W elcome Saints and Friskies to our inaugural Alumni Newsletter.

First, allow me to thank you for having confidence in me, as evi-

denced through my election as the national president. I am ex-

tremely grateful for the opportunity to serve YOU and our alma

maters. Moreover, I am excited to be working with a group of officers that is totally

engaged with a clear vision to advance our organization. The importance of this mo-

ment for our organization cannot be overstated – it is time for us to put aside things

that divide us and move forward united in this vision: “Dedicated volunteers providing quality education for children in post-war Liberia”. A step in that di-

rection is the launching of your alumni newsletter; one of many initiatives aimed at

communicating and building a transparent culture within our Alumni Association.

As we look toward our common goal, visualize with me the wealth of resources that the STC and SPHS alumni

body possesses. Then envision a portion of these resources given to children who are less fortunate than we are.

Envision these children using the resources to better themselves, future generations, Liberia, and the world. This

life changing and enriching vision for all can only be accomplished through unity and commitment. As your presi-

dent, I am calling on all SAINTS and FRISKIES, young and young at heart, to unite and recommit to our alma ma-

ters! Commit to participating and attending local and national events. Commit to volunteering your expertise,

time, and money to YOUR organization. Commit to respectfully providing suggestions on improving YOUR organ-

ization. Commit to expanding our network by encouraging classmates, family, and friends to become active. Al-

low this vision to become a reality. As a proud Frisky, I know We Can Make It Happen!!! Be encouraged, be in-

spired, and be empowered. Your organization awaits YOU!

ST. PATRICK’S & ST. TERESA’S HIGH SCHOOLS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION QUAFTERLY NEWSLETTER

Volume 1, Issue 1 FALL 2011

Quallyna Porte, President

PAGE 1

Let‟s extend our sincere thanks to the Delaware Valley Chapter (President Niahson

Porte, Class of „85) for hosting this year‟s annual convention during the Memorial

Day Weekend in the beautiful city of Philadelphia. It was a very difficult year to

host, and we are truly grateful for your fortitude and commitment. We held board

and leadership elections during the business meeting.

The elected officers were installed during the Annual

Ball. We raised $9,500 during Convention 2011 to sup-

port STC and the rebuilding of SPHS. The breakdown

is: $5,100 contributed directly to the St. Patrick's Endowment Fund for the rebuilding of

SPHS and $4,400 net from the convention activities.

Convention 2012 will be held in the state of Maryland. Our goal for the upcoming year is to truly maximize our

fundraising potential by containing costs while being creative and innovative. If you are in the Maryland area and

currently not active, please reach out to the Maryland Chapter‟s President, Tarloh Sayeh– Brathwaithe, to volunteer

and become involved. Your alma mater really needs YOU!

Delaware Valley Chapter

CCCONVENTIONONVENTIONONVENTION NEWS

STC WISH LIST Every year, the Principal and

administration of STC provide a list of items

that the school needs. Chapters, individuals,

classes or even a group of friends are encour-

aged to kindly adopt one of these projects.

Full or partial cash and/or in kind contribu-

tions will go directly to the project you select.

Thanks in advance!

Never doubt that a small

group of thoughtful, com-

mitted citizens can change

the world. Indeed it is the

only thing that ever has. ~

Margaret Mead

CURRENT YEAR’S LIST

Roof repair/replacement in elementary build-

ing (adopted by Alumni Association).

Renovation of the library.

Upgrade of computers in computer lab .

Cameras for photography class.

Yarn and needles for knitting class.

Front gate replacement

Email: sphs.stc.nl@gmail.com P. O. Box 1541. Laurel, MD 20725 Phone: (240) 979-1415

ST. PATRICK’S & ST. TERESA’S HIGH SCHOOLS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

Email: sphs.stc.nl@gmail.com P. O. Box 1541. Laurel, MD 20725 Phone: (240) 979-1415

Volume 1, Issue 1 FALL 2011

PAGE 2

STC CELEBRATES 75 YEARS OF EDUCATION EXCELLENCE

S ince 1936, St. Teresa‟s Convent High School

has provided exceptional education to

thousands of Liberian girls. Over the years,

the Alumni Association has provided more

than $50,000 in scholarships to girls from low in-

come families and funding to help St. Teresa's Con-

vent meet its operational needs. We have also remit-

ted over $40,000 to the SMA Fathers in Liberia to-

wards the reconstruction of SPHS.

