HUNTERSVILLE — Last year proved to be a time of generous giving for the community of Christ the King High School, and now the school is close to reaching a significant milestone in its $5.5 million “Grounded in Faith – Building our Future” capital campaign.
The campaign will fund a new Athletic & Activity Complex at the growing school, which is part of the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools system.
It all started last May, when benefactors helped the school quickly meet the campaign’s Level 1 pledge goal of $3.5 million.
That funding will pay for the gymnasium to be expanded to include a full-size court and two cross courts, plus expanded seating from 120 to 690 spectators. Also included are men’s and women’s locker rooms for home and visiting teams, coaches and trainer offices, space for a fitness center and a new main entrance from the school lobby into the gymnasium, which will also serve as an awards gallery.
Now, school officials announce they have reached $3.8 million towards the campaign’s Level 2 goal of $4.5 million.
The Level 2 funding will provide for a full-size stage, including lighting and a sound system to accommodate student performances, school-wide liturgies and awards ceremonies.
Adding wind to the campaign’s sails included $438,650 coming from surplus funds from the school’s Educational Extension Building Project. That project was finished under budget and school officials say they are thankful that the extra funds could be transferred to the Athletic & Activity Complex capital campaign.
Use of the surplus funds was approved by the MACS Board and by Father Patrick Winslow, the diocese’s vicar general and chancellor. With the move, Father Winslow also challenged the school community to match those funds. So the campaign needs to raise $700,000 more to reach its Level 2 goal.
“I am so grateful to Father Winslow and the leadership team in the Diocesan Pastoral Center for allowing us to utilize the funds remaining from our Educational Extension for this campaign,” said Dr. Carl Semmler, Christ the King’s principal. “I am enthusiastic about working towards our Level 2 goal. In my opinion, the architectural elements of the second level are what really take this project and make it a communal gathering space.”
“I have been overwhelmed by the response of our community to building on the great foundation here at Christ the King and want to sincerely thank everyone for their generosity and support of our collective vision to continue to grow Catholic education in this area,” Semmler added.
The third and final stage of the school’s $5.5 million campaign would fund construction of a pavilion to become the new main entrance to the Athletic & Activity Complex. It would include concessions, a Crusader ticket and spirit store and public restrooms. The campaign would also fund additional storage and completion of the fitness center, which is now located in the school building.
“The campaign is going very well and we are more than halfway to the final goal of $5.5 million,” said Jim Kelley, diocesan director of development. "Over the next year, campaign leaders will continue to contact potential supporters to ‘join the Crusade’ and take us to our ultimate goal.”
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
Learn more
Information about the “Grounded in Faith – Building our Future” capital campaign and how you can help is online at www.ctkchs.org. Questions? Contact Dr. Carl Semmler at 704-799-4400 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
CHARLOTTE — Several Charlotte Catholic High School students were recently awarded awards for their entries in the Mid-Carolina Region of the Scholastic Art and Writing competition.
Titi Ekunsanmi won a Gold Key Award for her acrylic painting titled “Ocular Carcinoma.” It is on display at Spirit Square in downtown Charlotte.
She was recognized during the Gold Key Award ceremony at Spirit Square Feb. 8, and her work is advancing to the National Competition in New York City.
Also, her drawing, “Land of the Free,” received an Honorable Mention. Amanda Dowd and Carrie-Anne Rogers earned Silver Key Awards.
Dowd’s photograph, “Gazing through the Veil,” and Rogers’ drawing, “Chaotic Good,” went on display at the down-town Mint Museum Feb. 8.
Telfair Epperson, Peyton Hall and Caroline Jones earned Honorable Mentions for their photographs, respectively, “In-to the Dark,” “Cbury Adventures” and “Ever Since New York.” More than 2,000 entries were submitted within the Mid-Carolina region, which includes Alexander, Alleghany, Anson, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Davie, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly, Surry, Union, Wilkes and Yadkin counties. Public, private, and parochial schools in these counties were eligible to enter the competition.
“The CCHS Visual Arts students and teachers continue to impress me with their talent,” said Dr. Maria Leahy, assistant principal. “Whether I am observing a class or attending the CCHS art show, I am always amazed by the creativity, talent, and skill level of our students. They use a variety of mediums to produce such unique and sophisticated pieces of art.”
The award-winning work of these students and more currently is on display in the main hallway at CCHS.
— Photos provided by Carolyn Kramer Tillman
