Tenth Annual Promoting Success Luncheon Speech

The other day, I was looking through some old family photo albums. I know, we’re supposed to convert to the digital age, but I still like my old fashioned pictures! It brought back memories.

I thought about my son's first day of school. I remember how I felt his fear as he held my hand so tightly. I hugged him and told him I'd be back in a few hours. I walked out the door with a lump in my throat. When I picked him up later in the day, he ran to me excited with stories of the day's adventures. I breathed a sigh of relief. And I felt gratitude for his spirit, for the opportunities before him and for the love and support of his teachers.

A few years later, my son wanted to ride his bike to the neighborhood deli. He'd never been more than a couple blocks from home, so I worried that this was too much, too soon. But he complained, “Mom, I’m 10 years old. I’m NOT A BABY!” Again with some trepidation, I let my little boy go. And he came back a proud young man with a candy bar he'd purchased all by himself.

When Nativity School's 10-year olds arrive for their first day of 6th grade, I imagine there are a lot of these same emotions –confidence mixed with anxiety; excitement with uncertainty. 10-year olds are at a wonderful and unique place in their development. Their growing independence is obvious. Their friendships are becoming central to their lives. This gives them a deepening sense of security and at the same time, a new awareness of peer pressures, and important choices that lie ahead. As you know, the middle school years are critical.

Nativity School is also 10 years old this year. And after our first decade, here’s what we know. --- Our students, who come to us without the family support systems and economic security that most of us enjoy---- depend on us for so much. Nativity School is crucial for our students growth and success. And, we know that what we are doing is working.

As we celebrate our 10-year anniversary this year, we have faced many of the same “growing pains” as our students. We are the only Nativity school in the Northwest, we began with doubts and concerns; we needed a strong support system; a hand to squeeze. Nativity school opened in 2001 under the direction and guidance of fr. Kevin Connell, with 20 students. In 2004 our first graduating class moved on to high school. As parents, many of us know what a significant milestone this is for families. And you can imagine what a milestone it is for our parents, many of whom did not finish high school themselves.

Nativity School continued to support our students as they navigated the new challenges of high school. In 2008, we beamed with pride as our "first born" class entered college. Their own parents reacted with pride and astonishment. College was something most thought was not possible for their children. But Nativity School gave them a chance and truly changed the direction of their lives.

Let me give you an example. Shanika is a student I have talked about before, and I want to update you. She was one of those 10-year olds who first looked at this school as something overwhelming. In 6th grade, her first year at Nativity, Shanika’s brother was shot and killed in this very neighborhood. You can imagine what this could do to a 10 year old. Shanika almost didn't make it. But we were with her every step of the way. Today, we are still with her. Not only did Shanika successfully complete her middle school career at nativity, She went on to graduate from high school. With the assistance of our graduate support director, Shanika received a full ride scholarship, and is now attending Warner Pacific College here in Portland. We are so proud of her. Our students need to know there is opportunity, support and a future for them. A future with a good education, A future with hope. Imagine for a moment what Shanika’s life might have been like if not for Nativity. I cannot overstate how important this school is to our students and their families. We give them - first - the vision of a better way to live. Then we build their confidence and courage to try things that were simply beyond imagining. We give them a spiritual foundation that underpins everything they do. And, as I said, we give them hope, perhaps the greatest gift of all. For without hope, a person often gives up. With hope, a person begins to believe in possibility. And possibility is the beginning of achievement.

Let me tell you about some of our achievements. Jerrae graduated in 2009 and is a sophomore in high school. This summer she will join 12 of the brightest students in the nation for a six week college level program at the University of Michigan; this spring, Zemen was accepted to Gonzaga University, my alma mater – you can be sure I will get him a GU sweatshirt! Quanisha is a sophomore in UCLA’s College of Nursing. This past semester her grade point was 4.0. She told us she was going to get a 4.0 again next term. She is an achiever!

