Holy Name is very proud to announce that senior Matthew Stracensky earned a 36 composite score on the ACT! This is the highest possible score you can achieve, and he earned this on the ACT’s September 2019 administration.
Along with earning this perfect ACT score, Matthew, who is a graduate of St. Ambrose School in Brunswick, was named a National Merit Semifinalist last month. Please join us in congratulating Matthew on this outstanding achievement.
Our Holy Name High School Family would be honored to pray for you and your families at our 2019-2020 All-School Masses, beginning at our All Saints Day celebration on November 1, 2019. We will remember you and your intentions throughout the school year.
Please include any special intentions you may have for family, friends, loss of a loved one, or any unspoken prayer by filling out the form below.
The 2019 Homecoming Weekend did not disappoint! To see images from the festivities on both Friday and Saturday, visit https://www.facebook.com/pg/holynamehs/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2627864973940131.
The school community began the weekend with Mass celebrated by Fr. James Mayer, O. de M., a 1983 Holy Name graduate and pastor of St. Rocco Parish in Cleveland.
Then, when ending the school day at the Rally, seniors Austin Hojdar and Adelé Begue were crowned the 2019 Homecoming King and Queen, respectively.
At the Homecoming Pre-Game Huddle, alumni, students, parents and fans enjoyed some treats before watching the Varsity Football Game, where the Green Wave defeated Valley Forge. Post-game, Michael Corrigan ’20 was the Brian Neary Award Winner, recognized as the game’s most outstanding lineman.
On Saturday, students closed out the weekend at the Halloween-themed dance, which featured plenty of snacks and a cool photo booth.
Thanks to all who made this weekend possible! We can’t wait to celebrate again in 2020.
Thanks to a grant from the Ohio Arts Council, Holy Name now has a brand-new, student-created mural on display in the main staircase landing between the first and second floors!
Under the direction of artist-in-residence, Mr. Mark Yasenchak, and with the help of Director of Diversity and Inclusion Mr. Jason Reed and Art Department Chair Mrs. Beth Ryan, students designed and executed the mural from start to finish. The overall theme began as ‘I Am’ and evolved to ‘We Are.’ Each face on the mural was created using words hundreds of Holy Name students submitted to describe themselves. From vibrant, worthy, blessed and faithful, to intelligent, passionate, driven and powerful, these words can be used to illustrate past, current and future Namers.
Now on display for all to see, the mural’s message is clear: Everyone that is a part of Holy Name is an individual with diverse traits that are unique to him or her. However, we are all one family, loved by God, and we support, include and celebrate one another. We are, Holy Name.
The Athletic Department is happy to announce that varsity football has qualified for the Division III, Region 10 Playoffs for the first time since 2016!
Football still has one week of the regular season left before it begins a playoff run on Friday, November 8. The location and opponent are not yet determined. However, playoff apparel orders are now open so gear can be purchased and then worn at the November 8 game. The apparel order form can be found here: 2019 Holy Name Football Playoff Apparel Order Form.
Please note that all apparel orders MUST be in no later than Friday, November 1. This is to ensure delivery to Holy Name by the following Friday. All checks should be made payable to Holy Name Boosters.
If you have any questions, please contact the Holy Name Team Shop Manager Mrs. Rhonda Lebron at hnteamshop@holynamehs.com.
Varsity Volleyball: State Semifinal Game in Dayton on Thursday, November 7 at 4 p.m.
The Varsity Volleyball Team – the defending Division II State Champions – will continue their tournament run in a state semifinal vs. Sparta Highland this Thursday, November 7 at 4 p.m. at Wright State University (3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy., Fairborn, OH 45435). Holy Name will not have classes on Thursday.
Pre-sale tickets for Thursday’s match will be available in the Main Office Tuesday and Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for $8 each (cost is $9 at the gate). Holy Name receives a portion of the profit from each pre-sale ticket sold. Children 5 and under are free.
Varsity Football: First Round Playoff Game in Tiffin on Friday, November 8 at 7 p.m.
