2015-16 Cassata Annual Report

Cassata Issue 41 | July 2016

ANNUAL REPORT New logo, graduates off to college, and alumni return

EXPANDED PARTNERSHIPS Texas Wesleyan University, Catholic Charities Fort Worth, Tarrant Area Food Bank, and House of Shine all partner with CCHS!

Dear Friends of Cassata Catholic High School, This Annual Report is a testament to the spirit and pride, determination and hard work, and unwavering commitment to excellence of our faculty, staff, students, and friends.

Together we are the Cassata family, and together we fulfill the mission of our school. We inspire students to explore their academic potential, lead with confidence, and help those in need. Because of each of you, our efforts were successful. Ninety-six percent of our graduates have gone on to post-secondary education.

We know that through faith and perseverance we will continue to achieve success through education. Our mission remains the same and we will continue to achieve those ideals set forth by Srs. Bonaventure and Fulbright so many years ago.

I extend my sincere appreciation for the gifts of your prayers, talents, time, and contributions to strengthen Cassata’s ability to serve our students and to help develop educated young people of integrity and purpose.

Cassata Catholic High School will have a profound impact on the life and growth of our students.

Your gifts and support make this happen! With your continued support we look forward to another successful year at Cassata.

I feel blessed to have the privilege of serving as the leader of this incredible institution. I thank you for partnering with us as we strive to advance Cassata Catholic High School.

After 41 years of educational success and partnerships, Sr. Bonaventure's mission remains true to life.

May God bless you all!

In Christ, Trinette Robichaux President CASSATA

www.cassatahs.org |

Special Thanks The work done at Cassata would not be possible without the generosity of the following philanthropic organizations: Colonial Country Club Charities and the Birdies for Charity Program Constellation Community Champions Program Diocese of Fort Worth, Bishop’s Scholars Fund Fash Foundation Frances C. and William P. Smallwood Foundation Garvey Texas Foundation, Inc. Goldman Sachs Graham & Carolyn Holloway Family Foundation Lockheed Martin AERO Club Lowe Foundation Scanlan Foundation Sid W. Richardson Foundation Spirit of Hope Foundation, Inc. The Ben and Mary Frances Doskocil Foundation The Ella C. McFadden Endowment Fund of the Community Foundation of North Texas The Gil & Dody Weaver Foundation The John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation The Mike & Mary Terry Family Foundation The Miles Foundation The Morris Foundation The Ninnie L. Baird Foundation The Ryan Foundation The Stephen Breen Memorial Foundation The Anna W. & Alexander P. Thornton Charitable Trust The Wilkes Family Charitable Fund of the Community Foundation of North Texas Vincent Genovese Memorial Foundation William & Catherine Bryce Memorial Trust

Special Thanks to Our Donors Alan Alpar Lester and Merryl Barker Clarence Bercher BHTI Employees Humanity Fund Inc. Dr. Robert C. Bolz Victor & Megan Boschini Rickey and Ellen Brantley Jim Breen Broadway Distribution Services David and Patti Brockman Kristy Brown Robert and Sandra Bunata Mark A. Cichock John and Mary Collins James Corley Helen M. Curtis Michael Davidson Benjamin L. Doskocil Clif and Patricia Ellis Fernando & Josy Ospina Jack and Wanda Fitzgerald Mary Fowlkes Gary & Margaret Fragosso Good Shepherd Catholic Church Glenn and Carolyn Goodspeed Priscilla Harrier Haydn Cutler Co. Patricia Henry Robert Hoch James and Teresa Hubbard John Huggins Christopher and Karen Hull Paul Johnson

Lon and Debbie Kile Charles and Angie Klutz James amd Patricia Krause Louise Carvey Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Bland Mr. and Mrs. James Reid Mike McCoy Harvey H. Mueller, II, Paul's Donuts Subs & Gyros Jeannie Perullo Janet Baird Quisenberry Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. Odessa M. Ravin.

