Celebrating Excellence: Emma Tran ’26 Named National Merit Semifinalist Archbishop Chapelle High School is thrilled to announce that Emma Tran ’26 has been named a National Merit Semifinalist in the prestigious 2026 National Merit® Scholarship Program! This remarkable achievement places Emma among the top high school seniors in the nation. She is one of over 16,000 Semifinalists who have earned the opportunity to continue in the competition for 6,930 National Merit Scholarships , collectively worth nearly $26 million , to be awarded in the spring of 2026. What It Takes to Be a National Merit Semifinalist Emma’s journey to becoming a Semifinalist began with her performance on the 2024 PSAT/NMSQT® , a qualifying test taken by over 1.3 million high school juniors across the country. From this pool, only the highest-scoring entrants in each state—representing less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors —are named Semifinalists. To advance to the Finalist level, Emma will need to meet several rigorous requirements, including: Maintaining an outstanding academic record throughout high school. Completing a detailed scholarship application with the endorsement of a school official. Showcasing her leadership abilities , community involvement , and academic achievements . Writing an essay and earning SAT® or ACT® scores that confirm her PSAT/NMSQT® performance.  About the National Merit Scholarship Program The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®), a not-for-profit organization established in 1955, is dedicated to honoring academic excellence and encouraging students to pursue rigorous college studies. The program is supported by NMSC funds, along with contributions from nearly 300 corporate sponsors, colleges, universities, and individual donors . Three types of scholarships are offered: National Merit® $2500 Scholarships awarded on a state-representational basis. Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarships provided by businesses and organizations. College-sponsored Merit Scholarships from institutions that support student success. A Bright Future Ahead Emma’s recognition as a National Merit Semifinalist is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and exceptional academic talents. This honor not only highlights her individual achievements but also reflects the commitment to excellence that is at the heart of the Archbishop Chapelle High School community . We are incredibly proud of Emma and look forward to supporting her as she continues in this distinguished competition. Please join us in congratulating Emma on this outstanding accomplishment!

Mr. Troy Roddy Brings Learning to Life with Interactive True Crime Project This year, Mr. Troy Roddy introduced an innovative and personalized project to his AP Language and Composition and English IV Honors students, blending academic rigor with creative engagement. As part of his newly earned Master’s in Education with a focus on Learning Experience Design , Mr. Roddy designed an interactive e-learning module that brought the excitement of True Crime into the classroom. The Project: Who Stole the Crown and Sash? The assignment asked students to explore a fictional crime, analyze evidence, and argue, defend, or qualify the guilt or innocence of one of three suspects. Using critical thinking and argumentation skills, students worked through the scenario while staying true to their curriculum. Objective : The students were tasked with mastering the ability to argue, defend, or qualify their position on the suspects’ guilt or innocence, honing their persuasive writing and reasoning skills in the process. Making Learning Personal and Fun Mr. Roddy’s goal was to create a lesson that felt personal, engaging, and relevant to his students. Knowing many of them are fans of true crime, he designed a lighthearted yet rigorous activity that incorporated their interests. Here’s how he made it special: School Culture & Catholic Identity : Mr. Roddy took pictures around the school and used AI to redesign them with a unique Comic Detective Noir feel, seamlessly integrating Chapelle’s culture and values. Favorite Teachers as Characters : Students were delighted to see their favorite teachers woven into the storyline! Interactive Environment : The module mimicked exploring the school, creating a fully immersive experience. Sense of Humor : Mr. Roddy’s signature humor added fun and personality to the project. The Five E’s of Learning Design To ensure a high-quality e-learning experience, Mr. Roddy followed the Five E’s of Learning Design : Engage : Students were hooked by the True Crime theme and the personalized school setting. Explore : The interactive module encouraged them to investigate evidence and suspects. Explain : Clear instructions guided students on how to craft their arguments. Elaborate : Students applied their skills to defend their positions. Evaluate : The final step involved presenting and justifying their conclusions. A Learning Experience Tailored for Chapelle Mr. Roddy explained the significance of personalized learning in his project: “Learning Experience Design is all about making personalized, relevant learning experiences tailored to our students’ learning preferences. I wanted to integrate our Catholic identity, school culture, and the students’ interests into one seamless experience.” An Exciting Future for E-Learning at Chapelle This project is just the beginning of how Mr. Roddy plans to use his expertise in Learning Experience Design to create interactive and meaningful lessons. By combining technology, creativity, and Chapelle’s unique culture, he’s redefining what it means to engage students in the classroom. Congratulations, Mr. Roddy, on this incredible accomplishment, and thank you for bringing such an exciting and innovative learning experience to our students!

