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Spirit

of
Cassata

Fall 2013

A publication for friends and supporters of

Cassata High School in memory of Sister Bonaventure

his fall, Cassata launched a Corporate

Work-Study Internship program to
introduce students to the corporate world
through internships and inspire them to
continue their education beyond high
school.
Students participating in this program had
to complete internship training, submit
resumes, and interview with multiple
businesses to earn an internship. The
training kicked off with a program led by
Goldman Sachs TeamWorks. Goldman
Sachs employees visited Cassata in
August and met with nearly 50 students.
The employees discussed career options
and the education needed for success in
various fields of work. They also spoke
with the students about scholarships,
proper etiquette, and business dress.

Donate Online
www.cassatahs.org

Share Our Cause

Cassatas mission has been the same since its

inception in 1975: To provide an effective, quality

education that enables students of all backgrounds

to raise their educational level and complete their
secondary education.
Please direct questions and comments to Annie Chavez at
817.926.1745 or achavez@cassatahs.org. If you prefer to
receive an electronic version of this publication or you no
longer wish to receive this newsletter, please email your
request to achavez@cassatahs.org.

2013-14 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jeff Hedglen, Chair
Ann Morris, Chair Elect
Don Cram,Treasurer
Mark Presswood, Past Chair
Shelia Birdow
Diane Donahue
Steve Hanthorn
Paul Jones
Janelle Kavanaugh
Patty Kulpa
Julie Ladner
Pat Lewis
Jack Raskopf
Dan Villegas
Melinda Watts Smith
Debra Wysoski
EX-OFFICIO
Msgr. Stephen J. Berg, Diocesan Administrator
Donald P. Miller, Superintendent
Susan Flood, President
Nancy F. Martin, Principal
Sister M. Bonaventure
Co-Founder/ 1914-2007
Sister M. Fulbright, Co-Founder

Next, students prepared their resumes. For

many of them, it was the first resume they
had written. In September, Cassata held
a job fair for the students and businesses
participating in the program. The students
dressed up in their best business attire
and interviewed with the companies that
interested them most. At the end of the
job fair, 12 students were matched with
internships which will continue through
the fall semester.
Mariah Guerrero, a junior at Cassata, was
one of the students selected. Guerrero is
currently interning at Fort Worth South,
a non-profit organization committed to
revitalizing the Near Southside. She said
her favorite thing about the internship is
communicating with people and learning
about local businesses. I am learning
about what this part of town is really about
and how businesses work, said Guerrero.
Myles Hopewell, a junior, is interning
at Blaylock Industries, a company that
manufactures high quality aluminum
castings. Hopewell said he is getting to
learn all aspects of the business and hopes
to work for a company like Blaylock after
he graduates. We are constantly busy.

Students interviewed at Cassatas job fair for an internship with one of nine local businesses
partners.

There is no sitting around, and the time goes

by really fast. I also really like the people,
Hopewell said about his internship.
Vicki Cisneros at Los Vaqueros Restaurant
is generously hosting two Cassata students
at different restaurant locations. We are
appreciative to be a part of the internship
program at Cassata this year. Both of the
interns that have been provided to Los
Vaqueros are extremely capable in their
internship roles. They are quick learners
and an asset to our company. They have
provided much needed assistance for our
corporate office, said Cisneros.
Julie Donovan is supervising Cassata
senior Robert Zamora at BRIT (Botanical
Research Institute of Texas). BRIT has
a long standing relationship with Cassata
and participating in the internship program

is strengthening our bond. Our intern

brings a good attitude and a willingness
to learn which generates a positive
atmosphere with our staff. He is eager
to learn all aspects of the nonprofit work
place and that makes it a great experience.
We look forward to participating in this
program during future semesters.
Other participating businesses include
Texland Petroleum, The Cowtown
Marathon, Catholic Charities of Fort
Worth, Star Sponsorship Foundation,
and Meals on Wheels. The program will
take place again in the spring to provide
different students with this rewarding
experience. Cassata is extremely grateful
to the businesses that are providing our
students with this invaluable experience.

Special Thanks
* The Sid W. Richardson Foundation has generously supported Cassata High School
for many years. We extend a warm thank you to them for a $50,000 grant awarded in
July. The support of the Sid Richardson Foundation was vital toward improving our
educational outcomes during this past school year, said President Susan Flood.
* The Crystelle Waggoner Charitable Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee kindly
granted Cassata $25,000 in June. We are grateful to them for their belief in the mission
of Cassata!
* Cassata is thankful for the Frances C. and William P. Smallwood Foundation for a
$10,000 grant received in May. Cassata is honored to have your kind support!
* A very big thank you to the parishioners of Good Shepherd Catholic Community
for donating heaps of gift cards to support our school. The gift cards are a great
help to our staff and students!

