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One can tell from the pictures of our 2012 Excellence in Teaching award winners below that their wit and
enthusiasm are just two of the many reasons the students and faculty admire them. Our first award winner, Ms.
Nancy Johnson, joined the DeSales family in 1999. Over the last several years she has acted as the Environmental
Club adviser, Junior Class moderator, and is a 5-time Kairos retreat leader. She currently teaches College Prep
Chemistry, and says she loves teaching this class because she can help students learn to apply problem solving and
thought processing skills to use in real life situations. When Nancy is not in her classroom or working on her M.Ed.
in Curriculum and Instruction, she enjoys singing, playing guitar and writing music. She is also passionate about
organic farming; the faculty and staff love when it’s harvest time for her delicious maple syrup!
With a degree in Math and French from Capital University, our second 2012 award winner, Mr. Matt Rutherford, has
been a member of the Math department at DeSales for 7 years. During his tenure, he has also been the head coach
of the Boys Tennis program — leading his team to a CCL title this year. Matt also teaches tennis at Worthington
Hills Country Club and Wickertree Tennis Club. In the classroom or on the court, he enjoys helping students realize
their potential and gain confidence in their abilities. He says, “I like making my students laugh and develop an
atmosphere that allows my students to enjoy themselves throughout the learning process.” His wife Sara, and sons
Luke and Ben, joined in the applause as Matt received his award at the school assembly in May.
Teachers of Excellence
A Piece of History
At the end of their senior year, the class of 1964 decided to use their
remaining class dues to buy a gift for Father Berendt, SFD’s founding
principal. As Joe Finocchi, member of the first class, recalls, “We purchased
a Ciborium from the (now defunct) Gantner Church Goods Co. in Columbus,
and presented it to Father Berendt the
night of our senior class banquet.” Father
Berendt took this gift with him as he moved
to subsequent parish assignments until he
passed on July 7, 2002. As fate would have
it, the Ciborium was then given to Mary
Murphy, the director of St. Therese’s Shrine
and Retreat Center, and a personal family
friend of the Finocchis. Over the years it had
been damaged, and was in need of repair. It
was sent to AlViti Creations of Attleboro in
Massachusetts for hand restoration.
Ms. Murphy, aware of Joe’s connection to
DeSales, asked if his class would be able
to help with the cost of restoration. He was able to email close to half of his classmates, explaining the project. The
contributions came pouring in. They raised the full cost of restoration, and had leftover funds which were donated to
the Class of ’64 Alumni Fund Drive. What a beautiful piece of history...thank you class of 1964.
The Mighty Pen 5
Above: An original photo of Fr. Berendt
receiving this gift at the class banquet (get
out your magnifier to view the date stamp!);
right: the refurbished Ciborium, which will
now stay at SFD.
Our award winners
enjoy a “photo
shoot” with their
Golden Apples.