...I gained from my time here were faith and conviction. I will never fully be able to thank the marvelous grade school – and even more importantly, the marvelous teachers I had – for giving me my foundation of faith. In the span of my Catholic education, I gained not only a strong, uplifting faith in God, but a faith in myself that allowed me to, as Henry David Thoreau said, “walk confidently in the direction of my dreams.”

            Only now do I realize how difficult it is to teach a child about something as awesome and indescribable as God. How do you convey God’s omniscience, unconditional love, and ever-presence to children who simply want to go play on the pyramid of tires on the blacktop outside? My teachers, reflecting on Christ’s endless patience and understanding, gave me the backbone of my Catholic identity by teaching me about all the stories, the people, and the events that formed our tradition of faith. I heard perspectives from all different viewpoints; from the assistant pastors who captivated my classmates and me in our religion classes to the Holocaust survivor who made me realize my God was the God of all people. I was provided with all the tools I needed to embark on a spiritual journey to experience God for myself. As I grew a bit older, my teachers challenged me to think independently and to evaluate the beliefs I was beginning to form. Thanks to them, I formed a moral compass that has helped me remember that I’m walking the path God has always intended for me to follow.

            I’m a senior, preparing to head off for college next year, and I can tell you I have absolutely no idea where I will end up. But you know what? It doesn’t even matter. Thanks to my tremendous Catholic schooling, I know I’ll be able to succeed in any environment, and to grow holistically in mind, body, and spirit. And that peace of mind gives me greater happiness than any spelling bee trophy ever did.