PUBLISHED ON September 17, 2025
Making Waves at the State Level: Gemma Collins, Zoe Zabala and Valentina Martinez-Flores! 🌊🏊♀️
Archbishop Chapelle High School is thrilled to announce that Zoe Zabala ’28, Valentina Martinez-Flores ’28, and Gemma Collins '30 have qualified for the State Swim Meet! These talented students 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.
Gemma Collins
8th grader Gemma Collins is making waves in her first year as a Chapelle swimmer, qualifying for her spot at State in:
- 500 Freestyle
The 500 Freestyle is among the most challenging events in competitive swimming, and Gemma's exceptional focus and endurance throughout the race are truly impressive.
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. She also qualified for State in the 50 free.
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!
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Alumna Spotlight: Tiffany Willis Donovan ’10 We are proud to shine this week’s Alumna Spotlight on Tiffany Willis Donovan ’10, who is making an impact both on and off the sidelines at Tulane University. For the past five years, Tiffany has served as a coach for the Tulane University Cheer Team, mentoring and guiding collegiate athletes through some of the most formative years of their lives. Tiffany shares that what she loves most about coaching is helping her athletes grow — not only in their skills and performance, but as confident, capable young adults. Watching them develop their talent, build resilience, and step into leadership roles is what makes the experience so meaningful. Being part of such an important chapter in their lives, both on and off the mat, is something Tiffany does not take lightly. Her dedication reflects the same spirit of encouragement, leadership, and sisterhood that began during her time at Chapelle. We are so proud of the positive example Tiffany continues to set and the lives she is helping shape through her passion and mentorship.

Erin Black Comeaux ’99 Inspires Future Builders We were proud to welcome alumna Erin Black Comeaux ’99, Sector Leader – Commercial Construction at RNGD, LLC, as part of our Career Engagement Speaker Series. In her role, Erin is responsible for sourcing and leading commercial construction projects that are not multi-family (apartments) or hospitality (hotels). Her work helps bring to life the schools, retail spaces, offices, and public facilities that serve communities every day. Exploring Careers in Construction Erin introduced students to RNGD, a multifaceted company operating across the Southeast in four sectors: - Building - Steel - Infrastructure - Manufacturing From schools and data centers to retail and civic spaces, RNGD’s projects demonstrate how construction shapes skylines and strengthens communities. She emphasized that construction is more than what people see on a jobsite. The industry offers endless career paths — including project management, engineering, estimating, technology, finance, marketing, safety, and skilled trades. Whether a student enjoys hands-on work, leadership, problem-solving, or working with digital tools, there is a place for them in this field. Building the Future Erin also highlighted RNGD’s commitment to community impact through education, workforce development, and scholarships, reinforcing that construction is about building people and opportunities — not just structures. Her visit helped students see the wide range of possibilities available after graduation. We are grateful to Erin for sharing her journey and inspiring the next generation to consider careers that quite literally build the future.
Alumna Spotlight: Kristiann App ’95 💚⚓ Archbishop Chapelle High School is proud to spotlight Kristiann App ’95, a distinguished leader making waves in the maritime and global logistics industry. In December, the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) announced Kristiann’s appointment as its new Chief Commercial Officer — a significant leadership role in one of Louisiana’s most vital economic engines. With more than two decades of experience in international trade, transportation, and global logistics, Kristiann brings extensive industry expertise and strategic vision to the port and the region it serves. Throughout her career, she has built resilient supply chains, strengthened global partnerships, and established herself as a respected leader within the maritime community. Her excellence has been recognized with honors including the 2024 C. Alvin Bertel Award, highlighting her impact and leadership in the field. As Chief Commercial Officer, Kristiann leads commercial strategy across cargo, cruise, and real estate, helping to advance transformative initiatives such as the Louisiana International Terminal while driving sustainable economic growth for Louisiana and its global connections. Kristiann’s accomplishments reflect the strength, leadership, and forward-thinking spirit fostered at Chapelle. We are incredibly proud to see a fellow Chipmunk making such a meaningful impact on our local community and beyond. Congratulations, Kristiann — your Chapelle family is cheering you on! 💚

Keeping Fr idays FUN! One Friday per month, we have a Fun Friday assembly where we honor those students who really shined this month! We are so proud of our Chipmunks for making their mark in the community. Talented Art Students We are thrilled to share that 38 Chapelle students have been accepted for publication in this year’s anthology — an incredible accomplishment, as being invited to publish means their work ranked in the top 30% of all entries submitted. In addition, our school has received the Art Achievement Award, presented to schools whose overall submissions demonstrate exceptionally high merit. Because of the number of students selected, Chapelle will receive a complimentary copy of the publication, and both our students and our school will receive special recognition in the book. We are especially proud to announce that 7 students were recognized with High Merit honors, awarded to students whose work is considered far above grade level: 🌟 Allyson Leon – HM #1 🌟 Abigail Timler – HM #2 🌟 Christina Pierce – HM #3 🌟 Evelyn Zajac – HM #4 🌟 Jordan LeGaux – HM #5 🌟 Lucy Guillot – HM #6 🌟 Leanne Siverd – HM #7 Congratulations to all of our published artists: Anna Gonzales Adeline Little Allyson Leon Alyssa Pesantes Alyssa Parfait Anna Poche Abigail Timler Brinley Brignac Brennan Hotard Brooke Sercovich Christina Pierce Caroline Sander Demi Kostopoulos Emma Tran Emmery Johnson Elise Nelson Evelyn Zajac Julia Clement Julia Clark Jordan LeGaux Jordan Morris Kristin Munch Katie Solis Liz Canizaro Lucy Guillot Lantonia Mahne Leanne Siverd Mia Bairnsfather Paige Mills Reghan Howe Ryleigh McMyne Sophia Hunter Shelby Lowrance Skylar Manuel Sarah Switzer Victoria Madere We are so proud of your creativity, talent, and dedication. The arts continue to shine brightly at Chapelle!

