About a dozen years ago, a very special person took an interest in Nativity School, and the impact he has made on the lives of hundreds of Nativity’s students ever since cannot be overstated.

Richard Gay, a brilliant chemical engineer with a PhD from UCLA, first heard about Nativity through a fundraising event to provide much-needed books for the school, sponsored by his local parish near his home in Chatsworth. He met Sister Judy that day and the two, along with then pastor Fr. Tim, formed a bond that resulted in Nativity transforming into the state-of-the-art educational center it is today.

“When I first saw the school, Sr. Judy had just become principal, and the students were housed in bungalows because the buildings were still damaged from the ’94 earthquake,” he remembers. “However, I could see even then that she created the right culture for learning and achievement. She had the room but not the resources (to reach more children), so I donated money for scholarships.”

Since then Mr. Gay has been a fixture at Nativity, seeing to it that the school not only has funds to keep offering dozens of scholarships each year, but also improve and expand learning programs, among many other things, especially math and science, a particular passion for the scientist.

“He’s an inspiration,” declares Sr. Judy. “He’s been a foundation for Nativity. With all he’s done, the school wouldn’t be the same without him. He’s such a source of joy to our community, especially our students.”

Thank you, Mr. Richard Gay, for all you have done for Nativity!