Servite High School celebrated brotherhood, service, and leadership, on February 24th, during its 8th Annual Excellence in Leadership Dinner at the Anaheim Hilton. This event, part of Servite’s yearlong celebration of the school’s 60th anniversary, honored legendary Notre Dame Coach Lou Holtz with the National Leader Award, as well as Dr. J. Thomas Heywood ’73 with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Dr. Heywood’s award was presented by former patient and MLB Hall of Famer Rod Carew.
Carew, a recent heart-transplant recipient, shared that because of Dr. Heywood, “Conrad and I will continue to travel through the United States. Working…to try and save other people’s lives.”
“When we focus on the other we turn our focus away from ourselves and that is when we truly become happy. And these are the things…these are the principles that Servite is trying to instill in their students, and they are even trying to teach us old alumni,” said Heywood after accepting Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Lou Holtz, Hall-of-Fame coach of Notre Dame explained, “What Servite High School is doing for the young people of this community is absolutely incredible…You know that we all have a role and the most important thing is to help these young people. To put them in an environment where they learn to make good choices. That’s all it is.”
In addition to hearing from the honorees and speakers, guests at the event were invited to browse memorabilia from Servite’s 60-year history and enjoyed an after party and auction. Proceeds from the event benefit the students of Servite High School.
Since 1958, Servite High School has helped address the need for students to receive an excellent, faith-filled leadership education. This event was a showcase for Servite to recognize its long tradition of excellence in forming faith-filled leaders as well as to highlight the musical talents of students in the Select Choir and Jazz Band.
