Sentinels in Motion (October 31, 2024)
Dear Stella Maris Academy Parents and Students,
I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to update you on our recent Fall Flannel Festival and share some exciting news about our upcoming winter activities.
First, I'm thrilled to report that our Fall Flannel Festival was a resounding success. The event, which took place last Saturday, was divided into two parts: service and celebration.
In the morning, we focused on community service. Our main project was to complete our 5K trail, making it suitable for cross-country runners and future events. I'm proud to say that we had an incredible turnout of 100-150 volunteers who worked tirelessly. Thanks to their efforts, we finished the trail in just an hour and a half - well ahead of our two-hour estimate. This accomplishment sets us up perfectly for next year when we plan to host a 5K event in honor of Father Ben Hadrich as part of the morning portion of the Fall Flannel Festival.
The afternoon was dedicated to food and fun. Blessed with great weather, we had six fires going, plenty of activities, and delicious food. It was heartwarming to see families gathering around the fires, enjoying each other's company and participating in the various fun activities we had planned.
Looking ahead to the winter season, I'm excited to announce that we have a wide array of activities available for our students:
Five boys' basketball teams
Two girls' basketball teams
A cheerleading squad
A literary magazine club
One-act play with the Minnesota State High School League
Additionally, we're introducing two new Minnesota State High School League offerings this year:
Alpine skiing (downhill skiing)
Nordic skiing (cross-country skiing), which has been elevated from a club to an official league sport
We're very excited about the direction our activities program is taking and the opportunities it provides for our students to grow, learn, and excel.
Thank you for your continued support of Stella Maris Academy and our activities program. Your involvement and enthusiasm make all of this possible.
Go Sentinels!
Sincerely,
Mr. Chris Lemke
Stella Maris Academy Activities Director
Rallying for Excellence: A Behind the Scenes Look at Two High School Tennis Stars
For Danika and Della, two dedicated student-athletes, tennis is more than just a game – it's a passion that drives them to excel both on and off the court. In a recent interview, these young women shared their experiences, challenges, and aspirations for the last tennis season, offering a glimpse into the life of high school tennis players.
As they entered their varsity season, both Danika and Della approached their preparation with renewed vigor. Danika, now in her second year, reflected on her growth: "I knew more of what to prepare for this season. It was my first season last year, so I didn't really know how to start. I didn't know what I was supposed to do, but this year, I knew what I was supposed to do, so I just practiced and worked on that." This sentiment of increased preparedness was also echoed by Della, who emphasized the importance of consistent practice: "I prepared differently for the season by just practicing, just practice, practice, practice. Whether that's with Danika or friends or family or just with coaches, or just being with other people and just getting that play time on the court."
The transition to varsity-level play has brought its own set of challenges to boot. Danika recounted a particularly testing experience: "We had this quad meet in the summer, I think it was. And that was definitely a challenge because it was like, again, first year in varsity and we had this quad meet. None of us had particularly done [it] before. So that was definitely a challenge. But we all tried our hardest and I think we played pretty good." This experience highlights the steep learning curve that comes with advancing to a higher level of play, but also showcases the team's resilience and determination.
For Della, the challenges were more internal. She candidly shared, "One of my personal problems that I faced in the season was my mental game. Tennis is not only a physical sport, it is also a mental sport. And just trying to work through my mind that, like, I can do this." This insight into the psychological aspect of tennis reveals the multifaceted nature of the sport and the personal growth these young athletes undergo.
Both Danika and Della demonstrate a mature understanding of the balance required to be successful student-athletes. When asked about managing academic responsibilities alongside their athletic commitments, Danika emphasized, "I think it was just me knowing that you are a student first before you're an athlete. They kind of talked over that at the beginning of the year. And so like if there were times when I had tennis, I'd be like, okay, I have to do my homework. I can't just do tennis. I do have to put school first." Della concurred, stating, "Student comes first. Do your homework first and then go play tennis. Like, study for a test. Just know that your academics comes first before being an athlete."
As they reflected on the season , both players expressed satisfaction about showcasing their improvements. Danika was particularly proud of her serve: "My serves got a lot better at the beginning of the year. It was kind of like they weren't something I was enjoying doing. But, near the end, I was like, wow, I really like my serve." Della, on the other hand, was eager to demonstrate her overall growth: "I think I was both excited to show just my overall growth, in the tennis, for this tennis season and just show that, this is who I am and this is how well I've gotten."
Beyond their individual goals, both Danika and Della show a strong commitment to their team. Danika, as one of the older players, has set a personal goal to connect more with her teammates: "I wanted to know the girls a bit more. I am the oldest, and so I was like, I don't want to just be seen as an older figure, kind of be seen as a friend. So I was trying to focus more on like, you know, helping them out, being nice and everything like that." This focus on team dynamics and mentorship demonstrates the leadership qualities that sports can foster in young athletes.
As Danika and Della continue their journey through the school year, their stories serve as an inspiration to other young athletes. Their dedication to balancing academics and sports, their resilience in facing challenges, and their commitment to personal and team growth exemplify the positive impact that high school sports can have on student-athletes. As they serve, volley, and rally their way through matches, these young women are not just playing tennis – they're building character, forging friendships, and preparing for the challenges that lie ahead, both on and off the court.