KERNERSVILLE — Lexi Marty, a recent graduate of Bishop McGuinness High School, has been named one of 69 girls senior soccer players nationally to be named 2019-’20 United Soccer Coaches High School Scholar All-America by the United Soccer Coaches association. She was one of three players selected from North Carolina, and was also named to the High School Girls Soccer Scholar All-Region team.
Marty, a four-year starter at left back for the Villains, graduated with a 4.23 grade-point average and is beginning studies this fall for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at James Madison University. Her grade-point average was 14th highest among the 69 girls honored.
A senior team captain at Bishop McGuinness High School, Marty earned multiple all-conference and all-region honors, as well as Honorary All-State for the past season, shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. She also excelled outside of soccer in leadership roles as a member of the student council and various student organizations.
“Lexi was our starting left back from her first game as a freshman, and set a high bar for others with her determined play and team commitment,” said Ray Alley, girls soccer head coach.
Marty’s selection marks the third consecutive year a Bishop McGuinness senior has earned national girls soccer Scholar All-America recognition. Previous honorees were Rachel Klinke (2018) and Caroline Coyte (2019).
She will be honored during the annual United Soccer Coaches All-America Ceremony in January, in conjunction with the annual United Soccer Coaches Convention in Anaheim, Calif.
— Kimberly Knox
SALISBURY — After a long hot and wet summer, Sacred Heart School’s gardens and outdoor learning spaces really took a beating...many weeds showed up, but unfortunately there were not many volunteers allowed to be on campus to pull them out because of COVID-19 restrictions.
The school community knew they would have to work together to get the garden and outdoor areas looking good again. A big thanks to the facility staff, middle school science teacher Shoes, the Master Garden Club, and several school families who worked tirelessly over the past several months to get everything back in shape.
The Diocese of Charlotte’s COVID-19 protocols for schools emphasize more outdoor learning, exposure to fresh air and wide open spaces. Making outdoor learning even more enjoyable for students is an effort to give the Sacred Heart Sensory and Mary gardens a complete face-lift with new stone, new plantings, and new sensory play equipment. Furthermore, with the GO OUTSIDE GRANTS that teachers Mrs. Shores and Mrs. Michaels received for Sacred Heart school (totaling $10,000), they can purchase outdoor xylophones, art easels and drums for the sensory garden. The school is also planning a new outdoor stage for creative and theatrical play behind the Sensory Garden.
Switching gears to the Master Garden area where many STREAM lessons using agriculture have been taught, raised planting beds are being reconstructed and restored with new planting soil.
Due to recent heavy amounts of rain, the school is also correcting a flooding issue along the backside of the garden with a new drainage system. Again, thanks to the GO OUTSIDE grants, Sacred Heart is constructing a new outdoor classroom complete with concrete, seating, and a shade roof.
Next are plans to add a weather station, a magnifying station, and an outdoor white board for science and more STREAM lessons.
Thank you again to all the volunteers who give their time, talent, and treasure to keep our Catholic schools “safer, stronger, together.”
— Robin Fisher, Special to the Catholic News Herald
