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Quigley Catholic High School
Address
200 Quigley Drive Baden, (Beaver County), Pennsylvania 15005 United States
Coordinates	40°39′14″N 80°13′28″W / 40.65389°N 80.22444°W / 40.65389; -80.22444
Information
Type	Private, Coeducational
Religious affiliation(s)	Roman Catholic
Established	1967
Principal	Mrs. Rita McCormick
Chaplain	Fr. Mike Peck
Grades	9-12
Color(s)	Burgundy and White
Team name	Spartans
Accreditation	Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
Newspaper	The Q Review
Yearbook	Generations
Tuition	$8,200
Admissions Directors	Adrianne Kaminsky & Katie Patton
Athletic Director	Mitchell Yanyanin
Website	www.qchs.org

Quigley Catholic High School is located in Baden, Pennsylvania. It is the only Roman Catholic high school in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. The school opened in 1967 and is named for Monsignor Thomas J. Quigley, who was superintendent of schools for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh until his death in 1960.

History

School History

In 1902 the Sisters of St. Joseph opened an academy for boys. At the suggestion of Bishop Hugh C. Boyle they opened the Mt. Gallitzin High School for Girls in September 1934. The first class graduated in 1938, the centennial year of Baden Township. The school offered both academic and commercial courses and was noted for its broad cultural program and the individual attention and direction given to each student. Most of the girls were commuters, save some boarders who were preparing to the Congregation of the Sisters. Once Quigley Catholic opened its doors in 1966 the school was forced to consolidate. At the time of the consolidation in 1967, the student enrollment was 245. There was one other school that consolidated to Quigley Catholic, St. Veronica’s.

St. Veronica High School was opened in September, 1924, under the supervision of Fr. John Martin, pastor, and the Sisters of St. Joseph who staffed the new parish high school. Seventeen students were in the first graduating class. Growth continued so quickly that within 15 years new space was desperately needed. Rev. James O’Connell and Rev. Paul Nee continued the education expansion at St. Veronica’s. A building at 5th and Beaver Road was obtained through cooperation from the Ambridge School board in 1945. When a new school for elementary level students was built in 1959, the high school eventually moved back to its original home on Melrose Avenue. At the time of the consolidation in 1967 the enrollment of 243 included students from many other parishes besides St. Veronica.

In the mid-1960s the Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Pittsburgh was Auxiliary Bishop, Most Reverend John B. McDowell. At that time he and Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, John J. Wright saw a need for expanding the Diocesan presence in a regional Catholic high school to serve the people of the Beaver Valley.

In 1966, under the supervision of Bishop McDowell, land was purchased from the Sisters of St. Joseph and ground was broken. Quigley Catholic High School first opened its doors to students in September 1967. The 440 students came to the new school while construction of the building was still being finished around them. The formal dedication and blessing of the building took place on April 28, 1968. The school opened under the leadership of Father Robert J. Reardon as Headmaster and with the guidance of Sister St. Bede Downey, CSJ, who continued to serve Quigley Catholic for many years until her death. Additional principals have been Rev. George Leech, John S. Hoehl, Sr. Anna Marie Gaglia, CSJ, Rev. Ronald R. Cellini, Rev. David C. Menegay, Dr. Madonna Helbling and current principal Mrs. Rita McCormick. Growth and construction of one sort or another has been going on ever since. Quigley Catholic is the first and only regional Catholic high school in Beaver County. Quigley Catholic, although a relatively young school, nevertheless, has a proud heritage of education in the Beaver County area from its two parent institutions, Mt. Gallitzin High School and St. Veronica High School.

