Montgomery Catholic JV Team Number One at AMP'd

The Auburn Mathematical Puzzle Challenge (AMP'd) is an annual competition for teams of seven high school students to solve puzzles involving mathematics, logic, shapes and patterns, word play, cryptograms, and creative thinking. AMP'd is sponsored by the Auburn University College of Science and Mathematics. Original puzzles are designed by the nationally recognized puzzle designer, Eric Harshbarger, who lives in Auburn and who also designed puzzles for the MCPS Freshmen Puzzle Day held last month.

The AMP'd theme this year was "Card and Key." Each solved puzzle allowed students to unlock a box containing cards. The cards when collected posed a bonus puzzle for finding a joker from the deck hidden somewhere in the building.

MCPS took a Junior Varsity team (9th and 10th graders) and a Varsity team (11th and 12th graders). The JV team was proctored by MCPS faculty members Mr. Harold Simpson with help from Mr. Rick Aaron. The team finished in 1st place by just 4 points over the 2nd place JV team. JV Team members are: Erica Blackburn, Jacob Holston, Arthur Murray, Scott “Lucky Lay Down” Nation, Charles O’Donnell, Emily Talbot and Clare Wilson (pictured below).

The MCPS Varsity did well, solving 12 of the 13 puzzles, but ran out of time as they were just solving the bonus puzzle. Varsity team members are: Ivy Bach, Lita Backburn, Chris DeJesus, Lisa Hong, Henry Petters, Katie Slear and Lauren Smith (pictured below).

Dr. Joe Profio said of the event "AMP'd is the most fun event we go to each year. Students ask about AMP'd beginning in August even though the event is in the spring. Every adult who has chaperoned an AMP'd team has also enjoyed watching the students as they think through the puzzles. It is a wonderful overall experience."

Congratulations to the Montgomery Catholic AMP'd teams a a great year!

Montgomery Catholic's Bartels Receives Grand Recognition through Duke TIP Program

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School proudly announces six middle school students who have earned State Recognition for their ACT scores by the Duke Talent Identification Program, one of which, received Grand Recognition (one of only 1,600 nationwide).

Sadie Bartels

The Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) identifies academically talented seventh grade students in sixteen states across the Southeast, Midwest, and Southwest who have scored at the 95th percentile or above on standardized achievement tests. Montgomery Catholic had 18 middle school students who qualified to participate in the Duke TIP Program last fall with six students high enough scores to have qualified for state recognition.

Montgomery Catholic students who will be honored at the Duke Talent Search State Recognition Ceremony are Sadie Bartels (pictured left), Pictured below from left to right: Grace Hoffman, Zach Izer, Julienne Pharrams, Brian Povilus and Maggie Turner. Sadie Bartels received Grand Recognition for receiving a ACT score of 28. She is the daughter of Mandy and Clay Bartels of Pike Road, Alabama.

Montgomery Catholic is very proud of these hard working students. Congratulations!

    

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School Earns Jostens National Yearbook Design Recognition

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School Earns Jostens National Yearbook Design Recognition
EXCALIBUR yearbook featured in 2017 Jostens Look Book

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School’s yearbook, Excalibur, has been recognized for excellence and featured in the 2017 Jostens Look Book, celebrating the best-of-the-best in yearbook design and coverage. The Jostens Look Book is a collection of spreads and photos from outstanding yearbooks and their creative themes, cool covers, dazzling designs, relevant coverage, storytelling copy and action-packed photography. Along with design excellence, the annually published Look Book honors the important role well-crafted yearbooks play in helping schools chronicle the experiences, stories and achievements most relevant to students and that academic year.

The Excalibur 2015 was created by the students of Montgomery Catholic High School’s Yearbook Staff under the direction of Bettina Sinclair, the school’s yearbook adviser.  They were recognized for their cover design which featured a custom litho combo design with super matte lamination and ShineFX applications.

The Montgomery Catholic Preparatory Excalibur yearbook publication was one of only 418 yearbooks selected from approximately 3,000 entries nationwide. The 2017 panel of judges, comprised of nationally recognized scholastic journalism professionals and award-winning yearbook advisers, selected the best examples of yearbook spreads and covers to make up the 296-page 2017 Look Book.

