It didn’t take long for Hallie Reichel to experience the strong sense of community at St. Catherine’s.

     As a kindergarten student 13 years ago, she fell on the old jungle gym bridge, breaking her jaw. She fondly remembers homemade cards and other small gestures by her classmates during the two weeks her jaw was surgically wired shut.

     The community rallied around Reichel again last week as she was selected by students and faculty as the member of the Class of 2014 who best represents scholarship, determination, courage, hope and faith, the ideals of Catherine of Alexandria. Reichel was honored in the annual St. Catherine’s Day service at St. Stephen’s Church.    
     “Ultimately, our St. Catherine’s experience is not defined by specific memories of our time here,” Reichel said. “St. Catherine’s School will continually remain sacred in our hearts because of the virtues of St. Catherine herself, and the lessons we have learned.”

     One of those lessons for Reichel happened in third grade when she failed to make the Lower School Choir.

     “I decided to try again the next year,” she said. “Now, I have been in choir since fourth grade and have been fortunate enough to be in various ensembles and even to travel to England to tour. It pains me to think how my life would be different if I had never auditioned again and gave up on my passion.”

     During the special service, Reichel also celebrated the virtues of Saint Catherine of Alexandria and how those virtues play out out in her own life and the lives of students on campus.

     “The St. Catherine’s community is truly beautiful because we listen to one another, and stay in tune to common values like determination,” Reichel said. “We are a school of many unified by the virtues of Saint Catherine: knowledge, faith, courage, determination and hope.

     “Success is defined by living out the virtues of knowledge, faith, courage, determination, and hope.  Success is passionately living lives of purpose.”

     Although St. Catherine’s Day has changed throughout the decades, it is a tradition that dates back to 1924. The revealing of the St. Catherine’s Day honoree is kept secret until the service. Reichel’s family snuck into the church after the service began to help keep the surprise. The service is also a special time to remember alumnae, faculty and staff who have died that year.