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The first graduating class of St. Francis de Sales High School met for their 50th reunion in June, with nearly 50 classmates sharing a weekend of activities. With the help of Alumni Director Jim Gill and Special Events Coordinator Kathy Gullette, committee members planned several opportunities for the first Knights to get reacquainted. Al Mocek arranged a golf outing and mixer at Heatherdowns Country Club for Friday night, and classmates took a tour of the school and attended Mass in the new chapel Saturday night, before meeting at the Real Seafood restaurant for a mixer. Bob Jesionowski hosted a lunch at his Devil’s Lake cottage on Sunday.
A special part of the Saturday afternoon Mass was the presentation of a plaque, to the anniversary class by members of the Class of 2008. The marble plaque lists the names of all members of the Class of 1958, with the label “Forever First.” It’s a sentiment that resonated with several members of the class.
Mike Herron, who served as class president during his senior year, remembered the feeling they shared as the first Knights. “We knew that SFS was going to be special, and that we were part of it. With the guidance of the Oblates, we wrote the rules and by-laws and made traditions.”
Tom Gouttierre was glad to hear people suggest more frequent reunions. “The fact that so many came back really speaks to the allegiance we all have to the school and to each other. We were a small, close group, and the faculty and staff reminded us often that we were setting the standard for classes to come. It was great to share memories with that special group.”
Con Nolan thought the reunion was everything he had hoped for, and explains it was great to see his classmates. “You know, I really felt that I had 61 friends at St. Francis. We were so close, and shared a sense of pride about being the first.” He was grateful that widows of several classmates, including Jean Nicholson and Linda Schlageter, were able to be present.
For Al Mocek, “The reunion was a good time and I especially enjoyed the fact that it seemed as though I still knew the guys very well, wow!” He doesn’t like dwelling on the 50th because, “…it reminds me how fast time has come and gone, and how much more there is left to accomplish.”
Nolan noted that his classmates have accomplished a great deal, and says, “Many of us took away the idea of Suaviter et Fortiter-being strong, but gentle. Maybe we were an adventurous group to start with, but I would say we all had a lot of confidence about the future.”
Gouttierre agreed, saying, “When I left St. Francis, I had gained a certain confidence that I could do what I needed to do and what I wanted to do. We also learned the importance of service to others.”
Mocek noted, “It was the ability to realize that we could accomplish and complete such a difficult curriculum that prepared us to attack other difficult situations in career and life that was so important. I truly believe that it developed me into a "self-starter" and that is a characteristic that I always look for in fellow workers. Self-starters breed success.”
Nolan summed up the general feeling about the Class of 1958 reunion. “We met members of the Class of 2008, young men who came back after their own graduation to meet us, and we were impressed that they are such fine young representatives of the school. We were touched that they would come to be part of our reunion. We have great memories of our time there and the people there. The St. Francis community really is something to be nurtured and protected.”
50th Reunion Picture Album
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