Heard in the Halls, October 2016

Welcome to Heard in the Halls. We encourage you to read all the current blogs, but you can also click on specific entries to quickly go to that section. 

JROTC |  GUIDANCE/COUNSELING |  BAND |  ATHLETICS

CAMPUS MINISTRY | THEATER | CHOIR

JROTC - CORPS OF CADETS

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

Success seems to breed success and again we are off to another absolutely great year in JROTC at CDH! Our opening enrollment for 2016-2017 is 216 students, with 73 freshmen!

This past summer, and for the ninth year, 11 members of the CDH JROTC Corps of Cadets traveled to Camp Wilderness near Park Rapids, MN.  Our eleven cadets joined JROTC cadets from high schools from Fargo, ND; Bemidji, MN;  Red River, ND;  Grand Forks, ND;  Pine Ridge, SD, and Lower Brule, SD for a week of activities that included archery, athletics, canoeing, high and low COPE courses, land navigation, physical training, and swimming.  The CDH cadets were Jack Rymanowski, Leland Pornschloegl, Catherine Zastrow, Drew Kampmeier, Mary Andrzejek, Drew Bussen, Joe Sexton, Isaac Yahn, Rory King, Edmundo Villalva-Lijo, and Jack Calkins.  At this camp we have the privilege of selecting one outstanding cadet from our group and the outstanding cadet this year was Jack Rymanowski.

With such a strong program, the new freshman class is a source of excitement because of its energy, involvement and early contributions.  JROTC at CDH is organized to include freshmen in many meaningful ways.  Their talents were showcased at the Fall Review, which was held on September 28, 2016on Wingerd Field.  Our Corps of Cadets along with the CDH Band, conducted by Ms. Donna Novey, honored our new 9^th grade cadets and officially welcomed them into the corps.  The acting Brigade Commander, Thomas Sheehan and the acting Battalion Commanders, Frank Kimlinger, Elizabeth Hingsberger, and Sam Miller are doing their best to get everything rolling.  They have organized drill instruction, prepared for Fall Review, and are continuing to building their plan for the year. At the same time, the sophomore and junior classes have been preparing to take on more leadership responsibilities as leaders at squad and platoon level. 

In regards to new leadership roles, congratulations to the cadets who earned Junior Officer over the summer: Marquez Thompson, Nick Neumann, Allison Rudolph, and Connor DeBorde.  Their performance is noteworthy because they did extra study and then set an appointment with LTC Fischer to test again, while they were on summer break, showing the kind of dedication expected in leaders.  They are now eligible for promotion to Diamond Officer and higher responsibility in the Corps.

The Annual JROTC Encampment at Camp Ripley, MN just concluded.   A strong group of 97 students attended.  Although it was a bit brisk in the mornings (30 degrees), the days transitioned into gloriously sunny days with highs in the low 60’s.

The Armed Precision Drill Team, which is commanded by Eli Andrzejek, has started practice for the year with about 20 cadets as active participants.  Along with the practices for Crack Drill, the Regulation Drill Commander, Alison Rudolph, has started practice for this squad.  We have a great returning corps and new 9, 10, 11, and 12^th graders are welcome to join Regulation Drill as well.

The Color Guard, under the leadership of Walter Cleveland, kept busy this summer with events in Minneapolis and at the St. Paul Irish Fair.  We continue to support all home football games, plus select soccer and volleyball games.  The highlight of our fall is posting colors at the Cretin Alumni Banquet and performing in the Fall Review; we also presented the colors at the dedication of the Lourdes Grotto.

The Orienteering team, led by Jack Spencer, intends to continue the progress we made last year.  We used Camp Ripley to recruit and participate in some MNOC events in the fall.

Marquez Thompson, the leader of the Flight Club, plans to tour the Pan Am Flight Academy, Delta Maintenance, MSP Ground Operations, and the Air National Guard Museum.  As always, we are doing everything we can to get time in a C130 or Blackhawk.

The Honor Guard, under the leadership of Elizabeth Hingsberger, Josh Goldberg, and Frank Kimlinger, has accumulated many hours of service in the six weeks since school has started, including service at numerous wakes and funerals, as well as the Back to School Night, the Cretin Class of ’66 - 50 Year Reunion, the Cretin Class of ’51 - 65 Year Reunion, and the Cretin Alumni Banquet. 

