Montgomery Catholic Announces Interim Principal and Vice Principal of Academic Affairs for Middle & High School Campus

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School is pleased to announce that Eileen Aaron will serve as Interim Principal for the Middle and High School Campus for the 2020-2021 academic year. She will be joined by Laura Reilly as Vice Principal of Academic Affairs. Together, they will serve as the Middle and High School Campus leadership team that includes current Middle School Assistant Principal Julie Wood.

Eileen Aaron

Eileen Aaron is a familiar face to Montgomery Catholic.  She is mother to three graduates and two current students, Resource Teacher at the middle and high school, and loving wife to math department faculty member Rick Aaron.

“To say the Aaron family are dedicated to Montgomery Catholic is an understatement,” said incoming Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School President Justin Castanza. “I am thrilled that Eileen will be leading our school. She brings incredible professionalism, unwavering passion, and inspiring faith.” 

Aaron received her undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in English from John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio, and a graduate degree in School Psychology from the University of Akron.  Throughout her career, she has served as a licensed specialist in School Psychology and counselor at Montgomery’s COPE Pregnancy Center. Aaron has worked as a Resource Teacher at Montgomery Catholic since 2016.  

“My husband and I love the culture and mission of Montgomery Catholic and I am honored to serve in this capacity,” said Aaron, on being named Interim Principal. “I’m excited about the leadership team we have established and the faculty and staff we have in place. I am confident that if we continue to seek the will of God we will continue to do great things at Montgomery Catholic.”

New to the faculty and administration, but not new to the Montgomery Catholic family, is Vice Principal of Academic Affairs Laura Reilly.  A Montgomery native and Montgomery Catholic graduate, Ms. Reilly will be returning home after spending more than ten years living abroad, where she served as a teacher and administrator in international schools worldwide.  

Laura Reilly

“It is both an honor and a privilege to be named Middle and High School Vice Principal,” said Reilly. “I look forward to coming home to Montgomery and joining a school community infused with faith and values.” 

Reilly received undergraduate degrees in History and Secondary Education at the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. She has completed graduate work at The Citadel, Charleston Southern University, Clemson University, and Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey.  In addition to earning teaching certifications in History, AP US History, and IB Psychology, Reilly is also a National Board Certified Social Studies instructor for grades 6 through 12 and holds a Leadership Certificate from Harvard EdX - Leaders in Learning.  Reilly’s career has taken her from the Charleston County School of the Arts in South Carolina to international schools in Malaysia, Israel, Turkey, and Uganda, where she served in a variety of roles, including classroom instructor, principal, school director, and head of school. Her most recent position has been as High School Principal at the American Institute of Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico.

“Laura will be a tremendous addition to our vibrant community of educators,” Castanza said. “Her vivacious personality will be contagious for our faculty and students, and she brings a level of professional experience that will propel our program to even greater heights. I am excited to see Eileen and Laura take on the leadership of our middle and high school to continue our mission to instill faith, virtue, and wisdom in our students.”

“Creating outstanding learning experiences, a culture of faith, virtue, and wisdom, personal development, and preparing students to be leaders for our rapidly changing world reflect my educational philosophy and speak to the heart of who I am as an educator,” added Reilly. “I look forward to serving the Montgomery Catholic community, getting to know each of you, and joining such a dynamic and welcoming team. The purpose of education is to develop greatness in human beings, and together, we will guide our students and allow them the opportunities to reach their individual potential.”

Aaron and Reilly will assume their roles as Interim Principal and Vice Principal of Academic Affairs following the transition of Castanza, who is currently the Middle and High School Principal, into the role of Montgomery Catholic President. Castanza will succeed Anne Ceasar, who is retiring in July after serving the school for 16 years. 

Montgomery Catholic Senior Sofia Izer Wins National Merit Scholarship

Officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation have named Montgomery Catholic student Sofia Izer as a National Merit Scholarship Winner. She is one of 2,500 high school students from around the country and one of two students from the River Region who received this scholarship.

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, students must fulfill several requirements and advance to the finalist level of the competition. The preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test serves as an initial screening of program entrants. In addition to the PSAT test scores, the student's academic record, community involvement, leadership ability, and personal essay are considered when determining semifinalists. About 90 percent of the semifinalists, who were announced in September 2019, attained finalist standing, and approximately half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the title of Merit Scholar.

