Catholic Schools Week (January 25–31, 2026) at Holy Cross Academy (HCA) in Oneida was a day short due to weather challenges — but there was no shortage of excitement, fun, caring, and reverence. Catholic Schools Week coordinator and HCA parent Tara Dixon described how students creatively and wholeheartedly embraced the week’s activities.
During the week, students and staff spent time having fun and living and sharing their faith. They enjoyed an afternoon at the Community Activity Center in Sherrill, bowling, playing basketball and pool, eating, visiting, and laughing together. Dixon noted, “It was wonderful to see so many smiling, happy teens in total fellowship with their peers.” Faculty, staff, and volunteers enjoyed a thank-you day with goodies, coffee, and gift cards. Faculty, staff, students, and clergy celebrated a luncheon provided by HCA families. Students got to coordinate looks in pairs or groups for “Twin Day” and get creative with book bag solutions using anything from animal carriers to younger siblings to transport their books. They also had opportunities to roast marshmallows over a fire in the snow and make Valentine cards for the home-bound and veterans in the parish.
To celebrate vocations, a theme of Catholic Schools Week, Fr. Joseph Ryan of Spirit of Hope Parish in Oneida shared his own vocation story with the students. This is Fr. Ryan’s first year offering Mass and teaching religion at the school. Dixon said, “Hearing his vocation story really helped the students learn more about Fr. Ryan’s Catholic upbringing and connect with him.” Fr. Ryan’s experience of Catholic schools both as a student and staff shone through in his energetic support of Catholic Schools Week as its co-coordinator.
On Thursday, students from HCA and St. Patrick’s Elementary School in Oneida attended a student-led Mass at St. Joseph’s Church. “The highlight for me was being surrounded by the students of both schools and listening to them pray and sing together,” Dixon said. “I think any opportunity we have to come together has a great impact on our students.”
At the close of the week, students were surprised by special guest speaker Riley Dixon, punter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fresh off his 10th NFL season, Riley told the students how his Catholic faith is central to his vocation: “As you go throughout life, keep Christ at the center of your lives. Trust in Him, ask Him for help, ask Him to have His hand in everything that you do.”
“Riley is a wonderful example of a husband and father who is raising the next generation of Catholics,” Dixon said. “Several students and staff members shared with me the impact his talk had on them. I predict he’ll be back at Holy Cross Academy soon to deliver more inspiration to our teens.”
Tara Dixon summed up the week with joy and gratitude. “I had the best week surrounded by amazing kids and faculty. It was an honor for me!” she said. “I knew Holy Cross Academy was special, but chairing Catholic Schools Week gave me a new appreciation and love for the school. The students are happy to offer help wherever needed. Every staff member I spoke with absolutely loves their job and considers it a blessing. Everyone is genuinely happy — all the time! The students transition effortlessly from playing outside and making s’mores around a campfire to kneeling in the chapel praying the rosary together moments later.”
Dixon closed with a final hope: “My prayer is that the students recognize how blessed they are to be part of the Holy Cross Academy Catholic family.”
