de Sales Sheet Digital Magazine Spring 2024

The de Sales Sheet is published annually by the Office of Institutional Advancement for alumni and friends of Mount de Sales Academy.

851 Orange Street · Macon, GA 31201 P: 478.751.3240 · F: 478.751.3241

Web: www.mountdesales.net E-mail: alumni@mountdesales.net

Please direct all address changes and correspondence to the above address.

Administration

David Held, President

Mary Pat Dadisman, Associate Head of School

Carsten Franklin, Dean of Students

Emily Brown, Upper School Head

Dr Mike Franklin, Ph D , Middle School Head

Institutional Advancement Staff

Laura C. Johnson, Director of Institutional Advancement

Lauren Deal, Director of Constituent Relations

Maggie O'Brien Gerwig, Director of Enrollment and Career Discovery

Christina Sabo, Director of Marketing and Communications

de Sales Sheet Photography: Lightly Focused/Andrew Wheat, Advancement Staff, Fr. Casey Cole O.F.M.

Mission Statement

Mount de Sales Academy, an independent Catholic school, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, is a diverse college preparatory community of learners - students and teachers alike - who are poised to discover, challenged to innovate, and motivated to serve.

PARTNERSHIPS WITH CATHOLIC SCHOOLS: PARENT ACADEMY

by Lauren Deal, Director of Constituent Relations

During the 2022-2023 school year, Mount de Sales Academy introduced Parent Academy, a series of workshops and events available to every MDS parent to learn and grow throughout the academic year. When parents are actively engaged in their child’s schooling, it creates a powerful support system that reinforces learning both at home and in the classroom. Through open communication channels, parents can gain insights into their child’s progress, strengths, and areas needing improvement, allowing for targeted support and intervention when necessary. Moreover, parental involvement fosters a sense of community within the school, as families, teachers, and administrators work together to create a nurturing environment conducive to learning.

During the second year of the Parent Academy, there was a desire to welcome all of the partner schools within the Catholic school community to collaborate: St Joseph’s Catholic School, St Peter Claver Catholic School, and Sacred Heart Catholic School Pulling in all of these Catholic schools in the Middle Georgia area has contributed to the growth and evolution of Parent Academy Together, we share resources and insight into what the Catholic community can do to support one another

Events have included a group book study, guest presentations, and parent-sponsored volunteering opportunities We asked parents across the Catholic community about the most important topics to address, and across the board, mental health was at the top of the list. With this insight, we started a new series called “Starting Strong! Mental Health.” We invited Dr. Hanna Cespedes, Ph.D., LPC, ACS, a licensed professional counselor and owner of Pacifica Counseling, to share her expertise with us. Dr. Cespedes specializes in counseling youth and adults who experience severe forms of mental illness and is also a wife and mother of two daughters at St. Joseph’s Catholic School! When asked about the significance of providing resources on mental health, Dr. Cespedes shared:

“As a different kind of doctor, a doctor of ‘thoughts and feelings,’ I often think about how mental health compares to physical health. Certainly, these are tied together and impact one another. Yet, our children’s mental health seems only to be checked in on when things are ‘going wrong’ rather than having consistent check-ins to keep things going smoothly. The best outcome for children is to support and foster their health in all aspects Taking time to emphasize the mental health of your child this year can only help in their success and growth, whether it is through therapy check-ins, family dinners, time for play, or all the above! Health is one of the most important aspects to nurture in our children, physically and mentally ”

SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL ALUMNI LEADING THE ROSARY

Another opportunity that brings our partner schools together is the joint celebration of Catholic Schools Week. Several events involved the partnership and appreciation of our Catholic community, and we’re delighted when our students have the chance to celebrate our Catholic traditions together! Mount de Sales surprised partner schools with donuts for their faculty, and students from St Joseph’s wrote beautiful prayer cards for every MDS faculty member Mount de Sales students also returned to their alma mater, Sacred Heart, to help lead the student body in praying the Rosary They also led a pep rally parade through the campus! These are some of the moments our students remember and cherish during and after their time at Mount de Sales Academy

Our Catholic community extends beyond the edge of our campus. The people who make up our partner schools are like the aunts, uncles, and cousins we love to see whenever we get together because we are truly a family. No matter which Catholic school you attend, visiting any of them still feels like home.

