This summer, Upper and Middle School students at Newton Country Day participated in Sacred Heart Network Summer Service Projects. Rooted in the Sacred Heart Goals, with an emphasis on Goal III – a social awareness which impels to action – these service projects provide students with immersive experiences to deepen their understanding of serving others. Each summer, students and faculty members from various schools in the Network apply to participate in these programs.
Charlotte Sullivan ‘29, Izzy Lichtenstein ‘29, and Maddie Sidhom ‘29 traveled to St. Charles, Missouri, to take part in the “Blessed Are Those Who Hunger for Justice: A Call to Action to Address Food Insecurity” project, hosted by the Academy of the Sacred Heart. This project is designed for students to follow in the footsteps of St. Philippine Duchesne by carrying out the charism of the Sacred Heart through hands-on service with organizations in the St. Louis community. Sidhom expressed her appreciation for the wide Network of Sacred Heart schools and her personal growth throughout the trip: “I realized how important doing service is and how an act that might not seem like much to me can be so greatly appreciated by the people we help.”
Madeleine Milone '29 took part in the "Committed to Creation" project, hosted by The Academy of Hardey Prep in Chicago, Illinois. The project gives students the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities centered around learning and applying sustainability practices in their daily lives. Milone reflected on her favorite aspects of the experience, saying, "Meeting the students from different schools made me realize that even though all our schools have unique characteristics, we are all a part of something bigger." The "Committed to Creation" project allows participants to leave with a deeper understanding of the significance of creating a sustainable environmental footprint, contributing to a greener future for all of God's creatures.
Caroline Ewald ‘27 and Cate Hickey ‘27 participated in the “Faith in Action: Liberation in the Heart of New York City” project, which aims to bring faith into action through the exploration of traditional teachings of the Church. Hosted by the Convent of the Sacred Heart, the project gave students the opportunity to work with leaders of faith-based organizations and engage in service experiences for those in need throughout the city. Ewald reflected on her trip, sharing: “We went to soup kitchens, learned about Catholic social teaching, and did various service projects around the city. We were able to explore the city and learned about giving back to those who
need it most”.
Amelia O’Brien ‘26 and Emma Wong ‘26 took part in the “Garden of Eden: Care for our Common Home” project, hosted by Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart in Omaha, Nebraska. Students volunteered at food pantries, community gardens, and homeless shelters while also learning about floral design techniques at unique Sacred Heart-centered sites throughout Omaha. O’Brien shared her favorite moments throughout the trip: “We learned a lot about how to be more environmentally friendly and volunteered at many different places such as Open Door Mission, the Madonna School, Benson Bounty, and more.”
Four Newton Country Day Students – Sabrina Dacey ‘29, Diya Giridhar ‘28, Ruari Montague ‘29, and Regina Qu ‘29 – visited Miami, Florida for “Seeking New Frontiers: An Exploration of Modern Immigrants’ Experiences” hosted by Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart. This project allowed students to understand the challenges of immigrating and assimilating to the United States, teaching them how they can help create supportive environments for new members in their own communities. Dacey spoke about the excitement of meeting new students from the Network: “We had a blast getting to know the advisors and students coming from other states such as California, Michigan, and New York, and sharing our connections between the Sacred Heart schools.” Dacey shared some of her favorite moments on the trip, such as hearing from panelists, including a Carrollton alumna who is an immigration judge and a current Carrollton parent who is an immigration lawyer. The students also visited a migrant daycare where they worked with children by playing, creating art, and assisting the teachers and staff. Reflecting on her trip, Dacey said: “It was a unique and enjoyable experience that I would recommend to incoming 7th and 8th grade students. This trip brought me closer to the Sacred Heart community”.
Summer Service Projects are offered each year across various Sacred Heart schools in the United States and Canada and are sponsored by the Sacred Heart Network. All students are encouraged and invited to apply to participate in the program.