February 4, 2019
Shout-Out from Amy
Dear Alumni Family and Friends, 

Last week was Catholic Schools Week. This week is set aside to celebrate the rich traditions and the incredible value of a Catholic education, not only at St. Francis DeSales High School, but across the nation. Monday the students displayed their Stallion pride by dressing down in their favorite spirit wear, then were treated to hot chocolate on their arrival to school on Tuesday. While other great events were on the calendar, including praying the rosary during their lunch hour and visits to Theology classes from local Seminarians, Nuns and Priests, Mother Nature had other plans. School was closed for three days due to the winter weather.  I am certain the kids celebrated this!  

Did you know that everyday, not just during Catholic Schools Week, our faculty, staff, and students begin their day with a prayer for our alumni, both living and deceased, who have touched our school community in a positive light? You are all remembered and cherished daily here at SFD. I think that is pretty special! 

Connecting the past, strengthening the present, and promoting the future, 
Amy Faulkner
Director  of Alumni and Family Engagement
Position Available at St. Francis DeSales High School
We are currently seeking to fill a full time evening custodial position. This is a benefit eligible position, and open immediately.

Please contact Tom Etgen at 614-267-7808 with questions or email resume to etgen@desales.co. 
Stallion Notes
SFD alums Deacon Mickey Hawkins '66 and Deacon Bill Demidovich '78 served alongside Bishop Campbell on January 24th as the school community celebrated the Feast of St. Francis de Sales.
Luke Hippler '17 was named Athlete of the Week for John Carroll University (1/22/19). Check out the highlight about his outstanding play on JCU's website.
Congratulations to former SFD Valedictorian and two-time First Team All-Ohio Lacrosse player, Emily Kraker '17, for being elected President of the Saint Mary's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
We were grateful to have SFD alums Chris Julian '85, Cameron Barber '16, and Ryan Velazquez '17 back on campus to serve as panelists for the Guidance Department's Junior Parent Night last month.
Not one, but two former Stallion Basketball players are still in action overseas! Elijah Allen '07 (Germany) and Nick Kellogg' 10 (France) were both First Team All-Ohio players at SFD and at the time of their respective graduations, they departed as the school’s all-time leading scorers. 
Success Story
Kellie O’Riordan '89 is the Traffic Safety Program Manager for AAA Ohio Auto Club. Her focus is Youth Traffic Safety Programs, which include Child Passenger Safety, AAA’s School Safety Patrol, Traffic Safety Scholarship Programs, Halloween Safety, Pedestrian Safety, Bicycle Safety, Teen Driver Safety, Distracted, Drowsy and Impaired driving and Injury Prevention Outreach events as requested. In the past 4 years, Kellie has spoken to over 40,000 teens in Ohio about Teen Driver Safety.  

Prior to her current position with AAA, Kellie worked in level 1 Pediatric Trauma Centers for 17 years, where she worked in the Emergency Department, the Pediatric Oncology Clinic, the Pediatric Seating Clinic for children with special considerations, Community Outreach and the Pediatric Trauma Program.  

Kellie was honored to come back to the familiar halls of SFD recently to speak with students about what threatens them the most, distracted and reckless driving. Kellie will be back again in May to offer students the opportunity to participate in a Teen Driver Safety Day which includes a vehicle maintenance inspection, several safety stations, a distracted driving simulator, traffic safety trivia and a food truck for each student who participates as well as a FREE Classic associate AAA membership for each student who gets their vehicle inspected.  
Stallion Spotlight
A highlight on current SFD teachers, coaches and students.
Serving others has always been the cornerstone at St. Francis DeSales High School. In recognizing this foundational element, Principal Dan Garrick created a new role at the school this year, enlisting Theology teacher Jack Welsh as the Director of Service. As the Director of Service, Mr. Welsh's goal is to connect students with even more opportunities to serve, and to continue to highlight the excellent work our students already do. Mr. Welsh explained, “It is not about hours, but rather about the people we meet, the ways we lend a hand, and the many experiential lessons in discipleship that we receive.” Over the past month, Mr. Welsh has led a team to do just that. 

Through their collective efforts, students, teachers and staff members worked to bring “Empty Bowls” to DeSales last Friday. For a donation of $7.00, visitors had the opportunity to enjoy soups made by SFD faculty and staff, and were able to take home a handmade ceramic bowl, crafted by SFD students. Proceeds benefited the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.

Mr. Welsh commented, “One of the great rewards of my first year as Director of Service has been seeing the enthusiastic commitment our community has to helping those in need. It seems like almost every service initiative we try, the community meets it with an overwhelming and positive response."
Special Announcements
Alumni Award of Distinction
Nominate your favorite Stallion! The St. Francis DeSales family has countless members who deserve to be recognized for their dedication to SFD, their service to others and for their excellence in their chosen professions. If you know someone deserving of an Alumni Award of Distinction, please honor them with a nomination. A dinner is held each May in honor of the recipients.  

Those nominated must be living examples that the lessons received during their years at St. Francis DeSales did not end after graduation, but are used throughout life. NOMINATION DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019.

Class Ambassador Update
Thanks to the outstanding Class Ambassadors, the initiative to gain updated alumni contact information is off to a great start. The Class of 1985 is in the lead with over 25% of their class responding to the Alumni Questionnaire. The Class of 2010 and 2016 are very close behind. It would be great to see ALL classes at or above 25% over the next month. Some classes are still in need of someone to fill the role of Class Ambassador. Please email Amy Faulkner at faulkner@desales.co if you are interested. Remember,  "Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much."
Social Gatherings
Basketball Social
Thank you to all the alumni who returned to the school on January 25th for our Alumni Basketball Social; it was a wonderful display of Stallion Pride! The 2018 Alumni Legacy scholarship recipients were also recognized at half-time. A special thank you to those who contributed to our 50/50 raffle that evening, which supports this scholarship fund. If you were not able to attend but would like to make a contribution, please email our Alumni Director, Amy Faulkner at faulkner@desales.co. 

Casino Royale on Friday, March 8
Join us for this great event! The evening offers a live and silent auction, great food from Carfagna’s, casino games including blackjack, craps, and roulette, and live music from the Street Players Band.   Click here for registration and sponsorship opportunities!

Save the Date - Class of 1974 Reunion
Members of the Class of 1974: save the date for your 45-year Class Reunion on September 21 at the Guild Athletic Club. More details to follow!