Catholic Schools Week will be celebrated from Jan. 28 to Feb. 3, 2024. For the January Junior Saints, students were invited to draw a picture and write about something that they like about their Catholic school, parish religious education class, or Catholic homeschooling.

St. Mary’s School, Landover Hills

“My favorite part about St. Mary’s Catholic School in Landover Hills is our prayer service in the gym every Monday. One grade leads the prayer service every Monday going in chronological order from eighth grade to pre-kindergarten 3. This is my favorite part of my school, because it helps to lead us into a good week. Coming together as a school to pray to the Lord allows for us to have a blessed week. During prayer service, we also recite our school motto, which is a reminder of why we attend our school. The motto inspires us to work hard during the week and encourages us to be great. We also recite the motto, morning prayer and Pledge of Allegiance every morning through the announcements. These morning prayers enable me to start another wonderful week and encourage me to perform my best effort in each class.” – Artwork above and writing by Imanie Mayi, eighth grade, St. Mary’s School, Landover Hills, Maryland

“There are so many things about St. Mary’s! One of the many things I love about my school is the tight-knit community and how we get to act ourselves comfortably. St. Mary’s is the place you could call your second home. The staff and students will always support, comfort and talk to you. …You will never worry about not making friends at this school, because we welcome all and accept all for who they are. We are all special in our own kind of way! St. Mary’s will make sure that you know that each and every student carries potential and that they are important in this world.” – Bianca Hernandez, eighth grade, St. Mary’s School, Landover Hills

“The thing that I like most about my school is the diversity… Diversity is so important, because it brings together different perspectives, experiences and ideas. When we have diverse voices and backgrounds, we can solve problems more creatively and effectively. It helps us think outside the box and consider different angles. Plus, it promotes understanding, empathy and respect among people from different cultures and backgrounds. So embracing diversity makes our world richer and more vibrant. It is always exciting to come to school every day and learn about new things and experiences from different backgrounds.” – Artwork and writing by Kelsie Ambe, eighth grade, St. Mary’s School, Landover Hills

“My favorite part about my school is that I get to socialize with my friends and that I can learn new things with them. We all laugh and have a good time together. St. Mary’s is somewhere we can all be ourselves Also I like that I am able to ask any of my teachers questions and they will take time out of their busy schedules to help me understand the subject. I’m really glad to be part of a community where I am accepted and we all have each other’s backs and make sure that we all are on the right path.” – Alexis Zelaya, eighth grade, St. Mary’s School, Landover Hills

“I like playing soccer with my friends at recess. We have fun.” – Artwork and writing by Christian Eioel, first grade, St. Mary’s School, Landover Hills

“I like math because I like numbers.” – Zara Larry, first grade, St. Mary’s School, Landover Hills

“We pray. We love our friends.” – Mateo Mejia, first grade, St. Mary’s School, Landover Hills

“I like religion class. We learn about the Gospels. We learn about Jesus.” – Emmanuel Nwugo, first grade, St. Mary’s School, Landover Hills

“I like to play with my friends at school. I like learning handwriting. I have fun at school!” – Artwork and writing by Danielle Tanyidah, first grade, St. Mary’s School, Landover Hills

“I love that my friends are at my school.  I enjoy math class.” – Liam Avila, first grade, St. Mary’s School, Landover Hills

Little Flower School, Great Mills

“The thing I love most about my Catholic school is the fact that we get to work with pre-kindergarten students. I say that because it is not easy, but it is fun, especially when we take them to Mass every Tuesday. They always give us hugs and want to hold our hands. I love seeing them play and have fun with smiles on their faces. Every time we meet with them, it is a new story that they tell us whether it is about tractors, Spider-Man, or even dinosaurs. They bring joy to anybody they meet, and I cannot wait to see them all grown up and mature.” – Artwork and writing by Paxton Burgan, eighth grade, Little Flower School, Great Mills, Maryland

“I love my Catholic school because of all the fun things to do to keep us entertained. The Angel Tree is a fundraiser for the kids in need so they can have presents for Christmas. We also go to church every Tuesday to lift us up. The staff here is always so nice and keeps us on track. St. Thérèse is the patron saint of Little Flower School, and she is one of my favorite saints.” – Dominic Schombs, eighth grade, Little Flower School, Great Mills

“I enjoy religion class because we get to learn more about the Bible. I have learned so much about the Catholic religion from religion class alone. It can be very educational for someone who learns about Jesus at school. That is why I like Catholic schools. I love my Catholic school most of all because we have an amazing religion class and teacher.” –Artwork and writing by Taylor Lee, seventh grade, Little Flower School, Great Mills

“One thing I like about Little Flower School is having students with special needs. Growing up around these kids helps you understand that everyone is different. No one should judge anyone for being different. God made everyone with different talents, and Little Flower helps you see that. This makes the school a more inclusive place.” – Jenna Rowand, eighth grade, Little Flower School, Great Mills

“One thing I like about my Catholic school is that we get to go to church every Tuesday. This allows us to spend time with God and worship Him. You can also take this time and thank God. You should thank Him for giving you life, keeping you safe and healthy, and helping you through your struggles. When I am in church, I know God is with me. That is why I like my Catholic school.” – Artwork and writing by Daniel Sebring, seventh grade, Little Flower School, Great Mills

“What I like about my Catholic school is the environment. I always come to school knowing that there are good teachers and friends that are there with me, like my religion teacher who teaches us how to be a good Catholic and a Christian. The deacons and priests are always coming by and answer any questions we may have. At Mass, the priest is fun and involved in every Mass, which makes it more interesting. Whenever I do a reading, it helps me better understand and learn the Word of God.” – Brylee Price, seventh grade, Little Flower School, Great Mills

