By Tony DeGol
Proclaim!
As students filed into the room, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School Music and Band teacher Bradley Scherden hit a few keys on the piano and sang “Welcome to BC.” Several times.
He then asked each student to identify himself or herself and his or her favorite type of music. After each student’s response, Scherden and the gang once again belted out “Welcome to BC.”
The little jingle was catchy, indeed, and it really summed up the spirit of the day.
The Ebensburg high school welcomed fourth and fifth grade students from Catholic schools in the Prince Gallitzin Quadrant for the first-ever Field Day.
Students from All Saints Catholic School in Cresson, Holy Name School in Ebensburg, Northern Cambria Catholic School in Nicktown, Saint Benedict School in Carrolltown, and Saint Michael School in Loretto engaged in Music, Art, and Phys Ed.
It was an opportunity for these future students to enjoy new friendships and experience the wonderful opportunities on Husky Hill.
“I hope the students come away with a feeling that school is fun,” admitted BCCHS Director of Admissions and Social Studies teacher Jonathan Nagy. “Not everything is tests, not everything is burdensome, and they can find out that they have specialized skills in music and art and physical activity.”
Throughout the day, the gang divided into three groups. While one bunch tackled an obstacle course and enjoyed friendly competition, another group drew and worked on a mural. And besides singing that charming jingle in the music room, the third group learned about a rondo – music with one main theme heard several times.
“It’s really great,” exclaimed Emma Gailey, an All Saints student. “You get to take a part of Bishop Carroll home because then you know how you’re going to feel when you come to their high school and you get to meet new friends who might come here and you look forward to meeting them again.”
Andrew Ostinowsky pulled himself away from his artwork to give the gathering a thumbs-up.
“I’m happy I can be here because sometimes you need a break from school and you go to another school, and it’s pretty fun here,” the Holy Name student surmised.
Although the time is still a few years away, Madison Ciampi, a student at Northern Cambria Catholic School, cannot wait to hopefully attend BCCHS.
“I’ll know people here, and it’s really fun here,” she said.
Bishop Carroll student ambassadors joined in the day and guided the students throughout the experience.
“Our quadrant is very united,” Nagy mentioned. “All five of our grade schools have a strong relationship with Bishop Carroll and this is one more event that we can do to show our unity with the schools and show that Catholic education in this diocese is strong.”
