Montgomery Catholic Students Successful at 2015 Youth Legislature Conference

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School had an exciting year participating in the YMCA Youth Legislature conference held at the Alabama State House February 20-22. The program allows over 500 high school students to take over state government for three days. Participants are required to write a bill on a topic of their choice and take it through the legislative process. Exciting elections and debate take place as students learn about state government and parliamentary procedure.

Overall, Montgomery Catholic had a very successful weekend.  Including four students in leadership positions at this year's conference. Senior Mary McLaughlin was Secretary of State, senior Elizabeth Overton was Director of Legislative Affairs, and sophomore James Sadie was a member of the Governor's Cabinet.  This year, Montgomery Catholic's Brian Anderson, a sophomore, who served as a First Year Presiding Officer, was also elected to serve as next year's House Pro Temp.

Anderson named 2016 House Pro Temp.

Five of the bills presented by Montgomery Catholic students made it to the calendar, with four of the five were debated on the floor. James Sadie/Sam McCracken, Elizabeth Overton, Cheyenne Hayes, and Nate Smith, were very well-composed and debated their bills well.  Hayes had her bill passed in the House.

Hayes presents her bill at the 2015 YMCA
Youth Legislature Conference.

Other impressive recognition for the Montgomery Catholic team were: Nate Smith, a sophomore, recognized as a First Year Outstanding Delegate; Brian Anderson invited to attend the Conference on National Affairs (CONA); and James Sadie and Mary McLaughlin were named as alternate invitees.  Additionally, Mary McLaughlin, Elizabeth Overton, and Charcille Randall received honor cords for participation in Youth in Government for three or more years.

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's Youth Legislature sponsors are High School History teachers Mrs. Stephanie Nelson and Mr. Justin Castanza and supported by Middle School teacher Miss D'Jara Britton.

Congratulations to all of the Montgomery Catholic students who represented the school so well at the YMCA Youth Legislature conference.

Three Montgomery Catholic Athletes Sign Athletic Commitments February 12

Montgomery Catholic Seniors Reggie Jackson, Jacob Hulcher and Thomas Stokes commit to continue their athletic careers in college. 

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School held a signing ceremony for student-athletes inside the Library on the high school campus at 2:40 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, February 12, 2015.  The Knights celebrated the signing of Jacob Hulcher (Southern Union), Reggie Jackson (Mississippi Valley State), and Thomas "T.J." Stokes (Mississippi Valley State).

Hulcher, has attended Montgomery Catholic for 13 years and played baseball for the Knights since seventh grade. Hulcher had a 7-2 record during the 2014 season, his era was a 1.61 and he pitched 5 Complete Games, he led the Knights in strikeouts and innings pitched. He has decided to continue his baseball career at Southern Union in the fall. Jacob is the son of Vickie and Richard Hulcher of Montgomery.

Jackson, has spent the last two years at Montgomery Catholic.  Jackson has been an All-Metro player for four years, and was a WSFA player of the week in 2014. He racked up 61 solo tackles, 98 total tackles, four sacks and three forced fumbles in 18 games on defense. He also rushed for 949 yards and stacked up 1018 all purpose yards with an average of 9.1 yards per carry.He will attend Mississippi Valley State in the fall and play football. Reggie is the son of Carylon and Anthony Jackson of Montgomery.

Stokes was named Private School Player of the week by the Montgomery Quarterback Club for his performance September 12, 2014 against St. James.  Stokes tied a state record during the same football game with a 99 yard run from scrimmage for a touchdown. He was an All-Metro and and All-State Honorable Mention football player during his senior year at Montgomery Catholic. He will attend Mississippi Valley State to play football. T.J. is the son of Ivy and Thomas Stokes of Montgomery.

Congratulations Knights!

Front Row: Reggie Jackson, Jacob Hulcher and T.J. Stokes with their parents on signing day.
Back Row: Carylon and Anthony Jackson; Richard and Vickie Hulcher; and Ivy and Thomas Stokes.

