A Home of Our Own

After months of eager preparation (click here to see the flyer that Apprentice student Andrew designed for the event), The Monarch School’s new campus was joyfully dedicated on November 10, 2009, a day marked by a brilliant blue sky, a crowd of over 400 enthusiastic parents, students, friends and supporters and enough energy to light up all of Houston!

Glenn Sharp provided live music, specifically playing songs about friendship. Shara Fryer graciously served as Mistress of Ceremonies. Rev. Marty Troyer, pastor of the Houston Mennonite Church, gave the invocation. The church and Monarch have a long and close relationship, since the Mennonite Church gave us our first home, generously sharing ground space upon which we placed three modular buildings in 1998. Rev. Troyer’s profound words blessed the building and especially those who occupy it. (For the complete prayer, click here)

Founder and Head of School Dr. Marty Webb recalled the school’s humble beginnings: a year of planning in her garage, portable buildings at the Mennonite Church for the first three years and then the addition six blocks away of three office suites in a business park. Using Mark Twain’s remark that to get the full value of joy, you have to have someone to divide it with, she thanked the so many “someones” who have been pivotal to the success of the school in general and the new campus in particular. (For Dr. Webb’s complete remarks, click here)

Glenn Sharp invited the guests to join in singing “Lean On Me” in a tribute to all those who made the new campus possible by joining together in friendship and support.

David G. Matthiesen, president of the Board of Trustees, added his gratitude and that of the board to all, and reminded guests that the beautiful building in which he stood in front was but one of three planned buildings for the complete campus. He shared his vision for the completion of those buildings, noting that we must complete Phase One and move into Phase II because we are already at capacity for student enrollment in this first building.

The Honorable James A. Baker, III, Former Secretary of State, graced us with his presence and his support as our guest speaker. In a delightful combination of historian, wise sage and caring grandfather, Mr. Baker shared a memorable address that included stories of leadership in our nation’s history and his own definition of leadership: “knowing what to do and doing it”. He noted that is what students learn to do at The Monarch School. Mr. Baker and his wife Susan are longtime supporters of our school and we treasure their friendship.

A ribbon cutting with an added feature of balloon towers topped by Monarch butterfly balloons opened the way into the building, which has actually been occupied since late summer. Guests were invited to tour, join with Challenger students in academic activities, enjoy refreshments prepared by our Life Academy students and view our new video. Scrapbooks, one per year lovingly prepared by parent Stephanie Wheatley, were on display.

We owe such a debt of profound gratitude to the whole greater Houston community for support of our school and recognition of the need for The Monarch School to provide innovative, therapeutic education for individuals with neurological differences.

To view or purchase pictures from the dedication, visit Genesis Photographers and use the password, “monarch”.