Cristo Rey Gala Rocks, Raising a Record $2.7 Million For a Vital Houston School
After 32 Months Without, This Night Means So Much More
BY Shelby Hodge // 10.26.21Nicholas Ro raises his hand for the Paddles Up portion of the Cristo Rey Jesuit gala. (Photo by CatchLightGroup.com)
What: Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory School “Viva Together” gala
Where: The Hilton Americas-Houston
PC Moment: It was 32 months ago that Cristo Rey celebrated at its last gala, which annually raises funds for student scholarships. With the all-scholarship school’s important Corporate Work-Study Program negatively impacted by the pandemic, this night of record proceeds of $2.7 million held greater importance than that of previous fundraising evenings. Not only was the fundraising exuberant but so was the crowd that celebrated in the “Viva Together” theme.
Under leadership of chairs Jan and Oniel Mendenhall and Michele and Steve Holbrooke the 700 supporters dug deep into their pockets in support of the school’s mission of changing the trajectory of its students’ lives.
Longtime supporters of the school Joy and Paul Posoli received the prestigious Father T.J. Martinez Legacy Award for being Cristo Rey Jesuit champions. As the second school president serving for five years Paul Posoli followed the beloved Martinez, the school’s founding president who passed away from cancer in 2014.
“This is an investment that has strong returns. Please give uncomfortably tonight,” an emotional Paul Posoli said as he and his wife accepted the award surrounded by members of the Class of 2021 and several alumni, who Paul continues to mentor. “I can’t think of a better investment in the future of our country than Cristo Rey Jesuit students.”
Father's Day Gifts
The Catholic high school prepares its 500 students of limited economic resources to succeed in college and lead their communities by combining personal responsibility and academic rigor along with the important Corporate Work-Study Program.
PC Seen: Current school president Paul Beck and wife Carol, Trini Mendenhall, Raye White, Pam and Keith Fullenweider, Francis Dunleavy, Paula Lopez and Michael Dillard, Kathy and Marty Goossen, Trey Martinez, Gerald and Olga Balboa, Beth and Paul Steier and Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza.
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