The Lee family has their beginning firmly rooted in Catholic education: Mark and Sandra met in 1985 while attending high school at what was then St. Dominic Regional High School. Although neither had attended Catholic elementary schools, both agreed, when the time came, a parochial education was the best choice for their daughters, Anya, now a senior, and Eisa, a freshman at St. Dominic Academy.

“The girls would have done well regardless of which school they attended,” said Mark. “It was the faith- and values-based aspect of a Catholic education that appealed to us. In a smaller setting, it’s easier for teachers to help instill the values we teach at home. ”

Sandra added, “We wanted a more wholesome, spiritual setting where our girls could get a great education. At St. Dom’s, they set the bar high which inspires students to want to achieve.”

A good student, Eisa, like any 14 year old, is hesitant to admit she welcomes the challenge of academic rigor. She has, however, enjoyed the opportunities to try new things and experience success in previously untested territory. The smaller student body has afforded her a chance to try her hand at a range of activities. As a freshman, she has immersed herself in lacrosse, field hockey, cheering, and Key Club. She also serves as a St. Dom’s student ambassador, touring prospective students.

“The bond between the students is important to me,” said Eisa, of what she likes best about St. Dom’s. Forging bonds is, in part, why she enjoys being a student ambassador. With her teachers as role models in caring and concern for their students, Eisa admitted it feels good to help others feel welcomed at the school. “People want to feel accepted, especially in a new environment. I want to make people’s transition here easier.”

Her parents have seen firsthand the bond-building, in particular, during a junior varsity field hockey game this past fall. “It was Eisa’s birthday and the varsity field hockey team came to cheer on the younger girls. You don’t always see the upper classmen showing interest in the underclassmen; they even got the fans to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to her. It was such a simple thing but so meaningful.”

While little sister has begun building her high school career, Anya is preparing to take flight. She has applied to McGill University in Montreal, Canada; Syracuse, Rensselaer, Roger Williams and Pratt Institute of Technology, where she has already received acceptance. Her last semester at St. Dom’s will include the St. Dominic Mission to Mississippi trip. For Anya, the trip is a practice in humility and compassion. Having led an admittedly “sheltered” life, she understands there is much more to the world than her small corner of it.

“I believe it is important to see poverty in all its faces and for me to show compassion by helping others,” said Anya.

At 17, she is eloquent as she remarks on the significance of her faith-based education. Her religion, she said, has been a constant force as she has grown. St. Dom’s, having supported her parents’ teachings, has become a cornerstone of a foundation that she believes will serve her well in the future.

“I don’t know all the answers; I don’t think I am supposed to,” she said. “Everyone has their opinion about religion and the deity in whom they believe. There are kids who are blinded by a doctrine they think tells them what to do. They forget that the doctrine teaches us to be good and kind.”

A student of ballet, Anya put ballet slippers over cleats. “I don’t like to sweat,” she laughed. Her extracurricular resume is defined by more cerebral activities and memberships including the math team, National Honors Society, Key Club where she holds an officer’s position as secretary, and the Student Ambassador Program. And while she is more comfortable on the sidelines at any sporting event, St. Dom’s has also afforded her the opportunity to try something new.

“I have a close bond with my history teacher and he kept encouraging me to play tennis and he finally convinced me,” said Anya. She confessed with a grin, “And it was okay. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.”

Her foray onto the tennis court, however, was one of many examples of how teachers in Catholic schools become vested in their students. “They really are interested in the development of the whole person and they wish for their success as much as the parents,” explained Sandra.

Anya recognizes the value of her history teacher’s lesson too. By stepping outside of her comfort zone, she discovered she could be successful at something completely new and maybe even enjoy it. These are the teachable moments for which her parents hoped, those that build character and provide new skill sets useful in building a bright future.

“And Anya learned that she could run,” joked Mark, interjecting some levity.

For Mark and Sandra, the Catholic school education has served as an extension of themselves. The values they teach at home have been reinforced in a setting rich with caring staff, teachers, and coaches. The people entrusted to Eisa’s and Anya’s educations have guided the girls in creating uniquely individualized academic experiences while encouraging their development as citizens of a much larger world.

“I always tell the girls,” said Mark, “the world needs more good people, not more smart people.”

If Anya and Eisa are any indication of tomorrow’s stewards of our community and the world, we are all in good hands.

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