What Sets CKS Apart: Celebrating Catholic Schools Week

In this episode of the CKS Podcast, a student host is joined by the President of the Student Body for a conversation centered on Catholic Schools Week and what makes a Catholic education so meaningful. Together, they reflect on faith, community, leadership, and the values that shape daily life at Christ the King Catholic School. Through a student perspective, they share what makes CKS a special place to learn, grow, and live out our faith.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:01

This is your Christ the King Catholic School podcast.

SPEAKER_01 0:11

Welcome everybody back to the CKS Podcast. I am your hosts, and today we have our student body government president to talk with us about Catholic Schools Week. So, uh, how would you describe Catholic Schools Week to someone who does not attend the Catholic school?

SPEAKER_00 0:26

So basically, Catholic Schools Week is almost a celebration of our faith and us being able to attend a Catholic school. And really, as a kid attending a Catholic school, it's really helped me grow in my faith. So I highly suggest it.

SPEAKER_01 0:43

Yeah, Catholic schools are actually that's basically what they are, to help you grow in your faith to be a better person, to grow closer with God, especially here at Christ the King. We since we have the evangelists, the afternoon prayer, the mass every Wednesday, it really helps to like grow closer to God.

SPEAKER_00 1:02

I agree. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 1:05

So uh what does Catholic education mean to you personally?

SPEAKER_00 1:08

Well, Catholic education is just bringing the aspect of our faith into schoolwork and and what we do in school, opposed to like a public school where you kind of have to keep your faith at home. And to be able to like profess and like ask people about your faith, especially at school and not just your parents, is really special because you really get to learn and grow in your knowledge.

SPEAKER_01 1:33

That's a pretty good point, actually, because I mean, like you said in public schools, you have to uh you can't pray I think in most schools.

SPEAKER_00 1:40

That's true, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 1:41

And I mean it's not really helpful when you can only talk to your parents, especially since they're your parents and you want to talk to more people about some questions that you may have and just stuff like that.

SPEAKER_00 1:52

I agree.

SPEAKER_01 1:52

Yeah. So what do you think makes Catholic schools different from other schools other than the religious life?

SPEAKER_00 2:00

Well, Catholic schools really it's I know our school, CKS, is a Salesian school, and I know Salesians are very like out there and they want to help kids and they want to play with the kids and relate to them. So I just see in the teachers and in the people working here, they really want to make a difference, especially in the side of like making it fun, making your faith fun. It's not always so serious, you know?

SPEAKER_01 2:27

Yeah. Um, so what has been your favorite activity or event during this week?

SPEAKER_00 2:35

Well, I'd say my favorite activity is the uh Pep rally that was this Tuesday, and honestly, just competing in the games and helping the games and like having that hands-on experience, especially just for your school and with your school. It's cool to see people cheer you on, and it's it's just a good experience overall.

SPEAKER_01 2:58

Yeah, the younger kids were hilarious with their uh shippity hockey. Exactly.

SPEAKER_00 3:02

Uh the Frogger games, yeah. I saw that.

SPEAKER_01 3:04

So funny.

SPEAKER_00 3:05

That was good.

SPEAKER_01 3:06

Middle school with their sport games like basketball.

SPEAKER_00 3:09

Obviously, that hockey one was that was a close call.

SPEAKER_01 3:11

Yeah. Woof. That was crazy.

SPEAKER_00 3:14

Buzzer beater.

SPEAKER_01 3:15

I know. So if you had to describe your school's culture in three words, like what would they be and like why?

SPEAKER_00 3:22

Well, I'd probably say active because everybody's really just want to I want to take home that like Salesian aspect. You know, everybody just wants to help you with your faith. What can I do for you? Like, is there anything going on? Do you have any questions? Um I can also say meaningful, because this really at school, it's just I feel like I wouldn't have the same faith if I didn't attend CKS. Because the priests and the teachers, they'd like answer all your questions no matter what. And the third and final word, uh, I'd maybe say um, you know, fun. Because it is fun. It's going to CKS is not just like, oh, I'm going to school today, so slouching around just class to class, but you're like actually hands-on and your teachers care about your education.

