Welcome to the January issue of On the Hill, Mary Help of Christians Academy monthly e-newsletter. On the Hill offers an inside view of life at Mary Help and all the other remarkable things that happen on campus each and every day. Read on to see for yourself the difference a Mary Help education makes...
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Dear MHC Academy Family and Friends,
This new year offers us a chance to mature and learn; how blessed we are to welcome 2022, and to be here under Our Lady’s mantle as we do so! We continue to live in the world that Covid has handed us, a world where masks are the standard, quarantine is regular, and PCR tests mark our paths; it’s comforting to know that Mary is our mainstay and our strength! It’s amazing to think that Omicron, which appeared ominous at its onset…with its amazing ability to spread quickly, has turned out to be part of the closing of the chapter of Covid 19 for us. How often this happens, and God uses something which appears to be a source of suffering as a means to allow for our growth.
Our chapel construction is well underway, moving towards completion, God-willing late in the academic year or early in the summer. This new place to pray together offers us a great reminder that as St. Augustine said, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” Our school family very much looks forward to a time when we can gather together in a proper chapel, rather than using our gym for liturgy.
During his lifetime, St. John Bosco oversaw the construction of at least two basilicas (large, important churches) in Italy. When he was constructing The Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin, he had an engineer draw up the plans. Visiting the artichect, he said, "Here is your first payment," and handed the astonished man eight cents! "Mary will build her own basilica." This was characteristic of Don Bosco: living in personal poverty while spending millions for God. May our desire to give glory to God mirror that of our founder!
As the chapel nears completion, we can look ahead to so many other projects we would like to undertake, like:
- Widening the entrance to the property to allow for easier two-way traffic.
- Adding new, updated bleachers to our gym.
- Renewing our lighting and sound for productions in the gym.
- An overhaul of the seating in the lecture hall.
- Creating a Mac-bar in the library.
Besides all this, I’m sure you have a number of other ideas! So much to do…let’s begin a new year working with and for the Lord.
Sincerely,
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WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST BLUE JAYS!
On Wednesday, January 26th, MHC Academy welcomed all accepted students for the Class of 2026. The cafeteria was buzzing with excitement as our newest Blue Jays met with student ambassadors, checked out spirit wear and completed their registrations. A bell was rung and an announcement was made every time a new student officially joined MHC Academy's Class of 2026. Welcome to our Mary Help family! We're so glad to have you!
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Student Ambassadors were on hand to answer questions about student life at MHC Academy. |
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Head of School, Sr. Colleen Clair, with Guidance Counselors Ms. Nuha Matari and Ms. Carol Van Houten |
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A bustling crowd of incoming Freshmen with their families |
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Smile with our Blue Jay mascot! |
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Our spirit wear and uniforms were on display for accepted students to check out. |
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BASKETBALL
Our Varsity Basketball Team is half way through their season. They are currently 4-3, with five weeks of games left. Our Blue Jays started their season off with three straight victories, out scoring their opponents 119-38. Our current stat leaders include: TOP SCORERS - Giulia Russo (10th) 51 points, Sarah Hart (12th) 40 points, Raquel Jacquet (12th) 39points and Olivia Fanning (11th) 39 points; REBOUNDS - Hart 77 rebounds, Shelby Gomez (10th) 64 rebounds and Fanning 56 rebounds; STEALS - Jacquet 17 steals, Gomez 14 steals and Hart 12 steals.
All Home Games are live-steamed on the MHC Academy YouTube page. Senior Night will be celebrated on Thursday February 24th 4pm vs Dwight-Morrow HS.
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DANCE TEAM
Our Varsity Dance Team will be performing at our MHC Varsity Basketball Home Games as well as Don Bosco Prep’s Varsity Basketball Home Games. This year's team consists of 5 seniors, 3 juniors, 1 freshmen and is coached by Mrs. Battista. Senior Night will be celebrated on Thursday, February 24th at the 4pm Varsity Game.
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SWIM TEAM
Our Varsity Swim team wrapped up their season with their final meet on Wednesday January 26th vs Paramus Catholic @ the Lodi Boys and Girls Club, where we also celebrated our Seniors. We were very excited to get back in the pool this winter after not being able to swim in the 2020-2021 season. This year's Varsity Swim team consisted of 2 seniors, 2 juniors, 3 sophomores and 7 freshmen.
