Concert Band Receives Superior Ratings at State Competition

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School’s High School Concert Band received Superior ratings in all categories at the State Band Assessment held at Troy University March 16. The band, under the direction of Mr. Kerry Palmer, was one of only five bands to receive Superior marks from all judges during the two day event. Additionally, the Catholic Band was the only band from Montgomery to earn this honor.

Founded in the fall of 2004, the Montgomery Catholic Band has scored Superior in every festival entered, including Superior ratings at the State level two years in a row.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

On Dr. Seuss’ Birthday, St. Bede’s Kindergarten had 2 celebrity readers. J.T. and LeeAnn, from Mix 103 Radio Station, came to read "The Cat In The Hat" to all 3 Kindergarten classes. After reading the story, they answered many questions about being on the radio. Pictured are Mrs. Ellie Burden with her Kindergarten class and JT & Leann from Mix 103.

Two Seniors Selected as NCA Instructors

Two Montgomery Catholic Varsity Cheerleaders, Kristin Sutton and Emily Younker, have been selected as National Cheerleading Association (NCA) Instructors for the 2007 summer camp season. Both Kristin Sutton and Emily Younker have been selected as NCA All-American Cheerleaders for two years in a row and cheered during the pre-show festivities at the Orange Bowl in both 2006 and 2007.

Following graduation from Montgomery Catholic, Kristin and Emily will fly to Chicago over the Memorial Day weekend to receive training and attend their first staff meeting. They will work this summer at various cheer camps throughout the southeast as cheer instructors. The girls hope to travel and work together as much as possible. They are both looking forward to the possibility of teaching at Auburn University so they can work with cheerleaders from Montgomery, and maybe even the Montgomery Catholic squads as they attend camp this summer.

It's a BOY! Congratulations Jimbo & Jennifer Tolbert

Congratulations Jimbo & Jennifer Tolbert on the birth

of their first child born Friday, March 16th at 5:58 pm.

Bryson James Tolbert

7 pounds 14 ounces

20 1/4 inches long

Jimbo, Jennifer, and Bryson are doing very well.

Congratulations!

Montgomery Catholic Students Assist in Enterprise Recovery

Following the devastation that swept through Alabama on March 1st, the students at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School felt compelled to help other students in need. On Friday, March 9th, the high school’s Government Club organized a “dress-down” day where students donated $3 for a day “out of uniform.” The club collected over $650 in cash and two boxes of school supplies which they will combine with the YMCA Youth in Government donations. The Middle School is hosting a “dress-down” day on Friday, March 16th to raise money for relief as well.

On Saturday, March 10th, High School Principal Sue Vaughn took six students to the storm-torn area to volunteer with St. John’s Catholic Church in Enterprise. The church is adjacent to the hard-hit Enterprise High School. Students Austin Barranco and Javier Soch helped remove glass and debris from a soccer field while Lauren Starr, Stephanie Cochrane, Caroline Starr, and Rebecca Hails helped to organize food boxes, toiletries, and clothing at the church.

A second trip to Enterprise is planned for mid-April to help St. John’s Catholic Church relocate from two destroyed buildings. Sue Vaughn says that Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School is now registered with ServeAlabama.gov and Ms. Vaughn participates in a weekly conference call to hear the latest information on need and volunteering opportunities.

Pictured: from left to right: Montgomery Catholic students Caroline Starr, Rebecca Hails, Stephanie Cochrane, Austin Barranco, Javier Soch, Lauren Starr, and Ms. Sue Vaughn pause at the devastation at Enterprise High School.

Belsterling Commits to UAB Women’s Soccer

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School senior Allison Belsterling has signed an NCAA Letter of Commitment to play for the University of Alabama-Birmingham Women’s Soccer Program. Allison has played Varsity Girls Soccer for the Montgomery Catholic Lady Knights for the past 5 seasons as a Forward and occasional Midfielder.

Allison has earned numerous honors throughout her high school career, including being named to The Montgomery Advertiser's All-Metro Girls Soccer team in 2004, 2005, and 2006, earning its All-Metro Player of the Year distinction in 2006. Allison holds the MCPS school record in career goals with 120, the school record in single season goals with 44, and the school record in single game goals with 6. She has been a member of the Capital City Streaks Traveling Soccer Team her 8th, 9th, 10th, & 11th grade years, has played YMCA Indoor Soccer from 4th grade to the present. She also played on the Alabama Olympic Development Team in 7th & 8th grades. Allison joined the Vestavia Attack travel team this past year.

Honored as her team's MVP for three years, she also earned all-state recognition from The Birmingham News two years and was selected to the AHSAA North/South All-Star team in 2006. Additional awards include being listed on the Capital City All-Conference team in 2002, 2004, and 2005 and being named the Capital City Conference Offensive Player of the Year as a freshman in 2004. That same year, Allison was also named MVP in the Wiregrass Soccer Tournament.

In addition to soccer, Allison has also been a two-time State Champion in BMX Bicycle Racing, a member of the Montgomery Catholic Junior Varsity and Varsity Basketball Teams, and was elected by her classmates as a Senior Homecoming Court Attendant this fall, all while maintaining A-B Honor Roll status throughout her high school career.

Catholic Girls reign as Trinity-MA Invitational Tournament Champions

Four games over two days is what it took to claim the title to the Trinity-MA Invitational Tournament. Off to a shaky start on Friday evening, the Lady Knights dropped their first game to Montgomery Academy in a 1-0 loss. The lone score occurred midway through the second half, and Catholic's girls had trouble settling in to a rhythm. Saturday brought with it a renewed motivation, and Catholic went on a three game tear. The morning's first game was against familiar post-season opponent, Bayside Academy from Mobile. Shannon Guinn and Cynthia Weber teamed up as Shannon sent a pass to Cynthia who closed for the score. A direct kick from Allison Belsterling off a foul resulted in Catholic's second goal ending the first half. Allison started off the second half by beating defenders for a solo effort goal, and a few minutes later she passed to Kristin Sutton who finished low for a goal. Eileen Merino added goals five and six to close things out. Lauren Yates and Courtney Willcox combined efforts to secure the shutout. Final score: Catholic 6, Bayside 0.

Next, the Lady Knights met Prattville in the semi-final game. Catholic scored twice in the first half, the first off a corner kick which Grace Carl finished, and the second on a pass from Shannon to Allison who beat the keeper for the goal. Prattville scored in the second half to narrow Catholic's lead, but the Lady Knights maintained control for the 2-1 win.

The championship game reunited Friday's teams in a Catholic-MA final. Allison scored all four goals for Catholic, two in the first half, and two in the second. MA mounted an offensive attack to end the first half with a goal with only two seconds remaining on the clock. While disappointed by allowing this goal, the Lady Knights remained composed and undeterred, controlling the second half for the win. Second half scoring came off assists from Shannon to Allison. Final score: Catholic 4, MA 1. Allison Belsterling was selected as Catholic's tournament MVP and had 7 goals for the tournament.