Montgomery Catholic honors 2015-2016 Varsity Athletes

Montgomery Catholic's 9th grade
 Jimmy Hitchcock Nominees

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School honored their varsity athletes for the 2015-2016 year at their annual Varsity Athletic Banquet held at the RSA Activity Center, Wednesday May 11, 2016. Montgomery Catholic fields 16 varsity team sports throughout the year. Mr. Chad Barwick, High School Principal, recognized the four nominees for the Jimmy Hitchcock Award. They were Agnes Armstrong, Emily Barranco, Nadine Moussalli and Patrick O’Mara. Also recognized were Montgomery Catholic's ninth grade nominees, Claire Mills and Amaris Tyynismaa.

Montgomery Catholic has four awards which honor individual team members

Montgomery Catholic's 9th grade
 Jimmy Hitchcock Nominees

for their hard work and dedication to their sport. Three of these distinguished awards honor individuals who had tremendous influence on our athletic program: Father Patrick Delahunty, Mr. Joe Fields, and Coach Jack Kresek.

The Father Pat Delahunty Sportsmanship Award, named for the founder of our athletic program, honors the athlete who demonstrates outstanding sportsmanship. The Fr. Delahunty Sportsmanship Award winners were Ivy Bach and Carrie Belsterling (cheer), Devin Byrts & Michael Collins (football), Leah Taylor (volleyball), Lacy Herbek, Chloe Smith and James Avery(cross country), Jessie Clark and Devin Byrts(basketball), Mel Koontz, Wilson Miles (wrestling), Megan Stembridge and Michael Barber(soccer),
Brian Anderson (golf), Carrie Belsterling (softball), Stevie Price (baseball), Zach Kroeger and Katelyn Stark (indoor track) Lacey Herbek and Josh Seals (outdoor track).

The Coach Jack Kresek Coaches Award, named for a much-beloved football coach who led the Knights (then the "Saints") from 1956 until 1961, recognizes the athlete who exhibits strong determination, team effort, dependability, and a winning attitude. The Jack Kresek Coaches Award winners were Kathleen Beesley and Katie Slear (cheer), Sam Walker (football), Briana Hollinger (volleyball), Isabelle Cochran, Grace Leslie, Hollis Johnson, and Grant Walker(cross country), Aleigha Walden and James Sadie (basketball), Jason Flowers and Christian Friday (wrestling),  Kathleen Beesley and Josh Koch(soccer),
Sam McCracken (golf), Chloe Newell(tennis), Paige Rentfro(softball), James Cleghorn  (baseball), Isabelle Cochran, Grace LesliePatrick O’Mara, and Josh Seals (indoor track), Isabelle Cochran amd Grant Walker
(outdoor track & field).

The Joe Fields Leadership Award, named for an outstanding student-athlete from the 1970s who displayed outstanding leadership while attending Montgomery Catholic, honors the athlete who demonstrate exceptional leadership skills to their teammates. The Joe Fields Leadership Award winners were Tori Barranco and Kathleen Beesley (cheers), Gabe Keating (football), Agnes Armstrong (volleyball)
Madison Searcy, Megan Stembridge, James Cleghorn, and Patrick Gregorius(cross country), Emily Lafreniere and Michael Collins (basketball), Gabe Keating (wrestling), Riley Aaron, Nadine Moussali and Daniel Reeves (soccer), Grant Smith (golf), Audrey Kim (tennis), Tamrah Tucker and Grant Walker (indoor track), Tamrah Tucker and Brandon Thomas (outdoor track).

Each varsity sport names one Most Valuable Player. Montgomery Catholic's MVPs were Eryka Ellington and Lauren Smith (cheer), Blake Johnson (football), Iyana Tate (volleyball), Amaris Tyynismaa and Kevin Leahy (cross country), Michaelyn Foster and Iyana Tate and B.J. Barker(basketball),  Zack Van Alst (wrestling), Ale Vazquez and Ethan Ronan (soccer), Drew Smith (golf), Audrey Kim (tennis), Michaelyn Foster (softball), Blake Johnson and Connor Owens (baseball), Amaris Tyynismaa and Ryan Jansen (indorr track), Amaris Tyynismaa and Patrick O’Mara (outdoor track).

