SAINT AUGUSTINE SAINTS

Welcome to the • VOLUME 12, NUMBER 3 • SUMMER 2020 SINCE 1858 NEWS H ome of the Saints

For Parents, Alumni, Parishioners and Friends of St. Augustine School in Washington D.C. Sister Emmanuella returns as new principal In order to journey from Patrick Smith, pastor, and Sister her native Nigeria to her new Emmanuella’s successor DRE, Sister assignment in the , Bibiana Okoro, HHCJ. How did Sister Emmanuella Ladipo, HHCJ, they do it? By the grace of God, of had to undertake a 17-hour flight course, but also through praying as that took her eastward to the a school five times a day, having Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, then religious sisters and a priest who to Dublin, Ireland’s capital, before is very present at the school, and heading westward to the nation’s weekly school Masses. capital. In addition to that, Sister Somehow, this flight path, Emmanuella reviewed student driven by COVID-19 era restrictions, for Sister Gloria Agumagu, HHCJ, as applications and sacramental symbolizes the steely, missionary principal of St. Augustine in August. records and made note of students zeal of a religious sister who has The former served as principal from who were baptized but who had come back for her third assignment 2007-2008, and then returned not received the other sacraments at St. Augustine Catholic School. to serve as director of religious of initiation in the Catholic Not to mention that, but Ethiopia education from 2008 to 2016. Church: First Penance, First Holy and Ireland hold important places Not just content to give pro forma Communion, and Confirmation. in the Sister’s mind, since first religious education to students, Sister Emmanuella found families generation Ethiopian families Sister Emmanuella transformed a who were very willing to have make up the largest group of program that was nearly abolished their children take the journey to families at St. Augustine from after the 2007-2008 school year, receiving these sacraments, and outside the United States, and Irish when St. Augustine was to have in some cases, there were parents missionaries evangelized in Nigeria, been closed, the school building who decided to renew their Catholic giving the Catholic faith its first later to be used by a public school faith and undergo sacramental foothold in Africa’s most populous operator. preparation they had missed. country, before the Church in More than 60 St. Augustine Front page coverage in The Nigeria returned the favor, sending students have converted to Washington Poston Easter Sunday young missionaries to evangelize Catholicism since 2010, largely 2010 about the initial group of the secularized Emerald Isle, its through the work of Sister 17 converts followed, and then- seminaries nearly empty. Emmanuella, with strong support Archbishop of from Sister Gloria and Fr. Sister Emmanuella took over continued on page 2

Sister Gloria earns doctorate...... 2 INSIDE PAGES Class of 2020 Celebrations...... 3 Surviving trauma to prosper: The Life of James Anderson...... 6 Sister Gloria earns doctorate On June 26, Saint Augustine struggle in reading could be rescued Catholic School’s longtime principal from reading difficulty if they are added a new title to her name, given extra reading attention. capping over three years of studies. Her research has implications for That day, Sister Gloria Agumagu, teachers and principals especially HHCJ, successfully defended her those targeting immigrant students. doctoral dissertation in Educational “You have to closely monitor Leadership and Administration at the results,” of student testing to Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. successfully implement pullouts, Using 2018-2019 data from Sister Gloria said. She also added the pullouts are usually District of Columbia Kindergarten five times each week, according to more effective when students through 8th grade Catholic Sister Gloria’s research. schools, Sister Gloria found that are motivated intrinsically and In her primary research, “pullouts” of English Language otherwise to participate given that students of low-socioeconomic Learning students can significantly some students might feel a social background who lacked literary improve student performance stigma when they are pulled out of skills at grade level were pulled in reading and comprehension, classes. out for reading interventions where the student struggling in “I gave up everything,” Sister following an assessment at the reading and comprehension may Gloria said, when asked about the beginning of the school year. They not attend his or her normal class sacrifices her studies entailed. “I were subsequently assessed in the but instead meets with Reading had no weekend and no social life,” middle of the school year and the Specialist teacher. Whereas Title I, she said, recalling weekends spent end of the year upon conclusion the federally-funded program for in her school office completing of interventions. A statistically students from low-socioeconomic reading assignments. Her studies significant difference was found backgrounds, usually enables at Duquesne included two years in the students’ performance in weekly pullouts of students from of course work with a cohort those assessments after pull- classes, so they can meet one-on- group of 10 educators in the out interventions. The students one with Title I teachers, or perhaps doctoral program, and one year of performed better than they did at in small groups as large as five dissertation writing. the beginning of the year and at the students for targeted instruction, middle of the year after exposure to “I am an immigrant myself,” hiring an additional Reading the interventions. Thus, Sister Gloria Sister Gloria said, addressing her Specialist can enable students to demonstrated that students who have such pullout sessions three to continued on page 7 continued from page 1 High School, so impressed was he herself in March interviewing for with the young man’s presentation the St. Augustine principal position, Sister Emmanuella.. during the prelate’s Spring 2010 with Sister Gloria Agumagu, HHCJ, Washington went from being a visit to St. Augustine. incumbent principal, set to become skeptic in the Catholic identity of Sister Emmanuella has been a North American Mission Superior a school such as St. Augustine to Handmaid of the Holy Child Jesus for her order, with a pending move a believer, asking Fr. Patrick Smith, for 38 years, and she served as to Houston on Aug. 31. pastor, repeatedly in passing over principal of the Handmaid Nursery Sister Gloria recommended the years, “How many have you and Primary School in Oyo State, Sister Emmanuella for the position, got this year?” referring to students Nigeria, from 2016-2020, preparing given the latter’s experience as a wishing to become Catholic. her students at the primary and teacher and school administrator Cardinal Wuerl also assisted one secondary school for their first taking and her familiarity with St. young St. Augustine alumnus with of the West African Examination Augustine. his tuition at Gonzaga College this past spring, when she found

