BRISTOL – St. Paul Catholic High School has exceeded the goal of its annual fund drive by more than $25,000.
Cary Dupont, school president, said that this year’s drive brought in more than $150,000, and he said that the donors’ generosity is a result of the good news that is coming from the school.
"People are genuinely committed to improving the student experience at St. Paul," Mr. Dupont said. "We’ve had an amazing year, with championship sports teams, record academic scholarship awards and a theater program that has achieved statewide recognition. The community of parents, alumni and donors has stepped up its involvement in a big way."
Timi Paccioretti, the school’s director of advancement, said that the donors’ generosity shows that people want to support the school’s efforts.
"New business partners are promoting opportunities for people to save money on their utilities, insurance, and even travel – with a portion of the benefit returning to the school," she said. Business partners include Discount Power, Plymouth Rock Insurance through Roland Dumont Agency, and Reney Tours of New Britain, she added.
National Merit Scholarship awards accepted by St. Paul graduates exceeded $2 million last year, and a very competitive new group of freshmen was set to begin classes in late August, according to a press release issued by the school. All facets of campus life – academic, athletic and artistic – have been well-supported by a donor pool that includes business sponsors, grandparents, alumni and members of the community, it said.
Support for St. Paul continues to grow despite challenging economic times, Mr. Dupont said, which means to him that the mission of the school resonates with families in central Connecticut.
"We’ve got the whole package here, and something for every student," Mr. Dupont said. "The arts, music and theater programs are excellent, our sports teams are flourishing, and academically, we’re attracting and graduating well-rounded students."
Successful sports teams have also helped draw attention to the school, which prides itself on seeing almost 100 percent of its graduates matriculate in colleges that include members of the Ivy League. National Merit Scholarship awards accepted by St. Paul graduates exceeded $2 million last year.
The school is projecting its largest freshman class in 10 years when the doors open for the 2010-11 academic year.
The 2009-10 annual fund campaign was led by Lisa and Peter Roberge, both 1974 graduates of St. Paul and the parents of two current students.
"We’re committed to doing whatever it takes to make sure this school succeeds, not just for my children but for all the generations to come," Mr. Roberge said. "I want to bring St. Paul’s back to the way it was when I attended in the 1970s – and I think we’re heading in the right direction."
St. Paul Catholic High School, established in 1967, is a coeducational secondary school of the Archdiocese of Hartford, serving approximately 300 students in Greater Bristol in grades nine through 12.
