Prince of Peace Catholic School

POP students are blessed with the best. ✨ Happy Father's Day to all of our POP dads, grandfathers, father figures, and moms who do it all! 💙⭐️

Join us this week at Prince of Peace Summer Camp!! ☀️😎

👉 To register, please visit this website: https://www.hisawyer.com/pop-summer-camp/schedules?schedule_id=camps

There’s no place like POP Summer Camp!
We can’t wait for week 2!

POP alumni shine, and we’re thrilled to cast a spotlight on graduate Cate Lemme! 🤩

A rising senior at JPII, Cate was honored at JPII's end-of-year Academic Awards Ceremony with the fourth quarter Bishop Grahmann Award. 🏆🎉 The award, named for the Bishop Emeritus of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas in recognition of his support of JPII High School, is presented to students who display a strong work ethic and positive attitude; serve others through Christian service ministries; strive to deepen their faith; model good citizenship; and demonstrate exceptional leadership. During the award presentation, JPII Principal Ms. Kayla Brown described Cate as being "truly a light to the junior class and incredible witness for Jesus each and every day." 🙏

During her time thus far at JPII, Cate has made a positive impact on campus as a Student Ambassador; an officer in the Every Cardinal club, which aims to make every student feel included and accepted on campus; a founding member of Random Acts of Selfless Kindness (RASK); and a participant in the Mary Small Group, open to all female students who want to grow in their faith. 💫 Cate is looking forward to her senior year as she was recently selected to be a group leader for Kairos and member of the Recruitment Leadership Council. A saint and scholar in the making, Cate is also a member of both National Honor Society and Latin Honor Society. 📚💯

We couldn’t be more of Cate and her growing number of accolades! 👏 With her servant heart and exemplary character, we've not doubt that Cate will shine for Christ in her school community as she looks ahead to senior year and beyond. Congratulations, Cate — celebrating you is easy! 💙⭐
️

POP Stars are DPL champions! 🏆🤩🎉

The DPL Golf Tournament was a hole-in-one for POP Star student-athletes.🏌️‍♂️ Students were shining on the front nine as they competed against 31 teams of rival golfers from other diocesan schools, and POP was well-represented by five teams of incoming student-athletes in grades 6-8 who came to play and prove themselves the Masters. 💪

Excitingly, two POP teams placed in their respective grade level divisions! ⛳️ Congratulations to both our 5th grade coed team (John A., Jack C., Mallie D., and Lauren W. '27) and 7th grade all-boy team (Luke A., Caden B., Jimmy C., and Christopher M. '25) on their outstanding third-place finishes. 🥉 Congratulations as well to one of two POP 6th grade all-boy teams (Luis C., Micah M., Robbie O., and Anthony S. '26); not only did these elite golfers enjoy a tee-rific outing on the links, but the sweet taste of victory upon finishing with the lowest number of putts in the 6th grade division. 🥇 We couldn't be more of these high-achieving, low-scoring, newly-minted DPL Champions and POP Star student-athletes! 💯⭐️

Altogether, POP golfers put on a dominant display as they navigated the course at Brookhaven Country Club. Congratulations to all of our teams on a phenomenal showing! 👏💙

POP alumni continue to impress us with their commitment to academic excellence, Christian service, and steadfast leadership, and we're delighted to shine a special alumni spotlight on graduate Drew Noonan! 🤩

At last month's senior convocation ceremony for the Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas Class of 2024, Drew was awarded the JSN Award. 🏆🎉 Every year, the Jesuit Schools Network (JSN) announces the recipient of an award to be presented in each of the 52 Jesuit high schools nationwide. 💯 Per the JSN, “This award is to be presented to the member of the graduating class who, as a man for others, models the ideal profile of a graduate of Jesuit education: a well-rounded person who is intellectually competent, open to growth, religious, loving and committed to doing justice in generous service to the people of God.” 🧠🙏 As part of his recognition, Drew was presented with a certificate at the ceremony as well as a plaque at his graduation ceremony, and had the unique opportunity to serve as the senior student speaker at Jesuit's annual graduation breakfast. 🎓

In Drew's words: “Senior convocation truly displayed the class of 2024’s commitment to embodying the values of the graduate at graduation. As we gathered together, each and every student applauded as their classmates were granted awards. Convocation didn’t just shine a light on a few individuals; rather, it acted as a special opportunity to honor the hard work and dedication of the Class of 2024 over the past four years.”

