Sacred Heart Nativity Schools ’ ( SHNS ) annual Fiesta event in February was filled with fun , fundraising , and family . The evening also celebrated two key partners who have helped SHNS break the cycle of poverty through education – Ladies of Charity and Thirty- One Women .
Sacred Heart Nativity Schools , which is comprised of two middle schools : Sacred Heart Nativity School for Boys and Our Lady of Grace Nativity School for Girls , educates the urban poor near downtown San Jose . Seventy-five percent of SHNS graduates attend Catholic college preparatory high schools , and 100 percent of those students graduate from high school , compared to the 70
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percent of low-income Latino youth in Santa Clara County .
“ When I think about ordinary people doing extraordinary things , these two philanthropic organizations come to mind . These two groups make education possible for our students at the middle and high school level . What an extraordinary gift ,” said Sacred Heart Nativity Schools ’ President , Sonya Arriola .
The Ladies of Charity , started in the early 1930 ’ s , is an all-volunteer philanthropic organization in San Jose dedicated to providing the necessary funding to care for , and educate children and families in need . In 2015 , they began a relationship with SHNS to support the
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SHNS President Sonya Arriola pictured with Ladies of Charity members at Fiesta event held at Bellarmine College Preparatory .
mission of providing educational opportunity to low-income youth having previously been affiliated with Saint Elizabeth ’ s Day Home .
Thirty-One Women is a movement that today is 185 women strong , and
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raises funds specifically for graduates of Our Lady of Grace Nativity Schools to attend Notre Dame High School . The concept is simple - a group of 30 women give a fixed amount to Notre Dame High School each month for four years . The outcome is four years of a Notre Dame Catholic education for one young woman who then becomes the center of the circle and the thirty-first woman .
Pope Francis said , “ To give a child an education is the finest gift you can give .” With the support of the community , SHNS is gifting its students with the tools for success .
To learn how to join the mission of breaking the cycle of poverty through education , visit www . shnativity . org .
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Mark Spohn , a student at Saint Catherine of Alexandria School , was honored with an “ Outstanding Student Achievement Award ” in February by the Rotary Club of Morgan Hill . Rotary presented him with a cash award for his future education and an achievement certificate . His parents , Richard and Joy Spohn were also |
recognized at the luncheon ceremony .
In addition to his parents , Mark was joined by his grandmother , Betty Kloesel from Moulton , Texas . His teacher , Sue Quinn , who introduced him to the Rotarians and principal , Fabienne Esparza , also attended the ceremony .
The award recognizes and rewards
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outstanding student achievement as exemplified by academic performance , individual leadership , commitment to community and overall commitment to excellence . The recognition program of the Rotary Club of Morgan Hill is a part of its ongoing commitment to serve the youth of the community . |
Mark Spohn was honored with an “ Outstanding Student Achievement Award .” |