McGill-Toolen Catholic High School
Encyclopedia
McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, located in Mobile, Alabama
, is a private co-educational high school operated by the educational system of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mobile.
took over the administration the school. They continue to serve on the faculty of the school today. The original McGill Institute building was located on Government Street, in downtown Mobile. In 1952, the school moved to Old Shell Road, across the street from Bishop Toolen School for Girls.
Bishop Toolen School for Girls was founded in 1928, by Bishop Thomas J. Toolen
, and was administered by the Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross
until it merged with McGill Institute in 1972 to form the co-educational school known today as McGill-Toolen Catholic High School.
In December 2007, the Mobile Register reported that supporters of the school have raised $10.3 million to renovate the campus and add a new science building and student center.
In addition, a new entranceway will be added along Lafayette Street and a walkway that will go over that street, connecting the two main buildings. The science facility is expected to open in the fall of 2008. The student center will be a two-story building fronting Lafayette Street and including a new cafeteria, chapel and student plaza. The new buildings and entrance will be constructed to match the school's mission-revival architecture. A facade will be added to the McGill building, which fronts Old Shell Road with its more modern style, to make it blend as well. The new science building will give all science teachers larger classrooms and their own labs.
are orange and black, and the mascot
is a yellowjacket
. The McGill-Toolen varsity football team became the 6A Region 1 Champions for the first time in thirty years, by defeating its long-time rival, Murphy High School. The football team repeated in 2007 as the 6A Region 1 Champs. During the regular season the team also managed to obtain a perfect 10-0 record. They advanced to the semifinals of the 2007 playoffs before falling to Prattville High School
with a final record of 13-1. In October 2007 the school announced the construction of a football stadium at the Archbishop Lipscomb Sports Complex. The stadium had been completed in time for the 2008 season moving McGill from their longtime home field of Ladd Peebles Stadium
. Davidson High School, being close to the newly constructed field, asked McGill if they could also play on the field. Due to odd circumstances in the 2008 season McGill Toolen Catholic played against Davidson High School as the away team.
McGill-Toolen banner on high/
We will sing of our Alma Mater/
Songs of Spirit and of tender Love/
Proudly will our voices proclaim thee/
Yellow Jackets swell a ROAR/
Always I will remember/
Thy Love shall rule for aye..
we’ll always be staunch and true.
Whether our hopes be bright or cheerless,
You know that we’re always backing you.
FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!
Come on, you fearless Yellow Jackets,
we know that you can and will;
Come on, and show them the fighting spirit,
The spirit of old McGill.
Heart of Dixie Band Festival and performed a collection of songs from the band Styx
. Once again they received straight superiors and best in class Color guard. On October 3, 2009, the Band traveled to Alexander City and performed a collection of songs by the band Aerosmith
. They received all but one superiors and one 2. The color guard again received Best in Class. The band went under a new director, Sean Noah, in the year 2010. They travelled to Troy University and performed in the 41st Annual Southeastern States Marching Band Festival on October 2, 2010. On October 9 of the same year, they travelled and performed in Mary G. Montgomery's Azalea City Marching Band Festival. They received straight superiors both times and Best in Class drum line at Mary G. Montgomery. Their theme in 2010 was "Latin Incendia". In 2011, they held the theme "Some Kind of Hero". They traveled to Andalusia High School
for the A-Town Marching Band festival. Here they received straight superiors again and Best in Class Drum Major, Band, and Color Guard.
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
, is a private co-educational high school operated by the educational system of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mobile.
History
McGill Institute was founded in 1896 by Arthur McGill and his brother, Felix McGill, as a free school for boys. In 1928, the Brothers of the Sacred HeartBrothers of the Sacred Heart
The Brothers of the Sacred Heart are a Catholic religious congregation founded in 1821 by the Reverend André Coindre . Its Constitutions were modeled upon those of the Jesuits, while its Rule of Life was based upon the Rule of Saint Augustine. Its members bind themselves for life by simple vows of...
took over the administration the school. They continue to serve on the faculty of the school today. The original McGill Institute building was located on Government Street, in downtown Mobile. In 1952, the school moved to Old Shell Road, across the street from Bishop Toolen School for Girls.
