91�����

Beneath a warm sun and cool breeze, St. Sebastian School in Santa Paula, California, is brimming with life. Teachers and staff buzz with excitement. They crowd near a small stage, which sports a ceremonial ribbon. Nearby, parents chuckle with each other as they arrive on the campus. Children sprint in games of tag and make full use of the playground. The day�s planned event promises not only to celebrate hard work and achievement, but opportunity and the vibrant community of St. Sebastian�s as well.

It�s a Saturday in September, and Grace (Kelly �12) Michael  � principal of St. Sebastian�s � is hosting a ribbon-cutting and blessing ceremony to mark the completion of major renovations at her once-crumbling school, thanks to a grant she secured through a philanthropic foundation.  Students, teachers, staff, and parents have come for the festivities.

�Eight years ago, when I was hired as principal of this school, I was surprised to see how broken down our campus appeared, yet how full of life it truly was,� Mrs. Michael remarks from the stage. Before the renovations, St. Sebastian�s campus consisted of �disarrayed trailers, a broken-down classroom building,� and a field nicknamed �the warzone.� Teachers often had to teach combination classes due to insufficient classroom space. �But I looked and saw treasure beneath the rubble,�  the principal recalls.

�Three years ago I met with a representative from the Shea Family Foundation to discuss what they could do,� Mrs. Michael says. After securing a generous grant, she oversaw the renovations and upgrades: a new fence, blacktop, and shade structures. Teachers received new projectors and laptops for classroom use. �Already, we were taken aback by their generosity,� Mrs. Michael grins. �But then they came back and, boy, did they bring a lot with them.�

Thanks to the foundation�s generosity, St. Sebastian�s was able erect a new classroom building and overhaul its existing classrooms. An AstroTurf  soccer field replaced �the warzone,� and below it workers installed a new plumbing infrastructure. �It was an essential addition and incredibly generous,� says Mrs. Michael to the assembled parents and teachers.

�We now have a new office, more classrooms, a science lab furnished with equipment, and a teacher�s lounge,� she continues. �But for my favorite gift of all: We received a communal prayer garden around back. The SFF went far and beyond to not only give us what we needed, but they made our campus beautiful, too.�

Among those in attendance is Dr. Drew Rosato, a 91����� Aquinas College tutor and the parent of three children at St. Sebastian�s. �One of the Church�s contributions to America has been a great system of schools to enrich people everywhere,� Dr. Rosato observes. �Grace has taken some wonderful initiative to make all of this happen and build up her community at this school. Thanks to that, I think she�s really participating in the furtherance of Catholic Education. This will be a great thing for our kids and the community at large.�

Stepping up to the stage to offer his observations is Rev. Pasquale Vuoso, pastor of St. Sebastian Church. �When I hired Grace, she was only 26. I thought to myself, �I can�t hire someone so young!�� he laughs. �Well, I�d say it�s worked out pretty well.