Gibbons Magazine Spring 2024

Matilda

Gibbons Drama presented Roald Dahl’s “Matilda, the Musical” to sold-out audiences after hundreds of hours of rehearsal spanning more than 3 months. The production ensemble featured over 50 talented students on stage and behind the scenes. Did you know Gibbons offers a Musical Theater Conservatory? The three-year intensive conservatory-style track of study includes voice, movement, and acting.

Dear Gibbons Community,

It is with profound joy and gratitude that I invite you to read these pages about another transformative year of learning, service, and spiritual growth at Cardinal Gibbons. I am filled with immense pride in the accomplishments of our students, the dedication of our educators, and the unwavering support of our benefactors.

At the heart of our mission is the call to faith, service, and leadership. As a Catholic school, we are committed to providing a rigorous academic curriculum infused with the timeless truths of the Gospel, guiding our students to embrace their faith, develop a personal relationship with God, and live lives of purpose.

Throughout the past year, our community has continued to witness the power of faith in action. Through All School Masses, retreats, and sacramental celebrations, we have deepened our spiritual journey, finding strength, solace, and inspiration in the loving embrace of the Lord. Our commitment to Catholic identity remains steadfast, serving as a beacon of hope and light in an ever-changing world.

In addition to our spiritual and academic endeavors, I am pleased to report on the remarkable progress we have made in fundraising efforts to support our school’s mission and vision. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, benefactors, and supporters, we have been able to enhance our academic programs, invest in the retreat program at Short Journey, and provide financial assistance to families in need. Truly, the generosity of our community follows the words of St. Ignatius of Loyola: “To give and not to count the cost.” Together, we are building a vibrant future for Gibbons and empowering students to become compassionate leaders and faithful followers of Christ.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to Cardinal Gibbons and for your partnership in shaping the hearts and minds of our students.

Head of School

Learn more online at wearegibbons.org/strategicplan

Lunch Provides Safe Space for Questions

It started, as most movements do, with a simple idea. Students were asked in theology classes what spiritual life topics they wanted to learn more about. With 500 responses to the Google form poll, there were many subjects to choose from.

Chaplain Father Luke Rawicki and the spiritual life team looked at the most popular topics, made a list, and then tried coordinating themes with the liturgical calendar. That was the start. The genesis for the initial event, the first one held after school, was the pro-life issue.

“We wanted to discuss how the Church teaches the idea that all life is sacred, and how we can live that in their lives and to have an open discussion, not a lecture but a casual discussion,” Fr. Luke said.

What began as after-school events quickly transitioned to lunchtime opportunities, allowing every student to participate without conflicting with extracurricular activities.

The first lunch was the ‘Lourdes lunch’ in February 2023. A student who had traveled to Lourdes with his family was deeply convinced to share his experience with others. That was also the start of the sweet treats! Because Lourdes is in France, a group of students decided to bring a dessert to the event. They made macarons and other French treats as a theme.

“The Holy Spirit inspired them, and the sweet treat students jumped in,” said Kathleen Kozak, theology educator and pastoral counselor.

“We wanted to have the idea of charity and clarity… at lunch,” Fr. Luke said.

Dessert helped, but the format sold the program. Students are free to ask questions in a nonintimidating environment; there was even a QR code where they could post questions anonymously before and during the event.

“Like a mother, the Church will listen and walk with you where you are,” Fr. Luke emphasized to the students. “For the most part, we have a family of Catholic students coming together who agree with

the teaching but want to learn more.

“However, we want every student to feel welcome. We invite all students to join and let them know they can voice their thoughts in a safe environment.”

The topic of ’Keeping Christ at the Center of Dating and Relationships,’ discussed before prom, pointed out how engaging and student-led these discussions are.

“We came up with a list of the ‘12 Rules for (Healthy) Relationships’ out of that session, and we had a student follow-up because there was so much interest,” Fr. Luke said.

Gary Meyerl ’82, assistant head of school for spiritual life, as Catholic educators, the sessions have been a positive extension of the classroom.

“Providing our students an environment where they can ask the tough questions, share the depths of their hearts, and grow in their faith has proven to be a true gift,” he said.

The discussion series also engages students who don’t consider themselves ‘religious.’

“These discussions have definitely taught me more crucial ideas about my faith. Teachers in class did not highlight the teachings of purgatory, heaven, and hell,” said Sean, a student who regularly attends the lunches.

He said learning about purgatory, in particular, made him question his viewpoints.

“These sessions have made me more inclined toward Catholic viewpoints. I am slowly beginning to see the world through a Catholic lens.”

Thanks to word of mouth, the number of students attending the lunches has grown since their inception.

“These lunches are very student-led and motivated,” Fr. Luke said. Some students provided topics, and others used their gifts to provide desserts.

-Mike Watson

Mission Moments

Capstone Service Projects Propel Juniors to Leadership

At Gibbons, students embrace the mission of Jesus Christ to form men and women of faith, service, and leadership in church and community. They are committed to serving others and inspiring moral leadership in our students.

During the pandemic, educators took the opportunity to rethink how they approach service at the school, including how to address the community’s needs while also giving students a chance to use their leadership skills.

The creation of the Junior Capstone Service Project was formed from these discussions. The first project began during the 2022-2023 school year and has since impacted more than a dozen local organizations that serve a variety of demographics.

Outreach Coordinator Windi Mitchell said the projects align perfectly with the school’s values and mission.

“They demonstrate direct engagement with our wider community while strengthening our Catholic identity,” she said.

During the school year, junior Advisory groups select, plan, and create their own outreach projects to address a social justice issue of their choosing. This experience allows them to practice finding ways they can help the communities around them.

Some organizations students have collaborated with include Reality Ministries, Diaper Train, Salvation Army’s Center of Hope, Saving Grace Animal Shelter, and many more.

Mitchell manages and coordinates the logistical details for students, educators, and partner organizations.

“I see myself as a bridge of guidance, support, and encouragement for all those involved in this

process,” she said. “It is a great privilege to nurture existing relationships and build new ones with those at Cardinal Gibbons and in the Triangle area.”

Advisory leaders, who have been with the students since their freshman year, help navigate challenges and coach students throughout their capstone project.

In the Spring of 2023, the Advisories of Lesley Coe, chief technology officer, and Nancy Barkan, assistant head of school for academics, chose Diaper Train as their organization of choice.

Students in Coe’s advisory began by exploring Catholic Social Teaching to identify what they valued as individuals and as a group. Throughout the process, as a collective, they were able to determine that they wanted to support an organization that helped children.

“The group identified children as a vulnerable population that didn’t have the capacity to help themselves, and therefore we should provide that assistance,” she said.

