Catch the Wave – December 2, 2015

Holy Name High School |  December 2015

Featured: National Honor Society Inducts 46 New Members

On Friday, November 20, 46 students were inducted into Holy Name’s chapter of the National Honor Society. This year’s ceremony theme was ‘On Top of the World,’ and celebrated the NHS members’ success in the classroom and beyond.

Current NHS members led the ceremony, and also received their official NHS pins and cards. These senior students then shared their thoughts and insights on the importance of knowledge, as well as the four cornerstones of the National Honor Society: scholarship, character, service, and leadership.

After the NHS Ensemble sang “On Top of the World” by Imagine Dragons, new members were presented and received their certificates. Principal Shelbrey Blanc ’95 concluded the special ceremony, congratulating the NHS members on their achievements. She also pointed out that all Holy Name students have reasons to be on top of the world, and encouraged everyone “to be thankful for the gifts, talents, family members, and friends God has given you… and to determine ways you can help others to join you on top of the world. Make the difference. Be the difference.”

Congratulations to all students who are now a part of Holy Name’s chapter of the National Honor Society, including:

Athletics: Green Wave Teams Complete Successful Fall Sports Season

From football’s first playoff win in 40 years, to girls soccer capturing their second straight district title, Holy Name fans had plenty to cheer about this fall. Here is a recap of how the season went for each of our fall athletic teams:

Football

After starting the year off at 1-3, the Green Wave finished the regular season with six straight wins. Highlights of the season included senior Marty Wallace’s field goal in overtime to beat rival Padua Franciscan, 13-10, and the team’s 14-10 regular season finale victory over Rocky River, which earned the Namers a share of the inaugural Great Lakes Conference title. Most importantly, the win over River secured a Division IV, Region 11 playoff berth, the first for Holy Name football since 2005.

After receiving the seventh seed in the playoffs, the Namers were matched up against #2 seed Perry, a team that was 8-1 in the regular season and finished eighth in the Division IV AP Ohio High School Football Poll. In an exciting upset at Perry’s home field, the Green Wave beat the Pirates, 50-43, earning Holy Name’s first playoff victory since the 1975 state championship win.

The exciting playoff run for Holy Name ended in the second round, as the Namers fell to Mantua Crestwood, 40-26. The team finished the year with an impressive 8-4 record overall. Linebacker Colin Costanzo ’17 was named to the Associated Press Northeast Ohio Lakes All-District Division IV first team, while lineman Tyler Poff ’17 was selected for the second team.

Volleyball

Moving into the Great Lakes Conference did not hinder the Holy Name girls’ volleyball team, as they finished conference play undefeated to secure the GLC crown outright. The team also beat perennial power Magnificat, as well as rival Padua Franciscan, during the regular season.

Volleyball finished their year after falling to Padua in a Division II district title game. Along with the team winning the GLC championship, head coach Marty Marflak was named the conference’s coach of the year. Senior captain Kailee Cunningham was the GLC MVP, while Cunningham and senior co-captain Jordyn Kachmar were named to the GLC first team. Senior co-captain Maddy Adams was joined by senior Carly Stepic on the GLC second team. Junior Hannah Verba and freshman McKenna Keir received GLC honorable mentions.

Additionally, Cunningham was named an all-district first team selection, an all-Ohio third team selection, and as the team’s Namer Award recipient. Kachmar was named an all-district honorable mention, and was selected as the team’s MVP. Verba earned the team’s Most Improved Player award.

Girls Soccer

Playing one of the toughest schedules in the state, including games against the eventual Division I (Walsh Jesuit) and Division II (Archbishop Hoban) state champions, paid off for the Lady Namers this season. The girls beat Buckeye, Bay, and Rocky River in the district bracket to win a Division II District Title for the second straight year.

Their season concluded after falling to Ontario, 2-1, in a hard fought regional semifinal game. Senior co-captain Lizzy Springer was named as the team’s MVP, while senior co-captain Ashley Rings received the team’s Namer Award.

Boys Soccer

Boys soccer won four of their last five regular season games, including a solid, 3-0 senior night win over Benedictine. The boys then went on to upset Lodi Cloverleaf in the first round of the Division II playoffs, beating them 2-1 after a last-second goal by Jake Rosko ’17 at the end of regulation.

