Halo Notes

As we gathered in the Pavillion to pray a Rosary for Philip Conner, my heart ached for Derek and Kim as I approached them for the first time since their loss.

When the moment came to offer my condolences, my words seemed like a whisper against a storm of sorrow. “Derek,” I said, “I am so sorry.”

He looked at me, his eyes filled with a profound sadness, yet his voice steadied by a firm faith, “I thought that he was going to be with you in the Vianney House,” he said.

Despite the storm of loss being weathered in the days that followed, Derek and Kim’s grief manifested in a profound act of generosity. They decided that all donations made in Philip’s memory be directed to the Vianney House. It was a gesture that spoke volumes, the love of a father and mother transcending loss.

On March 21st, 2025, Derek and Kim joined the Vianney House men and I at the Vianney House to dedicate a plaque, a simple wooden piece bearing the inscription: “In Loving Memory of Philip Michael Conner #4.” We hung it in the Vianney House, a permanent reminder of the young man whose life had touched us all.

After dinner, as I stood beside Derek and Kim, gazing at the plaque, the words he’d spoken before echoed in my mind. “Derek,” I said, “in a way, you were right. Philip is with me in the Vianney House.”

Derek smiled as he looked at the plaque and Kim said, “Yes, he was with us this entire evening.”

Though Philip has gone before us to the mercy of God, he remains with us in our hearts and minds. Now, Philip will touch each young man that moves into the Vianney house. As we cherish our memories of Philip, we pray that he lives on as a Saint forever, beyond our hearts and beyond the Vianney house, in the Kingdom of God.

Fr. Michael Caraway

SLCHS Chaplain

Please turn in your Parish Subsidy Form by April 15. Your form should be submitted to Teresa Ernst, Director of Finance.

Granted through the Diocese of Lake Charles Office of Catholic Schools, the Bishop’s Scholarship is given to each individual school within the Diocese so that families desiring a Catholic education may attend St. Louis Catholic High School. A committee at St. Louis Catholic High School determines whether a student receives this scholarship. Please click here to complete the application.

Once you complete the application, please send it along with a copy of your tax return to Teresa Ernst, Director of Finance. The deadline to apply is April 18. This is open to all students applying for admission to St. Louis Catholic High School.

The Arete Scholarship program is committed to helping low-income parents provide their children with a great education at a school of their choice. Applications are not considered complete until all required documents have been submitted. Click here for more information or to apply. This application is open to all public or charter school students applying for admissions to St. Louis Catholic High School. If approved, the student must apply every year.

Applications for the 2025-2026 school year are currently open, and the deadline to apply is May 31. All applications must be submitted online via the Arete website. The maximum award amount for the 2024-25 school year was $4,900 for grades 9-12.

The LA GATOR Scholarship Program is currently accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year. Both incoming students and current students at St. Louis Catholic High School can apply to receive the LA Gator scholarship.

***Please note that if you are applying for the LA GATOR Scholarship, your enrollment must be complete in order for your application to be processed and for you to be eligible to receive the scholarship.***

LA GATOR has created a Parent Training Presentation that is a step-by-step process to help families with the application process and in determining if they are eligible to apply. Sign-up for the LA GATOR Newsletter to receive program updates as they come available. For questions contact the LA GATOR call center at 225-422-1538 or via email at help.la@withodyssey.com.

• Senior final exams begin on Thursday, May 1.
  Testing will be at the regularly scheduled class time:
  C & D – Thursday, May 1
  G & H – Friday, May 2
  A & B – Monday, May 5
  E & F – Tuesday, May 6
• Information about final exams and exemptions will be shared with students in their class Team, and forms will be distributed to Seniors after the Easter break.
• AP Exams will be during the weeks of May 5 and May 12. Click here to visit AP Students for testing information and review videos.
• Progress Reports will be emailed tomorrow. If a student fails the 4th quarter and the Final exam, they fail for the year regardless of the course average. If your student has any questions or concerns, please have them see or email their teacher or counselor as soon as possible

To assist students as they prepare for college and careers, St. Louis Catholic will administer the ACT to our high school Juniors. Testing will be on Wednesday, April 16 during the school day at a reduced cost to families. We will be using the computer-based test for our students as there is evidence that allowing students to take a standardized test in the same format used by students on a daily basis will lead to an increased score. Even if a student has previously tested and made an adequate score for college admission, taking the test in a familiar environment and using a format they are most comfortable with can maximize student scores for scholarships, including the TOPS scholarship program. All Juniors are expected to test on Wednesday, April 16 at a reduced cost of $60. This fee will be drafted from your FACTS account, and you will be notified via email 10 days prior. If you have any questions, you may contact the counseling department.

