$1 Million helps Juan Diego Catholic High School educate children in need

DRAPER — Juan Diego Catholic High School announced that it has reached a $1 million goal to build tuition assistance funds. This ambitious achievement was sparked by a challenge posed in February 2008 by Patrick Byrne, Chairman/CEO of Overstock.com. He pledged a one-to-one match up to $500,000 for donations designated to provide tuition assistance for families who demonstrate need.

"This generous offer, and the gifts that leveraged the match, could not have come at a better time - especially given the economic crunch families are experiencing," said Dr. Galey Colosimo, principal at Juan Diego. He proudly stated that Juan Diego provides more than $1.3 million in tuition assistance annually to 40 percent of its 810 enrolled students. "We are seeing the gap widen between ability to pay tuition and the cost of maintaining excellence. This campaign has made Juan Diego truly accessible to families who want an education alternative, but who haven’t the means."

Dr. Colosimo noted some donations are helping families with hardship right now, while several permanent endowments have been established for future assistance.

Ron Heinz, parent and president of the Juan Diego Catholic High School Board, chaired the $1 million campaign. He said the board was thrilled to have such a strong start for the school’s long-term development. "Our board was honored to assist in this campaign and is very much appreciative of Mr. Byrne’s gift, as well as the many other contributions that made this goal a reality. Across the nation, 10 times as many excellent Catholic schools are closing rather than opening due to funding issues. This challenge gift demonstrates a commitment to not only help kids today, but for generations to come."

For years Patrick Byrne has publicly expressed concern for Utah’s school ranking in national education statistics at a time when businesses need a well-educated workforce – particularly in math, science and technology.

"Utah, home to less than one percent of the U.S. population, is vastly overrepresented as the source of many of the technologies we’ve all come to depend on each day. Utah and the U.S. can only expect to continue to lead the way in technological innovation, provided we improve education." Byrne remarked that nearly 75 percent of Utah homes have computers – the highest rate in the nation – but that alone is not enough to guarantee the technological skills that will obtain livable wage employment.

Juan Diego presumes that every student will use technology in college and beyond, regardless of field. The school has won top awards in statewide high school technology competitions, and remains progressive in its incorporation of technology throughout every curriculum.

Byrne saw that Juan Diego was successfully graduating virtually every student enrolled, matriculating 98 percent to more than 200 colleges and universities. He also noted Juan Diego was serving a large minority population, predominantly Hispanic Catholic children, who seem to thrive in the community of their faith.

"If you just look at the issue of minority education, 42 percent of minorities - African-Americans and Hispanics - do not graduate from public high school in Utah," he said. Byrne felt compelled to invest in Catholic schools who have a proven track record working with low-income and minority population. He thought Juan Diego could do more to advance society by raising expectations and forming adults who possess the integrity, perseverance, knowledge and confidence to achieve.

Other major commitments to the $1 million campaign came from: Paulette (Dispenza) Antonio, Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay Atwood/LTA Enterprises, Colosimo Enterprises, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Cushing, Jordan T. Davis Family Scholarship Fund, Mr. and Mrs. Michael DeCarlo, GE Capital Financial, Mr. and Mrs. Ron Heinz, Kid-Ed Inc., Mr. and Mrs. Paul Nagel, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pembroke, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Roderick/Roderick Enterprises, Dr. Gerald Stephanz and Dr. Nancy Ahlstrom, Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Stokes, Mr. and Mrs. David Walter, Wells Fargo Foundation, Wheeler Foundation, World Financial Capital Bank and Zions Bank.