PUBLISHED ON January 30, 2025

By: Reese F. & Jessi K.

This past weekend, the Chapellettes and Hi-Steppers competed in the American All-Star State Championship. The American All-Star State Championship is a two-day competition in which teams go head to head in many different divisions. Both teams have worked tirelessly in preparation for this championship and did not disappoint! 

Throughout the weekend, Chapellettes and Hi-Steppers competed in two different divisions, Chapellettes in Division 1 and Hi-Steppers in Division 3. On day one, Chapelletes took to the floor with six solos, three duos, an officer routine, and five ensembles. On day two, Chapellettes competed in the Division 1 Jazz, Open, Gameday, and Kick. On day one, the Hi-Steppers competed with five solos, one duo, and two ensembles. On day two, in Division 3, the Hi-Steppers competed in Jazz, Pom, Open, Gameday, and Novelty.

With all the nerves and excitement going into the weekend, the coaches of both incredible teams were asked what their thoughts and feelings were as we headed into the competition. We also asked what their favorite thing about coaching was, as well as what their favorite dance was. This was Mrs. Woodward, the Hi-Stepper coach's response: 

“The American All Star Louisiana State Dance & Drill Team Championship is always an exciting time of the year. With over 60 junior high and high school teams attending from all across Louisiana, the weekend will be packed with dance, school spirit, creativity and a whole lot more of dance. Dance is a very subjective sport, so you work very hard to create something that you can only hope the judges will enjoy. It can be very difficult to understand when you put out a near flawless routine on the floor, and the results don't go your way. Sometimes the judges just like what the other teams did more than yours or sometimes the scores are so close that 1st place is anyones for the taking. The Chapelle Hi-Steppers practice long hours after school and during the holidays to prepare for this weekend. Many teams only bring 2-3 team dances to state, while we bring five. We are very lucky to have great choreographers: Shelby Jacob '11, Savannah Swain Raynal '14, Jessica Starring '20, Lexi LeBlanc '21, Shayla Woodward '23 and Karley Voges (sister of Kinyson Voges '19). We had great performances at our first competition of the year, so we are hoping to continue that going into state. I believe our girls are in the right mindset this year for greatness. They want to perform each routine to the best of their abilities, they want the judges to enjoy their routines, and they want to bring home the win for Chapelle. I am a firm believer that if you give your everything on the floor and feel that you did everything you can, the results will come. How they feel when they walk off the floor is more important than the trophy. Coaching any type of sport can be difficult, but also has so many rewards. Each year to see the talent God has given these young ladies shine bright on the gym floor is truly a gift. They love Chapelle, dance and each other, and it definitely shows. I also love seeing my Hi-Stepper alumnae who love to retell a story from when they were on the team, and how each one of them still remember our parade stop routine. I have been truly blessed to have been a part of their time at Chapelle, and to be able to witness their talent. To pick a favorite dance from this year is hard because they are so good. Overall I believe our Open "Black & White Swan" dance is our most creative dance and I look forward to seeing what happens at state and nationals with this routine.”

One of the Chapellette coaches, Mrs. Stephani Kammer-Taylor, was asked the same questions and this was her response: 

“Going into state I’m super hopeful for growth. The goal is to place higher than we did last year, and I feel like we are ready to do that. But of course I’m always nervous, but also excited to see if and what we can accomplish in an upward positive direction. My favorite thing about coaching is instilling solid work ethic and a sense of being a good human to your teammates. I think there is more to being on a team than just doing what the team is assembled for, in this case dance. I think it’s about learning how to be a good person and to be a source of support for people that you spend a lot of time with and that you share commonalities with. So teaching girls how to not only be good at their craft, and motivated, and accountable, but also to be good people. My favorite dance is definitely jazz this year. It’s intricate and exciting, and the music is exciting. It’s very technically difficult but the girls are killing it and I think it’s really going to read well when we get to the event.”


The Chapellettes and Hi-Steppers danced beautifully in their performances and won many awards. These awards include:


Chapellettes:

Junior High Solo Title Winner- Sophia Brisset!

High School Junior Solo 2nd Place- Lyla Pelle!

