WEST PALM BEACH | Cardinal Newman High School hosted a ribbon-cutting reception Nov. 7, 2024, for its new Rocco A. Marcello Family academic building. More than 100 donors who helped bring the vision to life attended, alongside Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito, other clergy and leaders from the Diocese of Palm Beach who gathered to celebrate the building at the college preparatory Catholic high school.
The evening opened with a welcome from Cardinal Newman President Charles Stembler, who introduced Bishop Barbarito for a prayer and blessing of the building. Following the blessing, senior Sophia Perez delivered a rendition of the national anthem.
Rocco A. Marcello then shared personal reflections on the profound impact that Catholic education made on his life. He announced an additional $250,000 gift to enhance the south academic building, furthering his commitment to the school’s mission.
“The dedication and encouragement I experienced in Catholic school propelled me to excel, and I hope it does the same for future generations of Crusaders,” he said. “Our work has just begun in making CNHS the preeminent high school in Palm Beach County,” he said.
Stembler said, “We are blessed to have many donors who wanted to see this building become a reality. Rocco’s signature gift enabled us to move this building to completion. His additional gift is a testament to his generosity and commitment to education. He, along with our other donors, helps transform Newman students’ lives.”
The building renovation, made possible through the $10 million Shaping the Future capital campaign, includes innovative, student-centered classrooms, a chapel (see accompanying story) and campus ministry center, a welcome center, admissions and college advising offices, state-of-the-art science labs, an innovation center and mathematics classrooms. The Appeal Leadership Team included co-chairs Nick Coniglio, class of 1997, and Richard Rendina, class of 1998, major gifts co-chairs Ellen Acosta and Jim Arrigo, honorary co-chairs Sally Gibson and Charlie and Karmita Gusmano.
For more information about the Shaping the Future campaign, contact Mary Martens at mary.martens@cardinalnewman.com or 561-619-7280. To connect with the school, visit www.CardinalNewman.com, call 561-683-6266 or go to its Facebook, Instagram and X pages. Get a quick online tour of the renovated building at https://vimeo.com/1004127652. To learn about all schools in the diocese, go to www.diocesepbschools.org.
