PUBLISHED ON November 1, 2024
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Celebrating Chapelle Spirit at Alumnae Night! 💚🤍 On a night filled with excitement, community, and Chapelle pride, we welcomed back our incredible Volleyball, Hi-Stepper, and Cheer alumnae for an unforgettable Alumnae Night! The energy in the gym was electric as generations of Chipmunks came together to celebrate their shared love for Chapelle and support our current students. Supporting the Varsity Volleyball Team The night kicked off with our alumnae cheering on the Varsity Volleyball team as they faced off against Edna Karr. The support from the stands was unmatched, with former players, dancers, and cheerleaders showing their love for the green and white. Alumnae Take the Court After the Varsity game, it was time for our Volleyball alumnae to hit the court! The alumnae played their own exciting 25-point game, showcasing their skills and camaraderie. Halfway through, everyone paused to enjoy a special performance by the Hi-Stepper alumnae, who took to the court to dazzle us with their dance moves. It was a beautiful display of talent and tradition! Honoring Excellence: All-State Players Plaque Unveiled A highlight of the evening was the unveiling of a brand-new plaque by Volleyball Head Coach Jodee Pulizzano. The plaque proudly lists all of the Chapelle Volleyball players (past and present) who were named LVCA All-State. This special moment honored the legacy of excellence that Chapelle Volleyball continues to uphold. A Night to Remember After all the court-side festivities, alumnae, students, and guests gathered in the cafeteria for a fabulous reception. It was a time to reconnect, share stories, and celebrate the lifelong bond of the Chapelle sisterhood. Thank You, Alumnae! We are so lucky to have such incredible alumnae who continue to support Chapelle and inspire the next generation of Chipmunks. Your dedication to our school and your ongoing connection to the Chapelle community mean the world to us. Here’s to many more Alumnae Nights filled with laughter, memories, and Chapelle pride! 💚🤍

Chemistry Meets Creativity: Sublimation Printing in Action! Mrs. Pickett and Mrs. Homes’ Chemistry classes recently combined science and creativity in an exciting sublimation printing assignment! Using tools in our St. Joan of Arc Center, students applied their knowledge of chemistry to create custom Chippy socks. This hands-on activity brought the principles of sublimation to life in a fun and memorable way! How Does Sublimation Work? Sublimation is a fascinating process where a solid turns directly into a gas without passing through the liquid phase. Here’s how it happens: Energy Boost: The molecules of a solid gain enough energy—usually from heat or reduced pressure—to overcome the forces keeping them in a solid state. Escape to Gas: The energized molecules transition directly into the gas phase. What Is Sublimation Printing? Sublimation printing uses heat and pressure to transfer dye onto materials like polyester fabrics, ceramics, or metals. The process relies on sublimation, where a solid dye turns into gas and bonds with the material, creating vibrant and durable designs. Why Is Sublimation Printing Popular? Durability: The ink becomes part of the material, ensuring long-lasting designs. Vibrant Colors: The process produces high-resolution, full-color prints. Smooth Surface: No raised ink—just a smooth finish. Eco-Friendly: Minimal waste compared to traditional printing methods. Science + Creativity = Fun! Students explored the molecular changes that occur during the process while creating something they could wear and enjoy. From the lab to wearable art, the Chippy socks turned out amazing! This activity is just one example of how Chapelle combines STEM and creativity to make learning engaging and meaningful. Great job to all the students in Mrs. Pickett and Mrs. Homes’ classes for mastering the science of sublimation and showing off their creative skills!

Mrs. Dantagnan and Mrs. Panzavecchia Make Their Mark Back in the Classroom! At Archbishop Chapelle High School, we believe that education goes beyond academics—it’s about fostering meaningful connections and supporting one another on the journey through high school and beyond. Recently, our Head of School, Connie Dantagnan ’88 , and Associate Head of School, Susan Panzavecchia ’90 , stepped into Ms. Jacqueline Dantagnan’s Academic Seminar class to teach a special lesson on an essential topic: friendship . What Makes a Good Friend? As our 8th-grade students navigate their first year of high school, they’re learning not only about academics but also about forming supportive and lasting friendships. During the lesson, Mrs. Dantagnan and Mrs. Panzavecchia shared their insights on: The key qualities of a good friend , such as kindness, trustworthiness, and the ability to listen. How to recognize and nurture positive friendships that help you grow as a person. The value of being a good friend to others , especially during the exciting yet sometimes overwhelming transition into high school. The discussion encouraged students to reflect on their own friendships and think about how they can foster meaningful connections within the Chapelle community. The Importance of Friendship in High School Friendship plays a crucial role in helping students feel supported, confident, and connected as they navigate new experiences. Mrs. Dantagnan and Mrs. Panzavecchia emphasized how: Strong friendships can make high school more enjoyable and help students overcome challenges together. Being surrounded by supportive peers can boost academic and personal success. The Chapelle sisterhood is built on fostering these bonds, creating a network of encouragement and lifelong connections. A Memorable and Heartfelt Lesson The 8th-grade class was inspired by the wisdom and warmth shared by Mrs. Dantagnan and Mrs. Panzavecchia, both of whom are proud Chapelle alumnae. Their message highlighted how friendship is a cornerstone of the Chapelle experience, and their personal stories brought the lesson to life. The students left the session with a deeper understanding of what it means to be a true friend and how these relationships will shape their time at Chapelle and beyond.

