Fordham Preparatory School - Ramview Ramview Spring 2019 | Page 24

Prep
Rosanna Estrella Ecology Program
For donations to the Rosanna Estrella Ecology Program: fordhamprep.org/estrellaecology
Rosanna Estrella shared her deep love for creation and
infectious love for science every day in the classroom. In
2015, inspired by Pope Francis’ call to protect our
common home, the environment, in his encyclical Laudato
Si, Rosanna decided to bring her students to places where
they could put their faith and knowledge into practice
through field research focused on ecological conservation.
That spring, Rosanna, Ms. Dempsey and Mrs. Martinez,
traveled to Costa Rica with a pioneering group of
students. They lived and worked at Pacquare Reserve, a
wildlife reserve on one of the most important nesting sites
for endangered Leatherback turtles. The Prep team
worked with field scientists from all over the world,
helping to relocate nests at night to give the turtles a
better chance of survival.
Since that inaugural trip, students have participated in
ecology trips to Belize and Hawaii, and this coming spring,
are travelling to Thailand. Rosanna’s vision and passion
for the care of creation is a legacy that will impact Prep
students for years to come. To honor her legacy and to
ensure that all Prep students have the opportunity to
participate in an ecology program, Fordham Prep, with the
support of the Estrella family, will name the program in
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Rosanna’s honor and is seeking gifts to fund this initiative.
The fund will enable the Prep to offer ecology program
trips at an affordable cost to all families and provide
financial aid for students who qualify.
In a special ceremony in December, Prep President, Rev.
Christopher J. Devron, SJ, dedicated the school’s crèche
in honor of former science teacher Rosanna Estrella.
Members of the Estrella family, along with Prep alumni,
students, faculty, staff and parents were present for the
event. Special thanks to Joanne Aventuro P’15, ’18, ’21 and
the Mothers’ Club for raising funds to purchase the crèche.