By Emily Clark
DARIEN – For years, the Catholic Academy of Bridgeport has been a “guiding light” for students in Connecticut’s largest city, giving them not only an education but also a safe environment and endless opportunities they may not otherwise have had.
According to Angela Pohlen, Executive Director, that is due, in large part, to the generosity of donors and alumni, many of whom turned out for CAB’s “Guiding Lights Gala” on October 29 at Woodway Country Club.
“The event was a resounding success, and the incredible faith, goodness and generosity in the room were palpable, with over $800,000 donated for need-based scholarships,” Pohlen said.
In his opening remarks, Board Chair John Kreitler talked of the high quality and depth of faith-based education the school provides, one with a price tag of $9,000. However, “on average, families can only afford to pay 28 percent of this cost. CAB must raise close to $4 million annually to do what we do,” he said. “The Academy is a lifeline for nearly 900 PreK through 8th grade Bridgeport students and their families.”
The evening celebrated longtime donor Jim Colica and his wife, the late Kathy Hanson, whose dedication to the Catholic Academy of Bridgeport and belief in the transformative power of education continues to support their mission.
Colica was given the Luminary Award for his dedication to CAB’s children. The financial assistance he and his wife began providing over 30 years led to the Rising Stars Scholarship, a commitment to pay a child’s tuition from kindergarten through grade 8. Two alumnae – and two of the honoree’s Rising Star students – presented him with the award.
CAB 2023 alumna Yurany Sanchez, now a senior honors student at Lauralton Hall, spoke of the significant impact the Academy had on her formative years, helping her prioritize service, adapt to change and develop confidence to join such extracurriculars as the school’s Alegre Program for the Performing Arts in 8th grade. Additionally, she said, “CAB taught me the value of being part of a tight-knit and diverse community where I felt seen, safe, comfortable, and encouraged. I went to class with people from many different cultures and always felt my Hispanic heritage was valued. Thank you for allowing the spark inside me all those years ago to burn brilliantly today.”
Attendees were treated to a performance of Shed a Little Light by Sanchez and a group of students from the Alegre Program, serving as a reminder of the lasting impact this school’s education has on its students.
Pohlen noted how apt the evening’s theme of “guiding lights” was for all that CAB offers, using the metaphor of a star’s steady light to reveal a course in the darkness, though the sailors still must navigate the rough seas. “When you help us teach,” she said to those seated in the dining room at Woodway, “you help us light the way for our students. Everyone of you has the potential to be a light in the lives of these children.”
Some of those children were even present at the gala as greeters, dressed in their CAB uniforms to welcome guests. Each said they were pleased for this opportunity to represent their school.
“It’s an honor to be chosen and to meet all the people. I’m very excited,” said 8th grader Bendy Brutus. “CAB is not a big school, it’s small like a family. I like the one-to-one learning, and the teachers help me if I need it.”
Classmate Ana Clara Xavier agreed, saying, “CAB is a very close community and that means something to us as students. Our principal knows us all by name.”
Following dinner, auctioneer Charles Antin began the live auction, taking bids for two separate featured items: dinner at Rao’s in New York City that one donor bid for $18,000 and a weekend in New York City that went for $8,000. A Paddles Up fundraiser contributed significantly more donations for need-based scholarships. All funds raised from the event directly support CAB’s 900 students.
“While guiding lights may have been our theme that night, our tagline of ‘something more’ was really what we championed,” said Susan Cecere, CAB’s Director of Development, who was instrumental in planning the gala. “We hope those in attendance felt that and were convinced that we do indeed deliver ‘something more’ every day here in Bridgeport.”
