Category Archives: Youth

St. Joe students recognized

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MADISON – St. Joseph School senior Anna Kathryn Moorehead was selected by Spring Hill College in Mobile as the 2014 recipient of the Bishop Brunini Scholarship.
The scholarship is offered to one graduating senior from the Jackson Diocese and awarded on the basis of academic ability, leadership/involvement outside of the classroom and dedication to serving others in the recipient’s community.
Bishop Brunini lived his life as a leader in service to others. In 1981, a scholarship was established at Spring Hill College to both honor Bishop Brunini’s achievements as a leader and to foster the same qualities in the chosen recipient of this prestigious award.
In addition to the Bishop Brunini Scholarship, Moorehead also was awarded the Portier Leader Award in recognition of academic excellence and the Spring Hill Service Scholarship for her dedication to service to others.
Sophomore journalism student Jack Hall had his name engraved on a plaque on permanent display at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum announcing he was named the first Orley Hood Sports Writer of the Year.
The Orley Hood award is named in honor of the late Orley Hood, a longtime, popular, award-winning sports columnist with The Clarion-Ledger. Hall competed for the award against other students from all high schools across the state. Hall serves as sports editor of The Bear Facts.

Class of 2014 reflects on experience

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MADISON ST. JOSEPH

  • Graduates: 83
  • Percentage of college bound: 100 percent
  • Number of scholarships awarded: 186
  • Largest scholarship awarded: $300,000
  • Total scholarship money earned: $3,936,344
  • Military enlistments: 1 Army and 1 Marine
  • Senior class service hours: 33,816
  • Notable service project: Dance marathon

VALEDICTORIAN: Anna Edge
Member of Madison St. Francis of Assisi Parish

From her speech: Two of the most important things I have learned at St. Joe, and what I want you to take with you today are a passion for everything you do and an awareness of your worth, beauty and sacredness as children of God. … We have been blessed to be surrounded by teachers who have taken absolute joy in nurturing their students. Their passion has inspired me to push through those late nights of studying, countless tutoring sessions …
“The St. Joseph staff has made me aware of my dignity as a human being and of my values. When we embark on the world, we must remember to love ourselves enough not only to work hard for our passion but also time for rest and relaxation …
Plans to attend: Mississippi State University to study engineering.

CO-SALUTATORIAN: Bailey Brilley
Member of Jackson St. Richard Parish

From his speech: Quoting Tennessee Williams, who he had the privilege of portraying, Brilley read, “There comes a time when you look into the mirror and you realize that what you see is all that you will ever be. And then you accept it. Or you kill yourself. Or you stop looking in mirrors” I offer this quote to my classmates not because I believe in our overarching “un-specialness” (although I do), but because the most important lesson I’ve learned in these six years is that happiness comes from noticing how truly un-remarkable you are and choosing to defy your insignificance with each and every breath.
Plans to attend: Washington Lee

CO-SALUTATORIAN: Ramsey Fairbank
Member of Jackson St. Richard Parish

From her speech: “Looking back on it in twenty years when I have a career and am oh so high and important (not), these memories will probably seem like nothing but silly high school experiences that won’t mean much to me, but that’s not right. Learning fractals from Mr. Richards changed me, watching “Lorenzo’s Oil” with my AP chemistry class changed me, studying for Mrs. Tupman’s Phylum Friday test changed me. Maybe not in some grandiose, obvious way, but small changes add up. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without my education at St. Joe, and there’s no one sitting up here who can say any differently. You definitely won’t remember this speech in twenty years, class of 2014, but if you remember anything, remember St. Joe. Remember what made you who you are, and, inevitably, what you will become.”
Plans to attend: Auburn University

 

Natchez Cathedral School

  • Graduates: 35
  • Percentage of college bound: 100 percent
  • Number of scholarships awarded: 33
  • Percentage of scholarship recipients: 94 percent
  • Largest scholarship awarded: $112,000 to Presley Davids from Millsaps College
  • Notable colleges: Spring Hill College, Rhodes College
  • Total scholarship money earned: $2.2 million
  • Notable service projects: Caroline Downer hosted a drive for toys to give every child at Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children which she delivered to the Jackson hospital. Having a benign bone tumor on her hip, she knew first-hand what these children go through and wanted give the kids something to lift their spirits.  Kids Against Hunger meal-packing event put on by Cathedral School Key Club during the Key Club District Conference, which Cathedral hosted this year. Students packaged more than 80,000 packages of food. The students opted to donate the meals to local food banks, shelters, churches, and other organizations in need as opposed to sending them overseas.