Did you know? We hold an annual Cavalier Conference for our faculty, led by faculty.

We are a community called to excellence at Mount de Sales, and each year we hold a professional development conference led by our very own faculty. During this year’s Cavalier Conference, faculty held seminars in some of the following areas:

MDS Admissions: An Insider's Look Beyond Boring Bibliographies: MLA Mastery & the Extended Annotation Teacher's Toolbox: Artificial Intelligence ...and many more!

INTERVIEW WITH BRENDAN O’KANE, INCOMING PRESIDENT OF MOUNT DE SALES ACADEMY

Why did you choose a career in education?

God has gently guided me towards choosing a career in education My mother was a teacher, the kind that received notes from former students to let her know the impact she had on their lives She has always been a role model for me and was the reason I started teaching as a high school student as a part of my school's Parish Religious Education Program During the second semester of my senior year of college, I was offered the opportunity to begin working at a Catholic middle school, and upon graduation I began teaching there through an AmeriCorps program. This has led me to teaching opportunities at the middle and high school levels in addition to roles in ministry and administration. Each day I am grateful for this choice.

What do you believe sets Catholic education apart from others? Families want to know their child is loved, challenged, and cared for every day they are at school, and this is what we do. Pope Francis stated this beautifully when he wrote, "In order to educate, one has to be able to combine the language of the head with the language of the heart and the language of the hands." Catholic education forms students in their ability to think, feel, and do all while uniting these efforts to something greater. When students realize they have been given great gifts and are called to use these gifts to help serve our loving God, everything changes One is not only taking algebra to advance to the next level but also to be able to be a problem solver and to take on new challenges that will bring out the best in them and the world

What about the culture or the community at Loyola Blakefield would you like to bring to MDS?

Catholic schools are called to embrace a foundation in religious hope and joy. I have loved being a part of cultivating this in the culture at Loyola Blakefield. Where we are in Maryland there are many great options for families when deciding where to send their children, and we have to work hard to establish ourselves as the go-to choice. We have anchored our work in prayer, and this provides us with an unending source as we seek to provide the best educational experience possible. At MDS I look to do the same - collaborate to celebrate and nurture a culture of religious hope and joy and communicate how remarkable MDS is.

What was your initial impression of the Mount de Sales community when you visited in December?

Everything changed when my wife and I stepped foot on campus at Mount de Sales Academy. We knew it would be special based on how intentional and caring the interview process had been thus far in addition to a warm welcome from the trustees. What we weren't prepared for was how inspiring the time would be. There was a deep sense of reverence and pride that we could feel Each person we met spoke with confidence about the importance of their experience at MDS It felt exciting, like something of which we wanted to be a part It felt like home

What was the deciding factor that made you choose MDS?

The rich tradition and limitless potential For almost 150 years, MDS has provided a transformational Catholic educational experience that has positively impacted the local and global community I have spoken to alumni who have worked relentlessly to be able to provide their children with an MDS education and to me, this is a testament to the faculty and staff and all who have ensured MDS thrives As we prepare for the next 150 years, we have the potential to increase our impact and work toward a future where the Cavaliers are leading the way, serving with passion, and helping to build the kingdom of God

What are you most looking forward to about moving to Macon?

We've enjoyed our time in Macon and look forward to exploring it more Right now, I'm most looking forward to connecting with the Cavalier community and meeting the people and organizations in Macon with which we partner. I look forward to listening and learning!

What is your leadership style or philosophy?

Most importantly, we are all praying for one another. Making time each day to pray for the entire Mount de Sales Academy community will be a priority. Rooted in this, my focus is on communication, empowerment, and trust. Communication begins with listening, requires honesty, and is to be seen as a labor of love. Empowerment is the recognition that each person in the community is important for our success, we are better when we are all flourishing in our various roles and have the guidance and support we need Finally, I work to earn and retain trust and extend this to all When communication, empowerment, and trust are high priorities then we can prayerfully and joyfully greet any opportunity or challenge that comes our way, knowing we are on this road together

What do you hope to achieve after your first year as president?

