Year End Tax Breaks Can Benefit You! During tax year 2005, additional tax breaks can benefit you. A recent article in FORBES magazine stated that the temporary tax break could make 2005 the year of giving generously. [Read the FORBES article at www.nolancatholichs.org/ia/annual- fund.htm for more information! ]

Donations postmarked by Dec. 31, 2005, are eligible for your 2005 tax deduction to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Your investment in the EIE Annual Fund helps provide for teacher salaries and benefits, tuition assistance, and assists in ongoing maintenance and repairs. It helps us create champions out of the young men and women entrusted to our care.

Annual Report now on-line! ~ Nolan Catholic is pleased to announce that our 2004-2005 Annual Report is now available on-line. We offer this electronic version to assure that you have access to our honor roll of volunteers and donors who have given of their time, talent, and treasure.

Additionally, this change enables us to reallocate to other school needs over $6,000 that would have gone towards the printing and mailing of the Annual Report.

Molly Meiners, left, a Nolan Catholic Jr. High 7 grader, was recently featured on a national television program. KFWD ran Teen Kids News covering a story on teens that have turned their interests into businesses. Molly was at a craft show in Montana where she was selling her hand made bookmarks when Teen Kids News approached her about being on the show. They filmed her pressing the flowers, making the bookmarks, and then selling them to the public. Molly first started her business when she was 10. Her business has grown under her guidance. To date, she has made and sold approximately 1,500 bookmarks. It started as a hobby and became a thriving business. Teen Kids News asked Molly what advice she would give to other teens who might be interested in started their own business. Molly said, "find something you love and just keep working at it."

More Eagle Scouts ~ Michael McCarter, Sophomore, received his Eagle Scout award in May. He is with Troop 254 in Bedford and had his Eagle Court of Honor over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Sophomore, Michael Hasbach, made Eagle Scout December 16, 2004. His eagle project was building an arched bridge in the nature center at Holy Trinity Catholic School, which he attended for 9 years.

Class of '08 Members Charlie Punches, Eric Esparza & Tony Cargile will be receiving their Eagle Scout awards in early 2006. They have been together since they were Cub Scouts at St. John The Apostle.

Merry Christmas from Nolan Catholic High School. You should have received your Christmas card from NCHS or it will come to you soon. What you may not realize is that a freshman art student created the image (see right) for this year's card. A small competition among Ms. McCarthy's Art I students garnered this beautiful image. Anne Conover '09 drew this Mary and Christ child that was selected for this year's school Christmas card. Congratulations Anne and thank you to all of the students who participated.

Care Packages - The Nolan Catholic Parents- of-Alumni Council sent 109 care packages to the Class of 2005 to wish them well on their semester finals. For those whose addresses we did not have, a letter with a greeting and a form were sent in hopes that they send in their college contact information. "Our goal is to send them care packages in spring 2006. We want these recent graduates to know that they are still a part of the family even though they are away," says Holly Tindall, Director of Alumni Relations.

Ms. Mary McCullough’s D period Christian Ministry Class assisted in the assembly of the letters and the care packages. These seniors will receive care packages next year when they go off to college. Having them to assist in the assembly will hopefully encourage them to send in their college contact information.

Christmas Break ~ NCHS will be closed December 19 through January 2, classes resume Tuesday, January 3, 2006.
See you next year!

Food Drive ~ On Friday, December 9, Mrs. Leese's junior religion classes collected a total of 1,708 canned food items which were delivered to the Arlington Life Center, The Arlington Salvation Army and Mission Arlington.

Project Graduation "Phoneraiser" ~ Did you get a new cell phone for Christmas? Great! How about sending the old one in for the Project Graduation Phoneraiser recycling project. The boxes are located in the Main and Dean's offices. We also accept ink cartridges. Please put them in plastic bags before putting in the boxes. Thanks for your continued support.

I would like to thank all the people and groups who were instrumental in the success of the State Champion football team. It takes a tremendous effort by a whole community to pull this off. I would like to thank the faculty and administration for their support and encouragement to our players and coaches. Thanks to the band, Royelles and cheerleaders for going above and beyond the call of duty. Nancy and Vickie were great in working with Coach Leo and Duckworth in preparing the pre-game meals and game day breakfasts. Our team moms led by Dana Hakes were incredible.

Fr. Larry and Fr. Mike, thank you for the Friday afternoon masses at 3:15pm sharp, your homilies were always on the money. Mary Ellen thanks for keeping us on track at all times. Coach Leo and his staff were exceptional and very dedicated in keeping us healthy through one of the hottest seasons on record. Coach Deason did a fabulous job of getting the offense prepared and ready to play. Coach Nelson did an excellent job in stopping the opposing offenses when it matte red the most in the playoffs. Coach Duckworth worked with Coach Nelson on the defense but also prepped the Special Teams and ran the summer strength program; this is where it all starts. Thank you to Mike Weber put in hundreds of hours with filming every practice and game. He was the last one to leave many Saturday mornings (2-3am)and the first one back to start copying tapes from opponents for our coaching staff and players.

Thanks to all of the coaching staff, Ryan Pollard, Michael Rosas, Larry Holmes, Jr. and David Murphy on their dedication and sacrifices that they all made.

This year's collection of players had a very difficult task ahead of them... a state title to defend. Every team was ready and up for us which made it more challenging. This group of men never backed off or flinched, they made a pact with each other that they would give up or give in. The amount of trust they had in each other from working together, sweating together, winning together and losing together carried them across the threshold to the title.

We are all very proud to represent Nolan Catholic and take that responsibility very seriously. It is common knowledge among our opponents that when you play Nolan Catholic you will face an ocean of blue and a loud and very proud crowd. Thanks to everyone for making a special season.

Sincerely, Joe Prud'homme