Senior Showcase 2020- Gloucester Catholic

As the 2019-20 school year came to a close, The Catholic Star Herald spent time with seniors – now graduates — from diocesan and independent Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Camden. COVID-19, social distancing and remote learning aside, we wanted to know what they value most about their high school experience. We asked them what makes their schools unique, how prepared they feel for college, how they worked with and served others, and what advice they would give to someone just starting high school. 

The graduation edition of the Catholic Star Herald featured an overview of our conversations and a look at experiences students had because they were willing to try new things in high school.

Today, we’re sharing more from: Gloucester Catholic High School, Gloucester City

For Emily Duer’s family, Gloucester Catholic High School is a long-standing tradition. Her grandfather, aunts and uncles attended the school, and her parents met at there during their senior year. But Emily’s Gloucester Catholic family goes far beyond shared DNA.  

“You feel like the people you’re surrounded with are going to care for you no matter what,” she said of the school community, which she and her classmates referred to as their “GC family.”

In her honors service class, Emily became a mentor to younger students. “Part of my job was preparing freshmen and sophomores and then talking with them afterward, as well as accompanying them on their actual [service] trip,” she said. She added that it was rewarding it was to see younger students “really get involved, to see how much one day had even changed them, and how excited they were to continue to go out and do service.”

Chris Liscio, the youngest in a trio of brothers to attend Gloucester Catholic, shares Emily’s perspective about the GC family. “Being able to see all the relationships that I’ve built and that my brothers have built… is one of the most special things about [the school].” he said. Chris said he particularly valued working with students in all grades on student council.

“It’s all four grades together. All of our clubs are like that. And our sports teams. Everyone gels together,” he said. An avid hockey player, Chris was a newcomer to soccer his junior year – an opportunity he believes would have been unlikely at another school.

“I would ask a thousand questions and try to figure out what to do to get better,” he said. “I’ve made some of my best memories playing soccer for Gloucester Catholic. It opened up a door to meeting so many different people.” Chris said the same was true of Kairos, where he became a peer retreat leader.   

Bailey Heiney also appreciated Kairos, one of the traditions she believes sustains the family feeling at Gloucester Catholic. She said people take part in events because they want to, not because they’re forced to, citing the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, Turkey Bowl and sold-out school theater productions as community favorites.

“Traditions keep the family atmosphere alive,” she said. Bailey credited school leaders and teachers for the positive environment as well.

“The teachers really get to know you on a personal level,” she said. They get to know your strengths, your weaknesses. If you’re struggling, they’re always willing to help you out.” Bailey said teachers have helped her mature and given her the confidence she needs to move on to college.  

Ethan Guldin agrees, and said he feels well prepared for his next chapter – the United States Naval Academy. He said Gloucester Catholic helped him get in shape physically and academically. “Challenging myself in both of those categories at Gloucester Catholic, I feel confident that I will be able to handle that kind of work load in the future,” he said. 

Ethan’s experience wasn’t limited to the classroom or athletic venues. He wrote for the school newspaper, participated in numerous service activities, and was a member of student council and National Honor Society.

“The key is really just getting out of your comfort zone, putting yourself in situations that you never see yourself doing and that you would never think you’d be able to do. You learn so much about yourself, and you learn so much about the people you’re with. You can’t pass on those [experiences],” he said.

Previous Senior Showcase 2020 entries: Paul VI; Bishop Eustace; Wildwood Catholic; Saint Augustine Prep