School Highlights

There are always inspiring stories to be told about Catholic schools and their many promising students.   If you are an administrator, educator or alumnus looking to highlight your school or honor its teachers and students, RitzWriting can help you shape your story on the page.  Here's one example:

It used to be that when you saw high school students proudly wearing lettered jackets, you assumed that they earned their letters in sports.  Not so anymore.

An emphasis on academic and community service letters is becoming more prevalent as a way to reward aspects of student achievement beyond athletics.

As college admission becomes more competitive, a focus on earning top grades becomes more paramount.

Academy of Holy Angels (AHA) High School in Richfield, MN for instance, awards academic letters to students winning high marks in class as a form of recognition on par with the recognition given to students who excel in athletics. “AHA is committed to helping students reach their full potential in academics, activities and athletics -- and we recognize all of them with a lettering program,” said Heidi Foley, Principal.  “It’s part of our philosophy of educating the whole student (body, mind, spirit), Holy Angels offers letters in community service as well.”

The criteria for high honor roll and academic lettering at AHA is a 3.6667 or higher GPA for one academic year.  Each year an Academic Reception is held to celebrate the AHA lettering program.  Two categories of students are honored and receive letters:  High Honors Students -- those with a 3.6667 GPA, and Scholars of Distinction -- those with a 4.0 GPA.  Students who have already earned a letter receive a chevron to add to the sleeve of their jacket. 

Community service letters seek to promote involvement in programs facilitated through the school.  But they also encourage students to tap their own initiative in contributing to a community need outside the walls of Holy Angels.  Students participating in this program complete a set number of service hours through Campus Ministry Team sponsored events.  They also perform at least two types of service immersions at off-campus locations not affiliated with Holy Angels.

After a student accumulates 48 hours of service, they are recognized with a letter.  For each additional 24 hours of service the student receives a chevron.

“Most of our 15 high schools recognize academics and service in addition

to sports,” said Cathy Cornell, Coordinator of Marketing & Financial Aid at The Archdiocese of St Paul & Minneapolis.  “In fact, at a number of schools, service hours are a requirement in order to letter in sports”.

By incorporating the service element into a Catholic student’s education, an opportunity is provided to demonstrate faith in action in secular settings.  “To recognize high achievers in each area seems to me to affirm the holistic elements that are consistent with the values of Catholic education,” continued Cathy Cornell.

Senior Michelle Bradley is one student who views the AHA academic lettering program as a valuable means of incentivizing students to reach higher.    “I’m very proud of being recognized for my hard work and my focus on maintaining a high GPA,” commented Michelle.  “The academic environment at Academy of Holy Angels is tough.  Expectations are high.  But it’s also helping me optimally prepare for college.”

Michelle earned letters for her achievements in academics, theater and speech.  In fact, she has been nominated for the ‘Triple A Program’ Award sponsored by the Minnesota State High School League.  She has also participated in track/cross country and volunteered with the non-profits Feed My Starving Children and Loaves & Fishes.  She plans to major in theater in college.

Younger brother Kurt is a sophomore at AHA and, according to Michelle, is also intending to aim high and take advantage of opportunities to excel in his academic performance at Academy of Holy Angels.