INDIANAPOLIS — On September 19, Scecina Memorial High School marked the successful completion of its Our Faith, Our Journey, Our Time capital campaign, celebrating years of planning, fundraising, and construction. The event, attended by students, school staff, alumni, and donors, recognized the $7.6 million raised for major campus improvements. These included the creation of new athletic and activity fields, a new chapel, a modernized front entrance, a relocated and updated weight training room, and the establishment of two endowment funds to support academic excellence and facility maintenance.
The celebration featured several speakers, including Mr. George Newhart ’60, Chairman of the Scecina Board of Directors; Dr. Brian Disney, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis; Ms. Caroline Soultz, Senior Class Vice President; Ms. Samantha Manley, Senior Class President; and Scecina President Joe Therber. The evening concluded with a blessing from Fr. Jim Farrell, the Chaplain Coordinator, who prayed for the continued success of Scecina and the students it serves.
The Our Faith, Our Journey, Our Time capital campaign resulted in several significant upgrades to the Scecina campus, including:
• New Athletic and Activity Fields: The new athletic complex includes artificial turf fields for baseball, football, soccer, softball, and lacrosse, a perimeter track for running and walking, a press box, a concession stand, restrooms, and a team dressing room. The natural grass of the original football field was replaced with durable turf and an irrigation system. This facility will host Scecina, Catholic Youth Organization, and community events. The fields were named for members of the Scecina community: the Larry Neidlinger Memorial Field, Jim Drury and Dick Dufour Friendship Field, Markovich Family Track, and the McNelis Family Scoreboard.
• New Chapel: Located in the heart of the school, the chapel accommodates 130 people for class and community Mass. It includes a reconciliation room and items from the original chapel in St. Francis Hall.
• Modern and Inspiring Entrance: The front entrance, now 70 years old, underwent a full renovation for safety, security, and ADA compliance. The upgrades include visitor-friendly parking, landscaping, lighting, seating, and a welcoming electronic sign.
• New Weight Training Room: Rebuilt and relocated within the school building for student safety and accessibility, the weight training room now features modern equipment, benefiting students and student-athletes.
Two endowment funds were established during the campaign. The Father Tom Academic Excellence Endowment Fund will advance academic programs, support exceptional faculty, and provide need-based tuition assistance. The Scecina Facilities Endowment will preserve and enhance the 70-year-old campus and its new facilities.
