A Martin Moment

There are times at Saint Martin when we are reminded of how we are transforming urban Cleveland one student at a time. Clairesa Bopp, '10, recently provided such a "Martin Moment" in an email to Mary Ann Vogel. Thank you, Claire!

"Now that I have entered the real world, I know that any success I achieve is in part due to my time at Saint Martin.  It didn’t seem like it when I was in high school, but I know now that if it hadn’t been for Saint Martin de Porres High School I would not be the person I am today.  I owe so much thanks to all of the school.  Looking back I can honestly say I enjoyed my classes.  The teachers were excellent! I was blessed to have teachers that made class interesting and engaging.  I’m pretty sure not all high school students can say their class made The Odyssey into a movie or hand build a catapult.   I have so many good class memories and am so thankful for having innovative teachers that truly understood the mentality of high school students. 

I owe so much of my current success to CWSP.  Had it not been for the Corporate Work Study Program, I would have never had the opportunity to enter the professional world as a high school student.  I truly feel blessed to have had the opportunity to enter the work world and ultimately become a young professional at Fifth Third Bank.  Many people at the Bank assume that I am a college graduate.  I love to see the astounded looks people have when they find out that my high school made me the professional I am.  I know without a doubt, the Corporate Work Study Program works!

I am also thankful for the leadership opportunities I got at Saint Martin.  I am extremely thankful that faculty members supported me creating the Student Webpage Club and I was able to be a leader.  The New Orleans service trip was also an extremely significant experience in my life.  I was so fortunate to have that experience.  Although I didn’t build a whole house by myself, being able to put up drywall in one room felt like the biggest accomplishment to me.  Being able to help a disaster stricken community really opened my eyes and allowed me to see what kind of person I want to be.

I will forever be thankful for my time at Saint Martin de Porres High School.  I believe I am a success story and will always acknowledge the school for setting the building blocks in place for me to be a knowledgeable, competent, professional individual.  I want to help continue the mission of Saint Martin de Porres High School.  The best way I can do it now is to act as a mentor to the younger interns that also work at Fifth Third Bank.  If at any time, the school needs my assistance I will be happy to help at any capacity. 

 

I hope in some way this email helps you prepare for the coming school year and can forever be proof that Saint Martin de Porres High School is a truly unique school that gives students the opportunity to grow academically, professionally, and spiritually.  I will always hold the school and the faculty close to my heart. Thank you for everything!"

-Clairesa Bopp