April 4, 2023

Stallions in the Spotlight

Last week a group of Stallions spent the afternoon dropping off donated items to Shining Starz, Canine Collective, St. Vincent DePaul Free Store, and STAR House. Students Liam Rice, Hunter Messmer, Regan Miracle, and Elizabeth Reash, along with Mrs. Johns and Ms. Wilson, were able to personally see the impact of our service at the close of our Lenten drive.

SFD students Richel Saka '23, Morgan Davis '23, Alexis Reynolds '23, and Ashley Davis '24 attended a special dinner sponsored by the Columbus Bar Association with Colleen Marshall of NBC4i and key note speaker and Pulitzer Prize winner Eugene Robinson of the Washington Post.  

The Italian 4/AP students were each given a copy of the Italian children’s book, “Tutta la Bellezza che C’è,” (All of the Beauty There is) by the Ministry of Education at the Italian Consolate in Chicago. Last Thursday the students had a Zoom meeting with the book’s author, Sabina Colloredo, and had the opportunity to share their thoughts and reactions to the book as well as ask the author questions about her life and the book.

Members of the Autism Awareness Club helped distribute Easter eggs at the Autism Society of Central Ohio this past Sunday. Pride, our Stallion mascot (junior Kate Acklin) and senior Alexis Reynolds greeted the kids, putting smiles on all their faces.

Sunday marked the final performance of Mary Poppins, which also happened to be the final show for Ms. Lori Arnett as a Director. Following the performance, Mr. Dan Garrick, Mr. Bill Steller, and Mrs. Jackie Messerschmitt (former SFD Artistic Director) presented Ms. Arnett a plaque recognizing her contribution to the SFD Performing Arts Department throughout the years, which includes 13 productions as a Director. 


Congratulations to the cast and crew of Mary Poppins for their outstanding performances at all three sold out shows!

Last Friday we held our first Grandparents Day Mass and reception of the year. It was wonderful to celebrate together in prayer and fellowship. A special thank you to Fr. Dinovo from St. Michael for serving as our Celebrant.

We continue to pray for our students and faculty members who are currently on their Kairos journey. May the light of Christ be present with them on their retreat. Pictured are the student leaders.

Thank you to the following Stallions who got up early on Saturday morning to mulch and perform Spring clean up duties at St. Francis of Assisi Church: Joey Bangert, Tyler Davis, AJ Cagnina, Mateo Muller, Henry Exline, Max Materu, Lukas Seybolt, and Coach Jacoby.  

The parishioners truly appreciated their help.


Today, at an All-School assembly, we reenacted the Stations of the Cross. A special thanks to Sister Guerline for leading us in prayer and reflection as we continue Holy Week.

2023-24 SFD Scholarship Recipients


Thank you to all the students who took the time to submit a scholarship application. We received many thoughtful essays. Congratulations to the 2023-24 scholarship winners; click here for complete listing.


Students received an email to their desales.co account this morning announcing the scholarship winners. All scholarship recipients will receive a notification letter at home as well.

Upcoming Events

Early Dismissal

When: April 5 at 11:45am

Columbus and Gahanna buses will be here at the early dismissal time to transport bus riders. Please note: there will be no lunch service.


Easter Break

When: April 6 - 10


Career Fair

When: April 12 from 6:30pm-8:30pm

Where: SFD Gymnasium


Eucharistic Adoration

When: April 14

Where: SFD Chapel

Sign up here.


Golden Hearts Club Dodgeball Tournament

When: April 16 from 2pm-4pm

Where: SFD Gymnasium

Players will sign up as team of 7 people; $28 team entry fee ($4/person). Spectators are welcome; admission $5. All students who attend will be given a dress down day. Plus, there will be food, drinks, and side games for everyone to play. All proceeds go to the fight against pediatric cancer through our partnership with OSU's BuckeyeThon. To sign up, click here.


Kona Ice Fundraiser Benefiting Honor Flight Columbus

When: April 19 during lunch periods

This fundraiser is hosted by the SFD History Club; Honor Flight Columbus is an organization that is dedicated to supporting US Military Vets.


College Success Summit for Seniors

When: April 19 beginning at 6:30pm

Where: St. Charles Preparatory School

More information can be found here.


To view the 2022-2023 school calendar, visit www.sfdstallions.org/calendar.

Mothers Club Spring Bake Sale  


Our last Mothers Club bake sale of the year is coming and we need your baked goods! The sale will be held during all lunch period on Tuesday, April 18th. Popular treats are CAKE POPS, BROWNIES, RICE KRISPIE TREATS, COOKIES, and CHOCOLATE COVERED PRETZELS. Please individually wrap your goodies and drop them on the cart in the front lobby the morning of the sale. Use the link below to sign up to donate or work the sale! If you have any questions, feel free to contact Karey Gabrielli (KareyGabrielli@yahoo.com) or Kristin Figliola (the3littlefigs@sbcglobal.net). Thank you!


https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080844afa728a3f85-mothers3#/

Spring Sports Program


The 2023 Spring Sports program is available online! Click here to view program. A link will also be on stallionpride.com throughout the entire spring season.

