Royal Palm Academy is honored to announce a major leadership gift from Frank and Mary Ann Turek, a testament to their deep belief in the power of Catholic education and their commitment to shaping future generations of faith-filled leaders. Their generous contribution reflects the passion of our students, the dedication of our staff, and the vibrant faith that flourishes on our campus, embodying the core mission of Royal Palm Academy.

Frank and Mary Ann spent most of their lives in Upstate New York before relocating to Maui, Hawaii. Frank, a lifelong farmer, has dedicated his career to growing and distributing sweet corn along the East Coast, including Florida. Mary Ann has been a passionate advocate for Catholic education, serving as a Board Member at a private Catholic high school in Upstate New York, as well as a Religious Education Coordinator and Second Grade Religious Education Teacher. She explains, “I have always believed that a strong Catholic education helps young people excel in whatever God calls them to be, as their education is rooted in truth. Providing children with solid Catholic teaching is the best gift we can offer.”

Faith and service have always been central to their lives. The Tureks are actively involved in their local church, where they dedicate many hours to volunteering. Mary Ann, also a Master Gardener, has been featured in the prestigious Garden Conservancy Tour for her work in landscape design and conservation.

Frank and Mary Ann are blessed with a daughter and son-in-law, Joseph and Michelle Alig, five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Their connection to Royal Palm Academy began when Joseph joined the school as a second-grade teacher nearly four years ago. Through countless conversations, they were deeply impressed by the positive experiences Joe and Michelle shared about RPA. When Michelle joined the RPA team in a leadership role a year ago, their admiration for the school only grew stronger. Mary Ann shares, “We firmly believe that we were introduced to Royal Palm Academy for a reason. This is the place where we can make the greatest impact, creating a lasting legacy for future generations.”

During their recent visit to Florida, Frank and Mary Ann spent a morning on campus, witnessing firsthand the joy, faith, and excellence that define RPA. “Frank and I were so amazed to see all that RPA offers—its vibrant community, the variety of sports and programs, and the daily prayer and reflection shared by staff and students,” Mary Ann reflected. “We feel incredibly blessed to support RPA and its mission.”

Royal Palm Academy extends our deepest gratitude to Frank and Mary Ann Turek for their transformational generosity. Their gift will leave an enduring legacy, ensuring that RPA continues to provide a faith-filled, academically excellent education for generations to come.

We continue to strive for greatness and need your help to achieve our vision. If you would like to contribute to the school's future, please contact Michael Bussman, Head of School, at mbussman@royalpalmacademy.org or 239-594-9888.

Royal Palm Academy is excited to announce a generous joint gift from Bob and Dee Almond and Nick and Jamie Almond. The Almond family has been long-time supporters of RPA and continues to play an integral role in advancing our mission and vision for the future.

Bob and Dee Almond have been steadfast champions of Catholic education for decades and began supporting Royal Palm Academy in 2021, even before their grandson Vincent joined RPA as a student. Bob has been instrumental in shaping the school’s future through his generous participation in RPA’s Strategic Planning and Master Site Planning processes. Bob and Dee’s belief in the transformative power of Catholic education and their commitment to building a permanent home for RPA have made an enduring impact on our school community.

Nick and Jamie Almond, along with their son Vincent, a full-day PreK-4 student in his second year at RPA, have also embraced the mission and vision of the school. They are especially excited about the plans for a permanent campus where future generations of leaders can grow and thrive.

Nick Almond shared:
“At Royal Palm Academy, our family has experienced firsthand the nurturing environment and exceptional education that foster growth and development. We believe in the school's commitment to excellence and its dedication to shaping future leaders. By donating to the future of Royal Palm Academy, we aim to support innovative programs, enhance facilities, and provide opportunities for all students to thrive. Our contribution reflects our gratitude and hope to ensure that the Academy continues to inspire and empower young minds for generations to come.”

The Almond family’s leadership gift reflects their deep commitment to faith, education, and community, inspiring others to join them in building a lasting legacy for Royal Palm Academy.

“The generosity of Bob, Dee, Nick, and Jamie Almond is truly humbling,” shared Michael Bussman, Head of School at Royal Palm Academy. “Their dedication to our mission and vision ensures that RPA will continue to shape future generations of leaders who will make a difference in our community and beyond.”

Every contribution helps us fulfill our Vision for the Future, as outlined in the Strategic Plan, ensuring that Royal Palm Academy remains a place where students thrive, lead, and make a lasting impact on the world.

We look forward to sharing more leadership-level gifts in the weeks and months ahead!

We continue to strive for greatness and need your help to achieve our vision. If you would like to contribute to the school's future, please contact Michelle Alig, Director of Strategic Initiatives, at malig@royalpalmacademy.org or 239-594-9888.

We are thrilled to announce Andy and Katie Hord as major gift donors for our Welcome Home Capital Campaign. Their generous support plays a vital role in helping us bring our vision for the future to life. We are grateful for their commitment to enhancing the educational experience at Royal Palm Academy, creating a lasting impact on our school community.

