Category: School News

Cardinal Newman’s 65th Anniversary celebration began in true La Dolce Vita fashion at the Sweet Beginnings Cocktail Reception, graciously hosted at the beautiful home of Mark and Emanuela Marcello. Under the soft glow of string lights and a coastal Palm Beach sky, more than 100 guests gathered to toast to friendship, tradition, and the bright future of Crusader Nation.

The evening opened with heartfelt remarks from Charles Stembler, President of Cardinal Newman High School, who shared his inspiring vision for the future. Honoree Rocco Marcello reflected on the lifelong friendships formed through Newman and the enduring spirit of community that has defined the school for 65 years. In a touching moment, he passed the microphone to his grandson, Rocco Marcello, Jr., who proudly announced Rocco and Jennifer Marcello as the Newman Night 2026 Honorary Chairs. His words, spoken from the heart as a current Newman student, reminded everyone that the true heart of Newman has always been—and continues to be—its students.

The celebration continued with exquisite Italian cuisine prepared by Chef Eduardo, Emanuela’s brother, who was flown in from Toronto especially for the occasion. His authentic menu, rich with the vibrant flavors of Italy, captured the essence of La Dolce Vita. 

As the evening unfolded, a live saxophonist, Mike D., filled the air with classic Italian melodies, adding a romantic, Riviera-style soundtrack that perfectly matched the La Dolce Vita theme. With perfect weather, glowing lights, and warm laughter, the evening truly felt like a night along the Amalfi Coast.

The Gala Co-Chairs—Emanuela Marcello, Jennifer Hendrix, Monique Javarone, Mary Cullen Lombardi, and Laura Smeenge—curated every detail with genuine Italian hospitality, creating an atmosphere where guests felt welcomed, celebrated, and connected to Newman’s mission and future.

As glasses clinked and conversations lingered into the evening, friendships deepened and new memories were made. It was a night that celebrated not only 65 years of Cardinal Newman excellence, but also the joy, faith, and family that continue to define its legacy.

A night of faith, family, food, and fellowship—truly La Dolce Vita, Newman style.

The CNHS Fine Arts Department and Crusader Community Theater brought magic, laughter, and a whole lot of heart to campus with their fall production of Puffs: Or, Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic by Matt Cox. 

Performed November 7–9, students delivered a comedic performance that celebrated teamwork, creativity, and the joy of live theater. The production featured witty narration, imaginative staging, and dynamic student performances that highlighted the talent and dedication within Cardinal Newman’s growing theatre program.

“This is a great year for Crusader Community Theater productions,” said Mr. Williams, CNHS Fine Arts teacher and Crusader Community Theater moderator. “Although we graduated some big talent last year, we are lucky enough to still have incredibly creative students who are back, and an incredible new crop of freshman performers.”

More than just a parody, Puffs offered audiences a reminder of the importance of finding your place, supporting one another, and embracing the unexpected. The fall production once again showcased the power of the arts to bring the Newman community together for a memorable and laughter-filled weekend.

Ms. Politz’s Honors Marine Science classes recently partnered with the ANGARI Foundation to take part in their 14th Lagoon Drift Project. This citizen science initiative tracks how water currents and marine debris move through local waterways, such as the Lake Worth Lagoon.

The project, organized by the ANGARI Foundation in collaboration with partners including Manatee Lagoon and other community organizations, uses eco-friendly wooden “drift cards” to simulate how pollutants travel and accumulate. Each drift card is biodegradable and has been uniquely designed before being released into the water.In October, a representative from the ANGARI Foundation visited Cardinal Newman to introduce the Lagoon Drift Project and explain its scientific and environmental importance. Building on what students had been studying in class about ocean currents, Ms. Politz integrated the project into their coursework, giving them a hands-on opportunity to apply their knowledge. Students decorated their individual drift cards with creative designs and environmental messages before heading to Manatee Lagoon on November 7 for the official card release.

“This project has been a great way to engage students in a conversation about human impacts on the environment, including plastic pollution and other types of marine debris and the effects they have on marine life,” said Ms. Christine Politz, CNHS Science Chair and Teacher.

Now the experiment continues with community support. If you find a drift card inshore or offshore along the east coast of Florida, please keep it and report the location, date, and time found, along with photos of the card, to lagoondrift@angari.org. For more information, visit drift card instructions.

To see the data and reports from this and previous Lagoon Drift experiments, visit angari.org/lagoondrift-data.

 

Cardinal Newman High School students were inspired by a visit from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), which brought Aether, its internationally recognized EV concept car, to campus on November 12.

Cardinal Newman was one of only a few high schools nationwide selected for this showcase, giving students an up-close look at how creativity and STEM merge to shape the future of automotive design.

Built in just one year by a multidisciplinary team of SCAD industrial design, engineering, and arts students, Aether has earned global acclaim for its cutting-edge design and technology, crafted specifically to appeal to Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences. The 3D-printed vehicle weighs just 1,900 pounds and features a single-gear transmission, formula-style steering wheel, three integrated display screens, and even a portable music player. 

