Brick by Brick

More Good Press

Another nice article; this time a feature on Coach Rick Linehan and the Cross Country program. From The Barnstable Patriot, read it here.

Ready On Day One?

Monday, March 17 was the first official day of spring sports, and of course, the first day for our tennis program. Despite the high winds and 30-degree temperatures, JPII athletes took to the courts under the direction of Head Coach (and Math teacher) Mr. Joe Gaudet and assisted by Ms. Ashley Seidel (a veteran tennis player). I am delighted to have such strong leadership for this nascent program (Mr. Gaudet: 2002 Boston Globe E. Mass. Tennis Coach of the Year) and the enthusiasm of our student-athletes. As with many things, these first days and first steps promise great things to come as our athletic program and school grows.

Special, behind-the-scenes kudos go to Mr. Ernie Christian, Maintenance Director, for the extra time and effort required to bring the school courts back to life.

Some Nice Words [1-23-08]

Let the buzz begin. The Register, a weekly newspaper serving Dennis, Yarmouth and Barnstable, praised the school's recent hiring of Coach Paul "Spanky" Demanche to inaugurate football and baseball.

See the editor's blog here.

It's the Journey, Not the Destination [1-16-08]

Along the way to adulthood I learned that happiness is not a destination to be achieved, but is found in the journey itself. Not an easy truth for our linear way of seeing things, but one that many adults may find themselves nodding with in agreement. As I write this post on Wednesday, January 16, 2008, two of today's events bring this truth squarely to mind.

First, it was a great day for JPII as we surprised our students with an afternoon announcement and introduction. As you may have read elsewhere (Download demanche_press_release.doc), the school has hired Mr. Paul "Spanky" Demanche as Baseball Head Coach and Football Head Coach, effectivel immediately. Coach Demanche, well-known across the Cape for his success at Barnstable High School, addressed the students and shared his enthusiasm for JPII and the job ahead. Our students were visibly "pumped" at what is clearly a big step forward for our athletic program. After the announcement, a ring of students could be found around Coach Demanche. Their excitement was obvious.

Second, I received a brief, rather comical letter from a Boston TV/Radio conglomerate thanking me for my inquiry about storm cancellation announcements, but telling me that they cannot list our school because "the enrollment number of your school is too small to merit an account with us."

In some ways, this big news and this little letter speak to the same things: who we are and where we are going. The letter reminds us that, right now, we are indeed a small school. The announcement and introduction of Coach Demanche points to where we are going: A school with strong, established programs that help young people be their best.

It's the journey, not the destination. Pride in JPII isn't something that can only be achieved when we "get there" -- It can be had in the getting there, with big events like today's. There will be many more announcements as we build our school, but there's no need to wait for happiness. It was a good day on the journey.

Let There Be Lights [1-02-08]

A common theme around Christmastime is that the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year and hence the day with the least amount of light, is a proper time for God's humble entry into the world; it is Christ, after all, who brings light to our darkness. A little happening over Christmas recess brings this truth to mind once again, in a funny way.

On December 28, 2007, representatives from the Hyannis Mets "flipped the switch" on the long-awaited field lighting of McKeon Park. Our Athletic Director, Mr. Al Catelli, was on hand to witness and celebrate the sharply-illuminated field that will be the springtime home of the JPII Lions and the summer home of the Hyannis Mets. The accomplishment of this lighting project is due to the hard work of the Hyannis Athletic Association and generous funding from Pope John Paul II High School and the Yawkey Foundation. There's a palpable sense of excitement shared by friends of JPII and the Mets as we look forward to night baseball for years to come. This is great stuff and I am grateful to the hard-working volunteers of the Hyannis Athletic Association for making it happen.

This little bit of light in the winter darkness definitely brings hope to JPII and the Mets. Let there be lights!