The Boys Hope Girls Hope Excellence Awards recognize the achievements of individuals and organizations that demonstrate and support hope and success for their colleagues, affiliates, communities, our scholars, and the Boys Hope Girls Hope Network.
Each year, the awards are presented at a special dinner during the Boys Hope Girls Hope Network Leadership Gathering. Following a year of hosting the awards virtually in 2020 and a postponement of in-person events in 2021, the organization convened in St. Louis, Missouri, for its Reunite Hope EXTENDED Leadership Gathering.
On Wednesday, March 30, a beautiful dinner was held at the Moulin Events Jefferson Ballroom to celebrate and award several outstanding individuals and one organization. The evening began with a welcome from President & CEO Kristin Ostby de Barillas, and an invocation by Father Ronny O’Dwyer, S.J. During dinner, guests were entertained with music by The Violinist Entertainer Nikki Glenn.
The PARTNER IN HOPE AWARD was presented to the University of Denver by James Williams, Boys Hope Girls Hope Director of Postsecondary Success and Strategic Partnerships. The award was accepted by Boys Hope Girls Hope of Colorado Alumnus and Candidate for State Representative Kenneth Stable. In addition, a video acceptance was played from University of Denver Chancellor Dr. Jeremy Haefner.
Stable said, “I’m honored to accept the award on behalf of the University of Denver. The university’s commitment to education embodies its focus for creating a better future for all…ALL – a focus that Boys Hope Girls Hope shares. It’s been an amazing partnership. Currently, we have four scholars as undergraduates at the University of Denver… It’s so rewarding for me to see them thriving in the environment and knowing they are changing their lives and the lives of their families. That wouldn’t be possible without our partnership with the University of Denver.”
Haefner’s video remarks added, “We are so grateful for this opportunity to serve your scholars, and we can’t wait to see the incredible good they will do in the world with their unique set of skills, talents, and perspectives.”
A trailblazer in creating college access, affordability, and achievement for first-generation students, the University of Denver (DU) is a tremendous partner in bolstering Boys Hope Girls Hope collegians as they write their own success stories.
Through DU’s Pathways network for education equity, students served by community-based organizations like Boys Hope Girls Hope have access to a team of specialists in admissions, financial aid, and college transition and to additional funding to boost DU financial awards. DU also offers a robust selection of support and campus-engagement programs for our collegians, including the DU 1GenU program (a four-year developmental and community-building program for first-generation students and their families), the Presidential Leadership Program, the Excelling Leaders Institute, the Honors Program, and IRISE, an initiative that supports interdisciplinary research on issues of inequality, social justice, and inclusivity.
Founded in 1864, DU is the oldest private university in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. We are delighted that four Boys Hope Girls Hope collegians are currently adding to this legacy as DU students, and they are thriving. Boys Hope Girls Hope is pleased to join forces with and recognize the University of Denver as it works to “offer all students the opportunity to build the skills, knowledge, and perspective to make a difference in our world and create real, lasting change.”
The HERO OF HOPE award was presented to Jan Wacker. Pat Sly, former Boys Hope Girls Hope Network board chair and retired executive vice president of Emerson, introduced the award.
While Wacker has been the development director for Boys Hope Girls Hope of St. Louis since 2009, her dedication to the mission goes back even farther to her days as a volunteer. The depth of her commitment shows in the success of scholars and the entire St. Louis team.
Every scholar that walks through the door is family to Wacker. From car rides and ice cream treats to summer jobs, camp scholarships, and sports equipment, Wacker learns about and helps fulfill the needs and interests of scholars to ensure each feels known and included. She celebrates wins and empathizes with losses. She is there for scholars at all hours of the day and night.
Wacker’s attention to people extends to donors, board members, and teammates. Even as she tirelessly brings in funding to support programs, she remembers details like birthdays and family milestones. She is not shy about letting people know their work is valued and appreciated. Jan shares tips for donor engagement and fundraising with affiliates across the Network and asks questions to promote fruitful sharing. She embodies what it means to build a community.
