Bishop school attendees recognized for achievement
By Erick Rommel
Head Staff Writer
At a time when most of their peers are just beginning their research on the Catholic high schools of the diocese, 120 of this year’s eighth graders are ahead of the learning curve as a result of their participation in the diocese’s first-ever Bishop’s School program.
The school, which was conducted June 21-25, provided instruction and hands-on learning in four different disciplines staged in four high schools around the diocese. For their efforts, participants were honored during an awards program held in St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway, Aug. 25.
To participate in the Bishop’s School, students had to be enrolled in a Catholic school, be in seventh grade, have a history of academic excellence in the content areas relevant to their application and demonstrate significant interest in their area of choice.
“They were wonderful when you consider it was a week after school stopped,” remembered Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Mary Ann Besitka, a science teacher from Immaculata High School, Somerville.
Immaculata High School hosted students interested in science. The other three areas of excellence were theater, Bishop Ahr High School, Edison; literature, Mount St. Mary Academy, Watchung, and technology, St. Peter High School, New Brunswick.
As part of the literature program, students created a book that reflected their identity, the theme for the program.
“The week taught how to find your true self and how you can learn a lot about yourself if you read,” said Keith Levinsky of St. Elizabeth School, Bernardsville. His book showed “that I feel strongly about my family and I like soccer a lot and I’m for [President Bush].”
“These are books using words and images to describe ourselves,” said Bridget McManus of St. Francis Cathedral School, Metuchen. “This shows I love music and movies and animals. I want people to vote no matter who they choose.”
“We were all nervous, but excited,” said Andrea Herdman, Sacred Heart School, South Amboy, about a different type of expression; performing in the theater program. “I made a lot of new friends. We learned dance and different songs and how to build things in set construction.”
“I learned about physics, which I never knew before,” said Victoria McCarthy, a student at St. Cecelia School, Iselin. She thinks the experience will help her when she goes to high school.
“He never knew how to do this, now he does,” declared Margaret Emenike, whose son, Michael, participated in the technology program and attends Our Lady of Lourdes School, Milltown. “It exposed him {to new concepts}and gave him guidance. When he had free time he spent it on the computer doing something productive.”
Michael’s group learned to design websites and create Power Point presentations.“I showed pictures and gave a description of 10 cars. My favorite is the Ferrari Enzo,” Michael said.
“Kids are familiar with the Internet and e-mail, but this teaches them how to use the other software on their computers at home that they never use,” explained Dax Tartar, computer technology teacher at St. Peter High School. “It shows a bit of what happens in high school and gets them into a mindset of possibly choosing a field to interest them in the future.”
Jennifer Frederick, St. Peter Elementary School, New Brunswick, also attended the technology program. Her Power Point presentation explained the movie Pirates of the Caribbean. “I didn’t know any of this before.”
“I think it’s great,” her mother Ellen said, adding “I hope they have it every year. It’s really great and it brings kids together.”
The decision regarding next year hasn’t been made however.“Next year depends on funding,” Dr. Nancy Gilroy, assistant superintendent, said. “This year, the money came from the high schools that were involved.”
To raise the $12,000 needed for the Bishop’s School program, approximately $3,000 per high school site, the diocesan Office of Schools is hoping to find outside funding. “If anyone knows or works with a group that can help,” Dr. Thomas E. Hart, superintendent, joked when speaking to the parents, “we’d love to hear from you.”
While funding remains unsettled,
diocesan officials had no
doubts that the program was already
blessed beyond measure. Msgr.
Michael J. Corona, executive director,
diocesan Department of Education, delivered
a message of appreciation, saying, “I
thank God for all the gifts he gave us – the
students, the teachers and especially the parents.
Parents are special to us. The giving of
your time makes Catholic education
possible.”
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law