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Brophy College Preparatory is the perfect combination of old and new; a representation of the past and the present fusing to work together for a positive future for every boy who walks its halls.

brohpy school

Brophy is a school steeped in history (the earliest Jesuit school opening in Phoenix in 1928), but is most dedicated to shaping future leaders, or as Brophy calls them, “Men for Others.” Guiding students of conscience, competence and compassion, Brophy teaches by example, making sure that a student’s education is not sacrificed due to financial needs. While Brophy may be one of the state’s most prestigious private schools, it is also said to offer the state’s largest financial aid fund, ensuring that young men from all walks of life will receive the opportunity to become leaders and enrich our future community.

The financial aid budget at Brophy Prep this year is a whopping $2,325,000 and will assist 20 percent of all students in their education. This fund has helped to create the diverse quilt of Brophy students who come from more than 120 different Valley elementary schools. It has also helped to make Brophy the leading school in Maricopa county for National Merit Finalists, with 96 percent of students attending a four-year university program. Brophy Vice President Adria Renke explains that the fund will provide aid based on proven financial need to students who might otherwise be unable to attend. The fund provides partial and fully-paid tuition, and ensures that students can stay in school, even if a family’s financial situation changes. “In this economy, we are seeing a lot of that right now,” says Renke, who has been with Brophy for 13 years.

Renke says that boys will apply to the school, get accepted and then discuss financial issues after the fact, which she jokingly admits is “not the best business plan,” but “commonplace for a Jesuit school.” Brophy is a nonprofit school determined to provide quality education to those who are qualified, regardless of ability to pay.

Sabino Vargas, who graduated from Brophy in 2004, is a great example of what the fund can do. He worked hard, brought in great grades and was active in the community and the school covered 75 to 80 percent of his tuition for four years. “If Brophy did not have this unique financial aid program I would not have gone to this school and I would not be where I am now,” Vargas says, attributing much of his success to the development he learned at Brophy. Today, Vargas is completing two degrees in finance and management at ASU’s WP Carey School of Business and plans a future in private or commercial banking.

“I found mentors at Brophy,” says Vargas, “And they always told us to start a legacy.” As the first person in his family to graduate high school and attend university, he has certainly done just that.─His younger brother is attending Brophy right now, using the same financial aid that benefitted Sabino so much.

brohpy runway show 

For the past 26 years, one of the most fun and successful fundraisers to benefit the Brophy Financial Aid Fund is the annual Brophy Mother’s Guild Fashion Show, which has brought in approximately $300,000 in recent years, with 100 percent of the profits of the fashion show going toward student grants. “The fashion show is a huge fundraiser. All that money raised in just one luncheon is amazing. It’s a real highlight,” says Renke, “And a great reunion for the moms.” Renke is an alum mother herself.

In addition to the important financial contribution that the fashion show and luncheon makes, the event, which will take place on Nov. 4 at the Camelback Inn, is also a really good time for both the estimated 1,100 attendees and the 75 boys who will participate as models, escorting lovely professional female models down the catwalk. The students get to strut their stuff and spirited hoots and hollers from the audience are encouraged.

Before the big runway show, all attendees will enjoy a social hour that begins at 10:30 a.m., which includes shopping opportunities and a generous raffle, with a $10,000 cash grand prize. And different from years past, at the 2009 show, both the boys and women will be dressed in Saks Fifth Avenue clothing, showing off “The Best of Saks – Fall 2009” collection. “I’m really looking forward to it,” Renke says. “It’s going to be delightful to see these boys out of their comfort zone, taking risks. I think they’ll rise to the occasion; boys will be boys.”

Click here for more information about the Brophy Mother’s Guild Fashion Show