Creativity is a way of life for the CJ performing arts staff, so when principal Greg Mueller asked CJ teachers to try new ways to teach and build community online, the department immediately stepped up to center stage. And though the CJ auditorium remains dark through these weeks of distance learning, the staff created a virtual CJ stage where students could still shine.

Thursday Night Live was born to give students a chance to rehearse talents and perform for each other. The talk show / open mic format gave each performer a few minutes in the spotlight, and everyone a chance to have some fun in between. Opening night featured eight performances in all.

"We had a great turnout with about 30 students and lots of fun and laughs. It was so good to see them," said Caitlin Cronin Bennett, drama and choir teacher. "We are planning to do this weekly to help students feel more connected. It was much needed joy for this first week of distance learning — we miss our students!"

Hosted by Bennett, Luke Grieshop, teacher, and Debi Schutt, department chair, the activity was designed to help the group check in on each other.

"Our students are searching for ways to continue to make music and keep the arts meaningful in their lives," said Schutt. "This activity provided an opportunity for engagement and connection — creating a virtual space for us to share, learn and grow together.

"As you can imagine, community looks different to us right now. We hope to bridge this gap of not being together at school by providing a creative outlet for the students, and continue to be the touchstone they need right now."

"Back stage" with performers

Olivia Cotton '23

At first I thought the idea sounded very fun and a great way to bring our performing arts community together during this time. I was a bit nervous but mostly over all I felt excited to share with everyone and see what everyone else had to share as well. I think this was great for students because it brought us all back together in a very fun and interactive way.

Mikayla Jette '21

I was super excited about the idea of having us all get together. I have been missing everyone so much and this sounded like a great opportunity to join the performing arts community in some fun without stressing about school work or being stuck at home. We could enjoy each other's company and have some fun laughs together.

I was nervous after I signed up to perform something because performing in front of my peers freaks me out. I was also sharing my own work instead of embodying another character. I decided to read a poem I wrote while I have been at home. What was really cool about this experience was people had the opportunity to share gifts they may not always get to share with our community through this meet. We are able to encounter new talents and gifts that our community has. I thought it was really cool. I learned a lot about my peers through this event.

It is a true blessing to have such great staff on the performing arts department. Their dedication and love for creating community is what makes our department special. They go out of their way to bring a new light to the students. This Thursday Night Live brought many smiles and laughs that are hard to find. A true joy was met as we met a gave each other our time. I think it was good for the students because it was something different, but entertaining. It also gave us an opportunity to see familiar faces and talk to our friends. It was a great opportunity for CJ to build community. I feel like the event gave us a chance to grow closer even if we have to be 6 feet away :)

I am looking forward to participating in the event again. It warmed my heart to see so many people join and have a good time. I also loved seeing my peers get the chance to share their talents in a safe, positive space where they can be whatever they want to be.

Kat Bishop '20

When I first heard about Thursday Night Live I thought it was a really cool idea! I've been missing my friends a lot. I was a little bit nervous at first, especially since I was sharing something that I wrote/parodied — I sang a coronavirus-themed cover of "For the First Time in Forever" from Frozen. But, my love of performing overpowered my nerves as it always does. I loved seeing the positive reactions and encouragement from my teachers and classmates.

Thursday Night Live gave us a place to laugh and connect in a time where it is sometimes hard to do so. Not only were we able to talk to each other, but some of us had the opportunity to perform and share our talents, even some that aren't typically shared at school. CJ is all about community, and this event brought us together virtually and allowed us to participate in that even though we are unable to be together physically.

Young alumni are sharing how they are succeeding after high school in our #becauseofCJ series. Through your gift to the Annual Fund, you make this happen. When you do, more Eagles can soar! Read Carmen's story below, and consider making your gift today.

Dear CJ Community,

I would like to start by saying a huge thank you to everyone that has made my education at Chaminade Julienne possible. I loved being a CJ student, being challenged in my classes, playing on the tennis team, and cheering on the eagles from the student section at countless sporting events. But as my years as an alumni fly by, I realize more and more what a blessing those four years were and how many doors they have opened for me. I know that many of the gifts I have now would not have been possible without your generosity and dedication.

For me, going to CJ was never a question. My grandparents, Ed and Dorothy Regan were graduates of Chaminade and Julienne, and my grandfather was Chaminade’s principal and head football coach in the 1960s and 70s. My mom, Peg Regan, is also a Julienne graduate. She met my dad, Jim Brooks, while they were both teaching at CJ. At the end of this school year, they will have served a combined 78 years of teaching English and Spanish at CJ.

Although my becoming a CJ student was no surprise, I never could have expected where my years as an eagle would take me. My junior year, my classmates and I were told we had a 25 hour community service requirement. Through the service fair, we were introduced to dozens of service opportunities at different organizations in the Dayton area.

When I learned that the Life Enrichment Center was seeking a student studying Spanish, I was immediately interested. At the time, I was taking Spanish 3, and I hoped I could eventually pursue a career where I would use the Spanish language; although, I really didn’t have an idea of what that career would be.

