Annual Evening of Celtic Pride at O'Hara

Honoring Archbishop O'Hara High School's founding Religious Orders: the Brothers of the Christian Schools and the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the school had its 8th annual evening of Celtic Pride on March 1, 2014.

O'Hara's first two Principals Brothers Bernard LoCoco and Richard Geimer, were especially appreciative.

Thanks to everyone who supported this event.

The program included the auction, dinner, raffles, and libations between 5:30 and 11:00.

The theme for the event was Mardi Gras and New Orleans, with the benefits for the students of O'Hara High.

Lasallian Tradition at Archbishop O'Hara High School

Saint John Baptist De La Salle, a French priest, organized the Brothers of the Christian Schools (also known as the Christian Brothers) in France in 1682, an order dedicated solely to education. In the 300 plus years since then, the Christian Brothers have never lost sight of that singular mission, as the organization has grown to include secondary schools, colleges and universities in more than 80 countries.

John Baptist De La Salle was declared a saint by Pope Leo XIII in 1900, and was named patron saint of all teachers by Pope Pius XII in 1950.

Today at O'Hara High School, while the faculty and administration consist of primarily of lay men and women, the vision of De La Salle remains alive in an educational community, characterized by high standards of teaching, good relationships between teachers and students, high priority given to religious education and an overriding concern for the poor and social justice.

Among the Christian Brothers who have contributed significantly to O'Hara over the years are Brothers Bernard LoCoco, Richard Geimer, Norbert Roseberry, Timothy McNary, James Krause, Austin Makowski, Douglas Hawkins, Richard Merkel, Charles Gregor, Norman McCarthy, Christopher Englert, Lawrence Humphrey, Robert Werle, Michael Fugger, Mark Snodgrass, Martin Grimm, and Stephen O'Malley.

Hopefully this Tradition will carry over to Saint Michael the Archangel High School in Lee's Summit if and when that educational venture comes to fruition.  It may be up to John Purk and John O'Connor.

Fourteen Distinguished O'Hara Alumni

ENVISION listed fourteen Distinguished Alumni from Archbishop O'Hara High School who attended National Young Leaders Conference summer programs between the years 1999 and 2012.

The five that participated in the programs emphasizing leadership were Cyrus DeVry 2012, Lowell Thomas 2009, John Sampson 2006, Derek Ballmann 2003, and Amy Blocher 1999.

In programs having emphasis on medicine were Bridget O'Shaughnessy 2012, Kathleen Foster 2003, Jackie Riedel 2000, Lauren Moyer 1999, and Kendra Brown 1999.

The remaining four had special areas of emphasis. Ciara Bazemore 2011 in intensive law and trial, Louis Curtis 2008 in national security, Matt German 2006 in engineering and technology, and Hilary Bacon 2004 in law and CSI.

Inspirational Words From Saint De La Salle

Saint John Baptist De La Salle, Patron of All Teachers,
 has the following words for all Christian Educators.

“To touch the hearts of your students and inspire them with
the Christian spirit is the greatest miracle you could
perform, and the one that God asks of you, since this is the
purpose of your work.”

The Church celebrates his feast on April 7th. 

Daily Prayer For a Teacher

I want to teach my students how to live on earth
To face its struggles and its strife and improve their worth.

Not just the lesson in a book or how the rivers flow
But how to choose the proper path wherever they may go.

To understand eternal truth and learn the right from wrong
And gather all the beauty of a flower and a song.

For if I help the world to grow in wisdom and in grace
Then I shall feel that I have won and I have filled my place.

And so I ask your guidance, God, that I may do my part
For character and confidence and happiness of heart.

CHRISTMAS 2013

CELTICS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM EDGES STOCKTON FOR DISTRICT TITLE

Scoring 53 points, the Archbishop O'Hara boys cross country team won the Class 2 District 7 Title on November 2nd. Stockton was second at 54 points and Lamar was third with 58 points. Eight squads were represented.

None of the Celtic runners were among the top five, but running as a team, they took the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th places.

Danny Meyers, J.D. Meyers, Matthew Gordon, and C. J. Naudet were among the top ten across the finish line.

The team could't have accomplished the First Place finish without the important fifth runner. By coming in 20th, Corbett McKinney persevered in that role.

The O'Hara girls led by Jennifer Gustin in 9th place and Anna Gutteridge in 13th place took third place as a team, just one point shy of second place. Stockton won with a score of 20 while O'Hara had 56 and Holden had 55.

O'Hara Volleyball Team Almost Reached Final Four

It was so close, but the Archbishop O'Hara High School volleyball team was barely beaten by Saint Pius X on November 2nd in contests determining the State Sectionals.

O'Hara won 25-21 in the first game but dropped the second 25-27, and just missed out in the deciding game 23-25!

The Celtics had an easier time with Savannah prior to the game with Saint Pius, winning 25-22 and 25-17.

Saint Pius meanwhile had survived Grain Valley in three games 25-17, 21-25, and 25-23.