Congratulations to the 141st Graduating Class of Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School!

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's 141st Commencement Exercises took place in an outdoor ceremony on the grounds of the Athletic Complex at the Vaughn Road Campus on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.

Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi, Superintendent of Education Gwendolyn Byrd, Montgomery Catholic President Anne Ceasar, and High School Principal Chad Barwick were joined by Monsignor Charles Troncale, Father Patrick Driscoll '84, Father Pat Arensberg, Father Alex Valladares, and Deacon Jim Labadie, as the special guests of the class. Salutatorian Patrick Raymond O'Mara and Valedictorian Nadine Cynthia Moussalli addressed their fellow graduates, special guests, family and friends after the class received their diplomas from Archbishop Rodi. The class of 2016 along with Alumni sang the Montgomery Catholic Alma Mater "Catholic, Our Refuge" led by Montgomery Catholic teacher Kerri Moore before heading to the in-zone to salute the school one final time.

Members of the junior and sophomore class hosted the graduates and their families at a reception in the Dolly Barranco Activity Center following the ceremony.


Congratulations to the Class of 2016!

John Cole Archer, Agnes Jean Armstrong, Jacob Ryan Atchley, Emily Ann Barranco, Tabatha-Marie Catalina Barrera, Kathleen Margaret Beesley, Cameron DeShon Brisbon, Courtney Rose Brodgen, Devin Rudolph Byrts, James Warner Cleghorn, Michael Elliott Collins, Eric Anderson Crenshaw, Lashundra Meche` Daniels, Kristianna Janay Davison, Aryian LaMychel Dean, Kailyn Naichelle Dean, Jennifer Manh Doan, Marissa Hope Dogan, Eryka Dominiq` Ellington, Claire Ann Fischer, Hayden Elizabeth Gambacurta,
Abaigeal Grace Gilbert, Jonathan Wiley Green, Patrick Dylan Gregorius, Phoebe Michelle Hall, Freddrick Andre` Hardy, Stephanie Lauren Hayes, Katherine Lacy Herbek, Blake Ashton Johnson, Richard Damien Kanneh, Kris Gabriel Keating, Anna Marie  Koerner, Lloyd Melvin Black Koontz, Emily Ann Lafreniere, WooSeop (Martin) Lee, Aubrey Lorraine Lenn, David Scott LoBello, Megan Helene Matisak, Katherine Elizabeth McDaniel, Morgan Nicole Micher, Juanita Chenail Mickles, Wilson Daniel Miles IV, Nadine Cynthia Moussalli, Sarah Irene Murry, Patrick Raymond O'Mara, Ryan Matthew Piper, Madison Paige Pritchett, Lester Carl Rudolph, Joshua Ross Seals, Madison Tyler Searcy,
Youngtaek Seo, Mary Reagan Starrett, Megan Shea Stembridge, Logan James Stevens, Brandon Malik Thomas, Lexy Elizabeth Tynan, Elizabeth Suzanne Vaughan, and Samuel Joseph Walker.



Photo courtesy of Total Image.

Founded in 1873, Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School is an integral part of the Catholic Church's mission to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.  As an adult community, we share in the responsibility to prepare students for college and beyond while helping them grow to become persons of faith, virtue and wisdom.

Montgomery Catholic High School Academic Awards Ceremony Held May 9

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School honored their top high school students at the annual Academic Awards Ceremony held in the Dolly Barranco Activity Center, May 9, 2016.

School president Anne Ceasar began the evening with the presentation of the Charles T. Harbin Distinguished Service award to Kevin Ryan. Followed by the announcement of the students who received scholarships for the 2016-2017 Academic year.  The scholarship presentations included the Norma Mungenast Scholarship, the Carole Skoneki Clark Endowed Scholarship, the Anna and Harold Paige Scholarship, the Sally Evans Hodges Memorial Scholarship and the Padre Pio Endowed Scholarship.  Mrs. Carrie Hamiter, Norma Mungenast's daughter presented three scholarships in honor of her mother to rising junior Lita Blackburn (full tuition) and partial scholarships to rising sophomore Grace Leslie and rising senior Antwan Parker. 

Msgr. Bill Skoneki along with Carole Skoneki Clark's extended family presented the first Carole Skoneki Clark Endowed Scholarship to rising sophomore Melody Taylor. 