In Wacker’s acceptance remarks, she told a heartfelt story and said, “I am honored to be receiving the Boys Hope Girls Hope Hero of Hope recognition. It’s truly my privilege to be a part of this family.”
Michallé Fain and Raymund Deng were given this year’s LEGACY OF HOPE AWARDS as two alumni who exemplify the spirit of being well-educated, career-ready, and community-minded!
Pam Giss, Boys Hope Girls Hope Network board member and principal for Launch Development Finance Partners, presented the first award.
Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois alumna Michallé Fain knew since second grade that she wanted to be a teacher. She graduated from Marquette University with a degree in elementary education and English literature. She dreamed of returning to her childhood neighborhood to give back as a teacher. She has been teaching at KIPP One Academy since, including stints as a fourth-grade math teacher and grade level chair. Most recently, KIPP promoted Fain to vice principal. Fain never hesitates to give back to Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois by speaking at events.
Fain joked in her acceptance remarks that it was her first day off in six years. “I cannot believe that it was 14 years ago that I entered the program. I chose Boys Hope Girls Hope for myself because I didn’t want to be a product of my environment, but rather come back and be an inspiration for others. Being where I come from on the west side of Chicago, you don’t see a lot of people like me that get to make it and live out their dreams. I know one of the reasons I was able to do that is because of this program.”
Boys Hope Girls Hope of San Francisco alumnus Raymund Deng graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Davis. He went on to graduate from the University of California Hastings College of Law in 2019 and passed the California bar exam. Today he is pursuing a career in law as a way to live out the Boys Hope Girls Hope mission and most recently joined the firm Triple Point Capital as an associate attorney. Although his time was stretched during law school, Deng found ways to support Boys Hope Girls Hope by serving on a career panel and providing feedback on programming. He has also helped rising first-year college students define life goals and spoken about his passion for serving others and supporting those in need at Collegiate Prep Networking Night.
Deng said, “While I know this is a personal award, I feel like I’m here to receive it on behalf of the San Francisco affiliate. I started with the program when I was 12 or 13. I’ve been in Boys Hope Girls Hope longer than I haven’t. I’ve known Boys Hope Girls Hope my whole life. I’ve been supported by Boys Hope Girls Hope my whole life. People I’ve met here have been with me through my journey, from middle school, high school, college, and law school. I wouldn’t be here today without all of that support, this community, and those connections.”
Kristin Ostby de Barillas presented the prestigious VATTEROTT AWARD to Mike de Graffenried. Named for its inaugural recipient John Vatterott, this award celebrates the legacy and impact of an extraordinary visionary—an exemplary man or woman for others—whose generosity, determination and philanthropic support has sustained the vital work of Boys Hope Girls Hope on behalf of scholars, collegians, and children in need.
Mike de Graffenried took a phone call from a friend about Boys Hope Girls Hope in 2001 and has continued to answer on the first ring ever since for the organization and its scholars. Over the past 20 years, de Graffenried has distinguished himself with tremendous leadership, generous support, and unwavering dedication.
Video remarks from Boys Hope Girls Hope Founder Father Paul Sheridan, SJ, John Vatterott, Former CEO Paul Minorini, and scholars from Esperanza Juvenil (Boys Hope Girls Hope of Guatemala) were shared.
Deng said, “While I know this is a personal award, I feel like I’m here to receive it on behalf of the San Francisco affiliate. I started with the program when I was 12 or 13. I’ve been in Boys Hope Girls Hope longer than I haven’t. I’ve known Boys Hope Girls Hope my whole life. I’ve been supported by Boys Hope Girls Hope my whole life. People I’ve met here have been with me through my journey, from middle school, high school, college, and law school. I wouldn’t be here today without all of that support, this community, and those connections.”
Read about the full week of Reunite Hope EXTENDED