By Kevin Shannahan

The St. Mary’s Tigers started the upcoming school year with two open houses and registration sessions held Tuesday, Aug. 9 and Thursday Aug. 11. The first one was for grades 7-12 while Thursday’s was for the younger set, pre-k to grade 6.

At each session, fourth year principal Jacque Horton welcomed 54 new families to the 390 student pre-k to 12 school and introduced each faculty and staff member to the students and parents. The St. Mary’s family also welcomed its new Chancellor Fr. Blake Deshautelle, who also serves as the new pastor of the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Associate pastor Fr. Brian Seiler is returning to Natchitoches in a somewhat different capacity as he previously worked in the NSU Demon Sports Information Department staff from 2004 to 2009 before entering the priesthood.

The high school session ended with a student council “fashion show” in which council members demonstrated various right, and some creatively wrong, ways to wear their uniforms. Parents then went on to register for classes.

St. Mary’s offers a dual enrollment option in co-operation with NSU in which high school students can earn college credit in advanced math, english, world history and speech. In addition to their well known athletic, danceline and cheerleading programs, the school offers a quiz bowl team, 4-H, FCA, National honor society, pro-life and student council.