About the Namesake of Quigley

MONSIGNOR THOMAS J. QUIGLEY: 1905-1960

“…This new school has been named in honor of the late and beloved Monsignor Thomas J. Quigley, who was Superintendent of Schools from August 1939 to December 1955. This extraordinary priest served the diocese, its schools, and the general community as a spiritual leader and an accomplished educator from 1931 until his untimely death in 1960. No man gave so much to education or to the Church as did he. In every area of education he was outstanding. Readily recognized as a leader by public and non-public educators, this priest contributed, in an extraordinary way, to the development of education for all children and for all segments of our community. It is significant that the priests of Beaver County voted by an overwhelming majority to dedicate this school in his memory. In this way they hoped to memorialize and to express appreciation for a life spent in improving both the city of God and the city of humankind. Dedicated priest, scholarly educator, prolific writer, able administrator, but most of all a man committed to a cause – this was Monsignor Quigley. And while we honor his memory by naming this school after him, we do, in fact, honor this school by using his name and identifying it with all that is good in education and community life.” Auxiliary Bishop, Most Reverend John B. McDowell (then, Superintendent of Schools) April, 1968 from the Dedication of Quigley Catholic High School.

Academics

Quigley Catholic has been named as a top 50 Catholic High School in America for six consecutive years.

99% of Quigley Catholic's graduates matriculate to college. Recent graduates have been awarded an average of $69,000 per student in non-need based grants and scholarships. Graduates are accepted to many prestigious schools, including: West Point, United States Air Force Academy, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Notre Dame, John Carroll University, MIT, Case Western Reserve, Fordham University, Harvard University, Allegheny College, Duquesne University, Saint Vincent College, and New York University, to name a few.

Staff

Administration

• Mrs. Rita McCormick - Principal
• Mr. George Lion - Administrative Assistant
• Sr. Bridget Reilly, O.S.B. - Director of Guidance
• Mr. Robert Hramika - Business Manager
• Mr. Michael Rubino - Executive Director of Advancement
• Mrs. Adrianne Kaminsky - Department of Admissions
• Ms. Katie Patton - Department of Admissions

Faculty

• Mrs. Janet Bonislawsky - Math and Science
• Mrs. Beverly Dierdorf - English
• Mr. Larry Gorwick - Math, Science and SAT Prep Course
• Mr. Robert McLane - Math and Science
• Mrs. Karen O'Bryan - Fine Arts
• Mr. Timothy Waxenfelter - Social Studies
• Mr. Mitchell Yanyanin - Librarian and Computer Classes
• Mrs. Marta Zak - Fine Arts
• Ms. Carol Zeger - Social Studies, Economics
• Mr. Luke Crawford - Religion
• Mrs. Adrianne Kaminsky - Spanish
• Ms. Katharine Coley - Math
• Ms. Katie Patton - Religion
• Mr. Michael Palcsey - English and Religion
• Ms. Tressa Dorman - Spanish, English as a Second Language
• Mr. George Lion - Math
• Ms. Sara Martin - Guidance Counselor

Activities

Campus Ministry

Sponsor: Ms. Katie Patton

Faculty Members: Sr. Bridget Reilly, O.S.B., Mrs. Marta Zak, Ms. Tressa Dorman, Mr. Michael Palcsey, Mrs. Adrianne Kaminsky, & Mr. Luke Crawford

Faith-formation is an essential component of the Quigley Catholic community. The Campus Ministry team strives to maintain and invigorate the Catholic identity and culture of Quigley Catholic. Students and faculty work together to plan monthly liturgies and to celebrate the liturgical year throughout the school. The chapel is used regularly for traditional Catholic devotions such as the Rosary, Adoration, and the Divine Mercy Chaplet, as well as times for praise and worship, and meditations on the Scriptures and the lives of the Saints. Each grade level participates in a one day retreat with a particular theme for the class. Upper class members of the campus ministry team help lead and facilitate these fun, faith-filled day retreats. Also available to Quigley students are two optional weekend retreats. Kairos is a four day fall retreat open to all juniors and seniors. It is a time for young men and women to enter more seriously into the sacramental life of the Church, and it also a wonderful opportunity to deepen friendships and have a lot of fun! Each summer students have the opportunity travel to Franciscan University of Steubenville to attend one of the summer Youth Conferences. This retreat is open to all Quigley students as well as graduating eighth graders who plan on attending Quigley Catholic in the fall. In addition, Quigley Catholic also has more specific groups within the Campus Ministry department. In previous years Campus Ministry has had Respect Life groups, the Pure Love Club, Works of Mercy groups, and charity fundraisers including toy, food, and clothing drives. These groups may vary from year to year depending on the interests of student leaders.

