Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • December 13, 2019 15 Spotlight on Schools Our Lady Academy Crescents volleyball team cap- tured their eighth consecutive Class I state champion- ship on Saturday against St. Andrews. The Crescents have won 20 consecutive division titles and have played in 17 state finals (2001-03, 2006-19). During that time, the program has claimed 14 state titles, including the last eight consecutively. OLA head coach Mike Meyers, who has coached every title team, commented, “I am very excited for this team because this is their first title experience. This is a great group of girls with wonderful chemistry. I am very proud for the girls, the OLA school community and the volleyball program for the 24th overall state title.” OLA senior Rebecca Walk, a South Alabama com- mit, finished her season as the nation’s leader in kills with 883 (70.9%) and hitting percentage with 66%. In 2019, Walk recorded 883 kills, 150 blocks, 379 digs, 121 points and 63 aces. For her career, she tallied 2,351 kills and 338 blocks and a career hitting percentage of 60%. Walk ended, “We are all sad to see the season end but it has been a tremendous amount of fun. Our coaches and school have taught us lessons on the court and off of it. These are the lessons that we will take into life when we leave. We are better because of everyone who has been involved.” Our Lady Academy, Bay St. Louis OLA Crescents volleyball team (back row l-r) Coach Rick Rechtien, Chloe Cornell, Kate Montjoy, Rebecca Walk, Head Coach Mike Meyers, Alma Hearin, and Faith Anderson; (front row l-r) Natalie Garcia, Camille Cottone, Ashely Bulot, Avery Matheson, Grace Koons, Kate Funk, Sara Hollingsworth and Coach Steve Reboul. Back row: Principal Marilyn Pigott, Head Coach Mike Meyers, Coaches Rick Rechtien, Steve Reboul, and Emily Corley; front row: Rebecca Walk with her parents, KK and Wesley Walk. Thursday, November 14, Our LadyAcademy (OLA) senior Rebecca Walk signed her Letter of Intent to the University of South Alabama (USA). The Lady Jaguars are getting the nation’s leader in kills and hitting per- centage and Mississippi’s leader in blocks. During Walk’s outstanding volleyball prep career at OLA, she helped lead the Crescents to victory with their eighth consecutive Class I State Title this year. Walk, an honor student, and a five-year varsity let- terman, has been ranked number 262 in PrepVolleyball’s Senior Aces. In addition, she is a three-time member of the MHSAAAll State Team and has been named player of the week by PrepVolleyball National, AVCA/Max Preps and Sea Coast Echo. Walk is a member of the National Honor Society, Ambassador Club, Crescent Athletic Club, Retreat Team, Campus Ministry, and is the yearbook editor and photographer. OLA Principal Marilyn Pigott said, “We are very proud of Becca’s academic and athletic accomplish- ments throughout her years at OLA. Her dedication and commitment have paved her way to a bright and suc- cessful future at USA.” Holy Trinity students in Kindergarten through sixth grade selected for the Knight of the Month for October are as follows: back row: Christopher Failla, sixth grade; Caydee Fletcher, fifth grade; Connor Bauer, fourth grade; and Cole Gros, fifth grade; front row: Evelyn Vinson, Kindergarten; Annabel Barber, second grade; Finn Lewis, first grade; and Trent Powell, third grade. These students were chosen based on their demonstration of courage and self-control. Each student received a certificate, a Coca-Cola Student of the Month t-shirt, a Dominos coupon, and a liter Coke. Holy Trinity School, Bay St. Louis On Thursday, November 7, Saint Stanislaus wel- comed over one hundred fifth and sixth grade boys from surrounding schools to participate in the third annual Explore Science Day. Saint Stanislaus’s philosophy is students learn best by doing, and their science classes involve hands-on laboratory and field experience, therefore the Explore Science Day is the same. Pictured, St. Vincent de Paul and Holy Trinity students building a rocket. St. Stanislaus College, Bay St. Louis