St. Paul's Parish Athletic Program
2007 - 2008 Banquet
Brian Okupski, Athletic Director, and Tom Maley, Program Chair and master of ceremonies (pictured here),
oversaw one of the biggest turnouts in recent years.
Coaches of each of the teams fielded by SPAC were named and their helpers thanked.
The graduating 8th graders were awarded SPS letters and praised for their scholarly and athletic accomplishments:
The two graduating 8th graders who were the recipients of SPAC's annual scholarships
for the two best Scholar-Athletes of the year, Joseph Motola and Allison Lee,
received plaques, $1000 scholarships and congratulations from Msgr. Nolan and
Athletic Director Brian Okupski.
Claire Svoboda (left) and Juliana Okupski helped with the Banner presentations to teams
that had winning seasons or special recognition in their sport, which included Cheerleading, Girls' and Boys'
Varsity Basketball and Girls' Varsity Soccer. Girls' Varsity Soccer finished their
season with a 9-and-1 record. Below, they pose for their championship picture
with coach Theresa Falzone.
Mrs. Annie Britschge, teacher at St. Paul School, was the special honoree at the banquet, lauded for her unstinting effort on behalf of the children during the last 15 years at school, and for all the other work she has unselfishly done that supported or helped the athletics effort. For example, Mrs. Britschge produces the school yearbook each year, documents all goings-on, and always makes sure to accurately represent the children's sports accomplishments and teams in the yearbook.
A highlight of the evening was teacher Mrs. Susan Gordon's introduction to Mrs. Britschge's award. Mrs. Gordon recalled her first encounter with "Star Wars" Britschge, who emerged from behind a pile of boxes 15 years ago to greet new teacher Gordon ("Help you want?") and who ended the meeting with Yoda-worthy advice ("May the force be with you"), advice Mrs. Gordon added, that was delivered under the watchful eyes of a huge image of Harrison Ford.
