| Alumni |
|
|
|
Alumni and Friends of St. Joseph Schools
The Alumni and Friends of St. Joseph School was founded by the
members of the Class of ’51 in November, 5001. It is unlike other SJS alumni organizations in that it was
not formed solely as a support system for the athletic program. Our mission statement reads:
"The Alumni and Friends of
St. Joseph Schools Association is the link that nurtures a connection between
all the Catholic Parishes, the High School, Elementary School, the Pre-School
and Toddler Program, its alumni, current and future students, friends and the
community throughout the Big Island of Hawaii. Our mission is to provide
support in the pursuit of providing quality Catholic Education for children in
the County of Hawaii through communication, scholarships, and/or tuition
assistance program, recruitment, community service and alumni activities. These
pursuits are inspired by the Catholic Christian values and principles provided
through the spiritual and intellectual ideals from the ONLY Catholic school on
the island of Hawaii through St. Josephs Schools' 135 year tradition of
excellence."
The first executive board consisted of President Joseph
Dart (’51); Vice President Joseph
Guzum (’51); Secretary Toni Palacat; and Treasurer Agnes Crivello (’51).
Joseph Dart passed away in December, 2006 and a new executive
board was formed in January, 2007, consisting of President Anthony Phillips; Vice
President Larry Balberde; Secretary Toni Palacat; and Treasurer Agnes
Crivello. Jean Alves presently
serves as secretary pro tem.
The organization got off to a slow but sure start, eventually
involving other graduates of the 50’s, 60’s, 70's and 80's who remain the core
of its membership, together with several staunch friends who offer valuable
support.
This small but energetic group has been able to accomplish many
projects for St. Joseph School and Parish, including: (not in chronological
order)
1. Solicited
funds from St. Joseph alumni and parishioners to purchase and install new
basins in both the elementary and junior-senior high schools and repaired some
plumbing. Placed a plaque with the names of benefactors in the elementary
school.
2. Installed
a rock garden to the left of the junior-senior high school entrance.
3. Buried a
time capsule assembled by the Class of ’51 to the right of that same entrance.
4. Painted
both the front office and principal’s office in the junior-senior high school.
5. Painted
the pre-school playground fence.
6. Purchased
and spread pea gravel over the pre-school playground.
7. Repaired
the pre-school roof.
8. Initiated
a successful drive for a large sign in school colors designating the Walter
Victor gym.
9. Obtained a
Matson container for the school that can be used for storage, especially during
the annual Country Fair.
10. Built two
ramps for handicapped access at the elementary school.
11. In 2003,
provided cinders and manned the cinders booth for the Country Fair.
12. Provided
Portuguese pickles, jams, jellies and preserves for the Pickles and Preserves
booth at the Country Fair for many years. Since 2007 to the present , members have chaired and manned the booth, as well as
organized donations.
13. Obtained
the donation of a 30’ x 60’ tent for the use of the school and parish in 2006,
and have set up the tent every year for the Country Fair..
14. Built and
installed the stage for the Country Fair in 2009.
15. Installed
the school marquee at the corner of Ululani and Hualalai.
16. From 2002
to the present, have provided two $100 stipends for student awards at graduation.
17. Raised
funds for the school tuition assistance program through one steak fry and
several sweet bread sales that are held annually.
18. Helped
organize the 100 year anniversary celebration of the Franciscan sisters’
arrival in Hawaii and their farewell party.
19. Served as
the conduit for a donation of $650 from the Classes of ’75,
’76, and ’77 to buy computer equipment for the
junior-senior high school library, as well as a donation of $1100 from the
Class of ’77 for the tuition assistance fund.
20. Donated
$2000 for the computer research center at the elementary school library in
memory of Joseph Dart.
21. Donated $1250
for much-needed textbooks for the elementary school.
22. Have held
an annual luau for alumni and friends on the Saturday before Memorial Day from
2002 to the present The luau honors the alumni who are celebrating their 50th
reunions. In 2008 we also honored the State Championship Basketball Team of
1958, the only State Championship Team from St. Joseph School. These luaus not
only serve as occasions for alumni and friends to socialize, but also are
another means of raising funds for the tuition assistance program. A total of $57,000 in tuition
assistance has been raised by one steak fry and many sweet bread sales as well
as the proceeds of the annual luau. This amount does not include the cost of equipment and supplies contributed
to the school in various projects already noted.
In addition to the above, the
Alumni and Friends also built the two porticos over the side entrances at St. Joseph Church, a
project that took several months of almost daily hard labor by a few alumni joined by faithful friends. An effort was made to ensure that the
structures fit in with the architecture of the church. Funds for the project were donated by
generous parishioners.
Paid-up membership in the Alumni
and Friends is about 200, and active members number about 20 We have tried to
increase membership by using mailings, but obviously this has not been very
successful. We need to get our
message out, perhaps using the Internet. We would appreciate any suggestions toward increasing our membership so
that we can do even more for St. Joseph School.
OFFICERS: Anthony Phillips, President |