2002 Recipients: Judy Tweet Howald & Patrick Ryan

Their children have already graduated from Notre Dame Academy, but the 2002 recipients of the Founders’ Award remain committed to the school.  That dedication has led Judy Tweet Howald (SJA’69) and Patrick Ryan (PHS’59) to spend five years heading the school’s largest capital campaign.

Howald continues her work for NDA although daughter Emily graduated in 2001 and son Christopher is a 1997 alum “because I believe in what we’re doing there,” she said.  “We have just one (Catholic high) school so we have to make this successful.  That motivated me, just to keep it viable….I want Notre Dame to be the best.”

Ryan said he’s a strong advocate of both Catholic high schools and colleges.  “Before you can fill a Catholic college you have to make sure you fill the high schools as well,” he said.

He’s an alumni of St. Norbert College and his daughter Megan (NDA ’93) followed his lead there. Sons Sean (PHS ’89) and Corey (PHS’91) are also products of Green Bay’s Catholic schools.

Both co-chairs say their community involvement and contacts led to their selection to lead the campaign. They also joke that they missed the same meeting and later discovered they’d been handpicked in their absence.

Ryan, who owns Petroleum Equipment and Grand Central Stations, has served on the Brown County Association for Retarded Citizens for 10 years and is its treasurer. He was a founding member of the Howard-Suamico rescue squad and co-chaired fundraising for the youth activity center at St. John the Baptist Parish in Howard. He and his wife, Nancy, have moved to a 240 acre farm near Gillett where he plans to host a Northeast Wisconsin Optimists Handicapped Children’s Fishing Day this year.

“When I first took a walk around before they started the total process, it was obvious they needed to do something because it was outmoded,” Paul said. “Now it’s just wonderful.” Their own children, seven between them, attended the former Abbot Pennings High School in De Pere and St. Joseph Academy in Green Bay. Paul’s sons Michael, David and Daniel went to Pennings, while daughters Kathy and Susan went to the Academy. Carol’s son, Sean Twomey, was a Pennings student while daughter Meghan Twomey graduated from the Academy. When those schools and Premontre High School merged as Notre Dame, “we took our allegiance to Notre Dame,” Paul said.

The Schierls, who reside in De Pere, are community and business leaders as well as Notre Dame supporters. Paul Schierl, who graduated magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame in 1957 and was third in his class at the University of Notre Dame’s Law School in 1961, joined Fort Howard Corporation here in 1964 as an attorney. He became general council and secretary in 1967 and president and chief operations officer in August 1974. In December of that year, he was named president and chief executive officer. He became chairman and CEO in 1984, positions he retained until his resignation in 1990.  Schierl saw the paper company grow from a single paper mill to an international leader.

He has attained numerous honors in his career, including Chief Paper Industry Executive of the Year in 1982, Outstanding Volunteer Fund Raiser of the Year in 1993, and the William Heraly MacDonald Award winner in 1994. In 1996 he was inducted into the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Phoenix Hall of Fame. He and Carol both won the William Booth Award of the Salvation Army in 1999.

Paul is currently president of the Cornerstone Foundation of Northeastern Wisconsin and Carol serves on the same board. He serves on the board of directors of the Green Bay Packers, NEW Community Shelter, The Salvation Army Advisory Board, Notre Dame Law School Advisory Council, the Catholic Diocese Foundation and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. He has been campaign chairman for a host of organizations in Brown County including the Green Bay Botanical Garden, the Brown County Association for Retarded Children, the Salvation Army, Family Service Association, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Cerebral Palsy, Inc. and the Boys & Girls Club of Green Bay.

Carol, who worked as a legal secretary and has been a longtime community volunteer, is also on the board of directors of the American Foundation of Counseling Services, the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, Cerebral Palsy, Inc. and Notre Dame Academy.

Although none of their children live in Green Bay anymore, the Schierls remain staunch allies of the Catholic high school. “I’ve long believed in Catholic education,” Paul said.

While the couple is proud of the school’s high academic standards and the fact that more than 90 percent of its graduates go on to higher education, that isn’t everything. “There are other aspects to have rather than just getting into college,” Paul said, citing the discipline that exists in parochial schools. And, Carol added, “the students are still in touch with God in their school life."

