HU RT ADO SCHOLAR S
2024 Impact report
Fear Nothing
Mission
Rockhurst High School serves the greater Kansas City area by educating Ignatian leaders, “men for others”, in the Roman Catholic, Jesuit college preparatory tradition. In the spirit of Saint Ignatius Loyola, its goal is the formation of the whole person within a diverse and disciplined environment, as one who is open to growth, strives for academic excellence, is religious, loving, and committed to justice through service.
Vision
Rockhurst High School will be sought out and recognized for its ability to educate “men for others”. Rockhurst High School will, in the Jesuit tradition, foster lifelong friendships based on enduring principles and Ignatian values. It will be nationally and locally recognized as the best valueadded education because of its success in developing community leaders for an increasingly diverse world.
Where Boys with Great Potential Become Men of Great Purpose
The mission of Hurtado Scholars is to assist boys who have great potential, but for whom a Catholic, college preparatory education may be unattainable.
Hurtado Scholars will receive the training and experiences that enable them to be well prepared for a college preparatory high school.
SCHOLARS HURTADO
- Develop leadership skills
- Expand artistic and cultural awareness
- Grow in Christian faith
- Improve academic and study skills
- Participate in sports and activities
- Prepare for high school admission
Academic Success at a Glance
Quantitative standardized testing scores highlight the success of the Hurtado Scholars Program. The following data incorporates the 2023-24 academic year, as of June 2023 for testing administered.
6th Grade
Our youngest and newest Hurtado Scholars, rising 6th graders in Fall 2024, demonstrated excellent aptitude at the end of their first summer with Rockhurst High School, with an annual standardized testing battery average of 6.81 after completing the Summer Academy, indicating the cohort was performing as though they were one month into their 6th grade year.
7th Grade
Students entering 7th grade performed as though they had completed just over a month of 7th grade with a battery average of 7.17
8th Grade
Our Scholars entering 8th grade in Fall 2024 also began the school year just beyond grade level as a group (8.18), with four students academically performing a full year ahead, as though they were already freshmen in high school.
Overall Student Graduation Rate
Rockhurst High School is proud to have an overall student graduation rate of 99%. There are 28 HSP participants who have completed the program from middle school all the way through high school graduation (of 36), for a 78% overall graduation rate amongst the program, which is above the 74.9% graduation rate for Kansas City Public Schools.
Hurtado Scholars Program 2023-24 GPAs:
Hurtado (9-12) Average Cumulative GPA (as of May 2024)
Hurtado Scholars Graduates
All Hurtado Scholars Program graduates in 2024 matriculated to four-year higher education institutions at the conclusion of their time at Rockhurst High School.
The 2024 Rockhurst High School graduates who came up through the Hurtado Scholars Program are attending college at:
> Georgetown University
> Arizona State University
> University of MissouriKansas City
> Rockhurst University
> Missouri University of Science and Technology
> Washburn University
Awards and Recognition
The Hurtado Scholars Program was proud to celebrate its three annual award winners on June 13, 2024, at Drexel Hall in Kansas City.
Axel Garcia Soto ‘28 was honored with The White Van Award, given to the 8th grade graduate who best exemplifies the pillars of the Hurtado Scholars Program: Academics, Leadership, Spiritual and Faith Formation, and Social Development.
This student has utilized their talents to positively impact their community, the Program, and themselves. They consistently demonstrate good citizenship and a strong growth mindset. Similar to St. Alberto Hurtado, they ignite inspiration in others through their character, actions, and leadership. Recognizing the Program’s commitment to them and their family, they are dedicated to giving back to their communities. The White Van Award recipient has strived to reach their full potential and is prepared for continued leadership and success at Rockhurst High School and beyond.
sibling, and
The Fire That Kindles Other Fires AwardAnita and Bob Paredes ‘93
Anita and Bob Paredes ‘93 were honored with The Fire That Kindles Other Fires Award for their continued impact on the program through their leadership and support.
