Contact: Jenni Brockman
Telephone: 804-443-3357 (w); 804-443-2703 (h)
Fax: 804-443-6781
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
St. Margaret's Honors Community
On Monday, April 26 at high noon, St. Margaret's held a one-hour luncheon to honor community supporters of the school and its mission.
Following an opening prayer by Reverend McKinley, Headmistress Margaret Broad introduced members of the community relations committee and SMS' administrative cabinet. It is an honor to welcome everyone to the river on this beautiful spring day, said Mrs. Broad. "Those of us who make our homes in Tappahannock know this is as good as it gets!"
Mrs. Broad invited those in attendance to look at SMS in three ways: first, at the beautiful campus and its buildings, facilities, and classrooms. Attention was directed to the school's newly built tennis courts given by Dennis Sheehan. Between the library and gym, the school's Community/Technology Center, scheduled to open in September, is being constructed. This $1.8 million facility will house many new classrooms, a computer lab, and innovative lab space for science instruction. "I invite all of you to be with us to dedicate this facility which has been envisioned as a community space from the beginning," said Mrs. Broad.
Next, Mrs. Broad asked the community to look at the school's initiatives and day-to-day activities. 150 students (roughly 100 boarders; 50 day students) study a strong traditional core curriculum, take electives in courses that teach foreign policy, economics, music, and art history. In athletics, SMS has won league championships over the past two years in softball, field hockey, soccer, volleyball, and basketball. 28 students comprise SMS' first ever rowing or crew team and travel to regattas every Saturday. Internationally, SMS has extended its network of family and friends to include St. Margaret's-Bushey, in England, and St. Margaret's-Berwick, in Australia, two schools that participate in cooperative exchange programs. Last, SMS' Ensemble led by music director Beverly Gordon, of Richmond, plans to visit London for a performance by invitation.
Last, Mrs. Broad asked the community to look at St. Margaret's best part-its people: faculty and staff who already lived in or have moved to Tappahannock, 150 girls in the student body, and community citizens who support the school's unchanged mission: educating young women for life.
"This year's senior class truly represents the best of our school as we close the century," noted Mrs. Broad. "These young women came as girls but are leaving with new found friends and a school commitment to make the best of herself and in so doing to make a better world. I am so very proud of each of them."
Mrs. Broad then introduced community service volunteer and May Ball Queen Hillary Pugh, of Warsaw. Hillary addressed the community and thanked those in attendance for their support; she solicited new ideas to expand upon for next year as SMS' community service mission heads into a new millenium.
Mrs. Broad thanked the local community for their support and the opportunities for the school and local citizens to work and live together. "We are truly blessed with this beautiful spot, with the care and commitment of our local businesses and neighbors who support this school and its mission for the education of young women," said Mrs. Broad in her closing statements.