Student Life

Photo credit: Isabelle Schetley

Two students named top of the Class of 2023

By Bezawit Yitnalem, ‘23

On May 26, the administration announced Gabriella Mason as valedictorian and Ethan Zale as the salutatorian for the Class of 2023.

The valedictorian is the student who possesses the highest GPA in the class, and the salutatorian is the one who has the second highest. Behind the selection comes a lengthy process.

“We calculate the cumulative GPA over 4 years or 8 semesters,” Principal Kimberly Minick said. “It doesn’t need to be one valedictorian or one salutatorian. We want to give accolades and celebrate those students who have worked hard.”

The word “valedictorian” comes from the Latin word valedicere, which means “bid farewell.” Traditionally, they are the one who is the final speaker at graduation. In contrast, the salutatorian, or salutatorius in Latin, is the one who delivers their speech first. The title means “pertaining to visiting or greeting.”

Image credit: Knij'e Middlebrook, '25

shoutout to parents

SJHS depends on the helping hands of parents to make our school great.

Thank you for…

Driving us

Helping us with homework

Supporting us in games

Planning special events such as Senior recognition (photo at left)

Encouraging us

Buying us school supplies

Paying our tuition

We are so grateful to have you in our lives!

Photo Credit: Anne Schratz

Administration revives 'Lunch with the Principal' with a new name: 'Joe’s Diner'

By Brad Roxberry, '23 and Jesse Bernot, '23

Towards the end of the grading quarter, small groups of seniors had an opportunity to sit in the Maloney Room and enjoy lunch with a few of the administration. The students ordered lunch selections from McDonald's ahead of time. The local restaurant is sponsoring the lunch meetings. Students were invited to talk about their high school experiences during the last four years. Over the span of a week, all students in the senior class participated in one of these lunch meetings.

Principal Kimberly Minick, President Beverly Kaniecki, Development Director Jennifer McNeil, and Director of Advancement services Sharon Farrell asked students to describe what they enjoyed, as well as what they disliked in their time at St. Joseph High School.

Students also made known what they wished they could change over these four years. Students offered suggestions about how to improve some things at the school.

Beginning next year, all grade levels will be invited to give their valuable feedback to the administration at 'Joe's Diner'.

SOPHIA & KNIJ'E: THIS OR THAT??

Sophia Doyle '25 & Knij'e Middlebrook '25 give their summer takes.

SUMMER EDITION

Beach or City?

Photo credit : Sophia Doyle, '25

Sophia: I enjoy going to the beach more because I like to tan and I just find it to be more relaxing than navigating through the city.

Knij'e : I like being surrounded by different cultures in the city and the loudness makes me comfortable. I also like sight- seeing, so I can enjoy different sceneries. The beach annoys me because of the sand in my hair and just everywhere.

Camping or Hotel ?

Photo credit: Julie Wilson, '23

Knij'e: I enjoy my own space and the indoors. I can lay in bed and watch tv and be lazy. Though I could do the exact same thing at home, it is very different.

Sophia: I prefer staying in a hotel because it is more cozy and comfortable. They have different amenities that make staying in a hotel more enjoyable.

Travel by car or by plane?

Photo credit: Sophia Doyle, '25

Sophia: I prefer traveling by plane because I think it's more fun. I like listening to music or reading a book while waiting for take off and taking a nap is lot easier for me on a plane.

Knij'e: Being in the car is more of my style because I don't have to worry about making others comfortable. I can kick my feet up and have my music as loud as I want.

Sunrise or Sunset?

Photo credit: Knij'e Middlebrook, '25

Knij'e : I like to stay up late and watching the sunset is relaxing. The city and the people are all on their way to down time and they can end their day with that in mind or whatever thoughts that are lingering.

Sophia: I enjoy the sunrise more especially watching it at the beach. I think it is such a pretty thing to wake up to and watching it early in the morning is a great way to start off your day.

Newspaper staff summer reading suggestions

By Justine Spinelli