Bay View Academy
Colonel Luz is a bestselling author and was the highest ranking soldier in the 399th Combat Support Unit. She was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service in Iraq, and her book Nightingale of Mosul tells the story of a life dedicated to service, family, compassion, and country—and challenges readers to redefine their ideals of what it means to fight for what truly matters. “I am very happy that my Alma Mater is taking on this most important effort to celebrate and honor women in the Military. Bay View remains a leader in women’s education and when combined with the Mercy mission this initiative promises to be very exciting, emotional and have a long lasting impact on the veterans and the student body of Bay View.” Said Luz. Bay View High School Principal, Colleen Gribbin agrees, “This effort promises to bring the Mercy mission together with a yearlong teachable moment for our girls. I am always buoyed by the enthusiasm of our faculty and our young women and their willingness to participate, engage, serve and learn.” Campus Ministry Director Sister Liz Hathaway is eager to put the Mercy mission into action, “This initiative does so much to bring the Mercy mission alive for our girls. The opportunity to aid the women of service who sacrificed and admirably did their duty on behalf of our nation is one that will produce benefits for our veterans and our girls.”
Bay View Academy is planning a yearlong education accompaniment of this initiative. Diane Morel, Bay View History Department Chair,acknowledges the multi faceted educational ventures that will be brought to life throughout the entire school. “We are uniquely positioned to make this effort one that can provide learning for our girls in language arts, history, art, music and technology. I am sure this outreach will energize our students and the entire Bay View Community.”
Bay View’s Director of Alumnae Relations acknowledges the inherent challenge of this initiative “We at the Academy realize reaching as many female veterans as possible is a challenging endeavor, however, knowing the true spirit and determination of our Bay View Community; we will tackle this project gladly.” She continued, “We are confident this year long journey enveloping and engaging our entire BVA community will reap so much good for so many.”
"But humans are more than physical beings, and as health care professionals, our real task is to care for the whole person. When it comes to mental health, stress is a huge part of a soldier's life as well. Take normal people and put them in abnormal situations, and all sorts of hazardous things can result. I hold an additional certification in combat stress management, so part of my job in Iraq was to help educate soldiers through the stresses of war. If people could, to some degree, process the craziness of what they were going through, it would lift their spirits, help them perform at an optimum level, and be in a better position to sort things out when they got home."
Excerpt from Nightingale of Mosul
"Now that that my sisters are returning home I am thrilled to be part of my Alma Mater’s dedication to continuing this mission of Mercy.” Said Luz
Bay View seeks any Southern New England woman who has served the United States of America in any branch of military service. If you are or know such a women, please contact the Lia Del Sesto at 434-0113 ext 104 or via email at press@bayviewacademy.org. The public is invited to attend the project kick off and brief memorial service on November 10, 2010 at 1:15PM.
What: The members of the Committee and members of the Academy will kick off on November 10, 2010 at the RI Veterans Cemetery at the Women’s Monument at 1:15 PM.
Where: RI Veterans Cemetery
When: November 10, 2010 at 1:15 PM
About Bay View Academy
Bay View Academy is an independent Catholic School for girls, Pre-kindergarten through Grade 12, located in East Providence, Rhode Island. In existence since 1874, Bay View endeavors to provide a quality education, permeated with the compassionate ideals of Catherine Mcauley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, in order to prepare young women for the challenges of the global community of the 21st century. St. Mary Academy–Bay View is a college preparatory school accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. It was founded by the Sisters of Mercy and has been providing a superior education to girls and young women for more than 130 years. Bay View offers a values centered curriculum based on tradition and inspired by innovation. There are currently 810 students enrolled in grades Pre-K-12. The academy is accepting applications for the 09 2010-2011 school year, contact Betty Sepe, Director of Admissions at 401-434-0113 ext 150 or for more information visit www.smabv.org
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