Central Catholic High School (Perry Township, Ohio)

Central Catholic High School
View of Central Catholic from the Great Front Lawn
Address
4824 West Tuscarawas St W Canton , (Stark County) , Ohio 44708-5118 United States
Coordinates	40°47′39″N 81°26′16″W
Information
Type	Private, Coeducational
Religious affiliation(s)	Roman Catholic
Established	1946
Oversight	Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown
Superintendent	Michael Skube
Dean	Leo DeMatteis
Principal	Robert Kaylor
Faculty	44
Grades	9-12
Color(s)	Green and White
Nickname	Crusaders
Accreditation	North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Website	http://www.cchsweb.com/

Central Catholic High School (Canton, OH, USA) is a private, Catholic coeducational diocesan high school run by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown. Central began educating in 1946 when the Diocese merged the all-female Mount Marie Academy and the co-ed St. John High School. Although Central is a Catholic high school, it is open to non-Catholic students as well. This school serves the west side of Canton and Western Stark County. Central Catholic's sports teams are nicknamed the Crusaders.

Original Latin inscription written by Juan Ponce de León in 1500 graces the main entrance.

A Brief History of Canton Central Catholic High School

Pink lockers continue to grace the corridors of all four floors of the East Building.

Canton Central Catholic High School was formed from the merger of Mount Marie Academy and St. John High School. Mount Marie Academy was a female only secondary school that began educating young women in 1907 where the present school stands today. The original "East Building" contains a basement and four additional floors of classrooms. The "West Building" would be erected at a later date, adding three long corridors of classrooms and lockers to the original structure.

St. John High School, founded in 1925, looked to merge with Mount Marie Academy in 1946. The merger was authorized under the auspices of the Diocese of Youngstown, given the 65 acre abundance of diocesan land upon which Mount Marie sat.

One heirloom of Mount Marie survives within the corridors of the "East Building." During merger negotiations, the administration of Mount Marie issued an ultimatum unto their colleagues at St. John High School. Taking advantage of its superior bargaining position due to the fact that Mount Marie would be yielding all properties to the merger, the administration demanded that the lockers of the new high school remain pink throughout the new school's existence. Rumors about the two schools recount how St. John's administrators nearly placed a moratorium on the merger, arguing that a more gender neutral color would behoove the student body as a whole. Nevertheless, in the eleventh-hour, St. John High School conceded to the demand and the merger was realized. To this day, all lockers in the East Building are the original pink color.

Athletics

Central Catholic has been awarded Ohio state championships in the following sports:

Further information: Ohio High School Athletic Association

• Boys Football – 1988, 2000
• Boys Golf – 1984, 1987
• Boys baseball - 2008
• Girls Curling - 1965, 1967-1973, 1984

Other sports accomplishments

• Boys Tennis state champions - 1999, 2000

Athletic Facilities

• Central Catholic is the proud owner of several state of the art facilities. Lowell Klinefelter Stadium is carpeted by an artificial turf surface and is also home to an eight lane running track. The stadium plays host to several Ohio High School Athletic Association State playoff football games.

• Central Catholic's baseball facility is new and opened in 2005. It is named after current coach Doug Miller.

• The gymnasium is equipped with fully-functional basket hoops with glass backboards, pull-out wooden bleachers, and two electronic scoreboards.

• Central Catholic is the only school within the Diocese of Youngstown that is equipped with an Olympic sized competitive pool. The pool is located on the fifth floor of the school's tower, making it the highest structure to enclose a pool in Stark County. In March 2006, a series of leaks at the bottom of the pool were discovered when water began dripping through the fourth floor ceiling, causing disruptions in a number of classrooms. Central Administrators promptly convened for an emergency meeting and unanimously decided to close the pool for repair despite peaceful student demonstrations to keep the pool open on The Great Front Lawn which lasted nearly 36 hours. By April 2006, the leaks were sealed and the pool was reopened.

The tower of CCHS which houses the pool. Mother Mary looks onto the Great Front Lawn from the tower.

The visiting team takes a swing-and-a-miss against the defending state champions at Doug Miller Baseball Field on April 8, 2009.

Rituals

At home basketball games, before the Crusader’s starting five is announced, the school mascot, Captain Crusader, emerges from the locker room draped in a velvet cape carrying a flaming trident, while riding atop a white thoroughbred named Chester. When Captain Crusader and Chester emerge, the Crusader faithful yelp an emphatic roar.