In my first year, I seek to cherish the great work being done, get to know the community, assess needs, share dreams, and strategically work and plan to ensure our future. At the end of the first year, my hope is the Cavalier community will feel even more excited and even more hopeful about the great things God is doing and has in store for this community Go Cavaliers! Read

ACCOUNTABLE FOR EXCELLENCE

by Laura Johnson, Director of Institutional Advancement

This year, we began referring to Mount de Sales as “ a community called to excellence.” However, defining and measuring excellence poses a challenge. It is inherently subjective, as evident in a Google search, which reveals many schools, each with its own unique vision of excellence For instance, one school defines excellence as “ a clear set of values and beliefs practiced and reinforced by all authorities in the school,” while another asserts that a highly effective school incorporates “ a rigorous academic program in a culture of trust and high expectations ” Even our students perceive excellence at Mount de Sales through their own lenses, be it success in athletics, preparation for highlevel college success, or a faculty that genuinely cares

There are several ways we measure and hold ourselves accountable to providing excellent education at Mount de Sales One is through accreditation by an independent educational association in our case, the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS)/Cognia SAIS accreditation is widely recognized as a symbol of excellent educational programs To earn accreditation, schools must meet quality standards, be evaluated by an outside group of peer professionals, and implement a school plan focused on strategic improvement and student performance

SAIS’s accreditation method is centered around a school’s unique mission and self-examination According to SAIS, “In today’s world of accountability in schooling, accreditation serves as a critical component of a school’s demonstrated effectiveness and ability to provide successful schooling for children. A school that is able to achieve accreditation demonstrates a commitment to a process that requires the school to meet a set of rigorous standards; to engage in a program of continuous school improvement; and to demonstrate quality assurance to its stakeholders through selfevaluation and peer-review.”

SAIS team members from other private schools visited MDS in the spring of 2023 to review the school’s self-study and compliance with standards for educational excellence. Some of the visiting team’s commendations of MDS included:

“Nurturing a strong sense of belonging amongst students. Students value diversity and their relationships with teachers.”

“Offering students a strong academic, skills-focused foundation, reflected in annual college acceptances that compare favorably to peer schools, as well as in alumni testimonials.”

“Seeking to create comfortable learning spaces and environments, demonstrating teachers’ commitment to balance, engagement, and student well-being.”

“Supporting a dedicated faculty that is committed to their students’ learning and prepares their students for success at the college level.”

Another way we evaluate our effectiveness is through the Mercy Education Mission Accountability Self-Study, directed by our sponsors, the Sisters of Mercy. In fact, the Sisters state that one of the purposes of the self-study and peer review process is to give member schools “ an opportunity to celebrate the ways they foster excellence in Mercy Catholic education.”

Member Mercy schools evaluate themselves and set goals for the future based on two overarching standards Mercy Charism and Catholic Identity and criteria for each. The peer review ensures that a Mercy school is “rooted in the Gospel through the Catholic faith and the Mercy charism and that it is a place where all students have the opportunity to learn, achieve and feel empowered to take their rightful place as a merciful presence in Church and society.”

FR. CASEY COLE, O.F.M. DURING CANDLELIGHT CAROL 2023

Following a school visit, Mercy Education administrators make a report with commendations and recommendations on how to better serve our students in an excellent academic and faith-driven environment. Some of the comments about Mount de Sales from the recent report include:

“The faculty express a love for the students and the Mercy Catholic tradition … Students are proud to be Cavaliers and take their rightful place as scholars and servant leaders. The school’s commitment to excellence is witnessed in the students’ honor code and a discipline policy that encourages the presentation of merits rather than demerits.”

“The aspects of Mercy Catholic life that rose to the top as we engaged with your school community are dignity and respect for each other, diversity, women’s leadership development, servant leadership, and the incorporation of the [Sisters of Mercy] Critical Concerns in your clubs and curriculum.”

Mission Statement

Mount de Sales Academy, an independent Catholic school sponsored and inspired by the Sisters of Mercy, is a diverse college-preparatory community of learners students and teachers alike who are poised to discover, challenged to innovate, and motivated to serve.

