Freshmen Win Penny Wars 2025 — and Chapelle Raises Over $6,400 for Families in Need! 💚🎄 The Chapelle spirit shined brighter than ever during this year’s Penny Wars, as students across all grade levels came together for a little friendly competition—and a whole lot of generosity. The result? An incredible $6,457.06 raised for our annual Christmas Giving Tree, supporting six families in need this holiday season! While every class contributed to this amazing total, the freshmen earned the victory crown by ending the competition with the least amount of negative money in their container. Their strategy paid off—literally! As champions, their class representative, Mr. Giovingo, got the honor of pieing all the other grade‑level teacher representatives (plus a few extra lucky participants!). The laughter, excitement, and whipped‑cream chaos made for a memorable celebration of their win. But the real victory belongs to the Chapelle community as a whole. Every dollar dropped into a container became part of a larger mission: ensuring that families in our community experienced joy, relief, and hope this Christmas season. Because of our students’ generosity, six families received gifts, essentials, and support during the holidays. Penny Wars reminded us that even the smallest contributions can create something extraordinary when we work together. Thank you to every Chipmunk who donated, strategized, and supported the cause. Your kindness made a real difference. Faith, tradition, excellence—and a whole lot of heart.

AP Government Brings Civics to Life with a Simulated Impeachment Trial ⚖️🇺🇸 Students in AP Government stepped into the world of constitutional law this week as they participated in a dynamic and engaging simulated Impeachment Trial of their class President. Designed to deepen understanding of the impeachment process, the activity challenged students to apply their knowledge, think critically, and work collaboratively in a realistic courtroom-style experience. Students took on a variety of important roles throughout the simulation. Some served as Senators, carefully listening to testimony, analyzing evidence, and ultimately deliberating and delivering a final verdict. Others acted as attorneys, representing both the prosecution and the defense. These student lawyers crafted compelling opening and closing arguments, questioned witnesses, and examined evidence to make their case. Several students stepped into the role of key witnesses, testifying about their involvement in the scenario and responding to challenging questions from both sides. One student even served as the Chief Justice, presiding over the entire trial and ensuring that proceedings remained fair and orderly. This hands-on learning experience offered much more than just a civics lesson. Students strengthened their public speaking, critical thinking, and teamwork skills while gaining a clearer understanding of constitutional principles and legal procedure. The simulation served as an excellent preparation for the AP U.S. Government Exam, giving students the chance to apply classroom knowledge in a memorable and meaningful way.  Through this immersive activity, our young scholars gained firsthand insight into the complexities of impeachment—an experience that will stay with them long after the exam is over.

Chapelle Celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception On December 8th, the Chapelle community gathered in faith and joy to celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, a beautiful holy day honoring Mary’s preservation from original sin and her “yes” to God’s plan. The celebration reminded us of the purity, grace, and courage of Our Blessed Mother—virtues we strive to emulate in our daily lives. During Mass, we reflected on the words of Scripture that capture the heart of this feast: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” — Luke 1:28 This verse reminds us of Mary’s unique role in salvation history and her openness to God’s will, inspiring each of us to follow her example of trust and discipleship. This year’s celebration was made even more special as our 8th graders enjoyed their first Grandparents Day as Chipmunks. Seeing grandparents join their granddaughters for Mass, photos, and campus activities brought a spirit of love and family that filled the entire school. The joy on the faces of our newest Chipmunks—and their grandparents—was truly heartwarming.  We are grateful for the opportunity to honor Mary together as a community and to welcome our wonderful grandparents to campus. May the grace of this feast continue to inspire our hearts throughout the Advent season.

