Since its foundation, the Notre Dame de Namur education community has strived to instill in its students a strong foundation, that would set them up not only for academic success but also as informed, contentious citizens and bold and enterprising leaders. St. Julie Billiart’s film belief in the goodness of God, and in the necessity of standing with those in need, lies at the heart of a Notre Dame education. At the recent 2023 Notre Dame High School Conference, these values were on display. From June 26 to 29, Seventy-four student leaders, selected from ten of our USA high schools, met in Boston to grow and develop as future leaders.
Organized by Sisters Rosemary Reynolds, Maria Delaney, Pat Toce, and Kristin Matthes, SNDdeN, and Gina Helms of Badin High School in Ohio, the conference focused on leadership, Laudato Si’, and environmental consciousness. This year’s theme was “No Step is Too Small,” inspired by St. Julie, who wrote, “let us walk a few steps every day and then be patient with ourselves and others.” Breaking larger issues into small, achievable goals can help to incite change. “Small solutions,” says Sister Rosemary Reynolds, “can add up to big ones.”
Each day began with prayer and was full of activities and time for reflection. The students worked on leadership skills and attended presentations from guest speakers. Linda Hart, of the Cuvilly Art & Earth Center in Ipswich, Mass., and Jamileth Mendez and Imeyrani Islas, two Trinity Washington University Environmental Justice students, presented on environmental awareness. Sister Maria Delaney gave a presentation on St. Julie Billiart as a leader.
To enact what they had learned about leadership, students were tasked with developing an environmental project to plan and roll-out back at their individual schools. Ideas ranging from pollinator gardens to composting projects began to take shape.
In between workshops, presentations, and activities, the students had time for a little fun! They had the chance to explore the city of Boston, participate in an environmental scavenger hunt, and even to attend a Red Sox game at Fenway Park!
"It has been my privilege to join our ND students and chaperones for our annual Leadership Conference,” says Sister Rosemary. “These students give me joy, hope for the future, and the recognition that Julie's message of the Goodness of God will be carried forth with their spirit. Our chaperones have an even deeper understanding of our mission and want to empower their students with Julie's joy and boldness."
These students, who are already leaders in their communities, left the conference with a new set of skills and a new understanding of what leadership means. Engaged, passionate, and driven young people like these give us hope for the future. We can be confident that St. Julie’s vision lives on through the students of the Notre Dame learning community.
