Beyond the Books - December 2024
September 11, 2023
At Cretin-Derham Hall, students have important opportunities to grow, learn and thrive both in the classroom and 'beyond the books!' In fact, 98% of students participate in one or more sports or activities.
Beyond the Books is our brag book on all of your favorite co-curriculars at CDH: athletics, activities, JROTC, Campus Ministry, and the Arts. This can also be a place for occasional school-wide athletic department updates and current news on some of our activities.
ATHLETICS | ACTIVITIES | BAND | CHOIR | JROTC | THEATER
Athletics
Boys Basketball
By Tony Yazbeck, Assistant Coach
The Boys Basketball team opened its season on December 3 with a 87-54 victory over Burnsville. Ty Schlagel ’27 scored a career high 27 points in the win. On December 7 the Raiders battled #3 ranked Alexandria in the Breakdown Sports Tip-Off Classic at Hopkins High School and prevailed with a 77-71 victory. Tommy Ahneman ’25 led the way with 22 points and 14 rebounds, Ty Schalgel ’27 added 20 points, Jojo Mitchell ’26 13 points and Monteff Dixon ’25 with 10 rebounds and 7 assists. The Raiders are currently ranked #1 in the state. On that same day our team participated in the Toys 4 Tots Bike Build at Mauer Chevrolet. The team worked with members of the armed forces in assembling over 400 bikes that were donated to Toys 4 Tots during the holiday season. The Raiders upcoming games are:
December 13 @ Irondale (7 pm)
December 14 vs. Orono @ Totino Grace (7:30 pm)
December 18 @ East Ridge (7 pm)
December 27 @ St. Thomas Academy (6 pm)
December 28 vs. Waconia @ St. Thomas Academy (2 pm)
January 3 vs. Totino Grace (7 pm)
Girls Basketball
By Tara Seifert, Head Coach
CDH Girls basketball has had a good start to the season and currently has a 2-2 record. The players are continuing to work hard daily and are showing progress as well as more consistency with their play. This year's team captains are Emma Dornan ’25, Elena Kronschnabel ’25, Tank Edwards ’25 and Sage Gilbert ’26.
The Raiders two losses were against Delano High School and Stillwater High School. The team went 2-0 in the Twin Cities Thanksgiving Tournament beating Holy Family High school 75-30. Isabella Deleeuw ’29 recorded 20 pts and Sage Gilbert ’26 had 17 pts to lead the Raiders. The 2nd win came against Mayer Lutheran HIgh School with a score of 55-45. In that game we saw balanced scoring, Madeleine Hamiel ’29 had 10 pts, Isabella Deleeuw ’29, Sage Gilbert ’26 and Leila Colvin ’27 had 9pts. Tank Edwards ’25 also contributed 8pts in that contest.
We are now into the swing of the SEC Conference season. First home game is scheduled for Friday, Dec.13th vs Irondale. This game will also be Youth Night. Go Raiders!
Boys Hockey
By Matt Funk, Head Coach
The boys’ hockey team has gotten off to a quick start on the ice starting 2-0-1 on the young season. The Raiders started with a road trip up to Hermantown and Hibbing over the Thanksgiving weekend. The season opener against perennial power Hermantown ended in a classic 4-4 tie with Max Bennett ’25 tying the game with a shorthanded goal with 11 seconds left in the game.
Max Anderson ’26 (2) and Alex Bloedow ’26 added the other goals for the Raiders. The Raiders had a different result at Historic Hibbing Memorial Arena on Saturday winning 6-1 against a young and talented Hibbing team. Max Bennett again led the way with a hat trick and Owen Nelson ’25 stopped 19 of 20 shots on goal. Other goals were scored by Cam Autrey ’26, Veszi Lippai ’25, and Brody Ruprecht ’28. Finally, the Raiders opened conference play on 12/5 with a 5-1 win against the Woodbury Royals. Nelson got the win again in the nets stopping 16 of 17 shots. Goals were scored by Jimmy Dodig ’25, Nate Chorlton ’26, Jonny Bloedow ’28, Autrey, and Bennett.
