CATHOLIC SCHOOLS NIGHT AT DODGER STADIUM TO KICK OFF WITH NOMAR GARCIAPARRA THROWING FIRST PITCH

April 26, 2016  |  By: newsroom  |  Press Releases  |  

Former Dodger great Nomar Garciaparra, alumnus of St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower and St. Mary of the Assumption Elementary School in Whittier, will throw the ceremonial first pitch before the Los Angeles Dodgers game on Friday, April 29 at 7:10 p.m., to kick off the 6th annual Catholic Schools Night at Dodger Stadium (1000 Elysian Park Ave.). Garciaparra’s high school math teacher, Patrick McMorrow, and St. Mary’s Principal Marisabel Ortiz-Lopez will accompany Garciaparra on the field for the pre-game activities.

“In high school at St. John Bosco, everyone on the team would get to school early on game days and attend service before school started and my faith has continued to be a big part of my life,” said Garciaparra. “My parents gave me options, and I looked at many different schools. I ended up falling in love with St. John Bosco and attending the school was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

About 3,000 students, parents and teachers from more than 25 schools throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles will be in attendance at Friday’s game when the Dodgers host the San Diego Padres. The game will close with a fireworks display.

“Our Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles are true blessings to the students and families they serve,” said Dr. Kevin Baxter, Senior Director and Superintendent of Catholic Schools. “All of those who are honored to serve in them – pastors, principals, presidents, faculty and staff – work diligently every day to ensure that Catholic schools are institutions that provide a rigorous academic program rooted in our Catholic faith.”

The Archdiocese is committed to making Catholic education a possibility for all families through the Catholic Education Foundation (CEF), which provides tuition assistance to the most financially deserving students. In 2015, CEF provided $12.9 million to help fund the Catholic educations of more than 9,800 elementary and high school students from families living at or below the poverty line. Students receiving CEF assistance have a graduation rate of 98 percent and a college attendance rate of 98 percent.

Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese serve nearly 80,000 students in 270 schools in the Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. The Archdiocese opened its first schools in the 1850s. Our schools pride themselves on welcoming students from a range of financial realities and diverse backgrounds. Through a faith based education, students receive the tools for success in college and in their future careers focused on a commitment to service to their local and global communities. ​

 

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