St. Michael Prayer Group

Student organized, the St. Michael Prayer Group collects intentions to pray for in the box in Ms. Patton's room. The prayer group meets weekly to pray the Rosary, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and always closes with the St. Michael prayer, and is open to everyone.

Forensics and Mock Trial

Sponsor: Mr. Timothy Waxenfelter

The art of Public Speaking thrives at Quigley Catholic High School through its well-known and nationally recognized Forensics and Mock Trial teams. Mr. Waxenfelter is a Triple Diamond member of the National Forensics League.

Mock Trial

The Mock Trial Team has won seven Pennsylvania State Championships, making it the number one ranked team in the state. The latest championship came in 2013. The Mock Trial team was national runner-up for the year 2002.

Forensics

The Forensics Team sends individuals to the state and national tournaments annually.

Schoolwide Musical

Director: Ms. Laura Yoerg

Musical Director: Mrs. Marta Zak

The musical has been a part of Quigley Catholic for years. The musical draws the most students of any Quigley activity, with over 70 students participating last year. In addition, anyone in grade school interested in joining the show can become a Junior Cast member. The musical has also been recognized many times at the annual Henry Mancini Musical Theatre Awards at Geneva College, and for the 2010 performance - Children of Eden - it received a total of nine Mancini awards.

Musicals from 1998-2013

Junior Academy of Science

Sponsor: Mrs. Jan Bonislawsky

The Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science is a state-wide organization which encourages scientific research for students in grades 7 through 12. The students choose a topic of interest in any field of science and then design a scientific experiment to support or refute their hypothesis. The students must follow strict guidelines utilizing the scientific method. The design and experiment is conducted over a period of months often beginning in the summer and extending into the fall semester of the school year. Students must prepare an oral report of their findings and do a presentation before a panel of judges from the scientific community. Students involved in PJAS participate in a regional competition at Slippery Rock University in the spring. Any student who wins a first place award at the regional competition then has the opportunity to advance to the State Competition which is held at Penn State University at State College, PA. There are approximately 500 students at the regional competitions and then approximately 3000 students state-wide who advance to the State Competition at Penn State. Quigley Catholic has participated in PJAS for over 20 years.

National Honor Society

Sponsor: Mr. George Lion

The local chapter of the National Honor Society is an organization designed to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop character in the students of Quigley Catholic High School. The school principal oversees the operation of the NHS while the moderator is responsible for the day-to-day supervision of the chapter. Membership in this local chapter is both an honor and a responsibility bestowed upon a student. Selection for membership is by a Faculty Council and is based on outstanding scholarship, character, leadership, and service. Once elected, members have the responsibility to continue to demonstrate these qualities. Members are elected in the second semester of their junior year.

"The Q Review"

Moderator: Mr. Michael Palcsey

The “Q Review” is a student-run newspaper that publishes once a month. Mr. Palcsey organizes a staff at the beginning of each school year appointing student editors, writers, and contributors. The news editors assign articles to writers, the writers compose articles to report on various school events and activities, then the managing editors edit the articles and place them on the page for publication.

Art Club

Sponsor: Mrs. Karen O’Bryan

Resident artist/instructor Mrs. O'Bryan is one of only a few art teachers in the area who is a “working” artist. The College in High School Ceramics program, in conjunction with La Roche College, offers students a unique opportunity to participate in the traditional ceramic Pueblo and Raku firing process.

Prom Committee

Sponsor: Junior Class Moderators

The prom committee is responsible for organizing and running the junior/senior prom.

Italian Club

Sponsor: Ms. Tressa Dorman

Ciao a tutti! The Italian club meets twice a month to explore the Italian culture. Students experience culture through music, art, games, idiomatic expressions, movies, and of course, food! Some highlights of the year are making homemade pizzelles, making espresso, and going to the opera in Pittsburgh.