Our work does not cease once the visiting teams depart and reports are compiled. On the contrary, after SAIS and Sisters of Mercy evaluations, our faculty and staff immediately embark on implementing the school improvement goals established during the accountability studies, along with the recommendations derived from peer reviews. Our pursuit of excellence remains unwavering.

“I can’t help but think back to 2022 when Katelyn, Jai, Graham, and Jordan laid a foundation for what so many are currently benefiting from These girls were present as freshmen and sophomores, taking on the best in the state of Georgia, and now as juniors and seniors, they will have their last opportunity together to be the best in the state of Georgia ”

CELEBRATING THE 800TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIVITY AND THE ORDER OF FRIARS MINOR: A CONVERSATION WITH FATHER CASEY COLE, O.F.M.

by Christina Sabo, Director of Marketing & Communications

Kind smiles, gentle voices, working hands, and humble hearts. These words, and so many other beautifully descriptive words, begin to define a Franciscan Friar. Families who live in the area of middle Georgia are more than likely used to seeing a familiar brown habit tied together with a three-knotted cincture (rope) walking the grounds of a Catholic parish, school, or out in the community serving the poor What sets the Franciscan apart is a life fully devoted to serving others, mirroring the life of Christ in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi.

The history of the beloved order of friars who serve and humbly lead within the middle Georgia communities is not only fascinating but dates back over 800 years. The order was founded in 1209 and ratified in 1223.

I was recently blessed to sit with Father Casey Cole, O F M , a Franciscan friar and the chaplain of Mount de Sales Academy, to talk about his vocation to Franciscan life and our Catholic faith The main topic of discussion was last year’s 800th anniversary of the founding of the Franciscans and how they recently came together as one united Province for the first time within the United States (its headquarters is only an hour away from Macon in Atlanta).

“It was because of these experiences that I went on to college to study religion, wanting to become a youth minister myself.”

FR. CASEY COLE, O.F.M. DURING CANDLELIGHT CAROL 2023

“The Catholic Church isn’t just a Church with nice thoughts; it is a Church that has something to give the world!”

Fr. Casey Cole, O.F.M.: A Beloved Franciscan Friar and Chaplain

Every Thursday morning during the school year at Mount de Sales, students reverently rush to take a seat in Zuver Amphitheater to listen to Father Casey Cole speak. He engages students after homeroom on a variety of topics, spreading the message of the Gospel in eloquent and relatable ways. Upon his installation as chaplain, Fr. Casey asked Mount de Sales Academy for time to give the student body, faculty, and staff the opportunity to gather and pray together as a community. This request evolved into Fr. Casey’s “Thursday Thoughts.” In no time at all, Thursday mornings became the favorite part of the week on campus which is evident in the expression of tranquility and joy on everybody’s faces.

Fr Casey’s Thursday Thoughts are just one of the many moments in which the work of the Holy Spirit comes to fruition on campus at Mount de Sales Academy As the chaplain, Fr Casey regularly encourages the people around him to be good stewards and live out the virtues of our Catholic faith, particularly by emulating the work of St Francis

The Journey Toward Vocation

Fr Casey grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania While he was raised Catholic, he didn’t feel energetic or excited about his faith in his youth. Fr. Casey recalls that he believed in God and knew his faith was important, but didn’t feel that religion was.

In his early years, Fr Casey and his family were members of a parish that, at the time, he believed was mundane and lacked zeal He can remember feeling that Mass was boring, unstimulating, and pointless

When he was 14, Father moved with his family from Pennsylvania to North Carolina There, his faith began to flourish, and his sense of discipleship grew His new parish in North Carolina was vibrant and full of life and had a thriving youth program There, he could engage with friends, talk to the girl he liked, and hang out with his fellow baseball players The gym attached to the church of his new parish held over 200 teens every Sunday night after Mass for youth group.

“I had the freedom to do what I liked and see what I [could] like,” he said. “My faith was not something that I had to do; I enjoyed it, and the feeling grew. I became a leader within my youth group. At that time, I felt a [true] ownership of my faith and wanted to share it. It was because of these experiences that I went on to college to study religion, wanting to become a youth minister myself.”

