Catherine Congress Convenes

Seventh Annual St. Catherine Congress Convenes

Nicole Fosco begins her presentation on the power of cliques in high schools during Queen of Peace High School’s Seventh Annual St. Catherine of Siena Congress on April 29. Each finishing Catherine senior defended four years of research at the congress.

Queen of Peace High School seniors (from back left) Erin Pikowski, Erin Coughlin, Nicole Fosco, Jackie Janeteas, Alicia Chlebek, Erin Hecker, Cynthia Wojtaszek, (front left) Selenia Murillo, Sarah Geinosky, Courtney Blouzdis, and Breanna Vrkljan are Peace’s finishing St. Catherine of Siena Scholars. Each senior defended four years of research at the seventh annual Catherine Congress on April 29.

Event Photos

Burbank, IL – May 5, 2008 – On April 29, eleven Queen of Peace St. Catherine of Siena Scholars took to the podium to defend four years of research at Peace’s Seventh Annual Catherine Congress. The Catherine program, unique to Queen of Peace, is an innovative academic opportunity for Peace students to collaborate with a mentor and engage in rigorous research over and above their regular course of study. The program promotes the emulation of St. Catherine of Siena as a model of bold, unconventional, peace-making behavior. Catherine was among the first women saints to be declared a doctor of the Catholic Church.

The Congress portion of the program is crafted to reflect an academic experience similar to those faced by college undergraduates. The most significant difference may be that the Catherine program is not required. In fact, students do not even receive extra credit.

The topics presented by the seniors at the Congress varied greatly. Courtney Blouzdis presented on the neglect of the National Park Service and the effect that this neglect has on the ecosystems within those parks. Alicia Chlebek used architecture to look into the concepts of new urbanism and suburbanism. Erin Coughlin discussed the harmful effects teen magazines have on adolescent girls. Nicole Fosco focused on the role that cliques play in a teenage girl’s life and how her position in the clique affects her.

“Girls often use their power negatively and covertly by talking behind each others’ backs, rolling their eyes, and many more relationally aggressive behaviors. Schools say they can’t do much because, unlike traditional bullying, physical harm is not visible. However, this kind of bullying can leave long-lasting psychological effects. We need compassion at our schools and programs that provide students with someone to turn with their emotions,” Fosco discussed during her defense.

Sarah Geinosky examined how American culture and government affects Iranian youth. Erin Hecker showed how Catholics who support capital punishment were able to reconcile that with their views on faith. Jackie Janeteas demonstrated to what extent Title IX is implemented for female athletes. Selenia Murillo took a look at how restorative justice impacts society.

Erin Pikowski examined the treatment of orphans in China, female discrimination, and the government-implemented one-child policy. Breanna Vrkljan presented on the differences between single-sex and co-ed schools in the areas of social and educational development. Finally, Cynthia Wojtaszek showed how Catholic schools can provide for students with learning disabilities.

One of the greatest benefits to the students, in addition to the knowledge gained and true college preparation, is the chance to work side by side with a mentor. Fosco, for example, worked with Peace guidance counselors Katherine Walker and Heather Saylor. Blouzdis received guidance from Yvonne Woulfe of Camp Saguwaa Nature Reserve. Erin Hecker worked with Peace teacher Joyce Cruse and even presented issues related to capital punishment to Cruse’s social studies classes.

Although the topics at this congress are far-ranging and focus on various social, political, and economic issues, each incorporates a Dominican of Sinsinawa value at its core – truth, justice, compassion, partnership, or community. This Catherine Congress demonstrated Queen of Peace’s encouragement of students to question the status quo and the school’s commitment to excellence both inside the classroom and beyond.