“If you build it, they will come.”

Though this phrase was made famous in the movie “Field of Dreams,” the St. Francis Prep, Fresh Meadows, community has adopted it as a slogan.

As part of its Capital Improvement and Modernization Project, the Prep hosted its inaugural walk-a-thon on Oct. 7.  The goal was to support the renovation of the school’s facilities and other special programming efforts.

Almost all 2,700 students participated, with parents, alumni, and other guests bringing the total number to over 3,000. Each student was required to raise at least $100 from local sponsors, and the student body as a whole did its part in raising the funds.

“They came in to raise money for their school,” said Brother Leonard Conway, O.S.F., principal.  “It doesn’t get better than that.”

The event was the brainchild of St. Francis Prep Alumni Director Brother Robert Kent, O.S.F.  Through the walk-a-thon, he sought to connect the past with the present and also the future.

“A walk is a healthy way to get the students involved,” Brother Robert said. “It lets the students realize that they have to give back. That’s the purpose of the walk-a-thon.”

Brother Robert also noted that in addition to the current students, the event was created for the alumni.

“They made it better for today’s students, and today’s students are making it better for the future Prep students,” he said.

The event raised over $250,000 toward the capital improvement program. The goal is to raise over $1 million in the next three-four years just from this annual event.

With the school band playing and cheerleaders cheering, the students processed from the school building through Cunningham and Peck Parks and then back to the school for an early dismissal.

The Prep recently opened the Coach Vince O’Connor Physical Education Center and a new art education wing as part of the modernization project.

“It’s great just to see how much effort the school has put into athletics and other programs,” said Matt Testani, senior varsity football captain. “It makes me feel good as an athlete to participate and get to use these brand new facilities.”

“It’s a good feeling that we’re helping the school, contributing and showing our spirit,” said senior varsity soccer player Cristian Molano.

Bob Angeletti, the school’s director of development, described the walk-a-thon as an event that will give the Prep momentum heading into its upcoming renovations. He hopes it will inspire parents and alumni to continue their generous giving.

“This is one major step in what is going to be a significant fundraising project,” said Angeletti.  “We’re hoping to raise $10 million over the next several years to help fund the next phases of construction.”

Next Phases of Construction

These next phases of the project will include a brand new music and science building as well as an updated front of the school, including a new entrance way, administrative offices, meeting rooms and chapel.

“The chapel will be the centerpiece and focal point of everything we do here at this school,” Angeletti said.

In addition to the administration and students, the alumni are excited about the new changes.

“It ensures that there will be generations of kids with a Franciscan education,” said John Pereira, member of the Alumni Board of Trustees and Class of 1962. “I couldn’t be prouder of the Prep.”

“It creates a lot of school spirit,” said Alumni Board Vice President Gerry Scales, Class of 1976.  “It helps raise funds for the future expansion of the school, and it helps to bind the community together among the students, faculty and alumni.”

St. Francis Prep, the largest private Catholic high school in the nation, expects to break ground on the next phase by summer 2012.

On Oct. 16, the school will continue its efforts of modernization by hosting a 5K walk to honor the 19 alumni athletes who lost their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

With the inaugural walk-a-thon a huge success, the school community hopes for similar results from the event in the coming years.

“It truly shows that we’re a family with the alumni coming back to St. Francis to support us,” said Testani. “Hopefully, kids will come back after they graduate to support this event in the future.”

St. Joseph’s Men Earn First Soccer Victory

St. Joseph’s College’s, Clinton Hill, men’s soccer team defeated Webb Institute, 10-2, Oct. 1, at Brooklyn Tech, Fort Greene, for the first win in program history.

The Bears were elevated to varsity status on Sept. 1, as St. Joseph’s athletic program received full membership to the NCAA’s Division III.

St. Joe’s led 7-0 at halftime, thanks in part to three goals by senior forward Raul Urshela. Urshela added a fourth goal in the second half.

Junior forward Gabriel Gonzalez knocked in two goals, while senior Nick Polo, junior Derrick Akwei and sophomore Omar Al-Dulimi all found the back of the net.

The Bears roster features six women, since the women’s team will not be formed until next fall. Sophomore forward Cynthia Gambino, a graduate of Bishop Kearney H.S., Bensonhurst, became the first female goal scorer in the school’s men’s soccer history with the team’s 10th goal of the game late in the second half.

Follow the Bears and Lady Bears all season at http://bear.sjcny.edu.