By Nick D’Agostino

 

School of the Holy Child held its annual sports award ceremony the evening of June 5, under the sparkling white graduation tent. Head of School Ann Sullivan delivered eloquent opening remarks to students and parents. Athletic Director John Pizzi Jr., in his eighth, and sadly his last year, at the school, followed with a flawless two-hour program. 

 

Coaches, teams, and athletes received accolades and the top athletes were presented with an array of awards. One of the evening’s highlights was the presentation of the Herb Mulholland Award. Mr. Mulholland was an avid Holy Child sports supporter, whose life was cut short by cancer. Holy Child makes sure that his spirit lives on with this annual award.

 

I always find sports awards events a bittersweet experience — for parents of the seniors as well as the seniors themselves. The vast majority of these athletes will never step on a field to compete interscholastically again. They will lose the great sense of teamwork and mom and dad will lose the fellowship with other parents in the stands week after week, year after year.

 

At the end of this beautiful pre-summer evening, all the young athletes held their heads high. Years down the road, each will look back with fond and proud memories of their sports experience at Holy Child.