A CAMPAIGN FOR

SERRA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

P H A S E I

Building for the Future

Always Forward

“ Serra is a welcoming community dedicated to fostering the educational, emotional, ethical, and spiritual growth of our students to prepare them to be tomorrow’s leaders. They will follow in the footsteps of our dedicated alumni—men and women who have made tremendous contributions to our society. By creating an endowment for scholarships and improving our facilities we will continue our mission for our students, our families, and our communities.”

— Diane DiNardi, President

Friends,

In 2011, Serra marked its 50th anniversary at our Grand Reunion. I was thrilled to meet many alumni and impressed with the success and character of our graduates, many of whom traced their achievements to their formative years at Serra. Thanks to their interest and encouragement, I came away with the sense that Serra was on the threshold of a new era.

That is quite a prediction, given uncertain economic times. But in the life of every institution, there are moments of opportunity that must be captured, lest they be lost.

This is just such a moment for Serra Catholic.

From 2003 through 2008, enrollment grew 22% and has remained strong at approximately 350 students ever since. To sustain our momentum, Serra must upgrade its facilities and increase support for tuition assistance and scholarships.

The following pages outline an ambitious proposal that will shape our future. With your generous involvement, I believe we will set the stage for a new era at Serra Catholic. May God bless you.

Diane DiNardi, PresidentSerra Catholic High School

Jeffrey Kelly CLASS OF ‘65

CEO

HAMILL MANUFACTURING

Michael Linn CLASS OF ‘70

FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR

LINN ENERGY

Bernard Picchi CLASS OF ‘67

PORTFOLIO MANAGER

PALISADE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

Capital Campaign Tri-Chairs

“ Serra remains a beacon of hope in the Mon Valley as it has for 50 years. It provides a quality, Catholic education that has served its graduates and current students extremely well. It is our duty to provide that same opportunity for future generations.”

— Jeffrey Kelly

“ With the perspective of 45 years, I cherish my Serra education. What I learned at Serra— math, sciences, Latin, German, theology, literature, history, and more— has served me well over the years. And I use ALL of those disciplines (including a bit of German!) in my adult life. More important, Serra’s instructors taught me the values of honesty, fairness, compassion, and charity. It is no exaggeration to say that, after what I learned at my parents’ feet, my Serra education has been the most important foundation of my university and professional careers. As graduates and friends of Serra, we owe future generations those same bases of success that we acquired so many years ago. That means, of course, that Serra must be able to stay afl oat fi nancially and that its tuition must be affordable for the families of the worthy young men and women who will enter the school’s portals for generations to come.”

— Bernard Picchi

“ Serra provides an opportunity for students to receive an exceptional, affordable education with Catholic values in a safe and challenging environment. It is our responsibility to make sure it continues, and to that end, is fi nancially sound.”

— Michael Linn

OUR HISTORY

Serra Catholic High School was founded in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, on September 5th, 1961, within the Diocese of Pittsburgh, with an initial enrollment of 89 young men. Serra was named after Father Junipero Serra, O.F.M., Franciscan founder of 21 mission churches in California. The Franciscan Order of Friars Minor of the Province of the Immaculate Conception administered the school from 1961 through 1995, and the Franciscans Third Order Regular assumed leadership from 1995 through 2004. Serra served only young men until 1972, when the decision was made to merge Mon Yough Catholic High School with Serra to create a coeducational institution. In 2007, Serra became a Pennsylvania non-profi t corporation under the direction of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. At that time, we gained a dedicated Board of Directors whose wisdom and guidance will help ensure Serra’s future for the next half century. In 2012, Serra continues to thrive with an enrollment of 353 students who represent virtually every socioeconomic level. Our excellent college preparatory education offers scholastic opportunity and a beacon of hope to students and families residing in a region that has struggled in its economic recovery.

OUR PLAN FOR CONTINUED EXCELLENCE

For over 50 years, Serra has been known for its high academic standards and its commitment to the moral development of its students. We have graduated more than 4,800 men and women who have gone forth to become successful and productive members of society, including physicians, lawyers, educators, and business and community leaders.

The leadership of Serra Catholic has made a commitment to meet the challenges and opportunities of the next half-century by maintaining academic excellence, addressing the changing needs of our students and faculty, and ensuring that our future graduates continue to attend and succeed at the colleges and universities of their choice.

IMPORTANT FACTS

1. Serra welcomes students from 22 public school districts.

2. Serra is fully accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges, and the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

3. Our Teacher/Student ratio is 1:14, and the Average Class Size is 20.

4. We offer 42 college credits through our College in High School program.

5. We provide a wireless campus, mobile laptop carts, computer labs, and interactive presentation classrooms to enhance our curriculum.