SPEAKER_01 4:17

Yeah, and that's a good thing about Christ the King is because it's not like you're limited to only a few options to do. You have so much stuff that you can do, so many opportunities that you can take, like with projects and extra credit stuff, and the teachers are really there to help you out. Totally agree. Especially in uh eighth grade math class algebra.

SPEAKER_00 4:36

Okay, algebra honors, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 4:37

It is lunch bunch.

SPEAKER_00 4:39

Oh, yes, Miss Lowe, she really helps. Like, you know, if you don't get something, it's really nice to go to lunch bunch, and she'll like, oh here, I'll explain it to you, you know, especially in like the high-intense, like rapid motion of algebra one honors. Like, every day is a new lesson. Every day we're learning something new. And that like break time, especially at lunch, and she's just like, Oh, here, let me walk this through, you know, it's very nice. It's very nice.

SPEAKER_01 5:06

Yeah, and get extra math practice and from the case. Oh man, we love math. Definitely saved me a few times. That is true. So, how does faith influence the way students approach like academics and treat one another here at CKS?

SPEAKER_00 5:20

Well, faith, especially with the model of trying to be like Jesus, I feel like we second guess ourselves, especially when responding to others, and instead of just maybe like a little more thought into what we do, especially that like we can use the Holy Spirit and call on the Holy Spirit to help us like think about what to do, not just think, but also pray about what to do, which is a nice aspect of our faith.

SPEAKER_01 5:53

So, how do you see students all ages living out their faith?

SPEAKER_00 5:58

Um, how do I see it? I would say it's very joyful. I don't see a lot of, oh man, we're going to church today. You know, it's like, oh yeah, we're gonna go sing a joyful song at church and listen to the priests who are surprisingly sometimes very funny at church. And it's just it's a good way to grow closer to God because as we know, the mass is the greatest celebration in our faith because we're celebrating the Eucharist and what Jesus has done for us down on the cross and died for our sins, and it's not just going through the motions. I feel like we're actively present and the priests are calling on us and we're raising our hands. It's it's nice.

SPEAKER_01 6:34

Yes, the mass here at CKS is very like interactive, it's not just um singing songs, totally agree. Receiving the Eucharist and leaving, it's very interactive, especially with uh Father Lens questions. You sometimes but going back to the faith life here, um it's very helpful that we have all like conf confession um and all those services that we can do instead of we have to come on our own time. Cause at least for me it helps me like not forget what I've sinned and stuff.

SPEAKER_00 7:12

Oh for sure. Uh like because I've done it a couple times and like going to confession on your own time sometimes, just it doesn't work out, but at school, like it's like, oh, here's time for confession. I feel like that's very special because in the modern teenager live, I know we all have stuff to do and places to be, but we gotta learn to like slow it down and like, oh wait, have I gone have I been to confession in a while? Have I received the Eucharist in a while? Have I gone to Mass in a while? Like the school offers it, which is nice. We should still be doing it outside of school, but just the extra aspect of it and like it being involved in CKS is very nice.

SPEAKER_01 7:53

So, how would you describe this spirit of CKS to um a student or a parent that's never visited here?

SPEAKER_00 8:01

Um, I definitely say joyful because as I said earlier, you know, kids aren't just going through the motions, it's really act it's activities, it's like service project, it's field trips, it's teachers like actively calling on kids in the class, not just bell work and normal work and paperwork, you know.

SPEAKER_01 8:24

So, other than the fun events and the dress down days, what does Catholic Schools week mean to you?

SPEAKER_00 8:31

Um, what it means to me is like I said at the beginning, the celebration of our faith and us not only just thanking our parents that we can go to a Catholic school, but also thanking God and thanking the teachers that they've given us the ability to go to a Catholic school. Because I mean, I know I'm grateful for a variety of my teachers. Probably all of them, actually, not a variety. I'd say I'm grateful for all of my teachers because they've really just hit it home for me with academics and faith. And I feel like that's made me the person who I am today.