“Even in 2017, Yearbooks are unique, limited edition time capsules created by students to capture the unique memories, stories and events of a school year.  I couldn’t be more proud of Mrs. Sinclair and her staff for their excellent work”, said Tyler Melton, area Jostens Yearbooks representative. “They carefully selected and developed their theme for the yearbook which always starts with a great concept for the cover design.  They then designed pages that focused on relevant and inclusive content, and it is great to see them rewarded for their creativity.”

Sinclair and her yearbook staff received a copy of the 2017 Jostens Look Book and a certificate from Jostens to recognize their outstanding achievement.

The Jostens Look Book is a must-have resource for yearbook advisers and staffs seeking creative design and coverage ideas, trends and inspiration. The Look Book complements www.YearbookAvenue.com and www.facebook.com/JostensAdviserandStaff, Jostens online destinations for yearbook creation ideas.

About Jostens
Jostens is a trusted partner in the academic and achievement channel, providing products, programs and services that help its customers celebrate moments that matter. The company's products include yearbooks, publications, jewelry and consumer goods that serve the K-12 educational, college and professional sports segments. Founded in 1897 and based in Minneapolis, Minn., Jostens is a subsidiary of Newell Brands and can be found online at www.jostens.com.

About Newell Brands
Newell Brands is a leading global consumer goods company with a strong portfolio of well-known brands, including Paper Mate®, Sharpie®, Dymo®, EXPO®, Parker®, Elmer’s®, Coleman®, Jostens®, Marmot®, Rawlings®, Irwin®, Lenox®, Oster®, Sunbeam®, FoodSaver®, Mr. Coffee®, Rubbermaid Commercial Products®, Graco®, Baby Jogger®, NUK®, Calphalon®, Rubbermaid®, Contigo®, First Alert®, Waddington and Yankee Candle®. Driven by a sharp focus on the consumer, leading investment in innovation and brands, and a performance-driven culture, Newell Brands helps consumers achieve more where they live, learn, work and play.

Contact information: 

Tyler Melton

Jostens Publishing Consultant

706-587-9154

tyler.melton@jostens.com

Montgomery Catholic Inducts New NHS Members and Honors Senior Members

The Loretto Chapter of the National Honor Society at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School inducted twenty-two new members into their society during an Induction Ceremony Monday, April 12, 2017 in Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's Dolly Barranco Activity Center.

The National Honor Society (NHS), established in 1921, is a national recognition program for students who show achievement in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. High School students are selected for membership through an application process and are selected by the faculty council. Candidates must meet the chapter's requirement for scholarship, service, leadership and character in order to be selected for membership. Continued participation in service projects and upholding the ideals of the school are required to retain membership. Members must also maintain the chapter's required cumulative grade point average.

The newest members of the Loretto Chapter are: Johnny An, Aimee Azar, Carrie Belsterling, Alex Brockmann, Trinity Carter, Jessie Clark, Luke Craig, Katie Fischer, Hannaley Haigler, Ryne Herbek, Lisa Hong,Ryan Janson, Minseok Kim, Garret McGinn, Jenni Morgan, Kamryn Morris, Collin Neal, Chloe Newell, Anna Nutting, Henry Petters, David Poole, Paige Rentfro, Ethan Ronan, Katie Slear, Annabel Starrett, Matthew Taylor, Aleigha Walden, Angela Wheat, and Chalsea Williams.

Pictured below are the 2017-2017 NHS officers that were also announced, they are from left to right:Anna Nutting– Vice President, Paige Rentfro– President, Chloe Newell– Treasurer, and  Jenni Morgan– Secretary.

The Class of 2017 members of NHS also received their honor cords, they were: Riley Aaron,  Ivy Bach,

David Bender, Adam Bristol– 2016 NHS Secretary, Francisco Gonzalez-Ansaldi, Nicholas Homsher, Lisa Hong, Devin Kelly, Audrey Kim - 2016 NHS President , Minseok Kim, Kayanna McKenzie, David Poole,  Julia Rodriguez – 2016 NHS Vice-President, Ethan Ronan, James Sadie, Katie Slear, Lauren Smith, Nate Smith, Zach VanAlst – 2016 NHS Treasurer and Hugh Walker. 

