February 12, 2026

Sarah Brady, Manager of Special Events and Volunteers

This past Saturday night, we hosted our 45th Annual Rocket Spectacular, one of the longest-running and most successful fundraising events in our community. It was another incredible year, made possible by over 400 attendees and more than 50 dedicated volunteers! 

While we are still crunching the final numbers, we are thrilled to share that over $575,000 (net) was raised in support of our tuition assistance program. 

Rocket Spectacular continues to be our largest fundraiser and greatest source of support for our students. In just the last five years, this event has raised nearly $2.9 million for students who demonstrate financial need. 

Congratulations to our big winners: 

• Tuition Raffle:  Starr Pottinger, grandparent of Kaylynn Badgett ’29 

• $20,000 Rocket Raffle:  Diane Kemper, grandparent of Kemper Kleinholter ‘26 

Our deepest appreciation goes out to our current families. Your support of Assumption’s mission is what makes the magic happen. Whether you bought raffle tickets, donated auction items, volunteered your time, or attended the event—you made a difference. Because of you, more young women than ever before will have the opportunity to experience a superior Assumption education. 

SOPHOMORES LAUNCH ACTS PROGRAM

This week, our Sophomores officially launched their ACTS journey! Although winter weather delayed their start by three weeks, nothing could stop these Rockets from participating in this one-of-a-kind experience. A Christian Through Service (ACTS) is a signature Assumption program that offers meaningful, hands-on service opportunities unlike any other. Over the course of 10 Wednesdays, our students partner with more than 50 community organizations throughout Louisville, completing a minimum of 70 service hours during their time at AHS.

At Assumption, we believe that Faith Guides and Compassion Inspires. The ACTS Program is a powerful expression of these pillars, allowing students to live out their faith through service while building empathy, responsibility, and leadership. We are incredibly proud of our Sophomores for continuing this cherished legacy and representing Assumption with joyful hearts and servant spirits.

UPCOMING WINTER BREAK: School will be closed for students (faculty/staff will participate in professional development) for Winter Break from Friday, February 13, through Monday, February 16.  Classes will resume on Tuesday, February 17.   

ST. BALDRICK’S EVENT IN HONOR OF KAITLYN CLEMENTS: Father Chuck Walker is getting his head shaved at the St. Bernard St. Baldrick’s event on February 17 in honor of sophomore Kaitlyn Clements, who is currently undergoing treatment for leukemia. If you would like to donate to his fund in her honor, here is the link: https://www.stbaldricks.org/kids/mypage/11006 

ASH WEDNESDAY: Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18. Therefore, we will all gather as a community in the AHS gym for a prayer service centered around receiving ashes. The prayer service is first thing on Wednesday so that all sophomores will be able to leave for ACTS immediately after the service concludes.  

ASSUMPTION PARENT PRAYER: Our parent prayer group will not meet on Ash Wednesday, February 18 or during Mission Week on February 24.  We will resume and meet on Wednesday, March 4 from 8:15-8:45 a.m. in the chapel. Please park in any open space and enter the school through the main entrance.  We will pray for the Limerick freshmen and sophomores. Please join us for any or all of these opportunities! 

PRAYER INTENTIONS: All Assumption parents and alumnae are invited to share prayer intentions. Periodically, we will include the line of “prayer intentions posted online by AHS parents and alumnae” as part of our morning prayer over the P.A. Likewise, feel free to include the intentions you find there in your own personal prayer. To participate, please follow this link.  

RESCHEDULED SPIRIT WEEK: Next week, February 16-20, is our re-scheduled Spirit Week and delayed Student/Faculty celebration of Catholic Schools Week. Our Varsity Club and Leadership and Engagement office have planned several different activities to show support for our students and all that they do to make us proud. All dress-up days and activities are voluntary, but we highly encourage students to show their school and class spirit by getting creative and participating in some capacity.  

