Lend A Shoulder Day provided an opportunity for students, teachers and administrators to roll-up their sleeves and prepare to put their best foot forward. Benefactors, though, focused not on physical feats, but the intellectual creativity and authenticity of faith shown by students.
Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana officials coordinated with the school families at St. John the Baptist in Whiting and Marquette Catholic High School in Michigan City on Nov. 20 to highlight academic excellence, enrollment increases and facilities enhancements.
Some guests sang the praises of creativity in the classroom.
“Actually, this is a little bit overwhelming,” said Christian Hanna, who was a visitor along with her husband William “Bill” Hanna, director of the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation. “The thing that stands out to me was when we were in the library, how dynamic the English language arts teacher’s lessons were … She (has) created a learning environment where they are taking what they are reading and seeing how it relates to history.”
The teacher Hanna was referring to is Maureen Progar, who showed how many lessons could be made real by memorable excursions, such as a field trip to the Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie, Ill.
On more light-hearted matters, the instructor asked guests to contribute by completing stanzas written by students during a stream-of-thought poetry writing session.
“ELA can be a hard class for students to grasp; you either like it or you hate it,” Progar said. “We turn our (selected) books into some kind of project, trying to understand that they could learn a life skill.”
Local business leaders, area school administrators and philanthropic-minded Region residents gathered in the Founders Room for a continental breakfast and were welcomed by SJB principal Michelle Wacnik.
“What you will see are genuine, meaningful relationships among students, staff and families,” said Ondas. “Relationships are the foundation of a successful school.”
Eighth-grader Drago Martinez was one of the students who spoke about their personal experiences at SJB. He often looked up from his notes with a beaming smile.
Similarly, eighth grader Sofia Weiss was asked by her principal to be a guest chaperon. Assisted by classmate Paul Gard, son of fifth-grade teacher Tim Gard, they guided visitors throughout the three-level school.
“Catholic school has helped me a lot. I’m going to go to Catholic high school,” said Weiss, who is in her eleventh year at SJB, having started in pre-K3.
Dan Kozlowski, executive director for Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana, said the school showcase is “our favourite event,” and highlights the outstanding contributions of students and faculty.
“We expect these types of students to be at our schools – students who are hungry, driven, and want that next level,” Kozlowski said.
Big Shoulders Fund is in the midst of providing diocesan schools with a historic $150 million gift from the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation as a 10-year financial commitment to support accelerated academic achievement, enrollment growth and provide resources for educators. Their beneficence helps more than 6,000 students who are enrolled in 20 diocesan schools.
Joshua Hale, president and chief executive officer of Big Shoulders Fund, said ongoing engagement events are part of the organization’s strategy to bring more parties in “to nurture relationships and hopefully find more ways to build programming and investments.”
“We’re very hopeful … we see our commitment being one part of the Region’s movement. (We ask) how do we help ensure more children have access to a quality, values-based education?” he added.
He praised innovative programming rolled out in partnership with schools supported by Big Shoulders Fund such as a student stock market program, the Science On The Go initiative, and opportunities for immersive education at the Staddle Camp at Brush Creek Ranch in Wyoming.
At Marquette, Brad Collignon, athletic director and public relations coordinator, said the Lend A Shoulder visit allowed donors “to see their contribution come to life.” On display were students’ business and science projects, and an act of The Crucible.
Dr. Amy McCormack, president of Calumet College of St. Joseph, said the tour in Michigan City helped “showcase the incredible work that the schools in the Diocese of Gary are doing and the impact they are having on their students.”
She added, “The personal experience leaves a memory in your mind that sometimes the spoken word can’t.”
Marquette senior Alexa Sierra hoped that the group was impressed by what they saw the school offers.
“The biggest thing they could do for our high school is their support. Without them, many people wouldn’t have opportunities like we have here at Marquette, like our dual credits or even scholarships. We’re so thankful,” said Sierra.
Bill Hanna appreciates visits to the schools that have been impacted by the White Family gift. In the engaged students and dedicated faculty, he witnesses the building upon a good “base that is already there.”
“Because of the Catholicity of a school, or, generally speaking, those Catholic values that translate across society are highly valuable to a lot of families.”
Hanna said that with the “rapid onset of AI technology” and other societal concerns, he is observing a shift in opinions. “I’m hearing a swing back the other way, for the need for values.”
Ondas said the Big Shoulders partnership is ultimately “about helping kids succeed in life.” It also gives school leaders the confidence to dream about even more creative approaches to fostering an educational experience built on a foundation of faith.
“Ideally, I’d love to create a curriculum for Catholic schools that intertwines each of those (promoted) character traits – responsibility, respect, gratitude empathy and goal-setting – and tie those with instances in the Bible so kids can give specific examples of when Jesus and the disciples showed those traits,” Ondas said.
To conclude the Lend a Shoulder Day in Whiting, an adorable group of pre-kindergarten students reminded those gathered that God is looking over his people as they sang about guardian angels.
Caption: Cheryl Tolish (center) observes Marquette Catholic High School students work on a science project during the Big Shoulders visit to the school on Nov. 20. (Deacon Bob Wellinski photo)