“Something I like about my school is the garden. The garden is a peaceful place at the back of the school, and it has a brick walkway. On some of the bricks there are names of loved ones from others. The garden has a statue of Saint Thérèse who is our patron saint. A few years ago, some of my classmates and I cleaned the garden and painted rocks for it. This is something I’ll never forget.” – Artwork and writing by Mya Hartzer, seventh grade, Little Flower School, Great Mills

“One thing I like about Little Flower is the prayer partners. I say that because you can do fun activities with them. For example, we made a snowman craft, had hot cocoa, and watched a movie together. We also made cards for them at Christmas. When we walk them over to church every week, we can talk to them, bond and be silly with them. I like seeing them smile and having them as prayer partners.” –Emily Wagner, seventh grade, Little Flower School, Great Mills

“Something I like about Catholic schools is that you can express your faith freely. I also like the fact that there are smaller classes because you can get to know everyone in your class, and it helps you when learning. I think it is important to have smaller classes. Another reason I like Catholic schools is that the teachers are nice and give you help.” – Kendall Pulliam, seventh grade, Little Flower School, Great Mills

Artwork by Adalene Jones, sixth grade, Little Flower School, Great Mills

“My favorite thing about Little Flower School is that we have fun religious traditions including the Blessing of the Pets and celebrating the Epiphany of the Lord. The school has a special needs program that is very important for most of the children. I love the education I get and the friends I make.” – Jeremy Barnard, sixth grade, Little Flower School, Great Mills

St. Bartholomew Catholic School, Bethesda 

“Here is what I like about my school. First of all, I like the teachers. All my teachers are very kind, smart, and care about students. The second thing I like about my school is the other students at my school. My classmates are always willing to help and are eager to learn. Teachers and students of my school create a community that is devoted to God, and being caring, and supportive. My school is a great place to learn and make new friends.” – Artwork and writing by Mark Gurevich, fifth grade, St. Bartholomew Catholic School, Bethesda, Maryland

“We do a lot of great and wonderful things at St. Bart’s during Catholic Schools Week and throughout the year. We have a small school, but the biggest hearts and great ideas to make our school and community better. We pack and deliver food, clothes and essential items to all kinds of groups and organizations that need our help. One of the things I love about St. Barts is that we go to Mass every Friday. I think we are very fortunate to have this opportunity to celebrate Jesus’s sacrifice for us.” – Myles Butler, fifth grade, St. Bartholomew Catholic School, Bethesda

“I like altar serving at my school.” – Sophia Delaney, eighth grade, St. Bartholomew Catholic School, Bethesda

“What I like about my Catholic school is the church.” – Artwork and writing by Coco Chiu, seventh grade, St. Bartholomew Catholic School, Bethesda

“I enjoy spending time with my friends at school.” – Artwork and writing by Sarah Juzbasic, fifth grade, St. Bartholomew Catholic School, Bethesda

Cardinal Hickey Academy, Owings, Maryland

Artwork by Alexander Hunt, fifth grade, Cardinal Hickey Academy, Owings, Maryland

“I love to be at Cardinal Hickey Academy because almost every subject and resource includes Mary, Jesus and God. Also, everyone is allowed to live their faith freely and come to Mass on Friday.” – Elliott Stotler, fourth grade, Cardinal Hickey Academy, Owings

“I love my Catholic school because it helps my relationship with God. I also love the stained glass.” – Matthew Hedin, fourth grade, Cardinal Hickey Academy, Owings

“What I like about Cardinal Hickey Academy is that I am free to live my faith. I learn cursive and I can go to Mass every Friday. Everyone is nice. I love Cardinal Hickey Academy!” – Brayden Jackson, fourth grade, Cardinal Hickey Academy, Owings

“I like Cardinal Hickey Academy for many reasons. One of the reasons is because we get to go to Mass every Friday. I think it is important for us to go to the Mass because you receive the Holy Eucharist. Cardinal Hickey Academy is not just a school; it is a community!” – Otto Savisaar, fifth grade, Cardinal Hickey Academy, Owings

“The thing I love most about my school is the education in Christ.” – Artwork and writing by Cecilia Schiavone, fourth grade, Cardinal Hickey Academy, Owings 

“I have been going to Catholic school all my life. I remember once a week during pre-school, the priest from the church next door taught us about our faith. It was always a highlight of my week. Now, in fifth grade, we do the same thing. Every Wednesday a priest comes and answers all our questions. It is still one of my favorite parts of the week. Another thing I look forward to at Catholic school is during Lent and Advent when two or three priests come to the church, and third grade and up get to go to Confession. It is a great way to stay in touch with Jesus through the sacraments. I am glad I go to Catholic school.” – Mary Grover, fifth grade, Cardinal Hickey Academy, Owings

“I love my school because it teaches about my faith. Most of all I love the teachers, they guide me through everything I need help with. My class doesn’t make me feel sad when I get something wrong. Most of all I LOVE my church. I can think in peace. It makes me feel like I'm the only person there, just me and God. That’s my favorite part of the school, but there’s also my friends who help me through everything that’s going on in my life. I love that we always celebrate God and all the holidays. I’ve dreamed of a school like this. In the mornings I’m so excited to go to school. I also love soccer. I played last year and I loved it. Cardinal Hickey Academy has so many fun sports you can sign up for too. I love my school.” – Lily Hemmer, fifth grade, Cardinal Hickey Academy, Owings

