News at Ricks

A Liberian Baptist Installed as VP of the Baptist World Alliance

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:59:52 +0000

23 August 2010, Ricks Institute--Dr. Olu Q. Menjay, Chief Administrative Officer/Principal of Ricks Institute was elected and recently installed as a new vice president of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) for 2010-2015 during the 20th Baptist World Congress held in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA on July 28-August 1, 2010. As an emerging leader of the BWA, Dr. Menjay is the youngest in the history of this august body to serve in this position.

The BWA is the largest Protestant Christian body in the world with 216 members body of conventions and unions proclaiming and living the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the world with over 37 million baptized Baptists around the world.

Historically, Dr. William R. Tolbert, Jr. former president of Liberia and former President of the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention (LBM&EC) served as the only President of the BWA out of Africa.

During the 20th Baptist World Congress, graced by several pastors and leaders of the LBM&EC as well as Dr. Menjay’s wife, Ottolee Menjay, Dr. Menjay acknowledged the fact that his election was the act of God who is no respected of person. “God does not discriminate in choosing servants for God’s mission. God is notorious of choosing unlikely candidates to accomplished God’s mission,” Menjay humbly pointed out. Menjay further said, “I stand on the shoulders of our capable past and present Christian leaders in Africa especially the shoulders of Dr. William R. Tolbert, Jr. who once served in this role. “ He thanked his family, LBM&EC and the All African Baptist Fellowship for the support as well as the BWA family worldwide for the confident imposed in him to serve in this important office.

His functions as a new vice president the BWA is to support the President and General Secretary of the BWA in promoting the life and work of the Alliance to member bodies of over 200 conventions and unions around the world, and in wider ecumenical and civic communities as well as deputize for the President in representational tasks around the world.

Dr. Menjay is an ordained Baptist minister who obtained an Associate degree from Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland, GA, Bachelor of Arts from Mercer University in Macon, GA, Master of Divinity from Duke University, Master of Sacred Theology from Boston University and Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Wales in the UK. He has served as an emergent leader of the BWA, member of the Freedom and Justice Commission, and member of the commissions of Theological Education & Leadership Formation. Currently, Dr. Menjay chairs the Commissions on Human Rights Advocacy of the BWA.

Once every 5 years, the Baptist World Congress brings together Baptists from all over the world for a time of celebration, worship and fellowship. The theme for this congress was “Hear the Spirit.” The Congress provides a forum for Baptists to share a common confession of faith in Jesus Christ, and to encourage and strengthen one another in the matters of Christian missions and human and religious freedom.

The new president of the BWA, Dr. John Upton of Virginia, USA as well as a total of twelve vice presidents, two from each of the six regions of the BWA, were also installed during the morning session on Saturday, July 31, 2010.

About Ricks: Ricks Institute (K-12), established in 1887, is a dynamic and comprehensive learning center that attracts students from all over Liberia and beyond. Since 2006, the institution remains the only private school in Liberia offering free primary education to its students. As a community and nationally recognized school in Liberia, 40% of its 606 students are residential students. Additionally, it operates a free Accelerated Learning Program in the afternoon with 125 (over aged) students. The school is located in Virginia, Liberia on some 1200 acres of land. For more information, visit www.ricksonline.org.
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37 Students Graduated from Ricks

Mon, 5 Jul 2010 13:12:16 +0000

5 July 2010 Ricks Institute--37 twelve graders graduated on July 4th at Ricks. Over 3000 persons jammed the Ricks campus for the occasion. Present at the ceremony included the leadership of the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention, head of the Liberian Council of Churches--Dr. Benjamin Larty, and distinguished alumni, parents families, and friends of Ricks. Speaking at the graduation, Dr. Linda Phillips, who organized the Ricks library 45 years ago, encouraged the students to trust God in all that they do. Dr. Phillips, a veteran librarian, returned to Ricks along with 8 educators, through the Woman’s Missionary Union, to conduct in-service training for Ricks teachers as well as to transform the Ricks library to an automated library.

Also speaking at the graduation, student speaker Hawa Momolu, the valedictorian of the graduating class, encouraged Liberians to remain serious about the advancement of educational opportunities in the country. Ms. Momolu also thanked the school’s administration and her parents for an exceptional educational experience at Ricks. During the ceremony, the school displayed its first post-war year book, Our Eon 2010, which is dedicated to Ms. Holly Wegman and Ms. Ann Elizabeth McInvale, two young volunteer teachers who taught at Ricks from the United States for academic 2009-2010.