• Spirit Week Dress-Up Days: Students are invited to dress up according to a different theme each day next week. Students have been emailed the dress-up day descriptions and rules, so they may begin planning their costumes. Costumes are all or nothing (no “partial uniform/partial costume” dress); students may not wear costume masks or face paint; and current school policies regarding shoes and hair color still apply.  On Tuesday, our theme is “PJ Day” and students wear school-appropriate pajamas to school; on Wednesday, we will gather as a school in celebration on Ash Wednesday, so all students are required to be in full school uniform this day and Sophomores will be dressed for their ACTS visits;  Thursday is “BBQ Dads vs Soccer Moms” in celebration of their favorite parenting attire; and Friday is Neon Day, with neon bob hairstyles permitted and seniors will wear all black in community around their Fly Girls dance showcase during the Pep Rally.  

RE-ENROLLMENT PROCESS FOR 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR – DUE TOMORROW: An email was sent this week to all freshman, sophomore, and junior parents/guardians regarding re-enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year. As a reminder, to secure your daughter’s spot, please complete the re-enrollment process by February 13, 2026, which includes payment of a non-refundable enrollment fee of $225 per student.  

Here’s how to re-enroll: 

1. Visit the Blackbaud Tuition Management Portal. 

2. Click on Purchase Optional Items in the top menu bar. 

3. Select the box next to your student(s) for the 2026-2027 school year, then click Continue. 

4. Choose 2026-2027 ENROLLMENT FEE and click Continue. 

5. Select your preferred payment method and enter your payment information (if applicable). Once you’ve reviewed all the details and confirmed accuracy, click Continue. Note: Clicking Continue at this step will process your payment. 

If you prefer to pay by check or cash, you can drop off your payment (Attention: Finance Dept) in an envelope at the main office anytime Monday–Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. by the due date. In order for your daughter to be able to choose her courses for next semester or to be considered for financial assistance or scholarships, the re-enrollment process, including payment of the fee, must be completed by Friday, February 13, 2026.  

If the process is not completed by this date, we will assume your daughter will not be returning to Assumption High School. If your plans have changed and your daughter will not be attending next year, kindly let our Registrar, Jenny Friedenberg, know at jenny.friedenberg@ahsrockets.org. If you have any questions, please reach out to our Finance Department at financedept@ahsrockets.org or call Shanna Selby at 271-2520 for assistance. 

SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES: Opportunities for the summer have been UPDATED. You can find these on our guidance department page by clicking here: SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES 2026. There are numerous opportunities available with many costing less than $1,000. Programs are grouped according to areas of interest like General/Pre-College, Leadership, STEM, etc. Many applications are due in March and require the assistance of guidance for transcript releases, recommendations, and other documentation. Please contact LEIGH JACKSON or KIM HABICH with any questions. 

SENIOR CITIZEN PROM: Assumption High School’s Beta Club will be hosting the 23rd annual Senior Citizen Prom on Saturday, March 21 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Assumption cafeteria.  The theme this year is Viva Las Vegas. There will be music from the Prime Time Band, dancing, food, and refreshments at no cost.  We look forward to hosting up to 160 guests. Please RSVP no later than March 11 to Erica Lasley at Assumption High School at 502-271-2530 or erica.lasley@ahsrockets.org so we may plan accordingly.  Please feel free to share this information with the senior citizens in your life.  We look forward to another wonderful prom with the senior citizens in our community!  

KHEAA DUAL CREDIT SCHOLARSHIPS: Is your daughter enrolled in a spring dual credit course?  Does she still have scholarships available? Your daughter should have attended a KHEAA RTI session on Wednesday, February 11 where Mrs. Fieldhouse and Ms. Friedenberg helped her navigate the KHEAA portal and showed her how to apply for a scholarship.  Please ask her to show you her page.  For more information, click here:   KHEAA DUAL CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP tutorial_students_2025.pdf 

TORCHPREP ACT SUMMER INTENSIVE CAMP: Thanks to the families who attended our college night last week. We have gotten requests for the information shared by Rhett Barbour about the TorchPrep session offered at AHS from June 8-11, 2026. The ACT will change significantly by September 2025, so this is the last year for your daughter to take the current version. It’s a great opportunity to achieve target scores for college admissions and scholarships. For details and registration, please follow this link: https://torchprep.com/louisville-act-test-prep/. TorchPrep is available to answer your questions and support your college access. 