This fall, Drew will attend the University of Texas - Austin as a student in the McCombs School of Business. 🤘 Congratulations, Drew, on this major accomplishment - we couldn't be more of our awesome alumni like you! ⭐️💙

👉 To read more about Drew's impressive recognition, please visit this website: https://ow.ly/Poto50S7tQ0

Say hello to our newest POP Stars! 🤩 We had a blast welcoming new families to campus for a playground picnic this morning. ☀️ With plenty of donuts to go around, incoming POP students got to know one another over face paint and balloon animals while new POP parents bonded in the shade. 🎉 Excitingly, we even had several alumni attend with our new second-generation POP Stars. It’s always a sweet moment when we see students and families alike forming lifelong friendships at school, and we couldn’t be more excited to grow together this school year! 💙⭐️

POP alumni are setting the golden standard as servant leaders, lifelong learners, and role models for their peers, and nothing compares to seeing graduates shine in high school and beyond. 🤩

Accordingly, we're thrilled to recognize this impressive POP alumna! Congratulations to Meredith Hazzard '20, who was honored with the Sedes Sapientae Award at the commencement ceremonies for the Ursuline Academy of Dallas Class of 2024! 🏆🎉 The Sedes Sapientae Award, taken from the Latin phrase meaning "Seat of Wisdom," is the highest honor conferred by Ursuline Academy on a singular graduate. 👏 The award is presented by the faculty and administration to the graduate who exemplifies in an outstanding way the core values of Ursuline, contributing greatly to her school through her optimism, compassion, and strength of character.

During the award presentation and graduation ceremony, Meredith was described by faculty as "a strong, positive presence in the classroom and everywhere she goes. She is reliable and hard-working, and, as a result, has had exceptional academic success." 🍎 Earlier this academic year, Meredith was named a National Merit Scholarship Commended Student, an incredible feat in and of itself. 💯 Meredith's teachers went on to emphasize that Meredith is equally as kind and warm as she is brilliant.

This fall, Meredith will attend the University of Texas - Austin on a pre-med track for orthopedic and sports medicine. 🤘 With a bright future ahead and a strong foundation on which to lean, Meredith is well-equipped to influence the world for Christ. 💙 Congratulations once again, Meredith — you make us so ! ⭐️

👉 To read more about the Sedes Sapientiae Award and Meredith's outstanding achievements, please see this website: https://ow.ly/QlVM50S7qUW

POP Stars are DPL champions! 🏆⭐️🎉

Student-athletes on the JV boys AND girls track & field teams finished the spring season in winning fashion at the DPL City Meet. 👟 POP Stars finished in first place overall, going the distance and beating out the competition to secure sparkling new hardware for our trophy case. 💯 Impressively, student-athlete Austin M. '26 even broke a DPL record, clocking 2:17 in the 800m for additional heavy metal. 🏅💪

Congratulations to all POP student-athletes on track & field teams as well to our JV boys, girls, and combined teams on three well-deserved DPL championship titles and a noteworthy new record! 📣 We couldn’t be more of our all-Star student-athletes for their hard work and grit, and we cannot wait to cheer them on to back-to-back championships next season! ⭐️

A very special shoutout to our extraordinary parent volunteer coaches! Thank you for all you do to support our student-athletes and encourage them to strive for their personal bests. (The hardware doesn't hurt, either). The POP Athletics program couldn’t do it without parent volunteers like you. 💙

We couldn't be more of our outstanding POP alumni in the Bishop Lynch High School (Official) Class of 2024! ⭐️ During their time at Bishop Lynch, POP '20 graduates including (from left) Ainsley Kershaw, Zachary Downum, Delaney Moon, and Dani Lopez-Balderas completed over 162 dual-credit hours for college credit and earned well over $1.4 million in college scholarships. 👏 This fall, Ainsley will at Baylor University; Zachary will head to the University of Houston as an ; Delaney will attend Fairfield University on a volleyball scholarship; and Dani will at Southern Methodist University. 📚

Congratulations to these outstanding BL graduates and POP alumni - we are so impressed by the many outstanding ways you continue to shine! 💙

