News Archive

Twenty-four juniors, eight senior leaders, and six SJA faculty/staff attended Kairos 62 at St. Leonard's Retreat Center in Avon from Oct. 1- 3, 2026. Beautiful fall weather provided the backdrop for a meaningful time of sharing and growing in faith and friendship. "Through the Dark" by One Direction served as the theme for this retreat.  

On September 29, members of the Health & Physical Education (HPE) classes went to Sky Circus to experience circus fitness skills. Physical Education Teacher Mrs. Christina Actis encourages physical activity by exposing students to all different types of exercise, whether in the Academy Center, the new Fitness Center or off-site field trips. On this field trip, students expressed their creativity while working on strength and flexibility and enjoying exercise.

The Academy is excited to announce that the 2026 Yearbook received the Walsworth Yearbooks Gallery of Excellence Award. Each year, about 200 yearbooks are selected from the over 5,000 printed by the company. This is the second time the Academy has won this award (2019). 

Last Wednesday, the community gathered to witness members of the Class of 2027 be commissioned as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. During Mass, commissioned students distributed Holy Communion for the first time to family and friends, as well as to the community, who were in attendance for this special occasion. 

On Thursday, Fr. Rob Ramser of Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church came to the Academy for the Blessing of SJA Fall Activities. Hosted by clubs Ultimate Fan Club (UFC) and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), students participating in fall activities brought items to be blessed, including musical instruments, running shoes, the fall musical script and The Academy Chorale song binder. Before placing holy water on the students' items, Fr. Ramser shared he would bless the items to help make the students the best they could possibly be at their activies.

The Saint Joseph Academy community gathered on Wednesday in small groups by grade level for the “Learn to Love” summer reading program discussions. Over the summer, students were given a choice of 15 books that centered around the theme of "Personal Integrity", which is one of the outcomes of a "Character of a Saint Joseph Academy Graduate.” 

In May, members of the Academy’s Visual Arts Department entered student works into the OAEA Emerging Artist Exhibition. The Emerging Artist Exhibition is sponsored by the Ohio Art Education Association, a professional organization for art teachers in Ohio, with a membership of over one thousand art educators. 

On Tuesday, students, faculty and staff joined Sisters and staff members from the Congregation of St. Joseph in a prayer service for the World Day of Prayer for Creation.

Each new school year brings excitement to campus. This school year is extra special with the opening of our new addition. Prior to celebrating the first Mass of the year, the community gathered in the circle and driveway as Vice President of Mission Dr. Jessica Wrobleski shared a blessing. 

On Wednesday afternoon after the blessing of the new addition, students, faculty and staff gathered for the opening Mass of the 2026-2027 school year.

Congratulations to members of the National Art Honor Society (NAHS) on raising $1,467 for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank through the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser. The amount raised will serve 5,868 meals to those in need.  

Caroline Eddy ’27 has been recognized by the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) and InnerView in the 8th Annual Community Service Impact Awards. The Community Service Impact Awards programs connect student service to real-word outcomes, skill development and community needs.    

On Thursday, the community came together to celebrate the final Mass and the Class of 2026's transition from being students to alumnae.

Last week, Ms. Terise Janca '93’s art class created artworks using a rapid-firing pottery technique called Raku. This technique involves placing pieces in an extremely hot kiln and then removing the pieces and placing them immediately in metal containers. 

On Tuesday, the community, as well as parents/guardians of the graduating Seniors, gathered in the Academy Center for the annual Honors Convocation to celebrate the many achievements of the Class of 2026 and their influence on the Classes of 2029, 2028 and 2027.

Katherine Hren '26 received the highest honor in Girl Scouts, the Gold Award, for her creation of a worm composting bin for the Academy. 

Last Wednesday, members of Saint Joseph Academy’s Concert Choir, The Academy Chorale, Orchestra, Jazz Band and Concert Band showcased their talents at the Spring Concert. 

Last Wednesday, 68 students, Juniors and Seniors, were inducted into Saint Joseph Academy’s Chapter of the National Honor Society. 

On Thursday, Physics and Honors Physics students welcomed three guest speakers from Progressive Insurance, Jarrell McAlister P'27, Ray Mack and Mary Growth. 

Last Friday, the community celebrated the Class of 2026 as they placed a paw print on the logo of the college, university, trade school or workforce they plan to attend after graduating from the Academy.  

At the Annual Mother/Daughter Mass and Brunch on Sunday, April 26, more than 250 daughters from all four classes spent a beautiful spring morning with their mothers and mother-figures.

This week, the Academy celebrated Faculty & Staff Appreciation Week with the theme "Growing with Gratitude." The week featured tasty treats and surprises each day. 

Saint Joseph Academy’s Crew Head Coach, Coach Robert Zdankiewicz (Coach Z), is stepping down from his head coaching position after 15 years to spend more time with his growing family.  

On April 22, the Academy hosted its annual College Signing Day in the Academy Center to celebrate athletes from fall, winter, and spring sports who will continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level.

Saint Joseph Academy is excited to announce Ms. Lauren Golonka as the new Head Cross Country Coach. Coach Golonka has been serving as the Interim Head Coach since the beginning of the 2025 season. 

Today, the Class of 2026 placed a paw print on the logo of the college, university, trade school or workforce they plan to attend after graduating from the Academy. 

Last Friday, excitement filled the air as the community gathered for Paws for Pride, a beloved tradition. Students have been working tirelessly for the past several weeks crafting hallway decorations; learning and practicing class songs, dances and skits, all in hopes of having the most spirit points to earn the Paws for Pride trophy.

Congratulations to Madeline Roisman ’26 who was an Honorable Mention Winner in the the Maltz Museum’s 18th Annual Stop the Hate Award. Madeline was one of 10 finalists for the 11th/12 grade prize.

