Coffee House Discussion

Steve Rees (left in picture at left) joined me this morning to discuss the environmental design for our future campus expansion with Ryan Evans (center) and Jeremy Knoll (right).
We met at the Broadway Cafe in Westport, and have established some big plans for 2010.
Ryan emphasized his interest in seeing schools not only tackle the three Rs, but also the two Es: economy and environment.
Ryan is an engineer, and Jeremy is an architect.
Steve is a retired architect and is now helping DeLaSalle students build an electric car and begin production of a number of bamboo bikes.
In the new year, we plan to meet with DeLaSalle students and staff to discuss some of their dreams for the impact we can have on the environment and lives of students with our new building, for which we hope to break ground this fall.
Its exciting working with energetic and idealistic people like Ryan, Jeremy and Steve. And 2010 promises to be our best year yet!
Happy New Year!

Kate O. White, R.I.P.

I found an old picture with Kate Ogilve White in it. She was a bridesmaid in a wedding in 1974. I cropped the picture so that only Kate could be seen (left). She was a lovely person, very gentle and kind, even then.
Twenty years later, she worked for a brief time at DeLaSalle as a secretary. She was soft-spoken and pleasant to everyone.
Kate just died this October. Her funeral was lovely, as only a funeral for a gentle person could be. She never married. She was in her seventies when she died, having suffered from an illness for several years.
I received a call this week from an investment company who informed me that Kate had remembered us in her will.
I was very surprised and touched.
Kate had come from a family who had been well-off at one time, but she lived simply and frugally. She had gone to school in France as a teenager, learned to speak French fluently, and then, for a brief time, worked alongside Dorothy Day in the soup kitchen at the Catholic Worker House in New York City.
When I first met her in 1973, she was working at Rockhurst College as a secretary.
She was unique and wonderful and full of surprises, even after her death with her nice remembrance last week for the DeLaSalle Education Center.
I was privileged to know her.

Before there was a Pat...

....Lantz there was a Bill Lantz (photo at left), both in the birth order, as well as in the DeLaSalle Print Shop!

This photo of Bill Lantz in the print shop appeared in the March 1983 edition of Columbia, the national magazine published by the Knights of Columbus.

Bill left DeLaSalle in 1984, bequeathing his position (and the cases upon cases of old metal print type) to his younger brother, Pat, who has been at DeLaSalle (and in the basement print shop) ever since!

DeLaSalle owes a huge debt of gratitude to the Lantz brothers. They and other members of their family were educated in the building now occupied by DeLaSalle, when it operated as Lillis High School.

Both Bill and Pat received college degrees in printing. Bill continues to help DeLaSalle through his service on the DeLaSalle Student Press Advisory Board.

Hurray for the Lantzs!!

Carolyn Davis

Carolyn Davis (in photo at left) was the business education teacher at DeLaSalle from 1978 to 1985.

She taught typing, record keeping and filing, besides introducing students to an electronic device that was just starting to be widely used at that time: the calculator!

How times have changed!

Godfrey S Kobets

Godfrey Kobets (left in photo) always referred to himself as the co-founder of the DeLaSalle Education Center. This was in spite of the perception of many people that Mr. Kobets, alone, was the founding inspiration of DeLaSalle.

Mr. Kobets, who died in 1996, was a very humble man, and he knew that this important work was not, nor would ever be, the result of any one person. He also wanted to acknowledge the support of his former student and life-long friend, Norman O. Sanders. Norman had taken a partial leave-of-absence from his law firm in 1971 to assist Mr.Kobets with the legal complexities of starting a non-profit, non-sectarian, non-tuition-charging, inner-city alternative school. As a result, Mr. Kobets considered Norman to be another co-founder of DeLaSalle. (In fact, Norman was the Chairman or Co-Chairman of the DeLaSalle Board for 37 years until his death in August 2008.)

The early literature about DeLaSalle listed another co-founder, Christian Brother Theodore Berni. Brother Ted served as the Center's initial principal, and worked at DeLaSalle until the early seventies. We have lost touch with him since then, so we consequently have acknowledged the Christian Brothers organization, which supported Brother Ted's work, as co-founders of the Education Center.