6. Serra boasts a 100% Graduation Rate with 98% attending institutions of higher learning.

7. Our 82 graduates garnered over $2.1M in scholarship offers in 2011.

8. An outstanding Athletic Program and Exceptional Academic Extra-curricular programs, such as Future Business Leaders of America, Junior Achievement, BotsIQ, Science Fairs, Marching & Jazz Bands, and Numerous Honor Societies enhance our curriculum.

9. Capital improvements including new Biology and Physics Laboratories, a Fitness Center, and an Outdoor Fitness Trail have already been completed.

10. A Greenhouse, to be erected in 2012, will empower students to make healthy choices and changes in their lives. Students will plan, plant, harvest, and cook healthy foods.

Freshman Class, 1961/1962

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Serra Catholic High School

STUDENTS WANT TO BE HERE…

In spite of the challenging economic conditions, Serra’s enrollment has held steady. In fact, the 2011 freshmen class was the largest in four years. This single statistic, more than anything, says something about the quality of a Serra education. But while more families want to be here, the tuition presents a daunting challenge. You can help students realize a Serra education in one of two ways, through tuition assistance and immediate scholarships or gifts to our scholarship endowment.

…BUT THEY NEED FINANCIAL AID

Tuition Assistance/Immediate Scholarships. Gifts earmarked as Tuition Assistance or immediate scholarships are used in the short term, allowing students to attend who could not otherwise do so. The need has grown dramatically in recent years. In 1996, 31% of students were awarded a collective $50,000. In 2011, 56% of students required support totaling $443,000.

A struggling local and national economy has caused us to think about Tuition Assistance in novel ways, with structured gifts, multiple year pledges, and donor recognition opportunities. In short, Tuition assistance gifts allow for creativity and recognition.

Where the Need is Greatest. The simplest way to give is through a ‘generic’ gift for tuition assistance. This gives Administration the greatest fl exibility in awarding dollars to deserving students.

Donor Recognition Opportunities. Perhaps you would like to recognize someone with your gift. For example, imagine making a fi ve-year commitment of $5,000 per year for tuition assistance, in honor of your family or a loved one. Through its publications and other means, Serra recognizes and honors donors for each of those years. These types of commitments are especially helpful, in that

they allow Administration to plan enrollment acceptance for several years into the future, knowing assistance dollars will be there for students with need.

Recipient Stipulations. Occasionally, donors provide tuition assistance/scholarships with recipient stipulations. For example, they may want to make a fi ve-year commitment to support promising students specifi cally from their local parish or hometown. We welcome your ideas.

To meet anticipated demand, we estimate a need for an incremental $200,000 per year for the next fi ve years.

Scholarship Endowment. Gifts earmarked for endowment also help cover the cost of a Serra education, but with broader goals. Unlike tuition assistance and immediate scholarships, which are used to fund immediate needs, ‘endowment’ means that the initial gift is not spent but invested. Only the earnings on the initial gift are spent. Therefore, a signifi cant sum is needed to produce meaningful earnings. Gifts designated for endowment tend to be much larger, but have the benefi t of creating a fund that pays dividends in perpetuity. Like tuition assistance gifts, scholarship endowments may be used to honor a loved one or established with recipient stipulations. For example, Jane Doe wants to recognize her parents with a gift of $250,000 to establish, in perpetuity, the “John and Mary Doe Scholarship Fund.” Every year, earnings from the fund would go to supplement the tuition of one or more students.

Endowed funds allow a high degree of creativity. As in the example above, a donor may wish to honor his or her family, thus there are ‘named scholarships.’ To create an endowed fund, many donors rely on a ‘planned gift,’ which takes advantage of tax laws that encourage such gifts. We would be happy to work with you to create a plan that is right for your circumstances.

TUITION ASSISTANCE /IMMEDIATE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE

USED IN THE SHORT TERM. THEY HAVE AN

IMMEDIATE IMPACT.

SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENTS ARE PERMANENT FUNDS,

WITH ONLY THE EARNINGS USED TO AID STUDENTS.

EXTENSION OF NORTH WING: A NEW LOOK FOR THE SCHOOL

With solid enrollment comes challenges. The rooms in the North wing — library, computer lab, math lab and classroom — are overcrowded. In fact, with the addition of many new College in High School courses, our new Chinese language studies, and several additional science electives, we are faced with a need for additional classroom space..

We have an architect’s ‘sketchbook,’ along with computer animation of the proposed extension, and would be happy to share it with you. These materials offer initial concepts regarding the new look of the main entrance to the school and various rooms upstairs. We envision a library with a large presentation area, small group work areas with ample access to electrical outlets for laptops, and overall, a pleasant place to study fi lled with natural sunlight. Below, on the ground fl oor, the main entrance would be relocated closer to the front offi ce. In that same area, an elevator and ADA approved restrooms would make Serra handicap accessible.

