Benedict’s Belongs to All of Us

There’s an unbreakable connection that comes with being a Gray Bee. Whether we attended St. Benedict’s Prep in the 1950s, ’60s and early ’70s, helped rebuild The Hive in the ’80s and ’90s, or brought the School to its current heights in the 21st century as alumni and teammates, Benedict’s shaped us and continues to influence our lives in profound ways. 

If arriving early to meetings is your routine because “On time is 10 minutes late” was instilled into your being at St. Benedict’s, The Hive lives inside of you. If your de facto approach to adversity is to work twice as hard as the person next to you, The Hive lives inside of you. If you parent your own children with the understanding that kids are way more capable than adults give them credit for, The Hive lives inside of you, too. The enduring impact of this community and the principles we stand for — hope, tolerance, courage, love — is why Benedict’s belongs to all of us. 

Many of you know me as a numbers guy. The facts and figures of St. Benedict’s Prep tell a story of remarkable growth, but also great need. Since 2016, the student body has increased from 550 students across two Divisions to 1,000 Gray Bees today, spanning four Divisions since the Elementary and Girls Prep Divisions began in 2017 and 2020 respectively. We’ve doubled the number of faculty and staff who teach, coach, mentor, and support Gray Bees, and the percentage of students receiving counseling from the Grossman Family Counseling Center rose from 27% to 45%. 

Rite-of-passage experiences and partnerships that broaden students’ perspectives and reveal their strengths and possibilities have also expanded. The Fr. Mark Payne Institute, established in response to the interest generated by the 60 Minutes broadcast in 2016, has also grown. Last year, the Institute’s work with public, charter, private and Catholic schools nationwide, served 30,000 students directly or indirectly. 

Since our rebirth in 1973, philanthropy has been Benedict’s most essential source of income. A decade ago, we needed to raise $6 million in unrestricted funds to cover operating expenses. This year, our goal is $15 million, which will cover more than half of our operating budget. You are the lifeblood of this place. We are deeply grateful to the 2,830 alumni and teammates who gave to Benedict’s in 2024-25. We cannot do this work without you. 

The Benedict’s Fund is open for 2025-26. Every contribution directly impacts our students and sustains a mission that has done much good for so many. Please give what you can comfortably contribute. It’s on all of us to ensure The Hive remains accessible and affordable to current generations of Gray Bees and all we hope to welcome.

With gratitude, 

Robert J. DiQuollo ’65
Chairman, Board of Trustees