“One team. One way.”

This is the motto of our very own Bethlehem Catholic Golden Hawks football team. Although the Golden Hawks fell to the Spartans in the District 11 Championship game on Nov. 14, we congratulate them for facing another year marked by adversity and underestimation – a year that defined how Bethlehem Catholic’s community strives to come together to serve a greater purpose: as one team, under one way.

The month of November was marked by the Golden Hawks’ ability to soar and continue to form connectedness as one team within the community.

On Nov. 11, the Movement organized its annual Veterans’ Day service – one which allowed for prayer, breakfast, playing from the band, a video from 1977 graduate Col. Michael Shupp and a visit from a Pennsylvania state representative.

Nov. 23 included big news for the Bethlehem Catholic Band, as they were selected among the nation’s best to perform on Main Street USA in Walt Disney World Florida this spring. The band also performed in the City of Bethlehem Tree Lighting Ceremony Nov. 29.

November itself saw the Becahi Student Council organize a Thanksgiving drive to collect personal care items for those in need in our community. According to school officials, the donations were given to S.T.A.R. – Serving to Aid and Restore – an organization that serves the needy in Bethlehem. Tim McGorry, a retired Becahi teacher, attended the Mass dedicated to S.T.A.R. and was later able to send these donations to their facilities.

December was the month when the school’s students, faculty, staff, alumni and outer community members came together in “one way” to not only attain holiday spirit but to also remember the lives of those who have passed within Bethlehem Catholic’s community.

On Dec. 19, Becahi held its annual Christmas Candle Mass, a special mass where the student body and community light candles in honor and memory of loved ones in families of the Bethlehem Catholic community. The candles are placed on the altar and glow as a witness to Becahi’s love and devotion to those who have gone before us.

The Golden Hawks continued to soar as one team in their athletic pursuits as well.

With both boys and girls starting off their respective seasons, both teams are facing underestimation from their opponents; however, Becahi remains persistent in its efforts to overcome any and all opponents they face this year – big or small.

The boys basketball team has posted great wins against Brandywine Heights, Academy Parks and East Stroudsburg North. The girls basketball team has gotten into the win column against Pocono Mountain West, Nazareth and Freedom.

Both teams play with a chip on their shoulders as they look to make another push to the EPC and district playoffs and attain some great hardware in the spring.

Bethlehem Catholic’s wrestling team has come again into the 3A scene as Pennsylvania’s number one powerhouse.

The boys posted great outings at their tournaments: 13th place in Ironman; seventh place in Beast of the East; and second in the Christmas City Tournament.

They also have yet to been defeated in team duals, especially against two great foes: Northampton and Notre Dame Green-Pond.

Dec. 11 saw a marquee matchup between the two teams, marked by Mason Thomas’ win over Carter Chlebove. Thomas had this to say in what he wants to bring in the rest of the season: “I would like to start my matchups stronger. Not getting the first takedown may get in your head but it’s about fighting back is what keeps me going.”

To kick-start the new year, the boys posted a great win over longtime rival Notre Dame Green-Pond, marked by Charlie Scanlan’s win over Keegan Ramsay. Scanlan stated this in terms of composure in a big match: “I’m not nervous – just excited to be out there. I’m not overly concerned about the big crowd; it’s just like the wrestling room to me.”

This type of composure allows the Golden Hawk community to soar above their challenges – to be connected as one team, in one way.

Visit becahi.org for more information.