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15th Annual SPHS-STC Convention
Raleigh, North Carolina
May 25th -28th, 2007
May 26th, 2007

Inaugural Address

“What about the Children?”


Anastasia Simmonds Caphart ‘78
National President 2007 -2009

 In everything give thanks for this is the will of God. I thank the Almighty that Convention 2007 is finally a reality. I am also grateful to the North Carolina Saints for bringing us together to reaffirm our support for our institutions.  Truly, this crew from North Carolina is a force to reckon with. To my dear classmate, friend, and sister, Nukey Harding, one who is often misunderstood, I say thank you for sharing my vision. To those who do not know Nukey, I say to you, make no mistake; she is thorough, passionate and committed to whatever she undertakes. To Tiplah Nah-Broadnax, whose patience and creativity are endless, I say besieh. And with the click of the mouse JE Benjamin has taken our message to every imaginable place; in the office, the bedroom… you name it and he’s there. Thank you. Truly, working with the North Carolina Saints has been a rewarding learning experience for me. 

            Dr. Kulah, Officers and Members of St. Patrick’s High School –St. Teresa’s Convent Alumni Association, Friends and Family, it is my pleasure to once again extend appreciation for your support of our initiatives.            

What I find most unique about this year’s theme, “What About the Children?” compared to previous years is that it asks a question rather than making a statement. Too often we assume that all is well until someone asks a very necessary question that compels one to rethink their position. Hence, our theme, “What About the Children?” has helped us to broaden our vision far beyond our Association to include more stakeholders and to build partnership with institutions in the United States and far beyond. 

This Convention marks our 15th year of existence. My Fellow Saints, Where do we want to go? Are we where we should be?  Are we trying to get to where we ought to be?  We know our challenges, but I wonder if we are prepared to meet them? Certainly, we are prepared. There is much to be done by everyone. I shall endeavor to provide leadership, that for which we will strive to accomplish our goals. The only guarantee we have for achieving these goals is teamwork. I therefore, appeal to each and everyone for your support and cooperation. This administration is committed to making positive changes that will impact the lives of our Children. But, we can not do it alone. We need the support of every alumnus, alumnae, for in unity and numbers, we yield better results.

Abraham Maslow once said “We are not in a position in which we have nothing to work with. We already have capacities, talents, directions, missions, and callings;” We must now seize the opportunity to use our talents in correcting our mistakes and redesigning our paths to achieve our goals. In this regard, we shall focus on the following:

  • Communication

  •  Accountability

  •  Teachers’ Salary

  • Professional Development for Teachers

  • Adopt A Student

  • The Save St. Patrick’s Fund

Communication

            What good is a message when it can not be heard? Over the years St. Patrick’s High School- St. Teresa’s Convent Alumni Association has been instrumental in providing educational materials, paying students’ tuition, teachers’ salaries, and utilities among other things to benefit St. Teresa’s Convent. However, we have been unable to effectively communicate our accomplishments on a timely basis to our members, thereby, creating criticisms. Hence, this administration realizes that communication is vital to our existence. Accordingly, we have taken steps in the right direction. We now have a National Website – www.sphs-stc-national.org . With a click of the mouse you can connect with our mission and receive updates. You can also expect to receive timely reports and engage in teleconferences as part of our efforts to keep you informed and inspired.

            Further, in ensuring direct and constant communication with our schools, a laptop has been provided, through a donation from Alumnus Victor Abraham. This donation will be made available to Sister Evelina DeGuglielmo, Head of the Catholic Education Secretariat in Monrovia. We are making efforts to listen to the Children and to keep you informed by keeping the lines of communication open.

 Accountability

In any relationship, be it personal or business, there must be accountability in order for the relationship to flourish. The same is true of the partnership we seek. We must remain transparent to those whom we serve and those who patronize us. Let it be known among us and our donors that we embrace audit in our organization. Audit is not a bad thing. Audit informs our practice and guides our paths. Therefore, we will strive to build partnership through accountability. 

 Teachers’ Salary           

The teachers at St. Teresa’s Convent are committed to teaching our children. They do a very good job. As dedicated as they are, we must remember that they have families that rely on them also. During the 2006-2007 academic year, our Association paid the salaries of three teachers amounting to three thousand four hundred and twenty dollars ($3,420.00). The monthly salary per teacher was ninety- five dollars ($95.00). Now, let’s work the math. With ninety-five dollars, try feeding a family, paying utilities, rent, transportation, church dues, etc. There is a need to augment this salary and extend the program to other teachers. As stated by Principal Rosemary Gray “teachers are seeking greener pastures”.

            I admonish you to take this as a “personal” matter. And if it bothers you enough, team up with us in motivating our teachers by making a contribution. Your contribution will help us not only to retain the good teachers at STC, but to attract more competent and highly trained teachers.

Professional Development for Teachers 

Our teachers are in dire need of professional development which provides essential strategies for teaching our most valuable asset- our Children. Professional development is important because it keeps teachers abreast with current research. Furthermore, it provides opportunity to implement “Best Practices” thereby improving the quality of teaching which in turn impacts students’ learning. In support of our teachers, preparations are underway to provide professional development in reading for K-3 teachers at STC.

Lastly, we are seeking partners in education through the Catholic Schools, individuals and organizations to assist with materials needed to train our teachers. For the educators in our midst, Dr. Dwedor Ford and others we appeal to you for assistance for teachers K-12. 

Adopt-A-Student 

We support the Adopt-A-Student Project which provides scholarships to needy students. We look forward to working with our local chapters in increasing the number of students sponsored. We extend thanks to Dr. Thomas K. and Eunice Sleweon Scholarship Fund for their generosity. As we approach the 2007-2008 academic year, we ask that you consider us once more. As a matter of fact, we look forward to being on you permanent list of beneficiaries. May the good Lord continue to bless the work of your hands.

            ‘To whom much is given, much is expected’. People before us made sacrifices to ensure our education. With one hundred and eighty dollars ($180.00) per student, we can pass on the torch that enlightens minds. 

The Save St. Patrick’s Fund 

We are prepared to do things differently so that we can accomplish our mission to reopen St. Patrick’s High School. We know that the reopening of St. Patrick’s begins with us. It is our obligation. 

We must contribute to the fund annually. We also recognize that the reaffirmation of our partnership with the Catholic Archdiocese in Monrovia and the establishment of partnership with the Catholic Church in the United States of America are essential for our success.

Lastly, with the support of the Church we can reach out to friends, our community, and international donors who share our vision. Together, we will reopen the doors of St. Patrick’s to each boy and girl who loves our dear old school. 

Now, my fellow Saints, more than ever, our schools need our support. We must strive to build partnership through accountability. And to this partnership we should ever remain transparent. Our challenges are many but we have the capacities to overcome them. 

 I remain committed to helping the Children.