Golden Crosses

Explanation of Golden Cross Society and Crosses
The Society of the Golden Cross was founded to honor those who, by the achievements of their lives, exemplify what it means to be truly “Nativity High School” at its best. The men and women who have been selected demonstrate the goals of the school: by solid academic, spiritual and physical formation, our students become better people because they can know God, know His love for them, and have the courage to love Him back through the choices of a lifetime.

The name “Golden Cross” is derived from the design of the face of the school. Each night, the cross is lit to remind the city of the presence of Christ in our lives. This cross has become part of the night sky of Pottsville, a navigation aid for those airships of mercy who drop from the sky to bring aid and relief to the injured, and to remind all of the power of truth that education and learning bring to our lives. Golden Cross Society members are those who take this beacon down from the building and make it part of their own lives on a daily basis.

The Golden Crosses that our new members receive are quite special: they are the product of the creative drive of another of our alumni, Mr. Charles Sophy. Mr. Sophy designed these solid 10 carat gold crosses to reflect the pattern of light and windows that characterizes the front of our school building. This generous gift on the part of Mr. Sophy has enabled us to present truly a beautiful and genuine tribute to the members of our society. What makes them extra special is that they are truly something of Nativity High School; no one else has anything quite like this.

Past Inductees into the Golden Cross Society

photo l to r: Tom “Tipper” Lucas, Dr. PJ Brennan, Karen Ferenchick, Ed J. Donahue, Michelle Lewandowski

Congratulations to the newest members of Nativity’s Golden Cross Society who were inducted during the school’s 51st Annual Century Benefit on Friday, June 4, 2021 at Mountain Valley Golf Course.

Photo (l to r):
Robert MacCready, June Bednar, Barbara Halcovage, Henry “Herm” Minnig, Joseph Devine

Congratulations to the newest members of Nativity’s Golden Cross Society who were inducted during the school’s 50th annual Century Benefit on Saturday, April 6, 2019 at Mountain Valley Golf Course: June Bednar, Joseph Devine, Barbara Halcovage, Robert MacCready, Henry “Herm” Minnig

Congratulations to the newest members of Nativity’s Golden Cross Society who were inducted during the school’s 49th annual Century Benefit on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at the Schuylkill Country Club: Atty. Alvin B. and Anne “Pinkey” Marshall, Lorna Lazovi DiNicola, Kim A. Sutter, Michael E. Hashin.

These members of Nativity’s Golden Cross Society were inducted at Nativity’s 48th Annual Century Benefit on April 22, 2017:
Sol Cotler (award accepted by Sol’s son, Steve), Ken Huebner ’77 and Millie Fanelli Scarbinsky ’67!
Photo (l to r): Steve Cotler, Jennifer Daubert, NBVM Director of Development, Millie Scarbinsky, Ken Huebner, Dr. Phil Fromuth, Superintendent of Catholic Education, Diocese of Allentown, Lynn Sabol, NBVM Principal.

Photo (Left to Right): Maury Molin, Edward Palamar, John Boyer, Carol Boyer and Monsignor Ronald Bocian were inducted into Nativity BVM High School’s Golden Cross Society at the school’s annual Century Benefit, which was held at the Schuylkill Country Club on Saturday, April 23, 2016.

The following members of Nativity High School’s Golden Cross Society were inducted at the Century Benefit held at the Schuylkill Country Club on Saturday, April 11, 2015. Inductees include: photo (l to r) Mayor James Muldowney ’76, Mr. Jeremiah Brennan PCHS ’45, Mr. John Koch ’66 and Sister Catherine Therese Brennan ’62, representing the Order of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

2015
Mayor James Muldowney
Jeremiah Brennan
John Koch
Sister Catherine Therese Brennan

The following new members of the Nativity BVM High School Golden Cross Society were inducted at the 2014 Century benefit held at the Schuylkill country Club on Saturday, April 12, 2014:
(l to r): Hon. John D.W. Reiley, Arlene Lickman, accepting on behalf of her late husband, Joseph Palko, Sean McCormick, Elizabeth “Betty” Harley Lechleitner, accepting on behalf of both herself and her late husband, Wayne “Butch” Lechleitner, and Most. Rev. Ronald Gainer, Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg

2014
Hon. John D.W. Reiley
Joseph Palko
Sean McCormick
Elizabeth “Betty” Harley Lechleitner
Wayne “Butch” Lechleitner
Most. Rev. Ronald Gainer

The newest members of Nativity BVM High School’s Golden Cross Society were inducted at the annual Century Club Benefit on Saturday, April 13, 2013. photo (l to r): Dr. Augustine Moffitt; Mr. Tom Pavalko accepting for his father the late, Mr. George Pavalko; and Mr. William Kirwan

2013
William E. Kirwan, Esq. CPA ‘77
Augustine (Gus) Moffitt, Sc. D ‘63
George E. Pavalko

The newest members of Nativity BVM High School’s Golden Cross Society were inducted at the annual Century Club benefit on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Pictured (l. to r.) Bishop John O. Barres, Attorney Eric Liberman ’94, W. Frederick Miller ’60, Elizabeth “Betty” (Legutko) Miller ’60, Angelo “Abe” Barone, Rev. Msgr. William E. Handges PCHS ’54, Lynn A. Lechleitner Sabol ’76, Principal, Jennifer Forney Daubert ’91, Director of Development

2012

Mr. Angelo J. Barone
Msgr. William E. Handges, PCHS ‘54
Atty. Eric Lieberman ‘94
W. Frederick ’60 and Elizabeth Legutko ’60 Miller

Msgr. Edward O’Connor and Principal Lynn Sabol pose with inductees Sharon Struzinsky Modesto ’80 and Atty. Joseph P. Troy ’66. Missing from photo is inductee Rev. Stephen L. Maco

2011

Mrs. Sharon Struzinsky Modesto ‘80
Atty. Joseph P. Troy ‘66
Rev. Stephen L. Maco

Pictured (l to r): Bonnie Norton, accepting for her late husband, Mr. J. William Norton; Rita Gemmell, accepting for her late husband, Mr. Jack Gemmell; Denise Dee; George Halcovage.

2010

Ms. Denise Dee ‘85
Mr. John “Jack” Gemmell
Mr. George F. Halcovage, Jr. ‘75
Mr. J. William Norton