Montgomery Catholic Art Students Donate To Children's Hospital

High school students in Joane Grant's Art III class at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School not only wanted to create beautiful works of art, they wanted to make a difference. Ms. Grant's art students are no strangers to donating their talents for good causes; her students donate pieces each year to Hospice of Montgomery's annual silent auction, participate in the Montgomery Museum of Fine Art's Flimp Festival each spring, and donate to the school's Monte Carlo Night silent auction.

As the students settled in for the spring trimester, they approached Ms. Grant with a special request. They wanted to build a doll house and donate it to Children's Hospital in Birmingham. Ms. Grant was thrilled about their suggestion and helped them find just the right house.

The project took 10 weeks to complete and the students were thrilled with the finished product. The three-story doll house was complete with wallpaper, carpet, staircases, furniture, even a mailbox on the front porch. Of course, no doll house would be complete without a family of dolls.

Once the house was finished, the students were proud of their accomplishment and were eager to visit Children's Hospital. Denise Dexter, Facilities Design Director with Children's Health Systems, meet with the students in the hospital lobby and was pleased to accept their generous donation. "The doll house is beautiful and our children will love it. You are all very special students," said Dexter.

"We were all so excited to create something for children to enjoy. If it can help a child forget about being sick for just a little while, then I know we've made a difference," said Montgomery Catholic senior Allie Manzari.

Pictured: Montgomery Catholic's Art III students Mitchell Clemmons, Lea Newman, Taylor Bodden, Brandon DuBois, Kelsey Donohue, and Allie Manzari with the doll house they created and donated to Children's Hospital in Birmingham.

Montgomery Catholic Cheer Sqauads Earn National Bid

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School recently attended a National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) Summer Home Camp held on Catholic's Vaughn Road Campus with over 34 cheerleaders in attendance.

Founded in 1948 by L.R. Herkimer, NCA/NDA hosts camps, championships, and events for 150,000 cheerleaders and dancers each year.

As part of the 3-day camp curriculum, the National Cheerleaders Association selects award winners at each of the over 1,000 camps it administers around the world each summer. Awards are given for individual and team accomplishments.

All three of Montgomery Catholic's cheerleading squads earned a bid to NCA's national competition in Dallas, Texas, and earned the spirit stick each night of the camp.

Sixteen cheerleaders were selected as All-American Cheerleader Nominees. All-American nominees display outstanding strength in motions, jumps, stunts, tumbling, dance, or leadership.

Five Montgomery Catholic cheerleaders were selected to as All-American team members including Sarah Armstrong, Jessica Barranco, Ann Marie Dean, Jessica Mount, and Kennedy Thomas. Selection as an All-American is the most prestigious award in cheerleading today. Participants vying for All-American status are judged on motion technique, jumps, tumbling, spirit and enthusiasm, voice projection, and overall crowd appeal. These individuals are eligible to perform at various NCA Special Events.

Each of Montgomery Catholic's squad earned numerous ribbons at the three day camp. Montgomery Catholic's Middle School, Junior Varsity, and Varsity squads each earned one excellent and five superior ribbons throughout the camp. Each of the squads are looking forward to the upcoming football season.

Pictured: Five cheerleaders from Montgomery Catholic were selected as NCA All-American Team Members. L to R: Ann Marie Dean (Middle School), Kennedy Thomas (Junior Varsity), Jessica Mount, Sarah Armstrong, and Jessica Barranco (Varsity).

Montgomery Catholic names Chris Hall New Head Football Coach

Chris Hall, head coach at Cypress Lake High School in Fort Myers, FL, for the last two years, has been named the new head football coach at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School.

Hall, 41, succeeds Tim Trokey, who is returning to his family home in California to continue his coaching and teaching career. Trokey's teams were 25-27 in five years, and he led the Knights to the state playoffs in two of the last three years.

"This is such an exciting opportunity for me. I'm excited about getting back into a Catholic school community," said Hall, who spent four years as an assistant coach at Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers. "I look forward to being a part of helping Montgomery Catholic develop quality young men, on and off the field."

