Monday, February 29, 2016

Barwick Named New President for St. Pius X Catholic High School in Atlanta, Georgia

Chad Barwick, 7-12 principal of Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School, has been selected as the new president at St. Pius X Catholic High School in Atlanta, Georgia for the 2016-2017 academic year. Mr. Barwick will begin his new position on July 1.

Barwick, a class of 1994 alumni of Montgomery Catholic, returned to his Alma mater in 2012 and has been principal for grades 7-12 for four years. In explaining his decision, Mr. Barwick said, “the opportunity to be principal at the middle and high campuses for the school that I love has been humbling and rewarding. The support of our parents, the joy given to me by our students, and the expertise of the faculty and staff make me overwhelmingly grateful for these years. I've grown professionally and spiritually thanks to the great community here at MCPS and can never truly thank everyone for this gift. Montgomery Catholic is a very blessed school with a beautiful future ahead. I look forward to continuing to support it as an alumni and friend. ”.

Before returning to Montgomery Catholic, Barwick served as principal for three years at Anthony de Padua Catholic School in South Bend, Indiana. He also served as acting principal for two quarters at San Juan Diego Catholic High School in Austin, Texas, and was a teacher and coach at Mount de Sales Academy in Macon, Georgia. His new position will make him the first school president of St. Pius X, a high school (grades 9-12) with an average enrollment of approximately 1,100 students.

On accepting Barwick's resignation, Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School president Anne Ceasar said, "Chad is a dynamic educator, who is passionate about his faith and his students. He will make a huge impact at St. Pius X. They are very lucky he is joining their community, and he will be greatly missed at Montgomery Catholic.”

In naming Barwick’s replacement Ceasar said, “We are excited to announce the interim middle/high school principal for next year will be Mr. Justin Castanza. Justin has been part of our school for many years. He has served as a teacher and Dean of Students. He is an integral part of our Catholic community’s youth ministry programs. I feel he will continue the forward movement of our school during this interim year. Justin has a great love for Montgomery Catholic that began when he was a student here and his passion for our school will be a great asset in his new role. ” 


Castanza is a 2001 graduate of Montgomery Catholic. He received his undergraduate degree in Secondary Education and his Counselor Education masters degree in Student Affairs from Mississippi State. A teacher at Montgomery Catholic for the last two years, Castanza acted as the Associate Executive Director of the YMCA’s Camp Chandler for five years.

 On accepting the position, Mr. Castanza said, “I am overjoyed at the opportunity to lead our great school and continue to build on our tradition of Faith.  This is an exciting time at Montgomery Catholic, and I am proud to be part of our continued growth and development.  My family is truly at home in this community, and I look forward to serving in this new role."

Castanza is married to Meghan; they have two children, Vincent and Natalie. They are active members of St. Bede the Venerable Parish in Montgomery. He will begin training with Barwick immediately and he will begin full time on July 1. 

Monday, February 22, 2016

MCPS Science Olympiad Team Competes in Tuscaloosa

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's High School campus Science Olympiad team competed in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, February 20, 2016. The team brought home 8 top four awards including: 2nd Place Green Generation, Marissa Dogan and Lisa Hong; 2nd Place Invasive Species, Marissa Dogan and Jonathan Green; 2nd Place Robot Arm, Michael Barber and Martin Lee; 2nd Place Electric Vehicle, Michael Barber and Martin Lee; 3rd Place Chemistry Lab, Ivy Bach and Lita Blackburn; 3rd Place Disease Detectives, Marissa Dogan and Lisa Hong, 3rd Place Astronomy, Lita Blackburn and Lisa Hong; and
4th Place Chemistry Lab, Christopher DeJesus and Alix Smith. Science and math teachers Elizabeth Harbin, Jeanene Crenshaw, Joe Profio and Monica Hamell coached and assisted the team. Congratulations to these students on a job well done.

Montgomery Catholic's Middle School Math Team Places Top 3 at MathCounts Competition

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's  middle school math team competed in the Montgomery area MathCounts competition on Friday February 19, 2016 held at Faulkner University in Montgomery.

The team had a great day of competition and brought home 3rd place overall. Eighth grader, Clare Wilson was named one of the top 10 mathletes in the area making it to the Countdown Round, the final round of competition with quick math problems.

The team members and coaches that competed were: (front row) Sponsor Mrs. Julie Flowers, Brian Povilus, Clare Wilson, Sadie Bartells and Mrs. Vicki Petters, (middle) James Saliba, Scott Nation, Jason Flowers, Daniel Gacha, (back row) John Tittel, Charlie O'Donnell and Ryan Avery.  Congratulations to the Montgomery Catholic Middle School Math Team on a job well done!

Catholic's Van Alst - Five Time State Wrestling Champ

MCPS Coach Hunter with
5x State ChampVan Alst
Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School junior Zachary Van Alst claimed his fifth consecutive Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) wrestling state championship on Saturday, February 20 in Huntsville, this year capturing the title in the Class 1A-5A, 132-pound weight class. Van Alst finished the 2016 season undefeated with a record 50-0.

In his five-year career at Montgomery Catholic, Van Alst has won four sectional titles to go al

ong with his five state championships, while recording an overall career record of  233-12 . He was also named Most Valuable Wrestler of the State Tournament for Class 1A-5A.

He was joined in Huntsville by his teammate, senior Gabe Keating. Keating won sectionals at 160 pounds and made his second State Tournament appearance. The Knights 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.

Congratulations to the Knight Wrestling team!

Montgomery Catholic's 2016 JV Softball Team Off to a Great Start

Montgomery Catholic's JV Softball team started their season off right. The team dominated at the BrewTech Big Horn Classic Tournament, February 19-20. The Knights outscored their opponents 42-3 during the tournament, including defeating Charles Henderson 9-0; Elmore County 11-0; Greenville 10-0 and St. James in the championship 12-3. Congratulations Knights!

