Last Week at JPII - 02/24/25
Congratulations, Griffins! This past Saturday, in JPII’s first Latin quiz bowl competition, JPII’s Certamen Team placed 1st in the Mock Certamen Competition. Read more below!
Feb 24, 2025 - It was a busy week at St. John Paul II Academy! Here’s a look back at some of the highlights from last week, capturing the heart of life at JPII.
St. John Paul II Academy’s Latin Club has been busy preparing to go up against other young classicists from across the state in the Certamen Competition. Hosted by the National Junior Classics League, Certamen is aquiz-bowl style game for Latin students. Questions center around Latin language and grammar, and the history of the Greek and Latin civilizations.
At JPII, students take Latin beginning in Kindergarten, and transition to more intensive immersion-style classes in Upper School. Older students are encouraged to participate in Latin Club, led by coaches Luke and Annelise Mellender, who are themselves veterans of Certamen Competitions both at the local state and national level.
Students are looking forward to the National Latin Exam on February 25th (at school), the Preliminary Certamen on February 26th (at Creighton Prep), and the State NJCL Convention on May 10th.
Over the past few weeks, JPII 1st and 2nd graders have been busy working on presentations about different countries in Geography class. On Thursday, they had the chance to share their findings with their classmates by presenting the countries they researched. It was a fun and exciting opportunity for our youngest Griffins to practice both their research and rhetoric skills!
In Girl’s Leadership this week, one of Miss Simons’ good college friends came to visit JPII and gave a presentation to the girls about friendship. Thegirls also planted vegetables together with the help of Mrs. Jansen. Students are looking forward to watching the progress of their newly planted seeds.
In Boy’s Leadership this week, students practiced their first aid skills. Mr. Mellender taught the boys how to make ankle braces and arm slings with bandanas, and Mr. Fletcher taught everyone how to create a stretcher from walking sticks and t-shirts. Additionally, there was a lesson from Mr. Fletcher on treating venomous snake bites, splinting legs, and making tourniquets, along with another lesson from Mr. Mellender on bandaging head wounds.
While the 8th grade shadowed the high school this week, the 7th grade did a research project on Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati. After watching a video documentary on his life, students had the option to completed a sketched or written project on the soon-to-be saint. Above are just some of the beautiful results drawn by the students.
On Friday, in Grades 5-11 took a trip to visit the newly renovated Immaculate Conception Church for Adoration, and a fun activity afterwards…
🎳 And now, for a brief JPII sportscast! 🏀
After Adoration on Friday, students went to the ICC Bowling Lanes to enjoy the Tournament of Champions, aka Bowlmagedon, aka The Super Bowl. They competed for honor, bowling glory, and hall points. The results of the day were as follows:
1st place (103 average) - Kolbe Hall
2nd place (98 average) - Frassati Hall
3rd place (96 average) - Therese Hall
Highest individual score (125) - Maggie W.
Highest in 5th & 6th - Lili S. (94) and Joey J. (83)
Highest in 7th & 8th - Maggie W. (125) and Charlotte H. (99)
Highest in 9th - 11th - Kaylin M. (95) and Aileen B. (92)
Highest Faculty score - Mr. Ramsgard (140) and Mr. Peters (125)
This past week, JPII Basketball teams finished out their season with some final games. We are so proud of all our Griffins (big and small!) and especially grateful for all our volunteer coaches who helped make theseason so memorable. Verso l’alto!
Hope you enjoyed this week in the life of JPII. Stay tuned for more glimpses in and out of the classroom as we continue to form saints, fully alive!