GASTONIA — St. Michael School recently received National Beta Club’s School of Distinction status, which reflects the school’s commitment to academic excellence and illustrates its dedication to preparing students for the future.
The National Beta Club is the nation’s largest independent, non-profit, educational youth organization. It is committed to recognizing and promoting high academic achievement, rewarding and nurturing worthy character, improving student leadership skills, and encouraging service to others.
— Tammy Eason
CHARLOTTE — Ralph Alexander Jr. was inducted into Charlotte Catholic High School Alumni Association’s Hall of Fame during halftime at the Hall of Fame football game Sept. 30 at Keffer Stadium.
He is pictured above with his family, Principal Kurt Telford, retired Coach Jim Oddo and Coach Ken Hazen, and fellow Hall of Famers (from left): Laura Cowman Guthrie ’93 (tennis), John Berger ’84 (golf), CCHS Alumni Association President Nikki Doulé Warren ’91 (Alumni Association president), Pete McArdle ’87 (soccer) and H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler ‘56.
A 1981 graduate, Alexander lettered in both varsity wrestling and football at Charlotte Catholic, and he was named All-Conference in 1978, 1979 and 1980. He was Mecklenburg County Second Team running back in 1978 and 1979, and First Team in 1980. Also in 1980, his senior year, he was captain of the football team and named Most Valuable Player. He earned a full football scholarship to The Citadel, and lettered all four years there. He graduated in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
He remains active with The Citadel, as well as with Our Lady of Consolation Church in Charlotte, where he and his family are members. His professional career includes a background in banking and finance and, as a licensed Realtor, he is the owner of Ralph Alexander Realty and Brokerage Co.
At the award presentation, Alexander was joined on the field by his parents, Kaye and Ralph Alexander Sr., his wife Tanita, and their three children, Wesley, Austin and Sean. The Alexanders are a legacy family, as Wesley is a member of Charlotte Catholic’s Class of 2017 and the varsity football team. Austin attends Holy Trinity Middle School, and Sean attends St. Gabriel School.
Fellow Hall of Fame member and Dean of Students Randy Belk said, “Ralph Alexander was a standout athlete at CCHS and is a terrific representative of everything our school stands for. The fact that the Alexanders are a legacy family speaks volumes. Ralph is well deserving of this award.” Belk, who coached Alexander at Charlotte Catholic, added, “What I remember most about coaching Ralph is his smile. He came to practice every day smiling and ready to work to improve. He made his teammates better players as well. I truly enjoyed coaching Ralph, and I’m very happy he’s now a member of our Hall of Fame.”
The Charlotte Catholic High School Alumni Association is comprised of nearly 10,000 member graduates of Charlotte Catholic High School.
— Carolyn Tillman