WHITING – St. John the Baptist School is excited to launch a special opportunity for its alumni and staff to give back to the school in a meaningful way – as pen pals for its students. The school is seeking proud graduates or former employees of SJB who want to help enhance students’ writing skills by sharing their school memories.
This is the first year for the school and alumni pen pal initiative.
“We’re excited about the potential it has to build meaningful connections across generations,” said Principal Michelle Ondas.
The idea for the initiative stemmed from Ondas’s creativity. As a former St. John the Baptist alumna, she wanted others to witness firsthand “how amazing our current students are and to see the impact a St. John Catholic education continues to have on their lives.”
“The mission is to foster relationships rooted in shared faith, values and school spirit,” she said. “It gives students the opportunity to connect with those who walked the same halls before them, and it offers alumni a chance to re-engage with the community in a meaningful, personal way.”
Ondas added that it also offers students the opportunity to strengthen their writing skills.
“My hope is that this activity brings joy and inspiration to both students and alumni – sparking meaningful conversations, fostering mentorship and strengthening our shared legacy,” she said. “While fundraising is often a focus, I believe relationships like these are far more valuable than money.”
So far, the school has about 40 participants signed up, and is hoping to grow that number to around 60-70 so that each student pen pal has a strong match. Alumni can still sign up past the original July 30 deadline into the middle of August.
The commitment is simple. Participants will write five short letters to a class throughout the school year, each based on a fun, meaningful prompt. The initiative will begin in September with a “Welcome Letter,” where alumni will have the opportunity to introduce themselves. The following letters will address topics of “Favorite Memory of St. John Catholic School,” “Why was St. John important to you?” “Best Teacher and Why?” and “Advice to Students.”
Candi Gard graduated in 1992 from St. John the Baptist School. She said the experience she had “truly shaped who I am today.”
“Loyalty and tradition have been guiding values in my life since grade school,” Gard said. “These traits have helped me build trust, create stability, and foster strong connections – personally, professionally and within my community.”
The idea of connecting across generations through personal stories and shared experiences felt both meaningful and refreshing to Gard. She was drawn to the opportunity to build a one-on-one relationship rooted in curiosity and mentorship.
“I wanted to participate because I believe there’s so much value having a current student hear firsthand from someone who has walked a similar path,” she said. “Whether it's gaining insight, offering encouragement or simply exchanging perspectives, I saw this as a chance to be part of something personal and lasting.”
Gard continued, “Plus, in an increasingly digital and fast-paced world, the intentionality of letter-writing really stood out to me. It felt like a chance to slow down, create something thoughtful and help students strengthen their writing skills in a meaningful, personal way.”
Gard hopes the Alumni Pen Pal Project creates a sense of connection and belonging for everyone involved. For students, she believes it can offer guidance, encouragement, and a deeper understanding of life beyond school. She added, for alumni, it's a chance to give back in a personal way and reflect on their own journey.
“Most of all, I hope it sparks meaningful conversations and lasting relationships,” Gard said.
For more information, call the school office at (219) 659-0023.
Caption: The circa 1950 St. John's Parochial Center section of St. John the Baptist Catholic School is shown in Whiting. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
