CONEY ISLAND — Divine intervention or not, the Collars finally broke their losing streak.
Behind a late three-run home run by one of this year’s bobblehead honorees, Father Christopher Bethge, priests and seminarians from across Brooklyn and Queens defeated Catholic school principals and administrators 13-5 after a years-long drought at the diocese’s annual Scholars vs. Collars softball game during Catholic Schools Night at Maimonides Park on June 24.
“That’s why you’re the bobblehead!” Father Christopher Heanue, a fellow bobblehead honoree, shouted from the dugout as Father Bethge rounded the bases.
The annual event hosted by DeSales Media Group in partnership with the Diocese of Brooklyn brought together hundreds of students, families, and supporters to celebrate another successful year of Catholic education before the Brooklyn Cyclones took the field against the Jersey Shore BlueClaws.
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The evening recognized over 100 eighth-grade valedictorians and salutatorians from Catholic schools in the Diocese of Brooklyn, as well as students honored for their contributions to The Tablet Jr.
Among those honored was St. Ephrem valedictorian Amir Alkhoury, who said the recognition reflected the hard work he put in throughout elementary school before heading to Xaverian High School this fall.
“It feels great to be accomplished with your hard work,” Amir said.
Mara Baglio, valedictorian of Good Shepherd Catholic Academy’s eighth-grade class, wants to be a surgeon when she grows up. She said she thinks the work she’s done in Catholic school will prepare her for her future.
“I’m honored. I always studied really hard because I wanted the title of valedictorian, so it means a lot,” said Mara, who will also attend Xaverian High School.
“My brother goes there, and I love it,” she continued. “The community and the kids all seem really nice.”
Deacon Kevin McCormack, superintendent of Diocese of Brooklyn schools, said Catholic Schools Night is a great celebration.
“We’re here at Maimonides Park, we’re just having fun. It’s hot dogs, it’s outside, it’s Brooklyn and Queens,” he said. “We have all the top scholars in each class come down … their parents can really get excited about it. It’s a special day.”
St. Ephrem Catholic Academy Principal Michael Phillips, playing in his third Scholars vs. Collars game, said one of his favorite moments each year comes after the game when he congratulates his graduating students before they begin high school.
“I get to give them a handshake and a hug and tell them goodbye one last time,” Phillips said. “Our valedictorian and salutatorian are both amazing young boys who are going to do amazing things now that they’re going into high school.
“I’m going to miss them, but I know that they’re going to do amazing things because of the education they got in Catholic school.”
Father Christopher Heanue, pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Jackson Heights, said the event is about far more than the final score.
Since arriving at the parish last fall, Heanue has championed Catholic education, helping to raise more than $200,000 for scholarships at St. Joan of Arc Catholic School.
“I’ve been so lucky this year at St. Joan of Arc with being assigned there and doing all the work that we’ve done in the school,” he continued. “I’m really honored to be asked to be on the bobblehead.”
Bishop Robert Brennan said the celebration reflects the collective effort behind Catholic education throughout Brooklyn and Queens.
“It’s the hard work the students do, the faculty do, the administration does. We’re celebrating all the families,” Bishop Brennan said. “Coney Island is part of the iconic scene of Brooklyn. We bring our identities as a Catholic family to this Brooklyn icon.”
