ADVANCEMENT
Named Endowed Scholarship Spotlight: The Saas Family Dear Mr. Saas, Thank you for all you have done for me these past four years at Magnificat. As a senior looking back at my high school career, it makes me very grateful for the scholarship that helped me attend such a fantastic school. Because of your scholarship, I was able to get a great education and life skills that I will be able to use throughout my future. Please know that I keep you and your family in my prayers. I will be forever grateful for your generosity. Again, thank you so much for all the support you have given me for my education. Sincerely, Emily '20 From left to right: Jim Pier, Janet Saas Pier, ’81, Michael Gaul, Julie Saas Gaul, ’90, Bill Saas, Maura Saas, Mark Saas, Holly Saas Rhodes, ’83, Stephen Rhodes.
Magnificat’s Named Endowed Scholarship (NES) program started in 1995 and currently includes 290 scholarships that are endowed by individuals and families who have very generously invested in long-term financial assistance for our young women. Each scholarship supports a student throughout her four years at Magnificat. Throughout their time at Magnificat, scholarship recipients stay in touch with their donors at our annual NES Brunch at the beginning of the school year and through mailed correspondence at Christmas and Easter. And, each spring, graduating recipients and their donors traditionally gather for a special year-end Mass and brunch to celebrate their graduation from Magnificat. This spring, since they could not be together in person, our graduating seniors wrote special notes of gratitude to their donors. Emily ’20 wrote the message above to the Saas Family to thank them for supporting her Magnificat education over the last four years. Emily’s note is a testament to the impact the Saas Family has had on so many students over the years. In reflecting on his family’s experience of the NES program, Bill Saas
said, “It's wonderful to get the letters and the cards and meet the students. I get so much out of meeting the girls at the brunches that are held at the beginning of the school year." Mr. Saas and his family have been supporting Magnificat students with scholarships since 1997. The Saas Family started supporting Magnificat students while Bill’s beloved wife, Rosemary, worked in Magnificat's Advancement Office; Rosemary was passionate about all-girls' faith-based education. "It's important to my family for us to continue Rosemary's love for education through scholarships. It amazes us how sincere and genuine the students and their families are in receiving the scholarships. Everyone is so grateful, which makes it worthwhile for us to continue to support Magnificat students with their education." Because of donors like the Saas Family who support Magnificat through the NES program and The Magnificat Fund, Magnificat is able to provide financial aid support for over 65 percent of the student body. We are forever grateful for the continued support of the Saas family and each of our donors whose generosity makes a Magnificat education affordable for many young women.
If you are interested in learning more about how to establish a Named Endowed Scholarship Fund, contact Amy Kubacki, Vice President of Advancement, at akubacki@maghs.org.
22
MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | SUMMER/FALL 2020
