Last Week at JPII - 02/16/26

Verso l’Alto! 1st grade boys celebrate after hiking to the top of a bluff in Lewis & Clark Park.

February 16, 2026 - It’s been busy at St. John Paul II Academy! Here’s a look back at some of the highlights from last week, capturing the heart of life at JPII.

Boys Leadership traveled across the Missouri River to hike the bluffs of Lewis and Clark Park. They enjoyed some steep climbs, narrow trails, and great views.

Girls Leadership had a great afternoon hike over at the wetlands of Fontenelle Forest! Miss Daskiewicz taught the girls how to read a trail map utilizing the cardinal directions. The girls then navigated the winding forest trails to the banks of the Missouri, stopping a few times to climb some logs and hug some trees.

Safe to say that the Lower School students had a grand time enjoying some very rewarding adventures while steeped in the glory of God’s creation.

A huge congratulations to the 2026 High School Quiz Bowl Winners! Last week, JPII high schoolers took 1st and 3rd place overall at St. Margaret Mary’s High School Annual Catholic Quiz Bowl. We are SO proud of these students’ incredible achievements!

Questions covered a variety of challenging categories, including Old and New Testament, the Sacraments, and Doctors of the Church. Student teams earned a scholarship to split amongst themselves, AND a donation for JPII Academy, their designated charity. Verso l’Alto!

And to wrap it up, the Lower School has been enjoying some quality time with their newly-hatched buddies. These chicks were hatched in an incubator in the JPII classrooms as part of the 4-H program through UNL Institute of Agriculture, with the aim of introducing students to embryology.

Hope you enjoyed this week in the life of JPII. Stay tuned for more glimpses in and out of the classroom as we continue to form saints, fully alive!