SR31: Commending the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia.
WHEREAS, the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia celebrated 90 years of educational service to the Commonwealth in 2012; and
WHEREAS, in 1922, the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia opened Linton Hall Military School in Bristow and Saint Gertrude High School in Richmond to foster education in the 1,500-year-old Benedictine tradition of educating the whole person—body, mind, and spirit; and
WHEREAS, Linton Hall Military School, now known as Linton Hall School, opened as a boarding school for boys on the grounds of the Saint Benedict Monastery, which is situated on the former estate of John August Elliott Linton; and
WHEREAS, over the years, Linton Hall Military School incorporated annual Military Day exercises under the direction of Major Marlin S. Reichley, school commandant, and opened Camp Linton, a summer camp providing educational, recreational, and spiritual outlets for boys aged 6–16; and
WHEREAS, in 1968, Linton Hall School began the Outdoor Conservation, Ecology, and Wildlife program to introduce young students to camping skills while they gained an appreciation for and understanding of the natural world; and
WHEREAS, in 1975, Linton Hall School’s LEO Club, under the guidance of William Farquhar, Athletic Director, was recognized by the Lions Clubs International as a service organization run by students working to promote charity and welfare in the surrounding community; and
WHEREAS, in 1989, Linton Hall Military School transitioned to Linton Hall School, offering a Catholic education in the Benedictine tradition to both boys and girls in grades kindergarten through 8 in a day school environment; and
WHEREAS, in 2009, Linton Hall School was recognized by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth for fostering the education of gifted and academically advanced students; and
WHEREAS, in 2012, Linton Hall School inducted its first student council to provide leadership opportunities for young students and promote better communication between staff, students, parents, and the community; and
WHEREAS, in 1922, when Saint Edith’s Academy closed in Bristow, the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia moved the high school for girls to Richmond and it became Saint Gertrude High School, with Gertrude Head, OSB, serving as its first principal; and
WHEREAS, in 1924, Saint Gertrude High School graduated its first student, paving the way for 3,500 other young women to go forward with the courage to make an impact on their communities; and
WHEREAS, in 1956, Saint Gertrude High School, due to increasing enrollment, expanded the original school, built in 1913, and made another addition in 1972 to accommodate the growing student population; and
WHEREAS, in 2005, Saint Gertrude High School added a new wing to enhance the 21st century curriculum with state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories for science, technology, and health and wellness; and
WHEREAS, in 2009, Saint Gertrude High School established the Discover Leadership program so that every student will graduate with the confidence and ability to recognize and accept the leadership opportunities to which she is best suited; and
WHEREAS, in 2010, Saint Gertrude High School’s Fine and Performing Arts program opened an art gallery to provide learning opportunities in the area of art appreciation and professional gallery practices to students and the larger community; and
WHEREAS, in 2012, Saint Gertrude High School opened its first outdoor athletic center on a separate 16-acre campus to provide a unique, high-caliber sports program to help the school differentiate itself in sports as it does in academics, leadership, and spiritual growth; and
WHEREAS, in February 2013, Saint Gertrude High School will celebrate the centennial of the school’s original building and chapel in which students still attend weekly prayer services as part of the tradition of prayer life at the school; and
WHEREAS, both Linton Hall School and Saint Gertrude High School under the direction of the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia have received recognition as National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence; and
WHEREAS, for 90 years, the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia have overseen the provision of rigorous academic courses, competitive athletics, and community service opportunities to its students at Linton Hall School and Saint Gertrude High School to help prepare them for their futures; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia hereby be commended on the occasion of their 90th anniversary of educational service to the Commonwealth; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia, Linton Hall School, and Saint Gertrude High School as an expression of the Senate of Virginia’s congratulations and best wishes in their future endeavors.
WHEREAS, the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia celebrated 90 years of educational service to the Commonwealth in 2012; and
WHEREAS, in 1922, the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia opened Linton Hall Military School in Bristow and Saint Gertrude High School in Richmond to foster education in the 1,500-year-old Benedictine tradition of educating the whole person—body, mind, and spirit; and
WHEREAS, Linton Hall Military School, now known as Linton Hall School, opened as a boarding school for boys on the grounds of the Saint Benedict Monastery, which is situated on the former estate of John August Elliott Linton; and
WHEREAS, over the years, Linton Hall Military School incorporated annual Military Day exercises under the direction of Major Marlin S. Reichley, school commandant, and opened Camp Linton, a summer camp providing educational, recreational, and spiritual outlets for boys aged 6–16; and
WHEREAS, in 1968, Linton Hall School began the Outdoor Conservation, Ecology, and Wildlife program to introduce young students to camping skills while they gained an appreciation for and understanding of the natural world; and
WHEREAS, in 1975, Linton Hall School’s LEO Club, under the guidance of William Farquhar, Athletic Director, was recognized by the Lions Clubs International as a service organization run by students working to promote charity and welfare in the surrounding community; and
WHEREAS, in 1989, Linton Hall Military School transitioned to Linton Hall School, offering a Catholic education in the Benedictine tradition to both boys and girls in grades kindergarten through 8 in a day school environment; and
WHEREAS, in 2009, Linton Hall School was recognized by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth for fostering the education of gifted and academically advanced students; and
WHEREAS, in 2012, Linton Hall School inducted its first student council to provide leadership opportunities for young students and promote better communication between staff, students, parents, and the community; and
WHEREAS, in 1922, when Saint Edith’s Academy closed in Bristow, the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia moved the high school for girls to Richmond and it became Saint Gertrude High School, with Gertrude Head, OSB, serving as its first principal; and
WHEREAS, in 1924, Saint Gertrude High School graduated its first student, paving the way for 3,500 other young women to go forward with the courage to make an impact on their communities; and
WHEREAS, in 1956, Saint Gertrude High School, due to increasing enrollment, expanded the original school, built in 1913, and made another addition in 1972 to accommodate the growing student population; and
WHEREAS, in 2005, Saint Gertrude High School added a new wing to enhance the 21st century curriculum with state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories for science, technology, and health and wellness; and
WHEREAS, in 2009, Saint Gertrude High School established the Discover Leadership program so that every student will graduate with the confidence and ability to recognize and accept the leadership opportunities to which she is best suited; and
WHEREAS, in 2010, Saint Gertrude High School’s Fine and Performing Arts program opened an art gallery to provide learning opportunities in the area of art appreciation and professional gallery practices to students and the larger community; and
WHEREAS, in 2012, Saint Gertrude High School opened its first outdoor athletic center on a separate 16-acre campus to provide a unique, high-caliber sports program to help the school differentiate itself in sports as it does in academics, leadership, and spiritual growth; and
WHEREAS, in February 2013, Saint Gertrude High School will celebrate the centennial of the school’s original building and chapel in which students still attend weekly prayer services as part of the tradition of prayer life at the school; and
WHEREAS, both Linton Hall School and Saint Gertrude High School under the direction of the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia have received recognition as National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence; and
WHEREAS, for 90 years, the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia have overseen the provision of rigorous academic courses, competitive athletics, and community service opportunities to its students at Linton Hall School and Saint Gertrude High School to help prepare them for their futures; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia hereby be commended on the occasion of their 90th anniversary of educational service to the Commonwealth; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia, Linton Hall School, and Saint Gertrude High School as an expression of the Senate of Virginia’s congratulations and best wishes in their future endeavors.