16th Annual Men For Others Dinner

The Jesuit Dads' Club's 16th annual Men for Others Dinner on Sunday (March 27) once again brought together hundreds of fathers and sons for a wonderful evening of food, fellowship, and faith.

The cherished annual gathering was celebrated at a beautiful new location, Armature Works near downtown on the Hillsborough River. It was highlighted by impactful presentations, special Dads' Club's recognitions, and more than 500 Jesuit fathers and sons enjoying an evening together.

Jesuit Dads' Club president John Harden, P '22, '22 presented the 2022 Michael G. Songy "Men for Others" Award, the Dads' Club's highest honor, to Michael Lufkin, P '16, '20 and Mark Georgiades, P '20. The award, which is given for service to the Dads' Club and Jesuit High School, is named for Mike Songy, P '98, '00. Among the past recipients of the award are 2021 winner Mike Donovan, P '20 and 2019 winner Steve Sanchez, P '17, '20, and the first recipient in 2009, Michael Crochet, P '07. (See below a full listing of Songy Award winners.)

Parking Chair Jerry Perez '83, P '19, '22 and Harden also presented a very special gift to Jesuit president Fr. Richard C. Hermes, S.J. Each year the Dads' Club makes a generous donation to the school with the funds generated from parking revenue at neighboring Raymond James Stadium. This year's total of $600,000 shattered the previous record­ donation from the Dads' Club!

The two student speakers are always an emotional highlight of the Men for Others Dinner. This year, seniors Luke Denick (father Steve Denick, P '20, '22) and Danny Vargas (father Dr. Alfonso Vargas, P '20, '22, '24) gave heartfelt tributes to their dads, speaking about how they have positively shaped their lives as great fathers and role models. (See videos below.)

The evening concluded with the keynote presentation by Bill Babin. Babin, a successful baseball coach from Louisiana who has completed the Spiritual Exercise of St. Ignatius 35 times, spoke about  living your faith in all aspects of your life.

Click below to view a photo slideshow from the Men for Others Dinner, and below that is video of the presentations by Vargas and Denick. At the bottom is a listing of all of the Michael G. Songy "Men for Others" Award winners.

 

 

The Michael G. Songy "Men for Others" Award is named in memory of Mike Songy, P '98, '00, a past president of the Jesuit Dads' Club and former member of the JHS Foundation, Inc. who passed away in 2018. It is presented annually by the Dads' Club in recognition of the most outstanding member, whose generous service to the school community most closely models the characteristics of a true "Man for Others."

2022 – Mark Georgiades and Michael Lufkin
2021 – Mike Donovan
2020 – Chris Freeman
2019 – Steve Sanchez
2018 – Ron Battle
2017 – Ken Darst
2016 – Kevin O'Brien '81
2015 – Mike Sweet
2014 – Rick McClintock
2013 – Jeff Lambert '81
2012 – Brian Ehrlich
2011 – Mark Hoenemeyer
2010 – Jeff Younger
2009 – Mike Crochet