Another thing that led Hall to seek the Montgomery Catholic job was the passion for football that is so prevalent in Alabama.

"There are so many great athletes in Florida, but nowhere is the passion for football any greater among players and fans than it is in Alabama. I look forward to working here and experiencing the great love everyone has for the game."

Hall took over a floundering program at Cypress Lake only three weeks before the first game of the 2007 season. The Panthers were 3-7 that season and 4-6 in 2008. However, under Hall the school's level of competitiveness improved drastically. The offense averaged 439 yards per game last season, fourth best in the state.

Prior to his time at Cypress Lake, Hall was the defensive coordinator at Bishop Verot and for two seasons at Okeechobee High School.

"As we began this process, our goal was to find the coach who was the absolute best fit for Montgomery Catholic. We wanted a person who could pick up where Coach Trokey left off and continue to build a consistently competitive, successful program," said athletic director Jim Tolbert.

"I am confident that Chris Hall is the right fit for Catholic. He is a high-energy guy with innovative ideas about how to build a football program that is a winner on the field and off. I'm excited to have Chris join our staff."

Hall is already on the job, meeting with coaches and getting involved with the off-season strength and conditioning program which kicked off last week.

Football practice officially begins in Alabama on August 3. Catholic will hold its annual Back To School Pep Rally at 6:30 p.m. on August 14 and then host Trinity in a pre-season scrimmage on August 21 at 6:30 p.m.

The Greater Montgomery Homebuilders Association Women's Council awards $2000 Scholarship to Wallace Harvey

Tracy Harlow, of the Greater Montgomery Homebuilders Association (GMHBA) Women's Council, recently awarded the association's annual scholarship to Wallace Harvey, a 2009 graduate of Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School. Wallace plans to attend Mississippi State University this fall. More than a dozen students submitted applications for the scholarship.

"We are so proud of Wallace's educational accomplishments and look forward to seeing his continued success in college," stated Tracy Harlow, GMHBA Women's Council President.

The GMHBA Women's' Council is an organization dedicated to supporting the professional development of women in the building industry. Members have the opportunity to network at special events, participate in numerous legislative activities, and contribute to various community service projects.

Pictured: 2009 GMHBA Women's' Council Scholarship recipient Wallace Harvey, center, with his parents Bobby and Debbie Harvey, GMHBA President Wesley Gallops, and GMHBA Women's' Council President Tracy Harlow.

Thomas Sutton Named All-Metro Golfer of the Year

Montgomery Catholic's Thomas Sutton has been named The Montgomery Advertiser's All-Metro Golfer of the Year. Thomas was the Class 4A individual state runner up in this year's tournament with a 36-hole total of 1-under-par, 143. Sutton helped restart Catholic's golf program as an eighth grader, led the Knights to the state tournament as a junior and the Class 4A state runner up title as a senior. Sutton recently signed with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Thomas is the son of Bill and Liz (Sadie '77) Sutton.

Montgomery Catholic's Butler Parker was also honored with a spot on The Montgomery Advertiser's All-Metro second team. Parker tied for 11th place in the 4A state tournament this season and tied for 15th place in the 3A state tournament last season. Butler is the son of Gary and Kristi (King '83) Parker.

Pictured: Thomas Sutton receiving the AHSAA 4A individual state runner up award.

Dwight Fontenot Named Director of Bands

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School is pleased to announce Dwight Fontenot as Director of Bands. Fontenot received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas, and his Masters of Music degree from the University of South Florida. Dwight has been a band director in Texas, Hawaii, Florida, and Alabama. His ensembles have received numerous first-place titles at various competitions, including a first place title at the World of Pageantry Competition.

"I'm thrilled to be a part of the Montgomery Catholic family and am looking forward to a great year," said Fontenot. While teaching in Hawaii, he worked with the University of Hawaii Drumline, and served as Chairman of the State Solo and Ensemble competition for three years. Over the last ten years he has directed, produced and recorded numerous high school jazz band albums. He has served as a circuit judge for the Gulf Coast Indoor Percussion Circuit and is officially endorsed by Innovative Percussion Inc.

He recently published a method book titled Drumline Methodology, and remains an active advisor, clinician, and arranger for competitive band programs throughout the United States.

