Rashaun J. Martin has been appointed as the new principal of Cathedral High School in the South End, headmaster Tom Arria announced June 16. Martin is currently director of the history program at Boston Latin School. He begins his tenure at Cathedral on July 1.

Martin holds a bachelor's degree in history, a master's degree in teaching, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership from Simmons College in Boston.

Martin is also affiliated with many professional associations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay, the ACCESS Scholarship Program, and Notre Dame Academy in Hingham, serving on the boards of ACCESS and Notre Dame.

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Catholic Memorial School in West Roxbury was honored by the Mass. General Hospital Cancer Center at a June 2 gala for their efforts as one of "The One Hundred". The dinner honors 100 people or groups who have helped advance the fight against cancer.

Since 2006, the West Roxbury school has participated in the American Cancer Society's annual Making Strides Walk, which raises money for breast cancer research. Catholic Memorial has raised over $100,000 for the cause since 2006.

The school will once again participate in the annual walk in October.

In 2009, Catholic Memorial partnered with the American Cancer Society to begin the first High School Challenge, challenging every high school in Massachusetts to out-fundraise them. Over 20 schools responded, and in 2009 alone they raised $100,000.

With over 300 boys walking, CM won the first annual challenge, raising over $30,000 and becoming the only school in the state to make the top-100 donors list. The High School Challenge made the top 100 fundraising teams nationwide.

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Jhovani Vonleh, a sophomore at Catholic Memorial School in West Roxbury, took top honors at the National Catholic Forensic League's Grand Tournament in Omaha, Neb. Vonleh earned honors for his dramatic performance of Martin Luther King's 1967 "Christmas Hope" sermon, which expressed King's hope for racial equality in the United States.

Catholic Memorial also earned the Founder's Award at the competition. The award is given to five of the 500 teams participating. The team also consisted of sophomores Andrew Rogantino (8th place, Declamation), Kevin Donnelly (9th, Declamation), Marcus Jackson (18th, Declamation), senior Pat Simas and juniors Ethan Madden (26th place, Duo), Michael MacKenzie and Joe Botsch (Octo-finalists, Public Forum Debate).

Vonleh earned honors for his performance of King's speech in four other performances in other states throughout the year.

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Gerard and Rosemary Burke were honored at Catholic Charities South's annual Springfest, this year titled "An Evening of Irish Revelry", June 10 at the Shaw's Center in Brockton. The Burkes were praised for their dedication to the mission of Catholic Charities as foster parents, volunteers, and board members.

This year's event was emceed by Susan Wornick of WCVB-TV, and featured live and silent auctions and performances by traditional Irish harpists, fiddlers, and step dancers.

Catholic Charities provides assistance to more than 24,000 children, adults, and families in southern Massachusetts.

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The food pantry at Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta Parish in Dorchester was recently named in honor of longtime parishioner Mary Ann Brett. Her children were on hand for the dedication at the parish hall. Pictured above are Bill Brett, Peggy McCobb, Jim Brett, Mary McCarthy, and Harry Brett.

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Kevin Kiley will serve as the Interim Secretary for Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the Catholic Foundation for the Archdiocese of Boston effective July 1, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia Father Richard Erikson announced. Kiley will serve until a permanent secretary is appointed.

Kiley succeeds Scot Landry, who takes over as the head of the newly-created Secretariat for Catholic Media also effective July 1. Landry will oversee all aspects of the archdiocese's print and digital media, including the Pilot.

Kiley is currently the archdiocese's budget and planning director.