The Advocate
'A blessed day' Waterside School honors its first graduates

By Eve Sullivan
Special Correspondent, The Advocate
June 15, 2000

STAMFORD - What started as a dream five years ago to address educational disparities between white and minority students became a reality yesterday as Waterside School graduated its first class of students.

"This is indeed a blessed day," said Jody Visage, the independent school's principal. "This is a day the Waterside School has dreamt about for a long time - its first graduation, the Class of 2006."

The "stepping up" ceremony held at the school's neighbor and landlord, St. Clement of Rome church on Fairfield Avenue, featured songs and stories about memorable moments from many of the nearly 100 students enrolled in kindergarten through fifth grade.

The milestone marks an achievement for school founder Chip Kruger. The retired co-chief executive officer at Greenwich Capital Markets started the school in 2001 to address the achievement gap between white and minority students.

The school has a selective admissions process that judges parents on their commitment to their children's education. Parents pay tuition based on the amount they can afford and many students are subsidized through scholarships from individuals, corporations and foundations.

The school has a diverse population representing students from 27 countries.

At yesterday's ceremony, Kruger talked about the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who had a dream to make the world a better place.

"I also had a dream, but my dream was small," he said. "I wanted to start a school."

Kruger asked the children to make him two promises - to do their best and to go on to college.

"If you do that, Waterside will be special and America will be special," he said.

Several graduating students have obtained scholarships at area private schools.

Hedvig Blanco Hernandez will attend Greenwich Academy in the fall. Hedvig was the recipient yesterday of an award named in honor of Kruger.

The Kruger Cup will be presented annually to a graduate who has proven that he or she has what it takes to be a future leader, according to Duncan Edwards, the school's executive director.

Edwards said it is appropriate for the award to honor Kruger, who "for all he has given to the school, he has never asked for thanks."

©2006 Southern CT Newspapers, Inc.