STUDENT LIFE > NEWS & EVENTS
West Catholic Teams Up with the National Relief Network to Help Hurricane Devastated Community - 11/20/2008
Twenty West Catholic High School students will travel to Clewiston, Florida as part of the National Relief Network (NRN) from November 20-26 to aid in rebuilding efforts.
While in Florida students will help repair roofs, drywall, and floors in homes that were damaged by hurricanes in 2004 and 2005 and more recently by tornadoes in 2007.
“We will be able to assist those homeowners who are often overlooked years after the disaster occurred,” stated Chuck Pitsch, West Catholic’s media specialist and relief trip coordinator.
In order to participate in the service trip, each volunteer had to raise a $579 fee to cover travel, transportation, accommodations and meals. The NRN coordinates the administrative planning including accommodations, menus, transportation scheduling and disaster agency coordination.
West Catholic volunteers leave for Clewiston, Florida on November 20 at 3:45 p.m. and will return to Grand Rapids on Wednesday, November 26 just in time to share their experience with their families on Thanksgiving.
This is not the first time that the Catholic Secondary Schools have teamed up with the National Relief Network. In 2007, students traveled to Chalmette, Louisiana to help rebuild homes in the New Orleans area. After Hurricane Katrina hit, more than 80 volunteers worked with the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) in Biloxi, Mississippi and Mobile, Alabama in November of 2005. In 2001, groups from Catholic Central and West Catholic traveled to New York City after September 11th followed by a trip to Florida after hurricanes ravaged the state in 2004.
Free Presentation on “Smart Sex” at Aquinas College - 11/18/2008
West Catholic students, parents, and staff are invited to attend a presentation by Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse on the subject of Smart Sex: Finding Life-Long Love in a Hook-Up World. The presentation will be held on Wednesday, November 19 at 7:00 pm at Aquinas College’s Kretschmer Art and Music Center.
Dr. Morse is a nationally popular writer and speaker on marriage and family issues. Her latest book argues that strong, lasting marriages are essential for the survival of a free society. She offers a radically different yet compelling view of sex, based on the law of self-giving inscribed in our human nature.
This presentation is sponsored by Aquinas College Students for Life and the Acton Institute. The event is free, but space is limited so contact Charissa Romens at (616) 454-3080 or cromens@acton.org to reserve a seat.
West Catholic Cross Country Team Places Fifth in Division 3 State Championship - 11/11/2008
West Catholic’s Cross Country team excelled this past season winning the City League championship, a Division 3 regional championship and placing fifth in the Division 3 state meet.
Senior Tony Schafer kicked his way to a state championship. He used a fast last half-mile to win the Division 3 state title. He clocked a time of 15 minutes, 23.8 seconds. All the hard work and Schafer's strong finish enabled him to become West Catholic's first state champion since Greg Meyer 1972.
Schafer's first-place finish helped West Catholic come in fifth place as a team with 241 points. Senior Kevin Royce achieved Academic All-State honors for the combination of his outstanding grade point average and his finish at the State Cross Country Meet on November 4th. The Cross Country Team itself was named Honorable Mention Academic All State.
Sign Up for the GR Diocese High School Vocations Rally - 11/4/2008
All high-school age young people are invited to attend the Diocese of Grand Rapids' inaugural God Persistently Seeking (GPS) Vocations Youth Rally. The rally will be held at Catholic Central High School on Saturday, November 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
GPS (God Persistently Seeking) is a day-long rally providing an opportunity for high school aged young people to come together and explore our Christian vocation—the call to holiness. The day focuses on vocations to the religious life and priesthood and encourages young people to pray for openness to a religious vocation, for the openness
of others, and to pray regularly, asking: “God, what do you want me to do with my life?”
GPS is for all high school youth, regardless of whether or not one currently feels called to religious vocation. The rally provides an opportunity for young people to learn about religious vocations and to gather with peers in prayer for discernment of what one’s calling might be.
For more information, click here or contact Mark Mann, director for family, youth and young adult ministry, mmann@dioceseofgrandrapids.org or Father Ronald D. Hutchinson, director of priestly vocations, rhutchinson@dioceseofgrandrapids.org.
West Catholic to Host Mass of Remembrance on November 3rd - 10/30/2008
West Catholic High School will be holding its annual Mass of Remembrance commemorating faithfully departed students, alumni, and staff on Monday, November 3 at 7:00 p.m. in the Maria Goretti Chapel.
