This week, Sacred Heart Academy welcomed 192 new 9th grade students to the SHA Experience, and newly revamped version of the 9th Grade Orientation.
Hurricane Henri couldn't hold back these excited young ladies. They braved the pouring rain on August 23 and entered the doors of the S. Virginia Crowley Theatre, where they received a warm and enthusiastic welcome from current SHA students.
Once settled, the Class of 2025 listened to inspiring and informative words from Mrs. Mary Beth (Bennett '92) Stines P '23, Director of Admissions; S. Jean Amore, Principal; Mrs. Kristin Lynch Graham, President; Mrs. Jill Fincher, 9th Grade Dean; Mrs. Emma Sullivan, Assistant Principal for Student Life; and Mrs. Gina Christel, Assistant Principal for Academics.
Mrs. Graham compared the students running through a big puddle in the pouring rain to get to the theatre to the giant challenge - or "puddle" - that is starting a new high school.
"I can tell you every time I watched, you walked straight through the puddle," Mrs. Graham said. "And I thought that was a great sign for an incoming class. Right away, they're faced with something in front of them that's unfamiliar, they don't really know what to think about it. They just charge right through it. I think that says a lot about you as a person, as a class and about your choice to be at Sacred Heart."
After the presentations, the members of the Class of 2025 broke up into smaller groups to get to know each other better. They talked about where they were from, some of their interests, and other things that helped them warm up to each other.
Next, the students were introduced to their homerooms. They met their homeroom teachers and received Chromebooks that they will use for the next four years. The young women made their status as Sacred Heart Academy students even more official by taking their student ID pictures.
The busy first day of the SHA Experience wrapped up with a delicious BBQ lunch provided by CulinArt.
In the days that followed, the members of the Class of 2025 became even more familiar with the life of a SHA student by going on building tours, sitting in mock classes, and attending a spiritual retreat.
S. Jean left the new students with the following prayer to begin their journey at Sacred Heart Academy:
"My prayer for you is that you will learn, laugh and love each day. You will lead and reach out to those who seem alone or isolated or in need of encouragement. You will be a bridge, a connector, a reconciler so no differences divide us or keep us apart. And the last thing, may you become all God wants you to become more and more each day. Amen."