en Holy Redeemer High School

Holy Redeemer High School
Holy Redeemer High School
Address
	159 South Pennsylvania Boulevard; Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania 18701; United States
Coordinates	41°14′29″N 75°53′3″W / 41.24139°N 75.88417°W
Information
Type	Private, Coeducational
Motto	Omnia per Christum; (All Things Through Christ)
Religious affiliation(s)	Roman Catholic
Established	2007
Dean	TBD
Principal	Colin Martinson
Chaplain	Rev. Philbert Tekynaki
Faculty	About 50
Grades	9-12
Enrollment	436
Color(s)	Red, White and Gold
Team name	Royals
Accreditation	Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
Website	holyredeemerhs.org

Holy Redeemer High School is a high school of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton. It is located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, United States. It is currently the only Catholic high school in Luzerne County.

History

In January 2007, Bishop Joseph Martino announced the consolidation of four schools into a central Catholic high school for Luzerne County. On February 27, 2007, James J. Redington, then-principal of Seton Catholic High School in Pittston, was selected to be the first principal of the new Holy Redeemer High School.

The school opened on July 1, 2007. It is a consolidation of Bishop Hafey High School in Hazleton, Bishop Hoban High School in Wilkes-Barre, Bishop O'Reilly High School in Kingston, and Seton Catholic High School in Pittston. The school is housed in the former Bishop Hoban building. Holy Redeemer's team name is the Royals and its colors are red, white, and gold. Classes began in late August 2007. By fall of that year, its students and faculty had celebrated the first Opening Liturgy at St. Nicholas Church, the first Spirit Week, and the first Junior Ring Ceremony.

The school was not in session on February 28, 2008, because a majority of faculty members called in sick to protest the diocese's refusal to acknowledge a teachers' union. The following day, over 200 students conducted a walkout in support of the teachers and their position. The diocese did not accept the union's terms.^[3]

On April 29, 2008, the high school conducted their first official ceremony for the National Honor Society. Holy Redeemer's first prom and talent show were held in May 2008. Later that school year, the high school community celebrated their first senior awards ceremony and senior graduation.

The high school's first student government election was held on December 17, 2008. The first student body officers were: President Joseph Sebastianelli, Vice President Matthew Powell, Secretary Moses Sam, and Treasurer Robert Gawlas.

In June 2010, the school's first principal, James Redington, retired. The assistant principal, Anita Sirak, succeeded him.

Principals of Holy Redeemer

	Principal	Term
1	James J. Redington	2007–2010
2	Anita M. Sirak	2010–2016
3	Michael Reese	2016–2019
4	Doreen Dougherty	2019–2023
5	Cody Opalka	2023–2024
6	Colin Martinson	2024–present

Enrollment

Year	Population
2007	860 students
2017	635 students
2023	436 students

Alma mater

Holy Redeemer,
Hail the red, white, and gold;
We are faith, hope, and love.
We are one from the many,
United and proud,
With courage from above.
In the Spirit of Christ,
Our story is told.
Our Redeemer sustains us
As our lives do unfold.
Loyal, united with pride do we hail;
We are Holy Redeemer Royals;
We are Holy Redeemer High.
(Music and Lyrics by Andrea Bogusko Yorkonis)^[4]