VALEDICTORIAN: Alyssa Christine Stewart
GPA: 98.402 ACT: 30

From her speech: “As we prepare for the next chapters in our lives, I encourage each and every one of you to embrace life and to experience everything that it has to offer. Don’t be afraid to take risks or to fail. Don’t have regrets and don’t reflect upon the what-ifs. All of our experiences (even the bad ones) help to mold our character and determine who we are as individuals.”
Plans to attend: Louisiana State University to study biology.

SALUTATORIAN:
Gabrien Joyce Caramat Panteria
GPA: 98.179 – ACT: 27
Member of St. Mary Basilica

From her speech: Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” I encourage my class to listen to her quote, to always believe in your dreams and aim high, for I believe you have the potential to be successful in anything you put your attention and effort into. Go forth, make a difference in this world, and use what you know; you can do anything.
I would like to give a heartfelt thank you to all our teachers and faculty members for believing in our dreams, helping us grow educationally and spiritually, and encouraging us to do our best … I do know one thing: our years at Cathedral School have given us some of the best memories of our lives, lessons to learn from, and skills to give us confidence, intelligence, and personal integrity.
Plans to attend: Louisiana State University and study coastal environmental engineering/biology.

VICKSBURG ST. ALOYSIUS

  • Graduates: 35
  • Percentage of college bound: 100 percent
  • Number of scholarship recipients: 28
  • Percentage of scholarship recipients: 80 percent
  • Largest scholarship awarded: $105,800
  • Notable colleges: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Total scholarship money earned: $3,941,118
  • Senior class service hours: 3,300 hours
  • Notable service projects: Filipino dinner to benefit Catholic Relief Services efforts to help typhoon victims in the Philippines.

VALEDICTORIAN: Wally Wibowo
GPA: 4.76 – ACT: 34
Member of St. Michael Catholic Church

From his speech: Through Mrs. Phillips’s rigorous math classes, I learned to love calculus and I realized that when I had a positive mindset towards a challenging and slightly bizarre differentiation or integration problem, it was more bearable to suffer through …
“In the history and humanities classes taught by Coach Booth,  I realized how understanding the material given, not simply memorizing it, was the key to learning.  He stressed the importance of critical thinking and also taught us how to make rational arguments, a skill I will definitely need later on when I’m begging a professor to extend a deadline.
Plans to attend: Massachusetts Institute of Technology to study mechanical engineering.

SALUTATORIAN: Lara Lamanilao
GPA: 4.63  –  ACT: 30
Member of St. Michael Catholic Church

From her speech: “Attending Vicksburg Catholic School has given us the privilege to express our faith. Through theology classes, Masses, retreats, and daily prayer, we constantly deepen our relationships with God. It is nice that we are able to pray together and for each other.  
“The Class of 2014 will be attending colleges from the east to west coast. Our education has fostered in us new career aspirations other than becoming a ninja, as we will pursue careers as doctors, nurses, lawyers, engineers, accountants, and business men. Vicksburg Catholic School has given the senior class the opportunity to instill within ourselves exemplary character and a prime education that has built thinkers, writers, speakers, problem solvers, and citizens of the Gospel.  We are honored to soon be graduates of St. Aloysius and are proud to continue the tradition of Vicksburg Catholic School.”
Plans to attend: Mississippi College

GREENVILLE ST JOSEPH

  • Number of graduates: 37
  • Percentage of college bound:  97 percent
  • Number of scholarship recipients: 26
  • Percentage of scholarship recipients: 68 percent
  • Largest scholarship awarded: $122,800
  • Notable colleges: Columbia University, Chapman University, John Paul the Great Catholic University, University of Central Florida, Millsaps College.
  • Total scholarship money earned: $1.7 million
  • Total service hours completed by senior class: 950
  • Notable service projects: Parker Jones Fund, a lasting memorial for Jones who died from a brain tumor; St. Vincent DePaul, Carrie Stern Reading Mentors.
  • School honors earned this year: Academic Bowl Winner for second year in a row, state champions (team and individuals), District Championships baseball, tennis, softball.