The Varsity Football Team has qualified for the Division III playoffs. They will play Tiffin Columbian on Friday, November 8 at 7 p.m. at Frost-Kalnow Stadium (300 S. Monroe, Tiffin, OH 44883). This is located directly behind Columbian High School.
Pre-sale tickets for Friday’s game will be available in the Main Office beginning Wednesday afternoon, and then again on Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (No one will be in Main Office on Thursday). Tickets are $8 each (cost is $9 at the gate). Holy Name receives a portion of the profit from each pre-sale ticket sold. Children 5 and under are free.
Student Spirit Bus Information for Thursday AND Friday
Student spirit bus transportation is being offered on Thursday for Volleyball and Friday for Football. Space for both buses is limited to Holy Name students only and seats will be filled on a first come, first served basis. We cannot guarantee that all students will be accommodated. Cost per student for Thursday is $15 and cost per student for Friday is $15. The price for each day includes a ticket to the match/game.
If you are a Holy Name student and want to take the Volleyball Spirit Bus, use this link to sign up: https://forms.gle/kyMmQFEz6YtyKEPz6.
If you are a Holy Name student and want to take the Football Spirit Bus, use this link to sign up: https://forms.gle/384mH3wBDpRs4C558.
Payment, plus the required permission slip AND emergency medical authorization must be turned in to the Main Office by 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6 for either Spirit Bus.
Thursday’s Volleyball Spirit Bus will leave HN at 11:45 a.m. from the back parking lot near the main gym. We estimate the return arrival at Holy Name to be around 9 p.m.
Friday’s Football Spirit Bus will leave HN at 4:45 p.m. from the back parking lot near the main gym. We estimate the return arrival at Holy Name to be around 11 p.m.
Please arrive early to board the bus. No refunds will be given to those who miss either bus. On the way home, students who will be getting picked up at Holy Name will be instructed to contact their parent or guardian on exact arrival time once the return trip has begun. Any student who rides the bus to Wright State OR Tiffin must return on the bus to Holy Name.
Congratulations to the following seniors who each signed a National Letter of Intent yesterday to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level in 2020!
Lauren Borchert – Wright State University, Soccer
Richard Forgach – Malone University, Baseball
Alexa Sieger – Cleveland State University, Softball
Sean Springer – University of Cincinnati, Baseball
We are proud to announce that the school’s Rainbow Six Siege Team won the High School Esports League’s (HSEL) national championship on Tuesday, December 17.
Holy Name defeated Ridge Community High School in Florida to secure the championship title. Only the top 16 teams in the country qualified for the playoffs initially. By winning this title, each of the team members receives a $1,000 college scholarship. Holy Name also receives a championship trophy.
Rainbow Six team members include Leonard Cahill, Rafael Castro, Antonio DeLeva, CJ Forster, Mark Hughes and Ricky Smith. All of them competed in Tuesday night’s championship except for Cahill, who was the team’s alternate. PJ Farrell, a theology teacher at Holy Name, serves as the Holy Name esports moderator.
Esports has grown significantly in the last two years at Holy Name. Along with having a Rainbow Six Team, the school also has students playing Overwatch, Rocket League, Counter-Strike, Super Smash Bros., Fortnite, Madden NFL 20 and NBA 2K20 in the HSEL.
Each year, Super Lawyers recognizes the top lawyers in Ohio via a patented multi-phase selection process involving peer nomination and independent research. Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding attorneys from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The Ohio lawyers who receive the highest point totals during this selection process are further recognized in Ohio Super Lawyers Top Lists. Heather Lennox ’85, Jones Day’s Partner-in-Charge (Cleveland) is ranked second overall in Cleveland and is also in the top 10 overall in Ohio. Congratulations Heather!
Holy Name offers many blessings and prayers to Fr. James Vesely, a 1947 graduate who recently celebrated the 65th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. Fr. Vesely was recognized and honored during a Mass at Mount Alverna Village, where he now lives and continues his pastoral ministry. To read more about this celebration, please visit the Diocesan website for the full story.
The Ohio House of Representatives just announced that they will hold hearings in Columbus regarding changes to the EdChoice Program. School Choice Ohio needs parents and educators who can come to Columbus to testify in support of EdChoice.
