Holy Family Catholic High School in Victoria held a special dedication and recognition event on February 27th, 2004, honoring the school's founders.  It seems like only yesterday that Victoria was chosen to be the site for this new Catholic high school, the first in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis in over 30 years.  In fact, groundbreaking occurred on May 25th, 1999, and the school opened on September 5th, 2000!

Deb LeMay and Katie Burke greeted guests ... along with carvings of the Holy Family.  Deb is a member of the Support Staff at the school.  Katie is in charge of Communications.

Frank Miley, president of Holy Family, introduced the founders in the Burke Commons area of the high school, so called because of generosity and contributing funds from TOLD Development for the naming rights.  Donors who would like to leave a legacy in a school classroom or commons have that ability to acquire naming rights.  This area was selected by Tom and Barb Burke of Tonka Bay.

Catholic laity initiated the quest for a new Catholic high school to serve the region.  President Miley presented each of the four friends with a Founder's Medal, which is to be one of the school's highest awards, given to those whose commitment to the school forever changes its future.  The couples are (l-r) Joe and Gayle Morin, Chanhassen; Tom and Colleen Steward, Excelsior; Theo and Margaret Chalgren, Chaska; and Rob and Joleen Roy, Excelsior.

Mike Burke, son of Steve and Kathy Burke of Chanhassen, and a senior at Holy Family, provided classical entertainment in the gathering space.  His brother Tom is a sophomore at Holy Family.

Father Patrick Hipwell of Immaculate Heart of Mary in Minnetonka visits with President Frank Miley after the dedication ceremony. 

Al Bill, left, Vice President of Development at Holy Family, joined others in saying farewell to Paul Stauffacher, the school's first president, and his wife Kate, who are returning to Wisconsin.

Mary Moore of Victoria posed with Rich Gannon, who attended the dedication as a benefactor  of Holy Family Catholic High school.  Mr. Gannon agreed to be the honorary chair of the school's second phase of its capital campaign along with his wife Shelley.

Father Dan, left, is the school chaplain, newly ordained for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, who just happens to have spent many of his growing up years in Victoria.  Father Bob White is the pastor at the St. Victoria Catholic Church in Victoria since 1996.

Kathleen Brown, in the white jacket, is the principal of Holy Family Catholic High School since its very beginning.

Jim Emmer of Victoria was part of the early administration staff at Holy Family.

Al Liestman is president of the Victoria State Bank, which is a member of Klein Banks, another benefactor of Holy Family Catholic High School.

Carol Boatman, a member of the Support Staff at Holy Family and her husband Les.

The afternoon sun was another welcome guest in the newly dedicated Founders' Room.

Iconography in the hallowed halls of Holy Family helps tell the story of Catholic heritage.

"Let the little children come unto Me ..."

The chapel at Holy Family is very near the entrance to the school.

Thank you, Holy Family, for the invitation.  And thank you, Nan Emmer, for being in the picture.