While attending Furman University, Father minored in poverty studies, which opened him up to new experiences and Catholic social teaching. During these years, he began to contemplate all that is wrong in the modern world and how we have an answer to so much of it. He studied the works and life of St. Oscar Romero and Dorothy Day as well as letters written by Pope St. John Paul II, and Pope Benedict XVI. Ultimately, his studies led him to the life and works of St. Francis of Assisi. He realized that “the Catholic Church isn’t just a Church with nice thoughts; it is a Church that has something to give the world!”

Fr Casey began to feel called to the life of a religious one summer during college when he lived within his campus parish with three other students His campus minister was a Franciscan friar, and he got to know him well that summer While Father was away from his girlfriend, he realized that community life was satisfying and felt an unexplainable intimacy with the Lord In that moment, the seed of something greater was planted within his heart, and he began to understand that God was calling to him to take the first steps of a new journey

Father Casey had always imagined that he would pursue the vocation of marriage and family Now, he felt that this life was not what the Lord was calling him to do Seeing the work of the friars on campus and within the campus parish led to a twoyear period of prayerful discernment. During his time, Father traveled to Philadelphia to work directly with the Franciscan friars at the St. Francis Inn (where Mount de Sales Academy students traveled to serve the poor this past January ).

Working there gave him serenity amid the chaos that comes from tending to so many in desperate need. He discovered a love of helping the poor and destitute that felt like it was a fulfillment of the Lord’s call.

“I was already pretty much living the Franciscan vows,” said Fr. Casey. “I lived close to poverty as a college student, I didn’t have a romantic interest, and I practiced obedience living with people I didn’t have things in common with or liked I felt comfortable, very happy, and it just felt right ”

Saying

“Yes” to the Lord

The final answer came to Fr Casey in one specific and beautiful moment “I remember going to the chapel to take a nap during that summer, because it was quiet [and] peaceful, and it was the only building with air conditioning The weather outside was just hot I sat that day in front of the tabernacle alone Something inside me knew that I wanted to be a Franciscan, that I had made up my mind months ago, [and] I was just afraid to admit it. It was in that moment that I said those words out loud ‘I want to be a friar’ and immediately felt a great sense of calm.”

When you speak to Fr. Casey about his journey to his vocation, God’s plan for him is apparent. The way in which he speaks is captivating yet peaceful, just as one would imagine the tone of St. Francis.

Fr. Casey is talented in reaching the masses and connecting to youth in ever-changing ways, answering Pope Benedict XVI’s call for a “ new evangelization.” He began writing a blog upon entering the Franciscans in 2011, and since then, he has produced videos for multiple YouTube channels, hosted two podcasts, and published three books. He also uses Instagram and TikTok to reach people around the world.

“Throughout all of my discernment within my life, there has been an evangelical zeal,” Fr. Casey explains. “Whether it’s the cross, Stranger Things, or film, I find something I love, and I want to share it with people. I want to talk about it. The friars helped me with that. St. Francis was a preacher; that’s what Franscicans have done for 800 years. They go and spread the word. My vocation story continues, over the last 12 years since I made that decision, to figure out what it continues to look like. I’ve done many different things. If I were to define my vocation, it would be to care for the poor and evangelize.”

Reflections of a Beloved Friar and Priest

Two current Mount de Sales Academy faculty shared heartfelt reflections about Fr Casey’s work, his weekly Thursday Thoughts, and the blessing that he is to the community, especially for the students the future of the Church:

“Fr Casey’s willingness to spend time with the students allows him to be present [as they] share their school days with him It’s been so great to have a priest who is aware of some of the day-to-day struggles our students face and who can sincerely share the Gospel with them in light of this presence Students are very comfortable seeing him in classrooms or in everyday spaces and are great at including him in their conversations and interactions. Fr. Casey is never content with having students come to him; he is always looking for ways to engage them and give of his time for their benefit.”

“Fr. Casey addresses difficult and challenging situations and themes of ‘everyday life,’ and he repaints them through a Biblical and Scriptural perspective. His personal and communal challenge during Thursday Thoughts is to see the other side of the ‘coin’ and rethink or reapproach our ideas and attitudes. He challenges and exhorts us to put on different lenses and see our situations and neighbors through the eyes of Christ, usually up-ending and retweaking accepted societal norms and ways that we engage with and encounter our neighbors. Fr. Casey brings a perspective enjoined by Christ to the students that is both spiritually refreshing individually while joyfully continuing Jesus’ mission at Mount de Sales Academy to spread the Gospel message.”