2004 Recipient: Michael Riordan

His youngest child completed high school at Notre Dame Academy in 2001, but that hasn’t deterred Mike Riordan from serving as a member of the school’s Corporation.  Mike’s devotion to Notre Dame and Catholic education in Green Bay has earned him Notre Dame Academy’s 2004 Founders’ Award.

Mike said he was “pleasantly surprised” by his nomination, but maintains that his service is merely the result of being passionate about what Parochial education does for students and families.

Mike, the former president and chief executive officer of Fort Howard Corporation, said he’s long been involved in the Green Bay community, usually serving on two to four boards at once.

The graduate of Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in industrial engineering, as well as an M.B.A. from Marquette University and a Law Degree from De Paul University, brought his experience and is family to Green Bay in 1987 to become Vice President of Human Resources at Fort Howard.  He was named President of the company in 1992 and added CEO to his title in 1996.  Mike was named President and COO when Fort Howard became Fort James in 1997.  He left the company in 1998.

He served as Chairman and CEO of Paragon Trade Brands, an Atlanta area company that he took through its ttransistion period while commuting home to Green Bay on weekends.  Mike, now 53, is retired from the business side of his life, but his volunteer commitments make that retirement an active one.

Besides NDA, Mike serves on the board of trustees of St. Norbert College and has been on the Bellin Health board.  He’s President of the Oneida Golf and Country Club.

Mike’s commitment to Catholic schools dates to the late 1980s when he served on the board of the former St. Joseph’s Academy while his daughter, Kelly, was a student there.  His board helped ease the school through the transition and consolidation of St. Joseph’s, Premontre and Abbot Pennings high schools into Notre Dame de la Baie Academy in 1990.

He moved to the NDA board a couple of years later, noting that it was “a working board.  There was a lot to do as the merger unfolded and Father Dane Radecki (then principal and president) relied a lot on us.”  He later became a member of the NDA’s corporation, a position he still holds.

The Riordans’ children have attended Green Bay’s Catholic high schools.  Kelly, now 31 and married to Tony Smullen, lives in De Pere with the Riordans’ first grandchild, Jake.  She graduated from St. Joseph’s in 1990.  Brian, now 29, graduated from NDA in 1994.  He and his wife, Marrin, live in California.  Kevin, now 21, is a junior at the University of Iowa and is a 2001 NDA grad.

“I’ve always tried to get involved in what’s important to our family,” Riordan said.  “My wife and I are products of Catholic school systems.  Our parents fostered that in us.  We realize that any school system, public or Catholic, needs support and people willing to volunteer their time and energy.”

Mike recommends such involvement to others.  “Being on the board is mostly evening activity and not extraordinary in terms of time commitment,” he said. “None of us can do it in infinite ways, so we pick our spots.  It’s getting involved in whatever area that’s near and dear to you.  It’s not just serving time, but doing it with some level of passion and excitement.”

Mike calls his efforts on the NDA Board “fun work.  It’s work you knew was making a difference.”  He also made a difference through financial contributions to NDA’s “Many Traditions One Future” construction and endowment campaign.

While his children are out of high school, the Riordans “are still part of the community,” Mike said. “If our kids had been done 20 years earlier, we still would have been a big part of the campaign.”

Mike’s devotion to Catholic schooling and NDA “is not based on the feeling that education there is superior.  We’re in an area where you can’t go wrong.  All the high schools here are superior to those in other parts of the country,” he said.  “It’s having the faith that’s part of your life being part of your education, and having the religion there.”

When Don Schneider joined his father, Al, at Schneider Transport, he became only the fifth office employee.  This was not however his first experience working with the family’s young business.  He employed as an office aid, mechanic’s helper and a driver in order to pay his tuition at Catholic Central High School, St. Norbert College, and ultimately graduate school at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. 

The combination of being raised with a strong work ethic and benefiting from Catholic education helped in the formation of one of the world’s most successful businessmen.

From Schneider Transports growth into a regional force, to the company’s evolution into the nation’s largest truckload carrier, he has navigated the course of Schneider National with great precision and intuition.

Throughout his career, Don has been a beacon of ethics in the workplace.  As a member of the Business Advisory Committee for Northwestern University’s Transportation Center and the Advisory Board for the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, he is a mentor to up and coming business men and women as well as the larger business community. 

Having a strong emphasis on ethical business etiquette is a natural extension of his experience in Catholic Education.  Don embodies in the business world the values that are inherent in his upbringing.

