November 17, 2009 (Catholic education, Catholic schools)

Editor’s Note: the following essay was written by Marissa Thomson, a Grade 7 student at St. Joseph’s Elementary School in Dryden, Ontario.  In Dryden there is no Catholic secondary school.  The closest Catholic High School is in Kenora under the auspices of the Kenora Catholic District School Board, 140 km to the west.

by Marissa Thomson

Just think there are children not just in Dryden, but in the whole world that go to a Catholic School, but when they go to high school they don’t have that same kind of knowledge about Christianity that they would when they were in grade school. I strongly think that if Dryden gets a Catholic High School it teaches children responsibility, Catholic values, and learning skills with continuity in their Christian education. A Catholic High School in Dryden is the way to go!

To start with, putting a Catholic High School in Dryden will teach us to use the knowledge we get from grade school through to high school, to make responsible choices. (E.g. they could say to them selves before they do something what would Jesus do?) We would have God in our daily life, we need to have strong supports to live a Christian lifestyle, and by having a Catholic High School to attend would be a great tool.

Secondly, we want to have an environment that would encourage us to lead our lives in a Christian manner. Catholic High Schools encourage children to lead a life in good Catholic values. We, as students would be given the opportunity to grow more independently towards a Christian lifestyle by letting us have a more secure environment in our Catholic education. It is tough enough these days to go to school and feel confident in ourselves, let alone be able to be accepted in our beliefs as well.

Thirdly, if Dryden gets a Catholic High School, we as students will have the same Christian based learning, with a high level of academic excellence that we have had throughout our school life. Within a Catholic High School we as student would be able to focus on our study skills and continue to reach our highest potential, in whatever we decide knowing that we have Jesus working along side us. Giving us the strength to go about our lives knowing that we have Jesus helping us make our decisions about school, friends, grades, lifestyle, and any problems we may have along the way.

In conclusion, if Dryden gets a Catholic high school it helps children have better Catholic values, better learning skills, and teaches us responsibility. Receiving a Catholic high school in Dryden is the best choice!

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