February 2, 2022 at 4:10 p.m.
BEACON OF HOPE!
If the answer is yes — and we know it is — then make plans to be a part of the 2022 Beacon of Hope Ball on March 5 at 7 p.m. This virtual event will be livestreamed and is a celebration of the exceptional scholars, the 21 dedicated Community Spirit Award winners and outstanding Catholic school communities in the Diocese of Albany.
The ball benefits The Beacon of Hope Scholarship Fund, which provides families with tuition assistance for their children to attend diocesan Catholic schools. In the 2021-22 school year alone, the fund helped over 400 students.
“The Beacon of Hope Scholarship Fund affords families tuition assistance during times of critical need,” said Jessica Kilmade, director of Advancement and Strategic Partnerships for the Catholic School Office. “Not only is it for families who otherwise couldn’t afford Catholic education, but it is for families who are finding themselves in hardship whether it might be from medical needs that might arise or financial hardships that just pop up. Whenever a family desires for their child to have a Catholic education, we want to assure that nothing is going to hinder that from taking place.
“In particular, with the Beacon of Hope Ball, while we’re celebrating the success of our schools, we are also honoring the fact that our parents and schools are committed to making sure that every student has the opportunity for the journey of Catholic education from kindergarten to college.”
Giuliana Bruno, of News10, will host the virtual event, along with Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger, honorary chair, and Giovanni Vigiglio, diocesan school superintendent. Kilmade added during the livestream, “there will also be parents and students talking about the power of Catholic education and the impact of the scholarship fund.”
The faithful in the Diocese will have multiple ways to get involved this year after registering online. Just head to beaconofhopefund.org, then click on the NEWS AND EVENTS button, which will allow you to register and donate to the Beacon of Hope Ball and receive a link to watch the virtual event. You can also text 2022HOPE to 41444 to donate.
“You can become a sponsor of the scholarship fund and the event itself, because the event is a celebration of our scholars and all students within our Catholic schools,” Kilmade added. “It’s a celebration of the growth of our Catholic schools and the success that we are finding in Catholic education and it is a way for us to honor our Community Spirit Awardees. Our Community Spirit Awardees are those individuals and couples who go above and beyond within our communities and were nominated by their communities (for) all that they have done to support the mission of our schools.
“You can recognize individuals, the Community Spirit Awardees, by making a donation in their honor and all of the donations will go back to the scholarship fund in supporting the students within the schools.”
Kilmade added the focus this year “is on spreading the good news and honoring the work of the students, the faculty, the staff and honoring the individuals who are working so diligently within the schools. We actually do not have auction items this year. We want 100 percent of our donations going directly to the scholarship and to the students. While we all want to be together, one of the greatest benefits of having this virtual celebration is that we can spread this message far beyond the Capital Region and we can share all of the success, not only the scholarship fund, but the joy that our students are feeling in our Catholic schools.”
Even though the Catholic School Office recently received funding for the scholarship fund through the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, the Beacon of Hope Ball remains as important as ever.
“We are so blessed that through our opportunity with the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, we were able to support so many children throughout these unprecedented times, but we have a great deal more that we need to do,” Kilmade said. “Our schools are thriving and we have so many families who desire Catholic education and we are going to assure that every single child has the opportunity.”
COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARDS
The following people were nominated by their schools for the Community Spirit Award. Their inspiring bios reflect their dedication and love for Catholic schools in the Diocese of Albany. Consider donating to the Beacon of Hope Scholarship Fund in one or more of their names.
Analise Agy, St. Jude the Apostle School
Carrie Devine, St. Mary’s School, Waterford
Cathy Molteni, St. Clements
Why she was nominated: Molteni’s dedication to Catholic education and St. Clement’s School has been unwavering for 20-plus years. As a teacher in the school, Molteni’s kindergarten classroom was an inviting place where learning was a true adventure. Following her retirement in 2019, Molteni has continued to be involved with the school. Whether volunteering in the hot lunch program, working in various classrooms for centers, serving on the school board, or simply providing a set of helping hands, Molteni’s calm nature and commitment are an integral piece of our school community.
Chris Kelly & Kris Lowney, St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish School
Why they were nominated: The St. Kateri community is grateful to Kelly and Lowney for their years of humble servitude to the school’s families. They have provided Thanksgiving meals for a number of years, assuring all families know the abundance of God’s blessings. “They embody the Community Spirit Award and are truly Beacons of Hope in our parish and school family.”