Sofia is currently a senior at Montgomery Catholic. Not only is she a top scholar, but she is also very active in a variety of school activities. She is a member of the Key Club, National Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta. She is also a varsity cheerleader and holds a black belt in Taekwondo. She is active in her parish, Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Montgomery, and volunteers her time during Vacation Bible School. Sofia is an aspiring architect who enjoys the merging of her favorite things: art, math, and design. She will attend Syracuse University in the fall.

Senior Clare Wilson was recognized in September 2019 for being a National Merit Commended Scholar. While she will not have an opportunity to participate in the National Merit Scholarship competition, she ranks in the top 3% of all high school students nationwide who took the PSAT/NMSQT.

Montgomery Catholic High School Campus Recognizes Outstanding Students at Academic Awards Ceremony

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School honored their top high school students and student-athletes at the annual Academic Awards Ceremony held in the Dolly Barranco Activity Center on May 13, 2020. Due to the restrictions on public gatherings, the event was broadcast via Facebook Live, and attendance was limited to award presenters and the Harbin Award recipient. After an introduction from MCPS Middle and High School Principal Justin Castanza and invocation by Theology Chair Mr. Tom Riello, President Mrs. Anne Ceasar commenced the evening by presenting the 24^th annual Charles T. Harbin Distinguished Service Award to Mrs. Linda Belsterling (class of 1978) Anderson, recognizing her years of volunteer service to the school.

Following the Harbin Award, scholarships for the 2020-2021 academic year were presented. Mrs. Patti M. Smith, daughter of Norma Mungenast, presented four students with the Norma Mungenast Endowed Scholarship: Cacey Williams, Alex Austin, Nona Johnson, Auburn Wilcoxson, and Myles Butler. Mr. Scott Skoneki, brother of Carole Skoneki Clark, presented the Carole Skoneki Clark Endowed Scholarship to Mary Carley. Mr. Charlie Anderson presented four students with the JJ Bednarz, Sr. Memorial Scholarship: Cacey Williams, Myles Butler, Nona Johnson, and DJ Carter. Mr. Castanza presented Maddie Dannelly and Myles Butler with the Frye, Arban, Ortega Scholarship. Mr. Austin Barranco presented Nona Johnson with the 2009 Juston Martin Memorial Scholarship. Head Girls Basketball Coach Jill Clark presented the Caitlyn Marianne Wiggins '08 Memorial Scholarship to Auburn Wilcoxson and Nona Johnson. Alumni Association President Mr. Brennan Parker presented the Dottie Dean Memorial Scholarship to Anna Sadie. Mrs. Ceasar presented to Hayden Pritchett the Total Image Scholarship. Mrs. Burton Crenshaw of the Central Alabama Community Foundation presented the Jay Murphy Scholarship to Elizabeth Speirs and Darian Riley.

Next, recipients of the President's Education Award, a national program, were recognized. This award is given to graduating seniors who demonstrate academic success in the classroom by achieving a high grade point average and score highly on nationally-normed standardized tests, and who also demonstrate high motivation and integrity, intellectual depth, and character. This award was presented to Lorissa Algarin, Ryan Avery, Sarah Rose Burden, Jack Burt, Tanner Carter, Bobby Crawford, Ansley Dean, Nate Downes, Lainie Doyle, Patrick Flores, Jason Flowers, Victoria Hall, Ashley Hayes, Michael Hodges, Sofia Izer, Savannah Johnson, Maddie Kille, Jayla Milam, Scott Nation, Katherine O'Connor, Charlie O'Donnell, Zack Pappanastos, Katherine Rose Perkins, Anna Sadie, Kinley Tadlock, Chad Waite, and Clare Wilson.

Next, the department awards were presented by the head teachers to distinguished students in each subject. Mr. Rick Aaron presented the awards in math to Michael Algarin, Will Noell, Angela Gier, and Savannah Johnson. In science, Mrs. Elizabeth Harbin presented awards to Laura Thomas Zhvania, Zach Izer, Daniel Gacha, and Maddie Kille. Mr. Hollis Johnson awarded the social studies awards to Kaylee Holmes, Christopher Lathram, Angela Gier, and Clare Wilson. In theology, Mr. Riello presented awards to Cannon Bach, Max Barranco, Emily Holston, Matthew Barranco, and Sofia Izer. Mrs. Kerri Moore presented the awards in English to Callan Gadilhe, Alana Wilkinson, Lauryn Ford, Harrison Skala, and Lorissa Algarin. In foreign language, Mrs. Moore gave the Latin award to Esa Gancayco, and Ms. Fatima Fuenmayor gave the Spanish award to Zach Izer.  Mrs. Kate Berry presented the drama award to Bobby Crawford and the chorus award to India Shields. Mr. Alex Johnson presented Bobby Crawford with the band award. In art, Mrs. Heather Talbot presented the award to Sofia Izer.