Msgr. Bill Skoneki along with Carole Skoneki Clark's extended family presented the first Carole Skoneki Clark Endowed Scholarship to rising sophomore Melody Taylor. The Anna and Harold Paige full tuition scholarship was given to rising senior Iyana Tate. Rising senior James Sadie received the Sally Evans Hodges Memorial Scholarship, while rising junior Anna Nutting received the Padre Pio Endowed Scholarship.

Many honors were bestowed during the evening,including the most outstanding student in each subject area. These students are Nadine Moussalli, Audrey Kim, Paige Rentfro and Maddie Losik in English; Marissa Dogan, Lisa Hong, Christopher DeJesus and Isabelle Cochran in Math; Marissa Dogan, Michael Barber, Lita Blackburn and Reagan Herbek in Science; Blake Johnson, Devin Kelly, Paige Rentfro and Austin Collett in Social Studies; Emily Barranco, Antwan Parker, Paige Rentfro, Annie Back and Reagan Herbek in Theology; Jonathan Green, Paige Rentfro,  in Spanish and Reagan Herbek in Latin. The Art department named Lucy Waite most outstanding students: in art - Lucy Waite, in band -  Logan Stevens, and in drama - Tori Barranco. 

The new and senior members of the Loretto chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) were recognized during the ceremony, they are: Riley Aaron, Skye Alexander, Ivy Bach, David Bender, Adam Bristol, Michaelyn Foster, Francisco Gonzalez-Asaldi, Nicolas Homsher, Devin Kelly, Audrey Kim, Kevin Leahy, Kayanna McKenzie, Julia Rodriguez, James Sadie, Lauren Smith, Nathan Smith, Zachary Van Alst, and Hugh Walker. The NHS Senior members are: Cole Archer, Agnes Armstrong, Emily Barranco, Kathleen Beesley, Michael Collins, Marissa Dogan, Eryka Ellington, Claire Fischer, Abaigeal Gilbert, Jonathan Green, Lacy Herbek, Blake Johnson, Gabriel Keating, Mel Koontz, Emily Lafreniere, Morgan Micher, Nadine Moussalli, Patrick O’Mara, Madison Searcy, Megan Stembridge, and Logan Stevens.

The Math Department's Dr. Joe Profio acknowledged the students that participated in the American Mathmatics Competition (AMC) and had the high scores for the school. Those students were: AMC 12 - Nadine Moussalli and Lisa Hong and AMC10 Henry Petters and Christian Friday.

Mu Alpha Theta seniors, Nadine Moussalli, Claire Fischer,
Marissa Dogan and Agnes Armstrong.

Honor cords were given to the seniors that participated in Science Olympiad, Mu Alpha Theta and Key Club. 

Key Club members that volunteered 50 hours or more this year.

Montgomery Catholic's Key Club members were very generous with their time throughout our community this year.  There were nine students who gave over 50 hours of their time during this school year.  They were Aimee Azar, Amanda Brouillard, Jeong Yeon Choi, Isabelle Cochran, Katie Fischer, Emma Gandy, Reagan Herbek, Anna Nutting and Maggie Tippett.

Students with the highest grade point average for each high school grade level were also recognized.  The most outstanding freshman are Annie Bach, Isabelle Cochran, Austin Collett, Isabelle Dubon, Emma Gandy, Jonah Gier, Reagan Herbek, Kathleen Madden, Zoe Rutland, Ryan Yuson.  The most outstanding sophomore is Henry Petters.  The most outstanding junior is Ivy Bach.  The most outstanding senior for the class of 2016 is Patrick O'Mara.

Reagan Herbek received the Joe Arban Perfect Attendance Award.

Honor roll certificates for both the A and A/B honor rolls were given to those students who attained A or A/B honor roll throughout the school year for each grade level.  The Joe Arban Perfect Attendance Award was given to Erica Blackburn, James Avery and Reagan Herbek for having perfect attendance this year.

The evening culminated with two of the highest awards given at Montgomery Catholic: Leader of the Year and the Ideal Graduate.  

Mr. Chad Barwick, high school principal, awarded the Montgomery Catholic Leader of the Year award to Miss Marissa Dogan.