15th Annual Mardi Gras Prayer Breakfast Hosted By Montgomery Catholic's Class of 2016

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's junior class hosted the annual Mardi Gras Prayer Breakfast for the entire high school student body and many special guests on Fat Tuesday, February 17, 2015.  The day began in the wee hours of the morning with members of the junior class transforming the Dolly Barranco Activity Center into a Mardi Gras themed restaurant while cooking and serving a delicious pancake breakfast for nearly 400 guests.  Kathleen Beesley, Junior Class Vice-President welcomed guests. Abaigeal Gilbert, Junior Class Secretary invited guests to write down their Lenten promises which will hang in the main hall of the High School. She invited guests to stop and read the promises throughout Lent and say a prayer for those who made them. Father Patrick Arensberg from St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church opened with prayer.  

Mr. John Keating, keynote speaker at the Montgomery Catholic, 15th Annual Mardi Gras Prayer Breakfast. 

Patrick O'Mara, Junior Class President introduced the speaker for the event. This year Mr. John Keating, a dedicated Montgomery Catholic parent, volunteer and substitute teacher was the keynote speaker. He is the father of two Montgomery Catholic Alumni and current junior student Gabe Keating and husband of fourth grade Montgomery Catholic teacher Melynda Keating.  Junior Class Treasurer Nadine Moussalli gave closing remarks thanking all of the Prayer Breakfast sponsors, including: Anne Ceasar, MCPS President; Chad Barwick, MCPS Principal, Madonna Kimbrough, High School Administrative Assistant; Kerri Moore, MCPS Junior Class Sponsor; Ben Cecil and Abby Beesley, MCPS teachers; Chappy's Deli; Christine Burton; Craig Sherman, MCPS Cafeteria Manager; Alex Johnson, MCPS Band Director and the MCPS Jazz Combo; and the Junior Class parents.  Father Linn Harbour from Holy Family Catholic Community at Maxwell AFB offered the Benediction to end the event. 

This is the fifteenth year the junior class at Montgomery Catholic has hosted the Prayer Breakfast as a class retreat and service project for the school.  

Catholic's Van Alst Claims Fourth Consecutive Wrestling State Championship

Van Alst claims his 4th consecutive AHSAA State Wrestling title!

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School sophomore Zachary Van Alst claimed his fourth consecutive Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) wrestling state championship on Saturday, February 14 in Huntsville, this year capturing the title in the Class 1A-5A, 122-pound weight class. Van Alst finished the 2015 season undefeated with a record 50-0.

In his four-year career at Montgomery Catholic, Van Alst has recorded a 180-11 overall record.  He has also won three sectional titles to go along with his four state championships.

Keating placed fifth in his first state tournament appearance.

He was joined in Huntsville by his teammates, senior Cameron Harris and junior Gabe Keating. Keating placed fifth in his first State Tournament appearance in the 154-pound weight class. The Montgomery Catholic team of three placed 19th overall. They are coached by head coach Coy Hunter and assistant coach David Parker.

Zachary is the son of Jennifer and Bob Van Alst of Prattville. Gabe is the son of John and Melynda Keating of Montgomery. Cameron is the son of Andrea Harris of Montgomery.

Congratulations to the Knight Wrestling team on a great finish at State!