Holy Redeemer School, College Park

“I love my friends and teachers at my school.” – Artwork and writing by Amelia James, kindergarten, Holy Redeemer School, College Park

“I love my teachers at Holy Redeemer School! They are the best!” – Leo Njau, kindergarten, Holy Redeemer School, College Park

“I love playing with all of my friends at Holy Redeemer.” – Artwork and writing by Ellie Schaeffer, kindergarten, Holy Redeemer School, College Park

“I like doing science experiments at school.” – Perry Tilkens, kindergarten, Holy Redeemer School, College Park

“I love going to Mass with my class.” – Aria Najmi, kindergarten, Holy Redeemer School, College Park

“I like running laps in PE!” – Artwork and writing by Elijah Baxter, kindergarten, Holy Redeemer School, College Park

St. Mary’s School, Bryantown

“I like many things about my school. I like that my school provides a good education for me and the other students. I like how we go to church every Friday and Adoration every first Friday of the month. I love how everyone is so kind. I love all the teachers that teach us and the principal that takes care of our school.” – Artwork and writing by Isabelle Ridgeway, sixth grade, St. Mary’s School, Bryantown, Maryland

“What I love about my school is that we learn about God and Jesus, that we pray a lot, that we learn about saints, and that we have really nice teachers! And that we go to church and that we wear uniforms. This school is the best!” – Morgan Brewer, third grade, St. Mary’s School, Bryantown

“I love a lot of things about St. Mary’s School in Bryantown. There are so many good things, but I really like that we get to go to church and pray. We also get to talk about Jesus. Some schools do not go to church and pray to God. I am so thankful that my school does that. Also, all of the teachers are so kind. I like that we have prayer partners for church. I am so happy that I go to a wonderful school!!!” – Emma Payne, fifth grade, St. Mary’s School, Bryantown

“I have been attending a Catholic school ever since pre-kindergarten, and during this time, I have grown stronger in my faith and closer to God. I like this school because we get the chance to go to church every Friday. This allows students to learn the importance of the Mass. I also like our school because of our teachers and staff. They are always so kind and helpful in the learning process. However, the biggest reason why I love my Catholic school is because of our connections with other people, and the way we come together, whether we are celebrating something or when someone in our community is going through tough times. I think this factor is really important…” – Artwork and writing by Elise McDonald, eighth grade, St. Mary’s School in Bryantown

“There are many great things about St. Mary’s School in Bryantown. It gives students a safe place to learn about the Catholic faith and participate in it. The school has an amazing community that will support you and answer any questions you may have about the faith. St. Mary’s School promotes good behavior, and the teachers   work hard to keep us on a good path in our lives. One thing that I think is very good is that our school gives us academic electives, which give us a chance to try new things and prepare us for high school clubs. St. Mary’s Bryantown is an amazing school.” – Keanu Pascarella, eighth grade, St. Mary’s School in Bryantown

Artwork and writing by Evie Cusick, third grade, St. Mary’s School, Bryantown

Artwork and writing by Grayson Smith, first grade, St. Mary’s School, Bryantown

“My favorite thing about this school is that we get to grow and learn. Growing means we get to grow like a flower, and we get smarter…” – Kensi Kehres, fourth grade, St. Mary’s School, Bryantown

“One of the things I really like about my school is that I can practice my faith. I am very grateful for going to a school that talks about my religion. Also, I am very happy we get to go to Mass every week, especially since some schools don’t teach about religion. Another thing I like about my school is how much we pray.” – Artwork and writing by Emily Maradiaga, sixth grade, St. Mary’s School, Bryantown

St. Elizabeth Catholic School, Rockville

“There are so many things I love about my school. The first one is my friends. I’m so grateful for all the amazing people I have met here. Our school encourages us to make friends and be kind to others and make everyone feel happy and included. The next thing I really love is the fun Catholic events we get to celebrate, my favorite being the blessing of the animals. We can see adorable animals, celebrate a saint and grow and connect through shared interests in pets or other things.” – Artwork and writing by Daphne Kaczowka, seventh grade, St. Elizabeth Catholic School, Rockville, Maryland

“I’ve been going to St. Elizabeth School all my academic career… My favorite teachers are my literature and science teachers. They are so passionate about what subjects they teach. I actually look forward to each and every class. I used to not read at all. But my lit teacher showed me the power of a good book, and now reading is a part of my daily life, and I look forward to it every moment I can.” – Caileigh Schmid, seventh grade, St. Elizabeth Catholic School, Rockville

“One thing that I like about my Catholic school is having a big church where I can praise my Lord and Savior. I really like this about my Catholic school, because I think that it is really important to celebrate Jesus at school and on Sunday. Also, I really like the church at my school because I can make friends with others and I can go to Confession and meet with the priest…” – Tristan Martin, sixth grade, St. Elizabeth Catholic School, Rockville

“What I like best about Catholic school is the people. The teachers care about you and your friends help you through the hard times. The people at St. E’s encourage you to be the best version of yourself and to never give up. When a new person comes to St. Elizabeth School, the kids take them in like they have been there for awhile…” – Artwork and writing by Caroline Wright, sixth grade, St. Elizabeth Catholic School, Rockville, Maryland

“St. Elizabeth is an amazing Catholic school. The students are very kind, and the teachers work very hard to give their students a good education and to prepare their students for life. The community at St. Elizabeth is great, and all the people in the community help make the school a great place for all students and parents.” – Hunter Meade, seventh grade, St. Elizabeth Catholic School, Rockville

