VASJ student leaders commissioned at ceremony

Prior to the start of the school year, students who are members of student council, peer ministry, LIFE, National Honor Society and student ambassadors, gathered to officially be commissioned as leaders of Villa Angela-S. Joseph High School. 

There are a total of 136 students who hold membership among the leadership groups. This means that more than 30% of VASJ's student body (which is close to 450 students) hold a leadership role.

One of those leaders is Chad Porter ’17 who was asked to speak at the event. 

“Being a leader at VASJ has taught me to set myself apart from the normal behavior of many of the youth at my age,” Porter says. “That I should act in accordance with the principles preached by Christ. Being a leader is not the easiest path all the time, but it is the correct path.”

Chad plans to study bioengineering after high school and possibly go to medical school.

Chad wasn’t the only person to address the student leaders. 

Before the prayer service and commissioning, Dean of Academics and Director of MUSP Mr. Tim Neary ’03, President Mr. Bill Cervenik ’72, and Dean of Student Life Mr. Tom Erzen all addressed the group.

VASJ President Bill Cervenik '72 addresses VASJ's student leaders

Coordinator of Mission Effectiveness Mr. Bill Raddell gave a reflection about why virtue, faith and servant leadership are so important. 

“In the Christian world, leadership is service,” Raddell says. “We’re really trying to convey the idea of being servant leaders. This is what you are called to be. What you do here, as student leaders, is important.”  

The commissioning ceremony aimed to continue to focus on building virtues among the students at VASJ. For this reason, the student leaders received a pin at the ceremony that said FAITH.

Distributing the pins was Mr. Pat Preto, religion teacher and LIFE Moderator, Mr. Bill Raddell ’67, Peer Ministry Moderator and Coordinator of Mission Effectiveness,  Mrs. Melissa Grai, Science Chair and Student Council Moderator, Mrs. Patti Marxen, English Chair and Senior Class Moderator, Ms. Robyn Spangler, English teacher and Junior Class Moderator, and Ms. Michelle Perusek ’07, English teacher and LIFE Moderator.