For many Catholic school athletes, the sports experience isn’t just about making baskets, scoring goals or winning a game at the buzzer. Time spent in faith-filled classrooms sets a student up for great success both in life and in sport.
“I grew up through Catholic school pretty much my entire life,” said Wildwood Catholic Academy sophomore basketball player Kaci Mikulski. “And with my faith and basketball, it’s just taught me so much.”
Mikulski, one of the most talented young basketball players in South Jersey, said she follows God in almost every aspect of life.
“I don’t know what I would do without my faith,” she said. “It’s a big factor in how I play, the way I live and the things I do. I really love going to Catholic school.”
KJ Sherman says his decision to attend Holy Spirit High School, Absecon, is one he is thankful for every day.
“I was originally going to go to a public school, but after shadowing at Holy Spirit and learning about the school, and knowing coach [Ralph Paolone] was going to be here, it solidified Holy Spirit for me. Thank God it did because I love it here,” Sherman, a senior, said. “You know everyone, and if anything ever happens, you always have people there backing you up to help you through it.”
Sherman learned that lesson during his sophomore year after he lost his father, who he called his best friend. He explained that his teachers were supportive, allowing him to catch up on classwork while he was struggling through grief.
“Everyone, every member of the staff and every student was there for me, and they still are,” Sherman said. “It’s still not easy. We traveled everywhere for tournaments together. It’s hard not having him with me and cheering me on, but Holy Spirit really helped.”
Gloucester Catholic junior Macie Nugent began her Catholic education journey in high school. “My school is a beautiful family environment,” she said, adding that she is grateful for her coach, Lisa Gedaka. “It’s a great community.”
Kimmy Cassiello feels the same about Wildwood Catholic. Her faith in God has led her through her high school education, where she is currently ranked No. 1 in her class. She plans to go to college to study biomedical engineering.
“You have God here, and you know that he’s going to take control of your life,” said Casiello, one of the team’s senior basketball captains. “Believe in him, and the rest will be simple as that. You go down your path, and he will take you through it. That’s what he’s been doing my whole life.
“I’ve been in Catholic school since pre-K. From age 3 to 17 years old, I’ve always had the faith that God will just lead me to whatever he wants me to go into.”
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