Great News About One of Our Alumni

By Lawrence Manetti, St. Joseph School Principal

I always enjoy sharing good news about the achievements of St. Joseph School alumni.

Today I offer congratulations to Brandon Mata (class of 2008) who won second place in the highly competitive annual essay contest sponsored by Archdiocese of Chicago Office of Catholic Schools of Cook and Lake Counties, in partnership with Catholic New World, the newspaper for the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Open to high school seniors enrolled in a Catholic high school, the essay contest required entrants to focus on two questions:

• What do you think it means to be a faithful citizen? and
• How has your Catholic education helped you to become a faithful citizen?

The topic reflects the fact that we are in a Presidential election year. The Catholic Church encourages its members to inform their consciences to become faithful citizens and participate in the electoral process. To that end, the U.S. bishops offer for reflection the statement "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility."

Brandon's outstanding essay is posted on the Catholic New World website.

A recent graduate of St. Laurence High School, Brandon plans to attend Eastern Illinois University this fall. He has ambitious plans to work towards two degrees: one in Early Education and a second in Special Education, with a minor in French.

Truly impressive. Congratulations, Brandon!

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