PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
D
ear Dons Community
Over the past six years, I have come to love this Dons family. I am honored to now have the opportunity to serve as Cathedral Catholic’s fourth president. As I transition from principal to president, it gives me great comfort to know that Mrs. Conroy will be running the school. She is faithful, competent, creative, and energetic. We are blessed that she will serve as the next principal.
As for my transition, I find that my thinking has evolved already as I begin to think about how Cathedral Catholic exists more than why it exists. That’s not a bad thing; after all, Cathedral Catholic’s financial and operational efforts are vital to providing the Dons experience. The most obvious reason how Cathedral Catholic works is the financial sacrifice and commitment our parents/guardians make to prioritize a Catholic education for their children. Thank you. Our administrators, counselors, teachers, and staff members demonstrate on a daily basis how we exist by sharing their faith and knowledge and working selflessly for the benefit of others. Our benefactors, including the thousands of alumni from Cathedral Girls High School and Uni High, generously share their time and resources with the school. Diocesan leadership, including pastors and extended parish communities, support Cathedral Catholic in ways that are often unnoticed yet vitally important to school operations. How we exist, however, is not as important as why we exist. The distinguishing difference between a Cathedral Catholic education and an education at the other two high schools on Del Mar Heights Road, for example, is that we are a Catholic high school. Our faith forms and informs in ways that are transformative. As I reflect more on why we exist, I think of the life-changing education that all students receive when they attend our school. A Cathedral Catholic education is an inclusive education. The relationships and connections that run deep in this school family extend well beyond the years on campus. These relationships and connections are obvious in many ways—on social media, at sporting events, at the alumni golf tournament, and at churches throughout San Diego. This family is special, and I am so thankful to be part of it. My responsibility—one of our four core values—as president is to ensure that Cathedral Catholic is financially secure and operationally functional for years to come. Ultimately, how Cathedral Catholic works will ensure our why —To form students and adults as disciples of Christ, empowered to deepen their faith and to share Jesus Christ with others. Roll Dons!
Kevin Calkins, PhD President
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