Thomas Clyne
Clyne is candidate for scholar program
Madison Highland Prep (MHP) senior Thomas Clyne has been named a candidate for the prestigious 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Clyne, a standout member of the school’s Mathletes team, has consistently demonstrated his elite analytical skills by scoring at the top of national mathematics competitions.
The student is among an elite group of students nationwide invited to apply for this honor, which recognizes graduating high school seniors for their exceptional academic achievements, leadership qualities and unwavering commitment to excellence. The program celebrates the nation’s most distinguished young scholars as they prepare for their post-secondary journeys.
The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars oversees this rigorous selection process, which culminates in the naming of up to 161 scholars from across the country. Clyne will now move forward in the application process to compete for a final spot in this elite group.
“This recognition underscores MHP’s mission as a premier STEM college preparatory school dedicated to cultivating academic rigor and leadership,” the school said. “The entire school community celebrates this milestone and takes great pride in Thomas’s continued success as he prepares for his post-secondary journey.”
Final selections for the 2026 class will be announced later this spring by the U.S. Department of Education.
Specialty camp registration open through May 1
Due to overwhelming demand and camp capacity, registration for the Brophy College Preparatory 2026 Summer Enrichment Program for boys and girls entering grades five through eight closed on March 18; however, registration for the school’s Specialty Night Camps – Lacrosse, Track & Field and Girls Speed & Conditioning – will remain open until May 1.
The school said, “We can’t wait to welcome students back to campus this June for a month of sports, STEM, creative workshops and more!”
Visit www.brophyprep.org/academics/summer-school/summer-enrichment-program for more information.
Michaelson named Xavier principal
Carol Ann Michaelson
The president of Xavier College Preparatory announced the permanent appointment of Carol Ann Michaelson as principal, effective March 3.
A Xavier alumna, Michaelson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from Boston College. She has dedicated more than 30 years to Xavier, serving as a Theology teacher, director of Student Records, and most recently, interim principal.
Throughout her tenure, the school said that Michaelson “has demonstrated exceptional leadership, deep institutional knowledge, and a steadfast commitment to the education of young women of faith.” She has represented Xavier on regional and national committees of the Western Catholic Education Association and the National Catholic Education Association, contributing to accreditation efforts and advancing Catholic education standards.
“Carol Ann understands Xavier at its deepest levels – our Catholic mission, our academic excellence, and our responsibility to form young women of integrity and leadership,” said Sister Joan Fitzgerald, BVM, president of Xavier. “Her experience, wisdom, and devotion to this community make her the right leader at the right time.”
Her impact spans academics, student life, athletics, and Xavier’s multiple National Blue Ribbon School recognitions.
Brophy seeks Service Corps members
Brophy College Preparatory is now accepting applications for the 2026-27 Alumni Service Corps (ASC).
The ASC is a group of alumni who are recent college graduates and who commit to spending a year in service at Brophy. Depending on interests and college major, participants might teach a class, coach, work in the Office of Faith and Justice, at Loyola Academy, or some combination of these roles.
The school said, “It’s an amazing gap year opportunity to serve and give back to a community!”
ASC members live in community with lodging and transportation provided, as well as a monthly stipend. Visit www.brophyprep.org/alumni/alumni-service-corps for more information or email asc@brophyprep.org with questions.
Valley Lutheran High School sophomore Xzavier Cano holds a 31-pound grass carp caught during the school’s Fishing AZ Interim experience (submitted photo).
Students experience ‘Interim Week’
While many high school students follow their normal class schedules each week, students at Valley Lutheran High School recently experienced something different. For one week each spring, the school pauses its traditional schedule for Interim Week, a distinctive program that allows students to explore hands-on learning experiences beyond the classroom.
During Interim, students choose from teacher-led opportunities. This year’s experiences included fishing local Arizona waters while learning conservation practices, exploring the sports industry in Phoenix, traveling the West Coast by train, serving communities in Southern California and shadowing professionals in careers students hope to pursue.
Sophomore Xavier Cano, who caught a 31-pound grass carp during the school’s Fishing AZ Interim experience, said, “Catching the fish was amazing, but the best part was getting to learn something new and spend the week outdoors with my classmates.”
Programs such as Interim reflect Valley Lutheran’s mission of forming students through Faith, Learning and Service, the school said, which encourages students to grow both academically and personally.
Learn more by calling 602-230-1600 or visiting www.vlhs.org.
Xavier junior earns third place
Emily Kodicek
Xavier College Preparatory junior Emily Kodicek, class of 2027, earned third place in the Arizona State Poetry Out Loud competition, held at the University of Arizona.
Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program and recitation contest that encourages high school students to explore great poetry through memorization and performance. The program is presented by the National Endowment for the Arts and The Poetry Foundation in partnership with state arts agencies across all 50 states and U.S. territories.
Arizona’s statewide competition is administered by the University of Arizona Poetry Center, which brings together top student reciters from across the state to compete for the opportunity to represent Arizona at the national finals in Washington, D.C.
Kodicek advanced to the state competition after demonstrating exceptional skill in interpretation, memorization and performance of classic and contemporary poems. Competing against some of Arizona’s most talented young performers, she earned an impressive third-place finish.
Kodicek performed “Our Own 12 Anti-Suffragest Reasons” by Alice Duer Miller, “Captain My Captain” by Walt Whitman, and “Songs for the People” by Frances Helen Walkins Harper. She is active in the theater at Xavier, and she plans to compete again next year.
