Four and one-half years after Hurricane Katrina, Benjamin Banneker's talented Principal, Cheryllyn Branche, brought her message of hope, revival and thanks to one hundred and five donors and volunteers at the Appreciation Dinner on Oct. 26th.To hear Cheryllyn was a treat in itself as donors and volunteers got to hear, first hand, the problems and issues facing schools and those, like Cheryllyn, who operate the schools. Cheryllyn discussed funds which have not yet found their way to NOLA, overcrowding, the confusion created with a myriad number of types of schools, and the issue of state testing which has a number of ramifications.
To say that Cheryllyn is optimistic in light of state wide and city wide challenges is an understatement. Her assessment of Banneker's needs, the care with which she attends to her staff and student needs, and her willingness to give her all in the name of public education was made abundantly clear. To a person, those in attendance found a person who was humble, able to articulate current problems and had a sense of where she wanted to take Banneker. Those in attendance heard a person who is optimistic and willing to tackle the problems at hand.
Many walked away from the dinner with a sense that what they had contributed to Banneker, and other NOLA schools, has indeed been put to good use. Since that evening a number of donors and volunteers have contributed more funds to Schools Count. Two families were so moved by Cheryllyn's words of hope that they have pledged to go to New Orleans in 2010!!
One thing is certain, our commitment and concern for Banneker and her students remains strong.
What a night! What a lady!
Dick Flesher
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