Support
Foundation
Memorial Program
Memorial gifts, of any amount, may be sent to the CCHS Foundation. These gifts can be designated to already established scholarships or to specific programs. All gifts not designated will support the ongoing Catholic education of our young people. Those enrolled in our Memorial Program are remembered in a special way in our school Masses and prayer services. These are a few of the memorials that have been created and placed around campus. WE very much welcome your input and ideas for even more ways to beautify our campus inside and out.
Kristi Phippen Art Gallery
The Kristi Phippen Art Gallery is in the front entrance to Central Catholic. It is dedicated to the memory of Kristi Phippen, one of the school's brightest students, was killed in an automobile accident by a drunken driver. Kristi was seriously considering a career in the visual arts.
Her parents then decided that the money set aside for Kristi's college fund, as well as donations made in her name, should be used for a permanent school project dedicated to her memory. The gallery now houses a permanent collection of alumni and faculty work, while the main hallway is used to exhibit a different professional artist's work every six weeks.
Info provided by:
Joni Castro-Mendivil, A Memorial for Kristi
Her parents then decided that the money set aside for Kristi's college fund, as well as donations made in her name, should be used for a permanent school project dedicated to her memory. The gallery now houses a permanent collection of alumni and faculty work, while the main hallway is used to exhibit a different professional artist's work every six weeks.
Info provided by:
Joni Castro-Mendivil, A Memorial for Kristi
The Melissa Bengston Bessling Garden
The Melissa Bengston Bessling Garden was created as a memorial to Melissa, who was our principal from 2004 to 2014. Melissa was born in San Jose but grew up here in Modesto. She attended local schools and after receiving her BA in Journalism from CSU Fresno, she taught English and Math locally and obtained her single subject credential in English. Her first assignment at CCHS was as the Cheerleading Coach in the late 80's.
Ms. Bengston was quoted saying "Central Catholic was an integral part of my life. I loved serving the students, families and community of CCHS". Unfortunately she lost her life early. It was decided to memorialize her by developing the garden. At the time, WE were developing the Mark Gallo Health and Fitness Center along with the field house area being remodeled and felt this would be a good memorial since she loved gardens.
Ms. Bengston was quoted saying "Central Catholic was an integral part of my life. I loved serving the students, families and community of CCHS". Unfortunately she lost her life early. It was decided to memorialize her by developing the garden. At the time, WE were developing the Mark Gallo Health and Fitness Center along with the field house area being remodeled and felt this would be a good memorial since she loved gardens.
Gerry and Michael Van Nes Statue
Gerry '70 and Michael '71 Van Nes were students at Central Catholic High School in the late 60's and early 70's. Due to a tragic car accident with a train, when Carpenter Road used to cross the train tracks - before the Briggsmore Overpass was built, - they lost their life. Both of them loved Tennis and were active in the school. In memory of both of them the original Tennis Courts - located where the Mark Gallo Health and Fitness Center sits today - were dedicated in their memory by our PTG in 1994.
When WE built the MGHFC, WE put the statue in storage until the center and the new courts were built. In 2016, during the opening of the new facility and courts, Bishop Stephen Blair blessed the new courts in memory of both Gerry and Michael. Donations from the Van Nes family were instrumental in providing for the six courts.
When WE built the MGHFC, WE put the statue in storage until the center and the new courts were built. In 2016, during the opening of the new facility and courts, Bishop Stephen Blair blessed the new courts in memory of both Gerry and Michael. Donations from the Van Nes family were instrumental in providing for the six courts.
The Dr. Dallas Dillon Memorial Shakespeare Garden
The Dr. Dallas E. Dillon Memorial Shakespeare Garden located at Central Catholic High School in Modesto features several roses mentioned in his works and in the winter of 2023 one was planted to honor the Bard himself: the William Shakespeare 2000 Rose.This garden will continue to be developed. There will be new plants added, a water feature, and a mosaic to adorn the sundial stand. WE also plan to add a little library featuring Shakespeare’s works.
