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Kolbe Cathedral Preparatory School

Once a Cougar, Always a Cougar

Alumni

Kolbe Cathedral has formed scholars and saints since 1976. Wherever life has taken you, you're always part of the Kolbe family.

50th Anniversary Gala · October 1, 2026

Thank you forfifty years.

A night of faith, family, and gratitude at The Country Club of New Canaan.

It began at golden hour, with old friends and new ones on the terrace. Then our students took the stage: their voices filled the room, and the whole room listened.

We honored Jo-Anne Jakab for 43 years of dedicated service as Teacher, Administrator, Principal, President, and Board Member, and the room rose to its feet. We remembered Jonathan O'Herron, Sr., J. Paul Rodriguez, and Leo Van Munching, Jr., “The Holy Trinity” of Kolbe Cathedral. And when the paddles went up, every one was an investment in our students.

Thank you to every guest, sponsor, volunteer, and friend who made our 50th unforgettable. Here's to the next fifty.

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The night in 30 secondsA silent, 28-second recap of the 50th Anniversary Gala: the ballroom before guests arrived, the sunset reception, a full ballroom, the student choir on stage, Jo-Anne Jakab with her award, a standing ovation, the paddle raise, and guests with cardboard cutouts of Kolbe students, ending on the gold 50th emblem and “Thank you for fifty years. Here's to the next fifty.”

More from the night

  • Honoring Jo-Anne JakabA silent, 21-second tribute: her award plaque, her remarks at the podium, the award presentation, and a standing ovation. The plaque reads: “Celebrating a profound legacy of 43 years of dedicated service as Teacher, Administrator, Principal, President, and Board Member.” It ends by memorializing Jonathan O'Herron, Sr., J. Paul Rodriguez, and Leo Van Munching, Jr., remembered fondly as “The Holy Trinity” of Kolbe Cathedral for their extraordinary generosity, leadership, and lifelong devotion.
  • Cardboard CougarsA silent, 15-second reel of guests posing and taking selfies with life-size cardboard cutouts of Kolbe students at the Gala photo backdrop, ending with “Our students were in the room all night, even the cardboard ones.”
  • A full ballroom under the gold 50th anniversary emblem. Thank you for fifty years. 50th Anniversary Gala, October 1, 2026.
  • Guests on the terrace and lawn at sunset. 6:00 PM, reception on the terrace. It began at golden hour: old friends and new ones, under a New Canaan sunset.
  • The Kolbe student choir performing for a full ballroom, with a drummer inset. On stage: our students took the stage. Their voices filled the room, and the whole room listened.
  • Jo-Anne Jakab and a member of the clergy holding her framed award on stage. Gala honoree Jo-Anne Jakab, 43 years: Teacher, Administrator, Principal, President, and Board Member.
  • Guests rising to their feet and applauding. A room on its feet: a standing ovation for a lifetime of service to Kolbe.
  • Speakers on stage, with four portrait close-ups of speakers at the microphone. Testimonials: Voices of Kolbe. Members of our community shared what Kolbe means to them.
  • Guests raising numbered paddles during the paddle raise. Paddles up: every paddle raised was an investment in our students.
  • Guests posing and taking selfies with life-size cardboard cutouts of Kolbe students. Photo booth favorites: Cardboard Cougars. Our students were in the room all night, even the cardboard ones.

The night in photos

Photos from the 50th Anniversary Gala

50th Bday Bash · October 3, 2026

Thank you,Cougar family.

50 years. One community.

On Saturday, October 3, alumni, staff, and friends filled the Kolbe gym to celebrate the school's 50th birthday. Every table was a reunion: alumni, staff, and friends, together again.

To everyone who came: thank you for celebrating with us. Kolbe is 50 years of stories, and we are still writing the next chapter.

Read the storyShare your favorite Kolbe memory
Highlights from the 50th Bday BashA silent, 26-second slideshow of the event graphics and photos: guests at tables in the Kolbe gym, the birthday cake, and the lines “Thank you, Cougar family,” “Some places always feel like home,” “Every table, a reunion,” and “Same Cougar spirit, 50 years strong.”
  • Two guests smiling together in the Kolbe gym. Back together at Kolbe: some places always feel like home. 50th Bday Bash, October 3, 2026.
  • The 50th birthday sheet cake, iced “Happy 50th Birthday Kolbe Cathedral.” Fifty years, countless connections. Alumni, staff, and friends, together again.
  • Guests seated together at long tables in the Kolbe gym. Every table, a reunion: 50 years of stories, a community that lasts.
  • Two guests posing beside the 50th birthday cake. Same Cougar spirit, 50 years strong. 50th Bday Bash, October 3, 2026. Share your favorite Kolbe memory.

Share your favorite Kolbe memory

Fifty years of stories.What's yours?

A teacher who changed things for you, a game, a Mass, a friendship that started on Calhoun Place. Were you there on October 3 or did you miss it? Either way, we want to hear it. Memories may be shared in the Newsroom or with the Kolbe community.

So we can follow up if we'd like to feature your story.

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Moved, married, started something new? Let us know so we can keep you in the loop on reunions, events, and ways to stay involved. Follow along with the school community below.

Moved, married, or have news to share? Send us your updated details and we’ll keep you on the list for reunions, events, and ways to stay involved.

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Our Legacy

Formed at Kolbe, for life

Since 1976, Kolbe Cathedral has formed scholars and saints in the heart of Bridgeport — a faith and a community that stay with you long after you walk the stage.

The cathedral nave and sanctuary at Kolbe Cathedral
The gothic stone facade of the cathedral
The Kolbe Cathedral Preparatory School building and crest
Kolbe students in class together
Kolbe students working side by side
The cathedral altar

Five decades of Cougars

Since 1976, one community — formed in mind and in faith, and sent into the world.

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Invest in the Next Cougar

The teachers, mentors, and opportunities that shaped your time at Kolbe were made possible by those who came before you. Your support — of any size — helps today’s students access the same formation, faith, and futures.

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Alumni Spotlight

Cougars in the World

From here to everywhere — we love celebrating where a Kolbe education leads, and we’re gathering stories from across the decades to feature here.

Are you a Cougar with a story?

Whether you graduated last spring or decades ago, we’d love to hear where life has taken you — and we may feature your story right here. Reach out and tell us what you’ve been up to.

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