Celebrating National Arts in Education Week at Chapelle! 🎨🌟 September 14-20, 2025 marks National Arts in Education Week , and here at Archbishop Chapelle High School, we’re proud to celebrate the power of the arts in shaping creative, confident, and well-rounded students. Fostering Creativity Through Fine Arts At Chapelle, the arts aren’t just an extracurricular activity—they’re an essential part of our students’ education. With 28 innovative fine arts classes and clubs , we offer opportunities for every student to express themselves and explore their passions. Our programs span a wide range of disciplines, ensuring that each student finds their creative outlet, including: Traditional Studio Art Digital Arts Choir and Band Music Technology Drama TV Production Whether students are painting a masterpiece, performing on stage, or producing their own short films, they’re not just creating art—they’re building confidence, honing their skills, and preparing for a bright future. Why Arts Education Matters The benefits of arts education go far beyond the canvas or the stage. Research shows that participation in the arts: Drives academic achievement by fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Prepares students for the workforce with essential skills like collaboration, communication, and innovation. Promotes student wellness by providing an outlet for self-expression and reducing stress. Supports equity by giving every student the opportunity to explore their potential and thrive. At Chapelle, we believe that every student deserves the chance to create, innovate, and shine , and our fine arts programs are designed to empower them to do just that. Celebrating the Arts at Chapelle This National Arts in Education Week, we celebrate the incredible creativity of our students, the dedication of our fine arts faculty, and the vibrant role the arts play in our school community. Together, we’re not only building artists but also leaders, innovators, and changemakers. Let’s continue to support and celebrate the arts—for our students, for our community, and for the future. 🎭🎶🎨

Making Waves at the State Level: Zoe Zabala and Valentina Martinez-Flores! 🌊🏊♀️ Archbishop Chapelle High School is thrilled to announce that Zoe Zabala ’28 and Valentina Martinez-Flores ’28 have qualified for the State Swim Meet ! These talented sophomores have worked tirelessly in the pool this season, and their dedication has earned them the opportunity to compete on Louisiana’s biggest stage for high school swimming. Zoe Zabala ’28 Sophomore Zoe Zabala continues to impress with her strength and endurance, qualifying for her spot at State in two events : 500 Freestyle 200 Freestyle The 500 Freestyle is one of the most demanding races in competitive swimming, and Zoe’s ability to maintain focus and stamina throughout the race is truly remarkable. Her performance in the 200 Freestyle demonstrates her speed and versatility, making her a standout in both sprint and distance events. Valentina Martinez-Flores ’28 Sophomore Valentina Martinez-Flores has qualified for State in the challenging 200 Individual Medley (IM) , a race that requires proficiency in all four strokes— butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle . Valentina’s ability to master each discipline and maintain her composure under pressure speaks to her incredible skill and determination. Celebrating Our State Qualifiers We are so proud of Zoe and Valentina for their accomplishments this season. Qualifying for State is no small feat, and their hard work and dedication have brought them to this exciting moment. Let’s rally behind them and show our support for all their hard work and determination. Congratulations, Chipmunks—your Chapelle family is cheering for you every step (and stroke) of the way!

Ava Braendel and Rachel Silva Qualify at the Metro & State Levels! 🌊🏊♀️ Archbishop Chapelle High School is proud to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of two of our standout swimmers, Ava Braendel ’29 and Rachel Silva ’30 , who have qualified for both the Metro Championship and the State Swim Meet ! These exceptional athletes have shown remarkable skill, determination, and dedication throughout the season, and their hard work has paid off in a big way. Ava Braendel ’29 Freshman Ava Braendel has been unstoppable in the pool, qualifying for Metro and State in an impressive five individual events : 50 Freestyle 100 Freestyle 200 Freestyle 500 Freestyle 100 Butterfly Ava’s versatility across multiple strokes and distances highlights her incredible talent and work ethic. From sprint events like the 50 Freestyle to endurance challenges like the 500 Freestyle , Ava continues to deliver outstanding performances. We can’t wait to see her shine at both Metro and State! Rachel Silva ’30 8th grader Rachel Silva has proven herself as a rising star in the pool, qualifying for Metro and State in two highly competitive events : 200 Individual Medley (IM) 100 Breaststroke The 200 IM is one of the most challenging races in swimming, requiring mastery of all four strokes, and Rachel has tackled it with poise and power. Her standout performance in the 100 Breaststroke further showcases her incredible technique and determination. Rachel’s future in swimming is as bright as ever! Celebrating Excellence in the Pool Qualifying for both Metro and State is an extraordinary achievement, and we are so proud of Ava and Rachel for their dedication to their sport and their commitment to excellence. These two talented swimmers embody the values of hard work, perseverance, and Chapelle pride, and their success is an inspiration to the entire Chapelle community. As Ava and Rachel prepare to compete on the Metro and State stages, let’s come together to cheer them on and celebrate their incredible accomplishments. Good luck, Chipmunks—your Chapelle family is behind you every step (and stroke) of the way! 💚

Meet the Freshmen Class Student Council Officers! We’re proud to introduce the Freshmen Class Student Council Officers for the Class of 2029 ! These exceptional leaders have stepped up to represent their class and are ready to make this year an exciting and successful one for their fellow sophomores. Freshmen Class Officers President : Kasey Orlando Vice President : Eleanor Cerise Secretary : Ava Kissinger Treasurer : Rylee Ford Historian : Jordan Morris These students have already been hard at work brainstorming ideas, planning activities, and finding ways to foster school spirit within the freshmen class. Whether it’s organizing events or supporting their peers, we know they’ll lead with enthusiasm and dedication to make this year unforgettable! 💚🤍 Congratulations to our Freshmen Class Officers! We can’t wait to see all that you’ll achieve this year. 🤍💚

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!