VALEDICTORIAN: Caroline Mansour
GPA: 96.9  ACT: 33
Member of St. Joseph Catholic Church

From her speech: “I’ve thought a lot about the past and the future looking for a meaning, and the only pattern I’ve found is that it’s hard to appreciate the present. My present right now is standing here in the St. Joe gym at the 2014 graduation, but being here wouldn’t mean anything unless we were all here together. The only thing we have in common is that we are all here for this moment, together. That is our binding thread. It may seem weak or inconsequential, but to find people to share your moments with is to live with meaning.
… If we are lucky enough to have moments we want to live forever, our challenge is to share them. So while I may not know enough or have a story to write, I certainly have to thank the people who helped me pick up my pen. To St. Joe, who gave me the best six years it possibly could. You rarely said no, you made me feel special.”
Plans to attend: Columbia University.

SALUTATORIAN: Reya Marie Hayek
GPA: 94.6  ACT: 27
Member of St. Joseph Catholic Church

From her speech: “I would also like to extend a very special thank you to all the parents here today, the true masterminds of our burgeoning success. From diapers, to teenage attitude, to this glorious day. It is under your care and protection that we acquired the skills that made it possible for us to be here today. You have guided us, scolded us, and molded us into the strong and independent young men and women that are seated before you today. You sacrificed immensely to see us graduate.
Thank you for tolerating the tears, the drama, the cries, and the heartbreaks. Thank you for the warmth and strength you provided us with.  As we get ready to fly with our own wings and see and experience the world, we know that a part of you all will always be with us, your hearts …”
Plans to attend: Millsaps College

YOUTH BRIEFS

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COLUMBUS Annunciation Parish youth will gather on Sunday, May 18, from 2:30 – 6:30 p.m. for an end of the year party at the Cooks’ home. Details: Maria Dunser, 662-328-2927, ext. 12.

GREENVILLE St. Joseph School will hold a mini-cheer camp for children ages three-12 years Monday-Wednesday, June 2-4, from 9:30 a.m. noon. Cost is $45 per child. Proceeds benefits the middle school cheerleaders. Parents are invited to attend Wednesday at 11 a.m. for the final performance.
– The following sports camp will be offered for boys and girls in first-sixth grades. Cost is $45 per camp or all for $160. Details: 662-378-9711
Football, June 2-4 from 9:30 a.m. – noon.
Baseball, June 9-11 from 9:30 a.m. – noon.
Basketball, June 9-11 from 12:30 – 3 p.m.
Soccer, June 16-18 from 9:30 a.m. – noon.

HERNANDO Holy Spirit Parish will have a special blessing for all graduates during Masses on Saturday and Sunday, May 24-25. Call the parish office, 662-429-7851, to give your information.

JACKSON St. Richard School will offer three sessions of basketball camp for third-seventh graders of St. Richard school or parish on June 23-27, July 14-18, and July 21-25, from 9 – 11:30 a.m. Registration fee is $50. Details: Paul Daschbach, 601-278-5256, pmdasch@yahoo.com.

MADISON St. Joseph School is holding registration for the World Cup Soccer Camp and the cheer summer camp. The soccer camp, open to boys and girls ages 4-12, is set for May 27-30 from 8 a.m. – noon on the St. Joe campus. Cost is $125 per student. Details: Shannon Burns, shaneb2916@yahoo.com, or call 601-405-0440.
The five-day cheer camp, for rising first-through sixth-graders, will be held July 21-25, from 9 a.m. – noon, and will be conducted by the school varsity cheerleaders. Cost is $100 per student. Each day will feature fun games, arts and crafts, learning new cheers and dances, and more. On the final day of camp, parents are invited to watch the performances.
– The summer used uniform sale dates are: Saturdays, June 21, and July 19, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the school library. To help contact Paula Morgan, 601-573-1244, henryandpaula@bellsouth.net.

McCOMB St. Alphonsus Parish youth will hold its senior night/dinner on Sunday, May 18, after the 5:30 p.m. Mass.
– All St. Alphonus School alumni are reminded to attend the last school Mass at 8:30 a.m. on May 21.
– Lifeteen will continue to meet on Wednesdays through the summer.
– Monday morning Mass at 7:30 a.m. and breakfast will start on June 2. This is open to EDGE and Lifeteen members.

MERIDIAN St. Patrick and St. Joseph graduating seniors – high school, college, graduate school – are invited for a blessing and recognition at the 11 a.m. Mass at St. Patrick on Sunday, May 18. Wear your cap and gowns, if possible, and meet at the church entrance to walk in the entrance procession.
A reception will follow in the Family Life Center.
– St. Patrick School students Ryan and Ryaniah Smith were named Mississippi champions of the 2014 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship sponsored by Council 802 at St. Patrick School. They now move to the national level.

