CBA’s 2nd annual #BronationDay raised $109,150.80 from 702 donors breaking last year’s record and enabling us to modernize and transform our lecture hall. #BronationDay is a full day of giving, fun, and spirit, and this year the CBA community was truly incredible.
The morning began with the CBA Marching Band playing loud and proud in the parking lot to welcome everyone onto campus. At lunchtime, students enjoyed a make your own sundae bar donated by Stewart’s Shop. The afternoon consisted of kickball games for teachers and students and a water balloon dodge ball game for seniors and faculty. Mr. Scully’s team won the cup for the high school and Ms. Hatch’s team took home the trophy for middle school. The best team name was awarded to Mr. Stanton’s team “Don’t Stop Brolieving.”
The Class of 1959 was welcomed back onto campus and joined the students in the cafeteria for lunch. CBA surprised classmate John D. Picotte with a special ceremony in the gym. John was escorted into the gym where students, his family, friends, classmates, and the Christian Brothers waited to surprise him with the highest honor you can bestow upon a person – Benefaction. Brother Tom Casey, FSC joined us to announce that John D. Picotte will now have BFSC next to his name as a Benefactor of the Christian Brothers per the final approval that recently came from Rome, Italy. John was gifted with a framed certificate announcing his benefaction and a chair with the crest and his name engraved in it. John also got a special visit from one of his scholarship awardees from the Class of 1999. David Wimbush ’99 traveled from Atlanta, GA to thank John for allowing him to receive a CBA education that led to acceptance into West Point Military Academy and a 16-year career in the armed forces. He credited John with giving him the opportunity to live his best life and the teachers at CBA for giving him the best education.
Special thanks to the following people who helped to make the day a success: Players from the Albany Empire Indoor Area Football Team, DJ Ketchup, Tracy Kaback Photography, videographer Nicholas Lue, Ron Ladoucer of POSTMKTG, alum Phil Farinacci ’04, and Graciella and Kyle Engstrom. The CBA faculty and staff also offered a tremendous amount of support, help, and spirit, which made this day possible. Our #BronationDay challenge winners included Patrick Reilly ’70 and present parents, Gina and Adam Ellenbogen. Patrick won an Apple Watch and the Ellenbogen’s won the Yeti Cooler. Thank you to the entire CBA community for an awesome day.