Show Your Stallion Pride!


Stallion Pride online! Here is a link to the online Stallion Store where you can get exclusive Stallion gear! Purchases will be shipped to your home in May, items are made to order. Thank you to 2Horse Apparel for supporting SFD and making this site possible. Orders will be taken until Wednesday, April 12 at midnight. Stallion Store has a selection for the whole family, including youth items.


Is your son or daughter an athlete or a thespian? Maybe a member of the National Honor Society? Let the world know that your home is the home of a proud Stallion. Order your "A Stallion Lives Here" garage sign today. The deadline to order is April 14. 

Scholarship Opportunities for Seniors


The Columbus Italian Club is once again pleased to be awarding scholarships to graduating seniors of Italian descent residing in Franklin and contiguous counties. The organization has awarded more than $350,000 of scholarships since 1984. The application can be found at www.columbusitalianclub.com. Completed applications must be emailed in PDF format to mloffa11@gmail.com by April 30.


For all other scholarship opportunities for seniors, please visit the Class of 2023 Counselor Connection Google Classroom. There is also a running list here: Scholarship Listing for Seniors. Please encourage your seniors to review these opportunities and apply if eligible. 

Scholarship Listing for Graduation Program


Senior Parents - IMPORTANT

Please provide a copy of each and every scholarship letter your student is awarded from colleges/universities, even if your student is not attending that particular institution. This is VERY important for the graduation program which will list your student's name and also all the scholarships they've been awarded (minus the financial amount). Please have your student bring scholarship letters to Lisa Hoyer in the Student Services Center or email them to her (hoyer@desales.co) prior to the deadline of May 2nd.  Thank you.

Summer Camps at SFD


We’re back! St. Francis DeSales High School is proud to announce the return of Stallion Enrichment Camps for students in rising grades 1-8. Families can choose from a broad menu of programs that include a variety of sports, academic enrichment, adventure, design, and faith-based activities specifically for kids to explore passions, chase adventures, and make forever friends. We can’t wait for all the exciting summer fun to begin! Visit https://www.sfdstallions.org/summercamps to sign up!

Join Us for An Evening of Distinction


We will host An Evening of Distinction on Saturday, May 20, where we will honor the 2023 Alumni Awards of Distinction winners and Athletic Hall of Fame recipients. Join us for an evening of memories and inspiration as we honor the legacy and impact of our outstanding alumni and athletes.


2023 Alumni Award Winners

Sr. Sharon Goodburn Award: Mike Green '71

Msgr. James Berendt/ Patrick Rossetti Award: Dr. Sara Guerrero-Duby '72

Forest "Treeze" Sharrock Award: Deacon Bill Demidovich '78

Young Alumni Award - Nina Ryan '17 and Justin Braun '18

Barbara O'Riordan Award - Val Sharritts and Karen Scott 


2023 Athletic Hall of Fame 

Steve Arnold '67 - Wrestling

Paul Haynes '87 - Football, Basketball, Track & Field

Jill (Walker) White '94 - Soccer, Basketball, Softball

David Eckert '92 - Gymnastics

Bob McGee '80 - Coach (Girls Soccer)

Click here to purchase tickets and/or to support an honoree with a congratulatory message

Nurse's Notes


All junior students are required to submit verification of a second dose of the Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) vaccine prior to the start of their senior year. It is a requirement for all incoming seniors in Ohio. Families can email the verification information to school nurse Kelli Fitzpatrick at fitzpatrick@desales.co or bring in a hard copy to school.


SICK POLICY: Please click here to review the guidelines we have in place to help keep our school safe and healthy.

Continued Prayers


Please continue to lift senior Liam Moran in prayer by signing up for an available time spot in the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Please click here to sign up.


As we continue to pray for Liam, we are also offering Our Lady of Lourdes prayer candles. The candles are available now in the main office (7:30am to 3:30pm) and in the Spirit Shop (10:15am to 12:45pm). We suggest a donation of $10 for the candle, with all proceeds going to the Moran family.


Spiritual Reflection

On this Tuesday of Holy Week, Lord Jesus, we hear of the betrayal you suffered from Judas and of the foolish boasts of Peter. Their actions seem only to have reinforced your sense that you would suffer after being abandoned by many. Forgive our betrayals, our foolishness, our unwillingness to attend to those in need. May we learn not to fear suffering, and share your own openness to God’s will. You live and reign with the Father and the Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.