At Saint Joachim, students are encouraged to challenge themselves both academically and spiritually. Faculty and staff strive to help students develop as critical thinkers, life-long learners and globally aware citizens that live out the Gospel in their daily lives. This is particularly exemplified in Saint Joachim’s seventh and eighth-grade students who are not only challenging their expectations of themselves, but who are also reaching out to those in need within their very community.
Currently, the junior high has embarked on a mission to serve its community. As a part of its annual service project, both grades have come together to make blankets for the Saint Vincent de Paul outreach ministry. For the next few weeks students will craft blankets to bring comfort and warmth for individuals and families. With these handmade blankets, as well as hand-written prayers, Saint Joachim students are endeavoring to not only improve the lives of those around them, but also bring the message of the Gospel to life.
As the seventh- and eighth-grade students strive to answer God’s call to service, they are also being called to embrace challenges in their own lives and broaden their own expectations of themselves. With the start of a new year, comes the opportunity for reflection, as well as refocusing, and recently the students have both seized upon such a chance for meditation. The students have set their sights on a bright new year and are determined to make 2018 an unforgettable one. Each student has outlined academic goals for themselves that reaffirm their commitment to their educational careers. Expressed in reflective essays as well as meditative mandalas, the students have established many admirable goals for themselves. Specifically, these students have committed themselves to being more responsible and organized, both on and off campus. Moreover, the students have expressed resolutions within their papers to take more initiative and improve their collaboration skills. Without a doubt, both grades have reaffirmed their commitment to their education, community and faith alike.