RJC has embarked on a crucial next step in educating students for lives of faith, service, and peacemaking: the RENEW Campaign, a $10 million initiative to renew and restore the facilities that serve RJC’s thriving academic and dormitory programs. As we share more updates in the months to come, we are honoured Brian and Delilah Roth have chosen to generously help RENEW RJC.
Invited to participate in the possibilities for future students at RJC High School, Brian and Delilah Roth have generously donated to the RJC RENEW Capital Campaign. As alumni, parents of alumni and long-time supporters of RJC, this gift continues their legacy of giving.
Their story began at RJC, where they met. Delilah was a dorm student. Brian, a day student, was drawn to the school after supper every day. “I went to RJC for the sports program,” he says. “Then I met Delilah.” One day in December 1972, one asked the other to attend the Christmas banquet. The possibilities of RJC were only beginning to sprout in their minds, as they graduated, married, and started their family. Looking back, “Our high school experience at RJC widened our world view. We came to understand our faith background,” says Delilah.
The Roth’s emphasize how RJC impacted them, their family, and their lives, whether it’s their own RJC experience (including cross-country choir trips and one mobster-themed Junior/Senior that brought future restrictions) or the life-long friends they’ve made.Brian and Delilah especially appreciate how the school continues to make space for everyone.
“We’ve seen over the decades how RJC has ensured it makes that space,” they said. “RJC today works at being truly inclusive, at drawing out every person’s gifts.”
“We hear testimonials at events from parents and kids, of how RJC changed their lives,” says Brian. “Stories like students becoming compassionate young adults, living in community, learning about service – valuable tools for life, for a job, for living in community.”
The 2025 musical, Fiddler on the Roof, underscores their reason for giving. “This is why we support RJC,” adds Delilah. “Watching the musical, where kids are performing above their ability – RJC draws out abilities, skills, gifts, and possibilities in young people. Why wouldn’t you want to send your kids to RJC?”
Brian and Delilah love how RJC has continued to be based on Anabaptist values and how today, the school has welcomed more non-Mennonite students yet still ties in with following Christ’s example in love, in service, in being in community. “It’s a faith shaped by an understanding of where you come from,” says Delilah. “RJC brings in a faith aspect with your whole life, how you live your life, and exposes you to the possibility of what having faith could mean.”
RJC has always been high on the Roth’s giving list, with past support for the arena, the office renovations, and the accessibility elevators. Brian and Delilah decided over the last ten years to be more intentional, supporting RJC annually. When invited to participate in the RENEW campaign, the Roth’s decided to donate so others can experience the impact and possibilities of RJC.
“Our parents modeled giving to each of us,” says Brian. “We’re donating to RENEW because RJC continues to offer a valuable alternative in education in this area.”“This is our largest gift. It’s a cautious feeling, as we’re not used to being in this position,” says Delilah. “We hope the RENEW project brings an attitude of optimism towards the ongoing operation of the school moving forward.”
Through the RENEW project, the Roth’s believe in the possibility of what RJC can continue to do for students for another 120-plus years. “RJC changed us and our lives,” adds Brian. “RJC opened us up to more possibility and opened up the world to us.” Thank you, Brian and Delilah for your generosity in supporting RENEW so future generations can walk the RJC path of faith, service and peacemaking!
Interested in learning more about RJC RENEW and this pivotal moment where meaningful investment will allow us to continue delivering excellent education in a safe, modern, and inspiring environment? Please reach out to our Developmet Office at development@rjc.sk.ca.
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