During Lent, we’re called as Catholics to fast, pray, and give alms. Thus, daily during Lent, students in our Kindergarten classrooms draw names of groups of people to pray for specifically. Some groups they’ve prayed for include doctors, teachers, parents, farmers, neighbors, etc. After praying for each group, they add the links to their prayer chains they’re building in each classroom.

How have you changed your daily routines during Lent to add prayer to your daily habits? 

Peggy Gray, our Teacher of the Year, began teaching Kindergarten here at Holy Trinity Parish School in 2001, and after 20 years, she still teaches Kindergarteners today! This is her 29^th year teaching in the Archdiocese of Louisville, as she previously taught at St. Raphael. She is married to Willie (also for 29 years) and the proud mom of Jacob and Zachary.

Mrs. Gray’s favorite traditions at HT are the annual field trips in Kindergarten that every student can recall during their time in K classrooms – visiting the pumpkin patch, going bowling for the 100^th day of school, and watching horses run and learning about Louisville traditions at the Derby Museum in May. Another favorite of hers is the annual Nativity Kindergarten group photos - we know if you're the parent of a current student or Lifetime Eagle, you're now going back to try to find that photo to say, "Awe, remember back then!". She also especially loves the tradition of Friday Dance Parties in KG! Many of our students and graduates can credit her for the basic building blocks of their continued learning - letters, reading, numbers, counting and skip counting, prayers, school routines, and so much more! Mrs. Gray loves all of our students and is always excited to reconnect with visiting graduates and older siblings on family days/nights at school, such as conferences, Book Fair, graduation, and other special occasions. As so many of us have heard, “Once a KG kid, always a KG kid!”

She recently shared her favorite aspect of teaching some of our youngest students, “I love teaching the little learners. They are like sponges just eager to learn! Every day is a new day and everyone comes to school with a smile. In Kindergarten, we build lasting relationships with students and parents that long surpass their Kindergarten year.”

Upon receiving this honor, Mrs. Gray shared, “I very much appreciate being given this honor. We all know it takes more than a teacher in the classroom for our students to be successful. In my time at HT, I have been fortunate to work with wonderful instructional assistants - Jeanie Deskins, Anne Helm, and currently Stacey Campisano. KG could not achieve what we do daily without them. I love the HT community, both the educators and parents – they’re so loving, generous, and kind, really like family to me!”

Congratulations and thank you again, Mrs. Peggy Gray, for all you do for our Holy Trinity school family. We’re glad you’re part of our Catholic School!

Lee Greenamyer, our 2020 - 2021 Volunteer of the Year, has been a parent, parishioner, and volunteer at Holy Trinity for 11 years now. Over the years, you’ve probably seen him calling numbers in the Summer Picnic Cake Booth and working games in the Booster Fish Fry Children’s Game Room. He’s been a classroom reader and guest speaker/presenter sharing his expertise on playground design and planning for Jr. High students completing a playground proposal project. He’s chaperoned our mission trip to Appalachia and served as a girls Football coach. You’ve seen his work as the graphic designer for our Eyrie Theatre show posters, announcements, and programs, as well as our carpool lane organization signage this year. His biggest involvement and commitment comes as a volunteer daily for the past two years at afternoon carpool. He’s the one motioning you into lanes and ensuring we get cars parked correctly to dismiss students safely and quickly in all forms of weather. We definitely appreciate his assistance and leadership daily!

Lee is married to Dr. Amy Greenamyer and proud dad to Sydney (a Lifetime Eagle graduate) and current student, Quinn. When asked what he loves most about HT, Lee shared, “I am most thankful that we, as parents, play an active role in our children’s educations here. Holy Trinity has kept us informed and provided numerous opportunities to be involved.” He continued, “The teachers and administration have partnered with us to help our kids when they were having difficulties. We felt we have always had a village helping us guide our children while at HT.”

In accepting his award, he shared a reminder we can all take to heart, “The reason I volunteer is to show my kids that I am invested in their lives and education. I value the mission and work of Holy Trinity.” Adding, “While my motivations for helping are not for accolades, I am deeply appreciative of this recognition.

Thank you HT administration, teachers, staff, and PTA for this award, as well as for all you do daily for our children!”

Congratulations to Ashley Davenport, our Staff Member of the Year honoree! Mrs. Davenport is in her 13th year at Holy Trinity -  currently serving as Director of Student Activities after previously teaching both 2nd and 3rd grades. Mrs. Davenport and her husband, Russ, have one daughter, Wren.

If you have a student at Holy Trinity, they have, no doubt, been involved in one or more activities that Mrs. Davenport so tirelessly organizes. Mrs. Davenport is the energy behind many of the extra-curricular programs in our school and has a driving passion for providing experiences of all kinds to our students.  She believes in our students living their Catholic faith and places that at the top of her list in modeling how we are called to serve others. Mrs. Davenport researches, contacts, and collaborates with many programs/organizations within our community to provide in-person service learning with our older students, collections of needed supplies for those in need, and creative activities for our younger students to show their service commitment.  Mrs. Davenport teaches our students how to allow their voices to be heard and how, through the right processes, they can be a part of a change that provides equality and justice for all through our KYA and KUNA programs.  She coordinates and coaches academic team programs: Quick Recall, Book Bee, and Governor’s Cup. She coordinates all Student Council events -  meeting weekly, often daily, with our Student Council leaders to plan and implement programs.  She's always looking for new ways to provide social activities and connections to all students in PreK through 8^th grades.  Mrs. Davenport is the voice behind our social media, continually communicating and posting pictures of the amazing work being done here. All of this work is compiled and summarized when she works with our students to create our school yearbook.  

When asked what she loves most about HT, she shared, “It’s both the community and the opportunities students have in and out of the classroom to succeed. Many families have returned to HT for multiple generations because it’s home to them. ‘You taught my (sibling/cousin/family member)’ is a special connection.” Being involved in so many different activities with multiple grade levels over the years, some would think it may be hard for her to cite just one favorite memory. She’d agree. “What I value most each day is getting to know and respect the uniqueness of each student, their interests and passions, both in and out of the classroom. Seeing them share their ideas, intellect, and even funny stories with their peers, as they smile and join together for a cause, project, or shared team goal – that’s the best part of what I do each day.”

In acknowledging the award, Mrs. Davenport was quick to add, “I’m grateful that Mr. Richards, along with school and parish administration at Holy Trinity created this DSA position almost 8 years ago. It’s been an absolute joy and privilege to partner with students, educators, parents, and families both in our school and across the Archdiocese, as we all work together to ensure our children have what they need to be successful in their growth as well-rounded individuals.”  

We are blessed to have Mrs. Davenport as a leader at Holy Trinity Parish and School. We thank her for her love and passion, for her calling of working with children, and being at Holy Trinity.