Representatives from Diocese of Allentown Catholic schools gathered at Allentown Central Catholic High School (ACCHS) on April 10 to celebrate dance moves, dogs, and dollars – in other words, the “Make a Joyful Noise” (MAJN)campaign.
The MAJN campaign is a friendly competition among our diocesan schools throughout Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, and Schuylkill counties to make a music video that will earn donations and support for the school.
At the awards ceremony, ACCHS’s Assistant Director of Campus Ministry, Sister Mathilde DeLucy S.C.C., led an opening prayer invoking the patron saint of music, St. Cecilia. Then, Superintendent of Catholic Education, Dr. Mike St. Pierre, gave opening remarks, noting that the campaign raised close to $165,000 for the 26 Catholic schools that participated this year.
St. Pierre also expressed his appreciation for all Advancement Directors: “You point out the things that make our schools special. We need you!”
Following the welcome, Valerie Versmee, Program Manager of Scholarships, joined Amy Impellizzeri, Director of Scholarships, to announce the award winners.
The Maestro Award recognizes the schools that raised the highest funds during the campaign. The winners of these awards are:
Maestro Award, Gold: Notre Dame of Bethlehem School, $49,275.
Maestro Award, Silver: Good Shepherd Catholic School, Northampton, $20,768.
Maestro Award, Bronze: Nativity BVM High School, Pottsville, $15,825.
The Crescendo Award recognizes the schools that had the highest participation rate. This rate is calculated by dividing the number of enrolled students by the number of donations received. The winners of these awards are:
Crescendo Award, Gold: St. Joseph Center for Special Learning, Schuylkill Haven, 129% participation rate.
Crescendo Award, Silver: Mercy School for Special Learning, Allentown, 123%.
Crescendo Award, Bronze: St Joseph the Worker School, Orefield, 88%.
Versmee and Impellizzeri recognized every school that participated in MAJN with an award tailored to each video’s strengths. See the full list below:
Best Choreography: Allentown Central Catholic High School.
Most Original Music: Holy Infancy School, Bethlehem, recognizing that their music was composed and performed by their principal, Jeannie Negron-Garcia, and her husband, Elvin Garcia.
Best Moves: Berks Catholic High School, Reading, with a special recognition for their dancing principal, Jon Petruzzelli.
Best News Anchor: St. Thomas More School, Allentown.
Best Dog: St. John Neumann Regional School, Palmerton and Slatington Campuses. The “best dog” himself, Vincent Van Gogh, was present at the ceremony to receive his award and some dog treats.
Most Joyful: Holy Guardian Angels Regional School, Reading.
Best Backflip: Marian Catholic High School, Tamaqua.
Best Lip-Syncing: Bethlehem Catholic High School.
Most Emotional: John Paul II Center for Special Learning, Shillington.
Highest Views: (aside from the Maestro and Crescendo award winners) Immaculate Conception School, Pen Argyl, with an impressive 2,300 views.
Best Macarena: Assumption BVM School, Pottsville.
Best Mascot: Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Bethlehem.
Optimism Award: St. Ignatius Loyola Regional School, Sinking Spring.
Friendship Award: Immaculate Conception Academy, Douglassville.
Best Metronome Award: Holy Family School, Nazareth.
Highest Energy: St Anne School, Bethlehem.
Most Cheerful: St. Ann School, Emmaus.
Best Film Editing: Notre Dame High School, Easton, with special thanks for Jillian Templeton, DeSales University student, who edited their video.
Best Filming: St. John Vianney Regional School, Allentown, with a nod toDeSales University students, Charlie Morton and Emily Fortney.
Marketing Award: St. Catharine of Siena School, Reading.
Impellizzeri closed out the ceremony with words of thanks for everyone involved in the MAJN campaign and those who helped coordinate and host the ceremony. She also acknowledged Chuck Gloman, head of the TV/Film program at DeSales University, who welcomed the idea of partnering with the diocesan schools for this campaign and has already expressed his interest in renewing the partnership next year.
Impellizzeri also arranged a special award for Versmee to thank her for her hard work to help make MAJN a success.
Later, Versmee reflected on the campaign and shared: “The ‘Make a Joyful Noise’ campaign goes beyond being a fundraiser: it is a way for each school community to come together and show its unique personality. The heartfelt testimonials from donors were very touching and spoke to their support and love of our Catholic schools.”
Photos by Vargas Photography.
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