The Source is publishing this press release as a public service. It is published exactly as received. Please note on the by-line the name of the person or organization that sent the release.
April 8, 2005 – Bishop George V. Murry and the Board of Directors of St. Joseph High School announce the appointment of Marla L. Matthew as principal of St. Joseph High School effective August 1, 2005. Ms. Matthew, a 1971 alumna of St. Joseph, is the first graduate to serve as principal of the school in its 40 year history.
Ms. Matthew received her B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of the Virgin Islands in 1976 and later earned an M.A. in the same field from the University of Connecticut. She also completed Advance Educational Studies in Administration at the University of Chicago. Ms. Matthew is a 32-year veteran of the Virgin Islands Department of Education and since 1993 has served as principal of Ricardo Richards Elementary School.
According to Mrs. Sonia Jacobs Dow, Chair of the St. Joseph Board of Directors, "Ms. Matthew brings to the principal's position a wealth of expertise in curriculum development, administration, team building, supervision and community engagement.
Ms. Matthew is a lifetime member of St. Patrick's Parish where she serves as a Youth Group advisor and CCD teacher. She is likewise involved with the American Red Cross, the Virgin Islands Resource Center for the Disabled and a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Bishop Murry, when introducing Ms. Matthew to the St. Joseph High School faculty, said: "I am enthusiastic about Ms. Matthew joining our educational team on St. Croix. I have known of her reputation as an excellent principal for many years and look forward to her dynamic leadership at St. Joseph."
St. Joseph, a co-education college preparatory school, is the only Catholic high school on St. Croix and is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.