2 2019-2020 school year theme: “If we live in the spirit, let us also follow the spirit.” (Galatians 5:25) St. Augustine Catholic School Honors the... EPHRAM M. FEVEN T.

CELEBRATING

What High School Are you What High School Are you Attending? Attending? CRYSTAL NOEL Georgetown Visitation Gonzaga College High School Favorite Memories of St. Favorite Memories of St. Augustine Catholic School Augustine Catholic School

This is me right before I went to compete at the citywide spelling bee This is We were on This was one of my first a field trip at the last days of day the school last year. What High School Are you of 7th stadium. grade. Attending? The Last party Saint Vincent Pallotti I’ve attended at Favorite Memories of St. This is me when I was St. Augustine Augustine Catholic School acting as the narrator Favorite Quote & Advice to • Fencing for the Christmas Students • St. Augustine Drama Club Show of 2017, the “To believe in yourself and to with Mr. Pringle Christmas Carol follow your dreams, to have • Science, Technology, This is goals in life and to drive to Engineering and Math me in my succeed, and to surround (STEAM) class soccer yourself with the things and the Favorite Quote & Advice to uniform. people that make you happy- Students that is success!” - Sasha Azevedo “Don’t let anyone rob you Favorite Quote & Advice to of your imagination, your Students 8th Grade, I know this year has creativity, or your curiosity. It’s been tough, and we’ve had your place in the world; it’s your “I can do all things through many obstacles - especially life.” -Dr. Mae Jemison Christ who strengthens me.” during this time, but just -Philippians 4:13 My advice is: “Enjoy the present, remember to never give up focus on your work, never stop Always listen to your teachers. and to be strong, knowing that trying, listen to your teachers They’re there to help you. you are not going through this and don’t procrastinate. Never alone. You have God by your let anyone dull your sparkle!” side. Let’s leave Saint Augustine strong!

2019-2020 school year theme: “If we live in the spirit, let us also follow the spirit.” (Galatians 5:25) 3 St. Augustine Catholic School Honors the... Favorite Quote & Advice to KARI NOELLE Students DELEMAR “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” -Benjamin Franklin One piece of advice is stay out of drama and stay in your books.

JUAN JOHNSON

CELEBRATING

What High School Are you JAYDA MARIE Attending? CATHERINE C. Maret School

Favorite Memories of St. Augustine Catholic School • Playing electric bass and performing What High School Are you • in shows; Being in many clubs Attending? (Drama, AV, Cheerleading, Saint John’s College High School Journalism, Band, Student Favorite Memories of St. Government, and Art); Being Augustine Catholic School in Little Shop of Horrors and • Student vs Staff Catholic helping out in AV; Family Schools’ Week game Fun Day; The 6th grade What High School Are you Retreat; Going to Mass; Doing • Winter Break Party Attending? Community Service; Being in Archbishop Carroll High School. • Corn Maze field trip Honors • Math, the Math Bee, and the Favorite Memories of St. Favorite Quote & Advice to Spelling Bee; Catholic Schools Augustine Catholic School Students Week; • When we had dress down “By failing to prepare you are • Spending time with teachers days preparing to fail”- Benjamin and friends! • When the school took us on Franklin a field trip to the National Finish your school assignments as Favorite Quote & Advice to Museum of African American early as possible. Students History and Culture “If one has courage, nothing can • Lastly, when we had the dim the light which shines from Halloween party and I was within.” - Maya Angelou able to help set up the Always be respectful, haunted house responsible for your actions, and kind to others. While doing this, it is okay to make mistakes, that’s how you learn. As you grow, never lose faith in yourself, always be true to yourself, and always be the best person you can be.