Students had the opportunity to participate in the inaugural Juried Exhibition of Student Art (JESA) Violin Art Competition in Ohio. This contest takes place once every four years, but it was the first time held in Ohio. There were over 8,000 students from 121 schools in 52 counties across Ohio that participated in the competition. 

Before spring break, the cast and crew shined on stage during their performances of the spring play, “A Murder is Announced.” Over 40 students participated in this year’s play, including acting on stage, creating the set and costumes. 

Congratulations to Doovina Dhanpaul ’28, Fay Finnemore ’28, Helen Chavez ’26, Ariana Aponte-Barron ’26 and Alexandra Humphrey ’29 whose work was selected for the 4th annual Juried Student Art Exhibition with The Foundry.

On Thursday, the community welcomed Dr. Lisa Damour for an interactive presentation titled "How to Handle Conflict Well." During the session, Dr. Damour provided students with various examples of everyday conflicts. With her guidance, students learned about both healthy and unhealthy responses to these situations.

Congratulations to Madeline Roisman ’26 who was named a student finalist for the Maltz Museum’s 18th Annual Stop the Hate Award. Madeline is one of 30 finalists, with 3,628 students entering the contest.

On Wednesday, February 4th, Carl Wilkens, former head of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in Rwanda, spoke to Global Scholars, Theology and Facing History students about his experience choosing to stay in Rwanda throughout the 1994 Genocide. 

During the 2026–2027 academic year, the Saint Joseph Academy community will be exploring the quality of “Personal Integrity,” one of the traits outlined in The Character of a Graduate of Saint Joseph Academy.

Congratulations to the following Visual Arts students whose work was selected for the 2026 Northeast Ohio Art Education Youth Art Month (YAM) Regional Exhibition: Abigail Schneider ’26, Theresa Natt ’26, Angela Sutter-Martin ’27, Mora O'Linn ’28, Isabella Rees ’27, Rebekah Cromwell ’28, Elin Galizio ’29, Ariana Aponte-Baron ’26, Elizabeth Campbell ’29, Phaedra Finnemore ’28, Carley Schilens ’28, Caroline Policard ’29, Isabella Wisniewski ’29, Madeline Lambert-Shemo ’29 and Abigail Vasek ’26. 

On February 19, the community participated in a special cultural event to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year.

In February, members of the Academy’s Model UN club participated in the 10th annual Cleveland International Model UN (CLEIMUN) conference. 

During the month of March, AP Art students as well as a student in Advanced Graphic Design will have their work on display at Blue Cafe in Lakewood.

In February, 28 students attended the Disney Imagination Campus Immersive Experience in Walt Disney World® Resort, Orlando, Florida.

Congratulations to Olivia Anders '28 and Macy Schilens '27, who are members of the Cleveland Ice Storm Intermediate team have qualified for the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Last Friday, the Mock Trial team participated in the District Competition at the Justice Center in downtown Cleveland. Team Purple's Prosecution won their trial, and all students had outstanding performances. Congratulations to Anna Losey '26 and Elizabeth Ahern '27 each won the Best Attorney Awards in their trials!  

Last week, 18 members of the Academy’s Health Sciences Honors Program (HSHP) traveled to the Greater Cleveland Aquarium to learn about marine biology. Students had the opportunity to tour the facility, learn about aquatic species and ecosystems and dissect a squid.

On Thursday, February 5, Saint Joseph Academy students attended The First Friday Club of Cleveland to hear the "State of the Diocese of Cleveland" from Bishop, the Most Reverend Edward Malesic.

Congratulations to the following students who participated in OMEA District IV Solo and Ensemble this past weekend. Students received ratings of Superior, Excellent or Good.

During the month of March, AP Art students as well as a student in Advanced Graphic Design will have their work on display at Blue Cafe in Lakewood.

Last week, the community celebrated Catholic Schools Week through cookies and expressions of gratitude for one another and the gift of a quality Catholic high school education. 

In January, students in CORE Ministry Member & Department Chair Ms. Alison Barberic '01 and CORE Ministry Member Mrs. Kristen Busa's Theology 9 classes visited the CSJ Archives. 

In November, Social Students Teacher and Department Chair Ms. Lisa Lesh and Marin Petti ’27 spoke at this year’s Cleveland Council on World Affairs’ (CCWA) Global Impact Award event. 

On Friday, January 16, members of the Chick-Fil-A Leadership Academy attended a Skill-Building workshop at Cleveland State University hosted by the Veale Institute for Entrepreneurship. 

This is the second year in a row the Academy has earned the AP School Honor Roll - Platinum distinction, the highest level a school may earn! 

The Academy has been named a recipient of the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) 2025-2026 STEM School of Excellence Recognition, an honor that celebrates outstanding schools and universities committed to delivering robust Integrative STEM education programs and truly “Making Waves” in the field. The Academy is one of 37 schools this year to receive this prestigious award!

On Monday, members of Construction Academy met for their third session. This session focused on how to read architectural, electrical, structural and mechanical drawings. Students completed a scavenger hunt answering technical questions by reviewing the drawings. To end the meeting, students put on their hard hats and went into the site to see the plans in action. 

On Tuesday, seven members of the Health Sciences Honors Program (HSHP) went to MedWish Medworks in Cleveland to organize and pack donated medical supplies for underserved communities. The mission of MedWish Medworks "is a humanitarian nonprofit dedicated to advancing health equity and environmental sustainability."

During the first semester, Saint Joseph Academy students demonstrated the value of service by completing an impressive 6,391 hours from Summer 2025 through December 19, 2025, with 62% of students from all grades actively participating. 

Twenty-five students participated in the Cleveland Council on world affairs, model UN winter conference in December. They represented countries such as Indonesia, Columbia and Qatar.