Gaudiosa Gala

Jesuit High School’s 13th annual fundraising gala, Gaudiosa 2016: An Evening in London, was a sensational success Saturday evening (Feb. 27) at the Hilton Tampa Downtown, raising more than $660,000 – all for Jesuit’s financial aid program.

During the event, school president Fr. Richard C. Hermes, S.J. also announced a transformational $3 million gift from the Capitano family – Joe Capitano Sr. ’56, Joe Capitano Jr. ’84, and Frank Capitano ’87 – toward Jesuit’s ‘For Greater Glory’ capital campaign. One million is earmarked toward Phase 1 of the campus master plan, which breaks ground this summer, and the remaining $2 million is for future development at Jesuit.

The gift is the largest in school history, surpassing a $2.5 million donation toward ‘For Greater Glory’ from Marty and Ted Couch ’54, made in September. The Capitanos are longtime, generous benefactors of the Tampa area and Jesuit High School. Through the years they have given their time, talent, and treasure in numerous ways to the school.

Gaudiosa, a Latin term meaning “joyous feast,” has been named the Favorite Fundraising Event in the region by the Tampa Bay Business Journal three years running. The event is coordinated by Jane Younger (who is pictured on the homepage moments before the ballrooom doors opened Saturday), who was named the area’s Favorite Event Planner in 2013 and ’14 by the TBBJ. Cherie and Harvey Schonbrun ’65, P ’03, ’10 were this year’s Honorary Event Chairs, the third time in Gaudiosa’s 13 years they have served as an event chair (2007, ’10).

The generosity of Gaudiosa’s patrons, sponsors, and guests provides financial aid to students with demonstrated financial need. More than 25% of Jesuit’s students receive financial aid, and in 2015-16 the school distributed $1.8 million in financial aid.

The more than 600 Gaudiosa attendees on Saturday enjoyed a gorgeous, London-inspired setting (including a remarkable mural montage of iconic places in London by Jesuit's art club, Don't Feed the Artists), amazing auction items, delicious dinner, live music, and dancing. More than 300 silent auction items were offered via electronic bidding, and among the live auction items were vacations to Italy, the British Virgin Islands, and Deer Valley, Utah; spectacular jewelry; and world-class dining.

Also, Colleen Roop, P ’13, ’17 was the winner of the chance prize drawing for free gas for a year, sponsored by Radiant Food Stores/Marathon Gas. Click here to view all of the Underwriters and Patrons from Gaudiosa 2016.

A commitment to a complete educational experience for all qualified young men who wish to attend Jesuit is at Gaudiosa’s core, and current senior William Ferguson gave a moving testimonial about how Jesuit’s financial aid program has deeply impacted his life. Click here or below to view a video of Ferguson's memorable presentation.

Since its founding in 2003, Gaudiosa has raised nearly $6 million for Jesuit’s financial aid program, with more than $2 million raised the past three years alone.

SAVE THE DATE: Gaudiosa 2017: An Evening in Barcelona, is March 4, 2017!

View a photo slideshow from Gaudiosa 2016 below, and below that is a video of the student presentation from Ferguson.