On September 27th, St Mary Immaculate School eighth graders participated in a day-long discussion entitled “The Best of You” dynamically presented by Ms. Jan Irwin.
For the 6th consecutive years, 8th graders have enjoyed a day as Ms. Irwin challenges them to think and prepare for their future. Her presentation encourages them to make wise life choices, practice good manners, reflect on what is and what is not important, and to set and plan to fulfill their goals in life.
Jan is a native Chicagoan, a Northwestern University graduate who began her career with sales and marketing positions at IBM, CBS TV Channel 2, Allstate Insurance, and the City of Chicago. She is now a frequent speaker for school “Leadership” and “Career Day” programs and judges school Speech, Science and Writing competitions.
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Her message stresses the importance of young people making good choices, starting today, through their high school and college years. By aiming high and striving for positive goals now and keeping a career choice in mind, they will create their own incentives to work toward high school success.
She encouraged students to look for summer jobs and community service programs that will provide experiences that help them refine career choices and choose a college that will best prepare them for career success.
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By the end of the day, and with their goals in mind, students had created four detailed plans, one for each high school year, helping them to better understand the connection between academic success in high school and success in the larger world.
They also left with homework assignments to turn in to their teacher in one week. The assignments demonstrate the high expectations Ms. Irwin has for our students. Students are to:
- Write a letter of apology to an individual who deserves your apology
- Compose a prayer using a list of given key words
- Interview an individual at least 24 years old using a given set of questions
- Write definitions of 25 key words describing top universities
- Select and research a “Top 48” university and a university in one of the Great Lake states using specified research based criteria.
“Goals Day” is one of the unique opportunities St. Mary Immaculate School students have as they gain an outstanding Catholic education in both faith and academics. For more information call 815-436-3953 or visit www.smischool.org.
