FAITHFUL STEWARDS
Board of Directors
Faithful stewards guiding the founding of Stella Maris Classical Academy
GOVERNANCE
Guided by Faith, Wisdom, and Service
The Board of Directors of Stella Maris Classical Academy is composed of dedicated Catholic leaders who bring a wealth of professional experience, deep faith, and an unwavering commitment to the mission of classical Catholic education. Each member serves with the conviction that forming young minds in truth, beauty, and goodness is among the most important works of our time.
GUBERNATIO
Our Board Members
Dr. Michael Jaquith
President of the Board
Dr. Michael Jaquith is a physician with a long standing career in Venice, Florida. He has served as Board Chair of Venice Regional Medical Center and Sarasota Doctors Hospital as well as Board Chair of Pregnancy Solutions. He was the founding President of the Catholic Physicians Guild of the Diocese of Venice and is a Knight of The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He is a staunch supporter of Catholic classical education and is a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Maria DiMenna
Vice President of the Board
Maria DiMenna holds a B.A. in Religious Studies and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A committed entrepreneur, she has led non-profit and for-profit organizations in planning and administration. She supports this model of education, in part because she benefitted from her experience of attending a classical Catholic high school. Maria is also committed to Our Daily Bread of Bradenton and ProLife activities. She is a native of Buffalo, NY, a wife, mother of two, and grandmother of seven.
Kim Elsmore
Board Treasurer
Kim Elsmore holds a degree in Secondary Math Education from Florida State University and a Master’s in Theology from the Augustine Institute. She has served as a teacher, K-8 Catholic school principal, diocesan coordinator, and FOCUS missionary. She is a devoted wife and mother, committed to strengthening Catholic education and community life.
Carolyn Dutton
Board Secretary
Carolyn Dutton holds master’s degrees in Educational Administration and Special Education and a bachelor’s degree in Education. She has expertise in curriculum development, teacher training, classical methodology, and serving students with learning differences. She is deeply committed to academic excellence, faithful formation, and collaborative leadership.
Deacon Jun Roca
Founding Director of the Board
Ordained a Permanent Deacon in 2009, Deacon Jun Roca serves at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice and brings deep faith, wisdom, and service to the board. He retired from Tropicana in 2020 after a 37-year career. A native of Cebu, he has been married to his wife, Colleen, for nearly 43 years, and together they homeschooled their four children using a Catholic classical curriculum.
OUR COMMITMENT
United in Purpose
Together, our Board of Directors brings decades of combined experience in medicine, business, education, theology, and faithful service. They are united by a shared conviction that the classical Catholic model of education is the surest path to forming young people of character, wisdom, and virtue.
Their leadership ensures that Stella Maris Classical Academy will be built on a firm foundation of faith, excellence, and an enduring commitment to the families of Southwest Florida.
Join Our Mission
Learn how you can support the founding of Stella Maris Classical Academy.