Category Portland

Holy Family CYO Legends & Legacy – Awesome Event!

Sr. Krista von Borstel 2 Comments

HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL MAY 5, 2017

I attended the Holy Family “Legends & Legacy” event at the Celebration Center in the School to honor and celebrate CYO Sports within the parish and school community.  Awesome volunteers like Rebecca Brandt and Ted Collins were on hand to emcee the show and honor coaches, athletes and thank parents.  It was a wonderful event that really epitomized the CYO spirit throughout.

Rosie Honl, former CYO participant and coach and current Varsity Coach for the Crook County High School Volleyball team was the featured speaker and she was wonderful in every way.  An inspiration, clinician and entertainer rolled into one.  She holds the record for consecutive State Championship wins for Oregon High School volleyball at eight in a row!

In addition to all of the wonderful praise heaped upon the players and gratitude for coaches, one very special coach was inducted into the Holy Family CYO Hall of Fame, none other than Bill Mildenberger.  I could not have been happier than to have witnessed the event.

Congratulations to a great club making great memories for kids!

BELOW: Rosie Honl pauses for a photo after her speech to the crowd.

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BELOW: LtoR: Bill Mildenberger, Rosie Honl and Ted Collins at the Holy Family Legends and Legacy event.

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Save the Last Dance for Me

Sr. Krista von Borstel 2 Comments

Several years ago I visited a seventh and eighth grade dance put on by a public agency to see what it looked like.  I was amazed at the lack of supervision and decided there and then that we needed to put on some dances to give families a choice.  We started the CYO dances at Oaks Park around 2004.  Mary Jane Weigel put on the early dances and did a good job of getting them started.

Maryann and Bryan Stewart have been organizing the CYO Dances for over ten years. They do a great job of it as well.  Working with seventh and eighth graders is a lot of fun as they are a very special age group. The dances are not without issues as one would expect working with this age group.  The youngsters are developing into young teens who make mistakes and we view it as our mission to help them correct the mistake and learn from it.  

Maryann and Bryan have raised four children of their own and have a good handle on our Catholic Christian expectations and do a great job of helping the kids.  We are also thankful for the committment of our DJ Tom Farley who continues to provide outstanding DJ services. As the last dance of the year approaches this May 12, CYO will say goodbye to the 8th graders and welcome the 6th graders.    

As we look to the 2017-18 Dance season, Bryan, MaryAnn and I have met and assessed our procedures to ensure that we are being faithful to our mission.  Dress code will be more strictly enforced, online registration will be required and the price of the dances will increase to keep up with the costs passed along to CYO.  As we finalize our plans, we will make them known to our participants and parents. We offer Catholic organizations the opportunity to do the supervision for us and in return, we pay their group $500. for their 3 hour effort.  If your group is interested in chaperoning, please contact the CYO/Camp Howard office.  

#sistersblogs #cyocamphoward #mondayblogs

How Did We Stop The Rain For Track Meet 3?…

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

We stopped the rain by purchasing rain equipment for scorekeepers!  It worked!  Here are a few of the nearly 1900 participants in 2017 CYO Track and Field!  #sistersblogs #cyocamphoward

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CYO Track & Field Week 2 Photo Gallery

Sr. Krista von Borstel 1 Comment

APRIL 22, 2017 CYO TRACK & FIELD –

CYO Track & Field is GREAT because it is a very active sport with a lot of choices for kids. Throwing, jumping, putting, running, sprinting, you name it, there is something for everyone!  This year nearly 1900 kids signed up for CYO Track & Field.  Four meets per Saturday bringing kids from all over the greater Portland area to compete with one another is a lot of fun. #sistersblogs #cyocamphoward

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Have You Experienced the “Bus Stop”?

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

Over the past 20 years, some of my favorite memories revolve around the bus stop. There are many facets to the bus stop!  Families arrive at The Madeleine School in Portland to check luggage, paperwork, meds and most important…the camper!

Similar stories are played out year after year as parents bring their child to the bus and in many cases, it will be the child’s first time away from home.  Not sure if it is harder on the parent or the child. The parent looks through the window at their child who is either looking forward to the fun ahead or crying their eyes out.  Might be Mom on the other side of the window crying her eyes out.  Either way, it is a touching moment.  If we can get through this part of the trip, the rest will be easy!