As they say, it takes a village to raise a child, and at DeLaSalle, it took a (religious) community, educators and civic leaders to raise the thousands of children who have been educated at DeLaSalle Education Center. Thanks to all of you "villagers" who have helped us build on the foundations of great individuals like Godfrey S Kobets!

Proud Moment!

I was proud to be alongside the Chief of Police, Jim Corwin (right in photo), as he presented the 2009 CIT Award yesterday to Captain Joe Chapman (left).

Behind us are two Police Commissioners, President Mark Thompson (partially visible behind Captain Chapman) and Jim Wilson.

Commissioner Wilson played a major role in our discussions with the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD), as did Commissioner Karl Zobrist.

I am grateful for all of the hard and difficult work of the KCPD, and for how they have remembered my son (see Tuesday's postings for the story behind this award).

Making a Difference!

George Hudson (left in photo) and Henry Wash (right) are making a difference in the community and at DeLaSalle.

Through their employment with United Services Community Action Agency, a non-profit organization serving low-income families, they are offering job readiness and career development training to area teens. They came by the school yesterday to explain their program and recruit some of our students.

Henry Wash has also developed an important male mentoring program called High Aspirations. We hope to work with him on this project in the new year.

Another Warrior for Justice!

I have known John Kurtz (left) and his wife, Patricia, for many years. Patricia is a teacher and formerly served on the Kansas City School Board. John is a lawyer.

I used to work for the agency where John made a his first, major contribution to the community, the Missouri Council on Criminal Justice (MCCJ). John was a legend at MCCJ for his untiring advocacy in the development of innovative police and court services in Western Missouri. (When I worked at MCCJ, I was responsible for juvenile grants. In that position, I funded DeLaSalle, and became extremely impressed with their work and the founding genius of Godfrey Kobets, who later hired me.)

John entered law school while working at MCCJ, and then went to work for the Public Defender's office. He later became a private attorney, but he never lost his passion for justice and helping the "underdog".

I was such an "underdog" in November 2002 when I called John and asked him for help and advice. Two officers from the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) had shot my son the week before in a stand-off in the living room of my house. Aaron had been depressed and had made a crank call to the police. When I allowed the police into our house on November 11, 2002, Aaron stood silently in front of them with two knives in his hands, which he refused to drop. In seconds, he was shot eight times because the policemen thought he was going to attack them and me. I watched helplessly and in shock as Aaron died.

John guided us through an amazing series of discussions over two years with the KCPD. We never lost sight of the tragedy of our son's death, but we never made the police out to be "bad guys". Police training for encounters with the mentally ill was woefully inadequate at that time. But that soon changed.

Now, an annual award in Aaron's memory has been established by the KCPD (see below). And John Kurtz was our guide and, still is, our hero.

Annual CIT Award!

Yesterday, I was blessed to be part of the presentation of the Kansas City Police Department's annual CIT Award.
Captain Joe Chapman (left in photo) was given the 2009 Award for his dedication to promoting the Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) model locally and state-wide.
I have heard a lot about Captain Chapman and it was an honor to meet him.
I am so fortunate to have an award developed in memory of my late son, whose life may have been saved if the CIT program had been in wider use in 2002.
At the award ceremony, they always mention that the CIT Award was established in memory of Aaron Dougherty. I never expected that an award like this would mean so much to me. I believe that CIT program, and the recognition of its importance and the creation of an award, is saving lives in Kansas City!

Denarian Johnson

Denarian Johnson is our Reading Teacher at DeLaSalle. She was helping out in the kitchen this morning at the Holiday Breakfast for our students.

She's a "special" person, not only because of her helpful attitude, but also because she just earned her Master's Degree in Special Education last Friday!

In Her 18th Year With DeLaSalle!

Was there ever a librarian with more patience?

Since I am married to a librarian, I know that patience is a requirement for the painstaking, detail-oriented work that so many librarians perform, often with great grace.