👉 To read more about Delaney's commitment to , please visit this website: https://ow.ly/sLtZ50S7jOX

POP Stars are DPL champions! 🏆⭐️🎉

This season, POP student-athletes weren't just stealing hearts — they were stealing bases. 💪 The JV softball team finished their season in dominant fashion, clinching the 2024 DPL Championship in the post-season title game. ⚾️ After a 6-0 season, the team began play-offs as the undefeated #1 seed and ultimately took down the #3 seed St. Thomas team in a shutout game with a scorching final score of 11-0 to secure a sparkling new trophy. 💯 POP Stars played a hard-fought season, racking up nearly 100 runs over eight regular and post-season games, and ultimately brought home the hardware to prove it. 🥇

Congratulations once again to the JV softball team on both an outstanding season and a well-deserved DPL championship! 👏 We couldn't be more of both these student-athletes and cannot wait to see POP Stars continue their winning tradition on the Varsity diamond next spring! ⭐️

Here at POP, we’re shaping , and we couldn’t be more proud of our awesome alumni for continuing a tradition of academic excellence and living out the virtues as servant-hearted leaders. 🤩

A major congratulations to Kailey Bergstedt '20, a recent graduate of The Hockaday School Class of 2024 and newly-inducted member of Hockaday's Chapter of Cum Laude! 👏🎉 The Hockaday chapter of Cum Laude honors students whose academic achievements and scholarship have been truly extraordinary; in fact, admission to Cum Laude is the highest academic honor Hockaday can bestow upon a student. 🍎 Inducted seniors demonstrate a remarkable degree of intellectual curiosity, initiative, perseverance, and personal integrity in their pursuit of knowledge. As with fellow inductees, Kailey is a leader in the Hockaday community and will undoubtedly be a global leader in years to come. 🌎⭐️

We couldn't be more of Kailey for embodying what it means to be a saint and a scholar and have no doubt that she will continue to learn, serve, lead, and succeed this fall at Georgetown University. 🐾 Congratulations once again, Kailey, and go Hoyas! 📚💙

👉 To read more about Kailey's induction into the Cum Laude Society as well as her recognition as a 2024 National Merit Scholarship Commended Student, please see this website: https://www.hockaday.org/news

Field Day may be one week away, but the book of the year is available to order today! 📆 Get ready to "leave your mark" during yearbook pass-out and classroom autograph parties next Wednesday, May 29. ✍️✨ Orders will remain open until inventory is depleted, but parents are encouraged to order by Tuesday, May 28, to ensure that their student receives a yearbook on Field Day. ⭐️

📲 To place your order, please visit this website: https://payit.nelnet.net/form/gWwaa4hZ

In the meantime, work on the spring supplement is now underway! 📸 The POP yearbook staff kindly requests that families continue to submit photos from the fourth quarter to [email protected] for potential inclusion in the spring supplement.

POP alumni are shining as they celebrate graduation! 🎓 Graduates from the POP Class of 2020 blew us away with the honors they've earned as high school students over the past four years. 📚 Excitingly, five of the Top Ten graduates in the John Paul II High School Class of 2024 are POP alumni, and we couldn't be more of these students. ⭐️

Check out these outstanding POP alumni, pictured with influential educators of their choice at JPII's annual Top Ten Seniors Banquet (from left):
🏅 Congratulations to Leah Devasia, who will be moseying on down to The University of Texas at Austin to major in biology on a pre-dental track. Alright, alright, alright, Leah!
🏅 Congratulations to National Merit Scholarship Finalist Theresa Wootton, who is heading up north to Indiana to study engineering at Purdue University. Boiler up!
🏅 Congratulations to JPII Class of 2024 Salutatorian, Charlotte Blank! Charlotte will attend TCU – Texas Christian University this fall and will major in biology on a pre-dental track. Go frogs, and go Charlotte!
🏅 Congratulations to Marcelo Villegas, who will be majoring in engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. Keep Austin weird, Marcelo!
🏅 Congratulations to Angelo Carreño, who will pursue a double major in international relations and public policy at The University of Texas at Austin. Hook ‘em, Angelo!