Girls Hockey
By Tony Scheid, Head Coach
The Raiders Girls Hockey team beat Eastview High School 4-1 at Charles Schulz-Highland Arena last Saturday in our latest game.
Lauren Fisher ’25 started the scoring in the 3rd period with a great net front deflection off of Elly Henjum ’26 strong shot from just inside the blue line. Abby Broz ’25 then ripped a shot past the Eastview goalie, going high over her glove with a laser wrist shot. Henjum then scored on another heavy shot from the point off of a great pass from Channing Haycraft ’27.
Broz then closed out the 4-goal third period outburst to seal the victory. Grace Kemp ’26 made 18 saves on 19 shots for a .947 save percentage. Kemp stopped numerous breakaways and point blank scoring chances when the game was tied.
Goalie Grace Kemp ’26 has led the Raiders with a 1.83 Goals Against Average per game and a .926 save percentage through 7 games. Hope Hadac ’25 leads all scoring with 2 goals and 4 assists. Henjum and Haycraft are tied with 4 total points each on 2 goals and 2 assists.
Other Raiders at the top of the scoring are center Ava Perry ‘25, wings Lauren Fisher ’25, Isabelle Oelrich ’26, Abby Broz ’25, Regan Flores ’25, Delaney Schwab ’25, and Stella Hadac ’25 - all tied with 3 total points.
The Raiders will play in the Eden Prairie Girls High School Holiday Meltdown Tournament on December 26, 27, and 28 over our break.
Boys Swim and Dive
By Mitchell Reynolds, Head Coach
The 24-25 Boys Swim and Dive season started Monday, Dec. 2 with a not-so-bright and very-early 5:30 am swim at our home pool at St. Kates! The athletes have had a good first week of practices and look forward to our first two competitions, the Conference Relay Meet on 12/12 and our first Dual Meet with East Ridge on 12/18. Both contests are at Oltman Middle School. With no home meets on the schedule until January, the boys would love to see some road-fans in the stands!
Wrestling
By Joe Piazza, Head Coach
The Raiders Wrestling Team has been working hard for the 2024-25 wrestling season. Thank you to the extended CDH Raider Family for the generous wrestling room. The kids will enjoy breaking the room in!
The wrestlers have been recruiting new members to the program. CDH is led by captains Bud Brondum ’25, Mickey Piazza ’25, and Evan Stoltz ’25.
The CDH wrestlers hosted their first home dual meet on 12/7. The CDH Raiders went 5-0 beating rivals St Agnes, Benilde Stt Margaret’s, Minneapolis Roosevelt, St. Paul Humboldt, and St. Paul Como Park.
The next home meet will be against SEC AAA Park and Fridley High School on December 12.
Go Raiders!
Activities
Art Club
By Suzanne Cranston, Moderator
Art Club has been doing all things "Artsy and Crafty!"
Students work on watercolor paintings, crochet, clay sculptures all about mushrooms, and continue to build personal friendship bracelets and charm bracelets!
New Art Club hoodies have arrived too! (Think: retro Care Bears)!
Art Club meets Mondays after school in room MFA102. Anyone can join up... hope to see you!
Investment Club
By Marcy Sticha, Moderator
The investment club took a break during the last two weeks of Trimester 1 due to students being busy with finals. We will be resuming with a meeting next Thursday. Student leaders are working on arranging speakers for Trimester 2. Sean Van Gemert ’96 will be assisting during meetings, bringing his finance background to the club. Students have been working on their portfolios and will discuss the winners and losers from their stock picks.
Ultimate Frisbee
By Charlie Enders, Head Coach
Ultimate Frisbee will begin practices in January. Look for announcements and practice times when we return from the holiday break.
Math Team
By Maureen Modl and Chad Loeffler, Moderators
Our CDH math team has competed in 2 meets thus far in the Minnesota Math League, and we are off to a strong start for the season. Our next meet will be on December 16.
Our mathletes are engaged and enthusiastic and we are thrilled with the level of participation in our individual events.
Go Raider mathletes!
Mock Trial
By Anne Dougherty, Moderator
This year marks a milestone in Minnesota Mock Trial history—the 50th Anniversary of the program! CDH is proud to celebrate this legacy with not just one but two outstanding teams ready to take on the competition.
