So much more

Future PR specialist and current Notre Dame junior says, yes, the school is known for academics, but, he says, there's "so much more."

Employment of media and communication occupations is projected to grow 6 percent from 2016 to 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections. That translates into about 43,200 new jobs. 

That's good news for Notre Dame upper-division student Matt DeAngelis because, even though he's only in the first half of his junior year at Notre Dame, he's already got his sights set on a career and a university.

"I'm really hoping to go to Loyola University and get into its School of Communications," he said. "And my dream career would be to work in Washington, D.C., as a public relations specialist."

And as far as working in D.C., it's not unfamiliar territory for DeAngelis. 

"The most rewarding experience I’ve had so far during my time at Notre Dame is Student Council Nationals in Washington D.C., during my sophomore year," he said. "The reason why I enjoyed that so much is that it helped me build my leadership and people skills, and allowed me to collaborate with other schools across the nation on different topics."

It also appears that others have noticed that this St. Lawrence Catholic School grad has been building his leadership and people skills.

"Matt is a model student who takes pride in how he treats people," said Brian Little, a science teacher at Notre Dame Prep. "He's the type of kid who you know is destined for great things. He is cordial, polite, respectful and is intrinsically motivated to take care of the academic rigors and non-academic responsibilities in his life." 

Anthony Butorac, an English teacher in Notre Dame's upper division, says DeAngelis is just a positive person, period.

"Matt is an exemplary NDP student in so many ways, but mainly it’s his authentic positivity," Butorac said. "He is a joy to have in class and just a generally good and positive person to have around."

DeAngelis came to Notre Dame in the first place not necessarily because of its stellar academic reputation, although he admitted it was a factor. He says it's because of the "so much more" factor.

"I tell my friends or any prospective students I run into that Notre Dame offers so much more than just academics," he said. "The teachers are always there to help each individual student, and I feel so well prepared for college in many different ways. Notre Dame offers lots of opportunities in every area, and it's clear the school really wants to see each student reach their full potential in whatever that may be." 

Besides a healthy schedule of classes this year the includes public speaking (naturally), AP government, IB history and morality, DeAngelis still finds plenty of time to participate in the Christians in Action club, cross country, swimming, the multicultural alliance club and theatre, to name a few. 

He's especially effusive about being involved with the school's theatre group. In fact, he has a part in Notre Dame's upcoming musical this month.

"I think the most fun thing I've done since I've been here at Notre Dame Prep is the fall musical," he said. "The theatre program at Notre Dame is incredible and this year's production of 'Footloose' has been one of the best experiences of my life."

He also says the sense of being part of a family at NDPMA is much broader than just his theatre or sports "families." He said Notre Dame in general provides such an incredible atmosphere of family that it's sometimes hard to explain. But he finds the school mission a useful way to help define it.

"Notre Dame has helped me become an upright citizen through the family atmosphere Notre Dame provides," he said. "Creating a bond with the NDP community at large has helped me to extend that same care and love for one another into my daily life outside of school as well."

"The Notre Dame family also has helped me become a Christian person through the spiritual retreats and activities that we participate in throughout the year," he said. "Not only has it helped me grow to be me more of a Christian person, but it also has helped me build a more personal relationship with God."

He said on the academic side of the school mission, the more individualized attention students get as a result of small class sizes also is very useful for the more challenging courses he and his fellow students take.

"All in all, I know that when I graduate from Notre Dame and head off to Loyola, hopefully, I will leave feeling prepared, determined, and excited to further my academic career, knowing that I will be able to perform my best in whatever I do in the future."

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Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org.
 
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org