Welcome to the September issue of On the Hill, Mary Help of Christians Academy monthly e-newsletter. On the Hill offers an inside view of life at Mary Help and all the other remarkable things that happen on campus each and every day. Read on to see for yourself the difference a Mary Help education makes...
Dear MHC Academy Family,

Finally, we can begin to see one another face to face. What a blessing! I saw so many of you at the Family Picnic, just rejoicing in being able to be present to one another and see one another. A special word of thanks to the PTG Executive Board, who so ably worked together to make the event a success.

This year, we have so much going on at Mary Help of Christians about which to brag! First of all, just over 30 seniors received over 15 million in MERIT scholarships...15 million! That's almost half a million each! What other school has stats like that? If you are a Junior or Senior, rejoice with your parents. If you work hard in school, you will certainly be the recipient of some scholarship money. If you are a Freshman or Sophomore, rest easy that you have chosen your high school well, and the rewards will literally "pay off" in a few years...after a lot of hard work!

This year, we have, in addition to the chapel construction, some other work we are beginning to do to make our grounds beautiful. Sr. Fran and Mr. Louie Alvarez have been working on the new look for the columns and the gate at the entrance. There are dreams of new bleachers in the gym, broadening our focus on sports and our sports programs, and talk of even a new "Mac bar" in the library. There are dreams being born today at Mary Help, and many times, these dreams come from the MHC Academy family. If you have an idea or a plan, share it, so we can all benefit!

As we begin the new school year, I wish you all the best and promise that I will do my utmost to remain always at your service. We have begun well, and as the old saying reminds us, we are well along the way!

I'm grateful for all the new friends I've made and for all that the future holds for us, here, under Our Lady's protective mantle.

Sincerely,
COMMENDED STUDENTS - 2022 NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

We are pleased to announce that Hai-Yan Koenig and Maya Watters have been named Commended Students in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program. About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2022 competition by taking the 2020 PSAT/NMSQT. "Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success," commented a spokesperson for NMSC. "These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation."

COLLEGE BOARD NATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN RECOGNITION PROGRAM: DESIGNATED SCHOLARS

We are pleased to announce that Tiffany Tondreau has been designated as a College Board National African American Recognition Program Scholar based on her remarkable academic achievement and outstanding performance on the PSAT and/or Advanced Placement examinations. Students selected for this prestigious honor are to be commended for their dedication and pursuit of academic excellence. All recognized scholars demonstrate outstanding promise and potential for academic success.
On Saturday, September 18th, MHC Academy hosted an Alumnae and Family Picnic on the lower field of campus. Parent volunteers set up games ranging from corn hole to tug of war to a toilet paper toss. There was also a very busy dunk tank where Sr. Kelly and Ms. Church volunteered to get dunked by their students. The PTG also hosted a breakfast for all the staff and faculty of the Academy later in the week. Thank you to all who helped make these events possible for our school community!
A student tries to dunk Sr. Kelly.
Parents came out in full force.
Mrs. Kirt brought her girls!
FRESHMEN RETREAT
Ms. Church, Sr. Kelly and the peer ministry team hold a retreat for the freshmen class that included witness talks, games and small group sharing.
Games on the lower field.
Several seniors gave witness talks.
FIRST SCHOOL MASS AND INDUCTION CEREMONY
On September 23, MHC Academy celebrated its first school mass. Prior to the mass, the freshmen class received candles from the senior class - signifying the passing of light from the outgoing class to the incoming.
Seniors with their candles.
The passing of the candle.
First mass of the year.
SALESIAN INTERNATIONAL YOUTH SUMMIT
Sr. Kelly, Mr. Church and several Mary Helpers participated in an international online youth summit that brought together young people from Salesian works in the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, South Africa and Zambia. What a great experience of our worldwide Salesian Family!
The Student Council hosted their first event of the year - the Bonfire!
Roasting marshmallows for s'mores!
We have new club offerings for our student body here at Mary Help of Christians Academy this year! Students participate in their clubs on Wednesdays during two Advisory periods incorporated into the day. Take a look at all we have to offer!
  • 20th Century Culture
  • Book Club
  • Choir Club
  • Cookie Club
  • Environmental Club
  • Fall Ball/Batter's Box 
  • World Language Club
  • Forensics Club
  • Gardening Club
  • Badminton Club
  • JOY (Joining Old & Young) 
  • Linguistics Club
  • Newspaper Club
  • Next Generation Social Justice Council
  • National Honor Society (by nomination)
  • Pro-Life Club
  • Social Media Club
  • SAT Prep Club 
  • Sign Language Club
  • Ski Club
  • Sports Council
  • Student Council (by nomination)
  • Calligraphy Club
  • Crochet Club
  • Flash Card Club
  • U got Brains
  • Financial Literacy/Stock Market Club
  • Guitar Club
FALL OPEN HOUSES
Join us for one of our Fall Open House Dates. The next in-person day will be:
  • Sunday, October 24th. You must Pre-register for a 12, 12:45, or 1:30pm time slot.

