St. Michael the Archangel High School Warrior Wire | August 2019

Upcoming Events September 12 First Shadow Day September 19 Parenting in the Digital Age Presentation October 4 Homecoming Alumni Tailgate October 23 Open House November 11 Warrior Golf Classic March 7 A Night in Italy Auction

New Teachers Eleven new faculty and staff members will join the St. Michael family for the 2019-2020 school year. First row (from left) are: Linda Dutreix, Counselor; Delaney Walsh, Campus Ministry; Ashleigh Turner, Counselor; Jennifer Gonzalez, Science; Michelle Poole '14, Science; and Michelle Smith '90, Math. Second row: Aimee McLeod '95, Registrar; Calob Leindecker, PE; Kegan Keller, Social Studies; and David Gomez, PE/Head Baseball Coach. Not pictured is Kaye Self, Public Relations Coordinator.

Alumni Softball Tournament The third annual alumni softball tournament champion was Aaron Page's team for the second consecutive year. The event held on August 10 raised $5,300 which goes toward the second generation scholarship fund.

First Day of School Trina Dang, Breanna Perry, and Cameron Daigle are pictured having lunch for the first day of school on August 8. Orientation days for students were held on August 6 and 7.

Students Awarded Scholarships The 2nd Generation Warrior Scholarship recipients for the 2019-2020 school year were announced after Mass on August 15. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a current sophomore, junior, and senior at St. Michael High School and will be applied toward the student’s tuition. The funds are raised through donations from alumni events that are held throughout the year. Students were asked to write an essay on why they chose to continue their Catholic education at St. Michael High School as a 2nd Generation Warrior.  This year’s recipients are (from left): Sophomore Caden Traylor, son of Chris Traylor ‘91; Junior Karleigh Bourgoyne, daughter of Laura Graves ‘90; and Senior Jacob McCann, son of Jason McCann ‘94 and Katey McCann ‘92.

Newest Members St. Michael welcomed 22 new 2nd Generation Warriors for the 2019-2020 school year on August 15. Students were recognized after Mass and received a Warrior sticker from Alumni Director Khloe Page ‘04. The new students are: Cooper Bankston, Makayla Bonanno, Jackson Cambre, Bryson Cannatella, Zoe Capello, Carson Carnegie, Lily Dumas, Hannah Englert, Landra Fiebig, CeAnna Flatau, Jackson Landry, Sydnie McLaughlin, Cade McLellan, Ella Ortego, Ava Phillips, Brennan Pitre, Thomas Raymond, Beverly Smith, Blythe Waguespack, Elise Watkins, Ethan Watson and Clayton Yarborough

Class of 2020 Seniors were the first to see the new multipurpose building on August 15 after the first Mass of the school year. The class gathered on stage for a group photo after the tour.

Popsicle Day Students enjoyed a cool treat on the afternoon of August 16 for Popsicle Day which was sponsored by Principal Ellen Lee.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony The ribbon cutting ceremony for the new multipurpose building was held on August 19.   During the ceremony, Bishop Michael G. Duca blessed the building and then the first school-wide Mass in the new structure followed. After Mass, a special reception along with tours of the facility were held for donors, alumni, parents, and friends and family of St. Michael High School.   The $7 million Capital Campaign enhanced the school and provided much needed additions to the campus. The new 30,000 square foot multipurpose building includes a theatre and performing arts facility, a state-of-the art band hall and a secondary gym.  Pictured from left are: Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Dr. Melanie Palmisano; Student Council President, Abigail Button; Bishop Michael Duca; Principal, Ellen Lee; Linda and Eddie Rispone, representing the Edward L. Rispone Family Foundation; and St. Michael Chaplain, Father Paul Gros. You are invited to join us in making a financial pledge of support to this campaign. Your cooperation and support in this endeavor is vital to our continued success as we continue moving forward. The next phase of our campaign is to address the back of the campus by developing a track facility and football field. If you would like to give now, please click here .

Free Tuition Raffle Winners Winners of the Home and School free tuition raffle from Back to School Night were Christy and Joseph Perry, parents of 9th grader Claire Perry. Pictured from left are Home and School President Simone Hamilton, Christy and Joseph Perry, and Principal Ellen lee.

Fall Awards Ceremony The Fall Honors Convocation was held on August 27 to recognize students who excelled in the areas of service and academics for the 2018-2019 school year. Awards received were perfect attendance, scholarships, Literary Rally, and 3.5 and 4.0 GPA. (Pictured) National Honor Society members were inducted to close out the ceremony. NHS members are chosen according to four criteria: scholarship, service, leadership, and character.

Freshman Retreat The Freshmen retreat was held August 30 at St. George with the theme Becoming a Warrior for Christ. The day allowed students to dive deeply into their faith and become a greater part of the Warrior family. English teacher Sharon Ducote is pictured putting face paint on Olivia Pinell to symbolize a Warrior Princess . Delaney Walsh, a ssistant campus minister said that the Freshman retreat gave students a great introduction to what it means to be a Warrior family. “The students were challenged to recognize swords (hard/hurtful things) and shields (things/people that protect) in their lives. Students were encouraged to think about ways they that they could be shields for each other. The seniors who helped were a great example of the Warrior family lived out and encouraged Freshmen to grow together as a class,” said Walsh.

Teacher Highlight Abby Tate started at St. Michael in 2001 teaching World History, AP US History and was dance line moderator for 12 years. She moved into her current role as Technology Integration Specialist when the school implemented a 1:1 program in 2013.   She received a B.A. in History from Southeastern Louisiana University and is currently working towards completing a program to become ISTE certified. “ISTE is the International Society for Technology in Education. I am completing the work with a cohort put together by the Baton Rouge Diocese and our group will be among some of the first to receive ISTE certification in the state,” said Tate. Tate said that what she loves most about being a Warrior is the family atmosphere that exists at the school, and the wonderful students who grace its halls. “I cherish all the years spent teaching in the classroom and the connection I was able to make with my students. I am looking forward to working with students again once the IDEA Lab opens,” she said.    Tate and her husband James have been married for 20 years and have two children, Patrick and Rylee.

Listen In Football games will be broadcasted on the FM channel Talk 107.3 and online at the following link Warrior Broadcast. Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Gerry Lane Buick-GMC and our quarter sponsors Bassett Furniture, Gage Telephone Services, Celebrity Theatres, and The Warrior Club for making this broadcast possible.

Alumni, We Want You! We are looking for alumni updates to put into the next edition of The Warrior. If you or someone you know has recently married, gotten engaged, added a new addition to their family or has any updated news, please email Khloe Page at k page@smhsbr.org.

Kaye A. Self Public Relations Coordinator kself@smhsbr.org (225) 753-9782 ext. 26