ROOTED IN FAITH, TRADITION, AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE |
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A LETTER FROM OUR PRINCIPAL |
Happy New Year!
I got to sub for a junior Theology class earlier this semester, and they were reflecting on their goals for this year. How will they make their faith a priority in 2023? What powerful things will they ask God to do in their lives this year? It was really cool getting to hear them talk about where they are now in their relationship with God and where they want to be on their faith journey a year from now.
I talked with them about that whole “new year, new you” thing and how maybe we should focus on “new year, better me” instead. There are some parts of 2022 that I want to keep. I am hoping to grow physically healthier and stronger this year, though. I challenged Adam R., junior, to an arm wrestling competition at the end of the school year, so we’ll see how that goes.
I had a chance to ask some of our St. Francis Borgia Family about their “new year, better me” resolutions, and here’s what a few of them shared:
Rhonda Quattlebaum, our Attendance and Athletics Secretary, has a goal to walk 20 minutes three times a week. Brody D., junior, wants to wake up happy every day and be happy God gave him another day. Another junior, Myah G., aims to hydrate more, work out every morning, and not procrastinate (but she’s going to start that tomorrow…).
Chip Thompson, a Spanish and Business teacher, “resolves not to make any resolutions,” and Jack M., sophomore, wants to work out more. Social Studies teacher and senior class moderator Ellen Domijan aims not to be so negative and take things personally in 2023. Member of the Class of 2024 Anthony S. states, “Ich will mehr Duolingo machen” (and hopes that will gain him some brownie points with his German teacher).
It looks like our community has some pretty high expectations for 2023. I pray that your year is one full of adventure, love, and joy.
Sincerely,
Pam (Ruether) Tholen ’02
Principal, St. Francis Borgia High School
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BORGIA RECEIVES LARGEST GIFT IN SCHOOL HISTORY |
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Photo compliments of the Missourian |
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St. Francis Borgia High School (SFBHS) has received a $1 million gift for its Endowment Fund from Juanita and Robert Purcell ’52 of Purcell Tire and Rubber Company. It is the largest individual donation to SFBHS in school history.
The gift can trace its origins to the early 1950s when Robert Purcell was an SFBHS student at the original campus on Cedar Street.
“St. Francis Borgia really straightened me out, which is one of the reasons I feel obligated to give something back,” Robert Purcell said. “Father Erwin, [Rev. Erwin Huntsha, O.F.M.] the nuns, and all of the teachers were mentors to me. I hope it [the gift] helps continue the higher principles that were instilled into me at the school to future generations.”
Robert Purcell graduated from St. Francis Borgia High School in 1952. He and Juanita have grown Purcell Tire and Rubber Company, where he continues to serve as Chairman of the Board, from a two-location business into the third-largest independent commercial tire dealership in North America, the nation’s largest retreader for over-the-road tires, and one of the ten largest independent tire store chains in the United States.
“For a person who started as a tire changer working for my father, and a poor one at that, to be in this position to give back to a place that is very important to me is really gratifying,” Robert said.
Since its inception over 30 years ago, the Endowment Fund has provided SFBHS with over $3 million in funding for various needs and projects across campus, providing a critical revenue source that helps Borgia maintain the lowest tuition rate of any Catholic high school in the St. Louis area. The funding comes from income generated by the endowed funds, which now totals over $4.5 million. Oversight from Borgia’s Endowment Board, made up primarily of alumni and parents of alumni, helps ensure the program’s growth and provides direction on project expenditures.
“This is one of the most important gifts the school has ever received,” L.B. Eckelkamp ’61, secretary of the Endowment Board, said. “We have so much appreciation for the Purcells, and we can’t say ‘thank you’ enough.”
Former Borgia president Monsignor Ted Wojcicki, who has served as president of the Endowment Board since its inception, said this gift “helps ensure the future of St. Francis Borgia High School for many years to come. That was the idea when we started the endowment.”
“It is difficult to find adequate words to express just how appreciative we are of this incredibly generous gift from Bob and Juanita,” SFBHS president Matt Schutte said. “This is a truly transformative contribution for our school. We are very proud of the Purcells and their accomplishments and so grateful that they continue to give back to St. Francis Borgia some seventy years after Mr. Purcell graduated.”
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CELEBRATE THE KNIGHT GALA
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18
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Would you like to donate something to our Gala but need to know what? We started a registry list of items we would love to offer our guests individually or in fun packages! As always, we encourage you to support small businesses and shop locally whenever possible.
Or, if you have a timeshare with extra points available, please consider donating these to the Gala. Trips are desirable auction items, so why let them go to waste?
Thank you in advance for your continued support!
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Did you know that Borgia has over 600 pairs of alums married to each other? Some met in high school, while others' romance started after their time at Borgia.
If you tell us your story, you may be featured on some of Borgia's social media accounts throughout February!
We can't wait to read your #SFBLoveStory! Entries will be accepted until Tuesday, January 31st.
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THE BENEFITS OF PLANNED GIVING |
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You can make a bigger difference than you think! Planned Giving allows you to convert property you might not consider as potential gifts into contributions to benefit St. Francis Borgia High School. You can even make a substantial gift that costs you nothing during your lifetime through your will or trust or with a beneficiary designation of a life insurance policy or retirement account.
To learn more about how you can sustain Borgia with a planned gift, please contact Donna Grahl at donna.grahl@borgia.com.
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IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR TREASURED ALUMS |
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William H. Giesike, III '64
December 15, 2022
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Bernice (Griffin) Hearst '59
December 23, 2022
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LET'S CELEBRATE THIS ALUM WHO GOT MARRIED RECENTLY! |
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Hannah (Schweissguth) '11 and Zachary Dunakey |
Hannah and Zach were married on Friday, December 23, 2022. Cheers to many years of happiness! |
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In thanksgiving for the sacrifices and contributions offered by those before us on our behalf, we at St. Francis Borgia High School offer our afternoon prayer for different members of our alumni each day. |
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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 Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, 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.
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Athletic and Activities Schedule |
Welcome to another exciting year of Borgia Athletics and Activities. Together, let’s always and, in all ways, celebrate the efforts of our students, players, coaches, and teachers as they strive to make Borgia #1 in class, style, sportsmanship, and competitiveness. Go, Knights!!
Click on the logo to see a comprehensive athletic and activities schedule.
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Recently married? New baby or job?
Let us know what's going on in your life so we can share it with your classmates in this newsletter!
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St. Francis Borgia High School
1000 Borgia Drive
Washington, MO 63090
P: 636-239-7871
F: 636-239-1198
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