St. Agnes School: Lighting the Way as Peace Builders

Eighth Grade
The 2010-2011 school year was a busy one for
all of the eighth grade students at St. Agnes.
There were many hours of studying, tests and
paper writing, service hours fulfilled and extracurricular
activities.
Confirmation was celebrated on April 1, with
Bishop Thomas John Paprocki conferring this
Sacrament. After receiving their ribbons during
the May Crowning, the eighth graders returned
to St. Agnes school that night for the fourth
annual lock-in. The evening’s events allowed
the students to share memories, reflect on their
time at St. Agnes, and look ahead to high school.
Energy was plentiful throughout the night and
into the next morning. No Sleep!
The eighth grade joined together to dedicate
a bookcase for their fellow classmate Evan
Hoffman. Jeff and Myra Hoffman also joined
in the dedication and donated several books
from Evan’s own personal library. The bookcase
and reading nook are now part of the St. Agnes
Library for all students to enjoy.
Graduation activities included an eighth grade
dance on May 13 th , planned by the Room Parents.
Sr. Joan joined the future graduates in a well
deserved Pepsi Pause with the Principal. This
“Pepsi Pause” is a time for Sr. Joan to talk with
and listen to the eighth grade about issues that
are important to them and provides an avenue
for them to relay their thoughts and feelings on
their experience and suggest improvements at
St. Agnes.
The eighth grade breakfast on May 17 th
welcomed the 2011 class into the St. Agnes
Alumni community. An awards ceremony on
May 18 th awarded the students for all of their
hard work and dedication to their studies and
extra-curricular activities. A Graduation Mass
was celebrated in the evening with Fr. Bob
followed by the presentation of diplomas. The
newly graduated students returned to St. Agnes
the next day to board a bus to take them on
their much anticipated class trip to St. Louis. St.
Agnes wishes all the new alumni blessings on
their future journeys.
evanwalk
On Sunday, May 1, over 500 people gathered at Lincoln Park in
Springfield for evanwalk, to remember and celebrate Evan Hoffman
on his 14 th birthday. Evan would have been an 8 th grader at St. Agnes
School last year, but passed away after a 2-year battle with cancer
in June 2010.
Many St. Agnes students, faculty and parish families were among
those gathered for the walk, picnic and balloon release. Fr. Bob
provided a special blessing, and Sr. Joan did the honors of picking the
winning 50/50 raffle ticket. The event raised more than$17,000 for
the Evan Hoffman Children’s Fund at St. John’s Children’s Hospital.