Montgomery Catholic Names Chad Barwick as Principal for Middle/High School Campus

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School has named Chad Barwick as the principal for their middle and high school campus effective July 1.

“We welcome Chad back to the Catholic community that was a vital part of his life during his formative years. I look forward to working closely with him as we continue the mission set forth by the Sisters of Loretto in 1873. I applaud the work of the selection committee and ask for continued prayers for our new leadership as we look to the 2012-2013 school year,” said Anne Ceasar, Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School President.

Barwick joins Montgomery Catholic from St. Anthony de Padua Catholic School in South Bend, Indiana, where he has served as principal for the past three years.

"Being bestowed the honor to lead Montgomery Catholic's middle and high school is a dream come true. I look forward to helping our community grow in its mission of creating students of Faith, Virtue, and Wisdom. I am eager to reconnect with families and meet each and every student, getting to know all of our Knights,” said Barwick.

“The vocation of being a servant leader for Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School is awe inspiring because our school has always been a city set on a mountain, its light shining to all. I hope to shepherd our middle and high school students toward a great future as they fully develop the talents given to them by the Holy Spirit,” said Barwick.

In addition to his experience as a principal and high school teacher, Barwick has assisted in developing school curriculum, organized and sponsored extra-curricular student activities including the development of school-community partnerships, and was instrumental in working with a core staff to open San Juan Diego Catholic High School in Austin, Texas, where he served as acting principal for two quarters. Barwick was also recognized as the Georgia Independent Schools Association 2AAA Coach of the Year for both the girls’ team and for the boys’ team in 2007 where he coached cross country and track at Mount de Sales Academy in Macon, Georgia.

An alumnus of the Montgomery Catholic class of 1994, Barwick was selected as the school’s Leader of the Year as a senior. Barwick holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Journalism from Auburn University, a Master of Education from the University of Notre Dame through the Alliance for Catholic Education Program, and a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from the Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program at the University of Notre Dame.

Montgomery Catholic Students Give Back to the Community During Annual Lenten Service Day

“Even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve. And to give His life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28. Serving others in our community is not only the focus of Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School’s annual Lenten Service Day, but has been a part of the school’s mission since 1873.

Over 300 students and faculty members spent the morning of April 3 working at 18 locations around the River Region performing various tasks such working with children at the Children's' Center of Montgomery, organizing food at The Montgomery Area Food Bank, spending time with elderly residents, and cleaning up trails at YMCA’s Camp Grandview and Camp Chandler, among many other works of service throughout the community.

Senior Meghan Hodge reflected on her four years participating in the event. “Through serving others, I have come to realize that there’s more to life than just taking care of myself. It’s more about reaching out to the community and giving back because I wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for the sacrifices of others along the way. To see the joy in faces of the kids today just gives me such joy and I receive so much more by giving back.”

Among the organizations and agencies served by Montgomery Catholic high school students in the River Region were YMCA Camp Chandler, YMCA Camp Grandview, St. Bede Child Development Center, Montgomery Area Food Bank, Iron Men Outdoor Ministries: Hwy 331, Successful Living Center, Council on Aging: Newton, Council on Aging: Normandale, The Alabama Wildlife Federation, Iron Men Outdoor Ministries: Green Acres, The Archibald Center, Friendship Mission, The White Slough Restoration Project at Ida Belle Young Park, Council on Aging: Perry Hill, Habitat for Humanity, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, The Children’s Center, and Common Ground Ministries.

Pictured: Montgomery Catholic students cleaned the stream of debris and monitored the water quality at the White Slough Restoration Project at Ida Belle Young Park during the school's annual Lenten Service Day. Pictured are Berkley Hall, Katherine Terino, Jarrett Mason, Lexie Segrest, Dom Godwin, Barbara Bradley, Hayden Ellis, David Norris, Giselle Sims, Kelly McGeehan, and Andrew Taylor.

Montgomery Catholic Key Club Hosts Party at Wesley Gardens

Montgomery Catholic's Key Club members hosted a St Patrick's Day party for the residents at Wesley Gardens Retirement Home in Montgomery.  With residents and students alike dressed in green, they all celebrated with green cupcakes, green grapes, green apples, and of course, green drinks.  The residents especially enjoyed the 50's music and the impromptu dancing of the students.  There were lots of smiles and laughter in the room as the residents shared happy memories with the students.  One of the happiest residents in attendance that day was none other than Mrs. Georgette Sadler, proud 1935 graduate of St. Mary of Loretto, the founding school of Montgomery Catholic, which was established in 1873.  The 50 Montgomery Catholic Key Club members collectively have served over 1,000 hours so far this year including doing yard work for the elderly through the Montgomery Area Council on Aging and serving the needy through Christmas Clearinghouse.  The Key Club is a high school service organization sponsored by the Montgomery Kiwanis Club. 

Pictured:  Montgomery Catholic junior Kathy Edwards smiles with Mrs. Georgette Sadler, a 1935 Catholic graduate during the St. Patrick's Day party hosted by the Key Club at Wesley Gardens.

Montgomery Catholic Science Olympiad Team takes Third Place at High School Regional Competition, Hulcher and O’Mara First at State Contest

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School’s high school Science Olympiad team had its most successful competition at the Regional Competition hosted by Spring Hill College in Mobile. Montgomery Catholic was represented by 27 students who competed as two teams and succeeded in bringing home individual student medals in 12 of the events. Based on the overall scores, Montgomery Catholic earned both a third place Team Trophy, as well as an invitation to enter a team for the State Science Olympiad Competition at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, a first for the Montgomery Catholic program.

Competing with twelve other teams from across the state of Alabama at the State Science Olympiad Competition, Montgomery Catholic brought home their first-ever medals at the state level. Zach Hulcher and Maddie O'Mara placed first in Dynamic Planet; earning both students $11,000 per year renewable scholarships to Huntingdon College. Maddie O’Mara and Leo Petters were also successful in placing fourth for their Robotic Arm.

Montgomery Catholic’s high school Science Olympiad head coach Mrs. Mary Kathryn O’Connor said this was the best performance for our high school team ever. “This was something our students have worked towards since the fall. Our teams prepared to compete in multiple events, with each student participating in at least two events and some competed in as many as four different events. Our performances are the result of the hard work put in by our students, with the help of the entire Science and Math faculty who served as assistant coaches for the various competitions. The students could not have been as successful without great parental support and encouragement as well,” said Mrs. O'Connor.

Science Olympiad is a national competition designed to encourage interest in a wide variety of scientific fields. Competitions involve both written and practical demonstrations and activities. Among the 23 events this year were Astronomy, Anatomy and Physiology, Forensic Science, Thermodynamics, and Water Quality. Among the “design and build” events were Helicopters, which required students to build a rubber band-powered helicopter measured by duration of flight, and Towers, which involved building an efficient tower of balsa and basswood.

“All of the students learned a great deal at both the regional and state competitions. The real benefit is having our students witness the application of science for the enhancement of their knowledge and understanding of the world around us,” said Mrs. O’Connor.

Pictured:  Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's high school Science Olympiad team members Maddie O'Mara and Leo Petters demonstrate their Robotic Arm at the State Science Olympiad competition at Huntingdon College.