Catholic Key Club Spent Time at the Salvation Army February 15

On Sunday, February 15, the Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School Key Club served dinner at the Salvation Army Kitchen located at 900 Maxwell Blvd.  It was an especially good time to show God's love to others since it was the day after Valentine's Day.  The students enjoyed working with Miss Jackie who serves the Salvation Army every day with such dedication. The 60 members of the Montgomery Catholic Key Club have served almost 2000 hours this school year.  They are a very active group that enjoys serving their school and community.  The club is sponsored by the Montgomery Kiwanis Club.  The group will be going back to the Salvation Army to work again soon to take toys, juice, and candy for the children who live at that shelter.  Pictured from left are Nick DeVries, Carolina Edwards, Carolyn Woodling, Marissa Craig, Marissa Dogan, Madison Searcy, Martin Lee, and Leah Krompecher.  Also pictured are from left Ann Faulkner, Andrew Ellis, Jeong Choi, and Ledariane Moore. Other student volunteers that day were Jonathon Green, Reggie Jackson, and Maria Celli.  Anyone who would like to donate toys, juice, or clothing items for the children and families who live at the Salvation Army Shelter is encouraged to call 334-265-0281. 

 

Submitted: Jeanene Crenshaw

Record Setting Racing Knights Leave Mark at State Indoor Meet

4x800 relay team received the silver at the AHSAA Indoor Track State Meet, February 6-7,
 Coach Wright, Annabel Starrett, Sarah Beth Littrell, Amaris Tyynismaa, Katelyn Stark, and Coach Lisenby .

At the two day track and field extravaganza known as the Alabama State High School Athletic Association State Indoor Championships, the Racing Knights of Montgomery Catholic left their mark as numerous school, classification, state, and CrossPlex records fell over the course of the meet.

For the Girls team, eighth grader Amaris Tyynismaa paced the team with her national level performances. The meet opened with her specialty event, the 3200 meter run.  Amaris lapped the entire field en route to a blistering 10:32.94 time.  Her performance established a new school, 4A-5A classification, absolute Alabama State, and Birmingham CrossPlex facility record.  It also ranked her #2 in the nation for the distance. Freshman Katelyn Stark finished 19th in the race with a 13:21.45 effort.  In the 60 meter dash, sophomore Tamrah Tucker set a new school record with her 8.53 performance that placed 9th.  She later placed 23rd in the 400 meters with a 1:12.33 mark. In the 800 meters, Amaris also established a new state record for 4A-5A with a dominating 2:17.57 mark.  Katelyn placed 15th with her 2:45.61.  In the 1600 meter run, Amaris secured her third state title of the meet, by clocking 5:01.36, also a new state record, with Katelyn finishing 14th in a new season best and indoor personal record time of 6:05.87.  In the meet’s penultimate event, the 4x800 meter relay, the quartet of Annabel Starrett, Katelyn Stark, Sarah Beth Littrell, and Amaris Tyynismaa went from 7th place to 2nd by running 10:48.41.  The silver medal finish was the 6th best 4x800 performance in Racing Knight history and the third best indoor time. In the team competition, the Lady Knights recorded the highest finish at the State Meet by an MCPS Indoor team by tying for 4th place with 38 points.

On the Boys side, senior Thomas Stokes paced the team by recording a personal best time of 7.51 in placing 16th in the 60 meter dash, and by placing 7th overall in shot put with a 41-10 heave.  He also joined senior Jarrett Chesnutt, sophomore Winston Wright, and freshman Greg Ellis on the school’s 4x200 meter relay which placed 17th in 1:47.13. Winston also ran 55.47 in the 400 meter dash to finish 19th, 2:14.37 in the 800 meter run (17th), and 5:19.03 in the 1600m (27th).  Greg also recorded a personal best 17-11 mark in the Long Jump to finish 14th and a 7.80 in the 60 meters to place 33rd. Senior Andrew Ellis ran a personal best 2:25.95 to place 37th. Senior Tray McCurdy also recorded a personal best effort in the shot put with his 40-05 mark, good for 9th place.  Finally, sophomore Angel Padilla recorded a personal best 11:52 in the 3200 meter run while placing 16th. The Racing Knights finished 21st overall in the team standings.

Montgomery Catholic's Indoor Track team is coached by Coach Ed Wright and Coach Brianna Lisenby.

