ESCANABA – Holy Name Catholic School is pleased to announce that it will again have a booth at the U.P. State Fair (located outside the Grandstand Building), thanks to the generosity of the Daniel J. Kobasic Foundation.

The fee for the Holy Name U.P. State Fair booth was generously donated for the past three years by the Daniel J. Kobasic Foundation–the Reserve Champion Sponsor of this year’s U.P. State Fair. Daniel J. Kobasic was a 1964 graduate of Holy Name High School, and a supporter of the U.P. State Fair.

Staff members and family of Holy Name students will be staffing the booth, giving out Holy Name marketing materials/enrollment information, and answering questions from the public. In addition, attendees can play a game to win free Holy Name ‘swag’ items, and register for prizes. In addition, there will be a recruitment video playing on a laptop computer for attendees to view.

The Daniel J. Kobasic Foundation has supported Holy Name Catholic School for many years. Daniel J. Kobasic was an Escanaba native and long-time entrepreneur. He left Escanaba when he was 18 years old on an iron ore freighter, sailing briefly on the Great Lakes before embarking the Pacific; nearly eight years later, after completing navigation school in New York and serving in the Merchant Marines, he returned to Escanaba.

Upon his return, he constructed and opened a Shakey’s Pizza restaurant. He channeled these profits to build a fishing trawler, the Danica K. in 1978 and then started Basic Marine in 1979. This maritime construction business ultimately produced over 225 fresh and salt water vessels. He also launched Basic Towing to service icebreaking and towing needs around the Great Lakes and beyond.

He died on Nov. 30, 2017, establishing a Foundation at his passing. The Daniel J. Kobasic Foundation supports many worthy causes around the area and throughout the Upper Peninsula in honor of Daniel.

Holy Name Catholic School Principal Michelle Brief says the donation of a booth for the school during the U.P. State Fair by the Daniel J. Kobasic Foundation is greatly appreciated.

“Speaking on behalf of our teachers, we are extremely grateful to the Daniel J. Kobasic Foundation for this generous donation,” Brief said. “Our booth at the U.P. State Fair will help us to reach thousands of people during the week, giving us the opportunity to tell our story and show the public how great our school really is!”

Volunteers are still needed to staff the booth. Holy Name staff members or family members of students who are interested in volunteering to staff the booth can call the school at (906) 786-7550. For more information on Holy Name Catholic School, which is currently accepting registration for the 2026-27 school year, please call the school, email office@holynamecrusaders.com or visit the school’s website: www.holynamecrusaders.com.