Connecting Modern Lessons With Catholic Values

In the first semester, the High School hosted a student showcase featuring the Social Justice capstone projects and AP Computer Science Principles apps. Both highlighted Catholic values, with the capstone projects showcasing solutions to national and global injustices and the apps centering on serving others in alignment with the core values of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary.

Students in AP Computer Science Principles could choose to base their app on a wide range of data sets. Using that data, various programs were developed, including ones about learning sign language, female legislators, the world democracy index, and workers with disabilities in the United States. Once their programs were functioning, students designed and printed posters to present their work and tie it in with the mission of the SNJMs. QR codes on the posters allowed the school community to interact with the apps while listening to students share their ideas. “After working so hard this year, it’s helpful to have a reminder that we are learning all of these skills and tools to do good in the world and hopefully make people’s lives a little better,” AP Computer Science Principles teacher Tyler Mokris said.

In addition to their presentation, seniors in the Social Justice course also submitted a research paper and infographic. Beyond connecting to a pillar of Catholic Social Teaching, the project required a connection to the mission and ministry of the Sisters of the Holy Names, a Saint and the influence of popular media. Students also interviewed an expert who works in a related field and completed service in a related field.

Social Justice teacher Megan Dubee combined the lessons and services the seniors have learned at the Academy when creating the project. “I redesigned the course last year to be a deep dive into one particular injustice rather than a surface overview of all the pillars of Catholic Social Teaching. My hope is for the students to understand the complexity of issues, what the Church teaches in her social doctrine, especially regarding the dignity of every human person, and participate in service and action in the context of their everyday lives to create change.”

Evening presentations included Discrimination and Adoption, Abortion and Foster Care (Life and Dignity of the Human Person), Water and the Environment (Care for God’s Creation) and Human Trafficking, Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence (Rights and Responsibilities). There were also gallery presentations on Mental Health and Addiction, Media, Body Image and Eating Disorders, Capital Punishment and Criminal Justice (Life and Dignity of the Human Person), Divorce and Education (Call to Family, Community, Participation) and Preferential Option for the Poor.

In her presentation on discrimination, Gabrielle Morrison ’22 said, “In looking at the pillar of the Dignity of the Human Person, most are challenged to reflect on the systemic and structural dimensions of the issues they encounter, as well as their biases and stereotypes that are surfaced. … We see that injustices aren’t limited to blatant accounts of racism but the institutions that uphold the foundations of this inhumane practice. We encourage you to examine how your day-to-day actions affect your own community and identify ways to promote the acknowledgment of the dignity of every human’s life.”