Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • May 4, 2018 21 Spotlight on Schools K nights of C olumbus Three years ago, at the age of 39, Dana Hebert walked through the doors of Our Lady Academy (OLA) hoping to be able to register as a first-time student. “I want to wear the uniform and be a true Crescent,” she said. A week later, with her assistant by her side, Dana came through the halls so proudly wearing the OLA plaid skirt and ready to get to work. This was her first step to reaching her dream and her first time to attend an all-girl school. Dana’s day began in the ICT lab, learning how to type, followed by art class with Karli Renz Corr. She came every week and grew to love OLA, her new friends, and her new teachers. On March 21, Dana walked in her art class with a bag full of “Crazy Socks” in tow. She planned to share this national day of celebration with the girls that became her friends, the girls that laughed with her and grew with her …it was her day… the day that was des- ignated as “World Down Syndrome Day.” The United Nations chose March 21 for the world to recognize all the unique and wonderful people with Down Syndrome because the cause of this condition is a random error in cell division that results in the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21. The “Crazy Socks” represent the shape of the extra chromosome. When Dana decides that it is time for her to leave OLA and pursue her other dreams, she will be pre- sented with an Honorary Certificate of Achievement from OLA, officially making her a Crescent! When that day comes, the students said that they will miss her laughter and her big smile but are happy that she learned how to type; how to express herself through art, but it was really Dana that taught them. To the OLA students, Dana defined perseverance, commitment, and the drive to fulfill one’s dream and conquer any fears. Dana has touched the lives of many girls at OLA and they know that she became a part of OLA, a true Crescent, the moment she walked through the doors of Our Lady Academy. Left, OLA students wearing crazy socks. Right, Dana Hebert poses with OLA classmates Cassidy Ketchum, Anna Denette, Kiley Jacob, Lydia Cates, Dana Hebert, Grace Breisacher, Ashley Borzik, and Arlene Balch Our Lady Academy (OLA) student Julia Gelpi won first place in the Organic Chemistry Category at the State Science and Engineering Fair on April 5, held on the Jackson State University campus. In addition, stu- dents Cali Reinhart’s and Taylor Wypyski’s projects each captured third place in Inorganic Chemistry and Robotics Category, respectively. Our Lady Academy, Bay St. Louis Julia Gelpi’s project won under the Organic Chemistry category with her experiment testing the most effective method of preserving fish. The results of her experiment confirmed her hypothesis that brining (soaking or saturating in salt water) was the most suc- cessful at preserving fish. Freezing came in second as the next successful alternative method of preservation. She plans to expand on this experiment for next year’s Science and Engineering Fair. Taylor Wypyski took third place in the Robotics category with her experiment assessing the modifica- tion of silicone air-powered robots’ effect on the amount of weight lifted. Cali Reinhart earned third place in the Inorganic category with her study testing different pH levels of various name brand bottled water and tap water from various cities in determining the best water quality for consumption. “We are very proud of the outstanding academic achievements in the science and engineering field our students have merited at both the regional and state sci- ence competitions this year. In addition, I applaud Julia Gelpi for her continuous study and research on food preservation,” said principal Marilyn Pigott. Our Lady Academy students place in the State Science and Engineering Fair: Cali Reinhart, Julia Gelpi, and Taylor Wypyski. Sacred Heart Catholic School’s Powerlifting Team competed in Jackson on Saturday,April 21. The team brought home the Class 1A State Championship title. The team is coached by Lonny Schraeder and Asst. Coach Barton Bradford. Pictured, front, l-r, are Ben Dunn, Ethan Mooney, Joey French, Tanner Blakeney, Grady Leek and Chris Hunter-Durr. Back row: Asst. Coach Barton Bradford, Gavin Bradford, Garrett Crowder, A.J. Sneed and Coach Lonny Schraeder. Sacred Heart High School, Hattiesburg On 8 March, John Dryman presented two $200 checks to Dr. Linda Vasquez, director of DREAM of Hattiesburg, Inc. The first $200 check was from Sacred Heart Church Knights of Columbus (KC) Council #1908. The second $200 check was from St. Thomas Church KC Council #15382. Both councils are indebted for the positive work DREAM plays in our day to day lives. Both Councils assisted with DREAM’s drug and alcohol prevention, after-school tutoring program, and curricula-based pro- grams to teach young people about the negative effect of how harmful drugs are to their lives. DREAM has been an integral player in keeping drugs and alcohol out of the reach of children, their siblings, and their families in the Hattiesburg area. KC Council # 1908, Sacred Heart Parish, Hattiesburg KC Council # 15382, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Hattiesburg