Aspire Campaign Success

Salpointe Aspire

Arts Academics Athletics

As Salpointe celebrates seven decades of education, faith and community, we Lancers take great pride in our academically, ethnically and economically diverse student population; stateof-the-art STEM Center; exceptional academic, athletic and artistic programs; signature humanities program; 99% college admission rate; vibrant service learning, campus ministry and student services programs; capacity enrollment; and stable and effective leadership, faculty and staff.

As President Kay Sullivan notes, “But Salpointe can never rest. We must stay ever present in our mission, setting our sights on the future we are called to create. Our standards are high, but our aspirations are higher!” In 2018 when leadership looked at our ability to provide the holistic education on which Salpointe prides itself, there was still work to be done. We determined that student athletes would be better served by air conditioned facilities and improved fi eld lighting. The STEM program’s success demanded a larger workspace to accommodate more sophisticated projects, and older classrooms needed renovation to increase the number of learning spaces on campus. Lastly, Salpointe is blessed with incredible artistic talent and programming, but was without facilities that supported arts education and the school’s commitment to the arts as part of our holistic educational model.

And so we launched “Aspire: Arts Academics Athletics.”

After three years, one pandemic and hundreds of generous donors, Salpointe’s future holds nothing but promise as we celebrate the extraordinary facilities created by the $10.1 million Aspire campaign. In April, we proudly held a limited dedication of the transformative, synergistic Stearns Center for the Arts, including Ginny L. Clements Dance, Pocono Music funded by the Toole family, Czarina and Humberto Lopez Visual Arts, Foundation Choir funded by the Salpointe Catholic Education Foundation, Corcoran Theater, Jeff and Sharon Sayre ’80 Stevens Gallery, as well as the Kalil Family Gymnasium, Sayre Stevens Strength and Conditioning Center in honor of Paul Sayre ’82, Michael Geddes Wrestling Center, Boesen Story of Salpointe, Carmelite Plaza, Pat Sniezek Wall of Champions, Toole Tirrito Championship Trophy display, Rocco Bene Family Main Stage in Corcoran Theater, the expansion of the Ashton STEM patio as well as the renovation of six classrooms… all to serve the needs of Lancer students today and tomorrow. Our gratitude is forever to you who made this vision possible.

During the Aspire Dedication in April, words of thanks and congratulations were shared by many.

Student Body President, Diego Marquez, remarked, “From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for your contributions. The student body is immensely grateful. These new, state of the art facilities will help thousands of Lancers develop into tomorrow’s leaders. The new innovations to the school propel the Salpointe promise to educate the entire Lancer, from rigorous academics to excellent extracurriculars.”

Sandy Stearns spoke on the importance of Salpointe’s modern arts facilities and programs in inspiring students to pursue their dreams. Sharon Sayre ’80 Stevens shared her immense gratitude for the Salpointe education that she and her siblings received. Ginny Clements encouraged others to give back in thanks for the blessings of their Catholic faith. Humberto Lopez stressed the critical importance of education in ending the cycle of poverty.

Finally, Most Reverend Gerald Kicanas, Bishop Emeritus of Tucson, bestowed his blessing on Salpointe. “Brothers and sisters, the work we are blessing today should enliven our faith and make us grateful. We know the familiar words of the psalm: ‘If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do its builders labor.’ Whenever we look to the interests of our students, their families, and all the members of the Salpointe community, and serve them, we are, in a sense, God’s own co-workers. Let us pray for His help.”

Western Art Gallery

As part of the Aspire Dedication celebration, the new Stevens Art Gallery was adorned with extraordinary pieces from the Jack and Aline Goodman Western art collection. On loan from their grandson, Alex Lee ’05, the paintings and sculptures by artists such as Ross Stephan and Frederic Remington.

1) Pictured (L-R): Kay Sullivan, Pat Lopez III ’74, Humberto and Czarina Lopez, Brian and Sandy Stearns, Ginny Clements and Tom Rogers, Sharon Sayre ’80 Stevens and Jeff Stevens, and Jennifer Harris; 2) Sharon Sayre ’80 Stevens; 3) Student Body President Diego Marquez ’21 spoke at the dedication. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for your contributions. The student body is immensely grateful,” he said.; 4) Humberto Lopez; 5) Brian and Sandy Stearns in front of the 40,000 square foot Stearns Center for the Arts; 6) Ginny Clements, Tom Rogers and Fr. Paul Henson, O.Carm., enjoyed catching up at the dedication; 7) Distinguished donors and guests at the Aspire dedication on April 23, 2021; 8) Band and Orchestra students performed beautifully as guests took their seats and enjoyed appetizers before the ceremony