“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

— Martin Luther King, Jr.

The following was written by a student at Holy Child Academy in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania.

High school is around the corner and Holy Child Academy has well-prepared me for everything. There are many things I plan to bring to high school and among these are me being service-oriented, eager to learn, and self-confident. I think these are some great qualities to have, but especially helping people and performing lots of service.

Performing service and committing my time to the less fortunate is an important part of my life. Our school’s motto, Actions Not Words, has fueled me in this aspect of my life. I have done many different things with the House of Grace, a homeless shelter in North Philadelphia, such as making snack bags and donating travel sized soaps. I have also donated to St. Francis Inn, a soup kitchen in Kensington. Holy Child not only encourages students to help people, they take action as well. I participated in the Martin Luther King service day at my school. On this day I made dog toys and baby blankets. I love donating my time to people and feel so good knowing that my actions have just helped someone down the line. Though service is a big part of my life, I am also intellectual and a remarkable student.

I really enjoy school and always eager to learn. This has been apparent ever since second grade when I took it upon myself to research exotic animals and make presentations about them. Since I have gotten to Holy Child this trait has only grown and expanded. The teachers and students have all been very encouraging and push me to do my best. If I ever have trouble with something, they have no problem taking time out of their day to help me. I love learning and am always ready to accept a challenge. When I first came to this school, I did not have the organization and study skills that I have today and ran into a few problems with this. Though I struggled, I worked harder than ever and was able to push through and develop the great study skills that I have today. I take great pride in my intellectual ability and love the feeling when I see that good grade on a test. Not only did it help develop great organization and study skills, it also boosted my self-confidence.

Since coming to Holy Child, my self-confidence has grown significantly. My first year, the kids were very friendly and accepting. Now, they have grown to be some of my closest friends. They always see the best in me and are very encouraging. I have also become more confident with speaking in front of large groups of people from reading at prayer services. The play has also helped me build my self-esteem. Before I would have never dreamed of standing in front of my peers and singing, but now, I do it every year and not just in school. The confidence I have in myself as a student and citizen is a result straight from my time spent at Holy Child and I plan to carry these things with me throughout life in every way possible.