Seventeen high school students, including two from Jersey City, had the chance to look deeply at how their spirituality could underpin their leadership skills and help them make a difference in the world as they explored options for their college and career paths. The Spirituality and Society Summer Seminar was held July 16-23 on the Caldwell University campus.
Dr. Kyle Bennett, director of the Spirituality and Leadership Institute at Caldwell and a philosophy faculty member, said the aim of the program is to introduce high school students to spirituality disciplines and leadership practices to help them grow as young citizens who promote public justice and seek the common good. Three key areas of study were spiritual formation, theological reflection and vocational discernment.
The students had a taste of college life, living in the dorms, taking workshops and socializing together.
Among students who attended were Kassandra Pardo and Sophia Feijoo of St. Dominic Academy in Jersey City.
The institute was made possible by a grant the university received from the Lilly Endowment Inc. The program is part of the endowment’s High School Youth Theology Institutes initiative.