The students with the top grade point averages were recognized next. In the freshman class, several students tied for the top GPA: Michael Algarin, Cannon Bach, Max Barranco, Evy Bosko, Hannah Chitlik, Kayleigh Everage, Matthew Galvin, Esa Gancayco, Kaylee Holmes, Harrison Howell, Audrey Trant, Alana Wilkinson, and Laura Thomas Zhavania. In the sophomore class, the highest GPA honors went to Christopher Lathram. Emma Garrison topped out the junior class, and senior Clare Wilson has the highest GPA for the class of 2020.

Next were the President's List and the Principal's List. Students recognized on the President's List achieved a 4.0 or higher GPA. This included 33 seniors, 25 juniors, 19 sophomores, and 17 freshmen. The Principal's List recognized students who earned between a 3.8 to 4.0 GPA and included 12 seniors, 5 juniors, 4 sophomores, and 5 freshmen. Freshman Laura Thomas Zhvania was awarded the Joe Arban Perfect Attendance Award.

The awards ceremony was a perfect opportunity to recognize Sofia Izer for winning a National Merit Scholarship. She was among 2,500 American high school students and one of two in the River Region who earned this scholarship through high achievement on the PSAT standardized test.

Montgomery Catholic's student-athletes were also recognized during the virtual ceremony and started with four awards which honor individual team members for their hard work and dedication to their sport. Three of these distinguished awards honor individuals who have had a tremendous influence on our athletic program: Coach Jack Kresek, Father Patrick Delahunty, and Mr. Joe Fields.

The Coach Jack Kresek Coaches Award, named for a much-beloved football coach who led the Knights (then the "Saints") from 1956 until 1961, recognizes the athletes who exhibit strong determination, team effort, dependability, and a winning attitude. The Jack Kresek Coaches Award winners were Alexis Weber (fall cheerleading), Darrell Gibson and Christian Ivey (football), Piper Schneider (volleyball), Harrison Skala and Bailey Williams (cross country), James Ingalls (wrestling), Chase Little and Alanna Aiken (basketball), Sofia Izer (winter cheerleading), Mitchell Dogan and Taylar Tunstall (indoor track), Katherine O'Connor (softball), Adam McClellan (golf), Christian Ivey (baseball), Rachel Rodriguez and Matthew Barranco (tennis), Megan Bourke and Gabe Russo (soccer).

The Father Pat Delahunty Sportsmanship Award, named for the founder of our athletic program, honors the athletes who demonstrate outstanding sportsmanship. The Fr. Delahunty Sportsmanship Award winners were Chloe Weber and Katie Perkins (fall cheerleading), Orlando Whatley and Ja'Michael Washington (football), Denalie Mosakowski (volleyball), Sam Leslie and Haylei Mason (cross country), Titus Franklin (wrestling), DJ Carter and Andree' Aiken (basketball), Anna DuBois and Sarah Rose Burden (winter cheerleading), Colin Capel and Samantha Day (indoor track).

The Joe Fields Leadership Award, named for an outstanding student-athlete from the 1970s who displayed outstanding leadership while attending Montgomery Catholic, honors the athletes who demonstrate exceptional leadership skills to their teammates. The Joe Fields Leadership Award winners were Alexis Weber and Sofia Izer (fall cheerleading), Jack Burt (football), Katherine O'Connor (volleyball), Chris Valencia and Catherine Aaron (cross country), Jack Burt (wrestling), Myles Butler and Nona Johnson (basketball), Anna Sadie (winter cheerleading), Sam Leslie and Catherine Aaron (indoor track), Katherine O'Connor (softball), Grant Smith (golf), Marcus Dees and Dean Johnson (baseball), Grayson Howell and Ja'Michael Washington (tennis), Clare Wilson, Denalie Mosakowski, and Judd Osten (soccer).

Each varsity sport names one Most Valuable Player. Montgomery Catholic's MVPs were Kinley Tadlock (fall cheerleading), Nate Downes (football), Ansley Dean (volleyball), Hollis "Hojo" Johnson and Ann Cobb (cross country), Jack Burt (wrestling), Justin Bufford and Lorren Pharrams (basketball), Emma Secor and Hayden Pritchett (winter cheerleading), Hollis "Hojo" Johnson and Ann Cobb (indoor track).

