Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • June 15, 2018 22 Spotlight on Schools BILOXI -- Richard Springer, a 2018 St. Patrick Catholic High School graduate, has successfully completed the National Student Council (NatStuCo) Student Leaders Program, earning national recognition as a National Student Council Distinguished Leader. He is one of nearly 900 students in the nation to achieve this rec- ognition, which is becoming a highly sought-after honor by stu- dent leaders across the country. Sponsored by the NatStuCo and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the Student Leaders Program serves to: • Give schools a tool to enhance and improve their efforts to develop student leaders. • Challenge students to work for recognition that is based on their abilities and knowledge in the area of leadership. • Create an award that provides authentic assessment and recognition based on a student’s demonstration of skills and knowledge. • Support the standards and goals of the National Council of Excellence Awards and missions of National Student Council and NASSP Springer St. Patrick High School, Biloxi As part of their graduation celebration, the sixth grade class of Our Lady of Fatima Elementary toured City Hall and met with Mayor FoFo Gilich. Cecilia Watson, Public Affairs Director, gave the students an inside look at the activities of the City Council including the office of MayorGilich. “The students hear about the activities of the Mayor and City Council and now they actually see where it all takes place,” said Cindy Grammar, sixth grade teacher. After touring City Hall, the students and parents had lunch at another Biloxi landmark -- Mary Mahoney’s Old French House. Our Lady of Fatima Elementary School, Biloxi, Heith Shinn, Valedictorian, Cecilia Watson, Linda Mustered, Salutatorian and Mayor Gillich. Our Lady of Fatima Elementary School, Biloxi In front of a standing-room-only crowd at the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, OLF elementary students performed Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr . The story by Christian Andersen is an enchanting look at the sacrifices we all make for love and acceptance. Under the direction of music teacher Jacqueline Coale, the students practiced for months to give four performances of this production. Students were involved in all parts of the production including set production, backstage hands, and lighting. “Ms. Coale and all her students gave the audience an outstanding performance,” said Cindy Hahn, principal. “The creative talents of our students are just amazing.” Our Lady of Fatima Elementary School, Biloxi Our Lady Academy, Bay St. Louis Our Lady Academy (OLA) ninth grade student Sophie Timmons, shown with Schoen Heier Bonura, received a tuition scholarship of $4,480 from the Schoen Heier Bonura Scholarship Foundation at Our Lady Academy Awards Convocation held on May 17. In 2007, OLA alumnae Schoen Heier Bonura and hus- band Ross Bonura established the scholarship fund as a means of helping a student continue her pursuit of a Catholic education at Our Lady Academy. “Sophie’s exemplary char- acter, service to others, and pride in OLA, made her the ideal recipient of the Schoen Heier Bonura Scholarship,” said principal Marilyn Pigott. Sophie expressed, “This scholarship award was a big surprise for me. I can’t express how happy I was to receive it. I want to thank Bonura for her generosity, support, and her commitment to help students continue their Catholic educa- tion at OLA. It was an honor to meet her and to have her present the scholarship to me directly.” Sophie is a member of the archery team, Yearbook Club and has maintained honor roll status throughout her years at OLA. In the ten years since the Schoen Heier Bonura Scholarship Fund was established, over $30,000 has been awarded. Bonura’s belief is that “Education is a personal asset that can never be taken away…and that it is our duty and privilege as human beings to make a lifetime commitment to ‘give back’ and make a real difference in the lives of others.”