Catholic's Barragan and Scott Honored With Teen Leadership Award at MMFA

Alice Novak presented the MMFA
Teen Leadership Award to Catholic senior
Maria Barragan

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School is pleased to announce the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts honored a Montgomery Catholic senior and a 2017 graduate with the teen leadership award at their "Volunteers Cultivate the Best" luncheon.  Montgomery Catholic senior Maria Barragan and Alumni Carson Scott '17 were given the Teen Leadership award in recognition of their contributions on October 16, 2017. 

Ms. Alice Novak, MMFA Curator of Education said of Barragan and Scott, " These two young women from the MUSES teen council displayed outstanding leadership last year, including co-hosting a premier arts events for teens in Montgomery.  Carson worked many special events, and Maria helped teach art camp.  Both have decided to major in art history, and we are so proud and know they will add so much to the field."

Maria and Claudia Barragan

 Novak teaches Art History and both young women were her students. Scott was missed at the event because she is away at college. Maria and her mother attended where Maria was surprised to be honored. 

Ms. Novak said, "Maria was an art history student at the Museum last year and demonstrated a gift for making art relevant and accessible. She was a leader in class discussions (always making everyone laugh) and invited all of us to see art and the world in new ways.  She is an incredibly talented as a teacher too, which we discovered at Art Camp this summer. We are glad she has one more year to serve the Museum on the MUSES teen council!  We hope students in Montgomery will ask Maria about the fun things offered for teens at the Museum." 

Barragan plans to pursue an art degree in college. She is the daughter of Deonicio and Claudia Barragan of Montgomery.

Montgomery Catholic Crowns 2017 Homecoming Queen and King

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School crowned their 2017 Homecoming Queen and King during the half-time ceremonies of the varsity football game as the Knights hosted Bullock County High School, October 20, 2017.

The 2017 Montgomery Catholic Homecoming Court, pictured from left to right: Freshmen Attendant Chloe Walden escorted by Grant Smith; Junior Attendant Annamary Gilbert escorted by Mitch Aaron. Senior Attendant Carrie Belsterling escorted by Parker Dennis; Homecoming Queen, Briana Hollinger & King, Luke Craig; Senior Attendant Aleigha Walden with BJ Barker; and Senior Attendant Paige Rentfro with Tyler Price and Sophomore Attendant Lorren Pharrams escorted by CJ Owens.

The school was honored to welcome back to their Alma Mater the 2016 Homecoming Queen and King, Miss Tori Barranco and Mr. Brian Anderson  to crown the 2017 Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School Homecoming King and Queen.

Miss Briana Hollinger and Mr. Luke Craig were announced as the 2017 Montgomery Catholic Homecoming Queen and King at mid-field.

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School welcomed all Alumni home with an Alumni party Under the Tent at the Homecoming game from kick-off to half-time. Alumni, including the class of 1977 celebrating their 40th reunion, the class of 1982 celebrating their 35th reunion, the class of 1987 celebrating their 30th reunion, and the class of 2007 celebrating their 10th reunion, were able to enjoy a delicious meal from Jim-N-Nicks Bar-b-Que, while catching up with old classmates.

Before the game, Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School President, Anne Ceasar along with Principal Justin Castanza and Athletic Director Daniel Veres honored the 2017 Girls Outdoor Track and Field State Championship team, where each team member and the coaches were presented with their State Championship ring. Pictured are: 2017 Girl’s Outdoor State Championship winning team Miss Tamrah Tucker, Miss Jimmah Fenderson, Miss Grace Leslie, Miss Katie Galvin, Miss Katelyn Stark, Miss Isabelle Cochran, Miss Amaris Tyynismaa, Assistant Coach Hollis Johnson, Assistant Coach Coy Hunter and
Head Coach, and 2017 US Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Alabama Girl’s Coach of the Year Ed Wright. Not pictured: Assistant Coach Kevin Madden and Miss Morgan Yorton.

