Bishop tours renovated Madonna High School
By LYNNELLEN WINKLER, Community editorArticle Photos
Fact Box
Nogay welcomes bishop to Weirton Madonna
Max Nogay, 17, a senior and Weirton Madonna High School's student council president, welcomed the Most Rev. Michael J. Bransfield, bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston before Bransfield began his tour of the newly renovated school.
Nogay prepared a speech and spoke on behalf of the 170 students standing in the lobby and on the stairs to greet His Excellency.
"On behalf of the students of Weirton Madonna High School, welcome. The faith you have placed the the future of Madonna is greatly appreciated by all of us.
As freshmen, many of us feared that the condition of our school would prevent us from being able to graduate as Madonna students. Now, thanks to you Bishop Bransfield, the class of 2010 and many other classes to come, will graduate from one of the most beautiful and well-equipped schools in the state, and the nation.
In gratitude for the extraordinary financial commitment the Diocese has made towards the future of our school, I can make these promises to you:
First, the students of Madonna will make our school one that is worthy of being dedicated to the Virgin Mary;
Secondly, the students of Madonna will continue to exhibit excellence in the classroom, in athletic endeavors and in the Weirton Community;
Third, the students of Madonna will use the lessons learned here for the betterment of those less fortunate in society.
And finally, in recognition of the responsibilities God has given you and the difficulties you must face working in the same building as our rival, Wheeling Central, we promise to pray for you and for all the priests and religious officials in our Diocese.
Thank you."
The Most Rev. Michael J. Bransfield, bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, toured the newly renovated Weirton Madonna High school Friday morning.
A hand-painted sign along with a gathering of 170 uniformed-clad students and faculty positioned in the lobby and on the staircase provided a welcome to the church leader. Max Nogay, 17, a senior and Weirton Madonna High School's student council president, delivered a speech, speaking on behalf of the student body.
Bransfield, directing his comments to Nogay and the senior students, said in response, "This is a nice year for you, I hope you get to enjoy it."
Accompanying the bishop on the facility tour were Monsignor Frederick P. Annie, vicar general and moderator of the Curia; the Rev. Paul Hudock, Priest-Secretary of the Diocese; the Rev. Dean Borgemeyer, designated pastor to the high school and pastor of the nearby St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Weirton; the Rev. Eric Antwi, pastor of Immaculate Conception in New Cumberland and Sacred Heart in Chester; and members of the local media. Principal John Mihalyo conducted the tour.
Since work began in the summer of 2008, $4 million in improvements have been completed, including major structural improvements, a new roof, new windows and tile floors, new state-of-the-art classrooms, new electrical service, plumbing upgrades and repairs, new HVAC service to all classrooms, brick repairs to the exterior of the building, and an added rear entrance to the school.
The group traversed from classroom to classroom with Mihalyo describing the improvements made and the projects still under construction.
"The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston funded all of the major renovations. When complete, the project is anticipated to cost nearly $4.8 million, stated Bransfield.
The library was one of the unfinished rooms, but Mihalyo said, "We expect to be up and running in October." The room boasts a dropped ceiling with sophisticated lighting. Borgemeyer recounted that in the late 1950's St. Joseph the Worker Parish met in what is now the library.
Bransfield was impressed with the nearly wall-to-wall windows, "These let the outdoors come in, and students don't have walls surrounding them." He then addressed a room of freshmen, "You'll get four good years to enjoy this new building...with air conditioning."
John Colabrese, a first-year teacher at Weirton Madonna, but an experienced educator said, "In my 33 years of teaching, this is the nicest room I've ever had."
Colabrese teaches environmental science, biology and physical science.
Mihalyo took the group to the new entrance at the rear of the school.
"Obviously you can see by the parking lot the number of students that are driving to school. We've eliminated a danger by installing an entrance on this side of the building."
The entrance showcases a statue of the Blessed Mother.
A pause in the entry allowed for Bransfield to comment on the construction,
"I'm very happy. More work has been completed than I expected. I was concerned that there would be a problem with opening (a week delay)."
Bransfield continued, "The improvements in technology especially with the SmartBoards students are surrounded by technology in their daily lives with cell phones, games and computers these improvements will only avoid a disconnect between home and the school experience and makes a better educational environment for teachers as well."
Anthony Marcino demonstrated the use of the SmartBoard with an Algebra II lesson for Bransfield.
"We are the first high school in the county (Hancock) to have SmartBoards in every room," said Mihalyo.
On each of the four class bulletin boards were posters and letters of gratitude addressed to Bransfield for his spiritual and financial support of the students of Madonna.
"I am very happy with my visit," said Bransfield. "The Diocese has spent a great deal of money and I am happy with the result. The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston has invested a significant amount of money in Weirton. We want Madonna to be an example of excellence. We feel it will make a difference in the future of Catholic education in the community."
"Just looking out the window, it's pleasant. This campus is one of the most attractive in the Diocese. It's like being inside the garden of the steel town. This (Madonna's renovation) is good for Weirton in these tough times. The church is concerned with the economic conditions of the area and hope that the improvements made here at Madonna and throughout the Diocese are encouraging," said Bransfield.
Bryan Minor, spokesman for the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese, added in closing, "The first thing he (Bransfield) said before the project began was, 'The people of Weirton need some good news.' He was intent on improving this school and taking it into the 21st century."
(Winkler can be located at lwinkler@weirtondailytimes.com)
