By Ruby Thomas, Record Staff Writer
Students and teachers at Holy Trinity School waved their arms and let out shouts of joy as a drone flew overhead to capture an image of them standing in a ribbon formation on the brisk morning of Oct. 24.
The student body, faculty and staff were celebrating Holy Trinity’s national award from the United States Department of Education. Holy Trinity School, 423 Cherrywood Road, was named a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School along with St. Joseph School in Bardstown, Ky. This is the second Blue Ribbon for Holy Trinity — the school first received the honor in 2007.
A pep rally-style celebration opened with a prayer by Deacon Andrew Heinsohn, one of Holy Trinity Church’s permanent deacons. Deacon Heinsohn thanked the parish community, parents and the “caring, hardworking” teachers and staff for making the school “great.”
He prayed the students would take what they are learning at Holy Trinity and share it with the “whole community and the world.”
During the celebration, Jack Richards, Holy Trinity’s principal, reminded the students of what they were celebrating. With the Blue Ribbon award, Holy Trinity was named one of the 50 best non-public schools in the nation, Richards told the cheering crowd.
“The first people we give credit to is the students,” he said. “We’re so proud of you.”
Being a student — with all the classroom work, homework and projects — isn’t always easy, but it pays off, Richards said to his beaming young listeners. “You have a bright future ahead of you.”
Richards also thanked the teachers for their work, not only in the classroom, but also for the work they do over the summer, on weekends and after school.
Richards went on to say that the partnership with parents is the foundation of Holy Trinity’s success. It’s important, he noted, that what’s being taught at school is the same as what’s being taught at home.
The Blue Ribbon distinction is a sign that the “school is on the right path” and it’s doing what’s needed “to provide a dynamic education for students,” said Richards. “We continue to make new initiatives and programs for students to hopefully strengthen the foundation” the school already has.
Lastly, Richards told students, faculty and staff that Holy Trinity is a “special place” to be and that he thanks God for being a part of a community that works so hard for everyone’s success.
“I’m proud of being principal at Holy Trinity,” he said.
Richards and Paula Watkins, the school’s director of student achievement, will travel to Washington, D.C., where they will be presented with the Blue Ribbon award during a ceremony Nov. 7.
As part of the celebration, the students enjoyed blue treats and a performance by a group of parents — dressed from head to toe in blue.
Holy Trinity and St, Joseph are among nine public and non-public schools to receive this distinction in Kentucky.
