60 Minutes viewers inspired by St. Benedict's Prep
"Whatever hurts my brother hurts me!" That's the motto at St. Benedict's Prep, an inner-city school with a graduation rate of 98 percent.
As Scott Pelley reported on Sunday's 60 Minutes, 85 percent of the school's graduates earn a college degree, but that's not the biggest source of pride for the school's headmaster: it's the kids who come back as grown men and fathers.
"When I get introduced by one of our guys to his son and his daughter, I say 'Wow.' That for me is the most meaningful," Father Leahy told Pelley.
The school -- started in 1868 -- has nearly 150 years of history, and some of its graduates, including many of Father Leahy's students, watched on Sunday. They still refer to themselves as "Gray Bees," the school's mascot:
This Gray Bee, class of '62, is locked in @StBenedictsNJ @60Minutes #SBPon60Min pic.twitter.com/zqIvi4Bppu
— Brian Hetzel (@BooHetz) March 21, 2016
Proud to say i'm a Bee. Make sure to tune in. Idk where ill be if it wasnt for @StBenedictsNJ. Tonight at 6! https://t.co/2vrAPU06VN
— Mo (@mofoshoo) March 20, 2016
Looking forward to this story on where my husband went to school. He's a proud Gray Bee. #SBPon60Min @StBenedictsNJ https://t.co/Bm0JuWsuCW
— Chaunda Ball-Martin (@cballmartin) March 20, 2016
Here's a moving profile of @StBenedicts done by @60Minutes. This is an amazing place & I'm proud to be an alum. https://t.co/gfDE65koeC
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorTOH) March 22, 2016
Others watching were inspired by the students and the school:
So much hate and violence in the world here is a school that promotes love and respect and its students succeed.
Posted by Maria Scibelli Greenberg on Sunday, March 20, 2016
@60Minutes @ScottPelley I absolutely loved this piece as an educator and a citizen! Rev. Leahy is an inspiration!
— Beth Hanning (@BethHanning2) March 22, 2016
One viewer encouraged Leahy to open a school for women:
@FrEdwinLeahy @60Minutes @scott Congratulations, Father on your great devotion to your boys-Girls would love to attend & deserve a chance 2
— Sherman Jackson (@WisePuertoRican) March 21, 2016
Should any students fail to appreciate all he does, Father Leahy gave them this helpful reminder:
The things I do for these kids. Courage! Watch us on @60Minutes Sunday at 7 p.m. @StBenedictsNJ #SBPon60Min pic.twitter.com/9D9LzhAhwI
— Fr. Edwin Leahy (@FrEdwinLeahy) March 19, 2016