Both the 4x100 and 4x200 meter relay teams set meet records with their times. Junior Devon Bolden took first place in the 100 meter dash. Senior Marcellus Embry also set a new District Record in the 200 meter dash.

Click here to read the News-Herald article.

Click here to watch the 4x100 meter relay video from the district finals.

Click here to watch the 4x200 meter relay video from the district finals. 

Click here to watch Devon Bolden win the 100 meter dash.

Click here to watch Marcellus Embry in the 200 meter dash. 

“The World Next Door” was the theme of the student leadership assembly, which is a part of the Get To Know Our World initiative at VASJ. The assembly focused on the ways in which VASJ students can get to know the world next door by exploring the many cultures represented in Northeast Ohio. Venues of exploration included Ethopian food, Japanese Taiko music, cultural artifacts and flags, and dance.

Cultural artifacts and flags decorated the Ministry Center

Japanese Taiko music opened the assembly

A roundtable including a Roman Catholic and an Orthodox Christian, a Muslim, a Jew, a Hindu and a Shinto from seven nations identified local international resources. Their discussion gave testimony to the fact that people from different nations, faith, and cultures can indeed get along, and in fact impact the world with greater harmony, equity, and creativity as they live and work together.

Moderating the panel was Dr. John Lecky, former executive director of the International Community Council. The panelists and the nations they represent included:

• Consul General Jureck Zmauc, Republic of Slovenia.
• Aklilu Demessie, Ethiopia.
• Lydia Fernandez, Guatemala.
• Avraham (Avi) Goldman, Israel.
• Arash (Ari) Ghahremani, Iran.
• Dr. Surinder Bhardwaj, India.
• Kazumi Glomb, Japan.

Dr. John Lecky introduces the international panelists, representing seven different regions of the world

Bringing these leading personalities to VASJ and aligning them with student leaders in this global education initiative demonstrated the way in which collaborative engagements can result in positive outcomes that benefit our individual lives and the wider world. VASJ was excited to be a part of such an important initiative.

VASJ student ambassadors with the international panelists

Click here to read the article.

If you haven't been down East 185th to see the beautiful banners honoring our graduates, this is your chance (image left). 

This year, VASJ is beginning a new tradition of using the parade to honor our graduates. The seniors will be honored by the freshman class as a way of saying thank-you for the sound leadership the seniors have provided throughout the year.  Now it is time for the freshman to say goodbye to their faithful mentors.

Join VASJ by lining the street with signs honoring the Class of 2012. The freshman are working on a float and their own signs. The award winning Viking Cheerleaders and some of our athletes will also be marching in the parade.

Be sure to wear red and blue and proudly display your Viking pride.

The parade will take place on Saturday, May 19, 2012, at 11 a.m. The parade will begin at Villaview and East 185th and end in the VASJ parking lot.

Take the chance to get to know our current players as well as re-engage with the school and Alumni that you haven't seen in a while.

The cost of the event is $5.

Any questions, feel free to contact Anthony Redding at aredding@vasj.com.

Click here to view the event results.

Unfortunately, the students are unable to decorate those interred in the mausoleums.

If you have a loved one who is a veteran interred at All Souls Cemetery and would like to be sure the gravestone is decorated with a flag, please email Mr. Gary Minadeo '74 at gminadeo@vasj.com and he will be sure to have the students place a flag and veterans sticker on the headstone.

Mr. Minadeo, in an effort to build VASJ's database of alums who are veterans, especially wants to know if the veteran is a graduate of St. Joseph, Villa Angela, or Villa Angela-St. Joseph high schools.

With a record of 19-3, the varsity boys volleyball team has already accomplished a season to be proud of. Several team members have received Division II of the North All Region recognition. Junior Domenic Nicholas was named First Team All Region and Player of the Year, Mike McGarry was named First Team All Region, Dan Ward received Second Team All Region while Connor Gail received Honorable Mention All Region.