Celebrating the 2026 Induction Class Archbishop Chapelle Athletics Hall of Fame Archbishop Chapelle High School proudly welcomed the 2026 Induction Class of the Chapelle Athletics Hall of Fame, honoring four individuals whose talent, dedication, and school spirit have left a lasting mark on our athletic tradition. Margaret Bayard ’76 Our first inductee, Margaret Bayard (Class of 1976), was a standout three‑sport athlete, competing in basketball, volleyball, and indoorball during her time at Chapelle. Margaret was a member of the 1976 City Basketball Championship team and the 1975 City Indoorball Championship team, contributing to a dominant era in Chapelle athletics. She continued her basketball career at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, carrying her Chipmunk pride to the collegiate level. Patricia Toujouse ’77 Our second inductee, Patricia Toujouse (Class of 1977), also excelled in basketball, volleyball, and indoorball. She was a key member of the 1975 City Indoorball Championship team and the 1976 City Basketball Championship team. Patricia went on to compete in both volleyball and basketball at Tulane University, demonstrating the strong athletic foundation she built at Chapelle. While Patricia was unable to attend the ceremony, she was proudly represented by her sister, Cheryl Prieur. Jerrye Modenbach ’78 The third inductee, Jerrye Modenbach (Class of 1978), was another remarkable multi‑sport athlete, participating in basketball, volleyball, and indoorball. Jerrye’s accomplishments include being a member of the: - 1975 City Indoorball Championship team - 1976 City Basketball Championship team - 1977 City Volleyball Championship team She continued her athletic career at Tulane University, playing both volleyball and basketball. Her achievements reflect both individual excellence and a deep commitment to teamwork. Ms. Linda Munn The fourth inductee, Ms. Linda Munn, dedicated 38 years to Chapelle as a physical education teacher and coach. Throughout her extraordinary career, she coached basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, track and field, golf, and cheer, shaping generations of Chipmunk athletes. In her honor, Chapelle presents the Linda Munn Award each sports season during the Athletic Awards Ceremony. This award recognizes one member of every team who exemplifies sportsmanship, teamwork, kindness, school pride, and a commitment to representing Chapelle with integrity. These are the very qualities Ms. Munn modeled throughout her decades of service. The 2026 Hall of Fame class represents excellence across generations — from championship athletes to a legendary coach whose influence continues to be felt today. Congratulations to all of our inductees. Your legacy is forever part of Chapelle Athletics. 💚

Chipmunks Attend Close Up 2026 Six students just wrapped up an incredible week in Washington, D.C. with the Close Up Foundation. From walking the halls of Congress to debating the issues that matter most, these young leaders got a front-row seat to democracy in action. More than just monuments and museums; it was also about finding their voice and understanding their roles as citizens!

Chapelle Robotics Heads to State! Our Chapelle Robotics Team is headed to the Louisiana V5RC High School State Championship, sponsored by Venture Global! The championship will take place February 26–27, 2026, at the Louisiana Region 5 STEM Center at Lake Charles Boston Academy of Learning. This prestigious, invitation‑only event brings together the top 40 VEX V5 high school robotics teams in Louisiana to celebrate their accomplishments and compete in the 2025–2026 VEX V5 Robotics Competition. We are incredibly proud that our team has earned a spot among the state’s best! How the Competition Works 🔹 Two Days of Action Day 1: Robot inspections and qualifying matches Day 2: Skills challenges, additional qualifying rounds, alliance selections, and the final championship matches 🔹 Match Format Each match features four teams at a time. Two teams form an alliance and compete against another two‑team alliance. Working together, alliances score points by driving their robots to complete game‑specific tasks — such as moving game pieces, scoring goals, and strategically positioning their robots on the field. 🔹 The Goal Teams compete to earn high rankings during the qualifying rounds. Top‑ranked teams then select alliance partners for the elimination finals — where collaboration, strategy, innovation, and engineering excellence truly shine. Qualifying for State is an incredible achievement and a testament to the countless hours our students have dedicated to designing, building, programming, and refining their robots. We are so proud of their hard work, teamwork, and perseverance. Good luck to our Robotics Team as they represent Chapelle at the State Championship! 💚🤖









