Dear Holy Family Catholic School Families and Friends,
30th Annual Gala & Auction
What a joy it was to gather together Friday evening for the 30th Annual HFCS Gala & Auction. Thirty years ago, a devoted group of parents, volunteers, and community members came together with a dream — to build a school rooted in faith, academic excellence, and the love of Christ. That dream lives on beautifully in this community, and this year’s gala was a radiant testament to it.
The evening was made possible by the extraordinary dedication of our volunteers. A heartfelt thank-you!
We are deeply grateful to our event sponsors — The Blind Guy, Refuge Properties, HMH Engineering, Northwest General and Breast Surgery, and Northwest Specialty Hospital; our Dream Sponsor, Fit 4 Mom; and our Trust Sponsors, RB Drywall and Top Red Evans Fruit Company. Your generosity ensures that the heart of this school keeps beating strongly.
We also thank our beloved pastors — Father Len, Father Mariusz, Father Sleeva, and Father Bruno — and their parishes for their steadfast spiritual support throughout the year. As Scripture reminds us, “we are many parts, but one body.” (Romans 12:5) This gala is living proof of that truth.
The Gala is our school’s single largest fundraiser. Your presence, your generous bids, and your enthusiastic support directly ensure that HFCS remains a place of faith-filled, academically excellent education for generations to come. Thank you for investing in our children’s future.
Hawk Award · Volunteer of the Year
One of the most meaningful moments of the evening was the presentation of the HFCS Hawk Award. This year, we were honored to recognize Heather Sarkis — a woman whose quiet, steadfast service exemplifies what it means to truly give of oneself.
Heather has served on our Advisory Council and Wellness Committee, volunteered in the kitchen, scheduled speakers, counted laps at field day, and championed the renewal of our athletic uniforms so our students could compete with pride. She does not seek recognition; she serves because she believes in these children and in this school. That is the most beautiful kind of giving.
Congratulations, Heather. You are a treasure to this community, and we are so grateful for every hour of care and love you have poured into the lives of our students. Well done, good and faithful servant. (Matthew 25:21)
Teacher Appreciation Week
A warm and joyful thank-you to all the wonderful parents who have gone above and beyond to celebrate our teachers and staff this week. The Friends motif decorating our school is truly unique and delightful — it has brought smiles to every face. The treats, the kind words, the gestures of gratitude, and the beautiful chalk artistry welcoming us to school each morning have been absolutely adorable and deeply appreciated by everyone on our staff.
Our teachers pour their hearts into your children every single day. Seeing them celebrated so lovingly is a gift — and a reflection of the beautiful community we are blessed to be part of. Thank you for honoring them so well.
A Message on Social Media & Online Safety
As we head into the summer months, we want to take a moment to speak to something that rests on many of our hearts: the safety of our children online.
We live in an age where social media is woven into daily life — but for middle schoolers and younger children, it carries real risks. Something troubling occurs in online spaces: people say and do things they would never dream of doing face-to-face. For young people still forming their sense of self and worth, this can be genuinely devastating. Research and news reports consistently and powerfully document the harm that unmonitored social media use can inflict on our youth — to their mental health, their relationships, and their sense of identity.
Please be vigilant. Review your child’s accounts regularly — both what they are posting and what is being said to them. And be aware that predators actively seek out vulnerable young people on these platforms. Our children deserve to be protected, and that protection begins with us.
We encourage you to explore the “Wait Until 8th” program — a wonderful initiative that rallies parents together to delay giving children a smartphone until the end of 8th grade. There is real strength in families committing to this together. Learn more at waituntil8th.org.
As the Church reminds us, we are the first educators of our children — and that vocation extends into the digital world. This summer, let us be present, engaged, and prayerfully watchful over the spaces our children inhabit, both seen and unseen.
God bless each of you and your families. We are grateful to walk this journey together.
Pax et bonum,
Sue Styren, M.Ed.