The first band rehearsal for the 2009-2010 season will be on Monday, June 15th beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the band room.

St. Bede Students Take "Passport Across America"

Students at Montgomery Catholic's St. Bede Campus took a "Passport Across America" during their annual field day activities. The Physical Education department, along with parent volunteers, set up a variety of activities all themed around the 50 states. Students were paired in their homerooms, with each students having an opportunity to participate at each station.

"Passport Across America" took the students panning for gold in California, calf-roping in Wyoming, a tug-of-war battle, "Hatfield & McCoy" style, in West Virginia, and launched a rocket for Alabama, to name a few of the field day activities. Pictured is Montgomery Catholic first grader David Dedek racing in "Georgia's Peanut Brigade."

To view photos from the St. Bede "Passport Across America" Field Day, click here: http://picasaweb.google.com/montgomerycatholic

Accelerated Readers at St. Bede Ride in Style

Accelerated Reader is a tool that allows our students to read and then test on Accelerated Reader books. This program helps the teacher, student and parent steer the children to books that they can comfortable read and comprehend. It is most important that the student comprehends what they read. Students are to be at 85% accuracy or better.

At Montgomery Catholic's St. Bede Campus, the top 2 students from each homeroom in first through sixth grade who were at 85% or above were automatically picked to ride in the AR limo. Those students are the following: Chas Allison, Katherine O’Conner, Scott Nation, Anna Sadie, Joseph Dwyer, Grace Leslie, Jacob Flowers, Patrick Wade, Anna Catherine Barranco, Emily Claire Talbot, Cameryn Brown, Christopher DeJesus, Annabel Starrett, Margaret Ann Allen, Madison Gaston, Tori Barranco, Lucy Waite, Ivy Bach, Adam Bristol, Anna Marie Koerner, Kaci Philpot, Abaigeal Gilbert, Steven Higgins, Brendan Benning, Mary Reagan Starrett, Paige Barranco, Mary Janet McLaughlin, and Ashley Sulzby.

For each quarter students met the 85% accuracy and met their reading goal, their name was added to a “Wild Card” drawing. There were 12 “wild card” winners selected, they are the following: Tanner Carter, Annie Bach, Thomas McLaughlin, Sarah Rose Burden, Katie Fisher, Brianna Chevez, Mary Katherine Brunson, Marcelo Vilena, Ashley Karst, Mandy Jones, Trey Magdon, and Gabe Keating.

Thanks go to the generous donation from the St. Bede Parent Teacher Council that helped in providing money for the limo and prizes throughout the school year. Not only were the students driven around in style in a Hummer Limo from Touch of Class, but they also were treated to a Chappy’s sandwich, chips, soft drinks and dessert. All the students had a blast! Many students upon exiting the limo, commented, “That was so cool!” Next year, plans are to include even more “wild card” winners. So get reading!!!!!

Congratulations Class of 2009, 134th Graduating Class of Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School

Montgomery Catholic's 134th Commencement Exercises took place in an outdoor ceremony on the grounds of the Athletic Complex at the Vaughn Road Campus.

Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi, Superintendent of Education Gwen Byrd, Montgomery Catholic President Anne Ceasar, and High School Principal Fran Taylor were joined by Monsignor Charles Troncale, Father Patrick Driscoll '84, and Father David Carucci as the special guests of the class. Salutatorian Charles Kaiser and Valedictorian Caroline Starr addressed their fellow graduates, special guests, family and friends. Members of the junior class hosted more than 1,400 guests for a reception in the Dolly Barranco Activity Center following the ceremony.

Congratulations to the Class of 2009!