BETA CLUB INFORMATION FOR SOPHOMORES AND JUNIORS: Qualifying sophomores and juniors will be invited to join Beta Club this month for the 2026-2027 school year. Beta Club is an organization dedicated to honoring academic achievement and encouraging school and community service. Qualifying students must have a 3.5 cumulative GPA and no more than two demerits on their discipline record. Members are required to attend 75% of scheduled meetings. School-related absences will not be factored into this. They must complete 20 service hours their junior year and 20 service hours their senior year. Members must maintain a 3.5 cumulative GPA and may not accumulate more than two demerits (equal to six detentions) throughout their membership. Parents/Guardians of qualifying students will receive an invitation letter by email by the end of this month. Qualifying students will receive an email invitation as well. There is a one-time membership fee of $35 to join.  Details for the application process, which includes attending one of several possible discernment meetings and a discipline check, will be included in the invitation emails.  *Current junior class Beta Club members will not receive an invitation as they are already members, and their membership will roll over into their senior year as long as they attend the senior discernment meeting and meet all qualifications at the end of the school year. 

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY (NHS) APPLICATIONS: Completed hard-copy applications are due to the Guidance Office by 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 19 (prior to Mission Week). Applications submitted after this deadline will not be accepted. Please note that applications must include both student and parent/guardian signatures. Only sophomores and juniors who attended one of the NHS application informational meetings in January and who meet the GPA and discipline requirements are eligible to apply. Questions may be directed to NHS Adviser Kim Habich. 

ROCKET PARENT NETWORK (RPN) NEWS: 

• Speaker Program: The Rocket Parent Network will host a speaker program on Monday, February 23 at 6:30 p.m. in the AHS cafeteria. The presentation will focus on helping you and your daughters with personal finance advice for teens.  We hope that students and parents will attend together to spark conversation about good financial decisions to make as teens.  Our speakers will be LeeAnn and John Cunningham.  Lee Ann is a 2016 AHS alum, and she and her father work for The Cunningham King Wealth Management Group/UBS Financial Services Inc.  This program will also be offered both online and in person with a link coming to the Rocket Report in the next few weeks.   

• Parent/Student Night at Top Golf: Come join the Rocket Parent Network for our annual Parent/Student Night at Top Golf on Tuesday, March 24 from 7-9 p.m. for a fun night of golf.  This event costs $20 per person and includes two hours of golf time AND a buffet dinner.  Space is limited, so if you are interested, you must fill out the survey using the link below.  No walk-ups on the day of the event.  The link to a survey includes additional details about this event:  Rocket Parent Network Event at TOPGOLF 3/24/26 – Fill out form 

MISSION WEEK: Mission Week is Monday, February 23 – Thursday, February 26. We will begin school each morning one hour later at 9:10 a.m. and dismiss each day at 3:00 p.m. We believe that Mission Week activities are so important that we suspend classes for the week; all students are required to attend and participate in the activities scheduled, both on and off campus. All attendance policies apply during Mission Week–if your daughter is ill and unable to participate on a given day, please call the attendance office as usual. If at all possible, please do not schedule medical appointments for your daughter on days when she will be participating in activities off campus.  During Mission Week, before-school supervision will be provided in the cafeteria as usual beginning at 7:15 a.m. each day.  After-school supervision will also be provided each day in the cafeteria until 4:30 p.m. as usual.  There is no school on Friday, February 27.  More details about Mission Week were sent in a Special Message from the Principal email on Thursday, January 29, and can also be accessed through this link: SPECIAL MESSAGE – MISSION WEEK 2026 

BLOOM THEATRE PROJECT: Bringing Life Onstage and Offstage through Ministry (BLOOM) is Assumption’s social justice theatre project and annual student theatre festival. This year’s production, titled “Etched,” will take place on Friday, February 20, and Saturday, February 21, at 7:00 p.m. The project features student-written plays based on the Mission Week theme, “Make Your Mark.” Rose Theatre Company invites you to experience these original works FREE of charge. General admission. No tickets required.  If you or anyone in your party requires assistance or handicap accessibility, please contact ANDREW STAIRS. 