The 2024-2025 school year marks the Hord Family's second year at Royal Palm Academy. After moving from Ave Maria less than a year ago, the Hords fell in love with Naples for its strong sense of community, beautiful weather, excellent dining options, fun activities for children, and overall convenience.

Nick, a fifth grader, and AJ, a third grader, are thriving at RPA. Andy and Katie are thrilled about the school’s growth and prosperity. When asked about what excites them about the future of RPA, Katie stated, “We are looking forward to the new state of the art buildings and grounds which will only enhance the wonderful education our kids are already receiving.”

As a family that understands the importance of outdoor activities for children and their engagement with nature, the Hords are especially excited about the outdoor spaces planned for the new campus. Katie is excited about the possibility of a community garden on the new campus, where children can learn valuable skills of cultivating and growing, not only spiritually and academically, but also seeing tangible items come to fruition.  Nick and AJ are also looking forward to exploring the new science lab, where they can dive into interesting experiments.

The Hord Family’s decision to make a Leadership Gift was inspired by their experience with Royal Palm Academy’s welcoming community and outstanding values. Katie shared her thoughts about Royal Palm Academy, “Our children have attended several different schools, and RPA is far and away the most superior one. We were blown away with how welcoming the teachers, staff, students, and parents have all been to us. Not only do our children learn important academic fortitude and how to achieve their goals they also learn how to be great human beings and grow in their faith. I cannot say enough good things about RPA, and I feel everyone should send their children there if they want them to be kind, intelligent, thoughtful, hardworking, kids (because these are the values entailed at RPA). As an example of how wonderful this school truly is…my kids were sad to go on summer break last year because they didn’t want to miss out being at school!”

Every contribution helps us fulfill our Vision outlined in our Strategic Plan, ensuring that Royal Palm Academy remains a place where students thrive, lead, and make a lasting impact on the world. We look forward to announcing many more leadership-level gifts in the coming weeks and months!

We continue to strive for greatness and need your help to achieve our vision. If you would like to contribute to the school's future, please contact Michelle Alig, Director of Strategic Initiatives, at malig@royalpalmacademy.org or 239-594-9888.

Royal Palm Academy is delighted to share the exciting news of a major gift from Joseph and Jaime Bonura. Their dedication to RPA is exemplified through Joseph’s leadership as a member of the RPA Board of Trustees and Jaime’s active participation in the Parent Volunteer Organization (PVO).

Joseph and Jaime, along with their daughters Vienna (4th Grade) and Maylana (1st Grade), are in their fourth year at RPA. After many wonderful visits to Naples to spend time with family, they decided to make it their full-time home. Drawn to Naples by the wonderful community, incredible business opportunities, and gorgeous weather and beaches, the Bonuras see their experiences here as a major quality of life improvement. They credit RPA as a significant reason for making this move, sharing that their children absolutely love being part of the RPA family.

The family is especially excited about the future of RPA; building a permanent home where it can continue its tradition and culture of shaping future leaders. They are most passionate about the construction of the first two-story building becoming visible from the road, which will reflect the excellence and innovation RPA has fostered for years. Joseph mentions, the students are sure to appreciate staying dry on rainy days and enjoying a safer, more comfortable space during inclement weather. The safety upgrades and state-of-the-art technology classroom in the new building are among the most eagerly anticipated features.

Joseph and Jaime’s decision to make a major gift, stems from their shared Catholic and leadership values. Joe explains, “Jaime and I decided to make a major gift because our personal Catholic and leadership values align closely with the vision of RPA.  Our children will get to experience some of the new campus buildings, but we look at this gift as a way to help ensure future children will become the leaders in the community that we need with values that we share.”

The Bonura Family is proud to contribute to the vision of RPA and encourages others in the community—especially those new to RPA—to join them in building a legacy for future generations.

Every contribution helps us fulfill our Vision outlined in our Strategic Plan, ensuring that Royal Palm Academy remains a place where students thrive, lead, and make a lasting impact on the world. We look forward to announcing many more leadership-level gifts in the coming weeks and months!

We continue to strive for greatness and need your help to achieve our vision. If you would like to contribute to the school's future, please contact Michelle Alig, Director of Strategic Initiatives, at malig@royalpalmacademy.org or 239-594-9888.

Royal Palm Academy is excited to announce the news of a major contribution from Karen and Phil Avery, long serving and passionate members of the RPA community. Karen and Phil have reaffirmed their commitment to the school’s vision for the future with their leadership gift. Since first joining the RPA family in 2004, Karen and Phil have played an integral role in shaping the school’s growth, from Phil’s coaching of our basketball teams to Karen’s leadership on the Parent Volunteer Organization (PVO) and the Board of Directors.

Karen and Phil began their involvement with RPA in 2004 when they moved their family to SWFL from Maryland and enrolled their daughter Katie in 4^th grade and their son Alex in 1^st grade. Karen’s commitment to RPA deepened in 2005, when she became President of the PVO, a role she held until 2011. During her tenure, Karen worked tirelessly to engage parents and support the school's mission. In 2011, Karen transitioned to the Royal Palm Academy Board of Directors, where she is currently serving as President, helping guide the school into the future. Phil volunteered at RPA as the boys’ basketball coach from 2013 to 2017, and also brought our beloved coach, Chris Moore, to the RPA family.