Shakespeare gardens can be found throughout the world. They are loving and living tributes to one of the greatest playwrights and poets of all time. The gardens will feature a bust or likeness of Shakespeare and most will have a sundial and water feature. Of course, many of the plants mentioned in his plays and sonnets are found in these gardens, however, they may also include the flora of the Elizabethan Age.
Shakespeare gardens can be found throughout the world. They are loving and living tributes to one of the greatest playwrights and poets of all time. The gardens will feature a bust or likeness of Shakespeare and most will have a sundial and water feature. Of course, many of the plants mentioned in his plays and sonnets are found in these gardens, however, they may also include the flora of the Elizabethan Age.
More Campus Memorials & Dedications
Memorials July 2022 - June 2023
GARY ALLDRIN
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
DOROTHY ANDERSON
Leroy & Kelli Rocha
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
Leroy & Kelli Rocha
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
NANCY ANGIOLA
Joan Hart
Paul Schaefer
DIANE ARAMBEL
Greg & Colette Nunes
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
JOSEPH ARMSTRONG
Joan Hart
MARK ARNOLD
Joan Hart
GEORGE BIANCHI
Lloyd R Weaver
Michael Duarte
Laura Fuller
James Arriaga
Leslie Stanfield-Helfrich
Diana Silva
John & Pat Stavrakakis
Kyle Berry
Mary Chiesa
Kristin Weimer
Richard & Victoria Higginbotham
Patricia Flanders
Robert Silva
LAURA BORGES
Leroy & Kelli Rochi
JOHN BREE
Joan Hart
NANCEE NUNES BRISCOE
Greg & Colette Nunes
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
MARSHA BROUILLARD
Greg & Colette Nunes
MARYLYNNE CASTELLANI
Susan Dillon
EVELYN CIRNE
Jimmy & Denyse Halvorson
Eric & Kari Paris
Joseph & Teryl Ward
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
PATRICIA CLARK
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
SUE COLEMAN
Edward & Mimi Maring
Joan Hart
Margaret I. Friedrich
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
BRAD COLEMAN
Edward & Mimi Maring
ALEX CORREIA
Leroy & Kelli Rocha
ANGIE EDDY
Ernie & Elaine Seppi
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
RAY FLANDERS
Joan Hart
MARY ANNE FRAME
Joan Hart
STEVE FRASIER
Bill & Joanne Cullings
PAUL FRIEDRICH
Margaret I. Friedrich
Alice Witherell
Richard J. Heck
Sharon Thoming
Patty Douglas
STAN & BONNIE GALAS
Edward & Mimi Maring
MARIE GALLO
Margaret I. Friedrich
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
DYLAN HAGLUND
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
STEVE HAGLUND
Leroy & Kelli Rocha
Lyons Land Management
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
JOANN HARDEE
Eric Hardee
TERESA SILVA HARRISON
John & Michele Silva
Joan Hart
Russ Antracoli
David Silva
Lyons Investments
Dolores W. Silva
Greg & Colette Nunes
Randall Harrison
Fred Beltran
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
MERCEDES HART
Joan Hart
Dayton Foundation
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
KATHERINE J. HOLIHAN
Susan E. Parodi
Martha Berl
MARY ANN HUBERT
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
DOLORES HYATT
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
TOM KASHER
Joan Hart
CHARLIE LARSON
Leroy & Kelli Rocha
JILL LEAR
Michael & Lisa Ribeiro
WAYNE LOWELL
Edward & Mimi Maring
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
ELEANOR LUGO
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
Joan Hart
Paul Schaefer
DIANE ARAMBEL
Greg & Colette Nunes
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
JOSEPH ARMSTRONG
Joan Hart
MARK ARNOLD
Joan Hart
GEORGE BIANCHI
Lloyd R Weaver
Michael Duarte
Laura Fuller
James Arriaga
Leslie Stanfield-Helfrich
Diana Silva
John & Pat Stavrakakis
Kyle Berry
Mary Chiesa
Kristin Weimer
Richard & Victoria Higginbotham
Patricia Flanders
Robert Silva
LAURA BORGES
Leroy & Kelli Rochi
JOHN BREE
Joan Hart
