Catholic high school celebrates five years in Lake County

A Lake County Catholic high school for low-income students - one that's received financial assistance from heavy hitters such as Bill Gates and his wife - celebrated its fifth anniversary Monday.

Roughly 200 students, faculty, administrators and others attended a Mass to mark the milestone for St. Martin de Porres High School in Waukegan. Archdiocese of Chicago Auxiliary Bishop George Rassas, who helped launch the school, was the lead celebrant.

During his homily, Rassas told the crowd while St. Martin does't have lots of sports programs or other amenities found at big public high schools, it provides faith and values to students while preparing them for college.

Rassas said another important mission of St. Martin is providing a private education to students who otherwise could not afford it.

"I'm very grateful to all those who believed in the mission and the dream and helped it come true," he said.

St. Martin, a coeducational college preparatory school, has grown steadily since opening in fall 2004. The school, which began with about 100 students, has an enrollment of 233 for this academic year.

Donors and a growing list of business partners have been an integral part of St. Martin, which draws most of its pupils from Waukegan and North Chicago.

Before it opened, St. Martin received $600,000 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The school also received cash from other organizations, including the Cassin Educational Initiative Foundation.

Five religious congregations and lay individuals were behind the creation of St. Martin de Porres.

As an example of the variety of supporters St. Martin has attracted two football Hall-of-Famers and a Heisman Trophy winner who will be part of a benefit event Thursday, Oct. 22, 6 to 9 p.m., at Mickey Finn's Brewery in Libertyville.

Hall-of-Famers Dave Casper and former Bears coach Mike Ditka, and 1953 Heisman winner Johnny Lattner of Notre Dame have committed to attend the event.

Casper is a former Oakland Raiders tight end who was on University of Notre Dame's 1973 national championship team, and now runs a financial firm in Vernon Hills that's organizing the football-themed St. Martin fundraiser. Casper has been a big St. Martin's backer.

Also scheduled to attend are Bears linebacker Nick Roach and Gary Potempa, who was Casper's teammate on Notre Dame's 1973 championship squad.

Tickets are $100 and can be purchased at the door or online at smdpwaukegan.org.