If you know of any recently deceased West Catholic students, alumni or former staff members you would like to have remembered, please contact Cathy Pearce at (616) 233-5958 or by e-mail at cathypearce@grcss.org.
November is a month traditionally dedicated to remembering ancestors and loved ones who have died.
WC Freshmen Serve Local Agencies as Part of Retreat - 10/28/2008
Students from West Catholic’s Class of 2012 spent a day in service and reflection upon the theme, “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men…” Eph 6:7.
The 180 freshmen, along with the senior peer ministers and teamroom teachers, volunteered at the Veteran’s Home, Consolata Sisters, Gilda’s Club, Covell Elementary and Steepletown Neighborhood Services and Garage Sale.
The afternoon concluded with a prayer service and reflection based upon the scripture shared by senior peer minister Matt Galloway at St. Mary’s Church.
Retreat 1 Retreat 2 Retreat 3
West Catholic to Present "The Importance of Being Earnest" - 10/21/2008
Students at West Catholic will present Oscar Wilde’s popular farce “The Importance of Being Earnest” on October 29, 30 and November 1st at the Aquinas College Performing Arts Center.
Originally produced in 1895, “The Importance of Being Earnest” has been widely regarded as one of Wilde’s most successful works. The classic comedy of manners features two frivolous young men who pretend to be Ernest in order to impress their beloveds. This satire reveals a lesson through devious, misleading conversation, forgetting and exploiting the relevance of truth and exposing hypocrisy with sensational twists and turns.
Directed by Sherry Lee Allen, West Catholic’s drama director, “The Importance of Being Earnest” will be presented October 29, 30, and November 1. Evening performances at 7:30 p.m. will be held on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday and a 3:00 p.m. matinee performance will be held on Saturday.
The West Catholic production consists of a cast of nine characters: John “Jack” Worthing (Matt Schmalzel); Algernon Moncrieff (Dan Liden); Rev. Canon Chasuble (Tyler Baldwin); Merriman (John Guild); Lane (Nick DeRyke)
Lady Bracknell (Chloe Pakalnis); Gwendolen Fairfax (Kate Wiltz); Cecily Cardew (Erika Derylo); Miss Prism (Marisa Livingston); Billy Wisz and Kelly McCarthy(Alternates); and student director Sarah Truskowski, stage manager Miguel Acuna and assistant director Chelsea Pummill.
Tickets are $6.00 for students and senior citizens and $8.00 for adults will be available beginning October 20 through the box office at the Performing Arts Center by calling (616) 456-6656 or at the door.
West Catholic Hosts Christian Motivational Speaker on October 16th - 10/14/2008
As part of his “How Big Is God?” Tour, Jesse Manibusan, an internationally recognized presenter, musician and storyteller will visit classrooms and speak at an assembly on Thursday, October 16, 2008 at West Catholic High School from 8:15-11:00 a.m.
Manibusan will use a variety of techniques ranging from music, spoken word and humor to movement, storytelling and listening to spread his faith-filled message that gifts are given, gifts are received, and gifts must be shared.
Prior to his speaking engagement on Thursday, Manibusan will be performing a concert at Blessed Sacrament Church on Wednesday, October 15 at 7:00 p.m.
Please come out and enjoy his songs, humorous stories and his love of Christ. He will be visiting Catholic Central on Thursday afternoon from 12:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Partner Elementary School Students Invited to Celebrate West Catholic’s Homecoming - 10/10/2008
Nearly 300 partner Catholic elementary students are expected to join West Catholic in celebrating its Homecoming tonight at 5:15 p.m. in the high school’s gym. Kids in grades K-8 are invited to attend a pre-game pep rally with pizza and pop before the game.
With the assistance of West Catholic Student Ambassadors, elementary students will gather in the auxiliary gym where they will experience a "pre-game pep rally" featuring the West Catholic Band and Drum Line along with the cheerleaders. They will also get to meet some Falcon coaches followed by a tour of the new and upgraded athletic facilities which will include: a new LEED certified competition gym, a weightlifting room, team room, fitness/wrestling room and the Lady Falcon Locker Room.