A common theme amongst anyone who discussed Don is his down to Earth demeanor.  Typically clad in blue jeans and a Schneider denim shirt, he has clearly avoided the trappings of a typical CEO.

His office is the same size as all other executive offices.  The office décor consists of a couple of chairs for guests, a stand up desk and a wall adorned with crayon artwork given to him by children.  The result is an environment that is equally inviting to other executives as to any truck driver.

Don is a kind and humble man who is guided by the words of St. Francis, which he keeps on his desk, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace . . . . “  The fact that the modest side of his personality and his accessibility to all of Schneider’s employees are complimented by an intense sense of competition and this is what makes him such a uniquely successful CEO. 

After graduating from St. Norbert, Don married his high school sweetheart, Pat (O’Brien, SJA ’57).  A significant piece of Don and Pat’s legacy is their family. 

Their children, and now their grandchildren, are in the parochial schools and at Notre Dame Academy.  Each of Don and Pat’s Children also attended Catholic universities.  By instilling the values and benefits of Catholic education in their family they help to ensure its’ ongoing vitality.

Through Don’s initiative with the recent renovations at Notre Dame, every student now benefits from the Schneider Triton Center.  This fabulous facility enhancement provided the school with a state of the art gymnasium and ample practice space for the student athletes.

Through leadership, generosity and family, Don continues to have a wonderful impact on both the Notre Dame community and the larger community.  It is a privilege to have him connected to the school and it is an honor to present him with the 2005 Founders Award.

2007 Recipients: The Norbertines of St. Norbert Abbey

Abbot Pennings High School and St. Norbert College were founded when Fr. Bernard Henry Pennings, O. Praem. (originally from Berne Abbey in Holland) offered Latin lessons to three students beginning on October 10, 1898.  Father Pennings had considered the idea of educating the young from the time he first came to the United States at the request of the Bishop of Green Bay in 1893 to minister to Belgian immigrants in the so-called Belgian Peninsula. When Bishop Messmer offered Fr. Pennings St. Joseph Parish in De Pere, the young priest saw his chance to fulfill his dream.  The three students grew to twelve within the next year, and from then on the school prospered. By 1904, there were enough students to warrant the building of what is

St. Norbert College has grown from its simple beginnings to become a highly regarded liberal arts college in the Midwest. The College serves an undergraduate student body of just over 2,000 students and sponsors a few graduate programs.  Its Department of Education has trained many of the area’s K-12 teachers, thus contributing to Fr. Pennings’ original vision of educating youth.  The number of Notre Dame Academy graduates who choose to attend St. Norbert annually rank at or near the most from any high school.

In 1941, Abbot Pennings responded to the need for Catholic education in the city of Green Bay, and opened Central Catholic High School on the top floors of the Columbus Building in Green Bay.  Fr. Sylvester Killeen was appointed as the first principal and mostly Norbertines served as faculty for the new school.  The Norbertines at the time lived in parish buildings at St. Willebrord, close to the new high school.  Fr. Killeen was elected Coadjutor Abbot in 1947, and Fr. Richard Mulroy succeeded him as principal of Central Catholic.  The growing student body needed more room, and in 1955, the school was moved to a brand new building on the West Side of Green Bay, and renamed Our Lady of Prémontré High School.  A building to house the Norbertines who taught at the school was included as part of the new building, and was named St. Michael Priory.

In June, 1990, both Abbot Pennings and Prémontré High Schools celebrated their last graduation exercises, and both schools merged, together with St. Joseph Academy, into a new high school, located at the former Prémontré site, and was renamed Notre Dame de la Baie Academy.  The new school is supported by the Norbertines of St. Norbert Abbey, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, and the Diocese of Green Bay.

Other Norbertine educational ventures outside the Green Bay Area – In 1932, Abbot Pennings

opened a high school for boys at the former Raskob estate in Claymont, Deleware.  The coeducational college preparatory school, which still operates under Norbertine sponsorship, is known as Archmere Academy.

In 1934, at the invitation of the Archbishop of Philadelphia, the Norbertines of De Pere opened Southeast Catholic High School for boys in the City of Brotherly Love.  In 1955, the school moved to a brand new building in the city’s southeast section and was renamed for a former Bishop of Philadelphia, St. John Neumann.  Like many other schools in the city, the school was merged with a school for girls, and is now known as Neumann-Goretti High School.

