Archbishop Wood Catholic High School
Encyclopedia
Archbishop Wood Catholic High School is a private
, Roman Catholic high school
. The school was built in 1964 in Warminster Township
in Bucks County.
Fidelity (the ivy) to Christian
principles (the cross) will merit for students and the graduate the crown of everlasting life. Emblazoned below the shield is the school motto: "Coronam Fidelitas Merebit", meaning "Faithfulness Merits The Crown".
Though the original blueprints for the school included an auditorium
to be built in the space between the separate buildings, budgetary constraints forced plans for the auditorium to be scrapped. By 1987, funding for the auditorium had been secured thanks to donations by the Archbishop Wood Alumni Association. The Sophia A. Friedman Auditorium was completed by 1989, coinciding with the joining of the two schools into Archbishop Wood Catholic High School, wherein the school became co-educational and the two buildings were united by means of the auditorium.
Hail with pride our honored seal
And beneath our glowing colors
Pledge to you our faith and zeal.
With our banner's cross to guide us
Bringing wisdon to the world
Ever by our faithful striving
Will our colors stand unfurled...
Hail the Black, Green, and Gold
Of Archbishop Wood
May we bring to your banner renown
For in youth's loyal might
Serving God and the Right
Is Alma Mater's radiant crown,
Is Alma Mater's radiant crown.
. Students participate in a variety of co- and extracurricular activities from athletics to academic programs to student-run activities. The students of Archbishop Wood provide fantastic support for their sports teams as they are known as the "Warminter wackies" all throughout the county. The Warminster Wackies are usually led by one or two devoted fans each year to ensure they stay wacky. FRom recent years past some leaders consist of Pat Graham, Fran McGlynn, Mike Rotondo, Joe Walters, and many more.
Individuals within the school have maintained an extensive physical archive of the newspapers dating back to 1967. In 2006, various alumni began a project to digitize the archives to preserve them for posterity. The digital archives can be accessed here. Though efforts have been made to enhance the standing of the newspaper, there has historically been little financial or institutional support for an expanded, comprehensive student-run newspaper infrastructure.
The Marching Unit, under the direction of Mr. Brian Agger, competes at the highest level of its class, having recently won the 2011 Cavalcade of Bands Independence A Championship in Hershey, PA, and the 2010 Tournament of Bands All Chapter Championship (Group 2A) in Hershey, PA. Recent awards also include a USSBA All-State Championship in 2001, USSBA PA State Championships in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2005, and a Cavalcade of Bands Championship in 2007. The Indoor Percussion Ensemble and Color Guard have shared in the Marching Unit's success, winning several TIA championships over the past ten years.
Champions.
The Championship teams are:
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
, Roman Catholic high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
. The school was built in 1964 in Warminster Township
Warminster Township, Pennsylvania
Warminster Township is a township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 32,682 at the 2010 census.The town was named for the town of Warminster in Wiltshire, England.-Geography:...
in Bucks County.
School Seal and Motto
The school seal is in the shape of a shield bearing a cross with green ivy and a gold crown superimposed. The symbolism of the seal and free translation of the motto:Fidelity (the ivy) to Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
principles (the cross) will merit for students and the graduate the crown of everlasting life. Emblazoned below the shield is the school motto: "Coronam Fidelitas Merebit", meaning "Faithfulness Merits The Crown".
History
Archbishop Wood was founded and built in 1964 in Warminster Township, Pennsylvania as two separate but essentially identical buildings. The school was originally divided into Archbishop Wood High School For Boys and Archbishop Wood High School For Girls.Though the original blueprints for the school included an auditorium
Auditorium
An auditorium is a room built to enable an audience to hear and watch performances at venues such as theatres. For movie theaters, the number of auditoriums is expressed as the number of screens.- Etymology :...
to be built in the space between the separate buildings, budgetary constraints forced plans for the auditorium to be scrapped. By 1987, funding for the auditorium had been secured thanks to donations by the Archbishop Wood Alumni Association. The Sophia A. Friedman Auditorium was completed by 1989, coinciding with the joining of the two schools into Archbishop Wood Catholic High School, wherein the school became co-educational and the two buildings were united by means of the auditorium.