Michaelyn Foster received the Caitlyn Marianne Wiggins '08 Memorial Scholarship presented by
Caitlyn's parents, Jim and Lisa Wiggins. Photo by: Total Image

The 2016 recipients of the Coach Ralph Furlong
Scholarship was Aleigha Walden and Zachary Van Alst.

Montgomery Catholic awarded two scholarships for school tuition. The first was the Coach Ralph Furlong Scholarship, established in 1998. Initiated by a member of his 1946 football team, the intent of this scholarship is to honor one of Catholic's greatest coaches, whose record of 24 straight wins from 1947-1949 remains a school record. The Furlong scholarship is a partial tuition scholarship of $1,000, given to a high school student who demonstrates a commitment to both extra-curricular and his or her studies. The 2016 recipients of the Coach Ralph Furlong Scholarship was Aleigha Walden and Zachary Van Alst. The second scholarship given was the Caitlyn Marianne Wiggins '08 Memorial Scholarship, established in December of 2013. A $3,500 partial tuition scholarship awarded annually in Caitlyn’s honor, a 2008 MCPS graduate and varsity athlete who was killed in an automobile accident in 2013. The scholarship is given for one school year to a female student athlete at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School’s (MCPS) High School Campus.  Caitlyn’s family and friends endowed this scholarship to give another child the opportunity to achieve the type of success that Caitlyn enjoyed in life. Michaelyn Foster received the Caitlyn Marianne Wiggins '08 Memorial Scholarship presented by Caitlyn's parents, Lisa and Jim Wiggins.

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's

Knights of the Round Table Athletes of the Year

Gabe Keating and Agnes Armstrong.

Photo by: Total Image

The top athletes from each sport are nominated for the Knights of the Round Table Award, which recognizes the top male and female athlete of the year. The Knights of the Round Table nominees were The Montgomery Catholic Knights of the Round Table Winners are Agnes Armstrong and Gabe Keating.

To close the banquet, Deacon Jim Labadie of St. Peter Catholic Church led the parents and guests in a final blessing for all of the senior athletes.

Montgomery Catholic's Belsterling and Taylor Selected to Attend 2016 HOBY Leadership Conference

Carrie Belsterling and Matthew Taylor were selected to represent Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School as Ambassadors for HOBY (Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership) . The Seminar 

was held at Troy University, May 27-29, 2016.

HOBY is the nation’s foremost Youth Leadership Seminar that over 10,000 deserving high school sophomores from across the country attend each year.  Their mission is to inspire and develop the global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service, and innovation.  

Carrie Belsterling is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brian Belsterling of Montgomery. 

Matthew Taylor is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Andy Taylor of Montgomery.

Congratulations to the 141st Graduating Class of Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School!

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's 141st Commencement Exercises took place in an outdoor ceremony on the grounds of the Athletic Complex at the Vaughn Road Campus on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.

Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi, Superintendent of Education Gwendolyn Byrd, Montgomery Catholic President Anne Ceasar, and High School Principal Chad Barwick were joined by Monsignor Charles Troncale, Father Patrick Driscoll '84, Father Pat Arensberg, Father Alex Valladares, and Deacon Jim Labadie, as the special guests of the class. Salutatorian Patrick Raymond O'Mara and Valedictorian Nadine Cynthia Moussalli addressed their fellow graduates, special guests, family and friends after the class received their diplomas from Archbishop Rodi. The class of 2016 along with Alumni sang the Montgomery Catholic Alma Mater "Catholic, Our Refuge" led by Montgomery Catholic teacher Kerri Moore before heading to the in-zone to salute the school one final time.

Members of the junior and sophomore class hosted the graduates and their families at a reception in the Dolly Barranco Activity Center following the ceremony.


Congratulations to the Class of 2016!

