Senior Showcase 2020- Wildwood 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: Wildwood Catholic, Wildwood

“Everyone does everything.”

That’s how Sean Dougherty described the culture at his alma mater, Wildwood Catholic High School in Wildwood.

Sean played baseball and soccer in high school and was active in student council, peer leadership, and National Honor Society. To his own surprise, he also discovered a love of the stage in musical theater during his time at Wildwood Catholic.

“In public school you’re grouped. There’s the musical kids. There’s the sports kids. There’s the student council kids. We’re everything here… that’s what’s special,” he explained.

“The second you walk in the door there’s this energy… It’s just good vibes at Wildwood Catholic. Everyone’s welcoming and you don’t feel judged…,” said classmate Katie Black. ”You know everyone and you’re all just so close. Even with the teachers. We’re all just like a huge family.”

Ben Church said, “I always felt like I had a voice in the school. I could always go to the principal or sports [coaches]… there is always somebody there for you. If someone’s having a bad day, everybody will pick him up.”  Ben said he was especially grateful for the teachers, who were always available to help.  

Annika Marks said she, too, values the “one-on-one attention. If you’re struggling, the teachers are there for you. [They] make sure no one gets left behind.” And that goes all the way to Principal Joe Cray who, as Annika and Katie pointed out, tutored Math students during his lunch period. It’s a commitment they can’t imagine finding at many other schools.

While students were quick to talk about the closeness they felt inside the school, they looked outward as well. 

“We’re always doing something to help the community. That’s what Wildwood Catholic is – caring for the community,” said Annika.

Students see Wildwood Catholic as an anchor in the Cape May County – one that bridges generations and transcends the Catholic population. Ben talked about the value of helping some of the youngest students at Cape Trinity Catholic School, and Katie described the relationships her class developed in a program that paired high school seniors with senior citizens.

Annika said students from all schools in the area “put rivalries aside” to support Wildwood Catholic on social media when the school faced the possibility of closure. Efforts were successful, and the school has combined with Cape Trinity Catholic to reopen as Wildwood Catholic Academy, grades Pre-K through 12.

Annika, Ben, Katie and Sean will all head in different directions for college. Creative teachers, AP classes, and courses that offered dual high school and college credits are among the ways they say they feel well prepared academically. Equally important, they said, are the opportunities they had to grow as individuals – through teamwork, service and leadership opportunities, and a community that offered the guidance, support and confidence to pursue their dreams. Especially in light of Coronavirus, they know how lucky they are.

“Three months ago, I was saying… I want to leave. Now looking back, I know I will miss it,” said Sean. Katie agreed, saying, “Appreciate it. You don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Previous Senior Showcase 2020 entries: Paul VI; Bishop Eustace