Academics
Archbishop Wood Catholic High School is well known throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for its excellence in academics. The school currently offers eleven Advanced Placement classes, and over 98% of students take the SATs each year. 75% of the graduating class attend a four-year college, while 19% attend a two-year college. Graduates frequently gain acceptance into some of the most prestigious schools nationwide, including Ivy League and Patriot League schools as well as service academies, and are awarded over $18 million in scholarships yearly.Alma mater
We salute you Alma MaterHail with pride our honored seal
And beneath our glowing colors
Pledge to you our faith and zeal.
With our banner's cross to guide us
Bringing wisdon to the world
Ever by our faithful striving
Will our colors stand unfurled...
Hail the Black, Green, and Gold
Of Archbishop Wood
May we bring to your banner renown
For in youth's loyal might
Serving God and the Right
Is Alma Mater's radiant crown,
Is Alma Mater's radiant crown.
Student life
Archbishop Wood's mascot is the VikingViking
The term Viking is customarily used to refer to the Norse explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided, traded, explored and settled in wide areas of Europe, Asia and the North Atlantic islands from the late 8th to the mid-11th century.These Norsemen used their famed longships to...
. Students participate in a variety of co- and extracurricular activities from athletics to academic programs to student-run activities. The students of Archbishop Wood provide fantastic support for their sports teams as they are known as the "Warminter wackies" all throughout the county. The Warminster Wackies are usually led by one or two devoted fans each year to ensure they stay wacky. FRom recent years past some leaders consist of Pat Graham, Fran McGlynn, Mike Rotondo, Joe Walters, and many more.
The Viking Voice (Newspaper)
The Viking Voice is Archbishop Wood's student newspaper. When the school was founded in 1965, the student newspaper was split into two divisions, one for the boys' school and another for the girls'. The newspaper was called "Crossroads" and "Wood Winds", respectively. When the two buildings were united and Archbishop Wood made co-educational in 1989, the newspaper was rechristened "The Viking Voice".Individuals within the school have maintained an extensive physical archive of the newspapers dating back to 1967. In 2006, various alumni began a project to digitize the archives to preserve them for posterity. The digital archives can be accessed here. Though efforts have been made to enhance the standing of the newspaper, there has historically been little financial or institutional support for an expanded, comprehensive student-run newspaper infrastructure.
The Viking (Yearbook)
Prior to the school becoming co-educational, the boys' school yearbook was titled "Woodsman", and the girls' yearbook was titled "Embers."Performing Arts Department
Archbishop Wood's performing arts department is widely recognized for its professionalism and talent. Two theatre productions are presented each year, one in the fall and one in the spring. Performances consistently sell out in advance, performing for over 3,000 audience members as well as over 2,000 elementary school students in the week leading up to the performance weekend.The Marching Unit, under the direction of Mr. Brian Agger, competes at the highest level of its class, having recently won the 2011 Cavalcade of Bands Independence A Championship in Hershey, PA, and the 2010 Tournament of Bands All Chapter Championship (Group 2A) in Hershey, PA. Recent awards also include a USSBA All-State Championship in 2001, USSBA PA State Championships in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2005, and a Cavalcade of Bands Championship in 2007. The Indoor Percussion Ensemble and Color Guard have shared in the Marching Unit's success, winning several TIA championships over the past ten years.
