Character counts at St. John Vianney School

Good character is its own reward, but the students at St. John Vianney School got a little something extra. The Orchard Park school holds a monthly ceremony to award students in each grade for exemplifying the character trait of the month.

On Feb. 7, Bishop Michael W. Fisher was on hand to present the award certificates to those who have shown particular “Determination” throughout the past month.

Principal Joan Thomas points out that all the students are of good character. Regardless of age, they all act as buddies for younger students. During that day’s Mass, the sixth, seventh and eighth graders held the hands of the pre-K 3-4 students as they led them across the parking lot from the school to the church.

“They’re terrific,” Thomas said. “The little kids love the big kids. It’s very nice.”

Bishop Fisher spoke on the trait of holiness during his homily before the awards ceremony.

“Being holy means we let God enlighten us in our hearts, in our minds, in our bodies,” he said.

“The Lord gives us gifts also, that we can use to help us to grow in our souls and in our spiritual lives. All of the things that you talked about – kindness, being nice, being respectful to one another, asking for forgiveness if we hurt someone – all of these are wonderful qualities that we need to practice to help us be good people.”

February’s trait is inclusion as students learn about Black History Month.

January’s Character Award recipients:  

Pre-K 3 – Julianna Strzelec

Pre-K 4 – Embree Behm, Mason Brun

Kindergarten – Sam Ellison, Matteo Bruso

Grade 1 – Claire Acquard

Grade 2 – Aaron Breitenbach

Grade 3 – Charlotte Rajczak, Harry Randall

Grade 4 – Alivia Bodenburg, Easton Zurowski

Grade 5 – Joseph Hartog, Claire Walsh

Grade 6 – William Swartz

Grade 7 – Aleia Bodenburg, Anna Haslinger

Grade 8 – Bray Babich, Julia Cabin, Jack Randall, Thomas Reaska