On Tuesday, April 3, Ms. Julie Jenkins from St. Peter Claver Catholic School made a special trip down Bayshore to Academy. Ms. Jenkins, the school’s Development Officer, visited to receive a check for $500 from the Teen Leadership Council (TLC).
TLC donated $300, and $200 came from an anonymous donor. The club designated St. Peter Claver as the beneficiary of its successful bake sale this year, and Ms. Jenkins was more than happy to accept their gift.
Founded in 1894, St. Peter Claver is the oldest African-American school in the Diocese of St. Petersburg, and the oldest African-American school still operating in the state of Florida, according to its history. It serves the community around Ybor City and Tampa Heights and educates children from Early Childhood 3 to grade 8.
TLC President Anna Castellano said, “We were so happy to be able to help St. Peter Claver since it is so close to us here at Academy. They do a great job of helping students who wouldn’t normally be able to afford an education from a private, Catholic school, so we jumped on the opportunity to aid their mission.”
Presidents Anna Castellano and Mary Green, along with Treasurer Jane Lazzara and Assistant Treasurer Lizzie Emmanuel, who organized and ran the fundraiser, presented the check to Ms. Jenkins in the foyer.
Ms. Jenkins explained that this donation would go towards the purchase of new textbooks for the students. In addition, she noted that past donations have helped the development of the school’s science lab and computer lab, a necessity since many St. Peter Claver students do not have their own computers at home.
She also informed the girls and their moderator, Ms. Debbie Lubrano, that their gift would doubly help since St. Peter Claver currently takes part in a matching gift program from a generous donor. This program runs through the end of their school year, June 15th.
Leaving the presentation, the TLC officers were glad to have contributed to such a worthy cause. They felt that St. Peter Claver followed the club’s own mission of empowering young men and women, and they look forward to working with the school again in the future.
