In June, while students were hard at work writing responses to final exams, I was doing some writing of my own… and asking the rest of the faculty, staff, and administration at Pope John Paul II High School to do the same. 

I thought it would be an entertaining challenge to use the six-word memoir genre to talk about this past school year – all the changes, milestones, and events that make the PJPII experience so special.

Read and enjoy.

Mr. Keavy, Head of School
Seek first the kingdom of God.

Mrs. Wile, Assistant Principal
Continuing to build a great school!

Mr. Catelli, Advancement and Admissions Director
Final exams. School’s over. Summer’s here.

Senorita Kelley, Spanish
My life has been changed forever.
Friends don’t let friends use translators!

My thoughts:
Statue of Pope; beacon of hope.
I actually liked going to work.
English is the best subject. Period.
SparkNotes will get you nowhere, kid.
Transcendentalists, Humanists, Abolitionists, Imagists – oh my! 

Mrs. Hufnagle, Administrative Assistant
DeVinck, Design, d’Dream (MSND), d’NHS, d’Rings, Delightful!

Mr. Giaquinto, Visual Arts
Great memories I will have forever!

If the spirit moves you, leave your own six-word memoirs as comments here! 

I’d like to close this blog with just one more: Thank you, thank you, thank you… for reading, for all you do for the school, and for making my first year here joyful, colorful, and full of learning, laughter, and love.  See you soon!

Those were the first few lines of my audition for the spring production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, written by William Shakespeare. 

My name is Mike Doyle. I live in Bourne and I am a freshman here at Pope John Paul II High School.

I was especially nervous, worried, and had no idea what was going to happen. I had never auditioned for a play before.

 “What revels are in hand? Is there no play, to ease the anguish of a torturing hour?”
(Act 5, Scene 1)

As these lines flowed during my audition I had mixed emotions and many thoughts.  “Was I going to get the part?  How do I sound?  Am I too loud?  Too quiet?  Were the words not flowing right?  What did everyone else think of me?”  I felt that I would have a great time with my friends at the rehearsals, and that I would learn a lot. But mostly, I was anxious about the outcome of my audition.

 “To show our simple skill, that is the true beginning of our end.”
(Act 5, Scene 1)

One week later we found out what parts we had earned.  I was pleased.  I had received a decent part.  Though it was far from the lead, I was happy to start small considering this would be my first real production.

I was also excited with the turnout of classmates from all three classes.  Many students auditioned and every spot was filled.  We’ve begun rehearsals and can’t wait until the production (May 14, 15, and 16).

 “So we grew together….”
(Act 3, Scene 2)

A lot of people are helping make this production a success and are very passionate about it.  I personally am very excited and can’t wait until it all comes together and we perform before a large audience in our auditorium.

 “I have had a dream, past the wit of man to say what dream it was.”
(Act 4, Scene 1)

We’re taught to be thankful for our gifts here at JPII HS.  I’m thankful that I was presented an opportunity to try something I had never done before. You never know.  This may be the start of something big!

It only took one week and I knew that I had made the right decision.

I felt that everyone cared about me, were friendly, and that the teachers wanted me to do my very best.

During the next few weeks I was shocked at how fast the school year got started. I joined the “tech crew” for the play and enjoy the work we do. We meet once each week and work on getting lights, sound, and the like ready for our stage productions. There are lots of activities for students here at JPII HS.

Finally, believe it or not, I also like my classes. I am in honors English and honors Biology. I like the advanced work and how fast the classes move along.

It may only be the beginning of my fourth month here but I already know that my four years here will be great!

Yours will be, too!

Like Spirit Week. Spirit, in this sense, would be definition #18: vigorous sense of membership in a group. On Sunday, October 26, dozens of students showed up at school to participate in five hours’ worth of hallway decorating, with each class transforming the corridors based on a movie theme (The Wizard of Oz, horror films, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory). It was awesome to see such enthusiastic student participation in every differently-themed dress down day throughout the week. How many blue and gold painted faces did I see that Friday? Too many to count.

