Happening on Campus

HAPPENING ON a n CAM d o ff ! PUS

“Wemuststrivetodoordinarythings extraordinarilywell.” VENERABLE CATHERINE MCAULEY

WMA students showcase their talents outside the classroom through a full range of extra-curricular and co-curricular activities.

Connecting the WMA Community

Cr eativity, i Concepts nnovati taught on, flexibility. throughout the year were put into action with the onset ofdistance learning when our staffmoved on-campus activities online as a way to keep our community connected and engaged during difficult times.

Wednesday morning at WMA means Community Gathering and although we were unable to be together physically, our weekly school wide assembly didn’t miss a beat by transitioning into a video format just one week into distance learning. Compilations ofpictures and videos allowed students to see what classmates and other grade levels were doing in their virtual classrooms -- especially important during this time when they could not see each other on campus.

Faculty and staffmade surprise appearances to close out the weekly virtual experience with the Pledge ofAllegiance, school song, and communal prayer.

Another powerful and anticipated tradition at WMA that brings students from all grade levels together in prayer is the eighth grade portrayal ofthe passion ofour Lord.

A Twist on Traditions

We cl c o ouldn’t let se without the year some of come to our favo a rite end-of-year traditions! Our Athletic Director Mr. Adam Dickman brought the experiences ofField Day into students’ homes. The day started with a warm up and pep rally and ended with a school-wide dance party over Zoom. Throughout the day, students and families competed in 15 fun new games that they learned thanks to demonstration videos from faculty members.

“ I was very upset when I thought we might have to miss the Passion Play due to COVID-19. I had been looking forward to it for a couple of years,” said Kaitlyn Quinn ’20.

“It's a gift from eighth grade to our school community,” explained Mr. Greg Soltis, Director ofOutreach and Religious Education. “More importantly, we as a school and a society were (and still are) in such a need for the story of Easter and the hope that overcomes suffering.”

To fill these needs, Mr. Soltis reimagined the dialogue-heavy play as an eighth grade narrated video experience that paired powerful photos with a beautifully adapted script that connected the story ofHoly Week to the global pandemic. While it may have looked different, the spiritual experience will be remembered for years to come, especially by the Class of2020!

When asked what his favorite part ofthe day was, rising fifth grader Matteo Villari responded, “The whole thing! I loved every single part about it; it was so fun!”

The Art Show also had a virtual twist this year! Ms. Beth Hymel collected photos ofartwork that students created and compiled it all onto one website, giving students and their families a chance to see everyone’s work inspired by art in Spanish speaking countries. It almost felt like talking a walk down the corridors ofWMA!

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage

Stude flags nts of paraded Spanish s into the peaking gym wavi countries ng from around the world. No, it wasn’t the Olympics - - it was the first WMA school-wide celebration for Hispanic Heritage Month!

During the event, specials teachers gave presentations about influential Hispanic artists, athletes, authors, and scientists. Students spent the weeks leading up to the celebration learning Spanish songs in music and Spanish classes, culminating in a sing-a-long led by music teacher Ms. Barbara Baldwin.

“The celebration helped me identify with the cultures, even though I am not Hispanic,”

commented rising sixth grader Charlie Parson.

Arguably the most exciting part ofthe event was when an associate professor at Temple University, who is also a certified Latin American dance instructor, dressed some ofour students in traditional garments to learn dances from around the world. Students and teachers in the audience joined in on the fun, too!

The event exposed students to the cultures ofnative Spanish speakers in a fun environment outside ofthe classroom setting while also recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and its celebration ofSpanish speaking countries around the world.

Left: Studentsfiledinto the Dixon Gym representingdifferentSpanish speakingcountries. Above: A Temple artsprofessortaughtdancesto ourstudents.

2020 CAL Champions!

The Dixo capacity n Gym was fill with students ed of to all ages, parents, and teachers as the Varsity CAL Boys Basketball team took home the trophy in February with a win over Holy Child Rosemont. Congratulations to the team and all WMA 2019-2020 athletes on a wonderful year ofathletic accomplishments and displaying Mercy on and offthe field!