The Diaper Train was a new organization for Gibbons to partner with, and Coe’s students enjoyed the idea of establishing an opportunity for future Advisories. Students designed, developed, promoted, and executed the project, giving them a strong investment in its success.

“I believe this project helps make the connection to lifelong service as a tangible experience for students,” Coe said. “Their investment was strong because they had to evaluate their own values and honor a commitment to their design.”

Veronica Oliech ’24, a student in Coe’s Advisory, said she was extremely grateful for the opproutnity to help her community.

“I learned the power of giving to my neighbors because you never know what they are going through,” she said. “I am encouraged to continue volunteering at the Diaper Train because I know it takes one thing from the parents’ mind to worry about.”

Through the two Advisories, they were able to provide 10,233 diapers for 205 children, saving Diaper Train more than $4,000 in expenses. This also reduced stress for families and freed up money for other essentials.

Another Advisory, led by Dean of Students Jon Armfield, selected their project to serve Saving Grace Animal Shelter. During the exploration process, the students discovered that they wanted to do something to help animals.

“The project offered students the freedom of choice in what service they selected, providing another opportunity for leadership,” he said.

His students created a drive to collect animal goods for Saving Grace and made dog treats.

“As an Advisory, we are a community within the larger community which offers many benefits since we are a large high school. It has been great to build relationships, and I have enjoyed seeing this Advisory grow into young adults of whom I am very proud of.”

Mitchell said the capstone projects have impacted students in a positive and meaningful way.

“It has lent itself to greater collaboration between the students, educators, and those organizations we serve,” she said.

By aligning with Gibbon’s values of leadership and service, the capstone project helps add something beyond what students can see now.

“I believe this experience will be the foundation for lifelong acts of service for many of these students,” Coe said.

-Lynn Beahm

Mission Moments

GLI Provides Year-Round Leadership Opportunities

“Becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself. It is precisely that simple, and it is also that difficult,”

-Warren Bennis, one of the world’s leading experts on leadership who was a lecturer, consultant, writer, and advisor to four U.S. presidents, including John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan.

The Gibbons Leadership Institute (GLI) aligns with Bennis’ idea of building leadership through selfrealization.

“The main reason I have been able to grow as a leader through GLI is that I have learned so much more about myself,” said Brett Lopez ’24, a GLI leader.

Dean of Students Paige Derouin ’09 leads the program, which was re-envisioned from the school’s former Gibbons Leadership Conference to give students meaningful leadership opportunities yearround.

“Leadership can be hard and sometimes boring day-to-day,” Head of School Jeff Bell said. “The GLI students not only do great activities but also serve as a sounding board for other school activities; they can be an ‘advisory to administration’ and are an example that the school is creating a more studentcentered environment.

Derouin’s vision for the program is to develop student leaders by supporting incoming first-year students.

Over the summer, a GLI event took place to begin forming the future leaders. The students created a list of ‘values’ in order of importance; they then discussed how they can use those values as leaders. They also did a strength finder assessment, a personality quiz that helped them identify their top five talents or strengths, which they discussed together to brainstorm how they could exploit those attributes to make them better leaders. With that foundation, their support for the class of 2027 began.

The GLI students participated in freshman Academic Onboarding, held the first week of August, where the new students learned how to use laptops, had a panel discussion with GLI students on the Gibbons culture, and two sessions related to spiritual life at Gibbons.

During Freshman Welcome Day in August, GLI students are present and paired with a freshman advisory group they will mentor throughout the year.

“GLI leaders welcome freshmen into the classrooms, as they may have been nervous, excited, or maybe a little of both while starting their school year,” said Isabel Collins ’26. “Freshmen are provided with many

tools to succeed during their time at Gibbons. GLI has created a student-to-student relationship, which makes a big difference and shows the freshman what it is like to be leaders (at Gibbons).”

Last year was the program’s first year, and Paige feels it went well last year. “Those GLI students who were more proactive had a better experience; those who were outgoing and more willing to take charge.” “We had,” she says, “13 senior mentor students returning from last year’s GLI who had positive experiences with freshman advisories they visited; so much so that now the mentor students still want to see their former freshmen advisories informally, now sophomore advisories, which is the ‘relationship-building’ they are trying to create through the program.”

These ‘core GLI leaders’ are not assigned to new freshman advisories but visit the current GLI students assigned to the freshmen advisories. They see how it’s going and where more support is needed; they function as ‘mentors’ to current GLI students supporting the freshmen advisories.

“We hope the program will become increasingly stronger in the relationships formed,” says Paige, “We want them to maintain that ‘relationship’ with the advisories they worked with, and, while not formalized, hopefully, those students function as a continuing informal resource, a friendly face, and mentor.”

Corban McDaniel ’25 said he’s seen the benefits to the incoming freshman class firsthand.

“When they see another high schooler’s face, someone who’s been through all the things they are about to experience, it can help out; it can almost be a reassuring feeling that says everything is going to be okay,” he said.

Veronica Oliech ’24 enjoys that the program benefits her as a leader and incoming students who may need a friendly face.

“GLI has allowed freshmen to engage with upperclassmen and use them as a resource as they navigate their journey at Gibbons,” she said.

Derouin collects feedback at the end of the year to ensure the program continues to grow successfully. She collects input from the freshmen, does exit interviews with seniors, and gathers feedback on the program from all involved.

Bell said the program is off to a great start, and he is confident Derouin will continue to make it a vital part of the Gibbons community.

“I am excited about the initiatives she has put into place and how they’re going to grow and come to fruition in the future,” he said

-Mike Watson

World Youth Day

HEARTS CHANGED BY SPIRITUAL PILGRIMAGE TO PORTUGAL

Celebrated every three years in a different country, World Youth Day (WYD) is a worldwide encounter with the Pope designed to deepen students’ faith and draw them closer to Christ through prayer and the sacraments, together with hundreds of thousands of other young people.

Chaplain Father Luke Rawicki experienced his first World Youth Day in 2016 as a brother when he attended with Regnum Christi in Houston. That year, the celebration was held in Krakow, Poland, and became a much-loved experience by Fr. Luke.

Fr. Luke couldn’t attend the 2019 WYD in Panama because he was in Rome, but he knew he wanted to go in 2022. In May 2022, he would take Holy Orders and become a priest, and three months later, he could be back at World Youth Day. Then COVID-19 happened.

Flash forward to the summer of 2022, the original WYD summer, and Fr. Luke’s is assigned to Cardinal Gibbons. The rescheduled WYD in the summer of 2023 is in Lisbon, and, as has been said, every setback comes with opportunity.