Riley Domler and Jack Calkins will lead the Varsity Air Rifle Team this year.  Currently, there are over 40 students involved in the rifle team.  The team’s competition season runs from November 1 through the latter part of March.  This year’s schedule will include twelve postal matches around the nation, the Upper Midwest JROTC Challenge (UMJC) at CDH, the USA Shooting Match, state and sectional level competitions, and possibly a match in Ohio (The Midwest Region JROTC Competition). 

Cadets are traveling with Admissions to 26 feeder schools to talk about the JROTC program at CDH.  This is an important opportunity to highlight program activities and to inform prospective students that JROTC is a leadership development and citizenship program with the mission "to motivate young people to be better citizens." 

Those interested in military scholarships are putting the finishing touches on their application packets.  They are taking the necessary fitness assessments, completing essays, collecting letters of recommendation, improving their ACT scores, and attending interviews.  All the instructors are happy to write letters of recommendation for cadets in good standing.  The application windows will be closing soon which is why we encourage students to complete the process over the summer.  Members of the class of 2018 and their parents who have questions about the Academies or College ROTC can contact LTC Fischer.

Throughout the year, our co-curricular organizations and cadets will be active in the CDH community.  They will be striving to model the values of CDH.  As one of many important programs in the school, the JROTC is committed to contributing to the great reputation of our high school.  It's never too late to transfer into one of our classes regardless of the date or the academic class.  There are no physical, mental or any other limitations.  We welcome all students.  Why not enroll today?  Share in the tradition!

GUIDANCE/COLLEGE COUNSELING

By Joan O’Connell, Guidance

Where are they now?

CDH Class of 2016
90% Attending Four-Year Colleges & Universities
6% Attending Two-Year Schools

Of the students in the Class of 2016 continuing on with their educations:

• 45% are attending 22 different post-secondary schools in MN
• 75% are attending post-secondary schools in the five-state area including Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota & Wisconsin
• 25% are attending post-secondary schools in 19 other states & in London, England
• 50% are attending public institutions & 50% private institutions
• 34% are attending Catholic colleges & universities

The Class of 2016 completed 1,505 applications of which 82% resulted in offers of admission.

CDH College Application Boot Camp

Close to 100 seniors in the Class of 2017 worked hard at the CDH College Application Boot Camp this August where they got a head start on college essays,applications and resumes.

Fall College Visits           

Fall is the prime time for college and university admissions representatives to make their annual visits to high schools.  CDH expects to host over 100 institutions of higher education this fall and many of our students take advantage of these opportunities to learn more about schools.   A complete list of schools scheduled to visit CDH can be found on Naviance. 

Changes in College Financial Aid                             

The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, will now be available for families to file beginning October 1^st for the 2017-2018 school year.  Another change is that “prior-prior” year taxes will be used for the income section of the FAFSA so for this year families will use 2015 tax returns.  These changes were made by the Federal Government to make it easier for families to apply for college financial aid as prior-prior year taxes would already have been filed.  Making the FAFSA available earlier will also give families additional time to make enrollment decisions as they may have their aid packages earlier.  Specific questions can be directed to any college financial aid officer.

College Application Deadlines Changes

Largely due to the changes in the college financial aid process, college application deadlines have also moved up to earlier in the fall.  Many schools now have November 1^st priority deadlines for admissions and scholarships.  Seniors must pay careful attention to their deadlines and be sure to have your CDH Application Contracts to the guidance office at least two weeks prior to your earliest deadline.  If you have a November 1^st deadline you must have your CDH Application Contract to the guidance office no later than Friday, October 14^th to assure that your CDH materials can be sent by the deadline.  Questions or need help?  Contact the guidance office at 651-696-3312.

BAND

By Donna Novey, Band Director

The CDH Band is off to a great start for 2016-2017!  Two weeks of band camp started in mid-August and included music rehearsals, marching fundamentals, parade marching, field show work and generally learning to work together as a band an awful lot in a very short period of time!  Band camp concluded with a neighborhood parade and a family potluck on August 21.  The band participated in the State Fair Parade on September 1. A fun time was had at the Fair afterwards!