To celebrate STC‟s 75 years, the Alumni Association

is sponsoring the Platinum Jubilee Benefit Ball. The

proceeds will be allocated between the repair of the

elementary building‟s roof at STC and the SPHS

Building Fund.

Please join us on November 5, 2011 in celebrating

our accomplishments and dedication to education

excellence.

St. Andrew Ukrainian Grand Hall

15100 New Hampshire Ave.

Silver Spring, MD 20905

General Admission: $50

A mind once stretched by a new idea never regains its original dimensions. - Anonymous

President: Quallyna Porte, ‘86 Vice President: Snorwlor Bropleh, ‘96 Secretary: Trokon Smith, ‘96 Financial Secretary: Joyetta Satiah,‘89 Treasurer: Charles Cooper, ‘84 Chaplain: Editus Addy, ’90

LEADERSHIP

J. Blamo Kuwon (CHAIRMAN)

Fatu Gbedema

Ben Wreh

Charles Ford

Alvin Blake

Jacinta Wolo (New Jersey)

Nikki Dagbe (Southeastern Saints)

Tarloh Sayeh-Brathwaite (Maryland)

Niahson Porte (Delaware Valley)

Lois Holman (Michigan)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ELECTED OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2011 THROUGH 2013

Email: sphs.stc.nl@gmail.com P. O. Box 1541. Laurel, MD 20725 Phone: (240) 979-1415

ST. PATRICK’S & ST. TERESA’S HIGH SCHOOLS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

PRESIDENT: Quallyna Porte, ‘86 VICE PRESIDENT: Snorwlor Bropleh, ‘96 SECRETARY: Trokon Smith, ‘96 FINANCIAL SECRETARY: Joyetta Satiah,‘89 TREASURER: Charles Cooper, ‘84 CHAPLAIN: Editus Addy, ’90

POST CONVENTION UPDATE: THE FIRST 90 DAYS

The national president held formal discussions with Archbishop Zeigler of Liberia and Principals Gray

(former) and Bestman (current) of STC reiterating our commitment to provide consistent, purposeful contri-

bution to STC and to rebuild SPHS.

A new constitution/bylaws committee headed by Michael Wotorson has been formed, and chartered. The com-

mittee has developed a project plan which includes a period of review by the general body prior to finalization

before convention 2012.

To address the operational issues recently faced by the organization

and adequately plan for the upcoming fiscal year, a strategic planning ses-

sion facilitated by a professional strategist was held on August 6, 2011. The

executive team developed a new vision and mission for the organization,

identified our key focus areas (KFAs) for the next two years, brainstormed

initiatives for each KFA along with target dates and owners, and finalized a

scorecard to track progress.

The Ladies of the STC Education and Leadership Fund (“SELF”), a 501

(c)(3) non-profit entity, held their 3rd Annual Friskies Fest Charity Gala

on August 6 and raised about $10,000, which will be used to mentor, empower and educate girls at STC. Ku-

dos to the ladies of SELF, all attendees, donors, and everyone else who made this program a huge success.

The administration identified replacing the elementary building‟s roof as its next major project.

Updated and regularized not-for-profit status and contact information.

Volume 1, Issue 1 FALL 2011

PAGE 3

SELF’S LITMUS SCIENCE PROJECT

It‟s common knowledge that women are underrepresented in most fields of science and technology in Liberia. Also, the

West African Examination Council (“WAEC”) recently instituted a practi-cal examination component to its sci-ence sections which would entail assess-ments of students‟ skills and knowledge in the lab. Students who do not obtain passing marks on the WAEC examina-tion are not eligible to enter any of the

accredited universities in West Africa.

SELF is currently raising funds for its Litmus Science Project to

renovate STC‟s High School laboratory and provide updated supplies and instructional materials for science experiments. This project will help usher in a renewed learning experience and new breed of prospective science and or research. It will also enable the school and its students to meet WAEC‟s stand-ards and compete with other students internationally. Please send cash or in kind contributions to: SELF or call for more information.