Tomás ‘25, Anita, Bob ‘93 and Xavier ‘19 Paredes
Zulma Soto,
Axel Garcia Soto ‘28
The White Van Award - Axel Garcia Soto ‘28
The Green Truck Award - Angel Becerra ‘24
The Green Truck Award is presented to a graduating senior who has fully embraced the values and skills instilled during their time as a Hurtado Scholar at Rockhurst High School. Chosen by the Hurtado Scholars Faculty in consultation with the Rockhurst High School Faculty and Administration, the recipient embodies the ideals of a Graduate at Graduation – being religious, loving, intellectually competent, open to growth, and committed to service and justice.
The Green Truck Award winner is characterized by their honesty, determination, and genuine care for others. They leave a positive impact on both Rockhurst High School and the Hurtado Scholars Program, ready to make a meaningful mark on the world as they graduate.
Angel Becerra ‘24 was one of 60 high school seniors nationwide selected as a Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship Awardee. He is currently attending Georgetown University on a full-ride scholarship.
Maria Santos, Angel Becerra ‘24 and Rogelio Becerra
Interview with Angel Becerra’s parents, Maria Santos and Rogelio Becerra
Angel Becerra ‘24 was honored with The Green Truck Award in Summer 2024, given to a Hurtado Scholar graduate who made the most of his time at Rockhurst High School through his values and skills he learned while a Hurtado Scholar.
President David Laughlin presented Angel Becerra ‘24 with his Rockhurst High School diploma on May 19, 2024.
Becerra was one of 60 high school seniors nationwide selected as a Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship Awardee. He is currently attending Georgetown University on a full-ride scholarship. Angel’s parents, Maria Santos and Rogelio Becerra, spoke about their son’s accomplishments just prior to Angel’s graduation from Rockhurst High School.
Rogelio:
We never thought he was going to come to Rockhurst High School. The reason he is here is because of the Hurtado Scholars Program. Five years ago, I thought, “I hope he’d be able to come here.”
Angel always wanted to come here. It’s been a very successful process. We cannot thank the supporters of the Hurtado Scholars Program enough. It’s an amazing Program, and we hope it will stay a long time for other students.
Rogelio, regarding growth they have seen in Angel: He’s been really focused on his future, holding the same vision. He works really hard – day by day, week by week, month by month. There’s nothing negative with Angel. I’ve always been proud of him. He’s just been a good kid – no problems at home; no problems at school. We’ve just been so proud of him.
Rogelio, regarding the future:
I could not be more excited; I could not be more proud of him. It’s a huge deal for us. I hope it opens the vision for other kids, for them to grow. Angel has that vision, and he worked hard to get there. As parents, we’re just very happy for him.
Maria:
He’s always had this goal. He’s always wanted to achieve the best. He still has more to come, and I’m happy and hopeful he will continue to excel. Thank you for the support from everyone.
Rogelio: We cannot be more thankful.
Vanessa Wiegman (Hurtado Scholars Program Assistant Director): I think they will miss their son.
Rogelio: Yes, we will. But we are also very happy for him.
Q&A with Laurie Prater, a Rockhurst High School English teacher for 25 years; English
Department Chair; and Hurtado Scholars Program teacher
Q. Why do you choose to be a part of the Hurtado Scholars Program?
A. I have wanted to be with the program since it was first created! The Program appealed to me in that it reached out to bright and enthusiastic middle schoolers who desired the chance to attend Rockhurst. I believed I could help these young men to achieve their goals while at the same time contribute to the school’s mission of forming young “men for others.” When Marvin Grilliot, the director of the program at the time, asked if I would be interested in joining their team – I jumped at it! The opportunity at the time was an answer to a prayer. I have worked with the program for seven years, and time has flown by.
Q. What is one of your fondest memories in teaching as part of the Hurtado Scholars Program?
A. I’ve had hundreds of great memories! My favorite is when they have an “aha!” moment after being assigned a significant challenge. A recent example is the 6th and 7th graders have been diagramming sentences all year long. We are doing difficult material. They will stare at the assigned sentences, ask for a hint or guidance and then exclaim “I get it! This is easy!” I adore it when they write about their personal experiences while using the 11-sentence paragraph format. Their courage and commitment is inspiring. We demand a great deal of their time, August through the end of June, and most often, they show up each time with a smile asking, “What are we doing today?” We share a great deal of laughter and support. God is present in this program!