Past Shows
| Year | Marching Unit Show (placement) | Indoor Color Guard | Indoor Percussion Unit Show | Fall Theatre Show | Spring Theatre Show |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998-1999 | Legacy / Harlem Nocturne / Land of Make Believe (3rd, Cavalcade) | Stormy Monday | N/A | N/A | 42nd Street |
| 1999-2000 | Sing A New Song / Be Ye Glad / Make His Glorious Praise Known (3rd, Cavalcade) | Woman | Latin Grooves | Beauty and the Beast | Grease |
| 2000-2001 | The Shape of Things to Come (David Arkenstone) (2nd, USSBA (2A)) | Jeremiah's Symphony | Survivor | Scrooge | Guys and Dolls |
| 2001-2002 | The Music of Riverdance (1st, USSBA (2A)) | Leonard Bernstein's "The Mass" | The Music of Riverdance | Peter Pan | Seven Brides for Seven Brothers |
| 2002-2003 | The Music of Aaron Copland (13th, USSBA (2 Open)) | Dar Williams "February" | Appalachian Spring (1st, TIA Novice) | Annie | My Fair Lady |
| 2003-2004 | The Music of Karl Jenkins (3rd, USSBA (2 Open)) | George Winston "Canon in D" (2nd, TIA Scholastic A) | The Music of Karl Jenkins | Oliver | The Music Man |
| 2004-2005 | Cirque du Soleil: La Nouba (4th, USSBA (2A)) | Paso Doble (1st, TIA Open) | The Music of Buddy Rich | Honk! | Footloose |
| 2005-2006 | The Machine (6th (USSBA 2A)) | Breaking In (Senior Guard) / Space (Junior Guard) | Shapes and Colors in Three Movements (Key Poulan) | Aladdin | The Wizard of Oz |
| 2006-2007 | The Music of Michael McDonald (2nd, Cavalcade (Liberty A)) | Eleanor Rigby | Sticks on Styx | Beauty and the Beast | High School Musical |
| 2007-2008 | Cirque du Soleil: Quidam (1st, Cavalcade (Liberty A)) | The Ten Commandments | Cirque du Soleil: Quidam (1st, TIA Open Concert) | A Christmas Carol | Seussical the Musical |
| 2008-2009 | The Music of Beethoven (5th, Cavalcade (Liberty A)) | Krush (Senior Guard) / Fay (Junior Guard) | Jazz Club (1st, TIA Open Concert) | Mulan | Guys and Dolls |
| 2009-2010 | Fascinating Rhythms (3rd, Cavalcade (American Open)) | Snowbirds (Senior Guard) / Spring (Junior Guard) | Earth, Wind, and Fire (1st, TIA Open Standstill) | Willy Wonka | Thoroughly Modern Millie |
| 2010-2011 | Tribal Elements (1st, TOB (2A)) | TBA | TBA | Joseph...Dreamcoat | Kiss Me, Kate (Revival) |
| 2011-2012 | Jekyll and Hyde (1st, Cavalcade (Independence A)) | TBA | TBA | A Funny Thing...Forum | TBA |
Student Council
The Student Council consists of a president, three vice presidents, two executive board members from each graduating class, and a representative from each homeroom.Athletics
Archbishop Wood has a proud athletic tradition with numerous Philadelphia Catholic LeaguePhiladelphia Catholic League
The Philadelphia Catholic League is a high school sports league composed of eighteen Catholic High Schools in Philadelphia and the surrounding Pennsylvania suburbs. The league itself was founded in the summer of 1920 on the steps of Villanova academy by an Augustinian monk, who would later be...
Champions.
