Planned gifts provide much-needed support for Vianney and its future students, often without any immediate financial impact to you. The impact of a planned gift on Vianney, however, is immediate, as it helps to ensure that the legacy of Vianney will continue.
To recognize those who understand the importance of a planned gift, St. John Vianney High School has established The 1960 Legacy Society.
1960 is a special year for St. John Vianney High School. In 1960, Vianney opened its doors for the first time to educate young men in the Catholic, Marianist tradition. Since then, plenty of young men and their families have developed their Vianney legacy. The 1960 Legacy Society honors those who have committed to remembering Vianney through a planned gift. The society is named for the year of Vianney’s founding and reflects the important legacy of planned giving donors, whose gifts make a significant and lasting impact on St. John Vianney High School.
New members to the 1960 Legacy Society, as well as all existing members, will receive a special recognition that will be on permanent display in the Vianney Campus, created by Third Degree Glass Studios.
"Cassie and I contributed to the 1960 Legacy Society because today's society is lacking men of character and conviction.
Vianney is one of the few high schools that still educate the whole man so that graduates are not just superior students, but also superior servant leaders that America so desperately needs."
"Why did my wife and I decide it was important to include Vianney in our estate planning?
Vianney has always held a special place in my heart. From the time I was a student to the present day, I am proud I went to Vianney and proud of the values, education and friendships I have made through Vianney.
Fast forward 30 years and now we get to watch our two sons experience all that Vianney has to offer. We are blessed by the impact Vianney has made in our lives and see the impact it has made in our sons lives. We want to make sure others have the same opportunity to experience Vianney for their family.
This community is special and is a second family to me and my family. So it just made sense to us that we leave something to Vianney since they are an extended part of our family."
-Mike Mantia '92
Pictured: Sharon, Sophia, Vincent '22, Dominic '26, and Mike Mantia '92
The primary reason I decided to include Vianney in estate planning, as well as start the "Sam Oldani '13 Scholarship", is GRATITUDE. Vianney's teachers, coaches and administrators, along with other personnel, provide exceptional educational, athletic, and leadership opportunities for young men, including my son. Furthermore, numerous staff were directly instrumental in contributing to Sam's character formation, spiritual development, and communication skills to name a few. I am confident that thousands of other young men who have had the privilege to attend Vianney have also benefited in similar ways.
As a parent, and a now-retired School Psychologist, I have the utmost respect and appreciation for the positive mentoring, guidance, and structure that is woven into most every aspect of the high school experience at Vianney. The meaningful and valuable impact Vianney had on Sam fills me with nostalgia. The many positive memories and feelings make it easy and quite gratifying to "pay it forward" through a scholarship, and by making Vianney part of our family legacy. Therefore, beginning this school year and for decades to come, Vianney will see that each year a most deserving recipient of the Marianist Award also earns financial support through the Sam Oldani '13 Scholarship.
During Sam's Sophomore year, Mr. Kevin Walsh presented him with the Marianist Award, the Highest Honor a Vianney Student can receive! At a school assembly on January 25, 2011, Sam was informed that he had especially distinguished himself by achieving the highest ratings from the faculty and administration for his character and spirit. While that was one of many grace-filled moments for Sam and our family, it would not have happened without all of you who genuinely care and lead so positively. I honor and respect the exceptional educators that invest themselves head, heart and soul in more ways than we may ever really know. You ensure that Vianney's great legacy will always continue. I appreciate all that you did and all that you do!
As a final note, when I sent my son the information about starting the scholarship and the estate plan, Sam thought it was a great idea and commented, "Vianney was definitely the right move for me, and I know many feel the same way." He especially liked all of his English courses with Mr. Sargent, Teen Leadership, and all of the school masses. He said Mr. Kevin Walsh and Coach Biggs were always great influences on him with sports, coaching, and life in general. He thought Mr. Gladstone was great for football and Mr. Loyet was a super-solid influence too. Last but not least, Sam loved being captain of his sports teams, and Student Council Vice President.
Thank you all for having made an enormously positive impact on my son!
