By Deb Walton
PLATTSMOUTH – Second-graders at St. John the Baptist School in Plattsmouth participated in the school’s annual “parade of saints” Oct. 28 in celebration of All Saints Day Nov. 1.
The event has been a long-time tradition at St. John the Baptist. Angelica Prestridge, the school’s second grade teacher, said the parade of saints is part of a larger classroom religion project. The students research their favorite saint and present interesting facts they learned about the saint.
“It’s a fun way for the kids to learn about their faith and the lives of holy figures from history,” she said. “We also have a ‘Saint of the Day’ in the classroom which gives the students exposure to many great saints.”
Prestridge said the first step in the project – and probably the most important step – is the conversation that happens at home with parents. 
At the start of the project Prestridge tells her students to ask their parents if they were named after a saint. Students with either a first or middle name chosen for a saint will sometimes choose that saint to research for the project. Or, Prestridge said, sometimes a student will choose a saint whose feast day is the same as the child’s birth date or baptismal date.
Second-grader Zoey Koelzer chose Mary as her saint because her middle name is Marie, and both of her grandmothers are named Mary.
“I love this project because it is such a fun way to learn about our saints and it brings faith back into Halloween,” said Donette Koelzer, Zoey’s mother.
Halloween, also known as All Hallow’s Eve, is the eve of All Saints Day when the Church celebrates all of the saints in heaven, both known and unknown.
Donette Koelzer said they explained to Zoey that family and friends who have died could be some of the saints they celebrate, and that is why it is important to pray for loved ones who have passed away, especially on All Souls Day.
“We also told Zoey that we are all working toward sainthood, so that one day we can be in heaven with Jesus,” explained Koelzer.
Prestridge, who has taught second grade at St. John the Baptist for six years, said it is an honor to teach children about these holy men and women.
“I have the privilege of helping our second-graders discover the great lives of our saints,” she said. “But equally important is helping them see that holiness is possible for everyone.”