My role was to provide childcare while parents attended free English as a Second Language classes. I helped children with their homework, read books to them, and played games with them. There were times when the language barrier was an obstacle, but we found ways to talk around the words we didn’t know. Sometimes that meant drawing a picture or acting something out. Along the way, we managed to learn more Spanish and English from each other. I was so happy to apply the Spanish skills I learned in the classroom in a real world context.

That 25 hour service requirement eventually became how I spent every Tuesday and Thursday evening my junior and senior year. Even though I had already fulfilled my hours, I continued going to the Life Enrichment Center because of the relationships I formed with those children and their parents. I was intrigued by the stories of how and why they moved to the U.S., and impressed by their dedication to learn the English language and provide better opportunities for their children.

I had thought about education as a career path before; it was hard not to considering I grew up in a family of teachers. But my position in those ESL classes gave me such a strong sense of purpose. The skills taught in ESL could be valuable to people of all different careers, cultures, and age groups. It could help bridge the gap of social and economic inequality.

I am currently in my fifth year of teaching English as a Second Language. I work at a high school in  central Illinois, where I have the pleasure to work with over a hundred students from Guatemala, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico. I use my Spanish every single day to communicate with my students and their parents.

What I love most about teaching ESL is that, although I am considered an English expert, I am constantly in a position of learning myself. My students enjoy teaching me new Spanish words, and comparing our different cultures. My subject area also enables me to be an advocate for my students and their families. In its mission statement, CJ pledges to develop its students into life-long learners. This career, which I was led to because of CJ, constantly challenges me, humbles me, and encourages me to grow.

The ministry and service department is something that truly sets CJ apart from other high schools. Students are able to more deeply understand the material taught in the classroom, whether it’s religion or a foreign language, because they can use it in their own community.

I am so grateful for my years at CJ, and to all of you who make this community so incredible. I will always think of it as the place that led me to where I am today. I can only imagine how many other people have found their passion and purpose because of what CJ has to offer.

Carmen Brooks, Class of 2011

Student Art Showcased at the 2020 Miami Regional Scholastics Art Awards Exhibition

- Receiving awards at the exhibition are Myi Ferris '22,  Raymarah Watson-Cunninghma '20, and Chloé Proffitt '21.

A field of 1,500 entries of works of art created from students from across the Dayton region was narrowed down to 400 top works. Those pieces and their creator artists were celebrated and showcased at the Miami Valley Regional Scholastics Art Awards Exhibit held on February 29, hosted at K12 Gallery & TEJAS.

The event was held in conjunction with the national Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, established in 1923. Artists earned Honorable Mention, Silver Key and Gold Key Awards. Entries winning Gold Key Awards will be sent digitally to New York City to compete for national awards. Among the finalists will be “Marianne Feidler - a Kathe Kollwitz”, a painting created by CJ senior Raymarah Watson-Cunningham. Twenty-one other CJ students were awarded a Silver Key or Honorable Mention Award.

Since 2014, CJ has enjoyed a growing partnership with the gallery, which includes many benefits for students.

“Through this partnership, students are exposed to more types of art than what is possible in a typical high school art classroom,” said Steve Fuchs, assistant principal. “A great example is hot glass blowing.”

While art students take a part of their classes on campus, the proximity of K12 Gallery TEJAS allows students to take another portion of their classes in a real art gallery alongside practicing experts in their field.

“In addition to working with these experts in a studio, students have the opportunity to participate in projects throughout the Dayton community and take courses through the summer,” said Fuchs.

Eric Hall, resident artist at K12 Gallery TEJAS — and art teacher at CJ, promotes the value of art education.

“I firmly believe the arts in education is pivotal for the basic growth of the creative mind. A young student learning to express themselves at a time when they are just discovering who they are, and what they represent, is very much a catalyst for future success,” he said.

“Through my experience, I've discovered that my students are more willing to share their personal experiences because there is a sense of trust in regards to sharing expressive feelings in art. There is an artistic connection that students may not have a chance to experience through other curriculum alone. That's what makes the arts at CJ special.

“I am very proud of the students who participated in this year's 2020 scholastic competition. It always puts a smile on my face to see the pride my students take in their work. As an educator, getting to see the direct success of a student's hard work really inspires me and, in doing so, affects other students, allowing the process to come full circle.”

Congratulations to our 22 CJ students award winners:

Gold Key Award: Raymarah Watson-Cunningham; Silver Key Award: Myi Ferris ‘22, Michael Gruhot ‘21, Cooper Mullins ‘20, Chloé Proffitt ‘21 (two awards) and Christopher Rau 21; Honorable Mention Award: Ashley Alanis ‘21, Libby Blackshire ‘20, Crystal Cardenas ‘22, Isaac Castillo ‘23 (two awards), Natalie Gaier ‘21, Lyle Gross ‘21, Aharron Harris ‘23, Sophie Haws ‘20, Cooper Mullins ‘20, Adam Noble ‘22, Ashton Passmore ‘21, Kara Roberts ‘22, Sonia Rodriguez ‘20, Sammy Schwager ‘20, Modeste Turner ‘23, and Bethany Wilson ‘20.