By Bill Brewer It’s back to where it all began for Dr. Sedonna Prater. And that is an answered prayer. As the 2023-24 academic year starts, Dr. Prater transitions from superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Knoxville to vice president of academics at Knoxville Catholic High School. And while …
New superintendent eager to start the academic year
By Jim Wogan Mary Ann Deschaine, a veteran educator with nearly three decades of experience as a teacher, principal, and superintendent, was announced as the new superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Knoxville on May 31. She served as superintendent of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Saginaw, …
Knoxville Catholic names new boys basketball head coach
Knoxville Catholic High School on May 30 announced Gabriel Blair as the next head boys basketball coach of the Fighting Irish. Mr. Blair hails from Gastonia, N.C., and is a coach, professional trainer, and basketball clinician. Since 2014, he has owned Relentless Sports Club and since 2015 has served as …
St. John Neumann Knights present Bishop’s Award to two eighth-graders
The 2023 Bishop’s Award of Excellence for graduating eighth-graders at St. John Neumann School in Farragut was given by Knights of Columbus Council 8781 to Estella Goad and Dresden LaFasto on May 15. St. John Neumann teachers observe the students throughout their time at the school for behaviors that are …
Notre Dame High School graduate earns $27,000 in scholarship awards
Over the weekend of June 25, recent graduate of the class of 2023 Maggie Haimelin of Notre Dame High School was announced as the first runner-up in the Distinguished Young Women of Tennessee. This is a significant scholarship program, one for which Maggie has spent years preparing. Maggie was awarded …
NDHS track and field athletes among standouts at Spring Fling
Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga was well-represented at the TSSAA Spring Fling state championships, with track and field athletes bringing home a number of high finishes in Division II, Class A. Kenny Hammond Jr. placed second in the state in the boys triple jump with a leap of 42 …
KCHS spring teams win multiple state titles
The Fighting Irish capture their first baseball crown, dominate in tennis, and collect five track victories By Dan McWilliams Knoxville Catholic High School in May made the most of the annual TSSAA Spring Fling spring-sports championships. Fighting Irish athletes came home with a number of Division II, Class AA state …
Notre Dame High School holds graduation
Students who were freshmen when COVID hit ready for next step in their journeys By Dan McWilliams Notre Dame High School’s 147th commencement took place May 13 before a full house at the football stadium. Head of school Deacon Hicks Armor presided as 99 seniors in the class of 2023 …
Knoxville Catholic High School holds graduation
By Bill Brewer Knoxville Catholic High School marked its 91st graduation ceremony on May 12 as 164 seniors walked across the stage to receive their diplomas. Commencement was held in the school’s football stadium, which was filled almost to capacity with family and friends of the graduates. It was a …
Diocese names new schools superintendent
By Jim Wogan Bishop Richard F. Stika has announced that Mary Ann Deschaine, Ed.S., a veteran educator with nearly three decades of experience as a teacher, principal, and most recently as superintendent of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, W. Va., has accepted the position of superintendent of Catholic …
KCHS students have medicine on their minds in new club
By Dan McWilliams Knoxville Catholic High School junior Andrew Dreiser has a strong interest in a medical career, and he has shared his zeal for that field with many of his fellow students by starting what has become the extremely popular Irish Medicine club. Begun in the fall, Irish Medicine …
Luke Smith leaves KCHS boys basketball program after one year
Knoxville Catholic head basketball coach Luke Smith is resigning his position as coach and personal finance teacher effective at the end of the 2022-23 school year. In his one season at the helm of the basketball program, Mr. Smith’s Fighting Irish team went 20-8 and was defeated in the state …