Hearings regarding HB 9 will take place on the following dates and times at the Statehouse, in Room 313:
February 11, 12 and 13, all beginning at 5 p.m.
February 14, 15 and 17 from 9 a.m. – Noon
February 18, 19 and 20, all beginning at 5 p.m.
It is important to get parents to the hearings. School Choice Ohio expects that school districts and their representatives will be out in force.
If you can come to Columbus to testify, please complete this EdChoice Witness Slip for your desired date, and email your testimony and completed witness slip to: Primary&SecondaryEducationCommittee@ohiohouse.gov. If you have questions about providing testimony, you can contact the Committee Chair’s (Rep. Jones) office at (614) 644-8728.
You may indicate that you are an interested party on the witness slip.
To help us better coordinate testimony, please blind copy (bcc) School Choice Ohio at advocacy@scohio.org.
If you cannot make it to Columbus, you are still able to lend your support. You can provide a written statement to the Committee at the email address above (Primary&SecondaryEducationCommittee@ohiohouse.gov).
Key points you may wish to make:
– Why your family chose EdChoice and what the opportunity has meant to your family.
– Families are looking for options that best meet their child’s needs. And no one understands your child’s needs better.
– If you have been waiting for the opportunity and your district school is finally on the most recent list, explain the steps (including any fees paid) you’ve already taken, and that changing the rules of the program at this date is unfair and poor public policy.
– Keeping students trapped in schools that are not working for them is wrong and a waste of taxpayer money.
If you have any questions, please call School Choice Ohio at 614-223-1555.
If you share your opinions on Facebook or Twitter, use the hashtag #EdChoice.
Hello Holy Name High School Families,
As you know, Holy Name was already scheduled to be closed on Friday, March 13; Monday, March 16; and Tuesday, March 17. However, due to Governor DeWine’s directive this afternoon, the Holy Name school building will now be closed through Friday, April 3. In-person classes are expected to resume on Monday, April 6.
Since the building is closed, this means that all on-campus, school-related events and athletic-related events (including but not limited to practices, training sessions, weight lifting, etc.) are canceled, effective immediately.
As a Diocesan High School, we are in constant communication with the administrators at the Diocese of Cleveland, and will share any updates as they become available. We will continue to communicate details about our academic plans in the coming days.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this evolving situation.
Holy Name High School
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we lay out plans for the next three weeks. Here are a few items to know at this time:
The building will be open for students to collect personal belongings and any academic materials on Monday, March 16 and Wednesday, March 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. We strongly encourage all students to come collect their books and other items, as a distance learning plan will be implemented moving forward.
On Monday and Wednesday, students may enter the building through the teacher parking lot doors (by modular unit and computer labs). Students must collect their items and leave the building immediately; they are not to socialize.
Sophomores ONLY: Please stop by the Main Office on Monday or Wednesday to pick up your PSAT Test Prep Book. Having this will allow teachers to give assignments pertaining to the book.
The first week of distance learning assignments will be available after 3 p.m. on Monday, March 16. We will send further communications out about how to access these materials, the submission process, etc. as soon as we are able.
As we move forward, students should check their Holy Name emails for information. Parents will also continue to receive details.
We know there are a lot of questions and concerns about academics, the future school calendar, etc. Please know we are working as quickly as we can to address what will happen these next three weeks and beyond.
Thank you, and we hope everyone is staying safe and healthy at home.
Dear Holy Name High School Community,
As some of you may already know, due to Governor DeWine’s recent direction, the Holy Name High School building will now be closed through Friday, April 3. Prior to this announcement, the decision was made to cancel this year’s signature fundraiser, Green Wave Gala: Irish Pub Crawl that was scheduled for Saturday, March 28. While we are disappointed that we cannot celebrate our community and its mission, we are happy to tell you that we have reimagined sections of the Gala. This means that we will still offer an opportunity to everyone to support our young men and women by going online to participate in a silent auction. More details on the online silent auction will be released within the next 10 days.
We appreciate all of our alumni, parents, friends, and community partners that have financially supported our Gala. If you purchased an individual event ticket, we are offering two options: please contact 440-886-0300, ext. 104 to request a refund, or consider allowing us to keep your ticket purchase as a tax deductible donation.
