It’s part of the Cardinal Ritter College Prep Health and Wellness Initiative, funded in large part by the Taylor family and Enterprise Holdings Foundation, with support from our other donors, including Centene Charitable Foundation, Edward Jones and William T. Kemper Foundation.

The complex will consist of an athletic field, a track and a weight room. It will serve the school and will be a community resource for the more than 10,000 youth and adults who use the athletic facilities each year — including elementary schools, youth clubs and community-based organizations.

Armstead reminded students who filled the stands of the football field that “there are people who have not met you but believe in you.” Those supporters of the school “want to make sure you have every single thing you need to live up to your full potential,” she said, and want “for you to become the very best version of yourselves.”

The school president cited as an example for students supporters such as the late Jack Taylor of Enterprise Leasing, who believed in putting people first and giving back.

Archbishop Robert J. Carlson said that enrollment at the school is at capacity, educational program offerings are robust and the school successfully prepares students for a competitive 21st-century workforce. “Today we stand as one part of a legacy 40 years strong held today by the mission of faith development, academic excellence and leadership that has withstood the test of time and grown stronger with each generation,” he said.

Construction on the new complex is scheduled to start this spring, with targeted completion in early fall.

Joining Archbishop Carlson and Armstead with the ceremonial shovels were David Kemper, executive chairman, Commerce Bancshares Inc.; Jo Ann Taylor Kindle, chairperson, Enterprise Holdings Foundation; Kevin Short, CEO of Clayton Capital Partners and board chair of the Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation; James D. Weddle, former managing partner, Edward Jones; and Keith Williamson, president, Centene Charitable Foundation.

About the school

Cardinal Ritter College Preparatory High School is a Catholic urban high school which educates primarily African-American young men and women and prepares them for leadership roles in a multi-ethnic society.

The mission of Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School is to provide an exceptional Catholic educational experience to youth that instills attitudes of success and self-worth through faith development, academic excellence and leadership.