Local Teams Dominate Oregon Roman Catholic Challenge

First and second place winners in the Novice Division of the 2000 Roman Catholic Challenge in Beaverton Oregon. Team Captain Marielle Taschuk and Timothy Mackey (holding team signs) and members Elizabeth Paller, Karl Steiger (holding the flag), Juan Javier, Laura Kerssens, Vanessa Martin, and Mary Garrick.

Second place winners in the Junior Division, TLA Powers, compete in the Oregon RC Challenge 2000: Ho Man Lo, Cecilia Canale Team Captain, Robert Suzuki, and Dominic Paller. Team members were awarded certificates and cheques in the amount of $75 US.

Local Teams Dominate Oregon Roman Catholic Challenge Five local teams returned to Canada victorious after animated competition at the 13` Annual International Roman Catholic Challenge, held at St. Cecilia's Parish Center in Beaverton, Oregon, January 28 & 29. The Jeopardy style competition involving knowledge of the Catholic Faith drew more than 200 students on forty nine teams from British Columbia, Oregon, Montana, Washington, Arizona, and Colorado.

Ten Lower Mainland teams from Catholic elementary and high schools travelled south to compete as British Columbia's representatives in Oregon. These included St. John Brebeuf, Holy Cross, Little Flower Academy, Our Lady of Fatima, Cloverdale Catholic, and Traditional Learning Academy. "You really get to see how much there is to know about the Catholic Faith, observed one student from Portland. I'venever seen students so thirsty for more knowledge of their faith," commented one team coach, "They can't wait for next year!"

Teams competed in three categories, Novice (first time players in Grades 6 - 12), Junior (experienced players in grades 7 - 9), and Senior (experienced players in grades 10 - 12). B.C. players had successfully competed against some 30 local teams at the archdiocesan regional play off held November 27, 1999, at Our Lady of Sorrows, Vancouver.

Saturday afternoon saw five of these teams receive certificates and/or cash awards in the following categories:

lst Place Novice: Traditional Learning Academy Immaculata (Marielle Taschuk Captain, Karl Steiger, Juan Javier, Elizabeth Paller)

2nd Place Novice: Traditional Learning Academy Martyrs (Timothy Mackey Captain, Mary Garrick, Laura Kerssens, Vanessa Martin)

3rd Place Novice: Holy Cross Crusaders (Becky DeJong Captain, Jessica Tamis, Nick Onusko, Ryan Tyrrell)

5th Place Novice: Cloverdale Catholic Prophets (Anthony Miller Captain, Christopher Arena, Carly Blanchette, Peter Klaponski, Jenny DeJong)

2nd Place Junior: Traditional Learning Academy Powers (Robert Suzuki Captain, Ho Man Lo, Cecilia Canale, Dominic Paller) Schools, parish

PREP programs, and individuals interested in upcoming Roman Catholic Challenge events should contact Regional Director, Fr. Donald Neumann at Corpus Christi Parish, Vancouver. By Martin Dale RC Challenge Board