-John Oldani
Pictured: John and Sam Oldani
Inspired by his son's journey to success at Vianney, the Sam Oldani '13 scholarship is awarded to 1 recipient of the Marianist Award, the highest honor awarded at Vianney High School. To learn more about the Sam Oldani '13 scholarship, continue reading here.
"Chris and I credit our Catholic faith and lifetime fulfillment to our high school experiences.
Vianney’s academic structure and discipline made me want to learn. We feel that it is extremely important that the Vianney educational experience continues to be available to young men."
Larry Valenza '83 is Principal at M + H Architects. He has shared his gift for architecture with St. John Vianney High School as Chairman of the Facilities Committee since 2016 and Chairman of the current Long-Range Campus Planning Committee. Larry is also an alumni parent with TJ graduating in 2014.
"I don't consider myself to be the smartest guy in the world, but somehow I've made a series of really good decisions - my wife, my college, my profession, and so many more. But, the first decision I ever made on my own, without being guided in any particular direction by my parents, was the choice to attend Vianney, This ended up being the "first domino" triggering all of the following events which have impacted my life so profoundly. I initially wanted to go to Vianney, because i would attend football games (on Saturdays before they were played on Friday nights) with one of my junior football teammates whose older brother played at Vianney. It turned out that eight of my football teammates also decided to attend Vianney, so a whole group of us started high school together.
There's definitely always been a spirit and culture at Vianney which is hard to describe without experiencing it. We call it the Vianney family, and it's real. I made lifelong friends who I still see and consider my brothers. I played football which was a source of pride, created indelible memories, and most importantly taught me about teamwork, sacrifice, persistence, and humility. While at Vianney I took Coach Farrell's Architectural Drawing class and fell in love with architecture. After my dad, he's undoubtedly the man who has had the biggest influence on my life. Every morning, I get out of bed and go to work because he introduced me to my profession.
So, why do I give? To be honest, it's partly selfish, because I get the opportunity to spend time at Vianney in the unmistakable family atmosphere that still feels like home. I get to apply my area of expertise to help make the facilities nicer and more efficient, which I hope ultimately enhances the high school experience for the current generation of Griffins. I get to work with a passionate staff at the school whose decisions are always based on what's best for the kids and the school. And, I know that my financial contributions are used to support the ongoing operation of the institution so that more young people can make the same great decision to attend Vianney that I did."
Ken and Fran Bader recently made a $1 Million gift to St. John Vianney High School. Ken was inspired after reading an article in the Spring 2021 issue of Black & Gold. David Cassilly '63 had issued a challenge after making his $1 million gift, "I believe there are at least five other million-dollar donors from Vianney right now... Please prove me right"
The Bader's donation will help fund the Activity Center and Media Center renovations, wrestling program, new campus signage, school technology, and financial aid.
Ken: Fran and I have been married for almost 55 years. We started a real estate-appraisal business, Bader & Associates, in 1975. It grew beyond anything we imagined. We also made some good investments along the way.
Fran: We lived within walking distance of another Catholic high school but our oldest son chose Vianney, because he felt at home here. I volunteered in Griffins Cafe for more than 20 years as all six of our sons attended Vianney: Dan '91, Luke '94, Adam '97, Mark '98, John '03, and Andy '06.
John '03, Andy '06, Dan '91, Amy Meier, Ken, Fran, Adam '97, Luke '94, and Mark '98
Ken: We told our kids at Christmas of our intent to give a $1 million gift to Vianney. They were all happy, including our daughter, Amy.
Fran: I remember when Dan took an accounting class at Mizzou and said "it was a breeze" because his high school accounting teacher, Mike Loyet '77, had more than prepared him for college. Vianney impressed on the boys the importance of giving back, sharing their talents. Our kids all went to public grade school, but we wanted a faith-filled environment for high school and they received that at Vianney.
Ken: We met some of their closest friends here. Now we come to grandparent events at Vianney and see these same friends who are here fore their own grandkids.
Fran: Vianney built a base for our children and their future. Over the passing of time, we are pleased with most of our decisions and choosing Vianney is one of them. It's been a joy to watch the school progress.
Ken: We need at least two more million-dollar donors by the end of this year. I know who you are! Check with your financial advisor, because there are definite tax advantages when donating appreciated assets.