On November 4, 2019 the 21st annual St. Thomas Aquinas High School Grammar School Competition took place. The event was held at St. Thomas Aquinas, a place where students can live a true sense of community through spiritual, creative, academic, and athletic experiences.
Ten grammar schools from the Diocese of Metuchen came together to be challenged by various scholastic and athletic competitions. The competition was organized by campus minister, Sr. Cynthia Babyak, Associate Principal, Mr. Harry Ziegler, Mr. John Roche, Assistant Campus Minister and many STA faculty, staff and the STA students who volunteered their time to assist with the activities.
To begin the program, the group was welcomed by Sister Donna Marie, Principal, followed by a prayer led by Sister Cynthia, Campus Minister. The grammar school students, teachers and parents were treated to some musical numbers performed by the STA Marching Band and Color Guard. They performed the finale to their 2019 field show – “Thriller!” The STA Champion cheerleaders performed a spirited routine.
Included in the competition were six individual contests: a STEM based competition; some Problem Solving activities; a Dramatic Arts project; Athletic activities, a Forensic Science challenge and a Spelling Bee. All of the students who competed did a great job representing their school! Each grammar School attending had a total of 21 participants on their team.
The ten Diocesan grammar schools participating were: Assumption Catholic School, Immaculate Conception School, Perth Amboy Catholic School, St. Bartholomew School, St. Francis Cathedral, St. Helena School, St. James School, St. John Vianney School, St. Matthew School, and St. Matthias School.
“Each school had such great spirit! It was a pleasure having them come to STA. We look forward to hosting this event again next year,” said Sister Cynthia Babyak
Each event of the competition had three team winners. The overall school team winners were: 1st Place –St. Francis Cathedral, Metuchen; 2nd Place –St. John Vianney, Colonia; and 3rd Place – St. Matthias, Somerset.