Category: School News

Cardinal Newman High School (CNHS) proudly hosted a ribbon-cutting reception for the new Rocco A. Marcello Family Academic Building on November 7. Over 100 contributing donors who helped bring this vision to life attended, alongside The Most Reverend Bishop Gerald Barbarito, clergy, and leaders from the Diocese of Palm Beach, gathered to celebrate the state-of-the-art building at the college preparatory Catholic high school. 

The evening opened with a warm welcome from CNHS President Charles Stembler, who introduced Bishop Barbarito for a prayer and blessing of the building. Following the blessing, Sophia Perez, Class of 2025, delivered a moving rendition of the National Anthem. Rocco A. Marcello then shared personal reflections on the profound impact of his Catholic education. He announced an additional $250,000 gift to enhance the south academic building, furthering his commitment to the school’s mission.   

“The dedication and encouragement I experienced in Catholic school propelled me to excel, and I hope it does the same for future generations of Crusaders….our work has just begun in making CNHS the preeminent high school in Palm Beach County, “said Rocco Marcello. 

“We are blessed to have many donors who wanted to see this building become a reality. Rocco’s signature gift enabled us to move this building to completion. His additional gift is a testament to his generosity and commitment to education. He, along with our other donors, helps transform Newman students’ lives,” said President Charles Stembler.

This renovation, made possible through the $10 million Shaping the Future capital campaign, includes innovative, student-centered classrooms, a chapel and campus ministry center, a welcome center, admissions and college advising offices, state-of-the-art science labs, an innovation center, and mathematics classrooms. The Appeal Leadership Team included Co-Chairs Nick Coniglio ’97 and Richard Rendina ’98, Major Gifts Co-Chairs Ellen Acosta and Jim Arrigo, Honorary Co-Chairs Sally Gibson and Charlie and Karmita Gusmano. 

For more information about the Shaping the Future campaign, contact Mary Martens at mary.martens@cardinalnewman.com or 561-619-7280.

From October 28-30, twenty-five juniors and seniors participated in Emmaus #78, a meaningful retreat held at Our Lady of Florida Spiritual Center in North Palm Beach. This bi-annual retreat, rooted in the Gospel story of Emmaus, invites students to journey inward, exploring their relationship with God and reflecting on His presence in their lives. Led by Janet Joyce-Cook and Karen Lower from CNHS Campus Ministry, the retreat offered students time for prayer, personal reflection, and connection with peers, all designed to encourage self-discovery and spiritual growth.

The story behind “Emmaus” comes from the Gospel, where two of Jesus’ disciples recognize His presence while walking along the road to the town of Emmaus. This retreat mirrors that journey of discovery, giving students the space to see how God is at work in their own lives. 

“Emmaus allowed students to reflect on who they are becoming, their relationships, and God’s role in their lives,” said Janet Joyce-Cook. “It was a time of prayer, conversation, and discovery among peers.”

Students participated in activities designed to nurture personal reflection and fellowship throughout the retreat. Conversations, shared meals, and prayer allowed them to explore their own spiritual paths, engage with each other’s faith journeys, and gain fresh perspectives on their own lives.

The retreat concluded at Cardinal Newman with a Mass led by Rev. Michael Cairnes, where students shared testimonials about their learning. Parents and other supporters were invited to join this special celebration, witnessing the retreat’s impact on their children. Following the Mass, students and their guests enjoyed lunch together in Skaff Hall at Mary Immaculate, joined by President Chuck Stembler and Principal Ed Curtin.

Emmaus #78 is part of Cardinal Newman High School’s mission to educate the whole person—spirit, mind, and body. Through Christ-centered education, CNHS strives to guide students in developing and living out their faith through retreats, community service, school-wide liturgies, or spiritual activities. This retreat is just one of many transformative experiences that contribute to the strong faith community at Cardinal Newman High School.

Cardinal Newman High School recently kicked off the Newman Night 2025 Gala with a special trolley shopping event on October 1, 2024. Embracing the gala theme of “An Evening of Polynesian Paradise,” the day offered a fun-filled shopping experience titled “Shop it like it’s Hot.”