The newly opened PJP2 school store was swamped with eager buyers clamoring to get their Lions apparel. I believe some girls from the junior class even painted an apple with blue paint during lunchtime to display their school spirit (fortunately, no one attempted to then eat this particular fruit).

School spirit is not guaranteed; it’s something the student body and faculty have to cultivate. Needless to say, I’m thrilled and grateful to be teaching at a place teeming with vibrancy and enthusiasm. 

Definition #9 talks about spirit with a capital S: the divine influence as an agency working in the human heart. Of all the attributes that constitute the identity of Pope John Paul II High School, our being a Catholic institution is the most obvious as well as the most significant. Food Day (inspired by the school’s Social Justice Committee) is a beautiful manifestation of the [Holy] Spirit at work in our school. By referring to Friday as Food Day, each week students are reminded of those less fortunate in the local community and encouraged to bring in donations of non-perishable items for nearby shelters. There are no rewards for contributing food, save that of knowing that another person’s life has been made just a little bit better by your contribution. The Food Day tradition is so powerful because it symbolizes connectedness with and concern for all of God’s people.

This past week, I had the honor to witness the spirit of compassion firsthand in one of my Introduction to Drawing classes. Definition #8 calls spirit: an attitude or principle that inspires, animates, or pervades thought, feeling, or action. During morning prayer that day, Advancement Director Mr. Catelli informed the JP2 community of a special prayer intention for a child of one of the families connected to the school. Several members of the football team, who had my class directly after receiving this information, were so moved by the news that they wanted to make a card in addition to praying for this particular family.

That, I am learning every day, is what we do here at Pope John Paul II – we care about each other.

When someone suffers, they don’t suffer in isolation. When someone is in need, they are taken care of. Seeing this instance of compassion, and the young gentlemen’s active response to a prayer petition, reminded me how important every little thing we do for others is. I am incredibly proud of these, and all of the students here, for their ability to recognize the obligation we have to reach out to others in whatever way we are capable (even in an act as simple as crafting a handmade card). 

In the spirit (definition #17, that is: the dominant tendency or character of anything, i.e. the spirit of the age) of Pope John Paul II High School, I’m ending this entry with a note of gratitude and a call for continued excellence.

Thanks for reading the First-Year Blog, and, to the PJP2 community, thanks for the spirited generosity and enthusiasm you embody. Keep on reading, and keep up the good work!

My name is Christopher Hughes and I am a freshman. I attended St. Francis Xavier Preparatory School right next door to JPII HS. While there, I participated in numerous clubs and activities. I am also an altar server and a member of Youth Ministry at Christ the King Parish in Mashpee.

I first got involved with the school before ever attending a single class.

In June, I saw an ad on Facebook for an advertising director for the school’s social justice committee. My involvement helped me get ready for the new school year and meet new friends. I strongly recommend that you join something in your new high school as soon as possible. It really helps.

The atmosphere here is great. The teachers work with you so that you can be successful. There are lots of things to do. More than I thought for a new school. Most of all the people here are great. They go out of their way to help you and to make you feel like you belong. The friends I’ve made and the feeling of community that makes this place special are important to me.

As the school year progresses, I can certainly say that I’m living a dream. I couldn’t be happier with my choice. If you are thinking of coming to JPII, I’m sure that you will be, too.

• the courage of this town to sell the property to a lower bidder;
• the courage of the first families to enroll in a school that had no precedent or accreditation;
• the courage of the students to become involved in athletics, drama, student council, and Christian service;
• the courage of the administration to seek accreditation before the first class graduates.

Day in and day out I have seen how this courage is demonstrated, on the stage or on the playing field, in the classroom and in the hallways, both on and off campus.

