Catholic Schools Week Essays \\ Libby Magones

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What St. Francis Has Made Me by Libby Magones

Hello my name is Libby and I am a student at St. Francis de Sales. I'm an 8th grader and this week is Catholic School’s Week and I wanted to talk about how special St. Francis de Sales is and what St. Francis de Sales has made me.

When we have each other, we are everything. The people atSt. Francis de Sales has made my 12 years of school everything I could have imagined. St Francis has made me the best version of myself. It has given me confidence and knowledge to share and to use. I grew in faith, I made a family, achieved excellence and soon, I'll have to move on

A Catholic School, you would expect to learn about face and of course, the Catholic religion. While at Saint Francis, only are we informed about our religion, we grow in it. Andn on the way we have grown as a family. I have practically lived with the same people since what, Pre-3?  it's been awhile. We became family. Bus rides begin to feel like a family road trip. the picture on the bus, we joke, we laugh, we even sleep sometimes. We are so comfortable with one another but I consider these people I have grown up with more than just friends. We have grown over the years because of one another. Greta Roscoe,  in particular,  who is one of my closest classmates,  helped me grow in my faith. She guided me towards Christ, she lifted me up And honestly is one of the best people I've ever met. this is what you get at Saint Francis. the most well-rounded and kind-hearted people you will ever meet. like words to my classmates was one of my teachers,Mrs. Jeske. My brother had her for homeroom in 7th grade. I was so excited to be in her class. and I'll tell you what, it did not disappoint. I learned about her,  our class made jokes with her, We were comfortable with one another. We even threw her a birthday party once. Point being, even if we aren't all in the same “friends groups”,  we all know and love each other and care for one another even if we don't know it. The connection is greater than our minds can comprehend.

 Faith and family is what takes Saint Francis the extra mile. But what all schools have is education. This school achieves excellence in that field too. We are a 2-time Blue Ribbon School! Since we are such a small school, I have had the same 8 people in my class for 6 years. We are one competitive class. But, instead of bringing us down, it lifts us up! And encourages us and it strengthens us. Now, one thing absolutely every kid is not a fan of at St. Francis is the grading scale. But this grading scale pushes us 2 be our most prepared selves.

The end of the quarter and throughout the whole quarter really, I would stress about my grades. still do. teachers like Mrs. Keller, our principal, Remind me that the exorbitant amount of pressure that I put on myself is it not worth it. These teachers truly care about their students,  every single one. 

Excellence is shown in another way. Since we are a small school, we are forced out of our comfort zone in different scenarios to meet new people. We are told to care for others that we don't know. We have service projects with Heifer International, and so much more. Students are constantly making fundraisers to help learn about others. Another extracurricular activity is the speech contest. At the moment, learning the speech, having it memorized, performing it, it can all be a bit (more than a bit) stressful. It can be dreaded. But as I head into the speech contest this year, I look back. It has helped me as a speaker, it has helped me with confidence and calmness. Even the things we don't love to do, it is all worth it. A matter of tough love. 

I'm in 8th grade, it didn't really hit me until the second quarter ended thatI have to move on. The school has made me who I am. I wouldn't be the same without it. I will leave Saint Francis. I will go into High School. it will be different. I am scared. add red leaving and being in the situation of having to make new friends. I realize that Saint Francis has prepared me for just that. I have served as a Catholic, learned as the student. I am ready, no matter how much I want to deny it, for my next step. Having somewhere to go home. Having something to love is family. Having both is a blessing. St Francis is a blessing. My happiness and memories and heart will stay at Saint Francis no matter how many miles I travel. At Carmel, there will be no Christmas Concert for each student to participate. There will be no religion class with Mrs. Nigro or office with Marion, I have to learn to take risks. It will be different. It is a pain to leave, but instead of worrying about leaving, I move into the new mindset of being glad it happened.

In a word, St. Francis has given me confidence, knowledge and people with great hearts and minds. They give me intelligence in guiding me as a Catholic and as a person. This school is so great. I wrote this essay to remind you to always keep that in mind and to appreciate where you are. Don’t waste your time at St. Francis, don't complain about school, live it up, because I realize now that it is the best thing that ever happened to me. 