Scholarship Established for Cassata

Students Attending TCC
Beginning in the spring of 2013, a wonderful new program
was implemented at Cassata to encourage students to continue
on to higher education. The Morris Foundation graciously
established a scholarship program that allows qualifying
Cassata graduates to enroll at Tarrant County College with a
full-tuition scholarship. The Morris Scholarship also pays for
dual enrollment classes for current Cassata students.
There are 8 Cassata graduates and 4 Cassata dual enrollment
students attending TCC on the scholarship this semester. Staff
and administrators at TCC have gone above and beyond in their
effort to provide assistance and tutors. They have made every

* Special thanks to the volunteer team from Goldman Sachs who visited Cassata
on August 28th to talk to students about applying to college, professional dress,
resumes, interviewing, networking, and much more. Our students learned so much!
The training was very helpful. I am already looking for college scholarships!
said sophomore Kaitlynn.

Cassata Young Professionals

Cassata Young Professionals (CYP) is a group created for
young professionals and Cassata alumni between the ages of 21
and 35. Their mission is to understand the education challenges
in our community and seek opportunities to make a difference.
The group also provides young professionals with networking
opportunities and experience working with a nonprofit.

Students awarded The Morris Scholarship enjoyed

a luncheon at TCC with campus administrators on
October 14th.

Although the group was only created in February, members

have already made a great impact. Several have become
mentors and volunteers in the Cassata Connections program,
and many members gave on North Texas Giving Day. The
Cassata Young Professionals have been great advocates for
Cassatas program out in the community.
Cassata President Susan Flood sees great potential in the
program. I think it is an excellent way for us to reach a

Attending TCC on scholarship is a life changing reality for

many of our students who are the first in their family to go
to college. One of these students is Javier Rodriguez. Javier,
a former dropout, was 22 when he graduated from Cassata
in 2012. He wants to be a mechanical engineer, and TCC can
help him get there. Javier is
making excellent grades
at TCC and is currently an
intern at a law firm.
The main reason I want to
receive my degree is for my
family. It would be a great
accomplishment for not only
myself but for all of us. In
a sense, it would break the
cycle of being content to just
finish high school and stop
there. My father died 3 years
ago, but he did not leave
without impacting me. He
was a hardworking man who
never quit, did not get to see
me even finish high school, but always wanted us to strive for
greater things. I would like for one day to do exactly what he
asked and become successful, says Javier.

Community Rewards
Programs

Becca Smith, a member of CYP, has enjoyed networking with

other people her age. Being new to Fort Worth, she has found
this group to be an opportunity to meet new people and learn
about available opportunities.
I hope to meet more young professionals and to get to
contribute to the Cassata community as much as possible. I
would like to see the group grow to be a big part of the support
team that the students have at Cassata, said Smith.

effort to ensure that Cassata students do not fall through the

cracks during their first year at college.

CYP member Tiffany Harris and her mentee Krystal at

the Cassata Connections Meet and Greet.

completely different audience. A lot of young people want to

get involved and give back, but they dont know how. They can
relate to the students well, and they are not that much older,
Flood shared. She believes it will keep growing and have
terrific success in the future.
Mark your calendars to join the Cassata Young Professionals at
Rahr Brewery on Saturday, February 1 at 1:00 pm when Cassata
will be the featured nonprofit. If you would like to get involved
with CYP, email Annie Chavez at achavez@cassatahs.org.

Cassata can benefit from your regular grocery shopping at no

cost to you!
TARGET

With Targets Take Charge of Education program,

anytime you make a purchase with your Target REDcard or
Target Visa Credit Card, Cassata will receive a percentage
of your total purchase. For Cassata to receive the benefits,
you must register your card in the program by calling
1-800-316-6142, going online to target.com/TCOE, or
visiting a Target in-store kiosk. Every time you use your
REDcard at Target or Target.com, Target will donate 1%
of your purchases to Cassata!

KROGER
Once you have a Kroger Plus card, go to the customer
service kiosk to add Cassata High School to your community
rewards, or add it online at https://customer.kroger.com/
communityrewards.aspx. Every time you swipe your Kroger
Plus card, Cassata will receive a percentage of your total
purchase.
ALBERTSONS
Pick up a Community Partners key tag from the front desk at
Cassata. When you make a purchase, swipe the key tag, and
Cassata High School will receive a percentage of your total
purchase.

