Carrie Lentz
Advancement Director, Skaggs Catholic Center
DRAPER — 2024 was an exciting year for the schools of the Skaggs Catholic Center, filled with growth, milestones and achievements. The center celebrated the past, embraced the present and prepared for the future.
Juan Diego Catholic High School’s Class of 2024 earned more than $17 million in renewable scholarships and entered top-tier universities such as Dartmouth, Notre Dame, the University of Alabama and the University of Oregon. The Class of 2024 was comprised of award-winning musicians, athletes, scientists and artists who donated more than 18,000 hours of service to the community.
The Skaggs Catholic Center recently broke ground on a multi-million dollar expansion project. When completed, it will include a state-of-the-art performing arts center, eight new classrooms, and a south entrance designed to reflect the campus’s iconic breezeway and bell tower architecture. Additionally, five new post-tensioned concrete tennis courts were constructed, and the campus store, St. Paul’s Place, was relocated to better serve students and patrons. Plans are also under way to build a large indoor athletic facility.
September marked a significant milestone: the 25th anniversary of the Skaggs Catholic Center. Nearly 2,500 people and 20 priests from around the state gathered for Mass to celebrate the center’s legacy and remember benefactors Sam and Aline Skaggs. To commemorate the anniversary, the coffee table book Sacred Spaces: A Spiritual Portrait was unveiled, showcasing the art and icons that adorn the campus.
Several students broadened their horizons by traveling globally with Youthlinc and living Juan Diego’s motto, Spiritus Donorum, “the spirit of giving.” This year’s seniors will embrace this motto as they dedicate a week in late January to serving more than 23 agencies across Salt Lake and Summit County.
December brought a touch of nostalgia with the opening of the time capsule that had been in the interior wall behind the prominent 1999 cornerstone. Filled with treasures from the past, it reminded faculty, parents and students of the journey that brought the Skaggs Catholic Center to Draper. Plans are under way to build another time capsule to be opened in 2049.
Most recently, the Skaggs Catholic Center launched a new website to cater to the whole campus community, merging the individual school websites into one easy-to-navigate site. The redesign ensures easier access to essential information and a modern design that reflects the vibrancy of the campus.
As the Skaggs Catholic Center celebrates 25 remarkable years, it reflects on countless memories, achievements, and an unwavering commitment to faith-based education that has shaped generations of students. This milestone serves as both a reflection of the past and a beacon of hope for the future. With gratitude, the center looks forward to the next 25 years, confident that the values instilled within its walls will continue to guide future students toward becoming productive, compassionate, and successful adults. Together, the community embarks on the next chapter, remaining steadfast in its mission to nurture minds, hearts and spirits in the Catholic tradition.
About the Schools of the
Skaggs Catholic Center
Juan Diego Catholic High School in Draper is a private school rooted in the Catholic tradition. Established in 1999, the school is part of the Skaggs Catholic Center, a comprehensive 57-acre campus that houses Guardian Angel Child Development Center, Saint John the Baptist Catholic Elementary and Saint John the Baptist Catholic Middle School. For information on how to enroll or schedule a tour, visit skaggscatholiccenter.org or call 801-984-7650. The schools offer several tuition options and accept the $8,000 Utah Fits All Scholarship.
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