One of NESPA’s goals is a commitment to improve the writing skills of students in elementary and middle school. Real-life writing experience in student publications — from class newsletters to school newspapers — is encouraged as studies show that students’ writing improves when they write regularly for an audience.

“I am pleased to welcome The Lion Ledger as the newest member of NESPA. I wish you well as you continue to publish your fine newspaper,” said NESPA executive director Mark Levin. “It’s wonderful that you publish online which gives the whole world a chance to see what you are doing at St. Leo the Great.”

St. Leo’s newspaper is currently in its second year in print and is found only on the web.

from Staff Reports
News Team / THE LION LEDGER

Everyone in 8th grade brought money to support the cause. Almost all the students in school participated in the outreach. A total of $1350 was raised. The students are now in the process of writing letters to the children of Haiti.

Mrs. Simril, principal said, “This was an example of how the family of St. Leo the Great will give back [for a cause] especially in a time of need.”

“I think it was good and effective, but I wouldn’t have done it if it weren’t for the people in Haiti,” said 7th grade student Devohn Moore.

3rd grade teacher and student council advisor, Mrs. Cephas said, “I thought it was a good thing. Almost all my students participated and some even brought more [money] than expected. The students were just excited to help!”

by Simone B., 8th Grade
Managing Editor / THE LION LEDGER

The assembly was attended by grades K-8th and lasted just over an hour. Mr. Manibusan was accompanied by his cousin who played the drums and other percussion instruments.

He performed a few of his award-winning songs including “Open My Eyes,” and “Yes Lord” where he encouraged St. Leo’s students to sing along and dance to the music with hand gestures.

The response from the students body as well as the teachers/staff was very positive. “I really enjoyed learning other ways you can worship God, like through song,” 8th grade student Amina Smith said.

Mr. Manibusan also told some jokes and shared stories from his life in order to connect with the students.

8th grade student Simone Bremond said, “I found being in the presence of someone who was so comfortable about their spirituality really made me want to be more in touch with God.”

by E.R., 8th grade
Contributor / THE LION LEDGER

The USAA, or the United States Achievement Academy, is a scholarship foundation that recognizes students across America for their hard work in a specific subject area, as well as their overall achievements at the school.

Students are nominated by a member of the school’s faculty or staff.

The other recipient of the award this year is Class of 2009 graduate Dana Morales, editor of the school yearbook.  Congratulations to both these former St. Leo the Great students for their achievements and on receiving this special award.

from Staff Reports
News Team / THE LION LEDGER

Wednesday, May 6th was no ordinary day for the City of Oakland. It was the day that the police department held their yearly memorial service for their officers that have died in the line of duty, protecting our city and the people who live in it. Police officers from the past and present.

They reflected upon those who went out and risked their lives every day to keep Oakland safe, but lost the battle through their deaths. In March, we lost four officers to a fatal shooting and they were recognized by their fellow officers at the ceremony.

St. Leo the Great’s gospel choir had the amazing honor of singing at the event. The choir has been participating in the ceremony for ten years now. They are always grateful for being invited back every year, but because of the big and tragic event that took place in March, they were unsure if it would be done differently this year.

Fortunately, they received the phone call through their music teacher and choir director, Mrs. Janice Reid. The choir worked very hard to keep their excitement down since they had to remember that this was a solemn occasion, and not a performance.

And they didn’t disappoint! St. Leo the Great was represented very well and made the school proud once again. The voices of the children were comforting to the families and co-workers of the fallen officers who were present, bringing some officers and family members to tears.

It was a great comfort for them to hear children’s voices in song. The choir sang off to the side, so that they wouldn’t be the center of attention. The Oakland Police Department appreciated the choir a great deal, giving many “thank yous” and gestures of gratitude. The students felt extremely privileged and honored to be part of the event.

“I felt like I did something good for the police officers and families and it was a great life experience,” 8th grader McKenzie Oldham said. 7th grader Kayla Jones said that she felt, “very honored that we were chosen out of all the other school[s].”

