Viking Society Newsletter - September 2021

September 2021

Viking Society Newsletter

Dear Vikings!

As we begin the month of September, we hope everyone is finding themselves ready to take on a new season and a new school year! Whether you are personally starting school, your children/grandchildren are starting school, or maybe it is just a reflective time on your memories of September - we send you our prayers and blessings!

This week marks the end of summer vacation and next week classes begin for AWHS students. We are elated to have our hallways filled, once again, with students embarking on their journeys becoming the, "Leaders of Tomorrow."

Stay in touch with us and be sure to check out our monthly newsletter on the first Thursday of every month! We will keep you in the loop with everything that is going on at Archbishop Wood High School for the 2021-2022 school year!

AWHS is thrilled to announce that Regan Gallagher '16 has joined the Development Department as the new Major Gifts Officer! Welcome Regan!

God's Blessings,

The Development Department at Archbishop Wood High School

Sarah Hale : Director of Institutional Advancement

Lisa James ('06): Director of Marketing & Communications

Regan Gallagher ('16): Major Gifts Officer

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Annual Fund Report/Viking Magazine News

Archbishop Wood’s 2020-2021 Annual Report/Viking Magazine will be available in digital format in the early Fall 2021.

Please visit Wood’s website www.archwood.org and hover over the Alumni & Giving tab and click on "The Viking Magazine."

By offering the annual report in a digital format, AWHS will be able to direct the thousands of dollars saved towards tuition assistance to help families facing economic challenges.

Thank you for your support and understanding! Remember to visit us online to see all of the wonderful ways your gifts have been invested in Archbishop Wood’s “Tradition of Excellence for the Leaders of Tomorrow.”

VIKING SCHOLARSHIPS

All updated 2022-2023 Viking Scholarships for incoming and current students are now LIVE at www.archwood.org

The Viking Scholarship application process is electronic. All applications are due November 19, 2021.

*In order to be eligible all applicants must apply to FACTS*

Viking Scholarships can be accessed on our website. Simply hover over the Admissions tab and click on "Scholarships" and then select "Viking Scholarships." Thank you!

Don't forget to cast your ballot for the Archbishop Wood Hall of Fame. Ballots are due Monday, January 10, 2022.

The Viking Hall of Fame honors any person, living or deceased, whose life and accomplishments are an inspiration to the students of Archbishop Wood High School. The nominee must, during and/or following his/her career, have demonstrated the pride and spirit that is exemplary of a Wood graduate. He/She must be an Archbishop Wood High School graduate and have been out of high school for ten years. For more information please contact: Sarah Hale at [email protected] or 215-672-5050 ext. 227

CLICK HERE TO CAST YOUR BALLOT.

Alumni Prayer Garden News

The Archbishop Wood Prayer Garden is a beautiful sanctuary to pray, meditate, and reflect.

Personalized stone pavers, benches, trees and plants provide a lasting tribute for alumni, family, friends, faculty, members of the community, and corporate donors. Special occasions such as birthdays, graduation, marriages, anniversaries and retirement may also be honored.

All donors will receive an invitation to the annual Alumni Mass and Breakfast which is held in the spring to bless the tributes and memorials.

For more information click here or please contact Lisa James at 215-672-5050 ext. 228 or by email at ljames@archwood.org

You + EITC = Thankful AWHS Families

You are invited to a webinar Thursday, September 9, 2021 @ 4:00pm to learn how you can redirect your PA State Taxes (money you already pay!) to Archbishop Wood to help families in need of tuition assistance via the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program.

Cannot attend the Webinar? Contact Sarah Hale, Director of Institutional Advancement [email protected], 215-672-5050 extension 227 to learn how you are just one piece of paper away from helping students and their families afford Catholic education -- while you receive TAX CREDIT!

Still not sure what EITC means and have two minutes to spare? Click HERE to watch this quick video that breaks down how it works.

Brad Fox 5K

AWHS is proud and honored to, again, partner with Officer Brad Fox Foundation for Brad Fox Day!

Did you know the Brad Fox 5K raises funds to help several organizations including a 4 year scholarship for an incoming AWHS freshman?!?!

Click HERE to register!

You can now purchase your AWHS House Flags ONLINE!!!

The AWHS house flags are a perfect way to show your Viking Pride at your own home, beach or mountain house! They also make great gifts for recent grads or classmates celebrating a milestone!

The substantial size and high quality material of these flags (lined and double sided) is one that we are very pleased to provide for our Viking community. We know that not only will your flags be seen, but they will last a very long time and weather all the seasons!

Click here to order your flag!

Live out of the area? Not a problem! AWHS offers shipping!

*AWHS House flags may still be purchased using cash/check, click here to access the order form.

Please email [email protected] with any questions.

Kiss-A-Pig now Feed-A-Pig!

Crack open your piggy banks and help AWHS students reach their goal of $750.00 for the TruMark Financial Feed-A-Pig Financial Literacy Fundraiser!

Students and the extended school community (alumni included) may donate their dimes, nickels and quarters to vote for the staff member who should "Feed-A-Pig" on Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021, at the Abington Art Center in Jenkintown.

When Wood raises $750.00, TruMark will award Wood with a grant for our Viking Fund. PLUS, Wood alum Marc Farzetta '99 will return as the "Feed-A-Pig" emcee.

More details to come on who our Feed-A-Pig Nominees will be! In the meantime click here to see the 2019 event.

If you wish to participate please send/drop off your payment with "Kiss A Pig" in the memo line and include who you're voting for. All checks are to be made out to Archbishop Wood High School. Questions: contact Sarah Hale [email protected] 215-672-5050 ext 228

Christmas is Only 16 Weeks Away!

The AWHS Elves are back in the workshop constructing one of a kind Santas for the Gerri Garofalo Scholarship!

As a way to show appreciation for our new Viking Family members, the Garofalo sisters will happily take orders for Santas to be made out of the Bishop McDevitt Uniforms!

Santas are $25 a piece and 100% of the proceeds go directly to the scholarship fund benefitting a current 11th grade student going into 12th grade.

The Garofalo sisters will also take orders for Santas to be made out of grade school uniforms, you will just need to request that in your email order and donate a uniform to be used.

Have uniforms to donate and/or wish to purchase a Santa?!

Please contact Gabrielle Garofalo Snyder via email at [email protected] and put "Wood Santas" in the subject line of your email!

Before leaving for camp, the AWHS Cheerleading Team received a send-off blessing from our Campus Minister, Father Paul.

God Bless Our Vikings!

CONGRATULATIONS to Liam Fennecken '09 (pictured far left) and his singing group T3 who made it to the semi finals on the national broadcast of America’s Got Talent!

Liam was an avid participant in many student productions through our Performing Arts Club during his time at AWHS, as well as a member of the Band and Drum-line.

After attending Penn State, Liam has appeared in several National and International tours of Broadway Shows to include the lead in “School of Rock the Musical” on both the first national and international tours.

We are so proud of you Liam and know that the road ahead of you is going to be abundant with opportunity! You are in our prayers as you continue to share your God given talents with the world.

In mid August, AWHS happily welcomed back our Fall Student Athletes!

While it is hard to believe that summer break is almost over and the start of school is around the corner - it is wonderful to see our students back on campus!

Way to go Vikings, glad to have you back!