The Norbertines of St. Norbert Abbey continue to fulfill the vision of Abbot Bernard Pennings, O. Praem., through their sponsorship and support of Catholic education.  Over the years, the De Pere Norbertines have established significant endowments for their schools and they continue to offer scholarship assistance, especially to those in financial need.  Norbertines serve on the Notre Dame Academy Corporate Board and Board of Education.  They provide spiritual support through sacramental ministry and offer the services of qualified Norbertines who choose to serve in education. 

For their vision, leadership and support of Catholic education in the Green Bay- De Pere area, the Norbertines of St. Norbert Abbey are most worthy recipients of the 2007 Founders Award, the highest award given by Notre Dame de la Baie Academy.

2008 Recipients: The Bill & Norma Calawerts Family

Both William and Norma Calawerts were raised in Green Bay.  Norma resided on the East Side and Bill on the West side before they married in 1954.  They immediately moved to Germany where Bill served in the Army.  After a couple of years in Europe and the birth of their first son, Mark, the Calawerts returned to Northeastern Wisconsin.  Bill then began his high school teaching career in science.
In 1968, Bill began working for Ver Halen, Inc. and purchased the company in 1980.  Under his leadership, the company grew from $3 million in sales to its present day sales of $75 million. Today the company is owned by Mike and John Calawerts. 

Norma and Bill raised six children, although Bill quickly states that Norma did all of the work.  Mark and Sandy Calawerts reside in Brookfield, WI., Lee and Mary Bouche reside in De Pere; and Mike and Rocky Calawerts, Chris and Patti Calawerts, John Calawerts and Dean and Anne Stewart all reside in Green Bay.  Bill and Norma are blessed with 20 grandchildren. As Norma stated, “We are most grateful and proud of the fact that all six of our children and their spouses are good, involved, practicing Catholics and their faith is being passed on to our precious grandchildren.”

The legacy of faith passed along to their children is matched by their deep sense of stewardship for others.  Norma Calawerts has been very active in her parishes and in the community.  She served as President of the St. Anne’s Society at Annunciation Parish; helped organize a group of women to support SS. Edward & Isidore Parish; serves as a Communion Distributor at Bellin Hospital; delivers Meals-on-Wheels for St. Mary’s Hospital, and continues to do work for the missions at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral.

Bill Calawerts devoted much effort in the building programs of his parishes and the Boys & Girls Club where he served as Board President for four years.  He was instrumental in establishing the Green Bay Diocesan Museum while also a Cathedral Trustee.  Previously Bill served on the school Boards at Annunciation and Our Lady of Charity Schools. 

Together Norma and Bill have worked Thanksgiving Dinners at the Boys & Girls Clubs and they donated the windows and altar furniture when a new SS. Edward and Isidore Church was constructed.  Their generosity also extends to all of the Catholic schools where their children attend and they sponsor scholarships at St. Norbert College.  Bill and Norma also donated a Marian statue to the grotto on the campus of St. Norbert. Bill is quick to point out that “whatever each of us has done, we’ve done it as a team and together.  We feel blessed to have passed along our philosophy to our children.”

The six Calawerts children and their spouses continue to live the Calawerts Family philosophy by serving in various leadership roles in their parishes and schools.  Coaching, teaching, lecturing, organizing Auctions, serving on School Boards and building committees demonstrate the generous spirit modeled by their parents.  Their contributions are at St. John Vianney (Brookfield, WI), St. Matthew’s (Allouez), St. Agnes (Green Bay), SS. Edward & Isidore (Flintville), St. John the Baptist (Howard) and St. Francis Xavier Cathedral (Green Bay).

The William & Norma Calawerts Family demonstrate a devotion and generosity to church and community.  Their support of Catholic education has been at the heart of their family’s involvement.  In appreciation for their collective contributions and dedication to serving youth in the Catholic Church, Notre Dame de la Baie Academy makes its highest award to THE WILLIAM & NORMA CALAWERTS FAMILY.

2009 Recipient: Sr. Pat Clement, CSJ

Sr. Pat Clement was born and raised in the Green Bay. In 1952 her family moved to 111 O’Brien Street where she and her siblings attended Annunciation Grade School. Catholic education was a must in her family. Her four brothers all went to Premontre High School while she attended St. Joseph Academy. Back then one had to worry about passing the entrance exam to even get in either of these schools.