The festivities began at 8 AM as participants boarded two Molly’s Trolleys for a unique adventure. Starting with a stop at C. Orrico in Palm Beach, where Mayor Danielle H. Moore made a special appearance, the day’s itinerary then featured visits to various shops in Delray Beach, followed by a Polynesian lunch at Hawkers and concluded with coffee back at Cardinal Newman High School.

President Chuck Stembler expressed his appreciation for the Cardinal Newman community, stating, “Events like this truly highlight what makes Cardinal Newman a special place. It’s wonderful to see parents and friends come together for a day of bonding and shopping to support the school. This strong family atmosphere is what sets Cardinal Newman apart.”

“C. Orrico was proud to host the Shop and Share Breakfast with Cardinal Newman High School,” said Colleen Orrico, co-owner of C. Orrico. “As my son’s alma mater, this school holds a special place in our hearts, and we are committed to supporting our local schools and community. We love our entire extended Crusader family!”

Newman Night 2025, themed “An Evening of Polynesian Paradise,” is Cardinal Newman’s largest annual fundraiser. Guests will enjoy an unforgettable night in paradise with dinner, dancing, live and silent auctions, and entertainment. This exciting event scheduled for March 8, 2025, at the Cohen Pavilion at the Raymond F. Kravis Center is chaired by Tiffany Eitel, Michelle Gonzalez, and Wendy Tuma, with honorary chairpersons Mary Jo Higgins and Virginia O’Hara.

Cardinal Newman has provided a premier college preparatory Catholic education for over sixty years. This academic year, the school proudly opened the newly renovated Rocco A. Marcello Family Academic Building, featuring innovative, student-centered collaborative classrooms that foster creativity and academic achievement. The renovation includes a new chapel and campus ministry center, a welcome center with offices for admissions, college advising, student services, state-of-the-art science facilities, an innovation center, and mathematics classrooms.

For more information about Newman Night 2025 and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Mary Martens at mary.martens@cardinalnewman.com or 561-619-7280.

Thank you to our incredible community for joining “Team Newman” in the fight to cure childhood cancer during the annual St. Jude Walk/Run on September 21, 2024. Team Cardinal Newman came out in full force with 146 participants, raising an impressive $7,375 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital—surpassing our goal of $3,500!

The event kicked off at Waterfront Commons in downtown West Palm Beach, where participants enjoyed a beautiful walk or run along the scenic Intracoastal on Flagler Drive. We were honored to have Sophia Perez ’25 sing the National Anthem, setting the tone for the day. At the same time, our spirited CNHS cheerleaders cheered on all participants, reminding everyone why we walk and run: for the children battling cancer.

The St. Jude Walk/Run is not just an event; it’s a family-friendly gathering where friends, family, and our community come together for a worthy cause. Whether you walked, ran, or showed your support, every step taken brought us closer to hope for children in need.

Thank you once again for your incredible support. Your dedication and generosity are truly appreciated. Together, we are making significant strides against childhood cancer.

Cardinal Newman High School proudly announces that senior Dillon Schneider has been recognized as a Semifinalist in the 70th annual National Merit® Scholarship Program. Over 1.3 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the program by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The nationwide pool of Semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors. 

“On behalf of the entire Cardinal Newman community, I am proud to announce that Dillon Schneider is counted among this extremely select group of scholars,” said Cardinal Newman High School principal Ed Curtin. “Being named a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist is truly an amazing honor, and we are very proud of Dillon’s accomplishment.”

Schneider now has the opportunity to compete for one of approximately 6,870 National Merit Scholarships and the prestigious title of Merit Scholar®. To advance to the Finalist stage of the competition, Schneider must fulfill several requirements, including submitting a detailed scholarship application highlighting his academic record, leadership, community involvement, and extracurricular achievements. Additionally, Schneider will need to write an essay and earn SAT® or ACT® scores that confirm his PSAT performance.

