Taylor Named High School Principal

Fran Taylor, the high school guidance counselor at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School for the past seven years, has been named principal of the high school campus.

“We are excited about the continuity of leadership and positive vision Fran brings to this position,” said Anne Ceasar, Montgomery Catholic’s new president. “She comes with a wealth of experience and good common sense that will be invaluable to her as principal and insure her success.”

Taylor is in her 34th year as an educator. A graduate of the University of Montevallo, she spent 27 years in the public school system before joining the administration at Montgomery Catholic in 2001.

“I am looking forward to continuing the relationships with our students, parents, and the Montgomery Catholic community as the high school principal,” said Taylor.

“Over the last few years, I have worked very closely with the administration and assumed many of the duties a principal must perform. I’ve been in education long enough to know what it takes and look forward to the challenges that lie ahead.

“I want to help lead Montgomery Catholic into the future, building upon the many long-standing traditions of our school and promote all of the positive works our students do everyday,” said Taylor.

Taylor assumes her new duties on June 1.

Clark Named Assistant Athletic Director; Will Take Over Girls Basketball Program

Montgomery Catholic’s Jill Clark, a highly successful coach in basketball, tennis and volleyball at both Catholic and Montgomery Academy, has been named the Knight’s assistant athletic director and head girls basketball coach.

“This is a banner day for the Montgomery Catholic athletic program,” said athletic director Jim Tolbert in announcing the appointment. “Our goal is to have the best coaches in place to give our student-athletes a chance to succeed on the field and off.

“Jill is simply an outstanding coach and an equally outstanding person. She and her husband Jeff have invested so much time and effort in our school as coaches and parents. They are respected throughout the entire community and are such an asset to Catholic.”

Clark has been the head coach of the varsity volleyball and tennis programs at Catholic. She will continue coaching volleyball, which made the Elite Eight in 2005 and has been in the state playoffs the last three years.

She takes over a basketball program that won the area title in 2007 but fell to 4-21 last season.

“Catholic has been a part of my life and my family’s for many years. It’s a special place,” said Clark. “I’m excited about the opportunity to build and improve the girls basketball program and give it some stability.”

“Our goal will be to improve every day on our fundamentals and our understanding of the game.”

Clark began her career at Catholic in 1983 coaching basketball, volleyball and softball. She took the Lady Knights to a basketball Final Four appearance in 1987 and won area championships in 1986 and 1987.

She moved to Montgomery Academy in 1988 where she led the Eagles to 13 regional tournaments, four Final Four appearances and the Class 3A state championship in 1999. She also guided girls tennis teams to seven state titles.

She has earned Coach of Year honors numerous times in both basketball and tennis.

As assistant athletic director, Clark will help oversee Catholic’s growing program which currently has 29 different athletic teams in grades 7-12.

Jacob Weatherly Receives AATF Outstanding Senior in French Award

The American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) is pleased to announce that Jacob Weatherly of Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School in Montgomery, Alabama, has received a 2007-08 AATF Outstanding Senior in French Award.

This award is made annually to a graduating senior who has demonstrated excellence in the study of French as well as exceptional commitment to the French language and the many cultures where it is spoken. Recipients must have completed at least three years of French study at the time of graduation and be non-native speakers of French.

Weatherly has participated in study abroad, is an active member of the Montgomery Catholic French Club, and is a member of the French National Honor Society. He has studied French for four years while at Montgomery Catholic under the direction of Mrs. Patricia K. Crowley.

Montgomery Catholic Welcomes Dennis Johnson as Director of Bands

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School is pleased to announce Mr. Dennis Johnson as the Director of Bands for the 2008-2009 academic year.

Johnson joins Montgomery Catholic following 25 years with Elmore and Montgomery County public school systems, respectively. Most recently, he served as the Band Director for Wetumpka High School; a position he has held since 2004. For 16 years, Johnson served as the Band Director for Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery.

Johnson has directed high school bands in many high profile events including performances during halftime at two National Football League games, three nationally televised Blue-Gray All Star Football Classics, five Magic Music Day Parades at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, at political rallies for President George H. W. Bush, Senator Bob Dole, and Vice President Day Quayle, as well as performances at three Alabama Governors' Inaugural Parades for Governors Hunt, James, and Riley.

"My high school marching and concert bands have competed successfully across the state of Alabama, as well as in Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee. Individual students have participated in numerous honor bands and many have been awarded college scholarships to study music on the university level. Several students have actually pursued careers in music education.

