Duke Named Interim Principal, Gulley Named Assistant Principal at St. Bede

Susan Duke, former principal of Our Lady Queen of Mercy Catholic School, has been named Interim Principal of Montgomery Catholic's St. Bede Campus for the 2008-2009 academic year. Laurie Gulley has been named the Assistant Principal at St. Bede.

A graduate of the University of South Alabama, Duke served as principal of Our Lady Queen of Mercy (OLQM) from July 2006 through July 2008. Duke has been with the Catholic school system in Montgomery as a parent, teacher, and administrator over 20 years, taught mathematics and served as the school librarian for seven years before her principal ship at OLQM.

Laurie Gulley has been an elementary teacher for the last 18 years, with 16 at St. Bede. A graduate of Montgomery Catholic and Spring Hill College, Gulley has spent her life in Catholic education.

"This combination provides experience at both the teaching and administrative levels, as well as completes the melding the two school communities of St. Bede and Queen of Mercy. We have been able to incorporate seven former Queen of Mercy teachers into the St. Bede faculty and with the appointment of Susan, it's now complete," said Montgomery Catholic President Anne Ceasar.

We ask for your continued prayers and support for a wonderful 2008-09 school year.

Catholic's Sutton Shines at Bellantrae

Pelham--Montgomery Catholic's Thomas Sutton was the medalist in the 16 to 19-year old division of the Ballantrae Junior Classic held Wednesday in Pelham.

Sutton shot a 71 to finish with a two-day total of 141. Rising sophomore Scott Barranco finished 12th, shooting a 79 to finish at 158.

The tournament was sponsored by the Southeastern Junior Golf Tour.

Jordan Fox and Jacob McAlpine named recipients of the 2008 Coach Tim Turner Memorial Award

Jordan Fox and Jacob McAlpine were selected for the Coach Tim Turner Memorial Award for excellence in Middle School athletics at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School. The award is selected by the MCPS Athletic Booster Club and given to a male and female eighth grade student for excellence in athletic achievement and leadership, academics, and a written essay submitted by the students.

Mr. Jim Tolbert, MCPS Athletic Director, presented the award after the Eighth Grade Completion Mass on May 28, 2008 at the Church of the Holy Spirit.

Both students are tri-sport athletes and starting players in all three of their chosen sports. Fox played volleyball, basketball, and softball. McAlpine played football, basketball and soccer.

The award is named in honor of the late Coach Tim Turner who valiantly coached several MCPS Middle School sports teams while bravely battling a terminal illness.

Pictured: Montgomery Catholic's Coach Tim Turner Memorial Award recipients Jordan Fox and Jacob McAlpine.

Nolen Named Middle School Principal

Maria Antoinette Nolen has been named principal of the middle school campus at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School.

“We are very excited about Maria’s experience and vision she brings to this position,” said Anne Ceasar, Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School President. “Maria will build upon the foundations of the Middle School and bring new and imaginative ideas to make it even bigger and better.”

Nolen is in her 15th year as an educator. A graduate of Christian Brothers University and the University of Memphis, she has taught in public and parochial schools in Mississippi and northern Alabama, serving as the assistant principal of Catholic High School in Huntsville this year.

“I look forward to building relationships with the students and parents at Montgomery Catholic as the middle school principal. Montgomery Catholic has a wonderful and rich history; I am delighted to be a part of it,” said Nolen.

Nolen assumes her new duties on July 1.