Heard in the Halls - June 2017

June 14, 2017

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 | BAND | GUIDANCE | JROTC

 

Athletics

Boys Lacrosse

The Boys Lacrosse team was featured in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, June 2, 2017:
New coach, attitude help Cretin-Derham Hall Lacrosse go from one win to nine.

Congratulations to senior Lacrosse Midfielder Jack English, who was chosen Star Tribune Player of the Week for May 15-20, 2017. Jack totaled seven goals and nine points for the Raiders as they recorded victories over Suburban East Conference rivals Roseville and Mounds View.  

Girls Lacrosse

Congratulations to the Girls Lacrosse Team, who played is playing in the state tournament. After a loss to Blake on June 13, they will play at Chanhassen High School in the consolation bracket on June 15 at 11 a.m. vs. Maple Grove.

For further information on the tournament, see the MSHSL page.

Track & Field

by Chris Babcock, Co-Head Coach

The Raiders have had a long standing tradition of qualifying athletes for the State Track and Field Meet held at the end of every season which reaches back over two decades. This is not something that every team can say. This year was no exception.

Since the State Meet in 2016 seniorsThea Gutzmann and Kate Lokowich-Kohler, and junior Lucia Frias-Wackman had been planning to get back there this season. The three of them made it last year along with Briasha Hobbs(’16) in the 4 x 400m relay. What they needed was someone to join them in this journey. They had a few options, but it would be ninth-grader Sydney Jackson who would fill the spot.

Throughout the season they, along with their teammates, worked hard to improve their abilities and compete with some of the best athletes in the state either in our conference or at invitationals like the Hamline Elite Meet.

An early season meet, the Hamline Elite takes only the top 9 teams or individuals in each event based on performances from early in the season. We were fortunate enough to have the girls’ 4 x 200m and 4 x 400m relay, and the boys’ 4 x 100m and 4 x 200m relays qualify; along with individual qualifiers in the girls’ 300m Hurdles and 400m. The team's performance at that meet put them right in the middle of the best of the best the state had to offer in each event but one, the girls’ 4 x 400m from which they emerged the meet champions. All of them were excited by this finish and continued to work hard toward their goal of getting back to the State Meet in June.

Almost a month later the boys’ team had some setbacks with an injury to junior James Williams, which took him out for the rest of the season. But with a couple of shifts junior Dylan Pohl, and senior Denzel Fondungallah joined the remaining members of the boys’ sprint relay teams: Juniors Charlie Dennis and Jaylen Newton, and sophomore Rajiv Redd found new life in the 400m dash, a race Jaylen only ran a handful of times but continued to improve with each one; even breaking the 50 second mark in one of his efforts.

At conference the new boys’ team of Pohl, Dennis, Redd, and Fondungallah went on to win and run the second fastest time in school history for that event, 42.93. Their luck did not hold out for sections as they placed 4th overall.

The girls’ continued to race well at conference as well, holding off tough competition from White Bear Lake and Roseville. Going into the section meet they would be the team to beat.

At the section meet each girl on the relay team had qualified for an additional individual event on finals day. Frias-Wackman in the 100m, Lokowich-Kohler and Jackson in the 400m, and senior Althea Gutzmann in the 300m hurdles. They would have a busy day by the time they finished the 4 x 400m. From the section meet, only members of that relay team would qualify for the State Meet. Both Lokowich-Kohler and Jackson qualified in the 400m, Gutzmann qualified by place and qualifying time standard in the 300m hurdles, and the 4 of them would place second amongst a trio of teams that ran faster than the time standard to qualify for the State Meet.

Once there they had two days to compete. The first was a preliminary day and all of their events had a preliminary race to qualify for the second day. Each of them in their turn made the cut and advanced to the finals and individuals and as a relay team.

