Whether on the beach, in the mountains, in a neighboring city or even within the St. Louis area, the Angels of St. Joseph’s Academy truly modeled the mottos “serving the dear neighbor without distinction” and “strong values-driven leaders” through their words and actions while on summer vacation.  

Throughout the course of two and a half months away from the Academy, SJA girls found ways to stay busy by helping those in need and enriching their souls with God.  

Chinandega, Nicaragua — located in Central America on the border of Honduras–  instantly drew the attention of angels as a place in dire need of love through service.  With the help of an organization called Amigos for Christ, Seniors Annie Kreikemeier and Audrey Williams and Junior Emily Gegg helped to dig, prepare, and lay the foundation for an elementary school in two different communities.  They also helped the teachers with their after school programs.  They worked on a farm developing sustainable farming methods for the families and the nearby communities.  

“We are really fortunate to have all of the ‘things’ that we have, although the only thing that really matters in the end is that we find something we are passionate about because it will bring us so much joy, which is the most important ‘thing’ of all!” Kreikemeier said.

Gegg agreed. “Each and every day I took away another experience, but overall, I realized that even though they [people of Nicaragua] have very little, they are always so happy and joyful, encouraging me to really appreciate all that I have,” she said.  

Far from Nicaragua and closer to home, Steubenville, a three day conference organized to bring teenagers closer to their faith and God, proved to be just as rewarding for Seniors Carson Herring, Molly Huggins, and Anna Welch.  

While on the retreat, teens listen to different talks by speakers who educated and shared their opinions about the Catholic religion and how it relates to their lives.  They further engrossed themselves into Steubenville by discussing the talks in small groups, and participating in adoration and mass.  Unlike any other retreat, Steubenville works to enrich the souls of teens by presenting their faith in a more tangible and fun way.  

It amazed the girls to see the number of people the same age who believe the same things they do.  

“Sometimes it’s hard to believe, but we are not the only people struggling with our faith, and thousands of other kids are going through the same thing we are,” Huggins said.  “Seeing other people being so active and happy about their faith encourages me to work to better mine and keep on doing what I’m doing.”         

Of course Nicaragua and Steubenville are only two experiences out of many that the angels of St. Joseph’s Academy participated in to help those in need.  It does not matter where you go, what you do, or who you help; as long as you are there to serve those in need and to work to better your relationship with God, you are serving the dear neighbor without distinction and being strong values-driven leaders.