Submitted by John Terino

Catholic Wrestlers Head to AHSAA State Tournament February 12

Congratulations to Montgomery Catholic's three Wrestling State Qualifiers, Zachary Van Alst, Cameron Harris  and Gabe Keating. This is the first time the Montgomery Catholic Wrestling team has qualified more than two team members for the state wrestling tournament since the program started. At the AHSAA South Super-Sectional tournament in Montgomery February 6-7, Zachary Van Alst placed 1st at 122lbs,  Cameron Harris placed 8th at 147lbs and Gabe Keating placed 4th at 154lbs. The wrestling team placed 15th out of 25 teams with 66.5 points. The team will head to Huntsville February 12 -14 for the State Tournament and show that wrestling Knight spirit!

Montgomery Catholic Middle School Band Members at Auburn Honor Band Festival

Five Montgomery Catholic middle school students participated in Auburn University's Middle School Honor Band February 5-7. The musicians worked hard auditioning on Thursday, practicing for eight hours with other middle school Honor Band members and band directors. The weekend concluded with a concert Saturday at the Auburn Preforming Arts Center at Auburn High School. Eighth grade students Ricky Treloar and Nicholas Bowden, along with seventh grade students Ashley Hayes, Savannah Johnson and Victoria Hall proudly represented Montgomery Catholic and Band Director Alex Johnson.

Montgomery Catholic Students Recognized at YMCA Junior Youth Legislature

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School middle school students were recognized for their efforts at the YMCA's Junior Youth Legislature Program on January 30 at the State Capitol. Gabriella Hernandez was elected as the Pro Tempore while  Patrick Whetstone, Jason Flowers, and Donovahn Wyatt were all named as Outstanding Statesman. Montgomery Catholic middle school delegates were: Jack Allen, Josie Blanks, Sarah Rose Burden, Bobby Crawford, Anna DuBois, Jason Flowers, Chandler Ford, Christian Friday, Victoria Hardy,Gabriella Hernandez, Michael Hodges, Alex Lewis, Teresa Nguyen, Katherine O'Connor, John Register, Anna Sadie, Elizabeth Speirs, Virginia Speirs, Patrick Whetstone and Donovahn Wyatt.  Montgomery Catholic High School Assistants who attended were sophomores Brian Anderson and James Sadie and senior Elizabeth Overton. The faculty sponsor was Mrs. Sarah Rech.

Pictured:  Montgomery Catholic Junior Youth Legislature award winners Outstanding Statesman Patrick Whetstone, Jason Flowers, and Donovahn Wyatt with Pro Tempore Gabriella Hernandez.

Montgomery Catholic Places 1st at AMP'd Puzzle Challenge

The AMP'd Math Puzzle Challenge was Saturday, January 24, 2015 at Auburn University. Montgomery Catholic competed at the Varsity (11th-12th grade) and Junior Varsity (9th-10th grade) levels. The event poses 12 math/logic puzzles for teams of 7 to solve over a period of about 5 hours.

Both teams did well and the students enjoyed solving the puzzles. Some were simple and straight-forward, (such as writing a crossword with the spelling for the numbers one through twenty), others were hard (such as navigating a complete circuit with a complex moving scheme or aligning sets of colored squares to meet a complex symmetry condition), and some were harder than they might have been (such as counting the number of ways to make 37 cents or renumbering a pair of dice to keep the same probability of rolling totals 2 to 12). 

  

The Montgomery Catholic Junior Varsity team did exceptionally well and took first place among junior varsity teams. The team actually scored 3rd overall beating all but two of the varsity teams and  were one of only a few teams to solve all 12 puzzles. Special recognition to Henry Petters and Lisa Hong for being among the few who solved the two most difficult puzzles. The Montgomery Catholic Varsity team had tough competition and worked hard to bring home 5th place. Dr. Profio said of the teams "Both teams worked hard. The teamwork was impressive. I hope the students learned something about patience, persistence, and effective collaboration."

