A New Journey Begins
THP President Patrick Moynihan and new LCS graduate Stécy Naika
The Louverture Cleary Class of 2010 made a particularly appropriate choice this year in choosing their class name, Odyssey. Truly their seven years at LCS have been just that. In their first year at LCS, the government fell, submerging Haiti into chaos. In their final year, the January 12th earthquake once again threw Haiti into chaos—this time with unimaginable death and destruction. Perhaps because of the great national challenges that this class experienced as Louverture Cleary students, their graduation on June 5 was an especially joyful celebration of the many accomplishments of these young men and women.
Graduate Stécy Naika came to LCS as an eleven year old, leaving the home she had shared with her aunt, Marie Kettly, since the age of three. When Marie heard about the school from a friend at church, she knew that her niece was intelligent enough to get in, and she loved the academic rigor and the discipline of the school. As she sat reminiscing, Marie explained in Kreyol that, “Stécy was so timid as a little girl, but now she is confident and loves to talk with everyone.”
Truly, Stécy is one of the most gregarious of her classmates, and as her favorite subject has always been English (one of her four languages), she expresses herself with flair in it. She hopes to go on to University to study international relations. Like all LCS students, she loves her country and wants to lead the way to a brighter future for Haiti. She explained that her happiest memories of LCS are of “the many people who think about a better world, and work for it, like Deacon Moynihan [THP President] and Mr. Zamy [LCS Prefect of Discipline].” She knows that it is their example and the discipline she has learned from them that has prepared her to “work hard and face the mean world.”
In the days and weeks after the January 12th earthquake, the Class of 2010 stepped up to leadership that would never be demanded of most students their age. As the staff and Volunteers were occupied with preparing meals, clearing debris, and coordinating with THP leadership in the US, it was the Philo students who facilitated the orderly distribution of meals on the soccer field, and the cleaning of dishes. They led the morning prayers, and organized both work projects and games for the younger students.
Prefect of Discipline Jean Emmauel Zamy describes the leadership of the Philo students as basic instinct now. One Philo student in particular, who did have a home to return to, chose to stay at the school on the weekends to care for the younger students whose homes were destroyed. Zamy explained, “That’s just how he is. He sees what needs to be done and he does it.”
As the Philo students’ LCS journey came to an end, so naturally did their emotions surge. Stécy’s eyes filled with tears at the thought of leaving so many friends and the school that helped her to grow from a timid 11 year old to the fearless young woman she is today. “I am sad to leave so many friends, but I am happy. I am turning a page of my story and beginning a new chapter,” she mused. Her Aunt smiled and echoed her emotions, explaining, “I am proud of Stécy and happy that my work as a parent is done.” She paused before adding, “But I know that my work is never really done.”
As they smile for pictures and hug friends and teachers goodbye, Stécy and her classmates celebrate their journey’s end but know a new, pressing Odyssey awaits.
