Letter from the President Dear Alumnae, Parents and Friends of Saint Joseph Academy,
3430 Rocky River Drive • Cleveland, Ohio 44111 216-251-6788 • www.sja1890.org
UPDATE is published by Saint Joseph Academy for alumnae, parents and friends. Contributions to this issue of UPDATE include: Jennie Amodio, Dr. James Cantwell, Mary Ann Corrigan-Davis ’71, Shelly DiCello, Ann Quinn Doran ’48, Mary Ann Fischer ’66, Emily Hanson ’99, Betty Hjort, Amy Kocian, Susan Condon Love ’76, Mickie Matheis, Constance S. Sipple, CFRE and Jennifer Reeder. Photography courtesy John Mulgrew and Woodard Photography. For more information or questions, please contact Constance S. Sipple, CFRE, Vice President of Institutional Advancement, at 216.611.0166 or csipple@sja1890.org.
M issi o n Saint Joseph Academy, rooted in the spirituality of the Congregation of St. Joseph, fosters unifying relationships with God and all creation, empowers each young woman to achieve academic excellence and inspires al life of compassionate leadership and service in a global society.
Cover Photo: The Varsity basketball team in February shipped packages of donated personal care items, food and entertainment items to soldiers as part of Soldiers’ Angels, a nonprofit started by the mother of two soldiers.
Education is certainly in the news these days. Whether the discussion involves how American students compare to their international counterparts, how teachers are compensated, or how education in this country needs to change, the opinions are as varied as the issues. Since you are reading this letter, you are likely a supporter of Catholic education. I certainly am! Every day, I see the benefits of educating the whole person: academically, socially and spiritually. Yet Catholic education is under threat. In 1965, I was one of the 5.5 million students in the 13,000 Catholic elementary and high schools in this country. At that time, more than 90% of the teachers in Catholic schools were vowed religious men and women, and they were paid very little for their work. How those good Sisters managed to teach reading to 50 or more first graders, sometimes squeezed two to a desk, I can hardly imagine! There is no doubt Catholic schools are under pressure. Yet, there also is no doubt that the students who have received a Catholic education continue to make our country better. Research has shown that graduates of Catholic schools make good citizens. They are deeply committed to social justice. They care about the disenfranchised and the poor. They are more committed to caring for the earth, and they are often involved as volunteers in the Church and their communities. Now is the time to raise our voices in support of Catholic education. Now is the time to share the good news about the graduates of our Catholic schools and their gifts to our country and the world. Now is the time to take action in support of Catholic education. At Saint Joseph Academy, we have been educating young women for over 120 years – and we intend to continue this tradition for another 120 years. This hasn’t happened by chance or by luck. The school has thrived through hard work and sacrifice. It begins with the spirituality of the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Joseph, where all are welcome, and where each student is called into unity with God, each other and all creation. It continues with an unwavering focus on helping each young woman achieve her highest level of academic excellence. If we have done our job well, every graduate will be inspired to lead a life of compassionate leadership and service to our “dear neighbor” wherever life takes her. I cannot imagine a job more important than what we do each day at Saint Joseph Academy! I ask that you continue to support Catholic education and especially our beloved Saint Joseph Academy. Support the annual fund, the largest and most important aspect of our fundraising each year, because it helps provide important funding that supports key initiatives such as tuition assistance, expanded academic activities, school improvements and daily operations. Write to your local legislators about the importance of our school, the only remaining all girls Catholic school in the City of Cleveland. Encourage your daughter, granddaughter, niece or neighbor to choose Saint Joseph Academy for her high school education. Catholic education is worth fighting for. Let your voice be heard! Sursum Corda! Lift up your hearts
Mary Ann Corrigan-Davis ‘71 President
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• N – Nazareth alumna • T – St. Therese alumna • P – parent of current SJA student • † – deceased Saint Joseph Academy UPDATE