The Montgomery Catholic JV Softball team members are:
Alanna Aiken,  Bailey Batten, Josie Blanks, Ansley Dean, Alex Jolley, McKenzie Norton, Katherine O'Connor, Paige Rentfro, Julia  Rodriguez, Rachel Rodriguez, Leah Taylor, Chloe Walden, and Nikki Walker. Coaches are Abby Beesley, Hollis Johnson and Michael Walden.

16 Montgomery Catholic Band Members Chosen for All State and All District Honor Band



Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School is proud to announce 16 Band members who were selected as part of the Alabama Bandmasters Association District VI All-District Honor Band, and 11 Band members selected for a place in the Alabama All-State Honor Bands. Auditions were held in Opelika and Prattville on January 30. Band Directors Alex and Kristine Johnson are proud to announce the Montgomery Catholic band members accepted to the All-State and District Honor Bands.

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School All-State Honor Band members are: 
All-State Middle School Band - Ashley Hayes, Victoria Hall and Jackson Penso. All-State High School Honor Band - Audrey Kim - Alternate for All-State, Henry Petters - All-State Unassigned, Logan Stevens - All-State Red Band, Mary Reagan Starrett - All-State Blue Band, Beth Vaughan - All-State Unassigned, David Bender - All-State Blue Band, Adam Bristol - Alternate for All-State, and Eric Crenshaw - All-State Blue Band.

Montgomery Catholic students chosen as All-District Honor Band members are: Middle School Ashley Hayes - 2nd Chair Flute, Victoria Hall - 3rd Chair Clarinet, Hannah Vaccaro - 13th Chair Clarinet, Lainie Doyle - 14th Chair Clarinet, Jackson Penso - 1st Chair Contra Clarinet, Savannah Johnson - 3rd Chair Trumpet, Charlie O'Donnell - 11th Chair Trumpet, Robert Crawford - 8th Chair Trombone and High School Audrey Kim - 7th Chair Flute, Henry Petters - 1st Chair Bassoon, Logan Stevens - 4th Chair Clarinet, Mary Reagan Starrett - 10th Chair Clarinet, Beth Vaughan - 1st Chair Contra Clarinet, David Bender - 6th Chair Trombone, Adam Bristol - 4th Chair Tuba and
Eric Crenshaw - 3rd Chair Percussion.

Congratulations to these Knights!



Friday, February 19, 2016

Catholic Knights Indoor Track Team Brings Home 4 State Championships

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's Indoor Track team had a great AHSAA State meet held in Birmingham, February 5 and 6, 2016. The MCPS girls' team brought home four first place titles and the boys' team a second place in the 4 x 400 relay.

Freshman phenom, Amaris Tyynismaa won three individual State Championships in the 800, 1600 and 3200 meter races, all events she currently holds the State record in. Tyynismaa also joined teammates Isabelle Cochran, Grace Leslie, Katelyn Stark at the podium when this relay team won the 4 x 800 meter relay. These knights were also joined by teammates Tamrah Tucker and Jimmiah Fenderson who competed in the 60 meter dash among other events.

The Montgomery Catholic boys' team placed second in the 4 x 400 meter relay. Seniors Patrick O'Mara, Josh Seals and Brandon Thomas were joined by sophomore Ryan Seals to finish at 3:30.62 on Saturday and captured a medal. Teammates freshman Grant Walker and seventh grader Hollis Johnson joined the Knights at State.

Congratulations on all of the hard work and the great showing at the 2016 AHSAA State meet!

Catholic Schools Week Celebrates All That MCPS Is

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School celebrated Catholic Schools Week, the last week of January. The 2016 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.

The celebration began on Sunday when each of the Montgomery Catholic campuses held an Open House for new families interested in Catholic education for their children. Grandparents were invited to our St. Bede elementary campus for Grandparents Day on Monday, where the students performed songs from The Sound of Music and the Holy Spirit elementary campus held a book fair all week. The Montgomery Catholic Parent Teacher Council treated students, faculty and staff to several special events and treats throughout the week, including snacks at break and a special faculty lunch on Friday. The High School attended the National School Choice rally at the State Capitol. The Montgomery Catholic Middle School campus wrote thank you letters to their parents for their Catholic education. 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. Montgomery Catholic alumna Sister Dominica and Father Greenwell visited with the students at all campuses to talk about vocations. All campuses also saluted our military and first responders by inviting them to join around the flag pole and praying for them.

A week to celebrate all that Catholic Education is. Montgomery Catholic is blessed by its wonderful community of "Faith, Knowledge and Service."
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Founded in 1873, Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School is an integral part of the Catholic Church's mission to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.  As an adult community, we share in the responsibility to prepare students for college and beyond while helping them grow to become persons of faith, virtue and wisdom.

Tuesday, February 02, 2016

Catholic Holy Spirit Campus announces Spelling Bee Winners

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School’s Holy Spirit Campus recently held their school spelling bee.  Natalie Ajmal, a fourth grade student, was the winner of the school bee and the runner-up was Zach Izer, a sixth grade student.  Natalie correctly spelled MAGMA for the win.  As part of the Scripp’s National Spelling Bee competition,  Natalie represented Montgomery Catholic’s Holy Spirit at the Montgomery County Spelling Bee on February 1.


Pictured:  Montgomery Catholic’s Holy Spirit Campus Spelling Bee winner Natalie Ajmal with runner-up Zach Izer and school principal Mr. Matthew Monson after the school Spelling Bee.

Submitted by Mary Kelley