I believe there are no people in the world who are more superstitious than athletes! They wear the same socks for an entire season because they think that last victory had something to do with their foot garb. They always wear the same number and use it for raffle picks,email addresses, and other such choices. They often follow a ritual before and after games that has to do with what food they eat, the hours of sleep they get, and the sequence of prepartaions for a game. The top rule in all this lore is that you NEVER predict the outcome of a season or even a game before it happens. If you do and things don't turn out, you will be blamed forever for a loss! Since I am one of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel's biggest fans (and clearly not an athlete) I need to try to abide by these "rules of engagement." That said, I think that this may be our year. I cite a few recent happenings to prove my point.
Last week our varsity boys soccer team had its annual game with alumni. Our team has many experienced upperclassmen on it and they are really talented. They also really know the game and are great leaders to the younger players. They are coached by Drew Ganzzermiller, an alum--Class of 2001 or so, who experienced the sweet taste of a championship and is a great coach. Since I know the "rules" I predict nothing about the win/loss record that will come and I only know that I expect to be cheering for a LONG season! The reason I mention this event, though, has to do with the spirit of the team and that alumni game.
We had many alums return to play and they represented a broad span of graduation years. That said, many of these men are holding their own in the "stay in shape" department....some not so much. All came to give it their best and the old guys ended up winning in a shoot out. The game was completely good natured and fun as much as is possible for competitive athletes. Our varsity team could not have been more respectful of their elders on and off the field. The neat thing that happened , though, is that there were two pairs of fathers and sons who played against each other. Both fathers and sons seemed to revel in that fact. Vince Schiavone, one of our senior leaders, played against his Dad, Mike, an alum from 30 years ago. They both did a great job,Dad kept up and I think it was a bonding moment for them. As they walked off the field I think there was a gulp or two from a few of us. It was just one of those moments that you remember.
The other father and son duo had a little more drama. Mikey Krannebitter who is also a senior this year is a great goalie. Mike, his dad who graduated in the late eighties, is an offensive man. You can guess the scenerio--Dad dribbles down the field, figures out his shot, and one flies past the goalie. BUT, there is a whistle and the goal is called back. There is a little "discussion" about the call and then, history repeats itself and there is a flash of yellow. This was the funniest part of the game and we all enjoyed the little drama as it played out. I enjoyed even more watching Mikey and Mike walk off that field smiling from ear to ear.
As is true many times after a sports event, the end of the game is not the end of the evening. Many of us gathered at Harvey's Pub on Myrth Avenue in Essex. This place is a hidden neighborhood treasure and the burgers are heavenly. Harvey's is owned by the Schneehagen family who are also Carmel folks. Jon went to our elementary school and his sister Jill went through both schools. Jon and his Dad, Gary, are our women's soccer coaches. They allowed our Athletic Department to invade that evening to do guest bartending and literally take over the place. It was so much fun! Mike Naunton, who is always giving 150%, was a gracious servant to all, some of our seniors did a kareoke routine, alums joined us with family and friends, and several televisions blared the Ravens game. As I looked around that night, I felt that this little event really captrued what happens at our school. Our community is in so many real ways--intergenerational. Current students sat next to former students. Families were together enjoying each other's company. Faculty blended with coaches and parents and kids. This is the Carmel spirit I love and this is the spirit that will make this year our year!
School is ready to start and this week teachers came back for meetings, parents met them, and the lower and middle school students had their first days of school. In the midst of the many changes that happended--different rooms, changed schedules,revised agendas--everyone from youngest to oldest was upbeat, positive and willing to work together to make sure everything would work. As furniture was reshuffled and computers hooked up,positive and upbeat banter could be heard throughout our campus. Everyone was and continues to be willing to give it their best to work through transition and end up with what is best for our kids. This is the the Carmel spirit I love and this is the spirit that will make this year our year.!
So, let me clearly say that I am abiding by all the rules and superstitions of every athlete and Carmel fan. I do not predict the score of a game nor the outcome of a particular season. I can say, without a doubt, that the good spirit, dedication, and love of school, community , and family that I see everywhere--soccer field, school corridor, classroom, and even pub--can only result in a great year for us. I revise my statement--This WILL BE our year--in all the best ways!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
The Faces of Generosity
I write this beneath a searing South Carolina sun. On one side of me I see my son attempting not very successfully to lure some fish from the surf. Glancing another direction I see my oldest grandchild splashing in the waves. Words like "respite,relaxation, reprieve" spill over me as I enjoy this much anticipated week of vacation. Thinking just a few days in the past, though, the word that comes to me , loud and clear, is generosity.
When I think of my summer experience this year at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, it is the word GENEROSITY that smacks me in the face. It is not the word that has such power, it is faces. This week I want to tell you about Carmel's faces of generosity. This is quite a challenge because the faces, each one, are unique and different from each other.
