Celebrating 50 Years: Newman Central Catholic High School

STERLING – Every fall, a new bunch of freshmen enters through the doors of Newman Central Catholic High School, bright-eyed and ready to begin a 4-year adventure called high school. And every spring, graduating seniors prepare for their lives beyond high school and the safety and comfort of Newman.

This pattern has continued for half a century at Newman Central Catholic High School, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary today.

The school has a history based on a set of core values – family, faith and tradition, said the Rev. David Finn, principal and superintendent of the 250-student school.

"My vision, first and foremost, is increasing Catholic identity here at the school," Finn said. "Also, striving for educational excellence, and striving to become better and better as an academic institution."

Since assuming his role in July 2008, Finn has continued to stress the importance of building community and creating a sense of family among Newman faculty, staff, students and parents.

One of the benefits of presiding over a smaller institution is that Father Finn gets to visit students in their classrooms every single day. Part of his approach is to make sure he is always around the building and serving as a resource to faculty members and students.

Finn said he looks forward to Kairos, the senior retreat that takes place twice a year, one for girls and one for boys. (In Greek, Kairos means "God's time.")

It is clear that both the administration and teaching staff at Newman greatly value their time spent with students, from everyday interactions to special events such as the prayer retreat.

Newman's history of tradition is evident when listening to members of its community.

Mike Papoccia is the school's athletic director, head football coach, basketball coach and assistant track coach. Papoccia, a 1970 Newman grad, has dedicated his entire career to Newman Central Catholic since he began teaching there in 1977. All five of his children are Newman alums.

Now in his 32nd year of instruction, Papoccia. of Sterling, said he truly loves going to work every day and doing what he does.

"My mom told me, 'If you can find a job you love going to every day, don't worry about the pay, just enjoy,'' he said.

Papoccia always has emphasized the importance of creating good citizens and community members away from the sports arena, he said.

"There is a lot more to athletics than just playing the game," he said. "Through the school and our athletic program, we have taught them about the game of life."

Newman students have been taking note and paying close attention to the wisdom and experience shared by the faculty and staff during the course of their 4 years at the school.

Senior Mike Hermes, 17, exemplifies the tradition that makes Newman what it is. He is the youngest of six children in his family, all of whom have graduated from Newman.

Hermes is a member of the track, cross country, and swim team. He is in Scholastic Bowl and served as a student leader for the Kairos trip.

He is leaving the school with many memories of teachers who have challenged him and prepared him for what's ahead, the Dixon teen said.

"We have great teachers here. I feel well-prepared for college."

Following the path upon which his Newman education has set him, Hermes is deciding between Saint Louis University and Creighton University in Omaha, both Jesuit institutions.

In the face of an economic recession, a private school education is not always feasible for some families.

Finn said it has been challenging at times to attract students to Newman for this reason.

Although the 250 students enrolled in Newman for the 2009-2010 school year is a little below the average of 400, the school's core values and beliefs have not changed.

"When I first came to Newman, what I saw was tradition," Finn said. "Newman has had a very long history, 50 years. I see that community still involved, after 50 years and beyond."