“Thank you, SCAD, for building this relationship with CNHS and providing opportunities that inspire students to work hard and pursue their dreams and goals,” said Director of College and Career Counseling Candace Caterina. 

Throughout the day, the SCAD representatives shared the engineering and design principles behind Aether, discussed the collaboration process, and invited Newman students to explore the vehicle firsthand. CNHS Visual Arts, Photography, and STEM classes integrated special lessons to maximize the experience while students engaged in meaningful discussions with the SCAD team.

On November 6th, Cardinal Newman High School held our Annual Mass of Remembrance, a heartfelt celebration honoring our deceased alumni, faculty/staff members, and special Crusader Angels who have gone before us. This year’s Mass was significant as it was the first to be held in the beautiful Rendina Family Chapel, offering an intimate and reflective setting for our community to gather in remembrance.

The Mass was made even more special with Father James Elliott O’Neal ’64 serving as Celebrant, guiding attendees in prayer and reflection. The music, led by Madison Marie McIntosh, daughter of David McIntosh ’64, and accompanied by the talented Dr. Robert Sharon, added a moving and inspiring layer to the service, touching the hearts of all who attended.

Families, alumni, and friends gathered to honor the lives of those who have shaped our Newman community, sharing memories, prayers, and gratitude for their enduring impact. The ceremony served as a poignant reminder that while our loved ones may no longer walk beside us—some leaving us far too soon—their legacy and the lessons they imparted continue to inspire and guide the next generation of Crusaders.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended and helped make this Mass a beautiful tribute to those we hold dear. It is a cherished tradition that allows the Newman family to pause, reflect, and celebrate the lives of those who have left a lasting mark on our hearts. If you were not able to attend, watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHQ7d9x_lW8

Emmaus #80 welcomed 20 students to experience one of the school’s most transformative programs, deepening their faith and building lifelong connections within the Newman community. Rooted in the Gospel story of Emmaus, it invites students to journey inward, explore their relationship with God, and reflect on His presence in their lives.

The retreat took place from October 27–29 at the beautiful Our Lady of Florida Spiritual Center in North Palm Beach. Led by CNHS Campus Ministry, Janet Joyce-Cook and Carlos Poveda, the retreat provided time for prayer, personal reflection, meaningful connection with peers, and multiple interactive activities.

One student described her experience as an unexpected gift, saying, “Going on Emmaus was like receiving a beautifully wrapped present. At first, I didn’t know what was inside or what to expect, but when I finally opened it, I found something incredible.”

Throughout the retreat, participants engaged in activities designed to foster both introspection and fellowship. Shared meals, small-group discussions, and moments of prayer allowed students to deepen their understanding of faith and strengthen their sense of community.

The retreat concluded at Cardinal Newman with a Mass celebrated by Rev. Michael Cairnes, where students shared personal reflections and testimonials about what they learned. Parents and supporters were invited to join this special celebration to witness the faith and growth inspired by the retreat. Following Mass, students and guests gathered for lunch in Skaff Hall at Mary Immaculate.

Four talented Cardinal Newman Chorus students—Elias Azzi, Annabella Jones, Elizabeth McKinell, and Jenna Williams—represented our school at the nationwide Schmidt Vocal Competition, held on October 25, 2025 at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Recognized as the nation’s premier high school vocal event, the competition brought together 28 of Florida’s top young vocalists.

Under the direction of Ms. Rehner, the students learned and memorized three vocal pieces in less than a month and performed them live before an audience and panel of judges. After the first round, competitors attended Master Classes with renowned artists to receive professional feedback.

Junior Elias Azzi was selected as one of only three students invited to work one-on-one with a former opera star and professor during a live coaching session. The instructor praised his voice and helped him refine his performance of the Italian art song “Caro mio ben.” 

“It was thrilling to hear the growth and confidence in Elias’s voice,” said Ms. Rehner. “The competition was an incredible learning experience for all our students. “To sing well requires discipline, training, and skill—and events like this help them grow as artists and performers.”

The Schmidt Vocal Competition awards scholarships to top vocalists, with prizes ranging from $100 to $2,500. Ms. Rehner plans to take students again next fall and encourages any Crusaders interested in solo or choral singing to get involved now.

Students can join the Cardinal Newman Chorus or Mass Ensemble, which will perform throughout Palm Beach County during the Christmas season and compete this spring at Music USA at Universal Orlando.

Cardinal Newman High School is proud to celebrate the achievements of four students who have been recognized as Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Congratulations to:

• Mark Albury
• Max Mullen
• Brady Surovek
• Nicklaus Wallmeyer

These talented Crusaders demonstrated outstanding academic potential, placing among the top 50,000 students nationwide who entered the 2026 competition by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

A spokesperson for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation said:

“Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success. These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”

This recognition highlights the dedication and determination of our students as well as the support of their families, teachers, and the entire Newman community.

We are incredibly proud of Brady, Max, Mark, and Nicklaus for their achievement and for exemplifying the spirit of Building Life’s Champions.

Photo Left to Right: Brady Surovek, Max Mullen, Mark Albury, and Nicklaus Wallmeyer