Dear Parents:

At our 9^th Commencement on Friday, May 23, well over a thousand friends and family watched all 99 students of the Class of 2008 receive their diplomas. Dr. James Johnson, Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Kenan-Flagler School of Business at UNC, delivered the keynote address, speaking eloquently to the career challenges in a global economic world and providing sage advice on how to combat these challenges. Student speakers testified to the graduates’ readiness to enter this global world, and my remarks, which you can find at http://web1.caryacademy.org/infoarchive/features/welcome%202008.pdf , highlighted the exceptional accomplishments of the Class of 2008.

One recent accomplishment where parents, as well as students, deserve high praise is the success of our Automatic Electronic Defribulator (AED) fund-raising initiative. To date we have raised more than $12,000 for the purchase of additional AEDs for our campus. Adding AEDs on our campus will improve our ability to respond effectively to cardiac emergencies.

This past April during a lacrosse game, a Cardinal Gibbons player was struck by a ball in the chest area and experienced cardiac arrest. Fortunately, a few of the players’ parents who were attending the game were medical doctors and they were able to revive the student through CPR and the use of an AED. News of this event became the catalyst for a fund-raising effort spearheaded by two students – Connor Smithson (‘09) and Bradley Roberts (‘09) – to provide the funds necessary to purchase additional AEDs for our campus.

Fortunately, David McAllister (athletic trainer) and Judy Rodocker (school nurse) had been reviewing since last January Cary Academy’s preparedness for a similar medical emergency and had requested capital funds from our 2008-09 budget to purchase additional AEDs as well as train more faculty and staff in CPR, first aid and AED use. They were therefore able to quickly put a plan together for the purchase of additional AEDs for our campus.

Some in our community have wondered why we entrusted this important fund-raising program to students, and why didn’t we ask the PTAA or Athletic Boosters to help. We were thrilled that students took the initiative, immediately saw the need for additional AEDs at our school and wanted to play a significant role in making this occur. We firmly believe that when students actively play a role in raising money for a piece of equipment, a program or a trip, they acquire an appreciation of all the effort and the rewards of a successful fundraiser. In addition, students learn valuable lessons about communication, planning, and organization.

Also, the PTAA and Athletic Boosters did respond immediately, offering their financial support to the school and to Connor and Bradley. We would gladly have accepted their assistance had the support from members of our community not been so strong. Many parents expressed their desire to support the purchase of additional AEDs, which included large gifts from the Dworsky and Plastina families. Just last week, Emily Aarons (’13) graciously donated money given to her for her recent bat mitzvah for the purchase of an AED because she realized the importance of having more on campus.

The success of our fundraising will enable us to purchase five AEDs, which will then give us nine for our campus, and help us fund annual maintenance of the AEDs (at about $150 per year per AED) for the next few years. All areas of our campus will now have AEDs available for immediate use or if not immediate, then within a minute’s reach. I am very proud of how our community has come forward to help us respond to an important need.

I wish you all a relaxing and enjoyable summer.

Donald S. Berger
Head of School