Varsity boys volleyball received the number one seed in the playoffs and will be competing in the Division II Regional Finals on Thursday, May 17, versus Archbishop Hoban at Massillon Jackson High School.

Click here to read the Plain Dealer article.

Click here to read the News-Herald article.

Click here to watch the video of the 4x200 North Coast League meter finals (VASJ is wearing black uniforms).

Click here to read Jim Collins' recap of the competition.

Click here to view article. 

Way to go, Lexie!

The cast and crew of Once on this Island Jr.

More than 500 were in attendance throughout the duration of the weekend for the other three performances and the reviews were extremely positive.

The wonderful choreography, which was completely student-driven, made this musical stand out as one of the best productions the Viking Village has seen in years. The hard work of the cast and crew did not go unnoticed.

Click here or visit our media gallery to view more photos.

The choreography was completely produced by our students

We already knew it was a great friendraiser. And we knew that it was a pretty fine fundraiser as well.

But now, with the final numbers calculated, we know that our recent Classic Mixer was in fact the most successful fundraising event in the history of our school. The annual gala this year netted – after all associated costs – more than $127,000 for VASJ. Included in that amount was more than $44,000 for “Continuing the Dream,” a special scholarship drive.

This tremendous outpouring of support dramatically demonstrates the connection our graduates from Villa Angela Academy, St. Joseph High School and VASJ feel with today’s students. Our alums’ gratitude for the blessings they had as students here is such that they want to do everything they can to help others “continue the dream” of a VASJ education.

In turn, we are enormously grateful for the confidence our donors have placed in us. They see, as we do, that our students are winners. And everyone wants to be on the side of winners. Our students recognize and appreciate the gift they have been given to share in the rich Ursuline and Marianist traditions that guide us in every lesson, every day.

At the Classic Mixer, we played a video several of our students produced that traced the history of VASJ through the years – the girls of VA, the boys of St. Joe’s, and the shared spirit of the merged school. Our graduates and friends were clearly touched by what they saw, and deeply pleased to see that the character of our school has never changed.

Your loyalty to our school tells the entire community that VASJ is an important and worthy recipient of support. Because of you, we continue to flourish.

God bless you.

Richard Osborne ’69
President

Click here to view pictures from the 2012 Classic Mixer

Admissions decisions will only be made when student application files are complete - this means that we must have the completed application, all recommendations and transcripts. Application materials can be found on the application process page of the admissions section of our website.

Families of freshmen and upperclassmen transfer student candidates who are moving into the greater Cleveland area from within Ohio or another state and who are interested in admission are encouraged to call the admissions office at 216-481-8414 ext. 254 for more information.

Applications for financial aid are due by June 1. Late applications for financial aid will not be considered. Financial Aid application materials can be found on the tuition and fees section of our website.

Below is the event flyer, featuring a picture of Natalie.

Click here to view a PDF of the flyer.

The collection, which kicked of on Ash Wednesday, ended on Wednesday, April 4. Not only did the VASJ student body reach their original fundraising goal of $4,000, but they actually exceeded it by nearly $500.

Several organizations will be the beneficiaries of the funds raised during the LMC.

The seniors collected money for the Shinsky Orphanage in Matamoros, Mexico, founded by alumnus John Shinsky ’69. The funds collected by the junior class supported Comunidad Oscar Arnulfo Romero (COAR) in El Slavador, where VASJ students travel each year for the El Salvador Encounter. Our Lady of Nazareth, a Marianist school in Nairobi, Kenya will be the recipients of the money raised by the sophomore class. The freshman class supported St. Aloysius pre-school, located right here in Cleveland.

The faculty and staff collected money as well (although these funds did not count toward the $4,000 goal) to support the Greater Cleveland Fisher House project in Cleveland.

At an assembly held on Thursday, April 19, the Functions and Statistics Class presented the organizations with the money raised.

VASJ President, Richard Osborne '69, accepted the $1,000 check for the Shinsky Orphanage on behalf of his classmate,
John Shinsky '69, who was unable to attend the assembly.

