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Yes,
it's true. Just when you think SJS can't do anything worse,
it goes and outdoes itself. Let's take a look at this MERIT
SCHOLARSHIP ad that appeared on the PDN today (2/6/04).
The good news, they didn't use a CHECK BOOK as their main
graphic like they did with their awful
50% OFF ad. The bad news, they put a grown man kicking
what appears to be soccer ball. Call me picky, but really
... couldn't they have taken the time to photograph actual
children?
But let's get to the real meat and potato here ... The merit
scholarship will allow children who are gifted in music, drama,
art, sports or leadership a grant worth $2,500! But get this,
current students enrolled at SJS AREN'T eligible! What the
heck is that about?!
It may just be my opinion, but would it not be in the best
interest of the school to offer this type of scholarship to
a student who currently attends SJS but may need the 'scholarship'
to continue to afford the education? We call that 'taking
care of our own ...' but then again I'm really not surprised
at all, since this current BOT and Headmaster tends to forget
about the school and are more interested with those who are
not a part of it.
If the school wanted to provide an incentive or a 'way' in
for those who can't afford to pay the full tuition, but otherwise
deserve a shot at the best education on Guam, perhaps they
should focus their energies on developing a very aggressive
financial aid program that not only 'outsiders' coming in
can enjoy, but also those who are already 'in' can take advantage
of. This 'overall' approach is what makes a school fundamentally
special. You could even say communal.
But perhaps, the real goal with the merit program is so that
SJS can lure a talent it feels is (are), currently lacking
in the student body. If this is the case, and you could easily
assume that it is, based on the way this ad has been written,
we've turned to a sad chapter in the 41 years of SJS history
...
At any rate, the ironic last sentence in the ad copy states
"Top quality education is within reach at ..." to
which we could add "As long as you are not currently
enrolled at SJS!" |
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