High school prizes more than sports

Bishop Maginn High School in Albany may be well-known for its winning sports teams, but academics, service, faith and extracurricular activities play just as vital a role in the school community, say students, teachers and administration.

"It's a great community," said senior Steven Sgambelluri. "It's a place for everyone."

High priority

Academics, according to Steven, are the first priority for the faculty. "The teachers hold us to high standards," he explained. "But they are there for you. And they can relate to us. It's hard work, but the teachers are there for you."

The results of the high academic standards are evident, according to guidance counselor Joanne Picard. Ninety-eight percent of the class of '96 went to college, and the class earned $250,000 in scholarship money.

The school also has a high percentage of students passing the Regents exams: Last year, 100 percent of students taking the physics Regents passed, 97 percent passed the English Regents, and 98 percent passed the Spanish Regents. The school offers college credits for courses in English, history, calculus, and Spanish.

"We don't have frill electives. Our kids are taking meat and potatoes courses," Mrs. Picard said. "They have no trouble being accepted to college. Colleges find them well-prepared."

No problem

Mrs. Picard has heard critics say the school can have these successes because it throws out poor students. This is far from true, she said: "We don't get rid of problem students. We take problem students."

Bishop Maginn is ethnically diverse, drawing 22 percent of its population from minority communities, said principal Joseph Grosso. Students also come from a range of economic backgrounds. Yet despite students' differences, there is harmony in the school.

"The kids blend well," the principal said. "There is a respect for cultures and heritage. They get along."

Cultural diversity

Respect for different cultures is evident in many ways at the school. According to campus minister Sister Ellen Secci, CSJ, there is diversity in the prayer experiences offered: At a recent school para-liturgy, prayers were said in English, Swahili, Spanish, Italian and Polish.

Liturgies and prayer aren't the only manifestation of the school's Catholic identity. "Catholicity permeates the school building," Mr. Grosso said. "We strive for it here and the outcome is kids enjoy being here. We don't have high absenteeism."

Faith is also lived through the community service projects of the students, which include food and clothing drives, visiting nursing homes, volunteering in Head Start classrooms, hosting Bloodmobiles, volunteering at City Mission and a Christmas card collection to benefit inmates in county jails. The next student service effort will be helping Habitat for Humanity build a house.

"Like a family"

Senior Christina Fox instituted the Service Corps at the school this year. "Service is important," she said. "I don't like to see people suffering. We're a close-knit community. We look out for each other; we try to help. We're like a family."

During the holidays, Spanish teacher Kristen Lane was moved by the Spanish club's adoption of two families from Hispanic Outreach Services. The students raised money to purchase turkeys for the families for Thanksgiving, but then two birds were donated to the club unexpectedly. The club decided the money should be used for additional gifts for the families -- and delivered the care packages themselves.

Mrs. Lane is one of over 80 percent of the faculty who moderates a club, activity or sport. Extracurricular activities range from the school newspaper to the National Honor Society, music ministry, ski club, student council, art club, yearbook, and the class play competition and spring musical.

The enthusiasm of the students for these activities is evident, according to Sister Ellen. With 56 slots to fill for the Albany Diocesan Drug Education Ministry's (ADDEM) peer leadership program, the school received applications from more than 175 students.

Social Studies teacher Gordon Kaedy cited the importance of activities, saying, "Students involved in sports, academics and clubs take academics seriously."

(Bishop Maginn High School is located at 99 Slingerland Street in Albany. For more information on the school, call 463-2247.)

(01-30-97) [[In-content Ad]]