Homecoming this year was the week of September 19 and this year the band did a Funk Field Show with the songs Funkytown, Uptown Funk, Funky Fragments and topped off with the CDH Rouser.  This year’s drum majors are senior Ryan Klein and junior Claire Connelly, both percussionists.

All-State Band and Orchestra was held this past August.  Students representing CDH were Mikey Jay (junior flute) and Marina Tschida (senior violin).  They will perform in February at Orchestra Hall for the Minnesota Music Educators Mid-Winter Clinic.

Senior Band Officers this year are Thea Gutzmann (clarinet), Isaac Dietz (tenor sax) and Erinn Jambor (trumpet).

Honor Band and Orchestra

• The Suburban East Conference Honor Band features CDH students,  Isaac Dietz (senior  tenor sax),  Ryan Klein (senior percussion), Katelyn Jaksha (junior percussion), and Jack Chojnacki (sophomore alto sax).
• Suburban East Conference Honor Orchestra:  Marina Tschida (senior violin), Mikey Jay (junior flute).
• University of St. Thomas Honor Band:  Jamie Urban (clarinet)
• Gustavus Honor Band:  Isaac Dietz

Support our Band

This year’s fundraisers include the 12^th Annual CDH Band Pancake Breakfast & Raffle, which was held on October 9, and the World’s Finest Chocolate Sale in late November and December.  Proceeds from these fundraisers go toward band trips taken every other year.  In 2018, the band will travel to Orlando!  Thanks to everyone for your support of these various fundraisers! 

Even more important, we hope that you will also support the band members by attending the various concerts throughout the year!  Show your school spirit by supporting a variety of events - band, choir, theater, sports, and more!

Other events the band is supporting this fall include the Cretin Alumni Banquet, the JROTC Fall Review and Diamond Promotions, two Open Houses and many pep bands.  The band will continue to support the various athletic teams throughout their seasons and as long as Mother Nature cooperates!  

To keep up with the activities of the CDH Band, check out the website!  Band shirts can also be purchased at the CDH on-line store.

Upcoming Events

Fall Band Concert -November 14^,  7 p.m.,Lillian Theater

Jazz Concert – December 7, 7 p.m., Lillian Theater

Music Department Christmas Concert – December 14, 7 p.m., Field House

ATHLETICS

By Kelley Hood, Athletic Director

Raider Athletics are off to a great start this year under the direction of the new Athletic Director, Kelley Hood and Associate Athletic Director, Katie Carroll ’00. Take a look at the fall sports summaries below from our head coaches!

Girls Tennis
Tim Spika, Head Coach

The Girls Tennis Team ended their season with a close loss to Woodbury on a bitterly cold Friday in the section tournament.  The quality of the match reflected the tremendous improvement made throughout the year.  The young women showed their physical toughness in dealing with the cold and wind,and showed their mental toughness as they battled a very talented opponent all afternoon.  Every single player played her best tennis at the end of the season and proved to themselves they type of team they had become.  Seniors Gabby Auth and Mary Miller led by example all year while playing excellent tennis.  The rest of the team returns next year, looking to pick up where they left off in October.  Players returning in 2017 include Juniors  Addy Johnson, Abby Sticha, Grace Altier, Jordan Sundt, Claire McMahon, Anna Klein, Celie Bachman, CJ Robinson, Maddie Marzolf, and Julia Schneider and Sophomores Maria Bedford and Kaitlin Wilhoit.

Volleyball
Rick Kuehlwein, Head Coach

CDH Volleyball is enjoying a 14-1 season so far this year and looking to improve. Lots of good volleyball in Minnesota this year and any one of 15 teams has a chance to win it all in AAA. Senior leadership is holding the team together when faced with challenges so far this season. We won our first tournament of the year, Sept 9 and 10 (Aerie Challenge) defeating 7th ranked Caledonia (A) and 6th ranked Stewartville (AA) in the championship. In order to get to the championship we had to play minus 7 seniors who were taking ACTs in semi-finals. Playing with a make-shift lineup and a total of 7 players we defeated Centennial in 3 sets behind Brynn Carlson’s 21 kills. In the final against Stewartville, seniors returned and we won in 3 sets to claim tournament championship. We are undefeated so far this year in SEC (5-0) having victories over Roseville (2015 champs) and Stillwater, who we lost to last year. With three conference matches remaining our focus is on winning SEC and getting good seed in section 3AAA.Top ranked team in 3AAA is last year’s State Champion, Eagan, who is Minnesota’s number one ranked team and number four ranked nationally. If we play our best,  we like our chances to get to State.

