Dear Parents and Guardians,

Happy Summer Break. Each June, I recap some of the significant events that occurred during the school year. Writing this particular letter and compiling these events is bittersweet for me.  I find tears in my eyes as I recall these moments and the young people you entrusted to our care. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to serve them. I truly cannot imagine my life without teenagers, these halls, and our mission.

Here are a few of the highlights from the 2025-26 school year:

• Spectrum students took their first-ever trip to the Lake City Catholic Worker Farm for a day of faith, reflection, service, and hands-on learning.
• Our St. Joseph of Arimathea Club was launched.
• Our theater department thrived and continued to grow, staging The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Outsiders, and The Little Mermaid.  
• We launched a brand new web site and app. Our free app gives students, parents, and faculty/staff quick access to announcements, news, calendars, and key resources—plus timely alerts. 
• Our 10th grade biology students participated in the 2026 ZOOMS Exhibition Day competition and a video of our AP physics classes testing their Balsa Towers went viral, with over 22 million views on Instagram.
• Empty Bowls served soups, chili, and bread and celebrated their 24th year of supporting global hunger relief. They also received National recognition for their years of service.
• Our Theater, Band, and Choir students travelled to New York City for a Performing Arts trip.
• Several of our athletic/academic teams advanced to their state tournaments.
• We recognized our junior and senior students for their outstanding achievements in academics, leadership, and co-curriculars at our annual Student Awards Ceremony.
• Nine CDH projects were selected to compete in this year’s State History Day competition.
• Fine Arts Week included a theater performance of Little Mermaid, band and choir concerts and fine arts show in the Black Box Theater.
• JRTOC upheld many of their longstanding traditions this year, including the Diamond Promotion Ceremony, the JROTC Fall Review, Midwest JROTC Competition Military Ball, and Twilight Parade and Awards Ceremony and Color Guard performed at the POW/MIA Vigil at the Minnesota Vikings VS. Cincinnati Bengals game.
• We celebrated with a variety of cultural heritage events, including our Hispanic Heritage Cultural Celebration, Black History Celebration and AAPI Celebration.
• The Class of 2026 celebrated their graduation day with Mass, brunch, Commencement at the St. Paul Cathedral and a senior lock-in.
• 10 faculty/staff members retired with a combined 232 years of service.

God bless you, all.

Mona Passman, Principal