COAR program manager, John Naujoks '00, and president of the board, Chris Janezic, accepted the $1,000 check.

Rick DeChant of the Greater Cleveland Fisher House Task Force, accepted the $1,000 check from VASJ.

The Lenten Mission Collection is an important part of what makes the Viking Village unique. The students are reminded daily of the Ursuline and Marianist traditions of service to others.

In addition to being philanthropic, the collection was also an educational experience for the Functions and Statistics class. The class posted charts and graphs in the hallways daily with updates on the funds raised. This allowed the student body to stay aware of their class standing toward the goal and was a way for the Functions and Statistics class to put the knowledge they are learning in class to practical use.

Sacrifice Begins with You!

THE FUNCTIONS AND STATISTICS CLASS
Angelique Broadus, Mel Burke, Amanda Gornik, Mike McGarry, Paul Rini, Anthony Sywanyk, Mato Vunak Jr., Derek Witcher II and Sarah Wandersleben.

During his time at VASJ, Jerrod earned four basketball letters and was team captain his senior year. He averaged 19.0 points per game his senior year and graduated as the school record holder for free throw percentage (fairmontstate.edu). 

Click here to read the article.

VASJ's College Information Night is an informative session designed to introduce you to the college application process and to help you better understand your duties in your role as a prospective college student / parent. Speakers will present strategies to better prepare families for the college admissions process. The Guidance Department’s specific college application procedure will also be discussed.

Speakers

• Sherman Dean, II (SJ ‘88) - Hiram College, Office of Admissons
• Maureen Joseph - VASJ teacher/parent
• Kriste Duhigg (VA ‘88) - VASJ College Counselor

 Click here for flyer.

We are selling two types of tickets- a Weekly Grounds Tickets (one ticket for each day of the tournament) for $70 and an Any Day Grounds Ticket (can be used ONE day of the tournament) for $20. Each ticket is at a discounted price, if purchased at the general public amount, each ticket would be $95 or $45.

Click here to purchase the $70 Weekly Grounds ticket (remember to use TEETIME as the promotional code)
Click here to purchase the $20 Any Day Grounds ticket (remember to use TEETIME as the promotional code)

If you have any questions, please contact Kellie Clinton ’03, alumni/ae development coordinator, at 216-481-8414 ext. 284 or at kclinton@vasj.com.

Click here to watch the video from his visit and hear his message to the students.

Click here to read more about the NHS induction ceremony here.

The Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School Drama Club will give three performances of the spring musical, Once on this Island Junior, the weekend of April 27, 2012 in the VASJ gym.

Friday, April 27, 2012, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 28, 2012, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 29, 2012, 2:00 p.m. 

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND JR. is a feast for the heart, mind and soul. It’s a highly original and theatrical Caribbean adaptation of the popular fairy tale, The Little Mermaid. The show tells the story of Ti Moune, a peasant girl who rescues and falls in love with Daniel, a wealthy boy from the other side of her island.

Tickets:

Presale: $5
At the Door: $6
Family: $20 (families of 4 or more)

Click here to view the flyer.

If your school (grades 6-8) is interested in attending the dress rehearsal performance on Friday, April 27, at 10 a.m., please contact Director of Admissions, Terri Richards, at 216-481-8414 ext. 254 or at trichards@vasj.com. Reservations are needed by Friday, April 20.

 A group of the VASJ boys & Coach Storey '59 at the airport

Players from 20 high schools in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin will be participating on the U.S. Stars & Stripes team and face the Italian Under 19 National Team on Saturday, April 21, at the Via dei Campi Sportivi in Rome.

The event is organized annually by Texas-based Global Football, whose President Patrick Steenberge said: “These tours provide an opportunity for young amateur athletes from different countries to compete against one another, while experiencing and learning firsthand about cultures, customs and history. The game at the end of the week is the highlight, but the friendships and memories the players bring home with them will last a lifetime. Coach Scurran has held clinics in Italy in recent years and is now coaching there this season, so will be able to offer the players on his team a unique insight into American football in Italy.”

