The Bishop Watterson softball team received the Youth Service Award from the Columbus Cancer Clinic and Life Care Alliance at a luncheon on April 28.  The team was recognized for
its service during the 2009 season.

The volunteer activity is the result of an initiative of the Ohio High School Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association called “Strike Out Cancer; Hit It Hard”.  This program raises funds for a variety of cancer related projects and raises the players’ awareness about the causes and effects of the disease.  The program was designed to include a friendly rivalry between two teams to raise funds, culminating in a game between them.   

Our student-athletes volunteered two days during their Christmas vacation to sort canned goods in the pantry and bag groceries for the clinic’s clients.  The players and their parents raised more than $2,000.00 doing a variety of activities including raffling off two bowling balls donated by junior varsity coach Mike Weber, fifty-fifty raffles, bake sales, and cook outs at games. 

This season, the team has added a walk-a-thon and hope to raise funds in excess of those donated last year.  The girls, their parents and their coaches are to be commended for all their work.

Left to right: Katey Bell, Caitlin Prange, Audry Manahan, Kayla Cook, Ashley Andracki, Ann Jobko, Kaela Kruezer, Maggie Zych, Maddie Simmons, Emily Vlahakis, Olivia Barb, Colleen Kaminski, Kendall Bachinski, and Avery Schneider.