With her eldest son Henry now a second-semester senior, Colleen Boraca is taking stock of what Marmion Academy has meant to her son, herself, and the whole family.

As an eighth-grader, Henry found Marmion on his own.  Out of the blue, he asked if he could visit the school. They took a tour and he knew immediately it was the right place.

Over the years, Colleen has watched her son thrive. He embraced the military program and its leadership opportunities. He has volunteered and served in all kinds of ways.

When Marmion announced its transition to co-ed, Colleen understood the concern it raised.

“But here’s my feeling: When I think of all the many ways Marmion has made such an impact on Henry, I realize that only a part of it was tied to Marmion the all-boys model.  The most important thing is that Marmion remains healthy and strong for all the generations to come.”

Colleen shared some of her fondest moments over the last four years:

• “Henry’s freshman orientation drop-off was deeply emotional. I wasn’t expecting anything. It was just a normal day. But that morning we walked straight into an open embrace of love and community. The video I have of Mr. Tinerella so warmly welcoming my son to the school is something I will treasure forever. I knew in that moment things were going to be very different.”
• “I remember that first Ash Wednesday Mass when Henry was a freshman.  A group of us parents were in the back, completely captivated.”
• “I remember an early morning with my Marmion mom friends as we sent our boys off to Nazareth Farm for a week-long service project. Watching your excited child ride away on a bus to go help people gives you hope. It’s a poignant moment every parent feels when their child is beginning to embrace the world on their own and you can’t believe how fast it has all gone.”
• “I remember the Kairos closing ceremonies and Mass when Henry was commissioned as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. It’s clear how his faith has deepened during his time at Marmion. In fact, my own faith has been strengthened by Marmion as well.”
• “I also have a thousand little memories where a faculty or staff member made the extra effort, took the extra time to be a role model to kids. The team at Marmion is such a special group.”

Colleen concludes: “I am deeply grateful to have watched my child grow into a young adult inside this community.  I know in my heart that Marmion will continue to shape lives next year and every year thereafter.”