John Cole Archer, Agnes Jean Armstrong, Jacob Ryan Atchley, Emily Ann Barranco, Tabatha-Marie Catalina Barrera, Kathleen Margaret Beesley, Cameron DeShon Brisbon, Courtney Rose Brodgen, Devin Rudolph Byrts, James Warner Cleghorn, Michael Elliott Collins, Eric Anderson Crenshaw, Lashundra Meche` Daniels, Kristianna Janay Davison, Aryian LaMychel Dean, Kailyn Naichelle Dean, Jennifer Manh Doan, Marissa Hope Dogan, Eryka Dominiq` Ellington, Claire Ann Fischer, Hayden Elizabeth Gambacurta,
Abaigeal Grace Gilbert, Jonathan Wiley Green, Patrick Dylan Gregorius, Phoebe Michelle Hall, Freddrick Andre` Hardy, Stephanie Lauren Hayes, Katherine Lacy Herbek, Blake Ashton Johnson, Richard Damien Kanneh, Kris Gabriel Keating, Anna Marie  Koerner, Lloyd Melvin Black Koontz, Emily Ann Lafreniere, WooSeop (Martin) Lee, Aubrey Lorraine Lenn, David Scott LoBello, Megan Helene Matisak, Katherine Elizabeth McDaniel, Morgan Nicole Micher, Juanita Chenail Mickles, Wilson Daniel Miles IV, Nadine Cynthia Moussalli, Sarah Irene Murry, Patrick Raymond O'Mara, Ryan Matthew Piper, Madison Paige Pritchett, Lester Carl Rudolph, Joshua Ross Seals, Madison Tyler Searcy,
Youngtaek Seo, Mary Reagan Starrett, Megan Shea Stembridge, Logan James Stevens, Brandon Malik Thomas, Lexy Elizabeth Tynan, Elizabeth Suzanne Vaughan, and Samuel Joseph Walker.



Photo courtesy of Total Image.

Founded in 1873, Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School is an integral part of the Catholic Church's mission to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.  As an adult community, we share in the responsibility to prepare students for college and beyond while helping them grow to become persons of faith, virtue and wisdom.

Montgomery Catholic High School Academic Awards Ceremony Held May 9

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School honored their top high school students at the annual Academic Awards Ceremony held in the Dolly Barranco Activity Center, May 9, 2016.

School president Anne Ceasar began the evening with the presentation of the Charles T. Harbin Distinguished Service award to Kevin Ryan. Followed by the announcement of the students who received scholarships for the 2016-2017 Academic year.  The scholarship presentations included the Norma Mungenast Scholarship, the Carole Skoneki Clark Endowed Scholarship, the Anna and Harold Paige Scholarship, the Sally Evans Hodges Memorial Scholarship and the Padre Pio Endowed Scholarship.  Mrs. Carrie Hamiter, Norma Mungenast's daughter presented three scholarships in honor of her mother to rising junior Lita Blackburn (full tuition) and partial scholarships to rising sophomore Grace Leslie and rising senior Antwan Parker. 

Msgr. Bill Skoneki along with Carole Skoneki Clark's extended family presented the first Carole Skoneki Clark Endowed Scholarship to rising sophomore Melody Taylor. 

Msgr. Bill Skoneki along with Carole Skoneki Clark's extended family presented the first Carole Skoneki Clark Endowed Scholarship to rising sophomore Melody Taylor. The Anna and Harold Paige full tuition scholarship was given to rising senior Iyana Tate. Rising senior James Sadie received the Sally Evans Hodges Memorial Scholarship, while rising junior Anna Nutting received the Padre Pio Endowed Scholarship.

Many honors were bestowed during the evening,including the most outstanding student in each subject area. These students are Nadine Moussalli, Audrey Kim, Paige Rentfro and Maddie Losik in English; Marissa Dogan, Lisa Hong, Christopher DeJesus and Isabelle Cochran in Math; Marissa Dogan, Michael Barber, Lita Blackburn and Reagan Herbek in Science; Blake Johnson, Devin Kelly, Paige Rentfro and Austin Collett in Social Studies; Emily Barranco, Antwan Parker, Paige Rentfro, Annie Back and Reagan Herbek in Theology; Jonathan Green, Paige Rentfro,  in Spanish and Reagan Herbek in Latin. The Art department named Lucy Waite most outstanding students: in art - Lucy Waite, in band -  Logan Stevens, and in drama - Tori Barranco. 