Pre-ACT testing will take place on Wednesday, April 16. All freshmen and sophomores will take the computer-based Pre-ACT.

• Report to school at the regularly scheduled time (7:45 a.m.) in uniform.
• Room assignments will be posted in students' Class of 202X Team.
  
• Dismissal will be at approximately 12:00 p.m.
• Bring computer fully charged, an approved calculator, water, and a snack
• Students with extended time will be dismissed at approximately 1:00 p.m. and may bring a lunch.

The underclassmen will be taking the Pre-ACT & ACT on Wednesday, April 16. Seniors will have a virtual day with time to complete any assignments or college preparation tasks. Seniors must complete the form that will be posted to the Class of 2025 Team for attendance purposes. Please let Emily Pettaway know if you have any questions.

April 11: Course Request Changes & Dual Enrollment Paperwork

April 28 (for current juniors only): Brag Sheet Survey & Academic Resume on Scoir

April 30 (for current seniors only): Senior Data Form

All 9th-11th grade students met in their ACT & PreACT testing rooms on Monday, March 31st to prepare for taking the tests on their school issued devices. Due to internet issues, some students were unable to complete the test prep requirements. We are asking that this is completed at home. Please ensure your student does the following, according to their grade level:

11th Grade - ACT Prep
Click here for the instructions to complete the following:
-Download TestNav & take practice tests
-Change computer settings
-Connect the school test with their MyACT.org account

10th Grade & 9th Grade - PreACT Prep
Click here for the instructions to complete the following:
-Download TestNav & take practice tests
-Change computer settings

Any rising male seniors who are interested in attending Louisiana Boys State this summer (June 22-June 28) will need to let their counselor know. CLICK HERE for more information.

Have you considered a career in healthcare? Ready to see what a day-in-the-life of a nurse looks like? How about Human Resources, Physical Therapy, Health Information Management, or even Marketing? With this program offered through Lake Charles Memorial Health System, high school and college students can have a fun and educational one day tour with one hour visits to 6 departments. Read more in the attached documents and reach out to your counselor with any questions.

NHS ended Scholar Week by coordinating a day on March 23 to beautify the campus with new planters, benches and picnic table, power washing, window washing, trash pickup, an art mural, and more!

Many thanks to:
✅Our VP Jonah Austin for his idea, vision, & leadership and our President Allison Donnelly for her attention to details. Together, they coordinated everything.
✅The Beautification Committee for their leadership with the stations.
✅Coach Acord for securing donations.
✅SITI Construction, Gallagher Insurance, & Bubba Oustalet for your donations. Your support made it all possible.
✅Mr. Vanchiere for buying the food supplies and Ben Vanchiere for cooking jambalaya for us.
✅All of the National Honor Society members, friends, and family who showed up ready to work.
✅Abigail Williams & the Scholar Week committee for the week’s plans and fun pep rally.
✅Show Choir, Fine Arts Nose Flutes, Mr. Randall, and Mr. Austin for providing musical entertainment and sound at the pep rally.

🧡💙Many hands make light work and small things make a BIG difference! Hope you enjoy the beautiful additions and cleaner campus thanks to all of these amazing leaders!

There is one more dodgeball tournament on Friday, April 11 during House Time (hosted by JP II and Joan of Arc).

JP II is also sponsoring a Reading Challenge. Submit your pages read to the Million Word Challenge in the Library tab of Teams by 3 pm April 15.

Congratulations to Luke LeBeouf who qualified at the 4-H Regional Shooting Competition that was held on March 20th. He will move on to compete at the state level in the Southern Shotgun Modified Trap at Bridgeview Gun Club on April 10th. Wish him luck!

🎶 Show Choir Tryouts – Open to Sophomores, Juniors, & Seniors! 🎶

Are you ready to take the stage? Show Choir auditions are coming up, and we’re looking for talented vocalists and musicians to join our group!

