North Setting a New Course

Not sure that you heard, but North's President for the past several years, Mr. Stan Witalek resigned his position last Friday. We want to thank Stan for his service and dedication to his Alma Mater.

Archdiocesan city schools are in a world of pain and transition. With the ongoing, worldwide recession pushing unemployment to over 9% and changing city demographics, the neighborhoods that North serves have been greatly impacted. One of the most pivotal jobs at North, is the President. The primary responsibility of the job, is to manage the financial condition of the school. This charge includes, but is not limited to, fundraising.

Within a very short time, North will announce its new President. This person will be the most critical hire that North has ever made. What I am preparing you for, is that this person will reaching out to his fellow Alumnists and other "Friends of North" to continue to our success. This success comes with a cost and a price tag.

Wouldn't it be great to see North build a new field house, or athletic complex out its backdoor? Or how about updating its library, science, media and technology centers? Our goal as adults, parents and Alums should be to help change lives, especially to those who might not have all the opportunities that have and had.

North stands on the precipice of great things. Think about that for a second, a school who has seen its enrollment decline to under 700 boys and yet, succeeds both athletically and academically. This has not been an anomaly. There has not been a year that goes by where North has not won a Catholic League Championship. This year it was soccer, once again. Last year, it was basketball, wrestling and bowling. North is still the dominant debating school in the city. Three years ago, four of our graduates were accepted at Penn, more than any other Archdiocesan high school.

Please, when the call comes, keep an open mind, open your heart and wallet to continue this tradition and make these teen years the best years for these boys, just like they were for all of us.