“In my school, St. Elizabeth, I appreciate the sense of community instilled throughout it. It means a lot to me that there are people, like my friends, who are always there to support me, and I am there to support them, too. Whenever you walk through the door in the morning, there’s always someone there to greet you kindly. It’s like everyone knows each other personally and very well, and I’m happy to be a part of it.” – Beatrice Constantin, seventh grade, St. Elizabeth Catholic School, Rockville

“I like that St. Elizabeth School welcomes everyone and allows people to get the education they need. It is also a school that creates an atmosphere of kindness. Our motto for this year is, ‘Make kindness the norm.’ I like that St. Elizabeth includes many fun days in the school week, like field day, class competitions and awesome field trips. I am so glad that I go to St. Elizabeth’s and I get to be a part of their kind, welcoming community.” – Shea Weaver, eighth grade, St. Elizabeth Catholic School, Rockville

“I love the opportunity that I have to go to a Catholic school and receive a Catholic education. At St. Elizabeth, faith is something we deeply cherish and find very important. One way we practice our faith is by attending church every other week. It is a great way for the whole school to come together as one. St. Elizabeth is a great community to be a part of.” – Artwork and writing by Victoria Noel, eighth grade, St. Elizabeth Catholic School, Rockville

“At my school, I see wonderful community and friendship. Every year when I see new students come in, at first they don’t have many friends, but after a very short time – two weeks at most – every new student has friends and a place to fit in. There are opportunities at my school for everyone to perform their best. Every year, I love seeing everyone find friends and find happiness at my school…” – Emily Beavers, eighth grade, St. Elizabeth Catholic School, Rockville

“At my Catholic school, St. Elizabeth Catholic School, I like how I feel at home and welcome. Everyone is so kind and helpful. If I don’t know the answer to a question, teachers will help me understand what is going on and guide me. I like how I never feel left out or excluded, because even if I look sad or lonely, people will come over to me and try to make me feel better. I also like how all of the students are respectful toward the teachers, so I can easily learn.” – Allie Velasquez, eighth grade, St. Elizabeth Catholic School, Rockville

Our Lady Star of the Sea School, Solomons

“I love my Catholic school because my teacher allows us to go to Confession on Wednesday and she gives us a lot of time to do homework. The churches we have are pretty and Mass is nice to go to. I’ve only been here for three years, and I love it here. Everybody is really kind. I don’t plan on leaving any time soon. I love how my school does a lot for its students, and I love all my friends.” – Artwork and writing by Sadie Grey, fifth grade, Our Lady Star of the Sea School, Solomons

“My favorite thing about my school is that it is a close-knit community. Everyone here knows each other and can trust in each other. The community is always willing to help out with anyone’s problems and guide people in the faith. People are always kind and loving… This loving community is also what sets it apart from other schools. Most other schools have too big of a population to have a close community. My school is smaller than most, so this type of community is thriving. Catholic schools are definitely my schools of choice.” – Camryn Stark, eighth grade, Our Lady Star of the Sea School, Solomons

“One thing I love about my Catholic school is the dedication to education… They actually challenge students, as can be seen in the higher education rate for private school students. Another thing I love is the community. It is full of bright and vibrant minds that are helping shape the future generations. The people of this community are kind and loving. They do their best to contribute and make the world a better place… Finally, the best thing I love about my school is the dedication to Christ. While I am a Christian, a Protestant to be exact, I admire this Catholic school’s dedication to Jesus, from beautiful churches to lovely altars, to elaborate stained glass windows. I admire their faith. There are some motivational lessons I learned from this school, like, ‘When life gets hard, don’t give up!’ Overall, that is what I love about my school.” – Artwork and writing by Jaden Francois, sixth grade, Our Lady Star of the Sea School, Solomons

“The thing I like most about my school is the kindness. Everyone is so nice. For example, my teacher, whenever we have a question even if she’s in the middle of something, she stops to answer our question and then ask if anyone else needed help.” – Zoe Roberts, fifth grade, Our Lady Star of the Sea School, Solomons

“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to attend Our Lady Star of the Sea School. I like my Catholic school for many reasons. I like the fact that it promotes kindness all year round… Our teachers and staff are amazing. They are willing to help each student with more than just a book education. They care about each student and help each student become a better person every day. I think it is amazing that our priest also cares about our school and supports more youth involvement in Mass and volunteer activities. Most importantly, I like that my school allows me to practice my faith freely and that religion classes help me learn more about God. I feel closer to God because we learn about all that He has done for us. I love my Catholic school!” – Tyler Wingenter, fifth grade, Our Lady Star of the Sea School, Solomons

Artwork by Mia Sanchez, fifth grade, Our Lady Star of the Sea School, Solomons

“What I like about my school is that we have great teachers, a great principal and a great priest. I also like that we go into the church every morning and pray. I like to attend Mass, too. The churches are really nice, and I enjoy going into them. I am glad I go to this school, and I like listening to Father Bob preach.” – Emery Hughes, fifth grade, Our Lady Star of the Sea School, Solomons

“Our Lady Star of the Sea is a very special school. I have been at Our Lady for a long time, and it has allowed me to join and participate in its community. Our school is directly connected to the church, so not only does it allow me to study my faith, but I can participate in Mass. We go to Mass, receive sacraments and have church-related discussions in school. Our community even extends beyond the theology aspects, though they’re very important. We have a small school, in fact we’ve been in the same class group our whole time at the school. I will never forget all the amazing memories that have come from my Catholic school.” – Haley Hermann, eighth grade, Our Lady Star of the Sea School, Solomons

Artwork by Francis Cruceta, kindergarten, Our Lady Star of the Sea School, Solomons