Fr. Luke knew a Gibbons trip would be a great idea. He wanted to get 10 students, the minimum for him to be able to go, so he asked spiritual life leaders for names of students who might be interested, and he ended up with 15 student names - 13 ended up going on the trip.

The room where attendees gathered to discuss their experiences was lively after the trip. The students shared laughter and stories, and the joy of the journey was evident. But what stood out were the comments that, before they attended, they knew almost nothing about World Youth Day.

“Without COVID, this trip wouldn’t have happened. God called all of them to be there because they didn’t know WYD, me, or Regnum Christi, but 13 out of 15 agreed to go. God wanted these thirteen students and chaperones to go. God knows what he’s doing.”

-Chaplain Fr. Luke Rawicki, Chaperone

“When I went to Gibbons, I couldn’t imagine doing something like this; it was compelling and humbling at some points. Seeing how the students interacted with the other attendees was beautiful and unreal. They squeezed every ounce of life out of it.”

-Retreat Coordinator Meredith McElroy ’18, Chaperone

-Mike Watson

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

“A lot of people have been on retreats and faith experiences before and come back changed, but this was something where there was so much conviction and change that you knew it was permanent. Because of the community we built and how God chose to work in us and our hearts, there is no going back from it.”

-Molly Green ’24

“It was a powerful prayer experience, and you felt it all around you. Everyone was so devoted to God in those moments. It was overwhelming, but in a good way.”

-Lauren Schaefer ’25

“I don’t know how anyone on this trip couldn’t be changed. It was great that we were all participating together, and the experience would have been different if we hadn’t been there with each other. All seventeen of us built each other up.”

-Maddie Pennisi ’25

“The silence was impressive. Everyone dropped to their knees at 8 p.m. and went silent. There was one common goal with everyone focused and on their knees.

-Connor Kozak ’24 on the Vigil with Adoration held Aug. 5.

“Going to the first Mass and seeing all the flags, and seeing we all had this common goal, was amazing; witnessing the universal aspect of the church was powerful. It was cool when everyone said ‘Amen’ together. We all spoke different languages, but ‘Amen’ was universal.”

-Kelley Ritchy ’24

“To see that we were all there for the same reason was amazing. “Wars are going on, but 2 million people from all over the world, and even some whose countries are fighting each other, can come peacefully to one place because of their faith. All those people are coming together; only one person can do that, and that’s Jesus.”

-Bryce Fitzsimmons ’26

Top Art Awards

AP Drawing students Mei Cheng ’24, Milly Collins ’24, and Martha Nichols ’24 were named Gold Key portfolio winners in the Eastern North Carolina Regional Scholastic Art Awards, claiming three out of five spots.

Their work was displayed at the East Carolina University Jenkins Fine Art Center Gray Gallery, and they were honored during an artist reception Saturday, Feb. 24.

Nichols also received the American Visions Nomination, a recognition as one of the top five works in the show.

-Sarah Hardin

Martha Nichols ’24 “Our Future”

Mei Cheng ’24 “Comfort”

“This piece fits more into my AP Drawing portfolio theme of how love languages express themselves in my life. The quilt was made and gifted to me when I was young by a family friend. I meant for it to represent how gifts can mean so much and become a big part of one’s life. I used this quilt every night growing up, and it became such a big comfort to me.”

“‘Our Future’ follows the prompt Air Sports and the Environment. This work is an emotional response to my social media feed, which was bombarded by news of devastating wildfires, controversy around the Willow Project, and other environmental crises. “Our Future” depicts pollution of our land and water ecosystems, yet our hope and movement towards a renewable future.”

Milly Collins ’24

“This piece is about my fascination with humans coexisting with nature. Ever since I can remember, my family has had a garden in the summertime, and I always looked forward to harvesting the fruits of our labor. This painting of my dad’s hand, the three little tomatoes, and a background of cicadas simulate their familiar chirps. With this piece, I wanted to make a physical representation of how I valued both moments of spending time with nature and my family.”

“Harvest”

Robotics on the Rise

CLUB CONTINUES TO GROW, INNOVATE

It began in the summer of 2008 when Margaret Toebes ’10 asked her dad, John Toebes, what he thought about the idea of a robotics club at Cardinal Gibbons. And, like what many dads would do, John sprang to action. An engineer himself, John used the money from one of his patents to sponsor and coach the school’s first Robotics team, initially met in his garage.

Sixteen years later, John and his wife, Mary Ellen, continue to lead the Robotics Club, from new on the scene in 2008 to a team that has now received nearly 40 trophies and 70 awards.

Every year since that inaugural year, Gibbons Robotics has sent a team to the North Carolina State Championship. The club has been mentioned in Popular Mechanics and featured on the front cover of Inventors Digest. They also won 2nd place in the worldwide “Robots to the Rescue” competition.

During those beginning years, Gibbons had one Robotics team of about 5-10 students. Today, the club fields two teams of 30 students: 2901 - Purple Gears and 11588 - Carpe Diem.

Many students participating in the club are now engineers and programmers, working at companies like Microsoft, Raytheon, Google, Cisco, and more. Robotics alums have also returned to be on the club’s coaching staff.

“We have former students who are running the gambit of engineering programs, including nuclear engineering, Mars rovers, robotics, metaverse, phones, medical software, and computer vision, just to pick a few,” John Toebes said. It is a really

wonderful feeling to see the impact that they are having on the world.”

Science Educator Diane Ripollone has had a frontrow seat to the club’s success, serving as the school’s Robotics moderator for a dozen years.

“The Robotics Club has made a significant and lasting impact on both the school and its culture through its exceptional outreach efforts and the creation of the impressive Rover,” she said.

These outreach efforts include working with libraries and museums, participating in Astronomy Weekend at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, and educating thousands of children about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The positive feedback and comments received during these outreach events have reflected well on the club and enhanced the school’s overall reputation.

The club has also had an enormous personal impact on Ripollone.

“Throughout this time, I’ve been fortunate to learn immensely from both my peers and mentors,” she said. “Each year, the students continue to astonish me with the ingenuity displayed through their robot creations.”

This innovation can be seen in the success of the teams but also in the accomplishment of having six U.S. patents issued, with two more in the U.S. Patent Office. The ninth patent will be filed this year.

The Rover, created by the Robotics Club, has become a symbol of innovation and achievement within the school culture, an emblem of pride and inspiration for the whole school community.

With 15 years of steady leadership, John and Mary Ellen have steered and coached these aspiring high schoolers into success while representing Gibbons well. The Robotics Club is where it is today with the Toebes family and Ripollone.

