On Friday, March 24, 2017, Southern Tier Catholic School and Archbishop Walsh Academy hosted a reception and discussion with Edward M. Gabriel who was the Ambassador to Morocco during the second Clinton Administration.  Ambassador Gabriel is now the President and CEO of The Gabriel Company based in Washington, DC.  Walsh is also proud to count Ambassador Gabriel among its distinguished alumni.

Ambassador Gabriel spent the first part of his visit meeting with members of the Seneca Nation of Indians Tribal Council.  He spoke on the importance of a Walsh education and the benefits of supporting the school.  Ambassador Gabriel said he was proud of the diversity in the student population and felt it was an asset for the students to learn from each other.  After he spoke with the SNI Tribal Council, Ambassador Gabriel went on a tour of the school to reminisce about his time as a student as well as to see the changes and advancements the school has made.

In the afternoon, students in grades 7^th through 12^th had the chance to meet the Ambassador and listen to him speak of the importance of diplomacy for leaders as well as the importance of an International Baccalaureate Education.  The Ambassador gave the students words such as compassion, trust, and honesty and how each attribute was an important part of being a leader. He encouraged the students to take advantage of the IB education that they are being offered.  Throughout his international travels and experience he has come to understand the unique opportunity Walsh is giving its students. 

After meeting with the students, parents and teachers were invited to meet Mr. Gabriel to discuss their experiences within the school and why they feel it is important to support STCS/Walsh.  At that time he was joined by other members from the class of 1968 who sat in the audience to listen to his speech.

STCS/Walsh was honored to host Ambassador Gabriel and humbled to see how impressed he was with the school, the students and faculty and staff.  He hopes to visit again soon and offered to be a guide around Washington DC to any student who would like to visit.