SPEAKER_01 9:06

Yeah, most teachers here are very like helpful. I mean, sometimes they give homework, but I mean people think homework's such a bad thing, but it I mean it only helps you.

SPEAKER_00 9:15

It's true. That's true.

SPEAKER_01 9:17

But and I mean they don't have a lot of notes because like to write down Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 9:22

It's more of it's more like lecture almost, which is I like that aspect. Like the constant note taking is a little much sometimes, but the actual teacher like talking to you, especially like personally, like with Miss Lowe's lunch bunch, it really helps you like under like not only memorize the curriculum, but like learn it and like be able to use it in the future.

SPEAKER_01 9:44

Yeah, exactly. And then the extra curriculums like with um performing arts.

SPEAKER_00 9:51

Oh, I love the extracurriculums, I think you know that, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 9:55

Uh are all of them are like they're very helpful in a way to like sometimes make you more creative to um just learn more stuff that not everyone knows.

SPEAKER_00 10:11

Yeah, and to build on that point, it's not also just physical things like oh you learn how to draw, but in art, or you learn how to sing and choir, or you learn how to public speak and forensics? It's also faith-based, you know? Like, how can we call on God or the Holy Spirit to help us get better at this, or how can we use our talent for God's kingdom and the people around us?

SPEAKER_01 10:36

Have you has there been a moment at your time in CKS where you feel like your faith's been like strengthened?

SPEAKER_00 10:44

Yes, I would say probably a numerous amount of times, especially with just the eye-opening experiences, especially at service projects, and the speakers who come and speak about our faith and speak about things that are going on in the world, because like here at CKS, like we're not shunned from the world, you know. We are called as Catholics to go out, you know. At the end of Mass, the priest doesn't just say, like, oh, get back here in one piece, but to go out and make disciples of all nations, like Matthew 28. And really, yes, CKS, with all its sacraments they give us, and all the great lectures from Father Len in seventh grade, and all the great lectures in eighth grade from him as well, they really have just let me know and also give me the chance to grow in my faith.

SPEAKER_01 11:35

Yeah, that's also a bunch of opportunities to grow in your faith, like you said, and like I said earlier about all the church stuff that they do for for Advent and during Lent with confession and all that. And then Stations of the Cross, especially when I was younger, really helped me like visualize it. Yeah, visualize it. Exactly. Because I mean it's very well directed.

SPEAKER_00 11:58

It is it's very well done by the Liturgy Committee. Uh I do I do enjoy Stations of the Cross. Yeah, it's that's pretty cool, man.

SPEAKER_01 12:05

Yeah. So what's one lesson from your faith life that you think every student could benefit from?

SPEAKER_00 12:12

Um, I'd probably say to do all things like with the Holy Spirit almost. Like, because I feel like if I'm just doing like going through my normal day, but it's just me, I feel like that gets a little much sometimes, and like, oh, how am I gonna balance all of my extracurriculars with my homework, with the sports I do, with family time? But really, if we just call on the Holy Spirit, it'll all work itself out because God wants us to do all that and to spend time with our family and to go to mass and to play sports, you know? So if we call on God and the Holy Spirit, like that it it really helps, honestly.

SPEAKER_01 12:53

Yeah, I mean, for me, through I don't know, probably seven-ish years, like I've definitely asked numerous times for help with personal problems, school, like I get that, to keep going, not like not just do the homework, but to like do it.

SPEAKER_00 13:10

Exactly, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 13:11

Yeah. And it just helps, especially when you go to a Catholic school and get to learn about it and just live it out every single day.

SPEAKER_00 13:22

I agree with that, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 13:24

So if you could give one message to the student body during Catholic schools week, what would it be?

SPEAKER_00 13:31

Uh, live your faith. You know, because as Catholics, you know, we gotta let it shine as the uh famous song is and not keep that in, you know, like, oh, is like imagine if someone walks up to you and like, oh, are you wearing a cross pendant? Be like, oh no, no, no, it's just like some decorative stuff. Instead of that, be like, yeah, I'm I am actually. Are you Catholic or are you Christian? And you know, that might start up a good conversation about faith.

