Heard in the Halls - January 2018

January 10, 2018

Welcome to Heard in the Halls!

We encourage you to read all the current blogs, or click below to quickly go to a section.

ATHLETICS | CHOIR | COUNSELING | JROTC

Athletics

With deep sadness, the Athletic Department joins the Cretin-Derham Hall community in mourning the loss of Assistant Athletic Director, Kelley Hood whose unexpected passing on January 4 has shocked and saddened us all.  He will be greatly missed by students and faculty alike.  Our school memorial service on Monday, January 8 was a beautiful tribute to Mr. Hood and a chance for us to join together in prayer during this difficult time.  Many students and faculty plan to attend services on Thursday, January 11 as well.  For more information on arrangements, please see his obituary.  

 

Girls Hockey

by Brooke White-Lancette, Head Coach

In the 2018 season, we hope to build on our accomplishments.  Our journey is not a sprint, but a season-long process.   

We would like to acknowledge our CDH players, their families, and friends who helped in our shared commitment to giving back to our community in service.

CDH Girls Hockey has set lofty goals this season.  With returning and new players, the Raiders have a chance this season to change the culture of their team.

In addition to working hard on the ice, the Raiders are working off-ice to develop a healthy mindset as we aim to remain part of the bigger picture by giving back to our community.  We rang bells for the Salvation Arts.  We also worked a session at Feed My Starving Children and packed meals that will feed 95 children for an entire year.

Boys Hockey

The Raider Boys Hockey team is off to a 10-2-1 start to their season. Most recently they won the Schwan Cup Silver Division tournament over the holidays. They are currently deadlocked for first place in the Suburban East Conference with White Bear Lake who they played to a 1-1 tie early in the season. They get the Bears again Saturday, January 20th, 3 p.m. at Highland Arena.

The team has been getting balanced scoring from all lines and the defensive group and goalies have been solid. The Raiders are currently ranked 6th in the state but have tough challenges coming in January.

The boys have also been busy off the ice. On Sunday, January 7, the entire team spent the morning at The Ronald McDonald House serving up tacos for patients and families at the house through the Cooks for Kids meal program. 

The boys shopped, cooked, prepared and served families of those kids who are hospitalized. It did not stop there. They cleared tables and cleaned the entire kitchen when they were done. Each and everyone one of them had a smile on their face. They greeted each family as if they knew them personally.  It was a great way to give back to those in need and a worthwhile way for our team to bond. 

Boys Swim & Dive

by Mike Steineman'92, Head Coach

 

Choir

by Isaac Lovdahl, Choir Director

Over 130 guests attended the 26th Annual Choir Christmas Dinner on Saturday, December 9. It went off without a hitch! Well, expect a few mic issues, but it wouldn't be a show if we didn't run into microphone problems at least once! The choir students displayed their talents through 21 solos and duets, plus four pieces sung by two different choirs. Food was catered by DeGidio's Italian Restaurant, and everyone seemed abundantly pleased with the night. Over 20 silent auction items were sold, along with a number of different poinsettia arrangements. We hope you join us next year for the 27th Annual Choir Christmas Dinner.

The Choir also performed during the Annual Christmas Concert with the CDH Bands on December 18 which featured many songs sung by all the choirs.

Next up for Choir is the SEC Music Festival on Monday, January 29.

 

Counseling

by Joan O'Connell, College Counselor

Class of 2019

All junior students will participate in the “Jumpstart Your Future Day” at CDH on January 18. Students spend the school day learning about different aspects of the college search process including sessions on finding a good college fit, financial aid, college testing, writing college essays, and making admission decisions. Juniors will also be registered for accounts on Naviance which is a web-based college search and application management system. We are fortunate to have many college admissions professionals from colleges and universities near and far coming to participate in this day. The CDH Post-Secondary Planning Committee of the Parents Association and tens of parent volunteers all pitch in to help. Thank you so much!

Parents/Guardians of Junior Students:
A corresponding program for parents/guardians of junior students, College Planning for the CDH Class of 2018, will be held on Wednesday, January 24, at 7:00 p.m. While parents/guardians who have been through this before are welcome to attend, this evening is designed for those who are beginning the college search process for the first time.

Please watch your email for a message from the Counseling Office via the Naviance system inviting you to schedule a family meeting for post-high planning with your student and a college counselor.  Included in the email will be a link to your college counselor’s appointment schedule on SignUpGenius.  Please check your email (spam folder too) for this message from Naviance and be sure to schedule your appointment as soon as possible. Gather your questions and we will look forward to seeing you.  Please contact Connie Reding in the Counseling Office if you need assistance at 651-696-3312.

Class of 2018

Please be sure to let Mrs. Reding in the Counseling Office know if you would like your first trimester grades (mid-year report) sent to colleges where you have applied. You must request this action.

Now that your college applications are submitted it is time to take care of applying for college financial aid. Be sure that you check with each college you have applied to for deadlines and for required paperwork. Remember that you can search for private scholarships on your Naviance account.

Just a reminder to save your financial aid awards letters so you have the information for the CDH survey we will send you in May.

 

JROTC 

by LTC Jamie Fischer, SGM David Berrisford, and MSG Ken Peloski

Here are our highlights, again we are a very busy department!

The JROTC department had eight students represent the Raider Brigade in the Junior ROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl. The Leadership team made up of juniors Rory King, Levi Hapka, Owen Mische, and Michael Hannon, along with members of the Academic team juniors Mary Andrzejek, Anthony Dahdah, and sophomores Eli Brotman, and Monica Calkins competed against other JROTC teams nationwide and have advanced to round two of the competition. If they succeed in the second round, they have an opportunity to compete in the championship in Washington D.C. this summer.

Our JROTC co-curriculars are in full swing! The Color Guard has performed at several local elementary schools and taught flag protocol to the Cub Scouts at Holy Spirit School. Look for us at varsity basketball games. Orienteering will conduct its first training course at the end of January and also go in February for a pre-season training meet. Flight Club had a great trip to Wings of the North where they saw several WWII era aircraft including a P-51D Mustang. Our Air Rifle team has again qualified for the JROTC regionals in Ohio.  The team will travel from February 14-18, 2018 to Camp Perry, Ohio where they will compete against 17 other teams for the chance to compete in the national championships in Ohio in March. Our Honor Guard has provided valuable service to many families that have requested honor guards at visitations.  On numerous occasions throughout the year, we continue to hear how comforting it is to see students helping on these occasions.

We are very proud to again host the 28^th Annual Upper Midwest JROTC Challenge on February 9, 2018. Over 10 schools and 300 students from the upper Midwest come and compete in drill competitions, air rifle, physical fitness, and a knowledge bowl.

Seniors should be finishing Senior ROTC applications and Academy nominations. Juniors who are considering military service should be doing their research on which branch, what school, and which major.  As always, we are available to answer questions.  Come see LTC Fischer at conferences.

To stay up to date on all things happening with JROTC, follow us on Twitter!