Catholic Schools Week interview with Hailey Barnett '18

 

Hailey Barnett ’18
Came to VASJ from Our Lady of the Lake
Plans to attend Harvard University and major in Public Relations

Why did you choose to attend a Catholic High School?

I went to Our Lady of the Lake and that was a Catholic school and I just thought it would a good fit to keep going because I like the Catholic culture. It has grown on me. I think their Masses are really interesting and I like how they always incorporate a homily and how it can always relate to you in some way. I like the community. There are always loving people who are there. They are like a family and I like being involved with it. 

What makes a Catholic education unique?

Public schools don’t really focus on religion. I wasn’t looking forward to having religion all four years, but every year we kept going deeper into religion and it helped me with my own faith. You never know what is going to touch you and make you a different person. Now I know all the prayers, the songs we have to sing, the procedures and the processes that go into a Catholic Mass. I would love to be Catholic someday. 

Why do you think Catholic schools are important? 

Catholic schools are important because they are like their own little community. Within that community we focus on that one thing that makes us all closer and that’s God. For me, it’s comforting, knowing that I’m not alone with my belief in God. 

Why did you choose to attend VASJ?

Our Lady of the Lake is a small school and I like that. It helped me build close relationships with  my teachers and my friends. I just had a feeling VASJ would be a really great school. I had a great time shadowing. The people were really nice. When I was shadowing I knew it was going to be twice as big as Our Lady of the Lake but I noticed it was really diverse and I liked that. 

What makes VASJ unique? 

It’s true, we are a family and I’m comfortable with everyone. I was really scared to go to high school but every day I would go to class and see the same people and they all had really positive vibes. We’re one-of-a-kind. Even when I don't feel so good at school, they make me feel great. They care about how I feel. Even the people I don’t really talk to. 

Why are religion classes an important part of the high school experience?

I think it opens people’s ideas of what is out there for them. The religion classes aren’t forcing the religion on you. They’re just letting you know that it’s there for you. And there’s always beauty in the religion. Junior year we are taking World Religion and there’s no negativity about different religions. It’s all about being a good person and I think everyone can learn from that. 

In what ways has attending VASJ taught you the importance of serving others?

I’ve learned that it does not just benefit the client. It helps you personally. I’ve made amazing connections, I’ve just straight up met great people. I’ve learned little lessons along the way. It’s kind of taught me to say yes to any chance you have, even if you’re not into it. The other thing about service is you never regret it. I don’t know anyone who has said, “oh that was horrible,” after volunteering. I’m volunteering at the Food Bank tomorrow. That’s my favorite. 

How do you think your Catholic education has prepared you for life after high school?

We’ve had to do a lot of reflections. The reflections help you go deeper into things because they want to hear about you and how you felt before and after service, or before doing projects, or before you met someone. They help you think. I’ve kept every reflection I’ve ever written. It’s good to reminisce and helps you reflect on things you want to change and things you want to improve on.

How does the faculty and staff at VASJ contribute to the school’s atmosphere?

Some of them are just really funny. Mr. Preto is really honest and has a really tough sense of humor and you just respect it because he’s a respectful type of person. Some people call Mrs. Grai mom because she is really nice and sarcastic. She’s funny. They make me feel at home. I’m comfortable when I talk to them. I look forward to seeing them. They’re willing to listen and help and I appreciate that. 

How does the faculty and staff at VASJ help students to grow in their faith?

The religion teachers talk about religion because they are passionate about it. You can see that they are passionate about it and that kind of encourages me and some of my friends and other students to look deeper into it because there is obviously something that struck them and maybe we can see it too. 

Why are you grateful that you are able to attend a Catholic high school?

I’m allowed to pray whenever I need to. They kind of make it mandatory for prayer and some people don’t have that privilege. I like being faith-based. It helps me with my faith. I know if I didn’t go to a Catholic school I wouldn’t have said I want to be Catholic because no one would have been there to encourage me.