CAB will hold its 12th Annual Golf Classic at the Country Club of Fairfield on May 20. This event is the second and final major fundraiser of this academic year, with proceeds going toward the $3 million in need-based scholarships raised annually before June 30.
“As 85% of CAB families live at or below the poverty level and 96% qualify for need-based assistance, the success of the Golf Classic is critical to our continuing to provide “something more” in the city of Bridgeport,” said Susan Cecere, CAB’s Director of Development.
The fun day includes fantastic door prizes, a delicious barbeque lunch, a full day of golf on the beautiful links-style course, and playful contests including “Beat the Nun,” where golfers can compete against CAB St. Raphael campus principal, and golfer in her own right, Sr. Elizabeth Doyle, ASCJ. Foursomes usually sell out within weeks of registration opening. Following golf, there will be a cocktail reception and auction and the Academy will celebrate John Kennedy, Tony Fox and Pat Griffin, three beloved individuals who have made lasting impacts on thousands of CAB PreK-8th graders over the years (see bios below).
“We are so grateful to John, Tony, and Pat for allowing us to honor them. They each have worked tirelessly on behalf of our students and helped nurture countless alumni success stories,” said Angela Pohlen, CAB Executive Director. Pohlen and her team often refer to CAB as “the great equalizer” in a city that struggles with providing the same opportunities to its students as those living in other Fairfield zip codes. “Despite CAB receiving $0 per-pupil funding from the State, we do more with less and have superior results,” she says. “We’re not just a great school for Bridgeport – we’re a great school full stop.” CAB Board Chair John Kreitler concurs. “We are able to educate each of our girls and boys for less than half of what public and charter schools spend, and raise all of our needed funding privately. We are ‘The Little Engine that Could,’ ensuring that our students achieve their immense potential and create a strong foundation to live faith-filled and fruitful lives,” said Kreitler, a resident of Fairfield. 100% of CAB alumni graduate from high school and 99% go on to college or post-secondary school.
To register for golf or purchase tickets to just the cocktail reception, please go to https://cabgolf24.givesmart.com, email scecere@diobpt.org or call (203) 362-2990.
Our honorees are:
JOHN J. KENNEDY
Distinguished Board Member Award
A devoted Board member since 2004 and Chair of CAB’s Marketing and Enrollment Committee, John utilizes his strong skill set gleaned during a career in marketing services – including working as Sr. Vice President of Wirthlin Worldwide and Partner at Lippincott. John has been instrumental in helping grow CAB’s enrollment by 14% in the last three years. He is a graduate of Union College and lives with his wife, Carol, in Stamford, where they are active at their parish of St. Leo and proud parents of three young adult sons.
TONY FOX
Alumni Service Award
A 2010 alumnus of CAB‘s St. Augustine campus, Tony has been a CAB Board member since 2018 and leads the school’s Alumni Network. He has deep roots in the community and a profound desire to give back – whether mentoring students in need or volunteering on the Boards of the Greater Bridgeport Symphony and his alma mater, Fairfield Prep. Tony is a Project Manager at CBRE and has a B.S. in Engineering from Fordham University. Familial bonds mean the world to him and he cherishes times he gets to watch his younger brothers play football.
PAT GRIFFIN
Lifetime Achievement Award
Pat has a long and successful career in education that spans 40 years. She has been an amazing principal at CAB’s St Ann campus since 2012. She was also Principal at St. Jude’s in Monroe, and a classroom teacher for over 20 years in the Dioceses of Bridgeport and Boston. Pat holds degrees in education and counseling from Salem State, Fitchburg State and Sacred Heart universities. She lives in Shelton with her husband, Gerry, and has four grown children. She is beloved by her community, and will be sorely missed when she retires in June.