Jesuit characteristics also serve as a guide for everything we do at Nativity school. We teach students to be open to growth, committed to justice, loving, religious, intellectually competent and grateful. For us, these are not just words - these are values -- demonstrated through action that our students and families truly believe in. P. D. James once said, “what a child doesn’t receive he can seldom later give.” Nativity school is dedicated to forming young men and women for others – our motto is “we are not created for ourselves.” You, our donors, offer both the means to sustain our work and the best example of giving back we could hope for.

Speaking of good examples, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the wonderful staff here at nativity school who always do the “extra” – they even go on after school and weekend field trips so that our students can have opportunities they never had before. And I think we can all agree that taking 7th grade boys hiking, fishing and camping for the first time in their lives might not be the most relaxing weekend you could imagine! Certainly not for me!

Nativity school is the only tuition free private school in the northwest, serving only low-income students, students most at risk of becoming high school dropouts. All of our students come from poverty level families; 60% come from single family homes; many are significantly behind academically. Our students typically enter 6th grade at a 3rd grade level in math and reading. By the time they complete their 8th grade year, most have made 5 years academic progress in their 3 years with us. And we have continued this success, year after year.

As I said, Our students struggle with poverty, complicated family situations, low academics, and uncertainty about their future. Yet every morning, they arrive in uniform at 7 a.m. and are asked to focus on rigorous academics for a very long, full day. They come to us often by city bus, some with 2 stops, and many without breakfast. We provide breakfast. They attend classes, have a nutritious lunch, more classes, a snack and two hours of quiet study hall to complete their homework. They leave at 5:00. That is a ten hour day...and I haven’t even mentioned athletics, cultural enrichment and the range of counseling services we provide.

In spite of all the barriers that stand in their way, our students graduate Nativity ready to enter college preparatory high schools. They compete with students from much more advantaged backgrounds and they do very, very well. We currently have 67 graduates in college prep high schools and they are succeeding far beyond what many people thought they could do. Over 85% of our seniors have been accepted and are planning to attend college next year. Also next year – proud family that we are – we will once again be beaming with pride as the first of our “first borns” begin graduating from college! What a decade it’s been. Our work is filled with rewards, for sure, but no one ever said raising/teaching children was easy….or inexpensive. We need to raise 1.26 million dollars each year to sustain the very successful, life changing program you’ve learned about today.

Keep in mind that we have no tuition base, we receive no funding from St. Andrew Parish, the Jesuits, or the government. What makes all this possible is you, and all of our committed supporters and friends. 98% of our funding comes from individuals, along with corporate and foundation support.

I grew up in a big family in Montana. There were 10 of us. When I gave my mother a hard time, she'd often say, “just wait until you have kids of your own!” At the time neither of us was thinking about Nativity school, but as President of this school, I feel like I can relate to my parents' struggles in more ways than I could ever imagine.

I worry about every problem of every one of our students. The dad of one of our students was murdered on Sunday. She came to school yesterday and do you know what she said to me? “this is where I am supposed to be, I need to graduate and I have things to do to make that happen”. I worry about her, but she showed some deep strength. Like the years when I was growing up, our current economy is difficult. I know everyone here today has been affected by these trying times. Yet as I mentioned earlier, your gift is one of the greatest gifts of all because it is truly a gift of hope.

So it is with humility and gratitude that I stand before you today asking for your support; and offering thanks for all that you’ve already done for our students. On your tables, you'll find envelopes to pledge your support to Nativity school. As you fill out your pledge card, I ask you to think of our students and families who rely on us here at Nativity school. Please be generous in offering your support to them.

Here’s why your support is so important. It costs $15,000 per year to educate one of our students and $1.26 million to provide this education for all. Please consider sponsoring a Nativity School Student. We are so grateful for your gifts today.  A generous group of friends of Nativity School have offered to match any gifts we receive today from new donors – up to $40,000. Thank you for all you do for the students of Nativity School.

I was taught to be a forward thinker. And we planned for this anniversary, but I did not know what it would feel like to celebrate 10 years. It feels good… we have accomplished so much with these kids.

I know we will continue to make you proud of this most amazing endeavor.

- Loretta Wiltgen, President