Valedictorian Emily Sering and Salutatorian Lachlan Borders

Congratulations to the 2024 Valedictorian Emily Sering and Salutatorian Lachlan Borders. Emily graduated from St. Jude Catholic School and is the daughter of Jill and Joseph Sering. Lachlan graduated from St. Roch Catholic School and is the son of Alicia and Jeff Borders. Congratulations to these outstanding Royals!

Congratulations to Father Timothy Wyciskalla R'06, pastor of St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, on receiving the National Catholic Educational Association's (NCEA) Lead, Learn, Proclaim Award. Fr. Tim is the only pastor in the country to receive this prestigious honor in 2024! He will receive his award on Monday, April 1 when the NCEA starts its annual four-day conference in Pittsburgh. Your Roncalli family is so proud of you, Fr. Tim!

On Friday, March 8, each grade level will have a specific designated learning experience. Freshmen will report to the Bishop Chartrand Gym for the Day of Reflection from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Juniors will report to school for the SAT from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Sophomores and seniors will stay at home for an eLearning Day. They must log on to Canvas for attendance purposes by no later than noon. 

Congratulations to these Royals who earned Gold at ISSMA State: Lucia Spencer, Scarlett Shell, Lucas Oskins and Ronnie Malan! All four received the highest ratings possible on their individual instruments. Lucas Oskins also received a Gold with Distinction, only missing a perfect score by half a point. Way to go, Royal musicians!

left to right: seniors Liz Schafer, Maylee Johnson, sophomore Claire May, seniors Tori Grant, Ellie Brueggemann and freshman Lucy Perry

The Royal gymnastics team finished fifth out of 11 teams in a tough sectional matchup at Franklin Central last Friday. Senior Liz Schafer placed fifth on vault and will advance to Regionals! Good luck to Liz!

Row 1: Thomas Mallers, Chelsy De La Cruz, Nancy Curd, Ana Garcia Gutierrez and Oscar Mendoza

Row 2: Zeke Littell, Nathan Gundersen, Keegan Rund and Andrew Mason

Not pictured: Andrew Curry

Congratulations to our January students of the month! Their outstanding accomplishments in the classroom were celebrated at a catered luncheon and certificate presentation on Monday.

Congratulations to our Royal Rhapsody Show Choir on their fourth grand championship at the Franklin Central Hoosier Show Choir Classic! They swept the competition, winning Best Show, Outstanding Visuals, Outstanding Vocals and Grand Champions. The choir's Outstanding Performer was junior Ivan Figueroa.

This concludes the show choir season. Royal Rhapsody is ranked the number one small mixed show choir in the state of Indiana! They were undefeated this season in their small mixed division. They also won third runner-up against the large school mixed division. Congratulations to this talented group of performers!

On February 26, Roncalli Boys Golf Coach Jim Poole was awarded the Deacon Palmer Award at the Indiana PGA Annual Business Meeting. This award bestows special recognition on a PGA Golf Professional who personally displays outstanding integrity, character and leadership, in the effort to overcome a major obstacle in their life. This individual is an unsung hero/heroine at their facility and in their community, who serve to inspire, empower and assist others, both inside and outside of the game. This award was first given in 2014 to Arnold Palmer in honor of his Father who the Award is named after. 

Read more about the award at the Indiana Golf Association website.

Congratulations to Coach Poole!

Tickets for the play “Murder on the Orient Express” are now on sale. The play will be performed March 7 at 7:00 PM, March 8 at 7:00 PM and March 9 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased at roncalli.booktix.com. 

Tickets are $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for Roncalli students and children 14 years old and younger.

Who can donate: Any Roncalli student, alumni, faculty or staff member

Who can shop on March 9th: Any current Roncalli student

What: Bring in clean, gently used formal wear (dresses, suits, ties, shoes) for students to reuse for Prom

When: Bring in items now up until the swap and then come shop Saturday, March 9th from 10am-12

Where: Roncalli Student Life Center

Why: All donations will be first offered to current Roncalli students. Any remaining items will be donated to Isaiah 117 House who support children and teens in the Foster Care system.