After graduating from the Academy Sr. Pat entered the convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in St. Louis, MO. Most young women who entered either went into teaching or nursing. There were a few other options but teaching

Although teaching chemistry itself was important, it was more important to teach students to think for themselves and to solve problems. It took extra effort to make them understand their priorities—when to memorize and when to know where to go to find the answers, etc. Chemistry became the tool to teach and practice higher thinker skills.

The magic in teaching has always been to help each student find his/her own strengths and to trust in them. Given a chance and a little encouragement students can achieve phenomenal goals. One student at St. Teresa Academy really wanted a dance team. She went to Sr. Pat and shared her desire. Sr. Pat’s response was “I don’t have time to bring this about but if you are willing to do the work I’ll guide you through the process”. The student accepted the challenge and faithfully reported in after completing each step. Thanks to this student in just three short months the school had a dance team that has been successful for years.

The opportunities to work with students and coach them to achieve their goals outside the classroom were numerous. Sr. Pat spent many hours working with students in leadership camps and on student councils. After completing a Masters in Educational Administration she continued to work with students in extracurricular activities. A favorite activity for many years was participating in TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) Retreats. Seeing teens become excited about their faith enhanced her faith and prayer life.

A lifelong dream of Sr. Pat was to return to Green Bay and work at St. Joseph’s Academy. Before she had a chance to make that dream come true, the three Catholic High Schools in the area combined to form Notre Dame Academy. It didn’t matter to her; Sr. Pat’s dream was fulfilled in 1994 when she became the principal of Notre Dame Academy. The rich heritage, traditions and commitment to excellence in education continue on in and through the students, staff and administration.  After leaving Notre Dame, Sr. Pat became principal at St. Bernard’s in Green Bay.

Today, as a Pastoral Associate for the Quad Parishes Sr. Pat continues to draw on all the wisdom she accumulated through thirty-eight years of Catholic School employment either as a teacher or as an administrator. Her passion for Catholic education continues through her service as a Corporate Board member for Notre Dame Academy and as a teacher of adult faith formation through the RCIA program, bible study classes, retreat director and planning other opportunities for ongoing faith formation.

Notre Dame Academy recognized Sr. Pat Clement with the 2009 Founders Award for her many contributions to Catholic education in our community.

2010 Recipient: William “Red” Lewis

William “Red” Lewis was born in Green Bay in 1942, the youngest of four children of the family of Harold and Erna Lewis.  William attended grade school at St. Willebrord.  In 1960, he graduated from Premontre High School, being voted as “most likely not to succeed” by his friends.  William has been blessed with three children; Becky, Kelly, and Jon.  Becky and Pat Verheyden and their two children, Kyle and Katy reside in the Green Bay area. Jon also lives in the Green Bay area.  His daughter Kelly resides in Minneapolis, MN.  Having lived in Green Bay all his life William has established numerous close friendships and business associations with those who share his values, philosophy and vision.  Through the years he has developed and maintained strong personal and professional ties within the community. William “Red” Lewis began his career in

Lewis has always had a special relationship with youth.  He feels that one of his greatest achievements is the fact that he’s been able to give over 20,000 kids their first job; giving them opportunity to establish a foundation for a lifetime of a solid work ethic.  Lewis is known throughout the community for his philanthropic efforts.  In the past ten years he has made over $100,000 in car wash donations to various charities and groups.  He is known for his creative giving, such as the time he declared November 11^th  “Free Car Wash to Any Veteran Day”!  That day he donated $25,000 worth of car washes to the Veterans in the communities in which he operated car washes.  For the last several years he has been a supporter of the Salvation Army’s Coats for Kids Campaign, not only by supporting the effort through sponsorship but also holding a day where people can donate coats in exchange for a car wash.    Notre Dame de la Baie Academy, his alma mater, knows him for his generous annual gifts.  He has been a strong supporter of the Green Bay Boys & Girls Club and the Lac Baie Girl Scout Council.  He has awarded in excess of $100,000 in academic scholarships and tuition reimbursement to his employees.   He also gave back to the employees who were employed at PDQ Manufacturing, Inc. at the time of the acquisition by Dover, Inc. gifting an accumulated $1.1 million to employees from his personal proceeds of this sale. Recently, Red has also given to the Catholic Charities, Manna for Life Ministries, NEW Zoo , St. Willebrord Parish and others through the William G.  Lewis Charitable Foundation.    Lewis also encourages his employees to give back to their communities through PDQ’s Community Service benefit which provides employees paid time off for volunteerism. 

