Ashton M., Class of 2024, Seminarian for the Archdiocese of Denver:
My experience at St. John Paul II High School was by no means ideal, at least to human eyes, whereas in the eyes of God I am sure it was exactly according to His plan. In my freshman year the population of the school was about 20 students and a small teaching staff, not to mention that this first year was in the midst of Covid. The years following had an amazing growth for both the student body and staff.
In this “not ideal” situation of a school where its only space to call home is a hallway lent by a generous parish, faith has been enkindled, lives have been changed, and the love of God has been experienced. I say this because I know it to be true of myself, and I am sure this is the case for many others who have graduated from and continue to attend St. John Paul II High School. St. John Paul II High School not only cared for the academic element of its students, but also the spiritual and communal elements. I learned that my academic work needed to be in synthesis with my personal life, my communal life, and most importantly in my relationship with God. From here is where I was challenged to cultivate not just good friendships, but holy ones that are centered in a love for Jesus Christ. Learning to have a friendship with Jesus led to me to hear God’s gentle and persistent call to seminary. I was constantly around friends and community that encouraged me to follow after holiness and magnanimity, as well as constantly being around the sacraments. I had a school community that wasn’t centered around good grades for the sake of being great, but centered around a love of God, and a desire to strive for what is good and excellent.
I am so thankful for my time at St. John Paul II High School for challenging me to be an excellent student, challenging me to be a good friend and giving me holy friendships, and challenging me not to just be a good person but a holy man.