Christine Cioffi, Bishop Maginn High School
Why she was nominated: Cioffi is one of the amazing community members who makes up the family at Bishop Maginn High School. Throughout these past two school years, in addition to her other responsibilities, Cioffi has led the school’s COVID response efforts and has kept students, faculty and staff safe and organized.
Diane Sabanos, St. Mary’s School, Ballston Spa
Why she was nominated: Sabanos has been St. Mary’s school nurse for 24 years. During that time, she has established many special relationships with students, parents, teachers and staff. Sabanos has great integrity and pride in the work she does. Sabanos has always given 100 percent to the care and well-being of the students. We can’t even begin to express how valuable Sabanos has been to the school community, especially these past two years. From the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sabanos has stepped up and gone above and beyond her typical duties. Sabanos has made herself available in planning the school’s reopening protocols, maintaining the health and safety of the students and staff, conferencing with administration, guiding parents and giving comfort. Sabanos is working day, night and weekends to ensure the school is following all necessary guidelines and helping to get students back in school as soon as possible. Sabanos is a dedicated, caring and ethical professional on all levels. We are blessed to have her as part of the school community.
Elaine Libruk, St. Pius X School
Why she was nominated: Libruk is a true hero at SPX. For the past 14 years, Libruk has been taking care of all of the health needs of the students, faculty and staff with humor and grace. The past two years have been especially demanding on all health-care workers, including school nurses. Libruk continues to support the students, faculty and staff despite these challenging times. In addition to managing all of the health concerns and ever-changing protocols related to COVID this year, Libruk manages four diabetic students and numerous other health issues throughout our school community. There is no person in the school community that is more deserving of the Community Spirit Award than Elaine Libruk — our SPX HERO!
Erin View, St. Francis de Sales Early Childhood Learning Center
Why she was nominated: View is always willing to go above and beyond for her students, parents and for any staff member who needs her. She graciously gives of her time and talents and always looks for and sees the best in everyone with whom she comes in contact. View is highly respected for her knowledge, wisdom and desire to connect with staff and members of the larger community. She is a kind and caring, respectful and supportive member of our school community. She is a gift from God to our school community.
Felicia Marcello & Almia Villegas, Mater Christi
Why they were nominated: During these unprecedented times, the community has experienced many changes and the students have had to learn to trust during challenging situations. At Mater Christi, the school is grateful that Marcello and Villegas, parents of students, volunteered to conduct COVID-19 testing, helping to ease student and family concerns and offering a huge support to our community.
Jamie Gannon, St. Ambrose School
Why she was nominated: Gannon is a parent who goes above and beyond for St. Ambrose on a daily basis. She volunteers her time, and supports St. Ambrose in every way she can. Gannon leads the PTO and is always looking for ways to promote community relationships. She is always thinking about how she can support student learning, while offering fun and engaging activities where families can get to know one another. Gannon cares about the future of Catholic education, especially the program offered by the school. She voluntarily joined the Futures Committee, participating in strategic planning for the future and the new adventure of Catholic Central School. Overall, Gannon is a tremendous asset to the community. She is a role model to all, and the school is so blessed to have her as part of the community at St. Ambrose.
Joe Urschel, All Saints Catholic Academy
Why he was nominated: Urschel’s summer and vacations camps, JMU4KIDS Camps, meet at ASCA. Urschel has been a true community partner with his time and talents. He is the guardian angel looking over the school students and property. He is always on the go to ensure that the students have the resources they need — computers, PE equipment, outdoor recess equipment, picnic tables for outdoor education, etc. Urschel is the one that ASCA can always count on to see a project through. His extreme dedication to Catholic education, as a diocesan school alum himself, is seen at every turn in the building. He helped bring about the building of a chapel for students to use and the creation of amazing outdoor learning spaces. Because of Urschel’s compassionate commitment toward student success and access to opportunities, ASCA has transitioned into an even better place for students to grow and learn.
Julia Swick, St. Thomas the Apostle School
Why she was nominated: Swick is a dedicated educator who is involved in several clubs outside of the classroom. She is also an alum of St. Thomas and brings multiple perspectives to the community. Her many contributions are appreciated by the students, families and faculty. When the school thinks of community spirit, they think of Swick!
Julie Pasquini, Blessed Sacrament School
Why she was nominated: Pasquini has committed the last six years to an extremely active role on the Blessed Sacrament School Board, Strategic Planning Committee and Advancement Advisory Committee. Pasquini has been a driving force behind many of the most successful initiatives the school has put forth in recent years. Pasquini has played a key role in the inception of innovative ideas, their implementation and follow-through. Pasquini is truly committed to the success of Blessed Sacrament School and dedicates a great amount of time to its purpose and vision. Pasquini truly embraces the mission of Blessed Sacrament School and works tirelessly to ensure that mission is protected for years to come.
