Graduation Speech 2018
 
Have you ever noticed that some words have almost 2 opposite meanings? A word, when said one way in a sentence can mean, one thing, and then when used in another context, it can mean something entirely different. The word graduation itself is like that. It has been referred to as an end of one journey, and yet we often hear it referred to as the beginning of another.
 
Take for example the word anyway. Many times we hear this word with a negative tone, such as “I don’t know why I bothered to try I’m not going to win anyway.” And yet in one of the most thoughtful poems, attributed to Saint Teresa of Calcutta, found hanging in her hut, the word anyway takes on a completely different meaning.  
 
People are often unreasonable and self-centered, forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives, be kind anyway.  If you are successful you will win some false friends and some true enemies, succeed anyway. If you are honest people may cheat you, be honest anyway. What you spent years building someone could destroy overnight, build anyway. The good you do today people often forget tomorrow, do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough, give your best anyway. You see, in the final analysis it is between you and your God, it was never between you and them anyway
 
Life is full of opposites. That’s probably why opposites are one of the first things you are taught in Kindergarten. And as you grow and continue to live in this world you will see a lot of opposites. You will see both the good and bad that this world has to offer.  And it is your responsibility to choose between the two. You’ve been given the tools needed to make these choices from your parents, your teachers, and from your faith. It is now your obligation to make choices that reflect who you truly are- and this is not always easy.
 
We often see inspirational quotes and one of them that truly struck me said, “you are always one decision away from a totally different life.” Wow. How important are those choices that we make?
 
Some of you have been with us since kindergarten some of you may have just joined our TCA family this year. During that time, many things have changed over the years as you’ve grown and matured into the graduates the stand before us today.
 
But some things have remained the same, and whether or not you’ve noticed it, I’ve said something to you every day. After I had given you the morning announcements each day, I said to you “Go ahead and make today a special day.” And with those words; the choice was yours. You see, we can’t always control what the day throws at us, but what we can always control is our response.
 
And now as you plan to receive your diploma and go onto high school know that all of our prayers go with you. We pray that you keep God and your faith in your hearts and in your minds as you prepare to make some difficult choices in life. We pray that you will share your gifts and talents with whatever communities you become a part of in the years to come. And so to the class of 2018, since I am standing up here anyway I will say the words I have said to you for countless days during your time here as part of our TCA family. “Go ahead make today a special day.” Congratulations and may God continue to bless you always. 
 
Mrs. Anne Reap
Lower School Director
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Trenton Catholic Academy Lower School is located on a beautiful 64 acre wooded campus in Hamilton, New Jersey serving 330 students in  PreK-8. The administration, faculty and parents work together to create an  environment that leads children to develop academic, spiritual and social responsibilities. TCA students show concern and respect by reaching out to serve others in peace, justice and love.



Come learn why the TCA Lower School
is a place where students...
Believe, Dream, and Succeed!

Visit our Classrooms to see firsthand all of the exciting things that are happening in the Lower School.  For registration information please call, Mrs. Danser, 609-586-5888 ext. 141, or click here.

 
Zonta Club of Trenton – Mercer/County Commission on Women Art/Essay Contest Winners
Eleven students from Trenton Catholic Academy are to be congratulated on being selected as winners in this contest.  The students are Uchechi Kanu, Ayden DeLeon, Lizzie O’Connor, Chiemeka Ubah, Angelina Morales, Kalebh Girton, Megan Denton, Anthony Arriola, Anthony Morales, Gloria Leroy and Anthony Aririguzoh. 
All of the entries beautifully depicted the special relationship each child has with his or her family.  The entries will be on display at the Lawrence Library.
Congratulations to our talented winners!  Thank you for being exceptional!
 
Elks Essay Winners - Congratulations to our winners in this year's Elks Essay Contest on Patriotism - Division 1 - 5th and 6th grades, 1st Place Anthony Morales, 2nd Place Joshua Pintella, 3rd Place Juliette Fernandez; Division 2 - 7th and 8th grades, 1st Place Madison Heath, 2nd Place Alyssa Rauscher, 3rd Place Evelin Najera and overall District 1 Winner - Anthony Morales!  TCA students have pride in America and our Patriots!

Zaner Bloser National Handwriting Contest - TCA students have beautiful handwriting!  5 Lower School students were selected to represent our school in Zaner Bloser's national competition.  Good luck to Uchechi Kanu, Dwight Samuels, Imani Francis, Elizabeth O'Connor and Elijah Dillon!

Respect Life Poster and Essay Contest Winners Announced - We are proud to announce that TCA had 8 student winners in the recent contest sponsored by the Respect Life Ministry.  Diocesan Winners - Aiden Self, Javier Moreno Corrales and Mary Kate O'Connor; First Runners Up in Mercer County - Danielle Self, Maria Jagielska, Joshua Arriola, Anthony Arriola and Alyssa Rauscher.  Congrats to these students on their creative entries pertaining to Respect Life issues and reflecting this year's theme, "Be Not Afraid".

TCA Lower School Teacher, 2018 STEM Teacher of the Year - TCA is proud to announce Mr. John Kocsis, TCA Lower School Tech Coordinator has been named 2018 STEM Teacher of the Year by the Professional Engineers Society of Mercer County.

Knights of Columbus Foul Shot Winners - Our children are moving onto the district championships!  Five talented athletes from TCA were recognized over the weekend as free throw allstars - Mary Kate O'Connor, Christine Martin, Jack Martin, Anthony Arirguzoh and Duvel Joasil. Best of luck!

Congratulations to LaCoya Newland, 8th grader - for being recognized for her outstanding poster depicting the value of a Catholic education.  LaCoya was recognized at the State House of NJ during Catholic Schools Week with a tour and official presentation.

Fire Prevention Poster Contest Winners - It is my pleasure to congratulate our 18 winners in this year's Fire Prevention Poster Contest sponsored by the Colonial Fire Company - Fire District #8. Alyjanna Gonzalez, Camille Pierre Charles, Ayden DeLeon, Danielle Self, Aiden Self, Jailyn Kruk, Naomi Williamsms, Yaviah Gonzalez, Angelina Morales, Brianna Calle Niola, Alexa Sanchez, Anthony Arriola, Alijah Rivera, Alyssa Rausher, Walter Cordero, Jyia Reeves, Bellali Garro, Kimberly Santos.  Special accolodes are extended to Yaviah Gonzalez and Alexa Sanchez who won overall 1st and 2nd place.

Student Council Makes a Difference!   We are proud to announce the 2017-2018 Lower School Student Council - President - Josephine Abraham, Vice President - Jyia Reeves, Recorder - Gloria Leroy, Spirituality - Chelsea Remboske, Class Representatives - Kayla Richards, Giovanni Monti, Randy Romero, Mikayla Blackwood, Joel Bodon and Emanyelle Donkor. 

Reminder
Please check our school website daily for important announcements as we will not be sending home paper copies.  Simply go to  www.trentoncatholic.org and click on Lower School, then click on Backpack for all of the important papers and announcements.  Thank you for helping us Go Green!

TCA has Kids that CARE!
TCA Kids Care is a program that acknowledges students who are…. Courteous - Accepting - Respectful - Exceptional. Students who demonstrate these qualities will be recognized monthly with a certificate and breakfast with Mrs. Reap. We are so proud of our students and are excited to honor them in this special way! Ready, Set, let's CARE!