Celebrating National Arts in Education Week at Chapelle! 🎨🌟

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.

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!

Mr. Troy Roddy Brings Learning to Life with Interactive True Crime Project This year, Mr. Troy Roddy introduced an innovative and personalized project to his AP Language and Composition and English IV Honors students, blending academic rigor with creative engagement. As part of his newly earned Master’s in Education with a focus on Learning Experience Design , Mr. Roddy designed an interactive e-learning module that brought the excitement of True Crime into the classroom. The Project: Who Stole the Crown and Sash? The assignment asked students to explore a fictional crime, analyze evidence, and argue, defend, or qualify the guilt or innocence of one of three suspects. Using critical thinking and argumentation skills, students worked through the scenario while staying true to their curriculum. Objective : The students were tasked with mastering the ability to argue, defend, or qualify their position on the suspects’ guilt or innocence, honing their persuasive writing and reasoning skills in the process. Making Learning Personal and Fun Mr. Roddy’s goal was to create a lesson that felt personal, engaging, and relevant to his students. Knowing many of them are fans of true crime, he designed a lighthearted yet rigorous activity that incorporated their interests. Here’s how he made it special: School Culture & Catholic Identity : Mr. Roddy took pictures around the school and used AI to redesign them with a unique Comic Detective Noir feel, seamlessly integrating Chapelle’s culture and values. Favorite Teachers as Characters : Students were delighted to see their favorite teachers woven into the storyline! Interactive Environment : The module mimicked exploring the school, creating a fully immersive experience. Sense of Humor : Mr. Roddy’s signature humor added fun and personality to the project. The Five E’s of Learning Design To ensure a high-quality e-learning experience, Mr. Roddy followed the Five E’s of Learning Design : Engage : Students were hooked by the True Crime theme and the personalized school setting. Explore : The interactive module encouraged them to investigate evidence and suspects. Explain : Clear instructions guided students on how to craft their arguments. Elaborate : Students applied their skills to defend their positions. Evaluate : The final step involved presenting and justifying their conclusions. A Learning Experience Tailored for Chapelle Mr. Roddy explained the significance of personalized learning in his project: “Learning Experience Design is all about making personalized, relevant learning experiences tailored to our students’ learning preferences. I wanted to integrate our Catholic identity, school culture, and the students’ interests into one seamless experience.” An Exciting Future for E-Learning at Chapelle This project is just the beginning of how Mr. Roddy plans to use his expertise in Learning Experience Design to create interactive and meaningful lessons. By combining technology, creativity, and Chapelle’s unique culture, he’s redefining what it means to engage students in the classroom. Congratulations, Mr. Roddy, on this incredible accomplishment, and thank you for bringing such an exciting and innovative learning experience to our students!