But Heather Hildebrand is in a class by herself.

She is one of the most patient, and kind, persons I have ever met.

We're blessed with a great staff, and Heather Hildebrand, in her 18th year with DeLaSalle, is a shining example of what is so wonderful about DeLaSalle!

Holiday Breakfast!

Carolyn Watkins (dishing out the eggs in the picture) helps out wherever she can.

Not only is she our Human Resources Manager, but she takes care of our facility and maintenance. She was serving a Holiday Breakfast this morning for our students. (Working alongside her is PACES director, Glenda Willis, at right in picture).

A Boxful of Memories!

I have always liked the 017 Desk Calendars, measuring 31/2 inches by 6 inches, with a two-page spread for every weekday. It's a great format for scheduling and annotating the many daily appointments I needed to keep in my thirty years at DeLaSalle.
As I was cleaning out my desk this week for my eventual transition, I boxed up thirty years-worth of those calendars, filled with mostly good memories.
This boxful of memories includes many meetings with staff and funders and Board members that kept me so engaged and focused on helping DeLaSalle grow and mature and develop over the years.
Many of you have your names inscribed somewhere in one of those bundled and rubber-banded yearly collections of appointments. But more importantly, you're in my heart, where you will be fondly treasured and remembered!

Mrs. Marguerite Brooks

When Marguerite Brooks' husband died many years ago, she established a Foundation in his memory. Her husband, the late Marvin Brooks, was a longtime educator and administrator in the Kansas City School District.
Mrs. Brooks recently turned to DeLaSalle to help her with printing for the Foundation. We're proud to help Mrs. Brooks carry on Marvin's legacy in this small way. In effect, Marvin's legacy has now been extended to helping students at DeLaSalle! Isn't it remarkable how good people beget more good by seemingly simple actions!

2009 Movie Benefit A Success!

Thanks to supporters like Sprint, represented by Gene and Bobette Agee (center in photo at top), DeLaSalle's 2009 Movie Benefit on November 12 raised nearly $250,000!

Special thanks go to AMC Theatres, Dan and Leslie Hogan, Ann and Tyler Prochnow, and John and Susan McMeel, as well as many other wonderful friends of DeLaSalle.

Dan Hogan is on the DeLaSalle Board of Directors, which is chaired by Gary Ballard (right in photo). Gary, Dan and other DeLaSalle Board members work tirelessly, and often without recognition, helping DeLaSalle do its great work!

She's One of Our Graduates!

Chekesheia Wright (right in photo) graduated from DeLaSalle in 2005.

For the past five years, she has been working as a Mental Health Tech for a group home operated by Western Missouri Mental Health Center.

She and Michael Thibeaux (left in photo) are going to get married in May. They are a beautiful couple, and have big plans for their lives!

Chekesheia would like to come back to talk to the DeLaSalle students sometime, and tell them her story. She has a wonderful smile, and a great attitude. We're proud of her and the way her life has developed!

Katie Wendel

Katie Wendel (left) is the Chairperson of the DeLaSalle Board, and inspiration for our staff Holiday Party. Katie insisted we have a nice party, and helped raise the money for a buffet in downtown Kansas City. DeLaSalle has an incredible Board of Directors!

The Veterans!

Brandee Bell (left) and Francie Grandanette (right) have worked together for many years at DeLaSalle. Brandee is a counselor and Francie is our art teacher.

Visiting!

One of the nice things about staff Holiday Parties is the opportunity to visit with one another. In this picture (left to right), Marquita Walker, Jan Werner, Lisa Bower and Denarian Johnson catch up with one another.

What's that shoe doing in my (former) front yard?

Driving to work from an appointment this morning, I saw this very unique shoe sitting upright and by itself in the front yard of the house we used to own on Tracy Street.

At first, I was struck by the exotic red-ness of the shoe. Isn't it unique!

I decided to stop and photograph it.

I'm sure there is an interesting story about this shoe. We lived in this house for 10 years when our children were small. Occasionally, they would find unique objects in the street and yard. But this is a first.

