School Motto: Esse Quam Videri
Esse quam videri (EH-say kwahm vee-DAY-ree), literally translated from Latin into English, means “to be, rather than to seem.” The word-by-word translation is as follows: ‘esse’ means ‘to be’; ‘quam’ means ‘as, how, than’; and ‘videri’ means ‘to seem’.
The origin of Esse quam videri is traced to a sentence in Marcus Tullius Cicero’s essay “On Friendship” (“De amicitia”, chapter 98). It reads: “Virtute enim ipsa non tam multi praediti esse quam videri volunt.” Professor Emeritus of Latin at the University of Michigan, Frank Copely, translated the entire sentence to read: “[N]ot nearly so many people want actually to be possessed of virtue as want to appear to be possessed of it.” It is one thing to just talk the talk; a completely different thing to walk the walk. Esse quam videri means walking the walk. In other words: BE WHO YOU SAY YOU ARE!
What does this mean to Uvalde Classical Academy, and why did we choose this as our motto?
At UCA, we want our students to aspire to be true to whom God has called them to be. We believe that God has a specific plan and purpose for every one of us (“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11). We encourage our teachers to model this for their students, and we hope and pray that our students will be a light to their community of Christ’s love for all of us. Christ abhors falseness. “The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessings from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior.” (Psalm 24: 4-5).
Lord, we endeavor to be worthy to be called your people. We want and need your love, peace, joy, grace, and mercy every day! Let us be true to whom You have called us to be: Your light in this world of darkness! Please bless all of our students, families, teachers, and board members, and continue to bless our school with Your loving favor! In Christ’s precious and holy name, we pray. Amen!