The culminating event for Bay View Academy Middle School students is the Eighth Grade Moving Up Day. It marks their readiness to move on to ninth grade in the Academy’s Upper School. This year’s Moving Up Day celebration took place on June 6th and featured a breakfast hosted by Bay View President, Vittoria Pacifico-DeBenedictis (Hyde Park, MA), a Mass and an awards ceremony.
Students from grades six through eight were honored at the awards ceremony, including those who have achieved academic excellence in specific subject areas and those who positively contributed to the community at Bay View and beyond. The following is a description of the top academic and character awards bestowed on students in grades six through eight.
The Highest Academic Average Award is the top honor that a Bay View Middle School student can attain. It is traditionally given to the student who has achieved the highest academic average in the eighth grade class—a student who has consistently maintained academic excellence in all of her classes, and whose work reflects an in-depth understanding and appreciation of even the most complex material. This year’s winner is Rebekah Pendrak, from North Providence, RI.
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The Salt of the Earth Award is given annually to one eighth grade student who contributes to her local community and to the Bay View community with a positive attitude and concern for others. According to Middle School Theological Studies teacher and Campus Minister, Jeanne Nadeau, consideration is given to how the student “seasons” life around her, through the manner by which she spreads the good news of Jesus Christ. The recipient of this year’s Salt of the Earth Award is Angelica McAfee, from Smithfield, RI. Angelica is very involved at her parish, St. Philip Church. She is an altar server and an active participant in the youth group. Her frequent activities in parish life encouraged her to attend a weekend Catholic youth experience, Steubenville East. “By going to Steubenville,” she stated, “I have become more spiritually engaged in my faith and with God.”
Jeanne Nadeau says that at Bay View, Angelica is the “‘salt of the earth’ through her kindness and thoughtfulness to teachers and students alike. She shares her joy and gratitude and is so appreciative of all she has been given.” Angelica also gives back to her community through varied volunteer efforts.
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The Peer Award is bestowed annually to an eighth grade student chosen by her classmates for the qualities of trustworthiness, loyalty, kindness, helpfulness and open-mindedness. This student must be a good listener and a mediator among her peers. She should exemplify Christian values through her daily words and actions. The Peer Award recipient is Lauren Moonan, from Cranston, RI. This spring, Lauren was also honored as a Middle Level Scholar Leader by the Rhode Island Middle Level Educators (RIMLE) and the New England League of Middle Schools.
For sixth and seventh graders, the top character and community awards at Bay View are the Frances Warde Award and the Catherine McAuley Award. Frances Warde and Catherine McAuley were Sisters of Mercy, a group of women religious who founded and sponsor Bay View Academy. Catherine was the original founder of the order in Dublin, Ireland and Frances brought the Sisters of Mercy to the United States. These two awards reflect the Sisters of Mercy commitment to caring, compassion and hospitality. The sixth grade recipient of the Frances Warde Award is Daniella Olivares (Seekonk, MA). The seventh grade recipient of the Catherine McAuley Award is Jaime Sousa (East Providence, RI).
St. Mary Academy - Bay View is an independent Catholic School for girls open to all faiths, Pre-kindergarten through Grade 12, located in East Providence, Rhode Island and sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy. In existence since 1874, Bay View endeavors to provide a quality education preparing girls and young women for the challenges of the global community. St. Mary Academy - Bay View is a college preparatory school accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
About the Sisters of Mercy: The Sisters of Mercy – an international community of Roman Catholic women – dedicate their lives to God through vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and service. For more than 180 years, motivated by the Gospel of Jesus and inspired by the spirit of their founder, Catherine McAuley, the Sisters of Mercy have responded to the continually changing needs of the time.
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