SPEAKER_01 13:59

Yeah, I definitely agree with that. So, how does Catholic education here prepare students for advanced education?

SPEAKER_00 14:09

Uh, I'd say definitely the the classes and the teachers of I mean, I know they they all love us, but they of course do push us, which is definitely needed, especially because I mean, if you're a kid and school is easy for you, I mean, you might have some things coming your way in high school because I know our teachers like actually want to challenge us so we're prepared, not just, oh, I'm a mean witch, so I want to give you 24 pounds of homework, you know. They want you to be prepared for high school, which I feel is I'm grateful for, of course, like being the chance to take a high school credit Spanish class, you know, especially in middle school. That's really powerful because maybe in college or in high school I can advance with my Spanish speaking abilities and you know go further with it.

SPEAKER_01 15:04

See, see. Yeah, uh, so I definitely agree with that. And the good thing about the teachers here is that they they make sure that you improve not only in academics, not only in faith, but mindset.

SPEAKER_00 15:18

They hold you accountable. Yeah. Yeah, I definitely agree with that, which is I need sometimes, you know. I feel like I need a little reality check, like, oh wait, I can't be talking in class because I need to lock in and I need to learn this material, you know?

SPEAKER_01 15:33

Yeah, so what part of Catholic Schools Week do you do you personally look forward to most throughout your whole entire time at CKS?

SPEAKER_00 15:44

Um, that's a good question. Uh honestly, I'd say as a kid growing up in CKS, I always remembered teacher takeover. And the eighth grade gets to go and like take over a classroom. That just seemed like awesome to me. Like I could, like, oh, I could give someone a detention or I could teach a lesson or give them a quiz. And of course, now as an eighth grader, teacher takeovers tomorrow. And I I feel like I'm just very excited because this is something I've kind of been looking forward to for a long time. But also it's kind of eye-opening because you know, I am in eighth grade, and next year I will be in high school, and that can get a little much, especially to think about, like, you know, how's high school gonna be? But calling on God to just trust and know that we can do it and be there, it's just it's just really powerful.

SPEAKER_01 16:40

So throughout your time at CKS, also the service, just activities and stuff, like what are a few of your favorites?

SPEAKER_00 16:50

Um, I'd say my favorite service activity is Feeding Tampa Bay. We do. And I haven't done the Robinson service trip because we switch off in between the eighth grade year, so I think we're gonna do that in February. And but what I remember about Feeding Tampa Bay is that it's just very powerful to see that there's this huge company that's actually trying, you know, they're trying to go out there, trying to feed the poor, not only just give them money, but like give them their needs, you know, like clothing, give them food, maybe try to give them the house, especially at Tampa Hope. And I just remember it was uh eye-opening experience, that's for sure. But it's also very powerful because you know you're contributing. Like this food I'm packaging up might go to a family in need, or not might, it will, which is just you know, it's it's very it's very po it's it's powerful.

SPEAKER_01 17:44

Yeah. Sad to think that someone should go through that.

SPEAKER_00 17:49

I agree with that, yeah. You know, like we have s we're so blessed, and we just we need to be grateful for what we have, and sometimes we forget that as kids, and me myself fell victim to that, and I just need to realize how lucky I am to be able to attend CKS and have the abilities I have to do the stuff I like, like singing, like public speaking, you know? It's just we have to learn to be grateful and not just oh, why can't I have this?

SPEAKER_01 18:20

Yeah, but Christ King's great school for learning how to not really take advantage in like a bad way, but take advantage that you're in a fortunate school.

SPEAKER_00 18:30

Yeah, no, I hundred percent agree with that.

SPEAKER_01 18:33

What to do something and the best way to do it, and I feel like all classes from pre-K and up have taught you how to not only do something, but to do it better and to um take something from it if it's like faith life.