Our virtual Open House will take place on:
  • Tuesday, November 16th at 7pm
As October approaches our Fall Sports are well underway! 

SOCCER
Our Varsity Soccer Team is currently undefeated with a 4-0-2 record. The Blue Jays have victories over American Christian, Garfield High School, Eastern Christian High School, as well as two ties with Elmwood Park High School (OT) and Hawthorne Christian Academy. 

The Varsity Soccer team has two big games this week, Monday 9/27 vs Trinity Christian and Wednesday 9/29 vs Manchester Regional. Both are Home games played at the North Haledon Rec. Field. Come out and support your Blue Jays as they work hard to keep their undefeated season going! 

Our soccer team is also honored to have received a very generous $2,000 donation in memory of Brian Baker (brother-in-law to Sr. Susan Bagli). 

Soccer is hosting a CAR WASH FUNDRAISER on Saturday, October 9th, from 11am-1pm. Tickets are $10. Come out and support our Soccer Team! 
VOLLEYBALL 
Our Varsity Volleyball Team started the season with 3 victories in a row, defeating Manchester, Pal Park and Eastern Christian. Their current record is 3-2 with three big games coming up this week, Monday 9/27 @ Hawthorne Christian Academy, Wednesday 9/29 @ Waldwick HS and Thursday 9/30 Home vs Paterson Arts. 

Volleyball is having a Dig Pink fundraiser! T-shirts will be on sale for $20. Make sure to pre-order your t-shirt, then come out and support our volleyball teams by attending our “Dig Pink” Home Game on Friday October 22nd. 

Please reach out to a volleyball player or Athletic Director for the google order form. 

CHEER
Our Varsity Cheerleading Squad opened their season at Don Bosco Prep’s Varsity Football Kickoff on Saturday, September 4th vs Iona Prep. Our girls cheered the Ironmen onto victory, defeating Iona 21-7. The squad of 19 is made up of 10 returning cheerleaders and 9 first year cheerleaders. 
Cheering at the Bosco vs. Bergen game.
Some of our cheerleaders.
SENIOR NIGHT GAMES
  • Varsity Tennis - Thursday October 7th 4pm, Franklin Lakes Tennis Courts 
  • Varsity Cheer - Friday October 15th 7pm, Don Bosco Prep
  • Varsity Soccer - Monday October 25th at 4pm, North Haledon Rec Field
  • Varsity Volleyball - Wednesday October 27th at 4pm, MHC Gymnasium

WINTER SPORTS TRYOUTS 
  • Swim, Dance, Bowling - Monday November 8th 
  • Basketball - Monday November 22nd 
ECOLOGY SERVICE DAYS IN OCTOBER
MHC Academy cares about our common home and our school! We will be having two Ecology Service Days in October.

  • Friday, October 8: 3 - 7 pm
  • Friday, October 15: 3 - 7 pm


OKTOBERFEST
Join us for our Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 16th at 4:00 pm. $75 per person includes Dinner/Dessert/Drinks. A night of good food, music, raffles and fun! Sign up here.
MHC Academy
659 Belmont Avenue
North Haledon, NJ 07508
P. 973.850-7467
F. 973.790.6125