Vroom, vroom — PreK4 is coming through! 🚗 The CLC’s end-of-year Alphabet Countdown continued this week as students recapped each of the 26 letters they’ve studied this year in just as many days. 🍎 For “V” Day, students celebrated with vehicles and videos! 🎥 The CLC was transformed into a drive-in movie theater as students rolled up in their snazzy new rides, purchased their favorite concessions, and settled in for a feature film on the big screen. 🍿🎞️ Not to be corny, but we loved seeing students pop in with their dream cars! 😉⭐️

It takes a village, and our school community is certainly blessed with the best parent volunteers. As we look ahead to this week's eighth grade Graduation Mass & Ceremony, we recognize that we’ll also be saying good-bye not only to 75 outstanding students, but also several all-Star parents — including Mrs. Ana Acevedo. 🎓💫

Mrs. Acevedo has been a quintessential member of our community for over eleven years as sons Luis ’22 and Jose ’24 are both lifetime students. As a POP parent, Mrs. Acevedo has overseen the Decorations Committee, decking the halls with the most exquisite bulletin boards. ✂️🎨 While she's undoubtedly been a friendly face around campus, you may have missed seeing her behind the camera; when not jazzing up campus with hand-made decorations, Mrs. Acevedo could be found playing paparazzi at all school events. 📸 Additionally, Mrs. Acevedo has had a critical role in the production of the POP yearbook, even creating the 2019-2020 edition amidst the pandemic and eLearning. Above all else, though, Mrs. Acevedo has enthusiastically supported and uplifted students and staffulty, always bringing a servant heart and contagious joy with her to campus. 🤩

On their final day of school, the had the privilege of honoring Mrs. Acevedo with the sweetest send-off! 💌 Unbeknownst to Mrs. Acevedo, graduating eighth grade students had prepared a thank-you poster with which to surprise their favorite photographer. After she snapped what she thought would be her final photograph of soon-to-be POP alumni, Jose emerged from the bleachers to present her with both the poster and a bouquet of roses amidst a standing ovation from the students whom she’s watched grow up. 👏🎉 Fittingly, Mrs. Acevedo then followed POP Stars along their final walk, providing her services as designated camera mom one final time. 💯

On behalf of both the POP Class of 2024 and staffulty (including one immensely grateful yearbook teacher), thank you, Mrs. Acevedo, for all you've done for us. You will be SO very missed next year! ⭐️💙

While we hate to see them go, we love to watch them leave as they embark on a new chapter in their lives. 🎓 In several short months, alumni from the will leave home to begin their collegiate careers in places near and far. 🌎 After one final reunion to reflect on the good times and encourage one another for the future, we have no doubt that these students are well-equipped for the coming years. We’re prayerfully and excitedly looking forward to watching graduates respond to God’s calling for their lives and cannot wait to watch them shine for Christ in their new communities. Congratulations once again to the graduating Class of 2024! ⭐️🎉

We can’t wait to hear all of the awesome things that POP graduates are doing in high school, college, and beyond! ✏️ Mark your calendars now for Alumni Day on Wednesday, December 11. 📆 Stay connected with our alumni network, and be sure to share your alumni highlights with Mrs. Ashley Herrera ’05 ([email protected]), Director of Admissions and Alumni Relations, and Ms. Evan Ray ([email protected]), Communications Coordinator!

POP administrators and families had a wonderful evening at the annual President’s Donor Reception. 🎉 We are incredibly grateful to all who support our efforts to advance our mission, and thankful for those that give their time and resources to ensure Prince of Peace's ability to provide students with both a challenging academic environment and a foundation for lifelong spiritual growth. Your contributions demonstrate your belief in the power of a Catholic education and truly make a difference in the hearts and minds of our students. 💙⭐️

It may have been their last, but it was certainly one of their best. ✨ On their final day as POP Stars, graduating eighth grade students pridefully clad in their high school shirts made the most of their time to shine! 🎓🎉 Following the annual eighth grade walk, graduates from the spent their final hours at school together finishing their final exams (literally), signing one another’s yearbooks, and coming out late for carpool one last time. ✏️ Students ended their time on a high note, and our school community couldn’t be more to soon call these students POP alumni. 💙⭐️

One last time. ⭐️

In the same way that you’ve changed our school, you will go on to change the world. We pray that you strive not only for academic excellence next year, but for the kingdom of Heaven. Be a light, continue to shine, and know that you will always have a home at Prince of Peace. 💙

