Faculty
They helped to make us what we are today...
In Memoriam:
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  Anna Jacinto passed away in December of 2001.  First born child of immigrants, she was a graduate of Boston University, recipient of the Phi Beta Kappa key, and a member of Sigma Kappa sorority.

   Mrs. Jacinto served as the assistant to J. Spencer Love, founder of Burlington Mills (now Burlington Industries).  A Personnel Officer during WW II, she was stationed at Camp Edwards, Massachusetts (currently Otis Air National Guard Base).  She was the first to recruit and appoint area women as mechanics working on military vehicles.  Mrs. Jacinto later served as a Personnel Officer at the War Assets Administration, Washington D. C., and as Personnel Administrator for the Department of State -- in both the capital and post war Germany. Prior to her death she was to be nominated for the Cold War Recognition Certificate for service to the United States government.  It was during her years with State that she met her husband, Colonel Francis Jacinto (USAF).

   Mrs. Jacinto's first love was teaching.  Straight from college she taught Latin, English, French and biology in Wellfleet, Massachusetts; French at Boca Raton High School in the 1960s; French, English and Work Experience at Boca Raton Middle School until her retirement in 1983.  Mrs. Jacinto also taught Russian and French in adult education classes.  Her students remained dear to her heart.

   A forty-year resident of Boca Raton, Mrs. Jacinto was a charter (original) member of The Debbie Rand Memorial Service League.  She volunteered at the thrift shop, participated in the Fiestas de Boca Raton, and conducted tours of the Boca Raton Hotel and Club, all to benefit the construction of the first hospital in Boca Raton.

   Though born into the Russian Orthodox faith, Mrs. Jacinto was a founding parishioner at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, where she served as volunteer at the parish school during the 1960s.  She and her husband were philanthropic members of the church's Coat of Arms Society.  Her name and the names of her family members are inscribed on the east wall of the chapel.

   Mrs. Jacinto enjoyed study and travel, combining the two while venturing to England, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Greece, turkey, Canada, the former U.S.S.R. (Russia, Belarus, Ukraine), Poland, Hungry, Czechoslovakia (Czech Republic), Yugoslavia (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia), and Bulgaria.

   Missed by her daughter, and granddaughter, Mrs. Jacinto left many wonderful friends and former students worldwide.

   This write-up of Mrs. Jacinto was lovingly submitted by her daughter, Frann Marie Jacinto, BRHS class of 1974. More memories to come ...
Anna Jacinto
Left: Mrs. Jacinto back during the EARLY teaching days. Center: Mrs. Jacinto and her daughter, Frann ('74) ... notice the lighthouse in the background? Right: A more recent  family portrait.
Unfortunately, Paul Matwiy (class of 1968) recently lost his father, Paul Matwiy, Sr. I'm sure that Mr. Matwiy was known by many of our alumni out there. Paul has graciously passed on this write-up from the Palm Beach Post to us. Our sympathy goes out to you, Paul.
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Paul Matwiy, Educator, Rotarian, Dies
By Pilar Ulibarri
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 05, 2005

As the principal, Paul Matwiy often walked around Verde Elementary School in Boca Raton with a monkey puppet he used to communicate with his students.

Mr. Matwiy, who was the first principal of Verde and J.C. Mitchell Elementary, died Sunday. He was 86.

Mr.. Matwiy started his career by teaching English and Latin at Delray Elementary in the early 1950s. He also served as principal of Boca Elementary in the late 1950s.

"In most schools, especially in elementary schools, the principal is seen as an authority figure that only meets students when they are in trouble," said Mr. Matwiy's son, Paul. "He wasn't like that."

Instead, Mr. Matwiy established a sense of community at the schools he administered, his son said.

"He empowered teachers so much," his son said of the man who listened to teachers' ideas and tried to implement them. "Later on when he switched schools, many of his teachers asked for transfers."

In the mid-1960s when teachers went on strike in Palm Beach County, Mr. Matwiy did something most administrators would get fired for: He walked out with them.

"And still, later he was appointed principal of Verde," his son said. "It was in recognition of his work."

Mr. Matwiy helped establish the Rotary Club of Boca Raton in 1957 and had an unbroken attendance record. Not even a visit to his son in California or his part-time residence in the mountains of North Carolina kept him from his weekly ritual. He often attended meetings at other chapters. He was the last charter member of the Rotary Club of Boca Raton.

"Most people don't go to church that much," his son said.

Mr. Matwiy was predeceased by his wife of 36 years, Mary, in 1984 and his daughter, Barbara, in 1964.

A service will be held at 11 a.m. today at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Boca Raton.