Hollywood, MD—On Thursday Sept. 28, St. John’s School held a celebration honoring two major events involving their students and staff. Each month, St. John’s has a Tag Day that raises money and supplies for varying nonprofit associations in the area. In the month of September, St. John’s supported the charity Shop with a Cop for St. Mary’s County.
During the month of September, the students and staff of St. John’s were able to supply not only an assortment of blue packaged foods for the police force, but also $300. The color blue 
was used to represent law enforcement, and every single person in the auditorium was adorned in blue clothing to show their support. Among the four officers present receiving the check were Sheriff Tim Cameron and Captain David Yingling. Cameron gave a speech about Shop with a Cop, detailing how they support families in need, especially around the holiday season.
The next announcement also coincided with the blue attire. Due to their academic excellence and remarkable test scores, St. John’s was bestowed the prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award for 2017. There are around 130,000 schools in the United States, and only 342 schools are chosen for this award. An even more notable aspect is that of those 342 schools, only 50 of them are private establishments like St. John’s. Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Washington Bill Ryan came to 
the assembly as well and spoke on the children’s incredible performance. After the speeches, in through a side door came St. John’s mascot followed by the teachers, all dancing and parading around the auditorium in adorable flash mob fashion. The assembly was ended with the kids getting treats from Rita’s, and the atmosphere was one of radiant delight.
It is always a grand feat when a small, private school is given such a significant award, and even grander when they come from our proud home, Southern Maryland.