Centennial Sign Fund

Many of us who graduated from Centennial or have had kids who went there know that it is one of the best kept secrets in the city district. It is truly an international community focusing on creating well-rounded graduates who excel in academics, athletics, the arts and music. Our neighbors have no idea of the quality of school it is, partially because the sign out front is in DIRE need of being replaced as it is easily broken into and looks shoddy. A new one with LED lights and messages which can be changed from within the office would help to proclaim the good things that our students, athletes, artists, singers and performers are doing. 

Because we are a city school, Centennial must go through the district for the design and construction of the sign. We also must have a sign that has been okayed by the Northwest Civic Association, the zoning board for the area. They have already made it known that any new signage must have brickwork involved to set it off. The total for the project is projected at about $25,000.

Recently we had a "$40 for 40" campaign to encourage alumni to donate at least $40 in honor of the 40th anniversary of the school. That project gained us about $2,000. In addition, the school principal, Ms Porta, has earmarked thousands of dollars from the fund that she manages to go toward the sign. We figure that if we complete the campaign with $10,000, she will not deplete her funds and we can get the sign we want.

First of all, I want to thank those of you who wrote checks or handed me cash toward the project over the last couple of years. Your donations are still in our hands!! If you are in the position that many Centennial grads are - successful at business and generously wanting to help the community - I encourage you to make a more substantial gift so that we can get "over the hump" and finish this project. I apologize that we are not able to put a picture of what the sign will look like. We are "back to the drawing board" and the district and Ms. Porta will work on the design when funds are in hand.