DECEMBER 15, 2009 Father McGivney Catholic High School Announces Its Mascot
Glen Carbon, IL – After nine months of exploration, hundreds of suggestions, and over a thousand votes, a significant step has been reached in the early history of Father McGivney Catholic High School with today’s announcement that the school’s mascot will be -- the Griffin.
As described on frmcgivneyhs.com during voting, the Griffin “has historically represented Jesus Christ, who was both divine and human, and the intimidating figure is often seen as a guardian or protector.” With the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle, the Griffin presents a menacing image while still staying true to its origins where it was carved on Catholic cathedrals as a sign of strength and protection.
In April 2009, the campaign began to create an identity for FMCHS. An identity that would instill pride, explore creativity, and rally supporters in the creation of the next Catholic high school of southern Madison County and the Metro East. The entire community was invited to vote online for a school mascot worthy of representing McGivney, its students, and its athletes.
Over 100 suggestions for a mascot were arduously narrowed down to four choices that would fittingly represent McGivney both on the field and in the classroom – Golden Knights, Griffins, Patriots, and Saints. After nearly six weeks of voting by McGivney supporters and the seven Madison County Catholic grade schools (St. Boniface and St. Mary in Edwardsville, St. John Neumann in Maryville, Ss. Peter & Paul in Collinsville, St. Elizabeth and Holy Family in Granite City, and St. Paul in Highland), the Griffin stood out way ahead of the rest in voting by both adults and kids.
Current and future donors to the McGivney campaign can be confident that McGivney shall persevere like the powerful Griffin. "Despite selecting the mascot we aren't finisted yet," said Doug Villhard, President of the Father McGivney Catholic High School Board of Directors, "we still need to raise about $2.5 million to add to the $4.5 million we've already raised in order to break ground in late Spring and build the first phase of a school to attract families who are dedicated to a faith based, academically excellent, sports enriched, well-rounded, high-tech high school experience." In keeping with the McGivney Board's commitment to fiscal responsibility, the high school will not open with debts exceeding its pledges. "I think donors appreciate our conservative approach to building McGivney without taking on huge debt that so many schools are forced to carry on top of operating expenses," said Villhard, "and, even in this unsure economy, families are alrady making sacrifices to help make McGivney real for their kids, grandkids, and community. We need those donations to keep flowing in."
As Father McGivney Catholic High School marches on toward a ground-breaking this Spring at Old Troy and Bouse Roads in Glen Carbon, it will do so with the Griffins at the head of the next phase of the campaign to Make It Real. With a Fall 2011 opening for freshman and sophomore classes, the future students can now identify themselves as McGivney Griffins.
Father McGivney Catholic High School is named in honor of the Venerable Father Michael McGivney, an American parish priest and founder of the Knights of Columbus. To learn more about Father McGivney Catholic High School or make a donation to the campaign, visit www.frmcgivneyhs.com.
Contact: Diane Villhard, PR/Marketing Chairperson, Father McGivney Catholic High School, 618-531-6172 or diane@EdwardsvilleOnline.com
