The classes that really matter at St. Joe

What are the best, most challenging, and most important classes at MSJ? Four students talked about their favorite, most difficult, and most important MSJ classes in real life, and the results were very interesting. Some people may agree with their opinions, while others may disagree or may not know about these classes at MSJ. Whatever the case is, classes are a vital part of MSJ. Two seniors, one junior and one sophomore, were asked about their favorite classes, the most challenging classes, and the most essential classes in real life to take at MSJ. Here’s what these four students said.

Matthias Gomezjurado (Class of ’25) talked about his Honors Genetics class that he had his junior year. Matthias said it helped him enter into the world of science, and he did PCR experiments. He said that PCR is “multiplying the DNA, so you can look at it closer and see if a disease is positive or negative” (In other words, if the patient has the disease or not). Matthias said that CP Chemistry, a class he took in his sophomore year, was the most difficult for him as he had to memorize complex equations. He explained that there was a “mat” which students used “to find equations and numbers.” He said that “Theology for all four years” is the most important class for real life as it teaches him how to become a better person and a Catholic man.

Albert Randle (Class of ’27) talked about his Theology II class as a sophomore, and he said it was his favorite class. Albert said that MSJ is based on theology. He said it was a “nice break in the day” for him and that he liked his theology teacher. He would also say that Algebra II/Trigonometry was his favorite class in his first year. He says AP Calculus AB has been the most difficult class he’s taken so far (AP Calculus AB is a class that sophomores rarely take). He said it had been a “new branch of math” for him. He would say that Personal Finance was the most important class even though he hasn’t taken it yet, but out of all of the classes he has taken, he says Theology is the most important class as it teaches people how to become a Catholic.

Jace Taranto (Class of ’26) says Choir has been his favorite class. Jace said, “It’s the first year this class exists, and it’s really fun.” He also said he gets to have fun with his friends there. He said three classes were difficult: Honors Biology, Honors Algebra II/Trigonometry, and Honors Global History. He took all of these classes in his first year. He would say that theater was the most important class because it teaches you how to work well with others, improvise, and have “people skills.” He said, “All of the stuff you do in theater, you need to have in the real world.”

Thomas Evans (Class of ’25) says Physics is his favorite class at MSJ. Thomas says that Physics was also his most challenging class. He told me that he took Honors Physics his junior year. Now, he is taking AP Physics. He said that he liked Physics because it challenged him to be the best version of himself every day. To emphasize his point, he said that even if he got a bad grade, he was proud of his effort. He admitted that he experiences a lot of lower grades than he is used to, but he appreciates the workload. In Honors Physics, he learned what he called “basic physics.” In AP Physics, his class does “a lot of experiments and simulations to understand the complex aspects of physics.” He also said that Personal Finance was the most important class because it teaches you how to manage money. He said that it is “really really eye-opening to understand the finances”.

To conclude, there were four MSJ students: Matthias Gomezjurado, Albert Randle, Jace Taranto, and Thomas Evans who talked about their favorite classes, most challenging classes, and the most important classes at MSJ. Matthias said that Honors Genetics was his favorite class. Albert noted that Theology II was his favorite class. Jace said that Choir was his favorite class. Thomas said that Physics was his favorite class. Then, these students talked about their most challenging courses at MSJ. Matthias noted that CP Chemistry demanded hard work out of him. Albert said that AP Calculus AB has given him some difficulties. Jace said that he struggled with Honors Biology, Honors Algebra II/Trigonometry, and Honors Global History. Thomas noted that Physics “challenged him.” Then, I asked them about the most essential classes after graduation. All of them said either Theology or Personal Finance.