For the Mission

Jesuit High School’s 12th annual fundraising gala, Gaudiosa 2015: "An Evening in Venice," was a sensational success Saturday (Feb. 28) at the Hilton Tampa Downtown, raising more than $680,000 for the school's financial aid program. 

During Gaudiosa, the school received an additional $1 million gift. Jesuit president Fr. Richard C. Hermes, S.J. announced the million-dollar donation to the school from Ray and Kathy Hyer, who served Gaudiosa 2015 as Honorary Chairs. The Hyers' gift will go toward advancing Jesuit’s strategic plan.

The Hyers are parents of a 2001 Jesuit graduate and longtime benefactors of the school. Jesuit’s award-winning baseball facility, which opened in 2011, is named Hyer Family Park in their honor.

Gaudiosa, a Latin term meaning “joyous feast,” was named the “Favorite Black-Tie Event/Fundraising Gala” in the region by the Tampa Bay Business Journal in 2013 and 2014. The event is coordinated by Jane Younger, who was named the area’s “Favorite Event Planner” the past two years by the TBBJ.

Mark and Debbie Nouss, P ’17, ’18, were this year’s Event Patron Chairs. Click here to view the list of Gaudiosa 2015 Patrons.

A commitment to a complete educational experience for all qualified young men who wish to attend Jesuit is at Gaudiosa’s core, and David Marrero '15 gave a moving testimonial at Gaudiosa about how Jesuit’s financial aid program changed his life. Click here to watch video of Marrero speaking at Gaudiosa. This fall Marrero will become the first member of his family to attend college.

The generosity of Gaudiosa’s patrons, sponsors, and guests provides financial aid to Jesuit students with demonstrated financial need. The school distributed $1.6 million in financial aid for 2014-15 to more than 25% of the student body.

The more than 600 attendees at Gaudiosa 2015 enjoyed a gorgeous setting, amazing auction items, delicious dinner, great live music, and dancing. Over 300 silent auction items were offered via electronic bidding, and among the live auction items were a golf vacation at Pebble Beach; trips to Italy, the British Virgin Islands, and Breckenridge; world-class dining, including a meal prepared by Fr. Douglas Hypolite, S.J., a master of French cuisine; and a 13-week-old Shih Tzu purebred puppy.

Since its founding in 2003, Gaudiosa has raised more than $5 million for Jesuit’s financial aid program, with nearly $1.4 million the past two years alone.

The locational theme for each Gaudiosa is based on the travels of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus - the Jesuits - in the 16th century. 

View below a photo slideshow from Gaudiosa 2015: An Evening in Venice.