Special to the Message
The 2024 Recipient of the Holy Cross Distinguished Alumni Award given by the Holy Cross Alumni and Friends (HCAAF) was awarded to Jason Baehl. The award was presented by Sue Harrell, president of HCAAF, at the Sunday Mass Sept. 15 during the Parish’s annual celebration weekend, which is always close to the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Sept. 14.
This award is given to Holy Cross School graduates who have been recognized by their parishioners as living exemplary Catholic lives. It has been presented since 1997, making this the 30th anniversary of the award. Giving this award is in an effort to provide inspiration to others and to give thanks to God for the Catholic Faith as represented by the life of the individual.
Baehl graduated from Gibson Southern High School and the University of Evansville. He and his wife Jamie have two sons attending Holy Cross School, a daughter attending the Crusader Academy and their youngest daughter at home.
As a young child, Baehl began supporting Catholic education by helping make caramel for their annual Turtle sales, helping with school renovations several times and crawling in the ceiling of the school to run wiring for new technology. Baehl recently was involved in the playground renovations at Holy Cross School and The Crusader Academy.
Baehl has served on the Stewardship Commission and on the Parish Council for nine years; serving as president for four years. He is currently active in the Journeymen Club and on the Long-Range Planning Commission. He and his wife help with the Young Adult Group of the Parish.
Quoting from the nomination form, “If you know him, you know he is authentic. Jason lives his faith full-time. He always wears a smile, and you can tell he serves The Lord and people because he enjoys it.”