Student Council

Sponsor: Ms. Katharine Coley

Each class grade is represented with an elected president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary. Each Student Council is responsible for raising funds for their prom. The Executive Board is elected in a school-wide election at the end of each school year. The Executive Board is composed of the Council President, Council Vice President, Council Secretary, Council Publicity Director, and the Council Spirit Director. Also part of the Executive Board are the four Council Class Directors – the Presidents of each individual class chosen by their classmates each year.

Respect Life Club

Sponsors: The Religion Department

Meetings include time for prayer, learning, discussion, and action. The Respect Life Club has raised money to host two all-school assembly presentations by pro-life speakers. The Respect Life Club members promote the March for Life among the student body.

Student Ambassadors

Sponsor: Mrs. Rita McCormick and Mrs. Adrianne Kaminsky

The program is for students who are dedicated to serving and representing Quigley Catholic High School in a positive manner. New Student Ambassadors are chosen yearly from applicants.

Athletics

The athletic teams are known as the "Spartans". The girls sports teams are called the "Lady Spartans" and the boys sports teams are called the "Spartans".

Quigley currently has Fall, Winter and Spring sports.

Fall sports

• Girl's Tennis
• Boy's Golf
• Boy's Soccer
• Girl's Soccer
• Girl's Volleyball
• Cheerleading
• Football

Winter sports

• Boy's Basketball
• Girl's Basketball
• Boy's Hockey

Spring Sports

• Girl's Softball
• Boy's Baseball
• Track and field

Alma Mater

Controversy

(Fr.) John "Jack" S. Hoehl was school principal from 1971 to 1985. Hoehl figured prominently in the Catholic Church controversy dealing with sexual abuse by priests. Hoehl (a priest at the time) was accused, by at least 7 men in 2001, of sexual abuse while they were students at Quigley Catholic High School during Hoehl's tenure as principal there. The men claim they were invited to the rectory for, "wrestling team sleep overs" where they were allowed to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana. While they were incapacitated Hoehl sexually abused them. One former Quigley Catholic student claims the abuse continued for four years. As of right now (2013), the law suits have been dropped because the statute of limitations has run out. However, Hoehl was permanently banned from ministry in 1988 by then Bishop, Donald Wuerl, because Wuerl considered the accusations to be credible. There is no proof that other staff members were involved with or had knowledge of the alleged abuse.

Hoehl went on to become a youth counselor in West Virginia. He was subsequently removed from this post by the West Virginia Board of Counselors because of the credible accusations of sexual abuse from former students at Quigley Catholic High School.

External links

• Quigley Catholic High School home page
• Quigley Catholic High School Facebook Page
• Quigley Catholic High School Twitter Page
• Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh
• Sisters of St. Joseph, Baden, Pennsylvania

Notes and references

1. MSA-CSS. "MSA-Commission on Secondary Schools". Retrieved 2009-05-26.
2. "2007 Catholic High School Honor Roll". Retrieved 13 June 2012.
3. David, Brian (6 January 2008). "Quigley makes Honor Roll". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
4. "Academics". Retrieved 13 June 2012.
5. "QUIGLEY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL WINS STATE MOCK TRIAL CHAMPIONSHIP". News Release Pennsylvania Bar Association. 23 March 2002. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
6. "Quigley Catholic High School (Beaver County) Wins Statewide Mock Trial Competition". Pennsylvania Bar Association News Release. 23 March 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
7. "At Issue" (PDF). Pennsylvania Bar Association. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
8. "Activities". Retrieved 13 June 2012.
9. Rodgers, A. (2004). "Vatican Severs Church Ties to Former Quigley Headmaster" Post Gazette, 15 January
10. Sheehan, A. (2007). Former Priest Can No Longer Work As Counselor KDKA 30 March
11. Hasch, M. (2004) Six More Law Suits Filed Against Pittsburgh Diocese Tribune Review 1 July
12. Sheehan, A. (2007). Former Priest Can No Longer Work As Counselor KDKA 30 March

• Roman Catholic secondary schools in Pennsylvania
• Educational institutions established in 1967
• Schools in Beaver County, Pennsylvania