Montgomery Catholic Middle School Students Participate In Wreaths Across America

On the morning of Saturday, December 14, at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, a busload of Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School Middle School students stood amongst hundreds of volunteers in somber remembrance of those whose headstones they would adorn with wreaths. Wreaths Across America is a volunteer organization whose mission is to remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach children the value of freedom. Once a year, volunteers from across the United States, at sea, and abroad gather at military cemeteries to lay remembrance wreaths onto the graves of our country’s fallen heroes from all branches of service. This is the 11^th year that the Alabama National Cemetery has held this event.

The Wreaths Across America event attracted hundreds of volunteers from across the state of Alabama. With the many hands available, placing wreaths on all 6,000 grave markers was light work. Some had loved ones they could honor with wreaths. For others, it was an opportunity to pay tribute to comrades in arms. For all in attendance, it was an unforgettable event, and hopefully, it will raise awareness of the importance of remembering all veterans.

MCPS theology teacher Tom Riello and history teacher Hollis Johnson accompanied the 30 students on the trip. Riello joined his 7^th grade son, Peter, who had signed up to help that day.

“I had heard from other people who had gone last year about how moving this ceremony was,” said Riello. “When Peter volunteered to help, I figured it was as good of an excuse as any to go. It was such a privilege to be a part of a ceremony that acknowledged the heroic sacrifice of those who gave everything they had for the cause of freedom in the United States and around the world.”

Peter saw Wreaths Across America as a unique opportunity to honor those who had dedicated their lives to service to our country.

“I wanted to honor veterans and pay my respects to them for all they’ve sacrificed for us,” he said. “My brother served in the Navy, so this was a special day for me. I really enjoyed hearing stories about the veterans during the ceremony and learning about what they were willing to do in defense of our citizens. My favorite part of the day was when I got to place wreaths and say a prayer for each person.”

For Johnson, who is a veteran himself, this trip had an even more significant meaning to him.

“I loved participating in Wreaths Across America so much last year I couldn't wait to do it again this year,” he said. “Being a Marine Corps veteran, I find it very moving to honor those veterans who are no longer with us.”

Although there are federal holidays that pay tribute to members of the military, Wreaths Across America aims to bring attention to the service of veterans and acknowledge the importance of remembering them, especially through the winter holidays. And for Johnson, it was an opportunity to recognize brothers in arms.

“Like last year, I looked for brother Marines to lay a wreath at their graves,” he said. “I found two Vietnam War Marines, saluted them, then prayed for each and their families. It's touching to know that they are not forgotten; someone knows they are there. Semper Fidelis, ‘Always Faithful.’”

For all in attendance, it was an unforgettable event, and hopefully it will raise awareness of the importance of remembering all veterans.

The wreaths will remain in the cemetery until January, at which time the MCPS Middle School students will return to help clear the cemetery. More information about Wreaths Across America can be found at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Montgomery Catholic Principal Justin Castanza Is 68th YMCA Man of the Year

On the evening of December 9, 2019, the YMCA of Greater Montgomery held their 68^th annual Man of the Year Award ceremony. Nominated by a panel of youth from the River Region, the candidates are each recognized for their outstanding service to young people through leadership and volunteer work in the community. This year’s recipient was Justin Castanza, Principal of the Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School Middle and High School Campuses.

“For years I’ve been going to this banquet and have seen recipient after recipient earn a red jacket and sit at the front of the banquet,” said Castanza. “So now, to be part of this incredible group of men and women is a real honor. These are the men and women whom I’ve looked up to for the last 20 years. To know that those people who have pushed me and have driven me and have been mentors for me are now my peers is quite a recognition.”

Nominees for Man of the Year were selected by student organizations and clubs from around the River Region. Castanza was nominated by the Montgomery Catholic Youth in Government Club, led by teacher Haley Hart and students Anna Sadie, Rachel Rodriguez, Allie Berg, and Gracie Barranco. After the nominees were presented by their nominating committees, the Man of the Year was voted on by committees of students from around the River Region. Senior Anna Sadie, a committee co-chair, explained why the students chose to nominate Castanza for the honor.