Montgomery Catholic's JV team members are David Bender, Lita Blackburn, Lisa Hong, Henry Petters, Katie Slear and Lauren Smith. The Varsity Team members are: Paige Barranco, Ann Faulkner, Derek Kelly, Ashley Kim, Leo Petters and William Russell.

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School celebrates Catholic Schools Week January 26 - 30

Father Driscoll with Mrs. Burden's second grade class at
Montgomery Catholic's Holy Spirit campus.

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School celebrated Catholic Schools Week, January 26 - 30. The 2015 theme was “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.”  K4-12 students participated in special events throughout the week celebrating Faith, Knowledge and Service in our Community, Nation, Vocations, and Faculty & Students.

High School Students at the State Capitol
for the National School Choice Rally.
Charcille Randall, Maggie Ward, Gaten Armstrong,
Cameron Harris, Emily Barranco, Emily Lafreniere 
and Zack Jones.

Grandparents were invited to our St. Bede elementary campus for Grandparents Day on Monday, January 26 and the Holy Spirit campus held a book fair all week. The St. Bede campus art show "Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head"  was on display in the main hallway all week. The Montgomery Catholic Parent Teacher Council treated students, faculty and staff to several special events and treats throughout the week. The High School attended the National School Choice rally at the State Capitol. The Montgomery Catholic Middle School campus welcomed guest speakers on Career day, including Catholic Coach, Kirk Johnson, a former All American football player
and Coach; Barry Waite, a Motivational Speaker; Gwen Kennedy, an Attorney with the Family and Juvenile Court system and Lisa Hoffman, former Air Force Officer and Wellness Coach. The Elementary campuses had classroom visits and blessings from Parish priests Father Pat Arensberg and Father Alex Valladares from St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church and Father Patrick Driscoll from Holy Spirit Catholic Church.

A week to celebrate all that Catholic Education is. Montgomery Catholic is blessed by its wonderful community of "Faith, Knowledge and Service."

Montgomery Catholic parent and motivational  speaker
Barry Waite speaks to the Middle school campus on Career Day
during Catholic Schools Week.

St. Bede Parent Volunteers watch classes while teachers were
treated to lunch. From left to right Karla Gier, Shawn McNeely,
Leigh Ankersen, Leigh Esdale, Greg Treloar and  Elizabeth Planer.

16 Montgomery Catholic Band Members selected for Alabama State and District Honor Band

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School is proud to announce 16 Band members who have been selected as part of the Alabama Bandmasters Association District VI All-District Honor Band, and 6 Band members selected for a place in the Alabama All-State Honor Bands. Auditions were held in Opelika and Prattville on January 31. Band Director Alex Johnson commends every student who made the trip and tried out. He feels that with the effort to audition, his band members "distinguished themselves as dedicated musicians and top members of the MCPS Band." Those band members accepted to the All-State and District Honor Bands are listed below.

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School All-State Honor Band members are: Jonathan Green (Unassigned), Henry Petters (Unassigned) , William Russell (Red Band), Mary Reagan Starrett (White Band), Logan Stevens (White Band), and Beth Vaughan (Unassigned).

Montgomery Catholic students chosen as All-District Honor Band members are: David Bender, 10th chair;Adam Bristol, 6th chair; Nicholas Brown, 5th chair; Eric Crenshaw, 4th chair; Jonah Gier, 4th chair; Jonathan Green, 1st chair; Audrey Kim, 8th chair; Katie McDaniel, 8th chair; Braley Mullarkey,10th chair; Henry Petters,1st chair; William Russell, 2nd chair; Mary Reagan Starrett, 7th chair; Logan Stevens, 6th chair; Ricky Treloar,  6th chair; Beth Vaughan, 1st chair; and Chris Waring, 6th chair.

District Honor Band will be held on February 20-21 at Auburn High School with All-State Honor Band April 15-18 in Mobile. Congratulations to all of these students on a job well done!