Dominican Starts the Journey

November 12, 2019
Ms. Shea Moreau, class of 2015

Ms. Shea Moreau (’15) returned to DHS for Club Induction Day. During her time at Dominican, Ms. Moreau served as E-Board Vice-President, Student Preacher, reporter for The Star and more. Committed to “journey toward greatness,” Ms. Moreau shared her experiences at both Dominican and LSU. This following is her speech to the DHS student body:

Father Andrew, a priest at Christ the King parish church on the LSU campus, once said during a homily, “We are not meant to live comfortably, but to live greatly.”

After hearing this, I began to think about how I could pursue a greater purpose in my own life. I realized that Dominican was the first step in my ability to try to live greatly. I ran for class coordinator eighth  grade year and did not get it, but I swear it’s because the girl who won did this amazingly fierce roar, and I just could not compete with that. I tried again, and I was elected 8F class representative. Not only was I given the opportunity to get involved in student council, but I was able to start my journey towards greatness.

I started to become a figure that not only relayed information from the meetings during homeroom, but I became approachable, empathetic and a leader. I then went on to be class coordinator and finished my Dominican career on E-Board as the Vice-President.

I used my position on Student Council to not only say announcements every morning but also to step in when someone needed a friend. Student Council gave me the opportunity to take that step towards greatness.

In May, I graduated from LSU, and I can’t think of an organization that I wasn’t a part of. I was a member of Kappa Delta sorority, and I was the Vice-President of the Panhellenic Council who oversaw all thirteen sororities campus. Additionally, I was on student government, I coordinated events with the nursing home through the speech pathology organization, well, the list goes on. Now that I am in graduate school, juggling cadaver lab, neuroscience and six patients a week.

I learned that Dominican is the reason I am successful. Dominican is the reason that I’m still taking steps towards greatness. Student Council was the first step in teaching me how to juggle real life. I am able to handle a large caseload because of Dominican.

In graduate school, I work with stroke patients who can no longer communicate with their families. I work with children with a variety of disabilities whose parents feel helpless because they can’t communicate with their child. I work with children with dyslexia who get bullied by their peers for being “dumb,” again. Again, the list goes on.

I chose this career because I am able to help others every day. My career doesn’t only challenge my mind; it challenges my heart. Dominican, specifically Student Council, taught me that I have the qualities to do this job well. I am timely, I am organized, and, most importantly, I care. I’m helping change lives for the better.

Dominican, you all have the same opportunity presented to you right now. Use this time to be the woman your classmates can look up to and confide in. Forego the comforts of the world and take on the challenge of achieving greatness.

Jesus + Me = Key

November 5, 2019

With a cool breeze and serene sounds of nature, getting closer to God is no problem. Relaxation comes easily to DHS juniors in Rosaryville while taking a break from their hectic school routine.

Reflecting on the Experience – Taking the time to gather her thoughts, junior Olivia Ryan writes a reflection of her retreat experience. Each year, members of the junior class participate in a two-day retreat at Rosaryville in Ponchatoula, La. – photo by Gloria Thomas

Every year, the junior class participates in a retreat at Rosaryville Retreat Center in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. Once per quarter, members of the junior class travel for an overnight stay where they can commune with God, nature and each other. The pine trees, freshly cut grass and cool crisp air work together to create a tranquil environment. Being in this retreat center supports the students’ use of prayer, group activities and pure fun to grow closer to God and their classmates.

 Campus Minister Ms. Claire Gallagher (‘04) and the 2019 Retreat Team worked together to make retreat a time to connect with Jesus through prayer and faith-building activities. In order to accomplish this plan, retreat is two full days long instead of the previous one and a half- day stay. Students leave Dominican in the morning, allowing a few extra hours for “even more time for God to remind us of our true purpose,” said Ms. Gallagher.

