a benefit gala
The 2022 Gaudeamus gala chairs are Kyle and Nicole Hill and Jake and Ashley Rieke.
Jake Rieke and Nicole Davila Hill are grandchildren of Tom and Mickey Zarda, one of CEF's founding families.
Jake Rieke, COO of Ernie Rieke Equipment, is a graduate of Saint Thomas Aquinas High School and serves as the Grand Knight of St. Joseph’s Knights of Columbus council. Ashley, an event coordinator, is a graduate of Bishop Miege High School and has served as co-chair for the school auction at St. Joseph Catholic School in Shawnee, where their three children attend elementary school.
Kyle and Nicole Hill are both graduates of Saint Thomas Aquinas High School. They have two young sons and are accomplished entrepreneurs. Together, they run Hill Homes KC, a remodel and home design company, and Kyle is the founder and CEO of Tywoo Technologies.
Both couples are members of the St. Joseph parish in Shawnee and share a passion for Catholic education.
The 2022 Gaudeamus committee includes: Stephen and Joan Charbonneau, Andy and Stephanie Eilert, Brad and Katie Inman, Shannon Lillis, Darren and Janet Lovick, Mary Parrigon, Colin and Micala Quinn, Tom and Katy Rottinghaus, Chris and Megan Schumm, John and Rose Shaw, Jolynn Taratino, and Jeff and Amy Zeller
Together, they will help us recognize our founding leaders and celebrate 25 years of Catholic Education Foundation’s impact at this year’s Gaudeamus.
This year's Gaudeamus gala promises to be a “who’s who” of the Catholic community, as leaders in education, business, parishes and civic groups gather to celebrate our founders and 25 years of support for Catholic education. The evening will feature a cocktail hour, dinner, entertainment by two children's choirs, the Bishop Ward Legacy Ensemble and the Mater Dei Catholic School drum line, and an after-event featuring local Kansas City band, Wonderfuzz!
Overland Park Convention Center
6000 College Boulevard, Overland Park, KS 66211
Cocktail attire
Parking: The convention center is not offering valet parking at this time. Please park in the north parking lot off 110th Street at the convention center.
Note: Uber and Lyft drop off on 110th Street.
Registration: Registration will be on the lower level of the convention center - as you enter from the north parking lot.
New! The Overland Park Convention Center has gone cashless. This will only affect drink purchases at the bar in the room during the program. Drinks during the reception are complimentary.
CEF Lifetime Achievement Award
To celebrate our 25th anniversary, we are recognizing our founders - Blake Mulvany, Tom Zarda, Rich Henry, Archbishop James P. Keleher, Sr. Vickie Perkins, and Leonard & Ellen McKinzie.
Their lifelong passion for Catholic education and vision of changing the status quo has fueled CEF's mission and helped thousands of students and families in need.
2022 Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann CEF School of Excellence Award
This year's School of Excellence Award recipient is St. Gregory the Great Catholic School in Marysville, Kansas.
Serving families with students in preschool through sixth grade, St. Gregory has shown a strong increase in enrollment over the past two years and has a tremendous commitment to faith, community and academics.
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The Catholic Education Foundation provides scholarships for low-income students to attend K-12 Catholic schools. We’re working every day to make high-quality, faith-filled education possible for children in poverty.
Each summer, CEF-supported schools throughout Northeast Kansas apply for the award, submitting stories of faith, community, and academic growth. The comprehensive applications are evaluated by leadership from CEF and the Catholic Schools Office of the Archdiocese based on five main criteria: Joyfully Catholic, Diligently Achieving, Intentionally Self-Giving, Prudently Managed, and Forwardly Thinking.
We're thrilled to be recognizing the St. Patrick community during this year's gala on October 23rd.
Our Lady of Unity Catholic School in Kansas City, KS was selected as first finalist, followed closely by the second finalist, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Catholic School in Garnett, KS. Both schools have worked hard to support families and students this spring, and the recognition is a testament to their commitment to growth, innovation, and Catholicity throughout the 2019-20 school year.
