Members of the National Art Honor Society (NAHS) hosted the return of an in-person Empty Bowls fundraising event, with a twist. Saint Joseph Academy Art students sold hand-painted ceramic bowls for a $10 donation. In years past, purchasers had the opportunity to fill their bowls with soup. This year, bowls could be filled with delicious ice cream sundaes.

On Tuesday, members of Saint Joseph Academy’s Orchestra, Concert Band and Jazz Band showcased their talents at the Spring Backyard Instrumental Concert. Guests enjoyed a beautiful spring evening on our back campus.

Bravo to these musicians on their beautiful performance. Click here for more photos.

During this week’s Spring Writers’ Showcase, members of the Creative Writing Club had the opportunity to read their written works in front of the Saint Joseph Academy community. The showcase series was developed by the club's leadership team, Seniors Peyton Bender, Mary Lepore, Alyssa Rosas and Miriam Saab. The showcase launched this year to give student writers an opportunity to present their works in person and included a Fall Writers' Showcase in November 2021.

Last Friday, 29 students visited the Polish-American Cultural Center to deepen their knowledge and understanding of Polish history and culture.

Gary Kotlarsic, Director of the Polish American Cultural Center, discussed the history of the Polish community in Cleveland, as well as the situation Poles experienced during World War I and World War II. Students also watched a video of Mrs. Halina Zwinogrodzka Junak recounting her experience fighting the Nazi's during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944.

The Class of 2022 will make their ceremonial “Walk of the Roses” on Tuesday, May 31. Each Senior will carry a beautiful bouquet of red roses up Rocky River Drive from Our Lady of Angels Church to Saint Joseph Academy where their commencement ceremony will take place.

Your gift of $60 sponsors a Senior’s bouquet of roses and allows you to send a dedicated message to a specific member of the Class of 2022 or a general note of encouragement.

To donate to the “Walk of the Roses” click here. If you prefer to mail your donation, please do so prior to Monday, May 23. Envelopes should be addressed to the attention of the Advancement Department, 3470 Rocky River Drive, Cleveland, OH 44111, with the notation “Roses.”

Be sure to mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 31, 6:20 p.m. to join us along Rocky River Drive as the Class of 2022 processes as part of this beloved tradition.

After the Seniors have completed their exams, they still need their parking spots to be able to return to campus for their end-of-year events. Thank you in advance for your cooperation by not parking in those parking spaces.

Accomplishments: Morgan was named a National Merit Finalist as part of the National Merit Scholarship Program, which recognizes and honors academically talented students in the United States. High school students compete yearly and nationally with students who took the PSAT/NMSQT®, the initial screen for National Merit Semifinalists. The pool of finalists represents less than one percent of high school seniors across the country.

“The things that I have enjoyed the most while at Saint Joseph Academy are the people and relationships you form during your time here,” she said. “You don’t realize just how incredible our community is until you’re graduating and somehow have to find a way to say goodbye to the place that has become home. The friends, teammates and teachers that I have had while at SJA are what have made every moment of my high school experience so meaningful. I have learned and grown so much through every person I have met and I truly feel so blessed to be a part of this community.”

“My favorite subject is undoubtedly math; I have always loved it and had a knack for it, even in grade school,” Morgan said. “I love that you have to problem-solve to get to the right answer and figure things out for yourself.” She will continue to pursue her love of math as she heads to The Ohio State University next fall, studying either Mathematics or statistics.

Activities: Morgan is a member of the Math Club and is a member of the leadership team. She is also a member of the National Honor Society, is an Academy Ambassador and has been a peer tutor for three years. In addition to clubs, Morgan is a member of the Cross Country team and was a captain in the 2021 season; and she was a member of the indoor and outdoor track teams, as well. Outside the Academy, Morgan is a parishioner at Saint Bernadette and has run a half marathon.

On Tuesday, the strong team effort resulted in a victory against the Mentor Cardinals in the first round of the playoffs at Victory Park. The attack was led by Grace Mattimore ’22 who had 7 goals and 6 assists on the evening. Sarah Scott ’23 had 14 draw controls and 6 goals and 1 assist. Allie Carson ’22 had 3 goals and 1 assist. Macy Roddy ’22 had 2 goals and 3 assists. Gianna Capuano ’22 had 2 assists. Kenzie Koeth ’23 and Ellen Martin ’23 each had 2 goals for the Jaguars.

Article Written By Head Lacrosse Coach: Laureen Antall; edited by Kathy Flinn

The theme all year for the Jaguar Track & Field team has been to keep striving to get better as the season progresses. During the last 2 meets these athletes did just that!

The Magnificat Blue Streaks dual resulted in Anna Duesenberg ’22 taking first place in the 800m and Keira Legnehan ’24 finishing in 3rd place with a PR. Carlee Blankenship ’22 placed first in the 1600m followed closely by Emma Hvizdos ’22 with a season PR. In addition, Grace Rowell ’24 won the 3200m with Erin Hvizdos ’24 placing 3rd. In the Pole Vault, Missy Maline ’24 soared to 2nd place and Cailynn Cho ’24 placed 2nd in the shotput.

Article Written by Head Track & Field Coach: Steve Stahl; edited by Kathy Flinn