Q. If you could let people know one thing about the Hurtado Scholars Program, what would it be?
A. The Program is at the very heart of what Rockhurst High School strives to be. These Scholars are bright and ready to embrace the opportunity that has been afforded them, and anyone who works with these kids is inspired in ways they never considered. I am blessed to be a part of this program. Anthony Re, current Program Director and Vanessa Wiegman, current Program Assistant Director, are doing a fantastic job, and we are still growing!
Laurie Prater
The Hurtado Scholars Program has thrived in its first decade-plus of existence at Rockhurst High School. The Program is now celebrating its first college graduates; and in 2023-24, donations from generous individual, corporation, and foundation benefactors resulted in $1,014,774 raised from 120 donors, an increase from $734,162 raised in the 2022-23 academic year from 101 donors.
The first 12 years of the Hurtado Scholars Program
Committee and Benefactors
Thank you to the 2023-24 Hurtado Scholars Program Event Committee members:
John Becker ’89
Wendy Burgess, past parent
Andrew Castillo ’12
Teresa Guerra-York, past parent
Enrique I. Gutierrez, Jr. ’98
Patrick B. Lillis, D.D.S., past parent
Anita Paredes, Trustee and current parent
Greg Vardakis, DO, ’77
Julie Walker Browne, current parent
Leticia Zarate-Garcia, current parent
Thank you to the 2023-2024 Hurtado Scholars benefactors!
July1,2023-June30,2024
$100,000 - $499,999
Sharon and Jed Ervin ’66
Ellen and Kerm Fendler
William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, Inc.
$50,000 - $99,999
Anonymous
Estate of Norma Hunt
Reda Educational Foundation, Paul C. Miller ’78
The Dehaemers Family Charitable Trust
$25,000 - $49,999
Karen Smith and John Becker ’89
Lindsay and Matt Bowen ’00
Rebecca and Trey Bowen ’95
Martha and Steve Butler ’65
Carol and John Kafka ’68
Katie and Dave Nichols ’68
The McGee Foundation
The Ronald D. Deffenbaugh, Sr. Foundation
$20,000 - $24,999
Frank and Margaret G. McGee Fund
Kathy and Peter Malone and Daniel Malone ’20
R & C Charitable Foundation
$10,000 - $19,999
Cortney and Chris Barton ’05
Connie and Kevin Fahey ’69
Linda and Ken Felter ’68
J. E. Dunn Construction Company
Koch Foundation Inc.
Michelle and Terry Sexton ’87
Erin and Paul Stucky
Janna and Pat Stueve
Peggy and Jim Van Dyke ’72
$5,000 - $9,999
Anonymous – in honor of Anita and Bob Paredes ’93
Julie Walker Browne and Pete Browne ’85
Leabby Fitzgerald and Family, in memory of David Fitzgerald ’75
Garcia Immigration Law Firm Fund
Amy and Paul Holewinski
Jo Kleinman
Pat and Owen Zidar ’75
$3,000 - $4,999
Marsha and George Schieber
Megan and Chris Schumm
Christy and David Staker ’88
$1,000 - $2,999
Amy and Adam Balentine ’01
Rita and Charlie Breusing ’64
Anne and Kevin Connor ’81
Carol and Mark Damon
Colleen Enna
Sarah and Steve Fessler ’06
Ann and Jerry Hayes ’68
Mary Jane and Mike Judy ’99
Kristin and Greg Kratofil, Jr. ’92
Kelly and David Laughlin
Jennifer and Chris Loper
Diane and Kirk Marty
Joanie and Jim McLaughlin ’70
Neustar Matching Gift Program
Peggy and Bill Oades ’68
Anita and Bob Paredes, II ’93
Deidre and Mark Pierron ’68
Jim Polsinelli ’60
Bill Sheehan, in honor of Mike Downey ’66, a dear friend
Jenny and Dan Walsh
