Thanksgiving Food Drive

This Thanksgiving seems very different. Our sisters and brothers in our own families, our own communities, our country, and across the globe are suffering in so many ways. And yet, it is a time of thanksgiving. Gratitude of heart is the healing balm for all the ills of our world.

This past week, the Student Council joined forces with Students In Action to share their food with others. That is what family does. We take care of each other. The reality is we are all sisters and brothers; we are all God's children.

We need to care. If we don't, who will?

Vow of Silence

Students In Action joined forces with Peace & Justice Club in becoming a voice for the voiceless by taking a vow of silence. Today is the 21st anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Form Toronto to Mexico City, Bejing to Jakarta, New York City to Elizabeth, New Jersey, tens of thousands of people walked in solidarity with children who are being silenced by poverty and exploitation. There are over one billion children living in poverty, many of whom are suffering from hunger, child labor, discrimination and lack of education. Their rights are not being upheld. Their voices are not being heard.

After 8 hours of being silent, we gathered together to discuss our experiences. One freshmen student shared, "After today's vow of silence, it breaks my heart that young children go through this everyday. Today I felt ignored and left out, as if no one understood me."

Another Junior student shared, "It made m

e feel somber, not being able to express yourself. Even if you need help, you have no voice. It was as if you were being condemned. It was very difficult."

We are more determined than ever to take a stand and become a voice for the voiceless. Together we will make our world a better place.

We Are All Sisters and Brothers

At our school, we have several dozen different nationalities, yet we are all sisters and everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. Mother Teresa said, "If you knew me, you would love me." Isn't that the truth? We need to take the time to listen to one another, instead of judging and gossiping. We need to "Stand Up" for love and say "No" to the hurt.

AND THE WINNER IS...

Energy filled the auditorium as we welcomed Mrs. Karen Hatcher, Director of the Student In Action Leadership Program. Benedictine Academy is the first certified Jefferson Award Student In Action Leadership School in New Jersey. Service Leadership is a hallmark of our Benedictine charism and what it means to be a Christian.

We proudly inducted seventeen of our Student Leaders as members of the Jefferson Award Student Leadership Team. They will be attending a Student In Action Leadership Conference in a few weeks. Their goal is simple: to be role models and inspire their peers to help make our world a better place.

This day was

EXTRA SPECIAL because eleven of our students were nominated for the Jefferson Award Student In Action Outstanding Volunteer Service Award. Special guest, Chocolate Thunder, former player of the New Jersey Nets, is best known for his shattering of backboards as he dunked winning baskets. The Basketball Man of the Millennium opened the sealed envelope and presented this prestigious Award to sophomore, Barbara Borges.

Barbara began a new volunteer service project known as Erica's bracelets. She and her friends make bracelets to give with their prayers to cancer patients in hospitals.

After the awards, Darryl Dawkins coached our girls in a free throwing event.

We have special thanks to Robert Provost of the Star Ledger and Karen Hatcher, Students In Action Program, for all of their hard work and kindness in making our Award Day a memorable occasion. We also thank Mr. Robert Ford and the Jefferson Award People for all of their support and such an incredible opportunity for our students. And we ask the Lord to bless Darryl Dawkins for driving several hours to be with us and for inspiring our students to keep up their good works and to continue to help others in the local communities.

An S.O.S. was recently sent out across New Jersey, if not the country. We need to stop the pain and violence in our world and in our school communities. Bullying, hatred, and exclusion are NOT ACCEPTABLE! "Whatever hurts my brothers and sisters hurts me."

PBJ (Benedictine Students Peace & Justice Club) and our Sisters of the Spirit joined forces to give witness to other BA students and students from St. Benedict's Prep 'about the need to take a stand and not remain silent. They made a short documentary (currently being transferred to a different recording media for posting) and gave witness to the school about the need to do what we are supposed to do.

As Dr. Michael Fowlin, an actor/psychologist, who spoke to the school following the showing of our new STAND UP documentary, said "Don't be a ZEBRA! In the animal kingdom, zebras will simply stand around and watch another animal being attacked. Speak up! "

The Nominees Ballots Are In!

This Friday, we will be announcing the winner of our first Students In Action Jefferson Award.

The following nominees are students who have been recognized by their peers/teachers for taking the initiative to make our world a better place. They are our unsung heroes who have volunteered their services in a quiet, yet significant way.

Cynthia has given countless hours in the tutoring of ESL students and the handling of students with difficult behaviors at Hillside Parish. She is also the President of their CYO Youth Group.

Barbara has formed a new group called Erica’s Bracelets. Together with her friend, they have made over 35 bracelets for people with cancer. She has now enlisted the aid of several of her classmates to join them in their efforts to bring comfort to both patients in hospitals and in their homes.

Krystal has a strong desire to help little children. She volunteers during her free time at the Day Street Day Care facility to tutor young children.

Jennifer spent hours upon hours to help coordinate the BA Breast Cancer Walk and personally raised over $200. in donations. This is only one of the many ways Jennifer tries to help those in need.

Deazah enjoys working with young children. She spends much of her free time helping others at the Rahway Hospital and the Agape Youth Worship Center.

Martha dedicates several hours each week at her local parish. She assists in the CCD Program and works with the younger children at the Youth Center.

Stefanie is the Leader of the Operation Write-Home Club. She and her classmates wrote hero letters and made over 50 cards to send to our troops overseas.

Chisom has spent much of her free time volunteering at Trinitas Hospital and UMDJ. Her goal is to help alleviate suffering by the touch of a helping, caring hand and a warm heart.

Ariana is the leader of the Peace & Justice Club and an active member of the national DO SOMETHING CLUB. She organized the peanut butter & jelly drive that made over 195 sandwiches to feed the homeless and has a passion to help those in need.

Angelin performs weekly voluntary service at the Irvington Public Library by helping young children, between the ages of pre-k to third grade, to read and write.

. Eunice enjoys making kids days brighter with her smile. She worked at a camp over the summer and is a quiet presence around the community, in and out of school, giving a helping hand whenever it is needed.