Girls Soccer
Rose Malone-Povolny, Head Coach

Girls Soccer has had a fantastic season, finishing second in the Suburban East Conference with a record of 10-4-2. Victories versus Mounds View and East Ridge were big highlights of the season, helping to build momentum into the playoffs.

Boys Soccer
Hugh Hawkins, Head Coach

The Boys’ Soccer team has finished the regular season with 7 wins and 7 losses and 2 ties against a tough season schedule. After losing 10 seniors from last season, including 4 All-Conference players and 2 All-State players, we have a good mix of players that have grown together as a team. The team has shown great character and is continuing to build consistency and quality as they bring great effort to each practice and game. We finished 3rd in a strong Suburban East Conference and earned the #5 seed in the Section 3 Playoffs. After a 3-1 victory over #4 seed Apple Valley, we look to battle #1 seed, St. Paul Central in the Section Semi-finals.

Cross Country, Boys and Girls
Chris Babcock, Head Coach

As the regular season comes to an end and the championship races are still to come, the Raider Girls’ Cross Country team takes a week to recharge and gather their strength as they reflect on a season of races that helped to challenge them to become the improved team they are. Lead by Althea Gutzmann (12) who has placed well in every race she has run in this season, finishing in the top 10 or winning. Even as she pursues her time and place goals her teammates continue to pursue her and their own goals. Molly Roberge (11), Lucia Frias-Wackman (11), Madison Veverka (12), Irene Stringer (12), Clare Fitzpatrick (11), and Lucy Grumbles (11) round out the varsity squad. Each runner has shown great improvement over the course of the season as they navigate the 5K courses on which they test their metal. As a team they have shown renewed focus and a pride in their abilities realizing that together they can become better than the sum of their parts. In meet after meet, they have improved their team placement from a year ago. The next test will be the conference meet on Tuesday, October 18 at Tanner’s Brook Golf Course in Forest Lake. Wet and soggy conditions are nothing new this season;  four of the last five meets have been contested under some amount of precipitation. Even the first time trial was held as the clouds opened up and poured down rain. It is a good thing that we are a team of mudders. Raiders run rain or shine.

Leading the charge again this season for the Boys’ Cross Country Team is Dillon Diekmann (12) who has successfully improved on his best time from last year about three races into the season and continues to run better than last season. Diekmann is supported by Jack Spencer (12), Matt Voigt (11), John Modl (12), Eli Brotman (9), Seamus Foley (10), and Sam Luhman (11). The boys have been racing well this season,  meeting their performances from last year. We have been fortunate to have JV athletes like Tommy Zastrow (9), who have kept pace with the varsity team and been able to fill in when needed, showing our growing team depth. The boys will be racing at the Suburban East Conference Championships on Tuesday, October 18 at Tanner’s Brook Golf Course in Forest Lake.

Football
Brooks Bollinger, Head Coach

The Football Team is off to a strong start with a 5-1 record under first-year coach Brooks Bollinger. Lead by a stingy defense, the Raiders look to improve on their 2015 record while developing a new team culture.  Our focus this season has been to put the ‘team’ before the individual. The team participated in a camp in Winona in July, had team dinners through fall camp, and has weekly team Mass.   These, and other initiatives are helping the football players to become better student athletes and teammates.  

Girls Swimming and Diving
Shannon Van Oosterom, Head Coach

Girls Swimming is currently 5-1 in conference dual meets.  The end of the season is coming up quickly;  JV Conference is Nov 5 and Varsity Sections is Nov 9-11. The girls placed 2nd at the True Team Section Meet last Saturday, October 15. We have 2 dual meets left in the season and Thursday, October 27 is Senior Night at St. Kate's against Forest Lake. All the girls are swimming fast and are looking forward to placing well at their final meet and advancing on to state.