The top athletes from each sport are nominated for the Knights of the Round Table Award, an honor that recognizes the top male and female athlete of the year. These students both excel in their sports and display leadership that sets an example for their peers. The nominees were Katherine O'Connor, Lorren Pharrams, Hayden Pritchett, Jack Burt, Nate Downes, and Darrell Gibson. The winners of the Montgomery Catholic 2020 Knights of the Round Table award were Katherine O'Connor and Jack Burt.

The evening culminated with three of the highest awards given at Montgomery Catholic: Leader of the Year, the Ideal Montgomery Catholic Graduate Award, and the Sister Martha Belke Servant Leader Award. The nominees for Leader of the Year were Matthew Barranco, Jack Burt, Bobby Crawford, Angela Gier, Sofia Izer, Katherine O'Connor, Zack Pappanastos, Anna Sadie, Chris Valencia, and Clare Wilson.

The Leader of the Year award was presented to Anna Sadie. Anna is no stranger to leadership, the spotlight, or Montgomery Catholic.  In her leadership essay, she stated, "ever since I was little, being a leader, was ingrained in my mind from my family." Anna is a member of the National Honor Society, Young Women's Leadership, Youth in Government, SGA, and the Varsity Cheer team. Anna is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John and Lisa Sadie of Montgomery, Alabama.

The Sister Martha Belke Servant Leader Award was presented to Sarah Rose Burden. Sarah Rose was selected for this award based on her commitment to serving those around her in her school and her community. She has a deep love for Montgomery Catholic and carries on the tradition of excellence started 147 years ago by the founders of our school, the Sisters of Loretto. Sarah Rose is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Perry and Ellie Burden of Montgomery, Alabama.

The Ideal Montgomery Catholic Graduate award was given to Sofia Izer. Sofia is a scholar-athlete, a passionate artist, and a selfless servant. She has a strong and mature faith life, which she lives out every day. Sofia is close to her family and her God, and she is a devoted friend. She was recently awarded the National Merit Scholarship, a highly competitive honor that is only given to 2,500 high school students nationwide. Sofia is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Jim and Gina Izer of Montgomery, Alabama.

Montgomery Catholic is proud to recognize all of our high-achieving students and our elite student-athletes who exemplify faith, excellence, and service every day and demonstrate what it means to be "built by Catholic."

Montgomery Catholic Announces Linda Belsterling ‘78 Anderson as 2020 Charlie Harbin Distinguished Service Award Winner

Linda Belsterling ‘78 Anderson was honored by Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School on May 13 as the 2020 Charlie Harbin Distinguished Service Award winner for her service to the school.

The Charlie Harbin Distinguished Service Award was established by the Harbin family and is awarded by the school to recognize those selfless individuals who have significantly served Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School and exemplified its values in their lives.

Montgomery Catholic's president, Mrs. Anne Ceasar, presented Linda with an engraved clock to begin the 2020 Montgomery Catholic High School Academic Awards Night in appreciation for the gift of her time. The ceremony was held via Facebook Live broadcast due to campus restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Linda Anderson not only has been an active and supportive Alum of Montgomery Catholic but also has been a wonderful parent volunteer. Over the last twenty-five years, Linda has never shied away from the behind-the-scenes work it takes to make our school great.

Linda and her husband Charlie made sure to support Catholic education in every way they could. Two of their sons are alumni, and while her boys attended, Linda was always an active part of the volunteer groups at all levels.

Linda was always seen helping out with St. Bede PTC events and, of course, continued to help out as her boys moved to the Middle School and High School campuses. She served as a room mom and team mom and has always been an active member of the Booster Club by organizing, developing, designing & raising money for Sports Annual for several years.

An original and active PICE committee member for 25 years, she volunteers her time each year for the PICE Golf Tournament and was a founding committee member of the PICE Carole Clark Scholarship.

Linda is an avid supporter of Catholic athletics, and she and Charlie can be seen at most major MCPS events, including Monte Carlo Night, which they support annually. She was a Homecoming Alumni Under the Tent event volunteer for 5+ years, and an active member and supporter of both strategic planning and capital campaign committees.

With humility and a servant's heart, Linda has worked tirelessly to help Montgomery Catholic grow and prosper. We are so grateful for her time and efforts over the years!

Congratulations, Linda, and Thank you!

