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A renewed identity honoring our heritage, expressing our shared values, and carrying Erie Catholic into its next decade
New classroom technology model prioritizes focused learning, healthy development, and intentional technology use
ERIE, Pa. — Erie Catholic School System announced today the addition of two new team members who will support the system’s mission by strengthening communication across its school communities and deepening Catholic identity across all five campuses. Chandler Villanueva has been named Director of Campus Ministry. Through this role, Villanueva will focus on supporting faith formation, spiritual growth, retreat programming, service learning, and liturgical life for students, faculty, staff, and administrators across the Erie Catholic School System. Villanueva brings a strong foundation in Catholic ministry, theology, youth engagement, and service. He has served as a regional youth minister, religious education teacher, long-term volunteer missionary at San Lucas Mission in Guatemala, chaplain’s office intern at Gannon University, and chaplain’s assistant at Saint Mary’s Home of Erie. He also currently serves as part of the faith formation team at Our Lady of Peace Church, where he helps plan and present weekly curriculum for Reconciliation and Confirmation preparation programs. “As Erie Catholic continues to strengthen the ways our campuses form students academically, socially, and spiritually, the Director of Campus Ministry role represents an important investment in our mission and our faith,” said Fr. Kevin Holland, Erie Catholic School System Chaplain. “Chandler brings a heart for ministry, experience working with young people, and a sincere commitment to helping students encounter Christ through prayer, service, retreat experiences, and the daily life of our schools.” In this role, Villanueva will work collaboratively with Erie Catholic leadership, the system chaplain, school principals, parish priests, diocesan clergy, faculty, and staff to support retreats, service projects, school Masses, spiritual formation opportunities, catechist certification, and faith-based programming across the system. Erie Catholic also welcomes Megan Lane as Communications Manager. Lane brings extensive media and advertising experience to the team. Previously, she worked in various roles with iHeart Radio & Media, The Oklahoman/Gannett, KFOR News Channel 4, KWTV News 9, and freelance content writing for Hertz NeverLost GPS. “Strong communication is essential to building trust, supporting families, and telling the story of Erie Catholic with clarity and purpose,” said Travis Washko, President of Erie Catholic School System. “Megan’s background in media, writing, relationship-building, and strategic communication will be a tremendous asset as we continue to strengthen how we communicate across our system and with the wider Erie community.” Together, these two new hires reflect Erie Catholic’s continued commitment to strengthening the student and family experience, supporting school leaders, and advancing the mission of Catholic education in Erie. “We are grateful to welcome both Chandler and Megan to Erie Catholic,” Washko said. “Their roles will support two areas that are central to who we are: forming young people in faith and communicating well with the families and communities we serve.” Both Lane and Villanueva begin their roles with Erie Catholic later this month.
Pictured: Saint James students pose for a class picture after receiving First Holy Communion at St. James Parish.
Attending Mass together, even if it has been a while. Simply being present is a meaningful place to begin. Visiting your parish for a Sunday, a weekday Mass, or a time of quiet prayer. Reintroducing prayer at home in a simple way, such as a short prayer before meals or bedtime. Participating in a parish event, service opportunity, or family activity when the chance arises. Talking with your child about what they are learning in religion class and sharing those conversations as a family. Reaching out to your parish if you have questions or are curious about ways to become more involved.
How Erie Catholic’s Hands-On STEAM Approach Is Shaping Confident, Creative Learners
Inside a gym buzzing with excitement, two Erie Catholic teams—Saint Jude’s Raider Robotics and Saint George’s LEGO Lancers—joined 25 other groups from across the region to compete in FIRST LEGO League’s regional tournament. The energy was contagious as students huddled over their robot tables, coaches leaned in with encouragement, teams cheered loudly for one another, and kindness flowed as freely as the creativity on display. For many of our students, this was their first time ever competing in an event like this. Yet from the opening round, it was clear they were not only prepared, but they were also ready to soar. Saint Jude’s Raider Robotics quickly realized they were holding their own against teams with years of experience. Their determination paid off as the Raiders earned second place with 335 points in the Robot Competition, a remarkable accomplishment for a first-year team navigating their first official meet. As their coach shared, they didn’t know what to expect walking in, but they left knowing they belonged. “We knew the competition was experienced and we didn’t have any idea of what to expect at the tournament,” said Brian Rehrig, parent and coach for the Raider Robotics team. “It was a pleasant surprise and testament to the team’s hard work to compete with the other teams so effectively.” Just a few tables over, Saint George’s LEGO Lancers were having a standout day of their own. Made up mostly of fifth- and sixth-graders, the Lancers earned second place for their Innovation Project, taking home a LEGO trophy that will soon find its place in the campus's display case. Their robot performance was equally impressive, tying for 8th place overall and scoring 230 points. “One of the judges came up to me afterward to say how impressed he was with the team and how strong our trajectory looks going forward,” said Kevin Miceli, parent and coach of the LEGO Lancers. “We’ve got our sights set on states next year!” This season’s FIRST LEGO League challenge was built around the theme “UNEARTHED℠,” inviting students into an archaeological-inspired adventure that connects the past with the future. Teams explored how artifacts, innovations, and discoveries from long ago can inform and inspire the solutions of tomorrow. While each campus celebrated its own achievements, the weekend was also a testament to what is possible when our system and parents come together to invest in hands-on learning. Parents volunteered hours after school and PTOs helped get things off the ground. Families rearranged schedules to get children to practices and competitions. And through it all, the system’s commitment to STEAM learning created space for students to explore robotics, coding, engineering, and teamwork in ways that strengthen both confidence and academic growth. According to the MIT Media Lab, research consistently shows that hands-on, experiential learning can increase retention by up to 90% and robotics in particular strengthens problem-solving, spatial reasoning, and mathematical thinking. Meanwhile, programs like FIRST LEGO League are linked to increased confidence, teamwork skills, and long-term interest in STEM. These opportunities align beautifully with how children at this age learn best: through doing, experimenting, collaborating, failing safely, and trying again while surrounded by adults who believe in their potential. “Opportunities like FIRST LEGO League make challenging students in new ways accessible even to our youngest learners,” said Lisa Panighetti, Vice President of Academic Affairs for Erie Catholic. “It gives students a chance to explore, imagine, build, and work together in ways that reflect the very best of what we want for them academically and personally.” FIRST Lego League has programming for preschool through eighth grade. Erie Catholic will continue exploring how to widen these opportunities within Erie Catholic, ensuring more of our students can participate in this kind of joyful, meaningful learning. Congratulations, Raider Robotics and LEGO Lancers teams! Thank you for representing your campuses with joy and humility. We can’t wait to see what they dream up next season!