Tim Moore Joins Montgomery Catholic as the Head Cross Country and Track Coach

Coach Tim Moore is entering his 9^th year of coaching. A native of Birmingham, Coach Moore has spent the last 23 years as a Track & Field fanatic. Coach started his track journey in high school, running the 400m sprint, 300m hurdles, and sprint relays. After high school, he attended Alabama State University (ASU) on an athletic scholarship. During his time at ASU, Coach Moore helped his teammates win the school’s first-ever Men’s Indoor and Outdoor Conference titles.

 

After college, Coach Moore couldn’t give up competing and started competing again. For the last 15 years, he has been competing in USATF and USATF Masters Track & Field meets; enjoying the sport and pushing his limits. In 2019, Coach Moore won the 2019 USATF Masters’ National Indoor 200m title for his 35–40-year-old age group. Coach Moore came back in the Outdoor season to win the 400m and 400m hurdle National titles.

 

Along with competing, Coach Moore has a strong passion to give back to the sport. He started his coaching career as a volunteer coach at his alma mater, ASU. Coach Moore spent 3 seasons with the Hornets and then took on a Head Coaching position at the High School level. Since 2016, Coach has trained several Alabama State Champions, taken several athletes to the National High School Indoor and Outdoor Championships, coached National High School All-Americans, and led teams to two AHSAA Championship titles.

 

Coach Moore is excited and proud to now lead the Knights! He is off to a great start in his first 2 races of the 2021 season. We can't wait to see what the future holds for our Racing Knights!

Montgomery Catholic Third Grader Sets National Accelerated Reading Record

Montgomery Catholic was proud to celebrate a third-grader at our Holy Spirit Campus awards assembly on Thursday, May 27. Justin Lee set a National point record for Renaissance Accelerated Reader during the 2020-21 school year.

After breaking the school’s AR point record, Justin set a personal goal to break the National AR record of 2,018 points in an 8 month period. He exceeded that point total and went on to reach a final total of 2,718.6 points within 9 months. When asked why he enjoys reading so much, Justin replied, “ Books are fun...I like the bible, science, history, even biography. At every moment, the best book I like is the one I started reading.” In honor of Justin’s amazing achievements, Montgomery Catholic has created a new AR award for students called the “Justin Lee Top Hat” award.

During the 2020-21 school year, Justin read and tested on a total of 333 books in order to get his final AR point total. According to Justin’s mother, Helen Lee, he actually read closer to 700-1000 books this school year, but the Accelerated Reader program does not contain tests for the rest of the books that he has read this year. Mrs. Lee explained that Justin has always had a strong interest in books. She says, “When I asked Justin what gift he would like on his 7th birthday, he replied, ‘I want to have a library at home.’ My husband and I laughed, but his grandfather, who heard the story, funded to make a library for Justin. The library contains more than 10,000 books now.”

Justin is not only a gifted reader, but he’s also a straight-A student, speaks several languages including English and Korean, is a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo, and plays piano, trumpet, and guitar.

Spring Signing Day 2021

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School held a signing ceremony for seniors Mckenzie Norton, Allie Berg, Jalen Thomas, and Dean Johnson. The event was held at the Montgomery Catholic High School Campus at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 19, 2021.

 

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

Allie Berg signed her letter of intent to cheer with the Spring Hill Badgers. She has been a member of Catholic’s varsity cheer team for two years. She is a four-time United Cheerleading and Dance Association All-American athlete. This year, she was the captain of the varsity cheerleading squad and was the recipient of the Leadership Award. She has attended Montgomery Catholic for 3 years and is the daughter of Cristopher and Sarah Berg of Pike Road, AL.

Dean Johnson signed his letter of intent to play baseball with the AUM Warhawks. He is a 3 year varsity starter and recipient of the Leadership Award. He has a .343 BA, 9 Doubles, and .607 OBP. He has been a student at Montgomery Catholic since Kindergarten and is the son of Bruce and Michelle Johnson of Prattville, AL.