Montgomery Catholic students celebrated Homecoming Week at all campuses with a host of daily activities including the Homecoming Bonfire and mini-parade held on Thursday evening at the Middle/High School Campus for K4-12 families. Alumni Pat McGinn '85 had the honor of lighting the fire, and the St. Bede Campus took home first place for their float. Friday, the Middle and High School ended school with a pep rally. A Friday night victory over Bullock County (31-6) led to a fun night as the Middle School campus held their fall dance after the game. The High School campus ended the week with their Homecoming Dance on Saturday, October 21, 2017 held at the St. Bede Catholic Church Family Life Center. The theme was High School Musical.

(Photos by: Total Image)

5 Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School Students Named AP Scholars

Five Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School students have earned AP Scholar Awards in recognition for their exceptional achievement on AP Exams.

The College Board's Advanced Placement Program® (AP) provides opportunities for motivated and prepared students to experience college-level courses while in high school, thereby fostering critical thinking and college persistence and success.

Audrey Kim '17 earned the title of AP Scholar with Distinction by earning an average score of at least 3.5 on
all AP exams taken and a score of 3 or higher on five or more of the exams.

Adam Bristol '17 and Seoul Hong '17 each earned the title of AP Scholar with Honor by earning an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken and scores of  3 or higher on four or more of these exams.

Two students earned the title of AP Scholar by completing three or more AP Exams with grades of 3 or higher. The AP Scholars are Chris Dejesus '18 and  Michael Barber '17.

Congratulations to our AP Scholars! Go Knights!!!

Audrey Kim '17, Adam Bristol '17, Michael Barber '17, Seoul Hong '17, Chris DeJesus '18

Montgomery Catholic 2017 Groundbreaking Event

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School is pleased to announce the groundbreaking of a new gymnasium and renovating the current gym into a state of the art performing arts building.

The event was held on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at 11:45 a.m. at the Middle/High School campus located at 5350 Vaughn Road, Montgomery, Alabama 36116.

The Most Reverend Thomas J. Rodi, Archbishop of Mobile; Gwendolyn P. Byrd Executive Director, Department of Catholic Education Archdiocese of Mobile; Michele Manry, Executive Director Financial Services Archdiocese of Mobile; Earl Ryser, Owner, Central Contracting, Inc.; and Anne Ceasar Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School President were special guests at the event.

Reverend Monsignor Charles Troncale opened the event in prayer, while Montgomery Catholic's Middle/High School principal Mr. Justin Castanza hosted the event. Mrs. Tia Levanda, MCPS Advisory Council Chair read 1 Corinthians 3:5-11.

Tia Levanda

Each MCPS campus was represented with members from the SGA who participated in the signing ceremony and blessing of the building site by Archbishop Rodi. The students were: Aaron Gilbert, St. Bede Campus Student Council President; Mally Barranco, Holy Spirit Campus Student Council President; Gibson Souriya, Middle School SGA President; Paige Rentfro, High School SGA President; and Chloe Newell, Senior Class President.

Other distinguished guests included: Reverend Victor Ingalls, Reverend Nicholas Napolitano, Reverend Alex Valladares, Holy Spirit Campus Principal Nancy Foley, St. Bede Campus Principal Laurie Gulley, Middle School Assitant Principal Julie Wood, Athletic Director Daniel Veres, Band Director Alex Johnson,and Seawell McKee, McKee and Associates Architecture and Interior Design who were joined by the Capital Campaign volunteers, parents, students and larger Montgomery Catholic community. All were happy to witness the start of the project with Archbishop Rodi's blessing of the work site.

MCPS Administration on Groundbreaking Day
Principal Nancy Foley, Principal Laurie Gulley,
Principal Justin Castanza, President Anne Ceasar,
Athletic Director Daniel Veres, Band Director Alex Johnson
Assistant Principal Julie Wood

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's capital campaign, Building on Faith, Family and Tradition raised over $3.5 million dollars in just eleven months, allowing Montgomery Catholic to look towards the future and realize the dream of a new 31,000 square foot gymnasium with stadium seating and capacity for 800. The gym will have two regulation basketball courts, a weight room, concession area, offices, locker rooms and conference rooms. The Montgomery community will find much comfort in knowing that the facility will be air conditioned - a luxury the current Father Pat Delahunty gym (built in 1968) does not have.

Along with building a new gym, plans also include converting the current gymnasium into a dedicated performing arts building to enhance our entire performing arts program. This area will be completely remodeled and create critically needed practice, storage and office space for our highly regarded band program and emerging choral program. More space means students will be able to better focus on all aspects of their practice. It will also increase the breadth of our performing arts program to include a state-of-the-art choral/drama classroom. This will allow us to provide a vibrant and supportive environment for current and future students with an affinity for the performing arts. A high school student lounge and meeting space will also be added looking onto the courtyard, giving Montgomery Catholic students a comfortable meeting space on campus.

Founded in 1873, by the Sisters of Loretto Montgomery Catholic Preparatory school celebrates 144 years of Catholic education in Montgomery this month. Founded as an all girl’s school, St. Mary of Loretto became co-educational in 1929. The high school moved to its current location in 1965. The last expansion at the campus was in 2007 with the addition of the Dolly Barranco Student Activity Center and Cafeteria. Today, Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School is a K4-12 college preparatory program, with an average student enrollment of 800 at three campuses in Montgomery.


Mission: 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 to grow to become persons of faith, virtue, and wisdom.

Montgomery Catholic Students Attend 44th Annual Red Mass

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School’s senior class and high school choir joined the state of Alabama's Unified Judicial System officials in celebrating the 44th Annual Red Mass at St. Peter's Catholic Church in downtown Montgomery on October 2, 2017. The Most Reverend Thomas J. Rodi, Archbishop of Mobile, celebrated the Mass.

The tradition of the Red Mass goes back many centuries in Rome, Paris, and London. It is the Solemn Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit celebrated generally near the beginning of the Judicial Year and attended by judges, lawyers, and court officials of all faiths for the purpose of invoking God's blessing and guidance in the administration of justice.

Choir teacher, Ms. Kate Gates and the Montgomery Catholic high school choir sang at the 44th Annual Red Mass.

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's Class of 2018 is pictured with Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi at the reception following Mass.

Breaking Ground at Catholic on October 10

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School is pleased to announce the groundbreaking of a new gymnasium and performing arts building.

The event will be held on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at 11:45 a.m. at the Middle/High School campus located at 5350 Vaughn Road, Montgomery, Alabama 36116.

The Most Reverend Thomas J. Rodi, Archbishop of Mobile; Gwendolyn P. Byrd

Executive Director, Department of Catholic Education Archdiocese of Mobile; and Anne Ceasar Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School President will be special guests at the event.

Details about the Project

The capital campaign, Building on Faith, Family and Tradition raised over $3.5 million dollars in just eleven months, allowing Montgomery Catholic to look towards the future and realize the dream of a new 31,000 square foot gymnasium with stadium seating and capacity for 800. The gym will have two regulation basketball courts, a weight room, concession area, offices, locker rooms and conference rooms. The Montgomery community will find much comfort in knowing that the facility will be air conditioned - a luxury the current Father Pat Delahunty gym (built in 1968) does not have.

Along with building a new gym, plans also include converting the current gymnasium into a dedicated performing arts building to enhance our entire performing arts program. This area will be completely remodeled and create critically needed practice, storage and office space for our highly regarded band program and emerging choral program. More space means students will be able to better focus on all aspects of their practice. It will also increase the breadth of our performing arts program to include a state-of-the-art choral/drama classroom. This will allow us to provide a vibrant and supportive environment for current and future students with an affinity for the performing arts. A high school student lounge and meeting space will also be added looking onto the courtyard, giving Montgomery Catholic students a comfortable meeting space on campus. 

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School - A Brief History 

Founded in 1873, by the Sisters of Loretto Montgomery Catholic Preparatory school celebrates 144 years of Catholic education in Montgomery this month. Founded as an all girl’s school, St. Mary of Loretto became co-educational in 1929. The high school moved to its current location in 1965. The last expansion at the campus was in 2007 with the addition of the Dolly Barranco Student Activity Center and Cafeteria. Today, Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School is a 

K4-12 college preparatory program, with an average student enrollment of 800 at three campuses in Montgomery.

Programs and Capital Campaign information will be available at the event.

Mission: 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 to grow to become persons of faith, virtue, and wisdom.

Contact: Vicki Dickson, Director of Communications

vdickson@montgomerycatholic.org

334-272-7221 ext 32