CHARLOTTE — This school year St. Patrick School students have been participating in the Trout in the Classroom program through the Rocky River Chapter of Trout Unlimited.
Students cared for 150 rainbow trout eggs starting last September, and after the eggs hatched in October students transferred them to a 55-gallon tank to monitor their growth and development.
The fish team, comprised of fourth- and fifth-graders, were responsible for conducting water quality tests and feeding. Twice weekly they were also responsible for changing the water in the tank.
The fish thrived, quickly crowding the tank, so the school gave 25 of the fish to J.T. Montessori School in Charlotte. The fish team kept in touch with the other school and the 25 fish were released on April 25.
On May 15, the fish team and all of the fourth- and fifth- grade classes traveled to South Mountain State Park where they were able to get in the water and release 46 healthy rainbow trout, including one that the students had named “Tiny” after it survived a rocky start in the hatchery to grow up and thrive despite being smaller than the other fish.
Students also learned about cold water conservation and how to care for fish along with other wildlife in North Carolina.
— Angie Noonan
‘Grounded in Faith – Building our Future’
Athletic and Activity Complex campaign kicks off with $1M gift
Christ the King High School’s “Grounded in Faith – Building our Future” capital campaign organizers and volunteers gathered for a kickoff event May 13 at the high school in Huntersville. (SueAnn Howell | Catholic News Herald)HUNTERSVILLE — Students and staff of Christ the King High School gathered in the school cafeteria on May 13 to hear some exciting news.
The school kicked off a $5.5 million “Grounded in Faith – Building our Future” capital campaign that day to fund a new Athletic and Activity Complex on campus.
During the kickoff celebration, the principal, Dr. Carl Semmler, said he is “thrilled to announce a lead gift of $1 million for our Athletic and Activity Complex. The anonymous donor family is happy to have a Catholic high school in the Huntersville area and is elated with CTK’s growth over the past eight years. The benefactors feel strongly that this capital campaign is pivotal in taking Christ the King to the next level.”
He also told students they are “million dollar people” and the donors’ confidence in them is evident in their $1 million pledge.
The capital campaign has already received another $980,000 in pledges, it was announced during the kickoff – and that news elicited rousing cheers from students and others gathered for the launch.
“I am awestruck with the outpouring of support for this venture. I feel very optimistic that after our kickoff today, the momentum will drive us to our goal in short order. Every gift will make a difference and, if we all pitch in, we can make our vision a reality,” Semmler said.
Christ the King High School has grown from 28 to 307 students in eight years, with enrollment expected to reach 330 for the 2019-’20 academic year.
Like the carefully managed growth of the high school itself, the capital campaign will fund the extensive Athletic and Activity Complex building project in stages – as each fundraising level is reached, designated phases of the project will be carried out.
When the first level of $3.5 million is reached, the gymnasium will be expanded to include a full-size court and two cross courts plus expanded seating from 120 to 690 spectators. Also included are men’s and women’s locker rooms for home and visiting teams, coaches and trainer offices, space for a fitness center and a new main entrance from the school lobby into the gymnasium, which will also serve as an awards gallery.
When the capital campaign reaches the second fundraising goal of $4.5 million, a full-size stage, including lighting and sound system will be built to accommodate student performances, school-wide liturgies and awards ceremonies.
At the final stage of the $5.5 million project, a pavilion will be built to serve as the new main entrance to the Athletic and Activity Complex and will include concessions, a Crusader ticket and spirit store and public restrooms. Also included in the goal is additional storage and completion of the fitness center which currently resides in the school building.
Jim Kelley, diocesan director of development, attended the May 13 capital campaign kickoff and helped pass out cookies to the students after the presentation.
“To receive $2 million in the first few weeks of the campaign is a great start, and to receive a $1 million gift is transformative,” Kelley said. “The momentum provided by this kind of gift will encourage others to make greater gifts themselves.”
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter. Steier Group contributed.
Learn more
Information about the “Grounded in Faith – Building our Future” capital campaign and how you can help is online at www.ctkchs.org. Questions? Contact Dr. Carl Semmler at 704-799-4400 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