The house is just a block from DeLaSalle. In those days, I would often walk to work, or walk home for lunch. Those were the days!

Those memories came back to me this morning while I pondered the shoe. What could it mean?

Would I find other treasures when I got back to work? Is a one-shoed person waiting for me in my office at DeLaSalle?

And why is this shoe sitting outside on a very cold morning in Kansas City in the (almost) winter?

Life is full of questions.

The Phil Curls' Advantage Computer Lab

On Friday afternoon, November 20, we dedicated a brand-new computer lab at DeLaSalle in memory of the late State Senator Phil Curls, Sr.

This lab was donated and installed by the GTECH Corporation.

Not many people knew that Phil was a graduate of the old De La SALLE. Phil also helped Godfrey Kobets secure significant government funding in the early days of DeLaSalle Education Center.

Phil's niece, Missouri State Representative Kiki Curls (third from right in the above picture), was the driving force in establishing this lab in memory of Phil. We were honored to have Phil's wife, City Councilwoman Melba Curls (fourth from right) join us for the dedication. The star of the show, though, was DeLaSalle student, Mushirah Rashid (fifth from right, and holding the plaque with Mrs. Curls), who spoke eloquently about the impact this lab would have on the students at DeLaSalle.

Friends in High Places!

Bill French (right in photo at left) lives for part of the year in Oregon, but that's not the only high place he occupies!

He's also in charge of the Cloud L. Cray Foundation, a private foundation established by the Cray Family that supports the development of economic education throughout the region.

The Foundation supports DeLaSalle's efforts to teach our students how to achieve economic success in their lives.

Bill lived in Kansas City for 45 years, and ran the development department at the University of Missouri at Kansas City (UMKC) for many years. He was probably the best fundraiser in Kansas City, but now that he as retired from UMKC, I'm hoping to unseat him as the best fundraiser sometime in the near future!

We're grateful to Bill for his advice, friendship and support, and thankful that the community has such generous and thoughtful families as the Cray family!

Colleagues and Friends

Wade Freeman (left in photo at left) and Tom Turner (right) are good friends of mine and of DeLaSalle.
Wade did his community service at DeLaSalle when he was a senior at Rockhurst High School in the 1980s. He has stayed in touch ever since, particularly when he worked at El Centro and then served as Executive Director of Don Bosco in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Even though Wade now works in the business sector, he is a real believer in the importance of non-profits and DeLaSalle.
Tom Turner runs the Bishop Sullivan Center, one of the best non-profits in town (second to DeLaSalle, of course!). Tom helps poor families get (back) on their feet, and runs a soup kitchen three blocks from DeLaSalle. Occasionally, our students help out at their food pantry and even deliver food baskets to homebound families.
I appreciate their advice and counsel to me and to DeLaSalle. Friends like them and others in the community are significant contributors to DeLaSalle's success!

The Electric Car Project!

Andrew and Mario are among several DeLaSalle students who will be working on The Electric Car Project this school year.
Volunteer Steve Rees has organized a group of renowned car buffs to work alongside the DeLaSalle students on this project beginning in January. Steve has already received a donation of a 2000 Lola that had been driven in a recent Indy 500 race! The group will drop an electric engine into this car body and eventually drive it solely on electric power.
Who knows; they may develop a breakthrough that will revolutionize the auto industry. More importantly, they may revolutionize the lives of Andrew, Mario and other DeLaSalle students!

On the Air

I was interviewed on KCUR Radio (89.3 FM)today by Steve Kraske (right in photo at left). For more information about the show and a link to the "podcast", go to http://www.kcur.org/uptodate

Michael T. White, Esq.

Mike White is one prince of a guy!

Mike (in photo at left) was President and then Co-Chairman of the DeLaSalle Board of Directors in the early 1980s.

He was a law partner with DeLaSalle co-founder, Norman O. Sanders, about a decade earlier, after which he ran an electrifying campaign for County Executive. He was one of the most popular and successful politicans in the area for a number of years. Many people thought that Mike would eventually run for national office.

