Students Participate in Apostolic Virtue Campaign

Students at Summit Academy participated in a school-wide apostolic virtue campaign during Lent. Each class was challenged to do a fundraiser to benefit Gate of Grace, a Boise-based organization which provides a home and support for displaced young pregnant women. The school has raised over $1000 for Gate of Grace so far, with a few class projects still in the works.

For the entire academic year schoolwide campaigns are practiced for the students to grow in virtue, but the theme and model saint changes with each month or liturgical season. For example, during Advent the focus was on growing in our prayer life and our model saint was St. Tarcisius. For our Lenten campaign this year the students were challenged to grow in apostolic zeal by learning about and modeling their efforts after St. John Bosco. This saint was a champion for bringing troubled boys to Christ by taking care of their very basic needs, so our students were challenged to raise money to help with the basic needs for the Gate of Grace ministry.

Each class came up with their own plan to raise money for Gate of Grace. The ninth and tenth grade class raised the most money by sponsoring a gun raffle, which brought in $650 for the charity. The junior/senior class had an Easter bake sale. Orders were taken during Lent for rolls and goodies which were delivered in time for an Easter feast. The fifth and sixth grade class organized and ran a before-school coffee shop for one week. They had many student and teacher customers buy coffee or Italian sodas as well as cinnamon rolls, muffins, and donuts. They also took orders from parents dropping off their children for school in the morning, and then delivered to their cars. The first and second grade class made snack boxes, offering a variety of healthy, sweet, and salty snacks individually priced by the students. The ‘mini vending machines’ were left at local businesses for their employees and customers. The Kindergarten students offered to do extra jobs around the house for pay, which they added together for Gate of Grace. Seventh and eighth graders made beautiful handmade cards which were sold in sets. Lastly, the third and fourth grade class made decade rosaries which they will have available after Mass at St. Mary’s. Donations for Gate of Grace are being accepted in exchange for the rosaries.

All the students were excited about their class projects and worked hard to make them succeed. We are proud of our students for working so hard to improve their apostolic zeal!