St. Ursula Academy holds African American Assembly

On April 1 St. Ursula Academy held its annual African American Assembly in the gymnasium/convocation center featuring special guests - Hamilton County Coroner Dr. O’dell Owens, singer Ms. Minerva Daniels (mother of Nia 2009), Tyler Bank, a dancer from SCPA (School for the Creative and Performing Arts), PAAD (Parents of African American Daughters) representative Mrs. Cozetta Vessel (mother of Andrea 2011); and FISC (Fund for Independent Schools Corporation) students from St. Xavier High School and Ursuline Academy also attended the assembly.

Says St. Ursula Academy Diversity Coordinator Toilynn O’Neal ’90, ‘The community is our responsibility’ was the theme of this year’s assembly. Dr. Owens said he could change Cincinnati with 1000 hearts. Race, gender, age does not matter, just people who genuinely care about others and actively make a difference in the community. I feel our students and staff were enlightened by Dr. Owen's word.”

The students valued Dr. Owen’s message as well. “I'm glad I had the opportunity to listen to Dr. Owens speak at our African American assembly. He didn't sugar-coat things, but instead presented us with reality. Through his strong and encouraging talk, he explained to us what we, as St. Ursula women, need to do to become productive members of society,” says junior Kelsey Bowman. Religion teacher Liz Bower Curran ’96 was equally impressed. “Dr. O’dell Owens' talk helped to bring the St. Ursula mission statement to life for the girls. We strive to educate our students to become women of integrity, and the message Dr. Owens provided is that they don’t have to wait until they’re adults to start making a difference. He challenged the students to look beyond themselves in order to see where they can cultivate goodness in a world that sometimes has far too many critics. As he himself demonstrates on a daily basis, it is up to individuals to ensure the light continues to outshine the darkness. Our students are incredibly gifted and his talk served to remind them that they are created to be God's presence in our world.”

St. Ursula Academy is a Catholic, college-preparatory, secondary school for young women.  In 2002 the academy was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School. The campus, located at 1339 E. McMillan Street in East Walnut Hills has been the home of St. Ursula Academy and Convent since 1910.