Month: October 2024

St. Lawrence | Seton class of 2018 | Mount St. Joseph Graduate

Brooke Rouse’s greatest achievement, the one she is most proud of so far in her life, is her graduation from Mt. St. Joseph University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies. 

When Brooke reflects on her life thus far, she noted that her years of Catholic education taught her the value of learning and to always have hope, “I feel moved to share just how grateful I am for not only my selfless and dedicated teachers throughout my Catholic education, but also for CISE, who awarded me a scholarship to attend Seton High School. The generosity of so many equipped me with tools to work hard and paved the way for me to succeed.”

In college, Brook was offered her first internship at CISE. “I am so grateful they took a chance on a nervous college freshman and offered me a supportive environment that kickstarted me into the professional world. After college, I went all over the place – from D.C. to Orlando, but what pushed me through was the faith I learned from three Catholic schools on the West Side of Cincinnati (St. Lawrence, Seton, and MSJ) and brought me right back home. So many people believed in me,” Brooke noted.

Brooke is not only one of our proud alums but is also a new donor to the CISE-SGO. When asked why she donated, she said, “Each of us has the opportunity to rewrite futures. How cool is that?”

On September 25th, DePaul Cristo Rey High School recently welcomed forty guests to the quarterly Catholic Business Advisory Council (BAC). Dr. Mari K. Thomas gathered educational and community leaders for the first session of the Catholic BAC for the 2024-2025 school year.

Dennis Haft from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Office of Graduate Success, kicked off the meeting with an overview of Early College Credit and the integration of College and Career Pathways. Teresa Hernandez, from Sinclair College, shared insights on how Catholic schools can maximize College Credit Plus opportunities within their institutions.

Additionally, Angela Elsasser, from Great Oaks, Beth Merk from Mercy McAuley High School, and Dr. Sarah Delong from Butler Tech, presented information about specific Career and Technical programming that can be implemented in Catholic high schools today, as well as potential expansion programming for the future.

This Catholic BAC not only increased understanding but also sparked curiosity as attendees explored ways to enhance Career Readiness and Workforce Development programs and resources. The next Catholic BAC will take place on January 21, 2025, at Butler Tech, followed by a meeting on April 22, 2025, at the Center for Great Work Performance.

Pictured: Nate Lampley, Jr., Paula Davis Lampley, Sarah Williams and David J. Williams

I am honored to serve as co-chair of the CISE 2024 Annual Campaign alongside CISE Board Chair David Williams. The mission of CISE to provide high-quality Catholic education to students in Cincinnati’s inner-city communities is something I am deeply passionate about. I am grateful for the opportunity to support this vital cause.

Our journey with Catholic education began when my wife, Paula, and I chose to send our two sons to St. Xavier High School, despite living in Wyoming, which offers an excellent public school system. This decision remains one of the best we’ve ever made as parents. Our youngest son, a 2016 graduate, now thrives in the technology field with a master’s degree in business data analytics. Our older son, a 2014 graduate, completed medical school and is currently a dermatology resident at George Washington University.

Though we are not Catholic, we have come to fully appreciate the profound value of a Catholic, values-based education. The principles instilled at St. Xavier played a pivotal role in shaping our sons into the responsible, accomplished, and compassionate men they are today.

When my friends Phil and Dave asked me to get involved with CISE, I was honored to join the effort. My visit to St. Francis Seraph School in Over-the-Rhine was an unforgettable experience that brought me back to my own childhood in Hamilton’s inner city. The warmth, empathy, and unconditional support from the teachers reminded me of the central role that school and church played in my upbringing. The atmosphere at St. Francis Seraph was powerful and moving, reaffirming my belief in the transformative impact of values-based education.

CISE’s mission to provide high-quality Catholic education to students from inner-city communities is not just admirable—it is essential. The genuine support and positive environment I witnessed at St. Francis Seraph and other CISE schools give these students a real opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background.

I am privileged to be part of this effort and deeply grateful to everyone supporting CISE. Your dedication makes an incredible difference in the lives of these students, and I encourage others to join in this important cause. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to empowering our students and strengthening our community.

Sincerely,

Nate Lampley, Jr.