Author: Emma Speier

For the first time in two years, Middle Schoolers were able to participate in the much-anticipated trip to WolfRidge, so it makes perfect sense that this was also the largest group Providence Academy has sent. 

“I didn’t really know how it was going to go”, explained Yuvraj Singh ‘28. Since hardly any of the present middle schoolers had gone during the pandemic, it was hard for the kids fully get a sense of the weekend’s activities. 

Although some were a little hesitant at first, they ended up loving the trip, largely because of much everyone could tailor the weekend to their interests. Each student got a choice of an itinerary for the day, roommates, bus mates, and clothes. 

“I think Wolfridge exceeded a lot of people’s expectations, it was more fun than I thought learning could be.” Singh remarks after looking back on his weekend.

Even if a student who has a chance to go in the future is a little skeptical, Mason Gregory ‘28 says, “Be open to everything, you never know what you might like.”

A lot of kids were wary about being away from home in a new environment, especially on Mother’s Day, but Vivienne Martini ‘29 regrets staying back, “After hearing how much fun everyone had, I do kinda wish I had just gone, but now I know for next year.”

From flint and steel to tree types and ages and a little historical background of the land, students learned quite a bit academically. However, they didn’t expect to discover more about their peers, even though teamwork was a big part of the weekend. Jada Lynn Preston-Harris ‘28 explained, “You should go with people you are comfortable with because it is a lot of fun with friends, it’s like a camping sleepover!” 

Although the lakes were too frozen to canoe, students got an opportunity to zipline, hike, and take many classes including ropes, Voyager History, geology, mammals, and astronomy. “I was worried it would be like school but pretty much everything we did was not just learning, it was fun too. It was a good balance” Preston-Harris follows. 

It’s safe to say that what they learned will stick with them for a long time, Melia Cmiel ‘26 recalls her time at Wolfridge a few years ago, looking at fossils and getting stuck on the zipline. Even this year’s group shares a distinctive memory: Matthew Tomashko ‘28 thinking a large rock was a bear at 2 am and waking everyone up with his fear-filled screams. 

The group collectively has one word of advice for future goers: “Don’t wear white crocs on a muddy hike- better yet- don’t even bring them!”

Pirates, robbers, and lively children. On January 21st and 22nd, a cast and crew of 37 Middle Schoolers brought these characters and so many more to life during their hit production of Pippi Longstocking.

Middle Schoolers are notorious for having a lot of energy, and their production was no exception. Pippi Longstocking was a very fitting choice for these young actors and actresses, as the play portrays a young protagonist filled with vivacity and the story has an overarching theme of adventure.

“It is great to be with people who are so hard-working and really like theater,” said Vivienne Martini, ‘28, a newcomer to the Middle School Theater Department.

But this excitement didn’t come without challenges. Last year’s sole production Treasure Island was performed via radio only, with the cast telling the story into microphones rather than performing it on stage. Because of this, the only students who had been in a previous play were the eighth graders. 

Director Mrs. Melissa Simmons agreed wholeheartedly, “This was the first PA show for our 6th and 7th graders, which means our 8th graders had to really step up as leaders- which they did!”

The sixth and seventh graders were not the only ones who had to adjust to a new format of theater. Everyone – cast, crew, and in between – were a part of the Middle School Theater Department’s very first musical. 

Throughout this process of learning, the students proved themselves to be extremely dedicated. Along with practicing after school nearly every day and perfecting an hour-long show, they even came to school on their day off on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to have an extra day of practice. At the end of this long process, nearly every seat in the house was filled with parents, grandparents, friends, and many of the students’ peers. 

Amelia Hilberg, ‘22 commented, “It was fantastic! The set was amazing. They are very talented Middle Schoolers, especially considering it was their first musical. Oh my gosh. It was High School quality.”

If you are interested in seeing another Middle School production, watch for more news about the Middle School One Act, coming this spring. Updates will be on the ebulletin at providenceacademy.org.

Headmaster Dr. Todd Flanders opened the annual Upper School Choir and Band Concert by saying, “It’s no secret that at Providence Academy, Christmas is a big thing. I mean, we put it on a billboard…” 

Christmas is celebrated in a big way at PA, not only because it honors our Lord and Savior’s birth, but it is a time for all the students and teachers to come together and participate in fun activities filled with the Christmas spirit.

Even students from other schools know Providence goes above and beyond during the holiday season. 