Cassata Board of Directors

Cassata proudly announces that Jeff Hedglen was appointed

board chair during the June 2013 board meeting. Jeff is the
Associate Director of Young Adult Ministry and Campus
Minister at UTA.
Hedglen shares his goals for the future, In my new role as
Board Chair for Cassata I will continue to call forth the gifts
of the board members to put their talents to work for the
benefit of the students, faculty and staff. My hope for the future is that we be a standard setter for second chance schools
through college preparation in the classroom and numerous
community partnerships that together orient the students on
a trajectory for success.

Ann Morris has graciously accepted the position of chair

elect. Ann is a Vice President at Wells Fargo Business Banking. She is a valuable member of the board committee that
plans Cassatas annual fundraiser Noche de Gracias and served as event chair for several years.
Cassatas newest board member is Dan Villegas. Dan is a loan officer with the Texas Mezzanine Fund. He is actively
involved with many community groups including the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Notre Dame
Club of Fort Worth. Dan will be a great addition to Cassatas already wonderful board.
Cassatas active board members bring guests to Learn About Cassata lunches, are instrumental in soliciting new funders
and sponsorships, represent Cassata at community events, and assist with strategic planning and marketing.

OCH

o G

de

S o

Save the Date

RA IA
C

Honoring Mark Presswood

Where: Joe T. Garcias Restaurant

2201 N Commerce Street, Fort Worth

Update: Back to Cassata Annual Fund

Cassata has launched its first ever annual fund the Back to Cassata Annual Fund! Only 20% of the resources needed
to support our program are collected through tuition and fees, so gifts to the Annual Fund will ensure that generations of
future students have access to Cassatas unique learning environment. Funds raised will support the general operations
of Cassata High School.
The Back to Cassata Annual Fund kicked off with North Texas Giving Day, a day of philanthropy during which
donations of $25 or more are multiplied by a pool of $1.7 million in bonus funds and prizes. On North Texas Giving
Day, Cassata donors generously gave $11,335 to support our programs.
The grand total raised for the Back to Cassata Annual Fund currently stands at $40,665. We are pleased to report that
we have had 100% participation from board members and staff in this campaign. We invite you to consider making
a donation to give all Cassata students the opportunity to succeed. Your gift to the Annual Fund will impact every
student, every program, every day. To make a donation, go to www.cassatahs.org/annualfund or please mail a check to:

her home. With no way to pay her tuition, Cassata worked with
her to make finishing high school a reality and helped with the
supplies she would need as a new mom. Loreida suffered the
loss of her father just before graduation, but the support of the
Cassata family helped her persevere. Despite these challenges,
she graduated from Cassata with honors in 2010.

Time: 6:00 pm
Noche de Gracias is the largest fundraising event of the
year for Cassata. Thanks to the generosity of the Lancarte
family at Joe T. Garcias, all proceeds from the event
directly benefit the students of Cassata by providing funds
for tuition assistance, technology,
classroom updates and academic
program improvements.

Mark your calendar to join us for

a live auction, raffle, and lots of fun!
For more information or to become a sponsor, please
contact Annie Chavez at 817.926.1745 or achavez@
cassatahs.org.

sa
ta

Alumni Update: Loreida

When: May 6, 2014

This year, the Spirit of Cassata

Award will be presented to board
member Mark Presswood for his
immense impact on Cassata and
his tireless effort in transforming
Cassatas campus to benefit years
of future students.

Back to Cas

Cassata High School

Attn: Back to Cassata Annual Fund
1400 Hemphill Street
Fort Worth, TX 76104

After graduation, Loreida felt a little lost. Then one day she
got a call from Principal Nancy Martin with an opportunity
to continue her education. Loreida was awarded The Morris
Foundation Scholarship to attend TCC as a full-time student.
I am looking forward to being a behavioral psychologist. This
scholarship has changed my life so much, says Loreida. She
began attending TCC in the summer of 2013 and has been
making excellent grades in her courses.
Loreida (left) and her sister Juana at the Cassata Young
Professionals meeting in September.

Loreida was out of school for two years after being diagnosed
with tuberculosis. She was older than her peers when she
returned to high school and acted out because she didnt feel
that she fit in. When her older sister Juana decided to return
to high school at age 19, she found Cassata. After seeing her
sisters success, Loreida decided to give Cassata a try too. She
says that everything about her life changed when she walked
through the doors at Cassata.
Unfortunately, there were more challenges ahead. Loreida
became pregnant while in 11th grade and was kicked out of

Planned Giving

Planned or deferred gifts help deserving students like Loreida

and provide a great measure of satisfaction in knowing that
you are creating a legacy that will live on for generations at
Cassata.
Planned giving options include bequests, gifts of stocks,
retirement assets, and charitable trusts. Contact your financial
advisor or our Development Department (achavez@
cassatahs.org) for more information.