When choosing a school, parents and students base their decision upon impressions, and we want our fi rst impression to properly refl ect the quality that is a Serra education. With good design, lighting and decorating, it is our hope that prospective families immediately sense our Franciscan roots, academic rigor, and athletic tradition.

MORE THAN A BUILDING; A STRATEGIC INVESTMENT

In the midst of this economic downturn, why not focus exclusively on tuition assistance? Why press forward with capital projects? The answer, in a nutshell: quality. We’ve been able to attract full classes because we’ve refurbished classrooms and labs over the last few years — an endeavor made possible by a few generous benefactors. Parents have seen progress, year after year, and judged us worthy of a signifi cant investment in tuition.

But there is a more nuanced driver to the decision to press forward with facility improvements. In order to accept families who can’t afford to pay full tuition, we must be able to attract a signifi cant number who can. This is the fi nancial reality of Catholic education today, and the strategic key to Serra’s long term viability. We must present ourselves in such a way that those who can afford to send their children anywhere, choose to send them to Serra. And for them to make the choice for Serra, our facilities — the one thing parents can see — must match the quality of our faculty and programs.

For this reason, the wing extension is the capstone of a series of projects that must get done. The project is estimated at $2.2 million.

This North Wing Expansion can only be completed with your thoughtful investment.

RICHARD BAMBURAK

ROTHSCHILD DOYNO COLLABORATIVE

NORTH WING EXPANSION DETAILS

Exterior• Junipero Serra Pavilion

1st Floor• Franciscan Foyer• Visitor Lounge• Additional Administrative Offi ces

• New Large Vestibule• Elevators• Handicapped Accessible Restrooms

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2nd Floor• State of the Art Library and

Digital Education Center• Multi-media Group Instruction Areas• Individual Workstations

Not Shown:• New Student Services and Guidance Support Offi ces• Designated areas for Small Group Collaboration• 2 Multi-function Computer Labs/Classrooms• 1 Multi-function Classroom with moveable

walls to allow for 2 classrooms when necessary

It is with your support that we can continue to move always forward for theSerra Catholic High School community and provide the best possible educational

environment to prepare young people in mind, heart and spirit.

Renderings created by Richard Bamburak, Serra class of 1972, based on architectural design by Rothschild Doyno Collaborative.

SIEMPRE ADELANTE LIBRARY – DIGITAL EDUCATION CENTER

RICHARD BAMBURAK

ROTHSCHILD DOYNO COLLABORATIVE

Cash/Check

The most common method of making a gift is to contribute cash.

Checks should be made out to: Serra Catholic Capital Campaign.

Give Online

Visit Serra’s website at www.serrahs.org for easy, secure giving and automated payments through PayPal.

Stocks or Mutual Funds

Donating stocks, bonds or mutual fund shares may provide attractive tax incentives.

Planned Gifts

Planned giving is the process of carefully selecting the best method and asset for making a charitable gift.

Such a gift can enable you to take full advantage of the tax laws to accomplish your fi nancial and charitable goals. Planned gifts can be made through such vehicles such as:

• Bequests by Will or Living Trust

• Charitable Gift Annuities

• Charitable Lead or Remainder Trust

• Benefi ciary benefi ts from IRA’s, pensions or fi nancial accounts

Please contact your tax advisor for more information about these options.

Scholarship Opportunities

All gifts and pledges are deeply appreciated and will be acknowledged. Scholarship opportunities will allow donors to leave a lasting legacy at Serra Catholic High School.

Naming Opportunities

Major donors may choose a naming opportunity. Campaign leaders will be happy to discuss these opportunities in more detail.

Gift and Pledge Options

A Campaign for Serra Catholic High School200 Hershey Drive

McKeesport, PA 15132412-751-2020

www.serrahs.org

God our Father, the Serra Catholic Community comes to you

for guidance and help. Many years ago, your Son spoke to

St. Francis saying, “go, rebuild my Church.” In the footsteps

of that saint, we wish to rebuild our school anew for coming

generations. We ask you to send your Holy Spirit to awaken

generosity in the hearts of those who can give, creativity in the

minds of those who plan, competence in the hands of those who

build, and gratitude in the spirits of those who will teach, study

and work here in the years to come. Keep us mindful Lord,

that – unless you build – our work is in vain. (Ps.127:1)

Grant that Serra Catholic may continue to form young men and

women in spirit, mind and body to bring the light of your gospel

to this valley and the world for many years to come.

Amen.

Campaign Prayer