Romero Academy Graduates Embrace the Sacraments and Their Future
“I had been losing my faith at the beginning of the school year, and the way Ms. B. and Ms. Syck talked about faith showed me that I wanted to give my life to God.”
Bryalen, an eighth-grade scholar at Romero Academy, chose to receive the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation this year. Receiving the sacraments was a personal decision rooted in his desire to deepen his relationship with God.
“I wanted to get closer to God, and I felt like that was the best way,” he shared. “What excited me is being forgiven of my sins and being able to get the Eucharist, because I get to be a part of Jesus.”
Bryalen’s story at Romero is one of growth and grace. Starting at Romero as a kindergartener, Bryalen will attend Elder High School in the fall, one of the best all-boys high schools in Cincinnati. He has shown incredible academic growth, now ranking in the top 10 percent nationally, despite having a significant IEP (Individualized Education Program).
His mother, Jenna, recalls that his demeanor toward school completely changed in third grade when Romero stepped in to manage the school in partnership with the parish and Archdiocese. Bryalen began to love school and would come home excited to talk about his day. When asked what he enjoys the most about Romero, he said, “Meeting new friends, getting out of my comfort zone, and just being able to be myself around everybody.”
A Ripple Effect of Grace
Bryalen asked Emily Gilbride Beck, the Executive Director of Romero Academies, to serve as his godmother at his Baptism. “I chose her because she has always shown a lot of faith in the time I’ve known her, and that’s been really inspiring.”
Witnessing the sacraments each year, Emily is moved when the faith of students like Bryalen becomes personal. “Watching these moments and seeing the pride, joy, and faith of our scholars is an incredible reminder of why Catholic education matters.”
As Romero students start to embrace their faith, their families often do as well. “Jenna told me that the preparation of her sons prompted her to inquire about her own Baptism. She learned that she was baptized as a child, something she didn’t previously know, and is now working to develop her faith again with her sons,” Emily explained.
And this is the case for many families of the 24 Romero students who received their sacraments this year, including five sets of siblings. Emily has seen the generational effect of sacramental graces. “Two additional families chose baptism for their children this year after having another child baptized through Romero in prior years. This year’s 24 scholars represent far more than 24 individual sacraments—they represent families growing together in faith.”
Faith Lived Out in Community
Bryalen was not the only Romero eighth-grader who chose to take important steps of faith this year. His peer Dion was also baptized and received his First Communion and Confirmation. Known for his leadership at Romero, Dion served as the student council president and will be attending LaSalle High School next year.
Reflecting on his decision to enter the Church, Dion shared, “I wanted to deepen my love for the Lord and become a part of his family as a community. I wanted to experience what it was like to join with the Lord. My faith really begins now.”
Dion was also inspired to choose Romero’s seventh and eighth-grade English Language Arts teacher, Ms. Horinkel, as his godmother: “Ms. Horinkel was a great example of how to love God. She taught me a lot.”
And it was also the example of his other teachers, Seton Teaching Fellows, and Romero Principal John Lane, that contributed to his growing faith. “In all my classes, teachers would explain how the Lord has helped us through everything. He has helped us learn, understand, and do what is right. Ms. Hornikel, Ms. B., and Mr. Lane would explain that we were made in the image of God.”
Formed for High School and Beyond
The same support system that helped Bryalen and Dion grow in faith has also prepared them for success in the next stage of their education.
Their eighth-grade class is a tight-knit group, many of whom have known each other since kindergarten. A total of 16 of this year’s 23 Romero graduates will continue their education at Catholic high schools, many alongside classmates they have known for years.
Mike Evans, Romero’s High School Coordinator, guides each eighth-grade class through the high school application process from start to finish. “This year’s graduating class is especially meaningful to me because it is the class I have known the longest. I have had the opportunity to work with many of these students since they were in fourth grade, allowing me to witness their growth throughout some of the most formative years of their academic journey.”
The individualized coaching and discernment process for Romero’s eighth-graders delivers real results. Dion shared, “I got to shadow high schools so that I could see which one I really wanted to go to. Romero helped me get into the high schools of my choice.”
And although their academic growth is impressive, their character strength is what shines. Emily said, “Of course, I’m proud of their academic accomplishments, but what stands out even more is the kind of people they are becoming. They have developed a strong sense of community, compassion, and responsibility for others.”
Mike hears this in the feedback from high schools that Romero graduates attend, too. “Admissions teams and school staff often comment on our students’ maturity, work ethic, and ability to build positive relationships with peers and educators.”
As Bryalen, Dion, and their classmates graduate from Romero Academy, they leave not only with academic accomplishments and high school acceptances but also with a deeper sense of faith and purpose. Emily wishes, “My hope is that they continue to grow into young men and women who lead with love, serve others, and use their gifts to make Cincinnati a better place.”
