*Information on LEED certification is provided by the U.S. Green Building Council.*
Christopher Columbus High School
A Catholic School for Young Men in the Marist Tradition since 1958
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Lemonis Building
Center for Science & the Arts
Christopher Columbus High School is pleased to announce that the school’s new Center for Science and the Arts will be named after alumni Marcus Lemonis and Mario Sueiras. Lemonis and Sueiras, childhood friends from the class of 1991, have made a generous gift to the school.
Lemonis, a serial entrepreneur, television personality and philanthropist, is one of the most sought-after industry experts in the small business sector today. He is the Chairman and CEO of the nation’s leading RV retailer, Camping World, and is host of CNBC’s “The Profit” where he lends his expertise to struggling businesses across the nation. Inducted into the Columbus Hall of Fame in 2015, his popular “Lemonis Challenge” inspired thousands of alumni to give to the Columbus development program in recent years.
Sueiras is a long-time insurance industry professional who has headed the local Geico Miami office for the last 12 years. Under his direction, his office has experienced steady sales growth. He also has supported several local community organizations. Prior to joining the insurance industry, Sueiras worked as a teacher in Miami-Dade Public Schools. He is a Columbus parent and proud father of two children.
Lemonis, a serial entrepreneur, television personality and philanthropist, is one of the most sought-after industry experts in the small business sector today. He is the Chairman and CEO of the nation’s leading RV retailer, Camping World, and is host of CNBC’s “The Profit” where he lends his expertise to struggling businesses across the nation. Inducted into the Columbus Hall of Fame in 2015, his popular “Lemonis Challenge” inspired thousands of alumni to give to the Columbus development program in recent years.
Sueiras is a long-time insurance industry professional who has headed the local Geico Miami office for the last 12 years. Under his direction, his office has experienced steady sales growth. He also has supported several local community organizations. Prior to joining the insurance industry, Sueiras worked as a teacher in Miami-Dade Public Schools. He is a Columbus parent and proud father of two children.
“We are so grateful to Marcus and Mario for this extraordinary support. They exemplify the strong brotherhood spirit of Columbus and the deep ties that bind us,” said Thomas Kruczek, Christopher Columbus High School President. “Their generosity will build a legacy for the future. We are honored that this building will bear their names and serve as inspiration for future generations of Explorers.”
“The new center will provide students with the ideal space and resources
to foster STEM skills, such as critical thinking, communication and creativity, which are essential for their future success,” said Mercy Aycart, Science Department Chairperson. “The facility will take our STEM Programs to a new level.”
to foster STEM skills, such as critical thinking, communication and creativity, which are essential for their future success,” said Mercy Aycart, Science Department Chairperson. “The facility will take our STEM Programs to a new level.”
Achieving LEED Certification
The Marcus Lemonis and Mario Sueiras Center for Science & the Arts will be the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified building on the Columbus campus.
LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, Green Building Rating System™, is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.*
Leave Your Legacy
Naming opportunities publically celebrate the commitments of our donors and underscore the role philanthropy plays in bolstering Christopher Columbus High School. These opportunities honor the individuals who believe in Columbus' future and who share in our vision for excellence in the Marcus Lemonis and Mario Sueiras Center for Science & the Arts.
Please contact the Office of Development for more information on how you can get involved in this transformative project.
Please contact the Office of Development for more information on how you can get involved in this transformative project.
Building Fast Facts
- Multi-functional 100,000 square foot, 4-story facility
- Provides cutting-edge resources and spaces that foster STEM skills and elevate music and art programs
- Columbus’ first LEED (Leadership in Energy/Environmental Design) Certified Building
- Houses the Robert Sanchez Family Robotics & Engineering Lab/ Muñoz Family Innovation Hub, May and Frank Rotolante Art Lab, Paul DiMare Family Lecture Hall, Lou de la Aguilera Family CCNN Studio, numerous STEM, art, and music classrooms/studios, exhibition & performance spaces, indoor parking and a locker room for the basketball team (currently state champions)
- Features an open-concept with a large atrium and natural light
- Designer/Builder: AECOM (one of the world’s premier infrastructure firms) and Vilar-Hoynack (construction company with 30+ years of experience in the K-12 and higher education sector)
“The building will provide great learning experiences for our students on the importance of conserving energy and being environmentally responsible,” said Tim Plummer ‘83, Columbus Buildings & Ground Committee Chair.
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Christopher Columbus High School | 3000 SW 87 Avenue | Miami, FL 33165 | (305) 223-5650
Brotherhood, Faith, and Scholarship define the Marist Brothers Catholic education at Christopher Columbus High School. By making Jesus Christ known and loved and creating an inspiring academic and extracurricular environment, we prepare young men for higher learning and a life-long commitment to leadership and service through Gospel and Marist values.
Columbus is fully accredited by Cognia and is a member of the Marist Association of Secondary schools, the National Catholic Education Association and the Independent Schools of South Florida.
