Fall 2012 Cornerstone Newsletter - Providence St. Mel

Cornerstone
The Newsletter of Providence St. Mel School
Ace AlumnI chAllenge
Providence St. Mel is proud to announce that the ACE Charitable Foundation will be matching alumni donations
dollar-for-dollar in the 2012-2013 school year! The goal for the ACE Alumni Challenge is to raise $50,000 through
alumni donations; when matched it will mean $100,000 in additional support! This challenge grant applies to
graduates from the classes of 1979-2012, representing the years that PSM has been an independent school. While
alumni can choose from many areas of need — supporting the SOAL program, purchasing Celebration! tickets,
sponsoring a seat in the newly renovated auditorium, or making a general donation — all of the financial support
from the ACE Charitable Foundation will help provide scholarships to current PSM students.
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Matthew Humphries, Class of 1992, has been donating
consistently to Providence St. Mel since 2009. When asked
“I’ve made it a point to give
why he gives back, Humphries explained, “I felt like a lot
back to the school for what
of who I am comes from my experience at Providence
it gave me and so that
St. Mel. This took me a long time to figure out.” So far
others can have the same
many efforts are underway to help bolster alumni support,
opportunites that I did”
including a new system of class captains. Each class
(’79-’12) is represented by one to three captains who will
-Jerald Gary
help organize and encourage alumni donations. When
Class of 2003
asked to become a class captain for the class of 1992,
Humphries enthusiastically agreed. Captain for the Class
of 2003 and Associate Board member Jerald Gary also explained, “I was blessed enough to receive a scholarship that
gave me access to the education I received at PSM. Without the support of others, my scholarship would not have
been possible and I would not be where I am today. So I’ve made it a point to give back to the school for what it gave
me and so that others can have the same opportunities that I did.”
A list of class captains and contact information, more details about the ACE Alumni Challenge, and how to make an
online donation are available on our website. Alumni, get in touch with your class captains about ways to give back
to PSM and upcoming events!
www.psmnow.com/alumni
2012/Fall
Inside this issue
02 Alumni Updates
03 New Teacher Orientation
04 SOAL
05 PSM is Going Paperless
06 Your Financial Support/
Upcoming Events
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AlumnI uPdAteS
In memory oF
the ProvIdence St. mel grAduAteS Who Were loSt too Soon
Shemaiah l. trotter
class of 1991
Shemaiah Trotter passed
away of breast cancer
this past May. After graduating
from PSM,
Ms. Trotter attended
Southern Illinois University Carbondale,
where she graduated cum laude. A passionate
educator, Ms. Trotter taught
at Hughes Elementary School
in Chicago.
Natasha Parker - Class of 1992
Ms. Parker is the creator and co-founder of the film and television production company
Noisemakers Entertainment. Natasha and her co-founders, created Noisemakers
Entertainment with a “purpose to create and develop unique diverse stories through
film, television and documentaries.” The production company was featured on Fox
News Chicago in August; Ms. Parker has written, directed and produced several short
films. Their films have been official selections in festivals nationwide, competing in both
HBO film competitions at Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival and BET’s
Urbanworld Film Festival. The Noisemakers are in development of their first feature film
and continue to “Make Noise On Purpose.”
Dr. Clarence Brown - Class of 1994
Dr. Brown is a certified personal trainer, holds two B.A. degrees as well as a Doctor of
Chiropractic degree. In October, Dr. Brown’s first book, Forgiving the Weight Away, will be
available in stores and online through Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Also in October, he
will be starting a year-long training and video series on nutrition and health, which can be
accessed on his website, www.metabotech.com.
Stephanie Williams - Class of 2003
Ms. Williams was awarded the 2012 Lucy Sprague Public Interest Scholarship at the John
Marshall Law School on June 3, 2012. This $25,000 scholarship assists students who are
interested in a profession in public service. Stephanie graduated in the top 10% of her class
from The John Marshall Law School in January 2012; in September, she began a two-year
judicial clerkship with Judge Mark Dinsmore, magistrate judge for Southern Indiana.
LINK Unlimited
18th Annual Founders Day Golf Outing
On September 17th (right to left) Buvern J. Francisco, Jr. (‘70), Curtis Blair (‘99), and
Irving Richardson (‘94), and PSM President Paul J. Adams participated in the 18th LINK
Unlimited Golf Outing at Twin Orchard Country Club in Long Grove, Illinois. LINK
provides college preparatory opportunities for economically disadvantaged African
American high school youth, preparing students for a lifetime of professional success
and fulfillment. It was a beautiful day on the green and the PSM foursome was
delighted to support LINK, which has provided numerous scholarships for students at
Providence St. Mel.
Buvern J. “BJ” Francisco III
class of 1996
BJ Francisco passed away
in May following a motorcycle
accident; he was a graduate of
Illinois Wesleyan University and
spent 13 years as a devoted employee
of the City College of Chicago while running
a DJ and music production company where
he supported local Chicago artists.
02
Simone m. Watson
class of 2007
Simone Watson passed away
in May of complications from
lupus. She was a driven Clark
Atlanta University graduate student,
who interned at the Chicago
Finance Department and Wells Fargo while
being one of eight students selected to attend a
five year accounting program.
