Lakeshore Catholic High School

Story

History
The school was founded in 1988 by Principal Pat Hudak to support the growing population of Catholic Students in the area. Coming from being an old school that closed called Lockview Park Secondary School, Lakeshore Catholic High School opened the year after that, in the same building. The name was chosen as our school body is drawn from communities along the lake (covering Fort Erie to Dunnville).

Plans started for this school for an entire year before September 1988. Mr. Hudak worked in the former Lockview Park Secondary School, then was vacated by the Niagara District School Board (NDSB). Mr. Hudak was hired as principal and began plans.

Meetings were held with Mr. Hudak and Mr. Barchiesi (hired as V.P.) along with Grade 9 students at Notre Dame (who would begin Grade 10 at the new Catholic school in September of 1988), and parents to determine the name of the school, and the school uniform. The school name was picked by the school board after the committee listed suggestions (Some suggestions included: "Concordia" and "Lady of the Locks.") during the meetings. Rossman's of Port Colborne was hired to make and sell uniforms.

In June of 1988, a few newly hired staff members met in the staff room (which used to be the library) to get teaching assignments and to discuss the goals of the school.

Grade 9's from our feeder schools & Grade 10's from Notre Dame College School (now in Lakeshore's boundaries) started in fall of 1988 with 210 students. Since then, the school has continued growing, and now we have over 1200 students.

Mascot
Our school mascot is a Gator. But how was the Gator chosen? When our first vice-principle (Paul Barchiesi) was given the task for finding a mascot, he initiated a student vote. Choices included the Gators, the Crusaders, and the Sailors. Now we have the Gator as the mascot!

Fun History Facts
• The school's first SOSSA championship was for Jr. Girls Single A Basketball
• The school's first zone III championship was for Girls Doubles in Tennis
• The school's first OFSAA championship was for Girls Doubles in Badminton (Stefani Markovich & Milagro Gomez)
• The school's first student council president was Cattie Kormos.
• When the school first opened the P.A. system would not work everyday. So everyone would meet in the Auditorium for the anthem, prayer, & announcements every morning to start the day.
• The school borrowed Ridgeway Secondary School's football equipment to get our team started in the beginning of Lakeshore Catholic HS.
• The big gym, "the Swamp" was named by Mr. Robinson.
• The small gym, "the Pond" was named by Mr. Bilodeau.
• The cafeteria, "the Hud" was named after Tim Hudak.
• The schools first chaplain was Father Jerry Williams.
• Mimi Chanon worked/ ran the cafeteria when it was Lockview & was hired by Mr. Hudak to run our cafeteria. She still works at LCHS.
• Mr. Kirouac and Ross Beard painted "the Swamp" mural in January of 1991.
• The school received an extension and renovation to the building during 1997/1998.
• The first ever librarian at the school, Mr. Gamberatto and Mr. Kirouac (whom painted the mural in the swamp) came up with the gator chomp.
• Before renovations to the school, parts of the school were in different areas. This included the staff room being where resource room is, the library where the staff room is, and the main office being where the chaplain's office is currently. Also before renovations, lockers were located near what is currently the english wing in locker bays of the school (instead of being scattered along walls of the school).
• Some teachers who have been here since the beginning (and still are, 2012/2013) are Mr VanRuyven, Ms. Biano, Mr. Nori, and Mr. Robinson.

Principals of the Past and Present
Pat Hudak (1988 - 1997)
Bill Vernooy (1997 - 1999)
John Crocco (1999 - 2003)
Mike Lostracco (2003 - 2007)
Dan DiLorenzo (2007 - Present)

Mission

"Think Clearly Feel Deeply Act Wisely