My name isErica Cecilia Kelly, and I am proud to be analumna of Colegio Santa Marta.
I started first grade in 1981, with Miss Ana Fierro.
At the time, there were two classes: A and B. Although it is difficult to summarize so many cherished memories from my childhood, I will try to keep it brief.
We were—and still are—a close-knit group.
We grew up together, surrounded by love, sharing experiences that have left a lasting mark on us: the unforgettable annual festivals at Profesionales del Turf, the cooking workshops, the plays organized by our teachers, the games in the small courtyard—where the bathrooms are today—, jumping rope, playing “mancha cadena” while dodging the statue of the Sacred Heart, “cops and robbers,” marbles… all of this took place in the courtyard that I now have the privilege of caring for.
Santa Marta gave me much more than just knowledge. It gave me two friendships that have stood the test of time. One of my best friends, Olga Mirasso, now lives in Spain, but we’re still in touch. The other lives in Berazategui, and even though we don’t see each other often, technology keeps us close.
We reunited with our classmates for our 20th college reunion. Today we’re still in touch, sharing memories, laughing at anecdotes from those days, and fondly remembering our dear “seños.”
I left the school in 1987 to continue my secondary education at another institution, since that level of education wasn’t offered there at the time. I studied to become a teacher, and once I graduated, I returned to the place I’ve always felt was my second home.
Today, I’ve been working as a teacher at this school for 28 years. Here, I didn’t just learn academic subjects, but also values that guide me day after day: loyalty, responsibility, respect, solidarity, and dedication.
I could go on writing page after page of memories, but if there is one thing that sums up my journey at Santa Marta, it is this certainty that I hold dear in my heart: this is where I grew up, this is where I found my calling, and this is where I decided to stay.
Erica Cecilia Kelly
Teacher at the Santa Marta School in La Plata, Argentina
