Twenty-four juniors, eight senior leaders, and six SJA faculty/staff attended Kairos 62 at St. Leonard's Retreat Center in Avon from Oct. 1- 3, 2026. Beautiful fall weather provided the backdrop for a meaningful time of sharing and growing in faith and friendship. "Through the Dark" by One Direction served as the theme for this retreat.
On September 29, members of the Health & Physical Education (HPE) classes went to Sky Circus to experience circus fitness skills. Physical Education Teacher Mrs. Christina Actis encourages physical activity by exposing students to all different types of exercise, whether in the Academy Center, the new Fitness Center or off-site field trips. On this field trip, students expressed their creativity while working on strength and flexibility and enjoying exercise.
This year, members of the Asian Culture Club commemorated the Moon Festival by making mooncakes. The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is celebrated on the 15th day of autumn according to the lunar calendar each year. It is the second most important traditional festival in China, after the Lunar New Year. These mooncakes symbolize unity and completeness.
The Academy is excited to announce that the 2026 Yearbook received the Walsworth Yearbooks Gallery of Excellence Award. Each year, about 200 yearbooks are selected from the over 5,000 printed by the company. This is the second time the Academy has won this award (2019).
Last Wednesday, the community gathered to witness members of the Class of 2027 be commissioned as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. During Mass, commissioned students distributed Holy Communion for the first time to family and friends, as well as to the community, who were in attendance for this special occasion.
On Thursday, Fr. Rob Ramser of Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church came to the Academy for the Blessing of SJA Fall Activities. Hosted by clubs Ultimate Fan Club (UFC) and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), students participating in fall activities brought items to be blessed, including musical instruments, running shoes, the fall musical script and The Academy Chorale song binder. Before placing holy water on the students' items, Fr. Ramser shared he would bless the items to help make the students the best they could possibly be at their activies.
Saint Joseph Academy is pleased to announce that Senior Vanessa Langer was named a Commended Student in the 2027 National Merit® Scholarship Program. Vanessa is among about 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation being recognized for her exceptional academic promise. Congratulations, Vanessa on this academic accomplishment! The Saint Joseph Academy community is so proud of you!
Accomplishments: Elizabeth was named a Semifinalist in the 72nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program. She is among over 16,000 Semifinalists across the country to receive this honor.