Chapelle Musicians Shine in LMEA All-State & District Honor Bands 💚 Archbishop Chapelle High School is proud to celebrate four talented student musicians who have earned spots in the prestigious LMEA All-State and District Honor Bands! Their dedication, perseverance, and love for music have set them apart, and we are thrilled to recognize their achievements. Congratulations to the following students: • Ellie Concepcion – Clarinet, LMEA District VI Junior High Honor Band • Milan Vitrano – French Horn, LMEA All-State and District VI Junior High Honor Band • Amelie Sharp – Percussion, LMEA District VI Junior High Honor Band • Lia Reinecke – Clarinet, LMEA District VI Senior High Honor Band These honors represent hours of practice, commitment, and musical growth. By earning positions in highly competitive ensembles, these students have demonstrated excellence both individually and as proud members of the Raider Band. We are incredibly proud of Ellie, Milan, Amelie, and Lia for representing Chapelle with such talent and heart. Congratulations on this outstanding accomplishment—you inspire our entire school community!

8th Grade Scientists Explore Simple and Complex Machines Through Hands-On LEGO Engineering In Mrs. Merril and Mr. Giovingo's 8th Grade Integrated Science class, students recently embarked on an engaging exploration of simple and complex machines—one LEGO brick at a time. The lesson challenged students to apply their understanding of the six simple machines (levers, pulleys, wheels and axles, inclined planes, wedges, and screws) by designing and constructing their own complex machines using LEGO building sets. From cranes and catapults to conveyor systems and mechanical lifts, students' creativity and engineering skills were on full display. Building Knowledge Through Construction After selecting a complex machine to build, students worked individually or in small groups to bring their designs to life. The hands-on nature of the project allowed students to see firsthand how multiple simple machines work together to create more sophisticated tools and devices. "This activity really helps students understand that the complex machines we use every day—cars, bicycles, construction equipment—are all built from combinations of these basic simple machines," explained Mr. Giovingo. Analysis and Application Once construction was complete, students conducted an analysis of their creations. They identified each simple machine present in their complex machine, documented their findings in a written report, and made real world connections of complex machines they find useful in their own life. The project not only strengthened students' grasp of mechanical principles but also developed important skills in problem-solving, spatial reasoning, and technical communication. STEM in Action This lesson exemplifies Archbishop Chapelle's commitment to providing students with engaging, hands-on STEM experiences that prepare them for future success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. By combining creativity with scientific inquiry, students gain a deeper appreciation for the engineering principles that shape our world.

Science in Action: Exploring Gas Solubility with Mrs. Melancon’s Soda Water Demo 💭🧪 In a hands‑on and engaging lesson, Mrs. Melancon helped her students uncover how temperature, stirring, and pressure affect the dissolution of gases in solutions—using an everyday item: soda water.  To begin, students examined an unopened bottle of soda water and observed what happened when it was opened. The sudden release of pressure allowed dissolved carbon dioxide gas to escape, creating the familiar fizz. This simple moment set the stage for a deeper exploration of gas behavior in liquids. Next, Mrs. Melancon prepared three cups of soda water under different conditions: • a control cup, • a stirred cup, and • a heated cup placed in hot water. Students compared the bubbling in each sample, quickly noticing that the stirred and heated cups released gas much faster than the control. The takeaway? While heat and stirring help solids dissolve more quickly, gases behave in the opposite way—both increased temperature and mechanical agitation decrease gas solubility, causing it to escape from the solution. This simple but powerful demonstration brought chemistry to life, helping students visualize core concepts about solubility, particle behavior, and the unique properties of gases. Learning is always more memorable when you can see (and hear!) science in action—and in this case, the bubbles said it all.

Congrats, Jordan LeGaux! 🦊🎨 The Chapelle community is thrilled to celebrate Jordan LeGaux, who won First Place in the Wild Thing Youth Art Contest in Lacombe! Her stunning artwork, featuring a beautifully detailed gray fox, impressed the judges with its creativity, technique, and lifelike expression. This contest showcases young artists from across the region, and Jordan’s achievement highlights not only her exceptional talent but also her dedication to refining her craft. Her winning piece reflects a remarkable eye for detail and a deep appreciation for the natural world—qualities that make her artwork truly stand out.  We are incredibly proud of Jordan for representing Chapelle with artistic excellence. Congratulations on this well‑deserved recognition! We can’t wait to see where your creativity leads you next.