Bruin Benefit Raises Record-Breaking $500,979

Padua welcomed 440 guests to the 34th annual Bruin Benefit Celebrazione on Saturday, April 25, 2026. While enjoying a cocktail hour, guests perused the various silent and live auction items and enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, as well as entertainment by the school’s Jazz Ensemble. After the welcome and prayer, it was time for the event to truly get underway.    

During the Hall of Fame portion of the evening, Al Adams ’69 and Robert Klonk ’76 were each inducted as an Outstanding Alumnus, while Ann Mack ’93 and Nora Mahoney ’06 were inducted as an Outstanding Alumna, for their amazing accomplishments and unending loyalty to the school. During acceptance speeches, each in turn expressed his or her gratitude for the honor. For their continued support and generosity to Padua, Chuck Bart was honored with the Franciscan Medal, as was Michael ’82 and Lori Margevicius. 

President David Stec ‘86 led the live auction, which featured amazing trips to places like Portugal and Ireland, and experiences like the Daytona 500 and a round of golf at Pebble Beach, just to name a few incredible items up for bid. In addition to the live auction, there was also a silent auction, and various raffles.

As part of our Fund-A-Bruin portion of the evening, Nicolas Senior ’26 shared his moving story about being raised by a single mother and both the financial and medical challenges their family faced over the years. He spoke about the support he received from faculty, staff, coaches, and students throughout his high school career. He is graduating as the salutatorian of his class and will be continuing his education at Case Western Reserve University.

A special thanks to our numerous sponsors, including Platinum sponsor Doug Crandall & Michael ’20 Crandall-The BCJC Group/Baird Private Wealth Management, Koler Financial Group, The Kurtz Family of Companies, James ’78 and Deb Gaydosh/Valued Capital Advisors. We are grateful for the additional sponsors, the generous donors, bidders, and the committee who helped make this year’s Celebrazione a resounding success. By the end of the event, Padua raised a record-breaking $500,979!

Click here to flip through the program.

If you would still like to support Padua students, we invite you to make a gift online.

Please mark your calendar for next year’s Bruin Benefit on Saturday, April 24, 2027.