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“A Jewel in the Crown”-Holy Names Academy

Back in the days when Seattle was referred to as “The Queen City,” it was often remarked that Holy Names Academy was one of the jewels in her crown.

A little history: “…Holy Names Academy was founded in 1880 by the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. This religious community of sisters, guided by the vision of Mother Marie Rose Durocher, was dedicated to providing education for young women, just as the Academy is today. In 1859, the Congregation sent its first sisters to Oregon, and, some twenty years later, responded favorably to the request of Father Francis Xavier Prefontaine to establish a school for young women in Seattle. Four sisters, led by Sister Mary Francis Xavier, arrived on November 9, 1880, a date celebrated every year at Holy Names Academy as Foundation Day…”

From their website: “…Holy Names Academy has been recognized four times by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School, and was named Washington’s Best Nonprofit Organization to Work For by Washington CEO Magazine in 2008. It offers a strong college preparatory curriculum and serves young women of diverse ethnic, economic, and religious backgrounds. Holy Names Academy has graduated over 9,250 students…”

Over the years I have interacted with a number of students, parents and administrators at Holy Names that volunteered to assist with some of our projects helping the poor, the sick and the marginalized. It has always been rewarding! The students have always embraced whatever project we are working on throwing all their creative energy into seeing the best result for all. They have gathered food, visited the homeless and the sick, provided song and music to those huddling in tents on a snowy night. They have always been of cheer expecting that they can make a difference to all of those in need across the world.

I recently came across a letter written for a young lady applying to Holy Names Academy. She was accepted. She became a leader in the school living up to all the expectations anticipated in the letter.

“…I first met her when she walked in my 6th grade classroom. I knew within moments that she was a very special young lady. Over the next two years my first impressions were confirmed repeatedly. Anna is full of intuition, inquisitiveness, empathy and critical thinking skills that out pace her classroom contemporaries.

On every occasion her classroom work was excellent.
What makes her special is she is able to synthesize information, presenting it, and her observations and opinions, in a more mature fashion than most students her age.

While I was her classroom teacher I could count on her to lead when it came to classroom group projects. She also showed leadership in our outreach program to the elderly, the poor and others on the margins in our neighborhoods.

I have also been involved with Anna, and other students, in an outreach and support program to a man suffering from AIDS at Bailey-Boushay House. Anna has made time available to make repeated visits to Bailey to spread a bit of joy to the residents. Anna is also contributing her time to serving the elderly at a local Salvation Army…”

Seattle is a better place for having Holy Names Academy as a “Jewel in Her Crown.

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