St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“In my school, I love my community, my friends especially. I have been going to St. Columba for nine years now, about to graduate, and I have built a loving, supportive community. The teachers and staff work hard to make St. Columba the friendly, accepting, hard working community that it is, and I’m so glad to be a part of it.” – Artwork and writing by Madison Pleta, eighth grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“There are many things I love about my Catholic school. I love my teachers, playing the clarinet in band, and being a patrol. The most important part is our faith and going to Mass every week.” – Artwork and writing by Katherine Contreras, seventh grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“I like church, because we get to celebrate Jesus and God.” – Artwork and writing by Elizabeth Sebastian, sixth grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“My favorite part of my school is my principal’s fish, Finny.” – Artwork and writing by Sophia Papouras, sixth grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“What I like about my school is being a patrol. I help out the kindergarten class each morning. I like helping them with their backpacks and nap mats and to get them settled for the day. They are so smart and fun!” – Artwork and writing by Cortland Brown, seventh grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“I like patrol because it is fun to bring the kids down.” – Artwork and writing by Dominic David, eighth grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“My favorite thing about school is patrolling, when the middle school takes care of the younger students. As eighth graders, we have many responsibilities, so it’s our job to care for each other.” – Artwork and writing by Lianna Gonzales, eighth grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“I’ve been in St. Columba since kindergarten… Every morning, I patrol, and I just love it. I get to greet people and say ‘good morning’ to them. I just love interacting. What I also love is my friends. I always have them to help me, talk to me, comfort me and more. St. Columba has a church, and my religion teacher would sometimes bring the class there to pray, which makes me happy so I could talk to God.” – Artwork and writing by Maya Hipolito, seventh grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

Artwork by Sonali Jenkins, eighth grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

“One thing I especially like about St. Columba is the community. The community here is extremely caring and kind, and I’m glad I grew up at this school. They have really influenced who I am now, and I am always grateful.” – Artwork and writing by Nicaeya Florentino, eighth grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill

Blessed Sacrament School, Washington

“I drew a picture of the rectory at Blessed Sacrament, because I think that is one of the most holy places at the school. That is where the priests live. The priests are so nice and they lead all the Masses. They help make Blessed Sacrament School holy. I also drew a Mary statue that is in front of the building. She is the holy mother of Jesus. This is a special place at Blessed Sacrament.” – Artwork and writing by Barrett Walsh, fifth grade, Blessed Sacrament School, Washington, D.C.

“My school is Blessed Sacrament in Washington, D.C. Many of my family members, including my grandfather, my parents, and many aunts and uncles have all attended. I came to BSS in first grade, and am here with my younger sister. My brother will start kindergarten in September. There are many things I love about my school, but one of my favorites is the Christmas tree sale in December. The trees arrive after Thanksgiving and are sold through Christmas. The trees line the alley next to our school and smell so good! Most of them are big and thick, and these are the ones that my family especially likes! We usually pick our tree on the weekend and go home to decorate it, and we have hot chocolate and cookies.

“Blessed Sacrament School has many traditions. In first grade, we performed the Grumpy Shepherd and rode the Polar Express. Second graders perform The Nutcracker, but I didn’t get to do that because of COVID. We have talent shows, team sports, cheerleading, and the Greg Gannon Food Drive. There is another activity called the Baby Bottle Drive for homeless mothers. We collect money in bottles and donate to a local charity [the Gabriel Project]. BSS is an awesome school, and I love learning here. We are so lucky to be in such a nice place until eighth grade.” – Keely Murray, fifth grade, Blessed Sacrament School, Washington, D.C.

“Something I like about my Catholic school is that we do the Greg Gannon Food Drive. This year I participated in dropping off bags and picking them up full of cans. I also brought 168 cans out of the 1,000 cans that my class alone raised. Another thing I like about my Catholic school is that we do a Week of the Arts, which is when your grade gets assigned a wide variety of art activities and you choose what activities appeal to you the most. We also get to participate in the Mission Fair, which is my favorite because we can buy raffle tickets and play lots of games, including dunking teachers in a dunk tank. Every year at the Mission Fair there is cotton candy and shaved ice, which is my favorite…” – Artwork and writing by Lulu Sood, fifth grade, Blessed Sacrament School, Washington

“Blessed Sacrament is an amazing school, and one of the things I love about it is that we are the only school that does Week of the Arts. This is a tradition at Blessed Sacrament when each grade has a theme for Week of the Arts, and they learn and do fun art projects on their theme. In kindergarten, they learn about Japan. In first grade, they learn about Mexico. In second grade, they study the rainforest. In third grade, they learn about Africa. In fourth grade, their theme is ‘Road Trip Across America’! And in fifth grade, we are excited to go off campus for the first time on Week of the Arts…” – Liesel Jaeger, fifth grade, Blessed Sacrament School, Washington

“My school is Blessed Sacrament, and it has helped me have fun and learn throughout the years. One thing I love about my school is the dedication of each teacher. I love how they will go out of their way to make dull topics into really fun classes. And most of all, I love our school spirit, and how we put hard work in if it’s a test or some homework sheets. Those are some of my favorite things about my awesome school!” – Caroline Buckley, fifth grade, Blessed Sacrament School, Washington

“Things I like about Blessed Sacrament School include that we learn about Jesus and how incredible he was to us, and is to us. I also like that we do special things like Week of the Arts and the Greg Gannon Food Drive. Another thing I love is that we wear uniforms and don’t have to pick what to wear to school. That is what I like about my school, and I really love it.” – Artwork and writing by Mary Elizabeth Hauck, fifth grade, Blessed Sacrament School, Washington