Jane Rector Tracy Rector Shirley B. Robichaux Tami Rodgers Chris and Laura Rooker William and Liz Schauffert Ian Shelley Earle Shields Sisters of Saint Mary of Namur Bruce Smith Southwest Bank St. Andrew Catholic Church Robert and Cynthia Sturns Rodney Tinney Joe and Judith Winterling Allyn Wise Bobbie Wygant Debra Wysoski Thomas and Elena Yorio John and Mary Zuber

2015-2016 STUDENT INFORMATION Demographics Hispanic White African-American Other

51% 31% 12% 6%

Outcomes 58% of graduates were former dropouts 38 graduates earned a high school diploma 96% of graduates went on to post-secondary education.

18% of graduates were the first in their family to graduate

Cassata Facts 247: Students served 201: Students served at Innovations and Mind Above Matter 90: number of previous schools attended 55: number of zip codes served

Annual Family Income Less than $25,000 62% $25,0001-$30,000 6% $30,001-$35,000 5% $35,000+ 27%

Student Success Average ACT Scores

23: CCHS 21: National 20: Texas

2015-2016 Universities and College Acceptance Mississippi State University Tarrant County College Texas Tech University Texas Wesleyan University University of North Texas University of Texas Arlington

December Valedictorian Michelle Bland College of Science UT Arlington

May Valedictorian Brittany Bast College of Education Texas Wesleyan University

2015-2016 Revenue and Expenses Revenue: Individuals, Foundations, and Corporations Government Grants Interest Tuition Special Events

46% 20% 2% 21% 11%

Expenses: Instructional Department Administrative Department Facility Management Development Department

51% 36% 6% 7%

2015-2016 Advisory Council James Breen, Chair Dan Villegas, Chair-Elect Merryl Carson, Secretary Mark Euckert Shevoyd Hamilton Lon Kile Patrick LoCoco Rodrick Points William F. Schauffert, Maj Gen, USAFR (Ret.) Debra Wysoski Ex-Officio Most Rev. Michael F. Olson Bishop of Fort Worth Jennifer Pelletier Superintendent of Catholic Schools Trinette Robichaux President Charles McKone Principal Paulina Wainstein Director of Advancement

Vocations @ Cassata CCHS and CCFW partner for alumni support This year saw the beginning of a partnership between Cassata Catholic and Catholic Charities Fort Worth. The Vocations @ Cassata program is designed to offer support to Cassata alumni to ensure that they have every chance of completing a certification program or associates degree at Tarrant County College. Mrs. Jenna Nabiryanga serves as the CCFW case worker who oversees the current group of CCHS Cohort 1. All 8 Cohort 1 members will receive intensive case management to ensure that they have all the tools necessary to complete their post-secondary education.

Mrs. Nabiryanga is housed at CCHS and this offers our alums the feeling of coming home to seek support within the familiar walls of Cassata. Cohort 2 alumni will be chosen from the senior class of 2016-2017. CCHS is the only school to have this partnership with CCFW. At right, Mrs. Nabiryanga works with December 2015 Graduate Karla Espinoza.

NEW LOGO FOR CCHS

Cassata Catholic High School worked with TCU's Roxo Center for Strategic Communications in order to design a new logo to celebrate our name change. Roxo students interviewed students, faculty, administrators, and other stakeholders to define the logo. The book represents the knowledge learned within Cassata's walls. The swords represent the swords of St. Michael the Archangel, Cassata's patron saint. The cross represents our devotion to our Lord, and our founding date of 1975 rounds out the inner portion of the logo.

The logo was approved by Bishop Michael Olson on June 17, 2016. Thank you to Texas Christian University and TCU Roxo for your continued support!

NOMADIC 24 |

Student Spotlight Maddie Maddie is pictured at left.

People often wonder what makes a student choose Cassata, and the reasons are numerous. Maddie came to Cassata Catholic in April of 2015. As a competitive gymnast, she found it difficult to manage school work and her hours of practice. Her local public school was not able to find a solution. Maddie's stress levels began to increase, and the anxiety caused her parents to seek relief. Her family was surpirsed when Cassata Catholic was recommended by her guidance counselor.

Open to any suggestions, the family acted on the advice and walked through Cassata's doors. Cassata's flexible schedule allows Maddie to achieve her goals both academically and athletically. Maddie has succeeded across the board is being at Cassata and dad Mark states, "Cassata has helped our entire family, not just Maddie."

