Nov. 20, 2001 – Thanks to the people who attended this year's annual Julius E. Sprauve School gala, held in January at Caneel Bay Resort, students at the school have a functional science lab that was unveiled Tuesday afternoon at a public reception.
Myron Allick, president of the committee that decides how the money raised at the galas will be used, said until now the school has not had an adequate science lab.
Sprauve Assistant Principal Mario Francis said that while the school had a laboratory room, it lacked equipment and materials and students could do only minimal experiments. "This will definitely make them much more competitive," he said.
Whereas students previously could only read about how materials react in scientific experiments, he said, now they can see for themselves.
The gala raised $60,000. The committee spent $40,000 on the lab. "Those tables aren't cheap," Allick said.
In addition to five lab tables, the funds went for stools, Bunsen burners, cabinets, air-conditioning and electrical work, as well as the removal of bars on the windows. Allick said the room is in a secure part of the school, so bars are not necessary.
He said the other $20,000 was spent to improve conditions in the Sprauve School vocational shop, to provide counseling for teachers so they can better cope with stress, and to assist the Beacon Schools program at the school.
Allick said the 2002 Sprauve gala will be held in January.