Abby and Lyla Duet- 1st!

Claire and Jessi Duet- 2nd!

Kayden and Hailey Duet- 5th!

Kayden/Hailey/Averey/Aubrey Officer Routine- 3rd!

Kayden/Hailey/Claire/Jessi Ensemble- 1st!

Abby/Aubrey/Lyla Ensemble- 2nd!

Gracelyn/Rowan/Sophia F./Sophia M./Theresa/Ava/Cece/Emily/Brynn Ensemble- 5th!

Sophia B./Julia/Melina/Parker Junior High Ensemble- 4th!

Division 1 Jazz- First Place - 4th in State - Technique and Choreography Awards!

Division 1 Open- First Place - 3rd in State!

Division 1 Kick- First Place!

Division 1 Game Day- Superior!

Division 1: 1st in State! 

Sweepstakes Award- Tie for 4th Place- 4th in State!


Hi-Steppers:

Dakota/Savanna/Skylar/Karissa/Victoria/Makenzie Officer Routine-4th!

Makenzie/Hailey Duet- 4th!

Division 3 Jazz- Second Place- 3rd in State- Choreography and Technique Awards!

Division 3 Open- First Place- 2nd in state!

Division 3 Pom- Second Place- 5th in State!

Division 3 Gameday- Third place!

Division 3 Novelty- First Place- 1st in State!



View more

Recommended Posts

Choirs Spring Showcase

By Jamie Hanzo • April 30, 2026
Spring Showcase 2026: A Night of Music, Memories, and Mission On April 29, the Barn was filled with beautiful harmonies, joyful celebration, and Chapelle spirit at our Spring Showcase 2026. The evening highlighted the incredible talent and dedication of the Archbishop Chapelle Choirs in what was truly a fabulous night of music. A Stunning Performance by the Chorale The Chorale captivated the audience with a powerful and diverse program, performing: - Watercolor Morning - Bridge Over Troubled Water - Esurientes from Magnificat in G Minor - The Lake Isle of Innisfree - Dolly Waits Each piece showcased the group’s vocal strength, musicality, and expressive storytelling, leaving the audience both moved and inspired. The Chorus Brings the Energy The Chorus lit up the Barn with a lively and heartfelt selection of songs, including: - Make a Joyful Noise - Tomorrow from Annie - Dancing Queen - This Little Light of Mine From Broadway classics to uplifting anthems, their performance radiated joy and confidence. Special Solo & Ensemble Highlights The evening also featured standout solo and ensemble performances by Mackenzie Ory, Peyton Klotz, and Madison Adams, each demonstrating poise and vocal excellence. A beautiful trio ensemble performance of All the Pretty Little Horses featured: Peyton Klotz, Shelby Lowrance, Camryn McGregor, Margaux Mouton, Jolyn Pham, and Lia Reinecke. Their harmonies blended seamlessly in a touching and memorable moment of the evening. In true Chapelle fashion, both the Chorale and Chorus concluded the night with a moving performance of “God Will Provide.” The beloved alma mater served as a reminder of the faith that unites our community and the mission that guides everything we do.  The evening also included a heartfelt presentation to Mrs. Trina Hille, as the girls gifted her a framed piece commemorating their recent trip to New York City, where they performed at the iconic Carnegie Hall. It was a meaningful tribute to an unforgettable experience and to the leadership that made it possible.

Veteran Jerry Hernandez Shares His Story

By Jamie Hanzo • April 30, 2026
A Living History Lesson:Jerry Hernandez Visits U.S. History Classes Mrs. Katie Hernandez Krajcer’s U.S. History and Advanced Placement U.S. History students recently had the opportunity to experience history beyond the textbook. Jerry Hernandez, a United States Marine Corps veteran and Mrs. Krajcer’s father, visited campus to speak with students about his service in the Vietnam War. Mr. Hernandez served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969 for a period of 13 months. During his time overseas, he worked as a translator and also served on patrols, giving him firsthand experience in both communication and combat operations. During his presentation, Mr. Hernandez shared insights into the geographical challenges of fighting in the jungles of Vietnam, explaining how terrain and climate impacted military strategy and daily life for soldiers. He also discussed the guerrilla warfare tactics used by the North Vietnamese Army, helping students better understand the complexity of the conflict. Beyond military strategy and logistics, Mr. Hernandez shared personal stories about serving his country. These stories brought humanity and depth to the historical events students have been studying in class. Hearing directly from a veteran who lived through this pivotal period in American history allowed students to connect classroom lessons to real-world experiences. It was a powerful reminder that history is not just dates and documents. It's the lived experiences of courageous individuals.  We are grateful to Mr. Hernandez for his service and for sharing his story with our students.