Questions: School Social Workers Mrs. Perry LPerry@roncalli.org or Mrs. Buxton DBuxton@roncallil.org

LENT COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT

The annual Roncalli Blood Drive will take place on March 6 in the BC Gym from 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Students 16 and older are eligible to donate with a signed parental consent form. This can be picked up in the main office or room 008 from Mrs. Rose. Any student who donates will receive one general service hour. The Roncalli community is welcome to sign up to donate as well! Sign up using this link. Any questions can be directed to Sarah Rose at srose@roncalli.org

The Four Paws Club is open to all students and staff at Roncalli who love animals. The purpose of the club is to educate students about the various local service opportunities involving animals. The group volunteers at Animal Care and Control on the southside as well as local humane societies. Activities include dog walking, working at adoption days, grooming and bathing the animals and much, much more!

Roncalli Spanish teacher and Four Paws Club co-moderator Jill Fortin, states, "I wanted to moderate the Four Paws Club because the Humane Society and other shelters provide such necessary respite for animals. I have volunteered for senior housing/centers, so this was a way to mix it up. It's a great combination of service and fun!"

Sophomore Izzy Ahaus adds, "I do Four Paws because I think it might help me with my future career as a veterinarian. What I like about it is that I interact with animals and help clean their cages. I have always had a passion for animals."

If you have any questions about the Four Paws Club or any other clubs, please reach out to Mr. Michael Wantz, Assistant Principal for Student Life, at mwantz@roncalli.org.

School policy does not provide for any early start of or extension of either fall or spring break. No student will be excused from school on any day(s) the week before or the week after fall or spring break. Any student’s absence on these days will be considered unexcused. An unexcused absence means that one point will be deducted from the student’s cumulative grade in each class at the end of that grading period. Teachers are not required to make special provisions for students who are unexcused. Students absent because of illness on the day(s) preceding and/or immediately following fall or spring break will be required to bring a doctor’s excuse to the Attendance Officer upon their return to school.

Here is your chance to win 2 tickets to see Taylor Swift in Indy for $25! 

This is the opportunity of a lifetime. Win TWO (2) concert tickets for Taylor Swift’s "The Eras Tour." The show that is sweeping the nation is stopping in Indianapolis this November, and you don't want to miss it! 

The winner will receive TWO floor tickets (Floor, Section H, Row 19, Seats 1 & 2) to the Taylor Swift Eras Tour Concert at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, November 1, 2024. 

Raffle tickets are $25 each. There is no limit to the number you can purchase. All proceeds benefit this year's Circle of Faith projects.

Raffle tickets are on sale now in the Advancement Office through Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 3:00 PM. 

The winner will be drawn at ROAR on Saturday, April 27, 2024. (You need not be present to win.)

Must be 18 to purchase tickets.

Buy your raffle tickets today in the Roncalli Advancement Office or reserve them here using the button below. Purchase is not final until payment has been received in the Advancement Office.

"Taylor Swift - Eras Tour Raffle" Official Rules

ORDER YOUR TICKETS BY MARCH 14 TO SAVE $50 

To infinity and beyond. Blast off to a night of laughter, games, friendship and nostalgia. Experience a Toy Story themed adventure for grown-ups at Roar 2024, Roncalli's premier fundraiser. The evening will include cocktails, dinner, silent and live auctions, as well as entertainment. Dress as your favorite toy or childhood character and round up your friends for an evening you won't forget.

Roar is Roncalli's favorite fundraiser that you won't want to miss.

All funds raised at Roar benefit our students, families, faculty and staff.

Make your reservation by March 14 and receive $50 off per ticket.

Join us for ROAR Story!

Help us ignite a bidding frenzy at ROAR. We are on the lookout for items to make our auction memorable and lucrative. It could be a one-of-a-kind experience, exclusive memorabilia, or something that brings you joy.  

This week we are focusing on the ladies. We need spa gift cards, massage, hair, nails, facials, She-Shed items, chocolate, wine, jewelry, all the things that ladies love. 

Please reach out to Andrea Wagner awagner@roncalli.org (317) 787-8277 ext. 210.

DRIVER EDUCATION 2024

COST: $385

AGE REQUIREMENT: Must be 15 years old by May 1st

THEORETICAL (CLASSROOM) TRAINING: Must attend either session I or session II. There are 15 class days in each session, and students must attend all class days to fulfill State requirements. Missed classes and assignments must be made up. Excessive absences will result in dismissal from the class.

