Amelia Colon, Eliza Frank and Catie Gasiewski are going places.
The trio are students at St. Hubert High School and just what they do in the classroom has them on the road to success.
All three are also members of the Bambies tennis program, and they hope to guide their team all the way to the playoffs in the always-tough Catholic League.
But Colon, Frank and Gasiewski are also headed to Indianapolis.
The girls are three of the seven students bound for the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis. The event will be held Nov. 20-22.
According to its website, the National Catholic Youth Conference “is a powerfully unique three-day experience of prayer, community, evangelization, catechesis, service, and empowerment for Catholic teenagers (of high school age) and their adult chaperones. NCYC is the premier Catholic youth event on a national scale that gathers people from all across America for a life-changing encounter with Christ.”
Last time the event was held in 2023, the Bambies sent nine students. The hope is this time is just as great.
For Frank and Gasiewski, it’s a new chapter in their lives, but for Colon, it’s a chance at doing something she loved.
“I am looking forward to the breakout sessions I was able to attend because I got to meet so many high schoolers who were there for the same reasons as me,” said Colon, a diocesan scholar from Langhorne who is also involved in the Bambie Ambassador program, National Honor Society, Ministry Club, Drumline at Father Judge, the Anti-Defamation League, the president of the Social Media committee and involved with the music program at St. Hubert. “I would have to say that the best part last time I went was being able to experience this with friends and be so open about our faith with each other.”
Now she’s doing so with teammates.
Going with two other girls on the tennis squad isn’t something uncommon at Hubert. You’ll rarely find a Bambie who does one thing.
It might be a school, but girls don’t go there just to learn. They go to grow and experience everything from athletics to clubs to taking trips to become closer to God.
“I am truly looking forward to building connections with people from all across the country who share my faith and also getting the chance to grow spiritually while experiencing something new,” said Frank, who is an ambassador, a member of the National Honor Society, Ministry Club, Community Service Corp, Robotics, orchestra and Photography Club. “All my friends who went on the previous trip absolutely loved it and recommended I also go this year since I have never experienced something like this before. I really hope I do gain something good during this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, hopefully learning more about myself and my faith.”
“For me representing St. Huberts means showing up and participating, making myself known and sharing knowledge for our school and sisterhood,” said Gasiewski, a Bridesburg resident who also bowls, is in the musicals at St. Hubert and Father Judge and does community theater with her the Star Players and is in the Photography Club, Sewing Club, Athletes Helping Athletes, Students Against Destructive Decisions and Community Service Corps. “It is important because we want St. Hubert to be represented in the best light.”
They earned the right to go, and now the hard work begins.
A trip to Indianapolis isn’t cheap. It requires getting there, and living arrangements once you’re there.
The school has a fundraiser goal of $10,000 to cover everything, and it’s reaching out to people who are in position to help.
All students going on the trip will speak at Sunday Mass to ask for donations. The girls are also doing basket raffles, bake sales, 50-50 drawings and other fundraisers. The school is also planning a Quizzo night that will be posted on its Facebook page.
It’s a lot of work, but rewarding work.
“To me, representing St. Hubert means living out my faith and embodying the values my school has taught me each day,” Frank said. “It is important because I am not only representing myself, but also the traditions and spirit of our school. Being a part of St. Hubert has shaped who I am, and serving as a leader here gives me the chance to honor that and inspire others.”
Those who would like to donate can send cash or checks made out to St. Hubert High School, and put “memo: NCYC.”