The finals day is all about placement. You know as an athlete that you have made All-State by being one of the top 9 in your event, but where you are amongst that top 9 is yet to be determined. Lokowich-Kohler and Jackson would be the first to find out. The two of them had run very close times throughout the season, so between them, it would be a good race. There were other returning State Meet runners in their race including a State Meet champion from the prior season. Jackson finished fourth and Lokowich-Kohler seventh. Out of a field of nine, all but three were seniors. Then in the very next event, Gutzmann would find out where she fit in with the best of the best in the 300m hurdles. She finished sixth.

While the individual honors were good, and the girls are proud of those achievements, what they had been really anticipating was the chance to go out and work together in the 4 x 400m relay. When the gun went off for this race Jackson, our lead off runner brought the baton around the track and handed off to Frias-Wackman in a good position, not far off the lead. Frias-Wackman was third at the cut line on the backstretch with runners merging in front of her and behind. Coming down the home stretch she found herself boxed in against the rail, then saw an opening, pushed through it and handed the baton to Gutzmann in second place. Gutzmann came out of the traffic in the exchange zone and around the first turn in third. By the time she fought off runners from Anoka, and Rocori she gave the baton to Lokowich-Kohler in fourth place. Running in lane two for the first turn Lokowich-Kohler made her way around the runner from Anoka and held off the advance of the Rocori runner on the inside. The first and second teams from Bloomington-Jefferson and Northfield Arts-Tech had pulled away from the pack and would not be caught. Lokowich-Kohler would feel the pressure of the Rocori runner around the second turn and down the homestretch but would not back down. She crossed the finish line in third place, five places better than a year ago. This would also be the best placement of the meet for these four athletes.

Band

 by Donna Novey, Band Director

The end of third trimester and the 2016-2017 school year was a great celebration of the musical accomplishments of all the CDH band members.

On May 10, the band supported the JROTC Twilight Parade and did an excellent job. And, for a change, it was a beautiful evening without a drop of rain, giving it a 'concert in the park' feeling as part of the ceremony.

The next day, May 11, the Jazz Band and String Ensemble gave their final concert of the year in the band room for a nice, intimate setting. Root beer floats were a nice touch as well! The Jazz Band performed seven selections ranging from ballads, swing, rock and roll, to Dixieland, and featured the following soloists throughout the evening: Trumpets - graduating senior Erinn Jambor, and juniors David Jaksha and Danny Gendreau; Saxes - graduating senior Isaac Dietz (tenor) and sophomore Jack Chojnacki (alto); Trombones - graduating seniors Jack Calkins and Dan Keis, and Drum Set - graduating senior Ryan Klein. The band also did a Jazz Vocal selection featuring junior Claire Connelly.

The following week on May 17 was the Spring Band Concert in the Lillian Theater. The band performed six selections including music from "The Incredibles" and " Fantasia" as well as the contest pieces from March. This year's soloists consisted of a Dixieland group performing "Dixieland Jam!" by Bob Lowden. Soloists were graduating seniors Lulu McMahon on clarinet, Isaac Dietz on tenor sax, Erinn Jambor on trumpet, Jack Calkins on trombone, Ryan Klein on drum set and ninth grader Henry Wilcox on tuba. For added excitement, the concert included rain on stage (apparently a vent had been left open on the roof) and a City of St. Paul Proclamation honoring Ms. Novey's 25 years at CDH (thanks to Mr. Rob Hahn). The Band Parent Board hosted a wonderful post-concert reception and it was a wonderful end to both a successful concert and a successful year of great music making!