NANCEE NUNES BRISCOE
Greg & Colette Nunes
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
MARSHA BROUILLARD
Greg & Colette Nunes
MARYLYNNE CASTELLANI
Susan Dillon
EVELYN CIRNE
Jimmy & Denyse Halvorson
Eric & Kari Paris
Joseph & Teryl Ward
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
PATRICIA CLARK
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
SUE COLEMAN
Edward & Mimi Maring
Joan Hart
Margaret I. Friedrich
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
BRAD COLEMAN
Edward & Mimi Maring
ALEX CORREIA
Leroy & Kelli Rocha
ANGIE EDDY
Ernie & Elaine Seppi
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
RAY FLANDERS
Joan Hart
MARY ANNE FRAME
Joan Hart
STEVE FRASIER
Bill & Joanne Cullings
PAUL FRIEDRICH
Margaret I. Friedrich
Alice Witherell
Richard J. Heck
Sharon Thoming
Patty Douglas
STAN & BONNIE GALAS
Edward & Mimi Maring
MARIE GALLO
Margaret I. Friedrich
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
DYLAN HAGLUND
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
STEVE HAGLUND
Leroy & Kelli Rocha
Lyons Land Management
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
JOANN HARDEE
Eric Hardee
TERESA SILVA HARRISON
John & Michele Silva
Joan Hart
Russ Antracoli
David Silva
Lyons Investments
Dolores W. Silva
Greg & Colette Nunes
Randall Harrison
Fred Beltran
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
MERCEDES HART
Joan Hart
Dayton Foundation
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
KATHERINE J. HOLIHAN
Susan E. Parodi
Martha Berl
MARY ANN HUBERT
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
DOLORES HYATT
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
TOM KASHER
Joan Hart
CHARLIE LARSON
Leroy & Kelli Rocha
JILL LEAR
Michael & Lisa Ribeiro
WAYNE LOWELL
Edward & Mimi Maring
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
ELEANOR LUGO
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
MARY LYONS
Richard & Drena Wagner
ED LYTLE
Edward & Mimi Maring
JACK MAFFEI
Robert & Cherly Fantazia
DAVID MAIER
Joan Hart
BERRY MAIER
Joan Hart
LOIS MERLE MAYOL
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
AMA MCGOWAN
Bill & Joanne Cullings
REV. PATRICK MCLAUGHLIN
Joan Hart
RILEY MOEBS (OTT)
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
RONALD MORROW
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
MATT NEDERLAND
Janice Lucero
JOAN NICHOLSON
Robert & Cherly Fantazia
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
JOHN NORUM
Joan Hart
BILL NUNES
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
LILLIAN PAULETTO
Joan Hart
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
ALTA RAMSEY
Robert & Cherly Fantazia
Patrick & Maribel Cerutti
FRANK RIOC
Leroy & Kelli Rocha
ANDY ROLLIN
Leroy & Kelli Rocha
ARTURO ROMERO
Robert & Sarah Brooks
Leroy & Kelly Rocha
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
MARTIN RUDDY
Joan Hart
Tim & Lisa Bettencourt
Paul Schaefer
Ernie & Elaine Seppi
Margaret I. Friedrich
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
ANDREA RYAN
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
MARIAN SANDERS
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
SANDRA SCHAEFER
Joan Hart
Robert & Patricia Raspo
THOMAS SCHAEFER
Shirley Potter
Joan Hart
Robert & Patricia Raspo
HANK SCHOORL
Joan Hart
Juliette Fogarty
Julie Lenardo
Robert & Patricia Raspo
Josina Willemse
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
GERALD SHORT
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
John & Michele Silva
ARTHUR SILVA
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
DEAN SILVA
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
JOSEPHINE SNOW
Joseph & Teryl Ward
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
CLARENCE SOUSA
Susan Dillon
SCOTT STEFFEN
Lyons Land Management
JOHN E. THOMAS
Bill & Joanne Cullings
MANUEL & ALMA THOMAS
Bill & Joanne Cullings
KEVIN VALINE
Bill & Joanne Cullings
DAVID VANDERWALL
Lyons Land & Cattle Co, Inc.
