On four occasions during the school year, the Woodlands Academy community comes together to acknowledge two girls per class and one member of the adult community for living the Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria in a most visible way.

Sacred Heart Awards are given based on a vote of the students, ratified by the advisors in recognition of good conduct, good spirit, helpful influence and leadership. They serve to remind the entire Woodlands Academy community of the Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria. For the current Sacred Heart awards, the school’s student government selected Goal Five: “Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to the personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom.”

Freshmen Yotsuba Ito and Claire Smylie, sophomores Karishma Bhatara and Judith Koukol, juniors Laly Castillo and Natalie Vela, seniors Skyler Oldenburg and Pascale Ricketts, and mathematics teacher Shao-Yun Guo were recognized Dec. 8 for their efforts in living out this goal.

The Woodlands Academy tradition of Sacred Heart Awards traces its roots to an older Sacred Heart tradition called Primes where medals were given for politeness, order, and excellence in various academic subjects. Several years ago, Woodlands brought back the tradition of awarding ribbons to which St. Rose Philippine Duchesne medals are attached.