During the graduation ceremony, Dr. Olu Menjay, Principal and Chief Administrative Officer, thanked the Liberia Baptist Convention, parents, staff, partners and alumni for working together in running a progressive school. Dr. Menjay stated, “We thank God, our Creator and sustainer for God’s guidance throughout the history of this school and especially this academic year. God has remained faithful to this institution Today is a new day with new challenges and new possibilities.”

Commenting on the state of education in Liberia, Dr. Menjay stated, “this ceremony today has resurrected may concerns as it relates to having a graduation outside of the WAEC result. Ricks Institute is not going contrary to the Ministry of Education. Instead, according to the ministry’s published academic calendar 2009/2010, closing exercise has been slated for June 21-30. As it relates to WAEC, we have consistently encouraged the Ministry of Education to honestly and thoroughly evaluate the functions of WAEC in postwar Liberia. At least for the last five years, the WAEC test and its process have had noticeable deficiencies that have the inclination to undermine the integrity of our education system in Liberia. Secondary education institution have a major challenge in Liberia if they are required only to bring to climax their yearly closing ceremony in August and sometime September right at the time the next academic year commences. It is impossible for a school administrator to admit incoming students since s/he is not sure on whose returning and who is completing.”

During the occasion, Mrs. Lurleen Falla was announced as the new head for the elementary division at Ricks while four graduating students, Hawa Momolu, Jerome Wesson, Faliku Dukuly, and Mohammed Dukuly, were awarded scholarships to attend Cuttington University in Bong County, Liberia. Also, Bendu Adams, rising 9th grader, was issued her admissions and scholarship letters to attend the Oak Hill Academy in the Mouth of Wilson, Virginia USA.

This graduation exercise was the first post-war graduation where graduates were presented diploma. Academic evaluation for 2009/ 2010 were distributed to the students at the climax of the ceremony.

About Ricks: Ricks Institute (K-12), established in 1887, is a dynamic and comprehensive learning center that attracts students from all over Liberia and beyond. Since 2006, the institution remains the only private school in Liberia offering free primary education to its students. As a community and nationally recognized school in Liberia, 40% of its 606 students are residential students. Additionally, it operates a free Accelerated Learning Program in the afternoon with 125 (over aged) students. The school is located in Virginia, Liberia on some 1200 acres of land. For more information, visit www.ricksonline.org.
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Ricks Bids Good-bye and Thanks to Ms. McInvale and Ms. Wegman

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:10:43 +0000

11 June 2010, Ricks Institute--The Ricks community assembled in the school’s auditorium to offer thanks, appreciation and farewell to Ms. Ann Elizabeth McInvale who came to Ricks since August 2009 to teach. The two American teachers came to Ricks through the Student.Go Program of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, which headquarter is in Atlanta, GA. During the ceremony, students, staff and the administration of Ricks praised the two volunteers for their courage to come to Liberia and serve in ways that provided distinction to Ricks. Several gifts were given to the two teachers from the Ricks community. In her remarks during the ceremony, Ms. McInvale said that her experience at Ricks has increase her passion for teaching children. She challenged the Ricks community, making reference to Ghandi, to become the change they will like to see in the world. Also, speaking to the assembly, Ms. Wegman encouraged the students and staff to take the tasks of teaching, learning and serving seriously while cultivating a passion for what they do best as individuals. Quoting from Edward Everett Hale, an American author and Unitarian minister, she stated “I am only one. But still I am one. I cannot do everything, But still I can do something; And because I can not do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” They both thanked Ricks for providing a space to serve.

Dr. Olu Q. Menjay thanked Ricks Institute for being a good host to two great guests who came from their “homeland” to their “wonderland” and now returning to their “newfoundland.” “These two young ladies have exemplified the essence of Christian mission and service to humanity. They have served Ricks without reservation and have embodied the Ricks motto ‘not for self--but for others’” Dr. Menjay stated. The school’s 2010 yearbook, Our Eon, is dedicated to Ms. Wegman and McInvale.