4 2019-2020 school year theme: “If we live in the spirit, let us also follow the spirit.” (Galatians 5:25) St. Augustine Catholic School Honors the... MADISON T. What High School Are you Attending? Academy of the Holy Cross

Favorite Memories of St. Augustine Catholic School The day that 8th graders had to serve at the Christmas Breakfast fundraiser and had to wear black and white.

Favorite Quote & Advice to CELEBRATING Students “Shoot for the moon and if you What High School Are you miss you will be among the Attending? stars.” - Les Brown KIMIKO SHAYIENA Q. Elizabeth Seton High School My advice is to not worry about Favorite Memories of St. other people’s opinions of you. Augustine Catholic School God never told you to impress anyone, just to love them.

TARYN TOOMER

• When me and my friends would help fundraise after school for the 8th grade. What High School Are you Attending? • Events where we would help out. St. John’s College High School Favorite Quote & Advice to Favorite Memories of St. Students Augustine Catholic School What High School Are you “You are more powerful than you • 8th Grade Microsoft Black Attending? know; you are beautiful just as Girls Coding Event you are” -Melissa Etheridge Georgetown Visitation • African American Museum Field Trip My Advice: Focus on yourself. Favorite Memories of St. Augustine Catholic School Favorite Quote & Advice to PATRICE THEODORE- • Working in A/V for shows Students GERMAINE • Playing on the basketball “Care Bear Stare” -Mr. Respers team with my friends Respect the teachers. Do your • Spanish class and Social homework. Ask for help if you Studies need it and enjoy 8th grade!!! Favorite Quote & Advice to Students “The purpose of our lives is to be happy.” -Dalai Lama Enjoy the fun times you have with your classmates before you leave.

2019-2020 school year theme: “If we live in the spirit, let us also follow the spirit.” (Galatians 5:25) 5 St. Augustine Catholic School Honors the... TYLER • One of my favorite memories was when I hit the game winning shot in the teachers vs. students game. • My other favorite memories are participating in family fun day.

Favorite Quote & Advice to Students “If you want it bad enough, if CELEBRATING your willing to sacrifice, it will What High School Are you find you, I’ve got 6 rings to prove Attending? it.” - Scottie Pippen Maret School One piece of advice that I’d give Favorite Memories of St. to the students is to always trust Augustine Catholic School your teacher. Surviving trauma to prosper: The Life of James Anderson Years before he soared above Washington, D.C, sometimes using the rim in a 1966 game for the grates on the sidewalk for heat St. John’s Cadets and blocked and occasionally sleeping inside a Mackin star’s Austin Carr’s dunk tire store. The Oblate Sisters and to preserve a last-minute victory prostitutes who had seen the two with his 5’10’’ frame, before he youths struggling tried to do what earned his doctorate in Psychology they could for Alan and Peggy, from Cornell University in 1980, including providing them food and and decades before he retired as clothing. Unfortunately, Alan also chancellor of an HBCU in North was coming to be groomed to be a Carolina in 2019, James A. Anderson member of the Ledroit Hill Gang. was an at-risk boy growing up in an James Anderson Sensing his potential and apartment at 1430 Cochran Street Allen R. Atkinson. alarmed that eight-year old Alan between R and S Streets, N.W., When he was six years old, was being groomed to be a gang with his given name, Alan Ramon being raised with a five-year old girl member, Mother Consolata, Dawson. named Peggy whom he thought of O.S.P., principal of St. Augustine, Abandoned by his birth parents as his sister, Alan came home from approached the gang’s head and at the hospital, Alan was being St. Augustine School at Bishops brokered a deal with him that raised by the hospital’s elevator Gate on 15th Street, N.W., with prevented him from being involved operator, Ms. Dawson, who took Peggy, and they could not find Ms. in any dangerous activities. Young him home because she did not Dawson. On the fifth day in this Alan, who was under the impression want him placed in an orphanage. house, with no heat and no food that the gang leader had attended On Cochran Street, Alan, given his and no sign of Ms. Dawson, an St. Augustine ended up attending name by Ms. Dawson, lived on a Oblate Sister informed Alan and the school for first through fourth block where only one child was Peggy that Ms. Dawson had died grade, and in the 1960-1961 school raised in a two-parent household. five days earlier. year, he thinks, he was pulled mid- Mysteriously enough, his one With the rent not paid and no year from St. Augustine. record for that period of his life, a blood relatives, Alan and Peggy With his adoptive name James, vaccination card, lists his name as had to fend for themselves in the growing boy attended Nativity