The senior class was recognized at the concert as well with each senior receiving a rose honoring the contributions of every student. Besides solo/ensemble certificates/medals and lettering, the following awards were also presented:

John E. "Jack" Bohman Parent Awards: Beth Dietz and Cleo Johnson

4-year Letter winners: Jack Calkins, Isaac Dietz, Erinn Jambor and Ryan Klein

Brother Martel Service Award: Louie Shearon

Most Improved Senior: Chili Chen

Louis Armstrong Jazz Award: Isaac Dietz

Director's Award: Thea Gutzmann

Patrick Gilmore Band Awards: Jack Calkins, Lulu McMahon, and Dan Keis

John Philip Sousa Award: Erinn Jambor

Arion Award: Ryan Klein

Brother Martel Scholarship: Lulu McMahon

Excellence in Fine Arts Department Awards: Erinn Jambor and Ryan Klein

The final band event of the year was nothing like the Twilight Parade and this year's Celebrate West St. Paul Parade on May 20 was completely rained out. Better luck next year!

After the seniors left, the rest of the school year was spent in preparation for the 2017-2018 band year both in terms of leadership and music. Drum Major auditions were held with Will Dusek gaining the junior position, joining senior Claire Connelly. Senior band officers were elected with Mikey Jay, Katelyn Jaksha, Joe Seifert and Jamie Urban taking the helm. Music for the State Fair Parade and for Homecoming was finalized. Stay tuned for the Queen field show for Homecoming 2017! Band Camp for Percussion starts on August 9 and on August 14 for the full marching band. Camp schedules and music have been sent home and another great year is anticipated! Stay tuned and be sure to come see the band at the State Fair on August 31!

Guidance

by Joan O'Connell, College Counselor

CDH Class of 2017 

Where are they now?

85%     Four-year colleges & universities

11%     Two year & technical colleges

  4%     Other plans or Still Deciding 

Of the students in the Class of 2017 continuing their educations: 

  • 46% are attending 26 different post-secondary institutions in MN
  • 69% of our students are attending post-secondary institutions in the five state area including Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin
  • 31% are attending colleges and universities in 26 other states and in London, England

The Class of 2017 submitted 1,292 applications last year.  The average number of applications per student was 6.

Of the 1,292 applications submitted: 80% resulted in offers of admissions (15% resulted in denials and 5% resulted in offers to be on the wait-list)

64% of seniors attending four-year schools received at least one merit scholarship.

 

JROTC

by SGM David Berrisford, U.S. Army, Retired

Another fantastic year! This is the only way to describe the CDH JROTC Brigade. What they have
done this year is simply amazing. Again, our most important accomplishment was our students working hard to again deliver the Brigade’s 90th consecutive rating of JROTC Program of Excellence, a consecutive string of the highest rating probably unmatched by any other school in the country. Brigade team members participated in a number of drill, color guard, and rifle competitions gaining their share of recognition with many firsts, seconds, and thirds in these competitions.
 
We are also very excited to announce that the 2017-2018 opening enrollment will be around 220 students! Of the 220, we are really excited to see 63 incoming freshmen electing to become a part of the Raider Brigade. The upcoming year will see for the fourth consecutive year an enrollment over 215. We attribute our sustained strength to the fine students we have in JROTC who are spreading the word that we are a great program to be associated with at CDH.
 
Our Color Guard, led by graduating senior Walter Cleveland has remained busy. A six-person team held the US, Minnesota, CDH, and Brigade flags high during the Twilight parade. We led the parade for the Highland Park Little League. A four-person team presented the flag and echoing buglers played Taps for the annual Memorial Day Observance at Elmhurst Cemetery. We have requests to perform at least two events this summer. We keep looking for more members to participate in the many opportunities to represent our school.
 
The Orienteering team had another successful season. graduating senior Captain Jack Spencer led the team to a second place in the conference. Graduating senior Allison Rudolph and ninth grader Monica Calkins earned all-conference honors. To improve our standings next year, we need more cadets to participate; we would love to have at least 15 cadets per meet.
 
For its final event of the year, the Flight Club went to the Air National Guard Museum. After taking the controls in several different trainers to include a UH 1 (Huey) Helicopter. They got to see classic aircraft such as the F-16 Falcon and P-51 Mustang. There was even a Soviet-made fighter from Poland!
 
