Jesuit High School Raises Record $1.15M At Gaudiosa Gala

TAMPA, FL — Jesuit High School’s 19th annual award-winning fundraising gala, Gaudiosa: An Evening in London, set a new record Feb. 26 at the Hilton Tampa Downtown, raising $1.15 million.

The total eclipsed the event’s previous high by more than $300,000 while surpassing the $1 million mark for the first time. Saturday also marked Jane Younger's 16th and final year overseeing Gaudiosa.

The record-breaking generosity and emotional wave of support was not only for Gaudiosa's annual beneficiary, Jesuit's financial aid program, but also in tribute to Younger, who has been at the helm of Gaudiosa almost since its beginning.

"I'm just so humbled and grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of Gaudiosa and Jesuit High School,’’ said Younger, who began as a parent volunteer at the first Gaudiosa 19 years ago before becoming Jesuit's special events coordinator. “When I first started, I had no idea where this would go. It has been a team effort every step of the way, with incredible support and leadership. I'm just honored to be a part of it and to help support this amazing school."

All proceeds from Gaudiosa go toward Jesuit’s robust financial aid program. This school year, Jesuit has committed $2.8 million in financial aid to 35 percent of the student body. In Younger’s 16 years, Gaudiosa has generated more than $8 million – all for Jesuit students with demonstrated financial need.

“Jesuit High School is committed to educating any qualified boy who wishes to attend Jesuit, regardless of his family’s financial situation,’’ Jesuit’s development director, Nick Suszynski, class of '98, said. “Once again this year, Jesuit's generous benefactors showed their amazing support for the school's mission and dedication to its financial aid program. We are truly grateful for their incredible generosity.’’

Student speaker Trey George, who graduates this year, provided the most impactful moment, telling his very personal and powerful story of how financial aid to Jesuit has dramatically changed his life. George's testimony ignited an outpouring of support, as paddles shot in the air throughout the ballroom to make donations.

When things finally slowed down, Lauren and Chris Schellman, who are annual Gaudiosa Grand Underwriters, offered to match any more donations up to $50,000. Moments later, the total raised eclipsed $1 million, setting off a celebration in the ballroom.

As it does every year, Gaudiosa featured a St. Ignatius-inspired setting at the Hilton Tampa Downtown with more than 600 guests. The event showcased eight live auction items, more than 300 silent auction items, dinner, live music and dancing.

A Latin term meaning “joyous feast,” Gaudiosa has been named the region’s Favorite Fundraising Event four times by the Tampa Bay Business Journal.

Bringing it all together is Younger, named the TBBJ’s Favorite Event Planner four times, and a team of dedicated volunteers led this year by auction chair Amy Daner, and longtime decorations chairs Annette Sanchez and Elvia Rivera.

Among the hundreds who donated to Gaudiosa 2022 and made it a million-dollar success were the event's Grand Gaudiosa Underwriters, including honorary dvent chairs Stacey and Ronald Leal; Nikki DeBartolo and Sheriff Chad Chronister; The Hyer Family; Brian and Renee Murphy, and Lauren and Chris Schellman.

Jesuit High School in Tampa is a private, all-male, Catholic high school rooted in the Jesuit tradition of education. Jesuit has been educating young men in the Tampa Bay area since 1899.