Doctor Michael Hayes has been teaching theology at Lancaster Catholic High School since 1973 and has impacted the lives of his students ever since.
Mrs. Kathleen Alton, Chair of the Theology Department shares this about Dr. Hayes:
"I have worked with Dr. Hayes for 14 years at Lancaster Catholic High School. Many years prior to working with Mike, I was a student in his class in the late 1970s. Both as a student and a colleague, Mike has had a significant impact on me. His giant intellect, coupled with genuine humility and deep faith, has inspired generations of students."
Miss Anne Marie DeCarolis, ’13, was the first student to earn the St. Augustine Scholar
certificate. Mike severed as her faculty mentor. Anne Marie’s thesis was titled “The Breathing
Catholic Liturgy.”
certificate. Mike severed as her faculty mentor. Anne Marie’s thesis was titled “The Breathing
Catholic Liturgy.”
Anne Marie reflected on this experience:
"Dr. Hayes is one of the most influential and inspiring teachers I have ever had. His teaching style, incorporating interactive lectures, film studies and in-depth research, empowers and challenges high school students and seamlessly prepares them for college- level study. During my senior year, LCHS introduced the St. Augustine Scholars program, which entails writing a 20+ page thesis with a faculty mentor. Dr. Hayes courageously took on this new challenge with me by giving of his free period each day for over six weeks to revise and polish my 36 page paper in preparation for presentation and publication. This experience with him highlighted for me his unparalleled dedication to and selfless support of his students; this trademark quality of his is one I will never forget."
Anne Marie graduated from Immaculata University and is currently working for Chemours Company and pursuing a MBA at DeSales University. Anne Marie was able to reflect back on Dr. Hayes’ impact through the lens of a college graduate. When some of Mike’s current students were asked to contribute their thoughts several of them mirrored Amanda’s reflection.
Alison Stauffer, a current junior, had Dr. Hayes for sophomore Honors Theology and shared this:
"Dr. Hayes is not just a teacher to us at Lancaster Catholic. He is an incredible source of knowledge, a knowledgeable mentor, but most importantly a caring friend. With his abundant knowledge of culture, religion, and language he has taught me not just our curriculum but important life lessons that I still carry with me today."
Andrew Jacunski, a current senior shared this about Dr. Hayes:
"I had Dr. Hayes for a teacher my sophomore year for an Honors Scripture course. To this day, it is my favorite class that I have taken in my high school career. We did not spend 9 months reading the Bible and studying its contents, but rather we pursued many angles of the inspired writers of the Bible, learning through lectures, videos, scholarly articles, and biblical articles. He required us to critically think, and to apply what we learned.
Outside of the classroom, Dr. Hayes makes it a priority to be active in the life of his students. This past year, I had the privilege of leading a retreat with him. The relationship that was built on the retreat did not die when we returned to school. I now seek him out in the halls, and carry conversation with him. He has become a mentor to me and I am honored to be student of him."
Six other teachers from the Diocese of Harrisburg have been awarded with the Golden Apple Award.
- Mrs. Tammy Dreihaup- Our Mother of Perpetual Help School
- Mrs. Jennifer Fleming- St. Francis Xavier School
- Miss Theresa Smith- St. Joseph School, Hanover
- Mrs. Jane Lobeck- Sacred Heart School, Lancaster
- Sister Susan Kuk, IHM- Trinity High School
- Dr. Michael Hayes- Lancaster Catholic High School
- Mrs. Katherine Phenice- Delone Catholic High School
Mrs. Katherine Phenice is the daughter of LCHS art teacher Mr. Dick Ressel. Mr. Ressel won the Golden Apple several years ago.
Mrs. Jane Lobeck is the mother of Elizabeth '19 and Sam '18.
The Golden Apple Award Dinner will be held Tuesday, May 8, 2018.