Celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Dear Our Lady of Mount Carmel Community,
Happy Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel!
Celebrating 100 Years
As we begin this school year, we embark on a remarkable milestone as we celebrate 100 years of Our Lady of Mount Carmel School. For a century, our school has been a place where faith, academic excellence, service, and community have shaped generations of students. Every improvement we make, every family we welcome, and every investment in our school honors the legacy of those who came before us while preparing our school for the future.
Founded on the belief that Catholic education transforms lives, Our Lady of Mount Carmel continues to thrive. This fall, we are excited to welcome more than 600 students in PreK through Grade 12. With continued enrollment growth, we are expanding our learning spaces to welcome even more Cougar families while preserving the personal attention, strong academics, and faith filled environment that have defined an OLMC education for generations.
Investing in Our Future
As we celebrate this important milestone, we continue investing in the future of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Several major campus improvements have already been completed or are well underway. The lower parking lot between the school and rectory has been repaired and resurfaced, and the new parking area between the Parish Center and High School is complete, improving accessibility for our students, families, parishioners, and visitors.
Inside the school, the Middle School locker room classroom has been returned to instructional use. New flooring has been installed in the Middle School hallway, breezeway, and Lower and Middle School Principal's Office. Student lockers are being relocated to better serve our students. The former Lower School kitchen is being transformed into a new multipurpose learning space, while new ceilings and lighting are enhancing several campus entryways. Throughout the summer, classrooms and common areas have received fresh paint, deep cleaning, and floor refinishing so that every space reflects the pride we take in our school.
One of the most significant projects in our school's history is also taking shape. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of a dedicated alumnus, whose $300,000 gift is the largest in Our Lady of Mount Carmel School's history, together with Legislative Bond Initiative funding from the State of Maryland secured through the support of Delegate Richard W. Metzgar and Senator Johnny Ray Salling, Phase I of our HVAC project began in the High School on June 12, the first day of summer break. Construction remains on schedule for completion before students return this fall.
This project represents much more than improved climate control. It is an investment in the health, comfort, and educational experience of today's students while preserving our historic campus for future generations. Planning has already begun for Phase II, which will bring HVAC improvements to the Lower and Middle School buildings during the summer of 2027.
Faithful Stewardship
Stewardship has always been central to the Our Lady of Mount Carmel tradition. Throughout the summer, we have relocated furnishings from St. Clare's, reorganized storage areas across campus, and thoughtfully repurposed existing spaces so that every dollar entrusted to our school has the greatest possible impact on our students.
We remain committed to honoring the sacrifices of those who built this school by being faithful stewards of the resources entrusted to us today. Every improvement made to our campus is an expression of gratitude for those who have supported Our Lady of Mount Carmel and a commitment to the students who will walk through our doors in the years ahead.
None of these accomplishments would be possible without the extraordinary generosity of our alumni, parents, parishioners, faculty, staff, benefactors, volunteers, and friends. We are especially grateful to everyone who supported this year's Bob Romadka Sr. Golf Tournament.
Bob was a devoted supporter of Our Lady of Mount Carmel whose generosity, kindness, and unwavering commitment to Catholic education touched countless lives. Naming this year's inaugural tournament in his honor was a fitting tribute to someone who believed deeply in our mission and faithfully invested in future generations of Cougars.
Bob's legacy reminds us that the strength of Our Lady of Mount Carmel has always been found in people whose faith inspires them to serve others. Generations of students, families, alumni, faculty, staff, parishioners, and benefactors have helped build the foundation upon which we stand today.
Looking Ahead
As summer continues, I hope you find opportunities to renew your spirit, enjoy time with those you love, and prepare with hope for the year ahead. This celebration is an opportunity to recognize God's faithfulness, honor our rich history, and embrace the future He is calling us to build together.
Whether you are a current student or family, an alumnus, a parishioner, a former faculty or staff member, a benefactor, or a friend of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, thank you for being part of our story. I hope you will join us throughout the year as we celebrate this extraordinary milestone and continue strengthening the mission of Catholic education at Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Thank you for your continued prayers, partnership, and belief in our mission. It is both a privilege and a blessing to begin this historic year together as one Cougar community.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us!
Dr. Mindi Imes
President