CONGRATULATIONS to the graduating ! 🎓🎉

Graduating eighth grade students have a *pizza* our hearts! 🍕 Throughout the semester, students in Ms. Ray’s service elective have mobilized during their class time to spread smiles and lend helping hands around school. 🤩 From tutoring fourth grade students to sorting the many donations from our inaugural POP Book Drive, students have dedicated their time and energy to supporting our school community. One of their most impactful initiatives, though, has been assisting with kindergarten lunch and recess duty. 💯

Back in January, eighth grade students pitched their plan to Mrs. Pecikonis: during their service class, students would go down to Cana Center to provide additional support to teacher assistants by performing the miscellaneous tasks required of any lunch and recess duty volunteers, such as helping open lunch items, ensuring that students remain seated while eating, and refereeing games on the playground. 🍽️🛝 Lunch and recess duties aren’t for the faint of heart, but eighth graders made it look easy this semester, quickly becoming celebrities amongst the kindergarten crowd. Not only have our oldest students alleviated the pressure on teacher assistants, but they’ve developed the most special relationships with our youngest students, forging bonds as both friends and role models. 🫶 While most grown-ups secretly look forward to the conclusion of lunch and recess, eighth grade and kindergarten POP Stars made it known on their final day of electives that they weren’t ready for their time together to end. 💙

A very special thank-you to our eighth grade service students for the servant-hearted leadership and Christlike love they’ve shown us this semester; the positive impact you’ve made on both our staffulty and students goes neither unnoticed nor unappreciated, and we couldn’t more be more of you! ⭐️

Before their time here concludes, eighth grade students are taking the initiative to ensure that the legacy of one of their former classmates will live on following graduation. 💙🎓 With stacks of donut boxes in tow, Student Council officers were at school bright and early to set up for Breakfast for Blaise, a student-led fundraiser named in honor of Blaise Keenan ’24. 🍩 Student Council officers wasted no time setting up their station with sweet treats at Cana morning carpool, selling breakfast goods for just $2 apiece as students made their way into school. By the time the bell rang, Student Council had raised $1,000 to be gifted to our sister parish in Honduras in Blaise’s memory. 💸 While the pain of our loss lingers, students are carrying out their mission to honor their classmate’s memory through random acts of kindness and outreach projects to serve our neighbors near and far, and we’re incredibly of the good they continue to do in our community. ⭐️

A heartfelt thanks to the , eighth grade faculty and families, and alumni parent Mrs. Eileen Sherman (not pictured) for dedicating your time, energy, and resources in remembrance of Blaise. 🫶💚

*Chess* this out! ♟️✨ On Friday morning’s POP News broadcast, we were thrilled to present Benny H. ’24 with the latest addition to our trophy case. 🏆 A masterful strategist, Benny showed off his *moves* at the 2nd annual Scholastic Invitational Chess Tournament for students attending local Catholic schools (Catholic Schools Diocese of Dallas). Impressively, Benny finished first place in the 8th grade division, ensuring that the traveling trophy would be housed at POP for the next year. Also shining in the tournament was fellow POP eighth grade student Christian B., who placed second in the division. 👏

We couldn’t be more of Benny and Christian for their outstanding performances at the diocesan Chess Tournament. Congratulations to both of these competitors on their big wins. Checkmate! ⭐️🎉

A very special thanks to Mr. Robert Griffin (pictured), Executive Director of the JWG Chess Fund, for coming out to present Benny with the trophy and celebrate our winning students — we appreciate you making this celebration pawns-ible! 💙

Our POP school community was well-represented at the Rainbow Days 27th annual Pot of Gold Luncheon. 🤩🌈 Rainbow Days is a non-profit organization with the mission of helping children and youth in adversity build coping skills and resilience to create positive futures. 💙 During the event, eighth grade Student Ambassadors had the opportunity to assist with fundraising initiatives for the many critical services and resources that Rainbow Days provides to over 15,000 adolescents in North Texas. Several POP teachers, staff members, and families were even in attendance to enjoy a presentation by keynote speaker Erin Gruwell (Freedom Writers Foundation), a teacher, author, and activist who garnered national attention with her impactful work in the classroom and the publication of “The Freedom Writers Diary” with her students. 🍎📚 Mrs. Gruwell shared her passions for education, mentorship, and transforming students’ lives before charging attendees to inspire bravery in their children. Altogether, the day was an excellent experience in which students and adults alike got to serve, grow, and be encouraged out in our community. ⭐️

