By: Josephine Gallo (7th Grader) 
Knights of Columbus Essay Winner
Published: 10/26/18

      I’ve been going to a Catholic school all my life, and it has been great. My parents and grandparents went to Catholic school, and I really admire that. Now that I’ve been in Catholic school, I feel that I can really relate to them. The three most important values to me are staying positive, being kind to others, and exceeding expectations, all values reinforced by my education.

      Throughout the years, I’ve learned to deal with the cards you are dealt with. God has a plan for us, and everything happens for a reason. During our fundraisers, we are given prizes for raising money. It’s frustrating when your classmates earn more prizes than you. In the end, we have to remember that we are raising money for a good cause, and the prizes don’t matter. The teachers at my school, Saint Michael, always create positive energy around events. For example, went I went to sixth-grade camp, the principal gathered the entire school before we drove off in the bus to say a prayer for our trip and cheer us on. We need to be optimistic in life and especially to our friends.

      It is also important to be kind to others. Our school has “Faith Families,” where students of different grades work in groups and do faith activities together. This is great because it teaches older students to help younger ones. We are also asked to help each other when we see someone lonely or sad, which I think is special. The other day I saw a younger student crying alone, and an eighth-grader tried to comfort her. We also go to church every week, where we say petitions and pray for people who are lonely and sick.

      Exceeding expectations is a value our teachers stress to us; they want us to put our best foot forward in everything we do. They give infractions when we don’t follow rules or misbehave. For example, there are uniform infractions, and you’ll get one if you don’t follow the rules about what to wear. No one wants to get infractions so this keeps us on track. We also have to wear full uniforms to the Church, and there are consequences when we don’t. There are even free dress codes, too! I really think going beyond the limits in a good way, is helpful. I’ve learned that God makes us in His likeness so we must always be our best selves.

      I wouldn’t practice these values as much if I had gone to a public school. Even though my parents preach the same values, it’s stronger when your school does too. I’m happy with everything my school does for me. I searched for a bible verse that represents the values Catholic school has taught me and this one from Colossians 3:12-14 is perfect: “You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you. And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity.” I really understand why my parents and grandparents value Catholic education, and I will definitely pass this tradition on to my own family someday.