ROOTED IN FAITH, TRADITION, AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

A LETTER FROM OUR PRINCIPAL

We are off and running! The first day of school was August 19, and we were excited to welcome back a full faculty and almost 450 students! It was so special to see so many of you, our alumni, greeting our school community on the first day of school! Nothing says, "We are Borgia!" like a sea of gold Forever A Knight shirts chanting "B-O-R!" Thank you to all who could join us on the 19th.


One of the many fallouts from Covid was having to hit pause on our exchange with Marbach am Neckar, our sister city in Germany. Before that exchange restarted last spring, our German Teacher, Andy Gross sought out an alternate exchange with The Friendship Connection, and 14 students from around Germany stayed with SFBHS host families.  


One of those students was Lukas W. Lukas so enjoyed his two week visit at Borgia with his wonderful host family and in America that he has returned to us as a full-year exchange student! We feel blessed to have him here, making connections with our students and experiencing our culture. What a powerful testament to his host family and our Borgia Family that he wanted to return! If you come watch a boys soccer game this season, you might see Lukas on the pitch!

I want to thank you in advance for your continued support and prayers for our school. Please know that we are thanking God for you. St. Francis Borgia, pray for us.


Sincerely,



Pam (Ruether) Tholen '02

Principal

Introducing Our New Mission Statement

Updating the mission statement at St. Francis Borgia High School periodically is vital to ensuring that our school remains true to our core values of faith, tradition, and academic excellence. As the educational landscape and community needs evolve, so do the expectations of our students, faculty, and the broader Borgia community. By revising and refreshing our mission statement, we reaffirm our commitment to providing an education deeply rooted in the Catholic faith, honoring our rich traditions, and pursuing the highest standards of academic excellence.


This process allows us to reflect on how we have upheld these values, reassess our goals, and set a clear direction for the future, ensuring that we continue to nurture well-rounded individuals prepared to excel in all areas of life. It also helps us stay connected with our community, ensuring our mission resonates with current and prospective students, parents, alumni, and supporters. Updating the mission statement ensures that St. Francis Borgia High School continues to thrive as a beacon of faith, tradition, and academic excellence, guiding our students to lead meaningful lives that impact future generations.

OXFEST

September 21, 2024

To receive a $5 discount off the $30 ticket price for OxFest, use the code BORGIA (and be sure to hit apply) when purchasing tickets online at oxfestmusicfestival.org or by scanning the QR code above.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS TO OXFEST

ADVANCEMENT NEWS

The Blue and Gold Booster Club

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE BLUE AND GOLD BOOSTER CLUB TODAY!

Food Drive

Borgia Community Partners Program

St. Francis Borgia High School's Community Partners program provides a strategic platform for businesses to gain valuable marketing exposure while directly supporting the success of our students. This program is designed to offer significant marketing value throughout diverse multi-platform media channels, ensuring businesses receive authentic and compelling advertising opportunities. Through various sponsorship tiers, Borgia proudly provides local businesses with multiple advertising options.


Businesses participating in the Community Partners Program benefit in the following ways:


  • Supporting the mission of St. Francis Borgia High School
  • Gaining substantial exposure for their company or organization
  • Enjoying a simplified, once-a-year sponsorship process
  • Accessing exclusive perks, such as VIP event tickets


This sponsorship program connects businesses to a broad in-person and online network, reaching thousands within the Borgia community and beyond.


St. Francis Borgia High School is dedicated to making Catholic education accessible to all. However, the actual cost exceeds tuition by $3,092 per student, with 62% of our students receiving tuition assistance. The support of our donors and business partners is essential in bridging the $1.367 million budget gap.


We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our 2024-2025 Community Partners for their generous support and commitment to our school.


For more information, please contact Donna Grahl, Director of Advancement, at donna.grahl@borgia.com.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS A PROGRAM PLEDGE CARD

Thank you to our 2024-2025 Community Partners

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH ONE OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Leaving a Legacy Through Planned Giving

At St. Francis Borgia High School, we believe in the enduring power of education and its lasting impact on our students, our community, and the world. One way to ensure this impact continues for generations is through planned giving. By including Borgia in your estate plans, you create a lasting legacy supporting our academic excellence and faith formation mission. Planned gifts can take many forms, from bequests and beneficiary designations to charitable trusts and annuities. Each gift, no matter the size, makes a significant difference in the lives of our students. We invite you to consider how you can be part of this legacy, ensuring that Borgia continues to thrive and inspire future generations. For more information on how to include Borgia in your plans, please contact Donna Grahl, Director of Advancement, at 636-239-7871 ext. 131 or donna.grahl@borgia.com.

SAVE THE DATE

Borgia Men's Golf Day

September 16, 2024

ALUMNI NEWS

Congratulations to the

Outstanding Young Professional

Class of 2024

The Washington Area Chamber of Commerce has announced its 2024 Outstanding Young Professionals Class, which will be honored at the Chamber's annual member luncheon on October 7. This recognition celebrates the achievements of promising individuals making significant contributions to the community. Special congratulations to our alums Douglas Eckelkamp '03, Emily (Walkenhorst) Beckham '06, Daniel Tobben '06, and our own Michael Pelster '06, a dedicated teacher here at St. Francis Borgia High School. We are proud of their accomplishments and the positive impact they continue to make in our community.