Mapes Ranch LP
Joan Hart
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
MARY ANN VARNI
Leroy & Kelli Rocha
CHRISTINA WAY
Lyons Land Management
Lyons Investments
Mapes Ranch LP
Lyons Land & Cattle Co, Inc.
Linda West
Robert & Cherly Fantazia
Robinson Family Trust
Frank & Vickie Conte
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
HAROLD & EVELYN WILBURN
Edward & Mimi Maring
EVELYN XAVIER WILBURN
Jeffery & Lori Coleman
FRANCES WORTHINGTON
Robert & Cherly Fantazia
ROSEMARY ZIMMERMAN
Joan Hart
Greg & Colette Nunes
Richard & Drena Wagner
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
Richard & Drena Wagner
ED LYTLE
Edward & Mimi Maring
JACK MAFFEI
Robert & Cherly Fantazia
DAVID MAIER
Joan Hart
BERRY MAIER
Joan Hart
LOIS MERLE MAYOL
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
AMA MCGOWAN
Bill & Joanne Cullings
REV. PATRICK MCLAUGHLIN
Joan Hart
RILEY MOEBS (OTT)
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
RONALD MORROW
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
MATT NEDERLAND
Janice Lucero
JOAN NICHOLSON
Robert & Cherly Fantazia
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
JOHN NORUM
Joan Hart
BILL NUNES
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
LILLIAN PAULETTO
Joan Hart
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
ALTA RAMSEY
Robert & Cherly Fantazia
Patrick & Maribel Cerutti
FRANK RIOC
Leroy & Kelli Rocha
ANDY ROLLIN
Leroy & Kelli Rocha
ARTURO ROMERO
Robert & Sarah Brooks
Leroy & Kelly Rocha
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
MARTIN RUDDY
Joan Hart
Tim & Lisa Bettencourt
Paul Schaefer
Ernie & Elaine Seppi
Margaret I. Friedrich
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
ANDREA RYAN
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
MARIAN SANDERS
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
SANDRA SCHAEFER
Joan Hart
Robert & Patricia Raspo
THOMAS SCHAEFER
Shirley Potter
Joan Hart
Robert & Patricia Raspo
HANK SCHOORL
Joan Hart
Juliette Fogarty
Julie Lenardo
Robert & Patricia Raspo
Josina Willemse
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
GERALD SHORT
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
John & Michele Silva
ARTHUR SILVA
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
DEAN SILVA
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
JOSEPHINE SNOW
Joseph & Teryl Ward
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
CLARENCE SOUSA
Susan Dillon
SCOTT STEFFEN
Lyons Land Management
JOHN E. THOMAS
Bill & Joanne Cullings
MANUEL & ALMA THOMAS
Bill & Joanne Cullings
KEVIN VALINE
Bill & Joanne Cullings
DAVID VANDERWALL
Lyons Land & Cattle Co, Inc.
Mapes Ranch LP
Joan Hart
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
MARY ANN VARNI
Leroy & Kelli Rocha
CHRISTINA WAY
Lyons Land Management
Lyons Investments
Mapes Ranch LP
Lyons Land & Cattle Co, Inc.
Linda West
Robert & Cherly Fantazia
Robinson Family Trust
Frank & Vickie Conte
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
HAROLD & EVELYN WILBURN
Edward & Mimi Maring
EVELYN XAVIER WILBURN
Jeffery & Lori Coleman
FRANCES WORTHINGTON
Robert & Cherly Fantazia
ROSEMARY ZIMMERMAN
Joan Hart
Greg & Colette Nunes
Richard & Drena Wagner
Jim Pecchenino & Staff
About Central Catholic
Faithful to our Catholic Tradition, our mission is to witness to the Gospel while building an educational community that inspires the spiritual, academic and social development of young adults.
Central Catholic Students Are:
Academically-Prepared
Spiritually-Developed
Socially-Responsible
Globally-Conscious
Central Catholic Students Are:
Academically-Prepared
Spiritually-Developed
Socially-Responsible
Globally-Conscious
