasium.  Alumni are invited to share your professions with current students.
If you are interested in participating, please contact the Alumni Relations Office at
or 614-267-7808 ext. 142.
  SAVE THE DATE
Try your luck at the
Casino Royale 
Dinner Auction and Casino Night   
Saturday, April 28, 2012
6:00PM
Ohio Dominican University     

Empty Bowls

The Empty Bowls project returns to DeSales this February!  Beginning at 5:30 pm on Friday, February 10, all are welcome to join our school community's effort in the fight against hunger in Central Ohio. Free soup and bread will be served, and beautiful handmade ceramic bowls will be available for a donation. All proceeds from this event will go to the Mid Ohio FoodBank. Stop in the gymnasium after you have a bite to eat to watch the Boys Basketball teams take on Bishop Ready. 

If anyone would like to make soup for the event, please contact Ruth Seggerson at rseggers@cdeducation.org.    
Alumni Veterans    
DeSales is compiling a list of all alumni, parents, past parents, former students and other members of the DeSales community who have served, or are serving in the military.  Please send your name, graduation year, branch of service and dates of service to the Alumni Relations Office at cherr@cdeducation.org.  
Quick Links
 
 
 

From the Desk of Mr. Garrick...

 

Dear Fellow Alumnus:

 

Peace and God's Blessings in the New Year! I hope this letter finds you and your loved ones doing well as you journey forward in the New Year. Things have been very busy at your Alma Mater: The students and teachers have made a smooth transition to the Second Semester and our school community has embarked on the celebration of Catholic Schools' Week.

 

Last Tuesday was especially poignant here at school as we welcomed The Most Reverend Frederick Campbell to our school to celebrate the feast day liturgy of our Patron Saint. The day was topped off with a beautiful luncheon attended by our feeder school Pastors, Principals, and students.

 

It was extremely powerful to listen to our students address the impact that Catholic Education has had on their lives. To say I was proud of them would be a large understatement. My conversation with the kids following the luncheon provided me with additional evidence that they truly understand the responsibilities inherent to their faith-based education; moreover, they appreciate and embrace the leadership role they will be asked to play as young people as they endeavor to make our community and world a better place.

 

The feeling of energy and hope that I received at this event has been affirmed by the start to our Catholic Schools Week celebration. Once again our students have chosen to celebrate this festive week by serving others. The students are currently involved in a Military Care Drive for our soldiers who are serving in Afghanistan and they are also raising funds for Breast Cancer research. It is especially gratifying to see them demonstrate the Gospel values through their actions.

 

As we continue our week-long celebration of Catholic Schools week I wish to thank you, our alumni, for establishing the culture of love and service that pervades our community. Please know that our faith community says a daily prayer of gratitude for your model of faith, love, and service. It is my sincere hope that your upcoming year is personally and professionally fulfilling.

 

I hope you are able to join us at our annual Tradition Day Mass & Breakfast this Friday, February 3rd at 7:00 A.M.; furthermore, I would encourage you to examine upcoming issues of the E-Stampede as we unveil some very exciting news about your Alma Mater.

 

In closing, may God continue to bless you and your families with abundant peace and happiness.

 

Peace and God's Blessings,

Dan Garrick '79

Alumni Networking Breakfast

The first Alumni Networking Breakfast will take place on Friday, March 2, 2012 from 7:30-9:15am at Panera Bread on N. State St. in Westerville. The cost is $5 (register on line or at the door) and includes a light breakfast and coffee. Everyone who attends will be entered in a drawing to be "Alumni Networker of the Month" and featured on the DeSales website. Be sure to bring plenty of business cards! 

 

7:30am-8:00am: Registration, open networking and breakfast
8:00am-8:30am: Welcome and introductions
8:30am-9:00am: Guest speaker, Jane Grote Abell '84, Chairman of the Board and Owner of Donatos Pizza
9:00am-9:15am: Closing announcements, "Alumni Networker of the Month" drawing
Stallions for Life
On Monday, January 23rd, students attended the Respect Life Mass and Right to Life Rally in Downtown Columbus. The mass at St. Joseph Cathedral was celebrated by the Most Revered Bishop Fredrick Campbell. The students joined other schools in supporting and praying for the dignity of all life that God has created.  Following the mass students marched with pride to the State House to participate in the Columbus Right to Life Rally. 
Our group of 64 students, 2 faculty members and multiple DeSales families stood under blues skies to listen to many powerful speakers.  They included Cheryl Grossman (R-H23) as keynote speaker for the 39th annual Rally for Life, Mike Keebaugh President of the GCRTL Board of Trustees and Ruth Yorston GCRTL Executive Director. Students came back moved by the stories and passionate for the cause.

righ to life
"Join Me" in Supporting the Annual Fund Drive
Currently the Investing in a Champion Annual Fund Drive has raised $69,025.  Only 60 alumni out of more than 9000 have participated in this years Annual Fund Drive.  Please do your part to keep the DeSales Tradition alive and allow students the great opportunities you had during your years at DeSales.  It's not how much you give, but that you give!  For the past two years, 100% of the faculty and staff participated in th Annual Fund.  If they can do it, you can too!  Please support your class by clicking here and making your donation today!  
Snapshot of Success!
trent albrightDr. Trent Albright, '99
Ophthalmology Resident

Trent is currently finishing an Ophthalmology residency and will be starting his Cornea fellowship training in July 2011 at Emory University. Following in his grandfather and father's footsteps as optometrists, Trent chose a career in Ophthalmology because he particular enjoys the surgical aspects of the specialty.  

As a resident at Cook County Hospital he treats eye disease either medically or surgically specializing in cataract surgery, corneal transplants, Lasik and other

refractive procedures. He primarily works with underprivileged and uninsured patients, and finds great reward in the position.

During his time at St. Francis DeSales High School, the encouragement that he received from his coaches had an incredible impact on is life. "I don't think I ever

would have served in the National Guard had it not been for the encouragement and mentorship of Coach Slupski," said Albright. Trent chose to enlist in the Ohio Air National Guard after his high school graduation and served as an Aircraft Mechanic for eight years. He was deployed to Spain and Turkey in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  

There are simple tips that Trent remembers from high school that he finds helpful in his personal and professional life including, "the easy thing isn't always the right thing" and "do the little things right." Paying it forward, Trent offers advice for students considering a career in medicine. "Work hard, be persistent, and believe in yourself.