Members of the prom committee (top row) and “victims” of drunk driving accidents (bottom row) pose with the Prom Promise Pledge. From left to right, top to bottom: Carrie Dougher, Taylor James, Morgan Ferguson, Patrick Jones, Matt Tylicki, Wintha Fessuh, Stacey Dougher

“What do you do every fifteen minutes? You blink hundreds of times, take hundreds of breaths, and think hundreds of thoughts. Fifteen minutes may seem like an insignificant amount of time, but that’s all it takes to change a person’s life—and their family’s life—forever. Every fifteen minutes someone dies in a car accident that involves a drunk driver.” So stated Taylor James, a member of the junior class and prom chair, as she addressed the Goretti community in Gael Gymnasium on the afternoon of Friday, April 19, for this years’ Prom Promise.

James and the other members of this years’ prom committee used the sobering fifteen- minute statistic as a theme for Prom Promise. Throughout the day, the “grim reaper” entered classrooms and searched the hallways to bestow a black t-shirt, symbolizing death, to previously appointed students who were in the know. From that point on, the student was silent, and by the end of the day fifteen students had “perished” in drunk driving accidents. Furthering the magnitude of this bleak statistic, a bell was rung over the loudspeaker every fifteen minutes for everyone to hear.

“We wanted to capture the emotional significance of this terrible statistic on the eve of our own prom,” said James. “We go out of our way to bring the real emotions and seriousness of this issue home. It’s important to make an impact.”

During the community gathering that afternoon, several of the classmates who had been silenced were given a chance to say their final goodbyes. “I want to thank my parents for always being there for me—even in my times of hardship and failure,” said Patrick Jones. Anne Marie Sullivan spoke about the love she had for her best friend: “I’m sad for all the memories we won’t share like graduation, college, and being in each other’s weddings.”

Finally, all students attending this years’ prom signed a Prom Promise Pledge, promising not to do anything on the night of the prom that would affect their life in a negative way.

When asked why Goretti students go the extra mile each year for Prom Promise, James replied: “We really want to protect the family we have created here. Life can change in the blink of an eye.”

Congratulations to the Saint Maria Goretti Men’s Lacrosse Team for winning the Frederick City Cup on Saturday.  Goretti defeated Brunswick High School in the opening game 11-2 and then went on to defeat Frederick High School 17-4 in the championship game. Terrific performances by tournament MVP sophomore  Mikey Ewing, Offensive MVP junior Matt Casto and Defensive MVP senior Mike Fairley.  In addition several Gaels made the all tournament team.  Way to go Gaels!

The following attended 2013 Metros:

Freshmen – Brianna Whelan and Cailyn Willoughby
Sophomores – Jenna Katrina and Amanda Meinschein
Juniors – Patrick Jones, Drew Katrina, Keeley Scott, and Emma Whelan
Seniors – Luke Daigneault, Eric Pino, Mitchell Swope, and Josh Semler

The girls and boys attempted to break school records for both the 200 and 400 yard freestyle relays, and they all came very close! Here are highlights from the meet:

- Cailyn Willoughby swam a personal best in a 50 yard leg of the 200 free relay with a time of :28:82
- Amanda Meinschein swam a personal best in the 100 yard leg of the 400 freestyle relay with a time of 1:01.16
- Keeley Scott swam a personal best in the 100 yard backstroke event with a time of 1:03.77. (The school record is 1:03.33)
- Emma Whelan swam a personal best in the 50 yard anchor leg of the 200 freestyle relay with a time of :26.1.
- Drew Katrina swam a personal best in a 50 yard leg of the 200 yard freestyle relay with a time of :24.72.
- Patrick Jones swam a personal best in the 500 yard freestyle event with a time of 5:31.o9.
- Josh Semler swam the 100 yard freestyle breaking the 4-year school record with a time of :51.70.

Congratulations to all members of the Goretti swim team on a great season! Go Gaels.

Goretti recently held a ceremony to induct 22 new members into its National Honor Society (NHS). The new members of Goretti’s NHS include the following junior classmen: M. Sadiq Asad, Casey Bartholomew, Brendan Bush, Matthew Casto, Isabel Divinagracia, Stacey Dougher, Ian Fairley, Sarah Gross, Demitré Gweh, Taylor James, Patrick Jones, Morgan Kenworthy, Robert Lison, Matthew McDermott, Keeley Scott, Gabriella Sottile, Anne Marie Sullivan, Iqra Waseem, and Simon Wroblewski. Seniors Luke Daigneault, Wyatt Derr, and Francis Nooney were also inducted.

NHS members pledge to uphold the principles of scholarship, leadership, service, and character. To become a member, students must achieve a 3.7 grade point average and be approved by a faculty committee. The students selected are academic and moral leaders who contribute significantly to their school and community.  The NHS at St. Maria Goretti High School participates in service projects such as Habitat for Humanity work days and extensive tutoring on campus.  The chapter also holds fundraisers throughout the year for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, the Vikram Kodali Scholarship, and to support a local family in need at Christmas.

READ THE CATHOLIC REVIEW ARTICLE HERE

Gael Pilot March 2011

Read more in the Herald Mail. Congratulations to everyone on these accomplishments, and keep up the good work!