Barbara Lee Pershing Messerle Devitt was hired by Charlie Motsko as English Grammar and Literature teacher in 1984. In her second semester of teaching, she became Junior Statesman of America (JSA) moderator, a role she has fulfilled for 33 years and through 99 conventions. She is a former Servite Theatre Manager and served as Activities Director for 22 years. Though she retired from teaching in 2009, she remained to mentor the new Activities Director and to continue to moderate JSA. She has treasured memories of students, many of whom she has seen move on to careers and professions worthy of the prestigious Friar legacy. When Servite began to implement its Formation Program and the Priory system, President Pete Bowen ’82 gave credit to Barbara for the idea of student priories after observing her teaching the Harry Potter series of ‘houses’ and referring to them as priories. She was honored with an American flag for her years of service on the JSA Board. A staunch patriot, she credits her love for this country to her great uncle, the famous World War I Army General, John J. Pershing. She takes the JSA focus very seriously to help students Be the People to move forward in becoming leaders in our nation. The 2009 Yearbook was dedicated in gratitude for her service.
