On November 7, 2016, the
Eighteenth annual Bishop George Ahr High School Grammar School
Competition took place. The event was held at Bishop Ahr, a place where
students can grasp a true sense of community, especially through
spiritual, creative, academic, and athletic experiences.
Twelve
grammar schools from the Diocese of Metuchen came together to be
challenged by various scholastic and athletic competitions. The event
was organized by campus minister, Sr. Cynthia Babyak, athletic director,
Mr. Michael Wolfthal, associate principal, Mr. Harry Ziegler, many BGA
faculty, staff and the BGA student ambassadors who volunteered their
time to assist with the activities.
To begin
the program, the grammar school students, teachers, and parents were
treated to some musical numbers performed by BGA’s own liturgical band
and choir. Songs like the ever-popular “Big House,” “Trading our
Sorrows,” “God is a Good God,” and the new favorite “A Rightful Place”
were sung by the entire choir and all of the BGA student volunteers. The
BGA Middlesex County GMC Champion cheerleaders performed a spirited
routine.
Included in the competition were six
individual contests: a small-scale version of the popular Jeopardy TV
show; some Problem Solving activities; a Dramatic Arts project; Athletic
activities, a Forensic Science challenge and a Spelling Bee. All of the
students who competed did a great job representing their school. Each
grammar School attending had a total of 21 participants on their team.
The
twelve schools participating were Assumption Catholic School,
Immaculate Conception School, Perth Amboy Catholic School, St. Ambrose
School, St. Bartholomew School, St. Francis Cathedral School, St. Helena
School, St. James School, St. John Vianney School, St. Joseph School,
St. Matthew School, and St. Matthias School.
“Each
school had such great spirit! It was a pleasure having them come to
BGA. We look forward to hosting this event again next year,” said Sister
Cynthia.
Each event of the competition had
three team winners. The overall school team winners were: 1st Place –St.
James School, Woodbridge; 2nd Place –St. Francis Cathedral School,
Metuchen; and 3rd Place – St. John Vianney School, Colonia.