SCA celebrates 127 years with multimillion dollar project

Saint Catherine Academy currently has an enrollment of five hundred and fifty students. That’s a far cry from when it was established more than a century ago. The all girl high school is in fact celebrating one hundred and twenty-seven years and it can rightfully take credit for excellence in sports and academics. To mark this milestone, S.C.A. today embarked on a multimillion dollar project. News Five Duane Moody attended the anniversary celebration at the school grounds.

Duane Moody, Reporting

Students, past and present, and the staff of St. Catherine Academy gathered to celebrate the anniversary of the arrival of the Sisters of Mercy to Belize and the birth of the institution. The event started with a service that was followed by the reenactment of the history of the school.

Sister Mercy Cervantes, Chairperson, Board of S.C.A.

“The Sisters of Mercy were in New Orleans and the Bishop of the country of Belize wanted a group of religious to come and teach here in the country. A priest, father Gillett, went first to the superior in New Orleans. When the sisters in New Orleans could not send anymore, they were going to close the convent. But the mother superior here told them that if they wanted they can go back to New Orleans or they can stay and be independent of New Orleans and most of the sisters chose to stay in Belize and be independent and stay on to teach and work in the country of Belize.”

At the anniversary celebration, the institution launched an initiative for a multimillion dollar project, “Make the Dream Real’’ for the construction of the multipurpose facility.

Salome Tillett, Principal, S.C.A.

“All the gatherings have to be out under the tent in the open air and we find that it has really stifled our ability to hold programs, student activities and so on. So we launched our fundraising and we are making very concrete steps to start our building project. The building is a ninety by one hundred and seventy-five two floor building. It’s going to be something similar to the civic, to parish hall. The lower floor will hold classrooms, a library, a café area. The upper flat will be a multipurpose area with bleachers and a stage so we can hold our graduation our dances our volleyball and basketball games indoors.”

The project is estimated at a cost that is well in excess of three million dollars and the institution is calling on the alumni to come to the rescue.

Sister Rose Rivero, Alumni, Former Teacher, S.C.A.

“We are trying to contact alumni all over the world—we have over four thousand names—so we’re hoping that each one will send us even a small donation. It will go a long way. We have to fill up the inside with all the furniture and the equipment and we would also like to set up a fund for the future to keep the building going and to keep it in repair and to replace equipment and stuff like that. We’re not even quarter way there.”

The school has since mustered less than half a million dollars towards the ambitious project. It is long term and will benefit the next generation of students.

Geraldine Sosa Mendez, Fourth Form Student, S.C.A.

“I feel very proud of being a part of this school because it has such a great reputation and then we just help it to become better and as the years pass by, we’re just signing our name on what will be a very special contribution to Belize and the young girls of Belize.”

Salome Tillett

Salome Tillett

“We believe that having a structure like that on campus is also going to enhance the programs that we offer. We will be able to do the creative programs. For instance we’ve always dreamed of a daycare for our young mothers. We accept young women who have children and sometimes they have to leave their babies far, out district even. So we hope that if we have a centre like this they can bring their children.”

If anyone would like to assist, the number to call is 223-REAL, that is 223-7425. Monetary and in kind donations are accepted. Duane Moody, Reporting for News Five.