  “(The Retreat Team) recognized a need for more time with God outside of school,” Ms. Gallagher said. “We found that it’s difficult to disconnect from a school mindset when you’re spending half the day at school and then going on retreat.” Ms. Gallagher and the Retreat Team see this important get-away as an outlet for students to take time to detach from school and spend time with God.

Locking in the meaning of the retreat, senior Emilie Wensel leads a group of juniors in creating mementos of their time together in Rosaryville. As a Retreat Team member, Wensel helped plan the retreat around the theme, Jesus Is Key. – photo by Gloria Thomas

This year’s theme is Jesus is Key, and Retreat Team members want to reinforce the idea to “’waste time’ with God anyway you know how to,” said Ms. Gallagher.   “From music to coloring, being in God’s presence extends far beyond getting on your knees and saying a prayer,” Ms. Gallagher said.  

While on retreat, juniors practice faith sharing in an activity called a Cornerstone. Retreat Team members minister to their peers in a session of faith-sharing to help the juniors find different ways to pray, read scripture and talk with God. “It opened the juniors up to different types of prayer and to realize that they can pray in non-traditional ways,” said senior Grace DiFranco, Retreat Team member.

For some, Junior Retreat can be intimidating because retreat is off campus and overnight. Being on retreat raised concerns for some juniors struggling in their faith and prayer life. “I dreaded the idea of retreat because I felt I should be doing schoolwork instead,” said junior Bryce Perkins. However, Perkins was surprised to see how retreat heightened her spiritual senses. “I had enough time to realize the true purpose of retreat: to get closer to God,” she said.

Junior Ava Rose agreed. “For me the retreat showed me that yes, Jesus is the answer to everything, but that phrase is more than a catchy saying,” said Rose. “Retreat taught me that God can heal all wounds, fix all broken hearts and solve all problems.”  

– Gloria Thomas

Induction 2020: Shining a Light on the Dominican Family

October 17, 2019
Light the Fire – Eighth grader Katherine Patron is all smiles as her “big sister,” senior Reagan Perry, lights her ceremonial candle at the 2019 New Student Induction Ceremony on Sept. 19. Incoming eighth graders and freshmen joined transfer students in the Sr. Ambrose Reggio Gym to mark their official welcome to the Dominican family at this annual event. – photo by Lindsey Foles

As the class of 2020 has made their way to their final year of high school, their Little Sisters are just beginning their journey on Walmsley Avenue.

To welcome these eighth graders, the senior Big Sisters inducted the class of 2024 on Sept. 19 in the Sr. Ambrose Reggio Gym. Also inducted in the Dominican family by grade-level buddies were other new students and transfer students from grades nine through eleven. Together, they participated in the customary passing of the candle ceremony.

“I felt proud during the induction. It was like everyone was thrilled to be having me as a new sister, classmate and student,” said transfer student Claire Garitty, junior.

Mrs. Jill Cabes (’87), vice president, Dominican Catholic Identity, sees the candle ceremony as a way to show students “passing the torch” and lighting up the Dominican family.

New freshmen Abby Evans (middle) and Laila Brown (far right) celebrate the start of their Dominican journeys with the help of their buddies, freshmen Aria Lewis, Mariah Malliett and Lily Martory (left to right). – photo by Lindsey Foles

This year, Dominican welcomed 175 eighth graders along with sixteen new and transfer students to the Dominican family. All inductees received a Veritas shield pin and a Dominican pennant.

“It was incredible. I kept on thinking about my own induction,” said Blake Beaulieu, senior. “I am so happy to be welcoming a new legacy to Dominican.”

Eighth grader Sarah Herbert shares that excitement. “It feels good to officially be a part of the Dominican sisterhood,” said Herbert, sporting her new pin and pennant.

We are Family! – Celebrating the addition to their family legacy, eighth grader Caroline Haydel, science teacher Mrs. Joann Haydel (’91) and junior Katey Haydel enjoy refreshments in Alumnae Hall following the New Student Induction Ceremony on Sept. 19. – photo by Lindsey Foles

For over sixty years, Dominican has welcomed new students and carried on legacies through induction. Sister Dominic Savio, O.P., (’56) recalls the first induction to have taken place at St. Mary’s Dominican High School on the St. Charles Avenue campus for the class of 1957. The tradition of Big Sisters guiding their Little Sisters into the Dominican way of life has been around ever since.