Mckenzie Norton signed her letter of intent to play softball with the Georgia Southwestern Hurricanes. She is a 3 time all CCC team and an all-metro honorable mention. She has a .391 batting avg, and is 2nd on the team in stolen bases with 33 and hits with 48. She has been a varsity player since 8th grade, led her team to regionals twice, and won the Leadership Award for her Senior season. She has attended Montgomery Catholic since 6th grade and is the daughter of Michael Norton and Glynn Brewer of Montgomery, AL.

Jalen Thomas signed his letter of intent to play basketball with the Mitchell College Mariners. He is a 3 time varsity athlete and a Coaches Award recipient. His Junior and Senior years he helped lead his team to the Final Four and the State Championship game respectively. He has been a student at Montgomery Catholic for six years and is the son of Anthony and Nakia Thomas of Montgomery, AL.

Montgomery Catholic President Justin Castanza, Principal Eileen Aaron, Athletic Director Daniel Veres, Head Softball Coach Whitney Toole, Head Cheerleading Coach Sarah Berg, Head Basketball Coach Mike Curry, and Head Baseball Coach Tony Hudson welcomed parents and families to our Campus Signing Day.

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

Montgomery Catholic Robotics Team Wins State Tournament Two Years in a Row

For the fifth year in a row, the Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School RoboKnights represented our school at the VEX Robotics State Competition. For the second year in a row, one high school team, “Happy Little Accidents” competed and won the title of State Tournament Champion.

Coach Vicki Petters credits their success to methodical building, testing, and programming. “This team has been focused on testing and adjusting all season long,” said Petters, of the team who won one of only two in-person tournaments in the River Region this year. “They began this season not knowing if there would be a State tournament, but prepared themselves for every opportunity to compete.”

Aidan Cochran and Hunter Dailey

The VEX Robotics challenge this year is called “Change Up,” and like in previous challenges, two alliances of two robots face each other on the playing field. The teams are tasked with using their robots to either shoot blue or red balls into the top of goals or pull balls out of the bottom of the goals to change which color ball is on top. Like in previous challenges, robots can score additional points by demonstrating autonomous programs in the first 15 seconds of each round. The remaining minute and 45 seconds are driver-controlled and allow the teams to demonstrate not only their designs but also their skills at operating their robots.

Unlike in previous years, the COVID pandemic challenged the Vex Game Design Committee to develop a way for teams to compete remotely. “Happy Little Accidents” quickly mastered this remote format, helping them win the State Tournament from their home field.

Happy Little Accidents is comprised of senior and VEX Worlds alumni Aidan Cochran, and 9th grader Hunter Dailey. The team will be competing in the Worlds tournament in this remote format from May 20-22, 2021.

Montgomery Catholic Track & Field Sets Two New School Records

Jeremiah Cobb

At the TR Miller Track and Field meet on Thursday, April 8th, the Knights Track Team set 2 new school records and placed in several events.

Sophomore, Jeremiah Cobb came in 1st place in the Boys 100m dash and set a new school record with a time of 10.96. Cobb also placed 1st in the Boys 200m dash. Sophmore, Matthew Galvin set another school record in the Boy's Triple Jump with a distance of 40-09.50 which was good for 2nd place.

Matthew Galvin

Other top finishers for the boys Knights were Titus Franklin who placed 2nd in the 400m dash, Sam Leslie who placed 5th in the 400m dash and 2nd in the 1600m, Andres Lemuz who placed 4th in the 800m, Kylon Griffin who placed 4th in the 110m hurdles, and Shawn Sponsler who placed 1st in high jump and 2nd in javelin. Our top girls finisher was Ann Cobb who finished 5th in the 100m dash, 3rd in the 200m dash, and 1st in the 400m dash.

Montgomery Catholic Students Win Awards at the 33rd Annual ACES Competition

Multiple Montgomery Catholic students auditioned for the 2021 Artistic Competition for Exceptional Students. The Montgomery Arts Council created this competition to help motivate students to grow and learn through the pursuit of their artistic goals. It recognizes 6th-12th grade students who display talent in the musical, visual, or performing arts.

