Five students from Christian Brothers Academy-Lincroft recently visited Nicaragua to see two new schools that are results of a CBA fundraising effort. The schools were built in honor of Brother Andrew O’Gara in Rancho Alegre and Michael Wheeler in Ocote Arriba. Bro. Andrew was the first president of CBA and passed away last year. Wheeler was a teacher and CBA alumnus who was killed in a car crash the week of Bro. Andrew’s funeral.
A fundraising dress-down day, along with donations from parents and Wheeler’s family, brought in $18,000-more than expected. That was enough money to build two one-room school houses. Each school can be sectioned into two rooms. The locations chosen were based on need.
The CBA group visited the new schools for ribbon cuttings over Easter break. Both are in very remote areas that required much driving and hiking to access.
Campus Minister and teacher Tim Sewnig, Lasallian Youth Moderator and teacher Jack Thawley and Teacher Mike Tomaino took the students on the trip. Sophomores Mike Hayes, James Dengler, Peter Cangialosi, Jack Clark and junior Colin Fallon were chosen based on essays they wrote. They were led by Franklin Torres with Nicaraguan Lasallian Youth and Superintendent of Schools Brother Pat Duffy.