During the next five years, the class of 2024 will be on their journey, preparing to help the class of 2029 on theirs.

  • Lindsey Foles

Prospective Students Spend a Domini-Day

October 15, 2019

Spending a day at Dominican is the best way to see the many faces of Dominican.

Dominican is walking down the hallway and laughing with friends about absolutely nothing. It is debating in English class whether or not Hamlet was truthful when saying, “To be or not to be.”

Ready to Spend the Day – Eighth grader Krystal helps her visitor from St. Dominic School check in for a day at DHS. Ms. Elyse Harrison (’13), recruitment director, greets visiting students in the foyer of St. Mary’s Hall to welcome them to Walmsley Ave. Nearly 800 middle school girls will visit Dominican this year as part of the Spend-A-Day Program. – photo by Morgan Muscarello

Dominican is a place where young women learn lessons, find truth and gain friends for life. By spending a day at Dominican, middle school girls learn about the many opportunities this high school can offer them.

The Spend-A-Day Program at St. Mary’s Dominican High School allows prospective students see what it is like to be a high school student. The visiting girls travel from class to class with their hosts and learn about the many different things that DHS has to offer.

Managing this program is Ms. Elyse Harrison (’13), recruitment director. She coordinates visits from the nearly 800 students who will spend a day at Dominican this academic year. Ms. Harrison pairs each Spend-A-Day student with a host who has similar interests. To make the middle schoolers feel special upon arriving on Walmsley Ave., Ms. Harrison gives each girl a bag filled with special Dominican treats and a complimentary lunch pass.

All in the Family – Dominican is a family tradition for senior Abby Ordoyne and her cousin Alexa Walsh, a fifth grader from St. Rita School in Harahan. While enjoying their lunch group time together, Ordoyne and her cousin talk about Alexa’s morning at DHS and her favorite class: English. Alexa experienced a Domini-Day as part DHS’s annual Spend-A-Day program, where middle school girls get an up-close and personal high school experience. – photo by Morgan Muscarello

DHS students believe that being a Spend-A-Day host makes Dominican all the better. “Giving these young girls the true insight on what Dominican is gives me the best feeling,” said senior Abby Ordoyne. Ordoyne enjoyed spending a normal day at school with her younger cousin, Alexa Walsh, a fifth grader at St. Rita School in Harahan.  

Alexa enjoyed seeing Dominican through her older cousin’s eyes. “Spending the day at Dominican has helped me make a choice on where I want to go to high school,” Alexa said. She then told her cousin that she plans on attending Dominican.

Current DHS student Isabella Totorico, eighth grader, said that after spending the day as a seventh grader last year, she felt confident in making her decision to attend Dominican. She said that walking through the schedule helped her decide on Dominican. “I really liked how the schedule rotates, and I would not be doing the same thing every day,” said Totorico.

Walking the halls and meeting the teachers gives the students the chance to see what it is like to be a Dominican girl. Admissions Director Ms. Cathy Rice agrees. She said that the Spend-A-Day program is the most influential factor for students who decide to come to Dominican. It is all about the girls feeling comfortable and at home.

Dominican is truly a second home to all the girls that have walked these halls. And that feeling radiates to the girls that spend a day.

  • Morgan Muscarello

Dominican Travels the Globe

October 14, 2019

Oh, the places they went!

Adventure was on the itinerary as three Dominican students traveled to new places and learned exciting things. Those students brought back their memories and experiences to share with the rest of Dominican community.

During the summer, seniors Tai Sutherland and Amanda Bolden, as well as junior Sara Sciortino, embarked on journeys all over the country and world – from Michigan to Australia. Though the girls traveled for unique purposes, they brought back their knowledge to share with the DHS community.

