St. Isidore School (SIS) is on a search for their past “Cyclones”!
It has been a challenging assignment for Mike Yerly, SIS Development/Advancement Office. Until now there has been no formal method in place, when students graduated from 8th grade, for them to stay connected to their first school home. As alumni, most of us understand the importance “of staying engaged at some level with our school, be it through financial support, volunteer support, recruitment support and promotion of the school,” states Mr. Yerly. “Alumni financial support will play an extremely important role in the continued success of St. Isidore School as the gap between what tuition covers and the cost of educating a student continues to grow.”
The Class of 1984 and parishioner, Gus Serio, got the ball rolling. Continuing efforts included past student data from spreadsheets, computer discs, Facebook, word of mouth and parent and student networks. Currently more than 1,000 student alum’s information since 1937 are being maintained by Mike Yerly.
The school Gala Auction Dinner Dance on February 21 was attended by alumni (a large number of current school parents are alumni) and all had a chance to electronically bid at the Grand Raffle and the silent auction. This year at the dance the first Distinguished Graduate Award was presented to Rick Ahern, class of 1986. He received a certificate from the National Catholic Education Association and a lapel pin. A plaque will be designed and displayed in the school with Rick’s name and the names of future winners.
Mr. Yerly spoke to last year’s 8th graders and invited them to stay connected to SIS and what their “responsibilities” were as alumni of the school they spent 8 years or more. They were each asked to donate $1.00 to the first Annual Alumni Appeal. The class of 2014 had 100% participation! This year the class of 2015 will be invited to have their names added to the Annual Report, Honor Roll of Donors, and the alumni database.
No formal events or meetings for Alumni are scheduled at this time while the search is on for all Cyclones. You can help to preserve Catholic Education for students in the future and rekindle a good memory in a former SIS student by passing on the opportunity to reconnect with their school and old friends. Mike Yerly may be reached through St. Isidore School or mikeyerly@saintisidoreschool.org