6 2019-2020 school year theme: “If we live in the spirit, let us also follow the spirit.” (Galatians 5:25) Catholic School, N.W., after moving altar server, but the sister claimed these factors. in with the Andersons. “I was told he was lying. “The Catholic education I that, ‘This is where you are going to So upset that the sister did received has contributed to the live,’ he recalled, by a woman who not believe him, James remembers importance that I place on the nonchalantly dropped him off at his running down Georgia Avenue in values of integrity and servant new home, without Peggy. Brightwood and crying. Within two leadership,” he reflected. He also “I was traumatized, hurt, years, youngest Sisters at Nativity worked his first professional job at and felt betrayed,” James said, told young James that they believed Xavier University in New Orleans, describing the experience. “My his allegations but were fearful of the only Catholic HBCU in North next trauma was a cultural one,” going against the older nuns, who America. he said. Not only did he not return supported the offending priest. In June 2019, James resigned to St. Augustine, but in attending James also survived a bout with as Chancellor of Fayetteville State Nativity, he had his first encounters rheumatic fever when he was 13 University in Fayetteville, N.C., after with “blatant racism,” having gone and nearly died, even receiving Last 11 years in charge of that HBCU. from a school with Black students Rites from a priest. He believes that During this period, Dr. Anderson and Black nuns to one with White the Blessed Virgin Mary interceded saved the Nursing program from students and White nuns. on his behalf, and his devotion to failure and instilled a culture of He first met the Andersons her has enabled him to maintain his excellence at Fayetteville State, when he was 11, yet when he was identity as a Catholic. The trauma which led to improved enrollment, adopted in 1967 during his college of the Nativity priest attempting finances, and graduation rates, in sophomore year, a birth certificate to molest him led to James’ falling addition to campus expansion. was fabricated listing him with away from the Church for a time, Dr. Anderson used experiences the birth name of James Allen “but the Virgin Mary bought me he gained working at other Anderson. “I now had an identity back,” he said. universities to implement a formal trauma,” he said. “Who was I really, James ultimately attended St. planning model for university and why were people passing me John’s College High School, where budgets, and Dr. Anderson also around and fabricating names for he played for legendary basketball invested in the faculty to help me?” James has never had a phone coach Joe Gallagher and earned an improve morale, including setting call from a blood relative or spoken academic scholarship to a university aside a $400,000 in faculty funds with anyone who has been able in Ohio, but after his freshman year to be given out in a competitive to talk to anyone to explain what transferred to Villanova University, process to show the faculty who happened to him. where he graduated in 1970. He earned grants were improving their Like the Oblate Sisters of earned a doctorate in Psychology teaching and research work. Providence at St. Augustine, the from Cornell, where he focused on Coming from such modest Sisters at Nativity sensed James’ Cognitive Psychology, focusing on beginnings in the Nation’s Capital, high potential. Ultimately, he felt different student learning styles Dr. James Anderson’s ascent to that they broke his trust because and the impact of varied teaching successfully leading an HBCU in James informed a sister that a parish styles and classroom environments. North Carolina can be attributed to priest at Nativity tried to sexually He also researched the influence of hard work and the grace of God. molest him when James was an culture, race, class, and gender on continued from page 2 For those interested in formal December and felt honored that titles, Sister Gloria’s new one is Mother Leonie-Martha O’Kagara, Sister Gloria earns... Sister Dr. Gloria Agumagu, HHCJ. HHCJ, superior general of the motivation in learning how better “Sister comes first,” she said, Handmaids of the Holy Child to help students from low income reflecting the importance of her Jesus, participated in Sister Gloria’s and immigrant backgrounds who religious vocation and dedication to 90-minute dissertation defense are at risk of school failure. She God. through Zoom. Sister Gloria is grateful to all who assisted her in understands the challenges of She plans to participate any way to accomplish her doctoral assimilation and learning a new in Duquesne University’s education. language in a new country. commencement ceremonies in

2019-2020 school year theme: “If we live in the spirit, let us also follow the spirit.” (Galatians 5:25) 7 Office of Alumni Relations/Development Non-Profit Standard St. Augustine Catholic School (PreK-3 to 8) U.S. Postage PAID 1421 V Street, N.W. Permit No. 966 Washington, D.C. 20009 Southern 202-667-2608

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SAINT AUGUSTINE SAINTS NEWS • VOLUME 12, NUMBER 3 • SUMMER 2020

www.staug-dc.org

Rev. Patrick A. Smith, pastor [email protected] 202-265-1470 (church office) In Memoriam Karen V. Robinson ‘61 Sister Gloria Agumagu, HHCJ, principal [email protected] May the souls of the faithfully 202-667-2608 departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Bill Murray, development officer [email protected] 240-418-5427

Story ideas for the newsletter? Please contact Bill Murray at [email protected]. Would you like to update your address for our records? Please complete an alumni contact form at www.staug-dc.org/alumni.html. We welcome inquiries from alumni, former students and anyone interested in our school.