Bishop Toolen School for Girls was founded in 1928, by Bishop Thomas J. Toolen
Thomas Joseph Toolen
Thomas Joseph Toolen was an American clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Mobile from 1927 to 1969, and was given the personal title of Archbishop in 1954.-Early life and education:...
, and was administered by the Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross
Sisters of Loretto
Sisters of Loretto or the Loretto Community is a Catholic religious institution, which, according to their mission statement, "strive[s] to bring the healing Spirit of God into our world" and is committed "to improving the conditions of those who suffer from injustice, oppression, and deprivation...
until it merged with McGill Institute in 1972 to form the co-educational school known today as McGill-Toolen Catholic High School.
In addition, a new entranceway will be added along Lafayette Street and a walkway that will go over that street, connecting the two main buildings. The science facility is expected to open in the fall of 2008. The student center will be a two-story building fronting Lafayette Street and including a new cafeteria, chapel and student plaza. The new buildings and entrance will be constructed to match the school's mission-revival architecture. A facade will be added to the McGill building, which fronts Old Shell Road with its more modern style, to make it blend as well. The new science building will give all science teachers larger classrooms and their own labs.
Mission statement
Sports and traditions
McGill-Toolen is sometimes called "McT", for short. The school colorsSchool colors
School colors are the colors chosen by a school to represent it on uniforms and other items of identification. Most schools have two colors, which are usually chosen to avoid conflicts with other schools with which the school competes in sports and other activities...
are orange and black, and the mascot
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
is a yellowjacket
Yellowjacket
Yellowjacket is the common name in North America for predatory wasps of the genera Vespula and Dolichovespula. Members of these genera are known simply as "wasps" in other English-speaking countries...
. The McGill-Toolen varsity football team became the 6A Region 1 Champions for the first time in thirty years, by defeating its long-time rival, Murphy High School. The football team repeated in 2007 as the 6A Region 1 Champs. During the regular season the team also managed to obtain a perfect 10-0 record. They advanced to the semifinals of the 2007 playoffs before falling to Prattville High School
Prattville High School
Prattville High School, formerly Autauga County High School, is a high school in Prattville, Alabama and forms part of the Autauga County School System...
with a final record of 13-1. In October 2007 the school announced the construction of a football stadium at the Archbishop Lipscomb Sports Complex. The stadium had been completed in time for the 2008 season moving McGill from their longtime home field of Ladd Peebles Stadium
Ladd Peebles Stadium
Ladd Peebles Stadium is a stadium in Mobile, Alabama. It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field for the Senior Bowl, the GoDaddy.com Bowl, the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic, and the University of South Alabama Jaguars...
. Davidson High School, being close to the newly constructed field, asked McGill if they could also play on the field. Due to odd circumstances in the 2008 season McGill Toolen Catholic played against Davidson High School as the away team.
Alma Mater
Our colors now wave in triumph/McGill-Toolen banner on high/
We will sing of our Alma Mater/
Songs of Spirit and of tender Love/
Proudly will our voices proclaim thee/
Yellow Jackets swell a ROAR/
Always I will remember/
Thy Love shall rule for aye..
Fight Song
We’re here to help you, Alma Mater,we’ll always be staunch and true.
Whether our hopes be bright or cheerless,
You know that we’re always backing you.
FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!
Come on, you fearless Yellow Jackets,
we know that you can and will;
Come on, and show them the fighting spirit,
The spirit of old McGill.
School band
At the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year, the McT Band went under the direction of Mr. Steve Sims. The Marching Band performed at the Gold Medal Classic Marching Contest at Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College. They received straight superiors, and the best in Class A Color guard. On October 11, 2008 the band traveled to the Prattville High SchoolPrattville High School
Prattville High School, formerly Autauga County High School, is a high school in Prattville, Alabama and forms part of the Autauga County School System...
