BAY RIDGE — By the time Rocco Gentile became the principal of Fontbonne Hall Academy in 2023, the campus flagpole had seen better days.
In 1937, the Sisters of St. Joseph bought the original building — a former casino and speakeasy — and repurposed it as a Catholic school for girls.
Gentile estimated that the campus flagpole hadn’t been maintained since those early days. It was showing rust, and its pulley system was rickety.
He investigated the costs to renovate the pole. But sticker shock grew, especially when it became clear that expensive boom-operated equipment was needed because flagpoles are tall.
“It was just an ordeal,” Gentile said. “But we are a Catholic school with a Catholic school budget. And, as I like to say, even minor costs are major costs. Everything is expensive.”
Turns out it was more cost-effective to completely replace the pole, Gentile said, but the price tag amounted to just over $10,000, which the school had to raise.
Fortunately, Fontbonne has a fundraising team handled by Effie Maldari, development officer, and Gianna Curreri, development assistant.
They reached out to the Catholic War Veterans of Kings County, who responded by covering nearly the entire cost with a $10,000 donation.
RELATED: Catholic War Vets Seek ‘Young Blood’ to Carry on Vital Services
The new pole is now planted. Gentile said the American flag, billowing at the top, is an amazing sight.
“You drive over the Verrazzano Bridge on a sunny day, and you see the American flag flying like you should,” he said.
The school recently held a dedication ceremony for the new flagpole, with a reception hosted by Fontbonne’s Students for Soldiers Club. Its 80-plus members perform volunteer service projects for veterans.
Mike Connors and Vincent Laporta represented the Catholic War Veterans. Connors, a Brooklyn lawyer, said the decision to donate the money “wasn’t a long conversation.”
“We said, ‘Hey, that’s a great idea — let’s give them the money,’ ” Connors said. “And it was a great idea because the Catholic War Veterans were always for patriotism in schools; that’s part of their mission.”
Many of the Students for Soldiers Club members have parents or grandparents who are military veterans or current and former first responders, said history teacher Stephen Yozaites, who supervises the club.
Two members in the 11th grade expressed their pride in the flagpole project.
RELATED: Fontbonne Honors Alumnus Ita Ford With Multi-Panel Mural
“We are extremely grateful for the generous donation that made our recent flagpole raising ceremony possible,” Maryann Polanco said. “The new flag looks beautiful at Fontbonne Hall Academy and serves as a meaningful way for our school community to honor our country.”
Club President Caileigh Gratz said the flagpole is more than a place to raise the flag.
“It stands for unity, sacrifice, and the respect our school community has for the people who serve our country,” Caileigh said. “Every time the flag flies, it can remind us of the courage, freedom, and opportunities we have because of their service.”
