Letter from the Principal - June 2022

June 8, 2022

 Parents and Guardians,

Congratulations to the Class of 2022!  You certainly earned your diplomas and the right to call yourself distinguished alumni of Cretin-Derham Hall!  Parents, guardians, faculty, and staff are incredibly proud of you.

We should also be proud of what we accomplished together. This year our student body and school community returned to many of the fine traditions established throughout our history. We even created new traditions. Yes, we were a bit rusty at times, but we approached it all with renewed gratitude and zeal.  

It would be misleading to say this year was easy. We all struggled to readjust to the routines and expectations of school and society. I encourage you to recount your blessings from this past school year. We have so much to be proud of.  Together, let’s celebrate and recognize a few of the moments we shared along the way (in loose chronological order):

• Ryan McDonagh’07 brought the Stanley Cup back to CDH last summer. Raider Pride!
• We remained committed to our CDH Values of Diversity and Equity as we built out a strong DEI Progam:  Crystal Flint (Student Advocate), Kenneth Udoibok ‘16 (Student Mentor), Rev. Dr. Ron Bell, Stan Davis ‘88 (interim Director of Diversity) and  Kim Royston '06 as our permanent Director of Dignity and Inclusion/Assistant Principal. 
• A-Fam is a space for fellowship and support.
• Faculty Book Club read “A Good Time for the Truth: Race in Minnesota.
• Kim Royston, ‘06, was named New Director of Dignity and Inclusion and Assistant Principal.
• We congratulated our Two National Merit Semifinalists - Maddie Schearer and Samual Wachlarowicz, and our Four National Merit Commended Scholars: Isabella Lauer '22, Minkyu Jun '22, Jacob Wahlstrom '22, and Benjamin Weber '22.
• Our faculty, staff, and students gathered to celebrate Hispanic Heritage, Native American Heritage,Black History, and AAPI.
• Theater Director, Chris Hill ‘02, led an impressive Theater Season, including productions of The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood,The Velveteen Rabbit, and Chicago.
• Our JROTC program flourished and retained its nation-leading run of 95 years as an honor unit with distinction.  The year also included the traditional:  Fall Review,Diamond Promotions, New Senior Army Instructor, service project with Free Bikes 4 Kidz, and Twilight Parade.
• Students embraced opportunities to deepen their faith when grade-level retreats returned. 
• Raider Spirit was alive and well at CDH during  Homecoming Week.  Go Raiders!
• The Ryan STEM Center opened as
•  STEAM curriculum/opportunities expanded.
• We held our First inaugural Rob Stupka STEAM Week.
• The new STEAM Scholar program honored two students
• We welcomed our 9th-grade parents to our faith community at our 9th Grade parent mass.  Two Students earned Scholastic Art Awards:  Minyu Zhou '22 and Collett Akins '23.
• Our very own Ms. Jamieson won a national science contest
• Justice education trips returned as students studied immigration at El Otro Lado Trip (JET trip)
• Our students led the  Winter Supply Drive to collect clothing hygiene supplies and raised over $3000.
• Our annual History Day projects were presented again as part of our  US History Class. 
• CDH hosted the SEC Music Festival and performed at many band and choir concerts throughout the year. 
• Empty Bowls returned and served soup along with donated ceramics projects and bowls.
• CDH hired our new HR manager:  Regan McCormack. 
• CDH welcomed  Brother Paul Joslin to help us honor the memory of Blessed Bro James Miller. Brother Paul was with Blessed Brother James when Brother James was martyred.   
• CDH Seniors in our U of M College in the Schools writing program spent the day at the U of M Campus. 
• Both CDH Mock Trial Teams made it to state.
• CDH celebrated post-season competition in Girls' Individual Tennis,Boys Basketball, Swimming, Boys’ Hockey, and Boys' Individual Golf. 
• Once again, the Taste of CDH brought the community back together. 
• The CDH Robotics Team finished strong earning the Team Spirit Award. 
• Our Grandparents joined their grandchildren at Grandparents Mass, and we welcomed Archbishop Hebda, who celebrated Easter Mass with us.   
• Our students cheered and supported one another at our annual Awards ceremony. 
• We named our new Athletic Director, Matt Funk.
• Communications Apprentice program was successful in its first year and was featured on a national podcast.
• Winfield Awards honored two CDH student-athletes: seniors Juliana Cruz and Isaac Mouacheupao.
• The CDH visual arts program hosted its annual Art Show.
• The first Annual CASA Cup was held outside on the Wingerd Field on a beautiful Spring day.
• We celebrated commencement at the Cathedral of St. Paul for the Class of 2022 
• One of our 9th grader golfers is headed to state later this month.
• And together, we continued to grieve the death and loss of our beloved teacher and colleague, Joe Moss.

What an amazing year on so many levels!  Have a wonderful and restful summer. 

May God bless you all,

Mona Passman, Principal