My husband and I grew up in the Lincoln Square neighborhood; he attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School and I attended Chappell Elementary Public School. In just one week, my son Jacob will be graduating from St. Matthias, moving on to attend Notre Dame College Prep in Niles. He will be leaving behind the friends he’s made, the teachers he’s trusted and the neighborhood he loves. What he will take with him, though, is an education that is priceless and could have only been attained through the hard work and dedication of the teachers and paraprofessionals of St. Matthias. I am proud to speak of the sacrifices I have made to send him there and continue to make to send my other 3 children there, knowing that what I am doing is making a difference, by developing socially responsible, ethical, faith-based future members of our society.Thank you St. Matthias for everything you have done and continue to do.