Physics of Music

By Jamie Hanzo • April 29, 2026
Exploring the Physics of Music in Mrs. Blackburn’s Lab In Mrs. Blackburn’s lab, science isn’t just something you read about — it’s something you build, test, and hear. As part of their latest unit on the Physics of Music, students are discovering how sound and science work together by creating their own musical instruments. Through this hands-on activity, lab students built both a pan flute and a rubber band guitar, transforming everyday materials into tools for scientific exploration. Sound in Motion The project focuses on understanding how sound is produced through vibrations. With their rubber band guitars, students observed how plucking a stretched rubber band causes it to vibrate, producing sound waves that travel through the air to our ears. By adjusting the thickness or tension of the rubber bands, they could hear how changes in physical properties affected pitch and tone. When building their pan flutes, students explored how the length of air columns impacts frequency. Using straws of varying lengths, they discovered that shorter straws produce higher frequencies (higher pitches), while longer straws create lower frequencies. Seeing (and Hearing) Science in Action Rather than simply memorizing formulas, students experienced firsthand how physics explains everyday phenomena — even something as universal as music. By connecting vibration, frequency, and pitch to instruments they built themselves, the lesson reinforced key scientific principles in a memorable and engaging way. Mrs. Blackburn’s lab continues to show that physics isn’t just equations on paper. It’s the rhythm, sound, and science all around us.

$8M in Gifts Received for Incarnate Word Hall

By Jamie Hanzo • April 29, 2026
$8 MILLION IN GIFTS RECEIVED FOR INCARNATE WORD HALL Decades of dedication to our mission have allowed us to now dream bigger than ever before, and today we are so excited to announce a milestone in fundraising for Incarnate Word Hall. Through the generosity of our donors along with a $3.5 million gift from The Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation, we have reached over $8 million dollars in gifts towards Incarnate Word Hall. This accomplishment has allowed us to begin the next phase including: demolition of the round building, planning for a new two-story storage facility, and to begin the preparation of a temporary chapel. While we are on track for success, we still need your support to make this dream a reality! Our total gift goal for Incarnate Word Hall is $10 million dollars and raising the remaining 20% will be a community wide effort. We are happy to share that we still have some major gift recognition levels available, but also please know that donations of any size will directly impact the success of the overall project. To view major donor list, learn more about the project, and help us reach our fundraising goal:

Alumna Spotlight: Leann Lomongo Vinson '08

By Jamie Hanzo • April 29, 2026
Alumna Spotlight: Leann Lomongo Vinson ’08 Leann Lomongo Vinson ’08 is a proud member of the Chapelle sisterhood whose faith, leadership, and heart for service continue to make a meaningful impact. Leann lives in Mandeville with her husband, Grant, and their two sons, Wells and Trace. She is currently in her 13th year in education and serves as an instructional coach in St. Tammany Parish, where she supports and guides teachers in their professional growth. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Arts in Teaching from LSU. Throughout her career, Leann has taught: - 5th grade at Chateau Estates in Kenner - 5th and 6th grades at her alma mater, St. Philip Neri - 3rd grade at Pontchartrain Elementary School in Mandeville Beyond the classroom, Leann finds great joy in serving her community. She is the Secretary of the Louisiana Association of Teachers of Mathematics , serves on the Coach Advisory Board for Girls on the Run of South Louisiana , and acts as Recruitment Chair for the Junior League of Greater Covington . Most meaningfully, Leann and her sister founded the Mongo Forever Smiling Foundation in honor of their brother, Christopher Lomongo, who unexpectedly passed away in 2022. The nonprofit provides scholarships to deserving Christian students pursuing higher education while upholding their faith and making a positive impact in their communities—just as Christopher did throughout his life. When reflecting on her time at Chapelle, Leann simply says she thinks of family. Her sister, Christie Lomongo Jones ’98, attended Chapelle, and their legacy continued with her niece, Malaya Jones ’23. She also shared the Chapelle experience with her grammar school best friends—women she considers sisters to this day. During her years at ACHS, Leann developed strong academic discipline and deepened her faith, learning to rely fully on God. She continues to live by the Chapelle motto: “God Will Provide.” In both joyful seasons and challenging ones, she believes He always does.

