David A. Wellman Memorial Award
The David A. Wellman Memorial Award was established in 1986 by his parents and the CYO in memory of Dave, who was killed in a traffic accident the summer after his college graduation. The award is given to graduates of Quincy Catholic grade schools based on scholarship, leadership and citizenship. This award acknowledges students who pursue excellence in their tasks and develops a well-rounded personality.

Dave was born December 16, 1962 in Quincy. He attended St. Dominic School and then Quincy Notre Dame High School, where he graduated in 1981. He was very involved as a youth participating in CYO flag football, basketball and baseball as well as playing in the CYO intramural basketball league for high school students. The St. Dominic team won the Diocesan tournament in Springfield his senior year. Dave was also involved in baseball in the summer with the Quincy Park District and played YMCA tackle football.

The Cub Scouts were also part of Dave's life which gave him a great appreciation for the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman & hunter and loved animals. Aside from his blonde lab Lady, Dave had a variety of pets he raised including ducks and chickens. He continued to enhance his love for the outdoors by taking conservation courses as elective classes at college.

Dave was an excellent student as he strived for excellence. He balanced the extracurricular activities and his studies to maintain his A - B+ average in his courses. A consistent member of the Honor Roll he transferred that work ethic to Culver-Stockton College in the Fall of 1981. He majored in Business Administration with a near 3.5 GPA at Culver-Stockton. He was also a member of a fraternity and was active on campus.

During his college years he became interested in officiating sports and filled his schedule each year with football, basketball and baseball games. He officiated at the CYO as well as high school games with the IHSA. He worked to help the young student-athletes when he was officiating and his smile always exemplified his love for people.

It's hard to summarize a person's life in such a short forum. The one characteristic that made Dave so lovable to those who knew him was his personality. He always had a smile and genuinely loved people and what he was doing at any particular time. He earned a nickname at college of 'Action Dave', shortened many times to just 'Action'. This may best describe him as he was a person of 'doing', and his 'Actions spoke louder than words'. As many of our best people, we lost a great one at too early an age. The disappointment is that so many never had the opportunity to spend even a moment with Dave. For those who knew him, his memory will always live on.


Dave was involved with more than his brief summary describes, but whatever he did...he gave his best. He also realized priorities in life and kept family, friends and God very close to him. Dave was the second of four children to Jerry and Dixie Wellman, both who have joined Dave in heaven in the past decade. Dave has an older brother, Jeff, and two sisters; Donna Smith and Susan. In closing, the plaque at the CYO and his tombstone (three lines) best summarize Dave's life with the words of 'That Man's A Success'. We leave you with those special words.


'That Man's A Success'


Who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has gained the respect
of intelligent women and men and the love of children; who never lacks
appreciation of the earth's beauty or fails to express it; who follows his dreams
and pursues excellence in each task; and who brings out the best in others, and
gives only the best of himself.

 

David A. Wellman Recipients

1986                                     1987                                      1988
Michele Shank                        Theresa Kosin                          Kim Frese
David Schleppenbach               Matt Schuckman                      Clinton Duppong

1989                                      1990                                      1991
Molly Drew                              Kai Peters                               Sara Bange
Sara McDowell                         John Christopher Selby             Mark McDowell
David Young

 1992                                      1993                                      1994
Sarah Genenbacher                   Angela Beckman                       Jamie Junkerman
Rachel Kathman                        Matthew Stump                       Chad Peters
Jeremy Holbrook

1995                                      1996                                     1997
Bridget Hamann                        Kim Genenbacher                     Erin Williams
Jared Holbrook                         Beth Zeidler                            Jordan Witltand

1998                                      1999                                      2000
Anne Ruzicka                           Ashleigh Douglas                      Lydia Keck
Adam Bozarth                          Kyle Winking                            Kyle Russell
Andy O’Donnell 

2001                                      2002                                     2003
Krista Morris                            Alexandra Rizzo                       Sullivan Oakley
Lucas Cramsey                        Nathan Holtschlag                    Adam Klene

 

 

 

William A. 'Bill' Barrett Room Dedication
William A. 'Bill' Barrett wrote a letter to Father Link on April 3, 1937 inquiring about a recreation position in Quincy, Illinois. He was a graduate of St. Viator College and coached for five years at St. Viator Academy. He was currently coaching at Central Catholic High School in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. While coaching, he was the physical director and membership secretary at the Catholic Community Center. Bill Barrett organized basketball and baseball leagues for the grade schools and was in charge of the parish leagues for young men and women. He had taught physical education at the high school and grade school levels.

At this time, the new organization had already hired someone. The Catholic Youth Association was established in 1933 in compliance with Elizabeth Oenning's will and memorial. Mr. Barrett's letter was read at the board meeting and placed on file.

On October 5th, Mr. Barrett received a letter from the CYA's secretary Paul A. Kurz. Mr. Kurz informed him that the position had reopened. A number of reference letters followed including a recommendation from the Reverend Joseph J. Hennes, the CYO Director in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The 35 year-old Barrett accepted the position, moving his wife, son and daughter to Quincy to become the CYO Director. He joined St. Francis Parish when he arrived.

During his years as the Director of the CYO, the programs saw considerable expansion and important advances. Bill Barrett started the physical education program in the parochial grade schools and new leagues were organized according to age groups. Among Bill's many accomplishments was the acceptance of the CYO as a member agency by the Community Chest (today's United Way). Mr. Barrett chronicled his 21 years of hard work with 5 scrapbooks of newspaper clippings of the CYO's activities. The golden glove boxing matches, the baseball scores and play competitions fill the pages of CYO history.

William A. 'Bill' Barrett died unexpectedly on February 20, 1958. His devotion to the Catholic youth of our community was tremendous. The Reverend Raymond Reich wrote in a letter to Mrs. Barrett: "We shall always treasure the happy times spent with him and the wonderful work he has done for our youth. He has gone to his eternal reward, but we can still see him on the playground through his mark he has left on the youth."

Bill Barrett had the opportunity to see the construction of the CYO gymnasium and the first programs in the facility. It is with great honor that the CYO Board of Directors dedicate the lounge and Hall of Fame room as the Bill Barrett Room on this day, February 15, 2004.