The Upper School at Trenton Catholic Academy, Hamilton, kicked off Catholic Schools Week Feb. 1 with a visit from Bishop John M. Smith and Superintendent of Schools and Secretary of Catholic Education JoAnn Tier.

In recognition of the theme, “Catholic Schools-Dividends for Life,” Bishop Smith addressed the students and praised them for their academic achievement, their athletic ability and their “giving spirit.”

Following the bishop’s remarks a panel discussion featuring alumni Mark Bass (’91), Stacey Gerunds (’87) and Dominic DeGregory (’99) focused on how Catholic education has helped the panelists in their personal lives and professional careers.

Mark Bass has been an assistant basketball coach at St. Joseph’s University for 11 seasons. When he realized his dream of becoming a professional athlete was not to be, he used his athletic ability as a “tool to get an education.” As an alumnus of St. Joe’s, he credits his Catholic education with teaching him the need to give back and “help one another.”

Stacey Gerunds serves as an assistant prosecutor for Mercer County. She conveyed to the students that their reputation is the “most important thing,” and urged each one of them to have a reputation of being, “an honest, caring and hard-working person.”

She advised students to set goals, volunteer and “love what you do.”

Dominic DeGregory shared that he did not set out to become the aide to the mayor of Hamilton Township.

However after an internship with a state senator, the TCNJ alumnus found himself in the world of local politics. Stating that his Catholic education helped him, “grow in his faith,” he encouraged students to “be the best person you can be.”

Matthew Rhodes, a junior and student ambassador in the Upper School, found the panel discussion very insightful.

“They were all able to relate how their Catholic education helped them,” he explained and added that, “they helped us realize that what we are learning in the classroom will be put to practical use in the future.”

While Rhodes is not sure which college he will be attending upon graduating from TCA, he is certain that he wants to study engineering and be able to “give back to my community.” As the alumni walked into the same gymnasium they once had gym class in and greeted some of the teachers who taught them years before, they could not help but notice the name of their beloved school was different.

Upper School admissions director and discussion moderator Mary Glass acknowledged the difference and the legacy of the school under its various names. She stated with resounding agreement from both the panel and the students, “St. Anthony High School, McCorristin Catholic High School, and Trenton Catholic Academy. Always the Iron Mikes.”