One Province, United in Brotherhood

The Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe defines itself by stating, “The Franciscan friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a coast-to-coast Catholic brotherhood devoted to living the Gospel in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. They serve the poor, the forgotten and the marginalized alongside people of goodwill located across the United States, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Jamaica.”

During the 1800s, there was a cultural struggle, or kulturkampf, in Germany that spread to various parts of Europe. Franciscans from different nations saw the need and opportunity to serve immigrant communities in the United States during this time and began establishing themselves on American soil. Due to this continued rapid growth and movement, the Order of Friars Minor within the U S was mainly directed by language the Germans served the Germans, the Italians served the Italians, the Poles served the Poles, and so on During this time, there was a natural overlap of provinces, but it didn’t become an issue until long after these groups integrated into American culture

As Fr. Casey explained, “Over the past 200 years, Franciscans came to realize, ‘Wait, we are all the same friars, and we all speak the same language. Why do we have seven provincials, seven vicars, seven vocation directors, seven finance councils, and seven of everything separately?’ What the friars came to realize at that time is that more time was being spent with so many different friars in those roles that it was taking time away from being out in the world doing the work.”

About 20 years ago, several of the provinces started discerning the possibility of uniting together as one province. The original plan was to do so in 2020. Due to the pandemic and what came along with it, they pushed it to 2023 the same year as the 800th anniversary of the ratification of the Order and St. Francis’ creation of the Nativity.

Read more about the Unification for the Order of Friars Minor in the United States by scanning the QR code below to read the MDS Musings Blog article - Celebrating the 800th Anniversary of the Nativity.

The Nativity, Narrated by Fr. Casey Cole

As we prepared our hearts this past Christmas , we invited readers to listen to a history of the Nativity created for Mount de Sales Academy and narrated by Fr Casey I encourage you to listen together with your family in heartfelt prayer, closing your eyes and taking a step back in time to the year 1223 with St Francis of Assisi and to revisit this year after year You can listen to the recording by scanning the QR code below

As the Franciscans say it best

2022-2023 IMPACT REPORT

Click to view

SENIOR PRACTICUM, A STUDENT REFLECTION

by Molly Brown, Class of 2024

For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a teacher, following in the footsteps of my mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother So, when the opportunity to participate in the Senior Practicum program was presented to me, I knew I had to do it.

This program, offered to MDS seniors, allows us to venture into the community to explore a field of our own choice. During the year, each senior participant chooses a mentor, whom they shadow and observe. This mentorship allows students to get hands-on experience and a better understanding of the profession.

This year, my mentor has been Mrs. Fawn MacMillan, a first-grade teacher at St. Joseph’s Catholic School. My experience with Mrs. MacMillan has taught me a great deal about teaching and learning

I observed small things that had a significant meaning. One day, I noticed just how difficult it was for the kids to use the pencil sharpener. As I was observing, the kids would walk up to the sharpener and either jam it in there too hard or not at all. A pencil sharpener needs to have the perfect in between to sharpen a pencil. Mrs. MacMilllan is like this: By watching her, I can see she is very sweet to the kids but teaches them boundaries and respect. She doesn’t push their minds too much but just enough so they have sharpened skills to excel when they get to second grade. Her teaching style is one that I want to emulate if I choose this field.

Mrs. MacMilan wasn’t the only person I learned from on my visits. Through my experience in the classroom, I learned that young children are inquisitive and curious about the world around them. They ask a lot of questions! Albert Einstein once said, “The important thing is to not stop questioning ” So, though the students ask many questions, it is the teacher’s job to make them feel heard and encourage their learning

The Senior Practicum program extends our high school curriculum into the real world As I sat in the first-grade classroom, I saw concepts I had learned in classes like AP Psychology and Sociobiology play out in real life The knowledge I learned in my own classes at MDS helped me understand what was happening in the students’ brains and gave me the urge to learn more

This program has been beneficial in more ways than one It has given me the confidence to pursue teaching as a career, and it has also allowed me to explore different pathways in teaching. For example, my experience in the classroom has brought to my attention children with dyslexia and their learning needs.

