Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School holds its annual major fundraiser, the Epiphany Gala: Tropical Oasis, at the Plantation Golf & Country Club, on Friday, April 8th. The event features dinner, and live and silent auctions. The Shining Star Lifetime Achievement Award will also be presented, with this year’s recipients being Lisa and John Giglio. The award recognizes those who have built an enduring legacy at the parish and school through a lifetime of service and dedication to Catholic education.
The Giglios are well known as the former owners of Freedom Boat Club and Freedom RV Club, which they sold in 2019. The couple has been involved with Epiphany since their daughter, Brianne, now 18 and a first-year-student at Auburn University, was three years old. Their younger daughter, Kaitlyn, 16, also graduated from Epiphany before matriculating at Cardinal Mooney High School. John served as President of the school’s board and was active in the Men’s Group, while Lisa was the Room Mother Coordinator and served on the Gala Committee.
“One of the reasons the Giglios have meant so much to Epiphany is they helped build our sense of community,” says Leah Mihm, Director of Development. “They’re very involved and they bring people together.”
“I’m really honored by this award,” says Lisa, herself a former Catholic school teacher. “Every teacher my kids had at Epiphany was awesome. I really felt when I’d drop off my kids at school that they were safe, loved, and learning what they needed to learn. They were well-prepared going into high school, and Brianne is well-prepared going into college as well.”
“We feel that there are much more deserving candidates than us,” John says. “We are truly humbled by this.”
The school’s enrollment period is open, and Leah invites parents to call and schedule a tour. Among the school’s many special programs, it now offers the Young Marines, a national nonprofit education and service program for boys and girls aged eight through high school graduation. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork and self-discipline. Epiphany also implements a STREAM integrated approach to learning, bringing Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics together as they do in the real world. Contact Andrea Mitchell with enrollment questions: Mitchell@ecstigers.com.
316 Sarasota St., Venice. 941.488.2215. Ecstigers.com.
