Supporters of Cathedral High School from a variety of industries across Boston celebrated the 17th annual Adopt-A-Student Foundation Partnership for Success Dinner on Thursday, October 24 at the Seaport Hotel. More than $1.36 Million was raised to support student scholarships at Cathedral which enables the school’s 320 students to have access to a high-quality Catholic education.
Linda Dorcena Forry, Vice President for Diversity Inclusion and Community Relations at Suffolk Construction, was honored at the event by the foundation. “If there’s a model of what we want Cathedral students to be its Linda Dorcena Forry,” said Dr. Oscar Santos, Head of School, at the event. “She represents everything that Cathedral embodies: hard work, determination, perseverance, and most importantly giving back and never forgetting her community.”
In addition, the event highlighted the longtime contributions of Nancy Lane, an alumna of Cathedral who returned to selflessly serve the school as teacher, administrator, and guidance director for more than 30 years.
Archbishop of Boston, Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, OFM, Cap., offered his congratulations and prayers for the school and those who support it. “I congratulate Paul Chisholm, Oscar Santos, and all of those who are involved at Cathedral High — we are so proud of the fantastic work that is being done there for these wonderful students,” said the Cardinal. “We want to thank everyone for being here and in a very special way we want to thank Nancy Lane; we’re so glad she was recognized for 31 years of dedicated service.”
“The Adopt-A-Student Foundation Dinner is a key event to raise the funds we need to keep our doors open to students of every background and means and provide them with a high quality Catholic, STEAM-based education,” added Dr. Santos. “Together, we are helping our students do something very positive with their potential and ensuring that they have the best chance to become the best-possible version of themselves.”
This most successful year of the event was co-chaired by school trustees Ronald J. Rodericks, Managing Director at ITG Inc. and Theresa Brockelman, Partner with Deloitte & Touche LLP. J. Keith Motley, former Chancellor of University of Massachusetts Boston, served as the evening’s emcee.
Seniors, Giselina and Lisaline Pena, who came from the Dominican Republic to Boston ten years ago to seek a better life, spoke about their life-changing experiences made possible by philanthropy to the school. When they were in the 8th grade, Giselina recalled thinking, “We wondered where can we find a school that is safe, caring, challenging, and a school where we can make friends and be happy?” Lisalina responded, “We have been so blessed to be students at Cathedral High School. We have made lifelong friendships and relationships with staff and teachers who have supported us throughout our journey.”
The twins thanked supporters by adding “Thanks to [our parents’] hard work and love and to wonderful donors like you, we can honestly say we are having a better life and the future looks bright—as my sister and I will be the first members of our family to attend college.”
Tuition covers less than 20 percent of the school’s costs and thus, as a fully independent school, Cathedral relies heavily on the Boston philanthropic community to provide financial assistance to 100 percent of Cathedral’s students.
Guests enjoyed a series of videos at the dinner which featured the Limitless attitude of the students, followed a typical day-in-the-life of a CHS scholar, and highlighted the special contributions of Nancy Lane ’69, director of guidance, and the experiences of alumnus Paul Francisco ’89, Chief Diversity Officer of State Street Corporation. Watch the Adopt-A-Student Foundation videos online.
To make your contribution in support of urban Catholic education at Cathedral High School, you can donate online.
The Adopt-A-Student Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization established to ensure that students of all economic, educational, and faith backgrounds have access to a quality, values-based college preparatory education. Since 1926, Cathedral High School has helped open the doors of educational opportunity to generations of Boston’s youth. The Adopt-A-Student Foundation ensures that no student is turned away from Cathedral due to lack of means.
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