On Thursday December 15th the students and guests of St. Gregory’s Academy were treated to a live bluegrass performance by the Coal Town Rounders. The band played for well over an hour and even invited the boys to join in on a few tunes.

After the performance the students had night prayer. Throughout the night the boys took turns praying before the Eucharist during an all night adoration time. All night adoration is traditionally held by the students before each break to pray for protection and strength during their time away from the academy.

On Tuesday December 13th, the Highlander Schola Cantorum had the opportunity to sing for the Wilkes-Barre Penguins hockey match against the Binghamton Senators at the Mohegan Sun Arena. The schola sang God Bless America, the Star Spangled Banner, and the Minstrel Boy for the team and fans. They did a fantastic job and represented the school with the excellence and professionalism expected from academy students.

The entire school was present for the game and entertained the crowd with cheers and singing in true Highlander style! In fact, the boys made such an impression that the Penguins have invited the boys back to another game. Everyone is looking forward to the next match!

On Friday December 9th, the entire school traveled to New York City a day of caroling and sight seeing. The boys enjoyed time at the Cloisters, Central Park, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

The highlight of the event was an all-school caroling and juggling show on the steps of the Cathedral. A crowd of onlookers (which quickly became fans!) enjoyed an hour long presentation of Christmas favorites accompanied by a spectacular juggling performance.

Concerning the 2011 highlander soccer season, many games were played and many battles were won. The most important part of everything we do here, especially on the sports field, is to live and play in the spirit of the Highlanders. And in so doing this we will be Catholic gentlemen. Whether winning or losing, playing all the way to the final whistle and trying your hardest is one characteristic of a true highlander. This is true because it is what we are supposed to be doing in our spiritual life. To us, a highlander is the equivalent of a saint in the microcosm of sports. To achieve our final end in the spiritual life, which is heaven, we must “play” to the final whistle and never give up. Likewise achieving our final end in soccer, which is playing to our fullest potential while giving glory to God, we must do the same.

This was exemplified by the 2011 Highlander Soccer season. We got off to a slow start but kept pushing harder and harder as the season went on, putting a few wins under our belt along the way. The coaches and students in the stands never gave up on us even when things were going badly on the field. By this constant work ethic we were able to pick things up and achieve some great memories. The highlight and culmination of our regular season was a 6 – 5 win in double overtime against our rival team – Western Wayne school district. That is a day I will never forget!

Although were were plagued with some key injuries this season we fought onwards toward the playoffs. Unfortunately we lost in the final minutes of the last game during the play-ins. Now my comrades and I turn our attention to rugby as we start conditioning to be ready in the spring.

by team captain Patrick Audino, #17

Photos from the 2011 Highlander Soccer Season