Built Up Without Being Watered DownThe phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child,” resonated with most of us as parents almost as soon as we heard it. While its actual origin is often disputed as possibly African, Native Indian or even Nigerian, most scholars agree that it was an ancient proverb long before it was penned by former First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. Regardless of its origin, the phrase struck a chord with parents for a number of reasons. For the most part, we embark upon parenthood with awe, splendor, joy and thankfulness. As first time parents, some of us might even have had a somewhat exaggerated sense of our own abilities in the role. When we saw the children of others acting out in public and their parents’ subsequent reactions, we might have found ourselves making silent resolutions like: “I am never going to do that to my kids,” or better yet, “I am never going to let my children act like that.” It doesn’t take long as parents before we realize that we can’t completely control what our children say and do. God gives them
a free will, which they can and do exercise often. Parenthood is definitely a humbling experience, and it isn’t by chance. It is one of God’s Gifts to us because raising our children helps us to better understand how to live out the three primary theological virtues of faith, hope and love. It also provides us with many opportunities to refine our own humility, patience, perseverance, self-control, mercy, responsibility, kindness, compassion---and the list could go on. As Catholic Christians, these are some of the common virtues we share which make up our value system. There are many things about an Everest education that supports the development of these same values and virtues. Because we value each student as
being uniquely created by God, we focus a lot of effort on personal attention. We have a low student to teacher ratio. We use a team approach to education. While our teachers serve the primary role of educating Everest students, their growth in all areas is being watched closely by an academic coordinator, dean of students, instructor of formation, director of formation and a principal. There is also a virtue of the month program that cascades down through the organization with age appropriate activities for each grade. As an example, the current virtue being focused on is generosity. During the month of September, each teacher is creatively intertwining that virtue throughout the subjects they are teaching each day. Another
part of our Catholic Christian faith is rooted in the belief that parents are the primary educators of their children as designed by God. In support of that, education at Everest is a collaborative effort between school and family. We strive to provide an environment that compliments and reinforces the family upbringing of Everest’s students. We know effective communication is paramount. Teachers and staff work together with parents to help students develop the unique gifts God has given each of them. In our thoughts, words and actions, we work hard at Everest Collegiate High School and Academy to build our children up, and we do so without watering down our expectations of them. There is no need to do that as they are more
than up to the task. After all, their Creator isn’t in the habit of doing things with mediocrity. In Gratitude,
Michael J. Nalepa
Executive Director
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