Better Together...13 years ago when I arrived at Monroe, I had no idea what these words would ultimately mean. Today, I get it. These two words often come to mind when I consider the challenges we face and the success we have enjoyed as an athletics department. It’s impossible not to think of these two words, to visualize them, and not smile.

These two words, more than any others, personify who we are. They define the significance of of our entire school and more specifically, they are at the heart of every victory and success we have enjoyed. Those two words separate us from all other competition. CSF does not exist because the state decided we should. These schools are here, because we choose to be and we could not have existed for 75 years without each of us lending a hand for the greater good of Monroe. We are a Community. We are a Family. We are Better Together.

My first year as Athletic Director, Monroe hosted the regional swim meet. I had no idea what I was doing. As the athletics director of the smallest school in the region, I saw the task as daunting. However, my concerns were immediately alleviated. The parents of the four swimmers, aided by many more in our community, ran essentially every aspect of the meet and did so at a level the bigger schools could only dream of. I knew right away, I had joined a special organization.

I learned early on, if something gets done at Monroe, it gets done by us. For the most part, all tasks are accomplished with the help of others. When the school needed to spruce up the gym, I didn't make it happen. Joyce Gavora spent hours looking into how we could improve our facility before we settled on mats for the walls. I did not paint the tiles lining our gym walls by myself, our parents showed up in force to lend a hand. When the opportunity presented itself to upgrade the locker rooms, we did so as a community. A community member purchased used lockers. Parents sanded the lockers. A parent found a coworker to come in and paint the lockers. What would have been impossible for one person was accomplished together, as a community.

Better Together goes far beyond alumni keeping the scorebook at a basketball or volleyball game. It is about love, faith and kindness. It is about the understanding of knowing, when you are down, you will feel the arms of every member of this community pick you up, holding you and allowing you to once again put one foot in front of the other and move forward in life.

This community only grows stronger with each year. With each hand of a kindergartener extended to bless a graduating senior, the community grows stronger. As each graduate stands up in front of the community armed with the knowledge that there is nothing they cannot do in life, this community is strengthened.

Anyone who has spent time in the mountains and seen a full curl ram, understands the majesty he invokes. The standard vision is that of a lone ram, regal and magnificent as he overlooks, at seven times the power of a human being, the mountainside and area below. However, over time, it has become clear through my experience here at Monroe, the strength of these Rams is not in the individual, but in the flock.

We are, indeed, Better Together.

Frank Ostanik
CSF Athletic Director

Memories Stuck with Tape
By Maggie Zaverl ​

There are ninety-seven pictures on my wall
Stories behind them like illustrations
Not a face or time I’d put above all

Some of the memories I can’t recall
Most I remember with adoration
There are ninety-seven pictures on my wall

Smiling faces and moments so small
Some stayed, others had an expiration
Not a face or a time I’d put above all.

Everyone is far away as a call
I’ll always love them, no hesitation
There are ninety-seven pictures on my wall

Memories from school, travel, and basketball
Sad times and times bursting with elation
Not a face or a time I’d put above all.

One day, all these pictures will surely fall
I’m loved — the pictures are confirmation
There are ninety-seven pictures on my wall
Not a face or a time I’d put above all.

What an incredible week! You helped raise nearly $25,000 on the way to our goal of $90,000. The $25,000 will be doubled to $50,000. Thank you for continuing to prove we can accomplish amazing things together. 

Speaking of amazing accomplishments, this Friday marks the 63rd Monroe Catholic High School Graduation. Congratulations to this year's 28 graduates:

• Catherine Clare Atchison
• Thomas Frederick Bast
• Jade V. Benbow
• Elizabeth G. Brockman
• Tia Jenae Campanelli
• Trevor Christopher Christian
• Dominick Francis Coiley
• Shayne Kendall Coiley
• Shaun Thomas Conwell
• Shelby Grace Cook
• Bryan Johann Coty
• Kaleigh Lorell DeLeon
• Maximo Everett DePalma
• Matteah Ann Felix
• Sophia Grace Fowler
• Brighton Taylor Higbee
• Lane David Lannet
• Jase Anthony McCullough
• Quinn Daniel McHenry
• Garren J. Nicholson
• Skye Elizabeth O'Kelley-Ault
• Oscar Robert Oravec
• Jessica Lee Reed
• John David Snow
• Cela Maria Stepovich
• Michael C. Unruh
• Preston Henry Walsh
• Lauren Elizabeth White

This senior class is a shining example of how, even amidst unforeseen challenges, our students and community can accomplish great things together. Want a glimpse of how CSF has impacted this year's seniors? Take a look at the following quotes from Lauren & Jessica, Valedictorian and Salutatorian of the Class of 2021.