Pat and Casie join past Distinguished Service Award recipients:

Leonard J. Mrotek, 1997

Margaret Olive Jones, 1998

Edward P. Clark, 1999

Marty & Bebe Taylor, 2000

Dottie A. Dean. 2001

“Goose” DeLongchamp, 2002

Rod & Anne Ceasar, 2003

Bill & Marian Saliski, 2004

Jeff Downes, 2005

David & Jeanne Barranco, 2006

Nora Cammack, 2007

Dennis & Karen Weber, 2008

Chip & Lisa Vercelli, 2009

Bill & Debbie Barranco, 2010

Barr & Cappy Younker, 2011

Liz Sutton & Jerry Lopez, 2012

Jack Galassini, 2013

Gaylon & Mary McAlpine 2014

Marty Rupert Huett, 2015

Kevin Ryan, 2016

Ann  Karst, 2017

Col. Jack Lauer, 2018

Pat & Casie McGinn, 2019

Honor Student Ines Gonzalez-Ansaldi Nominated for The Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Boston, MA

Montgomery, Alabama – Ines Gonzalez-Ansaldi, a Junior at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School of Montgomery, Alabama is a Delegate to the Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Lowell, MA on June 24-26, 2020.

The Congress is an honors-only program for high school students who want to become physicians or go into medical research fields. The purpose of this event is to honor, inspire, motivate and direct the top students in the country interested in these careers, to stay true to their dream and, after the event, to provide a path, plan and resources to help them reach their goal.

Ines's nomination was signed by Dr. Mario Capecchi, winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine and the Science Director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists to represent Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School based on her academic achievement, leadership potential and determination to serve humanity in the field of medicine.

During the three-day Congress, Ines Gonzalez-Ansaldi will join students from across the country and hear Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science Winners talk about leading medical research; be given advice from Ivy League and top medical school deans on what to expect in medical school; witness stories told by patients who are living medical miracles; be inspired by fellow teen medical science prodigies; and learn about cutting-edge advances and the future in medicine and medical technology.

This is a crucial time in America when we need more doctors and medical scientists who are even better prepared for a future that is changing exponentially. Focused, bright and determined students like Ines Gonzalez-Ansaldi are our future and she deserves all the mentoring and guidance we can give her."

The Academy offers free services and programs to students who want to become physicians or go into medical science. Some of the services and programs the Academy offers are online social networks through which future doctors and medical scientists can communicate; opportunities for students to be guided and mentored by physicians and medical students; and communications for parents and students on college acceptance and finances, skills acquisition, internships, career guidance and much more.

The National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists was founded on the belief that we must identify prospective medical talent at the earliest possible age and help these students acquire the necessary experience and skills to take them to the doorstep of this vital career. Based in Washington, D.C. and with offices in Boston, MA, the Academy was chartered as a nonpartisan, taxpaying institution to help address this crisis by working to identify, encourage and mentor students who wish to devote their lives to the service of humanity as physicians, medical scientists.

For more information visit www.FutureDocs.com or call 617-307-7425.

Montgomery Catholic Seniors Get Celebrated In Their Own Homes

A train of cars led by a big yellow bus and a small white bus filled with Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School faculty recently rolled through neighborhoods throughout the River Region delivering yard signs to recognize each of the 80 members of the senior class. The students, who have been at home for distance learning since March, have missed out on several spring events that recognize seniors and their achievements in academics, sports, and clubs. While yards signs have been popping up for seniors from schools all around the area, the faculty at Montgomery Catholic felt that their students deserved a little bit more than just having a sign planted in the yard—the Class of 2020 needed to know that they are each individually loved and missed by their teachers and administrators.

While handshakes and hugs are not permitted during this time of social distancing, the enthusiastic teachers brought cowbells, air horns, and even vuvuzelas to make lots of noise and cheer for their students. Amid the commotion, there were plenty of tears shed from happiness and surprise at the sweet gesture.

“We went out to honor and celebrate these seniors whose traditional senior experiences have been so dramatically altered by Covid-19,” said English teacher Sinead Turner. “I think we were surprised by how many happy tears were shed by students and teachers alike. This has been a special group of seniors.”

The students and their families shared in the excitement, and parents were especially grateful for the added fanfare in this unusually difficult coda to their students’ high school careers. And while this was not the typical sendoff that the students would have had during their Senior Day festivities, the effect on each student was similar.

“This was the most surreal experience,” said senior Anna Sadie. “The teachers went above and beyond any expectations to make this day so special for us. I could not hold back my happy tears seeing everyone!”

Montgomery Catholic will hold commencement exercises for the Class of 2020 on Monday, June 22 with special guest Thomas J. Rodi, Archbishop of Mobile. Their original graduation date was May 19, but due to restrictions of campuses facilities in response to the Covid-19 outbreak in Alabama, all events that were to take place during the 2019-2020 school year were cancelled or rescheduled.