Captains’ Mass & Meeting Kicks Off 2014-2015 Parents’ Annual Giving Drive

PAG chairman Gerald Duhon ’85 welcomes hundreds of parent captains on Wednesday, Aug. 13, and thanks them for serving as volunteers in the campaign that helps to keep Jesuit accessible. Before the dinner meeting in the cafeteria, parents attended Mass in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs.
The 2014-2015 Parents’ Annual Giving drive — the campaign that keeps Jesuit affordable and accessible to as many families as possible — is off and running.
The official kick-off of the campaign took place on Wednesday, Aug. 13 with a Mass, dinner meeting, and social for members of the PAG leadership team, which consists of 15 grade-level tri-chairs and hundreds of parent captains. This year’s drive is being led by chairman Gerald Duhon, who is a senior parent and 1985 alumnus.
Senior tri-chairs are Skip Crabtree, Gene Simon ’80, and Eric Simonson ’82. Eric Derbes ’83, Geary Mason ’79, and Philip Nimmo are tri-chairs for this year’s junior class. Representing the class of 2017 are Rocky Daigle ’85, Bryon Hatrel ’84, and Kelly Parenton ’90. Freshmen tri-chairs are Rene Alvarez ’83. Rick Kuebel ’82, and Tom Leonhard ’85, while Walt Bond ’85, Tony Toups ’81, and Mike Varisco ’83 are leading the pre-freshmen group.
The evening started with Mass in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs, followed by brief presentations by Duhon, Jesuit president Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J. ’66, and Harrison Bond ’15, who is president of this year’s senior class.
Jesuit asks all of its families to do their best in making up the difference between tuition and the actual cost of educating a Blue Jay. For ten consecutive years, the drive has topped the $1 million mark.
The due date for pledges is Friday, September 5. Families have until May 31, 2015 to make their tax-deductible donations.
Galleries
PAG Captains' Mass & Dinner, Aug. 13, 2014
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Pre-freshmen captains Jennifer Demarest and Carla Talbot are more than happy to serve as members of the PAG leadership team.
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Freshmen captains meet with tri-chairs Rick Kuebel '82 and Rene Alvarez '83. Tom Leonhard, who helped greet his captains at Mass and dinner, is the third freshmen tri-chair.
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After the general meeting, senior tri-chairs Eric Simonson '82, Skip Crabtree, and Gene Simon meet with captains from the senior class.
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PAG chairman Gerald Duhon thanks the 15 tri-chairs and 300-plus captains for doing their part in helping to keep Jesuit... Jesuit!
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Senior class president Harrison Bond '15 addressed parents, telling them that one of the reasons Jesuit is a great school is because Blue Jays come from different backgrounds and diverse neighborhoods throughout the metro area.
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Jesuit president Anthony McGinn, S.J. '66 thanks parents for the leadership roles they are playing in keeping the school accessible and affordable to as many families as possible.
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Terry Billings '74 (who chaired the 2011-12 drive) and 2013-14 PAG chairman Mark Cousins '74 returned to lend their support to the drive.
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PAG chairman Gerald Duhon '85 thanks Roz and Max Gruenig '06 of Koz's Restaurant for providing a delicious dinner.
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Captains David and Denise Borello with Sid Artigues
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Pre-freshman captain Dennis McCartney (left) is welcomed by Terry Billings '74 (second from left), who chaired the 2011-12 PAG drive, and junior tri-chairs Philip Nimmo and Eric Derbes '83.
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Krista Roeling, who works in Jesuit's office of institutional advancement as executive development and PAG coordinator, assists captains with their nametags.
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Pre-freshmen captains Michele and Brad Shore
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Pre-freshman captain Dowen Fife '88 leads the dinner line in the cafeteria.
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Sophomore captain Brian Illg '85 receives Holy Communion from Br. Billy Dardis, S.J. '58.
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About 100 parents attended the PAG Mass, including freshman captain Bobby Raymond and freshman tri-chair Tom Leonhard '85.
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Senior tri-chair Gene Simon '80 reads from the Old Testament's Book of Ezekiel and leads the congregation in the Responsorial Psalm: "The glory of the Lord is higher than the skies."
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Tom Bagwill, who is Jesuit's director of institutional advancement, welcomes senior captain Walter Wright '79.