Heart of Dixie Band Festival and performed a collection of songs from the band Styx
Styx (band)
Styx is an American rock band that became famous for its albums from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Chicago band is known for melding the style of prog-rock with the power of hard rock guitar, strong ballads, and elements of American musical theater....
. Once again they received straight superiors and best in class Color guard. On October 3, 2009, the Band traveled to Alexander City and performed a collection of songs by the band Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
. They received all but one superiors and one 2. The color guard again received Best in Class. The band went under a new director, Sean Noah, in the year 2010. They travelled to Troy University and performed in the 41st Annual Southeastern States Marching Band Festival on October 2, 2010. On October 9 of the same year, they travelled and performed in Mary G. Montgomery's Azalea City Marching Band Festival. They received straight superiors both times and Best in Class drum line at Mary G. Montgomery. Their theme in 2010 was "Latin Incendia". In 2011, they held the theme "Some Kind of Hero". They traveled to Andalusia High School
Andalusia High School
The Andalusia High School is a high school in Andalusia, Alabama, founded in 1899. The school colors are cardinal and white and the school mascot is the bulldog.-Extracurricular and service activities:Among the extracurricular activities offered are:...
for the A-Town Marching Band festival. Here they received straight superiors again and Best in Class Drum Major, Band, and Color Guard.
Notable alumni
- Jimmy BuffettJimmy BuffettJames William "Jimmy" Buffett is a singer-songwriter, author, entrepreneur, and film producer. He is best known for his music, which often portrays an "island escapism" lifestyle. Together with his Coral Reefer Band, Buffett's musical hits include "Margaritaville" , and "Come Monday"...
, singer and songwriter - Jeremiah Denton, Jr.Jeremiah DentonJeremiah Andrew Denton Jr. is a retired United States Navy rear admiral, naval aviator and a former Republican U.S. senator, for the state of Alabama...
, retired U.S. Navy Admiral, U.S. Senator, and Vietnam P.O.W.Prisoner of warA prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict... - Vince DooleyVince DooleyVincent Joseph Dooley was the head football coach and athletic director at the University of Georgia. During his 25 year coaching career at UGA, Dooley compiled a 201–77–10 record. His teams won six Southeastern Conference titles and the 1980 national championship...
, former Head Football Coach, University of GeorgiaUniversity of GeorgiaThe University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
, (1964–1988), Athletic Director (1979–2004) - William H. Pryor, Jr.William H. Pryor, Jr.William Holcombe "Bill" Pryor, Jr. is a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Previously, he was the Attorney General of the State of Alabama from 1997 to 2004.-Background:...
, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit - Sonny CallahanSonny CallahanHerbert Leon "Sonny" Callahan is a politician from Alabama.Callahan was born in Mobile, Alabama he had eight brothers and sisters and he attended classes at a branch of the University of Alabama that was located in Mobile. He did not graduate. Callahan served in the United States Navy from 1952 to...
, U.S Representative for the 1st District of Alabama (1985–2003) - Jim MarshallJim Marshall (U.S. politician)James Creel "Jim" Marshall is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2003 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
, U.S. Representative for the 3rd District of Georgia (2003–) - Oscar Hugh LipscombOscar Hugh LipscombOscar Hugh Lipscomb is the retired Roman Catholic Archbishop of Mobile, Alabama. Lipscomb's retirement was accepted by the Holy See April 2, 2008.He was the first Archbishop of Mobile and its eighth bishop...
, Roman Catholic Archbishop of MobileRoman Catholic Archdiocese of MobileThe Archdiocese of Mobile is a Roman Catholic archdiocese comprising the lower 28 counties of Alabama. It is the metropolitan seat of the Province of Mobile, which includes the suffragan bishopric sees of the Diocese of Biloxi, the Diocese of Jackson, and the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama...
(1980–2008) - Jonathan MangumJonathan MangumJonathan Mangum is an American actor and comedian. He was a cast member of the variety show, The Wayne Brady Show and is an announcer for the game show Let's Make a Deal.-Early life:...
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recipient