Senior Showcase 2020: Holy Spirit High School

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: Holy Spirit High School, Absecon

Tom Finan remembers being a freshman on the Holy Spirit High School, Absecon football team, and having “no idea what I was doing.”

“We’re out there in the heat of summer, in the middle of August, two-a-day practices.”

Luckily, his upperclass teammates provided a helping hand to the first-year who had no idea what he had gotten himself into.

“I learned from them what to do.  When I was a senior, I was (in turn) able to help underclassmen.”

In receiving and providing support among each other, the Spartan football team found championship success.

“We won a state” title last fall, Tom said proudly.

His classmate, Morgan Grimmie, also saw the benefit of a school culture that emphasized teamwork.

She played singles in tennis, “but I know that I have to win for the rest of my team.  I’m not just winning for myself.  You’re contributing to the whole school.”

What it ultimately boils down to, Tom says, is the school environment. The teachers, coaches and staff “care about you as a person, not just how you perform” inside and outside the classroom.  As students understand their identity, they find their common mission.

“Our teachers are our biggest supporters,” says Sakshi Harjani.

The relationships formed with teachers and fellow students, have made her “somebody I’m happy to be.”

Not only has Holy Spirit High School helped form them as Catholics, but has also prepared them for the next step of college, to begin in a few short weeks.

“They’ve prepared me for the next level,” says Justin Jiminez, soon to be a freshman at Frostburg State in Maryland.

For Morgan, the Spartan culture has “helped me manage my workload, and athletics,” such as the tennis and crew she was a part of.

“I feel ready for” the College of New Jersey, she says.

Another crucial part of the learning experience in Absecon was service to others, and both Justin and Tom have fond memories of the “Field of Dreams” program, and playing baseball with special needs children.

The project “touched everyone’s hearts,” Justin says.

“The youth could go out, forget about their (troubles), have fun, and play ball.”

Morgan was part of a school club that made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the homeless.

“Service makes you feel” a desire to keep helping others, she says.

When asked to give advice to upcoming high school freshman, Sakshi urged the students to “try to get involved in everything you possibly can, whether it’s a sport or club; put yourself out there, expand your interests.”

In reaching out of your comfort zone, finding support, and providing a helping hand to others, the positive high school experience for these four graduates is not one that’s going to be forgotten any time soon.

“We value these last four years so much,” Morgan says.

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