St. Agnes Academy has honored a graduating senior with the Veritas Award since 1981. In 2004, the Alumnae Board established the Alumnae Veritas Award for life achievement, service, courage, and leadership.
This year, the award was presented to Mary Ann Chambers '57 during the Madonna Day ceremony.
Dedicated SAA alumna receives 2010 Alumnae Veritas Award
For Mary Ann Chambers '57 (fourth from left in photo at left), being named the 2010 recipient of the Alumnae Veritas Award at St. Agnes Academy's Madonna Day ceremony was coming full circle.
"As a primary school student at St. Agnes, I carried the crown for the Blessed Mother, just ahead of the valedictorian and salutatorian," she said. "Madonna Day has a special place in my heart and receiving the award at this year's ceremony was a really special moment for me."
Mary Ann was nominated for the award by her classmate and friend, Carolyn Carbajal McCairns '57. "She has definitely been the glue to keep the Class of '57 together," McCairns said in her nomination form. "She is the most devoted person I know to SAA."
For more than 10 years, Mary Ann has been a primary motivator in reconnecting the St. Agnes Class of 1957. Through phone calls, e-mails and meticulous research, she tracked down all but a few of her classmates in time for their 40th reunion. Since then, she's helped organize monthly dinners and luncheons, reunion gatherings, and provided support for classmates who suffer from illness or personal loss. She's also a key alumna in keeping her class apprised of events and volunteer opportunities at the Academy.
"Since I started out at St. Agnes at five and attended there through my senior year of high school, St. Agnes has always been a part of my life," she said. "I honestly don't remember much before that! St. Agnes has given me so much, truly a road map for life. I think the entire Class of 1957 had this same experience and I feel lucky to be a part of bringing us together to celebrate that."
Mary Ann followed her mother's lifelong example in remaining committed to St. Agnes and the Dominican Sisters. "I learned the value of a Dominican education from her," Mary Ann said. "My mother stayed connected with the St. Agnes community and the Sisters even after I graduated. It was easy to follow her lead and I appreciate her special and specific care in teaching me how to honor those who've given me so much."
Today, Mary Ann teaches exercise classes and spends time with her former teachers and retired Sisters at the Dominican Villa. She was especially close to Sister Germaine Trahan, O.P., her first-grade teacher, who died in May. Mary Ann also became part of the Dominican Family, an organization of lay people devoted to continuing the Dominican charism in the Houston community. She also is a board member at The Rose, Houston's leading breast cancer organization providing screening services and support for local women, and a founding member of The Federation of Houston Professional Women.
Mary Ann had a 34-year career with Gulf Oil and Chevron, but retired to take on new opportunities. Today, she's a passionate Pilates instructor and coordinates the active older adult program at the Weekley Family YMCA.
No matter what endeavor she takes on, Mary Ann is a proud St. Agnes alumna with a strong belief in the school's future. "I'm so impressed by the momentum at St. Agnes. Nothing can stop an Academy graduate," she said. "They instilled in us a value system, beyond academics, in the '50s that has seen us through all sorts of life's challenges. That same tradition exists today. We were St. Agnes girls and today they are St. Agnes women! The confidence to meet the challenge is our Veritas heritage."
Previous Veritas Award Recipients:
2009 - Debbie Sieck '87
2008 - Kathy Kokas '73
2007 - Janet Kingham Greenwood '57
2006 - Sister Therese Warden, O.P. '51
2005 - Eileen Antill '51
2004 - Calista Herbert '69