“Mr. Castanza exceeded all expectations in every category we based the award off of,” she said. “We are not only lucky to have him in our school community, but also our Montgomery community. The time and effort he puts into everything he does is unmatched and we are blessed to have him as a community leader.”

Mr. Castanza is a native of Montgomery and 2001 graduate of Montgomery Catholic and 2005 graduate of Mississippi State University. Being no stranger to service, Castanza worked as a camp counselor at Camp Chandler for 14 consecutive summers before becoming Camp Director in 2009. After transitioning to Montgomery Catholic in 2014, he started as a math teacher and Dean of Students at the High School Campus before assuming the role of Principal of the Middle and High School Campuses in 2015. Castanza has continued to serve the YMCA over the years by serving on several executive boards and helping at Camp Chandler. Active in the Catholic community, he also serves as the Youth Catechetical Leader at Holy Spirit Catholic Church and leads pilgrimages to Italy, Guatemala, and the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. He is married to Meg Castanza, and together they have three children: Vincent, Natalie, and Sal.

Montgomery Catholic is proud to have Justin Castanza leading our Middle and High School Campuses while serving the youth all around the River Region.

Montgomery Catholic Middle Schoolers Learn to Craft by Design

Montgomery Catholic middle school science teacher Karla Gier is used to teaching students how to be hands-on and resourceful with the various science lessons and projects she teaches. This year, she introduced a new elective class, Craft by Design, and many students are learning that working with their hands can be hard work, but the results are beautiful and rewarding.

The craft projects are seemingly simple—a drawstring bag, an origami mobile, a pillow with buttons, a friendship or paracord bracelet—but each project introduces a different challenge in fine motor skills, planning and design, and finishing touches. Sometimes the students pick the skills up easily, and sometimes the tasks can be time-consuming and difficult. But the main goal of the class is for the students to learn something different that is tactile and takes some skill and patience to accomplish.
When it comes to finding a teacher who is uniquely qualified to lead a class like this, Karla definitely fits the bill.

“I love working with my hands,” she said. “I enjoy knitting, woodworking, and beekeeping, and I love using power tools. I have made all of the curtains in my house and many pieces of furniture.”
When coming up with the curriculum, Karla aimed to teach lessons that used a broad spectrum of skills.

“I wanted a creative endeavor with different materials,” she said. “With the needlework lesson, I wanted them to learn different techniques, so they learned different stitches, how to sew a button onto fabric, and how to design, decorate, stuff, and close a pillow. The idea for origami actually came from a student who told me that he wanted to learn it.”

To assist in some of her lessons, Karla enlists the help of people who are advanced in their crafts, such as a faculty member with Japanese heritage to help with origami, and the ladies from the Dorcas Society at St. Bede, a group who knits and crochets projects for various charities in the area, to help with crochet.

“Some of these crafts just take patience and a steady hand,” said Frances Harbin, who helped to teach the origami lesson. “I think that anyone can learn to fold paper, but the bigger lesson is in overcoming the initial frustration that can come with learning a new skill.”

And while crochet can be difficult to master, the Dorcas Society ladies and the students both were determined to figure out the art of deftly interlocking each strand of yarn. The first day of the project produced varied results.

“Most of the students got a single crochet, and that’s half the battle,” said Joan Treadaway, a volunteer with the Dorcas Society. “It just takes practice and getting used to feeling a needle and yarn in their hands.”

At the end of each quarter, the classes will have completed several projects that they can display, wear, or use. The students seem to enjoy the class, despite the challenging nature of each project.
“It’s really hard, and you have to be really precise,” said 7th grade student Sophia Lopez about the origami project. 8th grader John Scott Jackson agreed, but with a caveat.

“It’s hard at first, but once you figure it out, it becomes really easy and it’s interesting.”
After completing each project, the students feel a sense of accomplishment, in spite of the initial difficulty. Sophia affirmed that completing tasks and having a tangible product at the end is rewarding. “It feels really good because I achieved something,” she said.