Roll-out of national website Membership drive to expand our current

network of alumni 1st draft of the revised constitution and

bylaws will be available for review Full set of financial controls will be final-

ized and implemented STC 75th Platinum Jubilee Ball will be

hosted. Members of the Rebuild St. Patrick‟s Pro-

ject Management Team will be identified Rollout of the rebranding of the organiza-

tion including logo and name

THE NEXT 90 DAYS

STC Education & Leadership Fund (SELF)

3011 W. 11th Street

Chester, PA 19013

www.friskiesfest.org

Phone Number - 610-931-3081 or 410-258-3701

Lauri Shropshire, facilitator and Trokon Smith, National

Secretary at the Strategic Planning Retreat.

Email: sphs.stc.nl@gmail.com P. O. Box 1541. Laurel, MD 20725 Phone: (240) 979-1415

ST. PATRICK’S & ST. TERESA’S HIGH SCHOOLS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

Friskies Fest 2011

The cost of rebuilding St. Patrick‟s High School, both financially and institutionally, is expensive. The Arch Dio-

cese of Liberia has dedicated land for the new campus in Paynesville, but it has also tasked the Alumni Association

and Friends of SPHS with raising the $1 million plus needed to cover the construction

costs. To tackle this herculean fundraising challenge, the St. Patrick's High School

Endowment Fund ( “SPEF”) was created in September 2010, and unveiled during the

2011 Annual Convention.

SPEF is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit entity administered by nine (9) Endowment Trustees,

who are also alumni of SPHS, and has the following objectives:

To raise money for the purpose of reopening SPHS.

To support the operational and long term upkeep of SPHS.

To prudently manage the assets contributed for the benefit of SPHS by com-

plying with sound gift acceptance, investment, disbursement due diligence,

administrative policies, financial and operational controls, full disclosure and

accountability.

SPEF‟s initial target is to raise $100,000 to help with start-up construction costs. We are proud to state that to date,

the fund has collected donations and commitments totaling $20,000. We plan to achieve our $100,000 goal prior

to the 2012 Convention . Donations to this fund go exclusively to the rebuilding of SPHS. We‟re asking you to in-

vest in the rebuilding of one of Liberia‟s premier institutions by making a donation today at one of the giving levels.

REBUILDING ST. PATRICK’S HIGH SCHOOL

LEVELS AMOUNTS

SAINT $1,000+

BENEFACTOR $700 - $999

PATRON $400 - $699

SPONSOR $200 - $399

FRIEND $25 - $199

WAYS TO MAKE YOUR TAX FREE DONATION

Make check payable to SPHS Endowment Fund; Mail to: SPHS Endowment Fund, 14704 Northfield Court,

Laurel, MD 20707.

Pay by credit or bank card: Email SPEF at sphsendowment@gmail.com or call (240) 285 9752, tell us how

much you would like to donate and we will send an invoice payable by credit or bank card.

Online Bank Payment: Set SPEF up as a payee in your online banking profile. Account Name: SPHS Endow-

ment / Account #: 7733 / Address: 14704 Northfield Court, Laurel, MD 20707.

Volume 1, Issue 1 FALL 2011

Trustees:

Victor Abraham ‘89

Doeba Bropleh ‘84

Lionel Brown ‘83

Dr. Michel Dioubate ‘83

Samuel Glover ‘80

Dr. Thomas Sleweon 78

Laurence Pratt ‘78

Kpadi Williams ‘73

Evans Yancy ‘73

Please make a choice to contribute to this effort.

Bode Brownell ‘82

Departed 5/28/11 Happy 25th Anniversary to the Class of ‘86

The Maryland Chapter is hosting a Family and

Friends Appreciation Day on October 1, 2011 at

Oak Crest Park. Free food and drinks will be pro-

vided.

Address: 8601 Lindale MD, 20707 between 2pm

and 9pm.

Please bring school supplies, white socks and white

uniform shirts as donations to STC students.

PAGE 4

To contribute stories, articles,

comments , ask questions about

the newsletter, or join the newslet-

ter team, please contact the editor

at sphs.stc.nl@gmail.com.

The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: "If I stop

to help this man, what will happen to me?" But... the good Samaritan

reversed the question: "If I do not stop to help this man, what will

happen to him?" ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

IN

ME

MO

RIA

M

Email: sphs.stc.nl@gmail.com P. O. Box 1541. Laurel, MD 20725 Phone: (240) 979-1415

ST. PATRICK’S & ST. TERESA’S HIGH SCHOOLS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER