This is exciting times for both Benedictine Academy and the Church. It is a new school year and we have a new Pope. Time to say "goodbye" to our 2012-2013 school year blog. We encourage all our faith companions to visit our new Campus Ministry Blog:
Our Sister Donna Jo Repetti, OSF, Director of Guidance at Benedictine Academy, was awarded the prestigious honor of being named the Franciscan Sister of the Year by the Franciscan Sisters of Philadelphia, for her work to abolish human trafficking. Her congregation consists of hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of Franciscan Sisters across the globe. In 2006, Sr. Donna Jo began her ministry to educate others about the dangers of human trafficking and work with government officials to protect victims from further injustices.
At the Franciscan Federation Annual Convocation in Pittsburgh last week, Sr. Donna Jo's name was in lights as the Sisters blessed her and sang praises giving thanks to the Lord for being a good and faithful servant.
Sr. Donna Jo in all her modesty recognized "that the Spirit of the Lord was upon her to bring good news to the poor, heal the broken-hearted and free the captives".
It was a proud day for us at Benedictine Academy to receive the 2013 National Jefferson Awards Ambassador Gold Medal in Washington, DC for best Public Volunteer Service Leadership by a High School in the United States of America. Four Students, representing Benedictine Academy's nineteen Students In Action Leaders, attended the National Ceremonies.
(Left to Right: Mr. & Mrs. John Airoso (parents of Marina Santiago), Sr. Donna Jo Repetti, Marina Santiago,
Eileen Conaty, Kayla Roque, Karol Pierre, Mrs. Michalski, Mr. & Mrs. Mike Jones)
The Jefferson Gold Medal is known as the "Nobel Prize for Service". Forty one years ago, Sam Beard, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and Senator Robert Taft, Jr. co-founded the Jefferson Awards to recognize and award people who give back to our country in extraordinary ways.
This year, the National Recipient for Jefferson's Greatest Public Service by a Private Citizen was awarded to Professor Elie Wiesel. "After winning the 1986 Nobel Peace Prize, Professor Elie Wiesel started the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity.
The Foundation's mission, rooted in the memory of the Holocaust, is to combat indifference, intolerance, and injustice through international dialogue and youth-focused programs that promote acceptance, understanding and equality. Wiesel, born in 1928 in Sighet, Transylvania (now part of Romania), was fifteen years old when he and his family were deported by the Nazis to Auschwitz. His mother and younger wiser perished; his two older sisters survived. Wiesel and his father were later transported to Buchenwald, where his father died. After the war, Wiesel studied in Paris and became a journalist. The result was his internationally acclaimed memoir, NIGHT La Nuit).
Professor Elie Wiesel
Chris Wallace was the Master of Ceremonies.
United States Color Guard
The National Recipients for Jefferson Greatest Public Service Award by an Elected or Appointed official was awarded to U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy and U.S. Senator Tom Coburn. They were recognized for their integrity, independence and bipartisan leadership. Senator Leahy stands out for his leadership in immigration reform. An important societal issue currently being reviewed by he US Senate for the protection of human rights for all people. Senator Coburn stands out for his advocacy work of healthcare for the elderly and newborn infants.
General Electric is the 2013 Jefferson Award Gold Medal Winner for Outstanding Public Service by a Major Corporation. GE's commitment to citizenship and volunteerism is deeply rooted in its culture and strategy. In the past year alone, they have donated over $220 million to communities and nonprofit organizations and directed more than $800,000 in grants to community organizations. GE's Global Community Days brings over 300,000 employees together from over 55 countries to one geographic area on the same day for a volunteer event.
To celebrate this
momentous event were the world champion renowned
"wall of
sound" performers, the Alexandria Harmonizers.
The Students In Action Program was established for young people in high school who embrace the core values for which this country stands. In America, a place where grass roots citizens feel compelled to act with compassion to help others and make a strong impact in our society for the better, there are over 325 high school who are implementing the Jefferson Awards Students In Action Public Volunteer Service Program and following the seven directives to develop active citizenship in their schools .
On the highest level, there are only five Ambassador High Schools who also serve as Mentors, bright lights to other high schools, while engaging, training and building a a culture of volunteerism among their peers.Benedictine Academy was the proud recipient of the 2013 National Jefferson Awards Ambassador Gold Medal in Washington, DC for best Public Volunteer Service Leadership by a High School in the United States of America.
(My apologies for my shaky video taping.)
Our Benedictine Academy Students were recognized as champion do-gooders, whose social responsibility efforts have made a visible, measurable impact on our society. They collaborated and partnered with others in the community to work for the dignity of humankind. To stand next to such great people in history as Professor Elie Wiesel is the most humbling experience. We are truly grateful to the Lord for using us as His instrument for peace and justice in the world. A special thanks to Jenn Lim and the Delivering Happiness organization for helping us transform our world into a better place "one nudge at a time".
Other National Jefferson Award Recipients include Dolores Huerta for her lifetime of public service for labor and civil rights, co-founding he National Farmworkers Association with Cesar Chavez. She began a lifetime crusade to correct economic injustice. She has directed UFW's successful boycotts and made the plight of farm workers visible to consumers. Arrested over fifty times for peaceful demonstrations, Dolores now engages and develops young leaders in civic engagement and policy advocacy.
The Jefferson Greatest Public Service by an Individual under the age of 35 was awarded to Dr. Neilesh Patel. Dr. Neilesh Patel, manager and founder of Healthcare professionals, a non-profit portal that connects over 30,000 volunteers and job seekers interested in health-related volunteering with over 3,050 organizations. A Biomedical graduate of John Hopkins University, is also the recipient of the UCLA CEY Humanitarian Award.
Mark Erin received the Jefferson Greatest Public Service Award by a Professional Athlete. Founder of the Washinton Kastles, World Team Tennis Franchise, Ein is Chairperson of the District of Columbia Public Schools Educational Fund that has raised over $80 million of philanthropic support in four years. Ein is also the Founder of Venturehouse Group, a holding company that creates, invests in and builds technology and telecommunications companies. He is a graduate of The Wharton School and MBA from the Harvard Business School.
It is a beautiful tradition at the U.S. Senate for everyone
to stand and join hands singing God Bless America.
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As we entered Washington DC, we stopped in at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, one of the largest shrines in our country, to give thanks to God and our Blessed Mother Mary.
It is our prayer that we continue to build a culture of peace and more just world.
At Benedictine Academy. we change lives and give hope.
(The SIA Leadership Team: Vanessa Fragiacomo, Karina Costa, Kayla Roque, Sydney Sigue, Adrienne Bagtas, Ewa Kowalczyk, Anglin Thevarajah, Jada Yarbough, Samantha Frejuste, Mrs. Michalski, Eileen Conaty, Alexander Desir, Andrea Lopez, Marina Santiago, Janelle Isaacs, Toni Davis-Wilson, Karol Pierre, Nathalie Barillas, Natasha Hicks, Mary Palma, Joyce Mendoza)
Charles Fazzino, known as the"Master of 3-D Pop Art",
has designed the new official logo of the Jefferson Awards Program
for building a culture of peace.
"Charles Fazzino is the most popular 3-D artist in the world today with hundreds of galleries and museums exhibiting his works in 20 different countries. His art is in the private collections of President Bill Clinton, Michael Jordan and Julia Roberts. He is best known for his obsession with bright colors and wonderful detail.
His commissions and projects include 11 Super Bowls, Grammy Awards, Pari Jazz festival, and more. Charles Fazzino is also the proud recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
Jourdan Urbach, a violin virtuoso, music was enchanting at the National Jefferson Youth Service Awards. Jourdan was trained at
Julliard and Yale University, and has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln
Center and the United Nations. As founder of Concerts for a Cure, Jourdan
has raised over 10 million dollars to fight children's neurological diseases.
He is the recipient of the Tribecca Film Festival Innovator Award, World
of Children Award, and the Jefferson Gold Medal Globe Changer Award for
his work in Global Child Advocacy.
Andrei Cherny
Since leaving the White House, Andrei Cherny has been a leader in the national debate over America’s economic future – putting forward new ideas to turn our economy around and make America more competitive. He’s served as a Senior Fellow at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and at the Center for American Progress. He wrote The Next Deal to offer a forward-thinking vision for our economy and the Candy-Bombers.
Andrei’s cutting edge ideas have earned high praise. He has been called a “superstar” by CNN, a “progressive reformer” by Washington Monthly, and one of America’s “top young thinkers” by the New York Times.
NFL All Star Troy Vincent and Giselle Fernandez (whose
career has included CBS Early Show, CBS Evening News, NBC Today, NBC Nightly
News, and Access Hollywood) have joined the Jefferson Awards Board. They introduced and interviewed several of the National Jefferson Gold Medal Award Winners at the evening dinner and arena.
Members of the Jefferson Board of Governors gave inspiring speeches regarding the mission and culture of Jefferson Awards and The Students In Action program. The Students In Action program is a high school leadership development program. It sets out seven goals for student leaders to accomplish as they grow both their leadership skills and the overall culture of service in their school. Topics include Ethics, Team building, Fundraising, Communications, Critical Thinking, Marketing and more. In 2012-2013, Jefferson Awards operated in 13 communities across the nation i over 325 high schools. There were over 1900 student leaders trained and responsible for a total of more than 1.5 million service hours, federally rated at $32.3 million.
A Short Reflection on what it means for Benedictine Academy
to be a National Jefferson Awards Ambassador Gold Medal School
At Benedictine Academy, we are so proud and yet feel so undeserving to stand along side of these great humanitarians, the Kennedy’s, Sam Beard, Elie Wiesel, Andrei Cherny, and Troy Vincent, and in the shadows of the great people in history such as Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.If we are quiet, we can here God whispering in the silence of our hearts, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon you, Benedictine Academy. The Lord has anointed you to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent you to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives, and freedom to prisoners." Isaiah 61:1. Let us give thanks and praise to the Lord our God for choosing us to do His holy will. How blessed and grateful are we!
Benedictine Cor Defenders of the Heart
(Karol, Kayla,Marina, Karina,Sgt. Mike Jones, Mary, Assemblywoman Huttle,
Mrs.M., Sr. Donna Jo, Gov't Official, Ewa, Sydney, Vanessa, Eileen, Jacob Toporek)
Benedictine Academy was awarded the National Jefferson Awards Ambassador Gold Medal because of the forward thinking Christ-centered leadership of principal, Ken Jennings. His deep commitment, enthusiasm, and belief in the Mission of the school to form our students into true 21st century leaders propelled our students beyond the limitedness of the four-walled classroom into the global community. At Benedictine Academy, Mr. Ken Jennings believes and empowers each student to take an active role, using their unique gifts and talents, to do something to help transform our society into a more just and peaceful world. Ms. Andrea Banks-Suggs, Vice Principal, works toward this end with the entire staff and student body.
Being a College-Preparatory School is more than SAT scores. "To be accepted into the top ranking colleges and universities of Notre Dame University, Princeton, New York University, Tisch, School of the Arts, our students excelled in academics, as well as in outstanding accomplishments by making a measurable impact in our society", explains Sr. Donna Jo Repetti, OSF, Director of Guidance. She works with each student over their entire four years to prepare their profile so that they can reach their highest aspirations.
Benedictine Academy's Jefferson Awards Ambassador Team is recognized for its outstanding leadership service as Modern Activists by answering the call of President Obama and the Franciscan Sisters of Philadelphia to become educated about the dangers of human trafficking. Benedictine Academy became the first Freedom Partner School of the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives. This year, Benedictine Academy's Campus Ministry Student Leadership Team, known as the Benedictine Cor Defenders, helped design a new educational curriculum; co-authored a New Proclamation of Freedom presented to the U.S. Government; testified before the New Jersey State legislature; and raised community awareness on Modern Day Slavery. The mission of Benedictine Academy is to empower others to become "do-gooders" and change the world to be a more humane civilization.
(The SIA Leadership Team: Vanessa Fragiacomo, Karina Costa, Kayla Roque, Sydney Sigue, Adrienne Bagtas, Ewa Kowalczyk, Anglin Thevarajah, Jada Yarbough, Samantha Frejuste, Mrs. Michalski, Eileen Conaty, Alexander Desir, Andrea Lopez, Marina Santiago, Janelle Isaacs, Toni Davis-Wilson, Karol Pierre, Nathalie Barillas, Natasha Hicks, Mary Palma, Joyce Mendoza)
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It with deep gratitude that we share the honor of our
National Jefferson Awards Ambassador Gold Medal
with Jenn Lim and Delivering Happiness organization.
Their philosophy to transform our world into a better place "one nudge at a time" with WOW experiences reflects the wisdom and spirit of our saints! A special thanks to Sam Beard, Maryann Younger, Robert Provost and Karen Hatcher.
We are deeply grateful for your support, encouragement and guidance, and most of all for believing in us and the youth of today.
We also give thanks for the amazing people the Lord sent into our lives inspiring us and empowering us to do His work. Sr. Donna Jo Repetti, OSF and the Franciscan Sisters of Philadelphia James Kellogg Thank you Ken Morris and the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives Team, Debra Steinberg of VS. Confronting Human Slavery, Cindy Vero, WKTU Rowena Madden and Jacob Toporek, Andrea Goeglein of Serving Success and Gary Russo.
Special Prayers and Blessings for Sr. Sharon, Sr. Germaine, & our Benedictine Sisters,
Benefactors, Families, Staff, Students and Friends. A special thank you to Sergeant Mike & Barbara Jones, Dr. Floyd & Dolly Donahue and Mrs. Centanni for being guardian angels on our path. We are also grateful to Mr. John & Elenice Airoso, parents of Marina Santiago, for all their support and for sharing in the joy of the National Jefferson Awards Ceremony in Washington DC.
The National Jefferson Gold Medal belongs to all of you!
