Letter from the Principal - June 2025

June 11, 2025

Dear Parents, Guardians, Students, Staff, and Friends,

Congratulations to the Class of 2025!  You have so much to be proud of!

Even though we have gone our separate ways for the summer, let’s celebrate and reflect on many of the events on campus throughout the year. It was another year of significant accomplishments and new initiatives.

  • Jeb Myers completed his first year as President of CDH.

  • Together, we improved students' mental health and academic learning by enacting a phone-free school day.  

  • Cretin-Derham Hall received an overall A grade from Niche and was named the 2nd Best Catholic High School and the 9th Best Private High School in MN.

  • Our faculty, staff, and students gathered to celebrate Hispanic Heritage, Native American Heritage, Black History, and AAPI.

  • Our new Theater Director, Cullen Wiley ‘16, led our theater department in these productions: Frozen, Jr., Little Women, and The Addams Family. 

  • The fall sports program sent the Football and Girls Swim and Dive teams to the State tournament.

  • Our JROTC program continues to grow and flourish. Some highlights were Fall Review,Diamond Promotions and Twilight Parade.

  • Raider energy was high for Homecoming Week. Go Raiders!

  • Ninth-grade parents were welcomed to our faith community at our 9th Grade parent Mass.  

  • Thirty-three students (23 projects) competed in the annual History Day state competition.

  • Our Math Team, led by coaches Maureen Modl and Chad Loeffler, qualified for the State Tournament and tied for 5th in the AA tournament.

  • Our Robotics Team competed at the 10,000 Lakes Regional against 50 other teams. We proudly finished 5th (in an alliance with two other teams).

  • The seniors’ fieldwork program saw CDH seniors at dozens of different metro sites nearly every Thursday.

  • The CDH band and choir performed at the SEC Music Fest. They performed at the fall, Christmas, and spring concerts at CDH as well. 

  • The 23rd annual Empty Bowlswas a huge success, raising funds for Heifer International simply by serving soup along with donated ceramics projects and bowls. 

  • We had two National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists and four National Merit Scholarship Commended Scholars.

  • We held our first annual VentureNext Prize Competition for budding entrepreneurs. 

  • Our Raider winter sports teams finished strong. We had 4 individuals qualify for the MN State Tournament in Wrestling. Our Gymnastics team placed third in state, our Girls Basketball team placed 4rd in state, and our Boys Basketball team finished 2nd in state.

  • The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers honored one of our student’s creative talents this year with the scholastic awards.

  • We finished the construction/renovation of our health and wellness spaces, Black Box Theater, and main restrooms last fall and raised additional funds to complete more projects for the Campaign for Raider Excellence.

  • Students traveled to Washington, DC through the Close-Up program. 

  • Grandparents and grandchildren celebrated Grandparents Mass together. 

  • Our students cheered and supported each other at our annual Awards Ceremony. 

  • The CDH visual arts program hosted its annual Art Show.

  • Students enjoyed the Prom at the St. Paul Event Center in May.

  • 239 graduates strong, the Class of 2025 celebrated commencement at the Cathedral of St. Paul.

  • CDH parents, alumni and friends generously supported tuition assistance and scholarships, as well as upgrades to campus areas that are nearing the end of their functional life with our Campaign for Raider Excellence and GiveCDH Day. 

  • CDH led and participated in many different service programs, including the blood drive, Habitat for Humanity, Dorothy Day, Leap for Children, Lasallian Youth, and Letters of Love.

  • Spring sports had a strong season with several individuals and teams headed to State.

  • And many more!

Our students couldn’t do all of this without the tremendous support they received from their parents, teachers, counselors, advisors, coaches and other significant adults. Thank you for belonging to this Raider Family.

Have a wonderful summer!  

God’s blessings,

Mona Passman 

Tags: Letter from the Principal

Print

Subscribe to our e-Newsletters

News Hub