At this morning’s Class of 2024 Awards Ceremony, students in our graduating eighth grade class were honored for their incredible achievements and spiritual leadership this school year. 🎓

The Awards Ceremony began with a brief introduction by Mr. Weber. Representatives from our diocesan high schools, including Mrs. Lauren Westerfield, Admissions Director at John Paul II High School, and Mrs. Marissa Hanback, Admissions Coordinator at Ursuline Academy of Dallas, then presented certificates to scholarship recipients attending JPII and Ursuline next year. 📚🍎

After Mrs. Jones presented the Fr. Jim Balint Scholarship, Tyus Hill took the microphone attendance to present his eponymous scholarship; Mr. Mark Keenan presented the Random Acts of Kindness Memorial Scholarship, named in honor of Blaise Keenan; and Mr. Steve Bohannon and Mrs. Katie Bohannon presented the Allyson Bohannon Goldman Memorial Scholarship. This year, we were thrilled to present two new scholarships, named in honor of Henry Anthony Punzi II and Julie Woodhouse. 💙

Also at the Awards Ceremony, the recipients of the Excellence in Attendance, GRIT, STREAM, and Student Athlete of the Year Awards were honored for their outstanding leadership, volunteerism, academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and tenacity throughout the school year. 🥇 Virtuoso Award winners were named as well; this quarter, teachers nominated students who demonstrated the theological virtues of “diligence” and “fortitude” during the final weeks of school. 🙏 Students who volunteered at Mass celebrations or served as student leaders, including both Student Council officers and Ambassadors, were recognized for their service this year as well. The Awards ceremony ultimately culminated in the presentation of Subject Awards, the Christian Leadership Award, and the inaugural POP Star Award. 🏆

We couldn’t be more to celebrate and send off a class of students who shine so brightly and strive to live virtuously, serve their communities, and learn with excitement. 👏 Congratulations to all of our graduating POP Stars, and thank you for setting the bar so high this year. ⭐️🎉

POP students are blessed with the best. ✨ Happy Mother's Day to all of our POP mothers, grandmothers, maternal figures, and dads who do it all! 💙⭐️

Tomorrow marks the beginning of the end for our graduates in the POP Class of 2024! 🎓 Excitingly, eighth grade students are entering into their final week as POP students. 🗓 For over half of the class, though, graduation means saying farewell to a place that they’ve called home since kindergarten, if not earlier. That's over nine years as current POP Stars! 👏 While we’ve so enjoyed getting to shape these lifetime students (pictured) into saints and scholars, we can’t wait to cheer them on as they follow God's calling to a new school community. 💙⭐️

Not pictured: Christian B., Jack M., Tyler V.

Before they graduate, the POP Class of 2024 is cooking up something special. 🥞 In honor of their dear former classmate Blaise Keenan, eighth grade students are hosting a one-day-only Breakfast for Blaise fundraiser! 💚 Eighth graders will be stationed at Cana morning carpool TOMORROW, Friday, May 10, to sell breakfast treats. Snacks will be $2 each, and all funds will be donated to our sister parish in Honduras in remembrance of Blaise. ⭐️

We are thrilled to officially announce our new CLC Assistant Principal, Mrs. Kendra Kemp! ⭐️🎉 Mrs. Kemp is a familiar face on campus as she is wrapping up her sixth year in second grade here at POP. Mrs. Harris is proud to pass the torch to Mrs. Kemp, and our amazing CLC team has already welcomed her with open arms. 💙

👉 Swipe to learn more about Mrs. Kemp, and get ready for another wonderful year ahead in the CLC!

Congratulations to all of our second grade students who received First Holy Communion last weekend! 🙏 Students have been getting ready to receive the Eucharist both at home and in their religion classes at school, and they were more than prepared to receive the Body and Blood of Christ. 💙 A very special thanks to Mrs. Vicky Hubbard and the second grade team for all of their work guiding students in their spiritual growth and orchestrating a lovely morning of celebration for families. ⭐️