Madison St. Joseph to change class schedule

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By Job Dale Dieckman
MADISON – St. Joseph Catholic School students will take seven classes starting next fall in a major schedule change that will re-shape the day for middle and high schoolers.
The school will rotate five classes each day, with each period lasting 70 minutes. The school day will end at 2:55 p.m., giving student athletes an earlier start for practice. “I think the schedule will be easy to adjust to,” said Jojo Katool, a sophomore, who added he is not worried about taking one class less.

Besides reducing the number of classes from eight to seven and increasing class time from 65 to 70 minutes, St. Joe also will limit electives to one each in ninth, 10th and 11th grades and two in 12th grade.

Separate middle school English and literature classes will be combined into one year-long course for seventh and eighth grades. Students will attend a 10-minute homeroom that will start at 7:55 a.m. each day.

The new class schedule will take effect when the new school year begins in August. School officials have been looking into revising the schedule and number of classes since last year.
(Reprinted with permission from The Bear Facts)

Youth Briefs

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AMORY – The Glenmary Home Missioners are sponsoring a Catholic Camp for children in northeast Mississippi June 15-21 for boys and girls ages eight -11 and on June 22-29 for boys and girls ages 12-14. The cost is $100 per week.  Scholarships and reduced fees are available.  Application deadline is June 10. Details: Father Tim Murphy, 332-304-0087, campglenmary@ juno.com

COLUMBUS – Annunciation Parish will host a Cinco de Mayo party and May birthdays for juniors and seniors on Sunday, May 4, from 5 – 7 p.m. in the Activities Center.

JACKSON – Search for Christian Maturity Retreat, sponsored by the Diocese of Jackson for high school juniors and seniors, is June 6-8 at Camp Wesley Pines in Gallman. Cost is $120. Registration deadline is May 4. Details: www.jacksonsearch.com.

PEARL – St. Jude Parish will recognize all its graduates from high school, college, through graduate school on Sunday, May 11, at the 11 a.m. Mass. Those graduating are asked to contact the office.
– On Sunday, May 18, beginning at 12:30 p.m. with potluck lunch, CGS classes will participate in a Pentecost celebration and other year-ending activities. Junior and senior high will meet for an afternoon of sharing and reflecting on the Eucharist, “Do This to Remember Me.” All will gather at 3 p.m. for adoration and Benediction.

SOUTHAVEN – Youth retreats will be held for boys (June 22-27) and girls (July 13-18), who will be in grades 10, 11, or 12, to serve in the Sacred Heart Southern Mission area with maintenance and repair projects. Participants will also spend time reflecting on their gifts and talents and have the opportunity to get to know other Catholic teens from the area churches. Deadline to register is Wednesday, May 14. Details: Donna Williamson, 662 342-1073, ctksdonna@aol.com.

Academic kudos

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NATCHEZ – Four Cathedral High School students – Arden McMillin, Deanna Hayden, Jay Vaughan, and Caroline Downer – recently received recognition in state-wide essay-writing competitions.

McMillin, a junior at Cathedral, took top honors in this year’s Mississippi Letters About Literature writing contest for her letter to Aldous Huxley, author of Brave New World, in the Level III competition for grades nine through 12.

“The people in Brave New World,” wrote the 17-year-old, “are so terrible, awful, strange, backwards-smack! My mental list of insults stopped when I realized that having my nose in this book was more like having my nose rammed into a crystal clear mirror.
The unbelievable lifestyles and practices of the World State were not just familiar; they were utterly recognizable. [. . .] Brave New World changed my view of the world I live in by opening my eyes to the present-day dangers of conformity, self-indulgence, conditioning, and utopian-turned-totalitarian governments.”

Cathedral junior Jay Vaughan was named a Finalist in this competition for his letter to Aldous Huxley regarding Brave New World, and senior Caroline Downer received Honorable Mention for her letter to The Fault in Our Stars’ author John Green. Approximately 50,000 students across the country participated in this year’s Letters About Literature competition, a reading promotion program of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. In Mississippi, 542 students competed across all three competition levels-grades four through six, seven through eight, and nine through 12.
To enter, students wrote a personal letter to an author explaining how his or her work changed their views of the world or of themselves.