The event will conclude with the students joining the West Catholic cheerleaders and band in making a tunnel for the Falcon Football Team. We want all of our "Future Falcons" to know they are always welcome at West Catholic High School.
West Catholic Students Participate in Life Chain - 10/7/2008
On Sunday, October 5, 32 West Catholic students along with parents, siblings, and teachers participated in the Life Chain to raise awareness and change hearts and minds for the pro-life cause.
The Life Chain is a peaceful and prayerful public witness of pro-life Americans standing for one and a half hours praying for the nation and for an end to abortion.
"It is a visual statement of solidarity by the Christian community that abortion kills children and that the Church supports the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception," explained Pat Nugent, WC's Students for Life advisor.
The Grand Rapids Life Chain takes place annually along 44th Street.
WC Juniors Participate in an Outdoor Adventure in Teambuilding - 10/3/2008
On September 29 West Catholic’s Junior Class traveled to the YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin in Middleville to experience outdoor challenges and team-building activities. What they returned with were lessons on the importance of teamwork, respect, trust, communication and leadership.
Nearly 150 juniors participated in the camp’s outdoor education program that provided students with the opportunity learn about relating to one another and being a member of a community through activities such as a teams’ course and 25 foot zip-line challenge that promoted teamwork and communication.
Two West Catholic Seniors Named Commended Students in the National Merit Program - 9/30/2008
West Catholic High School seniors Paulina Glovick and Dan Liden have been named Commended Students in the 2009 National Merit Program.
About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2009 competition for National Merit Scholarships, Commended Students placed among the top 5 percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2009 competition by taking the 2007 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).
“Recognition of academically talented students and the key role played by schools in their development is essential to the pursuit of excellence in our nation,” commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “The young people named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding academic potential by their strong performance in this highly competitive program. We hope that this recognition will enhance their educational opportunities and that they will continue to diligently pursue their professional goals.”
A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, will be presented by the principal to these scholastically talented seniors.
West Catholic Explores Offering Students International Baccalaureate - 9/16/2008
West Catholic is currently exploring the possibility of offering students the opportunity to participate in an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB).
The IB program is a rigorous course of study designed to meet the needs of highly motivated students while promoting international understanding.
The IB diploma is offered in the student’s junior and senior years and requires students to take courses in six academic areas. These areas include: Language A1 (native language/English), Language A2 (a selected foreign language), Social and Behavioral Sciences, Natural Sciences (including chemistry, physics, biology and environmental systems), Mathematics, and the Arts (which includes a wide range of electives).
In addition, students would participate in the Creativity, Action, and Service program, write an extended essay based on a research project, and also be required to take a unique course known as Theory of Knowledge (TOK).
In the TOK course, students explore the connections and similarities between the various subjects, learn to think, and apply interrelated concepts. IB students would also continue to be required to study their Catholic faith through the Religion department as directed by the diocese.
Notre Dame Prep just initiated the program at the high school level this year and is the only Catholic school in the state of Michigan to offer the International Baccalaureate.
West Catholic Senior Named National Merit Semifinalist - 9/16/2008
West Catholic High School senior Matt Schmalzel has been named a semifinalist in the 2009 National Merit Scholarship Program.
Schmalzel, along with 16,000 other academically talented high school seniors, will have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,200 National Merit Scholarships, worth more than $35 million, that will be offered next spring.
More than 1.5 million juniors at 21,000 high schools entered the 2009 National Merit Program by taking the 2007 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which served as an initial screening of program entrants. The nationwide pool of semifinalists, which represents less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest scoring entrants in each state.
To become a finalist, a semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by the high school principal, and earn SAT scores that confirm the student's earlier performance on the qualifying test.
Approximately 15,000 semifinalists are expected to advance to the finalist level. 2009 National Merit Scholarship winners will be announced beginning in April.
All A’s Walk-a-thon Kicks Off on September 5th - 9/4/2008
The All A’s Walk-a-thon fundraiser will kick off at West Catholic High School on Friday, September 5 to raise money for the tuition assistance program at the Grand Rapids Catholic Secondary Schools.
Each student will be asked to raise $60 in sponsorship money. Participating students will receive an All A’s t-shirt and be eligible for some incentive prizes.
As a new feature this year, donors can commit pledge money to West Catholic by completing and submitting an online pledge form. Last year's All A's Walk raised $109,000.