The first faces are adult. They are the faces of leadership, commitment, dedication and, yes...generosity. The first faces are those of Joe Bartenfelder and Russell Berk the owners of Bartenfelder and Chapel Hill Farms, respectively. Last Sunday they gave a tremendous gift to our school. They threw a fundraiser to help us launch a football program and generated $16000.00 plus for the cause. They also rallied helpers from friends, family, community, and the Bartenfelder campaign . The afternoon was a delight from beginning to end. There was a pig roast, animals for the little kids to see,feed, and pet and people with whom to chat and visit. It was a glorious afternoon and one which could have been shared with many causes. I was so tremendously grateful it was shared with us. This family atmosphere reflects the values of these community leaders. What is really important? The day said it all--family, friends, opportunties for our kids . Thank you Mr. Bartenfelder and Mr. Berk for setting a high standard for all of us as men of generosity and character.
The other faces of generosity I see are the faces of our students especially several seniors who have spent the summer at school with me. Our shared time does not reflect their best talents nor mine but it does reflect an understanding that our goals are not achieved without hard work that is low on glory and high on manual labor! Two of our students in particular, Ally Emerson and Kelly Aquilla, must have generated several hundred hours of service. They helped landscape the front of the school, clear a playground, merge two libraries into one, decorate several bathrooms, move lockers, and paint Cougar paws all over the place. There were several days that ended in exhausted "See you tomorrows" and many days that I was handed a list of chores to do before the next day--often involving buying things at Home Depot. Ally and Kelly were joined on many days by an assortment of friends and classmates who willingly lent helping hands. It was clear, though, that the vision we were following belonged to them. I am grateful for the generous service and hard work of all of all these kids and their sense of ownership. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is clearly loved and owned by our students. Isn't that just as it should be?
I have enjoyed this week thinking in retrospect about our summer of generosity. It is filled with hard work but it is also filled with laughter. I see Ally and Conner Naunton (whose dad Mike, our Athletic Director, was a constant summer helper too) coverd in red paint. I see Emily painting Cougar paws on any space she could find. I see the dismay of several students who tried often in vain to get the fiction books in our new library space in the right order--Who packed these anyway??? What I really see are the faces of young people who are willing to fight and work for their community. They have integrated into their values the notion that what we value is worth all of our effort. I am so proud of our kids and I am so grateful for them. These faces of generosity are the faces that I have come to love and appreciate beyond measure.
So, as the sun sets, I smile at the memories of the faces of generosity that I have seen this summer at Carmel. Remembering them with gratitude, all is right with the world!
When I think of my summer experience this year at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, it is the word GENEROSITY that smacks me in the face. It is not the word that has such power, it is faces. This week I want to tell you about Carmel's faces of generosity. This is quite a challenge because the faces, each one, are unique and different from each other.
The first faces are adult. They are the faces of leadership, commitment, dedication and, yes...generosity. The first faces are those of Joe Bartenfelder and Russell Berk the owners of Bartenfelder and Chapel Hill Farms, respectively. Last Sunday they gave a tremendous gift to our school. They threw a fundraiser to help us launch a football program and generated $16000.00 plus for the cause. They also rallied helpers from friends, family, community, and the Bartenfelder campaign . The afternoon was a delight from beginning to end. There was a pig roast, animals for the little kids to see,feed, and pet and people with whom to chat and visit. It was a glorious afternoon and one which could have been shared with many causes. I was so tremendously grateful it was shared with us. This family atmosphere reflects the values of these community leaders. What is really important? The day said it all--family, friends, opportunties for our kids . Thank you Mr. Bartenfelder and Mr. Berk for setting a high standard for all of us as men of generosity and character.
The other faces of generosity I see are the faces of our students especially several seniors who have spent the summer at school with me. Our shared time does not reflect their best talents nor mine but it does reflect an understanding that our goals are not achieved without hard work that is low on glory and high on manual labor! Two of our students in particular, Ally Emerson and Kelly Aquilla, must have generated several hundred hours of service. They helped landscape the front of the school, clear a playground, merge two libraries into one, decorate several bathrooms, move lockers, and paint Cougar paws all over the place. There were several days that ended in exhausted "See you tomorrows" and many days that I was handed a list of chores to do before the next day--often involving buying things at Home Depot. Ally and Kelly were joined on many days by an assortment of friends and classmates who willingly lent helping hands. It was clear, though, that the vision we were following belonged to them. I am grateful for the generous service and hard work of all of all these kids and their sense of ownership. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is clearly loved and owned by our students. Isn't that just as it should be?
I have enjoyed this week thinking in retrospect about our summer of generosity. It is filled with hard work but it is also filled with laughter. I see Ally and Conner Naunton (whose dad Mike, our Athletic Director, was a constant summer helper too) coverd in red paint. I see Emily painting Cougar paws on any space she could find. I see the dismay of several students who tried often in vain to get the fiction books in our new library space in the right order--Who packed these anyway??? What I really see are the faces of young people who are willing to fight and work for their community. They have integrated into their values the notion that what we value is worth all of our effort. I am so proud of our kids and I am so grateful for them. These faces of generosity are the faces that I have come to love and appreciate beyond measure.
So, as the sun sets, I smile at the memories of the faces of generosity that I have seen this summer at Carmel. Remembering them with gratitude, all is right with the world!
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