Chester, the Crusader's Stallion, grazes upon The Great Front Lawn

Chester the Crusader Horse

Chester, an Iberian horse, is the center of many Canton Central Catholic athletic rituals. Aside from his frequent appearances at sporting events, he does participate in other equestrian pursuits. Chester currently is kept in shape by a trainer, and practices the equestrian art of dressage.

Chester resides on the high school's campus in a recently built barn/stable complex that also harbors most of the athletic maintenance machinery. During Aquinas Week, the stable is guarded by an outside security liaison 24 hours a day for the entire week to avoid foulplay that the rivalry has been known to bring out.

Chester's stable shown above with a closed door. The two open doors to the left are reserved for athletic equipment, whereas Chester resides in the stable on the right.

Institute of Noble Minded Behavior

The Institute of Noble Minded Behavior at Central High seeks to develop only young boys and girls of the most exceptional intelligence and promise. The program is designed to aid selected students in developing the skills required to be tomorrow’s leaders while carrying out Christ’s Will on Earth.

Each July, entering ninth graders interested in acceptance into the program compete in a two-day writing competition. Students who perform well in the writing competition are then invited to interview with a panel of distinguished Central High alumni. The top twelve performers in the interview are offered acceptance into the program, earning the title “Noble Minded Behavior Fellow.” In 1996, Central High accepted its inaugural class of Noble Minded Behavior Fellows.

Throughout their four years at Central High, Noble Minded Behavioralists participate in a series of simulated scenarios designed to strengthen their leadership skills and build character and bravery. Additionally, Noble Minded Behavior Fellows have the opportunity to participate in workshops directed by area Roman Catholic leaders who have a proven track record of leading others while serving Christ.

Alma Mater

Alma Mater, we sing our song to thee,
With praise and devotion, with honor loyalty,
Crusaders, sons and daughters, all
True to the White and Green;
One voice we will raise,
In thy glory and praise...

Fight Song: Dearest Central High

Dearest Central High
We Sing Your Battle Cry
We Strive to Live and Learn
To Carry Out Christ's Will We Yearn
The Thrill of Victory Brings Us Together
May The Glory Days of Our Time at Central Live Forever!

Nuclear Fallout Shelter

A nuclear fallout shelter located at CCHS. Although not completely legible, the sign designates a capacity for 300 seekers of safety.

In response to the nuclear threat posed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War in the 1960s, Central High built a nuclear fallout shelter in the basement of the school’s “East Wing.” Prior to the construction of this fallout shelter, the school’s official policy was for students to “duck and cover” in the case of nuclear attack. However, “ducking and covering” was widely criticized because it offered no protection from dangerous nuclear fallout. As tensions with the USSR intensified, and a nuclear attack seemed increasingly imminent, demands by parents that a fallout shelter be built to protect their sons and daughters from harmful radioactive debris were granted. Due to size constraints, the fallout shelter is only large enough to safely accommodate 300 persons. In the case of an attack, the 300 available spots will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Holy Places

In order to fulfill its Catholic identity, several places of supreme holiness are maintained on the school's campus. The Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto can be accessed via the West Campus. It lies just beyond a brick walkway known by the Catholic faithful as "The Walk of Faith." A legend exists stating that young Crusader couples who take "The Walk of Faith" hand-in-hand will one day be united in Holy Matrimony.

Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto is a site widely visited by pilgrims of the Roman Catholic Church

The stones of the Grotto were brought to the campus of CCHS from all states within the Union. Each stone was custom made and hand rubbed prior to being set in its final resting place. Each year, alumni who celebrate significant anniversaries of graduation make a pilgrimage to this site along with fellow classmates in observance of Holy Mass.

The Chapel of CCHS is located on the school's first floor. This is an oft-visited destination for students and faculty to make small offerings to the Lord between classes. A daily mass is offered by the Rev. Robert Kaylor before classes commence. It is not uncommon for the children of faculty, former students, and future Crusaders to be baptized at the school's chapel.

The Holy Chapel, a place of repose for students, faculty, and staff

Distinguished Alumni

• Alan Page, Canton Central Catholic Class of 1964, Former University of Notre Dame Football Star, Former NFL Defensive Lineman for the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears (9-time Pro Bowl selection, 1971 NFL Most Valuable Player), Currently serving as an Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court. Carmen Bonamico, Dylan Loader, Frank Moll, and Norman Brenneman have won multiple state titles and are now president of the USA

External links

• School Website