2026 Spirit of Blessed Edmund Society

Brother Rice High School is pleased to announce our 2026 Spirit of Blessed Edmund Society Honorees: Jane & Lee Juett ‘67, Thane Hall, and Fr. Richard Yost, OSFS.

The Spirit of Blessed Edmund Society is named in honor of Edmund Rice and recognizes those in the Brother Rice community who have demonstrated exceptional service and support to the school. In the footsteps of Edmund, members of this society have embraced the highest of standards in their faith ministry and model the pillars of RICE – Respect, Integrity, Character and Excellence. Through their service, they have shown extraordinary dedication, leadership, and enthusiasm for Brother Rice High School. Induction into The Spirit of Blessed Edmund Society is our institution’s most prestigious honor.

Jane & Lee Juett ‘67

For decades, Jane and Lee Juett have exemplified what it means to live lives rooted in faith, family, service, and gratitude. Loyal members of the Brother Rice community, they have generously shared their time, talent, and treasure in support of the mission of Catholic education and the young men of Brother Rice.

A proud member of the Class of 1967, Lee’s connection to Brother Rice has remained steadfast throughout his life. He served as Co-Chair of the school’s first Annual Fund in 1992 and as a member of the Board of Directors from 1992 through 1998, including service as Chairman of the Board from 1994 to 1996. Jane likewise dedicated herself to the Brother Rice community through volunteer leadership in the Mothers Club, serving as Secretary in 1992 and President from 1997 to 1998. Together, they helped lay the groundwork for a culture of philanthropy that continues to sustain Brother Rice today through the Fund for RICE.

Their commitment to Catholic education was most evident in their family life, where they prioritized providing their sons, Andrew ’96 and Jesse ’00, with the gift of a Brother Rice education. Through their example, they instilled in their family the values of faith, humility, generosity, and service to others.

Beyond Brother Rice, both Jane and Lee have distinguished themselves through professional excellence and community leadership. Lee enjoyed a successful career with J. Lee Hackett Co., retiring as President after more than four decades, while also serving numerous civic and athletic organizations, including the Golf Association of Michigan, Birmingham Little League and the USGA US Amateur Championship at Oakland Hills.  Jane devoted more than 40 years to education as an elementary school teacher, shaping the lives of countless students with care and compassion. She has also faithfully volunteered with the Christ Child Society, supporting literacy and outreach efforts for children and families in need.

The Juetts’ lifelong devotion to service was recognized in 1997 when they were honored together as Catholic Volunteers of the Year. Their legacy at Brother Rice endures through their leadership, generosity, and the example they continue to provide for future generations.

Mr. Thane Hall

A beloved teacher, coach, mentor, and spiritual leader, Mr. Thane Hall has devoted more than three decades to shaping the hearts, minds, and faith lives of Brother Rice students. Since joining Brother Rice High School in 1993 as Campus Minister and Theology teacher, Thane has served the school community in countless roles, including Theology Department Chair, Kairos Retreat Director, coach, bus supervisor, and trusted guide to generations of young men. His steady presence, compassionate leadership, and deep commitment to Catholic education have made him a cornerstone of the Brother Rice experience.

Perhaps Mr. Hall’s most enduring legacy has been the introduction of the Kairos retreat program to Brother Rice in 1994. After leading an initial group of students and adults to experience Kairos at St. Laurence in Chicago, he directed Brother Rice’s first retreat later that year, launching a tradition that remains one of the most transformative spiritual experiences in the life of the school. For many students, Kairos has been a defining moment in their faith journey, and Thane’s vision helped weave it permanently into the fabric of Brother Rice.

Inspired by the charism of Blessed Edmund Rice, Thane has also expanded opportunities for students to live their faith through service and immersion experiences. He has helped lead mission trips to Peru, where Brother Rice students have participated in building more than a dozen homes, and coordinated outreach efforts in Bonita Springs, Florida, serving migrant workers and refugees. In recent years, he has guided students on immersion experiences at the southern border in Brownsville, Texas, ministering to immigrants and refugees alongside other Edmund Rice schools.

Beyond campus ministry, Thane has faithfully coached Brother Rice athletics for 30 years, serving as Freshman Baseball Coach and later as Freshman, JV, and Assistant Varsity Soccer Coach. Whether in the classroom, on retreat, on the field, or behind the wheel, driving students safely to events, Thane Hall has modeled humility, service, and authentic Christian discipleship. His lifelong dedication has left an immeasurable mark on Brother Rice High School and the countless students and families blessed by his example.

Fr. Richard Yost, OSFS

(posthumously)

A beloved teacher, mentor, chaplain, and friend, Fr. Richard Yost, OSFS, faithfully served the Brother Rice High School community for more than 15 years. He ministered to our faculty, students, families, and alumni with warmth, humility, and a genuine gift for connection. Fr. Yost was especially known for how he engaged young people through his homilies, offering wisdom, encouragement, and faith in a way that resonated deeply with students.

Born in Toledo, Ohio, on February 17, 1947, to Paul and Helen Rose Yost, Fr. Yost first encountered the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales as a student at St. Francis de Sales High School. After graduation, he entered the Oblate Novitiate in Childs, Maryland, in 1965, professed his first vows in 1967, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 1, 1976. His vocation was marked by deep faith, humility, and a lifelong trust in God’s grace.

An exceptional educator, Fr. Yost found profound joy in teaching at Brother Rice, where he served for many years, including teaching Sign Language classes that reflected his deep commitment to deaf ministry. His dedication extended far beyond our campus, as he celebrated Mass in parishes throughout the Detroit area and remained closely connected to the broader Catholic community.

In 1984, Fr. Yost co-founded the West Detroit Deaf Catholic Community at Our Lady of Loretto Parish, creating a lasting ministry of welcome, faith, and inclusion. He also faithfully served the deaf community through St. John’s Deaf Center, touching countless lives through his compassionate ministry.

Fr. Yost entered eternal life on January 13, 2024, at the age of 76. In his final days, he shared these simple and powerful words: “I have no regrets. I’ve had a wonderful life.” Whether in the classroom, on the altar, or in daily conversation, Fr. Yost will always be remembered for his kindness, wisdom, and the profound impact he had on generations of Warrior Men.