The Championship teams are:
- Boys Soccer: 2004, 2010 (PIAA AAA runners-up)
- Girls Soccer: 2010 (PCL AAA; District XII; PIAA AAA runners-up), 2011 (PCL AAA)
- Girls Volleyball: 2010 (PCL; District XII)
- Cheerleading: 2010 (PCL)
- Football: 1974, 1978, 2003b, 2004b, 2005b (b - Blue Division, Small Enrollment), 2008 (AAA), 2009 (PCL AAA; District 12 AAA), 2010 (PCL AAA; District 12 AAA), 2011 (PCL AAA)
- Baseball: 1990, 1993
- Boys Swimming: 2011 (District XII)
- Boys Cross Country (Under the Direction of John Paul Sharp, 1974-2002, d. Oct. 22, 2003)
- 1969 (Varsity: Steve Landis, John Gall)
- 1979 (Varsity: Martin Loscalzo, Leo Resinksi, Tom Tolarski, Kevin Chern, Ed Boscola)
- 1983 (Varsity: Bob Winkler, Tom Brewer, John Meighan, Bob Devlin, Mike Leib, Mike Haney, Kevin Thompson, Joe Rueger)
- 1984 (Varsity: Bob Winkler, Mike Ewing, Mike Leib, Mike Haney, Greg Penko, Joe Rueger)
- 1986 (Varsity: Mike Ewing, Brian Moroney, Curt Burkholder, Dave Penko, Brett Amberson, Gordon Hornig, Andy Waldron, Dennis Daniluk)
- 1987 (Varsity: Mike Ewing, Brian Moroney, Brett Amberson, Curt Burkholder, Michael Vivian)
- 1988 (Varsity: Brett Amberson, Chris Wiegand, David Crowley, Michael Vivian, Rob Templeton)
- 1990 (Varsity: Brian McCafferty, Jason Switzer, Doug Menzak, Keith Clements, Dennis Monahan, Mike Coyne, Joe Bryson, Jim McShane)
- 1991 (Varsity: Brian McCafferty, Jason Switzer, Keith Clements, Dennis Monahan, Mike Coyne, Jim McShane, Chris Kennedy, Brian Rodowicz)
- 1995 (Varsity: Geoff Angelone, David Polis, Chris Haas, Nick Pagano, Brian McVan, Tom Waldron, Mike Kochanski, Dan Pavlik)
- Girls Cross Country: 2010 (PCL; District XII), 2011 (PCL)
- Ice Hockey: 2002
- Girls Swimming: 2008 (PCL), 2011 (District XII)
- Girls Basketball: 1982 (PCL), 2010 (PIAA AAA Class State Champions), 2011 (PCL, PIAA Class AAA State Champions)
- Wrestling: 1980, 1986, 1988
Notable alumni
- Andrew M. AllenAndrew M. AllenAndrew Michael "Andy" Allen is a retired United States Astronaut. A former United States Marine Corps aviator and Lt. Colonel, he worked as a test pilot before joining NASA in 1987. He flew three shuttle missions before retiring in 1997....
(1973) - Marguerite QuinnMarguerite QuinnMarguerite Corr Quinn is a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 143rd legislative district. She was first elected in 2006....
(1981) - Terri SchiavoTerri SchiavoThe Terri Schiavo case was a legal battle in the United States between the legal guardians and the parents of Teresa Marie "Terri" Schiavo that lasted from 1998 to 2005...
(1981) - Debbie BlackDebbie BlackDebbie Black is an assistant coach for the Ohio State University's women's basketball team and a former professional basketball player. During her professional career, Black played for the Women's National Basketball League in Australia, the American Basketball League and the Women's National...
(1984) - Irene MolloyIrene MolloyIrene Molloy is an American actress, singer and songwriter. A 1996 graduate of Archbishop Wood Catholic High School in Warminster, Pennsylvania, she has starred in Broadway musicals and dramas, television series and appeared in one movie.She starred in the TV series Andy Richter Controls the...
(1996) (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0597112/) - Alicia (Zumpino) RobertsAlicia (Zumpino) RobertsAlicia Roberts is a former Miss Philadelphia who now works as a news reporter, anchor, and host.As a college senior, Roberts captured the title of Miss Philadelphia on March 15, 2003. In June 2003, she placed as first-runner at the Miss Pennsylvania Pageant, ultimately losing to Candace Otto of...
(1999) Television Reporter/Anchor, WFLA TV Tampa (http://wfla.com/personalities/roberts_alicia.htm - Glen "Little G" Foster (1999) Television, The Littlest Groom, Fox TV. Philadelphia 76ers Mascot.
External links
- Official website of Archbishop Wood Catholic High School
- Archbishop Wood Marching Unit
- Andrew Allen, NASA Pilot, Speaks on Columbia Tragedy (Originally published in the February 2003 edition of The Viking Voice Newspaper.)