She was set to graduate in 2012.
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Erin O’Keefe
sectional Champions!
ProvIdence St. mel StArtS
the neW School yeAr oFF rIght
Prior to the first day of school, Principal Jeanette DiBella and Providence St. Mel’s Leadership Team ran a very
productive and dynamic orientation for returning and new teachers alike. At Providence St. Mel, we
continually provide our talented faculty and staff training so we can ensure PSM will continue to provide
and pursue educational excellence. Faculty learned about new methods of motivating our students, effective
instruction techniques, and a school improvement plan divided by department. Our skilled and dedicated faculty
and staff are always looking for new ways to improve instruction in order to make every year better than the last.
Some new faces you will see around Providence St. Mel were introduced to the school during Orientation Week.
New teachers include Erin O’Keefe: Kindergarten; Michaela Mullen: 2nd Grade; Nicole White: 2nd Grade; Emily
Correa: 3rd Grade; Molly Clark: 5th Grade Aid; and Jennifer Yaich: High School Geography. Learning more
about the history, high standards, and instructional model of Providence St. Mel School, Ms. Yaich said she is
“looking forward to being a small part of the committed group of educated professors.” Following orientation,
Ms. White is anticipating “working with students and families who are committed to learning and doing their best
work.” Ms. Correa explained that she will continue to push her third graders to think critically about the world
around them and will help facilitate tremendous academic growth. With such enthusiasm, Providence St. Mel is
thrilled to have these new educators as part of our outstanding faculty.
This fruitful week was capped by an entertaining and delicious faculty back-to-school luncheon at the new restaurant
Trenchermen, owned by Michael and Patrick Sheerin. Several board members were able to attend the luncheon and
offered their encouragement and best wishes for the new school year. What a fantastic way to begin our 35th year as
an independent school!
Jennifer Yaich
Michaela Mullen
Molly Clark
03
Nicole White
Emily Correa
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Summer oPPortunIty oF A lIFetIme
Providence St. Mel’s Summer Opportunity of a Lifetime (SOAL) allows students to gain valuable experiences
outside of the classroom by participating in various academic and enrichment programs all over the world.
Courses range from pre-college summer programs at Brown University, to the Oxford Academic Programs in
Europe, to service programs in the Rocky Mountains, to wilderness camps deep in the woods of Minnesota.
Lower and middle school SOAL students combine language immersion, leadership, skill-building, and service
activities with recreation. High school students combine rigorous academic coursework at prestigious institutions
with class tours and hands-on learning.
Providence St. Mel sixth grader Malissa Lindsey spent the
summer at Camp Kamaji in Minnesota, where she got to
experience new activities including ceramics, tennis, and
horseback riding. Most significantly, this summer Malissa
passed her swimming test, so instead of taking swimming
lessons, she was able to participate in more advanced
water activities like canoeing, kayaking, and her favorite
— waterskiing. “Camp has made me even stronger, more
independent, and even more aware,” she reflects. “While
I was at camp I was able to make new friends, do stuff on
my own, and even improve my time management skills!”
Freshman Christian Norfleet spent four weeks this
summer at Cambridge University in England participating
in their Cambridge Prep program, through which he took
courses in medical science and molecular biology. The
objective of his studies was to explore the application of
science in everyday life. “This course helped to develop a
strong foundation for [my] study skills,” said Christian.
He explained that this experience helped to develop both
social skills as well as to mentally prepare him for the
academic course load that he will face at the college level.
This summer, senior Eshe Hawash participated in
Brown University’s summer program, where she spent 3
weeks taking a course on engineering and delving into
civil, electrical, mechanical, biomedical and chemical
engineering. Not only did Eshe study hard on the East
Coast this summer, she participated in Hinsdale Adventist
Hospital’s iBody workshop. This workshop, geared toward
high school students interested in pursuing a career within
the medical field, offered her hands-on medical research,
including practicing dissection and observing a surgery.
While looking back at her various experiences,
Eshe explains that SOAL has, “taught me to never limit my
option for my future because the world is a vast place
waiting to be explored.”
Since the SOAL program began in 1990, nearly 1,500
Providence St. Mel students have traveled all over the United
States and overseas, experiencing many cultures
and becoming globally competitive.
04
Malissa Lindsey, 6th grade, canoeing at
Camp Kamaji in Minnesota.
Christian Norfleet, 9th Grade, (backrow, center) at
Cambridge University’s Institute of Metabolic Science
with his fellow classmates.
Eshe Hawash, 12th grade, at iBody workshop (right)
and Brown University (left)
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ProvIdence St. mel IS goIng PAPerleSS!
In the coming months, communications like this newsletter will be appearing in a new format: digital.
Providence St. Mel is going paperless!
By saving on paper and postage, our school is cutting costs, thereby ensuring that more of our limited
resources can be directed to deliver the best
college-preparatory education possible for
our hardworking students. And by saving
trees, Providence St. Mel is also helping the
environment.
you StIll hAve
the oPPortunIty
to SPonSor A
SeAt In the PSm
AudItorIum
vISIt
WWW.PSmnoW.com/InveSt
to leArn more!
