“Praise God.”
In everything done by the Padua Franciscan High School community, praising God for His blessings will be an integral part of the 2026-2027 school year.
During the Opening School Assembly on Thursday, August 20, 2026, Principal Bob DiRocco unveiled the theme for this year. In doing so, he referenced the graphical representation of the theme and outlined the expectations for each of the students, faculty and staff members as the community embarks on Padua’s 65thanniversary year.
“In this sign, you see the Block P, and for me, that ties us to 65 years of that tradition,” DiRocco said. “When I started here, that was the image we wore on our football helmets when I coached with the Shumans and Coach Kevin Kubit. That was the image that was on everything we had, so it ties us to that.”
“If you look at it, because of the Block P, the word ‘raise’ kind of stands out, and isn’t that what we do when we praise? We raise our hearts, our grateful hearts to a God who loves us. We raise one another up in prayer, but we say thank you to our God by lifting our gratefulness up to the heavens and by praising our God for the wonder of a new day and for all the blessings. St. Francis, you’re going to hear this prayer more and more this year: ‘Praise to you, my Lord.’”
Also, students, faculty and staff heard from Padua President Dave Stec ‘86, who welcomed everyone into the new Zavagno Athletic Center for the first gathering of the student body. Stec urged everyone to take care of the space and understand it was created through confidence in the students.
“This building exists because people believe in you,” Stec said. “People who once went to this school just like you, they gave. They sacrificed, and they believed that future Bruins deserved even better than they have. They essentially said, ‘Our students need great places to grow,’ and because of their generosity, we are here today. This building represents love, belief, and opportunity. With every great gift comes responsibility. Take care of this space.”
“It was built to help you become something more, to discover your gifts, to learn discipline, to experience failure and learn from it, to become a leader, to learn how to win, and how to lose with grace, to become your best self. That is exactly what we are trying to do across our entire campus.”
Stec then reminded the students that Padua is here to help them become Happy, Healthy, Holy, and Highly Prepared.
“The Zavagno Athletic Center helps you become healthy, stronger, more disciplined, resilient, and confident,” Stec said. “Beyond that, our newly renovated chapel and campus ministry center will help you become holy, giving you a place to pray, reflect, serve, encounter Christ, and discover that your life has purpose.”
“Your classes, teachers, activities, athletics, fine arts, retreats, service opportunities, MedTrack® and MyTrack®, and relationships are all preparing you to be highly prepared for whatever God has in store for your life. Together, all of those experiences can help you be happy. Not simply comfortable or entertaining, but fulfilled by knowing, as Friar JP said, ‘Who you are and whose you are, and what you’re called to do in your life.’”
DiRocco welcomed the Class of 2030, Padua’s freshman students, and outlined how they can live the theme for the year.
“Freshmen, you’re just learning ‘The Bruin Way,’” DiRocco said. “As I told you yesterday, get involved, be engaged and praise God by saying yes to God every single day.”
DiRocco thanked the sophomores for their work in living up to last year’s theme of “Fully Alive.” He reminded the second-year Padua students they will be moving into roles of leadership, be it in the school, on the fields of play or in the community.
“Sophomores, you had the most incredible spirit last year, and I hope that continues,” DiRocco said. “Academics are going to be a challenge this year. It’s a hard year. I think the juniors will tell you that, but you’re ready. You’re going to have the opportunity to praise God.”
For the juniors, DiRocco outlined the major events that will signify their rise to upperclassmen.
From Junior Ring Mass to the Kairos retreats and National Honor Society induction, the 2026-2027 school year will be one of change and excitement for Padua’s Class of 2028.
“Don’t miss the invitation to be loved by God, and then, say thank you and praise Him,” DiRocco said.
DiRocco spoke directly to the seniors, who experienced their last first day of high school on Thursday.
Coupled with the locker selection day earlier in August and the “Senior Sunrise” breakfast before classes began Thursday, the Class of 2027 will experience their last Homecoming, as well as their final Christmas For Others, among many other events. He implored them to embrace every moment with a mindset of thankfulness.
“For this senior class, you are the first to get to be in this new space, but it’s the last opening assembly you’re ever going to have, and I don’t want you to miss it,” DiRocco said. “You’re going to have so many special opportunities to praise God, to say thank you God, and then, give back to God.”
Before ending the assembly with a school-wide rendition of “Lean On Me,” Padua Chaplain Friar Johnpaul Cafiero, OFM blessed the nine new faculty and staff members as they start their careers at the school.
