The bulldogs have definitely worked hard for their success from spending nearly the entire summer in the weight room, to two-a-days, in the scorching heat at St.Ann's, and this work has definitely paid off. Next week, the bulldogs play Idaho powerhouse Highland High. If they win it will show just how much this sport means to the bulldogs.
JudgeTV
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
varsity football
The bulldogs have definitely worked hard for their success from spending nearly the entire summer in the weight room, to two-a-days, in the scorching heat at St.Ann's, and this work has definitely paid off. Next week, the bulldogs play Idaho powerhouse Highland High. If they win it will show just how much this sport means to the bulldogs.
The Environmental Club: Cleaning Up Our Community
"The Environmental Club is getting off to a rough start this year," says Rachel Palmer, a member of this club. She says the reason for that is because their previous advisor doesn't teach at Judge anymore, so they haven't been able to have any meetings yet this year. They also haven't chosen a president of the club, but Rachel said some of the leaders of the club would be herself, Alexis Naylor, Teresa Highsmith, and Marquel Reddish.
Judge defiantly benefits from having this club around school. Rachel says they recycle once a week, collecting all the blue bins in the classrooms and "reusing all the paper, plastic, etc. we would otherwise have just thrown away."
She says that they're going to have a fair sometime this year to inform students about how they can go green and conserve energy. If you want to get more involved, contact Rachel Palmer at rachelmccrae@hotmail.com and she will give you more information about how to join.
Cheer Squad 2008: Off to a Good Start
"This year's group of young ladies are incredibly talented, hard working, and supportive…The Judge Squad is off to an excellent start and I look forward to watching the squad continue to grow during the year," says Natosha Washington, in her fourth year of Cheer coaching at Judge.
The weekend of Homecoming on the 26th and 27th is the Cheerleaders next event, but you can see the Cheerleaders at any home football game.
If you want to try out for next year's Cheerleading squad, tryouts are in the end of April. They will announce specific dates closer to the time of tryouts. In the meantime, Coach Washington recommends you stay in shape by doing P.E., Dance, and Yoga because they work on your strength, coordination, and flexibility. Coach Washington also would like girls to "focus on [their] academics!" She likes good students.
If you have any questions about Cheerleading, you can talk to Coach Washington, or Erin O'Brien and Kristie Brown, the Cheerleading Captains.
The True Crew Team: Rowing Forward
The FAST, the FURIOUS, the Boys Jr.Varsity Cross Country Team
Judge JV Girl's Volleyball: In Action
When asked, "what are some things your team has done you are proud?", Alex said, " Just beginning to work as a team. We still have to learn each others strengths and weaknesses on the court but we definitely have improved our team moral by getting to know each other. We always try to work hard on the court and even when we mess up we know that the rest of team will be there to help pick up the slack. It is really great to feel like you can help one another to achieve something!"
With such positive attitudes and great sportsmanship on and off the court, this year's volleyball team will gain much more than just wins.
Freshman Volleyball Season Begins!!
Speech and Debate Is a Great Way To Excel
Speech and Debate is nothing new at Judge. The past and present teams have done very well and are most likely to continue their legacy. Debate and Speech helps students to overcome fears of public speaking and meeting new students at what seems like an enormous school. It also works well with other extra curricular activities because it can also be taken as an elective during 6th period.
If you have not already heard the hype about Speech and debate, it is a club that meets every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and during 6th period. At meetings Students practice for upcoming tournaments and practice speeches. Once the season begins, they have games against other school teams. The upcoming season of Speech and Debate is soon approaching and the team is preparing and trying to get more students to join. Their plan of action is the next few weeks the team is holding "Speech Arts" where all students are welcome to participate.
The Debate and Speech team has accomplished so much and is appealing to all students at Judge Memorial High School. The team's coach, Ms. McDonald, has said "Speech and Debate has many great students in it who are willing to take risks such as joining in an improv game, or speaking in front of a class of twenty about toothpicks." The team consists of students from all grades and cliques but they all have one common ground, a love for Speech and Debate.
If you are interested in joining the remarkable Speech and Debate team at Judge Memorial High School, you are welcome to join in any meeting held in room 408 and are sure to have an enjoyable time.
Judge Athletics with Mr. DelPorto
Mr. DelPorto has been the Athletic Director at Judge Memorial Catholic High School for 10 years. He is also the Junior Varsity (JV) basketball coach and one of the assistants on the Varsity basketball team. As an Athletic Director at Judge, Mr. DelPorto has made athletics a key part of our school's history and our future. When asked how Judge athletics rank compared to other 3-A schools Mr. DelPorto responded "Some of the best." This is a very true statement. Last year we were the state champions in Boy's basketball, girls' soccer, boy's tennis, baseball, and girls' track to name a few. We were also so close to championships in girls' basketball, football, girls' cross country, and girls' swimming. Judge has also won an award for outstanding athletics six of the last seven years. One of the main reasons Judge has done so well in athletics in past years is because Mr. DelPorto helps students find a sport or activity they would like to be involved in. "It is important to get active and get involved to enhance the high school experience," he says. Another reason for doing so well is coaching strategies such as redefining winner, honoring the game, and "filling emotional tanks" or being positive towards players.