Pictured above is Michael Pelster '06

UNITED IN MARRIAGE

Celebrating our Alum's Recent Weddings

Amy (Huber) '11 and Eli Wilson May 25, 2024


Congratulations to Amy (Huber) '11 and Eli Wilson on their wonderful journey together! We wish you both a lifetime filled with love, joy, and endless adventures.

Chelsea (Kleekamp) '14 and Alex Piontek '11

July 13, 2024


Warmest congratulations to Chelsea (Kleekamp) '14 and Alex Piontek '11 on their beautiful union! We are especially proud to celebrate Alex, one of our beloved faculty members. May your lives be blessed with happiness and cherished moments as you build your future together.

Julianne (Alferman) '17 and Tyler Patton '18

July 20, 2024


A heartfelt congratulations to Julianne (Alferman) '17 and Tyler Patton '18! May your love continue to grow stronger with each passing day, and may your shared dreams come true.

Pictured above are Julianne's parents Tracy (Trower) '89 and Marty Alferman '89 and many other classmates from the SFBHS Class of 1989!

Caitlin (Moroney) '13 and Derek Smith '10

August 15, 2024


Best wishes and congratulations to Caitlin (Moroney) '13 and Derek Smith '10! May your marriage be filled with love, laughter, and the joy of adventure in creating a beautiful life together.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR TREASURED ALUMS

Robert Himmelberg '54

May 24, 2024

CLICK HERE FOR ROBERT'S OBITUARY

Joan (Stolz) Piontek

June 4, 2024

CLICK HERE FOR JOAN'S OBITUARY

Joan (Engemann) Buescher '49

June 18, 2024

CLICK HERE FOR JOAN'S OBITUARY

David Kimminau '69

July 11, 2024

CLICK HERE FOR DAVID'S OBITUARY

Charles Sullentrup '69

July 20, 2024

CLICK HERE TO VIEW CHARLES' OBITUARY

Melissa (Sieve) Hill '01

July 21, 2024

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MELISSA'S OBITUARY

Donna (Lottmann) Maschmann '67

July 27, 2024

CLICK HERE FOR DONNA'S OBITUARY

Mary Ann (Bader) Heggemann '56

August 3, 2024

CLICK HERE FOR MARY ANN'S OBITUARY

June (Schelich) Armer '59

August 8, 2024

CLICK HERE FOR JUNE'S OBITUARY

Daniel (Barney) Flannagan '69

August 11, 2023

CLICK HERE FOR DANIEL'S OBITUARY

MJudith (Filla) Trentmann '59

August 12, 2024

CLICK HERE TO VIEW JUDITH'S OBITUARY

Bernard Westhoelter '53

August 15, 2024

CLICK HERE TO VIEW BERNARD'S OBITUARY

Laverne (Lause) Nowak '48

August 16, 2024

CLICK HERE FOR LAVERNE'S OBITUARY

Katy (Feldmann) Arbuthnot '01

August 19, 2024

CLICK HERE FOR KATY'S OBITUARY

Clarence Buel '64

August 21, 2024


CLICK HERE TO VIEW CLARENCE'S OBITUARY
Alumni Prayers

In gratitude for the sacrifices and contributions of our amazing alumni, St. Francis Borgia High School dedicates our afternoon prayer each day to honoring specific members of our alumni commiunity.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR DAILY ALUMNI PRAYER LIST FOR AUGUST

If you have children who are graduates and still receive mail at your home, but no longer live there, please contact Donna Grahl, Director of Advancement, to update your child's address. She can be reached by phone at 636-239-7871 ext. 131 or via email at donna.grahl@borgia.com.

SCHOOL NEWS

Explore Our New TouchPro System

Help Us Build Our Digital Legacy

 

If you've been on campus recently, you've probably noticed our new TouchPro system! We've diligently uploaded yearbooks, class composites, and athletic records to the platform. While it's still a work in progress, we're excited about how it's shaping up and encourage you to explore it. If you have any photos or videos we might be missing, we'd love for you to share them with us. The great thing about this system is that it's cloud-based, allowing you to access our wall from anywhere. As we continue to add information, if you see anything that needs editing, please reach out to us at communications@borgia.comYour input is invaluable as we continue to enhance this resource!

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE TOUCHPRO SYSTEM

Faculty and Staff Prayer Day

A Faith-Filled Start to the School Year


On August 15, the faculty and staff of St. Francis Borgia High School gathered at the beautiful St. Joseph Parish (Neier) for a day of prayer and reflection centered around the theme "Be the Light!" This inspiring day was a wonderful way to kick off the 2024-2025 school year, reminding us that our faith is at the heart of everything we do at St. Francis Borgia High School. The serene surroundings and shared moments of prayer helped renew our commitment to guiding our students with love, compassion, and the light of Christ. As we begin this new academic year, we carry forward the strength and unity that our faith provides, ensuring that it remains the cornerstone of our Borgia community,

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A GIFT TO ST. FRANCIS BORGIA HIGH SCHOOL
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St. Francis Borgia High School 

1000 Borgia Drive
Washington, MO 63090

P: 636-239-7871
F: 636-239-1198