CCHS Girls Shine!

Be. Do. Share.

CCHS girls ended the year on a high note by participating in a House of Shine workshop. Our young ladies learned about their strengths and how to use those strengths to help others. They also learned about their personality types and their talents while working together as a group. It was an amazing experience and we look forward to partnering with the House of Shine again!

TWU Success!

CCHS Students finish their first university course.

Twelve CCHS students completed their first university credits by taking Political Science 2311: US Government with Texas Wesleyan University adjunct professor, Mr. Phari Shevandy. Students worked hard and completed the 3 hour course successfully.

The course was taught on the CCHS campus and we look forward to continuing to work with Texas Wesleyan University for continued success! Cassata students can achieve whatever they set their minds on. We are so proud of their accomplishments.

Student Spotlight The Sisters Michelle, Krystle, and Jennifer met with Karol Del Real of the Vincent Genovese Memorial Foundation (seated at right) in May and were able to tell Mrs. Del Real about their career plans and accomplishments.

Three sisters, Michelle, Krystle, and Jennifer started the 2015-2016 school year in a Fort Worth ISD public high school. Due to overcrowded classrooms and lack of personal attention from their teachers, the three realized that they were looking for more. When the girls complained that they wanted to have a better chance at having careers some day, a guidance counselor at their school suggested that the girls contact Cassata Catholic to see if this would be a better fit for them. Since coming to Cassata in February, all three have increased their grade point averages and are on the way to their career goals in medicine, teaching, and law enforcement!

Krystle stated that "Cassata allows me to have the best academic experience and the teachers really care about me and my goals." Upon graduating, Jennifer wants to be a police officer so that she can give back to her community. Michelle, the youngest, knows that she wants to be a nurse and will begin taking dual-enrollment classes at Tarrant County College in

Service to Others

Every first Tuesday of the month CCHS students hand out fresh produce at the Cassata Fresh Market to needy families in the Near Southside region of Fort Worth through a partnership with the Tarrant Area Food Bank. To date, students have helped feed residents with over 38,000 pounds of fresh vegetables and fruit! Students enjoy the opportunity to give back to their community.

Thank you TAFB!

Service to Others

2016 Spirit Games CCHS students hosted the 2016 Spirit Games. Junior Alexa Colvin, and Sophomore Andres Garcia served as co-chairs for this great event. Sponsored by the Stephen Breen Memorial Foundaton and Catholic school students from around the Diocese were able to join together as one. CCHS students look forward to hosting the 2017 Spirit Games!

CASSATA

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NEWS

NEW TEAM LEADS CASSATA 2016-2017 PROMISES TO BE A GREAT YEAR! The 2015-2016 school year saw many changes at Cassata Catholic High School. We are proud to announce that we graduated 38 students and to report that 95% are going on to post-secondary education. Our partnerships with Catholic Charities Fort Worth, Texas Wesleyan University, Tarrant County College, and the Tarrant Area Food Bank are stronger than ever.

The 2016-2017 school year promises to be even better! A new administrative team will lead CCHS going into the 2016-2017 school year. Mr. Chuck McKone has been appointed as the new principal for the upcoming school year and is already hard at work. Mr. McKone has taught at Cassata for the last nine years and was the perfect choice for CCHS stakeholders. Mr. McKone understands and walks the CCHS mission.

He is a parishioner at Most Blessed Sacrament in Arlington.

Ms. Paulina Wainstein, a 2007 graduate of CCHS, will assume the role of Director of Advancement and Enrollment Manager. Ms. Wainstein returns to Cassata after working for J.P. Morgan Chase. We are so excited to have an alumni fill this important position.

She is a parishioner at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Grand Prairie. Returning to CCHS is President Trinette Robichaux. Mrs. Robichaux begins her third year at Cassata and is looking forward to advancing the Cassata mission by working with Mr. McKone and Ms. Wainstein. Mrs. Robichaux is a parishioner at St. Mary of the Assumption in Fort Worth. All three are currently at work and would be delighted to have you visit Cassata!

The CCHS Student Council would like to thank you for your continued support of their dreams!

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www.cassatahs.org 1400 Hemphill Street Fort Worth, Texas 76104 817.926.1745