The Allentown Central Catholic High School’s Fall Open House and Viking Christmas will be held 2-4 p.m. Nov. 18. At open house, prospective families will have the chance to tour the school, meet teachers and studentsand learn about the opportunities ACCHS has to offer. Viking Christmas will be held in Rockne Hall and will feature Viking apparel and souvenirs available for purchase.

The fall sports season is coming to an end. The Viking football team, marching band and cheerleading squad celebrated senior night at the Holy War football game against Bethlehem Catholic Oct. 26. Football seniors included Logan Bachman, Vinny Bet, Anthony Costello, Brandon Gearhard, Carson Leighton, Eric Njenga, Justin Pasquale, Frank Rauscher, Noah Reasoner, Rustin Seyle, Yan Tavarez and trainer Dorah Ganchoso. Marching band seniors included Jeremy Cornier, Dan Digiacomo, Michael Fleck, Grace Gilmore, Chris Horn, Elena Kreger, Neil Maydick, Maria Romero and Ryan Schanta. Cheerleading seniors included Annalis Gasdaska, Keara Healey, Brianna Nodes, Julia Santos, Grace Peoples, Viking Dylan Brown and Vikette Colby Davis.

Viking football finished their season after a District XI playoff game against Northwestern Nov. 3. The Vikings were defeated 50-13. The Central student section showed up in purple to support Team Krause, a nonprofit organization which strives to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer and funds for research.

The Vikette volleyball team celebrated a 3A PIAA District XI Championship Nov. 1 after a 3-0 victory over Blue Mountain. They played in the state quarterfinals Nov. 10 against Villa Maria Academy High School. Multiple Vikette volleyball players were named to the District XI All-Stars Team. Senior Rachel Hess was the MVP; senior Grace Barr and junior Sydney Giamalis were named to the first team; junior Maggie McGuire and sophomore Monica Vargo were named to the second team; and juniors Ava Grapsy and Savannah Graver were named to the third team. Players were also named to the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference girls volleyball All-Stars team. Rachel Hess was named to the first team, Grace Barr was named to the second team and Sydney Giamalis was named to the third team.

Vikette soccer competed in the District XI 2A Championship game against Palisades High School Nov. 1. The Vikettes were defeated 1-0. Kate Sixsmith, a midfielder, was named to the EPC girls soccer All-Stars third team.

Vikette tennis players were selected as EPC girls tennis All-Stars. Jess Davis and Emma Sweterlitsch were named to the doubles first team; Kara Wang and Sabrina Yurconic were named to the doubles third team.

The PIAA 2A cross country state championships were held in Hershey Nov. 3. Isabel DeVos earned a medal with her 24th place finish. Other Central participants included Brendan Christ, Nathan Harris and Julia Roth.

The debate team is off to a strong start. During a competition Nov. 2, Central’s two affirmative teams beat Parkland and one negative team defeated Whitehall.

The ACCHS blood drive was held Nov. 6 in Masson Auditorium. Many students took time to donate blood, which was collected by Miller-Keystone Blood Center.

Central Catholic students have enjoyed many fall retreat opportunities. The All Saints and All Souls Retreat traveled to Most Blessed Sacrament Parish in Bally Nov. 6, where participants visited the church and its cemetery. A “Come and See” Women’s Retreat was held Nov. 13. Young women interested in religious life traveled to the Motherhouse of the Sisters of Christian Charity in Mendham, N.J., where they met with postulants and novices, toured the campus, prayed and had dinner with the sisters.

Kairos XIX will be held Nov. 18-21 at the Jesuit Center in Wernersville. This retreat is an opportunity for seniors to spend four days connecting with their faith and each other.

The ethics team competed in the High School Ethics Bowl at DeSales University Nov. 7. According to DeSales’ website, the competition is “a way for high school students to learn more about current business ethics by presenting their ethical views on a business case study before a panel of faculty and business executives.” Central’s team consisted of Rachel Hess, Finn McMullen, Justin Pasquale and Emma Luchetti.

The National Honor Society held a Thanksgiving food drive Nov. 7-14. Students brought in non-perishable food items to be donated to Catholic Charities. Those who participated earned a spirit dress down day.