PORTSMOUTH, RI – Patty January, coordinator for the office of Black Catholic Ministry for the Diocese of Providence visited St. Philomena School today to hand out awards to several winners of the annual state-wide Black History Month essay contest sponsored by that office.
Students who were recognized for their writing were: Third Place—Alexandra Abreu, grade 7; Honorable Mention— Emmett Conway, grade 8; Clay Dickison, grade 8; Zoeline Keating, grade 7, Lauren St. Laurent, grade 8; and Catherine Orszulak, grade 7.
Following a morning liturgy, Ms. January spoke to the entire student body conveying how impressed she and her committee were with the essays by St. Philomena students.
“Much of the focus of your essays was on the hazards of bullying,“ she commented, ”and on helping others.” Ms. January congratulated the winners and awarded their certificates.
