On Saturday, January 27, I attended the 150th anniversary celebration of Saint Catherine Academy in New Haven, Kentucky.  Below is a speech delivered at that event by Megan Culver, an 8th grader at the school.  I believe she did an exceptionally superb job in presenting the gift of her school, and this is a wonderful reflection for Catholic Schools Week. Please continue to pray for the strength of Catholic schools and in gratitude for all those who have benefited over these many decades and for those whose lives will be touched in the future. 

Hi, my name is Megan Culver and I am an 8th grade student here at Saint Catherine Academy.  I have attended school at Saint Catherine for 10 years.  My parents are Scott and Mary Culver.  I have two brothers, Landon and Levi Culver, who also attended Saint Catherine.   Landon is studying finance at Eastern Kentucky University and serving in the Kentucky Army National Guard.  Levi is also a student at Eastern Kentucky University and is pursuing a secondary education degree with an emphasis in biology.

Saint Catherine is important to my family and me, because it has provided opportunities and a foundation for learning unlike any other.  The opportunities it has provided me include being elected to Student Council, being a part of the New Haven Youth Leadership program, serving at Mass, and the opportunity to give this speech tonight.

At Saint Catherine, we are taught at a very young age to show respect to others.  We are taught the importance of giving back and helping others.  We pray in the mornings and afternoons, we have religion class daily, and we attend a weekly mass. As a result, I have learned the value and importance of having God in my life.

The teachers at Saint Catherine place high expectations on all students.   They have made me the person I am today because of their patience, their consideration and their confidence in me.

As I conclude my speech tonight, I will answer a question that I was recently asked “what does my catholic education mean to me.”   My Catholic education means the world to me.  It has taught me respect and determination and encouraged me to make wise decisions.  It has made me the person I am today and who I will become in the future.  I know there will be challenges ahead of me.

My Catholic education has provided me with the skills I will need for the many challenges I will face in life.  I’ll always have the things I learned at St. Catherine to guide me.  Saint Catherine will always be a part of me, and I’m so thankful to my parents for giving me the opportunity to go to such a wonderful school!

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