Alumni News

Making Art Work: Alumni Return for Fine Arts Week Panel

Saint Viator’s annual Fine Arts Week looked different this year, but was nonetheless jam-packed. More than 80 percent of our students participate in extracurricular activities, giving them the chance to grace the stage, pick up a paint brush, and put their creativity to work every day.

The school recognized Fine Arts Week from March 9-12. The week consisted of virtual performances by our theatre, choral, and band students, as well as an alumni panel exploring careers in the fine arts.

Alumni featured throughout the week and on the panel included: • Paige Ehlman ’92 - Paige Model & Talent Agency • Ryan Wolfe ’14 - Opera Singer • Diane Vadnal ’07 - Director of Marketing at Warner Music

Group / Arts Music and Ghostlight Records • Fiona Dolce ’16 - 6-8th grade theatre and drama teacher • Karen Mason ’69 - Theatre actress and singer Congratulations to all those involved in the 55th annual Saint Viator musical this spring, “Into the Woods,” including the following legacy students: • Henry Jochaniewicz ’23 (Alexander Jochaniewicz ’92) • Paige Klostermann ’21 (Sheila Culm ’86 Klostermann) • Maeve Martin ’23 (Maureen Henning ’92 Martin) • Chris Rapala ’22 (Bryan Rapala ’79) • Gwen Starr ’23 (Dominic ’91 and Caroline Avell ’91 Starr) • Rory ’22 and Jack ’24 Whetstone (Kerry Whetstone ’91)

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Saint Viator

During this school year, Saint Viator High School initiated a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) review. This DEI initiative comes out of our mission, vision, and values. We are making sure that we are who we have said we are through the Catholic and Viatorian lens.

There are many aspects to diversity, including race, economic opportunities, social acceptance, and educational access. There is a far greater diversity in our immediate and surrounding communities than is represented in our student body and the make-up of our administration, faculty, and staff. By creating a sense of belonging for all, we believe we both honor the diversity that God has created in our world, and we strengthen and enrich our community to better prepare our students for the world they will encounter after graduation.

Our values of community and service call for an environment of kindness for all to feel welcomed, included, and involved. The vision statement calls for all Saint Viator family community members to discern who God wants them to be, discover what the world needs, and transform the communities they encounter. Our mission, vision, and values should drive our diversity, equity, and inclusion plans, rather than having DEI or any other outside forces influence our mission, vision and values. Doing so reinforces who we are as a community and provides a path for growth in the future.

The process began during this past summer as we engaged Brave Dialogue to lead the formation of our plan. In conjunction with their experienced staff, we conducted a DEI survey with the Saint Viator community, receiving almost 500 responses, and 83 people participated in three focus groups. Our next steps will be to provide a report to the Board of Trustees who will then take action to provide updates to our strategic plan and implement improved practices to lead the effort to be more inclusive for the betterment of our community and the world we serve.

Where Are They Now?

FAVORITE SAINT

BR. ROB ROBERTSON, CSV VIATOR MEMORY:

Years at Saint Viator: 1989 - 2015 The many Kairos Religion Teacher retreats and Campus Minister students hanging in my office in Counselor counseling just chilling out. I was there from the beginning on Kairos #1 and I believe it changed the school. I have seen so many miracles happen on Kairos while we were on “God’s Time.” I also always remember the excitement every year around the time of the annual school musical. The entire school was buzzing with excitement as Saint Viator put on another incredible performance to packed houses with casts of hundreds. And finally, I will remember the incredible days surrounding Br. Robert Ruhl’s funeral when students lined the halls as his casket was brought in the building for the final time. The scene reminded me of the power that one great educator could have on young people as I saw the pain in their eyes on that and the following days. I have so many happy and rewarding memories of a place I spent nearly a third of my life.

IMPACT TEACHING AT SAINT VIATOR HAD ON YOU:

My years at Saint Viator were some of the most influential of my life. I made lifelong friends among faculty and students. I grew spiritually and emotionally. Most of all, I learned what a great community can do when people are focused on the same mission.

WHAT MADE SAINT VIATOR UNIQUE:

The community that became like family and stayed in touch many years later.

FORMER COLLEAGUES YOU STAY IN TOUCH WITH:

So many—Eileen Manno, Eileen Cairo, Rosie Conway, Betsy Fons, Mary Lou Smith, Pat Grandziel, Bill Faltinoski, just to name a few. And many who are still on the staff.

TOWN YOU CURRENTLY RESIDE IN:

Las Vegas

WHAT YOU ARE DOING NOW:

I am currently the school counselor at Cristo Rey St. Viator College Preparatory in Las Vegas. CRSV is the newest Viatorian high school. We serve students from families of limited means who could not normally attend a college prep high school. Our students fund their education by working one day a week to pay their own tuition at a corporate sponsor who pays most of their tuition. Most of our students have never had the opportunity to experience the academic rigor of a school like this so we are working hard to give them the tools they need to be successful. Our goal is to get all of them not only admitted into the college of their choice but to walk with them through graduation. It is quite a bit different than the experience of Saint Viator High School. Our students work hard and really have to overcome some obstacles to achieve success. We are in year two with a freshman and sophomore class and could not be more proud or excited.

MESSAGE FOR FORMER COLLEAGUES AND STUDENTS:

Don’t ever forget the value taught at Saint Viator. Reach out to those of little importance in the world and always make a positive difference in people’s lives.

Connect with Br. Rob by email at rrobertson@crsvlv.org.

Planning for Your Future—Securing the Future of Saint Viator

Throughout Saint Viator High School’s 60 year history, many generous families have made the important decision to leave a lasting legacy with a planned gift. Planned gifts represent a special dedication to Saint Viator and ensure our continued success long into the future.

By setting aside a small niche in all your future giving, planned giving enables you to honor the impact Saint Viator has made in your life. Whether you are a parent, alumnus, faculty member, or friend of the school, you can share a priceless gift with future generations—the gift of a Viatorian education.

Please visit our planned giving website at saintviator. plannedgiving.org to learn simple ways that will allow you to plan for your future, and to secure the future of Saint Viator.