"I believe that every child should have an opportunity to be exposed to music through learning to play an instrument. Music is a true gift from God and we should embrace this gift and experience the joy of making music," said Johnson.

Johnson is a member of the Alabama Bandmasters Association, Christian Educators Association International, and the Music Educators National Conference.

Karen and Dennis Weber named Harbin Distinguished Service Award Winners

Dennis and Karen Weber are the example of what involved parents should be. They have volunteered for innumerable activities long before they were asked and exemplify true Catholic values.

The Webers have given countess hours to Montgomery Catholic over the years, in all areas. All three of their children participated in athletics throughout their education with Dennis and Karen right there collecting money at the gates, working in the concession stand, and driving students to and from games. Both Dennis and Karen have also been staples of the Booster Club and School Board.

Dennis used his expertise in landscape and grounds keeping when he helped to design, build, and maintain our athletic complex. He remains one of the lead consultants for our facility management.

Karen served as member, officer, and class representative to the Parent-Teacher Council throughout her children’s lives and always an active part of the school. She has volunteered with the Mardi Gras Prayer Breakfast, planned and executed numerous luncheons, receptions, and teacher appreciation activities.

Dennis and Karen Weber are shining examples of selflessness and volunteerism in our Catholic community. We are honored to present them with the 2008 Harbin Distinguished Service Award.

Montgomery Catholic Track Teams Compete In State Meet

Several members of the Montgomery Catholic boys and girls track teams turned in strong performances last weekend in the AHSAA Class 3A state meet at Troy University.

The girls team finish 17th out of 23 teams in the meet.

Brianna McClure had an awesome meet, competing in four events. She placed eighth in the long jump at 14-07.25 and ran a great 100-meter hurdles, placing ninth with a time of 18.46. Brianna placed ninth in the high jump at 4-06.00 and placed 17th in the 300-meters heat at 56.13.

The girls’ 4x800-meter relay team placed fourth. Alexandra Gilbert, Lizzie Terino, Jessica Taff, and Savannah Szabo rounded out the team, which ran an 11:13.13 time.

Szabo also ran strong in the 800-meter race, recording a 2:36.40 time to place sixth.

In the 1600 meters, Gilbert ran 6:19.62 to finish 13th.

In the 3200 meters, Terino, a freshman, ran 13:13.68, her personal best, to take 9th place.

For the boys’ team, eighth-grader Wellington Westendorf was probably the youngest competitor in the javelin and threw a very respectable 114-09 to finish 16th.

Josh Glenboski ran a very nice 800 meters. His time of 2:11 was his best time this year. Especially impressive was the way he competed the entire race, passing guys throughout the second lap.

The boys 3200-meter relay team – Glenboski, A.J. Mayhan, Walker Catoe and Nolan Plate – put together an almost a perfect race. Since they were the fastest team in the slow heat, they had to win the heat in a fast time to have a chance of scoring.

Each one ran best or near-best times for the season. Glenboski led off with a very strong leg at 2:15. Mayhan was tough and kept the team in the front with a 2:21. Catoe had the best race of the day as he improved his personal best by almost 15 seconds with a 2:23. Plate ran a perfect anchor leg in 2:14 to bring the team home. The Knights won the heat, finishing 9th overall.

Congratulations to the Knights for a great meet and a successful season.

Pictured: Montgomery Catholic's Josh Glenboski.

Catholic Golf Team Qualifies for State Tournament

The Montgomery Catholic varsity boys golf team shot a score of 334 to finish second in the AHSAA Class 3A Sub-State tournament Monday at Cottonwood Golf Club. The runner-up spot earns them a berth in the state tournament May 12-13 at The Shoals, a RTJ Trail course.

Thomas Sutton led the Knights with a 77, followed by Jacob Stinson with an 83, Scott Barranco an 86 and Butler Parker an 88. Montgomery Academy won the tournament with a team score of 300.

Catholic finished seven shots ahead of Calera and Carbon Hill, which tied for third at 341.

This accomplishment is impressive considering the team is only in its second year of varsity competition since the program was revived.

According to former athletic director Dean DeLongchamp, who started the golf program at Catholic, this is the first time Catholic has qualified as a team, though several individual players have qualified over the years.

Congratulations and good luck to the Knights.

Pictured: Montgomery Catholic's Scott Barranco.