05
Please visit our website — www.psmnow.com/
news — to sign up for future e-newsletters and
our annual report, including our honor roll of
donors. All it takes to stay connected is your
email address, and you will continue to receive
the latest news about Providence St. Mel.
While online, please do not miss the opportunity
to make a difference in the life of a child by
making a gift to Providence St. Mel. Thank you
for your generosity and support of our students!
uPcomIng eventS
Honors Assembly 11/13/2012 • 8 am
thanksgiving Assembly 11/20/2012 • 8 am
Celebration! 12/05/2012 • 6 pm
Choir and Band Concert 12/16/2012 • 3 pm
MLK Day Celebration 01/21/2013 • 9-10:30 am
Honors Assembly 02/05/2013 • 8 am
Black History Assembly
Lower shool Concert
02/22/2013 • 8 am
02/22/2013 • 6 pm
PsM Musical 04/19/2013 • 04/20/2013
Honors Assembly 04/23/2013 • 8 am
senior Commencement 06/02/2013 • 1 pm
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ProvIdence St. mel
Office of Development
119 S. Central Park Blvd., Chicago, IL 60624
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
your Financial Support is needed today
Our families face a daunting challenge as they struggle to pay what they can
towards their child’s education at Providence St. Mel — and all families must pay
something. But this amount seldom covers the cost of the tuition we charge and
never covers the full cost of the excellent instruction that our
school provides.
The true cost to educate a student at Providence St. Mel is now more than
$15,000, which is more than double our modest tuition. Even though our school
automatically underwrites more than half of this true cost, the great majority of
our students require yet additional financial assistance.
Only with the support of such caring partners as you can Providence St. Mel
continue to keep tuition low, provide much-needed scholarships, meet operating
expenses, and offer vital academic and enrichment programs.
Your charitable contributions help us to meet our ongoing needs. Without your
support and the support of so many caring donors like you, the overwhelming
majority of our students would be unable to attend our school and receive the
quality college-preparatory education that distinguishes Providence St. Mel.
Please consider making a donation today. Every gift counts!
Credit card donations can be submitted safely and securely online, 24 hours
a day, at www.psmnow.com. Or, if you prefer to send a check, please use the
enclosed remittance envelope and mail your contribution today. Whichever
method you choose, your support is greatly appreciated!
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For Celebration! information, please call 312-553-2000 or
visit www.pjhchicago.com/psm
Nonprofit Standard
U.S. Postage
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Chicago, IL
Permit No. 7658
newsletter credits
Administrative leadership
Paul J. Adams III, President
Jeanette DiBella, Principal
Board of trustees
Paul J. Adams III, Providence St. Mel School
Caroline W. Ballantine
Mary Jo Basler
Maribel Mata Benedict, Katten Muchin Rosenman, LLP
Angelina D. Brown, Ottawa Auto Spa
Richard M. Burridge, RMB Capital Management
John A. Canning, Jr., Madison Dearborn Partners
Debora de Hoyos, Mayer Brown, LLP
Thomas H. Dittmer*
Marcia E. Doane
Gary Elden, Grippo & Elden, LLC
Harve A. Ferrill
Dan Fietsam, Energy BBDO
Thomas J. Fitzgerald, Aon Risk Solutions
Gregory L. Guyett, JP Morgan
David H. Hoffman, Sidley Austin, LLP
Michael E. Hora, Sr.
J. Thomas Hurvis, Old World Industries
Sylvia L. Jones, WLS-TV ABC 7
Judith Joy
Michael L. Keiser, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
Benjamin Kovler, Blum-Kovler Foundation
Todd Lippman, CBRE, Inc.
Barry Mayo, Radio One, Inc.
Philip McKenna, Wells Fargo Insurance Services USA, Inc.
Scott A. McKeon, ACE USA
Michael D. O’Halleran, Aon Benfield
Raju N. Patel, Bank of America
Erik J. Pedersen, Pedersen & Houpt
J. David Pepper, Pepper Construction
Karen Pritzker, The Jay Pritzker Foundation
Gregory J. Pusinelli, William Blair & Company, LLC
Stacey Riddell
Michael J. Roberts, Westside Holdings, LLC
Mark W. Rohde, TCF Financial Corporation
Andrew S. Rosenman, Mayer Brown, LLP
Edward W. Ross, Renee and Edward Ross Foundation
Robert J. Ryan, Interactive Metronome
Samuel C. Schuppe
Dona T. Scott
Denise M. Seminetta, Premier Asset Management, LLC
David L. Steinberg, Copy-Mor, Inc.
James W. Stevenson, Jr., Wiedner and McAuliffe, Ltd.
Wolfe J. Tone, Deloitte Tax, LLP
David B. Wainwright, Wainwright Construction
Services
*lifetime trustee
office of development
Eileen Fitzgerald
F. Martin Glynn
Trina Kats
graphic design
Carla Langston, CHL Design
Printer
Bell-Litho, Inc.
2012 All Rights Reserved, Providence St. Mel School