ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SEEKING COMMERCE RAIDERS
About two
months ago on one of my visits to The High School of Commerce, I learned about
Dennis Lawson, a Commerce High School parent and alumnus. Lawson has recently been promoting his
enthusiasm and pride for his beloved high school. He has a vision of establishing a High School of Commerce Alumni
Association. As a class of ‘86 alumna
myself, I became delighted with the idea.
On December 1, 2004, Lawson and Assistant
Principal Lucille L Brindisi facilitated an informational meeting to introduce
his plans to the community. At the
meeting, other alumni who, like Lawson, share a concern about the challenges
that our high school students face, brainstormed on what would be the best
approach for the association to take to assist existing initiatives.
Collectively, the group decided to focus
on scholarship fundraising, an alumni tutoring/mentorship program, and the
recruiting other alumni who could share their success stories and help to
promote school pride. Tony Pettaway, a
class of ‘82 alumni said, “Alumni who have walked these same halls may be able
to provide the structure and expertise to make a difference in the lives of
these students at a time when they need it most.”
The High School of Commerce Alumni
Association hopes that the diverse talents found among the alumni will enable
them to foster healthy relationships and make valuable contributions to
Commerce’s current students. The
following are just a few Commerce alumni that are living and/or work in
Springfield:
Springfield
School Committee Member Marjorie J. Hurst, Class of ‘64, Eva Gomez, Executive
Director of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, Class of ‘80, Ramona
Hopkins-O’Brien (mother of Assistant Principal Thomas W. O’Brien, Jr.) Class of
‘44, Jose Claudio, Aide to Mayor Ryan, Class of ‘71, Helen Caulton-Harris,
Director of the Department of Health and Human Services, Class of ‘69, Jeanne
Wroblewski, Office Manager for Springfield School Volunteers, Class of ‘65,
City Councilor Jose F. Tosado, Class of ‘72, City Councilor Dominic Sarno,
Class of ‘81 and Dennis Lawson, Class of ’82.
“Hopefully,
this association will be a model that can be used at all high schools in the
city,” Lawson stated.
In an effort to make this program effective, the Springfield School Volunteers (SSV) will assist the Commerce Alumni Association by processing all applications and CORI forms. Furthermore, SSV will match students and mentors/tutors based on student/volunteer schedules and interests. For volunteer opportunities please contact me at cardonae@sps.springfield.ma.us or (413) 787-6658. The next High School of Commerce Alumni Association meeting will be on Wednesday, January 12 at 6:00 PM. All are welcome. Dennis Lawson can be reached at (413) 543-6764 for more information. n