But Mike decided against all that "jazz", retired from political life, and now practices law and plays real jazz, on the saxophone for the Mike White Quartet! He and the band recently released their Latin Jazz CD, Tiempo.

The Tiempo CD is dedicated to the memory of DeLaSalle’s co-Founder, Norman O. Sanders, who died last year at the age of 78. Sanders dedicated his life to the mission and students of DeLaSalle. All of the proceeds from the sale of this CD will go to the DeLaSalle Education Center. So if you are looking for a good stocking stuffer, to go with your St. de la Salle Christmas card (two blog entries ago), go to www.delasallecenter.org and click the "DONATION" tab. In the comments section, simply put the number of Tiempo CDs you want, and we'll ship them out!

"Big" Brother!

We recently found a number of very special Christmas cards in our archives.
The cover (left) shows a rendering of the old De La SALLE Academy building at 1524 Paseo. Interestingly, there is a normal size rendering of St. Jean Baptiste de la Salle welcoming two students into the old school, with a "Big"rendering of St. de la Salle to the side. (Technically, St. de la Salle was not a brother, he was a priest, although he was the founder of the Christian Brothers.)
Inside the card is a chronology of the Catholic school's history, from the foundation of the school as St. Patrick's in 1887, to the closing of the De La SALLE High School in April 1971.
I took a magnifying glass to the corner of the rendering where I saw the artist's name written as "Burdette".
I'll send you one of these cards if you respond to this to Blog. No donation is required And if you're the artist or a friend of the Brothers, Godfrey Kobets or Norman Sanders, I'll send you two!

I meet the (In)Famous Jack Cashill!

I have to confess that I am quite a fan of Jack Cashill (right in photo at left). I got to meet him today at a luncheon sponsored by Ingram's, the business magazine for which he is the executive editor.
He's very conservative, and has some quirky views on conspiracy theories, but he is usually on target and very thoughtful.
He writes a monthly column in Ingram's titled "Between the Lines". He pokes fun at "the establishment" and human foibles. It's worth a look every month. He rarely disappoints.
We live about three blocks from one another in Brookside, and our daughters hung out for a while in grade school. But before today, we never met.
I hope I don't ever end up as "fodder" in one of his columns!

Marilyn Hardy

Tomorrow night, December 7, 2009, Marilyn Hardy (picture at left) will lead the St. Louis Church choir during the Fourth Annual Mass of Forgiveness and Healing. This will be the fourth time she has not only led the choir for this event, but also played the organ, piano and synthesizer during Mass.

I'm grateful to Marilyn for her outstanding musical talents, which she has shared in thousands of events and liturgies in Kansas City for many years. In fact, Marilyn played and sang for Karol and me at our wedding over 35 years ago! So we go back a long way!

Bishop Robert W. Finn of the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph will preside at the liturgy tomorrow night at 6:30 pm. The Mass is offered for all those who suffer and need healing and/or forgiveness. I helped to start this event to share with the community how God heals us of our suffering or loss, no matter how humiliating or tragic. I will remember in a special way my own son, Aaron, who was shot and killed in our house by two police officers seven years ago.

Please join us if you can.

2007 Grad Vernesha Creal

I ran into 2007 DeLaSalle graduate, Vernesha Creal, this morning. She is in the picture to the left. (Unfortunately, my camera's "date function" stopped working properly!)
Vernesha works as an aide in a home for the developmentally disabled. Her co-workers describe her as a hard worker, and someone who brightens up the day for everyone.
Vernesha proudly noted to her colleagues that she had graduated from DeLaSalle and that I was one of her "teachers".
I'd like to think I had a teaching impact on Vernesha, but, like many of you who support DeLaSalle, my impact was less direct, but nonetheless meaningful.
We're all making a difference when we support the education and development of our community's promising youth, like Vernesha!

Scary stories!

As you can see from the front page of Monday's KC STAR, I was surrounded by "Defiance", "stealing" and alcohol! Nonetheless, I was steadfast!