The Feast of Saint Ursula Liturgy was celebrated on Wednesday, October 20th at 10:30 A.M. in the school gymnasium. The thirty-fifth Annual Distinguished Alumni Awards were presented at the liturgy. Each year, this award is given to graduates of Ursuline High School who have distinguished themselves by dedicated service to our school and to the community at large. This year’s recipients were August (’67) and Maria Kregar Selak (’68).
Gus Selak and Maria Kregar were childhood sweethearts and both graduated from Saint Rose School in Girard. While an Ursuline student, Gus was a hall monitor, a member of the Albertus Magnus Club, Chess Club, and Ham Radio Club. He participated in Junior Classical League, Auxilium Latinum Test (Summa), and won first place in the Tri-County Science Fair. After graduating from Ursuline High School in 1967, Gus attended John Carroll University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry ~ Magna Cum Laude in 1971. From 1971-1977, Gus was a member of the 425th MP Company, Ohio National Guard. He earned a degree in Metallurgical Engineering Technology and a Masters of Engineering in Materials Science from Youngstown State University. Gus worked at Copperweld Steel Corporation as a Chemist from 1971-2001, and at Spectrochemical Testing Inc. as a Chemist from 2002 – present.
Maria Kregar Selak attended Saint Rose School and received a scholarship from St. Rose for her Freshman year at Ursuline High School. She graduated with the Ursuline Class of 1968 which was the largest class in Ursuline history – just shy of 500 seniors. While an Ursuline student, she was involved in the Glee Club, Memory Book Staff, Junior Classical League, Future Teachers of America, Auxilium Latinum Test (Maxima), Pep Club, and the National Honor Society. Maria was also a member of the 1968 Senior Class Play, My Fair Lady. Maria earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Youngstown State University graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1972. She also took Library Science classes at Kent State University. Maria was the first children’s librarian at the Girard Free Library from 1972-1978, and served in that capacity from 2001 to present. She has also served as a substitute teacher and librarian at St. Rose, Girard City and Liberty Schools. Maria is a member of the Saint Rose Choir, Kappa Delta Pi and Phi Kappa Phi, Friends of the Girard Library, and American Mutual Life Association Slovenian Society, Lodge 42.
Gus and Maria were married on August 9, 1975. They are members of Saint Rose Parish and have three children who are Ursuline alumni: Andrea, Class of 1996, of New York; Mark, Class of 2001, of Florida; and Monica, Class of 2003, of North Carolina.
Gus and Maria Selak are truly ‘loyal sons and daughters’ of Ursuline High School. They have long been staunch supporters. Maria was an active member of the Home and School Association when her children were students and is now a member of the Ursuline High School Board of Directors. Gus is a member of the Athletic Booster Club. Gus and Maria regularly attend Irish sporting events, the Annual Auction, and take an active role in their class reunion celebrations. They support the Annual Appeal, Students of Stewardship Mission Trip and Endowed Scholarship Program. Furthermore, they endowed the August and Maria Kregar Selak Scholarship which is part of Ursuline Endowment Fund Inc and provides tuition assistance to students from Saint Rose who wish to attend Ursuline High School.
Past award recipients include: Bishop James W. Malone, Attorney John McNally III, Mary Irene Hoffman, Joseph Nohra Sr., Sister Jerome Corcoran, William G. Lyden, Jr., Mary Ellen Cushwa Wolsonovich, Monsignor Kenneth Miller, Alex Simon, Paulette Petrosky, Sara McClurkin Kennedy, Thomas J. Carney, Joy DiLoreto Brunner, Daniel E. Gallagher, Shirley LaCivita Phillips, Donald E. Foley, Sr., Judy Rochford Wexler, Daniel P. O’Horo, John J. Ridel, Mary Kay Buckley D’Isa, Richard Barrett, Sister Alice Marie Morley OSU, Monsignor John P. Ashton, Cynthia Ryan Reardon, Jim Beil, Sister Nancy Dawson OSU, Pat Storey Kane, Thomas Stabi, Marilou LaCivita Stroney, Dr. Thomas Shipka, Helen Lamb Lafferty, Father Frank Lehnerd, Sister Virginia McDermott OSU, M. Richard Varley, Jeanne McLaughlin Foley, Atty. Vincent Gilmartin, Maureen Collins, Father Tim O’Neill, Dorothy Ferrell Durina, Thomas P. Metzinger, Mary Moran Krygowski, George Banks, Margene Flannery Chambers, Monsignor John Zuraw, Kathleen Cunningham Conlan, Dr. Edward Novosel, Dr. Janet E. Del Bene, Scott R. Schulick, Suzanne Morrison Fleming, Bruce Joseph, Aimee Amendolara Morrison, Tom Murray, Sr. Mary Lee Nalley OSU, John Vitullo, Ruth Coleman Carroll, John Ulicney, Dr. Mary Lou Dutko DiPillo, Michael J. Fagert, Cynthia Herubin Francisco, John F. Herubin, Kathleen O’Neil Wolsonovich, Kevin J. McGuire, Dr. Vincent and Zip Largey Basile and Robert Nelson.