Prep Talk

Navone Athletic Building Groundbreaking Ceremony

Posted November 15th, 2013

 

On Wednesday, November 13, St. Augustine Prep held a groundbreaking ceremony for benefactor, Mr. Paul Navone to celebrate his contribution towards the new Navone Athletic Building.

Mr. David Zappariello (Class of 1983), Director of Alumni and External Affairs, welcomed administrators, special guests, and students who packed the Zerbo Conference Room.

With Mr. Navone sitting in the front row, Mr. Zappariello told the group of the special friendship the two have shared over the past two years.

Mr. Michael Pallozzi (Class of 2014), president of the student body, personally thanked Mr. Navone for his ongoing contributions to the school and how his recent donation will impact St. Augustine Prep. “Mr. Navone, your generosity is a shining example of Caritas, one of the three core values deeply ingrained in our mission statement,” he said.

School president, Fr. Donald Reilly, O.S.A., added his personal gratitude. “Today we are blessed to be breaking ground for a much-needed athletic facility which is made possible by your generosity which knows no bounds.  It’s easy to sign a check; but being present and engaged with our St. Augustine Prep students is a far better gift,” he told the group.

After the check presentation, Fr. Reilly, Fr. Francis Horn, Assistant to the President for Special Projects, board members, Mrs. Dana Catalana and Mr. Mark D’Onofrio, architect, Mr. Larry Merighi, Mr. Navone, and students braved cold temperatures and ventured outside to turn over the first spades of earth to officially celebrate the beginning of construction.