John Henry Newman Award

Each year the Cardinal Newman High School board of directors, through the efforts of a select committee, honors one alumnus and one member of the greater community with the John Henry Newman Award. These individuals are selected from among the many who follow Cardinal Newman's example and inspire us by their:

• Lasting and Meaningful service to Cardinal Newman High School and the greater community,
• Examples of Christian character,
• Gifts of talent, treasure and time in the form of dedication to the mission of Catholic education.

For the year 2010 the recipients of the John Henry Newman Award are:

Mr. Ken Molinaro, CN ‘72
and
Mr. Henry F. Trione

As an alumnus, Ken Molinaro, CN '72, has inspired his Cardinal Newman and Ursuline classmates to join him in supporting the schools' enduring tradition of excellence by offering matching gifts to build endowments.   He has also been instrumental in the success of Cardinal Newman's Annual Alumni Golf Tournament by providing generous sponsorships and donations.  The funds raised have allowed dozens of deserving students to attend our schools.  

Possibly most telling of Ken's altruistic spirit is his support of the hungry through the Redwood Empire Food Bank.   Whether through financial support or by his innovative negotiation with trucking companies to use excess back-haul capacity to deliver donated fresh produce to those in need, Ken's contributions have made a deep and abiding impact on our community at large.

Henry F. Trione has spent the better part of his life as an inspirational voice and force in supporting important causes at the local, state, and national levels.  His support of secondary education has not been limited to his generous financial gifts.  While a high school student in Fortuna, CA, Henry participated in the band, most memorably when they performed at the opening ceremony for the Golden Gate Bridge.  Half a century later, he initiated and sponsored the then current Fortuna High School Band's repeat performance at the bridge's fiftieth anniversary celebration.

Inspired by his love of music and his appreciation for the value of music training, Henry approached Cardinal Newman and Ursuline with a vision to help both schools provide greater opportunities for artistic expression.  He inspired and funded the creation of both an Ensemble and a Pep Band, which in only two years, has drawn praise from the community in the pages of The Press Democrat. 

Messrs. Molinaro and Trione will be recognized during a private President’s Reception on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 6:00pm at the St. Francis Winery and again during the Cardinal Newman Legacy Gala on Saturday, March 20, 2010.