Catholic High School

Congratulations to rising seniors Kate Marchesi, Irene Stedje-Larsen, and Jalen Kotchka on representing Catholic High School at this summer's leadership programs.

Kate and Irene attended Girls State at Longwood University, while Jalen represented CHS at Boys State at Hampden-Sydney College. Recently, the three students met with members of American Legion Post 110, who sponsored their attendance, to share what they learned from the experience.

Jalen served on the Boys State Supreme Court (Moot Court), gaining firsthand experience with the judicial process. Irene said Girls State broadened her understanding of government and gave her the opportunity to build lasting friendships with young women from across Virginia. Kate enjoyed learning about elections and local government, serving on the Master Plan Committee and helping count votes during city and state elections.

We are proud of Kate, Irene, and Jalen for representing Catholic High so well and grateful to American Legion Post 110 for making this incredible opportunity possible.

As summer heats up and we look ahead to a new school year, exciting progress is being made behind the scenes at CHS. The Malone Field House project recently received verbal approval from the Diocese’s Building and Renovations Committee, marking a major milestone as we move closer to breaking ground in 2026.

Thanks to the generosity of our alumni, parents, grandparents, and friends, we have already raised $2.6 million toward our $3.8 million goal — but we still need your help to bring this vision to life.

The Malone Field House is about more than athletics. It is the next chapter in Catholic High’s thoughtful approach to growth, creating new opportunities for students across campus while supporting the academic, physical, and personal development of every Crusader.

With nearly 75% of CHS students participating in JV or varsity athletics, this facility will help meet the needs of our growing community by providing more space for training, classes, wellness, and student activities.

Will you help us cross the finish line? Every gift brings us one step closer to building a facility that will impact generations of Crusaders.

Learn more and make your gift today at chsvb.org/support-us/create-your-legacy.

The 2026 AP Exam results highlight another outstanding year of academic achievement for our Crusaders. A record 248 students completed 628 AP exams, earning an impressive 3.7 average exam score, with 87% of all exams resulting in a score of 3 or higher and 60% earning a score of 4 or higher.

Students across all grade levels continued to excel, with each class improving its AP performance from the previous year. Additionally, 16 of 21 AP subjects scored above the global average, six AP courses achieved a 100% pass rate, and 117 students earned AP Scholar recognition for their exceptional performance.

Congratulations to all of our AP students for their dedication, hard work, and commitment to academic excellence. We are proud of the continued growth and success of our Advanced Placement program at Catholic High!

Join our CRU! We are currently hiring a School Counseling Department Administrative Assistant, Advancement and Business Assistant and a History Teacher to join our dedicated and mission-driven team for the 2026-2027 school year. If you’re passionate about academic excellence and committed to making a meaningful impact in a Christ-centered environment, we invite you to learn more and apply at https://www.chsvb.org/about/employment.

Join us for our first ever parent retreat as we begin the 2026 school year!

At CHS, our mission is to support parents as they educate and raise their children in virtue. You are their primary and best teachers, mentors, and coaches! Start the academic year with intention, prayer, and the peace that the Lord longs to give us in our vocations. Signups will be released later this month, and you can join us for one or both days. The retreat is FREE of charge, and promises to be a time of faith and fellowship that will strengthen our identities in Christ.

We hope to see you there!

Happy Fourth of July from Catholic High School!

Today we celebrate the freedom we’re blessed to enjoy and the 250th birthday of the United States of America. It’s a great day for cookouts, time with family and friends, fireworks, and a little extra gratitude for the country we call home.

We’re proud to be part of a community that values faith, service, and forming students who are ready to make a difference—both now and in the future.

Wishing the entire CHS family a safe, fun, and festive Fourth of July!

We’re excited to announce Ms. Marie A. Finch as the new Chair of the Advisory Board at Catholic High School.

Ms. Finch is a longtime CHS supporter and Advisory Board member who brings decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, governance, and philanthropy across Hampton Roads. She is a graduate of Brown University and the University of Virginia School of Law.

Her connection to CHS runs deep. Since her son Michael’s graduation in 2009, she has remained a steady and generous presence in the school community, consistently supporting its mission and growth. The Finch family’s impact is also seen on campus through Finch Field, named in their honor in 2013, and the Marie Finch Girls Locker Room in the TownBank Athletic Pavilion in 2024.

Ms. Finch also serves on the Diocesan Advisory School Board of the Diocese of Richmond, where she continues to support Catholic education and student opportunity.

Her experience and commitment make her an outstanding choice to help guide CHS forward.

Our Crusaders continue to serve throughout the summer!

Last week, our Service and Liturgical Coordinator, Steve Branning, co-led a mission team of 28 high school students, including eight Crusaders, and a group from California to Virginia's Eastern Shore to serve migrant workers and their community through the Missioners of Christ.

Throughout the week, the team gleaned more than 1,000 pounds of broccoli from local fields, helping provide food for more than 200 families. They cleaned yards for elderly residents, assisted with home repair projects, visited children at an early childhood learning center, and spent time singing and praying with residents at local nursing homes. They also brought daily Mass in Spanish directly to migrant workers at their camps and hosted a Festival of Faith for migrant families featuring skits, the Rosary, and donations of clothing, shoes, jackets, rosaries, and prayer books. Along the way, they practiced Spanish while building meaningful relationships with the workers and their families.

As Mr. Branning reflected, "The people we came to serve ended up teaching us more than we could have ever given them. They showed us what it looks like to trust God completely- to find joy with very little and to love selflessly. Each night we gathered for a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament, praying with and for each other. It was truly a transformative and life-changing week for all! Keep an eye out for next year's mission. We would love to have more CHS students come!"

We are proud of our Crusaders who took part in this year's mission: Gianna and Patrick Branning, Johanna Carino, Addie Castiglioni, Keilani Healey, Reagan Hou, Lydia Rudolph, Eli Walters and our new Spanish teacher, Señora Rudolph.

We are proud to recognize Matthew Cook ’26 for his outstanding Eagle Scout project, which has made a meaningful impact in the Norfolk community.

Matthew supported the Berkley Timberwolves, a nonprofit youth sports organization serving at-risk elementary and middle school students, by improving their equipment storage. He raised funds for shelving, shoulder pad racks, and durable storage containers to better organize and protect uniforms and gear. He also coordinated donations for major upgrades to the storage facility, including a new roof and four windows provided by Stevens Roofing and Better View Windows & More. His efforts have created a safer, more organized space for the organization’s young athletes.

The Class of 2026 includes many accomplished Scouts, including Eagle Scouts Cooper Wilson, Davis Pelton, Maddox Reeves, Liam Donato, Will Loiselle, James Walters, and Matthew Cook, as well as Girl Scout Gold Award recipient Emma Braendeholm. We are so proud of all these Crusaders and their accomplishments!

We are thrilled to announce the St. Michael’s Scholars of the incoming freshmen class. The St. Michael's Scholars Award is presented to the top-ranked student of the 8th grade class at each of our local Catholic elementary schools, provided the student attends Catholic High School. Congratulations to our newest St. Michael's Scholars Award recipients. We are proud to call you Crusaders!