Jubilee Schools Annual Fundraiser

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Friday is the major fundraising event for a scholarship foundation that helps inner city children attend private Catholic schools; the Jubilee Schools.

Nearly 200 energetic and motivated pre-school through sixth graders attend St. John's Catholic School. Alexus Allen is a sixth grader. She's especially ambitious and already knows what she wants to be when she grows up.

"I want to be an upper gastro intestinal surgeon," said Alexus.

The Jubilee Program was founded in 2000 by an anonymous multi-million dollar donation. The aim is to revive Catholic schools built in the 40's and serve a population in need.

"The Catholic population moved into the suburbs, the people that were left could not afford to pay the tuition so they had to close schools down," said Teddi Nidzwiedz, principal of St. John's.

Jubilee Schools are not just for Catholics and nearly 95 percent of the children who attend them are on scholarship and qualify for free or reduced lunch. That's what makes its "Blue Streak Scholarship Foundation" so important. The dollars donated to the foundation go toward more than just the pre-k through 6th grade education.

"We'll also be able to afford to pass on these scholarship opportunities as they go into middle school and high school," said Nidzwiedz.

The foundation also depends on the yearly "Taste of Jubilee" fundraiser and private donations.

"Such a wonderful opportunity for student who normally wouldn't be able to afford a private faith based education," said Nidzwiedz.

Alexus has been attending St. John's since pre-school and said she's thankful for her private school education. She said the personal attention is helping her reach her dream of becoming a surgeon.

"The teachers seem nicer and the classrooms aren't really that big," said Alexus.

Taste of Jubilee
Friday, April 23
7:00 PM
Pink Palace Museum
$75 per person prior to the day of the event, $85 at the door

Guests will indulge in cuisine prepared by some of Memphis' finest restaurants.

The Taste of Jubilee will offer live music throughout the event and will feature a silent auction full of trips, sports memorabilia and art work.

Participating Restaurants:
Erling Jensen
Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen
Grace
McEwan's
The Grove Grill
Interim
Ciao Bella
Lucchesi's
Pizze Stone
Majestic Grille
River Oaks
Bari Ristorante
Restaurant Iris
Café Society
Café 1912
Felicia Suzanne
Wang's Mandarin House
Cupboard Restaurant