News release from Fontbonne Academy

Fontbonne Academy hosted its 5th annual Social Justice Fair on Thursday, April 5. The fair showcased capstone projects of the senior class, which are the culmination of Fontbonne’s Theology curriculum. Students presented their projects to the entire school as well as many parents and guests. The Social Justice Program was recently celebrated at Fontbonne’s 13th annual gala, Evening of Stars on March 31. Proceeds from the event went to supporting the program which is at the heart of the mission of the school. The Sisters of Saint Joseph of Boston’s founding principles are based on helping the “dear neighbor,” and the projects and presentations at Fontbonne today clearly demonstrated the depth and breadth of reaching out and helping others locally and globally.

“We teach young women that they are citizens of a global community and that the ‘dear neighbor’ is really anyone who is in need,” stated Head of School, Mary Ellen Barnes. “In the letter from the U.S. Bishops entitled, ‘Justice in the World,’ they state ‘Action on behalf of justice is a constitutive dimension of preaching the gospel,’ and this is something we ask all our students to do, to work on behalf of justice.”

Through the Social Justice Program at Fontbonne, each senior is asked to espouse a social injustice and to research all aspects of it, including its root causes. They are asked to demonstrate and discuss why their cause is a social justice issue and to advocate for change. Topics included human trafficking, child abandonment, special education, women in the media and eating disorders, and bullying to name just a few. Students work hard all year to enact change, raise awareness and to eradicate injustices. Their presentations reflected their passion for their subjects, many chosen as a result of how an injustice has personally touched their lives. Students utilized cross-curriculum skills in research, writing, public speaking and other twenty-first century aptitudes. Fontbonne Academy is proud of the Class of 2012 and their efforts. “This program really sets us apart,” commented Head of School, Mary Ellen Barnes, “these young women will take this torch of advocacy out into their college years and well beyond.