Hail Chapelle
ALUMNAE NEWS
Alumna Spotlight: Charlene Suter Wetzel '83 🌟💚 At Archbishop Chapelle, we are always proud to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our alumnae, and today we’re thrilled to shine the spotlight on Charlene Suter Wetzel ’83, a shining example of excellence in education! Honored for Her Dedication Charlene Wetzel, a dedicated science teacher at Archbishop Rummel High School, was recently recognized by the Allstate Sugar Bowl and the College Football Playoff Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers program during Rummel’s varsity football game last Friday. In a heartwarming surprise, Mrs. Wetzel received a $1,000 grant for classroom resources, a testament to the profound impact she makes on her students every single day. As a proud Chapelle alumna from the Class of 1983, Mrs. Wetzel embodies the values of faith, excellence, and service that are the foundation of our school community. Her commitment to empowering young minds and fostering a love for science has left an indelible mark on her students and the Raider community. Celebrating Her Success We couldn’t be more proud of Charlene Wetzel ’83 for this well-deserved recognition. It’s inspiring to see a fellow Chipmunk making such a positive difference in her field and being celebrated for her dedication and hard work. Congratulations, Mrs. Wetzel, and thank you for continuing to make Chapelle proud! 💚✨
Alumnae Spotlight: Kayla Giardina ’24 At Archbishop Chapelle High School, we celebrate the achievements of our alumnae who inspire us with their dedication, talent, and perseverance. Today, we are proud to highlight the exceptional accomplishments of Kayla Giardina ’24, a true testament to the Chapelle spirit both on and off the field. A Legacy of Excellence at Chapelle Kayla’s time at Chapelle was nothing short of extraordinary. She excelled in academics, athletics, and leadership, leaving behind a legacy that will inspire future generations of Chipmunks: 📚 Academics: Kayla passed all 6 Advanced Placement courses and 2 Dual Enrollment courses, earning the prestigious title of AP Scholar. She maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA and was recognized on the 5-year Distinguished Honor Roll. 🥎 Athletics: Kayla’s athletic achievements were equally impressive: - A 5-year varsity starter for the Chapelle softball team. - Named First Team All-District, All-State, and All-Metro multiple times, including earning MVP and Most Outstanding Player honors. - Made history by pitching Chapelle’s first-ever State Championship win. - Finished her high school career with an incredible 811 career strikeouts. - Kayla’s combination of academic and athletic excellence made her a standout student-athlete and a role model for her peers. Thriving at the University of Southern Mississippi Kayla’s success has continued at the collegiate level, where she is a pitcher for the University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles. As a freshman, Kayla made an immediate impact, both on the mound and in the classroom: 🥎 On the Field: - 118 innings pitched with 80 strikeouts and only 29 walks. - Threw six complete games, earned three saves, and achieved back-to-back shutouts. - Secured seven wins, including her first collegiate victory against Ole Miss—a huge milestone! 📚 In the Classroom: - Kayla continued to excel academically, maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA while balancing the demands of athletics and academics. An Inspiration to the Chapelle Community Kayla’s journey showcases the incredible opportunities that hard work, determination, and faith can create. From leading Chapelle to its first state championship to becoming a standout collegiate athlete, Kayla has consistently demonstrated what it means to be a Chapelle Chipmunk. We are so proud of all that Kayla has accomplished and look forward to cheering her on as she continues to shine at Southern Miss. Congratulations, Kayla—you are an inspiration to us all!
Chapelle Alumnae Serve as Patrol Officers on Campus At Archbishop Chapelle High School, we take great pride in the accomplishments of our alumnae, and we are especially grateful when they return to campus to give back to the community that helped shape them. This year, we are thrilled to celebrate three incredible alumnae who are now Patrol Officers on campus: Carly Pabst ’18, Julia Hoggatt Grace ’92, and Kelly Hibbs Bassil ’96 . These women represent the very best of Chapelle, serving as protectors, role models, and living examples of the Chapelle spirit. Carly Pabst ’18 Carly is a Patrol Deputy for the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office (JPSO) 1st District, and she couldn’t be more excited to return to her alma mater in this new role. Here’s what Carly had to say about her experience: “It’s been very bittersweet being back on campus. It’s nice to be able to come back to Chapelle and feel like I’m back at home. I am very honored to be able to protect my alma mater.” Carly has fond memories of her time as a student, crediting Chapelle for sparking her interest in the legal field: “When I was at Chapelle, they offered a legal class. This class is what sparked my interest in the legal field and law enforcement. Learning about different case law and other legal aspects, as well as having a teacher who really helped myself and other students understand law, prepared me for this job. If that class was never offered, I would not be where I am today doing what I love!” Carly’s dedication to Chapelle shines through as she picks as many shifts as possible to work on campus. She loves seeing the progress the school has made since her graduation and is excited to see what the future holds. Kelly Hibbs Bassil ’96 Kelly serves as a Detective with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and is also a Reservist in the United States Navy ⚓. She describes her return to Chapelle as a deeply meaningful experience: “It’s very nostalgic. It’s amazing to see the growth and improvement to so many areas of the school that have happened over the years, with still more to come.” Kelly reflects on the ways Chapelle prepared her for her career, emphasizing the values and skills she learned as a student: “ACHS had great teachers when I was there, and they made learning fun. They instilled dedication, determination, hard work, and motivation to overcome and work through anything. Chapelle paved the path even more as we all grew, with long-term friendships and family.” Kelly’s journey from Chapelle student to Detective and Navy Reservist is a testament to the strength, resilience, and values instilled in her during her time at Chapelle. A Legacy of Service and Dedication Both Carly and Kelly, along with Julia Hoggatt Grace ’92, embody the mission of Archbishop Chapelle High School. They inspire us by living out the values of dedication, service, and faith in their daily lives, and we are so grateful for their service to our campus community. Having these alumnae return to Chapelle in such a meaningful capacity is a reminder of the incredible impact our school has on its students, even long after graduation. Thank you, Carly, Kelly, and Julia, for your service, your care, and your unwavering commitment to Chapelle. 💚🐿️
ALUMNAE EVENTS
