STUDENT ESSAY: Why I love attending Catholic school

Editor’s note: Each year St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School in Anchorage holds a student essay contest for the annual Catholic Schools Week celebration. The following essay by 6th grader Nicholas Febbo took first place this year’s contest and included a $500 scholarship.

Most people overlook Catholic schools but they are a great source for religious formation and a good source of knowledge and service. Catholic schooling has changed me for the better, and you might just be inspired to take another look at Catholic schools.

Faith and religion are both important. Catholic schools have helped me come back to them. Before I went to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, I looked at church like a chore. Now I view church like school (which I think is fun) — a time to learn. Also, now that I’m in a Catholic school, I learn more about God and my faith. A year and a half ago, if someone asked me to whom God gave the Ten Commandments I would have probably said “some guy” or “Jesus,” but now I know it was Moses. Before attending St. Elizabeth Ann Seton I didn’t really know who I was or what I could be. Now I know about vocations and what God calls us to be. I know who I am and what I want to be. In a nutshell, I can clearly say that Catholic schools are a great source of faith formation.

Catholic schools are also a great source of knowledge thanks to teachers who encourage and help me progress onward. Back in my old school, I wasn’t a straight-A student, but now that I’m in a Catholic school and in such an encouraging environment, my grades have skyrocketed. Before I went to Catholic school, if you said something complicated or hard to understand, it would have probably gone right over my head. Now I try to decipher and understand the more complex things in life. Catholic schools are great way to learn about Catholicism and just about anything else.

I haven’t told you about how Catholic schools emphasize service to others. Before attending St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, I wasn’t the best kid — now I get in trouble much less, and I’m much nicer. Another thing is helping others. At this school, we grow potatoes to give to the homeless and we make sandwiches for them too. I didn’t used to care much about those things but now I ask people if they need help.

As you can see, Catholic schools focus on teaching religion as well as helping students learn about ourselves, others and the world around us. I hope this inspires you to think about Catholic schools.