Excitement was in the air at the annual Founders’ Dinner hosted by officials with Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep.
President Preston Kendall addresses the crowd.
Photo by Jim Dippold
With enrollment projected to exceed 400 next year — up from 95 students its first year — school leaders announced they had acquired a former Kmart building located across the city from their current location and will hope to move the school as soon as fundraising and its renovation are complete.
Preston Kendall, president of the high school, made the announcement to the 200 business leaders and guests at the dinner. Several Viatorians attended, including Fr. Thomas von Behren, Fr. John Milton, Br. Michael Gosch, Br. Dan Lydon, and Associates Donna and Tim Schwarz and Jim and Joan Thomas.
Fr. John Milton, Br. Dan Lydon, and Associates Tim and Donna Schwarz enjoy visiting with students
The Viatorians were among the founding religious communities to financially back Cristo Rey St. Martin when it opened in 2004, and they continue to support the school and its mission of providing a college prep education to students and families of limited means.
“We are in existence and succeeding because of the hopes and dreams of a group of founders and visionaries — you — who believe all young people of promise should have the opportunity to realize their dreams,” Kendall said.
Once renovated, the 115,492-square-foot former Kmart will provide an additional 70,000 square feet of expanded learning space — and a 21st Century educational environment to prepare students for college and career, Kendall added.
Students still remember Br. Michael Gosch, a popular social worker at the school.
Photo by Jim Dippold
Over the years, Viatorians have served in administration, on its board, on the faculty and staff, in Campus Ministry and as mentors and benefactors. Currently, Fr. John Milton works with the physics department, while Associate Jim Thomas serves on the school’s board of directors.