Thank You for Fifty Years: Inside the 50th Anniversary Gala

On Thursday, October 1, 2026, the Kolbe family filled The Country Club of New Canaan for the 50th Anniversary Gala: one night to celebrate fifty years since Kolbe Cathedral was founded in 1976.

It began at golden hour

The evening opened at six o'clock with a reception on the terrace: old friends and new ones, under a New Canaan sunset.

Our students took the stage

Inside, Kolbe students performed for a full ballroom. Their voices filled the room, and the whole room listened. Members of our community also took the stage to share what Kolbe means to them.

Honoring Jo-Anne Jakab

We honored Jo-Anne Jakab, celebrating a profound legacy of 43 years of dedicated service as Teacher, Administrator, Principal, President, and Board Member. The whole room rose to its feet: a standing ovation for a lifetime of service to Kolbe.

We also memorialized 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.

Paddles up

Then came the paddle raise. Every paddle raised was an investment in our students. Proceeds from the Gala provide scholarships and tuition assistance for talented students who otherwise could not afford to attend Kolbe.

And the most popular guests of the night? The Cardboard Cougars. Our students were in the room all night, even the cardboard ones.

Thank you

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

See the photos and reels on the Alumni page.