On Monday, October 16th Cardinal Mooney held a reception to kick off its 2017-18 Annual Fund Campaign. To commemorate the Fund’s nearly 30 years, a new campaign structure has been introduced and a special committee has been established to oversee the administration of this year’s Annual Fund comprised of a Chairman and 3 Vice Chairs each Chair will helm a team of volunteers who will host various fundraising events throughout the year. Teams will be challenged with raising donations in an effort to reach the Fund’s goal of $120,000 by February 15, 2018. In addition, a new webpage has been developed to ease online giving.
At the reception, CMHS also debuted its new tagline “Transforming Today’s Learners into Tomorrow’s Leaders”. A contest was held earlier this year to determine the new tagline with the winning submission entered by current Sophomore Louis Gentile.
Below is more information on our Annual Fund’s new Chairs:
Committee Chair-Dr. Andrew Bushey, DMD, MD, Class of 1998
Dr. Bushey has been chosen as the Annual Fund Committee Chair. Dr. Bushey was an easy choice as his intentions for the Fund perfectly sum up our mission. When asked why the Annual Fund is important to him, Dr. Bushey did not hesitate in replying, “My hope is that my children will be afforded the same exceptional opportunities that I was when I attended Cardinal Mooney. It’s important for me to give back to the place that has impacted my life in such a positive way.”
As a member of the Class of 1998, Dr. Bushey went on to attend the University of Notre Dame earning his Bachelor of Administration with a major in Finance in 2002. From there, he attended Case Western Reserve University, earning his DMD Dental Degree in 2008 and his MD Medical Degree in 2011. From there he completed a five year surgical residency. Prior to his medical career, Dr. Bushey played professional baseball with the Colorado Rockies.
“Cardinal Mooney provided me with an excellent education and a spiritual foundation that I still utilize daily,” states Dr. Bushey when speaking on the importance of CMHS in his successes. “The principles of Mooney continue to influence me from a professional standpoint and as a husband and father.” An active member of Holy Family Parish, Dr. Bushey resides in Poland, Ohio with his wife and three children.
Vice Chair-Ms. Dayna Terrell, Esq., Class of 1989
Atty. Terrell is a perfect example of our Cardinals stretching their wings and taking their talents elsewhere, then returning home to give back to family and community. After graduating Mooney in 1989, Atty. Terrell earned her BA in Psychology with a minor in Elementary Education from Fisk University in Nashville, Tn. After Fisk, she enrolled in Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law, earning her Juris Doctorate. Atty. Terrell then relocated to Kansas City, Missouri where she simultaneously served as an Assistance City Prosecutor and a solo, private practitioner. A member of many State and District Bars as well the Federal Bar Association, Atty. Terrell returned to Youngstown in 2014 to be nearer her family.
Atty. Terrell cites that Mooney remains important to her because of “its strong Christian principles, high academic standards, family traditions and athletics. (She) believes in Mooney’s creed of Scholarship, Sanctity, Discipline as well as Diversity.”
Cardinal Mooney is blessed to count Atty. Terrell as an Alumna and moreover to have her valuable contributions to our Annual Fund Committee where she looks forward to contributing financially and of her time to “reach out to (her) fellow Cardinals to remind them of (their) rich heritage of having the privilege and opportunity to attend a great institution.”
Vice Chair-Mr. Brad Handel, Class of 2004
Mr. Handel is a proud product of Catholic Education. From Kindergarten at St. Charles through his Senior year at Mooney, he gained the academic foundation and sense of discipline needed to succeed. Reflecting upon his time in school, he states, “the Catholic education that I received helped shape the person that I am today. Catholic schools helped me develop a sense of community and the need to give back. They also helped me develop and maintain lifelong friendships.”
In 2008, Mr. Handel graduated from the Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business with a degree in Finance. Returning home to Youngstown, he began work as a Financial Advisor with Ameriprise Financial and the practice of Thomas Nelson. In 2008, he earned a partnership with Mr. Nelson as part of Nelson, Handel and Associates which is an Ameriprise Private Wealth Advisory Practice. Mr. Handel holds the Series 7 and 66 Federal Securities Registrations along with the Life, Health, and Variable Products Insurance licenses. In 2015, he earned the Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor (CMFC®) designation from the College for Financial Planning. Mr. Handel and his wife Alexandra (Thomas 09) are members of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and St. Charles Parishes. He also sits on the St. Charles Finance Council. They live in Youngstown with their rescued Pitbull, Valentine.
Regarding his appointment as an Annual Fund Vice Chair, Mr. Handel confidently states, “I am giving to and leading the Annual Fund because I feel it is my time to help ensure Mooney has what it needs to continue educating and shaping the lives of young people for years to come.”
Vice Chair-Joe Cassese, Class of 1997
If you’ve ever been to the MVR Restaurant before or after a Mooney or YSU game, you have no doubt met Mr. Joe Cassese. As Manager of his family’s restaurant, a Youngstown institution, Mr. Cassese is as devoted to his family and the Mooney Family and their successes. After graduating Mooney in 1997, he attended YSU, graduating with a degree in Marketing Management in 2002. He then followed his passion for football and spent time as an assistant equipment manager with the National Football League’s St. Louis Rams and Cleveland Browns. Following his stint with the NFL, Mr. Cassese returned home to Youngstown to work in sales for the Dobson Communications Corp., and then spent time as the Director of Athletic Development for Youngstown State University.
Mr. Cassese is a tireless worker for local charities, including Carmstrong, an organization honoring the legacy of Mr. Cassese’s late father, Carmine. His expertise in fundraising and event management will be an asset as our Annual Fund transitions into a more public and structured entity. Mr. Cassese lives in Youngstown with his wife Erica and their children Francesca and Carmine.
If you or someone you know would like to assist CMHS students through a monetary donation as they seek to achieve their goals and reach their potential please visit http://www.cardinalmooney.com/support/ or call the school at 330-788-5007.
