It was golden! Thank you to our generous community for supporting St. John School Auction! Donors, sponsors, attendees, volunteers – you ALL made it an incredible evening as we had another record-breaking year! Thank you to Karen Bombino, Kristen Capka and Andrea Marquez, who made their last auction one for the history books! Another thank you to our sponsors and donors, the Dessert Dash Team, the Graphic Design Team, volunteer coordinators, Ron Hippee, Lucas Welch, Robin Burrowes, Allan Quiaoit, Eliza Feudner, day of volunteers – parent and alumni, the Maintenance Team, Jonna Skokan, Paul Kelley, Father Crispin, St. John faculty and staff and every person who helped make this Auction successful – thank you. You are the real treasure.
Our community’s support makes so many things possible for our students. Take for example, our eighth-grade students’ participation in National History Day. At last Saturday’s North Puget Sound Regional Competition – one of the most competitive in the state – four students qualified for the state competition: Lucia C.G. and Mena F. placed 1st in the Group Exhibit category, and Hazel S. and Naya J. placed 4th in the Group Documentary category. They will compete on April 22 for an opportunity to advance to the national competition in May at the University of Maryland. We are so proud of you! Good luck to you, congratulations to all our students and thank you, Mr. Bretz, for guiding our students to success!
Congratulations are also in order for the Costa family! Welcome to the community, Baby Costa! Mateo James Paul Costa was born on March 15. We wish the Costa family the very best! In other faculty news, as previously announced and becoming more evident, Ms. Shaw will start her family medical leave in late May. She will be out for the first trimester of the 2023-2024 year. Mrs. Manley, who has a degree in counseling and knows the students and our school culture, will be the long-term substitute. Thank you, Mrs. Manley! I would also like to share Mrs. Arruela, who has been part of the St. John community for 24 years and counting, is stepping away from teaching third grade to spend more time with her family. Fortunately for us, we will still see her next year substituting, volunteering and supporting the community. Thank you, Mrs. Arruela, for continuing to share your knowledge and joy.
Teachers, staff, students, parents, guardians, friends, neighbors – we have much for which to be thankful. Perhaps we can infuse our Lenten journey of prayer, fasting and almsgiving with gratitude for the many gifts we are fortunate to receive.
God Bless You,
Bernadette O’Leary