Congratulations to five Montgomery Catholic students who placed in their respective categories. In the senior high instrumental category, 9th grader, John Scott Jackson took first place on the trumpet. In the senior high strings category, 10th grader, Nate Gartland took first place on violin. In the senior high piano category, 12th grader, Myles Jordan took second place. In the senior high guitar category, 12th grader, Carlo De Jesus received honorable mention. And in the senior high dance category, 12th grader, Inés Gonzalez-Ansaldi received honorable mention.

John Scott Jackson

Nate Gartland

Myles Jordan

Carlo De Jesus

Inés Gonzalez-Ansaldi

Montgomery Catholic Sixth-Graders Experience Camp McDowell

Every year the sixth-grade classes at our St. Bede and Holy Spirit campuses travel to Camp McDowell for an overnight retreat. Unfortunately, due to Covid, they were unable to go on their trip this year. Instead, Camp McDowell helped us keep this tradition alive for our students by sending their counselors to each of our campuses.

Both groups of students were able to spend a couple of days outside playing camp games, singing songs, having a bonfire, and enjoying each other's company. Their parents even joined in the fun for Parent's Night! It was a great experience for everyone. We look forward to seeing all of these students together on our Middle School campus next Fall.

Montgomery Catholic Students Learn About Germany

Montgomery Catholic Holy Spirit campus celebrated their annual Cultural Day this year learning all about Germany! They had a special visit from Coach Wulf Koch, our boy’s varsity soccer coach, and 11th-grade History teacher. He taught them about various aspects of life in Germany. The students had a wonderful day reading Hansel and Gretel, making paper cuckoo clocks, and learning about the German Christmas tradition of the Christmas pickle. Typically on Christmas Eve, parents will hide a pickle ornament deep in the tree’s branches. On Christmas morning the first child to find the pickle would receive an extra gift from St. Nicholas. Students were also able to partake in German-made, Haribo gummy bears and soft pretzels for snacks. It was a great day learning about a new culture!

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!

Montgomery Catholic Introduces a New Maker Space

Montgomery Catholic strives to educate the whole child. Whether it be helping students to excel in academics, athletics, arts, or their faith. Throughout the last year, we discovered the need for a “Maker Space.” With the help of MCPS Grandparent, Jim Lauridson, we have created a room dedicated to our students who see themselves as makers. 

These are the kinds of students who would rather create than consume. They get joy and education by working with their imaginations and their hands. They are allowed to be creative in a non-structured and non-competitive setting. The goal of a Maker Space is to be creative, not to win.

Our Maker Space is a dedicated room for our students to be creative and use the tools and materials on hand to build primarily technical and artistic projects. Currently, our space consists of 3D printers, a laser cutter, soldering stations, electronic measuring instruments, parts, hot glue guns, Arduinos, Raspberry Pi’s, gears, motors, and sensors. Presently the Maker Space is being introduced to Middle School students through an elective which will consist of microprocessor and mechanical projects; radio projects starting with satellite tracking and leading to an amateur radio license, and an aviation project beginning with designing and building a micro-drone or a micro-fixed wing aircraft.

The next expansion of our Maker Space will be completed this winter and will include a radio tower on campus. With the addition of the tower, our students will be able to accomplish things such as bouncing signals off of meteors as they enter the earth, launching high altitude balloons with instrumentation, download pictures from the International Space Station, communicate with digital signals, be part of an emergency network, communicate with the Vatican’s amateur radio station (HV5PUL), and be the radio station representing Montgomery Catholic in international contests. 

The possibilities are endless! We look forward to seeing what our student makers create!

Kirk Johnson Named Montgomery Catholic Head Football Coach

It is with great pleasure that we announce Kirk Johnson as the new Head Football Coach at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School. No stranger to the Montgomery Catholic football community, Coach Johnson moves from Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator to the head position in his seventh year with the Knights.  

In this time of coaching transition, Athletic Director Daniel Veres was proud to share,

"Kirk Johnson will be the next head coach at Montgomery Catholic. Kirk's passion for the kids at Montgomery Catholic is unmatched, and I can't wait to see what this new chapter of Knights football holds for us all."

