In March, the Academy welcomed 12 young women (8 eighth graders and 4 ninth graders) as well as their teachers Yasuko Taguchi, RSCJ and Akiko Ichikawa from Sapporo Sacred Heart School along with Donna Collins, RSCJ to our campus. The group stayed in the Duchesne Center (above the Primary wing), enjoyed area sightseeing and spending time with our students.
Earlier this month, alums returned to speak to our Seventh and Eighth Class students. Below, a few reflect on their Academy education.
Coming back to the Academy felt like I was stepping back into time. Walking into the building, memories came rushing back of my time there: school projects, Congé, Camp Lakewood, etc. I remember constantly being pushed and challenged. Being challenged academically and being held to a high standard helped get me to where I am today. It became second nature to push myself; I find I’m bored if I’m not being challenged. Becoming a business owner and being able to lead an incredible team was partially because of the incredible foundation that was given to me at ASH. I’m grateful for those nine years and how it influenced who I am today.
— Suzanne Hunn Luther ’06
This week has been a pleasure to enjoy the richness of community that enhances our lives and is part of what makes our school so unique.
We are honored to have welcomed Sacred Heart students and chaperones from Sapporo, Japan. In the actions of these Sacred Heart students, we see our values reflected. I am immensely proud of the character and inquisitive nature of our Academy students. Their warmth, kindness, and welcoming spirit was evident. The interest of our students in learning from our guests was clear and I know that we are better having spent time with our Sacred Heart friends. Their visit also demonstrates so vividly our deep connection through our shared mission and history. One of the best parts is watching our Sacred Heart identity lived through these young women. Our values are their values. In so many ways, they are so similar to our students.
Today we celebrate the Eighth Class boys basketball team, coached by Jeff Kinney ’95. A few weeks ago, they finished their season with an exciting game against All Saints and won 57-47! Their student cheering section definitely added to the great energy. In addition, it was a joy to recognize their parents during a special ceremony at half-time. What a way to end the season!
Thank you to ALL who supported the Third and Fourth Class book collection for Books for Newborns! It was an incredible success and we exceeded our goal of 1,000 with 1,562 books collected! Students promoted, collected, sorted and bagged books daily, then helped load up the vehicles yesterday. These books will fill 550 book bags for older siblings of newborns! Way to go, ASH!
Have you ever heard the phrase, “There is something special about this school”?
I heard this phrase many times from my wife, Carie Covilli ’91, prior to our kids going to the Academy but until I experienced that feeling for myself with my own children, it’s hard to explain. My wife converted me — a Borromeo Bobcat ’92 — a kid from across the street who played on the black asphalt parking lot, into a firm believer that there is something special about the Academy. Between the respectful children greeting you in the hall, the kind warm souls that are hugging their teachers as they leave class for the day, or the smile on the teachers’ faces when they see your child accomplish something they have been working so hard to do, there is something about the Academy that is sometimes hard to put into words because it is a feeling, and not an adjective.
This school teaches students how to be thoughtful, independent, and respectful, and it shows when you pass them and listen to some of their conversations in the hallways. During any event at school you see the Lower School kids getting along with the Middle School kids, and young alumni always return to give their favorite teachers those warm hugs they have become accustomed to. There is a unique bond between children at the Academy of the Sacred Heart and we want them to experience it for many more years to come!
Join us on March 22 at Third Wheel Brewing, RSVP here!
This week, Fourth Class teacher Mary Dougherty Reepmeyer ’96 shares her reflections of Lent as well as heart-felt responses from some of her students.
Every Lent challenges us to become closer to God, which means to trust Him, repent, and change. Change can be a difficult thing especially in these busy times. We get stuck in autopilot and move along each day through our usual habits. However, each year while educating my students about Lent, I continually tell them it is my favorite liturgical season of the church year. This is because it gives me an opportunity to slow down, create a plan for change, and feel closer to Jesus. I take this opportunity to set goals which help me increase my prayer life and practice making small sacrifices. I encourage them to do the same on their own Lenten journeys.
In religion class, my Fourth Class students have been rereading the Bible readings from each Sunday, watching short videos on Lent, journaling, and establishing Lenten promises. I had them reflect and write about what Lent means to them and was in awe of how much they have understood and discovered about this season over the past week. I hope these reflections inspire you during this sacred time of recommitment to recognize our presence in this world as disciples of Jesus.
Academy super student ice hockey players have wrapped up (or are finishing) their seasons! Hockey requires extensive commitment from players and their families with several practices a week, off-ice training, weekend games and tournament travel. For students to balance their school work and Academy extra-curriculars with the time it takes to practice and play is a testament to their growth in time management and organization skills.
As we enter the Lenten season, Mary Furay, Seventh and Eighth Class theology and history teacher, shares her reflections and those of her students.
Lent is the time of the year when the flowers start to bloom, and everything starts to grow along with your soul. During Lent you become closer to Jesus as you pray more, fast just like He did, and give just like He would.
— Gabby J.
February is a short, cold month filled with the sweetness of Valentine’s Day, the promise of potential snow days, the fun of Superbowl football, and the revelry of Mardi Gras.
It is also Academy exam season. For the past several weeks, Middle School students have been defending arguments for history essays, solving mathematical word problems, conjugating verbs in Spanish, and discussing literary elements. Even more impressive than that, as the students journeyed through this challenging moment in their year, they stayed organized and kept up with projects, quizzes, writing assignments, club activities, sports, and more.
To say we are proud of them would not go far enough. I am inspired by them. The Middle School students, like Rosie the Riveter encouraging those of a different generation, have made it clear: Whatever hard things life throws at us, we can do it!
Academy teachers “Love Teaching a Latte!” This week, we share some LOVE from our Academy faculty!