SENIOR FLY GIRLS PARENT SHOWCASE:  The Senior Fly Girls Parent Showcase has been rescheduled for Wednesday, February 18.  The CAC doors will open for parents at 8:30 p.m. in order to see the final performance at 9:00 p.m.  All senior parents and supporters of the Class of 2026 are welcome to attend and celebrate the hard work of this senior group.   

MISSION WEEK PERMISSION FORMS FOR SENIORS: Senior permission forms were due today, Thursday, February 12.  Please get with your daughter to complete this no later than Monday, February 16.  Applicable service hours completed during Mission Week need to be submitted to MobileServe by Tuesday, March 3 at 3:00 p.m. 

SENIOR EVENT DATES & PARENT LETTER: An email will be sent out in March to parents of seniors giving details about senior activities and graduation events that will be occurring in April and May. For now, below is a listing of important senior event dates to mark on your calendar: 

• Saturday, March 7, at 9:30 a.m. – Mother/Daughter Breakfast at Crowne Plaza Hotel by the airport (830 Phillips Lane) 

• Thursday, April 23 – Senior Celebration Day – 1:00 p.m. Dismissal for Seniors 

• Friday, April 24, at 7:00 p.m. – Pink and White Game at St. Xavier High School 

• Friday, May 8, at 6:30 p.m. – Senior Holiday (No School for Seniors) & Senior Prom at Mellwood Art Center – DaVinci Room (1860 Mellwood Avenue) 

• Monday, May 11, and Tuesday, May 12 – Senior Exams 

• Wednesday, May 13 from 9:00 a.m. -11:00 p.m. – Mandatory Graduation Practice at Assumption (gym) 

• Wednesday, May 13 at 6:30 p.m. – Senior Honors Ceremony at Assumption (gym) 

• Thursday, May 14, at 6:30 p.m. – Baccalaureate Mass at St. Bernadette Catholic Church (6500 St Bernadette Ave, Prospect, KY 40059) 

• Friday, May 15, from 9:00 -11:00 a.m. – Mandatory Graduation Practice at Assumption (gym) 

• Sunday, May 17, at 11:00 a.m. – Graduation at Louisville Palace Theatre – 625 South 4^th Street 

SENIOR YEARBOOK TRIBUTES: Over the years, senior parents have developed a tradition of supporting certain activities important to their graduating daughters at Assumption.  One of these is helping to underwrite the cost of printing the yearbook by purchasing “Senior Tributes” that contain a message of congratulations and your favorite photos of your graduate. “Senior Tributes” can be a great way to document and celebrate your daughter’s time as an Assumption Rocket. If you are interested in purchasing a “Senior Tribute”, you will find size, pricing information, instructions, and a contract here: 2026 Senior Ad Letter and Contract. The deadline to submit tribute contracts is Friday, February 20. The deadline for ad materials (message and pictures) is Monday, March 2. Please feel free to reach out to Melissa Fette, yearbook adviser, at melissa.fette@ahsrockets.org with any questions. Thank you for your support of the Assumption Rosecast!   

MISSION WEEK FORM FOR JUNIORS: Online commitment forms for both job shadow and college visits were due February 11.  Verification forms are due Tuesday, March 4.  

MISSION WEEK PERMISSION SLIPS FOR FRESHMEN: Freshman students learned about their Mission Week Field trip experience on Tuesday, February 10^th in homeroom.  As part of this experience, students will travel with their homeroom, homeroom teachers, and several senior leaders to areas around Louisville that address various Critical Concerns of the Sisters of Mercy (non-violence, racism, earth, women, immigration).  We ask that one parent complete this online permission slip (click here: MISSION WEEK 2026 FRESHMAN FIELD TRIP PARTICIPATION FORM  Please complete by 2/12/26 – Fill out form) and either pay for the trip using Blackbaud (instruction are part of online permission slip), or send a check made out to Assumption High School for $20 be sent to Assumption no later than Tuesday, February 17.  We will collect any checks in the atrium during lunch block on Monday, February 16 and Tuesday, February 17.  Students may also drop off checks to Mrs. Fleischer in Campus Ministry (third floor, end of all).  All permission slips need to be completed by February 12.  