"Montgomery Catholic has built a football and athletic program that focuses on helping student athletes become the best versions of themselves, both on and off the field. Coach Kirk Johnson is committed to our school and our community, not just on the football field, but in all things Montgomery Catholic. We are poised for another championship caliber season as we continue to raise the bar and elevate expectations through a seamless transition," explained Montgomery Catholic President, Justin Castanza.  

Coach Johnson is such an asset to our Montgomery Catholic family. We look forward to his leadership for our athletes and his continued involvement in our community. “I am extremely honored and blessed to accept the position as Head Football Coach at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School. I would like to thank Daniel Veres, Justin Castanza, and Eileen Aaron for this amazing opportunity. I would also like to thank Aubrey Blackwell for his mentorship and the foundation that he helped lay here at Montgomery Catholic. It's not often that you get the opportunity in your first head coaching job to take over a State Championship caliber football team. I look forward to the opportunity to expand on what has been built and to continue to lead this program to the next level. My wife, Meghan, and I are extremely grateful to be a part of this MCPS family; we will keep you all in our prayers and ask that you do the same for us," stated Coach Johnson.

Montgomery Catholic Special Announcement - Coach Aubrey Blackwell

It is with a heavy heart that we share today our Head Football and Baseball Coach, Aubrey Blackwell, has accepted the position as Head Football Coach at Benjamin Russell High School in Alexander City (pending board approval Wednesday night). While we are sad for ourselves and our Montgomery Catholic community, we are happy for Coach Blackwell and his family.

Coach Blackwell began his time at Montgomery Catholic as head football coach in 2015. In his six year tenure with MCPS, he has a record of 54 wins - 19 loses; he led our Knights to the playoffs 5 times, including our first trip to the State Championship game, and he leaves Montgomery Catholic tied for the winningest coach in MCPS football history.

On news of the coaching change, Montgomery Catholic Athletic Director Daniel Veres had the following to share. "I would like to thank Coach Blackwell for all he has meant to Montgomery Catholic over the last 6 years. Everyone knows he is a fantastic football coach, but beyond that, he is the kind of man every single parent in this world would want to mentor their student. He is a great man, a great coach, and a great friend. I wish him all the best in the next step in his coaching journey."

We would like to thank Coach Blackwell and his wife Brandi for their years of unwavering support for Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School. Montgomery Catholic President, Justin Castanza, shared "Aubrey Blackwell has made a lasting impact on our students, our community, and our athletic program. Our best wishes accompany Coach Blackwell as he makes the move to 6A football, but we remain prepared to compete at the highest level in the state and poised to hire an excellent coaching staff for next season and beyond. Our student athletes and parents know what Montgomery Catholic is capable of, and with new leadership this spring, we are all excited to look to the future."

Montgomery Catholic has begun the professional search to hire a new head coach.

Montgomery Catholic - St. Bede Campus Spelling Bee Winners

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's St. Bede elementary campus held their school wide spelling bee for grades 4-6 on Wednesday, December 16. The fourth grade participants were Avery Owens and Cate Noell. From fifth grade Thomas Castanza and Luke Reardon. From sixth grade MacKayla Natalini and Samantha Berg. Congratulations to Samantha Berg for being the school wide winner and to MacKayla Natalini for being the runner-up.

Montgomery Catholic's Key Club Participates in Christmas Service Projects

Montgomery Catholic’s Key Club has been involved in several Service Projects during this Christmas season. For the last 10 years the MCPS Key Club has participated in service projects benefiting the Montgomery Area Council on Aging and the Christmas Clearinghouse. This year our National Honor Society contributed to these programs as well.

The students used their own money to purchase and donate food items for elderly shut-ins who normally receive Meals on Wheels from the Montgomery Area Council on Aging. The items included cases of Ensure, crackers, canned tuna and chicken, gloves, socks, toothpaste, and tissues.    

They also adopted 3 families through the Christmas Clearinghouse. The students chose gifts from the child’s list and bought it themselves to donate to the family. They purchased many items including clothing, shoes, jackets, toys and even bicycles. 

