Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy leaders and supporters gathered for a special evening last month to celebrate Kevin and Kathleen Driscoll, the 2018 recipients of the Jack and Eileen Connors Award of Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy (SJPIICA).
The Driscolls, who have worked tirelessly towards the success of SJPIICA since its organization in 2008, were joined at the award reception by Cardinal Seán O’Malley, fellow SJPIICA founders, Jack and Eileen Connors, along with friends and family members.
“We are blessed to have champions of Catholic education like the Driscolls,” Cardinal O’Malley said.
The event was a successful one, exceeding its fundraising goal of $300,000 by $25,000, more than twice SJPIICA’s largest previous fundraiser. Organizers plan to continue building the Connors Award as the signature fundraiser for the school.
Named in honor of Jack and Eileen Connors for their leadership in establishing SJPIICA, the award is an elite honor periodically given by the SJPIICA Trustees to recognize outstanding service to the Academy, specifically in terms of leadership, administration, volunteerism, faith formation, fundraising, or teaching. The award is given to those who have made extraordinary personal or professional commitments to the Academy and who personify its values. Past recipients include Jack and Eileen Connors, Peter and Carolyn Lynch/The Lynch Foundation, and John and Cyndy Fish.
During the ceremony, SJPIICA students captivated the audience with a moving performance of their school song, “The Future Starts Today.” The event was co-chaired by Mary Pendergast, SJPIICA board member, and her husband, David Pendergast, and hosted by Scott Wahle, formerly of WBZ-TV.
