THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS, DONATIONS, AND EVERYONE THAT CAME OUT TO A FANTASTIC SHOW.

Thank you Mac McAnally, The Resolvers, The Associates Band & WolfHawk.

Thousands of students, alumni and supporters gathered for Pope-A-Palooza: Tunes for Tuition to celebrate Saint John Paul II Academy and raise funds for the school’s Alumni Scholarship Fund. Kicking off the weekend on Friday, April 26^th, a record 25 reunions took place at various venues throughout Boca Raton, followed by a music festival at Mizner Park on Saturday, April 27^th, making it the largest assemblage of alumni in the school’s 44-year history.

Led by committee co-chairs Cathy Silk and Mike Fimiani, the Pope-A-Palooza music festival featured headliner Mac McAnally,10-time CMA Musician of the Year and longtime member of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band. Prior to McAnally’s performance, the festival began with a performance by Wolfhawk, a modern rock band, whose rhythm guitarist just happens to be Kevin Ross, president of Lynn University.

Forrest Heathcott kept the party going as rhythm guitarist in The Associates Band, playing an eclectic mix of music ranging from rock to country to heavy metal. Formed in 2012 by five founding associates from JM Family Enterprises, the band donates all fees to the company’s internal associate assistance fund. The third local band preceding the headliner was The Resolvers, whose “Big Band Reggae” raised the energy level for the thousands in attendance.

While the rousing entertainment was the focal point of Pope-A-Palooza, the fact that it was a fundraiser generated a great deal of enthusiasm among alumni, committee members and sponsors. “The level of excitement was palpable among the dozens of alumni who held reunions and the large crowds gathered for the concerts,” said Mike Fimiani and Cathy Silk

“We now have 66 legacy students enrolled at SJPII, and the funds raised through Pope-a-Palooza will allow other children of alumni to reap the benefits of a world-class education.”