Mona Mustafa, a distinguished Old Lawrentian returned to the College for a visit, accompanied by her husband Tobi and their two sons, Adam and Zack. Mona who was a member of Bellerby House, was eager to share her memories and experiences with her family during their visit.
One of Mona’s fondest recollections was earning her Good Citizen (GC) tie, an honour awarded to students who performed good deeds and were recognised for their kindness and service to others. Along with kindness, Mona was also an enthusiastic athlete during her school years, excelling in sports like the 800 and 1500 meters, cross country, and javelin.
Some of the other responsibilities that Mona had was being dormitory captain in the Junior School where she was responsible for 8 younger girls.
As they toured the campus, Mona remembered the same smells and familiarity, particularly when they reached the dining hall. She vividly recalled her days in Junior School when she was chosen to be head waitress, a prestigious role at the time. “Setting the table correctly for the whole school was a must,” Mona reminisced. “If anything was out of place, the Headmaster would ring a bell and call us over. I wasn’t keen on hearing that bell, so I made sure everything was perfect.” She also recalled the tradition of morning breakfasts, especially listening to the 8am news, which was played on the radio. Mona recounted how the Headmaster would quiz the students on the news afterwards, asking questions like who the reporter was and other important facts.
Today, Mona is an accomplished consultant, researcher, and educator, having been selected by both UNESCO and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to work on projects related to education, culture, health, and safety. Her impressive career includes being an Associate Professor and Researcher in Human Resource Management.
During the tour, Mona reflected on how her time at St Lawrence College shaped the person she has become today and how she would love for her boys to experience the same.
Mona Mustafa’s story is a testament to the lasting impact of education and the importance of fostering a sense of global citizenship in students. Her visit was an inspiring reminder of what our Old Lawrentians have and continue to achieve, whilst they carry St Lawrence College values with them throughout their lives.