“I love Blessed Sacrament School!... We have thrived for over 100 years, and still to this day we honor our sisters who started this school. In P.E., you can have fun playing sports with friends and classmates. Next you have art, where you can expand your creativity and be curious. Then you have music, this is where you can show off your talents and sing songs in the choir… I love BSS, go Bulldogs!” – Wesley Hurt, fifth grade, Blessed Sacrament School, Washington

“Blessed Sacrament School has many interesting good qualities to talk about, but the one thing that I really like about our school is that we are a community that is always there for each other. If I lost a family member, I know everyone at BSS is always ready to help in case I need anything, from someone to listen, a family Mass, or a meal plan for a month. We pray together, we study together, we do community service together and the most fun of all, we play together. In a community like this, you will make lifelong friends. That is why even when I have graduated, years from how if I have kids, I would love for them to go to Blessed Sacrament School.” – Artwork and writing by Blair Burgdorf,  fifth grade, Blessed Sacrament School, Washington

“I love my school, Blessed Sacrament!... I love that we have a beautiful church to go for Mass with our whole school. It is so nice going to Mass with our classes, because every Mass, one grade gets assigned to lead the Mass, so they either get to read a prayer or bring up the gifts for the priest to bless. The church is so beautiful, especially with the stained glass windows. When the light shines through the windows, all of the vibrant colors shine through onto you. Going to church during the week is just so great, to see everyone and to pray to God.” – Charlotte Sowanick, fifth grade, Blessed Sacrament School, Washington

“One thing I really like about Blessed Sacrament is our church. It is very nice and quiet there. I love going to church, because it calms me down and it is very peaceful. I also love learning more about saints and Jesus. I enjoy Mass and that we have Mass almost every week. When I am there, I feel like I am next to Jesus, and I feel happy, comfortable and relaxed. At our church, I feel very safe, and I don’t worry about anything, because Jesus is with me.” – Artwork and writing by Nafkot Elias, fifth grade, Blessed Sacrament School, Washington

St. Patrick’s School, Rockville

Artwork by Patrick Shea, third grade, St. Patrick’s School, Rockville, Maryland

“St. Patrick’s is the only school I have attended my whole life. Since pre-kindergarten, I’ve learned what a gift Catholic education is. Not everyone can afford it. Catholic education is an incredibly special thing. We are not just learning about history or science, we are learning how to become a better person and a role model for others. My favorite thing at St. Patrick’s is the community. St. Patrick’s has taught me how to be a kinder, better and a more mature person. The people who come to this school just keep growing and becoming better. I have developed long-lasting friendships with my friends and the teachers. I have always loved morning assemblies. Every day we get to see birthdays, prayers and get special announcements. It is so fun to see the little kids every year on their birthdays. The service projects taught me to be grateful for the things I have. Many people do not have the privilege to have the things we have. This helps us to become better in our faith and trust in God’s’ plan. St. Patrick’s is a family to me. They have watched me grow since the age of 4. I am so grateful to be part of their school for the past 10 years. I cannot wait to come back next year to visit when I am at my new school.” – Jannette Tessier, eighth grade, St. Patrick’s School, Rockville, Maryland

“Being able to attend a Catholic school is such a blessing. Parents make so many sacrifices to give us the gift of a Catholic education here at St. Patrick’s. There are so many wonderful experiences and learning techniques we receive and experience here at St. Patrick’s. We have so many traditions like Field Day, Halloween Party, Junior High Night and more. I think my favorite thing I have experienced here at St. Patrick’s was getting to meet my lifelong friends. I have been at the school for nine years, so I have known most people in the graduating class for a long time, and I know them very well. Everyone at the school is so welcoming and friendly here. Everyone will always be there to lend you their time to help you, or comfort you when you are feeling sad. All classmates support you, and never make you feel alone in anything. I have had the blessing of meeting some of my best friends here at St. Patrick’s that I hope I will have for the rest of my life.” – Megan Collins, eighth grade, St. Patrick’s School, Rockville

“One thing I love about going to Catholic school is the people. They are so kind and always support me. All the students and teachers want me to do my best and offer to help me with work and projects. Everyone also helps each other remember to study, and we quiz each other at breaks. Everyone is included and feels like they belong. No one is ever sad or mad, because we all help each other stay on top of things. For example, one time I really did not understand my math homework and all my friends tried to help me. This made me feel happy and like I was cared for. My classmates are my friends, but they are also my second family. This is why I love Catholic school!” – Maggie Fangmeyer, eighth grade, St. Patrick’s School, Rockville

“Throughout my time at St. Patrick’s School, I have had many valuable life lessons. St. Patrick’s has heavily affected my religion and education, but it was also packed full of fun activities and experiences. For example, we have many fun activities such as field day, basketball game field trips and the musical. The school helps me grow in my faith by attending church every week and going to morning prayer every morning. The teachers that I have been surrounded with my whole life have been consistently dedicated to my education. I am proud to say that during my time at St. Patrick’s School, I have not only grown academically, but I have made strong relationships. I have created friendships that I believe will last through high school. We are all dependent upon each other and are always willing to lend a helping hand. St. Pat’s has shaped me to be who I am today, and I am forever grateful.” – Meredith DeWitt, eighth grade, St. Patrick’s School, Rockville

“My favorite part about St. Patrick’s is the strong friendships that exist. When I first came to the school in the third grade, I knew nobody and did not know who to talk to. That was short-lived, because as soon as I entered the classroom, I was greeted with smiles and ‘hellos.’ I was included in group projects and felt comfortable asking questions, because I knew that nobody would make fun of me. I was included in recess games and got to sit next to everyone at the lunch table. I still have these same friends today, and they haven’t changed. They are still as kind as ever. They have inspired me to treat other newcomers to the school as my friend, because at St. Patrick’s, we are all friends.” – Joshua Ray, eighth grade, St. Patrick’s School, Rockville