For example, early in September, we were blessed to have on campus Loretta Claiborne, who won an ESPY award for courage, to listen to her motivational presentation, and to learn how Special Olympics changed her life. Miss Claiborne was born legally blind and with mental retardation. But the Special Olympics program transformed her from an angry child to a world-class runner who inspired many. She placed special emphasis on Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s quote that has become the oath of Special Olympics, and one that remains with her as she does her very best each and every day:  “Let me win; but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

Nothing could ring more true for our up-and-coming school, and more specifically our athletics program. As we continue to build, to add new sports, and to compete without even a senior class, our student-athletes show courage in competition and represent the school well throughout the Cape and surrounding communities. The work they put in at practice; the hours devoted to film, fitness training, and competing; and the way in which our student-athletes are dignified and compete with class show the courage that embodies what it means to be a Pope John Paul II Lion.

Still, September had more profiles in courage in store for us.  At the end of the month, we assembled with our friends from Saint Francis Xavier Preparatory School and Saint Pius X School for a presentation by Dr. Christopher de Vinck, the author of one of our summer reading books, The Power of the Powerless. Dr. de Vinck spoke of his brother Oliver, who was entirely helpless yet managed to touch hearts the world over. Throughout his presentation Dr. de Vinck’s emphasized that, “If Oliver could do so much with so little, how much more could you do with all that you have been given?”

His challenge encompasses the goals JPII HS is driven to achieve.

The school’s roots already stretch from Bourne to Provincetown, but there is still so much room to reach out and influence others around us. From Crosswalk’s (the school’s Social Justice group) weekly Food Day project to the summer (and on-going) service projects with Cape Abilities, CHAMP House, and Habitat for Humanity, students have willingly reached out to assist those in the Hyannis area and on the Cape. They have chosen to use the talents given them to bless the La Salette Community (Godspell production), to build our athletics program, and to serve each other (our newly-elected student council officers).

But the possibilities are endless.

So as the school continues to grow, Dr. de Vinck’s challenge for all students and staff is to use all that we have been given to touch the lives of others.

In my first six weeks of here at JPII HS, I have been consistently impressed with the students’ courage and dedication to living out the school’s mission:

• in creating traditions that will live on long after the current students graduate;
• in devoting so much of their time to building athletics programs, in hours upon hours of rehearsals so that the Godspell performance at La Salette Shrine would be a huge success;
• in running for student office with big hopes and dreams for changes to be made in the coming school year, and of course;
• in focusing in the classroom and striving to do their best in academics day in and day out.

The courage of these founding classes, the administration, faculty, and staff has created such strong bonds that foster dreams and advances with eyes always to the future, to the legacy that the current JPII community will leave behind for future generations of Cape Cod families.

I believe myself to be truly blessed to have this opportunity to teach in such a wonderful school, and I look forward to all that the coming months will bring.

Let me begin by telling you a little bit about myself.  I attended Saint Francis Xavier Prep School for grades 6-8 and am a communicant at the Coast Guard Chapel on Otis Air National Guard Base.  I’m a member of the United States Naval Sea Cadets.  I hold the rank of Petty Officer 3rd class and have received many awards such as Cadet of the Year.  I’ve also completed Sea Cadet Boot Camp and leadership training onboard the USS Joseph P. Kennedy at Battleship Cove in Fall River.  I love sports and play football, lacrosse, basketball, golf, and swimming.

My first 4 weeks of school have been very busy.  I was a little anxious, mainly because I wasn’t sure what to expect. 

I joined the school’s first ever football team where I play right offensive guard and defensive nose tackle.  Our first game went well even though we lost 30-20.  Our next game is against Nantucket.  We’re looking to improve each week. (ed. note: JPII HS won 14-0!)

I also play the trumpet for the school band.  Last week the band, cast, and tech crew went to the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Attleboro to put on the school musical Godspell.  My favorite part of the evening was the bus ride home.  My friends and I had a lot of fun talking about the performance and to each other. 

High school has been great so far. I’m working hard in school and having a lot of fun during co-curricular activities.  I’m looking forward to the remainder of the football season and for spring sports when I’ll try out for sailing or maybe organize a lacrosse club.

