Montgomery Catholic Pee Wee Football Team Wins Jamboree

The Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School Pee Wee football team, consisting of fifth and sixth grade students, won the Lowndes Academy Jamboree Bowl by defeating the Hooper Academy Colts 7-0 in the first game, then defeating the Lowndes Academy Rebels 14-6 in the championship game. Coaches Pat McGinn, Matt Binns, John Wyatt, and Scott Godwin led the Knights in their first-ever youth football season. The Termite team, consisting of second through fourth grade students, also participated in the Lowndes Academy Jamboree and brought home the third place trophy for their age group. The Termite team was coached by Bruce Johnson.

After its inaugural season, the Pee Wee and Termite teams hope to build on the success of this year next season. The Termite team members were John McLennan, Dean Johnson, Grant Smith, Austin Cleghorn, Jason Flowers, Hollis Johnson, James Saliba, Chas Allen, Ethan Binns, Shawn Sponsler, Sean Moore, Will Driver, Dixon Peak, and Harrison Downes. The Pee Wee team members were Carson Binns, Luke Whetstone, Drew Smith, Cameron Huggins, William Furey, John Kitchens, Gabe Boles, Mathew Klinger, Donavahn Wyatt, Clint Williams, Daniel Reeves, Braxton Rogers, William Hooper, Mathew Taylor, Trey Wilkinson, Kamryn Jackson, Cary Dean, Thomas McLaughlin, Luke Craig, Carter Beesley, Evan Miles, Stevie Price, Dylon Godwin, Austin Vickery, Nicholas Brown, and Garrett McGinn.

Montgomery Catholic Students Celebrate 9th Annual Worldwide Eucharistic Holy Hour with Mass and Adoration

On the Feast of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary on First Friday, October 7th - 2011. over one million Catholic school Children from around the world, including the three campuses of Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School, came before the Most Blessed Sacrament.

“We were united with all the children of the world, along with those gathered at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C.,” said Deacon Jim Labadie, who teaches at the high school campus. “Having Adoration brought an added dimension to our weekly school Mass, reminding us that no matter where we are, in or outside of Mass, Jesus Christ is truly present in the Eucharist,” commented junior David Norris. The Chapel at Montgomery Catholic’s Middle/High School Campus, and St. Bede’s Church, St. Bede Campus, were used for the event, which also included a Procession of the Blessed Sacrament.

All 797 students at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School participated in the day dedicated to praying for a deepened awareness of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist, an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and a reawakening of the vocation of Marriage and the family. “The fact is we are suffering from a crisis of vocation across the board, marriage, priesthood and religious life. Going before the Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament makes us aware of His presence in the midst of our circumstances. Being in His presence provokes an experience that helps us rediscover our desire for the infinite, the living God who makes Himself known in the face of Jesus Christ,” said Tom Riello, religion teacher.

“I have been exposed to Adoration quite a bit in Montgomery with the various parishes offering the opportunity to adore the Lord. To have that same opportunity offered where I go to school is amazing, it is special. What we do at Montgomery Catholic is related to what is done in our parishes,” remarked sophomore Andrea Hayes.

Pictured:  The Eucharistic procession at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's Middle/High School Campus.

Montgomery Catholic Places 3rd in University of Alabama Math Tournament

Eleven students from Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School participated in the 30th annual University of Alabama Math Tournament in Tuscaloosa on October 1, 2011. Led by team high scorers Brian Lee and Zach Hulcher, the team placed 3rd in their division and was the highest scoring team from central Alabama.
The tournament included a team round of twelve challenge problems and an individual round of 50 questions from the high school mathematics curriculum through pre-calculus. The Montgomery Catholic team earned their final placement with a strong performance on the challenge problems. The current team of mostly sophomore and juniors is looking forward to next year when more members will have actually taken pre-calculus.

Twelve schools participated in the tournament this year. Tournament Coordinator Dr. Jim Gleason says, “We are excited about having Montgomery Catholic come again this year. It has been good to see the students and faculty becoming more involved in the mathematics community in Alabama. “

Montgomery Catholic Crowns 2011 Homecoming Queen & King

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School recently crowned their 2011 Homecoming Queen and King during the half-time ceremonies of the varsity football game as the Knights hosted Excel High School.  Miss Hailey Loria was crowned by the 2010 Homecoming Queen Mary Allison Tyner.  Hailey is the daughter of Tony and Angela Loria. Mr. Miller Clemmons was named Homecoming King and presented a scepter by 2010 Homecoming King Jake Clark. Miller is the son of Greg Clemmons and Susan Ryan.

The Freshman Attendant was Jennifer Tyner.  Jennifer is the daughter of Russ and Kathy Tyner.  Jennifer was escorted by Gaten Armstrong. Gaten is the son of Brett Armstrong and Joanie Armstrong.  The Sophomore Attendent was Anna McCracken.  Anna is the daughter of Chris and Stephanie McCracken.  Anna was escorted by Michael Moussalli.  Michael is the son of Drs. Samir and Cinzia Moussalli. The Junior Attendent was Katie Lafreniere.  Katie is the daughter of Steve and Kelly Lafreniere.  Katie was escorted by Will Littleton.  Will is the son of Rick Littleton and Marty Littleton.

The Senior Attendent was Evan LaBarge.  Evan is the daughter of Al and Patsy LaBarge.  Evan was escorted by Aidan Gilbert.  Aidan is the son of Cam and Tiger Gilbert.  The Senior Attendant was Alex Valdez.  Alex is the daughter of Michael and Julie Valdez.  Alex was escorted by Cameron Powell. Cameron is the son of Patrick Howard and Miriam Powell.

