Article by Phoenix reporter Caitlin Noonan, ’21:
The annual Day of Giving celebration this Wednesday, March 24, which generated a total of $125,894.80 in donations, was ceremoniously capped by the Jim and Diane Rowen STEM Center Ribbon Cutting.
According to Kellenberg’s Advancement Office, 763 donors, including 269 alumni, contributed by the end of the school day on Thursday, for an average donation of about $165.00 and almost $100,000 in the first 12 hours on Wednesday. Advancement expects these numbers to grow throughout the weekend.
The exciting events of the day concluded with the Ribbon Cutting and Spiritual Blessing of the new Jim and Diane Rowen STEM Center. After principal Bro. Kenneth Hoagland, S.M., made a few remarks regarding the individuals involved in the tremendous and successful lab renovation project, he and biology teacher Mrs. Masiulis cut the ribbon with the ceremonial “over-sized” scissors. School chaplain Fr. Thomas Cardone, S.M., provided the blessing.
Of Jim and Diane Rowen, Bro. Kenneth said, “They have really challenged us to create a science program that will make a difference for our students and our world.”
The Rowen’s were instrumental to the financial and visionary achievement of the STEM Center plan.
The STEM Center dedication can be viewed at kellenberg.org.
Students such as juniors Ava Petrosky and Rino Monteforte hosted a variety of safe and socially-distanced activities all day Wednesday for the whole Kellenberg Family to participate in. Students asked teachers a series of “rapid-fire questions” to help build school spirit and nurture their relationships with teachers. Recordings of these sessions were posted on Kellenberg’s social media platforms so that parents, alumni, and the rest of the Kellenberg Family could tune in.
As Physics and Engineering teacher, and KMHS alum, Mr. Sorkin explained to senior Frank Rizzo, “It’s important to support Kellenberg on the Day of Giving especially for the benefit of the students. Kellenberg is home for so many students, teachers, and faculty members.” Donations on the Day of Giving ensure that Kellenberg remains such a home for years to come.
Throughout the day the Kellenberg Family reflected on the growth of the school community over the years in terms of academics, apostolic missions, activities, athletics, and alumni success. Highlights of successes included Kellenberg’s 13,541 alumni, the seamless transition to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, the completion of the new Stella Maris retreat house, formation of new clubs, impressive athletics statistics, extracurricular opportunities, new sports facilities, and a state of the art Rowen STEM Center, which was completed under-budget in late-2020 and ready for classes in January 2021.
Anyone interested in contributing can visit https://www.kellenberg.org/giving/day-of-giving/.