Judge Memorial students christen new weight room

Intermountain Catholic

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The cutting of the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the weight room the students have already had an opportunity to use since the beginning of school. IC photo/Christine Young

SALT LAKE CITY —The newly renovated Chester Fassio Weight Room was dedicated at Judge Memorial Catholic High School Sept. 9. Student Body President Hannah Brodke cut the ceremonial ribbon to commemorate the official opening of the weight room. The dedication is a continuation of the informal celebrations that have occurred since the school kicked off its 90th anniversary celebration with the rededication of McCarthey Stadium Aug. 13, 2010.

Among those at the ribbon cutting were members of the Kladis family, Judge Memorial principal Rick Bartman, Judge Memorial advancement director Mary Purk and several varsity head coaches.

The complete remodel of the weight room was made possible through the generosity of Kris Fassio Kladis, a 1970 graduate of St. Mary of the Wasatch High School; her husband, Mike Kladis, along with sons Stephen and Richard, graduates of Judge Memorial in 1998 and 2001, respectively.

Chester Fassio, for whom the weight room was named, was Kris Fassio Kladis’ father and a lifelong supporter of Judge Memorial and the Catholic community. He passed away in 2004.

"My father’s parents immigrated to the United States from Italy and my father was born shortly after," said Kris Kladis, who grew up in Kearns and attended Saint Francis of Xavier Parish. "He grew up during the Depression on Fassio Egg Farm, our family business, which is still in operation, and learned to work hard. He could not speak a word of English when he started first grade, but grew up to be a good business man. He always taught us the importance of giving back and he always supported the Catholic Church. He was a very generous man. I know that he would want us to do the same."

"We are deeply grateful to the Kladis family for making this a reality for our students," said Bartman. "The students are impressed with the quality of the equipment, which is on par with the weight rooms at the University of Utah and other Pac-12 schools."

On behalf of the student body, Brodke expressed her gratitude for the donation that funded the weight room. "Over the summer I was in the school for a dance camp and on my way to the dance studio, I was distracted by the bright new paint in the room. I came in to explore with a couple of my friends and didn’t want to leave," she said.

Jack Barnett, a senior at Judge Memorial and a member of the football and baseball teams, said the room has helped students increase their strength and also made a difference on the playing field.

Since the kickoff of the 90th anniversary Judge Memorial has been celebrating "Judge Pride" during home football games, the annual Bulldog Boogie, a Bulldog Golf Scramble, the annual gala, a tribute to veterans, and a spring "Random Acts of Kindness" service project. They will conclude the anniversary celebration with the annual gala in November.

Judge Memorial became a school in 1921. From 1920 to 1926, the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul conducted a Catholic elementary school in the former Judge Mercy Home and Hospital. A co-educational high school was added with the Sisters of the Holy Cross coming from Saint Mary’s Academy to teach the high school students. The first class of 10 students graduated in 1925. The school was known as Cathedral High School and Grammar School until 1929, when the Most Rev. John J. Mitty, then Bishop of Salt Lake City, named the school Judge Memorial School, recognizing the John J. Judge family’s support of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City.