Civics In Action: St. Joseph Catholic Academy’s New Mascot

By Lily Martin

At a Catholic school in Queens, New York, administrators don’t just listen to students' ideas about positive change — they act on it. In honor of the 145th anniversary, collective identity has come into focus: students used the OUR St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy social platform to drive change that will shape the community for decades. A poll on the app invited students to vote for their preferred school mascot, accompanied by student drawings: St. Joseph jaguars, lions, gators, falcons, and eagles.  

The St. Joseph Jaguars won with 35% of the vote!  

St. Joseph’s tech-embracing school leaders have been using OUR to engage with staff, parents, and students to shape decisions together — sharing interest in school events and school spirit contest winners. Administration realized that the school needed a mascot for future sports teams. The principal, Lucy Alaimo, left the monumental choice to the student body. With a 69% response rate, the school identity now reflects a new generation, granting students ownership and responsibility for their school.  

The winning drawing of the jaguar has been integrated into the school’s new logo, which was unveiled on Halloween. An administrator was spotted wearing the jaguar costume that day and now 8th graders will be dressing up too! The jaguar will be featured on official school letterhead and sported on T-shirts, sweatshirts and banners.  

OUR St. Joseph’s is also using the platform for student elections as they choose a new student council President and Vice President.  

Through OUR St. Joseph's, students go beyond STEM and humanities. They are encouraged to think critically about how their decisions affect their community. Students are learning the foundations of civic engagement and direct democracy. They’re witnessing firsthand that their opinion matters in shaping society and realizing the power of community decision making.