For those of you who have purchased a $10,000 raffle ticket, we do plan on pulling the winning ticket on Saturday, March 28. If you purchased a $50 Boston/Louisville Trip Ticket, we will be continuing sales until Friday, April 3 and will pull the winner on that date. Sales for both remain open on www.holynamehs.com/auction2020.
We also want to take this time to acknowledge and thank our corporate sponsors, as well as program book advertisers. All corporate sponsors, as well as program book advertisers, will continue to be acknowledged and thanked. Each sponsor/advertiser logo will be included on a scroll featured on the Holy Name website’s main page. Additionally, a large banner displaying all logos will be set-up at the Evening of the Arts in May. Highlighting the sponsors/advertisers on Holy Name’s social media accounts is also being explored.
Thank you again for all of your support. Greg and Patty Preisel, the co-chairs of this year’s event, provided leadership and direction. Due to the incredible design work and preparation already done by parent Heather DePietro, we will be in great shape in 2021. We promise to deliver a unique Gala experience next year at our Green Wave Gala: Irish Pub Crawl 2.
The Holy Name Community, as well as the global community, is always in my prayers, and continues to be during these challenging times.
Terrence J. Kenneally ‘67
President
Green Wave Gala: Online Silent Auction Details Announced!
The Green Wave Gala’s Silent Auction will now be ONLINE! All proceeds benefit Holy Name’s students, with funds raised directly offsetting tuition and supporting educational programming.
Here is how it will work:
All bidding will take place at https://hnhsph2020.ggo.bid/bidding/package-browse.
Bidding opens Saturday, March 28 at 6 p.m.
Although bidding is not open yet, you can view the available packages now!
All who want to bid are invited to do so; there is no ticket needed to bid. If bidding, you will need to create an account with your contact and payment information. To do this, go to https://hnhsph2020.ggo.bid/bidding/package-browse and click on ‘Start Bidding’ in the top right-hand corner of the page.
You can create your account now, or at any time you decide you want to bid on a package.
Bidding closes Friday, April 3 at 9 p.m.
Once the auction is completed, the Holy Name Advancement Team will coordinate pick-up with auction package winners.
Questions? Contact Michele Fusco Scoccola at mfuscoscoccola@holynamehs.com.
Thank you in advance for supporting the mission of, and students at, Holy Name High School. We are grateful for the many alumni, parents, and friends who are sharing their time, talents, and treasures to make a difference in the lives of Holy Name’s young men and women.
Our prayers are with everyone in our local and global community as we navigate these trying times. May you all stay safe and healthy!
Earlier this school year, we announced that Matthew Stracensky ’20 and Kate Reardon ’20 were named National Merit Semifinalists. We are proud to share that both Matthew and Kate have now been named National Merit Finalists! Congratulations to each of you. You continue to make the Holy Name community very proud.
Grateful is how we feel as we announce that last week’s online Green Wave Gala Silent Auction raised $22,610 to help support Holy Name’s students! We congratulate Thomas Bowman, who was the winner of the Green Wave Gala Auction $50 Trip Raffle. Thomas will get to choose between a trip to Boston, MA for a Samuel Adams Brewery Tour, or a trip to Louisville, KY to visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
Thank you to all who participated, as well as to all who prayed for the event’s success. Our community will continue to prosper due to your dedication to helping Holy Name provide a college preparatory, faith-based education to young men and women.
These same young men and women have had to adjust and adapt this past month. Beginning the week of March 16, all classes were switched to distance learning mode. This will remain in place until at least May 1. Using ProgressBook, Google Classroom, Zoom, and other digital platforms, faculty have been educating and connecting with students from home. Group chats, online assignments, and recorded lectures have become the new ‘normal.’ We are especially appreciative of our faculty for making this happen so quickly.
Technology helps students connect outside of the classroom, too. Campus Ministry is offering students the opportunity to pray the Angelus prayer daily, and the Rosary weekly via Zoom. Cenacle of Mary comes together each Thursday evening on Zoom to sing worship songs, pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Divine Praises, and have open individual prayer time. Ensuring our students thrive not just academically, but socially and spiritually, remains a priority during this trying time.
