Montgomery Catholic Inducts New Members into the National Honor Society

Montgomery Catholic is proud to announce 28 new inductees into the Loretto Chapter of the National Honor Society. The Senior inductees are Matthew Barranco and Cacey Williams. The Junior inductees are Catherine Aaron, Jamarion Augustus, Javen Augustus, Wesley Clarke, Cecelia Crawford, Samantha Day, Carissa Gilbert, Ailish Gilbert, Angeles Gonzalez-Ansaldi, Mallory Hildebrand, Emily Holston, Zachary Izer, Layne Jordan, Shannon Kille, Christopher Lathram, Aniya Lowery, Maynard Marlow, Ella Newell, William Noell, Julienne Pharrams, Matthew Reardon, Gibby Souriya, Jacob Talbot, Maggie Turner, Alex Wieser, and Hart Yost. These outstanding students join the 28 current members of the Loretto Chapter of the National Honor Society. NHS members must achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher.

Montgomery Catholic Senior, Harrison Skala, Named a National Merit Finalist

Montgomery Catholic Senior, Harrison Skala was selected as a National Merit Finalist for 2021. Each year, approximately 1.5 million high school students apply for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Of these applicants, 50,000 students qualify for recognition in the program, and roughly 15,000 are eventually named Finalists every year. These students must meet very high academic standards in their high school coursework and PSAT testing. This spring, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation will begin awarding scholarships to approximately 7,600 of the Finalists.

Montgomery Catholic has 25 Students Selected to Alabama Bandmasters Association Honor Bands

This year, due to Covid-19, the Alabama Bandmasters Association selected students for its honor bands through a virtual submission process. For the second year in a row, Montgomery Catholic had a record number of students in our Middle and High School band programs earn spots in both the District VI and All-State Honor Bands. 10 students from the Middle School and 15 students from the High School were chosen to perform in the District VI Honor Bands, and of those, 3 Middle School students and 11 High School Students will represent Montgomery Catholic in the All-State Honor Band.

“We are exceedingly proud of all of our students who earned a spot in the District and All-State Honor Bands for 2021," said Alex Johnson, Director of Bands. "Each one represents loads of dedication and hard work. Not only are they fantastic student musicians, but they are also leaders and role models for their peers.”

Middle School District VI Honor Band Members: Amelia Bair, Cooper Beesley, Kamila Diaz, Ashley Digman, Ethan Harbin, David Huston, Anna Lathram, Keveen Ramirez, Peter Riello, and Ryan Stevenson.

Middle School All-State Honor Band Members: Cooper Beesley, Anna Lathram, and Keveen Ramirez.

High School District VI Honor Band Members: Michael Algarin, Aidan Blum, Mason Branam, Hunter Dailey, Carlo DeJesus, Mai Ellington, Daniel Gacha, Nate Gartland, Angela Gier, Kaylee Holmes, Jackson Ingalls, John Scott Jackson, Shannon Kille, Molly Nicklay, and Josie Smith.

High School All-State Honor Band Members: Michael Algarin, Mason Branam, Mai Ellington, Daniel Gacha, Angela Gier, Kaylee Holmes, Jackson Ingalls, John Scott Jackson, Shannon Kille, Molly Nicklay, and Josie Smith.

Montgomery Catholic Signing Day 2021

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School held a signing ceremony for seniors DJ Carter, Myles Butler, Marcus Dees, Judd Osten, Hollis Johnson, Sam Leslie, Taylar Tunstall, and Grant Smith on National Signing Day. The event was held at the Montgomery Catholic High School Campus at 3:30 p.m., on Wednesday, February 3, 2021.

All seven Catholic Knight athletes signed to play their respective sport at the college level.

DJ Carter signed his letter of intent to play football with the US Air Force Academy Falcons. He is a 2020 All-State, 2 times All-Metro, 3 Time All-CCC (Capital City Conference) wide receiver. His career stats are 50 Carries for 367yds, 112 catches for 2363 yds, and 721 Return yds. DJ has attended Montgomery Catholic for seven years and received 13 college offers. DJ is the son of Sonia Carter of Montgomery, AL.

Marcus Dees II signed his letter of intent to play football with the Wofford College Terriers. He is a 2019 All-Metro, 2 Time All-CCC (Capital City Conference) defensive lineman. His career stats are 138 Solo Tackles, 104 Assist, 242 Total Tackles, 45 Tackles for loss, and 15 Sacks. Marcus has attended Montgomery Catholic for four years and received 4 college offers. Marcus is the son of Marcus and Shenitra Dees of Montgomery, AL.

Judd Osten signed his letter of intent to play soccer with the University of West Alabama Tigers. He had 16 goals and 12 assists his Junior year, is Captain of his high school and VHSC club teams, has been to regionals and nationals with his club team 2 years in a row, and won a State Championship with his club team. Judd has attended Montgomery Catholic since Kindergarten and is the son of Charlie and Ann Osten of Montgomery, AL.

Hollis Johnson V signed his letter of intent to run Cross Country and Track and Field with the Mississippi College Choctaws. Hollis was a member of the 2018 4A State Championship XC Team; he was All-State XC 2018, 2019, 2020, All-Metro XC 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and a Montgomery Catholic Freshman Jimmy Hitchcock Nominee. He has attended Montgomery Catholic for ten years and is the son of Hollis and Terri Johnson of Montgomery, AL.

Sam Leslie signed his letter of intent to run Cross Country with the Auburn University at Montgomery Warhawks. Sam was a member of the 2018 4A State Championship XC Team; he was awarded All-Metro in 2019 and 2020, and All-State in 2019 and 2020. He has attended Montgomery Catholic since Kindergarten and is the son of Fred and Lucy Leslie of Montgomery, AL.

Taylar Tunstall signed her letter of intent to run Track and Field with the Dillard University Blue Devils. She was a member of the 2019 Girls 4A Track and Field State Championship Team. Taylar has attended Montgomery Catholic for six years and is the daughter of Scotty and Gwendolyn Tunstall of Montgomery, AL.

Grant Smith signed his letter of intent to play golf with the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. He has been an All-Metro player 2016, 2017, 2018, & 2019, the Montgomery Metro Player of the Year 2018 & 2019, has been a State Qualifier every year since the 7th grade, won over 10 tournaments in his career, and he’s the defending Blue/Grey Individual Champion. Grant has attended Montgomery Catholic since Kindergarten and is the son of Michael and Kristin Smith of Montgomery, AL.

Montgomery Catholic President Justin Castanza, Principal Eileen Aaron, Athletic Director Daniel Veres, Head Football Coach Kirk Johnson, Head Soccer Coach Wulf Koch, and Head Cross Country/Track and Field Coach Hollis Johnson welcomed parents and families to our Campus Signing Day. Due to Covid-19, we limited this event to signees, their families, and the media in an effort to comply with spacing restrictions, and to support our amazing student-athletes in the safest way possible.

Montgomery Catholic is looking forward to following these students and their college careers over the next four years. GO KNIGHTS!