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QUEENS WEEKLY, MAY 17, 2020
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 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