The case this year is a thrilling murder mystery set in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA), challenging our students to navigate the complexities of wilderness intrigue and courtroom strategy.
The season begins with The Golden Gavel Invitational on December 14 at the University of Minnesota, a prestigious event where our teams will showcase their hard work and preparation. The first official trial of the season follows on January 7 at the Ramsey County Courthouse.
Leading the teams are our dedicated captains: MJ Dougherty ’25, Maggie Kane ’25, Elise Newmark ’25, and Max Redden ’25. Their leadership, paired with the talent and determination of their teammates, sets the stage for an exciting and competitive season.
Join us in cheering on our Raiders as they honor 50 years of Minnesota Mock Trial and bring Raider pride to the courtroom!
By Teddy Williams, Band Director
The Concert Band, Jazz Band, and String Ensemble are all working hard at preparing for their Christmas Concert! The concert will also be combined with the Choir and acapella group, Purple Reign!
Also keep an eye out for the CDH Pep Band! They will be performing at hockey and basketball games throughout the season. We can't wait to see you at some of the games!
Combined Band and Choir Christmas Concert will be on December 17, 7 pm in the Lillian Theater. We hope to see many of you there for some festive music!
Choir
By Delilah Schuster, Choir Director
The annual CDH Choir Christmas Dinner & Cabaret Fundraiser took place on December 9! Combined Band and Choir Christmas Concert will be on December 17, 7 pm in the Lillian Theater. We hope to see many of you there for some festive music!
JROTC
By SGM David Berrisford '81, MSG Ken Peloski, COL Scrocca, and SFC Thingvold
The Raider Brigade Corps of Cadets successfully completed the 1st Trimester with some great
events and is already off and running in the first couple weeks of the 2nd Trimester.
On Thursday, December 19, the entire Raider Brigade Corps of Cadets will participate in its
annual Service Learning Project, Junior Achievement. As part of the program, in teams of
about four cadets each, the entire Corps of Cadets will go to four local elementary schools, The
Heights, Hazel Park, Bruce Vento and Highland, to teach Kindergarten through 5th Grade civics
classes for the day. During the week and a half of class preparation and during the execution of
the event, cadets have the opportunity to put much of what they learn in class and lab into
action as they plan and organize for the project; develop lesson plans; serve as group leaders,
managers, supervisors and followers; conduct rehearsals; and have the opportunity to stand up
and speak in front of others. Most of all though, they serve as role models and inspirations for
other young people in our city as they demonstrate CDH and Army Values at work. The cadets
are super excited for this annual event and we can’t wait to see them in action!
On February 7, the Cretin-Derham Hall Raider Brigade will host the Upper Midwest JROTC
Challenge (UMJC). The Raider Brigade is excited to host about 350 cadets 12 local and regional
JROTC programs, some from as far away as the UP and Chicago. Cadets will compete in a
variety of activities to include: Regulation Drill, Color Guard, Rifle Marksmanship, Archery,
Physical Fitness, Knowledge Bowl, and always a crowd favorite – the Tug-O-War. Everyone is
welcome to attend to cheer on the cadets between 10:00-3:00 in the CDH Field House.
The annual Raider Brigade Military Ball will be held on February 21 at TST Catering in St. Paul.
We encourage our cadets to attend this fun event. It gives the cadets an opportunity to dress
up in a formal version of their uniform and their dates and young women in the program can
wear a formal civilian suit or gown. Students arrive at 5 pm, have their pictures taken, eat a
wonderful meal, and then dance the night away. The event ends at 10:00 pm. All cadre attend
as chaperones as well.
On behalf of the CDH JROTC Faculty and the entire CDH Raider Brigade Corps of Cadets we wish
you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Theater
By Cullen Wiley '16, Theater Director
CDH Theater's 2024 Children's Show, "Frozen Jr" has opened to great success! We had 3 shows opening weekend, and sold out our Saturday afternoon performance! This week we welcome a bunch of different schools from the metro area to perform the show for them. Frozen Jr runs December 13th, 14th, and 15th. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students.