This year, the GRACE Riverside office welcomed some very special guest leadership. Marie (6th grade), Sam (5th grade), and Rose (Kindergarten) from St. John Paul II Classical School (SJPII) each spent a day serving as President or Vice President. They traded their typical school supplies for a seat at the leadership table, a tour of the facilities, and a look at how our school system operates. We sat down with them to talk about their school, their faith, and being the boss for a day.
Q: What do you love most about your school and a typical school day?
Marie: It is such a welcoming community where you feel included immediately. My favorite parts of the day are lunch, recess, and the passing periods, because there is such a great sense of togetherness and I love to laugh with my friends.
Sam: I really enjoy how we team up with other schools, like running cross country with GRACE Holy Family. I also like humanities because we play a tag game based on the books we are reading; it’s great to have fun while we learn. No matter where you go here, people are ready to help you back up if you get knocked down.
Rose: I like the learning stations and playing with my friends! My best friend is Callie and we have so much fun at recess. It is a very good place to learn and I really like going to Gym class.
Q: Can you tell us about a teacher or a subject that has made an impact on you?
Marie: I really like History, especially learning about the Egyptians. My second grade teacher, Ms. Megan, also made a big impact because she is so faithful and nice; you feel like you can talk to her about anything.
Sam: Academically, I have improved a lot in spelling and math. I have specifically enjoyed exploring long division this year.
Rose: Ms. Miller is fun and Ms. Ellis is really nice. Mrs. T is a very nice gym teacher, too.
Q: How has your school helped you grow in your faith?
Marie: The teachers build a foundation in elementary school and help you keep caring about it in middle school. When the whole school prays at Mass, I feel like we are all connected by God.
Sam: I like singing at Mass and listening to the word. We also pray the Rosary and go to Adoration, which helps me realize how to connect closer to Jesus.
Rose: In the Atrium, we learned about the “pearl of great price,” which means giving your whole heart to God. I also like to listen to the Word of God during Mass.
Q: What would you say to a student who is thinking about joining your school?
Marie: I would tell them it is a very welcoming community with amazing teachers and great learning.
Sam: I would tell them that it is fun to explore everything here. There is always someone ready to help you out.
Rose: It is a good place to make friends!
Q: What was the best part of being the “President for a Day” at the Riverside Office?
Marie: I liked meeting the team at the office and getting to see the GRACE Father of Allouez rooms.
Sam: It was great to see how the office works and meet the people who help run our schools.
Rose: I got a hat and a pin and a cool highlighter! It was fun to see the big GRACE Father of Allouez rooms when we visited that school
Q: Now that summer is here, what are you most excited to do?
Marie: I am looking forward to volleyball, the beach, and jumping on the trampoline with my five siblings.
Sam: I will be training for cross country and finding new ways to have fun with my friends before school starts again.
Rose: I love playing soccer. I am playing with the eight-year-olds now because I am getting really good!
Hearing our students describe their schools as welcoming communities where they grow closer to Jesus sets a wonderful tone for the future of GRACE.
As GRACE President Desotell reflected: “The time I spent with these students was a powerful reinforcement of the promise and potential within our schools. Their energy, curiosity, enthusiasm, and faith-filled hearts remind us exactly why Catholic education is so vital. It was an honor to share the leadership table with Marie, Sam, and Rose, and to see firsthand how our mission is truly coming alive in our students.”
Watching these young leaders step into their roles with such confidence gives us great excitement for what lies ahead.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
St. John Paul II Catholic School and Chesterton Academy are of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. They are private Catholic schools serving Preschool and Elementary through high school, adding one grade per year. They have with open enrollment and provide an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. Learn more by scheduling a visit.
