This morning, at 5:30, we sent the band and chorus students to the Great East Festival.  Following this competition, the group will travel to upstate New York and Niagara Falls with performances interspersed.  We are certain they will do well and have a wonderful time, and we thank Dr. Audette, Mrs. Ackerman, the Burkes and all the music parents who have prepared for this trip and who are supervising the kids.

We welcome this afternoon representatives from the Walk for the Homeless including Bishop Reilly and Fr. Madden.  They will be speaking to our students and inspiring them to become involved in this year’s walk.  Thank you to Mr. Grieger for arranging this assembly.

Parents have been kind enough to organize and sponsor an after prom party at the Main Street YMCA.  We cannot thank these parents enough for the sacrifice they have made to be sure that all students have a memorable evening.  Students have been advised to enjoy this night in a safe and appropriate fashion, and I look forward to sharing this time with them.

The sophomores were extremely well behaved and appropriate, and their ability to meet a high level of expectation speaks well for their role as school leaders as they transition to upperclassmen.  I would like to also thank all the parents and other family members for coming out to celebrate with us as well as the freshman class and their advisors, Mrs. Yakstis and Mr. Marcotte, for providing refreshments after the event.

This ceremony kicks off all the spring celebrations and dances surrounding the end of the school year.  It has been a wonderful year at Holy Name, and we look forward to this exciting season as our students progress forward in their studies and in their journey as much needed Christian witnesses in our world.

Father Flynn has been instrumental throughout; his presence and involvement at the school is a blessing. We were also proud to have Auxiliary Bishop Reuger at Holy Name this week to hear confession.

We look forward to the Spring and the events that come with the season. Our seniors, with only sixteen days of school left, continue to lead the student body with their Christian behavior and attitude. We are fortunate to have such a wonderful graduating class!

All of us at Holy Name wish you and yours a Blessed and Happy Easter.

Senior Catherine Kooyomjian was awarded the Paul and Dorothy Kervick Award for Leadership, and John Soltys, also a senior, earned the Bill and Kay O’Brien Award for Best Exemplifying the Values of the Adopt a Student Program. We are extremely proud of what both of these students have done at Holy Name, and we are certain that the values based education that they have received at Holy Name will serve them well in the future.

The Holy Name Jazz Ensemble provided the entertainment for the evening. They did a fabulous job, and we are extremely grateful to Mrs. Ackerman for preparing them and to Mr. Thompson for conducting them last evening.

The evening was capped by two scholarship presentations: one by Assumption College and one by Anna Maria College. Both of these colleges, as part of the Adopt a Student program, awarded a full, four year scholarship to a graduating senior. We are proud and pleased to announce that these scholarships went to Holy Name students. John Soltys received the scholarship to Assumption, and Lisa Martinez-Cape received the scholarship to Anna Maria. We are very grateful to both these outstanding Catholic institutions for their generosity and for all that they do to support Catholic education in the Diocese of Worcester.

Beyond the fundraising aspect, this is also a chance for parents, friends, and alumni to get together and socialize in a relaxed fashion.  Everyone who attended last year had a wonderful time, and I am certain this year will be just as enjoyable.  Even if you are not interested in the tasting aspect of the event, there is great food, great live music, and a raffle that provides outstanding prizes such as Bruins and Celtics tickets, a mountain bike, an electric guitar, and other special items.

I would like to especially thank Traci Manzello who, along with husband Joe, have done so much to make this event happen.  Along with the rest of the Parents Association and faculty members such as Mrs. Yakstis and Mrs. Hughes, the Manzellos have dedicated time and talent to be certain this event is well organized and worthwhile.  We rely greatly on the dedication of these wonderful volunteers who consistently go above and beyond to make Holy Name such a special place.

The students have worked and rehearsed diligently to prepare for these productions, and we all look forward to watching them perform.  We would also like to acknowledge all of the students working behind the scenes as stage crew and on lights and sound and as ushers and greeters.  Finally, we are extremely proud of the pit orchestra made up of Holy Name students and alumni.

We would also like to thank all of the members of the Holy Name community who took part in this year’s Musical Ad Drive.  These people and companies are proudly represented in the program for Thoroughly Modern Millie.  Without their support, we would not be able to provide such wonderful extra curricular opportunities for our students.

Tomorrow night, our girls varsity basketball team brings their undefeated record to Fitchburg State to challenge Wachusett in the district championship game.  We expect a great Holy Name turnout and have booked a fan bus to help students get to the game.  We are very proud of our girls as they continue their historic season.

On the 14th, we will be sending our A.P. Government class to the statehouse for PACE (Parents Alliance for Catholic Education) Advocacy Day.  Any members of the Holy Name community that would like to join this group are welcome to contact me to attend.  From March 15th through March 18th, our Theatre Department will present the Spring Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie; tickets are available at the main office.

March 15th brings the Third Annual Holy Name Dodgeball Tournament.  Students, faculty, and administrators are preparing their teams for this event.  On March 22nd, our SMASH group travels to Venerini Academy to present on bullying prevention.  On March 24th, the Parents Association will sponsor a wine tasting fundraiser.  Last year’s tasting was extremely successful and enjoyable, and we expect a great crowd again this year.

On March 26th, selected students will attend the Mass for Life at St. Paul’s Cathedral.  Professional musicians from the area will be in house on March 28th through 30th to hold a jazz workshop for our student musicians.  This will culminate with a Swing Dance the evening of March 30th in the gymnasium.  At the same time, the seventh and eighth graders will have a dance in the cafeteria.

It’s always busy up here on the hill with a great number of events for all.  We consistently remind ourselves to keep focus on our Christian values and moral code with everything we do.  I hope that all who come to these events can sense our commitment to the Catholic identity and ideals of Holy Name.

Both teams have been seeded number one in these playoffs based upon their outstanding regular seasons. We would like to salute their efforts as well as the hard work put in by both coaching staffs. When asked to define the key to the great success we have had in athletics at Holy Name, my response is consistent. At the high school level, success is a result of having outstanding coaches and coachable kids. We are blessed at Holy Name to have always had the best coaches in Central Mass and then to have had student-athletes who are willing to listen, learn, and work hard.

Coaches at Holy Name have their priorities in order. First is to provide a clear, Christian role model for the kids. Second is to uphold the academic goals and discipline code of the school. Third is to teach the sport. You’ll recognize that winning is not listed as one of these priorities: winning is the by-product of the other three done well.

It has been a great year at Holy Name.  The students have maintained good behavior, good grades, and a positive spirit.  We look forward to the Spring and all the optimism and joy this season brings.  As always, time does fly, and we consistently remind our students and each other to reflect with prayer and give thanks to God for all of life’s blessings.

I hope that you and yours have a happy, healthy, safe, and blessed February Vacation!