The 44-cent stamp created by artist Thomas Blackshear II, shows a portrait of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and students applauded at the unveiling of the picture.
Seventh-grader Andrew Gilkey, 12, said the school has been buzzing with talk of the Roman Catholic nun who died in 1997.
“I think the whole school is learning about her more because of the postage stamp,” he said.
Several classes chose Mother Teresa quotes, and created posters about how her words apply to their lives, primary teacher Jane Stevison said.
“We talk about her, but it’s been more intense, and we’re trying to get the kids to connect more visually to how she helped us,” she said.
Hamilton Postmaster Todd O’Reilly said in his 26 years with the United States Postal Service and as far as he is aware, this is the first time a potential Catholic saint has been placed on a postage stamp.
“We are predicting that the stamp will be very popular mainly because Mother Teresa is someone that lived during our lifetime and is known throughout the world,” he said. “We also think we could see some increased sales around Christmas for another option of a religious-type of stamp.”
Middletown Postmaster Greg Engel highlighted awards Mother Teresa earned, and explained the featured portrait, of which each student received a canceled stamp.
Sister Anne Shulz, school principal, shared why the school was named in honor of Mother Teresa more than a dozen years ago.
“(Founders) valued the attributes of Mother Teresa and wanted someone you students could relate to and have a role model for the rest of your lives,” she said.
Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5067 or lhilty@coxohio.com.
About the Author