Catholic Basketball Camp A Big Success

Improving basketball skills and having fun were the highlights of the Montgomery Catholic basketball camp held in the Fr. Pat Delahunty Gym June 11-14.

Girls basketball coach Christine Robinson, boys coach Jimbo Tolbert and members of their teams worked with 45 campers in grades K-8. Ball handling, shooting technique and defensive play were among the many phases of the game each camper worked on during the week.

The campers were divided into three divisions – NBA (grades 6-8), NCAA (grades 3-5) and Mini-Pro (grades K-2). They competed in free throw shooting, hot shot, gotcha and a three-on-three tournament. Winners of those competitions as well as several other camp awards were:

Free Throw Shooting – Spencer Starr (NBA), Henry Beesley (NCAA), Luke Craig (Mini-Pro).
Hot Shot – Michael Tyner (NBA), Henry Beesley (NCAA), India Richardson (Mini-Pro).
Gotcha – James Sherman (NBA), Jacob Hulcher (NCAA), India Richardson (Mini-Pro).
NBA 3-on-3 Tournament – Joseph Kelly, Will Littleton, Jake Lass.
NCAA 3-on-3 Tournament – Gaten Armstrong, Zachary Roberts, Jacob Hulcher.
Defensive Award – Alex Castanza (NBA/NCAA), Matthew Taylor (Mini-Pro).
Hard Work Award – Lindsey Guin (NBA/NCAA), Trip Carter (Mini-Pro).
Attitude Award – Allen Wood (NBA/NCAA), Carrie Belsterling (Mini-Pro)

Each camper received a Catholic Knights camp T-shirt and a blue and gold basketball and will be recognized at a Catholic basketball game next season.

To view photos from the camp, click here: http://sports.webshots.com/album/559448414RjgERN

John Conway Named Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction

High School English Instructor John Conway of Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School has been selected as a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction by The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS). A role model to pupils, Conway was nominated by Troy Maxwell for outstanding dedication and commitment to excellence in teaching. The Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction award recognizes teachers who have made a lasting difference in their classrooms by encouraging students to strive for excellence. This fall, Mr. Conway will begin his fifteenth year as a member of the High School English faculty at Montgomery Catholic.

Student members of NSHSS have the opportunity to nominate the one educator who has made the most significant contribution to their academic career. This award, bestowed by The Society upon the recommendation of a member, allows the students themselves to recognize the commitments, strengths, and gifts of their teachers, providing an opportunity for them to recognize and thank their academic mentors. What makes this award unique is that it is an honor bestowed upon an outstanding educator by a young scholar.

“Dedicated educators who exhibit a commitment to excellence deserve our highest praise and appreciation,” said NSHSS Chair Claes Nobel. “We’re excited to provide an ongoing means to do so, and we encourage our members to nominate teachers who have been pivotal to their academic success.”

Formed in 2002 by Mr. Claes Nobel, a senior member of the family which established the Nobel Prizes, The National Society of High School Scholars recognizes academic excellence at the high school level and encourages member of the organization to apply their unique talents, vision, and potential for the betterment of themselves and the world. Currently there are more than 300,000 Society members in over 50 countries.

Sara Garcia Takes 2nd Place in Golf Tournament

Montgomery Catholic Senior Sara Garcia hold the Second Place title in a field of 23 female athletes in women's golf for the 2007 AHSAA 1A-5A Girls State Championship. The state tournament was held on the Grand National Course of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Opelika, AL. Sara shot a 78 in the first round and an 83 in the second for a total of 161. Sara is an exchange student from Mexico and is pictured with Montgomery Catholic Athletic Director Jim Tolbert and Montgomery Catholic Golf Coach Bill Sutton.

Middle School May Crowning

The Middle School honored the Blessed Mother Mary with a May Crowning Ceremony held on May 17. Eighth graders Chris Bodet, Tyler Jankay, and Evan LeBarge all placed flowers at feet of the Blessed Mother statue in front of the Middle School while Jessica Mount placed a crown of flowers on her head. The students sang "Immaculate Mary", prayed a decade of the Rosary with the Hail, Holy Queen, and then sang "Hail, Holy Queen."

The "Our Lady of Grace" statue was given to the school by sisters Mary Azar and Frances Miaoulis and was blessed by Bishop Toolen on April 12, 1945. The statue stood in front of our original school site, The Gerald Mansion, from 1945 until 1965. It was rededicated by Archbishop Lipscomb on September 12, 2004 at the formal dedication of our Middle School.