MINI-LABS

EXPANDING STUDENT LEARNING

Mini-labs are weeklong learning experiences that help

students improve their understanding of a challenging
subject, the latest technology, or a new skill. Offered once
a month, mini-labs provide students with the opportunity
to master specific subject matter. Principal Nancy Martin
instituted mini-labs at Cassata because she wanted to offer
a variety of teaching styles to help students learn. The
mini-labs have been very beneficial for our students and
have been a great addition to our curriculum, said Martin.

VOLUNTEERS
My favorite mini-lab so far has been
World Religions because Ms. Yardy
brought in guest speakers of different
religions to talk with us. Chess was
great too because it is very calming. We
learned how to play and strategies for
success. In the future I would like to take
newspaper/yearbook. Julia, Senior

Mini-labs have offered an excellent avenue for working

with community partners to teach students new skills. A
mini-lab taught by The Parenting Center gave students
information about differences in family structure, child
development, and good parenting. A mini-lab on prevention
of human trafficking is co-taught by The Net, a nonprot in
Fort Worth that seeks to restore dignity to those in poverty
through community and relationships, and TCU students.
Students race to unscramble the words of the 13th
Amendment in a mini-lab about human trafficking awareness
and prevention taught by The Net and TCU students.

Teacher Bethany Yardy said, Mini-labs have provided our

students the opportunity to expand their knowledge and
understanding through collaborative and hands-on learning.
Our mini-labs are designed to be applied to the students
regular courses, such as MLA citations for English and
dissection for Biology. This enables the students to continue
moving forward with their regular courses, while allowing
for a deepened understanding in a particular area that can
be difficult for many students.

Cassata is fortunate to have dedicated volunteers that

offer their time to improve the lives of our students. Our
volunteers are tutors, mentors, and those who work behind
the scenes to make our programs great.

My mentor helps me one-on-one. I

can speak to her about anything and its
almost like having a counselor. She has
taken me places to help me find a job
and found places for me to volunteer.
My favorite thing about having a
mentor is that she is fun to be around
and really helpful. Bree, Senior

Launched in 2010, the Cassata Connections mentoring

program links students with community role models. Twice
monthly, mentors meet with their mentee. Behind the
scenes, a wonderful group of women prepare the lunches
and set up the room for the mentoring sessions. Without
the help of the volunteers preparing lunch for 40 people
Cassata has a group of devoted tutors, some of whom
twice a month, it would be difficult for Cassata to offer the
volunteer daily. Several tutors are retired educators, and
mentoring program.
others are young people looking to give back. Cassata has
been awarded wonderful tutors from the Junior League of
Fort Worth for the last two years. These women have been
Jennifer Voorhies
invaluable as tutors, but have also helped in any way they
and Amy Larsen
can with other events.
volunteer their time
to prepare and
serve lunch for our
mentoring program.

Buddhist monk Kelsang Phunrab visited the World Religion

mini-lab to answer questions about Buddhism.

With great reviews from students and teachers, mini-labs

are sure to continue at Cassata for the foreseeable future.

Mr. Hubbard is a retired educator who now tutors at

Cassata. The Wednesday mornings that I spend tutoring at
Cassata are time well spent. When a student gets a concept,
the expression on their face is worth more than one can
explain. I am just returning some of the kind deeds that
were given to me in the past. Maybe in years to come these
Cassata also hosts a GO Center that is staffed by
students will give back to society and make an impact on
mentors from TCU. The GO Center mentors help firstanother persons life, says Hubbard.
generation college students from low socioeconomic
backgrounds learn about the college application process,
college survival skills, and financial aid and scholarship
opportunities. These dedicated TCU mentors are at
Cassata four days a week to help in any way they can.
We make every effort to pair volunteers with the same
students each week, so that they can develop a rapport and
the tutor can discover the students learning style. Tutors
work with students on assignments, preparing for tests, and
developing study skills. Pairing our students with tutors
from the community reinforces the idea that education is
important and that there is a support system around them to
help them succeed.

The TCU GO Center is helping me look

for scholarships, research colleges, find
groups to volunteer for and register for the
SAT. I try to visit with the GO Center one
day a week . Maria, Senior