Gila River Indian Community awards $250,000 grant to Seton

By J.D. Long-García | Dec. 3, 2009 | The Catholic Sun

CHANDLER — Seton Catholic Preparatory High School hosted its annual auction Nov. 21 at the San Marcos Resort.

The dinner auction, dubbed “Starry, Starry Night,” raised money for student programs at the East Valley high school.

More than 450 guests competed for auction items throughout the night, raising more than $120,000 for Seton education enhancements. The Gila River Indian Community  kicked off the giving by presenting a grant for $250,000 to Seton.

“The community was very impressed with Seton’s numerous achievements,” said Greg Mendoza of the Gila River Indian Community. “This is an important gift in the community.”

The grant will help erect a new classroom building, which the school is ready to begin construction on in early 2010. The building would provide more classroom space, including room for fine arts education.

“I am pleased that Seton Catholic Preparatory has been recognized for its contribution to families in our East Valley community by offering a high quality Catholic education,” said Pat Collins, Seton’s principal, “which includes some very deserving Gila River Indian Community students.”

The new campus building will sit west of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Chapel. While Seton has raised the $2.3 million to construct the shell, it still needed to raise $3.2 million to complete the multi-purpose building.

The building will allow enrollment to increase to 700 students.