St. Paul Catholic school in Park Ridge celebrates Blue Ribbon recognition
By JENNIFER JOHNSON jjohnson@pioneerlocal.com January 15, 2012 11:36AM
The Rev. Britto Berchmans, pastor of St. Paul of the Cross Church in Park Ridge, gives a high-five to a student after a Jan. 11 assembly celebrating the school's National Blue Ribbon Award. | Tamara Bell~Sun Times Media
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Updated: February 20, 2012 8:13AM
St. Paul of the Cross Catholic School in Park Ridge celebrated recognition as a 2011 U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School with a special assembly Jan. 11.
The all-school assembly featured performances by the school’s cheerleading squad and band, as well as remarks from school leaders, including Principal Lorelei Bobroff, Pastor Britto Berchmans and Sr. Mary Paul McCaughey, superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Former pastor, the Rev. Carl Morello, was also in attendance.
“St. Paul of the Cross is a Blue Ribbon School because we provide an educational environment that treasures the gifts and talents of each student,” Bobroff told the crowd.
One student from each grade was then selected to read a statement he or she had written about why St. Paul fits the definition of a Blue Ribbon School.
Third-grader Jack Nader credited “all the awesome teachers and staff. We all do our best, but they make us do better.”
“On top of getting a good education, our faith is deepened, not only by our teachers and priests, but by the other students,” said Nicole Pagliari, a seventh-grader.
Awards were also presented to two students by Augie Genovesi, alumni director and coach at Notre Dame College Prep in Niles. Nathan Dziekan received a Notre Dame Academic Competition Award for taking first place in the high school’s math contest, while student Kevin Kicmal received the same award for placing third in the competition.
This school year, St. Paul and Mary, Seat of Wisdom School, also in Park Ridge, were among 49 private schools in the country to earn a Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Department of Education. Both were recognized as high-performing schools in the areas of English and math.
Mary, Seat of Wisdom celebrated its award with the school and the community by holding a special Jan. 13 Mass presided over by Bishop Francis Kane, of the Chicago Archdiocese. Sr. Mary Paul McCaughey, who attended both St. Paul and Mary, Seat of Wisdom School, also addressed the students.
Parents were then invited to a special reception following the Mass.
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