St. John Vianney High School (Kirkwood, Missouri)


St. John Vianney High School is a private, all male, Catholic college preparatory school in Kirkwood, Missouri. The school was founded by the Society of Mary, a religious order of priests and brothers who continue to run the school, and is part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis, along with the Marianists' Chaminade College Preparatory School and St. Mary's High School.

History

St. John Vianney High School opened in 1960 and has graduated a class every year since that time.
In 1999, Vianney received a prestigious award from the federal government's Blue Ribbon Schools Program. Recently, Vianney has undertaken a number of building projects including new classrooms, gymnasium, library, science labs, and new turf football and baseball fields.

Athletics

Vianney sponsors athletic teams in football, soccer, cross country, basketball, swimming, wrestling, baseball, golf, tennis, track and field, volleyball. There are also club teams for outdoor lacrosse, bowling, chess, lacrosse, racquetball and ice hockey.
In 2011 and 2013, the Varsity Chess Team won the National Championships.
Vianney is a member of the Metro Catholic Conference of private Catholic high schools, along with:
State championships
National championships
The school mascot is the Golden Griffin: half lion and half eagle. The school colors, black and gold, reflect the colors of the Griffin. The school states that the Griffin represents certain virtues in all of its students.

School fight song

The St. John Vianney High School fight song, written by former guidance counselor Brother Harold Lootens. is often sung at football and basketball games and at pep rallies: "We are the black and gold of Vianney. We are the Golden Griffins of Vianney High. Half Lion, half Eagle, so the Griffin can roar, so the Griffin can soar above the lightning and the thunder. We will win, win, win, yeah Vianney. Oh hear the din, din, din, of our clamor and cheers. We want the world to be told about the black and the gold of old Vianney, Vianney, Vianney, Hey!".

Controversy

In 2006, Vianney President Fr. Robert Osborne was accused in a civil lawsuit of sexual misconduct with a student. The Marianist order later settled the lawsuit. Osborne was investigated by the Kirkwood Police but not charged with a crime.

Notable alumni

Sports and entertainment