An Australian Adventure

Enjoying Auckland – Senior Tai Sutherland takes in the sights of the Eastern Hemisphere along with her family during her summer visit to Australia and New Zealand.

Have you heard about the Aboriginal Australians? If not, Tai Sutherland has the answers. This summer, Sutherland journeyed across the Atlantic Ocean to the Outback.

With her family, she visited Melbourne, Sydney and Uluru, Australia. While there, she visited many attractions, including an invitation-only Aboriginal Australian island.

Sutherland’s trip taught her about Aboriginal culture. Aboriginal Australians have been on that continent for over 70,000 years.

 “It opened my eyes to things I didn’t know about their culture,” said Sutherland.

Authentically Australian – Indigenous people from the land down under, Australian Aboriginals, share their culture during an invitation-only visit to Clark Island in Sydney, Australia. Senior Tai Sutherland visited this secluded place, dedicated to preserving Aboriginal heritage, during a summer trip that included other cities in Australia and New Zealand.

With the knowledge she gained from her trip, Sutherland hopes to bring back insight about the Aboriginal Australians’ lifestyle.  “With what I know now, I can discuss diversity from a new perspective,” she said.  

An Innovative Internship

Working in the school lab can be fun, but working in a research lab surrounded by paid professionals is even more fun. Over the course of eight weeks during the summer, this was senior Amanda Bolden’s life.

Bolden earned a research internship at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland. There she conducted research on cell biology, worked in labs, collected data – all while taking math and sciences classes.

Senior Amanda Bolden discusses her presentation on cell migration at Johns Hopkins Medical School in Baltimore. For eight weeks during the summer, Bolden focused all of her efforts on the internship she earned.

However, that was not the only thing that impacted her summer. While in Baltimore, Bolden lived more independently than she ever had.

“I had to take the bus every day to my internship, make sure I made it on time and take care of myself,” said Bolden. Today, Bolden remains independent in many of the things she does.

Bolden hopes to go into a research field in the future. With this experience, “I can help students who struggle (in math and science) so they will improve.” said Bolden.

A Preaching Pilgrimage

After spending a week deepening her faith at the annual Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference, junior Sara Sciortino reads other prayers written by teens, always searching for inspiration to share with DHS student body. – photo by Isabelle Fitzmorris

Bringing back knowledge from a trip can be the most fun part of the experience, but for Student Preacher Sara Sciortino, it was even more. Deciding to embark on this journey came easily to Sciortino. “I felt myself falling out of my relationship with God,” said Sciortino. “I felt God was trying to call me back to him, and I felt that becoming a student preacher was the best way to do that.”

In June, Sciortino, along with other new student preachers and Ms. Claire Gallagher (’04), headed to Adrian, Michigan, for the Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference.

After a day of working with the Salvation Army, Sciortino collaborated with the Colegio de San Antonio, a school from Puerto Rico, on a prayer service. She participated in the washing of the feet, and she gave her first reflection during the service.

At the conference, Sciortino experienced new cultures and diverse ways of worship. She learned to unite people of different backgrounds through prayer and is bringing back this concept to the DHS community.

This year, Sciortino plans to make the students of Dominican feel welcomed into the activities the preachers have to offer. She hopes everyone will feel comfortable getting involved with the activities.

The adventure continues as these students share their broadened view of the world with their friends on Walmsley Ave.

Oh, the things they learned!

  • Isabelle Fitzmorris

Dominican Celebrates the Sisterhood of the Senior Ring

October 7, 2019

Every year, the seniors await the day when they can triumphantly run through St. Mary’s Hall as their friends excitedly turn their class rings.

Ready to have their rings turned, seniors Rileigh Centanni, Gabriela Rivera and Catherine Bickerton excitedly run through the foyer, ready to take on the smiling and cheering halls of St. Mary’s Hall. photo by Isabelle Fitzmorris

This day was Ring Day, one of the most highly-anticipated days of the year. However, the day consisted of so much more than simply receiving a ring and running down the halls.

