The ‘Diamoci un Tono’ and ‘Laudato Si” competitions seen from Collegio S. Ignazio

In the increasingly interconnected context of the modern world, educational institutions play a crucial role in shaping the minds and hearts of future generations. The schools of the Jesuit Education Network embody this principle, committing not only to academic excellence but also to the integral education of students with the common goal of forming ‘men and women for others’.

Two significant events have recently highlighted the importance of this educational approach: the ‘Diamoci un Tono‘ competition held on May 10th in Turin, involving middle school students from Collegio S. Ignazio – Evelyn Asaro, Claudia Caputo, Giada Di Giuseppe, and Giuliana Trovato – and first-year high school students – Giulia Costa, Sofia Aurora De Luca, Arianna Gullotto, and Sofia Urbani, guided by Profs. Roberta Caruso and Katia Mirabile; and the ‘Laudato Si’‘ competition at Istituto Massimo held in Rome on May 16th and 17th.

The ‘Diamoci un Tono’ competition offered students from network schools in Turin, Milan, Palermo, Rome, and Messina a unique opportunity to express their musical talents while addressing the delicate theme ‘No peace without justice‘, chosen to connect the event to the contemporary reality of a troubled historical moment marked by bloody wars, where many – especially the young – are loudly calling for an end to hostilities.

After an initial school selection, the students participated in the project by singing ‘Girotondo’ written and arranged by Cristiano De Andrè and ‘Stand Up’ written by Cynthia Erivo and arranged by Prof. Mirabile, music teacher at the College. The final, held at the Agnelli Theater, saw the middle school students receive a special mention from the jury.

This was not just an academic exercise but an opportunity for young people to give voice to their passions and emotions, demonstrating their commitment to building a better world. The high school students continued the network experience by traveling from Turin to Rome. After the first two days, dedicated to visiting the city and deepening the themes studied during the school year in geohistory – directly curated by Prof. Roberta Caruso – the students had the opportunity to attend classes at Istituto Massimiliano Massimo. This unique opportunity for exchange, dialogue, hospitality, and growth was offered to us by the Institute. The twinning between the Classical and Scientific High School classes demonstrated the value of an education that goes beyond mere knowledge transmission.

These are the pillars on which the future is built, and the schools of the Jesuit Education Network stand as beacons of hope and change in a world that needs both. The students describe the experience as follows: ‘It was a unique experience,‘ says Sofia De Luca, ‘I am grateful for the opportunity given to me and thank Istituto Massimo for the hospitality and welcome. I leave a piece of my heart within the institute and cherish the memory of the laughter, which still echoes in my mind. Thank you again for everything, Istituto Massimo, I experienced you to the fullest‘. ‘This year we had the fortune to explore the other realities that our Jesuit network presents us,‘ says Giulia Costa, ‘the experience at Istituto Massimiliano Massimo in Rome was magnificent and especially formative for us girls. We were immediately welcomed by the students who made us feel the excitement of being in a second family. Together we experienced happy moments, leisure, and above all, filled with laughter. These were unforgettable moments that will remain in our hearts‘. ‘This experience was fantastic, especially for the affection and joy with which we were welcomed by the students, eager to know us and the excitement of entering this extraordinarily beautiful yet familiar building,‘ says Sofia Urbani. ‘An essential experience in my life journey that will help me make new choices and new paths‘. ‘It was a special experience. We were able to interact and make friends with many peers, living with them during daily classes and fun activities” says Arianna Gullotto.

On May 16th and 17th, the ‘Laudato Si’‘ competition, concluding the ‘Iuvando Magis’ conference, a project aimed at highlighting the values enunciated in Pope Francis’s encyclical, took place. This encyclical is a source of inspiration for the students of the network’s schools who actively commit to the care and protection of creation and the promotion of sustainable development.

This year’s theme was the right to life, which the students addressed through the creation of a video montage and a podcast. A novelty this year was the participation of secondary school students who won third place with the video ‘Once upon a time a king’. The first-year high school class also reached the podium with the podcast ‘Life’, winning third place. The event, expertly organized by Profs. Elena Maietich, Francesco Proietti, and Valeria Manca, took place at the Auditorium of the Institute and saw the participation of all the network’s schools, Fr. Claudio Barretta, President of the Jesuit Education Foundation, and Prof. Josephine Vassallo, Head of Global Citizenship for the Foundation. This experience enriched our students’ educational journey, preparing them to become conscious and committed global citizens.

Prof. Roberta Caruso
Responsible of Communication of Collegio S.Ignazio Institute