‘JPII Students’

NEWSWEEK, April 11 — The late Pope has not only inspired “John Paul II priests,” but he’s also spawned a generation of “John Paul II college students,” according to an essay by Melinda Henneberger on the Holy Father’s impact on the United States.

She quoted University of Notre Dame theology professor Lawrence Cunningham, who explained that characteristics of the group include adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and interest in John Paul’s theology of the body.

Concludes Henneberger, “John Paul’s most striking legacy in this country … is his influence on younger priests and lay Catholics.”

OK to Build

DETROIT FREE PRESS, April 7 — Ave Maria University has received its final permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin development of the college and a surrounding town on 5,000 acres of old farm fields in Naples, Fla.

Work is expected to begin immediately, and the project is slated to take 10 years with some sections expected to open by 2007.

Officials expect the town and university to attract 20,000 residents — including a student body of 6,000.

Old Sins

THE NEW YORK POST, April 4 — Columnist Arnold Ahlert argues that the New York City schools should maintain their ban on cell phones in classrooms because “text-messaging cell-phones have produced epidemic levels of stealing and cheating.”

While decrying “old sins in the new bottles” provided by technology, he observes a new wrinkle: a sense of “entitlement” by kids who, for example, “believe they are entitled to steal copyrighted material.”

Ahlert also sees a passive policy of “enablement” by parents who pretend not to be aware of what their kids can do with the technology they provide for them.

Universal Voucher

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, April 1 — Arizona is bidding to become the first state to offer a “universal” voucher — a grant that any child would be able to use at any private school in the state.

In contrast to vouchers that are limited to inner-city or low-income families, Arizona’s voucher would be the first such program without restrictions to parents of all school-age children.

While the plan has already passed the state Senate, it is opposed by Gov. Janet Napolitano. “Whatever the outcome this year, that vouchers can come this close to passing statewide is a sign of political progress,” said a Journal editorial.

Outstanding

BALTIMORE SUN, April 4 — Calling St. Frances Academy in East Baltimore an outstanding institution that deserves more recognition, the wife of actor-comedian Bill Cosby donated $2 million to help the 330-student high school establish 16 annual full-tuition scholarships.

St. Frances Academy was founded 176 years ago by the Oblate Sisters of Providence, the first religious order for black women.

More than 72% of the school’s students come from families below the poverty line and nearly all the students are African-American. About 90% of graduates go on to college.

A Catholic herself, Cosby attended a Catholic school while growing up in Washington.