6th grader Devohn Moore, who sang a special solo for the police officers, felt very accomplished, “because I did something good.”

by Andrea Granera, 8th grade
Editor / THE LION LEDGER

The students departed from Oakland International Airport at 6:15a, on a three hour flight headed to Denver, Colorado,, and from there, another five hour flight to Baltimore-Washington International Airport in Maryland.

With them on the week-long trip are Mrs. Simril, and homeroom teacher Mrs. Karabinis. They will be staying at the Sheraton Hotel in Arlington, Virginia and spending the week touring the sights around our nation’s capital.

Places such as the Frederick Douglass House, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Smithsonian Museum, the Holocaust Museum, the Kennedy Center, the White House and the Capitol (who knows, they might see President Obama!), and even a ride up the Potomac River.

The 8th grade class will return home next Monday. Safe trip back!

from Staff Reports
News Team / THE LION LEDGER

Look out for the sales flyer in Thursday’s family envelope for pricing and more details. As soon as “The Lion Ledger” gets permission to do so, we’ll report about all the good things that make this year’s yearbook stand out, right here.

from Staff Reports
News Team / THE LION LEDGER

You’ll also notice a new look, a cleaner design, and some new features / add-ons as well! We listened to some of your comments–such as adding more color to our website–and made those changes during our absence. We hope you like the new and improved site.

While our editor-in-chief and editor are away at the 8th grade’s week-long trip to Washington, D.C., we’ll keep the ship afloat by posting stories from the MCT Campus student newswire service for school newspapers. We’ll also be putting up stories that we put up on the shelf while we were taking the time off so that all efforts could go towards getting the yearbook done.

Keep checking back every week. You won’t know what’s news unless you do!

from Staff Reports
News Team / THE LION LEDGER

This week, the Lion Ledger surveyed the 8th grade class on which high school they were planning to attend next year. High schools in the Oakland Diocese were the only ones listed for this survey.

Of the 31 students in the 8th grade class, these were their choices. (Note: students were allowed to vote more than once, based on which high school they had sent in an application and interviewed for).

High schools are listed in alphabetical order.

• Bishop O’Dowd– 29%
• De La Salle– 0%
• Holy Names– 13%
• Moreau Catholic High School– 0%
• Salesian– 3%
• St. Elizabeth– 3%
• St. Joseph Notre Dame (SJND)– 26%
• St. Mary’s College High School– 74%

from Staff Reports
News Team / THE LION LEDGER

A very special day was planned for the students, parents, and staff. Everyone came to school dressed up fancy in black and white, looking so nice. When people arrive to the front doors, there was even a red carpet at the entrance!

In the morning every class was able to watch the Inauguration on television. Eighth and second grade got an opportunity to watch it in the auditorium projected on a huge screen. The student council had their own section to sit in.

Everyone there held hands at the defining moment that Barack Obama was made our official president.

Afterwards, back in their classrooms, the students did presidential-related activities. Some of the lower grades colored in pictures of Obama while the eighth grade worked on packets about the history of the presidency.

Just before lunch, people got a chance to have their picture taken with the President. Except, it was a life-sized cardboard cutout of Barack Obama. After that it was lunch time and every class got the opportunity to have a delicious catered lunch– baked chicken, rice pilaf, green beans, and Caesar salad. (The students had to order and pay for the lunch ahead of time).

In the afternoon there was a special prayer service held in honor of President Obama, with songs, poems, and reflections.

During the morning assembly on the school yard, principal Mrs. Simril told the students, “When those of us who were the adults in your lives and the authoritative figures are long gone, and someone asks you 40 or 50 years from now, ‘Where were you on the day when President Barack Obama was inaugurated?’ ”

St. Leo’s students were at school, celebrating the inauguration with him!

by Andrea Granera, 8th grade
Editor / THE LION LEDGER