John was awarded the FIRST Tech Challenge Volunteer of the Year in 2010, and Mary Ellen received the same award just two years later. In

2018, John was inducted into N.C. State University’s CSC (Computer Science) Hall of Fame.

Three years later, he was awarded the Jason Painter Distinguished Service Award by the North Carolina Science Olympiad, and this year, he received the prestigious Compass Award during one of the qualifying events.

With the club’s 16th year of competition underway, the Gibbons community is reflecting and celebrating the tremendous journey and impact of the Robotics Club on the school as well as the tech and engineering industries.

-Lynn Beahm

ROBOTICS TEAM CLAIMS FIRST STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

The Robotics team achieved a significant milestone, clinching its first State Championship in school history as the winning alliance captain in February. They represented North Carolina at the World Championships in Texas in April. This publication went to print before the results from the competition were available.

PATENT WALL CELEBRATES STUDENT INVENTORS

The school’s new patent wall was revealed in June 2023 during a Celebration of Robotics. Over a dozen student inventors have joined forces throughout the program’s 16-year history to secure six patents for their creations.

Coach John Toebes performed the honorary ribbon cutting.

During the event, a new robotics video promoting the program premiered. Watch the video at cghsnc.org/robotics.

PATENTS

• Self-lifting robot with automatic release and multi-jointed arm

• Folding forklift (2014)

• Robotic vehicle having traction and mobilityenhanced wheel structures (2015)

• Vertical ball cannon with sliding deflector mounted on a maneuverable robotic platform (2018)

• Robotic vehicle having extendable mandible structure (2019)

• Robotic platform with wheeled legs and virtual differential transmission (2020)

All in the Family

GIBBONS SIBLINGS CLAIM STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

More than 900 students at Cardinal Gibbons participate in school athletics each year, with 50 teams across 27 sports plus recreational intramural opportunities. A robust athletic culture proudly rooted in Jesus Christ, has garnered an impressive 131 state championships. Of those championships, several have been won by siblings.

Families with multiple student-athletes invest much time and effort in participating in practices, games, and team activities.

“At Gibbons, we encourage our families with siblings and multi-sport athletes to be engaged in the entire athletic program,” said Tonya Holmes, Director of Athletics. “And because they invest so much and buy into our culture during their children’s formative years, it allows us to create community and build highly formative relationships between parents, coaches, and administrators.”

Holmes herself won three state basketball championships with her sister, Porschia.

“With our team being so close-knit, stacked with tremendous talent, and a Christ-centered culture of discipline from our coaches, I couldn’t fully comprehend how special and rare that achievement was until later in life,” Holmes said.

The opportunity for siblings to play together is unique, but winning a state championship is truly special.

Men’s lacrosse player Grant Alexander ’25 won the state championship with his team last spring, alongside his sister, Taylor ’24, who won the women’s lacrosse state championship.

“Winning a state championship was one of the greatest accomplishments I have achieved in my high school lacrosse career,” Grant said.

Securing a state championship comes honestly for the Alexander siblings, as their mother also won a championship in high school.

“Knowing that my sister and mom won state championships before made me feel like I was joining them in a more prestigious group,” Grant said.

Joey Jonske ’25 and his brother, Robbie ’26, also won the men’s lacrosse championship together as siblings.

“Winning a state championship is one thing,” says Joey, “but a championship won playing alongside your brother is special. Both of us have played lacrosse for as long as we can remember, but we have never experienced playing with each other. We both contributed to the championship game and as the clock hit zero, being able to say to your brother, ‘We did it,’ is a memory I will never forget.”

Gibbons defines success in various ways, celebrating these milestones and moments.

“Putting Christ first in all we do and being grateful to use the gifts and talents He’s given us truly creates an open heart and passion for the privilege to compete,” Holmes said. “This is what we stress to our student-athletes and families to measure success; winning is simply a byproduct of all things coming together, which we’re grateful for.”

-Lynn Beahm

Guys Retreat

On February 8th and 9th, ten educators hosted 22 upperclassmen and 43 underclassmen at the inaugural ‘Guys Retreat’ at Short Journey.

Father Luke Rawicki, one of the mentors, said, “The retreat’s theme was ‘learning from failure.’ I think one of the meaningful parts was that the students could hear first-hand stories from educators and coaches who learned from failures in their lives. Students can feel weighed down by the pressure to succeed in everything, but the retreat taught them that life is full of ups and downs for everyone. The message from mentors they look up to seemed to resonate with these young men, who all have a lot on their plates!”

“The retreat allowed students to escape from the ‘business of life,’” added Tim Yelenic, Director of Retreats at Gibbons. “Upperclassmen had a chance to hear testimonies from male educators, play an interactive live clue game, take time to deepen their relationship with God, and, on the second day, had the chance to lead underclassmen in a day of team competitions as well as spiritual growth. Watching all the guys being fully involved and willing to participate was a highlight of the retreat,” said Tim.

Gibbons Head Football Coach Steven Wright was also a mentor at the retreat. As a coach, he knows kids

‘have a lot to juggle,’ agreeing with Father Luke that the retreat addressed all the “stuff” kids have on their plates. “We had some great fellowship, authentic small group discussions, and incredible sharing from both the leaders and the guys who attended,” said Coach Wright, “It was an outstanding experience!”

Another faculty member joining the retreat was Science Educator Mark Perry, “If you do not fail, you are not trying. The process, not the product, defines our character.” He said that we learn, grow, and become better versions of ourselves when we dare to embrace failure. Specifically speaking about the retreat experience, he added, “Through shared stories of failures, setbacks, and weaknesses, we grew as men of courage, faith, and wisdom. The retreat was more than just a getaway to Short Journey; it was a reminder that failure is the driving force for future growth.”

Opportunities to take time to reflect and incorporate faith into an encounter that recognizes the challenges facing students today are often rare. At Cardinal Gibbons, it is an essential part of the ‘Gibbons Experience’ and another part of how we are ‘working together to develop ‘the knowledge, skills, and courage to live a good and meaningful life.’

-Mike Watson

Girls Retreat

When Retreat Coordinator Crista Anders launched the first Girls Retreat with 44 girls and 10 female educators in the spring of 2022, she knew it would be a valuable experience.

Two years later, the retreat has swelled to more than 120 girls and 23 female educators. The demand has been so high that a winter and spring option will be offered next school year.

There is a sacred uniqueness to a retreat when it is all the same gender and mixed grades,” she said, noting senior and junior students enjoy an overnight experience before underclassmen arrive the following day. “Watching the younger girls look up to the older girls and think about who they want to become in high school is so powerful.

During the retreats, they cover topics ranging from self-care to recognizing one’s worth in God’s eyes and fostering positive female friendships.

