Several Catholic schools in Utah collaborated to host author and educator Jessica Lahey for a learning session for parents. The presentation, titled The Gift of Failure, took place in the Judge Memorial CHS auditorium and covered topics including parenting practices and teen substance abuse.
Judge Memorial Catholic High School, The Madeleine Choir School, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, and Kearns-St. Ann Catholic School joined forces for the event. According to Nikki Ward, superintendent of Utah Catholic schools, the schools chose to collaborate on a single event rather than hosting separate presentations at each individual school.
Lahey addressed the issue of substance abuse by citing research indicating that most adults with substance use disorders began using drugs or alcohol before age 18. She emphasized the importance of using well-researched resources to distinguish myths from reality when addressing substance abuse among young people.
During the presentation, Lahey also discussed modern parenting and the role of failure in developing resilience. She noted that overparenting—characterized by intervening in a child's friendships, athletic activities, or schoolwork—can prevent children from learning to solve their own problems and can undermine their confidence.
Nikki Ward stated that the partnership between parents and educators is essential to helping young people grow into responsible and faith-filled adults. She expressed hope that the collaborative event serves as an example of how Utah Catholic schools can work together toward a shared mission.
