St. Francis Prep reaches toward the STARs to support students
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic,
St. Francis Prep has launched
a new program ensuring that
every single student receives a
Franciscan education.
On May 5, St. Francis Prep
President, Brother Leonard
Conway, launched the #TerrierSTAR
Program — or Student
Tuition Assistance and Relief
— that will continue through
June 19 across all social media
platforms.
In recent weeks, Conway had
reached out to families advising
them that no student would be
asked to leave if their family
was suffering hardship due to
the impact of the pandemic.
“Many of our Prep families
have been beset by the loss of a
job, a business closure, disappearing
income, illness and
even the passing of loved ones,”
Conway said in a heartfelt video
released on May 5. “Some of the
stories have been absolutely
heartbreaking.”
To ease the burden, Conway
allowed for deferral of tuition
payments, pledging that no student
will be denied a St. Francis
Prep education. Over $2 million
in payments have been deferred
and will require intervention
and/or underwriting at some
point, Conway said.
Concurrently, the school,
whose beginnings date back to
1858, saw alumni reaching out to
offer any assistance. One alum,
John Tuffy, from the class of
1956, emailed Conway offering
to donate his stimulus check.
“One particular area of need
really spoke to me. It occurred
to me that some, perhaps many,
good and dedicated St. Francis
Prep students’ fine education
might be in peril because their
parents find themselves in
economic distress due to coronavirus
related layoffs or displacements
and unable to make
tuition payments,” Tuffy said.
“We, as Christians and individuals,
were formed by the model
of humility and caring of our
patron, St. Francis, just can’t let
that happen.”
On May 7, St. Francis Prep
received a special video message
from alumni, Julie Chen
Moonves, TV news anchor and
CBS producer, who agreed to
match donations to Prep’s TerrierSTAR
Program.
Moonves, a member of the
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class of 1987 and Hall of Famer,
recognized Prep’s faculty and
students, who have been adjusting
to the new normal of online
learning.
“This has been a very difficult
time for the entire Prep
community,” Moonves said.
“Prep took me in as a sophomore
and they helped put me on that
path — Prep changed my life.
“Together, let’s help keep these
kids on their path. High school
is and should be four years. Prep
is indeed forever.”
St. Francis Prep sends over
99 percent of its seniors to college.
Last year alone, the graduating
class earned over $169
million in merit scholarships.
Three departments — guidance,
art and music — have
been awarded the prestigious
“Program of Distinction” from
the Middle States Association of
Colleges and School.
There is an incredible array
of honors, advanced placement
and elective courses in each department.
Students have a wide
range of extracurricular activities
to become part of, and the
athletics program offers both
traditional and unique sports.
The average amount still
owed by a student and family
for this semester is $1,500.
Most will not be able to pay off
that amount. St. Francis Prep
is requesting sponsorship to a
family with $1,500 (or multiple
families). Otherwise, consider a
partial sponsorship by donating
$300 (one-fifth); $750 (one-half)
or whatever you can afford.
St. Francis Prep has arranged
for monthly payments
options if donors prefer to pledge
their support over time.
To make a donation to St.
Francis Prep’s #TerrierSTAR
Program, visit alumni.sfponline.
org/donations/donate.
asp?id=19718
For more information contact
The Office of the President,
718-423-8810, ext. 232, or The St.
Francis Prep Development Office,
718-423-8810, ext. 269.
St. Francis Prep alum, John Tuffy, class of 1956, and wife Leslie.
Tuffy offered to donate his stimulus check to support students and
their families struggling financially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Courtesy of St. Francis Prep
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