August 2005
Superintendent of Schools Named
St. Scholastica's "Alum of the Month"
(August 31)-Superintendent of Schools MaryBeth Mueller has been named “Alum
of the Month” for September 2005 at The College of St. Scholastica
in Duluth, MN.
Mueller, who received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1973,
is the superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Phoenix. As superintendent,
Mueller oversees 22 preschool programs, 28 elementary schools and six
high schools, for a total enrollment of 15,000. She has ministered in
Catholic education for 32 years as a teacher, principal, assistant principal,
assistant superintendent and superintendent.
Mueller holds a master’s degree in education, with a concentration
in educational administration, and a sixth-year specialist certificate
in educational administration from the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
She also has done additional coursework through the University of Phoenix,
University of St. Thomas, University of Dayton and Maricopa County Community
Colleges.
Mueller’s awards include the O’Neil D’Amour Award,
received this year from the National Association of Boards, Commissions
and Councils of Catholic Education; and the Elizabeth Ann Seton Award,
received in 2001 from the Diocese of Phoenix. The D’Amour Award
is a national award given to individuals who have made an outstanding
contribution to the movement to involve lay people in participatory decision-making
through boards, councils and commissions. The Seton Award recognizes outstanding
leadership in Catholic schools.
The “Alum of the Month” designation recognizes St. Scholastica
alumni who are role models to current students and an inspiration to fellow
St. Scholastica alumni.
The College’s Benedictine ideals have been influential to Mueller.
“Benedictine values have been a focus of my life and ministry,”
she said. “These values have very deep roots and are inherent in
all that I do. I am truly grateful for these wonderful core values that
have been anchors in my life.”
Mueller studied under Sister Agnes Alich, who still teaches in the chemistry
department. She counts Sister Agnes, along with Sister Agatha Riehl and
Sister Claudia Riehl, as her best St. Scholastica memory: “They
affirmed how important each one of us is; they gave me courage to be the
best person I could be and to want to serve our church in the ministry
of education.”
When Mueller was a chemistry student at St. Scholastica in the early
‘70s, the department was enjoying a brand-new Science Building.
The department now offers majors in chemistry and biochemistry, and has
grown by one faculty position this year to keep up with enrollment increases
in nursing, physical therapy, pre-med and other science-based majors.
The College of St. Scholastica, the fastest growing private college in
Minnesota, is regularly recognized as one of the finest colleges in the
Midwest. The 2006 “America's Best Colleges” survey by U.S.
News & World Report magazine ranks St. Scholastica in the top tier
of Midwestern universities. The Washington Post has rated St. Scholastica
as one of the nation’s 100 “hidden gems” among U.S.
colleges and universities.
Special Collection for Hurricane Victims
(August 30)-Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted of the Diocese of Phoenix announced
today that there will be a special second collection at all the diocesan
Masses this weekend to help those affected by hurricane Katrina.
“It has always been upon us to respond to great tragedy
with charity and support,” he said in response to inquiries about
how the Diocese of Phoenix can help. “The size of this disaster
has stirred all of us to do something.” When asked how the parishioners
can help, Bishop Olmsted said, “I am confident that they will respond
as much as they are able.”
The second collection from the parishes will go directly to the 2005 Hurricane
Relief Fund, which is administered by Catholic Charities USA. Any one
wishing to contribute to the fund can do so by sending donations to:
2005 Hurricane Relief Fund
Catholic Charities USA
PO Box 25168
Alexandria, VA 22313-9788
Donations can also be made by calling 1-800-919-9338 or on the web at www.catholiccharitiesusa.org
A national collection for hurricane relief was also announced today by
Bishop William S. Skylstad, President of the United States Conference
of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The collection will take place in the 195
Catholic dioceses across the country.
XAVIER
SWIM TEAM RANKED FIRST IN NATION
(August 25)-The Gators of Xavier College Preparatory’s Varsity Swimming and
Diving Team swam their way to a national first-place ranking for the 2004-2005
season.