Alumnae Career Engagement Presentation Recap: Medical Sonography On Tuesday, September 9, Archbishop Chapelle High School was excited to host the first session of our new Alumnae Career Engagement Presentations ! This program brings successful alumnae back to campus to share their career journeys and inspire our students to explore future possibilities. For our first presentation, we welcomed Samantha Zimmerman Morris ’07 and Brooke Meyer Zimmerman ’11 , both accomplished Medical Sonographers . Students from all grade levels had the opportunity to sign up for this engaging and informative session based on their interest in healthcare and technology. What We Learned Samantha and Brooke captivated the audience with their discussion on the field of medical sonography. They explained how they use sound waves to create images that help doctors diagnose a wide range of medical conditions—not just pregnancy-related issues! They highlighted how ultrasound technology is a fast, effective, and non-invasive tool for diagnosing medical problems, offering quick answers that are critical in patient care. Students were fascinated to learn about the intersection of healthcare and cutting-edge technology in this field, as well as the profound impact sonographers can have on patients’ lives. Samantha and Brooke also shared their personal experiences, including what led them to choose this career, the education and training required, and the rewarding moments they’ve experienced in their work. Their passion for making a difference in patient care was truly inspiring, leaving students not only informed but also motivated to consider medical sonography as a potential career path. Looking Ahead Thank you to Samantha and Brooke for returning to Chapelle to kick off this exciting new program! Their expertise and enthusiasm set a high standard for future presentations, and we are so grateful for their willingness to give back to the Chapelle community. We can’t wait to welcome more alumnae to campus as part of the Alumnae Career Engagement Presentations series. Stay tuned for announcements about upcoming speakers and topics—there’s so much more to learn and explore!

Let the Penny Wars Begin! It’s that time of year again— Penny Wars is officially underway! 🎉 This annual Chapelle tradition brings excitement, competition, and a whole lot of fun as grade levels face off in a battle for bragging rights and a good cause. What is Penny Wars? Penny Wars is a school-wide competition where each grade level works to have the least amount of negative money in their container by the end of the week. Every grade has a teacher representative , and the stakes are high: the winning grade’s teacher escapes the pie, while the representatives of the other grades get pied by their class officer! 🥧 This Year's Grade Representatives: Seniors: Kyle Wooderson Juniors: Beth Hook Sophomores: Lisa Reames Freshmen: Vinny Giovingo 8th grade: Wendy Zucconi The Rules of the War Here’s how it works: Each grade has a container where coins and bills are dropped. Pennies are positive points for the grade: every penny adds to the grade’s total. Other coins and bills (like nickels, dimes, quarters, or dollar bills) are negative points : these subtract from the grade’s total. (Pro tip: Drop those nickels and dollar bills into your rival grade's jar to sabotage their score!) The grade with the least amount of negative money in their container at the end of the week wins! It’s a strategic game of adding and subtracting points, all while keeping the competition fun and lighthearted. This Year’s Theme: "Electives Know the Objectives" Get ready to see this year’s theme come to life as grades unite to support their teacher representative and take down the competition! Why We Do It Penny Wars isn’t just about pie and points—it’s about giving back. All proceeds from Penny Wars will support The Giving Tree , which helps families in our community during the holiday season. Let the War Commence! Bring your pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and bills to school this week and help your grade claim victory! Whether you’re defending your own jar or sabotaging another, every coin counts. Good luck, Chipmunks—and may the most strategic grade win! 💚

With hearts on fire for Christ, students from Archbishop Rummel High School and Archbishop Chapelle High School came together to serve the people of San Marcos Village in Belize. This past May, students and faculty worked side by side to build school kitchen walls, paint classrooms, visit the sick, lead a youth retreat, and celebrate the sacraments, bringing the love of Jesus to the heart of the community.  This mission was more than service. It was an encounter with Christ through faith, community, and service. We humbly ask for your continued prayers and support for our Belize Mission.

Bravo to Mrs. Chokr's French Students Our French students brought grammar to life with creativity and enthusiasm! Under the guidance of French teacher Ghada Chokr , the girls performed cheers celebrating French accents. Each accent got its own shout-out: Aigu Grave Circonflexe Cédille Tréma Through their cheers, the students learned how these accents change both the sound and the meaning of words in French. Who knew grammar could be this much fun? 😊 Bravo to our French students for turning learning into an exciting and spirited experience!

Chapelle Volleyball Team Surprises Coach Giovingo with a Baby Shower The Chapelle Volleyball team recently came together to celebrate a very special occasion—surprising Coach Giovingo with a baby shower! 💚🤍 The event was filled with love, laughter, and plenty of fun as the team and their families gathered to honor Coach Giovingo and her growing family. A Shower Full of Fun and Games The volleyball team made sure the celebration was as memorable as it was heartwarming. They played several hilarious baby-themed games, including a blind baby food taste test and a pacifier hunt , bringing out the competitive spirit that the team is known for both on and off the court. Coach Giovingo was truly touched by the thoughtful effort put into the event. She shared her gratitude, saying: “Thank you to Jodee, Katie, Micheal, Aubreanna, and all of the parents (especially Chrystan and Brad) that helped put this together! Meagan and I are extremely blessed to be in the Chipmunk family, and Pius is ready to be the Volleychips’ #1 fan in the stands.” Celebrating Family and Team Spirit This special day was a testament to the incredible bond shared by the Chapelle Volleyball team. It wasn’t just a baby shower—it was a celebration of family, teamwork, and the strong community that defines the Chapelle experience. Congratulations to Coach Giovingo and her family on this exciting new chapter! We can’t wait to welcome baby Pius as the Volleychips’ #1 fan . 💚