Good news stories are happening in Catholic schools across the country! Let NCEA know what is happening with your school so that we may share on NCEA Talk, social media and in the pages of Momentum. Visit www.NCEA.org/shareyourstory to submit your good news today!
Saint Mary’s HERC Proposal TeamPhotos by Peter Tlusty
Rover concept drawing
Rover prototype
Diocese of Richmond
Catholic schools in the Diocese of Richmond are grabbing headlines.
Saint Mary’s Catholic School in Richmond, VA, is one of two middle schools in the world (the other is Jesco von Puttkamer School in Leipzig, Germany) selected to compete in NASA’s Human Engineering Rover Challenge (HERC). HERC is a global competition to encourage STEM careers. Teacher Peter Tlusty, an IB MYP design and technology teacher, will lead the 28 students in the project to build a rover capable of traversing challenging terrains.
This is the 31st annual HERC program and the first time the challenge has been open to middle schoolers. The program has historically consisted of students crafting full-scale operational mock-ups of rovers; this year, for the first time, NASA introduced a remote-controlled division.
Students eventually will take their rover to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL, to test it on an obstacle course that mimics the lunar and Martian surfaces.
Also, in the Diocese of Richmond...
What is 20 feet wide and 8 feet tall and a near replica of a very famous painting? If you answered the “Starry Night in Roanoke” mural by Adam Johnson at Roanoke Catholic School, you are correct. A second-year art teacher, Mr. Johnson skillfully captures the famous painting by Dutch Post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh. The imaginary village of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence in van Gogh’s “Starry Night” complements the sunrise (that’s right, sunrise and not night) he used as his inspiration and watched from his room in an asylum. Mr. Johnson masterfully replaced van Gogh’s village with the Basilica of St. Andrew in Roanoke and placed Roanoke Catholic School at the top of the hill. The mural captures local scenes such as the locomotive from the Virginia Museum of Transportation, Hotel Roanoke and the H&C Coffee sign.
Photo by Roanoke Catholic School
Mr. Johnson’s mural can be admired at the entrance of the school.
Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Seton Catholic Schools in Milwaukee are building two new Catholic schools. The current Prince of Peace and St. Rafael The Archangel Catholic schools are essentially “beyond recovery,” explains Brian Couch, president of Seton Catholic Schools. Seeing the need for change, Seton Catholic Schools are investing $23 million in the two new schools to continue to serve students in those disadvantaged neighborhoods. The Archbishop of Milwaukee Jerome Listecki stressed the importance of the new schools emphasizing, “It’s education that allows an avenue for individual students to progress in their lives.”
Diocese of San Jose
Bishop Oscar Cantú, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, Mountain View Mayor Pat Showalter, Brothers of the Holy Cross, Saint Francis Board of Directors, educators and students were all in attendance as the school community celebrated the opening of the Saint Francis High School Welcome Center and Dining Commons in September.
St. Francis President Jason Curtis explained that “the front door to our school, our Welcome Center, is a place where our community will come together to collaborate and engage in fellowship and hospitality.” The building houses administrative offices, a student dining hall, a commercial kitchen, an educator center, the Brothers of Holy Cross Educators Dining Area, mezzanine space for meetings and performances and more. For St. Francis and the Holy Cross Brothers, the new building is more than an addition—it is a community gathering space. You can watch a video on the Welcome Center at https://youtu.be/ZJj8EydlSJ0.
Photo by Saint Francis High School
Archdiocese of New Orleans
A grant through the GeneBIORETS Grant from the National Science Foundation sent St. Mary’s Dominican High School science teacher and Biotechnology Club moderator Janine Koenig (’82) to Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Medicine’s state-of-the-art research labs. Mrs. Koenig was one of five high school teachers from the New Orleans area who spent the summer at LSU. Only two grants were awarded nationally in 2024.
On the final day of the summer program, Mrs. Koenig (holding certificate) with Dr. Fern Tsien, director and principal investigator of the program; Dr. Richard DiCarlo, interim dean of the School of Medicine; Dr. Kelly Jean Sherman, co-director; and Dr. Arnold Zea, co-director of the GeneBIORETS Program.Photo from LSU Health Sciences Center Website
The teachers spent four days each week conducting research in the labs, with an additional day focused on enhancing their curriculum for the school year. Mrs. Koenig teaches advanced biology and is examining how tropical Leishmania parasites infect their hosts. “I was attracted to the program for the opportunity to bring research into the classroom because students learn best by doing. It has been an incredible experience to work in a research capacity alongside scientists and to see their passion for finding cures for diseases,” she shared.
Diocese of Orlando
Located in the heart of Orlando (host city and diocese for NCEA 2025), St. James Cathedral School proudly holds the title of the oldest Catholic school in the area. One shining example of St. James students’ commitment to service is the inspiring project led by Isabella G., a current 8th grader. In collaboration with the National Honor Society, Isabella launched “Bella’s Bees,” a school-wide initiative designed to bring joy to children in local hospitals.
Isabella dedicated herself to crocheting handmade bees, showcasing her creativity and compassion. Meanwhile, her classmates contributed by assembling care packages filled with colorful bookmarks, heartfelt cards and handmade rosaries. These thoughtful packages were delivered to local children’s hospitals, providing comfort and joy to young patients during difficult times.