Gym Transformation

Though we moved into the new building and have enjoyed the state-of-the-art Gym since 2007, the Auditorium has remained the venue for Convocation and Gradutation Mass. Certainly many will be nostalgic for the history of hosting these sorts of events in the Auditorium for decades, but through years the venue has presented some challenges. Not the least of these challenges were the limited seats we were able to offer. Many will remenber how we could only offer the families of graduating students a strict allottment of tickets. Warm days can be absolutely stiffling in the Auditorium. The stage area is limited for space with 96 graduates. We've always made it work and kept our focus on the accomplishments of those who were graduating.

This year we were presented with a new challenge. Shawntel Escobar '14 was graduating in a wheelchair--the result of her battle with cancer that she has bravely endured throughout high school. Making certain Shawntel convocated with her peers was imperative and we looked at the move to our newer, larger, cooler, and more accessible Gym. Thankfully, we were well into our most successful Annual Fund in school history. We looked at the resources available and were enabled to make the investment, which is mostly in the carpet flooring to protect the gym floor. The long term benefit to the school is that we've expanded the functionality of our gym. We are now able to use the gym for all sorts of large scale events, safe in the knowledge that the hardwood flooring won't be damaged.

Thank you to everyone who supported the Annual Fund. Not only is your gift benefiting the long term diverse use of our facility, but it has allowed us to be the type of school that ensures a student like Shawntel is not left on the sidelines of one of the most important days in her high school experience.

For more about Shawntel's story and her peers response, read about our Angels Run for the Cure. You can also read the Escobar's thank you.