Last week, Saint Joseph Academy competed at Academic WorldQuest™, a flagship World Affairs Councils of America program founded in 2003. The event is a fun, friendly and powerful way for high school students to learn while being tested on their knowledge of international affairs. During the game, four-person teams compete in over 10 rounds, by answering questions divided into unique and engaging thematic categories. One of the Academy's teams placed third place in the competition!

In celebration of Women’s History Month and Catholic Sisters Week, Saint Joseph Academy was pleased to welcome Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ for a webinar event on Wednesday. Anna Khuri '23, Theresa (Tacy) Kratt '23 and Mary Lepore '22 participated in the webinar and other students, faculty and staff were able to take part through their classroom SmartBoards and computers. In an intimate and informal conversation, students asked Sister Helen questions about what led her to pursue her life’s work as a Sister of the Congregation of St. Joseph and what sustains her and gives her hope.

Last week, 35 Juniors and 14 Seniors participated in Kairos XLVIII at the St. Leonard's Youth Retreat Center. Kairos retreats are designed to help students deepen their personal relationship with God during three days of discernment and discovery. Through a variety of activities, including small group discussions, journaling and participation in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Kairos participants are encouraged to reflect on the many ways they experience God's love in their lives.

Rachel Garlock '24, Lizzy Krotine '24, Hannah Schmidt '24 and Maddie Roth '23 attended the Ignatian Solidarity Network's Arrupe Central Leadership Summit at the Jesuit Retreat Center this past weekend. The summit brought together students from around the country to deepen their understanding of “a faith that does justice” and share ideas and resources for social justice programming.

We are so grateful our students had this opportunity to be inspired to create positive social change as compassionate leaders in their local and global communities!

Please join us for a musical production of Cinderella (Enchanted Edition) on the weekends of April 1 or April 8. This timeless fairytale has captured the hearts of generations, and this production is suitable for all ages.

The performances will be held in the Auditorium. Tickets for this special production are limited, available online only and will not be available for purchase at the door. Purchase tickets here.

Congratulations to Emma Welch ’23 who was selected as a finalist for the 39th Annual English Speaking Union’s Regional Shakespeare Competition! Emma earned sixth place for her performance, which included a monologue from King Lear and a recitation of Sonnet 116.

Since the competition was held virtually this year, students were asked to create a video of their performance for East Stroudsburg University’s panel of judges. Emma’s dedication to analyzing her selected texts and commitment to rehearsing her performance certainly earned her this outstanding achievement.

Looking for a job change or know someone who is? The Academy has several open positions. Working in an environment focused on the empowerment of young women has many benefits. Employees are offered medical benefits, a 403(b) plan, internal and external professional development opportunities, are eligible to receive both tuition assistance and an annual Academy tuition discount up to 75% for their daughters. Click here to learn more.

During the 2022-2023 academic year, the Academy community will be exploring the quality of “Personal Integrity,” one of the attributes outlined in The Character of Saint Joseph Academy Graduate.

Accomplishments: Hannah was one of four students representing Saint Joseph Academy at the Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN) Arrupe Leadership Summit at the Jesuit Retreat Center last weekend. The annual Summit invites emerging student leaders from high schools nationwide to deepen their understanding of “a faith that does justice,” share ideas and resources, and feel empowered to effect positive change in their own communities. This year’s summit brought together students from Denver, Milwaukee, Chicago, Jersey City and Rochester, as well as Cleveland. “What made the summit such an amazing experience was getting to meet and interact with students my own age who were committed to social justice,“ Hannah said. “I came away from the summit with a renewed sense of hope in my generation’s ability to create change and a drive to start putting those ideas into action here at the Academy.”

As a member of Saint Joseph Academy’s Global Scholars Program, Hannah also recently participated in a virtual border immersion trip. “During our three-day virtual immersion with BorderLinks along the US/Mexico Border, I was able to learn about the policies and processes that migrants are faced with,” she explained. “Through research, simulations, and listening to the stories of migrants themselves…I was able to see how complicated and flawed our immigration system really is.” Overall, she said, “this experience was extremely enlightening, and I would encourage other students to take advantage of it in the future.” As a result of her experience, Hannah is excited to begin volunteering at Cleveland’s Hope Center for Immigrants and Refugees.

Activities: In addition to the Global Scholars Program, Hannah is involved in CORE Student Ministry, SJA Girl Up, Students Demand Action, Academy Inclusion, Voices for Change, and Spanish and Italian Clubs. She also tutors at Douglas MacArthur Academy once a week.

The Indoor State Qualifiers competed in the Indoor Track State Meet this past Friday. In the weight throw, Maggie Maline '22 threw 33-10 for a PR and finished 17th overall. Mariel Drost '23 threw two great throws that would have put her on the podium but unfortunately, she fouled on them. The 4 x 800m quartet of Carlee Blankenship '22, Erin Hyland '23, Bridget Mullen '25 and Anna Duesenberg '22 finished 3 out of 16 in their heat and 15th in the state with a PR time of 10:02. Rounding out the meet, the 4 x 400m, the quartet of Clare Jordan '22, Hyland, Blankenship and Duesenberg finished 3rd in their heat and 21st overall in the state with a PR of 4:21.05. Great season, ladies!

Article Written By: Head Coach Mr. Steve Stahl, edited by Mrs. Kathy Flinn

Lauren Weisenseel ’23 marks the first Saint Joseph Academy gymnast to compete in the OHSAA Division 1 State Gymnastics Tournament. Lauren advanced to the state meet following the most difficult district meet in Ohio, qualifying in both the vault and all-around competitions. The individual state meet was held last Saturday in Columbus.

Article Written By: Head Coach Mrs. Darcy Ranallo, edited by Mrs. Kathy Flinn

This past Saturday, the Varsity basketball team took the floor in the Regional Final (Elite Eight) against Massillon Jackson High School, having beaten perennial powerhouse and #2-ranked, Archbishop Hoban High School, just two days prior. The stands were packed for both teams, and it was evident the two teams were evenly matched. After a hard battle, the Jaguars were defeated by the Polar Bears. The basketball team had a great season, and we are so proud of them!

Written by: Head Coach Mrs. Karen Swanson Haan, edited by Mrs. Kathy Flinn