Graduating from high school and college may seem like a lifetime away for some students, but children at St. Anthony's Tri-Parish School are planning ahead for their futures.

As part of Catholic Schools week, students traded in their school uniforms Tuesday for costumes representing what they want to be when they grow up.

Students came dressed as a doctor, a nurse, the president, a horse trainer, a dancer, a singer and a day care provider.

Although no one came dressed as a paramedic in teacher Tulip Titus' fifth-grade class, there still may be hope. Rachel Hauglid, whose daughter Kayla is in Titus' class, told the students about life as a paramedic. The students listened intently as Rachel Hauglid told them of the types of calls she responds to, her work environment and what she does when she arrives on scene.

"We respond to a lot of traumas," Rachel Hauglid said. "We work in the cold and in the heat. If school is closed or the highways are closed we still need to go to work and get out to the location."

Although she encounters a lot of stressful situations, Hauglid said she became a paramedic to help people.

Kayla Hauglid, 10, said she's proud of her mom and the profession she chose. However, Kayla Hauglid said she wants to pursue a career as a singer because she doesn't like the sight of blood.

Catholic schools throughout the country are holding events this week to recognize the education they provide, said Gigi Leman, marketing director for the school.

Besides dressing for their future careers, the school's other activities included an open house, Mass with Bishop David Ricken, breakfast that honored the volunteers and grandparents and a staff appreciation day.

The activities continue today with students in preschool through fifth grade making place mats and decorative bags for the Meals on Wheels program. The middle school students will visit St. Anthony Manor where the band will play and the choir will sing. The students will play Saint Bingo and cards with the residents.

Academic achievers

Graduates of St. Anthony's and other Catholic schools in the state have gone on to excel once they enter higher school in the public education system. In Wyoming, there currently aren't any Catholic high schools.

"Our students are always among the highest achievers in the state," Ricken said.

Four Casper high school valedictorians since 2002 have been graduates of St. Anthony's, Leman said. The school also could see more former students named as valedictorians for this school year.

The students at St. Anthony's also ranked above 24 Natrona County elementary schools and nine junior high/middle schools in all of the areas in the state Performance Assessment of Wyoming Students tests, Leman said.

"We have small class sizes," said school Principal Cyndy Novotny. "We have great teachers who are well educated. We also have tremendous support from the parents and the community."

The students are taught Spanish from preschool through the ninth grade. Students also receive instruction based on where they are academically. If a student in eighth grade is at a higher math level, the teacher will try to instruct them at that level.

"We also have a faith component," Leman said. "Religion class is taught every day and Mass is held once a week."

Catholic school students in Wyoming and nationwide have a 95 percent graduation rate, which is higher than their public school counterparts who graduate at a rate closer to 75 percent, Novotny said.

"We teach the state standards," Novotny said. "Our job is to make sure they're well prepared."

Rev. Mike Carr, pastor at St. Anthony's, and Ricken said a Catholic education has an advantage because it doesn't just teach a child the basics but it also provides them with a moral foundation based in Catholic teaching. The church leaders believe that combination makes a child excel in school.

"They're receiving a quality education while preparing themselves to be good leaders," Carr said. "They have a yearning for education. Out of this interest and thirst they pursue their education with vigor."

Reporter Aimee Tabor can be reached at (307) 266-0593 or aimee.tabor@casperstartribune.net.