$500 - $999
Sheila McGreevy and Joe Barry ’80
Luke Betterman ’07
Wendy and Troy Burgess
Nancy and Mike Czinege
Kathleen and Paul Diamond
Jean and Joe Dukich ’68
Carol and Michael Grimaldi ’67
Jackie and Henry Massman ’80
Ellen McCarthy
Linda and Bob Pearson
Janney and Josh Polsinelli ’00
Becky and Jake Smith ’66
Julie and Mark Tapko
Janis and John Trotter ’68
Kathy and Jim Williams ’68
$250 - $499
Greg and Holly Henson Family Fund
Jim Grinstead
Rita and Chris Jensen
Mary Ellen Komos
Lisa Dunbar and John Lewis ’80
Kali and Michael McGee ’09
Jennifer O’Connor
Rita and Kevin Pavicic ’76
Andrew Shepard ’05
Lisa and Tom Vansaghi
Megan and Jerry Viviano
Peggy Walker
Steve Yanda ’05
$100 - $249
Traci Bentley
Natalie and Mark Blanck, Jr. ’98
Virginia and Dan Bukovac ’70
Mary Clarkson
Ryan Comiskey ’09*
Teresa and Tom Cotton
Marianne Damon
Adrianne DeWeese and John Leacox
Jan and George Fakoury
Julie and Gerard Grimaldi ’77
Michael Guerra-York ’20
Teresa Guerra-York and Mike York
Beth Haden
Marilyn and Ken Hager ’69
Rosalie and Bill Kenney
Alice and Bill Munninghoff
Cathy Francis and Kevin Regan ’73
Susan and Rick Robards
Chely Scarbrough
Rebecca Segel
Lisa Simovic
Meredith and Albert Suarez
Susan Teson
Lori and George Weir
Heidi Willis
Gifts up to $99
Cindy and Bill Barry ’72
Maria and Juan Chavez
Shannon and William Condon
Andrea Davis
Laurie and Chris DeLong
Bree and Kevin Fallon ’99
Claudia and Paul Gibson
Jeanne Gorman
Charlie Gotschall ’14
Grant Gotschall ’13
Shannon Hesterberg
Antionette and Phil Ishmael
Janice and Buck Judy ’68
Katie Komos
Rebecca Limestall
Julie and Kevin Loehr
Pedro Mezerhane
Janet Muniz
Sarah and Sean Murray
Barbara and Richard Porto
Tede Price
Annie and Matt Riggs
Debra Smith
Loretta Verbanic
The following funds provide operational and/or tuitional support to the Hurtado Scholars Program:
Class of 1968 Endowment Fund
Jean and Joe Dukich ’68
Linda and Ken Felter ’68
Janice and Buck Judy ’68
Carol and John Kafka ’68
Katie and Dave Nichols ’68
Peggy and Bill Oades ’68
Deidre and Mark Pierron ’68
Janis and John Trotter ’68
Kathy and Jim Williams ’68
Jed & Sharon Ervin Scholarship Fund
Sharon and Jed Ervin ’66
The Jim & Kathy Polsinelli Hurtado Scholarship Fund
Jim Polsinelli ’60
Janney and Josh Polsinelli ’00
The Rev. William T. Sheahan, SJ Scholarship Fund *deceased
How is God calling me to be my best?
Dear Friends,
The question posed above rests at the core of our mission of the Hurtado Scholars Program. Each of our young men has so many talents that God has given to him, and we are so blessed to walk with each of them as they discover these gifts and learn how to best use them for the common good. We never expect any of our young men to be the best at any given thing, but we always ask them to be open to what could be and to strive to be their personal best in all that they attempt. We believe that life is a journey of discovering and becoming who one is called to be, and we are so blessed to journey with the many wonderful young men and their families who make up the Hurtado Scholars Program and our graduate community. They truly make Rockhurst High School a richer and more vibrant community, and we believe that they will make our Church, Kansas City, and our world a brighter and more hope-filled place.