Our Key Club is sponsored by the Montgomery Kiwanis Club which is a local service organization that raises money for local charities through the Alabama National Fair every year.  

Montgomery Catholic Football Team Makes it to the State Championship Game for the First Time in School History

The Montgomery Catholic Knights recently had an exciting football game that undoubtedly made school history. On Thursday, December third, the Knights took on the Fyffe Red Devils in the 3A football state championship. Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School was founded in 1873 by the Sisters of Loretto, and since fielding their first team in 1945, the team had not been to a state championship.  An exciting feat for the Knights, who had a 12-3 record and the best season in school history. Pre-season started in June, and the players were working out hard throughout the summer. Because the team had to work out and practice with masks and social distancing when possible, they were presented with a set of challenges they have never faced before. These students, however, rose to the challenge and saw these hurdles as ways to grow as a team. Judd Osten, a senior kicker, said, “The team was a complete brotherhood; we always took care of the man to our right and our left no matter who it was. We learned to push each other at practice to grow closer as a team and improve overall.”

 

The championship game took place in Bryant-Denny Stadium at the University of Alabama. Osten was able to provide some remarks on this experience, “The atmosphere was unlike anywhere else I’ve played football.” Fyffe was a tough competitor having now won five of the last seven state championships along with being on a forty-five game win streak. The Knights worked hard to prepare to face them. While talking to another team member, offensive tackle Eli Starrett, he told us that “To make it to the championship, we had to work together as a team and sacrifice for each other. It was a grind every day getting out there, but we had a goal that kept us motivated. While we fell short in the end, we can hold our heads high knowing we left it all out on the field.”

 

As Starrett mentioned, although the Knights were not victorious, they played an amazing game.  The Knights started impressively with a long kick return from DJ Carter followed by a Judd Osten field goal. This continued throughout the first quarter as the Knights got out to a quick 16-0 lead with two touchdown passes from Caleb McCreary to Myles Butler. Things eventually settled down when the Knights took a 16-3 lead into halftime. As time ticked down in the fourth quarter, Fyffe’s long, grueling drives took their toll as they punched the ball in for a 21-16 lead. However, the Knights found themselves with the ball and a chance. They moved the ball down the field with a quick series of passes, and with time expiring, McCreary threw a deep pass to the endzone that fell incomplete, ending the Knights’ season.

 

While it was not the result the Montgomery Catholic family had hoped for, it was still a season, and game, that everyone will remember for countless years to come. The seniors, in particular, felt grateful for this opportunity. Osten remarked, “Throughout the season, we were told that the next game could be our last. And for the seniors, we got to play 15 games, a full season. No one thought we’d have a full season. On top of all that, we got to play in a state championship. That’s a great way to finish a senior season.” The Knights achieved their most wins in a season, a new record for points scored, and their first trip to the State championship game. Despite the challenges they were presented with this season, Catholic solidified themselves as contenders, and we can expect to see them back for that title soon.

 

“I am so humbled by the incredible effort our team, coaches, administrators, teachers, band, cheer, and entire Catholic community gave us this year. This team set a new standard for success that will continue to grow here at MCPS. This group made so many sacrifices and dedicated themselves to their goal for playing for a state championship and never wavered. They fought and worked their hardest for this and I am so proud to be their football coach.” said Head Coach Aubrey Blackwell.

 

Written by Gracie Barranco (senior) in Broadcasting Class

Brittany Bradley Named Montgomery Catholic Director of Communications & Marketing

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School names Brittany Bradley as the new Director of Communications and Marketing.

"I am so excited for Brittany and for Montgomery Catholic.  She brings an exemplary
level of experience and professionalism to a position that will continue to propel Montgomery Catholic into a bright future.  As an alum, a current parent, an experienced graphic designer, and a devout Catholic, Montgomery Catholic could not ask for a better person to lead our marketing and communications efforts," said Justin Castanza, school president.

A native of Montgomery, Bradley is a 2003 Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School alumna. She holds a BFA from Auburn University and joins Montgomery Catholic with fourteen years of advertising and marketing experience. Bradley and her husband, Josh, have been married for 12 years and have three daughters, Ella, Kate and Nora. They are active members of Holy Spirit Catholic Parish in Montgomery.