“A beautiful community emerges throughout the 24 hours,” Anders said.

While the older students find joy in helping their younger counterparts navigate high school, Anders also sees that same spark in female educators.

“It is awesome to see how many women want to go on this specific retreat,” she said. “So many remember the hardships of high school and want to help the girls find a strong female community at school.”

Learn more: Read a story from The Gibbons Globe, the student newspaper.

https://newspaper.cghsnc.org/2041/news/being-partof-something-bigger-my-take-on-the-girls-retreat/

-Sarah Hardin

Alumni Spotlights

Julia Ryan ’17

Charlotte, North Carolina | Manager, Partner Servies & Hospitality | RFK Racing

Julia Ryan ’17 lives in the fast lane. During her college career and after graduating with a sports management degree from North Carolina State University, Julia enjoyed internships and part-time roles as an event manager.

She worked with teams and agencies, including the Boston Cannons (Major League Lacrosse), the Carolina Hurricanes (National Hockey League), and the Wasserman and MKTG Agencies.

In 2022, Julia landed at RFK Racing, where she manages sponsor-facing hospitality efforts for the racing team.

“I currently work in partnership services for RFK Racing, a team within NASCAR. I manage RFK’s family of brands via coordination of hospitality efforts, public relations and communications, branded assets, social and digital media, licensing, and quite a bit more.”

Sometimes, even Julia is surprised she landed in this field, but she’s grateful.

“I would never have leaped into sports management had I not grown such a passion and excitement for the business of sport and event planning throughout my time at Cardinal Gibbons,” she said.

Julia remembers begrudgingly accepting her dad’s offer to be the basketball team manager during her first year at Gibbons.

Eventually, this led to her time as a Green Army General, where Dean of Culture Mike Rogosich ’90 said, “She was one of the best-ever Green Army supporters of our student-athletes.”

“NASCAR is a fast-paced world, pun intended, full of some of the best people you’ll meet,” Julia said.

“I’m lucky to see a different city 38 weeks out of the year and be surrounded by people constantly growing my perspective on life.”

One of her team’s drivers, Chris Buescher, was on a hot streak last fall, and Julia enjoyed spending time with her team in Victory Lane.

“I’ll always be incredibly grateful for my time at Gibbons, as it molded many of the characteristics I’m proud of,” she said. “Gibbons taught me that love is central to everything we do – to operate with love as our consistent intention, love others by supporting and listening to what they need, and recognize and develop tenets of myself that will grow my sense of self-love.

“It’s safe to surmise I love that place.”

Dr. Crystal Peebles Downs ’95 was a leader at Gibbons, including cheerleading team captain and student council vice president. However, she began as a quiet freshman.

“Mr. Pendergrass quickly encouraged me, in his jovial yet discerning way, to develop my identity for my ‘signature clown personality’ for a Bible class service project,” she said. “Through the ‘Clown Ministry’ service project, he taught me helping the elderly and hospitalized children could be uplifting, sparking an awareness that God gave me a unique combination of qualities to acknowledge.”

This experience inspired Crystal to charter the Cross Colors Club to promote comfort and celebration of what makes us unique.

“As one of three black students in my class, I learned to speak up for myself and the beauty of my culture,” she said. “Along the way, many Gibbons legends encouraged me to walk confidently into classrooms, which afforded unimaginable opportunities.”

From Ms. Crisp’s recommendation to double up on math to graduate with AP Calculus, Mrs. Dason’s guidance on her art showcase project, and Mrs.

Stay connected with Gibbons and learn about alumni events at cghsnc.org/alumni

Sokash and Mrs. Heyl challenge for her to share her ideas with bold clarity, she learned to take pride in the voice and experiences God gave me.

Crystal admits there was some loneliness and uncertainty as the only black girl in class discussions where she shared life experiences and views that differed from most.

“It was through these experiences that I began to speak for the underrepresented,” she said.

She earned her bachelor’s in psychology at UNCCH and a master’s in communication disorders from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

“I worked as a Speech Language Pathologist in schools, training my students to approach challenges through their sometimes hidden strengths,” she said. “Labels do not define us,” she told her student, “we each have unique gifts to cherish.”

Recently, she earned her Doctorate of Education from Johns Hopkins University and was awarded the Society of Excellence Award for academic excellence, leadership, and collaboration.

She is a recognized leader in academic support in K-12 education and is currently the High School Academic Dean and an Instructional Lead Teacher at Greater Atlanta Christian School.

Additionally, she is an adjunct professor in John Hopkins’ doctoral program.

“My (Cardinal Gibbons) experiences shaped the advocate I am today: to recognize the unseen, cheer on the underdog, and celebrate all God has given us through his masterful design,” she said.

-Mike Watson

Julia Ryan ’17 (left) poses while on the job. She manages partner services and hospitality for RFK Racing.

-Mike Watson

Leadership Giving

Thank you to our community of generous donors during fiscal year 2022-2023 (July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023) for providing the additional resources needed to help Gibbons focus on advancing our mission of providing exceptional Catholic education.

LEADERSHIP GIVING

The Cardinal Gibbons Leadership Society recognizes donors contributing $1,900 or more during the 2022-2023 fiscal year. The commitment to continuing faith, service, and leadership programs along with providing excellent academics for more than 1,600 students is admirable and greatly appreciated. Thank you for joining us in advancing our mission.

THE 1909 SOCIETY

James Cardinal Gibbons Circle

$25,000 +

Anonymous

Dr. & Mrs. Christopher T. Coughlin

Mr. & Mrs. Peter Graf

Dr. & Mrs. Michael S. Grafinger

Mr. Brian K. Reid

Mr. Michael W. Zimmerman, Sr.