When a 6th grader masters a math skill after many attempts, a sophomore makes a team that he has worked hard to join, or a senior learns he has earned a hoped-for college scholarship, God is at work. Love is at the center of all that we do at Hurtado Scholars, and we are so grateful to journey with our young men who will be the leaders of tomorrow. The Program’s work is sacred and beautiful, and it is, at times, messy, and yet, we have great faith that the fruits of our labor will pay great dividends for our collective future.
Your support makes our work possible, and we are so grateful for your help in allowing us to keep the mission of the Society of Jesus of educating ALL young men with great potential possible for the Greater Glory of God. Please pray for our scholars and their families, and know of our prayers of gratitude for each of you, our partners in this sacred mission.
AMDG,
Anthony Re Director Assistant Director Vanessa Wiegman
¿Cómo me está llamando Dios a ser lo mejor que pueda?
Queridos amigos,
La pregunta planteada anteriormente es el núcleo de nuestra misión del Programa Hurtado Scholars. Cada uno de nuestros jóvenes tiene tantos talentos que Dios le ha dado, y tenemos la gran bendición de caminar con cada uno de ellos mientras descubren estos dones y aprenden cómo usarlos mejor para el bien común. Nunca esperamos que ninguno de nuestros jóvenes sea el mejor en algo determinado, pero siempre les pedimos que estén abiertos a lo que podría ser y que se esfuercen por dar lo mejor de sí mismos en todo lo que intenten. Creemos que la vida es un viaje para descubrir y convertirse en quien uno está llamado a ser, y tenemos la gran bendición de viajar con los muchos jóvenes maravillosos y sus familias que conforman el Programa Hurtado Scholars y nuestra comunidad de graduados. Realmente hacen de Rockhurst High School una comunidad más rica y vibrante, y creemos que harán de nuestra Iglesia, Kansas City y nuestro mundo un lugar más brillante y lleno de esperanza.
Cuando un estudiante de sexto grado domina una habilidad matemática después de muchos intentos, un estudiante de segundo año forma un equipo al que ha trabajado duro para unirse, o un estudiante de último año se entera de que ha obtenido una beca universitaria que esperaba, Dios está obrando. El amor está en el centro de todo lo que hacemos en Hurtado Scholars y estamos muy agradecidos de viajar con nuestros jóvenes que serán los líderes del mañana. El trabajo del Programa es sagrado y hermoso y, a veces, complicado y, sin embargo, tenemos gran fe en que los frutos de nuestro trabajo producirán grandes dividendos para nuestro futuro colectivo.
Su apoyo hace posible nuestro trabajo y estamos muy agradecidos por su ayuda al permitirnos mantener la misión de la Compañía de Jesús de educar a TODOS los jóvenes con el mayor potencial posible para la Mayor Gloria de Dios. Por favor oren por nuestros estudiantes y sus familias, y conozcan nuestras oraciones de gratitud por cada uno de ustedes, nuestros socios en esta sagrada misión.
AMDG,
Anthony Re Director Assistant Director Vanessa Wiegman
Catching Up With…
Visit www.rockhursths.edu/hurtado to watch video updates from Fr. Bill Sheahan, SJ, and Marvin Grilliot, who played an active role in the early years of the Hurtado Scholars Program as the founding and second director of the Hurtado Scholars Program, respectively.
Graduates of the Hurtado Scholars Program reunited in Summer 2024 in Kansas City’s River Market for pizza and catching up with the Program’s current and past directors: Anthony Re, far left front; Marvin Grilliot, front row, 5th from left; and Fr. Bill Sheahan, SJ, back row, 2nd from right.
Number of middle school students enrolled:
2023-24 Numbers at a Glance 31
Number of program graduates who have graduated from Rockhurst:
Number of total boys served by the program since 2013:
129
Number of program graduates currently at Rockhurst:
Fear
Make a difference in the life of a Hurtado Scholar today!
HU RT ADO SCHOLAR S