Rita Mathew Honored by Athens Academy
Mrs. Rita Mathew was recently honored by Athens Academy for her efforts in organizing and leading a group of Upper School students to India last fall. Mrs. Mathew and her husband, Dr. Ranjit Mathew, coordinated the trip as an opportunity for a cultural and service exchange. Their son Ankur, a 2006 graduate of Athens Academy, was part of the group of twelve students and four chaperones.
Headmaster Bob Chambers presented Mrs. Mathew with an Athens Academy plaque and thanked her for her work: “It took someone who had the capability and the knowledge to overcome all the objections and obstacles to plan this trip. Thank you for your leadership and for making this experience possible.”
The student travelers then presented Upper School Director J.P. Watson with a plaque from St. Jude’s School in Pallam, India. During their trip, the group spent three days with the students of St. Jude’s, sharing cultures and helping them with their technology needs. The Athens Academy students are now working to raise money to build a media center and library at St. Jude’s.
The Athens Academy students who traveled to India included twelfth graders Hayley Brown, Sharon Covington, Allison O’Rear, Surili Sheth, and Blair Terry; eleventh graders Jarrard Cole and Ellis Tomporowski; tenth grader Jess Marano; and 2006 graduate Ankur Mathew. Their advisors included Dr. and Mrs. Mathew, and Mrs. Sally Harris and her husband, Mr. Ernie Harris.