Fourth Grade Elects Mayors; Sworn in by Bright

Fourth grade students at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's St. Bede Campus recently elected mayors to run each of their "cities". As a lesson in civics, Mrs. Riggles' students create cities from the ground up: listing out job descriptions, setting up pay scales, and assigning duties from virtually every aspect of municipal management. Each office has specific duties they are responsible for each day.

The Mayor oversees class meetings, signs paychecks, and picks the "star student of the month." Vice-Mayors distribute and collect timed tests, facilitates clean up, and checks assignment pads. Even the city decorators are in charge of decorating their classroom bulletin boards. Each person has tasks and duties and all are learning valuable lessons in the process.

For the office of mayor the students ran campaigns, created posters, gave speeches, and patiently waited for the votes to come in. Margaret Ann Allen, Brian Anderson, Tori Barranco, and Will Couey were victorious in their bout for mayoral office.

Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright attended a special ceremony where each of the mayors were officially sworn into office. The fourth grade presented Mayor Bright with a token of their appreciation.

Pictured: Montgomery Catholic Fourth Grade Mayors Brian Anderson, Margaret Ann Allen, Will Couey, and Tori Barranco.

Miles Represented State as Student Ambassador with People to People

Mary Frances Miles, an eighth grade student at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School, served as a student ambassador in the People to People program for the State of Alabama this summer in Europe.

Miles spent 20 days traveling all across England, Scotland, Whales, and Ireland. While in England, she met with a member of the British Parliament as well as enjoyed a "home stay" adventure with family during the trip.

In London, Miles watched the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, enjoyed a cruise of the River Thames, and explored the infamous Tower of London learning about its fascinating history as fortress, residence, prison, and home of Britain's Crown Jewels. Miles took in a few golfing lessons in St. Andrews, cruised around Loch Ness, visited the ruins of Urquhart Castle, and walked the cobblestone streets of Royal Mile while in Scotland. In Ireland, Miles visited the glass factory to see how the famous Waterford Crystal is made, strolled O'Connell Street, and kissed the Blarney Stone.

Miles' first trip as an ambassador with the People to People program was in 2006 when she attended the Yosemite Adventure for 14 days. She received an official proclamation as an Ambassador for People to People from Governor Bob Riley. Mary Frances Miles is the daughter of Dee and Sandra Miles of Montgomery.

Pictured: Mary Frances Miles, center, stands in front of the Warwick Castle in Warwick, England. Miles served as an Ambassador for People to People for the State of Alabama this summer.

Gore Named National Merit Commended Student

Fran Taylor, high school principal of Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School, announced today that Lauren Gore has been named a Commended Student in the 2009 National Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, will be presented by principal to this scholastically talented senior.

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2009 competition for National Merit Scholarships, Commended students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2009 competition by taking the 2007 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

"Recognition of academically talented students and the key role played by schools in their development is essential to the pursuit of educational excellence in our nation," commented a spokesperson for NMSC. "The young people named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding academic potential by their strong performance in this highly competitive program. We hope that this recognition will enhance their educational opportunities and that they will continue to diligently pursue their professional goals."

PICE Tournament Tops $100,000

The Parnters In Catholic Education (PICE) 8th annual Charity Golf Tournament held at the Robert Trent Jones Capital Hill Course in Prattville, AL on September 19th was a terrific success. The over $83,000 projected net proceeds from the tournament will significantly benefit Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School.

Tournament Co-Chairperson Liz Sutton announced 51 sponsors for this year’s tournament. The Tournament Sponsors were Dr. David Bronner, CEO, Retirement Systems of Alabama and Ben Walker, Smith Barney. There was one Platinum Sponsor and eleven Gold Elite Sponsors. The Gold Sponsors were Knights of Columbus Councils 893, 10731, 12011, 12150 & Jim McDonald, FICF, and GKN Aerospace

Silver Sponsors included: Mara Family, Lopez & Fowler Family, Carl Whatley Family, Sinclair’s/Montgomery Catering, Anderson Law Firm, Arthur & Maureen Britton, Delta Consulting Group, J. Michael Karst, MD, PA, Jenkins Brick, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., Baptist Health, AKD, Inc., EnterConference, OB/GYN Associates of Montgomery, and the Larry & Beth Russo Family.

Hole Sponsors included: Baker Family, John Lee Paint, Ialacci Family, Robert D. Reynolds – Attorney, St Peter’s Catholic Church, Carnival Cruise Lines, and Alabama World Travel.

Half-Hole Sponsors included: Church of the Holy Spirit, Murphy Chiropractic, Bass Lumber, Pinecrest Brokers Realty, United Food & Fuel, Azar, Azar & Moore LLC, Chappy’s Deli, Goins Sisters, Leon M. Kelley & Co., CPA, Montgomery Automotive Group, and The Copy Center.

Beverage Sponsors were AllState Beverage and the Coca-Cola Company. This year’s Hole-in-One sponsors were Capital Hyundai and Alabama World Travel & Carnival Cruise Lines.

Other Sponsors included Pat Mullen, Drs. Wilson & Goerhring, Frier Planning Concepts, McGriff Auto Service, and Dr. Rachelle Janush.

Special Guests this year included Fr. David Carucci, Pastor of St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church, for the innovation and welcoming by an LPGA player. Fr. James Dean, Pastor of Our Lady Queen of Mercy Catholic Church, and Fr. Patrick Driscoll, Pastor of St. Peter's Catholic Church, were also in attendance.

This year, the top three Net and top Gross teams were recognized for the Senator and Legislator courses. They are as follows: Top Gross – Casals Clinic Team: Dr. Leon Casals, Mark Brooks, Mike O’Connor & Patrick Wood, and Anderson Law Team – Charlie Anderson, Scott Loftis, Buster Russell & Matt Williams. First Place Net was the Mara Family –Duane Mara, Matt Mara, Darrell Sager & George Tombacaris, and on the Legislator Eddie Eiland, Mike Nelson, John Sadie & Bryan Kelley. Second Place Net was Goodwyn Mills Cawood Architects – Ferrell Duncombe, Tracy Bassett, Feagin Johnson & Eddie Hill, and the Jenkins Brick Team Joe McNair, Mark Sadie, Greg Crews Sr. & Greg Crews Jr. Third Place Net was Doster Construction – John Stivender, Fletcher, Tony Wayman & Mike Grim, and the Irwin Team – Bubba Turner, Dr. Mike Irwin, Sid Schroll & Robert Reynolds.

Serving on the committee with Liz Sutton were Co-Chairperson Jerry Lopez, Jim Baker, Mike Barranco, Dean DeLongchamp, Debbie Harvey, Mary Kelley, Mark Sadie, John Sadie, Merrie Tolbert, Gary Tomlin, and Jimmy Tucker.

The proceeds of the tournament will greatly enhance the Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School’s educational programs and capital improvements.

To view photos from the event, click here: http://family.webshots.com/album/567378536bfCvep

Pictured: Montgomery Catholic’s administration, members from the Marching Knights and tournament co-chair pose with special guest Dr. David Bronner. L to R: Phillip Spotswood, Joseph Sutton, Michael Jones, Toni Profio, High School Principal Fran Taylor, MCPS President Anne Ceasar, special guest Dr. David Bronner, Middle School Principal Maria Nolen, PICE Tournament Co-Chair Liz Sutton, Drum Major Nelson Jancaterino, Ben Petters, Thomas Anile, Gavin Duke, Tommy Hatcher, and Tony Hatcher.