The team concluded the season with a loss against Rocky River in the district tournament. Senior co-captain Ryan Ontko finished his Holy Name career as the Green Wave’s all-time leading scorer.

Cross Country

The girls’ and boys’ cross country teams each had their best seasons in recent history. Both teams repeated as the Beachwood Bison Meet champions, and both placed fourth at the new Great Lakes Conference Championship Meet. The boys’ team was led by junior Shawn Slivka, who qualified for the Division II Tiffin Regional and had ten top 20 finishes during the season. The Lady Namers were led by junior Laura Kolenz, who also qualified for the Division II Tiffin Regional and had nine top ten finishes.

Both Slivka and Kolenz were named as their respective team’s MVP. Seniors Ryan Madden and Kat Kinnen were selected as the Namer Award recipients.

All other awards not announced here will be posted once available. Thank you to all fall sports teams for a terrific season! Please come support the winter athletes, including those participating in boys basketball, girls basketball, bowling, gymnastics, hockey, and wrestling, as they begin their seasons this month!

Spotlight: #GivingTuesday Results

Thank you to all who supported Holy Name on #GivingTuesday! Celebrated around the world this past Tuesday, December 1, #GivingTuesday is devoted to celebrating generosity and giving back to organizations that are making a difference in the lives of others.

Due to your generosity, we more than tripled our donations over last year’s #GivingTuesday results! This money will be included in our Annual Fund, which helps to defray the costs associated with operating a preeminent, Catholic college preparatory high school.

Although #GivingTuesday is over, it is never too late to give a gift to Holy Name’s Annual Fund! If you would like to make a donation before the end of 2015, please visit http://www.holynamehs.com/donate-to-hn/, or call Director of Advancement Ray Murphy at (440) 886-0300 ext. 111.

The school community is grateful to all alumni, parents, and friends who give their time, money, talents, and resources to Holy Name.

Advancement: Team Up for Turf Bricks Remain Available

Leave a lasting legacy and take care of your holiday list all at once – buy Team Up for Turf bricks for your family this year!

Team Up for Turf is Holy Name’s initiative to build a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose synthetic turf field and all-weather track on the school’s campus. Buying one or more of these bricks, which will be included in a donor plaza to be located near the entrance of the new field, will help make this much-needed project a reality.

The bricks are available in two sizes: 4” x 8”, which costs $500, and 8” x 8”, which costs $1,000. For more information on how you can purchase a brick that will serve as a permanent reminder of you and your family’s Holy Name spirit and pride, visit http://www.brickmarkers.com/donors/hnhs.html. You can also learn more about this exciting project at www.teamupforturf.com.

Activities: Upcoming Events Calendar

Join fellow alumni and friends for fun events this holiday season!

Saturday, December 5: Holy Name Team Shop Christmas Hours, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Sunday, December 6: Christmas Concert and Art Show in Manning Auditorium, 3 p.m.
Tuesday, December 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception All School Mass and Junior Ring Blessing in Memorial Gym, 10:30 a.m.
Saturday, December 12: Alumni Breakfast with Santa in Cafeteria, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Saturday, December 12: Holy Name Team Shop Christmas Hours, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Saturday, December 12: Holly Holy Name Gift Day Drop Off for Rising Tide Gala Auction, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Monday, December 14: All School Christmas Concert and Holy Name Elementary School Christmas Visit, 10 a.m.
Tuesday, December 15 – Friday, December 18: Semester Exams
Saturday, December 19: Holy Name Team Shop Christmas Hours, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Monday, December 21 – Friday, January 1: Christmas Break for Students
Saturday, December 26: Young Alumni Event at Hooley House – Brooklyn, 4 – 6 p.m.
Thursday, December 31: Early Deadline for Holy Name Hall of Fame Entries
Saturday, April 23: Rising Tide Gala Auction and $10,000 Raffle Drawing in Memorial Gym, 6 – 11 p.m.

For the complete school and athletic calendar, visit http://www.holynamehs.com/events/.