History of the Grant
The Joe and Barb Krier Memorial Grant was established by the Bishop Chatard High School (BCHS) Class of 1974 “Sweetheart Group” in 2006 shortly after the tragic passing of its namesakes. This award memorializes Barb and Joe’s selfless contributions to the Northside community of Indianapolis. Every year, we acknowledge at least one 8th grade student from the North Deanery who displays the same great qualities as Joe and Barb. The grant is given to a student who is a servant, a friend to all, a hard worker, an involved member of their parish, and who puts others needs ahead of their own. We celebrate these “good guys” for all of their accomplishments in memory of our dear friends.
Since 2006, we have raised more than $440,000 and awarded 22 full grants in the amount of $2,000 per year (renewable for up to 4 years). In addition, we have given more than 50 one-time cash awards to deserving students.
“The Good Guys”
Here are some testimonials from “The Good Guys” (our past recipients) and parents of students who received the Grant:
“I am eternally grateful for the Joe and Barb Krier Memorial Grant! If it weren’t for the grant I would not have been able to go to Bishop Chatard High School and I wouldn’t be the same person I am today. The Krier grant helped me to get where I am today…”
– Emily Schafer, the first recipient of the Joe and Barb Krier Memorial Grant
“We were so thrilled for Michael to receive this honor and grant in the name of Joe & Barb Krier. To say we appreciated the financial help would be an understatement. Thank you for offering this gift to our North Deanery students! Your help in affording a BCHS education to a deserving student is admirable, and appreciated by so many.”
– Parents of Michael, the 2010 recipient of the Joe and Barb Krier Memorial Grant
“This grant has been beyond helpful for our family. A Catholic education for our children has been a long-term goal for us as parents since their grade school days. Continuing the education of our kids during these formative years in a faith-based community environment has been extremely important in our own walk with Christ. While both of us work full-time, and are paid decent salaries, without the added scholarship, sending our children to Chatard would be extremely difficult. Your continued support of Danielle in the final stretch of her high school education has been and will be a forever gift to our family.”
– Parents of Danielle, the 2016 recipient of the Joe and Barb Krier Memorial Grant
“Thank you for choosing me for this award. Words cannot express how grateful I am to have earned it. I was so surprised that my principal nominated me, and am thankful that what she wrote about me left an impact on you to choose me as the recipient. Earning this award has made me feel more confident with my future, and has reassured me that I am going in the right direction. I am so glad that this award exists. I hope this award continues to bless families in the future.”
– Gavin, the 2020 recipient of the Joe and Barb Krier Memorial Grant
“Receiving the Joe and Barb Krier Memorial Grant was an absolute blessing for our family. Her dream was always to attend Bishop Chatard HS because of the sense of family it gave her. It felt like family because Bishop Chatard is made up of people like Barb & Joe, their friends, and their family. People who are kind, caring, selfless, and generous; people like Madalyn.”
– Mother of Madalyn, the 2011 recipient of the Joe and Barb Krier Memorial Grant
“This award helped me go to high school with the confidence to know I was going to the right place. I loved the Trojans taking care of Trojans aspect of Bishop Chatard.”
– Jenna, the 2013 recipient of the Joe and Barb Krier Memorial Grant
“The last day of my 8th grade year, I knew there was an award ceremony, but I assumed that I wasn’t going to receive anything… I remember telling my mom that if there is an award for being a well rounded and nice person, I could get that… One of the last awards of the afternoon was presented by three young ladies. They went into more detail about the grant and they were looking for the qualities of Citizenship, Strong Work Ethic, Community Service, Friendship towards Others and Parish Involvement. Those were the qualities that their parents had demonstrated before they died… And all at once they said my name. I have never felt so happy and accomplished in my entire life. I have never been more proud of myself than at that moment. I was awarded for being a good person and having a Christ like attitude… My parents raised me to be a true individual, stand up for others and be kind. I felt like I made a difference at St. Simon and plan to do the same at Bishop Chatard. Without God in my life and a continued opportunity for a Catholic education, I wouldn’t be who I am today…”
– Nadia, the 2016 recipient of the Joe and Barb Krier Memorial Grant
The Sweetheart Group (as lovingly named by one of the grant recipients)
Pictured below are the lifelong friends of Joe and Barb who created the grant in their memory. Many of these friendships started in grade school and high school and grew stronger as the couples experienced the ups and downs of life together. These seven couples remained close for over forty years due in large part to Joe and Barb’s perseverance, kindness, and hospitality.
