Today, Our Lady of Port Richmond Regional Catholic School (OLPR), in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia, honored eight of the highest performing students from its Class of 2017 with a $2,000.00 scholarship to further their education at an Archdiocesan high school. These students also received an individual matching scholarship from Father Judge High School, Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls, or Roman Catholic High School, the Archdiocesan high schools they will attend in September.
OLPR unveiled the Matching Starter Scholarship Program in October 2016. The intention is to Pay It Forward to the families of high performing eighth grade students starting with the Class of 2017. Students had to meet the following criteria: commitment to academic excellence in addition to demonstrating qualities of exemplary Catholic identity, leadership, courtesy, cooperation, effort, and service.
“We are truly blessed to be able to offer this one-of-a-kind scholarship program here at Our Lady of Port Richmond,” said Sister Mary Ripp, SCC, Principal. “Our ability to do this is made possible by the tireless work of our Home and School Association, alumni, faculty and staff, as well as the sacrifices of our families and the dedication of our students. For us to give something back – “Pay It Forward” – to those with a firm belief in the value of Catholic education and assist them in continuing their journeys in Catholic high school is our way of saying ‘Thank you,’ and helping our students reach the limits of their God-given potential by continuing our mission beyond their time at OLPR.”
The majority of the funds raised to support this program come from the OLPR Home and School Association. OLPR has budgeted $80,000.00 for the program through 2020.
Mr. Christopher Mominey, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary for Catholic Education, Archdiocese of Philadelphia, who assisted in presenting each student with a certificate of recognition, said, “OLPR is a shining example of the mission of Catholic education.” Mominey went on to say, “As Secretary for Catholic Education, I consider myself truly blessed. Every day, I wake up with one mission in mind—to equip saints for this life and the next. Today is a testament to that mission and to OLPR’s commitment to its students.”
Father Dennis Fedak, Pastor, Nativity BVM, and Pastoral Administrator, Our Lady of Port Richmond Regional Catholic School; Ms. Judy Sweeney, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools and Director of Government Programs, Archdiocese of Philadelphia; Mr. Brian Patrick King, President, Father Judge High School; Mr. Mark Gudas, Director of Admissions, Father Judge High School; Mr. Larry Rosbach, Assistance Principal for Academic Affairs, Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls; and Mr. Adam Gault, Director of Admissions and Communications, Roman Catholic High School were present for the announcement.
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Editor’s Note: For information about Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit http://www.aopcatholicschools.org/. For information about Our Lady of Port Richmond Regional Catholic School, please visit www.ourladyofportrichmond.com.
Contact:Meredith Wilson
Media and Events Specialist
215-587-3747