A Joyful Morning! 60 New Scholarships Raised!
On September 24th, 2024, the Partners in Excellence (PIE) community came together at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum for a morning filled with smiles, laughter, and celebration. The 11th annual PIE Breakfast wasn’t just about raising money; it was about celebrating the incredible students whose lives are being changed through Catholic education, all while making new dreams possible for even more kids.
Mark Viviano, a retired sportscaster and the event’s lively emcee, kicked things off by sharing his connection to the PIE mission. “Education is an opportunity for all of our children to ascend to varying levels of their own greatness,” he said. His warm energy set the tone for what turned out to be an unforgettable morning, focused on the positive impact education can have on every child's life.
But the highlight of the event? Hands down, it was Adriana Mendoza de la Cruz, a PIE scholar who totally stole the show. Adriana, a freshman at the Catholic High School of Baltimore, shared her inspiring story with everyone in the room. Having been supported by PIE scholarships for 10 of her 11 years in Catholic school, she spoke about what the program has meant to her and her family.
“My name is Adriana Mendoza de la Cruz, and I am currently a freshman at the Catholic High School of Baltimore,” Adriana started, her voice filled with excitement. “I am a hardworking student who has had the honor of receiving a scholarship from PIE for 10 of my 11 years attending Archbishop Borders School. This scholarship has granted me special opportunities, like being able to speak here today, but the most important one is being able to attend a private Catholic school, which is super important to me and my family.”
Adriana’s joy was contagious. She told fun stories about her time at Archbishop Borders, where she was Student Body President and a Student Ambassador, and talked about her favorite memory—going to see Peter Pan at the Hippodrome Theatre, thanks to a PIE donor. She even mentioned how she’s already a varsity soccer player and part of the biomed program at her new high school. Adriana dreams of becoming a doctor one day, saying, “I think that becoming a doctor would be amazing because it’s all about helping people when they need it the most. My Catholic education has taught me this.”
As Adriana wrapped up, she beamed with gratitude: “On behalf of all the PIE scholars, thank you for your support of the Partners in Excellence program.”
And just like that, she had the whole room smiling. Archbishop William Lori jumped up to thank her, saying, “Adriana, when you stood up here and spoke today, we saw right before our eyes the heart and soul of what we’re doing. You’re one of our great stars!”
The morning wasn’t just about hearing from students like Adriana—it was also about celebrating the amazing people and foundations that make PIE possible. Special recognition was given to the Lockhart Vaughn Foundation, who have supported PIE for over two decades. Their generosity has funded more than 450 PIE scholarships, and the crowd was buzzing with gratitude as they were honored.
And the best news? This wasn’t just a feel-good morning—it was a full day where people took action! By the end of the day, attendees and PIE supporters had raised enough money to fund 60 PIE scholarships. That’s right, thanks to the generosity of everyone there, 60 students will now have access to life-changing Catholic education. Talk about a win!
Mark Viviano closed out the breakfast with a smile, reminding everyone why they came: “You are here acting to help children as Christ has instructed us. And we can’t thank you enough.”
For those who attended and those who continue to support, it was clear: together, this community is making dreams come true, one student at a time. Adriana’s story is just the beginning of the ripple effect that this support will have for generations of students to come.
And, just to put the cherry on top—before everyone left, there was PIE for everyone to take home. Because really, what’s a PIE breakfast without actual pie? It was a perfect, sweet ending to a morning full of heart. We hope to see you all again next year for another round of inspiration, celebration, and maybe a few more slices of pie!
For Information about the Partners in Excellence program visit: https://www.pieschools.org/
