Bishop Canevin High School Junior AOH 32

The Jr. AOH at Bishop Canevin has an extensive itinerary this year. The activities include a mass at St. Patrick’s church, the first all school St. Patrick’s Day mass on St. Patrick’s day, and a trip to Gettysburg which will retrace the battle route of the Irish Brigade during the Civil War. Canevin’s Jr. AOH is also proud to have as one of its members Ryan Praskovich, a talented young player of Ireland’s most recognizable musical instrument, the bagpipes.

The Jr. AOH attended mass at St. Patrick’s on the second of March along with 4 members of the school’s LAOH chapter. In a display of humility and respect for Jesus, the group ascended the steps of the Scala Sancta, a representation of the stairs Jesus ascended in the praetorium of Pontius Pilate, to which St. Patrick’s plays host. It is one of only four Scala Sancta’s in the world.

Bishop Canevin will stage its first all school mass on St. Patrick’s day this year. The Jr. AOH division at Bishop Canevin is grateful to be given the privilege to worship on the day dedicated to one of Ireland’s most prominent religious figures.

The Jr. AOH will delve into the history of Irish-Americans on their fieldtrip to Gettysburg March 25th. The bi-yearly Jr. AOH field trip takes the group back in time to examine the roles of the Irish brigades during the civil war. The field trip involves traveling along the same routes as the Irish brigades across the battlefields at Gettysburg, reenactments of the battle at the Wheatfield, and visitations to monuments dedicated to the honor of the Irish brigades.

Ryan Praskovich, one of the Canevin Jr. AOH’s own, deserves an honorable mention. Ryan competed in the U.S. Junior Solo Bagpiping Championship in November 2008. Not only did he compete, but he placed first overall, an impressive accomplishment. In addition, Ryan took first place in Piobaireachd and second place in Marches, Strathspeys, and Reels. As the judges of the competition stated, Ryan is “the best of the best.”

This year, Bishop Canevin’s Jr. AOH has been very involved, and will continue to be involved with the school, the community, and the upbringing of upstanding Irish Catholic men.

Reported by: Calvin Cooper, Jr. AOH Reporter