JACKSON – Members of St. Richard Parish Alive youth group (eighth-10th graders) are invited to “The Breakfast Club” on Fridays, June 19, July 3, 17, 24 and 31. Participants will attend the 8 a.m. Mass and then head to a local restaurant for breakfast. Bring money for food.
MADISON – Micah Pellerin of the Cleveland Browns will host a summer football camp at St. Joseph School. Dates are: June 22-24 for students on second through eight grades and June 25-26 for ninth through 12th graders. Details: Joe Marquez, 601-383-2545.
Summer camps:
– Volleyball camp, June 29-July 1, from 9 a.m.- noon for students entering third-fifth grades. Cost is $80.
– Cheer camp, July 20-24 from 9 a.m. – noon for students entering first-sixth grades. Cost is $100.
– Basketball camp, July 27-29 form 8 a.m. – noon for students entering fourth – ninth grades. Cost is $125.

McCOMB – St. Alphonsus Parish will continue offering “Teen Prayer” during the summer on Wednesday nights for incoming ninth graders through graduated seniors. Participants will learn about teenage saints from around the world and will also enjoy foods common to the areas that the saints are from. Anyone that would like to assist in food prep should be at the Youth House at 5 pm.
– Monday morning Mass at 7:30 a.m. followed by breakfast at the Youth House for Edge and Lifeteen. Details: Cathy McMillan, 601-431-1061.

By Lisa Zepponi
GREENVILLE – The newest addition to the St. Joseph Catholic High School chapel, an antique Italian statue of St. Joseph, was placed in its new home of honor. The St. Joseph statue was blessed during a special Mass by Father Bill Henry, where the late Boyd McGaugh and his wife Sandra McGaugh were recognized for their support of St. Joseph Catholic Schools.

Sandra McGaugh

Father Bill Henry blesses the antique statue of St. Joseph in the school chapel with help from

The school had been searching for the perfect statue of its namesake. The McGaugh family has actively been part of the St. Joseph School system for many years. Sandra McGaugh is the daughter of a St. Joseph graduate, the late Fletcher Low, who graduated in 1917, along with his four siblings. After Sandra and her sisters, Kay Low Gable (1959), Judy Low Cannon, her husband James (1959) and Penny Low Crowson (1961) graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School, Sandra returned to teach.
Sandra has taught at St. Joseph for 52 of her 54 years in education. She has been the former English Chair, cheerleading sponsor, National Honor Society Sponsor and senior class sponsor. She is the current yearbook sponsor, senior religion teacher and journalism teacher at St. Joseph High School. The Delta Democrat Times honored her as Best Teacher of the Year in 2013.
Sandra has a total dedication to and love for her school; she is thankful for the ability God has given her to help mold many generations of SJHS students who have crossed her path.  McGaugh feels blessed to have taught so many students who have become successful in life.
“I believe that being educated in a Catholic School is the best gift a parent can give a child in preparing the child for life as a prosperous Christian man or woman, she said. “Jesus is the center of the highest academic endeavors, and because of his teachings, children learn the values necessary for life and beyond.”
Sandra’s late husband, Boyd, supported her wish to educate their children in a Catholic school. Their children, Lea (1985), Jim (1986) and Brian (1995), a current teacher at SJHS and his wife Marcie (1994), all graduated from St. Joseph.
The McGaugh grandchildren Matthew (2009) and Hunter (2013), sons of Jim, graduated from SJHS; Gracie, Madeline and Fletcher McGaugh, children of Brian, all attend Our Lady of Lourdes. Their grandchildren, Will and Luke, Lea’s sons attend St. Clare Catholic School in Belleville, Ill.
Sandra said, “Boyd had a quick wit; he loved people, and he loved St. Joe.  He allowed me to do my work, and encouraged me to enter into the many activities that I have sponsored throughout the years.  He loved having the students working on school floats at our house, and he readily worked hard to assure that our three children would attend St Joe.
“He often chaperoned student trips and took charge of several fish fries to benefit the school.  He would love the idea of a statue being dedicated in our honor. He converted to Catholicism in 2011, but called himself a ‘Catholic in spirit’ long before then.”
SJHS Principal Paul Artman said, “Both Mr. and Mrs. McGaugh, as well as other generations of this family, have been vested in St. Joseph Catholic School. The McGaughs continue to honor our school; consequently, our dedication of this blessed statue is so fitting!”
The new Italian statue of St. Joseph is now at home, where it will be viewed with loving memory of Boyd McGaugh and in honor of an extremely dedicated family and its matriarch, Sandra Low McGaugh.

Green Wave pitcher, Gabe Smith, winds up to deliver a pitch in Cathedral’s 4-2 victory of Smithville for the State 1A championship May 22. (Photo courtesy The Natchez Democrat)

Cathedral Green Wave players hoist the Golden Glove trophy after capturing the State 1A baseball title with a two game sweep over the Smithville Seminoles. (Photo courtesy The Natchez Democrat)

Catholic schools excelled this spring in several sports including tennis, golf, softball and baseball. In the last issue we featured several championship winners. This week we offer final results in track, tennis and baseball.

Track
Vicksburg S. Aloysius senior, Maggie Waites, propelled herself to the state 1A pole vault title. Waites reached the height of 11 feet in nailing down first.

Tennis
After capturing the State 1A title, Greenville St. Joseph sent players to three individual finals matches.  With the exception of boys’ singles, all title matches involved Catholic schools.  In girls’ singles, Virginia Virden defeated Natchez Cathedral’s Grace White 6-1, 6-2.  In girls’ doubles The Irish’s Katherine Anne Terracina and Sarah Hayek lost to Hattiesburg Sacred Heart’s Anna Katherine Andy and Anna Bryce Taylor.
In mixed doubles action, St. Aloysius brother and sister duo, Luke Eckstein and Adrianne Eckstein, took the title by defeating Greenville’s Craig Gardiner and Olivia DeAngelo.
The boys’ doubles match saw John Preston Andy and Carter Andrews of Sacred Heart slip past Pascagoula Resurrection’s Patrick Roth and Wesley Williams.
St. Aloysius’ Aaron Mathis faced Tupelo Christian’s Hank Leathers with Leathers taking the title.
In Division 2A, Madison St. Joseph’s Steadman Strickland brought home his third straight title.  In girls’ doubles, the Bruins’ Genin Starkeu and Eliza Strickland reached the final match before losing to West Lincoln’s sister team of Kay and Kara Clark.

Baseball
PEARL – Trustmark Park, home of the Mississippi Braves, hosted the state high school baseball championships again this year. Under Coach Craig Beesley, the Natchez Cathedral Green Wave captured its first baseball title in 11 years to match its state football title last fall.
The Green Wave took the field May 20 against Smithville to begin a best of three series for the 1A title.  In game one Cathedral outscored Smithville 13-1. Andrew Beesley scored three runs as he went 4 for 5 with two RBIs.  Quinton Logan allowed only three hits in 5 1/3 innings for the Green Wave. Sam Parker came on in relief and shutout the Seminoles.
Game two, played May 22, was a much closer contest. Green Wave pitcher Gabe Smith allowed only five hits and two runs in five innings to notch the win as Cathedral topped the ‘Noles 4-2.  Sam Parker came in to pitch the last two innings and was given the save as he held Smithville hitless.
Over the two games Green Wave bats amassed 24 hits in 61 at bats for a combined batting average of .393.  Andrew Beesley led the way with 5 hits in 7 official at bats for a .714 average.

COLUMBUS – Thanks to a grant from the Columbus Arts Council and a partnership with the Mississippi Arts Commission, Annunciation School (ACS) students, faculty and staff created a very special collaborative art piece.
With the help of local artist Katherine Munson, art teacher Jacque Junkins worked with every student to create a mural representing the unity of the school and community that will proudly hang in the school main building.
The eighth grade students brainstormed and sketched ideas to represent what Arts Captivating Spirits means to them and their personal journey through ACS. They collectively decided on “The Tree of Life” representing their physical, mental, spiritual and emotional growth during their time at our school.
The roots of the tree represent the teachers, who they see as the foundation of their growth. The sun in the mural represents God, with the three layers of the sun representing the Holy Trinity.
The result of the entire ACS family’s work is a mural representing the extensive collaboration that is the foundation of our arts integrated curriculum.
Members of the Columbus and Starkville communities helped in the design, including the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Sciences “Do Something” program helping with the younger ACS students with their work on the mural.

BASEBALL
The Natchez Cathedral Green Wave has ridden the tide to a birth in the State 1A Baseball Semifinals. With two game sweeps in the regionals over McAdams and Resurrection (Pascagoula), the Green Wave faced Sacred Heart (Hattiesburg) in the regional finals. This series went to a third game after each school claimed a victory.
Cathedral and the Stringer Red Devils were scheduled to play a best of three series May 12 – 16. The winner of this series faces the winner of the Ingomar – Smithville three game series. If the Green Wave gets passed Stringer, they will begin State Championship play May 19 at Trustmark Park in Pearl.
Both Greenville St. Joseph and Vicksburg St. Aloysius made it to the second round of the regional play but lost in close match ups. Madison St. Joseph made it to regional finals in Division 2A, but lost a close three game series to Taylorsville.

FAST PITCH SOFTBALL
In Division 1A fast-pitch softball, Cathedral Green Wave ladies made it to the state semi-finals, sweeping Noxapater and Sebastapol in those two best of three series. Knocked out by Nanih Waiya, who also defeated St. Aloysius (14-9-1) in the regional finals, the Green Wave finished the season at 16-13.

GOLF
Vicksburg St. Aloysius Girls captured their third consecutive state 1A championship with a combined score of 333 over two rounds. Their margin of victory was 56 strokes as Our Lady Academy on the Coast came in at 389. Team members include: Beth Newman, Elizabeth Keen, Katie Martin, Anna Fletcher, and Laura Phillips. Fletcher Phillips and Newman finished in the top 10.
Cathedral Green Wave golfers finished fourth in the state tournament held in Saltillo at Big Oaks Golf Club.
St. Aloysius boys finished second in the state behind Sacred Heart of Hattiesburg. Channing Curtis and Gabe Riveros finished in the top 10 with Curtis placing second overall shooting a combined two round score of 145 just one shot back of Sacred Heart’s Hunter Hammett’s 144.

TENNIS
As of press time, the state tennis championship individual matches were underway. Greenville St. Joseph Fightin’ Irish had claimed the 1A state team title. More results will follow in the next issue of Mississippi Catholic on tennis and baseball.

GREENVILLE – Brittany McTeer, a senior at St. Joseph High School, received the Rotary Four Way Test Award and scholarship, along with five other local seniors from the Greenville Rotary Chapter. The staff and administration selected McTeer in honor of her integrity, high ethical standards and principles.
“Brittany (McTeer) was chosen because few individuals hold the high standard and moral compass she possesses. Brittany is a strong young woman, whose character is beyond reproach. She is a wonderful student, athlete, servant leader and character role model,” said Paul Artman, St. Joseph School principal.
McTeer is a member of the National Honor Society, Interact Club and president of the St. Joseph Ambassadors. She is the captain of the St. Joseph Lady Softball Team, a member of the soccer team and served as football manager for six years.
She has accepted a scholarship to play softball at Mississippi Delta Community College, where she will work towards her business degree. She is the daughter of Mrs. Kim Elkins and Mr. Lee McTeer and a member of St. Joseph Parish.
Each of the recipients received a medal, certificate and a $500.00 scholarship to the college of their choice from the Greenville Rotary Chapter. The Rotarians use a four way test to make decisions. Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? The committee uses this standard for the scholarship recipient.

GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph Parish youth group will host a party with cookout and live music to celebrate the 2015 high school graduates, family and friends Sunday, May 17, at the pavilion behind the parish hall after the 5 p.m. graduate’s Mass.

GRENADA St. Peter Parish, youth lock in, Friday-Saturday, May 29-30, high school from 7 p.m. – 7a.m. and middle school from 7 p.m. – 12 a.m.

GREENVILLE St. Joseph Parish, mini-cheer camp by middle school cheerleaders, June 8-10, from 9:30 a.m. – noon for children ages three-12 years in the school’s gym. Cost is $45 per child. Details: Mrs. Dixon, 662-378-9711)

JACKSON – St. Richard Parish Cardinal Camp is looking for volunteers for the week of June 8-26 from 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Details: Audrey Gill, 601-366-1157, Agill@strichardschool.org.

VICKSBURG – Luke Eckstein, a senior at St. Aloysius High School, has been named as a 2015 U.S. Presidential Scholar.
Eckstein is one of 141 outstanding American high school seniors that have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship, service, and contribution to school and community. The U.S. Presidential Scholars will be honored for their accomplishments in Washington D.C., from June 21-23.
“Presidential Scholars demonstrate the accomplishments that can be made when students challenge themselves, set the highest standards, and commit themselves to excellence,” Duncan said. “These scholars are poised to make their mark on our nation in every field imaginable: the arts and humanities, science and technology, law and medicine, business and finance, education and government—to name a few. Their academic and artistic achievements reflect a sense of purpose that we should seek to instill in all students to prepare them for college, careers, civic responsibilities, and the challenges of today’s job market.”
The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, appointed by President Obama, selects honored scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to high ideals. Of the three million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 4,300 candidates qualified for the 2015 awards determined by outstanding performance on the College Board SAT and ACT exams, and through nominations made by Chief State School Officers or the National YoungArts Foundation’s nationwide YoungArts™ competition.
The 2015 U.S. Presidential Scholars are comprised of one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and from U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large and 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts. Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored almost 7,000 of the nation’s top-performing students with the prestigious award given to honorees during the annual ceremony in D.C.
The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary and performing arts. Since 1983, each Presidential Scholar has been offered the opportunity to name his or her most influential teacher. Each distinguished teacher is honored with a personal letter from the Secretary of Education. Eckstein chose Dawn Meeks, a teacher at St. Aloysius, to also receive the honor.