Golf tourney funds help educate youth

BARRINGTON, R.I. (WPRI) - The classrooms at Our Sisters' School in New Bedford are filled with success stories like fifth grader DeeDee Gomes-Viruet. She came to the school in the fall as a "C" student from New Bedford's public schools.

"Her first report card here in Our Sisters' School, she got all A's," said DeeDee's dad Sean Viruet.

He gives the school straight A's for giving at-risk students like his daughter a chance at a private school education without the cost of tuition. Students attend classes for a full day, getting a mix of core classes, sports, and art.

"They have tons of activities here," said Sean. "They're doing yoga."

Every student at the school must volunteer for public service projects.

"In public schools, you don't have the same opportunities to go out and help out people in the city," DeeDee said.

The CVS Caremark Charity Classic is sponsoring the current fifth grade class for its entire four years, so the generosity will follow DeeDee and her classmates until they graduate. The head of school credits the benefactors and the students' families for making Our Sisters' a success.

"Many of our families are single parents, juggling so many demands," said School Head Lia Yates. "So having their daughter here in a full day program is a very different reality for our girls, and a fortunate one."

"It's a God send," said DeeDee's dad. "Especially being from a low income neighborhood. Not being able to send my daughter to a private school. It's a God send."

There are 54 girls in the school right now, but they get twice as many applicants. Our Sisters' School will celebrate its second graduation this spring and will bring in 15 new fifth graders in the fall.