(from left) Fiona Lee, Caroline Marcus, Chella Rizkalla, Emma Pachon, Christa Haddad, and Terra Haddad; (bottom) Gaby Walton, Becca Rizkalla, Maddy Hopkins, and Becky Ward
Serving with a Smile Holy Child students donated the most precious
thing they could this summer–their free time. Each year, we send a group of our high school girls to a unique service camp, Encounter the Gospel of Life (EGL), which serves the needy areas of Washington, DC and Maryland. These students volunteer one week of their time and energy, reaching out to the poor and marginalized. Students do everything from working at a soup kitchen to assisting in a nursing home to moving donated furniture for some lucky people who are finally getting off of the street and into a place to call home. There is even an EGL group designated to work on human rights legislation; the members lobby on Capitol Hill. The EGL camp is located at the University of Maryland, where high school students stay in dorms and take buses or the Metro every day to their service sites. “These kids go from 6am until 11pm every day,” notes Mary Hopkins, Assistant Head of School at Holy Child. It was her first year chaperoning at the camp: “It is intense and quite exhausting, but our girls want to be there. It bonds them not only to each other, but to the global community.” Each day, when more than 300 campers—from parishes and youth groups from the DC metro area and as far away as Boston—return from their sites to the College Park campus, they regroup at the Stamp Student Union. Enjoying the collegiate atmosphere, they share experiences and strategies, and participate in a wide range of group activities. And, of course, where there are teenagers, there is a house band. All this contributes to a great week for all. Mrs. Hopkins adds, it’s such a “fulfilling experience for all who attend. We could see and feel firsthand the soul-affirming benefits of service to others.” “At Encounter, we strengthen our Catholic faith by helping others and allowing God to work through us,” says Chella Rizkalla, a 2014 Holy Child graduate. Terra Haddad, a rising senior adds, “It really hit home that so many people are in need in our area. We tutored and mentored at-risk kids at the Beacon House in Washington, DC. I still keep in touch with the other volunteers I met; I cannot wait until next year!”—Alicia Cohen, MS religion teacher For further information on EGL, go to www.eglweb.org.
The Story’s the Thing He’s From Appalachia, bespectacled, quiet and unassuming, far from the usual “rock
star” that would thrill teenagers in this digital world. And yet, when musician, storyteller, and yes, four-time champion of the West Virginia Liars’ contest Adam Booth tiptoed along his word-filled path to the climax of his tale of kids stealing apples, every eye was glued to the expressive man at the front of the library. The best moment was the “aha” recognition that rippled through the crowd of students: his personal story was really allegory, but riveting nonetheless. It was just one of the great days in the library, when visitors brought their real-world passions for writing and stories to our girls. Young adult authors Ellen Oh and Laura Elliott reprised their peeks into their historical fiction tales, of Korean and US Civil War eras, respectively. And nationally known author on bullying topics Jay Asher visited by way of live webcast. Just some more reminders that media may change, but storytelling still draws them in.
Even high school students were enthralled with Adam Booth’s tall tales; as were students Emily Travis and Maddy Weldon when author Ellen Oh signed their editions. MK Stewart gets into character as historical author Laura Elliott narrates.
Fall/Winter 2014 - Connelly Contact
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