Another benefit of the Senior Practicum program is that it forces seniors out of our comfort zone and into professional settings. In the program, we learn skills such as making phone calls, sending emails, and dressing professionally. As each senior goes out in the community, we have the opportunity to practice these skills.

Senior Practicum has helped prepare me to leave MDS and go to college with confidence. I know the career path I want to take and have gained the skills to pursue it. All students with this opportunity should take the leap and put in the hard work it takes to complete this program.

FR. CASEY COLE, O.F.M. DURING CANDLELIGHT CAROL 2023

KEEPING IN TOUCH: THE VISION FOR THE YOUNG ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

by Lauren Deal, Director of Constituent Relations

For several years, there has been a desire in the Mount de Sales community to form a young alumni committee, particularly for alums 1-15 years out of MDS Royce Collins (2001) led the charge in 2023 by identifying the need for an association to engage and connect further with this alumni group Royce shared:

‘Cavaliers for life’ is more than a hashtag for social media We need young alumni, along with all members of the MDS community family, to get engaged and find new ways to do their part By building strong connections between the school and young alumni, we are setting the groundwork for future cavaliers from our families, reaching diverse communities that alumni are a part of, and offering an opportunity to stay connected to the Middle Georgia [area] through financial support and giving. In the words of our MDS Fight Song, “Loyal and true we ever answer her call, Stand Up for Mount de Sales!”

The Young Alumni Association is a vibrant community of recent graduates dedicated to fostering connections and opportunities for professional growth. Comprising enthusiastic graduates from diverse backgrounds, the Association’s purpose is to foster community and introduce opportunities for alums to stay connected after they graduate, head to college, and begin their careers. The Association’s goals are to organize social and networking events to establish student/alumni relationships for mentorship and to serve as a resource for the unique needs and aspirations of young alumni

Through collaboration and engagement, members of the Young Alumni Association build lasting relationships while contributing to the continued success and legacy of Mount de Sales Academy.

“ There are countless talented, and plugged-in members of our community [who] graduated from Mount de Sales, and it really falls on us to not forget the place that helped shape us into the successful people we are today and to foster creating an inclusive space where former Cavaliers [can] connect and grow together.”

Lauren.Deal@mountdesales.net Lauren.Deal@mountdesales.net to get started! to get started! And make sure to update your info by scanning the QR And make sure to update your info by scanning the QR code to receive the latest alumni news and updates. code to receive the latest alumni news and updates.

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Share your news with us and update your mailing and email address! Send in birth announcements, engagements, marriages, jobs and promotions. Scan to submit your news, email us at alumni@mountdesales.net or call (478) 751-3240

Bella Bass (2018), joined the Atlanta Braves Team as their 2024 ticket sales trainee. As a ticket sales trainee, Bella is responsible for selling both single-game tickets and group and hospitality groups for the Atlanta Braves.

Commander Burnes Brown (2002), United States Navy, was promoted to Commander of the USS South Dakota (SS790), a nuclear powered Virginia-class submarine on February 23, 2024.

Chelsey Cashwell (2011), recently became the first MMA champion in the women’s 60K category in the history of Vietnam.

Stephen Murphey (2012) and Lauren Webb Murphey (2011) welcomed their new baby girl, Mia Sloan Murphey, on January 13, 2024. Mia and Stephen now share the same birthday!

Maggie O’Brien Gerwig (2008), and her husband, Chris Gerwig, welcomed their new baby girl, Abigail Grace Gerwig on November 6, 2023.

Karla Redding-Andrews was featured in Georgia Trend’s 500 Most Influential Leaders 2023 for the 2nd time in a row. Karla is the Vice President of The Otis Redding Foundation.

8th

We Celebrate our Catholic Partner Schools We Celebrate our Catholic Partner Schools in Middle Georgia in Middle Georgia

St. Joseph’s Catholic School, St. Joseph’s Catholic School, St. Peter Claver Catholic School & St. Peter Claver Catholic School & Sacred Heart Catholic School Sacred Heart Catholic School

DIGITAL EDITION