WINSTON-SALEM — St. Leo School recently held its first Alumni Homecoming.
Father Brian Cook, pastor, (pictured with the school’s mascot) and Joanne Brown, principal, as well as current and past teachers, welcomed students from the classes of 1956 to 2017 to the homecoming event, held in the school’s gymnasium. Alumni were encouraged to visit the classrooms and tour the school to see how the campus has evolved since they graduated. St. Leo School has experienced tremendous growth since it welcomed its first class in 1953, including the building of a middle school addition.
Jean Anne Semke and Kathy Murray organized the event after being inspired by Father Cook.
“We wanted to invite all of our alumni back home and create an event that instilled that family feeling and enabled past students and teachers to take a trip down Lion Lane,” Semke said. “It was such a wonderful evening, with so many of our St. Leo Catholic School family in attendance. Alumni traveled in from places like New Orleans, Houston and Chicago.”
Father Cook welcomed alumni and teachers home and thanked attendees “for making room in their schedules during a very busy time to reconnect with their friends and teachers.”
He in turn was honored by attendees with a plaque for “his steadfast leadership and unwavering support.”
The event was a resounding success with alumni reconnecting with old friends as well as connecting with current students. Alumni left notes on the classroom white boards for students to see when they returned from their holiday break. Additionally, alumni had the opportunity to “leave words of wisdom for current Lions” by placing notes in the Middle School Suggestion box. Notes left ranged from “Thank your teachers, one day you will realize how much they impacted you!” to “Be positive, and give thanks to God for all you have!” to “Have so much fun every moment and learn lots!”
— Melissa Kinsley
CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Schools have been named to the College Board’s 8th Annual Advanced Placement District Honor Roll.
The Honor Roll recognizes school districts in the U.S. and Canada that have increased access to high school AP coursework while maintaining or increasing the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher on AP exams.
Only six school districts in North Carolina were recognized for this academic achievement. Nationwide, 447 districts were recognized. This is the first time the diocesan schools received this distinction.
Dr. Janice Ritter, diocesan superintendent of schools, describes the award as a gratifying confirmation of the efforts of the principals and educators at the diocese’s three high schools: Charlotte Catholic, Bishop McGuinness in Kernersville and Christ the King in Huntersville.
“I also congratulate our students who have chosen strenuous course work and responded with higher test scores. Our Catholic schools have once again shown that faith and a strong academic tradition go hand in hand,” Ritter said.
The achievement at the three high schools came as the rigorous course work of Advanced Placement classes was expanded to include students of all backgrounds. The AP curriculum is administered by The College Board and consists of standardized high school courses that are roughly equivalent to under-graduate college courses. After completing an AP class, students typically take the AP exam in that sub-ject, which can earn them credits and accelerated placement in college.
According to the Prep Scholar website, an AP class on a high school transcript signals strong academic training and can lead to more academic success at the college level. Nationwide, 2.4 million high school students take AP exams in 38 courses.
— David Hains, diocesan director of communication