Any money that is raised over West Catholics goal, minus a portion of the All A’s expenses, will be returned to the high school for the LePres Gerke Fund, an emergency tuition fund available to WC families.
This year, the walk will take place on Wednesday, October 1 at 8:30 a.m. West Catholic students will walk to a halfway point in downtown Grand Rapids where they will be joined by students from Catholic Central and continue on to John Ball Park together.
Over one-fourth of CSS’ student body would be unable to attend either high school without financial aid. The tuition assistance program disperses over one million dollars in grants and aid per year to families in need.
“With the difficult economy that we have here in Michigan, many of our own school families have been affected through downsizing and corporate pullouts,” explained Arnette Kraus, special events coordinator. “The Walkathon is one of a number of fundraisers geared towards making sure anyone who desires a Catholic education can receive one.”
If you can assist your son or daughter in making contacts with businesses or individuals who are capable of being All A’s sponsors at the $250, $500 or $2,500 levels, we would greatly appreciate that. These sponsorships serve to underwrite the expenses of the t-shirts and prizes.
Parents are encouraged to volunteer either to walk with students, distribute water along the route or to serve snacks at John Ball Park and to support all of the students in their efforts to meet their $60+ goal.
If you have any questions, please call Cindy Kneibel at (616) 233-5916 or Arnette Kraus at (616) 233-5985.
WC’s Class of 2009 Grows in Faith Together During Retreat - 9/2/2008
In mid-August, West Catholic seniors spent time at Camp Blodgett located on the shores of Lake Michigan participating in small group sharing, team-building and prayer-filled activities as part of GIFT (Growing in Faith Together) Days.
"GIFT Days was an amazing time for our class to come together, and I truly believe that our class will become more unified," said senior Emily Veneklase.
The two-day senior retreat serves as a culminating Christian experience for students before they begin the school year. The retreat gives students the opportunity to reflect upon God, their family and friends and look toward the future.
"GIFT Days was an amazing experience,” said West Catholic senior Kenzie Clark. “Our entire class bonded with people they didn't ordinarily talk to and we worked on abolishing the cliques we have. I had a tremendous time."
The theme of this year’s retreat was "Whatever Tomorrow Brings, I'll be There" and featured keynote speaker Dr. Dave DenBraber (WC ‘84) who shared a faith-filled message about looking out for students who fall under the radar. Fr. Denis Ryan, pastor of St. Alphonsus Church celebrated the closing liturgy on the beach.
Parent volunteers also played an integral part of the retreat coordinating many of the activities and providing the food.
"I really enjoyed getting to know the students and parents more,” stated chaperone Mary LaPonsie. “The mass on the beach was awesome. It was very moving, very solemn."
To view photos from GIFT Days 2008 click on the images posted below.
Beach Mass
Mass Procession
Class of 2009
Senior Bonding
West Catholic Welcomes New Freshman Class - 8/28/2008
West Catholic High School welcomed 181 new freshman students to campus for the start of the 2008-2009 school year.
Incoming freshmen at West Catholic had the opportunity to experience high school on August 6 during Freshman Orientation without all the pressures of crowded hallways and finding their classroom before the first bell rings.
The high school’s overall student body enrollment currently stands at 640.
West Catholic Varsity Football Game to be Broadcast Live on Michigan Sports Radio - 8/28/2008
West Catholic High School's Varsity Football game will be broadcast live tonight.
Falcon Football coverage will begin tonight at 6:40 p.m. as they play Catholic Central High School at Falcon Stadium.
Log onto michigansportsradio.com to listen to a game.
Grand Rapids Catholic Secondary School Community Mourns the Loss of Rev. Turk Rooney - 8/26/2008
Father Bernard George (Turk) Rooney, C.Ss.R., dedicated parish priest, seminary teacher, and former director of the Co-Redemptorist Association, died Monday, August 25 at St. Alphonsus Parish in Grand Rapids, MI. Fr. Rooney was 75 years old.
Fr. Rooney was born to George and Helen Rooney on July 8, 1933, in Grand Rapids, MI. He attended Mt. Mercy Academy and St. Alphonsus School in Grand Rapids before spending two years at the minor seminary at St. Joseph’s College in Kirkwood, MO. He took his first Redemptorist vows on August 2, 1954 in Desoto, |