Catholic Schools Week Essays \\ Lauren Laning

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Strength for the Journey by Lauren Laning

Before I switched to St Francis de Sales School, I had no idea what to expect. I didn't know what the teachers would be like, or if I would get lost in the school. I was mostly worried about the people I'd be with for the rest of the school year, even in high school. I asked myself “what if they judge me?” or “ what if they don't talk to me?”  But on the first day of school, I was proved wrong. I found out Saint Francis has an amazing community, they do wonderful service projects, and push their students to excel.

One of the most important things at St Francis de Sales School is the community. I would not be in the spot I am today without the people around me and encouraging and supporting me along my way.  My volleyball team is an amazing example of this. I was new this year, and  I also tried a new sport, which was volleyball.  My team always knows how to include me in games and practices even when I wasn't having the best day, or when I wasn't playing the best. Because of our amazing team work, we were able to win Conference Champions. Not only am I constantly improving with the help of others around me, but I also encourage others, like my second-grade buddy, Eva. I encourage her and even she encourages me to do better. I also love to work together with my classmates. Working with others around me helps me have a better understanding of their point of view, which I always enjoy learning about.

St Francis de Sales School also does an incredible job at encouraging students to participate and doing service projects. My Religion teacher, Mrs. Nigro, recently arranged a service project where we could help raise money for Heifer International, a nonprofit organization that gives farm animals to families and people in poverty. Also, every student has a chance to participate in School Mass, whether it's reading the petitions or participating in the choir. Another form of  service is NJHS. We have fundraisers like a School Supply Drive, Toy Drives, etc.

Ever since I switched to St Francis de Sales School, I've noticed that I've been putting more time and effort into the school work. My teachers are constantly supporting me and giving me advice to make my products better. I feel like I can ask any question without feeling judged or overwhelmed. But teachers also have a very high expectation which pushes me to do my best. Also, whatever class, we learn about God, and every student at St Francis de Sales School takes a Religion Class. so St Francis de Sales School not only pushes me to do my best but also helps me grow my faith and also makes me a better person.

St Francis de Sales School has honestly become like home for me, and I have never felt so welcomed by the people around me at a new school. My teacher's really pushed me to be a better person everyday. I couldn't have asked for a better school. If I had never switched schools I would not be at the level of success I am today.

Catholic Schools Week Essays \\ Olympia Pissios

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Written by Olympia Pissios

St Francis de Sales  once  said, “ Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections.”  St Francis has taught me so many things like how to love myself and others. My St Francis experience has been amazing, I've been taught how to use my face, come together as a community, and excellence.

Community means a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals. St Francis is very familiar with the word community, as we practice it everyday.  For example, during covid in the tough times we still gathered every Wednesday for online Mass. We also had Second Grade Buddies that we help throughout the year and get to know.  In my personal experience throughout the years I have formed a community with volleyball and basketball teammates. I have gotten to know my best friends here at St Francis.  We don't just practice community, we also help serve others. Things I do to show my services are being in NJHS and president of the student council, I have learned so much from Mr. Walker, Mrs. Guduto, Mrs. Salt, Mrs. Sprinkle. The school also comes together and holds fundraisers and drives. For example, the toy drive that gives toys to people who don't have as much as us, food drive where we can food donations to different organizations, Glove and Supply Drive where we donate gloves for the winter and supplies to other schools that need it, Heifer Intl Services project to help people be free from hunger and poverty, and so much more.

Another factor that makes St Francis very special and unique is that I can talk about my faith in every class. It doesn't matter if I'm in language arts or history class, I am able to make connections with my faith whenever and wherever.  I can also talk to my classmates about my faith and how strongly I believe in it. I don't have to hide my face or be ashamed about it because St Francis has made a safe place to talk about how I feel and to spread the good news. St Francis also has prayer services and we pray together in the morning which also makes my day better knowing that I have prayed with my classmates in the school. 

St Francis does not only help us with community and our face, it also helps us academically.  I have never been so confident of my grades because of how my teachers have prepared me for every test, homework, and even lessons I'll be seeing in the future. The grading scale might be challenging and hard to achieve at times, but I feel very prepared for high school and what is yet to come knowing I've gone through school getting good grades at a hard grade Level. St Francis has also won 2 Blue Ribbon Awards. This shows the teachers help us academically and push us to try to to be our best!

St Francis has played a really big role in my life. I have learned so much about community, service, faith, and excellence. I feel very prepared for the upcoming years in high school. I wonder what my life would be like if I never attended St Francis de Sales School.