The Festival of Cultures, a celebration of histories, peoples and cultures, was held March 4. The event featured the food and music of Allentown Central Catholic High School students’ diverse backgrounds.

A Lenten pilgrimage took place March 13, during which students traveled to several Lehigh Valley churches to pray the Stations of the Cross. These churches included St. Francis Church, the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, the Carmelite Monastery and Immaculate Conception Parish. Many other religious retreats will be held during spring, including a religious art retreat and a shrine-hop to Philadelphia.

Students Megan Dano, Molly Dougher and Shannon O’Neill traveled to Mercy Special Learning Center March 13 for a performance during a Best Friends Forever club party. These three Irish dancers brought a festive atmosphere to the club’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities.

The Central City Project held a St. Patrick’s Day Community Dinner at Immaculate Conception Church in Allentown March 14. The meal featured shepherd’s pie, potatoes and other specialty dishes. The food was prepared and served by Central students and teachers to members of the Allentown community. Irish dancers Megan Dano, Molly Dougher and Shannon O’Neill also performed. The Central City Project was also gifted a $4,000 Local Poverty Relief Grant from the Diocese of Allentown, which will be used to purchase food and supplies for future community dinners and the urban garden.

The Science Olympiad team placed third at the regional competition at Kutztown University March 15. They will advance to the state competition at Juniata College in April.

The Vikette Middle School softball team is searching for seventh and eighth grade players. If interested, contact Head Middle School Coach Munir Sayegh at msayegh71@gmail.com or call 610-393-7247.

A Men’s Elite 8 Viking Fest fundraising event will be held 2 to 6 p.m. March 24 at Volpe’s Sports Bar in Emmaus. The event is open house style. Contact Denny McGorry at mcgoomd@yahoo.com.

Tickets for Central Catholic’s spring musical “Disaster!” are now on sale. In the show, 1970s tunes take center stage in this side-splitting homage to classic disaster films. The show runs 7 p.m. April 5, 6 and 7 and 2 p.m. April 7. Tickets can be purchased at acchs.info.

Both the Viking and Vikette basketball teams competed in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association 5A State Tournament.

The Vikings defeated Greencastle-Antrim with a score of 69-52 in the first round of States March 9. In the second round March 13, the team beat Dallas High 61-59 after two overtimes, allowing them to advance to the quarterfinal against Bonner-Prendergast March 16.

The Vikettes bested Lewisburg 39-37 during the first round of States March 10. Emily Vaughan won the game by scoring a three-pointer with 0.3 seconds left. They played against Lancaster Catholic in the second round March 14. After a close game, the Vikettes lost 30-32.

The Viking basketball team appeared on the Mike Zambelli Show on Service Electric March 6. The team discussed their district championship and plans for the future. They were joined by the Central Catholic Drumline.

The Viking tennis team played their home opener March 12 against Easton. Other spring sports team have began their seasons, including boys and girls lacrosse and girls softball. The Viking baseball team also recently traveled to Virginia for spring training.

Students Angie Castano (girls swimming), Margaux Eripret (girls basketball) and Keeshawn Kellman (boys basketball) were named Coordinated Health’s Athletes of the Week. Castano had three gold medals (100 butterfly with 59.18 and the 200 medley and freestyle relay teams) and one silver medal at the District XI 2A competition. Eripret reached a career-high 29 points in the Vikettes’ 55-48 victory over Wilson in the District XI 4A quarterfinal. She averages 12.5 points and five rebounds per game this season. She has totaled 865 points over her career. Kellman had 17 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks in the Vikings’ 52-31 District XI 5A championship victory over Bangor.

Angie Castano won the Dennis A. McGinley Girls Swimmer of the Meet award at the PIAA District XI 2A championship. At the competition, the Vikettes took first place and the Vikings placed third.

Wrestler David Kreidler saw success at the regional wrestling competition March 3. He defeated the District XII second-seated competitor in the first round 8-0.

The Winter Sports Awards Mass was held March 13 to recognize all winter athletic teams, which included basketball, swimming, cheerleading and wrestling. Central’s Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Scholar Athlete Nominees were Diana Kocsis (girls basketball), Nicole O’Neill (girls swimming), Jake Roma (wrestling), Harrison Stevens (boys swimming) and Jay Vaughan (boys basketball).