Catholic's DuBois Elected 2013 Youth Governor at 64th Annual Youth Legislature Conference

The 64th annual Youth Legislature Conference convened at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery during the weekend of Friday, February 24 through Sunday, February 26, 2012.

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School middle school delegates in attendance on Friday were: Brian Anderson, Agnes Armstrong, Emily Barranco, Madison Bednarz, Kathleen Beesley, Courtney Brodgen, Abaigeal Gilbert, Cheyenne Hayes, Steven Higgins, Kyle Hines, Haleigh Huggins, Emily Lafreniere, Aubrey Lenn, Zenia Mims, Ladariane Moore, Nadine Moussalli, James Sadie, Madison Searcy, Olivia Stephenson and Omari Vaughans. James Sadie was elected and served as the Assistant Floor Leader. Cheyenne Hayes received an Outstanding Statesman award. Brian Anderson was selected Most Outstanding Statesman.

High school delegates from all over the state met in the chambers of the House of Representatives and Senate to debate and vote on bills they had written. Governor Robert Bentley and Judge Tommy Bryan were both in attendance to welcome the delegates and inspire them to stay involved with our representative government and to lead by example.

Representing Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School were officers Chad DuBois as House Pro Temp and Hannah Masingill as the House Floor Leader. Members of the House of Representatives from Catholic included Megan Karst, Katie Lafreniere, Seamus McGuire, Taylor Pitters, Jack Starr and Natalie Sullivan. Members of the Senate were David Norris, Kevin Norris, Paul Overton, Stefan Perritano and Cameron Powel. Charcille Randall was a delegate in the First Year Chamber.

Students from Montgomery Catholic had a very successful weekend. House Bill #40, entitled the Mandatory Storm Shelters for Trailer Parks Act, written by Chad DuBois and Megan Karst, passed in both the House and Senate and received an Outstanding Bill award.

Chad DuBois and Hannah Masingill were selected to attend the Council on National Affairs (CONA), which will take place in July at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly in Blue Ridge, North Carolina. Jack Starr was selected as an alternate for this program.

Elections were held for officers who will serve at the 2013 Youth Legislature Conference and, again, the Montgomery Catholic students were rather successful. In his first election, Paul Overton won his race and will serve as the Senate Floor Leader. In a highly contested election, Chad DuBois was elected to serve as the 2013 Alabama Youth Governor!

DuBois has been involved with every Youth in Government program the YMCA offers and has held numerous offices and duties within each of these programs. “I absolutely love Youth in Government. It has been a major part of my life for the past five years and I can honestly say from the people I have met to the experiences it has offered; I’m a different person because of it,” said DuBois.  Chad is the son of Mike and Cindy DuBois of Montgomery.

Pictured:  Montgomery Catholic's Chad DuBois as he is sworn into office as the 2013 Alabama Youth Governor. (Photo by Sue Terino)

Shelley Herbek Recieves Innovative Teacher Initiative Grant from Junior League

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School sixth grade teacher Mrs. Shelley Herbek was honored at a recent reception hosted by the Junior League of Montgomery as one of the Innovative Teachers Initiative grant recipients. Mrs. Herbek was one of six teachers in the River Region to receive a $500 grant from the Junior League of Montgomery for their first annual award program. The winning grants must be used for innovative projects, have real world application, enhance school curriculum, and have a direct impact on students. Mrs. Herbek plans to use this grant to purchase manipulatives, interactive software, and books for the award-winning St. Bede Science Olympiad team.

Pictured: Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School sixth grade teacher Mrs. Shelley Herbek with her Innovative Teachers Initiative Grant from the Junior League of Montgomery. (photo by Laurie Gulley)

Montgomery Catholic's St. Bede Team Competes at Alabama Elementary Science Olympiad

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's St. Bede Science Olympiad brought home the third place team trophy at the 19th annual Alabama Elementary Science Olympiad competition held at Jacksonville High School on February 18.  Montgomery Catholic's St. Bede Science Olympiad team consistently ranks among the top teams in the state competitions each year.  The team is sponsored by Lee Anne Barranco, Allison Boyd, Tracey Bender, Dr. Nick Bourke, Shelley Herbek, Tina Rutland, Bryan Teegardin, and Laci Whitman.  Montgomery Catholic's St. Bede Science Olympiad team members are fifth graders Anna Catherine Barranco, Annamary Gilbert, Annie Bach, Demetrios Philippou, Ethan Macchia, Grace Leslie, Hunter Vaccarro, Jacob Flowers, Jonah Gier, Maddie Losik, Reagan Herbek, Thomas McLaughlin, and Zoe Rutland.  Sixth grade members of the Science Olympiad team are Alex O'Donnell, Annabel Starrett, Carrie Belsterling, Henry Petters, Jessie Clark, Katie Fisher, Kyriacos Philippou, Lita Blackburn, Luke Craig, Mary Katherine Brunson, Ryne Herbek, Sieanna Albaugh-Grogan, and Wesley Domsalla. 

Pictured:  Montgomery Catholic's St. Bede Science Olympiad team with their third place team trophy and individual awards at the Alabama Elementary Science Olympiad competition at Jacksonville High School. (photo by Stella Philippou)

Montgomery Catholic's MathCounts Team Advances to State Competition

For the third year in a row, Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School’s MathCounts team advances to the state competition.

MathCounts is a national enrichment, club and competition program that promotes middle school mathematics achievement through grassroots involvement in every U.S. state and territory. The MathCounts Competition Program provides the extra incentive and the perfect atmosphere for students to push themselves to achieve more in mathematics. Consisting of fun and creative problems that promote critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, the MathCounts competitions have written and oral rounds, as well as individual and team components. Though challenging and non-routine, the competition problems focus on the 6th through 8th grade standards of the National Council of Teachers in Mathematics.

Montgomery Catholic’s MathCounts team finished second at the Montgomery Chapter competition and will advance to the state competition in Mobile on March 10. Henry Petters will also advance as an individual at the state competition. At the chapter level competition, one team of four students and six individuals represented Montgomery Catholic. The team consisted of David Bender, Brian Brunson, Brian Lee, and Katie McDaniel. Individuals who competed were Erica Harris, Tori Harris, Steven Higgins, Henry Petters, Beth Vaughan, and Hugh Walker.

Several Montgomery Catholic MathCounts team members fared well at the chapter competition. Brian Lee won 1st place, Brian Brunson won 8th place, and Henry Petters placed 9th. The top ten scorers competed in a countdown speed round with Brian Lee placing 2nd, Brian Brunson in 4th place, and Henry Petters in 10thplace. Montgomery Catholic’s MathCounts team is sponsored by Mrs. Julie Flowers and Mrs. Vicki Petters.

Pictured: Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School’s MathCounts team and individual competitors Mrs. Flowers, Henry Petters, Brian Lee, Beth Vaughan, Erica Harris, Steven Higgins, Katie McDaniel, Brian Brunson, David Bender, and Mrs. Petters. (not pictured Erica Harris and Hugh Walker)

Montgomery Catholic's Kevin Norris Named National Merit Scholarship Finalist

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School is proud to announce Kevin Norris as a National Merit Scholarship® Finalist. Kevin is one of over 15,000 scholastically talented high school seniors to have an opportunity to continue in the competition for thousands of Merit Scholarship® awards, worth millions of dollars.

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, students must fulfill several requirements and about one-half of the Finalists are selected as Merit Scholarship winners, earning the Merit Scholar® title.

As a finalist, Kevin has maintained outstanding academic records throughout his high school years, has been endorsed and recommended by his school principal, and has earned SAT scores that confirm his qualifying test performance.

Kevin also had to submit a detailed scholarship application, including a self-descriptive essay and information regarding his participation and leadership in both school and community activities. Kevin is an active student at Montgomery Catholic where he serves as the Senior Class President, a member of the varsity football team, and is currently a member of the varsity baseball team.  After graduation, he will attend the United States Naval Academy.  Kevin is the son of Larry and Stacey Norris of Montgomery.

Montgomery Catholic's Anne Ceasar Named 2012 AAFLT Outstanding Administrator

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's president Anne Ceasar was recently named as the Alabama Association of Foreign Language Teachers (AAFT) Outstanding Administrator for 2012 by the AAFT Board of Directors. 

The Alabama Association of Foreign Language Teachers is a state-wide umbrella organization for the Alabama chapters of the American Association of Teachers of French, the American Association of Teachers of German, the American Association of Teachers of Italian, the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, and the National Association of Self-Instructional Programs, as well as for the following local language groups: the Alabama Classical Association, the Alabama Association of Foreign Languages in Elementary Schools, and the Alabama Association of Bilingual/English as a Second Language.  Their purpose is to provide united action in promoting in the state of Alabama the effective teaching, study, and appreciation of foreign languages and cultures through our annual conference and other activities. AAFLT advocates the advancement of the study of languages, their literatures and cultures at all levels of instruction.

Each year, the AAFLT Board of Directors selects one administrator for their Annual Outstanding Administrator Award winner.  Mrs. Ceasar was honored as the 2012 recipient at the AAFLT Conference luncheon held on the campus of Auburn Montgomery. 

Pictured:  Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School president Anne Ceasar, the Alabama Association of Foreign Language Teacher's 2012 Outstanding Administrator Award recipient.

Montgomery Catholic Spotlights Elementary Cheer Program

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School recently honored their elementary cheer leading program during a special half-time show at the last varsity basketball games of the season.  The 32 cheerleaders from kindergarten through sixth grade got the Knight fans on their feet with cheers and a dance routine.

The elementary cheerleaders are on the sidelines each Saturday morning cheering on their classmates during the St. Bede basketball games held at the Family Life Center at St. Bede Catholic Church.  Montgomery Catholic's elementary cheer program is led by Kelley Klinger, Michele Klein, and Lisa Kerr and will continue this fall for the Pee Wee and Termite football leagues.