Cardinal Newman High School is a premier college preparatory Catholic high school in West Palm Beach, FL. Their vision is to build life’s champions through faith, academics, servant leadership, and a strong family atmosphere. For more information about Cardinal Newman High School, visit cardinalnewman.com. 

Come take a tour of our new Rocco A. Marcello Family Academic Center with CNHS President Charles Stembler.

West Palm Beach, FL (August 30, 2024) At Cardinal Newman High School, college counseling is in full swing, setting our students on the path to success! Our dedicated college counselor, Mrs. Candace Caterina, is working one-on-one with seniors, helping them navigate the complexities of the college application process. Every Thursday during lunch, seniors are invited to the College Room for extra help with applications and essays, ensuring they put their best foot forward.

Senior Parent Night is just around the corner on September 5th, so mark your calendars! This evening will provide invaluable insights and guidance for parents as they support their children through this critical phase.

But the support continues beyond seniors. Students in grades 9-11 are encouraged to take advantage of the College Lunchtime Presentations. These sessions offer a unique opportunity to meet with admissions representatives, explore what different colleges and universities have to offer, and begin planning for the future. Presentations are held in Room 300, so grab your lunch and start your college research early.

Don’t forget to sign up on Scoir to attend these sessions. The list of colleges visiting continues to grow, so be sure to check your emails regularly for updates.

Upcoming College Visits:

• August 28, 2024: Senior College Application Help during all 3 lunches (Room 300)
• September 3, 2024: University of Notre Dame, 12:25 PM – 1:00 PM
• September 5, 2024: Senior College Application Help during all 3 lunches (Room 300)
• September 10, 2024: Florida Atlantic University, 12:25 PM – 1:00 PM
• September 13, 2024: Lynn University (11:00 AM – 11:30 AM) and Loyola University Maryland (12:25 PM – 1:00 PM)
• September 17, 2024: Keiser University (various times throughout the day)
• September 20, 2024: Boston University, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
• September 24, 2024: The University of Alabama, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM, and Barry University, 11:40 AM – 12:15 PM

And many more to come! We are here to support our Crusaders every step of the way. Let’s make this a successful and rewarding year. You’ve got this, Crusaders!

For more information, reach out to Mrs. Candace Caterina, our College Counselor, at candace.caterina@cardinalnewman.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

West Palm Beach, FL (July 15, 2024) – Cardinal Newman High School is proud to announce the appointment of Ryan Partridge as the new Athletic Director, effective July 15, 2024. Partridge presents an impressive background in school athletics from various institutions at both the high school and collegiate level. He steps into this new role seamlessly after previously serving as Assistant Athletic Director.

“Ryan’s deep commitment to young people and his passion for educating students is very impressive. He will be a wonderful asset to Cardinal Newman in this role,” states President Chuck Stembler. “We are fortunate to have someone of Ryan’s caliber and expertise leading our athletic program.”

Prior to his time at Cardinal Newman High School, Partridge accrued years of experience as an Athletic Director, Recruiting Coordinator and Coach at programs in different parts of the country. In 2018, he was named MaxPreps and 49ers High School Coach of the Year and, as head coach, led his football team to D1-A State Championship in the state of California.

Partridge looks forward to applying his experience toward furthering the development of the program. “Director of Athletics is an important role and a great honor. I am committed to the development of our student athletes, spirit, mind and body, and I will continue to drive this department and school to new heights,” says Partridge. “I look forward to building our traditions and to creating an environment where every student can thrive. The Newman community is special and I am here to help lead and strengthen our legacy of excellence.”

About Cardinal Newman High School: Founded 1961, Cardinal Newman is a premier Catholic college preparatory school in West Palm Beach, FL. Our vision is to build life’s champions through faith, scholarship, servant leadership and a strong family atmosphere. Each Cardinal Newman graduate is empowered with the ability to rise to every challenge and overcome every obstacle.
Learn more at cardinalnewman.com
Media Contact: Laura Zele, socialmedia@cardinalnewman.com, 561-307-3330