LOS ANGELES (February 24, 2012) --- Archbishop José H. Gomez, Chairman of the Catholic Education Foundation’s Board of Trustees, presented a symbolic check to Santa Teresita School principal Sister Mary Catherine Antczak to celebrate CEF’s funding of 8,400 student tuition awards with $9.2 million for the 2011-12 school year. The check was presented on Friday, Feb. 24, at 10 a.m. at Santa Teresita School in East Los Angeles, an area where 13 Catholic parish elementary schools and three high schools have received more than $1.6 million in CEF tuition assistance this year in support of 1,467 students.

In addition to the check presentation, there was a ceremonial planting of a symbolic CEF oak sapling on the grounds of the school.  Almost 15 years ago, CEF adopted the oak sapling as its iconic logo. The CEF Board believed the Oak sapling best signified what CEF students are all about, that is: deeply rooted, strong, productive and hope-filled.  The oak tree sapling was provided by Norman’s Nursery, and was planted just outside the new Santa Teresita School library recently renovated by the Shea Foundation.

            “It is with great pride that the Catholic Education Foundation is able to support so many students here in East Los Angeles with the opportunity to receive a highly valued Catholic education when they otherwise would not be able to afford it,” says Archbishop Gomez.  “The faith-based education we are providing, with values, is so important that we want to be able to help every child.  That’s why I’m appealing today for help in funding 8,000 students who are waitlisted throughout our Archdiocese for tuition support.”

            “We are happy to be here at Santa Teresita today where we are helping 117 students with over $100,000 in tuition assistance,” adds Kathleen Anderson, CEF Executive Director. “All of the children at this school continue on to high school and 98.2 percent of them will graduate from high school in four years and 98 percent of those graduates will go to college.  That’s success!”

Since its inception in 1987, CEF has made more than 118,500 tuition awards to students for a total amount of more than $119 million including the commitment to spend $9.2 million for 8,400 students in the 2011-12 school year. These tuition awards also have had a tremendously positive impact on the schools and their surrounding neighborhoods.  Further donations are still needed, as approximately 8,000 qualified students in need are still on the waiting list for tuition assistance.

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