On October 22, 2025, the Saint Francis Cathedral School community gathered in the school cafeteria at 7:00 p.m. for the October HSA meeting. From the moment families arrived, they were warmly greeted by students stationed at the entrance and along the hallway leading to the meeting area. These students are part of the school’s newly launched Student Ambassador Program led by Mr. Dorian, which aims to help students build leadership skills, social skills, and confidence.
The evening opened with a prayer led by Father Christy, setting a thoughtful and welcoming tone. Following the prayer, guests were treated to two delightful performances: the Middle School Choir, under the direction of Mr. Deibert, and the Young Singers, directed by Ms. Beauford. Both groups showcased their talent and enthusiasm, earning applause from everyone in attendance.
The theme of the evening centered around Reading, introduced by Principal Ms. Dalton, who spoke about the many benefits and lasting impact of reading on both students and educators. She emphasized how developing a love of reading can inspire curiosity, improve comprehension, and strengthen academic success.
Middle school teachers Mrs. Freeman and Mrs. Langton followed with an engaging presentation on reading strategies and shared examples from their classrooms. Their stories illustrated how reading not only supports learning but also encourages empathy and imagination in students.
Next, HSA Co-Presidents Erica Kelly and Michael Lombardi took the stage to share exciting updates and announcements. They revealed the date and theme for this year’s much-anticipated Tricky Tray, which will take place on May 29, 2026, with the fun-filled theme “Rodeo Roundup.”
They also shared great news from the recent Color Run, which raised an impressive $13,000. Of that amount, $8,000 went directly to the school, and $1,000 has been designated to purchase new recess equipment for students, a wonderful investment in play and physical activity.
To close out the evening, attendees had the chance to win some Saint Francis spirit wear through a door prize raffle, adding a touch of fun and excitement to an already uplifting night.
The meeting was organized by Jen Da Costa, Head of Programs for the HSA, in collaboration with Principal Dalton. Jen Da Costa’s role focuses on developing new student and community enrichment programs that bring families and students together in meaningful ways. Reflecting on the event, she shared:
“As we have been developing our Student and Community Enrichment programs, it has truly been an honor to be a part of this initiative to celebrate the reason we do all of this: our children! Seeing their beautiful faces looking back at us was a reminder that the students are the real stars! And wow did they shine! We were so blessed to have SFCS students of all ages share their talents with us. From our youngest performers who sang their hearts out in prayer to our Middle School leaders who conducted themselves with confidence and grace, it was a very special evening that brought our school community together.”
The night was a wonderful reminder of what makes Saint Francis Cathedral School so special — a community where students, families, teachers, and staff come together to learn, grow, and celebrate one another. We thank everyone who attended and look forward to seeing even more families at our next HSA meeting!