The National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (NISCA) announced
that the team, with a 2004-2005 season record of 8-0, beat out 166 other
entries to take the first-place ranking in the Dual Meet Team Rankings.
Xavier garnered 5,879 points through NISCA’s power-point ranking
system. The team was ranked 13th for the 2003-2004 season. The Girls’
Swimming and Diving Team has won the Class 12 Division nine times. Xavier
is classified in the Independent Girls School category for schools with
enrollment of 900 students or more.
Since 1984, the Gators’ Dual Meet record is 205-0, the current
National High School Record for consecutive Dual Meet victories.. The
team took first place in both the state and regional meets this year.
The team also finished first in the Nike and Brophy/Xavier Invitationals.
Coach Jeff Seaquist, who has led the team for 13 years, calls the new
national ranking a significant boost for the school’s swimming program.
“Our team has been pretty dominant over the past several years,”
Seaquist says. “This first place ranking is a reflection of the
strength of the school’s student swimmers and an indication of a
very bright future for the team.”
Xavier College Preparatory, located in central Phoenix, is a Roman Catholic
high school dedicated to preparing its student population of 1,150 young
women with the knowledge, skills and integrity to meet the challenges
of a changing global society in a positive and productive manner. Xavier
is a community of faith rooted in the rich tradition of its founders,
the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Bourgade Catholic High School
4602 N. 31st Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85017
602-973-4000
Contact: Pat Lavin
PRESS RELEASE
(August 17)-Bourgade Catholic High School invites you to bid on former Phoenix Suns
players Alvan Adams, Dan Majerle, Vinny Del Negro, Tim Kempton, Joel Kramer
and Truck Robinson to join your foursome at its annual golf tournament
on September 24, 2005, at Vistal Golf Club, 701 E. Thunderbird Trail in
Phoenix. The special live morning auction begins at 7:15. Joe Proski,
Suns trainer for over 30 years, has invited his friends to golf with you,
so come out and bid on them.
Single golfer registration fee is $95, which includes a round of golf,
gift bag, prizes and lunch.
Come meet Dick Van Arsdale at the Auction/luncheon, only $20, immediately
following the tournament.
Prizes include a 2005 Chevy Equinox SUV (2 year lease) for hole in one
and a 2005 Honda S2000 (2 year lease) for a hole in one. Many other prizes
too.
For more information call Pat Lavin at Bourgade’s Development Office
at 602-973-4000 Ext 120.
Xavier College Prep Hosts Inaugural Essay Competition for Valley’s
Eighth Grade Students
(August16)- Eighth grade students from across the Valley will have an opportunity
to show-off their essay writing skills during Xavier College Preparatory’s
inaugural Xavier Prize competition.
WHO: Xavier College Preparatory, an all-girls Catholic
high school located in central Phoenix.
WHAT: The Xavier Prize, an essay-writing contest open to all
eighth grade students in Maricopa County. The author of the winning essay
will receive a cash prize of $100 and a $100 gift certificate to Borders
Books. A published collection of the top 10 essays will be presented to
those essay writers and their schools. Judging will be name blind.
WHEN: Saturday, September 17, 2005 9 a.m.-10:15 a.m.
Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m.
All participants must register no later than September 13. Completed registration
forms must be postmarked by or received by Xavier no later than Tuesday,
September 13. The registration form is available on Xavier’s Web
site, www.xcp.org.
WHY: The Xavier Prize was established as an opportunity
to promote writing excellence that showcases student ability to evaluate
a complex issue based on Bloom’s Taxonomy of Cognitive Learning.
MORE: Xavier College Preparatory is a Catholic community
that strives to prepare young women with the knowledge, skills and integrity
to meet the challenges of a changing global society in a positive and
productive manner. This pursuit of excellence, individual and cooperative
is Xavier’s mission. Xavier is located at 4710 N. Fifth St., in
Phoenix. For more information, please call (602) 240-3136 or log on to www.xcp.org.
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