Lending A Hand To The Community

Amarillo—It was introduced as a new course focusing on civic engagement through leadership and service for the Senior Class at Holy Cross Catholic Academy, a new requirement for graduation.

“In an effort to become more civically engaged citizens and because of their belief in the importance of education and through their commitment and dedication, these 13 people have led their own Catholic community in bringing this project to a rousing success,” said Father Robert A. Busch, Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Amarillo and Head of School at HCCA. “They have spoken to and pleaded with many people in the Amarillo area to help economically disadvantaged children and their parents have the means to assuage the worry of buying essentials needed for the opportunity of academic success: notebook paper, pencils, crayons, binders—and even necessities for the coming cold weather—underwear, socks and gloves.”

Through the generosity of the people of Amarillo, in following the lead of the Senior Capstone Class, the inaugural project generated a meaningful helping hand, donating to 18 elementary and middle schools in the Amarillo and River Road Independent School Districts, designated as having large populations of economically disadvantaged and possible homeless, children.

According to HCCA officials, the project generated: Donated to the 18 schools were: “We are grateful to Father Busch, to Darla Mueller, associate head of school at Holy Cross, to the faculty and staff at Holy Cross, the parishes in the Amarillo area, the businesses that were so generous and the Amarillo community at large,” said Senior Capstone member Salvador Sanchez. “Their efforts and patience have not gone unnoticed.”

Members of the 2012 Senior Class at Holy Cross Catholic Academy who participated in the Senior Capstone project are: