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Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
St. John Paul II Elementary's Cahoy calls it a career, looks to retirement after 42 years in education
May 30—MITCHELL — Earlier this week, a trio of women gathered in Robin Cahoy's office at St. John Paul II Elementary School. Classes had recently let out for the summer, and the halls were devoid of student chatter, making for a peaceful environment in a space that is usually alive with energy during the school year. The three have closed out a school year dozens of times before, but this year is different for them. Cahoy, principal at St. John Paul II, and Lynn Yahne and Janelle McMahon, both longtime teachers at the school, are retiring from decades-long careers in education, most of it spent at the private Catholic elementary school in Mitchell, where each has played a role in guiding young students through their elementary years before heading off to middle school. It has been a career filled with more students than they can remember, changes in technology and teaching practices and an ongoing passion for education and faith. All three have spent so long at St. John Paul II Elementary School that they are as familiar a sight in its classrooms as a blackboard, or in modern times an interactive Promethean board. But come next year, there will be new teachers and administrators taking their place, leaving them time to spend with their families and reflect on a career in educating local children. Cahoy, a native of Estelline, has spent more than four decades at the school, serving 13 years as principal and 29 as a teacher. She studied education at what was then Dakota State College in Madison before seeking out a Catholic elementary school to begin her career. "42 years. And they've all been here," Cahoy told the Mitchell Republic about her career during an interview with the retirees. "I did my student teaching at a Catholic school in Madison, and I liked it. I was searching out other things, too, but I really wanted to be in a Catholic school." She had originally looked to teach home economics, but she soon realized that school districts generally had only one home economics teacher but multiple elementary grade teachers. It would be easier finding a job as an elementary classroom teacher, and her love of that age group made it an easy choice to shift gears upon her arrival in Mitchell. Yahne arrived at St. John Paul Elementary the same year as Cahoy. The Stickney native, 64, attended a one-room schoolhouse growing up and, also like Cahoy, attended Dakota State College in Madison. She worked for the public school system and a daycare center before finding her way to her current post. Her journey began with a love of taking care of children, and she took her current teaching job after the school principal at the time offered it to her over a cup of coffee at the old Country Kitchen restaurant. "Instead of going out on the weekends, I would be babysitting. A lot of babysitting. That's why I headed in that direction. It was something I wanted to do, and (the position at St. John's) was available, and I knew the principal Mary Wilson really well," Yahne said. "Every grade level is unique. It's just fun to be with them and see the ah-ha moments." McMahon, who grew up in Lake Andes, is a relative newcomer among the retirees, having been with the school a mere 38 years. She attended the University of South Dakota for her bachelor's and master's degrees, a journey that started through inspiration from her mother, who was a teacher for a time before dedicating herself to helping her husband on the farm. Her mother was also a classroom aide when she was in kindergarten, an arrangement that took a little getting used to. "I couldn't call her mom," McMahon laughed. "I also did a lot of babysitting when I was a kid. It was just seeing the joy in kids' faces when they learned something that kept us coming back, I think for all of us." It was a last-minute detour that brought her to St. John Paul II. She had applications out to teach but had also been booked to serve as a nanny to family friends in Europe. She was packed for the trip when on the Friday before the new school year started, she got a call that St. John Paul II needed a late replacement. She changed plans and hasn't looked back. "And I've been here ever since," McMahon said. "It was really hard for me to give it up, but there was just something that told me this is where I needed to be." All three have since spent their careers at the school leading their classrooms — or the school itself in Cahoy's case. There have been role changes among all three, either in what grade they teach or other extra-curricular activity responsibilities. It has all been a positive experience, and all have fond memories of their students, colleagues and school patrons. McMahon, 59, has particularly enjoyed teaching her fifth grade class. It's there she gets a chance to teach history, the discipline in which she studied for her master's. "I dug in deep with my kids. It was just something that I loved, and many of them, I think, love it today because of that," McMahon said. "That's the joy. That's what my kids always tell me, that they got to learn to love history through some of the things I did." Yahne said some of the pleasure of teaching at St. John Paul II was the ability to adjust their teaching styles to whatever best suited the students in the room. They had their guidance through the approved curriculum, but because teachers were given a leeway when it came to their teaching approach, they could tailor their lessons to make the most impact in the students' educational experience. At a school where religion is part of the core educational experience, that is important, she said. "That was what always made this place so great. We were allowed to be flexible. We could take the curriculum given to us, but we were allowed to mold it into what worked for our students. We weren't told that you have to do it this way or that way," Yahne said. "Then we could add the religion part into it, which could take it that one step further. I think with our religion — that was brought into every aspect of the day." Cahoy, 64, enjoyed her time teaching in the classroom, but a leadership camp experience revealed a new path forward in her passion for education when she shifted into administration. It was a chance to change her guiding mentality from students to teachers and other school staffers, and it's a role she has embraced in the years she's occupied the principal's chair. She has wrestled with all types of challenges over the years, but tends to focus on the positive developments, the ones that see students rise to their potential and teachers excel at their gifts for communication. It's all for the benefit of the students, with the goal of providing them a solid education while strengthening their Catholic faith, she said. "One of the successes for me was that at St. John Paul II Elementary School, our job is to connect kids to Christ and to help them get to Heaven. We do this with the academics plus faith to get the well-rounded student," Cahoy said. "Our St. John Paul II Elementary School mission is to create a family environment that promotes Catholic values, academic excellence and stewardship that will allow each unique child to be a disciple of Christ." With the conclusion of the 2024-25 school year, the three longtime educators are working on clearing out their classrooms and offices of materials they have accumulated over the decades. Many serve as reminders of students from long ago and bring nearly-lost memories flooding back. Eyes glisten as they recall their favorite moments, and they admit there are too many to list them all. They have about 122 years of collective education experience. Including another retiring teacher, Ruth Reiser, who herself taught for five years at St. John Paul II after 20 years teaching in a small town public school system, it totals almost a century-and-a-half of educating young minds. The pleasure of teaching their students and working with their colleagues made the years roll by, and the extended St. John Paul II Elementary family has served as a warm embrace they all cherish. Schools of every stripe like to refer to themselves as a "family," and the three cite the heavy parental involvement in all aspects of the school as testament to that. "The consistency of our parents. I mean, we've had really consistent parents. We can get through conferences with 99% attendance, because everybody comes," Cahoy said. "And everybody is interested in what their child is doing and things that the teacher has to say, both positive and negative. I think that's one thing where we are different." With the retirement of Yahne and McMahon, new teachers will head up their classrooms come the 2025-26 school year. Cahoy stepping down paves the way for the arrival of new principal Sarah Timmer, currently serving as the curriculum director for the Mitchell School District, who was hired to succeed Cahoy. After so many years of shepherding students through lessons and preparing them for the next step in their educational careers, it will be hard to let go of the routine, the fun times and the sense of accomplishment seeing students grasp difficult concepts in the classroom. But there is a time to move on, and they say now is the right moment for that. Yahne said she can tell the time is right, even if she still feels the pull of the classroom. "It was just time. And you want to end on a good note, I think, is a lot of it," Yahne said. "I've always told my husband that the day that I saw I don't want to go to school is the day I retire. I never got there, but it's getting closer." McMahon noted that constantly keeping up with ever-evolving educational trends and techniques can be taxing as a teacher gets older, and it's also important to take some time for family. She is looking forward to a little time off, but admits the decision to step back was difficult. Leaving her students, classroom and colleagues behind won't be easy, she said. "These are my gals. It just wouldn't have been the same without them," McMahon said. "I was the last one to decide to go, because I thought I'd still be in for a couple more years. But it was tough. Writing my resignation, I had tears running down my eyes. I still do." When her office is cleaned out and her work for the school is finally done, Cahoy will follow her friends out the door for the last time, at least as an employee. All three said St. John Paul II Elementary will remain a part of their history and who they are, and they expect they will see each other regularly in retirement. School patrons shouldn't be surprised to see them helping out around the school, or just visiting to say hello. You don't dedicate decades to a cause and simply let it go, Cahoy said. She plans to take her time cleaning out her office to cherish the memories that were built in this place. "I'll still come to Mass on Wednesdays. I have three grandkids here," Cahoy said. "(Cleaning out your desk) is not something you necessarily want to complete in a hurry because there are so many memories here."
Boston Globe
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Eight takeaways from a rainy Tuesday, including MIAA hockey committee and several coaching moves
The milestones were few on a quiet Tuesday night, but Bedford senior Jackson Malio scored four goals, pushing him past 100 for his career in a 12-5 win over Tewksbury and Whitman-Hanson junior captain Shannon Balfe scored her 100th goal in a 17-5 loss to Scituate. On Monday, Braintree senior Bella Duffy netted her 250th goal as part of a six-goal day to beat Pembroke, 15-5, Westford senior Kassidy Carmichael , committed to Ohio State, recorded her 500th career point, Foxborough senior captain Cate Noone notched her 300th career point, and Ipswich juniors Allie Wile and Jade Wilcox both reached 100 career caused turnovers. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Congratulations to WA's Kassidy Carmichael for scoring her 500th point for WA Girls Lacrosse. Next year Ohio State is getting an offensive machine!! — WA Athletics (@TheWAGhosts) Advertisement Tuesday offered just one walk-off victory, when sophomore Andrew Kelly finished off his hat trick with an overtime goal that handed Masconomet a 9-8 win over Peabody. 2. Daily lacrosse leaderboard Goals Alex Morin , St. John Paul II, 7 Nathan Tremlett , Medford, 7 Raegan Dillon , Swampscott, 6 Nick Emsing , BC High, 6 Sara MacLeod , Billerica, 6 Jack Webb , Walpole, 6 Victoria Thermidor , Acton-Boxborough, 6 James Carr , Brookline, 5 Trey Kean , North Andover, 5 Ryan Jenness , Lexington, 5 Alex Fivek , Concord-Carlisle, 5 Brayden Mattera , Walpole, 5 Joselyn Silva , Beverly, 5 Advertisement Jude Sloman , Shawsheen, 5 Leo Torres , Brookline, 5 Akira Umbrello , St. John Paul II, 5 Points Mattera, Walpole, 10 Tremlett, Medford, 10 Kean, North Andover, 9 Dillon, St. John Paul II, 8 Sophie Philbrick , St. John Paul II, 8 Richardson, St. John Paul II, 8 Webb, Walpole, 8 Ryan Wilson , Brookline, 8 LaRosa, South Shore, 7 Emsing, BC High, 6 Charlie Hostetter , Falmouth, 6 Jenness, Lexington, 6 Mario LaRosa , South Shore, 6 MacLeod, Billerica, 6 Victoria Pierro , Swampscott, 6 Russo, Swampscott, 6 Silva, Beverly, 6 Aidan Stone , Monomoy, 6 3. Two hot topics for hockey committee At Tuesday's MIAA Hockey Committee meeting in Franklin, the re-introduction of the Division 1A tournament (Super 8) and changing the margin of victory were hot topics of discussion. Single elimination vs. double elimination and whether a new format is needed sparked the Super 8 debate. With all other state tournaments being single elimination, issues arose over the equity of a double-elimination format. The committee will continue its dialogue in future meetings, with more data needed to evaluate all options. Mike Flaherty , the Duxbury bench boss and coaching representative to the committee, presented changing the margin of victory. Currently, hockey uses a three-goal cap for power rankings. Flaherty noted the margin of victory alters how coaches game plan, especially when it comes to pulling a goalie. The main goal of the proposal, from the coach's perspective, would be to give kids more ice time. 'I think a reduction would go a long way in helping our game,' said Flaherty. 'The biggest part for us is, how do we get more kids involved? The coaching side, we can handle — that's our own decision, how we want to handle it. But how do we get more student-athletes playing? I think that's a big part of it.' Advertisement Needham girls' coach Allison Furano-Foster echoed Flaherty's statements. 'Any time you introduce these variables, you're thinking about something else other than winning the game and playing your kids,' she said. The MIAA will run data for how one-goal and two-goal margins would have affected past seedings for further discussion at the next meeting, set for September. 4. College corner Middlebury's Hope Shue , a Dover-Sherborn alumna, became the fifth women's lacrosse player to win the NESCAC Offensive Player of the Year award in back-to-back seasons. She also earned her fourth All-NESCAC accolade with a spot on the First Team for the third straight season. Shue led the league in goals (63) and points (88). She is the school's all-time leader in goals (283) and points (360) as they enter the NCAA Tournament with an at-large bid. Amherst freshman Lily Samoska , a Hingham graduate, was voted NESCAC Rookie of the Year, the third Mammoth since 2018 to garner the honor. She started all 16 games in net, finishing with a 10.22 goals against average and 6.25 saves per game. Amherst also received an at-large bid to the NCAA Division 3 Tournament. Also making the all-NESCAC First Team was Hanover's Maggie Coughlin (Middlebury), Bedford's Allie Zorn (Tufts), Boxford's Madeline Delaney (Tufts), Reading's Kiara Tangney (Wesleyan), and Scituate's Kylie Wilson (Middlebury). Keene State's Lola Varricchione , a Mansfield High graduate, was the only freshman chosen for all-Little East Conference second team after finishing the season with 33 goals and 14 assists. 5. Commitment central Andover quarterback Dominic Papa announced his commitment to Husson University after posting 50 total touchdowns and 4,722 total yards as a senior. Papa threw for 4,180 yards and 43 touchdowns, completing 58 percent of his passes, adding seven rushing touchdowns and 600 yards on the ground. Advertisement Thank you Thank you to everyone who helped with this journey. my parents my teammates my coaches my friends my teachers thank you❤️ — dominic Papa (@dominicpap7) Two football commitments came out of Lynn, where St. Mary's 6-foot-1-inch senior cornerback/wide receiver Devell Pamplin announced his commitment to Curry and 5-10, 215-pound defensive end/offensive guard Adrian Lule put pen to paper to play at Husson. Congratulations to Devell Pamplin on his commitment to — St. Mary's Spartans Football (@SMH_SpartansFB) 6. Coaching carousel Winchester boys' basketball JV coach Mike Borgasano is heading home, taking over the varsity program at his alma mater, Woburn. Borgasano is an ESL teacher at Kennedy Middle School in Woburn. Beverly announced the hiring of girls' volleyball coach Rory Harmon , the school's former JV coach and a 2021 graduate. The former defensive specialist is also currently the head coach at Avidity Volleyball Club, bringing five years of coaching experience across all ages. Introducing BHS new Head Volleyball Coach Rory Harmon. She is a proud alum of the Beverly High School volleyball program, and is the former JV coach. She is currently a head coach at Avidity Volleyball Club, bringing five years of coaching experience across all levels and ages. — Beverly Panthers (@BeverlyPanthers) Andover High announced the hiring of former NFL offensive tackle Pete Clifford as offensive line and run game coach. Clifford, who played at Michigan State, was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2008 and later signed with the Titans and Jets. Andover Football Welcomes Offensive Line Coach and Run game Coordinator Peter Clifford to the community and staff! Coach Clifford does an unbelievable job connecting with kids from all levels regardless of the skillset. He has played at the highest Levels of Football NFL P4 ball — Andover High School Varsity Football (@CoachFielding) 7. Diving into swim awards On Sunday, the Eastern Mass Swim Coaches Association held its Hall of Fame induction and presented awards at the Natick Elks Lodge. Joining the EMISCA Hall of Fame were coach Michael Gavin (Waltham, Weston), diving coach Rebecca Driscoll (Haverhill, Chelmsford, St. John's Prep, Andover, North Andover, Central Catholic, Reading), and official Bob Young , who served from 1972-2005 and was a founding member and first league assignor of officials. The college scholarships were presented to Paul E. Phillips (Clark University) and Abby Brady (MIT), the Peter Foley Student Athlete of the Year winners were was Zuri Ferguson (Attleboro) and Isabela Teixeira (Acton-Boxborough), the Priscilla Davis Silver Service Award went to John A. Pelli , the Richard 'Whit' Whitworth Courage award went to Duxbury's Henry Perda , and the Jack McDonald Award was given to Wellesley's Doug Curtin . Advertisement 8. Odds and ends Uxbridge native and St. Mark's forward Caiden Pellegrino was taken in the seventh round (102nd overall) by the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL Phase I Draft. His St. Mark's classmate, William Manchuso , a Stow native, was selected by the Sioux City Musketeers in the 11th round (180th pick) of the USHL Phase II Draft. With the 102nd pick in USHL Phase I draft, the Sioux Falls Stampede select Caiden Pellegrino. Welcome to Stampede Country, Caiden. — Sioux Falls Stampede (@sfstampede) Arlington defenseman Kurt Beck was selected in the eighth round, 119th overall, by the Youngstown Phantoms; Catholic Memorial defenseman Colin Yandle was selected 131st overall by the Madison Capitols; and Troy Hamelin was taken out of Pope Francis with the 188th pick by the Musketeers. 🎥Three familiar names from the Picked by — MassNZ (@MassNZ) Nobles teammates Alex Munoz and LJ Bianchi won the first high school tournament hosted at the Boston Pickleball Club at Hyde Park last weekend. They took home gold from a pool of competitors from Westwood, Cardinal Spellman, Dedham, Needham, and Governor's. Congratulations to LJ Bianchi & Alex Munoz!!! — Nobles Athletics (@NoblesAthletics) Brendan Kurie can be reached at
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Pope Francis shows further slight improvement as he battles pneumonia, the Vatican says
Pope Francis has shown further slight improvement as he battles double pneumonia, but doctors said Wednesday his prognosis is still guarded. A chest CT scan taken Tuesday evening showed the 'normal evolution' of an infection as it is being treated, the Vatican said in its late update. The 88-year-old pope, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, is still receiving high flows of supplemental oxygen but hasn't had any more respiratory crises since Saturday. Blood tests, which had shown some low platelet counts and anemia, have confirmed an improvement and the slight kidney insufficiency detected a few days ago has receded, the statement said. Francis is continuing to receive respiratory physiotherapy, the statement said. It was the first time the Vatican has confirmed Francis was receiving physiotherapy to help him expel fluid from his lungs. A complex lung infection has kept the 88-year-old pope hospitalized in critical condition since Feb. 14. Francis has chronic lung disease and was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital after a bout of bronchitis worsened. While doctors didn't repeat that he was in critical condition in Wednesday's update, as they have in recent days, they said his prognosis remained guarded, meaning he wasn't out of danger. The pope resumed work in the afternoon from his hospital room, after receiving the Eucharist in the morning. And in a sign the Holy See machinery was grinding on, the Vatican announced he had appointed four new bishops and approved the creation of a new fundraising initiative to encourage donations to the Holy See, which has been enduring a financial crisis for years. Francis likely approved the bishop appointments awhile back and the new norms for the fundraising entity were approved Feb. 11, before he was hospitalized. But the announcements made them official and suggested Francis was still very much in charge and governing. If he were to look out the hospital window from the 10th floor, he might see that a steady stream of well-wishers are lighting candles and leaving him balloons and get-well cards at the statue of St. John Paul II near the Gemelli entrance. It has become something of a makeshift pilgrimage destination, especially for church groups in town for the Vatican's Holy Year. On Wednesday, Bishop Gerardo Villalonga from Menorca, Spain led a group of 50 pilgrims to the site, saying they wanted to be as close to him as possible. 'Because when a family has someone who is sick it is very important that they are surrounded, it is necessary that everyone is near to them, and all the people of God are close the pope,' he said. At dusk, trumpeter Felice Carella and singer Davide Capuano serenaded the pope with a rendition of Schubert's Ave Maria under his window. 'For me this is not a simple song, this is a big prayer for the pope so that he will better,' Capuano said. 'These are terrible days and I hope the whole world can pray together with us.' The dean of the College of Cardinals, meanwhile, was designated to lead the Vatican's prayer vigil in St. Peter's Square on Wednesday night, thrusting a key figure in a future possible conclave into the spotlight. Francis recently extended the term of Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, 91, keeping him in the important job rather than naming someone new. As is now popularly known thanks to the Oscar-nominated film 'Conclave,' the dean is a key point of reference for cardinals. He presides over a papal funeral and organizes the conclave to elect a new pope. From 2000-2010, Re was prefect of the Vatican's congregation for bishops, one of the most powerful and influential positions in the Holy See. Francis made him dean in 2020 and confirmed him in the job in January despite the expiration of his five-year term. The faithful from Francis' homeland, meanwhile, gathered in the Argentine church of Rome for a special Mass presided over by Cardinal Baldassarre Reina, the pope's vicar for Rome. Reina also celebrated the lunchtime Mass on Wednesday at Gemelli to pray for Francis. Sister Nilda Trejo, an Argentine nun, said that she knew Francis' health has always been delicate, with problems breathing and speaking loudly, and that's why she always prayed for him. 'We knew that he often found it difficult,' she said. 'In fact, you see that at the beginning of Mass, the microphone always has to be turned up because he has a bit of trouble. But he always spoke to the people. To the heart of the people.' ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
