At a recent charity event a graduate of SMPA thanked the benefactors for all they allowed to be possible in his life. I was taken with the word “benefactor”.
ben·e·fac·tor
/ˈbenəˌfaktər/
nounsomeone or something that provides help or an advantage : one that confers a benefit : a benefactor of humankind especially : a person who makes a gift or bequest : endowments
Synonyms: angel, patron, supporter, backer, sponsor; donor, fairy godmother.
-Merriam-Webster
As a young man attending a private high school on scholarship, his benefactors have certainly provided him with quite an “advantage” – that of a quality education. For all our students and graduates, that education is going to make all the difference in the direction of their lives.
I was talking with one of our graduates now in high school about his plans for the future. He said he wanted to be a dentist, and a “success” when he grew up. I asked him what would success look like to him? How would he know that he was successful?
He said that he would be independent, be able to take care of himself and his family, and he would be able to give back to Saint Martin to help other kids like he was helped.
I’ve heard this message from many of our students. As I talk with our high school and college-aged graduates, they seem to universally share the desire to give back. To pay it forward. They look forward to the day when they can be the benefactors.
We pour so much into our students. We want the best for them. Consequently, they want the best for themselves and others. They look forward to the day when they can be the ones who give back, when they become the benefactors. Thank you for inspiring future benefactors with your generosity and care.
Today you are the benefactor. Tomorrow our students are.
Allison Rivera
President
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