Members of Academy of Our Lady’s Stars and Stripes Club had the great privilege of observing Veterans Day in a very special way. On November 11, students traveled to East Jefferson Wellness Center to attend a flag ceremony where they honored and met veterans from various armed forces of the United States Military. For photos click on the title of this post.

Senior Abigail Melling has been named to 20-21 LHSAA All-Academic Girls Volleyball Team. Melling has been a student at Academy of Our Lady for the past five years as well as a member of the volleyball team for five years. She currently holds a 4.38 GPA. Melling is a member of National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Rho Kappa, Ambassadors, Book Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Robotics and Salesians for Life. Way to go Abbey! We are proud of you! For more click on the title of this post.

Freshman Taylor Rotolo is the Archdiocese of New Orleans Youth Leadership Award recipient for St. Rosalie Parish. The award was presented to Taylor for her service to her community and church parish following Mass on October 18. For more click on the title of this post.

Academy of Our Lady’s Thalian Society presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on October 23 at 7 pm. While allowing live audience members to attend is not currently possible, members of the Academy of Our Lady community can see the musical live on the school’s Facebook page. The musical features music Andrew Lloyd Weber and lyrics by Tim Rice. For more click on the title of this post.

Service is one of the core values taught at Academy of Our Lady and encompassed in almost all activities. Service is such an essential value that there is a whole week dedicated to service every year. Due to COVID-19, Service Week was limited to one day held October 15. But that did not stop our student body from helping out the community and learning from others about the importance of stewardship and civil leadership. In addition to Service Day, sophomore and juniors attended a Career Day in the afternoon hearing from professionals from various industries including health care, law, education, engineering, communications and literature. Thank you to all of our speakers! To view photos and read more about the day click on the title of this post.

A total of sixteen Academy of Our Lady students form the group Sisters in Unity. The group was created to address sociological issues happening in our world today specifically the importance of racial justice and our call as Christians to be responsible citizens in society. Members of Sisters in Unity gave a presentation to the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior religion classes, during the months of August and September, to create an open dialogue amongst the students in a space where everyone could feel free to express their opinions. To read more about what our students are doing to make a difference and to view photos click on the title of this post.

Academy of Our Lady’s student council hosted Spirit Week September 14 – 18. Though the week was disrupted by Hurricane Sally that did not stop students from showcasing their spirit! Daily themes included Movement Monday, Talent Tuesday, Minute to Win it Wednesday, Crazy Hair and Sock Day Thursday and Class Shirt and Creative Mask Friday. To view photos click on the title of this post.

Photography Club held the first Zoom club meeting of the 20-21 school year on September 9. This year club meetings will be held virtually to limit student exposure until Covid-19 restrictions permit otherwise. Though clubs are unable to meet in person it is exciting for students to begin participating in club activities and socially interacting. Just another little sense of normalcy with an odd covid-19 twist. To view photos click on title of this post.

Archbishop Shaw Director Father Lou Molinelli, SDB accepted checks from Academy of Our Lady and Archbishop Shaw representatives on behalf of Catholic Charities at end the of Mass on September 8. Both schools held a Hurricane Laura relief drive to provide assistance to our neighbors in southwest Louisiana. In addition to non-perishable items, cleaning supplies, diapers, personal care items and school supplies collected, Academy of Our Lady raised $1,500 in monetary funds. Thank you to everyone for your contributions. We continue to pray for all those affected by the storm.

Academy of Our Lady celebrated the Nativity of Mary with Mass on September 8. At the end of Mass members of Student Council for the 20-21 school year were inducted. Student Council officers, the executive board and class officers took an oath in front of their peers to serve as official representatives for the students and live the values of a Catholic Christian. For a list of members and to view photos click on the title of this post.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Hurricane Laura Relief Drive. Archbishop Shaw will accept donations Saturday, September 5 at 9 am to 1 pm from the community. We continue to keep Southwest Louisiana in our prayers as they begin to rebuild. The people of Louisiana are resilient and are there for one another.

Like most things this year, the process of distributing yearbooks was a little different. Students received the 19-20 yearbook on September 1 and 2. Each student was required to scan a QR code and complete a digital form stating they received a copy of the yearbook. In the past students physically signed a form. We are adapting daily in an effort to keep everyone safe during the pandemic. The class of 2020 alumnae are invited to pick up a copy of the yearbook in the front office during normal school hours 8:00 am to 3:45 pm. To view photos click on the title of this post.

Congratulations to the newly elected Pre-freshman class officers! To view a photo click on the title of this post.

Senior big sisters pinned their pre-freshman little sisters on August 27 while a pinning for transfer students was held August 26. The annual pinning ceremony is a symbol of the official welcome to Academy of Our Lady’s Salesian family. Each little sister received a pin to wear proudly throughout her years of high school. Academy of Our Lady’s scholarship recipients for the 20-21 school year were also presented with a certificate and pin from Principal Sr. Michelle Geiger. To view photos click on the title of this post.

Thirty-three members of the pre-freshman class attended the first installment of the pre-freshman retreat on August 26 led by the peer ministers. The class of 2025 were able to get to know each other while growing in their faith. Students participated in ice breakers, sharing activities, prayer and adoration. The second installment of the pre-freshmen retreat will be attended by the rest of the class of 2025. This is the first time a class retreat has been broken up into two parts and was done so in an effort to keep students healthy and safe. For photos click on the title of this post.

The Thalian Society, Academy of Our Lady's drama club, is hosting a second round of auditions for the annual Broadway Benefit show. All high school students, not just AOL students, are invited to audition.

A special Ring and May Crowning ceremony was held August 14. Originally scheduled in May 2020, this event was postponed due to COVID-19. The class of 2021 were finally bestowed with their senior rings while honoring Mary in a special way. It was a beautiful evening filled with joy and celebration. To view photos click on the title of this post.

Juniors and seniors celebrated the Feast of the Assumption with Mass on campus. During the homily, Fr. Louis Molinelli blessed the senior sweaters and explained the importance of wearing the sweater as it signifies that seniors are leaders of the school which comes with great responsibility. It is a tradition at Academy of Our Lady for the senior class to wear the light blue cardigan. August 13 marked the first time the class of 2021 was able to sport their senior sweaters. To view photos click on the title of this post.

Pre-freshmen, juniors and seniors attended their first day of in-person instruction on August 11. Smiles could be seen through students’ masks in the classrooms and hallways. It’s so nice to have our girls back on campus! To view photos click on the title of this post.

Monday, August 10 marked the first day on in-person instruction for the freshmen and sophomores for 2020-21 school year. Students are adjusting to the new schedule, COVID-19 safety protocols and a new way of learning with positive attitudes and supportive faculty. Many were happy to be back to a daily routine after a long extended summer. To view photos click on the title of this post.