Mr. DelPorto has experience in athletics. While in high school he played one year of football and three years of basketball. He says for basketball especially but all sports you need to do to prepare during the off-season. "Strength, agility, speed, basic skills, and playing your sport are some of the things you should work on during the off-season." Mr. DelPorto says that the student leaders in athletics are any seniors involved in sports. If you are interested in trying out for basketball try-outs will be on November 10. For other try-outs or information talk to Mr. DelPorto or ask in the main office.
Girls Tennis Team in Action
The Judge Memorial girls tennis team is off to a great start this year. This year, the team has 22 girls, four of them freshman. They have been training and playing practice matches, to be sure that they are in peak condition for the seasons opening match against the 4A school, East High. The team did extremely well, winning almost every match.
It is no wonder why the team is doing so well, they are being taught by the best, head coach Lani Wilcox, and Assistant coach Mary Mancini. Lani began playing on the professional circuit at the age of 14, playing with some of the best players in the world, and hasn't slowed down since. Currently, Lani is the head coach at Liberty Park tennis center, which is the team's home court. "The team is so lucky to have Lani. She has so much to offer, and may be one of the best coaches you will ever come by." Says assistant coach, Mary Mancini. And Mary is definitely one who would know! Beginning tennis at a young age, she instantly fell in love with the game. She played tennis competitively throughout college, and continued to play.
Evidently, a passion for tennis runs in the family. After watching their mother play, they quickly showed an interest and pursued it. Her oldest daughter, Megan, played for judge all through high school, and currently plays college tennis in Tampa. But the talent doesn't end there. Mikelle, who is currently a junior at judge, holds the number one spot in singles on varsity. Not only is she known for showing extreme skill on the court, but also team spirit and a cheerful attitude off of the court.
One of the best things about the team is that every girl gets along. The team can compete, but be friends at the same time. You can always count on these girls to be there and cheer you on. Everyone is of equal importance on the team, and is just as involved as the others. Tennis is often viewed as an individual sport, but at judge we really are a team!
So next time you are in the mood to watch a lively, fun sport, come stop by and watch the tennis girls slice, spin, and smash that ball, all while having the time of their life! We look forward to seeing you there!
JROC: Slope Sliding
by: ethan gosselin
Girls' JV Soccer Team prepares for the season ahead
Are you interested in playing on the girls' soccer team at Judge? Here is some information on how to get involved and how to be prepared for the season ahead. The girls' soccer team has attracted over one hundred players this year.
"I believe the team will do very well once again this year." Mr. Delporto said. "They may actually be more talented this year than last but time will tell." Mr. Delporto is the sports director here at Judge. I decided that he would be the perfect person to ask about the soccer team because he is in charge of that team and many others.
When asked about Coach Ngo, the coach for the girls' soccer team, Mr. Delporto had nothing but nice things to say about him. "In his first year, they won the state championship." He remarked. "He has coached at the club level for many years, as well." Coach Ngo was the assistant with the previous coach, Wayne Voorhes, for four years before taking over the team last year.
The soccer team is broken into "Squads". They are a mixture of varsity and junior varsity players in groups of 28 people. If you would like to get involved, contact Mr. Delporto or Coach Ngo.
Bulldogs Hockey: A Season of Rebuilding
As the Judge Memorial Bulldogs had their first hockey practice on August 25, they were all very excited about beginning hockey season, despite having to be at Steiner Aquatics Center at 6:00 AM. They were all very tired, but happy to be there because they are hoping to get past their recent struggles. Although Judge has a storied history for their hockey time, they have not done their best in the past few years.
"We have a very young team," says coach head coach Todd Brown, "but we are growing and we are looking to improve on last year." Coach Brown is new to the Judge Hockey program and he hopes to start off his Judge Hockey career right as the team prepares for Sky View on September 8th. "We have many new challenges this year, but I have also seen a lot of improvement in our first practices." The Bulldogs are led by Shawn Benvugnue, junior, and Steve Strehl, sophomore.
Freshman hockey player, Wilson Lamb, is just as excited about this season as Coach Brown is. "We have a lot of talent on our team this year," he explains, "As long as we work together as a team we have the potential to beat anybody." Although this is his first year of Judge Hockey, Wilson can't wait to play, even if he is only on the junior varsity team. He has been playing hockey since he was little and is very excited about getting to play at the high school level. Even though this is a rebuilding year for the Bulldogs Hockey team, the expectations for this season are very high.