—   Called “The School That Wouldn’t Die” by Reader’s Digest in January 1994, Providence St. Mel School Founder Paul Adams III led a historic national campaign in 1978 to save the historic inner-city institution.

As the West Side suffers from the highest infection rates in the city and the country, Providence St. Mel School has once again rallied a community in crisis.

Adams preached the importance of PSM students doing three things: Go to college, return to their roots, and send their kids to Providence St. Mel School.

That resonated with this year’s commencement speaker Adwoa Antwi-Barfi, a Providence St. Mel Class of 2000 graduate.

Providence St. Mel has produced a number of distinguished alumni who have returned or gave back to their roots, including John W. Fountain, PSM, Class of 1978.