“My educational journey began in kindergarten at St. Patrick’s School… I learned the reason for my existence. I learned God has a plan and purpose for my life. St. Patrick’s has given me the opportunity to grow in my faith, by offering various opportunities to help others. I tried to take advantage of every opportunity to give back to others. After nine years in the school, I have a lot of memories…” – Alexandra Potter, eighth grade, St. Patrick’s School, Rockville

“I have attended St. Patrick’s for three years, and during those three years I have learned many things and made multiple friends. The thing in my opinion that makes St. Patrick’s special is the student environment and the friendships I have. One thing I really appreciate about St. Patrick’s is the smaller class size where learning is more personalized and specialized to your needs. St. Patrick’s has furthered my education beyond any place that public school could. Going to St. Patrick’s also allows me to learn and grow in my Christian faith. St. Patrick’s has offered me the opportunity to be educated, to grow in my faith and to create friendships.” – Reece Parkhurst, eighth grade, St. Patrick’s School, Rockville

Artwork and writing by Lainie Pullin, first grade, St. Patrick’s School, Rockville

“I love attending St. Patrick’s School, because it gives me the ability to be a successful student, inside and outside of school. St. Patrick’s is a great school, but what makes it even greater are the friendships I make here along the way. I have some close friends… not only friendships with classmates in my grade, but also some in other grades. St. Patrick’s gives me the comfort to be myself around everyone. When I walk into school, it is always so nice to see my friends and my teachers. St. Patrick’s gives me the ability to stand up for myself. I learned how to ask teachers for help, talk about my grades, and so much more. Thanks to St. Patrick’s, I thrive in so many ways. The classes are so much fun. My teachers explain everything so well, but they also make it fun. That is why St. Patrick’s is a great school, and I love it.” – Maddy Cantarilho, eighth grade, St. Patrick’s School, Rockville

“…I have the privilege of being enrolled in a Catholic school. To me, my faith has always played a significantly vital role in my life. At St. Patrick’s, everything we do is centered around our Catholic faith and around God. We pray every morning and go to Mass every Wednesday. What is most important about all of this, however, is the sense of community that comes with it. We pray and go to Mass together as one school community. To be able to be surrounded by peers who also share the same religion as me is a blessing. Another amazing privilege about being in a Catholic school is that every month we focus on a new charity...” – Feli Salvado, eighth grade, St. Patrick’s School, Rockville

“Our teachers are nice and generous. The priests are loyal, and they believe in us. My friends are nice, and they don’t break our friendship.” – Leykun Melaku, third grade, St. Patrick’s School, Rockville

“I like that our school hosts a Christmas pageant. It is very nice that we take time to do this. I really love this tradition because my parents enjoy hearing the school sing beautiful Christmas songs!” – Patrick Keown, third grade, St. Patrick’s School, Rockville

“Something I like about my Catholic school is my teacher, because when I need help, she explains things to me so I can do them by myself.  She is also really kind and nice.” – Aidan Stringer, third grade, St. Patrick’s School, Rockville

Father Andrew White, S.J. School, Leonardtown

“Something I like about my Catholic school is how we have Mass every single Friday. I love to participate in the Mass. I am in chorus so the first Friday of every month I go and sing with the rest of the chorus. Sometimes I’m a psalmist and I go sing the psalm for the Mass at the stand at the altar. Another thing I do is that I am an altar server, so every once in a while I get to serve and help the priest at the Mass. Serving is one of my favorite things. I also serve at Sunday Masses. Another thing we do is that we have kindergarten buddies, so that means that I get to help a kindergartener at Mass when I am not singing or serving. That is one of the many things I like about my Catholic school. 

“Something else I like about my Catholic school is our school’s band. We  have a beginner band and an advanced band. In band the instrument I play is the trumpet. I play piano outside of the band, but piano isn’t an instrument in our band. I’m in the advanced band. Last year, I was in beginner band class. I love to play instruments. It was a little easier to play the trumpet because I was able to read music notes. I love being in the school band! That is another thing that I like about my Catholic school.”  –, – Sully Allan, fifth grade, Father Andrew White, S.J. School, Leonardtown, Maryland

“I like my Catholic school because we get to have pep rallies. I like pep rallies because I get to run through a tunnel of cheerleaders because I play basketball. Also we get to see our cheerleaders cheer. I really like how our school has sports teams. We have volleyball, basketball, cross country and cheerleading.

 “Another thing I like about my Catholic school is we have buddies. This year we have buddies from kindergarten. We get to take our buddies to Mass once a month, and we get to do a buddy activity after. We also get to go to Mass every Friday. I like Mass because we have prayer books and we can follow along with the Mass.

“My favorite subject is math, and I am in advanced math. My teacher is Mrs. Downey, she is super nice. Sometimes we can get a prize because we get something right or we do a challenge and you win. I love the library, the library teacher Mrs. Hinkle is so nice … First, she reads us a book and we can take an AR test on it. Then, she lets us pick out a book. Usually we color while she reads a book. Gym is also fun because we get to do relays and play different sports.

“Why I really like Father Andrew White School is because I feel really safe in school and I always leave feeling like I accomplished something. 

