MERCI BEAUCOUP AWARD

Merci Beaucoup Award

The Merci Beaucoup Award has been established to pay tribute to those who have embraced the philosophy of the Sacred Heart education in their everyday lives. The Merci Beaucoup Award is given to an individual, who though not a Duchesne graduate, has made significant contributions to Duchesne.   Following is an excerpt from the awards ceremony. That we know of in its history the distinguished Merci Beaucoup Award has never been given to a man. But this one has lent us his daughters, his fundraising and leadership prowess, his voice, his charm and his wit—all this and more since that prophetic day he first walked into Duchesne more than 20 years ago.

Mike Kelly began his stint as a Man for Duchesne when he and his wife Barbara dropped off their first daughter Laura in 1986 followed by Bridget in 1991. During that time, as a proud Duchesne parent, Mike served on the school’s board of trustees and as Congé co-chair in 1990. But Mike’s commitment to Duchesne has lasted long beyond his daughters’ time here. He has been our Congé emcee on multiple occasions and lent his broadcasting voice, his wit and charm serving as the voice of Duchesne as the public address announcer for basketball and volleyball games over the past 17 years. 

In 1995, Mike was invited to speak at a Duchesne alumnae event. In his words “Duchesne is all about tradition . . . roots, solidity, foundation, strength, tradition. This place has all those. And what we do today is part of the tradition for students yet unborn. The past decade or so cover a time in which our family has come to know Duchesne intimately and to love Duchesne as you do. . . What makes this school great in part is that Duchesne loves our daughters almost as much as we do. The past decade has been kind of a magical time. I can say that Duchesne and the Sacred Heart education will always be in our family’s hearts.”

Mike we thank you for your years of love and support for Duchesne.

To nominate someone for this award, please e-mail Alumnae@duchesneacademy.org  or contact a current Alumnae Board member.