🎤 Who Can Try Out?
✔️ Vocalists (Male & Female)
✔️ Guitarists, Bassists, Drummers, Keyboard/Synth Players
✔️ Other Instruments Welcome! (Brass, Strings, Woodwinds, etc.)

🎵 What to Prepare:
🔹 "More Than a Feeling" – Boston (approx. 1 minute)
🔹 A song of your choice (approx. 1 minute)
🔹 You may use a backing track or perform solo. (You can start at any point in the song)

📅 When & Where:
🗓 May 1st & 2nd
⏰ After school or during A, C, or D Period

Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your talent and be part of something amazing! Sign up now or reach out with any questions.

Interested in travelling to Germany, Switzerland, and Austria this summer! Experience culture and tradition of these Alpine countries! Reach out to Coach Yoder for more information!

The boys golf team will be in action over the Easter holidays when they host the Division II District 2 Championships. Play begins at 8 a.m. on April 23 at the Lake Charles Country Club.

The boys and girls track & field teams will compete today in their final regular season meet of the season at Episcopal in Baton Rouge. Earlier this week, senior Halee Jackson signed her National Letter of Intent to compete at Northwestern State. During the Easter holidays, the squads will compete in the District 3-3A Championship at Jennings.

Congratulations to Colton Guillory on being named Field MVP at the Taussig Relays last Thursday. Colton received 1st place in Shot Put & Discus.

The girls and boys tennis teams will host the Division III Region 2 Championships on Monday and Tuesday at the Lake Charles Racquet Club. Play begins both days at 8 a.m.

The Saints hit the road tonight when they visit DeQuincy in a non-district game. First pitch is set for 5:30 p.m. They’ll also visit St. Edmund in Eunice at 4:30 p.m. Friday. Seniors Aila Brassieur and Jolie Metoyer will be honor prior to the first pitch of Monday’s game against LaGrange. First pitch at McNeese is scheduled for 6 p.m. The team should secure a bye in the first round of the Division III Select playoffs and host at least one game in the postseason.

Baseball will take on South Beauregard at 6:30 p.m. this evening in the championship game of the District 3-3A tournament at Jennings. The team will host Lacassine in a doubleheader on Monday at McMurry Park. Game one gets underway at 4 p.m. The squad should have a bye in the first round and host a three-game series in the second round of the Division III Select playoffs.

These bricks, salvaged from the school, feature custom engravings to commemorate the establishment of St. Louis Catholic High School.

Bricks are available for purchase online (using the link below) or at the front office. You will be notified when your brick is ready for pick up. Shipping is not available.

Any students interested in working at St. Margaret's summer day care can contact their director, Tori Craddock, at 3337-513-8444.

Below are the fish fry dates at the Cathedral. Their Catholic Daughters (Lady of the Lake Court #695) will also be selling cookies at each fish fry event, and the proceeds will be donated to the St. Louis Catholic Capital Campaign.

Dates for Fish Fry & Cookie Sales: (4:00 - 6:00 pm)
Friday, April 11, 2025

This is a great fundraiser that promotes the Catholic Daughter Motto of Unity and Charity. All proceeds from the sale of cookies in 2025 will be for the St. Louis Catholic High School Capital Campaign.

Donations of cookies are accepted as well. This is a great way for the Saint Louis Community to support their own rebuilding.

Calling all ladies! Gather your besties and gear up for an unforgettable adventure on Saturday, May 31 at 11am! Our crowd-favorite event is returning, and it promises to be bigger and better than ever! Get ready to win amazing prizes and exciting gifts that will leave you buzzing with joy! This is your chance to create lasting memories filled with laughter and fun. Plus, every ticket sold helps support a fantastic cause—funding a scholarship through the St. Louis Catholic Foundation. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by—join us for an incredible time!

Email stlouiscatholicfoundation@gmail.com with any questions.

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OUR FOUR PILLARS:

Wonder - Identity - Community - Service

Email: saintsmail@slchs.org
Website: www.slchs.org
Location: 1620 Bank Street, Lake Charles, LA, USA
Phone: 337-436-7275
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/slchssaints
Twitter: @slchs_saints