The leadership team for the current (2014-15) PAG drive, along with several chairmen of previous drives, attended Mass on Sunday, September 14 in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs. Front row (from left): 2015 PAG drive chairman Gerald Duhon ’85 with senior class tri-chairs Eric Simonson ’82, Skip Crabtree, and Gene Simon ’80;
Second row: junior class tri-chairs Geary Mason ’79, Eric Derbes ’83, and Phillip Nimmo; sophomore class tri-chairs Rocky Daigle ’85 and Kelly Parenton ’90; freshmen class tri-chairs Tom Leonhard ’85, René Alvarez ’83, and Rick Kuebel ’82; pre-freshmen class tri-chairs Mike Varisco ’83, Walter Bond ’85, and Tony Toups ’81;
Third row (with the year they served in parenthesis): former PAG chairmen Mike McGlone ’68 (1995), Tom Kitchen ’65 (1992), Mike Nolan ’63 (1991), Stanton Murray ’81 (2010), Brian North ’83 (2013), and Tom Bagwill (2008), who is director of Jesuit’s office of institutional advancement;
Back row: former PAG chairs Terry Billings ’74 (2012), Ken Adolph ’59 (1985), Ed Vocke ’59 (1993), Billy Guste ’66 (1998), Patricia Gillen (widow of Jerry Gillen ’54, who served as chairman of Jesuit’s first PAG drive in 1975-76), Jesuit President Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J. ’66, Marc Cousins ’74 (2014), Harry Block ’72 (2002), Paul Bonitatibus (1989), and Bill Steen ’68 (2011). Not pictured is sophomore class tri-chair Bryon Hatrel ’84.

Parents of current Blue Jays responded promptly and fervently to Jesuit’s annual (and its only) “ask,” pledging almost $1.2 million to the 2014-15 PAG drive.

A low-key PAG Sunday, September 14, unfolded in the Student Commons with the tri-chairs of the class leadership teams gathering pledges — and in many cases, donations — from Jesuit parents who had not yet responded with their commitments following an early deadline that passed a little over a week ago.

“Jesuit is indeed grateful for your support and I thank the 900-plus parents who have already made their commitments,” said Gerald Duhon ’85, who serves as the chairman of this year’s PAG drive. “Response to the drive continues to be phenomenal. Our parents understand that this campaign is vital to their sons because PAG essentially helps keep Jesuit… Jesuit.”

Duhon added that participation in the PAG drive is voluntary and parental support typically reaches 90 percent or higher.

The easiest way to participate is online:

PLEDGE TO PAG                                 DONATE TO PAG

“Whether your pledge equals this year’s gap of $2,757 or greater, or if it amounts to just a few hundred dollars, or if it is somewhere in between, parents undertake extraordinary sacrifices to be able to give their sons an education that is second to none at a school that really does change lives,” he said.

Going into PAG Sunday, some 800 parents had already pledged $1,056,271. In the span of five hours on Sunday, the tri-chairs secured 135 additional commitments pushing total pledges to $1,191,271 from 935 parents. Donations have so far exceeded $353,000. The amount pledged thus far is $26,935 more than the pledges to last year’s drive (the 2014 drive ended June 30).

Interestingly, the freshmen class is leading the way with $274,559 pledged. The senior class placed with pledges of $250,863. The pre-freshmen class has pledged $233,028, sophomores committed $216,791, and the junior class pledge amount is $216,029.

Rev. Anthony McGinn, S.J. ’66, president of Jesuit High School, said the financial support from parents enables the school to accomplish its mission of developing in its students the competence, conscience, and compassion that will enable them to be men of faith and men for others.

“Donations to PAG help Jesuit remain affordable and accessible to as many families as possible by keeping annual tuition increases to a minimum,” said Fr. McGinn. “Additionally, a successful PAG drive ensures that Jesuit will continue providing an exceptional educational, spiritual, and emotional experience for our students. I am very grateful for our parents’ generosity.”