Kristen Simonds, Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons
Why she was nominated: Simonds has been a part of the NDBG community for eight years. Simonds can always be counted on to be a light continuing the tradition of musical theater at school. Always the first to volunteer, she has become a visionary for the musicals and plays. When COVID forced the show to go virtual, Simonds helped lead with costumes and masking so that the tradition could continue.
As the theater department has changed, Simonds has taken the lead in making sure that the show does indeed go on at Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons. She has taken on the role of director and producer and has worn multiple hats to make sure that students can get the same positive creative outlet that her son, Jimmy, received at school. Simonds supports the school and the arts with a generous heart and spirit. She constantly makes sure that all are included and is a creative force not only with scene making and staging, but with finding funding for our program as well. Simonds demonstrates all that is true about the Golden Knights. She is a tireless volunteer and advocate for students and generously and constantly gives of her time and talents.
Laura Hosey, Lauren Kanai and Kim Zwack, St. Madeleine Sophie
Why they were nominated: We have heard of the courage and strength of front-line workers for two years, but we have front-line workers who are not only managing illnesses, but doing so while helping to run a school.
St. Madeleine Sophie School has been blessed with two school nurses and an administrative assistant who have brought the school family through two years of the pandemic, with their kindness, empathy, professionalism and sense of humor in place. The two nurses, Lauren Kanai and Kim Zwack, and administrative assistant Laura Hosey are the epitome of Beacons of Hope.
With each new mandate, protocol and practice they have shown the way, working to reassure, calm and protect our students, families, faculty and staff. The meticulous record keeping, communication with each other, and the school community and outside agencies, have kept everyone safe and healthy.
No one is more deserving of the honor this year, and the school will forever be indebted to these amazing women for all they have done for St. Madeleine Sophie School.
Marc Dickie, Holy Spirit School
Why he was nominated: Dickie has been highly involved in the community. His daughter attended Holy Spirit during her elementary years. He began by serving on the Parent School Association and chaired the Race for Education. Dickie then moved to join the school board and served as secretary and then finance chair. Currently, he serves as school board president. Dickie is involved in the parish as well, where he lends his vocal talents in singing at Masses. He helps out the school and parish in any way he can, and is always willing to give of his time and talents to improve the community each day for the better.
Maria Izzo, Saratoga Central Catholic High School
Why she was nominated: Izzo is the spirit leader of Saratoga Central Catholic! If there is a reason to celebrate, Izzo is leading the way for the students and families. A proud alumna, Izzo works to assure the SCC values of faith, community and spirit are experienced in the educational, athletic and social activities of school life.
Marisol Candelario, Sacred Heart School
Why she was nominated: Candelario has been heavily involved at SHS since her oldest son began attending. As a long-standing member of the school’s PSA, Candelario has organized events such as Santa’s Secret Shop, tubing and Trunk or Treat among others. Candelario’s youngest son graduates in June and SHS is grateful for her support and can-do attitude these last seven years.
Theresa Aslin, St. Mary’s-St. Alphonsus Regional Catholic School
Why she was nominated: Aslin is a strong supporter of SMSA. She promotes the school wherever she goes. Aslin is currently the PTSA president and she spends countless hours volunteering her time, talent and treasure to SMSA. Aslin has facilitated, attended and organized many of our events and fundraisers. She can be found selling raffle tickets at church, operating a booth for SMSA at LARAC, cooking breakfast for our students for our Thanksgiving Brunch or locating and picking up the best deal on cookies, gift bags and Christmas trinkets. Her dedication is a true gift! The school can always depend on Aslin’s support any way she can.
Tina Giardono, St. Mary’s Institute
Why she was nominated: You can call Giardono any time of the day or night and the answer is always the same joyful response, she “always has your back.” She is always willing to lend a hand in any capacity. She has developed a great rapport with both staff and students — from the youngest to the oldest. Giardono embodies what Catholic education is about: She is selfless and gives of her time and talent to benefit the entire St. Mary’s Institute community.
Virginia Bariteau, Catholic Central High School
Why she was nominated: Bariteau has worked tirelessly throughout 21 years of service as one of Catholic Central High School’s biggest supports and greatest cheerleaders. The successful operation of the school depends, in large part, to her dedication, hard work and overall zeal. As the director of Advancement and Enrollment Management, Bariteau takes great pride in helping everyone know the “Crusader” experience. She is committed to Catholic education and truly makes a difference for all students, families and alums.
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