St. Monica Catholic High School Gets $20,000 Grant

has received a $20,000 grant from the William H. Hannon Foundation, the school announced Friday morning. The grant will be used to help provide financial aid for students attending the private school.

The foundation will now have provided the school with $70,000 in scholarships since 2007. Additionally, on an annual basis, the foundation has contributed an annual trip to Hawaii that facilitates raising money for the school.

“These difficult economic times continue to impact many people’s financial circumstances, and affording a Catholic education has become an even tougher challenge for many of our families,” St. Monica Catholic Schools President Thom Gasper said. “The scholarship assistance provided by the William H. Hannon Foundation’s significant contributions in the past has been an immense blessing to our students.”

Late last year, Gasper that, like public schools, St. Monica's high school is facing financial challenges. He said there has been a roughly 10 percent increase in families showing need, and that the endowment for the high school and elementary school have been suffering.

"We have less funding and more need," he said. "Unfortunately, that's resulted in some of our families having to leave [the schools]."

Kathleen Hannon Aikenhead, the president of the William H. Hannon Foundation, commented on the grant. "St. Monica’s is our neighbor, and we are pleased to continue to support their educational efforts through student scholarships."

The William H. Hannon Foundation supports hospitals and social-service organizations, as well as Catholic churches and schools. It was founded in 1983 by Catholic philanthropist and real estate developer William H. Hannon. The organization's headquarters are located at 729 Montana Ave., about two blocks north of St. Monica's.

Editor's note: Kurt Orzeck is a parishioner at St. Monica's and previously served as a member of the church's Communications Committee.