A reception hosted by the 2016 National Honor Society members for the new members and their families immediately followed the ceremony. Mrs. Stefanie Nelson acts as the faculty sponsor for Montgomery Catholic's National Honor Society.

Montgomery Catholic Students Sent to Serve During Lenten Day of Service

Senior Boys finish their Lenten Day of  Service project.

Each year during Lent Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's High School campus sends students out into the community to give back through service.  This year Student Activities Coordinator Stefanie Nelson and Principal Justin Castanza, along with the entire high school faculty, worked harder than ever to make the experience meaningful for the students and beneficial to the community.

At St. Joseph's Catholic School
 in Tuskegee.

On Friday, April 7, 2017 after celebrating Mass with Reverend Monsignor Charles Troncale. All ninth through twelfth grade students at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School were sent to serve, just as the Catholic Mass ends with the Priest who sends the congregation to  “go in peace to love and to serve the Lord.”

At Catholic Children's Ministry at
St. Bede.

In a nutshell, each class is divided into individual "advisory classes" in the high school, 26 in total. These classes are comprised of groups of 10-15 students. Each group selected a community organization or work site to adopt for their Lenten Service Day. These advisory classes chose something that they felt passionate about and would like to work to improve.  Students and teachers worked to contact the locations, organize the tasks, and arrange the day of service, extending Montgomery Catholic's reach in the community to more locations then in years past and allowing the students to engage in a more meaningful and connected experience.

In total, over 330 students and 50 faculty members and parent volunteers gave over 1,100 hours in service to the community at 20 locations across the River Region including: YMCA Chandler, YMCA Belser, Alabama Wildlife Federation, Jackson Lake Island in Millbrook, Catholic Social Services, Montgomery Humane Society, John Knox Manor Nursing Home, Greenwood Cemetary, Catholic Social Services, Family Sunshine Center, John Knox Manor Retirement Tower, Prattville/Autauga Humane Society, Goodwill, Montgomery Zoo, Catholic Children's Ministry at St. Bede, Old Alabama Town, One Church Mission, EAT South, St. Joseph's School Tuskegee, Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts and the American Cancer Society.

Montgomery Catholic Hosts 17th Annual Mardi Gras Prayer Breakfast

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's sophomore class hosted the annual Mardi Gras Prayer Breakfast for the entire high school student body and many special guests on Fat Tuesday, February 28, 2017.  The day began in the wee hours of the morning with members of the sophomore 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.  Sophomore SGA officers  Austin Collett, Anna Catherine Barranco and Zoe Rutland welcomed guests and invited everyone to write down their Lenten promises which will hang in the main hall of the High School next to the Chapel. Guests were invited to stop and read the promises throughout Lent and say a prayer for those who made them. Father Patrick Driscoll from Holy Spirit  Catholic Church opened with prayer. 

Anna Catherine Barranco, the sophomore class president introduced the speaker for the event. This year Mrs. Lori Riggles, a dedicated Montgomery Catholic teacher and parent was the keynote speaker. She is the mother of an Montgomery Catholic Alumnus and and two current students, Mari Caitlin (10th) and Emily (8th).  Anna Catherine also gave closing remarks thanking all of the Prayer Breakfast sponsors, including: Chappy's Deli; Alaga Syrup; Craig Sherman, MCPS Cafeteria Manager; Sharon Kelly, MCPS Cafeteria Assistant; Alex Johnson, MCPS Band Director and the MCPS Band; and the Sophomore Class parents and Sophomore Class sponsor Mrs. Sarah Berg. Deacon Raymond Gueret from Holy Spirit Catholic Church offered the Benediction to end the event, after tenth grade student Victoria Hardy lead those gathered in "Lord Prepare Me to be a Sanctuary".

This is the seventeenth year Montgomery Catholic has hosted the Prayer Breakfast as a class retreat and service project for the school, previously hosted by the junior class, 2017 is the first year the sophomore class has taken on the responsibility.

Deacon Jim Labadie, Mr. Tom Riello, Deacon Ray Gueret and Fr. Linn Harbour