"I am honored to accept the position of Director of Marketing and Communications at Montgomery Catholic. I look forward to working with the rest of the Advancement Team to inspire our students and to share all that MCPS has to offer with the greater Montgomery community," said Bradley.

Bradley begins her role as Director of Communications and Marketing on December 1.

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School Honors All Veteran's on November 11

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School was proud to honor Veteran's on each Campus with special tributes both Monday, November 9 and Tuesday, November 10 before being out of school on November 11 in observance of this special day of remembrance for all those who have served our country.

  

Monday, November 9, 2020 Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's Holy Spirit Campus invited parents, along with retired and active duty military and first responder family members to drive through a very special "parade". Students from pre-school to sixth grade lined the carpool lane with hand made signs honoring all of their parents, grandparents and extended family members who have served our country and said thank you as each car passed. 90 names were included and flags were waved to honor these special members of the Knight Nation.

On Tuesday, November 10 Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's St. Bede elementary campus read “America's White Table”, by Margot Theis Raven. Mrs. Mary Pears' 6th grade students took turns setting items on the table while she read the book. Through the story of a family setting a table with an empty chair, the students learned about the symbolism behind a deeply important American military tradition: The Missing Man Table.

A table with one setting represents the isolation of the lost or captured soldier. The empty chair represents those who cannot be present. The white tablecloth represents the purity of the soldier’s call to serve his/her country. The inverted glass represents the inability of the lost soldier to partake in the gathering. The folded black napkin represents the sorrow of captivity. A single, red rose with a ribbon represents the blood shed in defense of our country and of the family who wait for the soldier’s safe return. The slice of lemon and plate of salt represent the lost soldier’s bitter tears. The lit candle is a light of hope from our hearts, and hopefully a beacon for lost soldiers to find their way back home.

Also on the 10th, grades 7-12 were surprised by a special guest speaker, one of Montgomery Catholic's own who is currently deployed. The Fleet family joined students for Mass where the entire student body was surprised by a live Facetime call with Lieutenant Colonel John Fleet, U.S. Army after Mass. LTC Fleet is the father of three Montgomery Catholic students, Alex (10th), Aidan (7th) and Kate (5th) and husband to Montgomery Catholic parent volunteer Erin Fleet.

LTC Fleet addressed the entire student body, and explained his roll in the military and the importance of Veteran's Day.

"I am currently serving as the Chief of Staff for a special operations aviation unit based in Qatar.  As the Chief of Staff I have the privilege of supporting mission commanders and directing the staff’s efficient support for aviation operations across countries in the Middle East and Central Asia," said Fleet. 

Fleet has been a Soldier in the Alabama Army National Guard for over 27 years, joining in 1993 while a junior at McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in Mobile, Alabama.  "During my career as an Army aviator and UH-60 Black Hawk pilot I have had the honor of supporting humanitarian relief operations throughout the southeastern United States as well as serving overseas in Kosovo, Iraq, Kuwait, Romania, Jordan, and Qatar."

When asked about the importance of Veteran's Day,  Fleet said, "Essential to mission accomplishment are military families, whose shared sacrifice, dedication and support enable service members to focus on their mission.  Military families deserve the same appreciation we bestow on our service members and veterans."

Montgomery Catholic 7-12 principal Mrs. Eileen Aaron asked Fleet why he served, and his answer brought tears to the eyes of his family, the students and staff. "Above all, the military embodies service above self, being part of something larger than yourself is one of the truly remarkable benefits of military service," said Fleet.

"I appreciated Lieutenant Colonel Fleet's remarks to the students about why he serves.  As a Catholic school, we teach our students that sacrifice and service beyond self are essential to loving others, just as Christ died on the cross," said Aaron.  

Montgomery Catholic was honored to have LTC John Fleet share his story with our school community. The school honors all of the military personnel, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and first responders in our MCPS family and in our community. This Veterans Day MCPS prayed for the men and women who have made a commitment to defend us and our way of life, and to pray for those who have given their lives in our defense along with their families.