CAMPUS MINISTRY

By Peter Gleich, Campus Ministry

Empty Bowls 2017

Planning has begun for our 15^th Annual Empty Bowls hunger awareness and fundraising event. Just last February, Cretin-Derham Hall students served over 1400 guests, increased our community’s awareness of hunger and sustainability issues, and raised nearly $9,000.00 to support the work of Heifer International. All this was is made possible because of the generous support of many friends of CDH through the donations of soup, bread, hand-made ceramic bowls, silent auction items and financial support. Families throughout the world have been strengthened in becoming more self-sufficient by providing them with livestock, seed for planting crops, microloans, access to clean water, and so much more.

CDH students will once again be leading our event. Their hard work and commitment to finding a long-term solution to world hunger is deeply appreciated. Please add February 1,2017 to your calendars for Empty Bowls 2017!

If you have any questions regarding Empty Bowls, or might be interested in supporting the event with a monetary donation, or a donation of soups, bowls or silent auction items, please contact Peter Gleich at PGleich@c-dh.org.

Habitat for Humanity

Another year begins and still more homes need to be built for families dreaming of a place to put down roots. CDH students, staff, alumni,parents and friends, in partnership with many other schools, churches, businesses and civic groups, will once again partner in the work of Habitat for Humanity by providing families with a place to truly call home.

Over the last 20 years, more than 2000 students, staff, alumni and parents have helped with our Habitat building days. We are expecting an even bigger and better "construction season" this year.

Our monthly building days are scheduled for:
September 16
October 14
November 4
December 9
January 20
April 7

Due to Habitat for Humanity site restrictions, participation in Habitat building days are open to students age 16 and older.

A special thanks to the students and staff and parents who helped with our September and October building days in South St. Paul and Minneapolis: Joe Buckingham, Matt Cunningham, Caroline Greenheck, Kate Guttery, Georgia Ingwell, Frank Kimlinger, T.J. Lawler, Katherine Mattocks, Kayla Moynagh, Abby Sticha, Andrew Herrema, Hannah Hernandez, Kylie Lydon, Owen Keeley, Jack Vinck, Dr. Steve Humbert, Mr. Sam Vetch and Mr. Dan Rosen.

Parents, guardians, alumni and friends are invited to be a part of our Habitat for Humanity experience. Come spend a day with some awesome students, learn a new carpentry skill, and help a family know the joy and blessing of having a place to call home. All volunteers will be required to attend a Virtues session through the Archdiocese and complete a background check.

If you have any questions regarding our CDH Habitat for Humanity opportunities, please contact Peter Gleich at 651-696-3329 or PGleich@c-dh.org.

Wilder Foundation "Leap Forward For Children"

The Wilder Foundation's Child Development Center in St. Paul's Frogtown neighborhood is the site for our monthly “Leap Forward for Children.” This service experience offers CDH students and staff the opportunity to work with the Wilder’s classroom teachers in preparing 18 month to 5 year old children for entry into kindergarten, as well as to learn about the families and children served. The Child Development Center specializes in preparing children, often coming from economically challenged backgrounds, with the academic and social skills needed to be successful in school.

All students (grades 9 - 12) are invited to participate in our Wilder “Leap Forward For Children” days. This year's Leap Forward for Children will be:

September 12
October 10
October 31
December 12
January 23
February 9 (Sophomore Retreat Day)
April 3

A special thank you to the students and staff who helped with our September “Leap Forward for Children: Celei Bachman, Lily Brielmaier, Teddy Gray, Isabella Johnson, Callahan Rios and Mr. Sam Vetch

If you have any questions regarding our Wilder Foundation “Leap Forward For Children” Day opportunity, please contact Peter Gleich at PGleich@c-dh.org..

LaSallian Youth

Faith, Service, Community and Justice - these are the foundations upon which our CDH LaSallian Youth gathers for prayer and play, conversation and action. Grounded in the commitment to social justice as given to us by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and the Christian Brothers, LaSallian Youth seeks to positively impact the world of CDH, St. Paul, and beyond. Students from all grades are invited to join our CDH LaSallian Youth Group.

Plans are in the works for our 6^th Annual LaSallian Youth “Night to Fight Homeless” November 5 & 6. Once again, students from CDH, Totino-Grace, Holy Family, Benilde-St. Margaret, and DeLaSalle will gather to learn more about and confront the reality of homelessness in the Twin Cities. This event will include an overnight outside experiencing the late fall, early winter cold.