Mr. Chad Barwick, high school principal, awarded the Montgomery Catholic Leader of the Year award to Miss Marissa Dogan.  Marissa has served the school in numerous leadership positions throughout her school career including a leader in Science Olympiad and Key Club, as well as Captian of the Color Gaurd. She is the daughter of  Theresa Carlos and Jeff Dogan of Wetumpka.

Ideal Graduates at Montgomery Catholic are Miss Agnes Armstrong and Miss Kathleen Beesley.

Mrs. Anne Ceasar, Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School president,  awarded the Montgomery Catholic Ideal Graduate Award to the student who embodies the overall qualities and talents of an ideal graduate.  This year there were two students  named as the Ideal Graduates at Montgomery Catholic. They were Miss Agnes Armstrong and Miss Kathleen Beesley. Agnes is the daughter of  Joanie Armstrong of Montgomery and Brett Armstrong of Abbeville. Kathleen is the daughter of Christine Bruton and Randal Beesley, both of Montgomery.

AFA Montgomery Chapter Names Montgomery Catholic's Mindy Walski as Chapter Teacher of the Year

Susan Mallett of the Air Force Association names Mindy Walski Teacher of the Year. Pictured with Montgomery Catholic Principal, Chad Barwick. 

 The Montgomery Chapter of the Air Force Association is proud to announce Mindy Walski, an A.P. Computer Science  teacher from Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School  as the 2016 Chapter Teacher of the Year.

Walski graduated from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Information Systems as well as a Master’s of Management Information Systems degree.  After being hired by Montgomery Catholic, she returned to college at the University of West Alabama and received a Master of Science in Continuing Education in Library Media. Walski worked as a programmer/Analyst for Protection One and then as a Systems Analyst for Hilo Hattie before staying home for a few years while her husband deployed to Iraq. Walski's family transferred to Montgomery and she began her career at Montgomery Catholic in 2012. 

Susan Mallett of the Air Force Association made a special presentation to Walski after school Mass on Friday, May 6, 2016 in the Dolly Barranco Activity Center. 

“The Montgomery Chapter is proud to recognize Mindy Walski for her dedication to STEM education,” said Susan Mallett, Montgomery Chapter Air Force Association Vice President for Aerospace Education.  "Mindy Walski continues to make a difference in the lives of students and in our community and we are thankful for her efforts.”

Walski founded the Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School CyberPatriot program, where she had 40 students grades 7-12 participate on seven high school teams and two middle school teams. With great national results, Walski is looking forward to continuing the program next year. Walski is also responsible for developing Montgomery Catholic's AP Computer Science courses and will expand the course selection for the 2016-2017 academic year.

Catholic's Sarah Murry Commits to Play Volleyball at the University of Mobile

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory held a spring signing ceremony for senior volleyball player, Sarah Murry on Friday, May 13, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. in the Library at Montgomery Catholic's Middle & High School campus. Murry signed her letter of intent to play volleyball with the University of Mobile for the next four years. Her parents, brother Travis and his fiance, Evan Labarge, Catholic's Volleyball Coach Amy Patterson, former volleyball coaches, along with fellow Montgomery Catholic students and school administration were all in attendance for the ceremony.

Murry, a four year MCPS Varsity player, joined the Montgomery Catholic family in the sixth grade, and began her school volleyball career in middle school. She also began playing CCJ club volleyball as a sophomore. Sarah thanked her family, Coach Patterson and all of her past coaches for their support, especially her parents, who not only supported but invested in her athletic career. She said of her school choice, "when I visited campus it just felt like home". 

Sarah is the daughter of Rebecca and John Murry of Pike Road, Ala. Montgomery Catholic is proud of Sarah's accomplishments, and we look forward to seeing her continued success at the University of Mobile.

Nine Montgomery Catholic Band Members Named to All-State Band

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School is proud to announce that nine student musicians were chosen as members of the 2016 All-State Honor Band. 