“When I look back on my past 12 years at the Catholic Schools Fairbanks, I know with confidence that this school has had a positive impact on my life. What makes CSF so special is the focus of every staff member to do everything they can for their students. I am not just another face in a school of a thousand kids...I constantly feel love and respect from all the staff and faculty at Monroe who have been role models for me to reciprocate that love.”  - Lauren White

“Monroe has given me the tools to grow myself and plant seeds in the world to make it a better place. I’ve learned how to be open to expanding my own horizons and the boundaries of the world around me thanks to my time at this school. Even though I’ve learned so much here, I don’t know exactly how I’m going to change the world. But because of Monroe, I know it’s possible.” Jessica Reed

As CSF students move beyond the walls of these schools and into the greater world, the seeds that were planted encourage them to grow, and give back. This is part of CSF’s legacy: not just being better together in the schools, but rather striving to be better together in the world.

By supporting these schools, you too are a part of this change in the world. Give, and join us in a journey that starts with young minds. While uncharted and evolving, it is a journey of potential; a journey founded on love and faith, and filled with opportunity.

Last week’s post resulted in a couple of outcomes:

1. $10,000 in donations to the schools, which was DOUBLED to $20,000. Thank you to the donors listed below.

2. The following questions: 

1. Why are you seeking donations? Isn’t enrollment up and bringing in more money?
2. What happens to the money raised during the Spring Fundraiser? 

These are great questions. Here are the answers:

1. Enrollment is down this year due to Covid-19 mitigation protocols. Distancing students according to CDC guidelines required a reduction in capacity. Approximately 330 students are enrolled between the two schools – ICS and Monroe. Ideally, enrollment would be around 450. Enrollment is open for the 2021-22 school year now. Can you please help spread the word?
2. Money raised during the Spring Fundraiser supports the schools. Tuition only covers about 65% of the schools' operating expenses. The remaining $1,400,000 is raised throughout the year with HIPOW and the Spring Fundraiser being two of the primary fundraising events. Spring Fundraiser monies are used to buy classroom supplies, pay teacher salaries, and keep the schools operating. 

Don’t just donate because of need. Donate because these schools are special. 

Our schools may be small, but they are mighty. As a private, Jesuit-endorsed school, we are blessed to be able to forge our own path, inspired by Christ the Teacher. In a year that encouraged us to be apart, we have truly been a community that is better together. But hey, you don't have to take my word for it - here is some feedback from parents collected in a recent bi-annual parent survey:  

"ICS has done an absolutely amazing job of providing a safe environment for in-person learning ALL school year! It took a lot of creative thinking and planning, but you made it work and we are extremely thankful for that :)"

"Thank you for being so amazing and putting the children first in all of your decisions this past year. I feel the tuition I pay is really an investment into their future and the school allowing the kids to come in-person this year really made me feel like you understand that education is much more complex than mathematical and vocabulary advancement."

"While we have always appreciated the school for its sense of community, focus on personal ownership and service to others, we are especially grateful for the way Catholic Schools of Fairbanks has managed this incredibly trying school year. The teachers and staff at CSF have provided over 300 children with a lead-by-example lesson on perseverance in this year of COVID. The kids are learning that even best laid plans can change and that the key is to keep moving forward."

Thank you for your continued support of these schools. Thank you for supporting us as we move forward together. We are better because of you. 

All donations will be doubled. Thanks to the generosity of Skip & Linda Johnson, Bert & Becky Bell, Jim & Sandra Haselberger, Bill & Marsha Pike, and The Stroecker Foundation, your donation will be doubled up to $90,000. $25 will become $50, $50 will become $100, and $100 becomes $200. It’s another opportunity for us to be “Better Together.” 

​Peanut Butter & Jelly. Milk & Cookies. Senior & Kindergarten Buddies. These are just a few things that go better together.  
While this year has challenged us to remain connected and deepen relationships in new ways, the Catholic Schools of Fairbanks community has proven we are truly “Better Together.”  
Here some examples of how we are leading the way amid a pandemic:

• Since August 17, we have provided our community with an in-person education option. Our students tell us how thankful they are to be in-person with their peers and teachers during the school day. We also offered virtual education options in order to give families flexibility. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
• Athletics remained an integral part of our schools. Student athletes competed in all of our regularly offered sports with Covid mitigation measures in place. Recently, both the girls and boys basketball teams were invited to the state tournament and the boys brought home the trophy. 
• When it came to planning the HIPOW Auction & Dinner and the St. Patrick’s Day Raffle, we had to get creative. While both events were different, they were incredibly successful. This is thanks to everyone chipping in however they could and working together. We’re grateful. 

In a time when we might feel fatigued and like we have little more to give, we are asked to do more. The word “Magis” comes to mind. It means “more” or “greater.” At the Catholic Schools of Fairbanks, we have been called to the “Magis” for the past 63 years. Our community strives to do more for others.    

Alumni, parents of alumni, current parents, and friends of the school are integral to the success of the Spring Fundraiser. I hope you take this opportunity to continue supporting our schools. Anything you are able to give, big or small, makes a difference in the lives of children. Spring Matching Fundraiser

All donations will be doubled. Thanks to the generosity of Skip & Linda Johnson, Bert & Becky Bell, Jim & Sandra Haselberger, Bill & Marsha Pike, and The Stroecker Foundation, your donation will be doubled up to $90,000. $25 will become $50, $50 will become $100, and $100 becomes $200. It’s another opportunity for us to be “Better Together.”