IN THE FALL OF 1957, Disneyland was only two years old, Interstate 5 had just opened, Knotts was still a berry farm, and the Angels wouldn’t throw their first pitch in Anaheim for four years.
DISTINGUISHED FACULTY AWARD RECIPIENT AND FORMER SERVITE PRINCIPAL RAYMOND DUNNE. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
In that year of great expectations, Fr. Maurice Gillespie and a small band of Servite priests from Chicago opened a small high school in Anaheim with a freshman class of 110 young men. But while Servite High School didn’t begin with the flash and fanfare of the surrounding landmarks, the school’s impact has formed many of the men who have been the trailblazers and leaders in Orange County and beyond.
This year, as in years past, Servite alumni, students, teachers and parents gathered to honor Servite’s legacy with the Annual Excellence in Leadership Dinner. The 2025 honorees included Raymond Dunne, former principal, who received the Distinguished Faculty award; the entire class of 1971 received the Brotherhood award; and the Community Leadership award, presented to the Angels Baseball Foundation.
EVENT CO-CHAIRS ROB ’71 AND SUSIE HOERTZ POSE WITH ROB’S PARENTS BOB AND MARGIE HOERTZ.
Stephen Walswick ’02, president of Servite, understands the school’s ethos from the standpoint of a graduate and now its leader.
“For the past 68 years, Servite has educated and formed young men to become virtuous leaders in their community,” he said. “We see them go on to serve important roles in every industry: politics, business, medicine and education. Our graduates are recognized as desirable leaders. That is why we see great success among our alumni.”
Rob Hoertz ’72 and his wife Susie (Rosary ’73) co-chaired the event.
“I’ve been involved with Servite alumni and leadership since the 1980s,” recalled Rob Hoertz. “In 2007, the Servite fathers decided to have a lay board of directors; I chaired the board and served for several years.”
Rob Hoertz has long admired his upperclassmen from 1971.
“That class is unique, and we are still friends today,” he shared. “I remember them as talented athletes in their senior year, I believe they went on to Division One basketball. Since then, as a class they have taken on leadership because of their love for Servite. For years, they have been prodigious fundraisers, and I believe, as a group, they have given more to the school than any other class.”
Several years ago, Mike Freeman, ’71, formerly Chief Strategy Officer for WD-40, helped form the Servite Play it Forward program. Freeman felt a more personal connection rather than just giving money would be more meaningful for himself, his classmates and hopefully the Servite students. The effort was born with the Class of 1971 engaging with the Class of 2021 throughout their four years at Servite, both classes being the “pioneers” of this project. The program serves to re-connect alumni with Servite and see the benefits of today’s Servite education, to illustrate to current students the lifelong brotherhood shared by Servite Friars, and to reinforce to both classes the value of a Servite education and a value-centered life. Rob Hoertz is also an admirer of former principal Ray Dunne as well.
“What he has done for Catholic schools and Catholic Education in Orange County is remarkable,” he said. “You can’t talk about Catholic Education here without mentioning Ray Dunne.”
In addition to his years at Servite, Dunne was principal at Santa Margarita Catholic High School and helped lead both schools in academic excellence.
“What is special about Servite is that it is the only all-male school in the Diocese,” said Dunne. “Because of that, a powerful brotherhood develops. I have always been amazed and impressed by that. Classmates often become lifelong friends and remain a very tight group. The Class of 1971 is an especially close group – the comradery is wonderful.”
Dunne is often asked about the challenges and opportunities with single-sex education.
“The advantage is there isn’t a lot of distraction during the school day,” shared Dunne. “The Servite boys and girls from Rosary have a lot of social interaction after school. For the boys, there is much more focus in the classroom. Overall, they do a better job because they don’t worry about the girls being there. However, when the girls come on campus, I notice the boys are spruced up more, their hair combed and they look sharper than usual. Rosary teachers say the same happens when the boys are on campus.”
The Community Leadership award was presented by alumnus Cyrus Fa’amfoe ’24, who is attending Stanford University on a scholarship from the Angels Baseball Foundation. The award was accepted by Dennis Kuhl, chairman of Angels Baseball, board member of the Angels Baseball Foundation and member of Servite’s board of directors.
In a few months, the class of 2025 will graduate as faith-filled leaders. They are stepping off the shoulders of older classmates, and as St. Paul advised young St. Timothy, “Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity.” (1 Tim 4:12)
The class of 2025 is well-prepared for their future, wherever it may lead.