Students from all over the state of Alabama audition for the honor. The top students are selected to be members of the All-State Bands. Montgomery Catholic has nine students honored as members of the All-State Band at the All-State Band Festival held April 13-16, the highest number of any school from Montgomery County and a school record. The Montgomery Catholic band members honored were: Beth Vaughan - 1st Chair, Alabama All-State Red Band; Logan Stevens - 11th Chair, Alabama All-State Red Band; Henry Petters - 2nd Chair, Alabama All-State Red Band; Eric Crenshaw - 3rd Chair, Alabama All-State Blue Band; Mary Reagan Starrett - 5th Chair, Alabama All-State Blue Band; David Bender - 16th Chair, Alabama All-State Blue Band; Ashley Hayes - 10th Chair, Alabama All-State Middle School Band; Victoria Hall - 13th Chair, Alabama All-State Middle School Band; Jackson Penso - 4th Chair, Chair, Alabama All-State Middle School Band. 

Montgomery Catholic's band is under the direction of Alex Johnson with Co-Director Kristine Johnson.

Congratulations on a job well done!

Five MCPS Students Qualify for State Recognition by Duke TIPS

(From left Sam, Carlo, Mai, Veronica, Eli and James)

Five Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School Students have earned State recognition for their ACT scores by the Duke Talent Identification Program with four students being invited for summer studies. The students that qualified for State are Sam Leslie, Carlo DeJesus, Veronica Masters,  Eli Starrett and James Saliba with Carlo DeJesus, Mai Ellington, Sam Leslie and Veronica Masters being invited for summer studies. Congratulations to these hard working Montgomery Catholic students on receiving this honor. 

Montgomery Catholic Announces Kevin Ryan as the 2016 Charlie Harbin Distinguished Service Award Winner

Kevin Ryan '68 pictured with his wife Kathy and daughter Kristen '99.

Kevin Ryan was honored by Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School on May 9, as the 2016 Charlie Harbin Distinguished Service Award winner for his service to the school.  The Charlie Harbin Distinguished Service Award was established by the Harbin family and is awarded by the school to recognize those selfless individuals who have significantly served Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School and exemplified its values in their lives.

Montgomery Catholic's president, Mrs. Anne Ceasar, presented Kevin with an engraved clock, kicking off the 2016 Montgomery Catholic  High School Campus Academic Awards.

Kevin Ryan has been actively involved at Montgomery Catholic for more than 30 years. He was a member of the Class of 1968 attending Queen of Mercy and then Catholic High from grades 7-11, but missed his senior year when his father was transferred with the military. Kevin and his wife Kathy returned to Montgomery in the late 1970’s where they became active members at Holy Spirit. They chose Catholic education for their three children: Kyle ’99, Kristen ’99 and Katy ’00 who all attended our St. Bede campus and then graduated from Montgomery Catholic.

Kevin’s service to the MCPS community began in the late 1980’s, He served as a PTC member, Booster club member, as Chairman of the School Board and on numerous committees, he was a Legislative Convention and Clean-Up day volunteer, he acted as our school Basketball, Soccer, JV and Varsity football announcer, he volunteered to set up for Athletic events and was always willing to help set up sound for our events.

Kevin exemplifies the characteristics of a great volunteer. Even though his children have graduated, he continues to assist the Athletic Department serving as a football announcer for our Knights and even as part of our graduation sound system team each year

After retiring from a lifelong career in computer systems, Kevin acted as the Faith Formation Coordinator at Holy Spirit from 2005 until his retirement in 2012. He is an excellent example of a great Catholic volunteer because he gives of his time and talent out of love for the school, its students and families. His presence, positive attitude, and willingness to help are an inspiration and good example for us all.

Kevin is the twentieth individual to receive the award and joins past recipients:  

Leonard J. Mrotek, 1997      Margaret Olive Jones, 1998         Edward P. Clark, 1999

Marty & Bebe Taylor, 2000      Dottie A. Dean. 2001         “Goose” DeLongchamp, 2002 

Rod & Anne Ceasar, 2003     Bill & Marian Saliski, 2004         Jeff Downes, 2005

David & Jeanne Barranco, 2006   Nora Cammack, 2007                 Dennis & Karen Weber, 2008

Chip & Lisa Vercelli, 2009     Bill & Debbie Barranco, 2010 Barr & Cappy Younker, 2011

Liz Sutton & Jerry Lopez, 2012    Jack Galassini, 2013         Gaylon & Mary McAlpine 2014

Marty Rupert Huett, 2015