Montgomery Catholic Students Successful at 2015 Youth Legislature Conference

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School had an exciting year participating in the YMCA Youth Legislature conference held at the Alabama State House February 20-22. The program allows over 500 high school students to take over state government for three days. Participants are required to write a bill on a topic of their choice and take it through the legislative process. Exciting elections and debate take place as students learn about state government and parliamentary procedure.

Overall, Montgomery Catholic had a very successful weekend.  Including four students in leadership positions at this year's conference. Senior Mary McLaughlin was Secretary of State, senior Elizabeth Overton was Director of Legislative Affairs, and sophomore James Sadie was a member of the Governor's Cabinet.  This year, Montgomery Catholic's Brian Anderson, a sophomore, who served as a First Year Presiding Officer, was also elected to serve as next year's House Pro Temp.

Anderson named 2016 House Pro Temp.

Five of the bills presented by Montgomery Catholic students made it to the calendar, with four of the five were debated on the floor. James Sadie/Sam McCracken, Elizabeth Overton, Cheyenne Hayes, and Nate Smith, were very well-composed and debated their bills well.  Hayes had her bill passed in the House.

Hayes presents her bill at the 2015 YMCA
Youth Legislature Conference.

Other impressive recognition for the Montgomery Catholic team were: Nate Smith, a sophomore, recognized as a First Year Outstanding Delegate; Brian Anderson invited to attend the Conference on National Affairs (CONA); and James Sadie and Mary McLaughlin were named as alternate invitees.  Additionally, Mary McLaughlin, Elizabeth Overton, and Charcille Randall received honor cords for participation in Youth in Government for three or more years.

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's Youth Legislature sponsors are High School History teachers Mrs. Stephanie Nelson and Mr. Justin Castanza and supported by Middle School teacher Miss D'Jara Britton.

Congratulations to all of the Montgomery Catholic students who represented the school so well at the YMCA Youth Legislature conference.

Three Montgomery Catholic Athletes Sign Athletic Commitments February 12

Montgomery Catholic Seniors Reggie Jackson, Jacob Hulcher and Thomas Stokes commit to continue their athletic careers in college. 

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School held a signing ceremony for student-athletes inside the Library on the high school campus at 2:40 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, February 12, 2015.  The Knights celebrated the signing of Jacob Hulcher (Southern Union), Reggie Jackson (Mississippi Valley State), and Thomas "T.J." Stokes (Mississippi Valley State).

Hulcher, has attended Montgomery Catholic for 13 years and played baseball for the Knights since seventh grade. Hulcher had a 7-2 record during the 2014 season, his era was a 1.61 and he pitched 5 Complete Games, he led the Knights in strikeouts and innings pitched. He has decided to continue his baseball career at Southern Union in the fall. Jacob is the son of Vickie and Richard Hulcher of Montgomery.

Jackson, has spent the last two years at Montgomery Catholic.  Jackson has been an All-Metro player for four years, and was a WSFA player of the week in 2014. He racked up 61 solo tackles, 98 total tackles, four sacks and three forced fumbles in 18 games on defense. He also rushed for 949 yards and stacked up 1018 all purpose yards with an average of 9.1 yards per carry.He will attend Mississippi Valley State in the fall and play football. Reggie is the son of Carylon and Anthony Jackson of Montgomery.

Stokes was named Private School Player of the week by the Montgomery Quarterback Club for his performance September 12, 2014 against St. James.  Stokes tied a state record during the same football game with a 99 yard run from scrimmage for a touchdown. He was an All-Metro and and All-State Honorable Mention football player during his senior year at Montgomery Catholic. He will attend Mississippi Valley State to play football. T.J. is the son of Ivy and Thomas Stokes of Montgomery.

Congratulations Knights!

Front Row: Reggie Jackson, Jacob Hulcher and T.J. Stokes with their parents on signing day.
Back Row: Carylon and Anthony Jackson; Richard and Vickie Hulcher; and Ivy and Thomas Stokes.

15th Annual Mardi Gras Prayer Breakfast Hosted By Montgomery Catholic's Class of 2016

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's junior class hosted the annual Mardi Gras Prayer Breakfast for the entire high school student body and many special guests on Fat Tuesday, February 17, 2015.  The day began in the wee hours of the morning with members of the junior class transforming the Dolly Barranco Activity Center into a Mardi Gras themed restaurant while cooking and serving a delicious pancake breakfast for nearly 400 guests.  Kathleen Beesley, Junior Class Vice-President welcomed guests. Abaigeal Gilbert, Junior Class Secretary invited guests to write down their Lenten promises which will hang in the main hall of the High School. She invited guests to stop and read the promises throughout Lent and say a prayer for those who made them. Father Patrick Arensberg from St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church opened with prayer.  

Mr. John Keating, keynote speaker at the Montgomery Catholic, 15th Annual Mardi Gras Prayer Breakfast. 

Patrick O'Mara, Junior Class President introduced the speaker for the event. This year Mr. John Keating, a dedicated Montgomery Catholic parent, volunteer and substitute teacher was the keynote speaker. He is the father of two Montgomery Catholic Alumni and current junior student Gabe Keating and husband of fourth grade Montgomery Catholic teacher Melynda Keating.  Junior Class Treasurer Nadine Moussalli gave closing remarks thanking all of the Prayer Breakfast sponsors, including: Anne Ceasar, MCPS President; Chad Barwick, MCPS Principal, Madonna Kimbrough, High School Administrative Assistant; Kerri Moore, MCPS Junior Class Sponsor; Ben Cecil and Abby Beesley, MCPS teachers; Chappy's Deli; Christine Burton; Craig Sherman, MCPS Cafeteria Manager; Alex Johnson, MCPS Band Director and the MCPS Jazz Combo; and the Junior Class parents.  Father Linn Harbour from Holy Family Catholic Community at Maxwell AFB offered the Benediction to end the event. 

This is the fifteenth year the junior class at Montgomery Catholic has hosted the Prayer Breakfast as a class retreat and service project for the school.  

Catholic's Van Alst Claims Fourth Consecutive Wrestling State Championship

Van Alst claims his 4th consecutive AHSAA State Wrestling title!

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School sophomore Zachary Van Alst claimed his fourth consecutive Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) wrestling state championship on Saturday, February 14 in Huntsville, this year capturing the title in the Class 1A-5A, 122-pound weight class. Van Alst finished the 2015 season undefeated with a record 50-0.

In his four-year career at Montgomery Catholic, Van Alst has recorded a 180-11 overall record.  He has also won three sectional titles to go along with his four state championships.

Keating placed fifth in his first state tournament appearance.

He was joined in Huntsville by his teammates, senior Cameron Harris and junior Gabe Keating. Keating placed fifth in his first State Tournament appearance in the 154-pound weight class. The Montgomery Catholic team of three placed 19th overall. They are coached by head coach Coy Hunter and assistant coach David Parker.

Zachary is the son of Jennifer and Bob Van Alst of Prattville. Gabe is the son of John and Melynda Keating of Montgomery. Cameron is the son of Andrea Harris of Montgomery.

Congratulations to the Knight Wrestling team on a great finish at State!