Roscoe Lee Anderson*, Amber Lee Andrews*, Teddrick Lamar Arrington, Michael Austin Barranco-Class President, Hannah Caroline Been*, Taylor Christian Belsterling, Jordan Taylor Bodden, Victoria Shae Bowen, Elizabeth Claire Bromley, Kaila Ana Camara, Grace Susan Carl*-Class Secretary, Peter Charles Carl, Nicholas Castanza, Joshua Stephen Clark, Robert Mitchell Clemmons, Matthew Edwin Copeland-Class Treasurer, Anthony Michael Costa*, Kathryn Anne Cummins, Brandon Michael DuBois, John Leo Dugan II, Gavin James Duke, Alexander Dunkel, Cater Merrill Elliott, Steven Michael Esmont, Alexandra Elizabeth Gilbert*-SGA Vice President, Lauren Taylor Gore*, Rebecca Harvey Hails*-SGA President, Aireal Marie Hall, Wallace Joel Harvey, Tommy Hatcher, Jr, Tony Lamar Hatcher, Chasidi Lee Howell, Justin Edward Hughes, Nolan Ivy Jackson, Rachel Elizabeth Jackson, Nelson Joseph Jancaterino, Michael Robert Jones*, Charles Edward Kaiser III*-Salutatorian, Samantha Dean Littleton, Jessica Elizabeth Lyerly, Emily Michelle Madore, Allison Concetta Manzari*, Arianna Elizabeth Marra, Juston Gerrod Martin, Albert James Mayhan IV*, Brianna Michelle McClure*-SGA Secretary, Mara
Lynn McCracken, Julian Michael McGuire, Tiffany Lynne-Alyse Meadors, Lowell Thomas Moore, Ariel Brooke Myers*, Lea Ashley Newman, Morgan Alexandria Newton, Katherine Elizabeth Niel, Marion Butler Parker, Collier Stanford Philips, Adam Kyle Pouncey, Antonella Theresa Profio*, William Harper Pruett, Kathryn Taylor Reid, Kaitlyn Alissa Roberts, Summer Brianna Rogers, Amy Katherine Ronan*, Haley Ann Scanlan, Austin Kyle Skelton, Cleo Rosia
Smith, Rudolph Smith III, Matthew Richard Soukup, Phillip Gregory Spotswood*-Class Vice President, Caroline Emmons Starr*-Valedictorian, Kelsey Michelle Steffen, Thomas Carson Sutton*, Ameer Ramiz Taylor, Tyler Andrew Toumbacaris, Carrie Elisabeth Tucker*, Hallie Rachel Turner, Carsten Tytko, Thomas Addison Visco, Chase Boracco Weaver, Kelsey Gene Williamson*, and David Morgan Wray II. *National Honor Society

To view photos from Graduation weekend, click here:http://picasaweb.google.com/MontgomeryCatholic

Miles Serves as Elementary Principal for a Day

Montgomery Catholic third grade student Evan Miles recently served as "Principal for the Day" at the St. Bede Campus. Evan began the day, just as the principal does, with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a day full of monitoring the hallways, checking on each of the classrooms, and of course a few meetings. At lunch, Mr. Miles treated his classmates to tables covered with tablecloths and a special cake to share commemorating the day. Of the experience, Evan commented, "It's a lot of responsibility but it's been fun!"

Pictured, Montgomery Catholic's St. Bede Campus Principal Susan Duke shows "Principal for the Day" third grader Evan Miles the ropes in the Principal's office.

Been Selected as DAR Good Citizen for Montgomery Catholic

Hannah Been was selected to represent Montgomery Catholic for the Daughters of the American Revolution, Francis Marion Chapter's annual Good Citizen essay contest. Hannah, along with her parents and high school principal Fran Taylor, enjoyed a luncheon for all of the essay participants at the Montgomery Country Club. The Francis Marion DAR chapter donates a book to each of the school libraries in honor of the essay contestants. Hannah Been presented the book "The American Patriot's Almanac" to Montgomery Catholic Media Specialist Amy Johnson.

Middle School Students Discover Invertebrates

Middle School students in Mrs. Debbie Mayer's Middle School Science classes at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School recently spent an afternoon celebrating the end of their chapter on invertebrates with a delicious lunch of fried and sauteed shrimp, scallops, calamari, and other delightful delicacies. While the students dined, they quizzed each other on the characteristics of intvertebrates. Pictured are Montgomery Catholic students Michael Moussalli, John Arnold, Tait Holder, and Matthew Donohue enjoy their "invertebrate lunch" at the Middle School.