Given that I went to public school my whole childhood, up until my freshman year, I have the opportunity to voice my preference for Catholic institutions in the best possible way. For the next four years of high school, Immaculata-La Salle seemed like a place where I could develop both my intellectual and spiritual selves. Since professors consistently demonstrate to us students how they truly just want the best for us, the environment that both students and faculty members continuously surround themselves with is a judgment-free zone. God was able to use it as a calling to lead me to a place I can call home.

One core value that Catholic education provides is the knowledge of Christ that public schools don’t offer. My first time entering the ILS campus, I immediately felt welcome and felt it in my heart that it is the best place for me to find the faith I kind of lacked in my past years, the knowledge that can push me into becoming my best self and reaching my overall goals I set for myself in life, and the talents that I possess. Schools should be a safe place for students and ILS both feels and looks like possibly the safest school I know.

Even though I’ve only been a student here for a little over a year, I now understand that God has given me the unique qualities necessary to be a dedicated student and a competitive athlete. I’ve developed time management skills, kept up my grades, maintained a healthy social life, and improved my athletic performance via practice and competition. As the oldest child in my family, I also strive to set an example for my younger siblings, especially because my parents are both highly dedicated to their careers and my dad is frequently away on business.

Everyone would benefit from receiving a Catholic education, in my opinion. The biggest advantage of a Catholic education, like that at Immaculata-La Salle, is the bond you have with your fellow students. In a school like ILS, where everyone is your brother or sister, you can depend on everyone equally. It is especially crucial to forge strong personal connections with people you may see almost every day because if you notice something out of the ordinary about them or they just seem down, they will know you can count on them.