SPEAKER_00 18:49

I agree with that, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 18:50

Very helpful. So, what other service stuff do we do?

SPEAKER_00 18:58

Well, at CKS I know we have a pretty big thing called Bosco bags, uh like St. Don Bosco, and so basically the Bosco bag is like a gallon-sized Ziploc bag, right? And all the grade levels collect a different item. So I remember this year eighth grade had water bottles and like electrolyte packets, and we bring them to our homeroom, and like a teacher comes around and she collects them all, and then if you're in the club called Sean Devereaux, then we get to actually package the Bosco bags, you know. So that's after school on a Friday every month. We take all those items and we take an hour or so to put them all in bags and package them and hand them out to CKS families. It's great, honestly. It's a really cool operation. I know me personally, like driving around in the car, I wish we did this more. Like have a Bosco bag, you know, in your car, ready to give out, because you know, sometimes the you know, helping the immediate need is more important than like the long run, because well, in a sense, but we of course want that person to get off, like get on their feet and have a get a job and buy a house, but sometimes the immediate need, like that's what we're called to do, you know? But some of course are called to like help them give a house and I help them with money or help them with a job, and I I agree with that totally, but sometimes just the small thing is like giving them a dinner or giving them a lunch or a prayer card or an extra pair of socks, you know? That it really hits home.

SPEAKER_01 20:38

Yeah, and the food drive and the toy drive, what's that all about?

SPEAKER_00 20:42

Uh well at CKS we also do a number of toy drives, food drives. Uh the main food drive is I'd just probably say it's the Thanksgiving food drive, and the main toy drive is the uh Christmas toy drive. And basically we just gather basic needs, of course, like the Bosco bag, like I mean, needs when it comes to food. I mean, toys, I guess, are considered a want, but like as a kid, you know, they should they should be able to play with something, you know. And as a kid, especially being less fortunate, and like receiving like the new Hot Wheels track, you know, that's probably very special for them. Or maybe you're even adult and you receive a Bosco bag, and you're like, oh, I'd have dinner for tonight, and here's a little prayer card. Maybe I could grow in my faith even when I'm on the streets, you know.

SPEAKER_01 21:30

So at Christ the King for the retreats, how do they help us grow in our faith?

SPEAKER_00 21:36

Well, so we have Lenten retreats, advent retreats, and those normally consists of going to a confession or having a guest speaker come in. Like I remember Father Non came and a number of other staff and other people, and we basically have like MIDI discussion groups throughout eighth grade, and I feel like it's really cool because they pair us into little groups, and we can you You know, get personal with our classmates, which is sometimes what we need to do.

SPEAKER_01 22:04

Yeah, and that's a good thing also, many good things about CKS is that you aca you can like actually open up to people and won't be judged. Like it's a safe place, at least I feel like it's a safe place to be for all students here.

SPEAKER_00 22:21

I agree with that. And I definitely it's nice because I definitely got in personal with uh a couple of my fellow students and it's nice because it takes like the weight off your back, you know, you can share that like carry our crosses like Jesus wants us to do and share that experience with another person, not have to endure that alone.

SPEAKER_01 22:41

And then if you could create one brand new Catholic Schools Week event, what would it be and why?

SPEAKER_00 22:48

Okay, uh one brand new Catholic Schools Week event. That's a tough one. Uh maybe like a Honestly, I'd like to see a two-legged race with the teachers, you know? Would that be kind of funny? Like I can just imagine like you your homeroom teacher is like in a two-legged race with like some other homeroom, and like maybe if they win, then both of your homerooms get like a comfy day. I feel like that'd be kind of cool.

SPEAKER_01 23:20

Yeah, that'd be pretty hysterical and funny to be. Especially for the students to watch. They had like a potato sack race.

SPEAKER_00 23:30

Oh potato sack race. Yeah, that'd be pretty good.

SPEAKER_01 23:33

Uh thank you for talking to us about Catholic Schools Week. And have a nice rest of your day.

SPEAKER_00 23:41

You too. Alright, thank you.