TowneBank

Omnia Possum Circle

$10,000 - $24,999

Anonymous

Mr. & Mrs. Jim V. Baker

Mr. Joseph P. Brannan

Mr. Steven Henry ’78

Mr. & Mrs. John A. Hughes, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Kaplar

Mr. Alex K. Kauer

Mr. & Mrs. Steven Knier

Mr. Donald Lynch ‘13

Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Macken

Mr. & Mrs. Adam McCarthy

Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Melcher

Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Phillips

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Quinn, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Garrick Sevilla

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas J. Shiel

Mr. & Mrs. Timothy J. Throndson

Mr. James & Dr. Amy Walsh

Dr. Thomas Weber

Donald D. Lynch Family Foundation

Knier Family Foundation

Midtown Pain & Spine Clinic

NC Farm Bureau Insurance

Franciscan Brothers Circle

$5,000 - $9,999

Anonymous

Mr. Bill Baker

Mr. & Mrs. David Bautz

Mr. Brian ‘90 & Mrs. Kimberly Boyle

Mr. & Mrs. John H. Cooling

Mrs. Susan ‘76 & Mr. Robert Daly

Mr. & Mrs. David Doeren

Mr. & Mrs. Edwin Dwyer

Mr. & Mrs. Mark A. Enzweiler

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Gagnon

Mr. & Mrs. Michael P. Grace

Dr. & Dr. Christopher P. Griffin

Mr. Robert ‘70 & Mrs. Caralyn ‘78 House

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Hubbard

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Iovino

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Kaplar

Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Kelly

Dr. & Dr. Paul Kerner

Dr. & Mrs. Ramsey Kilani

Mr. Michael J. Kilmartin, Sr. ‘74 & Mrs. Judy Kilmartin

Mr. & Mrs. John H. Kindt, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Sammy Kinlaw

Mr. & Mrs. Jason Knoblauch

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph P. Lexa

Mr. & Mrs. David Lineberry

Mr. & Dr. Todd Lopez

Mr. & Mrs. Tripp Loyd

Mr. & Mrs. Scott Lundgren

Mr. & Mrs. Ray Mazzo

Mr. & Mrs. Ryan McCurdy

Mr. & Mrs. Robert McKeown

Ms. Marifrances Morrison

Mr. & Mrs. Mark T. Newton

Mr. James ‘94 & Mrs. Naky Parker

Mrs. Anita Parker

Mr. & Mrs. William Pinna

Dr. & Mrs. Shepherd Rosenblum

Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Ryan

Mr. & Mrs. Ryan Schaad

Mr. & Mrs. Rocky Silvestri

Mr. & Mrs. William Stevens

Dr. & Mrs. Brian T. Szura

Mr. & Mrs. Henry Torrey, II

Mr. Fred Walters

Mrs. Susan Williams Short

Mr. Michael Zimmerman, Jr. ‘09

Academic Orthopaedic Consortium

Altius Wealth

August Construction Solutions

Burton Foundation

Cary Orthopedic

Cisco System, Inc.

Crabtree Valley Dental

Fidelity Foundation Matching Gifts to Education Program

GitHub

Holland Rent-All

Lenovo

Loyd Builders

Nancy Grace - Realtor Keller Williams

Legacy

Novartis

Pepsi Bottling Ventures, LLC

Philip N. Daly and Frances K. Daly

Charitable Lead Unitrust Servpro

Sisters of Notre Dame Circle

$2,500 - $4,999

Anonymous

Mr. & Mrs. James Alexander

Mrs. Joyce Bass

Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Bassett

Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Bell

Mr. & Mrs. Grant Blachly

Mr. & Mrs. Donald N. Blankenship, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. James Boyle

Mr. & Mrs. Mark J. Cashin

Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Clark

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Couto

Mr. & Mrs. David M. Damare

Mr. & Mrs. James L. Davis, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Michael DeBender

Mr. & Mrs. Eric Denney

Mr. & Dr. Peter S. Derouin

Mrs. Colleen ‘99 & Mr. Dirk Dimitry

Dr. & Mrs. Lawrence Dodd

Mr. & Mrs. Jamie M. Eagan

Mr. Mark ‘07 & Mrs. Mary ‘07 Etheridge

Mr. & Mrs. Carl Ferland

Mr. & Mrs. Casey Fox

Mr. & Mrs. Sean J. Garcia

Mr. & Ms. Glenn Garrett

Dr. & Mrs. Donald D. Glower, Jr.

Dr. Donald P. Hanna, M.D.

Mr. & Mrs. Scott Hart

Mr. & Mrs. Penn Holderness

Mr. Gregory M. Holloway

Mr. Davis ‘08 & Mrs. Laura Holt

Mr. & Mrs. William Huffstetler

Mr. & Dr. Rob Johnston

Mr. & Mrs. Howard Jung

Mr. Bill Karras

Dr. & Mrs. Justin Kauk

Mr. & Mrs. John A. Kelly

Dr. Chris Konvalinka & Ms. Jennifer Hoffmann

Mr. & Mrs. Scott T. Lazarczyk

Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Lotchin

Dr. & Dr. Nathaniel A. Martin, IV

Mr. & Mrs. Jay Mazzocchi

Dr. & Mrs. Scott R. McClure

Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. McDonald

Mr. Daniel ‘97 & Mrs. Kelly McKenzie

Mr. & Mrs. Mark Medlin

Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Michel

Mr. & Mrs. Dean Monroe

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Monsees, II

Mr. & Mrs. Joshua Morgan

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Powell, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Taylor Raiford

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Raymond

Dr. & Mrs. Richard Riedel

Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Rurka

Mr. & Mrs. Joel Saenz

Mr. & Mrs. Rainey Sellars

Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Stone

Mr. & Mrs. John Stump, IV

Mr. & Mrs. Cornelius Sullivan

Ms. Jennifer ‘00 & Mr. Blake Thomas

Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Thompson, Sr.

Mr. & Mrs. John A. Toebes

Ms. Aimee L. Turner

Mr. Nicholas Vrscak ‘08

Mr. & Dr. Jon Ward

Mr. & Mrs. Brian M. Weiland

Mr. & Mrs. Jeffery Williams

Mr. & Mrs. Norman Williams

Mr. Jeff ‘94 & Mrs. Allie Yardley

Dr. & Dr. Joseph Zola, Jr.

Argosy Transport

Biogen

Chick-Fil-A of Six Forks

Cree, Inc.

David M. Damare Mortgage Lending

DTH Real Estate LLC

Garage Door Specialist

GlaxoSmithKline

Michael Jordan Nissan

Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial

N. Cole Williams Attorney at Law

Northwestern Mutual Foundation

Scott R. McClure DDS MS PA

Team Chiropractic & Sports Medicine PA

1909 Circle

$1,900 - $2,499

Anonymous

Mr. & Mrs. Emmett Aldredge, III

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Barry

Mr. & Mrs. Michael C. Bullard

Mrs. Elisabeth ‘98 & Mr. Brian Burns

Dr. Steve Choi & Dr. Tracy DeLozier

Mr. & Mrs. David Curtis

Mr. John & Dr. Bridget Degele

Mr. & Dr. Vittorio DiMeglio

Mr. & Mrs. David Ditillo

Mr. & Mrs. Eric Freedman

Mr. & Mrs. David J. Germano

Mr. & Mrs. Bill Gilbert

Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Jurgens

Mr. Joseph ‘99 & Mrs. Renee Karras

Mr. John King, Jr.

