Holy Family student athlete advances in two brackets
With all of us experiencing yet another exciting season of college basketball's “March Madness,” we don't have to look too far to celebrate the student athletes right here in our own midst.
A case in point is Holy Family Academy student, Matthew Conway. As a fourth-grader, this was Matthew's first year competing for his school's basketball team. You wouldn't know he was a rookie after seeing him during the season and then coolly competing in two separate contests hosted by the Knights of Columbus.
Since 1972, the Knights of Columbus has sponsored their international free throw competition for boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 14. Matthew placed first in the initial round of the free throw contest held at Holy Family Parish, moved to the district level, and finally the regional level placing first at each competition. In the meantime, Matthew was interested in competing in the K of C Spelling Bee contest as well, which was also being held in March.
On a recent busy Saturday, Matthew started the day representing Holy Family in the K of C Regional Free Throw Shooting Championship in Crystal Lake where he placed first. Immediately after receiving his award, Matthew's parents, Bryan and Mary-Frances Conway of Barrington, rushed Matthew back to Holy Family in Inverness to participate in the K of C Regional Spelling Bee where he also qualified for the State Spelling Bee competition.
Bob Wagner, a member of Holy Family Parish's Knights of Columbus Council 11981 stated, “We are all thrilled to see Matthew advancing. We are so proud of him to make it to the state competition in both events!"
As luck would have it, the state finals for both the free throw competition and spelling bee are scheduled for April 14 in Chatham, Ill., just outside of Springfield. It has been rare that one student athlete participates in both State championships, so some accommodations will be made to allow Matthew to compete in both contests.
“Our entire community is cheering for Matthew!” stated Dr. Gretchen Ludwig, Principal of Holy Family Academy. “But I must admit, he's already a winner with us!”