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Letter from the Chair of the Foundation
DEAR BENEDICTINE SCHOOLS OF RICHMOND COMMUNITY,
As a proud alumnus of the class of ’88, I am grateful to have chaired the Benedictine Educational Foundation Board of Directors for another great year full of growth and expansion. Benedictine and Saint Gertrude have been nothing less than essential in building a firm foundation for a life of discipline and success, as myself, my sister Frances Zaun (SGHS Class of ’90), and nephew Hunter Zaun (Class of ’20) have each experienced the true value and lasting effects of a Catholic education. In addition to ours, multiple generations of families have continually reaped the benefits of these two monumental schools that are continuing to make their lasting mark on the Richmond area and beyond every day.
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As a result of the character and belief system derived from a true Catholic education and disciplined structure of learning, I have a lifetime of gratitude owed to the Benedictine Schools of Richmond. It is because of this very foundation that my businesses, RJ Smith Companies and others, have had the opportunities for an abundance of success. By virtue of the teachers and staff of the Benedictine Schools of Richmond (BSoR) instilling core principles such as radical honesty and fortitude into their educational framework, our students may be in the best position to excel to their fullest potential and be prepared for the world not as it is, but as it is going to be.
2022 has shown success and prosperity for BSoR. Last year, we had the most successful fundraising year to date for our schools, raising over $10,000,000 in cash gifts and pledged gifts. In addition, donors’ charity provided over $2,000,000 in scholarship assistance support for students, making an education at Benedictine and Saint Gertrude possible for 300 students receiving a variety of scholarship awards. Scholarship support from donors has allowed the schools’ enrollment to reach 498 students, the highest combined enrollment from Saint Gertrude and Benedictine in over a decade. Thanks to the estate gift of a retired faculty member, the schools have nearly reached a $1,000,000 goal for a professional development endowment for its teachers.
Many of you have seen the incredible development of the new school for Saint Gertrude and some other projects around campus. In October of 2022, the schools received zoning approval from Goochland County for 16 acres of contiguous property to be developed for future athletic fields for Saint Gertrude and Benedictine. Funding for the new land and fields will be provided by the Campaign for Saint Gertrude. Construction on the new Saint Gertrude High School building has progressed to 86% completion, and the Campaign for Saint Gertrude has raised 78% of its $40,000,000 goal...BUT STILL $9,000,000 TO GO!
With strong traditions of excellence, Benedictine and Saint Gertrude athletics continue to excel on the biggest stages. The lifelong bonds that are formed wearing the Green and White are invaluable. The students at BSoR continue to thrive in the classroom, and the benefits of single-sex education have prepared them for the rigors of college and beyond.
The unification of both schools as the Benedictine Schools of Richmond has made great progress and would not be possible without your continued support.
God. Family. Country.