“That is why I like my Catholic school.”  -- Reid Curry, fifth grade, Father Andrew White, S.J. School, Leonardtown, Maryland

“What I like about my Catholic school is we get all this fun stuff. First, we get pep rallies because the cheerleaders perform and they do great and the whole school loves it. Second, we do a Fall Fun Day, and we get face paint, candy, and games. Then, we get Catholic Schools Week, and I like it because we get to dress up as our favorite saint and mine is St. Jacinta of Fatima because she’s amazing. Last, we get awesome recess and awesome stuff to play with like gaga ball, four square, soccer, football, and swings. That's all the things that I like about my Catholic school!” – Luna Farr, fifth grade, Father Andrew White, S.J. School, Leonardtown, Maryland

St. Jude Regional Catholic School, Rockville

“When I think about what I like about my Catholic school, St. Jude Regional Catholic School, the most important thing is that people treat each other with kindness. It’s important to me because everyone should be treated with kindness. Another thing that I appreciate about my Catholic school is that older children take care of the younger children as buddies. It’s special to me because I like taking care of younger children. My Catholic school feels like a second home. When people care about each other, it feels like family. A fun thing about my Catholic school is the activities they have to offer, like choir, drama, sports, and student government. One last thing that I like about my Catholic school is the community activities, like Breakfast with Santa, Drive-in-Movies, and picnics.” – Isabella White, sixth grade, St. Jude Regional School, Rockville, Maryland

“At St. Jude’s Regional Catholic School, the mission is to strengthen our faith… What I like most about my Catholic school is that we pray often and have school practices and awards that involve our Christianity. I am also grateful for the chance to go to Confession and ask for God’s forgiveness every month. A great thing about my Catholic school is that most of us share the same religion, which allows us to understand each other when referring to the Bible. Going to school Mass every Friday gives me a sense of community and gets me a step closer to heaven. We have a period for religion, where I learn new prayers and great things God has done. It is clear the teachers’ top priority is getting us to heaven, and this is done through holy practices each day at school.” –Angelina Truong, sixth grade, St. Jude Regional School, Rockville, Maryland

“There are many things I like about St. Jude, my Catholic school. In St. Jude, the class sizes are small and in middle school, the grades don’t split into different classes except for in literature and math class, which I think are good qualities of my school. My Catholic school deals with any students that may have behavioral issues right away, and I feel that it is an important thing at St. Jude that shouldn’t be overlooked. I value the fact that at St. Jude, students receive a Catholic education, they go to Mass, and there is prayer out loud in school. Having teachers who all believe in God is another thing that I like about my Catholic school. Keeping the classes small and together, focusing on faith, and addressing behavioral problems brings unity and kindness to St. Jude, which is why I like them. The five things I showcased are a big part of what makes St. Jude the great school it is today.” – Camille Simpson, sixth grade, St. Jude Regional School, Rockville, Maryland

“There are many reasons to enjoy the different parts that make up St Jude. The teachers are amiable and willing to help. Students are encouraged to ask questions and speak up if they don't understand. The students are super supportive and care about each other. The library is full of books that are fun to read, and Mrs. Richter is helpful when students want to find new books. The St. Jude community does all sorts of events like Trunk-or-Treat, class ice skating, and drive-in movies. These are just a few of the many reasons that students love to go to St. Jude and value their time there.” – Timothy Trotter, sixth grade, St. Jude Regional School, Rockville, Maryland

“St. Jude is a great school and there are so many qualities that I like about St. Jude. The teachers’ method of teaching has helped me a lot by making the work easy and hard at the same time. The work the teachers give us doesn’t take one hour. Usually, the homework isn’t long, sometimes it is, but normally it is about one page. I like that they give us buddies for Mass and for other stuff, like when on the last day before Thanksgiving break, we did bingo with our buddies. I really like that every day in fourth period we have a special because the specials are fun stuff, and we get a break from doing normal schoolwork. I really like St. Jude’s and that’s why I have been here for nine years.” – Jason Oseroff, sixth grade, St. Jude Regional School, Rockville, Maryland

“One reason I like my Catholic school is my principal, Mrs. Donatelli. She is funny and a great leader. I also like my Catholic school because of how many friends I have made here. St. Jude Regional Catholic School is a really great community, and the families all work together. I am grateful to be a part of St. Jude School because of the supportive teachers. If I’m having a hard time with my work, my teachers are happy to help. I love attending my Catholic school because of the Ardella Team, which is what my English and literature teachers call themselves. This year I have made great memories with my class that will last forever.” – Max Palank, fifth grade, St. Jude Regional School, Rockville, Maryland

“Catholic education is very important to me because it teaches me a way to live. My experience has been very positive and fulfilling. At St. Jude Regional Catholic School, I have learned to believe in my peers and my education to do good. My faith has led me to learn how to be a compassionate person. Catholicism is a great way to be a kind, loving, and peaceful human being. Praying for the well-being of all is a positive thing to do. Learning to forgive and to wish for those who don’t have much is the greatest thing I have learned in Catholic school. I will continue my education in a Catholic environment here at St. Jude’s.” – Kaia Rosiakgodoy, fifth grade, St. Jude Regional School, Rockville, Maryland

Topic for February Junior Saints

February is Black History Month. For the February Junior Saints, students are invited to draw a picture and write about an African American who made history. The drawings and writings should be emailed to ZimmermannM@adw.org by Wednesday Feb. 7, 2024 to Mark Zimmermann, the Catholic Standard’s editor, and they should include the name, grade and school or parish of the student printed clearly.

Due to time constraints involved with reviewing the volume of submitted work, it is requested that schools or parish religious education programs limit their entries to 10 drawings and 10 writings from their students. The best formats to send are jpegs for artwork and word documents or pdfs for writing, if possible.  Please no long essays. Thank you!