Ms. McInvale returns to the United States to continue her teaching career in the Alabama State Department of Education where she taught prior to serving at Ricks. She will also consider enrolling in graduate school while teaching in Alabama. Ms. Holly Wegman returns to the United States to begin her Doctor of Philosophy study in Community Psychology at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

About Ricks: Ricks Institute (K-12), established in 1887, is a dynamic and comprehensive learning center that attracts students from all over Liberia and beyond. Since 2006, the institution remains the only private school in Liberia offering free primary education to its students. As a community and nationally recognized school in Liberia, 40% of its 606 students are residential students. Additionally, it operates a free Accelerated Learning Program in the afternoon with 125 (over aged) students. The school is located in Virginia, Liberia on some 1200 acres of land. For more information, visit www.ricksonline.org.
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Mercer University Awards Full Scholarships to Two from Ricks

Mon, 31 May 2010 18:11:45 +0000

31 May 2010, Ricks Institute, Virginia, Liberia–During the opening assembly this morning at Ricks Institute, Ms. Massa Mamey and Mr. Boakai Mamey received formal letters from Mercer University’s Director of Admissions, Mr. Brian Dalton, awarding them full scholarships to attend the Macon, Georgia, US university. Each of the scholarship, for a four-year education at Mercer, is in the tone of US$168,000.
Dr. Olu Q. Menjay, Principal and CAO at Ricks Institute, introduced Dr. Richard F. Wilson, chair of the Roberts Department of Christianity and long-time advocate for a growing partnership between Ricks Institute and Mercer University. Wilson reminded the Ricks community that Mercer University has made commitments to Ricks and that Ricks has made commitments to Mercer. Twice in the last three years Ricks Institute hosted students and faculty from Mercer for an extended summer school experience that also included service projects where members of the Ricks community and Mercer’s community worked together.
With Massa and Boakai Mamey by his side, Wilson read the letter announcing the scholarship awards. He reminded the student body at Ricks that they, too, were being honored by the awarding of the scholarships. “Ricks Institute should be proud to be the kind of school that recognizes and cultivates excellence. Mercer’s commitment to give scholarships each year to two Ricks students is an important affirmation of the work of the school and its students.” Wilson also challenged Massa and Boakai to remember that they will go to Mercer as representatives of Ricks Institute. 2009-2010 school year, two persons, James Himie Blay and Edmond Z. Cooper from the Ricks community, were awarded similar scholarships to attend Mercer.
As a tangible sign of their new identity as Mercer University students Wilson presented the Mamey siblings polo shirts with the Mercer Bear logo. He also gave them their award letters and a packet of information about Mercer.
Following the presentation of the scholarship awards, Massa and Boakai addressed the Ricks student body, faculty, and staff. They praised their teachers and classmates who encouraged them and gave them opportunities to learn and find ways to develop skills in leadership. They expressed gratitude for their family. And they also thanked Mercer University for providing them with a chance of a lifetime. Massa and Boakai are 2008 and 2009 graduates of Ricks respectively who were attending Cuttington University in Suakoko Liberia on Ricks-related scholarships. They both were top honored graduates of Ricks Institute.
Also on hand were Mr. Sarnoe Mamey, Sr., and his wife, Satta Mamey, the parents of Massa and Boakai. Each expressed their pride in their children and gave thanks to God, the Ricks community, and Mercer University for the part each played in the granting of scholarships.
The presentations concluded with comments by Dr. Olu Q. Menjay, a 1995 graduate of Mercer’s College of Liberal Arts who came to the United States from Liberia as a war refugee in 1993. In 2005 Menjay returned to Liberia to accept the challenge to lead Ricks Institute through post-war rebuilding. Menjay praised Mercer President Underwood’s continued commitments to building a strong partnership with Ricks Institute, noting that the scholarship awards are visible examples of how dreams can come true. He also thanked Dr. Wilson for his continuing support of and advocacy for Ricks Institute. Finally, Menjay challenged the students, faculty, and staff at Ricks Institute to continue to strive for excellence in academics, in leadership, and in service. “Today we have seen, again, what can happen when we work together,” Menjay said. “Let us renew our commitments to excellence and continue to hope for a better tomorrow.”

