by Orlando Pulido
SANTA ELENA, Cayo District, Tues. Feb. 13, 2024
Nestled amidst the verdant hills of Benque Viejo Del Carmen, lies John Paul II Junior College (JPII), a haven where intellectual curiosity flourishes and personal growth finds fertile ground. Beyond its imposing Greco-Roman style architecture, however, lies a story far deeper than that of mere academics. JPII emerged as a transformative force on Tuesday to hundreds of fourth formers who came visiting from around the Cayo District for its Open Day.
Founded in 2013, JPII stands tall as Belize’s liberal arts sixth form. Meant to serve the youth of Benque, JPII has educated students from across Belize. The building of the campus has been made possible through the generosity of Salvador M. Habet and Meliton Auil, Sr.
“We want to be small because we want to have that individualized attention,” said Natalie Gallatin, Dean of John Paul II Junior College on Tuesday.
“Everything that we do has been years in the making. Teachers and students deserve a place of beauty; even our space needs to mirror the truths that we study.”
The curriculum at John Paul II Junior College is a tapestry woven from the Great Books, immersing students in the timeless works of history’s most acclaimed thinkers and writers. The program is in line with a classical approach, having a liberal arts foundation and concentrations in Business Administration, Classics, English, Theology and Catechetics, and Cybersecurity, a partnership program with the University of Saint Thomas in Houston.
Instructor Olivia DiMaggio teaches marketing and media analysis at JPII. DiMaggio shared with Amandala that she encourages her students not to rely too much on social media.
Upon graduation, JPII alumni embark on impactful careers in education, social work, healthcare, and government, directly addressing crucial national needs. Some also choose the path of entrepreneurship, creating jobs and injecting dynamism into the local economy. Their stories are testaments to the college’s success in shaping responsible, engaged citizens who contribute meaningfully to Belize’s advancement.
Furthermore, JPII serves as a cultural hub in Benque Viejo. The college regularly invites the community to art exhibitions, galas, capstone exhibitions, and plays, offering intellectual and artistic engagement to the wider community. This fosters meaningful exchange of ideas, promotes cultural understanding, and enriches the lives of residents and visitors alike. Their 6th annual chess tournament is coming up on February 24th, with the winning prize being a JPII scholarship.
As JPII looks towards the future, its aspirations are ambitious. The college envisions itself as a leading center for liberal arts education in Central America. To truly understand JPII’s impact, one must hear the voices that resonate in its halls. “It has taken my natural talent and showed me that it has a place in the world,” says Ricardo Gonzalez, a second-year student at John Paul who now looks forward to graduating in May of this year.
He continues, “We are all made for greatness; it is your choice whether or not to be great, and John Paul is the place to make that greatness grow in any field.”
John Paul II Junior College is more than just a college. It is a beacon of hope and a catalyst for positive change in Belize. Its mission is as follows: Through engaging students in a profound dialogue with the greatest thinkers in the history of Western civilization, and by promoting an authentic Catholic culture on campus, John Paul II Junior College forms the person intellectually, spiritually, and morally. This formation produces free, virtuous, and professionally competent persons who can direct themselves to their proper end of attaining true happiness and thus contribute effectively to the authentic good of humanity.