Setting young people on a path for success through education is at the very core of the mission of The Howley Foundation.
Through The Howley Foundation’s generosity, 32 students are experiencing a Padua Franciscan High School education. On Thursday, September 10, 2026, members of The Howley Foundation, including Founder and Trustee Lorie Howley, President and Chief Operating Officer Halle Martin, Director of Post-Secondary Education – Cleveland Kriste Vedegys-Duhigg, and Allison Busser, Director - Midwest, enjoyed breakfast with the Bruins they support.
“This is why The Foundation has given you this opportunity,” Principal Bob DiRocco said. “To hear of this connection to college, please understand what you have in front of you. My job is to support that and to drive that, and to help you find the best success possible. I was so excited and grateful to hear about the college piece. It’s all the majors that our students are pursuing in our career tracks. So many opportunities for you, but you have to get that work done today, and I hope, at the table, you said thank you for the significant investment in you and your future.”
“I can’t thank you enough for your generosity. the investment you make in these Bruins. I tell you guys all the time, ‘I’m proud of you,’ and ‘I love you,’ but we get to work and be your best every single day. Keep your heart open to what God has for you, and because of this generosity, you have the opportunity to do things that other people don’t.”
The Howley Scholars Program offers renewable scholarships for all four years at Padua Franciscan High School. Their generosity ensures students and families have the necessary financial resources to receive a premier Franciscan college preparatory education.
To initially and continue receiving the scholarship, each Howley Scholar must maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average, make meaningful contributions to extracurricular activities and be in good standing at Padua.
“We are so appreciative of the generosity and the opportunity that you have created for all of our students,” program advisor Mrs. Anna Kyser ’18 said during the breakfast. “The success that they’ve had in seeing them grow from start to end and beyond that, their academic success is because of the opportunity that you give them. We’re just so appreciative for your generosity. It’s something that we will be eternally grateful for.”
Following the breakfast, Padua President Dave Stec ’86 presented Mrs. Lorie Howley with a plaque recognizing The Howley Foundation’s induction into The Friar Club for their ongoing support of Padua Franciscan High School and its students.
Also, Stec guided a tour of the MedTrack® classrooms, including the brand-new CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant) training room, as well as the interactive lab created around the Anatomage Table. The Anatomage Table was purchased through a generous gift from The Howley Foundation.
“The Howley Foundation, Mrs. Howley, what you’ve done and how you’ve impacted these kids is just amazing,” Stec said before quoting St. Francis’ famous saying about “Preach the Gospel wherever you go, and if necessary, use words.’ “The best thing you can do is to use words when necessary. Take advantage of that. Do it, take all that you can, be great, put it in action.”
Created by Nick and Lorie Howley in 2003, The Howley Foundation was started to give academic scholarships and tuition assistance to students. In addition to supporting the Cristo Rey Network and other uniquely effective education models, The Foundation assists more than 1,400 elementary, high school and college students in Cleveland and Philadelphia.
Along with funding high school scholarships and meaningful elementary school programs for underprivileged students, The Howley Foundation recently began awarding college and university scholarships.
“The Howley Foundation means a lot to me because it has given me support, encouragement, and opportunities to succeed as a student,” Padua senior Ruby Bentkowski ’27 said. “Their generosity has helped ease some of the financial challenges that can come with education, allowing me to focus on my studies without worry and reach my fullest potential. Not only has this helped financially, but more importantly, with my academic discipline and ability to stay organized.”
“With both our quarterly and individual meetings, I’ve been motivated to work hard in school, and I hope you guys find them just as helpful as I do. I’m truly grateful to The Howley Foundation for investing my education and helping me and my peers move closer to our future.”