Next, we get to camp with three to six busses filled with kids.  At the camp, a well oiled machine is waiting to unload the luggage from the luggage truck, sort it and distribute it to the various units before the kids arrive at their cabin.

The campers are welcomed by another group as they step off the bus onto the Camp Howard campground. The children are welcomed with a slap of hands as they make their way, pillows in hand, to the gathering space.  The goal for the first hour of arrival is to get the campers situated into their cabin group, engage in ice breakers to get to know one another and make their way to their cabins to choose a bunk.

When the kids get back on the bus to return home, often there are more tears.  As they arrive at the Madeleine they are singing the Camp Howard Fight Song as they arrive at the end of the journey.  Happy to tell Mom and Dad about their experiences and bittersweet feelings about leaving the fun and independence they experienced at camp.

The bus stop is a very powerful place on both ends of the trip.  I can tell you it is true as I have been there for 20 years worth of experiences.

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ABOVE: 2005 kids arrive at the Camp

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ABOVE 2007 – Bus leaves Camp with a load of campers headed back home!

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ABOVE: Sr. Krista visits with some campers getting ready to head to camp in 2008.  (Cheyenne Cunning is a camper – the one with the cougar award)

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ABOVE: 2009 – Six busses load up as the luggage bus is packed for a trip to Camp Howard.

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2010 ABOVE Campers load the bus for a trip to camp at the Madeleine

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2010 ABOVE – Parents say goodby just before the busses roll out of the Madeleine for Camp.

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2010 ABOVE – Campers express a variety of emotions as they gaze at their parents prior to leaving for camp.

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2010 ABOVE – Signage points parents and campers in the direction they need to go at the bus stop

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2011 ABOVE Campers arrive at Camp Howard and are welcomed by staff

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2011 ABOVE Campers arrive at Camp Howard and are welcomed by staff

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2011 ABOVE Campers arrive at Camp Howard and are welcomed by staff

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2011 ABOVE Campers arrive at Camp Howard and are welcomed by staff

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ABOVE 2016 – busses arrive at the camp to take campers home

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ABOVE 2016 Parents wait for campers to arrive after a week of camp.

 

Have You Ridden on a Corcl?

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

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This is the summer to be a 5 to 10 year old at Camp Howard!  We are focusing on their summer activities and plan to kick it up a notch for this age group at camp this year. Why this age group?  Last year we focused on 11 – 17 year olds adding zip line, big swing and lazer tag!

What is a corcl?  It is a round, plastic floating vessel designed with our younger campers in mind.  The corcl is made to be paddled around in the pond.  Camp Howard supplies life jackets for all of the campers and make sure they are in them before they get into the device.  This activity is sure to be a confidence builder in the kids!

The corcls come in a variety of colors and look like they will be a lot of fun.  If you haven’t done it yet, sign up for a week of fun at Camp Howard!  Camp Howard is accredited by the American Camping Association.  Open House: Sunday June 25th from 2:00 – 5:00.

http://www.cyocamphoward.org

CYO Track and Field 2017

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

It all began today with somewhere around 1800 participants signed up to compete around the Greater Portland area including Clark County, WA.  Before we know it, the four short weeks of meets will be over and we will find ourselves in the championships!  With the inclusion of Roadrunners (grades 3&4) in two regional meets with finals heading to the Meet of Champions, it proved to be very exciting for all.  This year CYO will be introducing medals for the championships across the board.  CYO is introducing the new Cadet medals for 2017.  Roadrunner and Cubs will receive the standard CYO Track and Field Medals which will be exciting for them as well.

Good luck this season to all participants.  See you at the Meet of Champions!

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Whoa…New Zip Line Features at Camp Howard

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

Parents…before you read this, please know our staff are all certified every year to operate the zip line and giant swing at Camp Howard.  Our program has been built by SYNERGO, a company specializing in zip lines and located here in Oregon.  We think they are the best in the business and that is why we do business with them. OK…read on!

Oh boy…Phase two of the Camp Howard Zip Line was installed in March and it is going to be a crowd pleaser!  The second leg of the line zips from the end of last years ending pointto the platform in the background.  The camper clips to the cable above the bridge for safety and walks along the bridge which is suspended in air with cables.  From the platform in the foreground, the camper zips to….

