Adopt-A-Student Program
Events Our Mission Our History Our Leadership Commonly Asked Questions News
Adopt-A-Student Upcoming Events
19th ANNUAL ADOPT-A-STUDENT GOLF TOURNAMENT
Our mission is to provide scholarship awards to students whose families would otherwise be unable to send their children to Central Catholic Elementary and Secondary schools in the Diocese of Worcester. Scholarships will be presented to students who are not only academically qualified but specifically seek an education in the tradition and environment of Catholic schools, thus providing society with people of faith and strong moral values.
The Adopt-A-Student program is now in its 19th year. In 1989, the late Bishop Timothy J. Harrington stated in an article in the Catholic Free Press that he had a dream. The dream was that the generosity of committed benefactors would help families demonstrating financial need to send their children to Catholic Schools. The late William O’Brien became Chairperson of the Program and Steering Committee was formed. Mr. O’Brien talked about issues of social capital and the need to provide financial assistance to those who seek a Catholic education grounded in academic excellence and rooted in Gospel values.
Since its beginning the program has been coordinated almost entirely through the efforts of volunteers. Bishop Harrington’s dream along with the hard work of that first group of volunteers inspired the creation of bylaws, and Scholarship eligibility guidelines. During the first year, 16 students received $23,000 in scholarships. The groundwork for growth was in place. Since 1989, from a dream to reality, 859 scholarships have been awarded totaling more than $2 million. Program alumni have been accepted at and are attending or have graduated from colleges and university such as Assumption, Boston College, Clark, Cornell, Holy Cross, Princeton, Seton Hall, University of Massachusetts, University of New Hampshire, and the many others.
The Steering Committee of Adopt-A-Student
| Joseph J. Bafaro |
| Katherine Broach |
| Michael Coogan |
| Peter J. Dawson |
| Thomas E. Dunn |
| Timothy Griffin |
| Elizabeth J. Iandoli |
| Susan Ivas |
| Robert J. Kenney |
| Francis J. Kittredge |
| Francis J. Larkin |
| Edward P. Madaus |
| Marie Maher |
| Robert V. Maloney |
| Sean M. McCue |
| Charles E. McManus |
| Catherine G. O'Brien |
| John D. O'Connell |
| Richard F. O'Hearn, Jr. |
| Robert R. Pape |
| Stephen Perla |
| Thomas Russell |
| William P. Stolz |
Q: How are scholarships funded?
A: Adopt-A-Student scholarships have been funded entirely through direct donations, interest from growing endowment funds and proceeds from events such as the annual Golf Tournament and Recognition Dinner. Over the years, those events have varied from raffles, fashion shows and a dinner with famed investment manager Peter Lynch. The signature fundraiser for the program has been the annul golf tournament.
Q: How does the process work?
A: After the Selection Committee reviews the applications and awards the scholarships, the Liaison Committee meets with the students ever quarter to review progress in their academic and extracurricular activities and offer guidance and encouragement.
Q: What is required of the student and their parents or guardians?
A: Students accept scholarships with a few requirements attached. First the scholarship recipients must strive to reach their full academic potential. Second, their behavior must adhere to the school’s code of conduct. Third, every student is expected to become involved in a school activity. It may be a school club, student government, annual musical or sporting activity. Their parents or guardians must pay a small percentage of the tuition and agree to assist the schools in various activities.
Members of the Steering Committee have witnessed many students thrive once they find their niche. Part of their commitment is to give something back to their schools outside the classroom.
Q: What schools do we support?
A: Holy Name Central Catholic Junior-Senior High School, St. Peter Central Catholic Elementary School, St. Peter-Marian Central Catholic Junior-Senior High School, St. Bernard’s Central Catholic High School
Q: What is the Seton Legacy Foundation?
A: The Seton Legacy Foundation was established in 2006 and is a new area of growth in our program. The concepts of the Foundation are:
- Provides individuals with an opportunity to create a lasting legacy of commitment to the program.
- Each year 80 percent of a Steon Legacy gift is deposited into an interest-bearing account and the income is director to the current year scholarship award for a student, while the remaining 20 percent is placed in a growth account to ensure the future growth of the endowment
Adopt-A-Student Recognition Award Receipients 2008
Spring 2007 Newsletter
.