Mr. Grant ‘01 & Mrs. Emily Knier

Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Kranick

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Lickfold

Mrs. Jessica ‘99 & Mr. Tim Lowe

Mr. & Mrs. Stephen M. Malloy

Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Masterson

Mr. & Mrs. Henry Mattocks

Mr. & Mrs. Robert P. McCarthy, Jr.

Mrs. Jaclyn ‘98 & Mr. Brad Myers

Mr. & Mrs. Jake Newman

Mr. Ryan ‘03 & Mrs. Kirsten Nicollerat

Dr. & Mrs. Peter Nolan

Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Pagorek

Mr. & Mrs. Christopher A. Peoples

Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Piccini, Sr.

Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Rausch

Mr. & Ms. Daniel Schaefer

Mr. Richard J. Sheridan, III ‘78 & Mrs. Ann T. Sheridan

Dr. & Mrs. Michael K. Smith

Mr. & Mrs. Anton T. Stoneking

Mr. & Mrs. John S. Waite

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Wilgus

Mrs. Barbara Williams

Mr. Chris ‘92 & Dr. Nicole Williams

Mr. & Mrs. Donald J. Witt

Catalent

Intel Corporation

John Deere & Company

Merz Aesthetics

RBC Wealth Management

Teleflex Foundation

Waters Technologies

ENDOWMENTS

Gifts to endowments provide a permanent source of income to the school. The funds are invested in perpetuity with a designated percentage of the earned income available for use on an annual basis. A strong endowment allows Cardinal Gibbons to meet the needs of increasing costs and keep tuition affordable for all families seeking an exceptional Catholic education rooted in faith, service, and leadership.

The Jim and Colleen Baker Endowment

This endowment was established by Jim and Colleen Baker and provides tuition assistance to students demonstrating financial need each school year.

Briggs Family Endowment Fund

in Memory of Margaret P. Briggs and Fred T. Pearce, Jr.

This endowment was established by Chris and Kelly Briggs and honors the memory of Margaret Briggs and Fred Pearce, Jr. The endowment provides tuition assistance to a single minority family/student demonstrating financial need each school year.

Amanda J. Rothschild Byer ‘82

Memorial Endowment

This endowment provides tuition assistance to students demonstrating financial need each school year. It honors the memory of Amanda Rothschild Byer ’82.

Cardinal Gibbons Endowment Fund

The Cardinal Gibbons High School Endowment provides unrestricted support to the school.

Anonymous

Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd E. L. Fisk

Ms. Meghan E. Garney ‘15

Mr. & Mrs. Jose Ignacio Martin Alos

Mr. Aaron Mosca ‘01

Mrs. Vicki ‘78 & Mr. Dave Tambellini

Mr. Kyler L. Zadell ‘17

Coughlin Endowment

The endowment was established by Sandra and Christopher Coughlin to provide financial support for programs that support academic learning and different kinds of learners.

Dr. & Mrs. Christopher T. Coughlin

Susan Scott Daly ’76 Excellence in Teaching Endowment

This endowment was established by Susan Scott Daly ’76 to create an annual award for educators that considers their contributions to the furtherance of the school’s mission, dedication to student learning, demonstrated commitment to the enrichment of student and educator community, and the introduction of innovative education programs.

Philip N. Daly and Frances K. Daly Charitable Lead Unitrust

Mrs. Susan ‘76 & Mr. Robert Daly

John A. Edmond Endowment

The endowment was established by John A. Edmond and provides tuition assistance to students demonstrating financial need each school year.

Franciscan Brothers Endowment

The endowment was established upon Br. Michel Bettigole’s retirement from Cardinal Gibbons in 2006 as a way to honor his work and that of the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn who served our school from 1994 through 2006. The Franciscan Brothers Endowment supports tuition assistance for students and families most in need.

Mr. & Mrs. Greg Beuris

Mrs. Pat Gallagher

Ms. Lauren Gentile ‘04

Mr. & Mrs. James E. Jay, II

Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Melcher

Ms. Mary Gay Michaels ‘80

Ms. Kathy Stephens & Mr. Dennis Ward Knier Family Foundation

Grafinger Family Endowment

This endowment was established by Dr. Michael and Mrs. JoAnne Grafinger to provide financial support primarily for the Learning Specialist and Learning Support program at Cardinal Gibbons.

Dr. & Mrs. Michael S. Grafinger

Brug and Howie Jung Education Endowment Fund

The endowment was established by Brug and Howie Jung and provides tuition assistance to students demonstrating financial need each school year.

Audree F. and Margaret H. Long Endowed Scholarship

The endowment was established by Audree F. Long in memory of Margaret Hedrick Long and provides tuition assistance to students whose families demonstrate significant financial need.

Mr. & Mrs. Rick L. Eddins

Paul McEnroe Memorial Scholarship

This endowment was established to honor the memory of Paul McEnroe ’86. It provides tuition assistance to students demonstrating financial need each school year.

Ms. Kathleen Hagerty ‘86

Mr. Paul V. McEnroe, Sr.

Mr. John M. Odenwelder, III ‘86 & Mrs. Nancy A. Noonan

Mr. David W. Rawers

Mr. Eric Roth ‘86

Mr. Chris ‘86 & Mrs. Hiroko Solari

Mr. & Mrs. William Solari

Mrs. Katie ‘86 & Mr. Robert Whitley Honda - American Honda Motor Company

Military and First Responders Endowment Fund

The endowment provides tuition assistance to students at Cardinal Gibbons who are the children of military or first responders and honors and recognizes the sacrifices our military and first responder families make in service to their country.

Jack Ratz, Jr. Endowed Scholarship

This endowment provides tuition assistance to students demonstrating financial need each school year. It honors the memory of Jack Ratz, Jr ‘91.

Mrs. Tracey ‘88 & Mr. Lance Anthony

Mr. & Mrs. Henry Brathwaite

Sr. Teresita and the SND Endowed Scholarship

This endowment was established by Mike Kilmartin ‘74 and provides tuition assistance to students demonstrating financial need each school year.

Mr. Art Kilmartin

Mr. Michael J. Kilmartin, Sr. ‘74 & Mrs. Judy Kilmartin

The Helen Steigerwald and Margaret Keyes Memorial Fund

The endowment was established by the Steigerwald family and supports tuition assistance to students demonstrating financial need each school year.

Mrs. Marirose ‘80 & Mr. Steven ‘79 Steigerwald

The Ellen Wilson Endowment for Community Service

The endowment was established by Carol and David Ballesteros to provide support for community service activities at Cardinal Gibbons.

The Donna Zimmerman Memorial Endowment Fund

This endowment was established by Michael Zimmerman, Sr. and Michael Zimmerman, Jr. ’09 in memory of Donna Zimmerman in recognition of her deep Catholic faith and commitment to Catholic education. This endowment provides need-based tuition and non-tuition student support.

