Letter from Mary VanDeVelde Unseth

Mary Van de Velde Unseth, Class of 1975

To many of you who know me, the possible closing of St. A's is a very emotional issue because the school has been a part of my life for almost my entire 48 years. I could write a book, but there's no time for that!  We have to act now!

We need EVERY PARENT, EVERY ALUMNI, AND EVERY PARISHIONER to do something to help save the school...whether it's giving a donation or pledge, helping with the mailings, sending e-mails to anyone you know that could help, or preaching positive things about the school.

 After listening to people's reaction to the recommendation from the Diocesan Committee, many people have already made up their minds that the school will close, despite what we do.  WE CAN'T THINK THAT WAY!  We can't keep using Driscoll as an example. They were in debt...we are not. I truly believe in my heart that if a few things had been different in the last 5 years, we’d easily have 200 students and there would have been no recommendation concerning St. A’s.

We can't sit back and wait for the money to come - we all know there is not a Bill Gates in Villa Park. We have to ask for it. I know it's a very hard thing to do, but you won't know until you ask. My daughter, Kelsey was very upset at college one day about St. A's and shot an e-mail to some coaches and professors, and all of a sudden, she was getting a few checks. Why not? Sometimes people just need to hear about a tough situation and their hearts open up, just like the Grinch!

This school is so different from any other...we have spirit, academic excellence and character. I recently spoke with the Superintendent of School District 88, Steve Humphrey, and he is such a supporter of St. A's that he is writing a letter to the Bishop. We are also getting testimonials from school officials at Montini, St. Ignatius, IC, and Willowbrook. If public school officials believe in St. A's...we better too!

We've come a long way in 84 years - from a huge school with nuns in charge, to a smaller school with loyal lay teachers and added curriculum, such as music and computers. Girls can now play all sports and sweatshirts are part of the uniform. Our sports program has become top-notch, especially our track team. Pete Connelly has led us to 12 straight championships and there were many more before that!  Every former athlete at St. A's has a memory of a moment that has made them a better person. With me, it was when I was let-on as an alternate to the cheerleading squad (yes, we did have cheerleaders) because the coach felt I deserved a chance anyway. It's always been that way with sports....everyone gets to play because everyone has a unique talent. 

We've excelled in many subjects, such as English, Science and Math. Even though everyone dislikes working on the science fair, our projects have won many honors and have perked the kid’s interest in the science field, pushing them into AP and honors classes.  We are one of the only schools where science projects are a requirement, not an option. I think the science fair is one of the reasons there are 5 doctors in my class alone!

After recently going through awards and honorary listings at Willowbrook, I can tell you that about 1/4 to 1/3 of each graduating St. A's class ends up as a highest ranking senior at Willowbrook or on the National Honors Society. This is in a school of over 2,000 in which less than 100 are our graduates. This year, senior and St. A's alum, Martha Fahlgren is in the 99th percentile of the class and may possibly become the valedictorian. We've had quite a few of these, including the year of 1986, when the valedictorians of WB, Montini, and IC were all St. A's kids!

This is the kind of stuff we have to preach about....excellence and accomplishments!  There are many other examples, but you get the picture!  Don't give up...we can do this....get out there and preach the good word about our school and pray that the kids and the money will come.  I guess the cheerleader in me is still there!

Thanks for listening,

Mary VanDeVelde Unseth - proud member of the Class of 1975

Comments

[Raphael Garcia]

Saint Alexanders School is a home that will raise the future generations to come into great indvidual leaders and followers of Jesus lets not risk losing that. Please everyone stand together to keep this great foundation alive.

[Rocco Claps]

The overall health of a community is based on the quality of education that exists there. Keeping St. Alexander's school active and healthy is vital to all of Villa Park. Let's save St. Alexander's school!