The McNicholas Milestone

By Rosie Smith

During the week of January 27-31, McNicholas High School will celebrate their heritage and show their appreciation with a week full of activities. This year’s theme, celebrated in Catholic schools across the United States, is Catholic Schools United in Faith and Community.  

On Monday, senior students attended the annual video conference with Archbishop Schnurr, where students from the Archdiocesan Catholic high schools can ask questions.  

For Tuesday, chosen seniors will attend the all-schools Catholic mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains.  

Students at McNicholas will celebrate Catholic Schools Week with an all-school mass at Guardian Angels on Wednesday, and Friday is reserved as a school-wide day of service. 

The schedule for Friday is an 8-bell abbreviated day, with dismissal at 1 p.m. All students will participate in service activities across the curriculum:  

The Social Studies Department will make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for local food pantries, the SAIL Department will make blankets for those being cared for by Hospice of Southwest Ohio, the Science Department will help prepare the campus garden that will produce vegetables this spring for a local soup kitchen, the English Department will make treat rolls for area shelter animals while also helping write cards with World Languages Department for local senior living facilities for Valentine’s Day, the Math and Business Departments will turn donated t-shirts into 350 reusable bags for St. Vincent DePaul food pantries, and the Theology department will hold a “change drive” where teachers will roll change donated by students that will benefit Catholic Charities of Southwestern Ohio for refugee resettlement, as well as craft rosaries for chaplains at local senior living facilities. 

Mrs. Jennifer Tumser, Administrative Assistant to the Principal, said she feels there’s a strong benefit to the students and that is the reason we do the tradition of service on the Friday of Catholic Schools Week.  “I believe the blood drive shows students that there are other ‘non typical’ ways to serve your community and make an enormous impact. A true reminder that looking beyond oneself and serving for the greater good is so important for the soul,” Tumser said. 

Tumser added that she feels [the day of service] is a strong benefit for the whole school. “It showcases who we are and what we as a school want the community to see — that our students are driven by giving back to their community and beyond in a multitude of ways,” she said.  

Mrs. Mary Beth Sandmann, Theology department chair, teacher, and member of the Mission and Ministry Team, said, “The Sisters of St. Joseph’s mission is to help serve our neighbors,” and the day of service at the end of the week, “affirms that — that we are people who serve, and it is a deep characteristic.” The Hoxworth Blood Center Blood Drive, organized by Tumser, will also take place on Jan. 31, with about 50-60 students registered to hopefully donate, along with a group of faculty and staff. It is important to note that not everyone who registers will be able to donate due to different reasons. Sandmann and Tumser share a common belief that the amount donated over the years has increased, especially when students are able to donate at the age of 16.  

 “I’m always impressed by the total number of service hours when our seniors graduate. It’s a very active and full day; it’s a very joyful day, and I think students enjoy it,” Sandmann said.