Beginning a new calendar year is a very opportune time to look back on where we have been, where we are currently, and where we want to be after yet another year passes, so we will take this opportunity to do just that…

 

January 2008 came with a blast of winter and several snow days leading to the annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week during which we recognized our volunteers, coaches, parents, faculty, students, and staff.  Louis d’ Angelo, a very successful restaurant owner and alumni from Baton Rouge, was our featured motivational speaker.  January also brought a much-needed new roof- thanks to the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston and especially Bishop Michael Bransfield.

 

February seemed to run into March with many basketball games to watch.  The girls’ varsity team earned the honor of playing in Charleston and the entire school was bused there to watch.  It was indeed a week of fun and anticipation.  

 

April brought spring break and progressed to the Prom held traditionally on the last Saturday of the month.  The theme was “Back to the Future” complete with a time warp tunnel leading through the senior hall.  

 

May brought graduation and saying good-bye to twenty-nine seniors who were small in numbers but mighty in accomplishments as they amassed nearly $800,000 in scholarships.  We also said farewell to several veteran teachers who moved on to pursue other ventures or follow their spouses to new assignments.

 

June, July, and August brought in many volunteers to complete painting in several classrooms, refinishing the gymnasium floor, revitalizing the boys’ locker room, and deep cleaning many areas.  The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston under the direction of Bishop Bransfield was most generous in revamping the front entryway of the gym with a new porch, handicapped ramp, eight new entry doors, handrails to the bleacher steps and other needed stair areas, and activation of the air handlers that were idled many years ago.  These projects continued into the fall and are being completed now with the removal of the green ceramic tile on the front gym entry way and replacement with a sandstone façade to match the current main entry. A freestanding marquee’ near the flagpole is also under construction. It is near the flowering tree planted in memory of our dear Sarah Shingleton whose memory lives on through the newly established Sarah Smiles Scholarship that will be awarded for the first time to a member of her class at graduation in June 2009.

 

School started in late August with five new teachers joining the faculty- Mr. Boley in mathematics, Mr. Clark in music, Mrs. McBrayer in English, Mrs. Parker in Spanish, and Mrs. Wilkinson in social studies and journalism.  All are a real asset to PCHS in many ways as they share their talents and expertise to enhance the curriculum and our lives with their daily enthusiasm and positive attitudes.

 

Fall was very kind to us as the weather stayed warm until November 1; but since that time, the cold weather has brought boiler difficulties and nothing but worry and a cold building.  Replacement parts for boiler controls were ordered and much needed work was completed during the Christmas break which will hopefully see us to next summer when further improvements can be made to the system.

 

Fall also saw the start of the Fitness Center which for now will be a free standing building to house the fitness and exercise equipment that our athletes use every day. This project was a dream for many years and is finally becoming a reality. This center resolves many health and safety issues- mainly by providing a facility above ground with safety exits and appropriate air ventilation instead of the basement level, non-ventilated area in which they are now housed.  The relocation of utility lines to underground is in anticipation of further construction and site development.

 

The Christmas season brought a concert by the Handbell Choir and the newly established PCHS Choir under the direction of Mr. Clark. Tears of joy were brought to my eyes as the Handbell Choir AND the Choir joined to perform a selection.  Music is alive and thriving in the halls of PCHS!

 

Yes, many important things were accomplished in 2009 but none as great as the generosity of the students and faculty to meet the needs of others.  Countless hours of community service helped in our community while literally tons of food stocked Matthew 25, the local food bank, and several barrels of toys were donated to the Marines’ Toys for Tots Project.   In fact, so much was accomplished to assist our community that I am going to make a tally and present it as one of my monthly memos!

 

OK, so where are we going in 2009 after having such a great 2008?  We are launching a major Capital Campaign. Yes, even in these challenging economic times, we are confident that our mission to educate young adults in a Christ-centered environment to face the challenges of the Twenty-First Century is strong enough to evoke the generosity of the Mid-Ohio Valley.  In the plans are a chapel, science classrooms, music and art classrooms, fire compliance measures, air conditioning, and a new elementary school on the campus with the high school!  Picture it now- a seamless education for children from pre-school to graduation from high school on the same Fairview Avenue campus. Just thinking about the plan brings great joy and anticipation.  We will soon begin having community meetings to reach every possible shareholder.  Details of the gatherings will come to all of you soon!

 

May each and every one of you have a healthy and happy 2009 as we unify or efforts to continue the tradition of excellent Catholic education in the Mid-Ohio Valley.