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April 20, 2015
When Petco CEO Jamie Myers ’76, and his wife, Josie, addressed the guests at Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School’s Sterling Silver Classic Mixer Gala, he noted how highly he valued his Catholic education and how much one teacher’s influence impacted his life and career.
With that in mind, Myers issued a $100,000 challenge: He and his wife would match scholarship donations up to $100,000 with an equal gift in the form of a $100,000 donation to the Timothy W. Robertson Scholarship. Robertson ’62, a longtime math teacher and administrator, passed away in 2011.
The challenge was met – and then some.
In total, after all expenses were paid, the school netted more than $425,000 at the gala, a celebration marking the school’s 25th anniversary. Of that amount, $356,000 was raised for the school’s "Continuing the Dream" program that provides funds to be used exclusively toward scholarships and financial aid for deserving students and families.
The April 11 event was the most successful fundraising event in the history of the school and its predecessor schools, Villa Angela Academy and St. Joseph High School. The event would not have been possible without the generosity of its Presenting Sponsor, OM Group CEO Joe Scaminace ’71, as well as VASJ Board Chairman Don Dailey ’70 and his wife, Mary Jo, and other sponsors. (A list of all sponsors and “Dream Maker” donors of $5,000 or more appears below).
Sister Susan Durkin, OSU, President of the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland, and Rev. Martin Solma ’66, SM, Provincial of the Marianist Province of the United States, spoke of the pride their respective religious orders feel as the school’s sponsors. VASJ, which is owned by the Diocese of Cleveland, is the only school in the world sponsored by both the Ursulines and the Marianists.
Nearly 350 guests – including faculty and staff, current VASJ students, parents, alums, board members and friends – were there to be a part of the celebration in the school gymnasium. After the total amount raised was announced, students gathered on stage to give their heartfelt thanks to all the donors.
The emcee of the event was Director of Advancement Babe Kwasniak ’94, who also is coach of the 2015 Division III State Champion boys basketball team, along with senior Danielle Paus and junior John Henry Posey. Chairman of the event was Mike Romeo ’88.
“The night was a beautiful tribute to VA, St. Joe’s, the Ursulines, the Marianists and the Diocese of Cleveland,” said VASJ President Richard Osborne ’69. “It was an overwhelming validation of our mission and a wonderful way to mark 25 years of remarkable progress and success.”
Additional donations can be made online (click here) or mailed to the Advancement Office at 18491 Lakeshore Boulevard, Cleveland, OH 44119.
Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School is a Catholic, comprehensive, co-educational high school committed to academic excellence and the development of student gifts. With a college preparatory curriculum rooted in Ursuline and Marianist core values of education, service, justice and diversity, VASJ strives to bring each student to a deeper commitment to Jesus Christ and Gospel values.
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For more information, contact Emily Robinson at216-481-8414 ext. [email protected].Sterling Silver Classic Mixer recap video
(by Cinecraft Productions/Neil McCormick '70)SPONSORS
Presenting Sponsor
$30,000Joe Scaminace '71
Platinum Sponsor
$15,000Cinecraft
Gold Sponsors
$10,000Don '70 and Mary Jo Dailey
Euclid Hospital
Bronze Sponsors
$2,500Morgan Stanley Health Management
Hospice of the Western Reserve
Sue Eline-White
LEGACY SCHOLARSHIPS
Timothy W. Robertson Scholarship
$100,000Jamie '76 and Josie Myers
Richard and Colette Lieb Family Scholarship
$30,000Greg '70 and Carol Lieb
Robert Lieb '65 and Marlene (Yeckley) Lieb '67
Jim '67 and Deborah LiebJudy and Roger Sustar Scholarship
$25,000Judy (Ulepic) '61 and Roger Sustar '61
Don and Mary Jo Dailey Scholarship
$20,000Don '70 and Mary Jo Dailey
Mario D'Alanno Scholarship
$20,000Umberto Fedeli '78
Mike and Christine Golic Scholarship
$20,000Mike '81 and Christine Golic
Murphy Scholarship
$20,000Raymond Murphy
Jeff and Sandy Turner Scholarship
$20,000Jeff and Sandy (Pertekel) Turner '66
Ursuline Service Award
$20,000Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland
CONTINUING THE DREAM
DREAM MAKERS
Gifts of $5,000 and aboveDon '70 and Mary Jo Dailey
$10,000William '70 and Renee Centa
$10,000St. Joseph High School
Class of 1965
$5,000Babe '94 and Laura Kwasniak
$5,000John Hruska
$5,000Anthony '82 and Cindy Rini
$5,000Desmond Howard '88
$5,000Royer Family
$5,000