Now I know that it was a great decision to attend Pope John Paul because everything at this school has been awesome. 

It’s been a great first few weeks and I look forward to sharing with you again in the coming months.

Before coming to Pope John Paul II High School there was one word I kept hearing: “family.” I heard it from Head of School Mr. Keavy when discussing the faculty. I heard it from Administrative Assistant Mrs. Hufnagle concerning the students. And, I heard it from my fellow PACT teachers when discussing community.

I have a fantastic family back in good ol’ Northampton and tend to keep family and work as separate as possible. Never in a million years did I think that the two would come together so well nearly 200 miles from my true family.

The “Back to School BBQ” was my first inkling of what was to come and I think all of us new teachers were overwhelmed at the excitement and welcome we received from parents and students alike. The faculty offered us everything from teaching tips to curtain rods and we want for nothing when it comes to advice and materials.

This sense of family has certainly made life easier these past few weeks, especially after clocking over 60 hours at the school before the first day! When scrambling to arrange desks, Custodian extraordinaire Mr. Ernie was only a page away. And, when looking over my wobbly, uneven and completely off-center bulletin board Administrative Assistant Mrs. Astone still had the courtesy to tell me it looked great.

All of this preparation led up to the first day and of course a first day pep talk from Mr. Keavy. He told us to relax and most importantly enjoy the day for what it was.

For me, it was the first day of a career I have wanted to enter since 5th grade. When I came home that night, I realized that my cheeks hurt from smiling literally all day long.

As I begin my time here, I realize that I have truly embarked on a “family” journey for the 2009-2010 school year. It’s nice to know that everyone on the staff here supports us; it makes it easy to teach and easy to show that same support for our students.

I have already received questions I couldn’t answer (“Has anyone ever written anything in Antarctica?”), given a few stern lectures (sorry sophomores!), and I can’t wait to see what next week holds!

Thanks for reading and keep an eye out for more 1st year blogs!

When first asked to write this blog by Advancement Director Mr. Catelli, I had to chuckle because of my own past experience. I spent the entirety of my Senior year in college blogging for the Holy Cross website (Go Crusaders!) and now will spend my first year at Pope John Paul II high school doing the same thing. Life has certainly come full circle!

Before coming to Pope John Paul II High School there was one word I kept hearing: “family.” I heard it from Head of School Mr. Keavy when discussing the faculty. I heard it from Administrative Assistant Mrs. Hufnagle concerning the students. And, I heard it from my fellow PACT teachers when discussing community.

I have a fantastic family back in good ol’ Northampton and tend to keep family and work as separate as possible. Never in a million years did I think that the two would come together so well nearly 200 miles from my true family.

The “Back to School BBQ” was my first inkling of what was to come and I think all of us new teachers were overwhelmed at the excitement and welcome we received from parents and students alike. The faculty offered us everything from teaching tips to curtain rods and we want for nothing when it comes to advice and materials.

This sense of family has certainly made life easier these past few weeks, especially after clocking over 60 hours at the school before the first day! When scrambling to arrange desks, Custodian extraordinaire Mr. Ernie was only a page away. And, when looking over my wobbly, uneven and completely off-center bulletin board Administrative Assistant Mrs. Astone still had the courtesy to tell me it looked great.

All of this preparation led up to the first day and of course a first day pep talk from Mr. Keavy. He told us to relax and most importantly enjoy the day for what it was.

For me, it was the first day of a career I have wanted to enter since 5th grade. When I came home that night, I realized that my cheeks hurt from smiling literally all day long.

As I begin my time here, I realize that I have truly embarked on a “family” journey for the 2009-2010 school year. It’s nice to know that everyone on the staff here supports us; it makes it easy to teach and easy to show that same support for our students.

I have already received questions I couldn’t answer (“Has anyone ever written anything in Antarctica?”), given a few stern lectures (sorry sophomores!), and I can’t wait to see what next week holds!

Thanks for reading and keep an eye out for more 1st year blogs!