Our Favorite Catholic School Traditions Then and Now

The St. Agnes Academy experience is filled with fun and memorable traditions that enrich a student’s four years at our school. Learn about a few of our famous Catholic school traditions that are key to a fulfilling St. Agnes experience.

During a student’s four years at St. Agnes, they will experience a variety of special traditions and celebrations that are integral to their time as an Academy Woman – International Food Fest, Fish Week, Veritas Vacation Day, Cultural Pageant, and more.

Many of these traditions have a rich history at St. Agnes and continue to bond alumni from the past. While some have changed form over the years, the central theme of building community and sisterhood remains. Let’s take a look at a few St. Agnes traditions then and now!

International Food Fest, or IFF, is a school-wide luncheon St. Agnes hosts once a year where students bring dishes from their culture or a culture they appreciate to share with their school. It is a day of much excitement for students to share their culture with their classmates and try new foods from other cultures.

The tradition originated when Georgia Skopal, a St. Agnes Campus Minister years ago, was tasked to organize a school-wide event once a year. Inspired by Jesus’ second great commandment, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” Skopal proposed to host an event to learn about the lives, customs, and culture of St. Agnes students.

From its creation, IFF has evolved into a highly anticipated day in the school year. Students sign up to bring their favorite meals and help set up the event, where the food will range from European to Latin American to African cuisine.

Fish Week is one of the most famous of St. Agnes traditions. Also referred to as Welcome Week, this time in the fall semester is meant to welcome the freshman class into the St. Agnes community.

Each freshman or “fish” is paired with a senior who will spend the week sending their “fish” on dares around the school and dressing them up in various themed clothes, all while the senior’s identity remains a secret. At the end of the week, seniors reveal their identity in a costume parade with all the freshman and seniors.

This tradition of welcoming the freshman goes back to the 1940s, and many aspects remain the same. Old St. Agnes newspapers recount Fish Week activities in detail, describing the various dares and costumes “fishes” endured by their seniors!

Even as the tradition evolved, Fish Week remains a way for the seniors to welcome the freshman into the sisterhood of St. Agnes.

IFF and Fish Week are just a few of the well-established traditions of St. Agnes. Our traditions work to strengthen the sisterhood and community at our Catholic school and build a strong sense of belonging within our students!