Page 19 - Spirit_Summer2021

At Cor Jesu, we are
My carefully crafted plan went
like this: I would play field hockey blessed, because there
in the fall, be a cheerleader in the isn't just one way to shine
winter and participate in the spring
musical. Step one was a success. I bright and be brilliant –
played JV field hockey and loved there are thousands! ”
it – great! Step two, however, was
not as successful. Cheer season -FAITH SCHMIDT '21
began and I quickly realized being
a cheerleader is a lot harder than it
looks and probably wasn’t for me. During junior year, my classmate,
Step three took another turn, as well Grace Caputa, and I saw a need in
– I slept through my alarm for the our school to address a complicated
spring musical auditions and missed topic: immigration. As a result, we
them. Just like that, my plan was created Kino Club. The club’s goal is
falling apart. What would I do now? to serve immigrants and learn more
I knew I still wanted to be about immigration as it relates to
involved in a spring activity, most Catholic Social Teaching. This issue is
likely a sport, and my dad ran incredibly important to our school’s
track in high school, so I figured charism, since so many Apostles
joining the track and field team of the Sacred Heart missions serve
was something I could do, too. immigrant communities. As we three older sisters, who have
The catch was – I didn’t want to explored programs, we found the left their marks on CJA. And
do a running event. So, I decided Kino Border Initiative (KBI), a Jesuit finally, the lights that radiated
to become a pole vaulter. I had organization in Nogales, Ariz., from each classmate and FEATURE
never run track before, much less that is dedicated to serving and teacher I encountered.
pole-vaulted, but by the end of the advocating for immigrants. We work In the fall, I will be attending
year I learned a new sport, loved with KBI to organize service projects Harvard University with a Type 1
it, and actually became pretty and meetings that help us learn Air Force ROTC scholarship. I will
good at it. In both my sophomore more about immigration through major in engineering to become
and senior years, I was the MWAA the lens of our Catholic faith. an Air Force ROTC cadet, and
Conference Champion in pole Looking back at my time at I hope to walk on to the field
vaulting by over a foot. I also served Cor Jesu, I think about a prayer hockey team. I know this will be
as a team captain my senior year. Mrs. Pottinger (aka, KP) often says a challenge, but what I love most
After cheerleading didn’t work in choir class. One line in particular about Harvard is its dedication to
out, I found myself on the dive team sticks with me: “And as we let our helping me accomplish my goals.
sophomore year. I even qualified own light shine, we unconsciously That dedication reminds me of Cor
for State that first season! I also give other people the permission Jesu, and the incredible support
gained leadership experience, to do the same.” From that interview I received as a student, no matter
serving as the dive team captain room as a tiny eighth grader, to what direction my plans went.
all three years on the team. now, a graduated senior, I’m so At Cor Jesu, we are blessed, let our own light shine
While switching from the spring grateful for all the shining lights in because there isn’t just one way
musical to pole vaulting and Cor Jesu’s halls. Those lights have to shine bright and be brilliant –
cheerleading to diving were jolts unconsciously allowed me to let my there are thousands! Thousands
in my master plan, perhaps the light shine as well. The light from my of opportunities to be a leader,
biggest change to my agenda track coaches when I asked them if I an athlete, a thespian, a servant,
was starting my own after-school could pole vault with no experience. a singer, a dancer, a friend, or
club at CJA. With all the other The light from Sr. Veronica Beato, Sr. anything you want to be. And
activities, I never thought I would Catherine Broderson, Mr. Tueth and the best part is, I didn’t have to
have time to participate in clubs, Ms. McGraw as they helped Grace choose to be just one. At Cor
and I definitely never thought and me start Kino Club. The light Jesu, I could be all of them at
I would start one, but I did! from all alumnae, in particular my once, and for that, I am grateful.

SUMMER 2021 Spirit Magazine 17