The Ring Day Mass and Ceremony was full of excitement and significance to Dominican faculty and students alike. Joined by their families on Sept. 6, seniors celebrated Mass and excitedly received rings in the Sr. Ambrose Reggio, O.P. Gymnasium.

The Dominican community gathered to bless the Class of 2020 during the Ring Mass. Father John Restrepo, O.P., made the day even more special by delivering a homily about the importance of prayer.

Father John blessed the senior rings, linking each senior to sisterhood of Dominican. “The ring is one of the nicest symbols of a connection to high school,” said Mrs. Jill Cabes (’87), vice-president, Dominican Catholic Identity.

Reflecting on the Past, Looking Toward the Future – Senior Erin Sequiera, executive board president, delivers a funny and nostalgic reflection of the Class of 2020’s freshman year. Along with fellow class coordinators Zoee Hunter, Molly Alexander, Lyndsey Jones and Bryce Leonhard, Sequiera shared memories as freshman coordinator as part of the Ring Day Mass and Ceremony on Sept. 5 in the Sister Ambrose Regio Gym. – photo by Isabelle Fitzmorris

After Mass, Zoee Hunter, Erin Sequiera, Lyndsey Jones, Bryce Leonhard and Molly Alexander, seniors who have served as class coordinators, each gave a reflection, reminiscing on the year of their leadership. Happy tears and laughter filled the SARG as the Class of 2020 revisited their time at Dominican.

In her reflection, E-Board Secretary and 2018-2019 Junior Coordinator Bryce Leonhard focused on the bond the class experienced during last year’s Rally Day.

“Through that Rally Day season, we reached the pinnacle of sisterhood,” said Leonhard. “I realized why we do Rally Day every year. We work together with a common goal, and that bonds us.”

She held this message close to her heart as she ran down the halls in a pair of saddle oxfords painted to tribute the class’s junior Rally Day— “Juniors Hear a Who.”

Following the reflections was the Ring Ceremony, where each senior receives her ring. Some seniors continue the sisterhood of the senior ring and inherit legacy rings from mothers, grandmothers, aunts, or sisters. Others receive new rings, starting their own chapter.

Smiles are infectious as Mrs. Nicky Wood, physical education teacher, turns senior Kylen Perrone’s ring. Senior Abigail Pratt shares the joy of the moment in St. Mary’s Hall during Ring Day on Sept 5. – photo by Isabelle Fitzmorris

“The mix of old and new represents Dominican as a whole. We honor tradition while always looking for ways to keep the school current,” said Mrs. Jessica Couch (’05), special projects director.

Teachers and alumnae consider the day as one of their fondest memories of Dominican. “Ring Day was the day my family got to see my second family — Dominican,” said Mrs. Couch. Ms. Charlene Ford (’01), English teacher and senior faculty coordinator, added that “standing in the halls as the seniors are running brings a smile to everyone’s face. It’s just contagious.”

Both seniors Alexandra Brothers and Abigail Brown received legacy rings from their mothers who graduated in ’85 and ’91, respectively. “Receiving my mother’s ring really shows the importance of family and tradition,” said Brothers.

Brown was very eager for chance to run down the halls and have all her friends turn her ring. Seeing the seniors run is exciting for both students and faculty, but what they run in only adds to the experience. Over the last decade, it has become a tradition for seniors run in fun shoes from crocs and slippers to boots and painted saddle oxfords.

The Shoes Have It! – The shoe game was in full swing this year! Seniors show off their footwear during the traditional run through St. Mary’s Hall on Ring Day, Sept. 5. Featured shoes include Bryce Leonhard’s junior year Rally Day-inspired saddle oxfords (top left); Abigail Brown and Alexandra Brothers’ Jayette boots (top right); and Regan Ellis, Addison Folse and Chloe Mahl flaunt their decorated white boots (bottom). photos by Olivia Olson

For their rush down the halls, Jesuit Jayettes Brown and Brothers donned decorated dance boots. The seniors’ boots, worn during football game performances, featured their initials and other decorations.

