Sharing the Value of Catholic Education with Local Schools
February 3rd, 2023
Holy Cross High School students and faculty shared the importance of Catholic education and giving back to students in two local schools - Southington Catholic School and St. John the Evangelist School. Peer Ministers and current Crusaders who were alumni for each school participated. These efforts were made under the leadership of Mr. Kyle Piatak, Director of Campus Ministry in celebration of Catholic Schools Week.
Mr. Piatak taught the 5th-8th grade students about the history of Saint Valentine. Then, the Holy Cross student volunteers worked with the students to create Valentine’s Day cards, which would be distributed to local children’s hospitals.
“I thought this was awesome,” said Mr. Piatak. “It was great to see our students communicate our school values and pillars and the importance of service. It was also great to see the younger kids engage with our kids. They had great energy and wanted to participate.”
Reese Becker ’23, a St. John alumna, enjoyed visiting her former school. She connected with some of her teachers and her cousin, a current St. John student.
“The students responded well to the service activity,” she said. “The original plan was to make some cards for themselves and some for the hospital. They collectively decided that they wanted to make all of the cards for the children in the hospital. I thought that was so sweet of them.”
Gio Velez ’26 visited his former school, Southington Catholic School and was immediately excited to meet with some of his former friends. He was also taken aback at his transformation during his short time at Holy Cross.
“I looked at some of the younger kids and realized how much I have grown,” he said. “I already feel more independent and mature as a student. I was really happy that I went back. It was nice to be back in the building again.”