As we celebrate the 142nd Novena to St. Anne, St. Jean Baptiste Parish and High School are pleased to announce our first St. Anne Scholar. Amelia Perez will begin her freshman year at St. Jean's in September. She comes to us from St. Elizabeth's School in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan where she completed her eighth-grade year with an academic average of 97.25%. In addition, Amelia ranked nationally in the 98th percentile for reading and in the 96th percentile for math and written expression on the Test for Admission into Catholic High Schools (TACHS).
Her stellar academic record is only part of the story. The admissions committee was also impressed with Amelia's poise and curiosity. One of her favorite extracurricular pursuits is participating in Rocking the Boat, a Bronx-based organization through which she has learned a variety of skills including carpentry (to build wooden boats!) sailing, boat handling, navigation, and chart reading. As part of the group's program to help restore the Bronx River, Ameila has also done sample collection and testing, scientific observation, and data recording.
Asked why she chose to attend St. Jean's, Amelia said, "St. Jean Baptiste was the first high school I went to for an open house and, since then, I think my heart has always been set on St. Jean's. I love the community here. The girls that volunteered were especially kind and understanding. They made me and the others feel comfortable." On the academic front, Amelia was particularly impressed by the chemistry, physics, and forensic science demonstrations at the open house and was inspired by the art presentation.
The St. Anne Scholars program is a collaboration between the parish and high school through which the parishioners fund one or more academic, merit-based scholarships to cover the entire four-year tuition for an exceptional incoming ninth grade student.
Amelia and her family joined the St. Jean Baptiste community at Mass on Sunday, July 21, during the St. Anne Novena. For more information about the St. Anne Scholars program contact Kathryn Collins, VP of Institutional Advancement at [email protected] or 212-288-1645 x121.