News Post

St. Joseph’s Academy recognized students in each grade level for exceeding the requirement for service during the 2018-2019 academic year. Following the May 1 service awards program, SJA held its traditional May Crowning ceremony. The dual assembly took place in the Academy Student Center. 

More than 600 students went above and beyond the call to serve, topping the requirement of 50 or more hours. 

“Our charism theme this year, Leadership: Weave One Heart, has guided our service endeavors to the dear neighbor,” said Sister Chris Pologa, CSJ, the Academy’s pastoral care minister and service coordinator. “Essential to community building is learning to weave a unity of oneness from many divergent threads. When we are of one heart, we value and respect each person’s unique dignity and celebrate the richness of our global family.”

Senior class President Ella Barhorst and senior theology teacher Sister Joan Manuel, assisted by theology teachers and Campus Minister Alise Alexander, called forth the 144 seniors with more than 50 hours of service this year.

Seniors who have dedicated 50 or more hours to service during each of their four years at SJA will be recognized at the 2019 Honors Convocation on May 17.

Junior class President Claire Marie Tate and junior theology teacher Kayla Moscona, with assistance from theology teachers and the campus minister, introduced the 139 juniors with more than 50 service hours this academic year. 

Sophomore class President Tiffany Tran and sophomore theology teacher Jade Spears, along with theology teachers and the campus minister, recognized the 141 sophomores with more than 50 hours of service this year. 

Freshman class President Caroline Ruth and freshman theology teacher Timothy LaBauve, assisted by theology teachers and the campus minister, called forth the 153 freshmen with more than 50 service hours this year. 

Student Ambassador co-moderators Stacy Rennhoff, Catherine Durnin, Meredith Smith and Kristian Vukojevic, along with club President Kate Callicott and Vice President Sydney Clebert, thanked the Ambassadors for their dedication and service to SJA. During 2018-2019, Ambassadors worked more than 300 hours at events during the school year and the summer. 

Jill Abadie, Stacia Andricain and Lisa Knotts recognized the senior peer consultants who work in SJA’s Writing Center for their work in helping students improve and develop as writers.

Krysia Duplessis honored the student technicians who work in SJA’s Help Desk. These students work on SJA’s tablet computers after school and during holidays, and they donate their time to mission trips and service initiatives. 

Following a performance by SJA’s Praise & Worship Band and liturgical dancers, senior Derquisia Spears crowned Mary. She was chosen for this honor by her classmates, the faculty and staff. Spears was assisted by seniors Kate Michel, Lacy Wendall, Julianna Hill, Olivia Clark, Addison Bruce, Catherine Contini, Leanne Livingston, Trystan Tate and Katherine McCullen.   

SJA Principal Stacia Andricain explained that the 10 seniors participating in the ceremony were chosen because they demonstrate honesty, integrity, a strong moral character, a genuine responsiveness to the needs of the dear neighbor and a commitment to their Catholic faith. 

McCullen explained that the month of May has traditionally been dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom she described as a young Jewish woman who responded so completely to God. “In many ways, Mary was like you and me, but what made her exceptional was her openness to God and to His Spirit leading her life,” she said. “Perhaps it was for this reason she was chosen to be the mother of Jesus.”

Tate led the gathering in prayer, while Livingston, Contini and Bruce reflected on Mary as she is portrayed in the Gospels. Clark offered a prayer, and Hill read from the Reed of God by Caryll Houselander. Wendall offered a prayer, then Spears crowned Mary. Michel closed the ceremony with a reading from Sister Elizabeth Johnson’s book, Truly Our Sister: A Theology of Mary in the Communion of Saints.

Senior Maggie Blouin led the singing of the alma mater.

Members of the Liturgy Choir, under the direction of Amie Cronan, lent their musical gifts to the ceremony. Martha O’Hara was the pianist. Hugo Andricain and Julia Welsh played the guitar. 
 

Mindy Brodhead Averitt
Communications Director

Photos by Jennifer M. Fontaine