Dear St. Charles Alumni, Parents and Friends,
I’m sure my family’s story is not so different from yours.
It takes grit, determination and sacrifice to get our sons through St. Charles.
Our family story goes back to the late 1970s, when my Mom and Dad decided their three sons would attend a high school that would best prepare them for college.
College wasn’t something the Klingler side of the family had ever pursued. While my Mom had a college degree, my Dad went to work for the federal government right out of high school, but they both recognized the importance of a college education. They knew St. Charles was the best choice to achieve their dream of college degrees for their three sons. And they knew it would take sacrifice to make it happen.
We were a family of modest means. My Mom needed a car to get to her teaching job and my brothers and I needed a “car” to get to St. Charles. So my Dad took the bus – every workday, from the East side to Grandview, with a transfer at Broad and High.
During the summers, my Mom worked Bingo in the old gym to help pay down tuition, and we boys cleaned classrooms after school or ran the dishwasher during our lunch period to help out.
Through Catholic teaching we learned that sacrifice brings reward. It wasn’t until after graduation that my brothers and I fully appreciated our parents’ commitment to a St. Charles education and the sacrifices they made to get us through. My brothers and I agree that our St. Charles education was a gift from our parents that has made a huge impact in our lives.
We learned how to study, what to study, and what it’s like having three exams in one day. We learned quickly how to prioritize our time.
It was a big step. Going from a public school to a private, Catholic, all-boys school was very different for us, but it didn’t take long to make the transition. I came to appreciate learning with a bunch of guys and not having as many distractions. I could stay focused and learn.
There are now 11 St. Charles graduates among the Klingler family, as my brothers and I sent our sons to St. Charles. We are thankful for the opportunity that our parents provided us so many years ago, and appreciate our ability to provide that same opportunity to our sons.
We also carry on our parents’ commitment to giving back. Every year since the early 1980s, my parents made a donation to St. Charles, and my family continues that commitment to SC today. If we can give a little so other young men can experience St. Charles, then we want to help make that happen.
Did you know that over 80% of St. Charles students receive some sort of financial assistance toward their tuition costs? Today, enrollment at St. Charles is increasing…more young men want to attend SC! And the cost of tuition is also increasing.
Would you give a gift that helps families realize their dream of giving their son a St. Charles education?
One of the defining characteristics of our enduring brotherhood and St. Charles community is our generosity - and our desire for more young men to experience St. Charles. When you give back to SC, you make a difference that lasts a lifetime. My St. Charles education has been vital to my happiness and success in life.
Give today and go ALL IN so that ALL BOYS have this opportunity.
With Gratitude,
Jeff Klingler, Class of ’84,
representing the Klingler Family
St. Charles Preparatory School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
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