Karen and Phil’s dedication to Royal Palm Academy is mirrored in the educational journeys of their three children, Katie, Alex and Zach, who each spent their formative years at the school. Katie attended RPA from 2004 to 2009 before moving on to Bishop Verot HS, where she graduated as Valedictorian in 2013. She earned her undergraduate degree from Boston College in 2017 and completed her JD at the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2021. Katie lives in Gainesville and manages a team of insurance fraud investigators. Alex attended Royal Palm Academy from 2004 to 2012, graduated from Bishop Verot in 2016, and then from Stonehill College (where he met his lovely wife Lilah) in 2020. Alex lives in Punta Gorda where he works remotely as a Senior Software Developer. Zach attended Royal Palm Academy from 2006 to 2017, graduated from Bishop Verot in 2021, and is currently living in Tampa pursuing a degree in Accounting and Marketing.

Karen and Phil are proud of the Board of Directors' commitment to our Mission and vision and Mike Bussman’s strong leadership to make the vision a reality and further solidify Royal Palm Academy’s position as a premier educational institution with a beautiful permanent campus.

Reflecting on their time at RPA, Karen shared a favorite memory: "In the 13 years that we had kids at RPA, we made uncountable memories and made lifelong friends. One of my favorite RPA memories is our boys varsity basketball team winning the SAC Championship against St Ann School in 2017 on our home court. SAS had beat us in both regular season games, but our amazing Coach Chris put the RPA team through intense training with the goal of winning the SAC Championship. It was our first year with our own gymnasium, a true milestone for RPA, and an incredibly exciting way to end Phil’s last year coaching, and Zach’s last basketball season at RPA.”

Karen and Phil are honored to continue to be a part of RPA and are enthusiastic about RPA’s Master Site Plan and the potential it holds for the future. Karen said, “We want to ensure that RPA has a safe, permanent campus for decades to come. I want generations of kids to benefit from the RPA education and experience that our kids did. RPA is part of who they are; they are wonderful people. RPA had a lot to do with it. They are the leaders of today.”

Every contribution helps us fulfill our Vision outlined in our Strategic Plan, ensuring that Royal Palm Academy remains a place where students thrive, lead, and make a lasting impact on the world. We look forward to announcing many more leadership-level gifts in the coming weeks and months!

We continue to strive for greatness and need your help to achieve our vision. If you would like to contribute to the school's future, please contact Michelle Alig, Director of Strategic Initiatives, at malig@royalpalmacademy.org or 239-594-9888.

Royal Palm Academy, celebrating our 26th year of excellence in Catholic education, is excited to share the news of a major contribution from Tim and Trish Schwartz. Their leadership gift aligns with our vision for the future, supporting the strategic development of our campus and enhancing the educational experience for all our students.

“We are honored and humbled to be able make this gift to Royal Palm Academy (RPA).  As Catholic parents, we proudly support RPA, which courageously teaches Catholic principles and morals, and which stands as a fortress of faith, in the midst of our increasingly secular culture.  Now more than ever, RPA needs our support and leadership, so that it can continue its mission to teach the minds, educate the hearts and form the character of future generations in Southwest Florida.” said Tim and Trish Schwartz.

Tim, President and CEO of Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc. and Ave Maria Mutual Funds, and Trish, our former RPA PVO President whose leadership energized the family and community aspects of RPA, have been instrumental in the school's ongoing success. Their son, Gabriel, a 5th grader who has been with RPA since Pre-K, is a testament to their deep commitment to the school’s mission and future.

For the past two years, Ave Maria Mutual Funds has been the lead matching donor for RPA’s Day of Giving, a role that reflects the Schwartz family’s dedication to fostering a culture of philanthropy within our school community. In addition to their financial contributions, Tim and Trish have consistently supported key fundraising events such as the Lily Pulitzer Fashion Show, Day of Giving, and Gala, helping to ensure the vibrancy and sustainability of RPA.

Tim and Trish are particularly excited about the plans to begin transforming our campus into a modern 21st-century educational environment. They believe that the planned covered basketball court, an essential element of our Master Site Plan, will provide a safe and engaging play space for all RPA students. Trish, with her passion for supporting our teachers, sees this as a crucial step in enhancing the overall student and faculty experience.

“Tim and Trish’s generosity and unwavering belief in our mission are truly inspiring,” said Michael Bussman, Head of School at Royal Palm Academy. “Their gift not only supports our immediate goals but also lays the foundation for a thriving future, where RPA continues to be a beacon of Catholic education in North Naples.”

Every contribution helps us fulfill our Vision outlined in our Strategic Plan, ensuring that Royal Palm Academy remains a place where students thrive, lead, and make a lasting impact on the world. We look forward to announcing many more leadership-level gifts in the coming weeks and months!

We continue to strive for greatness and need your help to achieve our vision. If you would like to contribute to the school's future, please contact Michelle Alig, Director of Strategic Initiatives, at malig@royalpalmacademy.org or 239-594-9888.