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Dear TC Family,
Mission and impact were at the heart of the 2026 Cross & Shield Gala this past Saturday. It was an unforgettable evening, filled with moments of reflection on our faith-rooted mission, wonderful camaraderie, and a shared commitment to supporting Tampa Catholic’s ongoing impact on our students and the greater Tampa community through faith and education.
It is humbling to share that, through the unwavering generosity of our community, we raised a transformative amount of $402,000 to support the upgrade of our turf and tuition assistance. Your support ensures that Tampa Catholic continues to provide an exceptional education rooted in Faith, Excellence, and Family for generations to come. During the same evening, we were thrilled to receive a personal call from Mrs. Lauren and Mr. Arnie Bellini, who surprised the TC community with a last‑minute, generous additional gift of $2 million towards the deployment of an interior designer to complete the enhancements of the Bellini Center.
In parallel with our fundraising success, the Gala was a celebration of our mission. One of the most profound "mission moments" of the evening was hearing from 2nd Lieutenant Gaetan Louissaint ’20. Gaetan shared his personal journey at Tampa Catholic, from the teenage reluctance of leaving his friends and wearing a uniform to the life‑shaping lessons in faith, discipline, leadership, and resilience that continue to guide him today. His story highlighted the transforming power of a Catholic education and the lasting impact of Tampa Catholic on students and their families. Gaetan’s journey, overcoming personal challenges, pursuing excellence, and ultimately commissioning as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, was a powerful testament to what is possible when we invest in young people and support them along their path. It reminded everyone in the room that by supporting Tampa Catholic, we are not just funding education; we are shaping lives, strengthening families, and preparing future leaders to face the world with faith, character, and courage.
A heartfelt thank you to all those who made this successful Gala possible: our Director of Constituent Engagement and Special Events, Mrs. Courtney Frisch, who orchestrated the event; our talented Gala co-chairs, Elena Garcia Lazaro '94 and Yasmeen Neuman; and our Director of Community Engagement and Advancement Services, Missy Vivino, who helped coordinate our generous volunteers and outstanding student ambassadors. We also thank the Gala 2026 Leadership Committee for their dedication and hard work. We are deeply grateful to our parent volunteers, sponsors, underwriters, donors, and advancement team, as your generosity made this night possible.
I invite you to click here to view the event program, which highlights all those who played a vital role in making this year’s Gala a resounding success.
If you would like to support the ongoing efforts of the Gala, make a donation, or inquire about how to be involved in next year’s event, we would love to hear from you. Your participation helps ensure that Tampa Catholic continues to provide life-changing opportunities for our students and strengthens our community for generations to come.
Thank you for your continued support. Together, we are shaping the future of Tampa Catholic and empowering the next generation of leaders.
Please know you are in our prayers of gratitude and for your ongoing success.
Go Crusaders!
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