We were very excited to join our brother school, Don Bosco Prep’s Varsity Swim Team, to compete at three meets this season.
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COMPETITION CHEER
It’s Back! We are so happy that our competitive cheer team is back this year and working hard to compete. The team consists of 1 senior, 2 juniors, 1 sophomore, 5 freshmen, 3 8th graders and is coached by alumnae, Meaghan Wisniewski ‘17 and Jaritza Cruz ‘18.
Upcoming Competition Schedule:
- Saturday January 29th @ Saint John Vianney HS
- Sunday February 6th @ Wayne Valley HS
- Sunday February 13th @ Montclair HS
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MHC Academy had its second Skate Night at the Vault in Wayne on January 21st. Students could pre-purchased tickets as a fundraiser for our new gym bleachers. Thanks to Lillian who organized this event and all who came out! Stay tuned for our next Skate Night on Friday, February 11th! |
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TELEVISION PRODUCTION CLASS
T.V. Production class completed their Fall Semester projects. T.V. 1 had to create an instructional video that taught an activity. While T.V. 3 students were challenged to create a Public Service Announcement intended to raise awareness of a topic that deals with public or personal safety. Senior Michelle produced a video on the dangers of distracted driving (as seen below).
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FRENCH CLASS
French 3 and 4H had the “Galette des Rois” (King Cake) last week. It is a cake the French bake for the Feast of the Epiphany, in honor of the three kings that visited the newborn Jesus. Inside the cake there is a “fève” (originally a bean but nowadays a little figurine) and whoever finds it inside their piece of galette gets to be the “roi” ( king) for the day and wear a golden crown! It is a very popular tradition in France and French bakeries compete for the best galette, including collectible figurines and gilded paper crowns, selling them throughout the whole month of January.
Such a galette made its way to Mary Help last week spreading excitement to the French 3 and 4H classes. The “fève” was found! Kyra Corbisiero was crowned queen this year!
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NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
MHC Academy's Regina Mundi Chapter of the National Honor Society has been keeping busy! In December, members organized a successful fundraising campaign called "Deck the Paws" during which the entire school community donated pet food and toys for the North Shore Animal League. In addition, peer tutoring continues, with NHS members hosting special drop-in sessions before midterm exams for students seeking study tips.
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STUDENT COUNCIL
MHC Academy's Student Council hosted a Christmas Party for the school on the last day before Winter break! Highlights included a gingerbread building contest, donuts and hot coco, and a chance to exchange gifts and enjoy each others' company. Next up is Catholic Schools Week which is jam-packed with events like a Magic Show to celebrate St. John Bosco, a service project focusing on first responders and the popular "Are you Smarter Than a Teacher" gameshow!
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The Sophomore Class was victorious! |
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Senior Class representatives |
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EVERY LIFE IS SACRED
The Pro-Life Club at Mary Help of Christians Academy offered a showing of "Unplanned" after school on Friday, January 21st, in solidarity with those who were at the March for Life in Washington, D.C. Prior to the movie, students watched clips of the live recording of the March and in their next meeting, the Pro-Life Club will debrief and discuss what they saw in the movie.
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SPRING MUSICAL - FROZEN
Rehearsals are already underway for Our Spring Musical, Disney's Frozen, Jr.! Be sure to mark on your calendars the show times: March 25th at 7:30pm and March 26th at 2:00pm and 7:00pm. Tickets will go on sale in February.
SEMI-FORMAL DANCE
Mary Help of Christians Academy will hold its annual semi-formal dance on Thursday, January 27th, followed by the Bishop's day off from school on Friday. This year's promises to be the biggest one yet!
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During this month we will focus on moving from the message of the world to the message of the Gospel. Sr. Eusebia Palomino, epitomized humility and simplicity, growing up poor as a child but deeply influenced by the faith of her parents. Sr. Eusebia was known to be a good listener, a wise advisor and like, Don Bosco, had the gift of prophecy - predicting the Spanish Civil War. She would eventually offer her life to God for Spain and her fellow countrymen. How can we proclaim the Word of God to others, even during difficult times? What areas of my life need God's peace and abiding presence? Who has deeply influenced me by their steadfast faith?
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MHC Academy
659 Belmont Avenue
North Haledon, NJ 07508
P. 973.850-7467
F. 973.790.6125
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