Although Red claims to be retired, he is still actively involved in the washes and real estate company.  When he is not working he enjoys traveling, restoring old cars, and working his hobby farm, which is affectionately known as Red Acres, where he has created an apple orchard.

2011 Recipient: Jeff Gracyalny

In his Santa cap during the week of Christmas, NDA President Bob Pauly stopped by at Jeff’s office and informed him that he was nominated as the recipient of the 2011 Founders’ Award. Bob had called ahead but did not mention the purpose of the visit; so Jeff assumed it was to discuss new campus improvements. Surprised, humbled and extremely grateful, Jeff is also honored to be associated with the past recipients who have had the same passion he has for supporting Catholic education and Notre Dame Academy.
 

Those who know him well would tell you that Jeff is passionate in every facet of his life. The values of faith, family, friends and hard work were instilled in him by his parents and are values he has demonstrated to his children. He’s pretty passionate about golf, too. You might find it interesting, though, to learn how Jeff started his journey in Catholic education which he will share tonight.

Jeff was born August 13, 1958 to John and Lois Gracyalny, not long after they bought a local blacksmith shop with a house on the far west side of Green Bay. He is the oldest of 5 kids in a very close-knit family. His brother, Jerry, works with him in the family business, renamed J W Industries, Inc. in 1988. The custom metal fabrication company is at the original blacksmith shop location. Sisters LoAnn, Lynelle and Lori own Crystal Coffee Café and Beanery in Ashwaubenon.

Jeff attended Assumption B.V.M Grade School, Pulaski High School, NWTC for an Associate Degree and Milwaukee School of Engineering where he received his Bachelors Degree in Architectural Engineering in 1981.

From little on, Jeff spent time at his Dad’s side learning about business. You could say he really worked his way up from sweeping the shop floors, to welding and running the equipment, to drafting and estimating, to leading the company today. Jeff played an integral role in developing many of the company’s products which include stadiums and bleachers and other athletic field equipment.

Jeff married Kathleen (Kathy) O’Hara on April 17, 1982, and she works with him in business since 1986. Their 3 children, all graduates of Holy Family School and Notre Dame Academy, are Alison, Ryan and Megan.

Alison (Frazier), 27, is a graduate of St. Norbert College and works as a human resource manager for Valley Packaging Supply in De Pere where she lives with her husband, Adam. Ryan, 25, is a graduate of Concordia University, lives in Milwaukee and works as a Captionist Specialist for Cedarburg High School tutoring hearing- impaired students while waiting for a Social Studies teaching opportunity. Megan, 21, is completing her junior year in the nursing program at Madison Edgewood College and will focus on obstetrics. All 3 kids have helped in the family business in different capacities. Holy Family School and Notre Dame Academy further impressed upon the values of faith, family and hard work held close by Jeff and Kathy.

Jeff’s professional philosophy mirrors his personal values of striving to be the best at whatever you do and finding ways to “give back” in gratitude for the blessings received, whether that be through financial support or dedicating time. With his business background, Jeff found that having served on NDA’s Board of Education and its Personnel Committee was a good fit, and he continues to serve on its Buildings & Grounds Committee with the goal of making NDA a state-of-the-art facility for future generations. He also currently serves on the Revenue Generating Committee at St. Elizabeth-Seton Parish. Previously, Jeff was involved in the construction of Holy Family School’s Multi-Purpose Center.  

 Jeff truly believes he has received more than he has given and will always value the many relationships that have been built along the way. His sincere thanks goes out to NDA President, Bob Pauly, Father Dane Radecki and past Founders’ Award recipients for this great honor.

2012 Recipients: Don and Gail DeMeuse

Don and Gail DeMeuse were both born and raised in Algoma, WI, attended parochial schools there and graduated from Algoma High School.

Gail attended Door-Kewaunee Teacher’s College for a Degree in Education. She taught in rural Kewaunee County, St. Gabriel’s Parish, Neenah and St. Jude Parish, Green Bay. While at St. Jude, she served on Parish Council, was a communion distributor, lector, CCD teacher, scout leader and held offices in the Sanctuary Society.