Even the cold January weather couldn’t keep hearts from being warmed during a very moving Founders Day celebration at Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School. The celebration included Mass, the presentation of scholarships associated with the school’s sponsoring religious orders, and a special presentation of yearbooks in memory of three classmates who died in an accident in 1990.
Each year, the VASJ community comes together to celebrate the school’s dual sponsorship by the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland and The Society of Mary. The Feast Days of the school’s founders, St. Angela Merici (Ursulines) and Blessed William Joseph Chaminade (Marianists), both take place in January. VASJ is the only school in the world to be sponsored by both religious orders.
“Celebrating Founder’s Day is a wonderful way to bring the VASJ community together to focus on what we are all about,” says VASJ Principal David
“It gives us an opportunity to celebrate our faith in conjunction with our mission. It was a beautiful ceremony from start to finish.”
The celebration opened with Mass celebrated by Rev. Joseph Fortuna, pastor of Our Lady of the Lake. In his homily, Fr. Joe drew parallels between the Wedding Feast at Cana and the merger of Villa Angela Academy and St. Joseph High School 25 years ago.
The marriage, Fr. Joe explained, is similar to the joining of the two founders, St. Angela Merici and Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, to create VASJ.
The liturgy featured VASJ’s choir and the Men’s Chorus, accompanied by Melissa Gali-Bird, music director at Our Lady of the Lake. The music was vibrant and contagious – the sort that moves you to tap your foot along to the beat of the drum or clap your hands with the chorus.
Testimonials were given by four students who received Faces of our Founders awards, a new recognition program for students who exhibit the characteristics and qualities of St. Angela and Blessed Chaminade. Speakers were Carlie Beard ’16, Cara Faddoul ’16, David Paus ’17 and Billy Vidmar ’17.
“The Marianist value of family, in particular, has impacted me profoundly throughout my years at VASJ,” Billy said. “In a lot of ways, this school has been my home away from home, and every home needs a family.”
Scholarships and a special yearbook
Following Mass, scholarships established in the spirit of the founding orders were presented. Additional scholarships were presented in memory of Fred Blaine, Steve
A yearbook for the Class of 1990 did not exist until this year. It was Dan Regovich ’90 who took the initiative to make the long-overdue yearbook a reality. It was his way of making up for a decision he said he has spent the last 25 years regretting.
Regovich explained that when beloved St. Joseph and VASJ teacher Mr. Timothy Robertson ’62 asked for volunteers to work on the yearbook that year, no one stepped up. As a result, the yearbook wasn’t produced.
“I’ll never forget that day,” Regovich says. “For 25 years I have regretted the fact that I didn’t volunteer.”
But when Regovich learned that a box of pictures from the class had resurfaced, he saw it as his opportunity to finally make the yearbook happen.
He spent months working with current yearbook moderator Mr. Gary Minadeo ’74, and a group of VASJ students to complete the missing yearbook.
Regovich knew the yearbook would be cherished by his class and the members of the Clark,
Family members were deeply touched as they received the yearbooks and were moved to tears when they saw pictures of their loved ones, some of which they had never seen before. They were grateful to Regovich, Minadeo and the VASJ yearbook students for giving them this priceless gift.
“At that very moment this whole project became totally worth it,” says Regovich.
Dan Regovich ’90 (far right) and family members of Steve Clark ’90 and
Fred Blaine ’90, pose with the VASJ students who helped complete the Class of 1990 yearbook.
2016 Founders Day Scholarship Winners
Ursuline Service Scholarship: In keeping with the mission of the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland to transform society through social justice, the Ursuline Service Scholarship recognizes students who are generous in their service to
VASJ President Richard Osborne '69, Principal David
Rachel Smith and representatives of the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland.
Sr. M. Ursula Fahey Scholarship: The Sr. M. Ursula Fahey Scholarship recognizes a daughter of a VA or VASJ alumna who displays leadership in school,
VASJ President Richard Osborne '69, Principal David
Mary Kelly and representatives of the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland.
Sr. Naomi Schreiner Scholarship: The Sr. Naomi Schreiner Scholarship is named after a legendary longtime VASJ Hall of Fame teacher. This $500 award is given to a senior who best represents the four characteristics of the National Honor Society – scholarship, leadership,
VASJ President Richard Osborne '69, Principal David
Jacob Stauffer and representatives of the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland.
Sr. Angela Marie Waldron Scholarship: The Sr. Angela Marie Waldron Scholarship recognizes a student who has shown a love of learning, has a grade point average of at least 3.0, participates in multiple activities and is active in his/her parish. The recipient of the $500 award
VASJ President Richard Osborne '69, Principal David
Anna Mae Eppich-Lang Scholarship: The Anna Mae Eppich-Lang Scholarship is an award in memory of Mrs. Lang. The recipient is a female resident of Cleveland who, in addition to performing well academically, has qualities that epitomize the spirit of VASJ. This year’s recipients of $500 each
VASJ President Richard Osborne '69, Principal David
Carlie Beard and representatives of the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland.
Fr. Louis Wiesner Scholarship: The Fr. Louis Wiesner Scholarship was established in memory of the founding principal of St. Joseph High School. This scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated growth in the principles and characteristics of VASJ. Each of the following students received a $500 scholarship: Jake Tucci, Carl Chaney II, Allyson
VASJ President Richard Osborne '69, Principal David
Marianist Urban Students Program: The Marianist Urban Students Program was founded in 1990 and came to VASJ in 1999 with the first graduating class being in 2003. Since then over 50 students have graduated from MUSP at VASJ. The Marianist Brothers and Priests contribute over $100,000 a year to operate this program. These students receive academic and social support at VASJ. The students in MUSP receive over $10,000 in tuition scholarship aid in their 4 years. Those chosen for this program go through a thorough and competitive selection process, admitting only 6 students a year. The current MUSP students are:
FRESHMEN
Maya Beasley
Tyyonna Davis
Adriana Henry
Trinity Johnson
Mario Lacey
Kenneth McWhorter
SOPHOMORES
Christopher Boykin
Tahja McDowell-Howard
Mignon Moore
Chantasia White
LaSharia Williams
Danyell Wilson
JUNIORS
Destiny Hill
Javari Hines
Breannah Jones-Parks
Sophia Lashley-Uzomah
Khaleel Martin
SENIORS
Sean Johns
Joseph Phelps
Destiny Sywanyk
Jasmine Toney
Clark Blaine Clark Scholarship: The Clark Blaine Clark award was established as a memorial scholarship for three members of the St. Joseph Class of 1990; Steven Clark, Frederick Blaine and Thomas Clark. The award was established to recognize a football player who shows spirit, camaraderie and commitment to the Viking community. Steve,
VASJ President Richard Osborne '69, Principal David
Clark, Blaine, Clark Scholarship and recipients Marco Young and Aubrey Shabazz.
Additional scholarships will be awarded at VASJ's Scholarship Day on Friday, February 5.