Mrs. Mineo's Reflection

Growing up in Malden as the oldest of seven children, my parents made the decision to send us all to Catholic schools. We attended Cheverus School for elementary, and then, I went on to Girls' Catholic High School, while my two sisters went to Pope John XXIII High School and my four brothers attended Malden Catholic. To make this possible, my father worked three, sometimes even four, jobs throughout our childhood. Meanwhile, my mother’s “job”—aside from raising seven children—was to drive us to and from various sports, activities, and school events, never missing a single one.

 

Looking back on those years, the great experiences we had in Catholic school shaped my desire for my own children to have the same opportunity. However, my husband, who had attended public school, was initially hesitant about paying tuition. One evening, he spoke with my father, asking if the sacrifices he made were truly worth it. My father’s response was simple yet profound: while he believed his children could have received an education anywhere, he was more concerned that they grew up to be good people. He felt that Catholic schools not only offered a quality education but also instilled strong morals and character. He was proud of the results, and in his eyes, the sacrifices were undeniably worthwhile.

 

As a result, our three children attended Cheverus for elementary school and later graduated from Malden Catholic. Each of them had a unique experience, but all three had very successful journeys at MC. Now, my husband, once hesitant, is a passionate supporter of Catholic education.

 

We attribute their achievements to the incredible teachers, coaches, administrators, and staff at Malden Catholic, including the maintenance and cafeteria workers. Every member of the MC community is genuinely invested in the success and well-being of the students. "Family" and "community" are terms frequently used to describe the environment at Malden Catholic. As a parent, I felt this sense of belonging, but as a teacher there now, I experience it even more deeply.

 

Like every parent, I recognize the sacrifice involved in paying tuition, but I can confidently say that it is a sacrifice well worth making.

 

Mrs. Mineo is a 1991 graduate of Girls' Catholic, and has a BS in Chemistry from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a Masters in Secondary Education from American International College. Her son Billy graduated in 2020 and is currently serving in the US Air Force stationed in Poland, Stephen a 2021 MC graduate is a senior at Saint Anselm's College studying Psychology and her daughter Lily a 2022 graduate in the first girls class at MC is a junior at UNH studying Veterinary Sciences. This is Mrs. Mineo's third year teaching at MC but has been involved in the MC community in multiple ways for years.