Montgomery Catholic Band Members Selected for All-District, All-State Honor Bands

Nine musically talented middle and high school students from Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School have been selected for the All-District and All-State Honor Bands.  Students are selected for these honor bands through an audition process from a pool of students from throughout the various districts and throughout the state. 

Montgomery Catholic band members selected for the District Honor Band were middle school students Brian Lee, 4th chair clarinet; Logan Stevens, 10th chair clarinet; Mary Reagan Starrett, 15th chair clarinet; Adam Bristol, 3rd chair trombone; and Eric Crenshaw, 6th chair percussion. High students selected for the District Honor Band were Josh Stark, 6th chair alto saxophone; Joseph Sutton, 1st chair trombone; Will Brunson, 5th chair tuba; and Justis Davis, 6th chair percussion. 

Brian Lee and Joseph Sutton were selected for the All-State Honor Band.  Adam Bristol was selected as an alternate for the Middle School All-State Honor Band.  The District Honor Band members will perform together at Auburn High School on February 24 and 25.  The All-State Honor Band members will perform at the Mobile Convention Center on April 11 through 14.  Mr. Alex Johnson is the Director of Bands at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School.

Pictured:  Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School Band members selected for All-District and All-State Honor Bands, left to right, Brian Lee, Joseph Sutton, Will Brunson, Mary Reagan Starrett, Josh Stark, Eric Crenshaw, Justis Davis, and Adam Bristol.

Catholic Knights Win Two Indoor Track State Titles

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's Skip Martin claimed the Class 1A-4A State Championship in the 1600-meter run on Saturday, finishing with a time of 4:34.38 at the Alabama State Indoor Track and Field Championships in Birmingham.

The time by Martin was just three seconds off of the state record which was set in 2003, and earned the team 10 total points on the day.

A few hours after Martin won his individual state title, he ran a leg of the boy's 4x800-meter relay team that claimed the school's second state title on the day. The relay team of Matt Pouncey, Jarrett Mason, Martin and Connor Wright set a school record in the process of claiming the second state title of the day for the Knights.

Wright and fellow senior Wellington Westendorf each made the medal stand as well for the Knights; with Wright finishing as the state runner-up in the 800-meters on Friday night and Westendorf third in the shot put.

Several other Knights have shined in the indoor championships, which is still on going in Birmingham, setting school records and finishing in the top 10 in their event.

The girl's 4x200-meter relay team (Katherine Terino, Marissa Craig, Kenslie McOmber and Jennifer Westendorf) finished seventh overall with a new school record time of 2:02.74. The girl's 4x800-meter relay team also picked up a point for the Knights as they finished eighth in the respective race.

Meanwhile, Terino set a new school record in the 1600-meter and 3200-meter runs, finishing top 10 in each (fifth in the 1600-meter run). Mason finished fifth in the 3200-meter run with a time of 10:29, setting a new school record.

Jennifer Westendorf finished in the top 10 in both the high jump and long jump for the Knights, while the boy's 4x400-meter relay team capped off the weekend with a sixth place finish and a new school record.

The Knights' boy's team finished tied for fifth overall in the meet, while the girls finished tied for 11th; while only taking five female and seven male competitors to the state meet.

Pictured:  Montgomery Catholic Indoor Track boys 4x800 State Champion relay team members Connor Wright, Skip Martin, Jarrett Mason, and Matt Pouncey.  Photo by Jamie Martin.

Montgomery Catholic Senior Earns Eagle Scout Honor

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School senior Tyler Parrish was honored at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor held on January 21 at the St. Bede Family Life Center in Montgomery. Tyler began his scouting career with St Bede Pack 4 as a Webelos Scout in 2003, earned his Arrow of Light award in March 2005, and then crossed into the Bison Patrol of Troop 4. Tyler attended Summer camp with the troop for six years, amassed 71 nights of camping, and hiked with the Troop over 96 miles.

Over the years, Tyler has held key positions in the Troop including Quartermaster, Librarian, Scribe, Patrol Leader, and OA Troop Representative. Tyler achieved the rank of Life on March 24, 2008. He served on Staff for the Golden Eagle Junior Leadership Training Conference (JLTC) Troop 5 for one term and held the position of Troop Guide. His loyalty to Scouting and the Troop earned him an Ordeal nomination in 2009 to the Order of the Arrow, and he is currently a Brotherhood member in the Order. Tyler’s Eagle Leadership project included the design and construction of three picnic tables at St Bede Church to provide seating for parents, families, and others using the St. Bede soccer fields.

Tyler completed 36 merit badges and received the World Conservation Award on June 22, 2009. Tyler attained the rank of Eagle Scout on October 5, 2011. Tyler has been accepted to Auburn University for the Fall 2012 Semester and is planning to major in Wildlife Ecology and Management.


Pictured: Montgomery Catholic senior Tyler Parrish is congratulated by Brian Petters, Scout Master and Montgomery Catholic parent, at Tyler's Court of Honor ceremony. Photo by Donna Kerstis.