Profio Named a National Achievement Semifinalist

The National Achievement Scholarship Program has announced the names of more than 1,600 Black American high school seniors who have been designated Semifinalists in the 43rd annual Achievement Scholarship® competition. These scholastically talented students have an opportunity to continue in the competition for approximately 800 Achievement Scholarship awards, worth some $2.5 million.

The National Achievement Program, conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), is a privately financed activity that operates without government assistance. It was initiated in 1964 to honor academically promising black youth throughout the nation and to provide scholarships to a substantial number of the most outstanding participants. To date, more than 27,000 young men and women have received Achievement Scholarship awards worth about $86 million.

Semifinalists must fulfill several additional requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. All Achievement Scholarship winners are selected from the Finalist group on the basis of their abilities, accomplishments, and potential for success in college. Approximately 1,300 Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing in the 2007 National Achievement Program, and some 800 will become Achievement Scholar® awardees.
Emmy Profio, a senior at Montgomery Catholic, is among eight local high school seniors named as National Achievement Semifinalists in the River Region for 2006-07. Emmy is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Joe Profio. At school, Emmy is a very active member of the school newspaper staff and has been a cast member of the school musicals for the past two years.

To read an article published by The Montgomery Advertiser, click here: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060927/NEWS01/609270370/1007/ARCHIVES

MIX 103's JT & Leanne Visit St. Bede 1st Grade

First grade students at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School’s St. Bede Campus met MIX 103’s Morning Show hosts JT and Leanne on Thursday, September 21st. JT and Leanne visited with the students through the “Reading Rewards” program in conjunction with Mayfield Ice Cream. The special guests donned their Dr. Seuss hats as they read “I Am NOT Going To Get Up Today” by Dr. Seuss. All of the first graders had paper versions of the Dr. Seuss hats for the occasion. As part of the program, JT and Leanne also brought delicious Mayfield Ice Cream for all of the students to enjoy at lunchtime. The children recited the Pledge of Allegiance which was played back on MIX 103 Friday morning at 7:20 a.m. The group picture was also featured as part of the “Trivia Challenge” with MIX 103 and WSFA at 6:45 a.m. Friday morning. St. Bede was the first stop for JT and Leanne as they visit area schools with the “Reading Rewards” program.

To see more from their visit, click here: http://community.webshots.com/slideshow?ID=554276997&key=IiaYqz

Photo: St. Bede first grade students pose with MIX 103 Morning Program Hosts JT and Leanne.

Middle & High School Students "Imagine Whirled Peace" with Art Project

In today’s world, peace needs to become more than just a word. On September 21, 2006, art students at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School took part in an International art and literacy project, Pinwheels for Peace “planted” pinwheels with messages of peace in the front lawn of the middle and high school, located at 5350 Vaughn Road.
Pinwheels for Peace is an art installation project started by two Art teachers, Ann Ayers and Ellen McMillan, of Coconut Creek, Florida, as a way for students to express their feelings about what’s going on in the world and in their lives. Groups in over 400 locations throughout the world have committed to spinning pinwheels on September 21st. Locally, the Middle & High School Art Instructor, Ms. Joane Grant, coordinated the Pinwheels for Peace project.
In this non-political art project – Peace is not necessarily associated with the conflict of war, it can be related to violence/intolerance in our daily lives, to peace of mind. To each of us, peace can take on a different meaning, but, in the end, it all comes down to a simple definition: “a state of calm and serenity, with no anxiety, the absence of violence, freedom from conflict or disagreement among people or groups of people.”

The Montgomery Catholic middle and high school art students created pinwheels of all shapes and sizes. As part of the creation process, the students wrote their thoughts about "war and peace / tolerance/ living in harmony with others" on one side. On the other side, they drew, painted, created collages, etc. and visually expressed their feelings. The students assembled the pinwheels and on International Day of Peace they "planted" their pinwheels in the front lawn of the high school as a public statement and art exhibit/installation.

To see photos from this event, go here: http://community.webshots.com/slideshow?ID=554361339&key=HfTmRP

Pictured: Middle School Students Regis Sims, Corey Cotter, and Chance Williams help to set up the “Imagine Whirled Peace” Art Project on the school lawn.

Redden & Weber Nominated for Wendy's High School Heisman Award

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School Seniors Abbie Redden and Bob Weber have been honored with a nomination for the prestigious Wendy’s High School Heisman Award. The program, awarded in conjunction with the collegiate Heisman, celebrates the achievements of the nation’s top high school seniors both in and out of the classroom.