“This is very special to Alexandra and me because we’ve been on Jayettes together since freshman year, and now we’re best friends,” said Brown. “so it means a lot to be doing this together on Ring Day.”

The day of tradition brings so much joy and excitement for the year ahead for the entire Dominican community. English teacher Ms. Rachel Moore (’13) sees this day as beautiful because “Ring Day is the day the girls run through the halls and light the world on fire.”

  • Olivia Olson

Dominican Golf Team Swings Through the Season

May 26, 2019

The Dominican Golf Team swung into action and placed at the Regional Meet on April 23 after participating in the Metro Tournament on April 10. From the tee to the green, the team competed well on the links.

After training and practicing hard with head coach, Mr. Rick Ciolino, the Dominican Golf Team celebrates the end of their season with the Regional Meet on April 23. The 2019 team included freshmen Molly Stavinoha, Barbara Algero, senior Saheba Cuccia and freshman Olivia Hurley, Ada Holmes (missing from photo).

At the Regional Meet, the three members who competed were freshmen Ada Holmes, Molly Stavinoha and Olivia Hurley. Holmes placed twelfth with a final score of 93. “I love being on this team,” said Holmes. “Even though we are a very small team, we always find a way to laugh and have fun. Each time we play golf together, we become closer.”

Earlier in the season at the Metro Tournament, Stavinoha, Hurley,  freshman Barbara Algero and senior Saheba Cuccia focused on the fairway. “I feel both sad and happy that I am finishing my final season of golf. I have been on this team for five years, and it’ll definitely be a change next spring when I do not get to play golf a few times a week,” said Cuccia.

This team has learned dedication with the help of the father-daughter coaching duo Mr. Rick Ciolino and Ms. Ashlyn Ciolino (’07), coach and golf moderator, Coaching together for five years now, Mr. Ciolino took on the role of head coach last season. Ms. Ciolino, who also teaches in the P.E. department at DHS, says she enjoys spending time with her father on the golf course.

“It’s something we have done for most of my life, and I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of it,” said Ms. Ciolino. “He was always coaching me in any sport that I played, so to see him coach others and see how much he enjoys it is pretty cool.”

Playing in her final golf match at the Metro Tournament on April 10, senior Saheba Cuccia celebrates with Ms. Ashlyn Ciolino (’07).

As far as coaching together goes, Ms. Ciolino said, “It’s fun to make coaching decisions with him now instead of him making all of the decisions for me. I think all of that has helped us grow in our relationship.” With the Ciolino duo coaching the team, the golfers grew closer to one another throughout the season.

“I’m proud that the team really bonded this year and had a lot of fun while improving each of our own games,” said Cuccia. “We had the team spirit as well as the love of both golf and each other to always cheer each other on.”

  • Jennifer Yrle

Track and Field Sprints to State

May 24, 2019

With the cheers of Dominifans encouraging them, the DHS Track and Field Team raced through the 2018-2019 season.

Placing fifth in the 4×200 Meter Relay, senior Gabrielle Cotton and sophomore Paige Julian race to the finish line at the Regional Meet on April 25.

Preparing since January, the team participated in meets and qualified for the District and Regional Meets. The Track and Field Team season culminated with six girls headed to the State Meet on May 4 at LSU.

At State, freshman Catherine Kernion placed seventh in the Girls 3200 Meter Run. Additionally, senior Lizzy Bourg competed in the Girls 1600 Meter Run. Kernion – along with juniors Molly Alexander, Erin Sequeira and sophomore Izzy Dischner – also participated in the 4×800 Meter Relay.

Mr. Paul Garvey, coach, said that the State Meet was interesting this year because of the inclement weather conditions and racing format. “The stormy weather created a situation we had to run the boys and girls events together, said Mr. Garvey. This challenge was even further complicated by all school divisions running simultaneously. Although the teams ran together, they were still scored separately, according to Mr. Garvey.

