The seniors are packing their bags, and more importantly, their hearts and minds, for the new experiences ahead of them in college.  As they leave behind the Convent of the Sacred Heart campus, they will bring with them all that they have learned, their friendships, their memories, and even some keepsakes to help remind them of their past experiences at Sacred Heart.

“I will definitely be bringing my uniform skirt,” senior Jennie Chieco said. “After wearing it every day for the past six years, I feel like I’d be lost without it.”

Regardless of the length of time that she has been at Sacred Heart, every senior will have tangible reminders of her high school experience.  A “Lifer,” or a student who has attended a Sacred Heart network school since first grade or before, has more items to choose from due to her extended stay at the school.

“I will definitely bring my class ring, my cross necklace from God Squad, and a framed picture of ‘Mater’ that we got at the Lifer dinner,” senior Madeleine Hay said.

“Mater Admirabilis” (Mother Most Admirable) is a painting of the Virgin Mary by Pauline Perdrau that depicts Mary as a teenage girl wearing a rose-colored dress, rather than her usual blue and white. Every student in any Sacred Heart school around the world has seen this painting because a replica of it appears there.  It is a classic symbol of a Sacred Heart education and will remind the seniors of both their faith and their time at Sacred Heart.

“I’ll definitely bring my ‘Mater’ medal,” senior Marguerite Sommer said. “But there are also so many things I will bring in my personality that I have gained through my Sacred Heart education like my faith, commitment to service, and confidence as a woman.”

Most seniors will probably bring the Life at the Sacred Heart books they received freshman year, their Mater Admirabilis medals from sophomore year, and their class rings from junior year.  However, more importantly, they will bring the intangible possessions that they have acquired.

Sacred Heart educators teach their students to strive for not only academic success but for each students’ personal growth as both an individual and as a part of a community.

“I will bring all of the Goals and Criteria and the openness to others that Sacred Heart has taught me,” Maddy said.

Most of the immaterial possessions that the seniors will carry to college can be found in the Goals and Criteria:

• A personal and active faith in God

• A deep respect for intellectual values

• A social awareness which impels to action

• The building of community as a Christian value

• Personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom

Wherever they are going, the Class of 2013 will always have Sacred Heart to remember in their hearts and minds.

–  Zsanelle Morel, Staff Writer