Principal Ms. Sue Vaughn nominated these two promising leaders for their academic aptitude, athletic talent, and exceptional commitment to their school and community.
“At Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School, we prepare our students for success by encouraging them to develop in all areas of their lives. Wendy’s High School Heisman is the ultimate award we can bestow on our students for their achievements throughout high school,” said Ms. Vaughn.

“These students are the future community leaders,” said Archie Griffin, the only two-time winner of the prestigious Heisman Memorial Trophy and Wendy’s High School Heisman program spokesperson. “It gives me great pride to see young people strive for excellence on and off of the field.”

Abbie Redden is a three-sport athlete for Montgomery Catholic playing on the Varsity Volleyball, Varsity Basketball, and Varsity Girls Soccer teams. Abbie, the daughter of Jim and Debbie Redden, is very active in numerous school clubs including National Honor Society, Pep Club, Government Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Yearbook staff all while maintaining a 3.985 grade point average.

Bob Weber is also a three-sport athlete for the Montgomery Catholic Knights as the starting quarterback on the Varsity Football Team, a guard on the Varsity Basketball Team, and outfielder and pitcher for the Varsity Baseball Team. Bob, the son of Dennis and Karen Weber, is also extremely active in clubs at school where he serves as an official School Ambassador, Senior Class Treasurer, Government Club, FCA, NHS, and leads the school for Morning Prayer each morning while maintaining a 3.704 grade point average.

For more information and to track Bob & Abbie’s progress in the competition, please log onto www.wendysheisman.com. All nominees will be posted on the Wendy’s High School Heisman Web site in early October of this year.

St. Bede Invites Parents to Spend "Third Thursdays with the Principal"

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School’s St. Bede Campus has started a new monthly program for parents to spend the “Third Thursday with the Principal.” This monthly event invites parents to enjoy a cup of coffee, share questions, express concerns, and offer discussion in an open forum with the principal in a casual setting. The next scheduled date is Thursday, October 19th beginning at 7:45 a.m. in Room 205. Please make plans to come!

Photo: St. Bede PTC President Kelly Plate, Pastor Fr. David Carucci, and PTC Secretary Teresa Norris chat with Principal Eleanor McCormack (2nd from right) during the September “Third Thursday with the Principal.”

Sally Foster Gift Wrap Sale Extended Through Monday, Sept. 25th

Each fall, the junior class at Montgomery Catholic sells Sally Foster Gift Wrap to raise money for the Jr./Sr. Prom to be held in the spring. The selling dates were previously published from Sept. 1 through Sept. 15. However, the dates have been changed to September 8th through Monday, September 25th. Monies raised from the Sally Foster Gift Wrap not only help to fund the upcoming Prom, but it will also help this class host the Homecoming dance '07 for their senior year. Every junior and senior received a packet and is asked to sell at least $50. Half of all of the money from the orders goes directly to this effort. Sally Foster is known for their fine gift wrap and gourmet gift items. Packets are also available at the offices at the Middle School and High School. To view samples of what Sally Foster Gift Wrap has to offer, click here: http://www.sallyfoster.com/sally/home.jsp
Thank you for your support of the junior class.

St. Bede Collecting Box Tops, Campbell's Soup Labels, Bruno's Green Receipts, & Tyson A+ for Education

St Bede is actively collecting Box Tops for Education, Campbell's Soup Labels, Bruno's Green Receipts, and A+ Tyson Food Labels. Send yours through your child to your teacher. The teachers all have collection bags or boxes in their classrooms. High Schoolers and middle schoolers can send box tops to the middle school in an envelope marked for Mrs. Gigi Pickard. These food labels are returned for money and supplies for the school. Thanks for participating and saving for us!

Three Students Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School is proud to announce three of their students as National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists. They are Thomas Herge, Trey Griffith, and Cynthia Weber. The names of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 52nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program were announced today by officials of National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,200 Merit Scholarship® awards, worth $33 million, that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must advance to the Finalist level of the competition by fulfilling several requirements. About 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will be selected as Merit Scholarship winners, earning the Merit Scholar® title.
Established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Program, NMSC is a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance. Scholarships awarded through this program are underwritten by NMSC’s own funds and approximately 500 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.

To read an article published in The Montgomery Advertiser, click here:http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060913/NEWS01/609130370/1007/NEWS05

Photo: Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalists Cynthia Weber and Thomas Herge. Not pictured Trey Griffith.