KERNERSVILLE — Bishop McGuinness High School seniors and faculty members celebrated College Decision Day, or what’s colloquially called “cupcake day,” on May 1. For eight years, Bishop McGuinness has held this party for seniors to recognize their hard work and accomplishments throughout the college process.
All seniors are encouraged to wear their college or “Bishop bling” and celebrate in the counseling center by eating cupcakes, pinning their name under their college pennant, reviewing old yearbooks and sharing future plans. Faculty members also wear their college alumni gear.
The party is a celebration of days past and days ahead. It also brings the students’ experience full circle: First-year students receive mini cupcakes during Freshmen First Day.
— Julie Gehling
Dreams of a Catholic education come true in Kernersville
KERNERSVILLE — In just two years, Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School has been blessed with five endowments earmarked for tuition assistance for families who want to give their children a Catholic education.
Katie Williams, director of advancement at the high school, was instrumental in cultivating relationships that led to the establishment and growth of each of the five endowments. She said she’d like to be able to share the team’s recipe for success but admits they don’t have a “secret sauce.” It comes from the core elements of relationships, engagement and prayer, she said.
“The endowments are an important strategy in establishing sustainable financial stability that ensures that we can continue supporting the mission of Bishop McGuinness and Catholic schools in general in the Triad,” Williams added. “On a personal level, I feel so grateful to have had the time and the opportunity to work with people who are passionate about Catholic education in the way that I am.”
As the funds continue to grow in the endowments, 5% of the balance is available for distribution for tuition assistance each year. Because of the generosity of individuals and families, tens of thousands of dollars in assistance are available every academic year.
“Most of our families are sacrificing to send their children to our schools,” said Dr. Jared Rashford, head of school at Bishop McGuinness. “By supporting Catholic education both through annual giving and in particular through the establishment of endowments, our donors are ensuring the viability of that support for a longer period of time.”
Rashford noted that families, schools and the diocese experience increased costs every year.
“We definitely do not want to pass the entirety of that increased cost onto our families,” he said. “We want to assume as much of the increase ourselves, and endowments and annual giving are definitely the way to be able to do that.”
In 2024, Rashford will shift roles to become president of Bishop McGuinness, and a new principal will be hired. As president, Rashford will focus on the school’s long-range planning, community relationships, financial management and fundraising. The new position will fund itself from the resulting increase in donations and community partnerships.
Founded in 1959, Bishop McGuinness has a total of nine endowments, eight of which provide tuition assistance. The five established since 2021 are:
- Mary Gay and Don Brady Endowment Fund: Created in March 2022 by the late Mary Gay and Don Brady, this fund provides for a tuition benefit to faculty and staff at Bishop McGuinness and the Piedmont-Triad Area Catholic Schools to attend Bishop McGuinness High School.
- Sisters of St. Joseph Endowment Fund: Created in September 2021 from community donations in honor of The Sisters of Saint Joseph, who started and served Bishop McGuinness for more than 60 years, this fund provides for tuition assistance for students at Bishop McGuinness.
- George L. Repass Memorial Tuition Endowment Fund: Created in December 2021 from community donations in memory of the school’s beloved principal of 25 years, Mr. George L. Repass, this fund provides tuition assistance for a rising senior who applies and qualifies for aid.
- Bobby Grant Memorial Endowment Fund: Created in April 2022, this fund is in memory of Bobby Grant, friend, alumni parent, and the late husband of Trish Grant, a longtime assistant varsity girls basketball coach at the school. It provides tuition assistance for students at Bishop McGuinness who qualify for need-based aid.
- Archibong Family Endowment Fund: Created in May 2022 by a Bishop McGuinness alumnus to increase the minority population attending Bishop McGuinness, this fund provides tuition assistance for African American, indigenous or students of color who qualify for need-based aid.
“Our office encourages our parishes, schools and other entities to establish multiple endowments that can honor or remember donors or others,” said Jim Kelley, the diocese’s development director. “We hope that more parishes and schools will follow Bishop’s example and set up more endowments that will change lives.”
— Annie Ferguson