The new and senior members of the Loretto chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) were recognized during the ceremony, they are: Riley Aaron, Skye Alexander, Ivy Bach, David Bender, Adam Bristol, Michaelyn Foster, Francisco Gonzalez-Asaldi, Nicolas Homsher, Devin Kelly, Audrey Kim, Kevin Leahy, Kayanna McKenzie, Julia Rodriguez, James Sadie, Lauren Smith, Nathan Smith, Zachary Van Alst, and Hugh Walker. The NHS Senior members are: Cole Archer, Agnes Armstrong, Emily Barranco, Kathleen Beesley, Michael Collins, Marissa Dogan, Eryka Ellington, Claire Fischer, Abaigeal Gilbert, Jonathan Green, Lacy Herbek, Blake Johnson, Gabriel Keating, Mel Koontz, Emily Lafreniere, Morgan Micher, Nadine Moussalli, Patrick O’Mara, Madison Searcy, Megan Stembridge, and Logan Stevens.

The Math Department's Dr. Joe Profio acknowledged the students that participated in the American Mathmatics Competition (AMC) and had the high scores for the school. Those students were: AMC 12 - Nadine Moussalli and Lisa Hong and AMC10 Henry Petters and Christian Friday.

Mu Alpha Theta seniors, Nadine Moussalli, Claire Fischer,
Marissa Dogan and Agnes Armstrong.

Honor cords were given to the seniors that participated in Science Olympiad, Mu Alpha Theta and Key Club. 

Key Club members that volunteered 50 hours or more this year.

Montgomery Catholic's Key Club members were very generous with their time throughout our community this year.  There were nine students who gave over 50 hours of their time during this school year.  They were Aimee Azar, Amanda Brouillard, Jeong Yeon Choi, Isabelle Cochran, Katie Fischer, Emma Gandy, Reagan Herbek, Anna Nutting and Maggie Tippett.

Students with the highest grade point average for each high school grade level were also recognized.  The most outstanding freshman are Annie Bach, Isabelle Cochran, Austin Collett, Isabelle Dubon, Emma Gandy, Jonah Gier, Reagan Herbek, Kathleen Madden, Zoe Rutland, Ryan Yuson.  The most outstanding sophomore is Henry Petters.  The most outstanding junior is Ivy Bach.  The most outstanding senior for the class of 2016 is Patrick O'Mara.

Reagan Herbek received the Joe Arban Perfect Attendance Award.

Honor roll certificates for both the A and A/B honor rolls were given to those students who attained A or A/B honor roll throughout the school year for each grade level.  The Joe Arban Perfect Attendance Award was given to Erica Blackburn, James Avery and Reagan Herbek for having perfect attendance this year.

The evening culminated with two of the highest awards given at Montgomery Catholic: Leader of the Year and the Ideal Graduate.  

Mr. Chad Barwick, high school principal, awarded the Montgomery Catholic Leader of the Year award to Miss Marissa Dogan.

Mr. Chad Barwick, high school principal, awarded the Montgomery Catholic Leader of the Year award to Miss Marissa Dogan.  Marissa has served the school in numerous leadership positions throughout her school career including a leader in Science Olympiad and Key Club, as well as Captian of the Color Gaurd. She is the daughter of  Theresa Carlos and Jeff Dogan of Wetumpka.

Ideal Graduates at Montgomery Catholic are Miss Agnes Armstrong and Miss Kathleen Beesley.

Mrs. Anne Ceasar, Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School president,  awarded the Montgomery Catholic Ideal Graduate Award to the student who embodies the overall qualities and talents of an ideal graduate.  This year there were two students  named as the Ideal Graduates at Montgomery Catholic. They were Miss Agnes Armstrong and Miss Kathleen Beesley. Agnes is the daughter of  Joanie Armstrong of Montgomery and Brett Armstrong of Abbeville. Kathleen is the daughter of Christine Bruton and Randal Beesley, both of Montgomery.