Montgomery Catholic students celebrated Homecoming Week with a host of daily activities building up to the Homecoming Dance on Saturday, October 8 held at the St. Bede Family Life Center.

Montgomery Catholic Kindergarten Students Enjoy the Works of Eric Carle

The Kindergarten classes at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School recently completed their author study of Eric Carle.  Each student took home a very hungry caterpillar which he or she planted using knee high hose, potting soil, grass seeds, rubber bands and wiggly eyes. Students in Mrs. Redden's class pose with their "Very Hungry Caterpillars".

Happy Birthday, Johnny Appleseed!

Students in Mrs. Burden's first grade class at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School recently celebrated Johnny Appleseed's birthday by enjoying delicious apple turnovers in the courtyard.

Montgomery Catholic's BEST Team Presents at ASQ Meeting

Members of the Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School BEST Robotics Team made the Keynote presentation at the September meeting of the Montgomery section of the American Society for Quality (ASQ). ASQ is a leading global organization supporting quality concepts, technology, and manufacturing. The Montgomery Catholic team spoke of their involvement in the BEST 2010 Total Recall robotics competition. The BEST (Boosting Science, Engineering, and Technology) 2010 competition featured two simulated factory production lines packaging “gizmos” and “gadgets.” Teams had to design and build a robot in six weeks that could package quality products while recognizing defective products.


Led by the team’s Director of Spirit and Sportsmanship, junior Chad DuBois, the team gave the ASQ members an overview of the BEST robotics competition and the development of the team’s robot, dubbed RoboKnight 1.0. The team’s Director of Engineering (sophomore Nick Niel), Director of Programming (sophomore Will Brunson), and Head Writer (junior Giselle Simms) provided amplifying details throughout the presentation and the question period that followed.

ASQ section Chair Jeff Bresee said of the team, “I was thrilled with the presentation given by the Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School’s BEST Team for our September ASQ meeting. The presentation was very thorough and professionally done.” ASW Treasurer Donna Profio added, “We were really impressed by what they managed to accomplish in only 42 days.” Nick Niel summarized the student experience by saying, “It was challenging being questioned by people who really know about quality and engineering, but the ASQ members treated us like colleagues.”

Emily McLaughlin '08 Named Homecoming Queen at the University of Alabama

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School class of 2008 alumnae Emily McLaughlin was named the Homecoming Queen at the University of Alabama.  Among the many organizations in which Emily is an active member, she currently serves as the president of the Alpha Zeta chapter of Phi Mu Fraternity.  Emily is a senior majoring in Nursing.  Emily is the daughter of Dr. Jim and Kayla McLaughlin. Photo above Governor Robert Bentley and 2010 UA Queen Shellie Street crown Emily during the halftime festivities.  Emily is escorted by her father, Dr. Jim McLaughlin. Photo taken by Jeffery B. Hanson, University Relations Photography, University of Alabama.

Five Montgomery Catholic Students Named Advanced Placement Scholars

Five students at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School have earned AP Scholar Awards in recognition for their exceptional achievement on AP Exams.

The College Board's Advanced Placement Program (AP) provides motivated and academically prepared students with the opportunity to take rigorous college-level courses while still in high school, and earn college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on the AP Exams. About 18 percent of the nearly 1.7 million students worldwide who took AP Exams performed at a sufficiently high level to also earn an AP Scholar Award.

John Preston Houston earned the title of AP Scholar with Distinction by earning an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and a score of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.

Elizabeth Terino earned the title of AP Scholar with Honor by earning an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken and grades 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.

Three students earned the title of AP Scholar by completing three or more AP Exams with grades of 3 or higher. The AP Scholars are Kayleigh Pears, Ben Petters, and John Talbot.

Through more than 30 different college-level courses and exams, AP provides motivated and academically prepared students with the opportunity to earn college credit or advanced placement and stand out in the college admissions process. Over 90 percent of four-year colleges in the United States provide credit and/or placement for qualifying exam grades. Research consistently shows that AP students who score a 3 or higher on AP Exams typically experience greater academic success in college and high graduation rates than students who do not participate in AP courses. Congratulations to our AP Scholars!

Montgomery Catholic Students Qualify for Duke 7th grade Talent Search Program

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School is proud to announce 15 students who have qualified for the Duke Talent Identification Program.

The Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) identifies 7th graders in sixteen states in the Southeast, Midwest and Southwest who have scored at the 95th percentile or above on a grade-level achievement test. These students are invited to participate in the Duke TIP 7th Grade Talent Search and take either the SAT or the ACT.

Montgomery Catholic students who have qualified for the Duke TIP program are Skye Alexander, Ivy Bach, David Bender, Adam Bristol, Briana Chavez, Madison Gaston, Joey Kennedy, Audrey Kim, Morris Lottinger IV, Liam McGuire, Michael O’Connor, Andrew Reimann, James Sadie, Emily Tolar, and Zachary VanAlst.

MCPS Band Receives Superior Ratings at Marching Competition

The Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School Marching Knights competed at the Huntingdon Marching Invitational on the campus of Huntingdon College on Saturday, October 1. This was the first time in the history of our school that MCPS has been represented at a marching band competition. The Color Guard was rated "Excellent," and the Winds, Percussion, and Drum Major were all individually rated "Superior." The Band received an overall rating of "Superior" from the panel of six judges, and Joseph Sutton was named Best-In-Class Drum Major, defeating Drum Majors from seven other schools. Congratulations Marching Knights!