Our students who have received a Silver Key Award in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Program for their writing.  Junior Bailey Ruffin is being recognized for her poem “Stained Glass & Straightened Hair,” freshman Allie Grace for her play “Hannah’s Odyssey” that will be performed as part of our BLOOM theatre production this Mission Week, and junior Rosie Wolfram (for the SECOND year in a row) for a play she wrote titled “Plot Twist.” 

The Rocket Speech Team who competed at Regionals this past weekend.  Kate Jarboe placed 3rd in Informative Speaking, PJ Harris was the regional runner-up in Broadcasting, and Lily Barker was the regional champion in Informative Speaking.  The team won the 3rd place Sweepstakes award, and all those who competed on Saturday will move on to the STATE tournament next month! 

The Academic Team for their performance in this year’s district Governor’s Cup winning the district championship for the 4^th year in a row! The collaborative efforts of the Quick Recall team earned a 1^st place finish and the Future Problem Solving team earned 2^nd place.  Additional congratulations to those students who placed on individual tests at the competition: 

Our Rocket Archers who brought home 1st place with an impressive team score of 3269 and 143 tens at the Butler Bear Shootout Tournament! We are proud to celebrate the athletes who earned three of the Top 5 High School Female scores in the entire tournament. These outstanding competitors will be awarded medals for their performances:  

• 1st – Marilyn Shoemaker (288)  

• 2nd – Kate Jarboe (287)  

• 5th – Harper Swinney (280)  

Additionally, several archers achieved new personal bests, a powerful testament to their consistent effort and growth:  

• Marilyn Showmaker– 288 (PR)  

• Harper Swinney – 280 (PR)  

• Lila Jane Derenge– 250 (PR)  

Congratulations to the entire team for a championship caliber showing!  

Our Swim & Dive Team who continues to shine as seven athletes advance in individual events, with two additional swimmers moving forward through relay qualification.  A special congratulations to Kinley Jones, who captured 1st place in both the 50 Free and the 100 Free!  

Advancing Athletes Diving:  

• Leila Macaulay  

Swimming (Individual Events):  

• Kinley Jones  

• Mallie Whiteley  

• Parker Russell  

• Sydney Pyles  

• Raya Von Allmen  

• Harper Lawson  

• Evi Clements  

Relay Qualifiers:  

• Delaney Sullivan  

• Lexi Brooks  

Our Track and Field Team who competed at the Eastern Indoor track meet, which is one of the top indoor track meets in the country. Kinsley Yaden, Caitlin Perkins, Maura Ferguson and Mabel George competed in the 4 x 800 on Friday evening. They won their race in a nationally ranked US #9 performance. Mabel anchored the relay with one of the fastest 800m times in state history. Mabel came back on Saturday to win the 800m, again with a nationally ranked performance that was also a school indoor record. In the last event of the day, Sam Lindle, Kinsley Yaden, Maura Ferguson and Mabel George helped Assumption’s 4 x 400 relay place 6th.  

Spring Sports Tryout Information: Please note: Sports physicals must be up to date before athletes are permitted to tryout. Please email christy.hulsewede@ahsrockets.org for questions.    

• Tennis: February 17 at 3:45 p.m. at Louisville Indoor Racquet Club   

• Spring Track: early March, details to come   

Next Week: 

Friday, February 13  

• JV Indoor track meet at Norton Center 4:30 p.m.  

Saturday, February 14  

• Archery – Manual Downtown Throwdown and KCD Sweet Shot 3D Shootout  

Tuesday, February 17  

• Basketball at Butler JV/V 5:30/7:00 p.m.  

Friday, February 20  

• Basketball at Cooper JV/V 6:00/7:30 p.m.  

Saturday, February 21   

• Swim and Dive State at University of Kentucky