Alumni Association Voices, September 2009

new roads school

Inspired education for an evolving world

SEPTEMBER 2009

Alu mni Association Voices F igu ring Out Healthca re by Mick Rosenthal, class of 2007 and Alumni Association Editor

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had an active summer traveling a lot. First, I traveled to Nicaragua in Central America as part of a week-long fact finding mission with people from the Brentwood Presbyterian Church (BPC) and a group of its partners, a pastor and others from Bluefields Nicaragua looking at different alcohol and drug rehabilitation centers in Managua the capital to help them figure out what to do regarding an issue of health care for them: drugs, specifically cocaine. Cocaine is a very big problem in Bluefields, a city of sixty thousand people who have a deep religious faith. Many see everything as a sign from God including the drugs. After Nicaragua, I worked in Washington DC doing an internship

at a political consulting firm, and although the internship had nothing to do with the debate on health care I kept up to date regularly on news regarding the issue. I explain my summer activities to show that New Roads has taught us to stay active and we as students and formers students must remain active in helping better our country and the world we live in with everyone else. Even when an issue seems unimportant to us at the moment the issue in fact will become important later in our lives. I am sure as everyone has seen and read over the past few months that health care remains a huge issue in the United States and has so for a long time. The whole issue of figuring out healthcare is difficult, probably even

for the politicians. But everyone should be involved, no matter what party she or he belongs to. Some people may see health care as a fight and discussion for “old folks”, our parents and grandparents as a news article I read a few weeks ago talked about, but I shall explain why young people especially need to be involved. Young people like all New Roads students and former students should be involved because one day we will have to deal with decisions about health care for our loved ones and ourselves and we may not have our parents or other family members to rely on. We must stay active regarding different issues, like healthcare if we want to change our country for the better and New Roads has definitely taught us how to do that!

The Plus One Fund is New Roads Alumni Association’s way of demonstrating its commitment to perpetuating the values of New Roads School by raising enough funds to allow one more student to benefit from a premiere college preparatory education through the School’s unparalleled financial aid program. By supporting the Plus One Fund, you are making it possible for New Roads to promote a culture of acceptance, diversity and curiosity that is available to every child, including children without financial means. If you would like to make a donation, please visit our website by clicking here. Alumni Association is seeking 100% participation from Alumni to help raise a minimum of $25,000 for the Jonny Eliga Scholarship Fund. For just $2 a month you too can make a difference in the life of a child. I choose to support… ___ $2/month ($24 annually)

___ $5/month ($60 annually)

___ $10/month ($120 annually)

New Roads School is a charitable organization that is tax exempt under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code and operates under tax ID 95-4823489. If you have questions, please contact the Development Office at (310) 828-5582.