ISSUE 02 / FEBRUARY 2026
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CAMPAIGN CHRONICLES CELEBRATING THE PAST - SECURING THE FUTURE!
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Friend of St. Francis,
Thanks to your generosity and belief in our mission, Celebrating the Past, Securing the Future: The Campaign for St. Francis High School continues to bring our shared vision to life in meaningful and visible ways. As we prepare to celebrate our 100th anniversary, this campaign is helping ensure that St. Francis remains strong, vibrant, and faithful to its mission for generations to come. There is a renewed sense of momentum on campus, highlighted by the opening of the Coach Jerry Smith Fitness Center and the Szymanski Family Athletic Training Room. These new spaces represent far more than facilities. They are an investment in the health, formation, and well-being of our young men. The Coach Jerry Smith Fitness Center offers a modern, thoughtfully designed environment that supports strength training, conditioning, and overall wellness. It helps students build discipline, confidence, and lifelong habits rooted in care for mind, body, and spirit, reflecting the values Coach Smith has exemplified throughout more than 40 years of service to the young men of St. Francis. The Szymanski Family Athletic Training Room, generously sponsored by The Michael and Abby Gregory Foundation, honors the deep and enduring connection between the Szymanski and Gregory families. That relationship traces back to the earliest days of St. Francis, even before the school officially opened, as one of the original Fr. Justin Drivers, who laid the foundation for what would become our school. This space ensures high-quality care delivered with compassion and stands as a lasting tribute to a legacy of faith, service, and commitment to the formation of young men. We are currently enrolling the Class of 2030. Our administrators, faculty, staff, and coaches hand-delivered acceptance letters to more than 160 8th-grade students. This personal gesture reflects the relationships, attention, and sense of belonging that define a St. Francis education. Because of this campaign's success, we were also able to award 12 new scholarships, all created through the generosity of our donors. These scholarships are already opening doors for deserving young men and ensuring that a Franciscan education remains accessible as we look toward our centennial year and beyond. Cont. on Pg. 2