About Ricks: Ricks Institute (K-12), established in 1887, is a dynamic and comprehensive learning center that attracts students from all over Liberia and beyond. Since 2006, the institution remains the only private school in Liberia offering free primary education to its students. As a community and nationally recognized school in Liberia, 40% of its 606 students are residential students. Additionally, it operates a free Accelerated Learning Program in the afternoon with 125 (over aged) students. The school is located in Virginia, Liberia on some 1200 acres of land. For more information, visit www.ricksonline.org.
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Ricks Announces 1st Post War Ricks Mini Olympics --March 26-27, 2010

Tue, 2 Mar 2010 15:56:06 +0000

Schools participated:

St. Peter Clever High School Buchanna, Grand Bassa County, Liberia
Levi H. Martin Baptist School, Sanniquellie City, Nimba County, Liberia
Lott Carey Baptist Mission, Brewerville, Montserrado County, Liberia
C.H. Dewey High School, Tubmanburg City, Bomi County, Liberia
St. Michael Catholic School, Gardnesville, Montserrado County, Liberia
R.C. Lawson High School, Congo Town, Montserrado County, Liberia
Harbel Multrilatral High School, Harbel, Margibi County,
Cathedral Catholic High School, Monrovia, Montserrado County, Liberia
Assembly of God Mission School, Old Road, Sinkor, Montserrado County, Liberia
College of West Africa, Monrovia, Montserrado County, Liberia
Robertsport High School, Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County, Liberia
B.W. Harris Episcopal High School, Monrovia, Montserrado County, Liberia
William H. Booth Salvation Army High School, Paynesville, Montserrado County, Liberia
Harbel High School, Firestone, Margibi County
Nathan E. Gibson, Paynesville, Montserrado County, Liberia
Canterbury High School, Barnesville, Montserrado County, Liberia
Ricks Institute, Virginia, Montserrado County, Liberia

Official Sponsors:
Lonestar Cell Communication

Written by Ann Elizabeth McInvale
(Originally Published in Her Blog, April 2, 2010)
For the first time since the war, Ricks Institute hosted 16 schools from across the country to participate in the Ricks Olympics on March 26th and 27th! This two day event consisted of male football (soccer), female kickball, and male and female basketball. The theme for the event was to bring youth together through sports. The students were all encouraged to accept the results of the games and just have fun. They were told that the Olympics is not about winning and losing, but about coming together to support youth development. By doing this, they were all winners! The Ricks campus was packed with over 1,000 students ready to compete. The dorms and guest houses were full, and the excitement was unescapable.

There were two major sponsors that made this event possible. Lonestar Cell contributed close to $15,000 to the repairs of the basketball court and snack shop. They also provided scoreboards and prepared the fields for both football and kickball. Coca Cola set up stations around campus, selling cold soft drinks and water. All of the proceeds went to Ricks Institute. These two companies really played a huge role in the Olympics.

School was cancelled on Friday, and the games began around 10:30 am. The Dragons defeated their opponents in every sport on Friday. The Dragon pride was contagious. Friday night was the Kick-off for the Miss Ricks Beauty Pageant. The auditorium was packed with students excited to see the contestants show off their stuff. After a long day, we were exhausted, but ready for another full day on Saturday.

Unfortunately, Saturday was not as victorious for the Ricks Dragons. The football and kickball teams lost in the semi-finals, but both teams played hard and did well. Our girls lost their first basketball game in the finals of the tournament. We lost to N.E. Gibson, a team that was much taller, bigger, and stronger than ours. Three of our starters had just played in the kickball game minutes before, and needless to say, they were exhausted. The heat was draining and the energy level was low. Our girls played hard at the beginning of the game and were only down by 5 at the half. The second half just kind of went down hill, and our girls just gave up. There were a lot of factors that contributed to our loss, but we were disappointed in the way the girls played. I think the loss was good for our team. The girls needed a motivator to show them that they need to work hard at practice. They all left the game upset by the loss, but I am hoping that they have the determination and drive to improve. N.E. Gibson was a good team and they deserved to win the trophy, but I know that our girls can beat them. I hope that we will have a chance to play them again in the high school tournament.

The highlight of the Olympics was the finals of boys basketball. The Dragons male basketball team has been working very hard for the last month. They were determined to win the Olympics. All of their hard work paid off, and they won the final game by a large margin. The court was packed with spectators, and when the final whistle blew, the Ricks students celebrated with the team. It was a happy moment for the team and for the rest of the school. It was a great way to end such a great weekend. Go Dragons!