English 1A
My Wonderful Years at St. Joachim’s School
I was very blessed and fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend St. Joachim’s School as a child. The school is the home of the Mustangs in Madera, California. I learned a lot at this school. I learned to love unconditionally, and one of the values I learned was to give back to my community and to do for others. St. Joachim’s school children are taught by both religious and lay teachers. Religious teachers are those who have taken a vow before God to dedicate their lives, to either be brothers or sisters in the Catholic faith. Lay teachers are those people that teach in the regular school system. Each added a special touch in their teaching styles. St. Joachim’s School has received many awards for their academics, as well as their teaching methods. My parents worked very hard to ensure that all of their nine children attended St. Joachim’s School.
The school was surrounded by a fence. Upon entering the school, one is greeted by a friendly teacher or classmate. The school was set up with the classrooms parallel and separated by forty feet of asphalt. The classrooms were of average size and had huge glass windows that faced the playgrounds. We had brown desks with tops that lifted and blue chairs to sit on while at our desks. The rooms were painted white and often decorated with a cross, an American flag, and art work or graded papers.
While attending school, we were required to wear uniforms. The girls had to wear blue-plaid skirts, white blouses, white knee high socks, and beanie caps that were plaid, with black shoes. The boys had to wear blue slacks, white dress shirts, plaid ties and black shoes. I often wondered why we had to wear uniforms. And then it hit me: rich or poor, everyone is welcome here. There was no social or economic barrier.
One of the memories I had while attending St. Joachim’s School happened in the first grade. The weather was cold out, and a few classmates and I were standing around the playground teasing Sister Angeles. She told us that she could blow smoke out of her ears. We, of course, did not believe anyone could do that, and we told her she couldn’t possibly blow smoke out of her ears. She insisted she could, and in fact did. It was cold out, and the heat from her mouth caused the smoke effect, and when she would blow out, she would move her head quickly to make it seem as though it was smoke from her ears. We were all amazed. We stood there in utter amazement at what we just witnessed. It wasn’t until later that we realized she was teasing us.
While I attended this school, my classmates were fun and well-rounded individuals. We shared birthdays, holidays, and many seasons of our lives. Some years were tragic, like the loss of a family member or pet. And other years were life changing. We went through puberty, our first heart-breaks, graduation, and many other life-altering events. The teachers, as well as mothers and fathers, helped round our school experience. They were the best and most loving people I have had the privilege of knowing. All of the staff added to the experience, like the crossing guard, who helped us cross the street safely, the lunch ladies who prepared our lunches with an extra ingredient of love, and the custodian who helped keep everything well groomed and clean. They all had a part in affecting me to be the person I am today.
During my years at St. Joachim’s School, I had the opportunity to participate in various sports, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The coach we had for volleyball was kind and generous with her words of praise. She often stayed later to help those that needed to hone their skills. I was one of them. She never once yelled at us or made us feel incompetent. Many of the coaches we had were of the same caliber, but not like Mrs. Van Loon. She was awesome. The area where we played basketball was covered in asphalt. It is the site where many of my classmates skinned their knees and hands. The other parts of the playground had grass and sand. On this area of the playground were slides, jungle gyms, and swings, and often the busiest play area where we hung out. Near this play area was a grotto. It was a shrine built for Our Lady, the mother of Jesus. This grotto, made of river rock, had a small pond in the center and a beautiful statue of the Virgin Mary. There were always flowers to adorn the statue. It was often the place for contemplation and prayer.
I learned a lot at this school, and I wanted to give back what was given to me. I wanted to give back unconditional love and respect and to have fun. I believe this starting point in my life has helped shape me into the person I am. Today, I volunteer to teach the children in my St. Joachim’s Parish. I teach both confirmation and catechism classes. I teach what the Catholic Church teaches about faith and prepare them for the sacraments they are about to receive. I enjoy what I do, and I love seeing the children grow in their faith. I often think back on the many memories of my interactions with my teachers, and I try to emulate them. I want to be the teacher that my students will look back on and say, “I really enjoyed being in Ms. Cazares’ class.” One might say, she cared and loved me.
To this day, I still keep in touch with my teachers and classmates from St. Joachim’s School. The feelings I have and the bonds created there can never be broken. We are forever bound by the school where we grew up, the many memories we cherish, and the love we shared. St. Joachim’s School will forever be a part of who I am. It is how I came to be and how I want to be because it has enriched my life. I am forever grateful to the great beginning I had at St Joachim’s School. St. Joachim’s School is forever in my heart.