Blanchet Catholic School Appreciation!

The Optimist Club of Salem met with students and representatives from Blanchet Catholic School on April 14th to celebrate their students’ achievements. Students gathered in a conference room at the school to receive their awards in person from school staff—a rare treat for the club during this past year of distance video awards.


Below are synopses of each student.

Hannah Estrabo

Fine and Performing Arts

Hannah Estrabo was recognized for achievement in fine and performing arts. Hannah is a junior at Blanchet Catholic School. A teacher in the Fine Arts Department described Hannah as “quite honestly one of the most talented and humble young ladies I have ever met.” 


Hannah, a talented singer, is always willing to share her vocal talent as a ministry and service to others, never drawing attention to herself.  Those who know her say her voice is just as beautiful and her genuine giving nature. Hannah recently won the state solo/duet competition and will move on to compete at the national level next. Her future plans involve becoming a doctor or lawyer.

Kayla Greenwood

Math and Science

Recognition for achievement in math and science went to Kayla Greenwood. Kayla is a senior at Blanchet Catholic School. A Science Department teacher told the club, “Kayla excels in AP Biology. She always impresses me with her thorough explanations of complex concepts. She focuses beyond a grade and develops a deeper understanding of the material, then demonstrates that understanding exceptionally well in her written work.”


During her senior year, Kayla has studied AP Biology, AP Calculus, and AP Statistics—at the same time as participating in three sports, National Honor Society, and serving as co-student body president. Kayla will attend college next year and hopes to study neuroscience, something she says interests her because the brain forms the basis of everything humans do and are.

Claire Middendorf

Humanities

Claire Middendorf received an award for achievement in the humanities. Claire is a senior at Blanchet Catholic. A member of the by the Language Arts Department says, “Claire is one of those people always looking to bring sunshine into the lives of others.” For her Senior Service project, Claire developed a digital newsletter to highlight good actions and good causes. In it, she writes stories about things people do for other people.


Claire says working on the newsletter has made her very happy—she has loved learning about all the good going on in the world. (You can see what she means by reading her newsletter at https://www.thebrightsidebulletin.com/) Claire is involved a number of clubs at school and has a special enthusiasm for her American Sign Language studies. She plans to attend Purdue next year.

Lauren Kennedy

Community Service

Lauren Kennedy was elected student most involved in community service at Blanchet. Lauren is a senior. The school administration said, “The Blanchet community and the Salem Community is grateful for Lauren Kennedy's servant heart and her reliability.”  Lauren developed a Senior Service Project to help the young people at St. Francis Shelter.


A book lover, Lauren created a Library in a Box so that kids at the shelter would have books to read while the library was unavailable to them during the past year. She made sure the box had specials books for each holiday to help the children feel celebratory. Lauren plans to attend college to study environmental engineering.

Award Photos

Hannah Estrabo

Kayla Greenwood

Claire Middendorf

Lauren Kennedy