StC News
An appeal from the Rev. Melissa Hollerith, former chaplain
Former US chaplain Melissa Hollerith calls upon the St. Christopher's community to support her alma mater
Donations at tonight's basketball game vs. Collegiate will benefit flood-torn school
The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge, a fellow K-12 Independent school in Louisiana, has been struggling to recover since the devastating floods last fall. Their sports facilities and programs have particularly suffered and in a show of solidarity the Missionary Society and St. Christopher's School are inviting everyone in attendance at tonight's varsity basketball game vs. Collegiate to donate $5 that will go directly to the rebuilding of ESBR's athletic programs.
Former US chaplain the Rev. Melissa Hollerith is an alumna of The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge, and has written a letter to the St. Christopher's community encouraging support of the relief effort.
Mrs. Hollerith writes,
"Dear St. Christopher's community,
Some of my fondest memories are my time as a student at Episcopal. The truth is, my time there, being taught by the best teachers, shaped not only who I became but also influenced my call to work with young people. I am a priest and served as a teacher at an Episcopal school (STC) in large part because of my experience as a student there.
The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge, a fellow K-12 Independent school in Louisiana, has been struggling to recover since the devastating floods last fall. Their sports facilities and programs have particularly suffered and in a show of solidarity the Missionary Society and St. Christopher's School are inviting everyone in attendance at tonight's varsity basketball game vs. Collegiate to donate $5 that will go directly to the rebuilding of ESBR's athletic programs.
Former US chaplain the Rev. Melissa Hollerith is an alumna of The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge, and has written a letter to the St. Christopher's community encouraging support of the relief effort.
Mrs. Hollerith writes,
"Dear St. Christopher's community,
Some of my fondest memories are my time as a student at Episcopal. The truth is, my time there, being taught by the best teachers, shaped not only who I became but also influenced my call to work with young people. I am a priest and served as a teacher at an Episcopal school (STC) in large part because of my experience as a student there.
My teachers were the best of the best. I can still tell you where I sat in every class, what we studied, and more importantly, how those teachers made me feel. For when it is all said and done, the quizzes and tests run together, it is how the teacher made us feel that we carry forever. Were they kind? Were they fair? Did they listen? Did they love their subject and their students? And for me, the impact of my teachers on my life lives on in me. I think of them often and fondly. From my fifth grade teacher, Anne Johnson, who knew how to build confidence in an insecure young girl to Madame Campbell’s and Madame Meehan’s French classes- which forever forged my love of all things French to Susan Ragan’s passion for British literature and Janie Johnson’s math classes that infused humor with hard work to David Seger’s year long study of the New and Old Testaments- in every instance I received an education beyond the classroom. My teachers were also my friends- it was what educators call today- relational learning. I learned from the best and I wanted to learn from them- because we had a relationship. They cared as much about Melissa as they did their subject matter and I knew that. They knew my story and I knew some of their stories too. I often think of Mrs. Babers, who was in charge of attendance and about a dozen other things as well. I knew her story. She had lost her son in a tragic car accident as a teenager, and knowing this, knowing her loss, made me more empathetic. I could only imagine her pain, and yet, I saw that she came to work every day, I saw her courage to forge ahead, one day at a time. Her daily hello taught me that we can go on with God’s help.
In a very similar way, I believe that is what we have at St. Christopher's and it means a great deal to me that folks would partner with my school to help it rebuild after a devastating flood. I have no doubt that if you were to step on their campus, you would find yourselves right at home.
God calls us to be good stewards with the gifts we are given. Thank you for using your gifts to help this school continue to be a gift to other young men and woman."
Blessings,
The Rev. Melissa Hollerith
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