St. Augustine Catholic High School students soon will have a new gymnasium, thanks to a $5 million gift from a donor who wants to remain anonymous.
It's a big gift for a small school that has only 125 students and graduated its first class in 2007.
About $2.5 million will be used to build a 20,000-square-foot facility that will be used as a gym and multipurpose center at the school, 8800 E. 22nd St. The remainder of the money will be broken up in annual increments through 2014 to support academic programs and help retain qualified staffers.
"It was a surprise from a couple of different perspectives," said Teresa Baker, the school's development director, noting that the donor isn't Catholic and doesn't have children in school.
On the other hand, she said, the donor wanted the resources to stay in the local community and support the education of America's future leaders.
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Baker said the donor appreciated the school's academic focus — each of last year's 27 graduating seniors was accepted to a college or university and, collectively, they earned $750,000 in college assistance in grants and scholarships — but also the focus on social justice and spirituality.
"We are thrilled that he would give this level of financial commitment to the school, especially in today's economy," Baker said, adding that the school could not have funded the project without the donation.
The school until now has been renting gymnasium space, which Baker said was often costly and logistically difficult.
"This side of town does not have a lot of athletic facilities available," she said. "The ones that are available are often booked solid, constantly."
The school has a no-cut policy that allows any student to participate in any extracurricular activity, so 80 percent of the students play some kind of sport, from football to track to tennis and golf.
The school received notice of the award months ago, which is why officials will break ground on the project Friday. The first phase, which should be completed by November, will include courts for volleyball and basketball, as well as locker rooms, public restrooms, a trainer's office and a concession and kitchen area.
The second phase, which is slated to come on line in spring 2010, will ultimately include a dance studio, a weight room, a theater and a commercial kitchen.
Seventeen-year-old Joseph Haro, a senior and student body president, said he thinks the gymnasium will help serve as a recruitment tool.
"We're completely excited. It's a big development step for our school," said Haro, who plans to major in history at the University of Arizona. "We're a small school that's competitive, yet inclusive, about sports, so we're just grateful that our donor has a passion for education and that he's investing in our future."
Even though he'll graduate before it is completed, Haro said, "I'm just happy for the school and happy that I'll be able to come back and see how it will help draw students to our beautiful campus.
"It's a huge gift for us."
DID YOU KNOW
The school's namesake, St. Augustine, was born in North Africa in 354. He is the patron saint of brewers because of his conversion from a life of sinful living. After converting to Christianity in his early 30s, he went on to became a priest, a bishop and a famous Catholic writer. His feast day is Aug. 28.
Source: The Catholic Encyclopedia