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This platform which is about a 100′ zip. This will be the new ending of the zip line and the camper will belay to the ground where they will receive a “Courageous Heart” certificate from yours truly! 🙂IMG_4973

Campers will enjoy a spectacular view of the Bull Run and Mt. Hood along the way!

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CYO 8th Grade Girls City Championship St. John Fisher vs Holy Family….

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

March 12, 2017

CYO 8th Grade Girls City BXB Championship

St. John Fisher

Coaches: John Birrell, Kevin Grant, Tracie Napoli

Players: Megan, Molly, Paige, Mari, Lucy, Josie, Anna, Grace

Holy Family

Coaches: William Mildenberger, Greg Koleno

Players: Madeline, Sarah, Madeleine, Margaret, Bridget, Mickey, Molly, Hannah, Solvey

First Quarter:  Both teams came out to a shaky start but it didn’t take St. John Fisher long to rev up te engines with some great shots under the basket and a few long shots by Napoli & Grant.  Holy Family’s Koch had a great rebound and basket to score for the Cardinals as well.  Q1: St. John Fisher 12 – 4

Second Quarter: St. John Fisher controlled the first half of the quarter scoring most of its 6 points lead by Napoli, and Grant.  Holy Family hoisted a comeback with some good ball control and athleticism of Koch with some great down the court and in the hoop efforts. Q2 18 – 12 St. John Fisher

Third Quarter:  Holy Family’s Potestio led off with a three point basket and a free throw following a SJF foul.  SJF answered with a basket and with 6:00 to play SJF 20 – 16.  Potestio drew another foul, sinking both of them to bring HF within 4.  Q3 28 – 18 St. John Fisher

Fourth Quarter:  With three minutes left in the game, each team scored a basket 26 – 20.  Time out was called to save the ball and regroup.  Holy Family came out of the timeout and delivered four fouls in a row to SJF for strategic purposes.  P.Grant went to the line for SJF on the first shooting foul and connected for 2.  Holy Family was fouled at the other end, Napoli picking up her fourth foul, the bucket counted and no conversions.  SJF picked up two more on the other end then spread the offence and played keep away until Menendez was fouled with 1:14 in the game.  No conversion and HF sunk 2 on the next trip.  30 – 24. P. Grant made another trip to the free throw line and missed as H.F.’s Potestio had a chance on the return end.  With 38 seconds, Potestio sunk one, missed one, now within 5.  Menendez went to the free throw line for SJF missed one, made one, 6 point spread again.

Holy Family, could not get the ball into the basket then sent Menendez to the line again, made one, missed one, picked up her own rebound and put it in for another two! Play of the game for sure!  Made the extra shot with 5 seconds left in the game.  Holy Family and St. John Fisher finish up their CYO careers with a game both teams can be proud of!

FINAL: St. John Fisher 35 – 25

1st.2nd Holy Family

CYO 5th Grade Boys Holy Family vs OLLake

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

5th Grade Boys CYO City Championships 2017

Holy Family (White)

Coaches Chris Foley & John Gilroy

Players: Andrew, Luke, Lucas, Edward, Timothy, Gabriel, Niko, Sean, Connor, Milan, Paul, Dawson

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Our Lady of the Lake (Navy Blue)

Coaches: Scott Adler, Michael McClaskey & Daniel Rooney

Players: Max, Kogen, Grady, Charlie, John G., John J., Mickey, John M., Zach, Nathaniel

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Holy Family came into the tournament with one loss in regular season play to Holy Trinity.  Our Lady of the Lake had three regular season losses: St. Pius X, Holy Trinity and Holy Family.  In tournament play this week, Our Lady of the Lake upset the number two seed, St. Pius X to advance to the championship game.

Our Lady of the Lake shot out to an early lead in the game and finished the first half 15 – 10.  With three minutes remaining in the third quarter, Holy Family lead 17 – 16 and kept the pressure on as the quarter ended 23 – 20 Holy Family.

The fourth quarter began with two rapid baskets for each team and a foul drawn by Holy Family that they could not convert on.  Quick paced, helter-skelter, dribbling theatrics, put back attempts were the name of the game for these feisty fifth grade boys whose antics were entertaining and fun to watch.

Holy Family’s Luke F. had the hot hand for the day swishing 3 two pointers at critical moments.  Game ended with a final score of Holy Family 40 – Our Lady of the Lake 27.