Vandebilt Catholic High School
Encyclopedia
Vandebilt Catholic High School, located in Houma
, Louisiana
was founded by the Marianite Sisters of Holy Cross in 1870 (as St. Francis de Sales High School until 1965 and later Houma Central Catholic High School until 1966) and continued by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, is a diocesan
co-educational institution for grades 8-12 in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
(Louisiana
). The school is committed to spiritual formation and academic excellence in an environment rooted in Catholic
values and in the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Vandebilt primarily serves Catholic students of Terrebonne Parish in a caring and orderly atmosphere. A college preparatory curriculum is offered as the school stresses a personal approach to the education of the whole student through diverse academic, athletic, and co-curricular programs.
Vandebilt Catholic was named after Father August Vandebilt (November 10, 1866- April 7, 1938), who was born in the Netherlands
. He was ordained into the priesthood at the American College of Louvain on June 29, 1890. Father Vandebilt died in his position as pastor of the Church of St. Francis de Sales in Houma, Louisiana.
Houma Central Catholic High School was named in honor of Father Vandebilt on March 27, 1966.
(by appearance), though known as the "Fightin' Terriers."
Houma, Louisiana
Houma is a city in and the parish seat of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, and the largest principal city of the Houma–Bayou Cane–Thibodaux Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city's powers of government have been absorbed by the parish, which is now run by the Terrebonne Parish...
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
was founded by the Marianite Sisters of Holy Cross in 1870 (as St. Francis de Sales High School until 1965 and later Houma Central Catholic High School until 1966) and continued by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, is a diocesan
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
co-educational institution for grades 8-12 in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
Roman Catholic Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux is a Roman Catholic diocese in southeastern Louisiana. It comprises Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes, the eastern part of St. Mary Parish including Morgan City, and Grand Isle in Jefferson Parish. The diocese was created on June 5, 1977, and was previously part of...
(Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
). The school is committed to spiritual formation and academic excellence in an environment rooted in Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
values and in the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Vandebilt primarily serves Catholic students of Terrebonne Parish in a caring and orderly atmosphere. A college preparatory curriculum is offered as the school stresses a personal approach to the education of the whole student through diverse academic, athletic, and co-curricular programs.
Vandebilt Catholic was named after Father August Vandebilt (November 10, 1866- April 7, 1938), who was born in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. He was ordained into the priesthood at the American College of Louvain on June 29, 1890. Father Vandebilt died in his position as pastor of the Church of St. Francis de Sales in Houma, Louisiana.
Houma Central Catholic High School was named in honor of Father Vandebilt on March 27, 1966.
Academics
The success of Vandebilt's academic focus can be measured in the fact that the school's average composite scores on standardized tests have consistently been well above state and national averages. Vandebilt students also win among the highest number of medals of all participating schools at the district literary rally. To accommodate those students with learning differences, an innovative resource program for dyslexic students was established in 1990. Use of multi-sensory teaching techniques captured the attention of the National Catholic Educational Association's journal Momentum and of Today's Catholic Teacher magazine. The latter publication chose to honor Vandebilt as one of the twenty-five most innovative Catholic schools in the nation for the past twenty-five years. The desirability of a Vandebilt education is measurable in the extent of the growth of enrollment, which is approaching one thousand.Mascot
The mascot of Vandebilt Catholic High School is the Boston TerrierBoston Terrier
The Boston Terrier is a breed of dog originating in the United States of America. This "American Gentleman" was accepted in 1893 by the American Kennel Club as a non-sporting breed. Color and markings are important when distinguishing this breed to the AKC standard. They should be either black,...
(by appearance), though known as the "Fightin' Terriers."
Alma mater
- To thee our Alma Mater
- We raise our colors high
- To sing of Terrier triumphs
- As the blue and gold march by.
- The faith we've learned
- We'll always keep
- With loyal pride in thee.
- Thy love and truth, O Vandebilt
- Will live in memory.
Noted alumni
- Tab BenoitTab BenoitTab Benoit is an American blues guitarist, musician and singer. He plays a style that is a combination of blues styles, primarily Delta blues. He plays a Fender Telecaster electric guitar and writes his own musical compositions. Benoit graduated from Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma,...
- recording artist (Class of 1985) - Chuck BushChuck BushCharles R. Bush III is a filmmaker primarily known for co-starring with Kevin Costner in the 1985 film Fandango. In recent years Bush has become known as an entertainment entrepreneur, expanding his business holdings to film and television companies, a record label and a video game development...
- actorActorAn actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
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