Anonymous

Mr. Matthew ‘07 & Mrs. Amanda Abadie

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas M. Abdenour

Mr. Benjamin Alexander

Mr. Nico Bartolomeo

Ms. Maria E. Bassett ‘23

Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Battaglia

Mr. Travis & Mr. Dimitry Beauchamp

Mr. & Mrs. Salvatore M. Bottone

Mr. & Mrs. Brian Bunn

Mr. & Ms. Rinold W. Burkhart, IV

The Caltabiano Family

Mr. & Mrs. David Calton

Ms. Donna Calton

Dr. & Dr. Michael R. Canos

Mrs. Sara ‘10 & Mr. Steven Cobb

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Constantino

Mr. Myles Crawford

Ms. Claire M. Curliss ‘25

Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey D. Daner

Ms. Paige Derouin ‘09

Mr. & Dr. Peter S. Derouin

Mr. & Mrs. Norman Dolch

Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth L. Donahue

Mr. Patrick Donahue ‘09

Mrs. Tammy Elliott

Mr. & Mrs. Sheldon Fox

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Gigliotti, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas M. Gillespie

Mr. & Mrs. Scott A. Gressel

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Grove

Ms. Laura Hendley

Mr. & Mrs. Bill Honaker

Dr. & Mrs. Jason Janet

Ms. Kelsey Kearney

Ms. Mary-Martha Krull ‘09

Mr. James ‘87 & Mrs. Elizabeth Lally

Mrs. Susan Leigh ‘87 & Mr. Edward Dougherty

Mr. & Mrs. James R. Lewis, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph P. Lexa

Mr. & Mrs. Carlos Lomena

Mr. Steven Lukas

Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Mackenzie

Ms. Carolyn R. Mader ‘10

Mr. & Dr. Charles E. Mader

Mr. Michael V. Maestro ‘17

Mr. Richard Malloy

Mr. & Mrs. Brad Manuel

Mr. Patrick S. Monahan ‘17

Mr. Andrew M. Rabil ‘17

Mr. Jack M. Sabye ‘17

Ms. Sarah Saunders

Mr. & Mrs. Reggie Sexton

Mr. & Mrs. Dean J. Shaw

Ms. & Mr. Ana Silvia ‘08

Dr. & Mrs. John Solic

Mr. & Ms. Joel Sotomayor

Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Sykes

Mr. & Mrs. James R. Taylor

Mr. Jay ‘83 & Mrs. Marlise Taylor

Mr. & Mrs. Mark Toupin

Mr. & Mrs. Philip R. Tracy, III

Dr. Robert Treadway, Jr. & Dr. Mary Treadway

Mr. & Mrs. Rob Truckenmiller

Mr. Samuel Venker

Ms. Lucia G. West ‘25

Ms. Rachel Wilson ‘09

Mr. & Mrs. Christopher D. Zarnik

Mr. Michael Zimmerman, Jr. ‘09

Mr. Michael W. Zimmerman, Sr.

Mr. Nelson J. Zimmerman ‘17

Mr. Tyler ‘12 & Mrs. Taylor Zimmerman

Ms. Jessica Zirnheld

Epic Games

NetApp

CORPORATE PARTNERS

Platinum - $10,000

Atlantic Tire & Service

Crabtree Valley Dental

Hilltop Wealth Advisors

Midtown Pain & Spine Clinic

NC Farm Bureau Insurance

Towne Bank

Gold - $5,000

Anonymous

Altius Wealth

Cary Orthopedic

Holland Rent-All

Nancy Grace - Realtor Keller Williams Legacy

Pepsi Bottling Ventures, LLC

Gibbons Gala

Thank you to our Gala Co-Chairs Shelly Schaad, Courtenay Brown, Chrissy Newbauer, Tiffany Barry, Colleen Dimitry and the many other volunteers for months of hard work making this event a success. An additional thank you the generosity of the hundreds of donors who raised more the $535,000 during the Gala.

Save the Date:

The 2025 Gala is scheduled for March 2025

By the Numbers

$535,000+ raised

470 attendees

550+ raffle tickets sold

7 live auction items

2 buses purchased

1 full time driver

Why Gibbons Needs a Bus & Driver for Short Journey

1. Short Journey is the heart of many students’ faith journey, but physically getting students there has been a challenge.

2. Retreats expand student’s potential for faith exploration and growth.

3. Gibbons will save money by no longer renting costly charter buses.

4. A dedicated driver provides safe and reliable transportation.

40 Years of Service

Inspired by their 40 years of volunteer service, Davis Holt ’08 created an opportunity for the Gibbons community to recognize beloved volunteers Peggy & Jim Taylor and provide a much-needed scorer’s table for the Father Price Gym.

As a former Gibbons basketball player and assistant coach, Davis was well aware of the Taylor’s impact on the school’s athletic program. Peggy started keeping score in 1982 when her son, Jim ’86, started playing basketball. Even after the last of her five children graduated, Peggy continued to volunteer, keeping score for over 3,500 games.

Davis approached Assistant Head of Mission Dean Monroe, the school’s former athletic director, to find a way to commemorate their 40 years of service.

“We knew Peggy would feel most honored by something that benefitted the school,” Monroe said.

What followed was a quiet campaign among alum basketball players and parents to secure donations to purchase a scorer’s table in honor of Peggy Taylor. The campaign found enthusiastic support. The group later gathered to celebrate the Taylors and unveil the table.

“As volunteers, Peggy & Jim Taylor have profoundly impacted the Cardinal Gibbons basketball program,” Davis said. “Players, parents, and coaches have benefitted from their tireless dedication to the school. This is just a small recognition of their contribution.”

Now in her 42nd year of service to Cardinal Gibbons, Peggy continues to be a familiar face on the sidelines with her pencil and scorebook.

Tree Dedicated in Memory of Bilal Omar ’25

Family, friends, students, and educators gathered for a Tree Dedication Ceremony in memory of Bilal Omar ’25 at Short Journey Retreat Center on Saturday, March 23. Bilal passed away in September 2023 after an extended battle with cancer.

During the event, they enjoyed prayers, scripture readings, love reflections, and more. Gibbons educators generously contributed to the beautiful Weeping Japanese Maple planted to celebrate the life of Bilal Omar ’25.

In Loving Memory

William “Bill” Axberg ’83

Scott Baran ’09

Father Paul Brant, S.J. ’58

John Collins ’85

Adrian McKoy Locklear ’87

Ann Carbone Marco ’67

John Morris ’59

Lucas Riley ’02

Cynthia Winter ’63

Carla Wooten ’75