We also look for the bright spots – the news to celebrate and recognize, especially from our seniors. Jared Sanderell ’20 has earned a full tuition, room, and board scholarship to the University of Akron, where he will study engineering and be a member of the Honors College. Both Kate Reardon ’20 and Matthew Stracensky ’20 have now been named National Merit Finalists. Numerous student-athletes have announced where they are continuing their academic and athletic careers next fall. Others are discerning calls to religious life. These are the stories we are proud of and will share.
Along with sharing our students’ stories, we want to hear from our alumni, parents, and friends. Please contact us with your own good news, or news about others in our greater Holy Name community who are making a difference. Feel free to share these by emailing jweiss@holynamehs.com.
Thank you again for supporting Holy Name and for believing in our mission. We continue to pray for your good health and safety, and hope you and your family have a blessed Easter season.
All Hail Holy Name,
Terry Kenneally ’67, President and Shelbrey Blanc ’95, Principal
Shelbrey Althoff Blanc ’95 has been named president of Holy Name High School. Mrs. Blanc replaces Terry Kenneally, a 1967 Holy Name graduate and longtime supporter of the school, who retires at the end of June after having served as president for four years. Mrs. Blanc currently serves as principal for Holy Name.
In making this announcement, Frank O’Linn, Ed.D., secretary for education and superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Cleveland, praised Mrs. Blanc for the strength of her leadership.
“Over the years, Mrs. Blanc has proven herself to be an exceptional educator and visionary leader, guiding the school’s outstanding faculty and broader community in Holy Name’s commitment to ignite the fire of God’s love within their students, and also bring that same light to the world,” Dr. O’Linn said.
Mrs. Blanc expressed her appreciation for the appointment, saying, “Holy Name is a special place – one I hold close to my heart, and I am blessed to be part of this excellent institution. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to lead Holy Name into the future as its president. I am humbled by Dr. O’Linn’s confidence in me, and I look forward to continuing the traditions of Holy Name while helping to chart a solid course for continued growth and academic success in the years to come.”
Mrs. Blanc’s depth of experience in secondary education is impressive. In her more than 20 years in the field, Mrs. Blanc’s roles include that of principal, assistant principal and teacher at Holy Name High School. In addition, she taught high school students English at René Descartes High School, Saint Genis-Laval, France, from October 2001 – April 2002.
Mrs. Blanc earned her Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio. She has a Master of Arts in French Language and Culture from Boston College Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Mrs. Blanc received her Bachelor of Science in Languages (French) from Georgetown University, Faculty of Languages and Linguistics in Washington, D.C. In 1998, she received her French university studies diploma from the L’Université Jean Moulin, Lyon III, Faculté de lettres, Lyon, France and a Diplôme de français des affaires, French business diploma with honors, in October 1999 from the Paris Chamber of Commerce, Paris, France.
Located in Parma Heights Ohio, Holy Name High School traces its roots to September 1914 when the school first opened its doors as a four-year secondary, co-educational, Catholic high school. The mission of Holy Name is simple and clear: To lead young adults to Christ by educating them in mind, body, and spirit.
Earlier this year, freshmen read “The Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemingway. After reading the book, students wrote six-word memoirs that highlighted lessons they learned during their most difficult times. These memoirs were written on pieces of old t-shirts.
The six-word memoirs were slated to be displayed on Holy Name’s campus. However, following the school closure due to COVID-19, English Teacher Miss Megan Leigh approached University Hospitals Parma Medical Center to see if they would be open to having it displayed there. UH Parma immediately jumped on-board, and now, “Never, Ever Give Up! Love, HN” is a reality there.
Read the Cleveland.com story at https://www.cleveland.com/community/2020/05/holy-name-high-school-students-inspire-uh-parma-medical-center-employees-with-messages-of-perseverance.html.
Holy Name has many alumni and parents who are first responders and medical care workers. We are so proud of, and grateful for, the work they do each day to protect us, especially during this pandemic.
