LAKEWISE

By: E. Peterson

What Does My OLL Education Mean to Me

My OLL education means being kind to everyone while also trying my best to learn and improve throughout my school career. The main part of going to Our Lady of the Lake is to know, love, and serve God while achieving academic excellence. I try my hardest to do that and to fulfill the expectations of my teachers, principal, parents, and peers, while also making myself proud of what I can accomplish in school. Those achievements are what shape the path for my future.

How is Catholic School Influencing My Life

Catholic school is influencing my life by teaching me the ways God wants us to live and act. It influences me to behave as Jesus would and to be kind to everyone, even if they are not kind to me. God wants us to love everyone and to show kindness, and that is what Catholic school teaches me.

Highlights of Being at OLL

Some of the highlights of being at OLL are being part of a community. This school is not just about learning our faith but putting it into practice. I get up every morning ready to come back, learn, and improve. Every person in this school is pushed to reach their full potential while also being supported in what they struggle with. Students, teachers, and families all demonstrate a true work ethic. Everyone is expected to be kind to one another. This school turned my eight years of learning into eight years of excellence. I have had nothing but enjoyment being here with my classmates and teachers.

Favorite Memories at OLL

One of my favorite memories at OLL was our championship basketball game in 6th grade. We had prepared all season for it, working our hardest to get to that point. Along the way, we built strong bonds with each other that carried onto the court. The day of the game, we were as nervous as could be, but we kept hyping each other up, along with the support of our school in the stands. Even though we lost, we played amazingly and gave it everything we had.

Another memory I loved was the pep rally when the varsity girls volleyball team played against the 8th-grade boys. Luckily, we beat them! It was so much fun and really helped build up our school spirit.

How My OLL Catholic Education Will Influence My Life in the Future

My Catholic education will influence my life in the future because I have been taught to be reliable, responsible, religious, respectful, and, most importantly, kind. As students, we have learned not to rely on other people and to take responsibility ourselves. If we are absent, we don’t expect teachers to bring us the work; we get it ourselves. If we forget a book in our homeroom, we are not permitted to retrieve it. These are just a few examples of responsibility.

It is also necessary to be respectful and kind to our peers, teachers, and principal. Being religious and holy is vital as well—we are taught to live as Jesus did.

Who I Am Grateful For and What I Have Been Given

I am grateful for my teachers, who have given me every opportunity to be great. I am grateful for my classmates, who have pushed me to be my best. I am also thankful for myself because I know I would not be where I am today without always pushing myself to be the best I can be. I am proud that I have confidence in myself and don’t worry about what other people think, because that doesn’t matter. What matters is that I am faithful to God and kind to others.

I am extremely grateful for Mr. Conroy because, in the past two years, he has already made this school a better place. He gives each of us his full attention and has a special bond with all of us. He makes sure we are learning, being kind, and enjoying our years at OLL.

I am also incredibly grateful for Mrs. Gorstein. Even though I have only known her a short time, she has already become one of my favorite people at our school. She is the kindest person I have ever met. She always has a smile on her face and makes sure everyone else does too.

Why a Young Student Should Come to OLL

A young student should come to OLL because it is a place to be yourself and to be the best you can be. OLL is a place to become a responsible person and someone who is determined to succeed. It is also a place to bond with your classmates and all the students in the school.

One program at OLL is Big Brother/Big Sister. Each month, you and your partner get to know each other by doing activities together. I really enjoy this with my little sister because it gives me a chance to reflect on how much I have learned from older girls who were once in my position.

I believe that young students should be able to be themselves and strive to reach their fullest abilities. People at this school accept each other for who they are and don’t try to change them—they encourage each other to become better people so they can be successful in the long run.

How I Take What I Learn and Put It Into Practice

I have learned many things here, but the most important is to be a follower of Jesus. Learning about my faith at a young age is extremely important because it has taught me to make God the most important part of my life. I have learned to live according to the Bible. I am extremely grateful to have the privilege of going to Our Lady of the Lake school.

I am proud to be part of OLL, where my faith, friendships, and learning come together to shape the person I am becoming.