At the Ottawa Catholic School Board, we believe learning happens everywhere in classrooms, communities, and sometimes, on the competition mat. For Hannah Martin, a Grade 12 student at St. Patrick's High School, that mat happens to be halfway around the world.
Hannah recently competed in the GOAT Open Jiu-Jitsu Championship, an international tournament that brings together athletes from across the globe. Her skill and determination earned her a spot in a higher division, the Adult -64 kg Blue Belt category, where she faced competitors from Canada, El Salvador, and Sri Lanka.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Hannah's story is about more than medals or rankings. It's about what happens when students discover something they love and find a community that helps them grow. Her teachers at St. Patrick's understand that success isn't one-size-fits-all. They cheer just as loudly for a student excelling in math as they do for one chasing a world title in Jiu-Jitsu.
Balancing academics, faith, and a demanding training schedule isn't easy, but Hannah's journey reflects the OCSB's belief in nurturing the whole person, mind, body, and spirit. It's what it means to Be Well and Be Innovative: finding creative ways to learn, grow, and stay grounded in what matters most.
The Strength of Community
At St. Patrick's, students are encouraged to connect what they learn in school to the world around them to see every challenge as a chance to build character and confidence. That's the heart of what it means to Be Community.
Whether it's a teacher offering extra support before class or a friend celebrating a hard-won victory, these small acts of encouragement help students believe they can achieve big things. Hannah's story reminds us that behind every success is a network of people who have opened doors, lifted others, and built bridges of support along the way.
Living Our Theme: Building Bridges
This year, as the OCSB focuses on the second year of our Spiritual Theme, Open Doors, Build Bridges, Nourish New Beginnings, Hannah's journey perfectly captures that message. Every practice, setback, and moment of courage on and off the mat reminds us that when students are supported to follow their passions, they become bridge builders, connecting their gifts to their purpose.
At the OCSB, we celebrate stories like Hannah's because they remind us of what Catholic education is all about: faith in action, community in motion, and the courage to keep building bridges toward what's possible.
