Preserving the Chesapeake Bay- from Potomac Md. to Ward 8 in Washington, DC
Students and alumnae from the Connelly School of the Holy Child held a bingo night in March 2008 in order to sponsor the 7th grade class from the Washington Middle School for Girls on a 3-day trip to the Karen Noonan Memorial Environmental Education Center in Dorchester County, Md on April 15, 16, 17, 2008. Over 200 people attended, raising over $3700 for the trip and other needs at WMSG.
This state of the art environmental teaching facility was founded in memory of Karen Noonan, a 1986 graduate of Holy Child who was tragically killed on December 21, 1988 on Pan Am’s Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. Karen’s parents were determined that her memory would live on in teaching children about their environment for years to come. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation staffs the environmentally sound, state-of-the-art residential center.
While studying at the Center, located in one of the largest tidal wetlands on the East Coast, WMSG students and faculty explored pine forests, underwater grass beds, and native oyster reefs that surround the area. This adventure was the very first opportunity that each one of these inner-city students have had in which they immersed themselves in studies about the ecosystem, and how each one of them has many daily opportunities to have a positive impact on our environment.
For as long as WMSG has been in existence, students from Holy Child have been found in the halls of WMSG, located in the most underserved neighborhood of Washington, DC, as tutors and volunteers. Students, organized by Jean Plummer, Director of Campus Ministry, often tutor on Saturday mornings at WMSG’s Saturday Academy, assist teachers and staff during the school day on Holy Child holidays, collect Christmas gifts for WMSG’s students, invite WMSG students to school plays, and other Holy Child events. Robin Marino, another 1986 graduate of Holy Child and friend of Karen Noonan’s, was WMSG’s first teacher in the early days of WMSG’s after-school program, and helped organize the bingo night and other events.
As Sister Mary Bourdon, RJM, WMSG’s Director said: “The presence of these very special Holy Child students is so inspiring to our students. Without even knowing it, they mentor our girls, encouraging them to work hard toward a meaningful, happy future. We consider Jean Plummer and her Holy Child students to be among our very best friends – they are our sisters in the truest sense of the word.”
Preparing for the Future- Career Day at WMSG
Main Message- Never Give Up!
In late April, women representing fields such as: the law, medicine, social work, ministry, communications, and others spent the morning with 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students who each and every day are busy planning their futures. A panel led a lively discussion of the criteria that is needed to succeed in these and other successful fields A main message: Stick with it! The adults urged students to listen to good people who surround you, as they may see the different gifts and talents that one day will assist in making good choices for a successful future. In addition, 7th grade students presented posters and displays on their selected careers for the visitors and students.
Educational Adventures Ahead for WMSG Alumnae
This year’s graduation ceremony took place on June 13, and now our graduates have been accepted into top area high schools, including Benjamin Banneker Academic, Elizabeth Seton, Archbishop Carroll High School, Bishop McNamara, Duke Ellington School of the Arts, and Cesar Chavez, Washington Math, Science and Technology, and Thurgood Marshall Public Charter High Schools.
In addition, earlier WMSG alumnae are graduating from high school and moving on into higher education. Our graduates will attend such colleges as: Bowie State, Hampton, Delaware State, Virginia State, Morgan State, Trinity, South Carolina State, and Lincoln Universities, as well as University of the District of Columbia. We are so proud of these courageous young women – and the WMSG Graduate Support Program will continue to accompany them on their journeys!
An Evening with Ambassador Joshua Sears of
The Bahamas
Thanks to Ambassador and Mrs. Joshua Sears, friends and supporters of WMSG enjoyed a beautiful evening of spring flowers, delicious food, and lively music at the Embassy of the Bahamas. Ambassador Sears and his wife have hosted our students at several Embassy events, and often express their support for the WMSG mission.