Choir Takes the Big Apple!

By Jamie Hanzo • April 29, 2026
What an unforgettable weekend for our Chapelle Choir Chips! Joined by 160+ students from 4 schools across the country, our singers performed at the iconic Carnegie Hall in New York City on April 20, 2026 — an experience of a lifetime! Through Manhattan Concert Productions, they had the rare opportunity to learn from and be conducted by world-renowned composers René Clausen, Andrea Ramsey, and Rosephanye Powell. But the magic didn't stop on stage. From the top of Rockefeller Center to the steps of St. Patrick's Cathedral, from Times Square to Central Park, our students soaked in everything New York had to offer — including Broadway's Hadestown, famous pizza, and New York cheesecake!  The perfect ending? An impromptu performance of God Will Provide inside St. Patrick's Cathedral on their last day. Our Choir Chips came home with new skills, professional inspiration, and memories that will last a lifetime. We couldn't be prouder!

Alumna Spotlight: Kayla Giardina '24 Pitches a PERFECT game

By Jamie Hanzo • April 27, 2026
ALUMNA SPOTLIGHT: KAYLA GIARDINA ’24 Chapelle proud! Kayla Giardina ’24 delivered a performance for the record books this weekend for Southern Miss Softball — throwing a perfect game to complete a conference sweep over South Alabama! Final Score: Southern Miss 8, South Alabama 0 (6 innings) - 6 perfect innings - Just 60 pitches - 70th strikeout of the season - Improved to 17–7 on the year Giardina’s dominant outing marked: - The first perfect game at the Southern Miss Softball Complex - The fourth perfect game in program history - Part of Southern Miss’ first conference series sweep of the season - Head Coach Natalie Poole’s 100th win at Southern Miss Her determination, precision, and competitive spirit were on full display as she retired every batter she faced and led her team to victory. We are so proud to see Kayla continuing to excel at the collegiate level and representing Chapelle with excellence. The future is bright!

Science is POPPIN'

By Jamie Hanzo • April 24, 2026
The Science Behind the Pop 🍿 In Mrs. Judy Homes’ Chemistry class, students recently explored a big concept using a very small (and very tasty) example: popcorn. But this wasn’t snack time...it was science in action! Why does popcorn pop? Each kernel contains a small amount of water (about 13–14% of its mass) trapped inside a tough outer shell. When heated, that water turns into steam. As the steam expands, pressure builds inside the kernel.  Because the shell is so strong, the steam can’t escape right away. The pressure keeps rising until — POP! — the kernel bursts open, and the starchy inside puffs out into the fluffy popcorn we recognize. The chemistry behind it all: This simple snack connects directly to core chemistry concepts: - Phase change: Liquid water turns into steam when heated. - Percent composition: Students calculate how much of the kernel’s mass is water. - Conservation of mass: The mass lost after popping equals the water that evaporated. - Gas laws: Expanding steam creates the pressure that causes the pop. Students measured kernels before and after heating to determine how much water was present — applying stoichiometry in a hands-on, real-world way. Why the water percentage matters: The sweet spot for popcorn is right around 13–14% water. - Too little moisture? Not enough pressure to pop. - Too much? The popcorn turns out chewy instead of light and fluffy. That tiny percentage makes all the difference. In Mrs. Homes’ classroom, chemistry isn’t just something students read about. It’s something they can see, measure, calculate… and occasionally smell like movie night.
More Posts