Pius XI Honors Meinerz Family with Distinguished Alumni Recognition
At the end of each school year, as part of our annual graduation celebration, Pius XI High School recognizes alumni for their exemplary commitment and generosity to Pius XI High School and
the community. This year Pius XI honored the eight children of Viola and Archie Meinerz: Lynn Meinerz Thornhill ’61, Leigh Meinerz Peterson ’64, Sandra Meinerz Townsend ’66, Tim Meinerz ’67, Greg Meinerz ’68, Scott Meinerz ’72, Nancy Meinerz ’75, Luann Meinerz Namowicz ’76. The family was honored as the last member of the second generation of Meinerz alumni, Kelsey Meinerz (daughter of Scott Meinerz) graduated. Other second-generation Meinerz alumni include Kelsey’s sisters Caroline ’08 and Meghan ’03; Ariel Namowitz ’08 (daughter of Luann) and Daniel Liebly ’03 (son of Nancy).
In accepting the recognition on behalf of all his siblings, Scott Meinerz spoke of how important it was to his mother that her children receive a Catholic education. Catholic education was so important to his parents that, beginning in 1993, they started a scholarship fund. After their deaths, the scholarship was continued by the Archie and Viola Meinerz Family Foundation. This exceptional investment has been transformative. It has made it possible for dozens of worthy students to receive a Pius XI education who may otherwise not have been able to attend.
In addition to their incredible generosity to the scholarship fund, Archie and Viola Meinerz and all of their children were major donors to the Pius XI capital campaign. The Pius XI High School is truly blessed by the Meinerz family’s legacy of leadership.