CITY HONORS NDP'S CHEER TEAM AND SKIER MAREN STUDT

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April 30, 2025

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

The Pontiac City Council issues official resolutions in celebration of the state championships of Irish competitive cheer and skier Maren Studt.

Notre Dame Prep's competitive cheer team and skier Maren Studt were honored Tuesday, April 29, by the Pontiac City Council for winning MHSAA championships this past winter.

Along with coaches and members of both teams and with other Pontiac honorees, the council chamber was packed with people there to support the players, including NDP parents, friends and school administrators.

District 7 Council Member Michael McGuinness first introduced Studt and welcomed Irish ski coach Craig McLeod to the podium to talk about his skier, who earned state championships in both the slalom and giant slalom at the MHSAA finals meet held in February at Boyne Highlands. 

"On behalf of the coaches and all the team, we proudly congratulate Maren on her incredible victories in both slalom and giant slalom at the 2025 state finals," McLeod said. She had a truly remarkable season, defined by determination, discipline and excellence. In fact, her training actually began in August of 2024 with a trip to Chile where she worked through nearly three weeks of focused preparation."

McLeod described the NDP junior's "amazing" hard work as well as the season she had culminating with her run through states.

"Maren found another gear fueled by furious determination and came back to win the second run by over a full second, clinching the overall win on the slopes," he said. She exemplifies what it means to be a student-athlete while juggling a demanding training and racing schedule. All while continuing to take honors-level courses and maintaining straight As throughout the school year."

District 5 Council Member William Parker Jr. then read a proclamation congratulating the NDP cheer team and their coaches.

The team claimed its sixth MHSAA State title in program history and first since 2018 in early March, capping an unbeaten season with one final strong showing at the MHSAA D3 finals meet held at Central Michigan University.

"The Pontiac City Council's resolution celebrating and honoring Notre Dame Prep's 2024 Michigan high school competitive cheer state championship, whereas the 2024/2025 competitive cheer team representing Notre Dame Preparatory School in Pontiac, demonstrating extraordinary dedication, teamwork and skill throughout their season," said Parker. "And whereas the Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 2024/2025 competitive cheer team competed in the Michigan High School state finals and finished in first place under the outstanding leadership of coach Jocelyn Welsh.

"The team consistently displayed exemplary sportsmanship, perseverance and commitment to excellence. And whereas this accomplishment reflects the talent and hard work of the cheer team, but it also reflects the committed support of their families, school and community. And whereas the 2024/2025 Notre Dame Prep competitive cheer team has brought pride and inspiration to the community for its historic victory. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the Pontiac City Council, the Mayor of Pontiac, and the members of this great community congratulate the 2024/2025 Notre Dame cheer team for their outstanding achievements in winning the championship and commends their dedication and effort in representing our community with honor and distinction."

The city proclamation was followed by statements by the coaches and team members who also thanked the city council for honoring them during the evening.

Andrew Guest, NDP's head of school, also spoke and said how grateful the school is for the support of the city and noted that the school is celebrating its 30th year as Notre Dame Prep while mentioning its Pontiac founding and the heritage schools that preceded it.

"We're very proud that we're in the city of Pontiac and we're very proud of our student-athletes," he added.

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org

About Notre Dame Preparatory School
"At Notre Dame Prep, we inspire our students to become the best versions of themselves. We challenge them through an experience of academic excellence, focused on active, project-based learning. We invite them to explore a world of opportunities beyond the classroom. We guide them as they grow in spirituality within a community strong in its Catholic and Marist identity."

Notre Dame Preparatory School is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. Notre Dame Preparatory School's upper school enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame Prep's middle and lower schools enroll students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. All three schools are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDP is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the National Association of Independent Schools. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School, visit the school’s home page at www.ndpma.org.