Alexander, McArdle families have a lot to celebrate this year
Alexander, McArdle families have a lot to celebrate this yearCHARLOTTE — This graduation season is especially busy for two families who are celebrating three levels of graduations from Catholic schools.
The Alexander and the McArdle families each have students graduating from Charlotte Catholic High School, Holy Trinity Middle School and St. Gabriel School in Charlotte this month.
“It’s not the first time it’s happened, I’m sure. We’re probably not the only ones, but it’s unique that our families are celebrating these milestones together,” says Sally McArdle.
Their youngest children, Sean Alexander and Kate McArdle, started at St. Gabriel’s Cradle Preschool together and both are “bridging” to Holy Trinity Middle School together from St. Gabriel School.
“They’re good friends. We’ve already kind of warned the school to look out for them,” Sally McArdle jokes.
Austin Alexander and Kevin McArdle are graduating from Holy Trinity Middle School and are both headed to Charlotte Catholic High School.
Wesley Alexander and Jack McArdle graduated from Charlotte Catholic High School June 2. Wesley plans to attend Wake Forest University. Jack is headed to Virginia Tech to major in engineering.
Molly McArdle is a rising junior at Charlotte Catholic, and while she’s not graduating like her brothers and sister, she’ll receive her own celebration when she completes Charlotte Catholic High School next year.
Sally McArdle and her husband Pete are both graduates of Charlotte Catholic High School, and so too are Ralph Alexander Jr. and his wife Tanita. Ralph Alexander was inducted into Charlotte Catholic High School Alumni Association’s Hall of Fame in 2016. Pete McArdle was part of the soccer team previously inducted to the Hall of Fame.
Giving their children a Catholic education, like they received, is important to the families.
“I came up in the MACS system,” Ralph Alexander says. “I felt it was a good system for me, so I felt it was good system for the kids. It was an easy decision for me. Our children have received a great education so far. Wesley’s done well in the system. He’s taken a lot of Honors and AP classes and has done well.”
Sally McArdle, who is also director of advancement at the high school, said it’s the sense of family and community that has been fostered through attending the high school that is also significant.
“We’re all products of Catholic education,” Sally McArdle said. “Charlotte Catholic’s sense of community is special. It’s like a family, and our family is part of the legacy.”
Having three graduation celebrations in a short amount of time means lots of dinners with family, plus cake and a party for the high school graduates. Both families say it’s a really exciting time to have the siblings achieving these milestones in life together.
“Having three kids move schools at the same time, it’s a busy time,” Ralph Alexander says. “Award ceremonies, baccalaureate Masses, middle school celebrations, graduation ceremonies, and bridging ceremony from the elementary school...
“It’s a busy time. But it’s fun to celebrate them all at once.”
— Kimberly Bender, online reporter
SALISBURY — Tyler Kulp has been hired as the principal of Sacred Heart School, the school announced May 24.
Kulp has served Sacred Heart School since 2015 as its middle school dean of students and middle school math teacher, and succeeds former principal Frank Cardelle. His first day as principal was May 9.
“Sacred Heart is a fantastic school. It is such an honor for me to be named their new principal. I am ready to lead this school into a new chapter," Kulp said.
Kulp was chosen after an extensive search led by Father John Eckert, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, and a search committee comprised of representatives from the parish, diocese, diocesan schools, faculty and parents. Their decision to hire Kulp was unanimous, the school said in its statement.
“Sacred Heart has educated students in Rowan County for over 135 years. We take education very seriously, and the principal position is key to a healthy learning environment for our faculty and students," said Father Eckert.
Kulp is originally from Ephrata, Pa., and was recruited by Catawba College to play men’s soccer. While at Catawba College, he was named an All-Star center midfielder and a member of their All Conference Team. In 2006, he graduated from Catawba College, earning a bachelor’s degree in education with a specialization in mathematics.
In 2015, he graduated from Western Carolina University with a master’s degree in school administration with honors distinction. Also in 2015, he became a licensed North Carolina principal.
“I loved my time at Catawba College – loved Salisbury and this community – and didn’t want to leave upon graduation. So I took a middle school math position at Corriher Lipe Middle School," Kulp said. "I spent nine years at CLMS teaching and coaching and really enjoyed it."
While at Corriher Lipe Middle School, he served on numerous committees, such as School Improvement Team, Human Relations Council and Data/Testing Team.
“I had a tremendous learning experience at CLMS, from academics to administration to athletics. As a former college athlete, they made sure that I coached many team sports – basketball, tennis, soccer and track and field," he said.
Since coming to Sacred Heart School, Kulp has also served as Sacred Heart School's athletic director and learning support coordinator.
"He even coached our varsity girls basketball team to a conference championship this year with a 14-0 conference record. I am very excited about the energy and leadership that Mr. Kulp brings to SHCS,” said Lisa Clark, school board chairperson, parishioner and school parent for more than 14 years.
Kulp has already hired a new middle school math teacher to take his place: Curt Morgan, who was a RSS Teacher of the Year in 2015-'16. He has also hired a new athletic director: former college and pro basketball standout Bradford Spencer.
Kulp brings to Sacred Heart School experience with curriculum standards, technology in the classroom and 21st century lesson planning. He said he is excited about the school’s future, especially with its new STREAM curriculum and integrated classroom learning environments.
“STREAM is like STEM but with religion and agriculture/arts added," he said. "We have a thriving master gardening and conservationist program, and a strong relationship with The Land Trust of Central North Carolina. Outdoor learning makes inside learning fun. They complement each other extremely well.”
But Kulp said he will not forget the basics.
“We are a Catholic school. Our purpose is to educate the mind and the body, but most importantly, the Spirit. One hundred and thirty-five years of history and excellence in education is important, and it shows all over Salisbury. It’s amazing! We have educated many students that now have children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren enrolled at SHCS. Keeping up with new trends in education is crucial, but ignoring 135 years of success is foolish.
"My goal is to continue to lead SHCS in raising students who, upon graduating, know the teachings of Jesus Christ and are prepared to live and serve in a changing society as self-respecting and responsible citizens.”
And he smiles when he says, ”but they need to know a little soccer and mathematics, too!”
— Robin Fisher, Sacred Heart School marketing and communications