Newman Catholic High School (Iowa)

Newman Catholic High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Mason City, Iowa. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dubuque.

Background
Originally, Newman Catholic was built as Central Catholic High School to serve several parishes in the North Iowa area. Newman Catholic High School was established in 1960 with the guidance of Rev. William Powers. Newman is one of two high schools in Mason City, the other being the public Mason City High School.

Newman Catholic High School is connected to Newman Catholic Middle School, Newman Catholic Elementary School, and Newman Catholic Daycare. This one building is a part of a campus with a track, football field, baseball diamond and softball diamond.

History of Principals

1960-1967 Fr. Norman White

1967-1970 Fr. Donald Hawes

1970-1978 Fr. John McClean

1978-1981 Fr. Ken Gehling

1981-1991 Fr. Wayne Ressler

1991-1991 Fr. Kopacek

1991-1992 SR. Walter Marie

1992-1994 Mr. Don Greenlee

1994-1998 Mrs. Vicki Steil

1998-2007 Mr. Mike Kavars

2007-Current Mr. Tony Adams

Athletics
Newman has a wide variety of athletic programs for students to participate in. These programs include football, volleyball, cross country, football cheerleading, competition cheer, girls’ basketball, boys’ basketball wrestling, dance team, basketball cheerleading, wrestling cheerleading, girls’ track, boys’ track, girls’ golf, boys’ golf, baseball, and softball, all of which compete as the Knights. Participation in sports such as tennis, swimming, hockey and soccer, which Newman does not offer, is available through cooperation with the Mason City Public High School. The Knights participate in the Top of Iowa Conference.

Service Program
Newman Catholic requires its students to complete 50 hours of service before graduation. This program is based on a four-year student, requiring 12.5 hours of service a year (6.25 hours a semester) to reach the mandatory 50 hours. The purpose of this program is to “Promote a spirit of Christian service among the students and challenges them to use their gifts, talents, and time for the service of others," (Veselis). There are many opportunities for students to complete their hours through school or church-sponsored events, such as God's Portion Day or parish festivals. Students cannot be paid for their service and the work they do must be outside their normal household chores. This program is widely supported because of the opportunity it gives students “to put their faith into action by selflessly involving themselves in a variety of the service projects which benefit the school, the Church, and community,” (Veselis).