My name is Maggie McClure and I am a proud alum of the Academy of the Sacred Heart, Class of 2021. I am currently a sophomore at St. Joseph’s Academy. My time at ASH consisted of big hugs from teachers, smiles from friends in the hallway, and laughs at the lunch table. With the guidance and support of my teachers I learned to overcome academic challenges and to push myself every day to do my very best.  

My teachers taught me many important life skills that I use today like writing a proper email, organizing my planner, and presenting in front of large crowds. I was taught to have confidence in myself, and that when I failed, to have grit and try again. The Academy community did a great job of preparing me for my transition into high school by challenging, guiding, and supporting me during my time at ASH.  

I want to share a few brief stories about our school.

Today it was an honor to host Luty Madero, RSCJ and Annette Muench (pictured) from our Sacred Heart School in Mexico City. Our guests shared that our students and faculty left a memorable impression, and I understood why.

I watched our students stand up during class to welcome and greet our guests. I saw the videos our guests shared with their Sacred Heart students in Mexico City. I was impressed by the thoughtful questions our students asked our guests, and even more impressed by the answers of students to the questions they received. I am so proud and appreciative of our students!

Last week, Seventh and Eighth Class students departed for Camp Lakewood, an annual favorite tradition that provides our students a wonderful opportunity to grow in confidence and leadership. Through this program, classes build a special sense of community through team-building activities, archery, challenge courses, ziplining and, of course, time around a campfire. Below students reflect about this time together.

As the “busy season” for events approaches with Country Fair and the Academy Classic Golf Tournament just weeks away, this week some of our volunteers share why they choose to spend their time giving back to the Academy.

Last week, students in Fifth-Eighth Classes were excited to resume their Service Learning Program after a two-year hiatus. Their service at various sites in the community — from visiting the elderly to working at the Food Bank, to working with young children, other abled individuals, and older adults — is a direct response to Goal 3: a social awareness which impels to action. Through their service and by being present to others, students are revealing the heart of Christ. Below, we share some of their reflections:

Eighth grade is a pivotal year at the Academy. Our students and their parents are trying to enjoy their last moments before the final Maypole ribbon falls. They are also trying to find the right high school and finish strong academically. Eighth Class students are encouraged to find their voices and become the leaders that they have trained to be. Recently they were invited to reflect on their journey so far and how they feel about their last year at ASH.

This week’s From the Heart author is Marcia Baronovic Renken ’72, 8th, Principal.

The gift of a Sacred Heart education is multifaceted. It is the building of a relationship with God, the community, and with oneself. This experience is rooted in the Five Goals and their criteria. There is no specific ranking of the goals in terms of importance. Each stands on its own, yet they are connected, affirming you cannot have one without the other.

Goal V – Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom – is the goal that wraps its arms around each person as he/she aspires to identify gifts and talents, acknowledge and respond to challenges, and strive to reach his/her potential.

This week’s From the Heart author is John Storjohann, Computer Science teacher.

The question was recently posed to me, “Why do you teach?”. More specifically, the question asked was, “Why do you teach at the Academy?”. The answer to that has been my professional journey and a personal blessing for as long as I have been a member of the community at the Academy of the Sacred Heart.

There is no other vocation I can imagine that would provide me with the same sense of deep personal, professional and spiritual satisfaction. I wake up each day and have the opportunity (admittedly a challenging one) to help inspire the lives of almost 200 young minds and hearts. I have the chance to help our students discover a passion for learning, to develop a sense of self-confidence and self-worth, and to help them to realize that our invitation in this life is to know and discover the love of God in each other – through our words as well as in our actions.

This week’s From the Heart author is Shawn Leight, Board Chair.

Dear Academy Families and Friends,

Last week our new Head of School, Mr. Tim Horner, said that he was expanding the voice of Thursday Mail by featuring students, parents, faculty, staff, trustees, and alums. This week I am kicking off this new tradition!

I was thrilled and humbled when asked to serve as an Academy Trustee and later Board Chair. Over 14 years as an Academy parent, I have experienced the tremendous good that this school does for our children, our families, and our greater community. When we were recruiting Tim, he asked me, “What is the Academy’s ‘secret sauce’?” The answer is, and always has been, about the children. It is not just that Academy students are well prepared to thrive in high school; they graduate from the Academy knowing, and being comfortable with, who they are. They are committed to making a positive difference in the world. Academy kids are truly something special.

This week’s From the Heart author is Tim Horner, Head of School.

Dear Academy Families and Friends,

This year, I think I was more excited and anxious for the first day of school than any of our students. With a whirlwind of activity, the day progressed quickly and left me appreciating the culture of our school.

I define culture as a self-perpetuating manifestation of the community. Faculty and students determine culture, illustrated and reinforced as much in the small, unseen moments as the large experiences of traditions:

• A student exiting their car with haste for a prolonged hug with their teacher
• A teacher escorting an anxious student to their classroom on the first day of school
• A returning student greeting a new student at their car and walking them to their classroom
• A student greeting a faculty member in the hallway and offering to help carry what the faculty member holds
• Seventh Class students warmly inviting me into their four square game
• A student defining the Academy as home