A co-op athlete from Heritage Academy, Lisey Langhus ‘24 says, “I can’t wait to see what the school looks like, all decorated. I just know it is so fun there during Christmastime.”

The PA community is grateful for the fact that we can be open about our faith and celebrate during the Christmas season. This is partially why everywhere you look, you will find wreaths; large trees complete with lights, ornaments, and garland; poinsettias; Nativity scenes; and many other ways showing that Christmas is not just about presents. 

These decorations stay up well into the new year to serve as a reminder that the Christmas season is not over on the 26th. Mrs. Nancy Galgano, Lower School Director explains, “Especially with the younger kids, we really do try to teach them early on the real reason behind Christmas. It is all about preparing for Jesus, who came to give us grace.”

Along with traditional methods of celebrating, the Lower School is especially active during this time, with their annual caroling during the last hour of school before break, Advent prayers, Jesse trees, crafts, Christmas concerts, and an all-time favorite celebration of St. Nicholas. Each child puts out a shoe overnight on the 6th of December for St. Nick’s Feast Day and comes back the next day to receive a special treat in his or her shoe.

Santa even makes an appearance every year at Providence to surprise the little ones! There are also multiple charity drives to help those who may be less fortunate, making sure they also have a blessed Christmas. The Hat and Mitten Drive has been very popular for years, and the school receives so many donations of winter accessories that multiple, mini-Christmas trees are adorned with the donated items before they are distributed to those in need. The Toys for Tots pile under the tree in the Great Room overflows, requiring the path around it to be cleared several times a week. The festivities don’t even end in December: after the break, on the Feast Day of the Three Kings, each classroom gets blessed by Father McClellan to celebrate the Epiphany. 

While the Lower School is drawing pictures of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in the stable, the Upper Schoolers have final exams, but they still find ways to show some Christmas cheer during this time with the school choir caroling throughout the halls, students decorating hallways, Secret Santa gift exchanges, an ugly sweater competition, “story time” with Mr. Skemp before finals, and last but certainly not least, Mass, to let us remember why we can celebrate this lovely time in the first place. 

With the first month of school coming to a close, newcomers to PA — students and teachers alike — are settling into the swing of things. This is especially true in the Middle School, where the division welcomed three new full time teachers this year. With their love for faith and learning, English teacher Ms. Ashley Croteau, Math teacher Mrs. Annie Smith, and History teacher Mr. Peter Kennedy fit right in here at PA.

Croteau, who previously taught at a school where open professions of faith are not allowed, exclaimed, “ Finally being able to share my faith here has been an AMAZING change!”

Croteau’s decision to become a teacher was guided by prayer and contemplation. She is relishing the opportunity to attend Mass at school and pray with her classes.

In her free time, Croteau loves to read and write, very fitting for an English teacher, but she also loves to hang out with her Youth Group friends and go to her cabin with family. 

Croteau first heard about Providence from Middle School Science and Religion teacher Mr. Eric Duffy, who praised his Providence teaching job. So when PA posted an opening that aligned with her specialty, Croteau applied without hesitation. 

Smith was attracted to Providence for the same reasons: the strong foundations of faith and the high level of education. Though always drawn to teaching, she didn’t always like math.

“I used to cry over math word problems in Middle School!” Smith recounted.

Despite this, her love of teaching has been there from the beginning and her love of math has grown with it.

After teaching at a relatively small all-girls school outside of Washington, D.C., Smith commented on the benefits of working at a larger school, “The homecoming football game has been a highlight for me so far, we didn’t have that at my old school,” she enthused.

Like Smith, Kennedy also previously taught at a small school, teaching Gym, History, and Library. Going from teaching three different subjects to solely history is a nice change of pace for Kennedy, as is having his very own room.

Kennedy’s history and civic background runs in the family. When he was in middle school, his dad was elected as Congressman and their family traveled and took a trip out to Washington D.C. 

Kennedy had been hearing about PA for years; his cousins went to the school right as it opened, and many Providence alums were in his college classes. He had always loved working with kids, whether as a camp counselor or teaching during his study abroad in Spain. So, after two years in business, Kennedy decided to switch careers and teach.

Contrary to popular belief that teachers live at school, Kennedy spends most weekends watching soccer, cheering on the Green Bay Packers, or around a campfire with his family. 

Though to road to PA looked different for these three new faculty, one thing they all agree on is how great the other teachers and students are here. 

Smith noted with gratitude, “[Providence] has a strong foundation of faith and strives to teach its students how to think about the world around them”.