School achieves miracles by sponsoring students

These MBAs are not master's degrees in business administration, though. "MBA" stands for "Miracles Being Achieved" -- the title used for the school's new scholarship program.

According to Susan Lazzari, ND-BG's admissions and advancement director, the school has always given out thousands of dollars in financial aid. But principal Brother Paul Beaudin, CFC, decided to formalize the process starting this year.

"Schenectady's not in the best of shape right now," Mrs. Lazzari noted. "Almost every student who comes through our door is looking for some type of financial aid." The number of students who receive some form of aid totals one-quarter of the school's population.

The MBA program matches students with individual donors, who pay an average of $1,000 a year to support them. In return, donors get "report cards" on their students' progress, and students and patrons can communicate with one another.

"It's nice for people to know that the kids they're supporting are trying," Mrs. Lazzari told The Evangelist. Donors are also more inclined to give to a specific student than to a general scholarship fund, she said.

Students who participate in the MBA program must maintain good grades, participate in school activities, exhibit good character and take part in ND-BG's work-study program. The latter may involve doing maintenance work in an after-school program, setting up classrooms before school starts or working during the summer to paint or help with a day-camp program.

Mrs. Lazzari said that the MBA program has enabled one student whose father died recently to receive financial aid so he can continue to attend ND-BG, and several others who come to the school through the Northeast Parent and Child Society to turn their lives around.

The director called one student, who graduated from ND-BG last year, an "amazing success story" for her ability to blossom at the school with the help of a donor.

"It's exciting," she said of the "MBAs." "It's a great program. You don't have to be a millionaire to make a contribution."

(Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons School will kick off its MBA program with a dessert reception on Oct. 27 from 7-9 p.m. The event will include testimonials from students and a visit from Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, honorary program chair. For information on the MBA program, call Susan Lazarri or Brother Paul Beaudin at 393-3131.)

(10-21-99) [[In-content Ad]]