The 20 schools represented on the Team Stars & Stripes roster are Villa Angela St Joseph (Cleveland, OH), Canyon Del Oro, Catalina Foothills, Film School of LA, Ironwood Ridge High, Rincon High, Sabino High, Tucson High (all Tucson, AZ), Father Judge, Cardinal O’Hara, Episcopal Academy, Malvern Prep, William Penn Charter (all Philadelphia, PA), Cathedral Prep (Erie, PA), Winneconne High (WI), Somerset High (WI), Brodhead Juda High (WI), Loyal High (WI), Carrol High (Ozark, AL), and Vero Beach High (FL).

Team Stars & Stripes will mix practice sessions with cultural sightseeing including the spectacular sights of the picturesque spa town of Montecantini Terme, where the team will practice. They will visit Florence, set in the rolling hills of Tuscany, Rome via the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi, Ancient Rome and the Coliseum and finally The Vatican. They will face the Italian U19 national team on Saturday, April 21, returning home the following day.

Click here to view the trip itinerary.

Sponsored by the Villa Angela–St. Joseph High School Parent Organization

4 & 10 inch pots, hanging baskets, annual flowers and vegetables

Get your spring flowers and vegetables while also supporting your school.

Click here for order form.

Order deadline is Wednesday, May 2, 2012

 Click here to read article.

Click here to read his complete bio.

Click here to watch his brief Jeopardy video and make sure to watch him on Jeopardy this Wednesday.

NHS officers light pillars (left to right): Joe Conway, treasurer,
Alex Harvey, vice president, Dan Ward, president and Amanda Gornik, secretary

Class of 1973 alumnus Tim Misny returned to his alma mater as the featured speaker at the event. Misny shared a powerful message about passion and integrity with the 13 new NHS inductees as well as the entire student body, faculty and guests.

Tim Misny '73 addresses new NHS inductees

The following students were inducted into NHS:

Seniors:
Nikole Capuozzo
Christopher Lupo
Taylor Wheeler

Juniors:
Matthew Bergant
Marissa Crissman
Daphne Guder
Sung Hee Han
Janae Potts

Sophomores:
Jacob DiDonato
Connor Gail
Malia Harvey
Brittany Shumar
Kortni Spates

 National Honor Society inductees (Matthew Bergant not pictured)

Click here to view more pictures.

VASJ students and Japanese visitors meet Cleveland Frank Mayor Jackson and Councilman Mike Polensek.
Photo courtesy of City of Cleveland, photographer Wanda Santos-Bray.

During the visit to City Hall, the students received a tour of the building including the mayor’s office and City Council chambers. Mayor Jackson escorted the students to his office, where he described the beautiful wall murals featuring art of the earliest photos of the city of Cleveland.

In the City Council chambers, Coucilman Polensek shared his connection to and support of VASJ - his children were graduates of Villa Angela and St. Joseph High School.

The mayor and the Japanese students presented each other with gifts and all students had their photograph taken with the mayor. He signed copies of the prints for each of the students.

Click here to read more about our Japanese visitors. 

The mayor and Japanese visitors presented each other with gifts from their respective countries.
Photo courtesy of City of Cleveland, photographer Wanda Santos-Bray.

Visit the online auction and take some time to bid on classic items as well as exciting trips and getaways.

The online auction opened at midnight on Saturday, March 24, 2012, and will close at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 13, 2012.

Don't miss your chance to bid on these great items - many of which will not be available at the event. But don't worry, there will be many great items available in the silent auction and raffles at the Classic Mixer event, too.

Bidding is easy. Simply go to the online auction, set up a username and password, scroll through the auction items and start bidding.

Please contact Kellie Clinton '03, alumni/ae development coordinator, at 216-481-8414 ext. 284 or kclinton@vasj.com.

Villa Angela and Viking Adirondack Chairs.
Click here to bid on these items and more.