ANAHEIM, CALIF. (April 29, 2009) Peace may not be the first thing that comes to mind when most people think of a military academy, but it is at the forefront of the program at St. Catherine’s Military Academy in Anaheim.
Founded and operated by the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose in 1889, this Catholic school with a military tradition offers a truly unique program. The Sisters and military staff complement each other, creating an environment of peace and respect.
“The values that we instill within our young cadets here at St. Catherine’s are the same values that you would see within the Catholic tradition: we teach honor, honor others around you and honor yourself. When it comes to respect, it’s respect for everyone no matter what their race, creed, or nationality is. That doesn’t matter,” says Commandant Barry Bizzell of the military program at St. Catherine’s.
International Program
Cadets at St. Catherine’s have a chance to apply this message of universal respect everyday. St. Catherine’s international program brings together young men of all cultures and nationalities. Currently, the student body includes students from Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, China, and Nigeria. International students come to St. Catherine’s to learn English and experience life in America.
The international program provides unique learning opportunities for all students at St. Catherine’s. Boys from around the world study, pray, play, eat, and sleep as a group. Students learn about the cultures, languages, and religions of their fellow cadets. Seventh grader, Gregory Minder says, “Being around so many other cultures has made me realize we are so similar in the everyday things we do.”
“There is a respect and honoring of cultures here that can only promote a peaceful world,” says SCMA Principal Sister Johnellen Turner.
Symbol of Peace
On April 29, 2009, the feast of the school’s patron, Saint Catherine of Siena, a special symbol of peace was dedicated on the school’s grounds. A Peace Pole was placed in Mother Pia Park, a shady lawn between the school’s administration building and infirmary.
A Peace Pole is a hand-crafted monument that displays the message and prayer May Peace Prevail on Earth on each of its sides, usually in different languages. There are more than 200,000 Peace Poles in 180 countries all over the world dedicated as monuments to peace. They serve as constant reminders for us to visualize and pray for world peace.
The Peace Pole at St. Catherine’s proclaims this message of peace in the four most prominent languages of the current student body: English, Spanish, Korean, and Chinese. In the special ceremony dedicating the peace pole, a St. Catherine’s student read the message of peace in each of the four languages of the Peace Pole. The entire student body then joined hands, and each cadet made a special prayer for peace in his native language.
The Peace Pole is a gift from St. Catherine’s alumnus, Jeremy Bermudez, class of 2007. Installing the pole is part of his Eagle Scout project. Jeremy, a resident of Anaheim, researched the Peace Pole and managed a team of 50 volunteers to complete the project. Jeremy also repaired a fountain on the school’s campus and crafted three handmade benches to be placed near the peace pole and in the school’s front lawn facing Harbor Boulevard.
Jeremy chose to include the Peace Pole as part of his Eagle Project at the suggestion of Sister Cheryl Holyk, St. Catherine’s nurse. “I saw a peace pole at one of our other [Dominican] schools. I thought it would be wonderful to have at St. Catherine’s because it would help us to become more intentionally aware and conscious of the cultures in our school community, and it would remind us to pray for peace,” said Sister Cheryl. She hopes to hold prayer circles near the pole now that the project has been completed.
The St. Catherine’s community is very excited to welcome this symbol of peace to campus. Principal Sister Johnellen Turner explains, “The peace pole is an international symbol of a message shared by the whole world, the importance of peace and justice. It teaches students to step out and make a difference in a war-torn world.”
St. Catherine’s Military Academy, founded in 1889 by the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, is a Catholic preparatory elementary school for boys in grades Kindergarten to 8th grade. St. Catherine’s challenging and enriching program, which includes small class sizes, spiritual development, military emphasis on leadership and courtesy, athletics, music and advanced technology, prepares students for positive and successful years in high school, college, and adulthood. The school offers both day and boarding opportunities.
###
View pictures of the Peace Pole dedication!