Twenty years ago, a vision took root on the island of San Pedro.
Francis and Vernon Wilson saw children on the beach who were not attending school, and they believed those children deserved an opportunity to learn, grow, and build a brighter future. From that vision came Holy Cross Anglican School.
The school began with very little. There were classrooms, but few of the resources we often take for granted—no running water, limited books, and not enough desks. What it did have was something just as important: people who believed in the children and in what Holy Cross could become.
Over the past 20 years, that belief has grown into a community.
More Than a Classroom
As part of our 20th Anniversary celebration, we have had the privilege of reconnecting with former Holy Cross students and sharing their stories through our “Where Are They Now?” series.
Although each graduate has taken a different path, a common thread has emerged from their stories. Again and again, our alumni have spoken about the teachers and administrators who encouraged them, the friendships they formed, and the values they learned at Holy Cross.
They remember learning discipline, responsibility, teamwork, problem-solving, and communication. Many shared how their experiences at Holy Cross helped them become more confident and encouraged them to continue their education and pursue their goals.
Perhaps most meaningful, many remember feeling loved, valued, and supported.
Nourishing Body, Mind, and Spirit
For many students, Holy Cross also provided support beyond the classroom.
The feeding program has been an important part of the school's mission for many years. Alumni have remembered receiving a nutritious lunch each day—something that helped nourish their bodies and gave them the energy to learn and participate in school.
But the care provided at Holy Cross has always extended beyond a meal. Students were also nurtured spiritually, surrounded by teachers and staff who encouraged them to develop kindness, responsibility, discipline, faith, and respect.
In this way, Holy Cross has always sought to prepare students not only academically, but also for the people and challenges they would encounter beyond the school gates.
A Community That Believed
Many of the students who came through Holy Cross faced financial challenges at home. Support with tuition, uniforms, meals, and other school needs helped make it possible for families to give their children an education.
Behind that support are countless people who have believed in the mission of Holy Cross.
Over the years, volunteers have traveled from near and far to work alongside our teachers, staff, and students. Donors have contributed to the daily operation of the school, feeding program, educational needs, building projects, and countless other necessities.
Every contribution—whether a week spent volunteering, a donation toward a student's uniform, a meal provided through the feeding program, or support for a major school project—has become part of the Holy Cross story.
Twenty Years of Impact
Looking back over these 20 years, we are reminded that a school is much more than its buildings. It is the students who walk through its doors. It is the teachers who encourage them. It is the families who place their trust in the school. It is the volunteers who give their time. It is the donors who make opportunities possible. And it is the community that continues to believe that every child deserves the chance to learn and succeed.
The students we first welcomed two decades ago have grown into adults. They have pursued higher education, built careers, raised families, and contributed to their communities. Some have remained in San Pedro, while others have carried the lessons they learned at Holy Cross wherever life has taken them.
Their stories remind us that the impact of an education does not end when a student graduates. It continues through the choices they make, the families they build, the careers they pursue, and the communities they serve.
Looking Ahead
Twenty years ago, Francis and Vernon Wilson had a vision for children they saw on the beach.
Today, we can look back and see generations of students whose lives have been touched by that vision.
As we celebrate this milestone, we are deeply grateful to everyone who has helped make Holy Cross what it is today. We also recognize that the story is still being written.
There are new students arriving through our gates, new teachers guiding them, new families placing their trust in us, and new opportunities to make a difference.
Twenty years later, the heart of Holy Cross remains the same: to provide children with an education, a caring community, and the opportunity to believe in what is possible.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of the Holy Cross journey. Here’s to 20 years—and to the many years still ahead.
