One needs to only take a quick glimpse around the Kearney community to gain an uderstanding of how deep Ron and Carol Cope's love for giving back is.  From education to the arts, Kearney's quality of life has certainly been enhanced by the Cope's attitude about stewardship and numerous gifts of love given to the community by the Cope's  Kearney Catholic High School is not exception.

During the Blessing and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Kearney Catholic High School on Friday, January 12, 2007, the Cope’s long term involvement and belief in Catholic education will be recognized when the new student activities center will be dedicated as the Cope Coliseum.

In September 1959, it was General Chairman, Ron Cope who led the St. James Church Building Fund Campaign to build Kearney Catholic High School.  In the St. James Parish Campaign News, it stated that schools were worth the sacrifice, “Heroic sacrifices have been made during the past years, and are still being made, that our children may receive religious training, that parental rights may be guarded, and that freedom of education ma be preserved.  But our schools are worth every sacrifice that has been made.”

During the Kearney Catholic High School remodeling project in the 1990’s and during the current 15 classroom remodeling project, Activities Center and band room addition, Carol Cope has continued that “heroic sacrifice” by preserving religious education.  Carol served on the Steering Committee and helped to lead the “A Proud Past. A Promising Future” campaign above the goal by raising over $3.7 million for continuing the rich tradition of providing high quality education combined with the teaching of strong Christian values.

“Today, Kearney Catholic families are indebted to Ron and Carol Cope for having the vision and foresight in making that heroic sacrifice four decades ago,” stated Dr. Robert Rycek, Kearney Catholic High School Board of Education President.  “Carol’s continued dedication in believing in education and the arts has been instrumental in helping to ensure a strong future for Kearney Catholic High School.  The needed improvements and expansions will help expand programming opportunities and meet modern standards.”

Kearney Catholic’s strengths include a rigorous college preparatory program, a small-school atmosphere, personal attention from faculty and leadership opportunities for students.  Its nurturing environment allows young men and women to reach their full potential as Christians, scholars, athletes and leaders.