Celebrating Black History Month |
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February was Black History Month and this year’s theme was "What We Learn in JOY - A Celebration of Black History." With activities like Black History Month trivia, musical highlights from Mrs. Dionne Smith, a guest speaker, and a special meal of fried chicken, collards, corn bread, peach cobbler, and ribs served by our amazing Dining Staff, students at Saint Patrick Catholic School had the opportunity to better understand the immeasurable impact the black community has had on our nation. Here are a few examples of how our Wolfhounds embraced Black History Month!
After reading Belle the Last Mule at Gee's Bend - A Civil Rights Story in Mrs. Campbell's class and Tar Beach by African American artist Faith Ringgold in Mrs. Dandridge's class, Third Grade completed quilt projects inspired by the stories and artwork. |
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Students in Mrs. Dandridge's Third Grade class created their very own story quilts inspired by the art of Black artist and writer Faith Ringgold. |
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Students in Mrs. Campbell's Third Grade class made quilts inspired by the work of the Gee's Bend quilters. |
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Seventh Grade Theology students explored Saints: Faith That Speaks Every Language in recognition of Black History Month, learning about saints from Africa, the African diaspora, and beyond. Working in pairs, they researched each saint’s life, challenges, and Gospel-inspired actions, then created a poster showing how their saint lived faith, courage, and service. Through this project, students reflected on the universal call to holiness and how faith can be lived across cultures, time periods, and circumstances.
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Mrs. Ertel's Seventh Grade Theology students created posters of saints from Africa, the African diaspora, and beyond, to show how these historic figures lived as examples of faith, courage, and service! |
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The Eighth Grade class completed a Black History Month project focused on African American Catholics and their witness to faith, justice, and service. Students explored key Catholic leaders and communities and presented their learning through a tri-fold pamphlet highlighting how diverse voices contribute to the universal Church and how faith informs moral and social responsibility. |
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Mrs. Ertel's Eighth Grade Theology classes focused on African American Catholics and presented their learning through a tri-fold pamphlet highlighting how diverse voices contribute to the universal Church. |
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As Black History Month came to a close, Mrs. Barrineau emceed a special Black History Assembly for Third-Eighth Grades on the morning of Friday, February 27. We welcomed special guest speaker, Judge Devon Paige (Wolfhound Parent of A.J. ‘27 and Aubrey ‘30) who spoke about her journey to judgeship. She explained the unexpected twists and turns throughout her career and credited a willingness to take chances and never give up for her success. She advised Wolfhounds to look for joy in the process and not just as an end result. Third Grade then stood to present their quilts to the rest of the students and staff in the theater, and each class shared a little bit about the books they read before we moved onto the Trivia Contest.
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At the culminating assembly on February 27 to wrap up Black History Month, we had a special guest speaker, Judge Devon Paige (Wolfhound Parent of A.J. ‘27 and Aubrey ‘30), who spoke about her inspiring career journey. |
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Since early February, Mr. Price had encouraged Wolfhound Trivia enthusiasts to study different aspects of black history. He created 150 possible questions about people in fields ranging from athletics, science, and law to the spiritual, literary, and performing arts. We fully expected to crown a winner as we have done in past years, but the skill and knowledge of our trivia finalists far outweighed the amount of time allotted for the activity. The final round will be held this coming week! The special assembly ended with a “jam session” that included faculty and staff. Mr. LeBrun played saxophone, Mrs. Smith cello, Mr. Pellegrino and Mr. Price guitars, and Mrs. Roebuck sang with the band! They sang Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” and Bill Wither’s “Lean On Me” which ended in a standing ovation from our Wolfhounds. We would like to thank all the faculty and staff who made the assembly so successful and meaningful!
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Trivia Finalists (left to right): Charlie D., Thomas B., Bridget H., and Molly K.
Following the Assembly, the Second Grade transformed into historical black leaders for a Wax Museum presentation in the Media Center. This was the perfect way to conclude our Black History Month celebration as parents, faculty, and staff strolled through the room asking each student about who they were portraying. These fully-costumed Wolfhounds spoke in first person about the life of those they represented and how they led by example and changed the world in a positive way.
From civil rights leaders to artists, from musicians to educators, from inventors to athletes, Black Americans continue to be a vital part of our past, present, and future. Wolfhounds will continue this learning throughout the year! |
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Servant Leadership Awards Honorees Revealed! |
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From left to right: Treganza “Trig” Goodman - The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception of Saint Mary; Bill Driscoll (Wolfhound alumni parent) - Sacred Heart Catholic Church; Jesse Richman - Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church; Chad Luettel (Wolfhound parent) - Christ the King Catholic Church; Corey Larson - Holy Trinity Catholic Church; Nancy Von Tersch - Saint Benedict Catholic Church; and Nellwyn Beamon - Ghent United Methodist Church. Not pictured: Chantell Goodwin - First Presbyterian Church.
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Each spring the Eighth Grade students at Saint Patrick Catholic School honor deserving individuals in our community who understand and demonstrate Jesus’ mission through their commitment to serving others at the annual Servant Leadership Awards Dinner. The Class of 2026 is excited to continue this rich Wolfhound tradition!