Earlier in the season, the team participated in the Regional Meet held in Thibodaux on April 25.   Bourg placed second in the Girls 1600 Meter Run with a time of 5:47.21, earing a state meet qualification. In the Girls 3200 Meter Run, Kernion came in third with a finishing time of 12:30.43. Placing second with a time of 10:59.73 in the Girls 4×800 Meter Relay, yhe team of Kernion, Alexander, Sequeira and Dischner earned their qualification for the State Meet along with Bourg.

Running to pass on the baton, senior Lizzy Bourg competes in the 4×800 Meter Run at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Classic at Tad Gormley Stadium on Fri. March 22 and Sat. March 23.

Previously at April’s District Meet in City Park, the team ran well in the Girls 4×100 Meter Relay, coming in second. Junior Mia Taylor finished second in the 100 Meter Dash and third in the 200 Meter Dash with the times of 12.67 and 26.91. “The team gave me the determination to try to do well in every meet,” said Taylor. “We always support each other no matter the obstacle.”

The 2019 Track and Field Team was large and young, according to Ms. Ashlyn Ciolino (’07), track coach. “We had a lot of eighth graders and to see them progress and get better was exciting,” said Ms. Ashlyn Ciolino, track coach.

With young members, “this season was a season where we had a lot of rebuilding to do,” said Mr. Garvey. “We had younger athletes who did a good job by stepping up to the challenge.”

As a veteran of the team, Bourg is nostalgic about her final Dominican Track and Field season. “They’ve become my support system and what I look forward to each day,” she said. “It’s sad to think about not seeing my teammates after school every day.

“No matter what, I’m proud of what the team has done this season.”

  • Jennifer Yrle

Dominican Hits a Home Run: State Champs!

May 23, 2019
On April 27, the Dominican softball team hugs it out after being named State Champions. DHS defeated John Curtis 5-3, winning the state championship game for the first time in Dominican history. “I can’t even put into words what I was feeling that day,” said third baseman and catcher Danielle McCartney. “I am so incredibly proud of this team I’m a part of.”

On April 27, Dominican defeated John Curtis High School in the LHSAA State Tournament, capturing its first softball state championship in school history.

Entering the state playoffs as undefeated district champions, Dominican roared through the state tournament. Running the bases to the final championship game, DHS emerged as state champs with a 5-3 victory John Curtis.

After being state runner-up last year, softball coach Mrs. Dawn Benoit had high hopes for this year’s team.  “From the offense, to the defense, to the young eighth graders and to everyone that contributed: I am proud,” said Mrs. Benoit. “I was extremely emotional because my girls are everything to me.”

For the last two years, Dominican was just “excited to be in the finals,” said Athletic Director Mr. Paul Spitzfaden. “This season, the team had goals, a stronger mindset and team confidence, which hasn’t been the case in the past. We are now the number one seed.”

This One’s For You, Mrs. Benoit! – Celebrating their big win, the DHS softball team dunks Gatorade over Mrs. Dawn Benoit, coach. On April 27 at Sulphur, LA, the team defeated John Curtis, clinching the state championship. “It’s awesome that the team got to experience this,” said Mrs. Benoit. “They’re still floating on cloud nine.”

This win was the perfect end to senior Elizabeth Crotchet’s season as well as her Dominican softball career. “It was an honor to play along side 20 other girls this season and end it the way we did,” said Crotchet, senior. “I was filled with joy knowing that we made history but sad knowing it was the last time ever wearing that uniform.”

Before winning the state championship title, the team had been dominating games left and right. In March, Dominican defeated Archbishop Chappelle High School 8-2 then Mount Carmel Academy 6-4, clinching the district title with a perfect 6-0 record.

With only two seniors moving on, the team has high hopes for success in 2020. “It’s a great feeling,” said second baseman Alyssa Helwig, junior. “I couldn’t have asked to do it with any other girls.”

  • Jade Nguyen