SESSION I: April 2 - 5, 9 - 12, 15 - 19, 22 & 23 (3:15 PM - 5:15 PM) FULL

SESSION II: The following Saturdays from 7 AM - 9 AM: April 6, 13, 20; May 4, 11, 18. From 7 AM - 9 AM for the weekdays of May 28 - 31 and June 3 - 7. There are no classes Memorial Day weekend. (ONLY 5 spots still available)

DRIVING PHASE: Every student must have six hours of behind-the-wheel driving experience. Driving sessions will take place during the months of May and June. You will have the opportunity to cross off times that will not work for your son/daughter due to family vacations, camps, etc. Their assigned driving times will be posted outside the school’s main office during the third week of May. Parents should begin the process of gathering documents to obtain a learner’s permit as soon as possible to avoid issues. A learner’s permit is required to drive. Students will receive additional paperwork from RHS necessary for the permit two weeks before the classroom portion starts. The Indiana BMV website is a good resource to see what is needed.

REGISTRATION: Registration forms are available to interested students in the school’s main office. Deposits of $200 and completed registration forms will be accepted beginning February 2nd. They should be returned to Mrs. Baker in the school’s main office.  

Registration will close on FRIDAY, MARCH 22nd.

The balance of the account is due by May 1st. Students may not participate in the driving phase if a balance is still due.  

QUESTIONS: For further information please contact Mrs. Baker at the high school. 

*ENROLLMENT WILL BE LIMITED THIS YEAR TO THE FIRST EIGHTY-TWO (82) STUDENTS WHO SUBMIT THEIR REGISTRATION PAPERWORK AND DEPOSIT. 

On Monday, April 8, 2024, Indianapolis will be in the path of a total solar eclipse. The eclipse will begin at 1:50 PM, reach its maximum level at 3:06 PM, and end at 4:23 PM. The timing of this event coincides with our dismissal from school as well as after school activities, events, and practices. Because of this timing, we do not want students to deal with any traffic concerns or safety issues, nor miss the once-in-a-lifetime event. Here is a reminder for how Roncalli is handling this event:

• No school nor eLearning on Monday, April 8
• No extracurricular activities or athletics will be held from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM on Monday, April 8

DHS: Total Solar Eclipse 2024: Frequently Asked Questions (in.gov)

FAQ about eclipse and information

DHS: Total Solar Eclipse 2024: Where To Watch and Stay (in.gov)

Includes viewing sites

DHS: Total Solar Eclipse 2024: Viewing Safety

Click on the Where to Buy Viewing Aids

YEARBOOK

This year's 44-member student media staff is hard at work creating an outstanding yearbook. Make sure your student gets their own yearbook by ordering online now. The price is $80. Yearbooks will be passed out to graduating seniors in July and to all other students on the first day of the 2024-25 school year. Questions? Email Julie Albertson, journalism teacher, at jalbertson@roncalli.org.

Royals in Residence: Let a Roncalli Student Shadow You at Work! 

The Royals in Residence program is designed to connect Roncalli students with industry-certified professionals and allow them to learn more about a career in which they may be interested. Students will work with their School Counselor and the College & Career Counselor at Roncalli to identify careers of interest and then have the chance to shadow someone in their workplace. Students may use one of their college visit days to complete a Royals in Residence experience.

If you are interested in serving as a host professional for students to shadow, please click HERE to complete a brief informational form below. Your completion of the form does not commit you to anything, and Steven Freck will always work with you directly to schedule student visits in a manner that works with your time constraints.

Please direct questions to Steven Freck, college and career counselor, at sfreck@roncalli.org. 

Have your graduate's name permanently etched into Roncalli's Circle of Faith! Order your $125 custom brick by Friday, May 3, 2024 to ensure its completion by graduation on May 25th. Order two bricks for $200. All proceeds from brick sales benefit Roncalli's Circle of Faith fund.

Complete and return the form to become a part of the Roncalli Circle of Faith.

What can I put on the brick?

Your brick can display up to three lines of text, with 16 characters (including spaces and punctuation marks) per line.

How can I be sure the text on my brick will be correct?

When you order your brick, you will receive an acknowledgment letter that includes a verification of the engraved text. If something is spelled or listed incorrectly, please contact the Advancement Office at 317-787-8277 ext. 238 and make corrections within two weeks of receipt.

For questions please call Fran Davey in the Advancement Office at 317-787-8277, ext 238.

NOMINATE SOMEONE FOR A CIRCLE OF FAITH DISTINCTION AWARD

Do you know someone exceptional?

