La Preparatoria Benemérito de las Américas, officially named El Centro Escolar Benemérito de las Américas (CEBA) was a private high school operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in Mexico City.[1][2] At the end of the 2012–13 school year, the LDS Church converted the school to a Missionary Training Center (MTC).[3][4]
| La Preparatoria Benemérito de las Américas Centro Escolar Benemérito de las Américas | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
 | |
Carretera Tenayuca-Chalmita #828 Colonia Zona Escolar, Gustavo A. Madero 07230 México, Distrito Federal México | |
| Coordinates | 19°32′17″N 99°09′12″W / 19.53811°N 99.15320°W |
| Information | |
| School type | private secondary school |
| Motto | Inteligencia, Poder, Luz y Verdad (Intelligence, Power, Light and Truth) |
| Religious affiliation(s) | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Closed | 2013 |
| Teaching staff | 120 (1999) [1] |
| Enrollment | 2,400 (2004) [2] |
| Campus | Rancho Arbolillo [1] |
| Campus size | 90 acres (36 ha) |
| Color(s) | Gold: Represents Excellence. White: Represents Purity. |
| Mascot | Leónes (Lions) |
| Nickname | "The Bene" |
| Website | benemerito.edu.mx |
History
editThe first movement to organize the system of schools in Mexico was initiated by Claudio Bowman, president of the LDS Church's Mexican Mission. He bought land in Churubusco to construct a school and organized a committee to establish schools in Mexico. This committee, composed of Marion G. Romney, Joseph T. Bentley, and Bowman, with the help of the church's First Presidency, decided to establish schools in Mexico.
When the CEBA was founded it had 125 students and consisted in primary, secondary, and preparatory schools. It eventually increased as a preparatory school, accommodating day students as well and boarding students. At its peak, there were more than 2,100 students. It was closed at the end of the 2012-2013 school year.
The CEBA was founded in 1964[1] by Albert Kenyon Wagner and his wife, Leona Farnsworth Romney, who were the directors until 1975.[5]
Enrollment and education
editCEBA accepted students from all over the Mexican territory and some students from North and South America. Even though the institution was private and owned by the LDS Church, it was also required to accept non-LDS students because of the educational laws the Mexican government applies to every school in Mexico.
Students at CEBA received secular and religious education. In addition to all student electives and traditional required subjects (such as Math, History, Spanish and English), students were required to take religious classes. Non-LDS students also took these religious classes. In these classes, LDS teachers prepared lessons based on the Bible and The Book of Mormon, with lessons intended to strengthen the religious and spiritual progress of the students.
Activities
editIn addition to secular and religious classes for students; there were a variety of student cultural and physical activities, including folk dance, choir, music, theater, basketball, volleyball, soccer, and football, among others. The school believed this would increase a student's physical condition, development talents, positive social environment, and use free time wisely. Students decided which activities they wanted to participate in and they'd go to practice every day after school. Some students became national champions in their sports, professional dancers or musicians. There were many facilities where students could practice, according to the activity they chose.
Housing
editCEBA has 50 houses and 4 apartment buildings the students would live in, thereby allowing students from all over the Mexican Republic to attend. These houses were divided between female and male students. Every house consisted of 18 boys or girls and every apartment building has 112 students. A married adult couple was assigned to each house or apartment building to take care of the students and their medical or other needs they could have.
Honor Code
editBecause the school was a religiously based school, students and teachers had to follow an Honor Code, based on LDS Church standards. The school honor code specified how students should dress everyday and how to behave in order to stay at the school. For example, smoking and drinking alcohol inside or outside the school would lead to the termination of the student’s studies. Students wore a uniform when they went to classes and they dressed modestly when they were not in school.[6]
Transition to MTC
editOn January 29, 2013, the LDS Church announced the school would be closed and converted into a MTC at the end of the current school year. The new MTC opened June 26, 2013.[3][4]
Temple announcement
editOn April 3, 2022, during general conference, church president Russell M. Nelson announced that a temple would be constructed at the site.[7][8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d Juarez Rubio, Tarcisio R. (November 27, 1999), "Benemerito! Church's vanguard school in Mexico", Church News, retrieved 2013-10-28
- ^ a b Swensen, Jason (January 24, 2004), "Benemerito: LDS school enters fourth decade of spiritual, academic instruction", Church News, retrieved 2013-10-28
- ^ a b Walker, Joseph (January 30, 2013), "Missionary surge prompts LDS Church to open new MTC in Mexico", Deseret News, archived from the original on February 2, 2013
- ^ a b Walker, Joseph (June 26, 2013), "First LDS missionaries arrive for training at Mexico City MTC", Deseret News, archived from the original on June 27, 2013
- ^ "Centro Escolar Benemérito de las Américas • www.benemerito.com.mx". Archived from the original on 2010-12-24. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
- ^ "www.benemerito.ipfox.com". Archived from the original on 2007-12-30. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
- ^ "7 new temple locations announced by President Nelson to close conference", Deseret News, 3 Apr 2022
- ^ "President Nelson Announces 17 New Temples", Newsroom, LDS Church, 3 Apr 2022
Further reading
edit- Jensen, Emily W. (June 11, 2014), "The 50-year story of Benemerito de las Americas", Deseret News, archived from the original on June 12, 2014