Thursday, March 29, 2012

AP Biology Tours US Dept. of Health and Human Services CDC in Atlanta

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's Advanced Placement (AP) Biology class traveled to Atlanta to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention.  The students, along with their teacher Mrs. Mary Kathryn O'Connor, toured the David J. Sencer CDC Museum.  This educational facility is designed to teach about the CDC, public health, and the benefits of prevention.  Montgomery Catholic AP Biology students are preparing to take the AP exam in May.

Pictured:  Montgomery Catholic AP Biology students outside of the US Department of Heath and Human Services' Center for Disease Control building in Atlanta, GA, Ben Stevens, Ned Vaughan, Miller Clemmons, Jacob McAlpine, Tyler Parrish, Aidan Gilbert, Matt Donohue, Elizabeth Karst, Wheeler Ronan, Hayden Ellis, Daniella Hincapie, Barbara Bradley, Lexie Segrest, and Forrest Phillips.

Middle School Students Win Awards at YMCA Junior Youth Legislature

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School middle school students were recognized for their efforts at the YMCA's Junior Youth Legislature Program.  James Sadie was elected as the Assistant Floor Leader while Cheyenne Hayes was named an Outstanding Statesman and Brian Anderson received the Most Outstanding Statesman Award.  Montgomery Catholic middle school students who participated in the program were Brian Anderson, Agnes Armstrong, Emily Barranco, Madison Bednarz, Kathleen Beesley, Courtney Brogden, Jennifer Doan, Ashley Donohue, Abaigeal Gilbert, Cheyenne Hayes, Steven Higgins, Kyle Hines, Haleigh Huggins, Emily Lafreniere, Aubrey Lenn, Zenia Mims, Lorie Moody, Ledariane Moore, Nadine Moussalli, James Sadie, Madison Searcy, Olivian Stephenson, and Beth Vaughan.

Pictured:  Montgomery Catholic Junior Youth Legislature award winners Outstanding Statesman Cheyenne Hayes, Middle School Government Club Sponsor Ms. Michelle Vinson, Assistant Floor Leader James Sadie, and Most Outstanding Jr. Youth Leg Statesman Brian Anderson.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Dickerson Wins Future Black Leaders Essay Contest and Scholarship

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School junior Kenneth Dickerson penned the winning essay for the WSFA 12 News and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Alabama's "Future Black Leaders of Alabama" essay contest.  Students from across central Alabama submitted essays on "How can I, an African American youth, develop and promote leadership skills among my peers?".  Ten finalists were recognized at a special ceremony held at the Cloverdale Playhouse and the top three essays were awarded cash scholarships by emcee and WSFA 12 News anchor Tonya Terry.  Kenneth Dickerson's essay won the top prize of $1,200 and he was presented a plaque as the first place essay winner.  Kenneth is the son of Kenneth and Marie Dickerson of Tuskegee.

Sherman Selected for UA Capstone Leadership Academy

Montgomery Catholic sophomore James Sherman was selected to attend the University of Alabama's Capstone Leadership Academy this spring.  The University of Alabama has many rich traditions, not the least of which is providing leadership opportunities for young people. For generations, many of our state's leaders have honed their skills while students at the Capstone.  In this spirit, the Capstone Council, an alumni group comprised of former SGA Presidents, Crimson Girls and Capstone Men, the Office of the President, and Honors College hosts an annual Capstone Leadership Academy. One hundred outstanding high school sophomores who have shown an interest in leadership through service are selected to participate in this event to be held on The University of Alabama campus.  James Sherman is the son of Craig and Diane Sherman of Montgomery.

Montgomery Catholic Fourth Grade Visits Historic Civil Rights Sites in Montgomery

The fourth grade students at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School recently stepped back in time and visited many historic sites in Montgomery.  The fourth grade students toured the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, The Dexter Parsonage Museum, the Rosa Parks Museum, and the Civil Rights Memorial Center in a quest for knowledge and understanding of the Civil Rights movement as they study Alabama History.  Pictured:  Montgomery Catholic fourth grade students Megan Bourke, Josie Jolley, Annie Reed, Mary Ellen Vasquez, Nikki Walker, and Hannah Vaccaro paused for a photo as they toured many historic sites of the Civil Rights Movement in Montgomery.

Mardi Gras Prayer Breakfast Founder Guest Speaker at Annual Event

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's junior class hosted the annual Mardi Gras Prayer Breakfast for the entire high school student body and many special guests on Fat Tuesday.  The keynote speaker for the event was its founder Mr. Justin Castanza, a 2001 Montgomery Catholic graduate.  The day begins before dawn with members of the junior class transforming the Dolly Barranco Activity Center into a Mardi Gras themed restaurant while cooking and serving a delicious pancake breakfast for nearly 400 guests.  The junior class welcomed Mr. Castanza as the guest speaker for the event which he started when he was a junior at the school.  The Mardi Gras Prayer Breakfast is hosted each Fat Tuesday by the junior class as a class retreat and service project for the school.  Pictured:  Montgomery Catholic junior class officers Katherine Terino, Shelby Taff, Chad DuBois, and Sarah Talbot pose with 2001 graduate and Mardi Gras Prayer Breakfast founder Mr. Justin Castanza (center) at the 2012 Mardi Gras Prayer Breakfast.

Stations of the Cross at Montgomery Catholic

Sixth grade students at Montgomery Catholic's St. Bede Campus lead Stations of the Cross around the school grounds for the entire student body each Wednesday during Lent.  Each elementary grade level travels around the stations, which are positioned all across the school campus and held by members of the sixth grade class.  Each day, students at St. Bede also recite the virtual Rosary which can be seen on the school's website.  Pictured:  Montgomery Catholic sixth grade student Luke Craig holds the second station for the campus-wide Stations of the Cross on Wednesdays during Lent at the St. Bede elementary campus.