Our Work

Lucais Balurdi, a junior at Central Catholic High School and a CSF Class of 2027 Scholar, is making his mark both on stage and in the classroom. This fall, Lucais stepped into a lead role in the Central Catholic Theatre Guild’s production of Star Stars, a professionally written parody of the Star Wars franchise. In the show, Lucais plays a character inspired by R2D2, bringing humor, creativity, and energy to the stage.

Lucais’s performance is part of Central Catholic’s long-standing Theatre Guild tradition. The Guild has a 52-year history and has staged more than 300 productions, with alumni who have gone on to careers on Broadway, in television, and beyond—including a former student who now serves as a musical director for Hamilton on Broadway and its touring company. Being part of this legacy has been especially meaningful for Lucais, who has a deep passion for drama and musical theatre.

That passion is made possible, in large part, through the support of the Catholic Schools Foundation. “Being a CSF Scholar means everything to me. Without this scholarship, I wouldn’t be able to attend Central Catholic or take part in these opportunities. I’m incredibly grateful for the Catholic Schools Foundation and the donors who make it possible for students like me to follow our passions and prepare for the future.”

Beyond the stage, Lucais is actively exploring his future. Through a CSF scholarship, he attended the Boston College Experience College Readiness Program, where he lived on campus for two weeks and participated in college-level coursework. Out of four course tracks—Business, Writing, Climate Change, and Forensics—Lucais chose Forensics, Profiling, and Crime Scene Analysis, a subject he has been fascinated by since childhood.

“Ever since I was little, I have loved watching shows like Forensic Files,” Lucais shared. When he learned about the program, he eagerly applied, excited not only by the subject matter but also by the chance to experience life away from home for the first time.

During the program, Lucais participated in simulation labs that allowed students to analyze evidence and work through real-world case scenarios. The experience helped him build confidence, independence, and meaningful connections with classmates, instructors, and residential advisors. He also felt respected and challenged in a true college classroom environment.

A highlight of the program for Lucais was learning from Dr. Ann Burgess, a renowned criminal profiler and psychologist who helped develop the modern concept of profiling through her work with the FBI. Lucais admired Dr. Burgess’s honesty, professionalism, and passion for teaching.

One particularly memorable moment came when students were asked to analyze a recent, high-profile criminal case and propose possible motives using what they had learned in class. Dr. Burgess later discussed the students’ ideas on a crime podcast, allowing Lucais to see how his academic work could contribute to real-world conversations.

“This experience has prepared me for college,” Lucais reflected. While he continues to explore different academic and career paths, including engineering, he now feels more confident about what college life will be like and what will be expected of him.

Thanks to the Catholic Schools Foundation, Lucais is not only pursuing his love of theatre and academics today, but also building the confidence, skills, and independence he’ll need for the future.

His journey is a powerful example of how CSF scholarships open doors on stage, in the classroom, and beyond.