ASHTABULA — Each year Ss. John and Paul participates in Catholic Schools Week, giving students a break from their studies and a chance to spend time with friends while taking part in school-wide activities. This year’s theme was “Catholic Schools — Dividends for Life,” which reinforces our belief in Catholic Education. Catholic Schools Week comes at a critical time when the year begins speeding up before graduation for the seniors and summer break for everyone else.

“It allows us to celebrate who we are and it builds community. I think everybody had a good time,” said Terri Chadowski, school guidance counselor.

The week began Feb. 1 with a trip to the movies. The entire school left in the morning for Mentor to see James Cameron’s “Avatar” in 3D.

Senior Mikenzie Zullo enjoyed the chance to spend time with friends outside of class. “I thought it was a lot of fun because it gave us a chance to step back from the classroom atmosphere and do something all together,” Zullo said. “Everyone had a lot of fun during the movie since it was in 3D and almost everyone said they would want to see a movie again next year for Catholic Schools week.”

When students returned from the movie, they were able to play Ultimate-Frisbee.

Sophomore Ben Williams especially enjoyed the game. “It’s a great activity; it’s fun and good exercise,” he said. “We got to skip class for something fun but good for us and at the same time and everyone enjoyed it.”

Feb. 2 was Teacher Appreciation Day. We took time to thank our teachers by serving them breakfast and holding a morning assembly to show off their look-a-likes. Each grade had students that they felt most closely resembled their homeroom teachers dress like them. Each teacher posed with their “twin” for a picture and the entire school got to watch the faculty’s reaction.

Feb. 3 was Wacky Wednesday. Students got to dress up in any wacky way. This day proved how creative the students at Ss. John and Paul can be. Even students who didn’t participate enjoyed themselves.

“Well, I didn’t dress up, but I enjoyed everyone else’s looks. I think overall it was a fun day,” said sophomore Haley Collis.

Feb. 4 was a day dedicated to the appreciation of parents and volunteers. Parents were invited to the school cafeteria to enjoy a breakfast of doughnuts, juice and coffee with the students. While eating, our guests were entertained by viewing the films competing in Ss. John and Paul’s first film festival. Thursday was also “Heritage Day” when the students and faculty dressed in clothing and colors that represented where their family had come from.

Feb. 5 Ss. John and Paul finished off Catholic Schools Week with an all school Mass followed by “Olympic Games.” The Mass took place Friday morning in the high school gymnasium, which was magically transformed over night into a place of prayer and celebration. Red, blue, yellow and green ribbons hung from the gym’s high ceiling, stained glass windows provided a backdrop for the Mass, and flowers decorated the altar. The elementary school and parents joined the high school in celebrating the end of Catholic Schools Week together. The Mass was beautiful but as soon as it was over the clean up began so the Olympic Games could take place.

After lunch, the games began with the high school competing first. Grades six through 12 were divided into 12 teams that participated in four separate events: relay, banana eating race, cottonball pass and scootering. After the high school finished, it was the elementary school’s turn to show their stuff. At the end of the competition winners were announced and medals were awarded. The elementary students then boarded buses and traveled back to their building while the high school students gathered in the cafeteria to watch the last of the films in the Film Festival.

Catholic Schools Week 2010 was marked by the first Ss. John and Paul Film Festival. Students in grades seven to 12 submitted their movies or commercials throughout Catholic Schools Week. The competition was separated into four categories: Most Dramatic, Best Commercial, Funniest and Best Overall. During the week the videos were viewed during both junior high and high school lunches and the students voted for their favorites on Friday once the last of the videos had been shown. The votes were then counted and the winners were announced. Ben Thomas and Tyler Hornbeck took the award for Best Commercial, Alex Iarocci picked up the prize for Most Dramatic, Ben Burich walked away with Funniest, and the group made up of Michael Simrak, Sara Blank, Ashley Fedler, Florian Liebhardt and Jennie Pugliese took home the coveted Best Overall. Winners were awarded trophies and gift cards.

“It has always been one of my aspirations to win one of these prestigious awards,” Iarocci said.

High school theology and history teacher Marilou McClimans noticed what the film festival means to the school. “The choice of doing a festival reflects the direction our curriculum is headed,” she said. “In terms of technology, this activity allowed students to express their artistic talents.”

Due to the success of this year’s festival the event is sure to become an annual competition.

Each Catholic Schools Week is unique. The activities change every year, but one thing that does not change is the ability for the school to come together as a family. It also gives the school a chance to celebrate their faith together and their common belief in Catholic education.