St. Hubert High School last week held a groundbreaking for a new courtyard.
State Sen. John Sabatina Jr. secured a $75,000 grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development. The grant proposal was written by Trish Decker, director of institutional advancement at the school.
The project cost is $150,000, with St. Hubert required to raise $75,000 to match the grant.
Lizanne Pando, president of the school, said the courtyard will be part of St. Hubert’s motto of “Creating Tomorrow, Today.”
Sabatina, whose wife Eileen is a St. Hubert graduate, was happy to deliver the grant.
“The smartest thing I ever did was marry a Bambi,” he said.
The courtyard will be created in previously unoccupied space inside the gate just north of the school’s main entrance.
The space will feature an amphitheater, garden, lighted trees, benches, a sponsored brick pathway, a boardwalk and fencing. There will be space for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) classes and other activities.
The groundbreaking featured a prayer from Sister Meg Fleming, IHM and remarks from Pando; Sabatina; principal Gerry Laskowski; Pat Gallagher, an aide to state Rep. Mike Driscoll; and seniors Tori Wolstenholme and Sarah Leszczewski. The shovels were the same ones used in a 1955 groundbreaking for a school addition.
A cocktail reception followed.
Pando said the courtyard groundbreaking continues a strong start to the school year for St. Hubert. The chamber orchestra recently performed at the Union League. The school is planning an art and design academy in the library. And Russo Park will be home to new athletic fields.
“We have a lot going on,” Pando said. ••
