WE WON THE GOLD!

Benedictine Academy won the Gold Medal

for Jefferson Award

Regional Competition

for the State of New Jersey!

Our Students In Action Team attended NJPAC for the Spring Regional Competition of the Jefferson Awards this past Tuesday. Mayor Booker was the keynote speaker. He was absolutely amazing as he shared his own leadership stories of challenges and successes. A Yale Law Graduate, he learned a few of his greatest lessons from a wise woman who lived in a housing development in Newark and a mother with two small children on a cross-country plane flight. Mayor Booker spoke about the importance of the human dignity of every human being and the power of choosing to touch another life in small ways with kindness. It was wonderful for our students to hear how the Mayor spoke of the Lord being very present in his life, teaching and guiding him every step of the way. Mayor Cory Booker, himself, is a National Jefferson Award winner.

Students from over a dozen New Jersey High Schools filled the room as they shared their volunteer leadership experiences and worked together to develop proposals for service projects.

Then came the moment for which we were all anxiously waiting. The judging of the SIA Competition was based on 7 criteria: Engaged School Community, Effective Leadership Team, Expanded Volunteer Capacity, Expanded Financial Capacity, Communication of Service Projects, Growth of SIA, and Innovations.

Benedictine Academy scored the highest percentage

of desired outcomes and completed all 7 directives!

Afterwards, Ms. Karen Hatcher shared that the judges commented that BA's Student In Action presentation was "excellent! Nearly every judge gave them perfect marks. They said it was "well-planned", "very engaging", and "great delivery"." (Ms. Karen Hatcher is the Regional Director of Students In Action in New Jersey.)

Mr. Robert Ford, Executive Director of the Jefferson Awards for Public Service, shared, "Your students captured the essence of what makes me proud to be an American citizen, and personify the hope that I have for the future... I look forward to welcoming yourinspirational young leaders to Washington DC as the New Jersey recipients of the Jefferson Awards Outstanding High School ( Volunteerism Service Leadership)."