The 21 incoming freshmen at Everest Academy’s boys and girls high schools won’t have to worry about fitting into a new environment.
As founders, they’ll be creating it as they go.
‘I’m excited by the opportunity to be the first high school class,? said Patrick Nalepa, 14, of Clarkston. ‘We’ll set traditions ? student council, elections, drama programs, set up a game room, when dances will be.?
‘We’ll set examples for other classes,? said Anne Toohey, 14, of Clarkston. ‘The teachers are very good. We have a small teacher-student ratio to help us learn more.?
Everest dedicated the new schools with a Mass and ceremony with Cardinal Adam Maida, Archbishop of Detroit.
‘I am very excited to have this opportunity to preside at the Dedication Ceremony for not one, but two new high schools in our Archdiocese,? Maida said. ‘In these times of economic uncertainty in our area, this growth is truly good news for Catholic education in Oakland County.?
‘I’m impressed he chose to take the time out of his busy schedule to be with us,? Toohey said.
‘I thought it was amazing, really exciting,? said Tiffany McGrath, 14, of Oxford.
‘He’s down to earth,? said Pablo Calzada, 14, of Waterford.
Maida said he is looking forward to watching the students graduate in 2012.
‘Be sure to write me a letter and invite me so I can come celebrate with you,? he told them at the Sept. 5 ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The announcement last year of the new high schools was good news for students and parents who wanted to continue at the Catholic school.
‘Everest High School is the perfect home for me ? I couldn’t wait to tell my parents Everest was going to have a high school,? said MacKenzie McClelland, student representative at the ribbon cutting.
‘It’s a huge honor to be the first class. The four years to come I know will be a lot of hard work. I know I’ll become a Christ-centered leader, a positive impact on the world, thanks to Everest Academy.?
The high school continues Everest’s mission of Catholic formation education, said Dr. Miguel Lis-Planells, father of student Alexandra Lis-Planells.
‘The mission goes beyond just the high school experience and college ? 85 percent of behavioral disorders such as smoking, alcohol, and drugs are acquired between the ages of 13 and 19,? Miguel said. ‘The vulnerable high school years demand the nurturing, sheltered environment.?
‘I know the school will help me live a Christ-centered life, with God’s help,? Calzada said.
Founded in 1991, Everest has grown from 20 students to 440. The 90-acre Clarkston Road campus also includes Everest Academy Girls? School and Boys? School, grades 3-8, and co-educational Elementary School, kindergarten-second grade, and Preschool, ages 3-4.
‘Credit goes to the Holy Spirit,? said Beverly Thewes, who with her husband Thomas Thewes helped found the school.
At the time, she remembers discussing the name for the new academy. One was ‘Mary’s Little Lambs,? Beverly said.
‘Father (Lorenzo) Gomez said no,? she said. ‘Could you imagine going to a high school called ‘Mary’s Little Lambs?? ? that’s the Holy Spirit.?
The new school is like the Parable of the Talents, told by Jesus in the New Testament, Gomez said.
In the parable, good servants take their master’s talents, which in Biblical times were units of treasure, and increased them through investment. The bad servant, however, just buried his talent, gaining nothing.
‘It’s like Jesus is giving us a talent, the high school,? Gomez said. ‘He will come back years later and ask what we did with it. That depends on the work of parents and students ? we put everything in the hands of the Blessed Virgin.?
Everest Catholic Boys? High School is in the International Building on the campus? east side. Everest Catholic Girls? High School is on the second floor of the Girls? School. Everest will add a new freshman class each year.
‘We are blessed to have the opportunity to open a new Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Detroit,? said Father Daniel Pajerski, director of formation. ‘At Everest, we will focus on the development of confident, Christ-centered leaders who will leave here with the ability to go into the world and change it for the better.?
Everest’s college-preparatory curriculum focuses on academic excellence, spiritual formation, character development, and apostolic service to the community, he said.
The academy offers sports this year through a partnership with Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School, with plans to build new facilities and buildings as enrollment warrants, said Kelly Luttinen, Everest media relations coordinator.
For information, contact Maura Plante, Director of Admissions, at 248-241-9012 or visit www.everestcatholic.org.