DATE: 01 March 2006 Dear Parents, Guardians, Alumni/ae, and Friends of Good Hope,

Please join me in welcoming Emily Walton as our new Director of Development . 

While Emily is not new to The Good Hope School, having taught computer/media skills at GHS for 2 years, she brings much experience and many skills to this leadership position.  Ms. Walton has worked in marketing, communications, publications, web design and implementation, IT consulting, and fund raising since 1996.  During this period she has been an independent consultant, marketing and web consultant at Marasco Newton Group, and the senior manager and program manager at Gifts In Kind International.  She has been the Director of Development at Newton Marasco Foundation since March, 2004.

In July, 2006 Emily will be joined by another GHS community member, Nancy Thatcher , who is currently working at our East End Campus .  Nancy worked at Kendricks Restaurant from 1986-2000 (where she was general manager for half that period), flea market manager for St. Croix Animal Welfare Center, and property manager for Candle Reefs Condominiums.  Ms. Thatcher and her family returned this past summer to St. Croix after four years in Birmingham , AL where she worked for the Jefferson County Board of Education.

I am very grateful for the real insights, many hours, four finalist interviews, frequent e-mails, and numerous phone calls that were freely shared by our wonderful search committee for Director of Development - David Fedeles, Kris Hogg-Massicott, Jodie Lawaetz Mays, and Patricia Swan. 

In the weeks to come, Will Leckie will now have time to help our new director and assistant make a smooth transition before his departure.  And of course, the school community will also have the opportunity to thank Will for the many improvements that he has brought to this office.

Sincerely,

Michael Mongeau - Head of School