March 8, 2009 2009 Chairperson                       Carol Raab Davis Class of 1960 Dear Fellow Alumni and Friends of St Rose of Lima, What we, as an alumni association, have managed to accomplish over these past seven years has been amazing.  These achievements have come as a result of a combination of member support and the dedication of everyone who has ever served on the SRLAA Board. Starting with a small group wanting to give back, we are making a difference.  We are trying to help provide a welcoming environment for SRL children to learn. The SRLAA is taking an active part in “Project Facelift” at the School.  This year we provided funds to replace the torn shades in the classrooms, along with helping to provide some needed supplies.   Last year I was overwhelmed as the new legacy walk became a reality.  The purchase of engraved bricks, along with the very generous donation of: the cement by County Concrete Co., the labor of the guys from Manny’s Master Masonry, and the help of contractor Mr. Doug Gifford, together, we made this dream come true.  We were not only able to repair the damaged sidewalk, but replaced the entire sidewalk that runs from the beginning of the school on Gray street, to the driveway near the Rectory.  SRLAA has worked very hard to spearhead this parish family project.  If you can make it to Project Graduation this year, be sure to check out the new sidewalk and the engraved bricks.  “Believe”.  (I know that Candida, our SRL representative, and I are still getting calls from people interested in the engraved bricks). Though a heavy snow closed the school on the planned Teachers Appreciation Day, we still honored teachers recently at a Teachers Appreciation luncheon.  The teachers enjoyed the delicious sheet cake and each one was presented with a handcrafted commemorative magnet with the inscription “Teachers Light the Way”.  We also added a personal flashlight to remind them of the importance of what they do today by enlightening the future of the new kids of SRL. We sent a thank you gift to all the volunteers and are looking forward to celebrating with the graduating classes of 2009.  An accomplishment that we are very proud of is that we have been able to present a four year high school scholarship to nine deserving graduates over the past three years. In 2006, Chike Gomez & Joshua Sampson, in 2007, Ishmael Solomon, Giovani Merentie & Miriam Amaechi, in 2008, Sabrina Dockery, Linda Lozanguiez, Obina Onwunaka, and Adina Thomas all received the SRLAA Scholarships.  As you can see the number of scholarships has grown each year.  Please consider participating in this effort. This year we suffered the loss of a “Great Lady” and “Beloved Benefactor”, Lee R. Dolan. Ms. Dolan has presented a scholarship each year in memory of her brother Raymond E. Dolan.  Ms. Dolan, in her continued generosity, has provided funds so we may continue to provide this scholarship.  Last year we also began a program to assist accomplished students who currently attend SRL, but due to personal finances may have to leave SRL.  Due to the support of our generous benefactors John Wickens and Lee R. Dolan, along with funds from the SRLAA scholarship fund, we are able to provide funds for this program.  We believe that today’s youth are the future for all of us.  We can continue to do amazing things for these children with your support and involvement.   Please consider donating to this year’s scholarship fund.  We are a 501c3 organization therefore your donations are tax deductible.  If anyone is interested in going back to our old school, to walk through those beloved halls and feel the magic as you step back in time, let us know and we will arrange for the students to give you a guided tour. The teachers have expressed an interest in having alumni go back and talk to the children about careers.  Share your story and perhaps inspire a child to become a teacher, lawyer, CPA, or even President.  The current eighth grade students are looking forward to their Graduation Celebration on May 20th. The annual event is provided through the generosity of our SRLAA sponsors.  Plan on attending this event at the school and show the “New Kids” you care. Please continue to check out the Alumni website, www.srlaa.org  for dates and happenings. What a wonderful time to be reconnecting to our school, filled with childhood memories!  I was fortunate enough to have attended St Rose of Lima from Kindergarten to Eighth Grade and graduated in 1960.  I was a Cheerleader, a Girl Scout, a member of the Imperial Lancer’s Drum and Bugle Corps, and very active in the CYO. As you can see, St. Rose played a major role in my life. As Chairman, I ask each of you to take the time to think about what you would like to see us accomplish as an association.  Do you have ideas on how to increase our membership?  Do you have ideas on how to increase the participation of all alumni and friends of St. Rose?  Will you help reunite your graduating class by becoming its representative? Can you offer your time to serve on one of our various committees or would you like to be considered for a seat on the Board? Do you have the address of one classmate that you have kept in touch from St. Rose that you think would like to receive our newsletter?  The members of the Board would love to hear from you.  Send us a letter or an email or give me a phone call and share your positive suggestions. The more alumni that become active in a positive and constructive manner the more effective our alumni association will become. Please remember me and the members of the Board and the Association in your prayers. I pray that God may bless all of you and your families.  I also pray that God will bless our endeavors on behalf of all the alumni, students and family of St. Rose of Lima. I am proud to be an alumnus, honored to be on the board, and most humbly continue to serve as your Chairman. Carol Raab Davis Some history about me and my part in the SRLAA In 2002, I was given the opportunity to become involved in a combined Lancer’s / St Rose alumni Reunion weekend. Part of that weekend was a “step back in time” as we toured the old school, echoing all the sights and sounds of our youth. That reunion generated more than renewed friendships. That weekend sparked a new interest in the St Rose of Lima Grammar School of today.  Susan Schick Kemka and an enthusiastic group of alumni began the formation of SRLAA. In 2003, while the SRLAA was still in its infancy, I expressed my interest in keeping alumni reunited, and giving something back to the current students of St. Rose of Lima. Because of my interest, I was invited to attend a SRLAA board meeting and shortly afterward I became a Board member. In 2004, as Membership Chairman on the Board, my goal of reaching out to locate more alumni while keeping us all connected and involved, led to my proposal of an SRLAA newsletter. Though I have served on other event committees I am proudest of my contributions to Project Graduation.  This annual celebration has allowed me to fulfill a promise I made to a childhood benefactor, to one day give back to another child the way that my benefactor was so generous to me when I was a student at St. Rose.