New Charter Chapter Opens for National Art Honor Society in Katy

Pope John XXIII High School recently kicked off their brand new “charter” chapter of the National Art Honor Society with the spring inductions of 28 new members. Two senior inductees, Chris Panaligan and Gen McCormick received art scholarships! Nell Bednarz, a local Katy artist, was the guest speaker for the ceremony. 

The National Art Honor Society (NAHS) is sponsored by the National Art Education Association (NAEA), comprised of over 20,000 active art educators and administrators throughout the nation.

Pope John XXIII High is quickly becoming an artistic force within our community: Twice winning first place at the Katy Rice Harvest Festival parade float contest, hosting two fine art dept. showcases and the Division 3A district 6 TAPPS* art meet. The Roaring Lions also captured first place in district and tenth place in the state art meet in Austin. Chaired and directed by Cyndy O’Donnell, recipient of the NAEA 1997 NAHS Sponsor of the Year Award, the visual arts department has become quite competitive. Ms. O’Donnell is very proud of what her students have been able to accomplish, something very visible as you walk around the school.

The new high school, only 5 years old, is the first Catholic high school to be established within the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston in over 40 years, and the only Catholic school in Katy. Pope John XXIII teaches and requires community service projects, even within the art dept. These service projects include: Support the Troops projects, support of the Katy Krause Teen Center, and the Pro-Life Gabriel Project Christmas Card contest and sales. Their winning designs and participation were honored by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo with special archdiocesan service certificates for the past two years.

This year Pope John XXIII will celebrate their second graduation. The baccalaureate Mass will be held on May 22nd at the beautiful Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral, in downtown Houston. The graduation ceremony will be held on May 23rd at Pope John XXIII High School campus, on Grand Parkway and Franz Rd.

*TAPPS – Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools. For more information please visit:  http://www.pj23.org , http://www.nellbednarz.com and http://www.arteducators.org