Each year, Roncalli High School and its Alumni Association present the Circle of Faith Distinction Awards. These awards were created to honor and recognize faculty, staff, alumni, volunteers and community members who serve with distinction, excel in their careers and devote themselves to their Catholic faith and Catholic education. Please take a moment to nominate a deserving recipient for one of the following awards:

• Alumni of the Year
• Honorary Alumni
• Volunteer of the Year
• St. John XXIII Award
• ROYAL Award

These awards recognize the important role our community plays in educating, nurturing and forming today’s students — tomorrow’s leaders.

Although nominations are accepted throughout the year, the deadline for 2024 recognition is Monday, April 15, 2024.

For a complete explanation of the criteria for these awards. See this link.

View past award recipients.

• Contact Aaron Hommell by email or call (317) 787-8277 ext. 242 with questions

RMN BROADCASTS

Roncalli Media Network (RMN) upcoming schedule:

• Friday, March 1, 6:00 PM, (audio only), Boys basketball 2nd round of the sectional

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis is conducting a brief, online Communications Survey. How do you prefer to acquire news and information of faith on important topics? What are your perceptions about the Church in general and our archdiocese specifically? 

Please click on the button below to complete this survey, helping us better communicate with you. Your responses are completely confidential. Thank you for taking the time to give us your feedback.

Roncalli in need of CDL licensed bus drivers!



Roncalli is successful on the athletic field, the stage and other competitions. All of this begins with bus transportation! Our yellow buses make over 200 trips per year, and we need drivers to safely move the Royals. Our drivers also drive for RHS and south deanery field trips, and we invite you to be a part of our success story.

If you do not have a CDL license, Roncalli will reimburse you for most, if not all, of the cost to obtain the license. We will also provide instruction and a bus for training. Most drives will take place after school or on Saturdays. This is a great way to stay involved in the community. Contact Jeff Buckley at transportationdirector@roncalli.org if you are interested in helping.

If you use the circle for drop-off or pick-up, you may have noticed our new A-frame sign. To help with traffic flow and to get as many cars off of Prague Road as possible, please pull all the way up to the large sign of Jesus to drop off or pick up. Please do not simply stop at the doors if there are no cars in front of you. Thank you for your cooperation!

LISTEN IN

TUITION WORK PROGRAM INFO

Major Crossroads: Smith Valley & 135

Need: Ride home every day & (occasionally to school) 

Contact: Andi Baker, administrative assistant, abaker@roncalli.org

Every little bit counts! Make sure your Kroger card is associated with Roncalli! Go to  https://www.kroger.com/i/community/community-rewards and choose "link your shopper's card" or create an account if you do not already have one. Roncalli’s code is AS409. The Roncalli community donated $6,635.28 to Roncalli last school year through the Kroger Community Rewards program!

PLEASE PRAY

• For Monica Stratton, wife of Mark Stratton, Hon'22, Roncalli visual arts teacher, as she is hospitalized with stage four cancer.
• For the repose of the soul of Dan Elsener, Jr. R'95, husband of Rebecca (Koehler) Elsener R'95, father of senior Charlie Elsener, Isabel (Elsener) Paul R'19, Lexi Elsener R'13 and Ava Elsener, son of Beth and Dan Elsener, brother of Andrew Elsener R'97, Anne Elsener R'97, Elizabeth (Elsener) Mayer R'00, Maria Elsener-Mayer R'03, Charles Elsener R'05, Joseph Elsener R'08, Sheila (Elsener) Hasty R'10 and Luke Elsener R'14 and uncle to many Roncalli alumni and current students.
• For God to bring us deeper into Your world, Your people, Your Lent. May this time be one of outward focus; seeking You in those we often ignore. Help us live a Lent focused on freedom, generosity and encounters. Give us hearts hungry to serve You and those who need what we have to give.
• For God’s blessings and mercy upon Archbishop Charles Thompson and his ministry in shepherding the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
• For those who struggle to find adequate food, clothing, shelter and medical services and for those most in need of God’s mercy.
• For healing of body, mind and spirit for all people dealing with depression, addiction or mental health issues.
• For strength and healing for all those fighting off life-threatening illnesses and for their families and caregivers.
• For the men and women of our armed forces and their families, especially our Roncalli High School alums serving in the military.
• For our Roncalli alums preparing for a religious vocation as a priest, religious woman or missionary.
• For vocations to the priesthood, religious life and missionary field, and that Roncalli High School and its families will provide a nurturing environment that fosters and supports these vocations.

RONCALLI HIGH SCHOOL

(317) 787-8277

info@roncalli.org

roncalli.org