With the help of area pastors, the Eighth Grade students selected individuals from our local churches and introduced them at a special “reveal” ceremony on Thursday, February 19. Each honoree was recognized for their tireless work in both their church and community. Head of School, Lauren Mazzari, Founding Board Chair, Chuck McPhillips, and Theology Chair, Marilyn Ertel, were on hand to welcome our esteemed guests. Congratulations to the 2026 Servant Leadership Award Honorees: Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception - Treganza “Trig” Goodman Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church - Jessie Richman
Christ the King Catholic Church - Chad Luettel First Presbyterian Church - Chantell Goodwin
Ghent United Methodist Church - Nellwyn Beamon
Holy Trinity Catholic Church - Corey Larson Saint Benedict Catholic Church - Nancy Von Tersch
Sacred Heart Catholic Church - William Driscoll
We will recognize and celebrate this year’s honorees at the Servant Leadership Awards Dinner on Thursday, March 19, 2026. Tickets are $15.00 and all proceeds will go towards the Eight Grade class legacy gift. Please click HERE if you would like to purchase tickets for this event. All are welcome!
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Sixth Grade students created prayer boxes as part of their spiritual retreat at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church! |
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Beginning as early as PreK, Wolfhound students are encouraged to explore their faith and develop spiritual depth through prayer, reflection, and service. The Life of Spirit is one of our six “Life Ofs,” and is an integral part of the total-formative education offered at Saint Patrick Catholic School.
Students in Second through Eighth Grade celebrate an annual class Mass with School Chaplin and Rector of Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Father Jim Curran, and beginning in Fourth Grade, students participate in a yearly spiritual retreat.
On Tuesday, February 10, the Sixth Grade class traveled to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church for their own spiritual retreat. There, students listened to multiple stories of the saints, made prayer boxes, created skits that adapted Old Testament stories into modern narratives, and prayed using Lectio Divina - an ancient contemplative practice of slowly reading, meditating, praying, and contemplating Scripture to experience God’s word personally.
Through both active and passive prayer, scripture study, and learning from the examples set by saints, each activity tapped into a different aspect of the students’ faith formation. The Sixth Grade students ended their day with the celebration of Mass with Father Gerry Kaggwa of Blessed Sacrament. Each moment of their spiritual retreat helped the students grow in their faith and strengthen the fellowship within the class.
The Sixth Grade spiritual retreat is just one example of how important the Life of Spirit is to our overall mission of educating and nurturing the whole child - mind, body, and spirit - to be Christ-centered, compassionate, and courageous servant leaders. We would like to thank Department Chair of Spiritual Formation and Seventh and Eighth Grade Theology Teacher Marilyn Ertel, Fifth and Sixth Grade Theology Teacher Nate Laurin, First-Fourth Grade Theology Teacher Mary McPhillips, Kindergarten Theology Teacher and Fourth Grade Assistant Leslie Hogan, and Pre-Kindergarten Classroom and Theology Teacher Sarah Betancourt for helping our Wolfhounds explore, grow, and celebrate their faith!
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Join us four the 2nd Annual "Cheers & Beers and BBQ, Too!" event at Afterglow Brewing on Saturday, March 28 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM! The event will feature live music from Scotch n' Rye, barbeque from The Fishin' Pig, and our signature beer called "The Wolfhound" that was created by Afterglow Brewing Founder and Head Brewer Josh Evans! All current and alumni Wolfhound parents, grandparents, alumni (21+), and friends of the school are welcome and encouraged to attend! Click HERE to purchase your tickets today. We can't wait to see you there! |
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We will be kicking off our sixth annual Day O' Giving on Tuesday, March 17 and are asking all Wolfhound parents, grandparents, alumni, and friends to help us fill our pot o' gold!
Whether you are a first-time donor or a loyal supporter of Saint Patrick, we hope you will participate in our Day O' Giving. Every gift, no matter the amount, is truly appreciated!
Thank you in advance for your support on Tuesday, March 17! |
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Caitlin Powell (Class of 2014) is a proud graduate of Virginia Tech, where she earned her degree in Public Health. Being born and raised in Norfolk has inspired her to give back to the community that raised her. For the past couple of years, Caitlin has been working closely with Rebecca Louth, her mentor and former Wolfhound teacher/Middle School guidance counselor, and Alumni Parent, as a Neurofeedback Technician. She has gained hands-on experience and built meaningful relationships with the clients she serves.
Caitlin is currently working toward her BCIA (Biofeedback Certification International Alliance) Board Certification, so she can continue to grow in this field and focus on expanding her practice! Finally, Caitlin and Rebecca are offering an introduction to Neurofeedback as part of our Evenings at Saint Patrick program, so we encourage you to register today!
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Congratulations to Maggie Leffler (Class of 2017) who recently got engaged to Noah Eichelberg. We wish you both a lifetime of happiness! |
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Amelia (pictured third from left) with a few of her Delta Epsilon Mu siblings on bid night! |
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Amelia Dumont (Class of 2021) is a current biology major on a pre-medical track at William & Mary and is hoping to become a heart surgeon! Studying takes up much of her time, but Amelia is also a member of the Club Tennis and Club Fencing teams and was recently accepted as a pledge member into Delta Epsilon Mu, William & Mary's co-ed, pre-medical fraternity! In the little free time she has left, Amelia loves to read, hike, ski, and go on adventures with friends! |
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Jack Tan (Class of 2021) is currently studying Business Economics at Mississippi State University. In addition to his academic focus, Jack serves as a manager of the men's basketball team, which is a Division 1 program in the South Eastern Conference! |
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