Scecina Community Celebrates Completion of Our Faith, Our Journey, Our Time Capital Campaign
On September 19, Scecina Memorial High School marked the successful completion of its Our Faith, Our Journey, Our Time capital campaign, celebrating years of planning, fundraising, and construction. The event, attended by students, school staff, alumni, and donors, recognized the $7.6 million raised for major campus improvements. These included the creation of new athletic and activity fields, a new chapel, a modernized front entrance, a relocated and updated weight training room, and the establishment of two endowment funds to support academic excellence and facility maintenance.
The celebration featured several speakers, including Mr. George Newhart ’60, Chairman of the Scecina Board of Directors; Dr. Brian Disney, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis; Ms. Caroline Soultz, Senior Class Vice President; Ms. Samantha Manley, Senior Class President; and Scecina President Joe Therber. The evening concluded with a blessing from Fr. Jim Farrell, the Chaplain Coordinator, who prayed for the continued success of Scecina and the students it serves.
A Community Effort
The evening began with heartfelt thanks to key individuals and groups contributing to the campaign’s success. President Therber thanked the campaign’s leadership committees, donors, East Deanery pastors, and Scecina’s faculty and staff. Special recognition was given to Archbishop Charles Thompson and the Archdiocese of Indianapolis for their ongoing support of the school.
Campus Improvements
The Our Faith, Our Journey, Our Time capital campaign resulted in several significant upgrades to the Scecina campus:
- New Athletic and Activity Fields: The new athletic complex includes artificial turf fields for baseball, football, soccer, softball, and lacrosse, a perimeter track for running and walking, a press box, a concession stand, restrooms, and a team dressing room. The natural grass of the original football field was replaced with durable turf and an irrigation system. This facility will host Scecina, Catholic Youth Organization, and community events.
- Larry Neidlinger Memorial Field is a tribute to a long-time educator and administrator. It recognizes Larry’s contributions to the school and his philosophy of “an open mind, a positive attitude, and an honest effort.”
- Jim Drury and Dick Dufour Friendship Field: Honoring lifelong friendships formed through Catholic faith, sports, and student life at Scecina.
- Markovich Family Track: Representing the values of faith, family unity, and personal wellness within the Scecina community.
- McNelis Family Scoreboard: A testament to multi-generational family involvement in the school, inspired by Mr. Joe McNelis, whose family’s support spans decades.
- New Chapel: Located in the heart of the school, the chapel accommodates 130 people for class and community Mass. It includes a reconciliation room and items from the original chapel in St. Francis Hall.
- Modern and Inspiring Entrance: The front entrance, now 70 years old, underwent a full renovation for safety, security, and ADA compliance. The upgrades include visitor-friendly parking, landscaping, lighting, seating, and a welcoming electronic sign.
- New Weight Training Room: Rebuilt and relocated within the school building for student safety and accessibility, the weight training room now features modern equipment, benefiting students and student-athletes.
- Endowments: Two endowment funds were established during the campaign. The Father Tom Academic Excellence Endowment Fund will advance academic programs, support exceptional faculty, and provide need-based tuition assistance. The Scecina Facilities Endowment will preserve and enhance the 70-year-old campus and its new facilities.
Looking Forward
As Scecina enters its 72nd school year, it continues to serve a diverse student body of 455. Scecina’s mission, rooted in Catholic values, extends to students from all backgrounds, including those who will be the first high school graduates in their families and those pursuing college, trades, or military service after graduation.
Joe Therber emphasized the importance of annual giving and the Our Faith, Our Journey, Our Time capital campaign, which helps close the gap between tuition and the actual cost of education. With only 17% of the cost covered by family tuition payments, the contributions from donors are essential to providing access to Catholic education for Scecina. While the campaign is a significant milestone, Joe Therber highlighted that it is part of a more extensive journey. Scecina continues to adapt to meet the needs of a diverse and growing student body, with plans to expand college preparation opportunities and workforce certifications.