Also receiving first-place honors in a state-wide competition was Cathedral junior Deanna Hayden for her entry in the Garden Clubs of Mississippi High School Essay Contest. Open to students in grades 9 through 12, this contest is a branch of the National Garden Club Scholarship competition and is sponsored locally by the Natchez Garden Club.  The theme for the 2013-2014 contest was “Today’s Choices Affect Tomorrow’s World.”

GREENVILLE –Twenty-five St. Joseph students were named Mississippi Scholars in early April. The students are selected for the exemplary academic standing and their strong personal character.

In addition to being a Mississippi Scholar, senior Caroline Mansour was named a Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) student by the Mississippi Economic Council’s M. B. Swayze Educational Foundation. She selected English teacher Michele Sabatier as her STAR teacher.

St. Joe journalism program receives 33 awards

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MADISON – St. Joseph  School’s journalism program took home 33 Scholastic Press Association awards for The Bear Facts; The Shield, the school yearbook; and The Josephian, the school literary magazine. The awards included 16 first-place finishes in competition against 1A-3A schools statewide. Sophomore Jack H. was named sports writer of the year, teacher Terry C. was named newspaper adviser of the year, and the student newspaper was named best in state. (Photo by Terry Cassreino)

Kudos: science honors across the diocese

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JACKSON/GREENVILLE – Catholic schools from across the state got to show off their science programs at  regional science fairs in March.
One overall regional winner came from Vicksburg Catholic. Sixth-grader Coleman V. (right) won for zoology and best of show for his mosquito experiment. Jackson Sister Thea Bowman, St. Richard, Madison St. Anthony and Vicksburg Catholic all also sent students to their regional science fairs.

Thirteen Natchez Cathedral Elementary students earned honors at the regional fair, including fifth-grader Ryan S. who placed third overall.
Thirty-two Greenville St. Joseph students placed in the annual Regional Science fair held in Greenville in March. Two dozen of those advanced to the state competition. The fair allows students to showcase their interest in major scientific areas such as behavioral and social sciences, biochemistry, botany, chemistry, earth, space and environmental science, physics, medicine and health, microbiology, engineering and zoology.

Youth Briefs

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GLUCKSTADT – St. Joseph Parish youth are selling raffle tickets for chances to win a $100 Kroger gift card.  Tickets are one for $2, three for $5 or 10  for $10.  The drawing will be held on May 4 following the youth Mass.  All proceeds benefit the Summer Youth Trip.
– Youth are encouraged to sign up by April 27 for the summer trip. This trip is a celebration for the confirmation groups from the past two years, however, all participating ninth-12th grade members of the youth group are invited to attend. To sign up call 601-540-7635, or email patti@stjosephgluckstadt.com.

TUPELO – St. James, applications for the new St. James Ladies’ Club Scholarship are available. Deadline is April 25.
–  All children and youth from preK-12th grade are invited to participate in designing a T-shirt for the parish’s 100 anniversary. All entries must be turned into the church office. Father Lincoln Dall, pastor, asked that designers use tthe Scallop of St. James on the shirts.

GREENVILLE – Students in Greenville are celebrating several athletic achievements. Reya Heyak represented St. Joseph School as a Lindy Callahan Scholar Athlete. The Lindy Callahan program recognizes students who excel in both athletics and academics. Each of the 284 recipients receives a $1,500 scholarship to the school of their choice. Heyak plays both soccer and tennis. She and the other winners were honored at a banquet in Jackson April 3.
– The Our Lady of Lourdes Archery Team came in second place in the North State Mississippi Archery Competition. The St. Joseph High School Archery team qualified and will compete in the State Tournament as well.

MADISON – St. Francis of Assisi Parish Yahweh’s Youth and Faithful Followers are encouraged to register for “Celebrate the Word” camping trip in Hot Springs, Ark., on June 13-15. Cost is $150. Registration deadline is April 30. Parent drivers and chaperones are needed. Details: Abbey Schuhmann, 601-856-5556.

SOUTHAVEN – Sacred Heart School will host guest speaker Detective Brandon Rushing of the Southaven Police Department for parents of students in grades six-eight on Tuesday, April 22, at 6:30 p.m. in the school gym.  All parents of the parish are invited. Rushing will talk about internet safety, parent responsibility and liability as well as tips on monitoring children’s internet use.
– The school will host a Trivia Night on Friday, April 25, beginning at 6 p.m. Teams may have eight players per team. The cost per person is $10. Bring a team for a night of fun and fellowship while supporting the Sacred Heart School Knowledge Bowl Team.  Details: Jonathon Miller at jmiller@shsm.org