Three schools in the Diocese of Orlando share one campus, serving the needs of students PreK-12 and those with special abilities. Together they learn and live love of neighbor, share their gifts and hope for the future.
Bishop Moore Catholic High School consistently exceeds academic standards and challenges students to reach new heights. This year the school hosted the first Iron Catholic Classic, a girls’ state weightlifting championship for Catholic schools.
“Weightlifting showcases unique benefits to young women,” said teacher and coach Michael Geelan. “I’ve witnessed firsthand how transformative this sport can be. It offers our young women an incredible outlet to demonstrate their strength—not only physically, but also mentally and spiritually.”
Captains Alejandra Vazquez, Nicole Tirado and Celena Torres never dreamed about participating in weightlifting, but now love it.
“The community we’ve all built together and the confidence I’ve gotten from the sport—the way I look and hold myself, the way I think about myself was all unexpected,” said Tirado. “I used to be super insecure, anxious and shy.” And during a rough patch last year, Vazquez helped her grow spiritually. “I was able to connect it to every aspect of my life and it made things so much better,” Tirado said.
Petite, but powerful, Torres likes having Scripture linked to the tournament theme. “God has armed me with strength,” from Ps. 18:32, is on the back of every athlete’s shirt. “I read it and it reminds me of why I’m here. I love it,” Torres said.
Supporting each other is a common thread that runs through the schools. Bishop Moore students are mentors and buddies for students with special abilities next door at Morning Star Catholic School.
This school year, athletes combined their love of sports and respect for one another, as they displayed a hallmark of the Catholic faith — all are one in the Body of Christ.
Typically competing in separate events through the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) and other Special Olympics programs respectively, this year the schools combined their talents to form one team competing in the 2024 Unified Sports track and field games. The inaugural team placed fifth out of 14 teams headed to the state championships May 15.
The proximity of the schools fosters friendship and a contagious spirit that looks forward in hope to what the future might bring.
In between Bishop Moore and Morning Star is St. Charles Catholic School, the first private middle school in central Florida to offer a course in manning drones. St. Charles’ STEM teacher, Steven Barnaby, was inspired by colleagues at Bishop Moore to partner with the Gaetz Aerospace Institute through Embry Riddle University. The program, in its first year, is teaching eighth graders about different types of drones, safety procedures, how weather impacts flight, coding and more.
“I’m always thinking of ideas of how to capture kids’ attention and get them excited about things that are out there,” shared Barnaby. “Our class is not about just putting a battery in a controller and flying,” he explained. “Everything is planned. The students have to think several steps ahead of every action to avoid accidents. These skills, slow down – stop – think – plan, relying heavily on the engineering design method of identifying a problem and coming up with a solution, then testing and evaluating it, are very relevant in life.”
The course feeds into Bishop Moore’s aviation program, offering a Journey into Flight—an introductory course to aviation that segways into the dual enrollment program.
Dr. Erika Wikstrom, secretary for education and superintendent of Catholic schools for the diocese, emphasized the synergy among the three schools provides a powerful opportunity for all to recognize Christ in one another.
“The collaboration among Bishop Moore Catholic High School, Morning Star Catholic School and St. Charles Catholic School is a testament to the richness and diversity of our Church,” she shared. “Each school, with its distinct mission, unites on one campus to create a dynamic, faith-filled community where students of all abilities learn, grow and uplift each other. This relationship beautifully embodies the essence of our Catholic faith—many gifts, one body, united in Christ.”
Glenda Meekinsis a writer, photographer and producer in the communications department of the Diocese of Orlando.
gmeekins@orlandodiocese.org