Did you know that one year ago the incoming freshman class at Father Lopez numbered 140? That was our largest freshman class ever! Did you know that a new record was set this year when 151 incoming freshmen made Father Lopez their school-of-choice? Next year, we anticipate enrolling another freshman class in this same range. When that happens, we will rewrite history as our total enrollment will surpass the 500-student milestone for the first time ever!    

As you might surmise, admission into Father Lopez next year will be quite competitive. Now, more than ever, it will be critical for students to know and follow in a timely manner the steps in our admissions process. As a courtesy to our readers, I wanted to be sure that you were aware of this information. This also allows me to make a shameless plug for our upcoming Open House for prospective students and their families. This event will take place from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Sunday, November 15.

Student ambassadors will be on hand to provide guided tours of the campus and to answer questions from their perspective. Our clubs and sports teams will have informative exhibits on display in the Brown and Brown Fieldhouse with representatives ready to answer any questions.

Our new Innovation Center in the O'Neill Family Media Center will be open, too. Students will be demonstrating creative activities in our Maker Space area. These will include robotics, fashion design and 3D printing.

Faculty members will be staffing tables representing each academic department. They will be able to give visitors an overview of the curriculum requirements and offerings within their area.

Formal information sessions will be offered twice in the France Family Multi-Purpose Center. The first session begins at 1:45 pm and will be repeated at 2:45 pm. Each session offers helpful information on the application and enrollment process and will showcase a multi-media presentation that highlights our students. There will be some door prize drawings at the end of each session, too.

If your family, friends or neighbors have an eighth-grader, please encourage them to come and explore Lopez at our Open House. It will be an exciting afternoon and a great time to learn more about the valued education that Father Lopez has offered to area youth since 1959. I am quite confident that they will enjoy the experience, and that they will be thanking you for your encouragement.

Congratulations and best wishes to our cross country teams as they compete in the FHSAA State Cross Country Finals tomorrow. This is the third straight trip for both the boys' and girls' teams. The girls' team had a fifth place finish at the regional meet last weekend and the boys emerged as this year's Region 3 champions. Congratulations to Coach Sue O'Malley and our Green Wave runners!