Our Armed Precision Drill Team, led by graduating senior Eli Andrzejek performed their final performance of the year at our Twilight Parade. Members of the team did a great job entertaining the crowd and we are confident they will dazzle groups again throughout the next school year.
 
Our outgoing leaders of the honor guard, graduating seniors Joshua Goldberg, Elizabeth Hingsberger and Frank Kimlinger were amazing leaders and coordinators. The Honor Guard has lived up to its name. This group not only performs honor functions for alumni and our community, they bring honor to the CDH community. In their final school functions of the year, they were present at the Baccalaureate Mass and the Graduation Ceremony. Their presence adds to already beautiful ceremonies by their willingness to greet guests and be ready to assist in any way asked.
 
The Air Rifle Team is now on summer hiatus. We thank outgoing commanders – graduating seniors Riley Domler and Jack Calkins. Their leadership helped improve the performance of the team. Over the summer, range maintenance will be performed. Air rifles will be repaired if needed, the range will be painted and some new equipment will be purchased. Members of the team are excited to start back in the fall and we look forward to welcoming new members from the 9th-grade class to be a part of the team.
 
Congratulations to juniors Charlie Dennis, Will Pope, and Max Steigauf who earned Junior Officer in the second round of testing. Several more juniors will take the test again this summer.
 
Host Commander and Cadet Colonel, Eli Andrzejek, and Commander of Troops, Brigade Executive Officer, Josh Goldberg, led the Raider Brigade through the Annual Twilight Parade/Awards Ceremony on May 10. The weather was nice and warm following afternoon showers. The CDH Band entertained the hundreds of guests assembled prior to and during the parade. The cadets receiving awards at the ceremony are listed separately in this edition of the Communicator. We were honored to have Lieutenant
 
Christopher Carter from the University of Minnesota Navy ROTC spoke at the Twilight Parade. At the
end of the evening the leadership of the Raider Brigade passed from the Class of 2017 to the Class of 2018 when the Acting Brigade Commander, Second Lieutenant Joseph Seifert, received the Brigade Colors from Cadet Colonel Eli Andrzejek.
 
This year, four members of the Corps earned military scholarships to complete their educations and serve our country. Eli Andrzejek is headed to St. John’s on an Army ROTC scholarship, Riley Domler and Josh Goldberg will head to the US Naval Academy. Jack Calkins received both a four-year Air Force ROTC scholarship and a Falcon Foundation Scholarship to prepare for the Air Force Academy; he will take the Falcon Scholarship and head to Colorado Springs in the fall of 2018.
 
We are proud to announce our leaders for next year’s co-curriculars:
 
Color Guard- Junior Michael Burke
Orienteering- Junior Drew Kampmeier
Flight Club- Juniors Patrick Hahn and Jacob Walters
Air Rifle Team –Sophomore Isaac Yahn
Honor Guard – Junior Joseph Seifert and sophomore Rory King
Armed Precision Drill – Junior Johnathan Koop and sophomore Mary Andrzejek
Regulation Drill Team – Juniors Leland Pornschloegl and Jack Rymanowski
 
Members of the class of 2018 who are considering military scholarships should be working over the summer to complete their applications online. ROTC scholarships pay for tuition, fees, books, and up to $16,000 in allowances over four years. Institutions such as St. Thomas, St. John’s, and Marquette add room and board to these scholarships to make them “full-rides.” The Academies all provide free tuition, room, board, uniforms, and a generous stipend. Early application means earlier consideration and notification of results. Please understand that there is a military service obligation as a commissioned officer following graduation from college ROTC or an Academy. Websites with information, including the applications, are easy to find via a keyword search. All the service academies and ROTC have clear checklists on their websites. Follow those and you will succeed. If you have questions, please email LTC Fischer.
 
We will officially begin the commemoration of our program’s centennial at the Fall Review on September 14, 2017. We hope you can join us.
 
Tags: Heard in the Halls, Heard, Guidance

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