It’s been 63 years since they graduated from Charlotte Amalie High School, but the surviving members of the Class of 1951 aren’t finished with education yet.
At a news conference Thursday held in the school’s career center, six alumni from that class announced forming an initiative with the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands to promote higher education.
The alumni have created a perpetual scholarship fund with an initial contribution of $20,000. At Thursday’s news conference they also announced their intention to seek additional funding by organizing a contribution drive targeting the territory’s business community and challenged CAHS students and other alumni classes to join them in their efforts.
About 20 current high school seniors, members of the Class of 2014, attended Thursday’s announcement. CFVI Executive Director Dee Bacher-Brown talked to them about how they could start a scholarship fund of their own.
Class of ’51 presenters included educators, former public servants and an assistant pharmacist, all retired. There were also parents of current commissioners and directors.
Retired CAHS math teacher Genevieve Rogers thanked fellow alum, Dr. Herbert James, for persuading the group to set up a legacy scholarship fund.
"He said, ‘Look at us, most of us are 80 or more years old. We’re not going to be around all the time.’ We will be able to give scholarships when we are gone, when we are no longer here," Rogers said.
The effort to put scholarships into the hands of graduating CAHS students began in 1988 when Class of ’51 members, living in the territory and abroad, formed the CAHS-Class of 1951 Alumni Association. Class of ’51 alum James Francis, former chief of staff to the late Sen. Lorraine L. Berry, serves as the current president.
"Other classes meet regularly but mostly on a social standpoint. When we meet, what’s always on our agenda is the scholarship fund," Francis said.
Since 1988 association members – now numbering 28 – have paid monthly dues of $10, held food sales, testimonials, musical events, and fundraisers honoring teachers and mothers of classmates. Those efforts produced $71,000 that have benefited 73 CAHS graduating seniors.
Names of the scholarship winners are announced at the annual Awards Night event.
CAHS Principal Carmen Howell asked students taking part in the news conference to thank their schoolmates by attaching pins with the school mascot on their collars.
"This class is a trend setter. Since 1988 this generous group of alumni have made a conscious decision to give back to their alma mater," Howell said.
In a statement issued before the announcement, CFVI representative Nicole Wheatley spoke about the modest effort that grew over time.
"Upon formation, their financial status wasn’t one of great wealth; the St. Thomas/St. John chapter balance was $182," Wheatley said.
When the legacy fund was set up Dec. 30, the group asked friends and family of past and present classmates to help.
"Most of it, $13,000, was money were were able to collect," Rogers said.
Which, according to Bacher-Brown, is the point. Anyone can practice philanthropy, even those who do not have great wealth. CFVI manages 100 different funds, she said, helping clients with investment advice. A group of donors helps offset the fees and associated costs of managing the funds, helping to make sure the money raised goes towards it intended purpose.
"We are so honored that the Class of ’51 is trusting us with their legacy," Bacher-Brown said.
Francis said the group is happy to help and only frustrated that their money can’t help more students. He congratulated the CAHS faculty and staff for producing students whose academic achievements merit support through scholarships.
Although scholarships may not have been available to them when the graduated from the school building known as "the barracks," the six who took part in the announcement found ways to distinguish themselves.
Rogers taught math at CAHS, Francis served more than 20 years at the Legislature, Mavis Robles worked as an assistant pharmacist at Heath’s Pharmacy and later at St. Thomas hospital;
Eugene Gottleib, the first president of the alumni association, worked 42 years for the V.I. government at the Department of Finance and is the father of OMB Director Debra Gottlieb. Janet Smalls is the mother of Public Works Commissioner Darryl Smalls. Neville Samuel made a career of teaching on St. John.
Other classmates, Wheatley said, "migrated to the continental U.S. to work, many went to college, and others joined the military. But despite the different paths chosen, the class shared a lasting bond. Today, 28 of those graduates are united to fulfill a calling to give back to their alma mater."
In addition to crediting their classmate Herbert James, the alums said they were also encouraged by William Goldsborough, their former home room teacher. After the ceremony they pulled out a copy of their 1951` yearbook, bearing his picture.
Although many years had gone by, Goldsborough and his students remained close. Rogers said they visited together in 2011 during reunion activities.
"He even came for out 60th anniversary. He came down from New York and participated in all our activities. At that time he was 85, looking good," Rogers said.
Offering a final thought for their graduation day, the Class of ’51’s home room teacher wrote, "You will be a credit to yourselves, to your community, your nation and last but not least the presently troubled world."
