Saint James Catholic School (SJS) hosted nearly 100 business and community leaders this week at its second Community Breakfast. The event, held in celebration of Catholic Schools Week, included a program filled with fun, food and fellowship.
“As we celebrate Catholic education this week, it’s important to welcome leaders from around the region,” said SJS Principal Sr. Marie Hannah. “This event allows us to showcase our wonderful students and the value SJS adds to the community of which we are a part.”
Guests were joined at their tables by SJS eighth graders and treated to a special activity.
“It’s a conversation starter,” said Sr. Marie Hannah. “We provided questions for visitors to ask our students so they can gain a better understanding of why SJS is so special.”
The program also included a performance from the school’s percussion and choir ensembles, a STEM demonstration, and brief remarks from SJS eighth grader Abby Clarkson, who earned a 2019 Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship. She was selected as one of 60 recipients nationwide from 2,300 applicants. The scholarship, provided by the Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Program, is a selective, five-year, pre-college scholarship for high-performing middle school students.
“SJS gave me the tools I needed to succeed,” she said. “I couldn’t have achieved what I have without their assistance.”
Guest speaker and SJS parent Dr. Ashley Kerekes, physician, HMH Medical Group Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, cited the quality education and family atmosphere as reasons she, as a non-Catholic, chose to send her children to SJS.
“I believe in this place,” she said. “I’ll never forget coming here for the first time and taking a tour from the amazing students. It’s a very nurturing environment.”
SJS Director of Advancement Jennifer Moran also thanked the guests for coming and shared that the school was St. James Catholic Church’s largest ministry.
“We are so grateful for the parish’s decades-long investment in this institution,” said Moran. “The generosity of parishioners and community donors are instrumental to our success.”
Catholic Schools Week runs through Feb. 1. The nationwide, annual celebration promotes events dedicated to community, vocations, service and families among others, and recognizes the importance, value and contributions of Catholic education to the community and beyond.
SJS follows the weeklong festivities with a special tour week. From Feb. 3 – 7, families with school-age children and those entering pre-school are invited to tour SJS as they consider their children’s education for the 2020 – 2021 school year. For more information or to schedule a tour, contact Jennifer Moran at 270-765-7011, ext. 247 or jmoran@stjames-etown.org.
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