Every day is undeniably a "great day to be a Hawk" at Bethlehem Catholic.

Chemistry teacher Anthony Messina has led enthusiastic science students to high recognition. At the Feb. 23 regional science fair for the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, 14 students received first place for their projects. At the regional Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS) competition March 4, one of BECA's JETS team won first place. The team, comprised of Michael Chajnacki, Alex Ferencin, Seamus Hickey, Victoria Madison, Emily Russo, Lauren Russo, Andrew Shaffer and Brandon Spence, scored 64 points out of a total possible 80 points. The competition was close, as another BECA team came in fourth place, scoring 61 points. In a couple of months, the team will find out if it is among the top three in the state, qualifying it for nationals this summer in Florida.

March 15 was BECA's Variety Night. Students were supported by their peers, families, and community as they sang, danced, and played an assortment of instruments.

March 23 at 7 p.m. and March 24 at 2 p.m. and 7 plml will be BECA's Passion Play, a play about the Lord and the days leading to His crucifixion as told from the Bible, with modern music and dance used to enhance the story. Technical Director D.J. Seibert wrote the play and is thrilled to be producing and directing it at BECA for the second time. All of the actors and stage crew members are BECA students.

The Little Hawks Band Festival will be held at BECA March 25. The festival is for seventh and eighth grade instrumentalists and girls who may be interested in joining band front. It ends with the Little Hawks Band Concert at 6:30 p.m., an event in which the seventh and eighth graders play alongside high school band members. Anyone interested in participating in the festival can contact Band Director Cristin Eick at ceick@bethlehemcatholichs.org.

On March 27, 40 honors theology seniors will be attending a Chrism Mass with Chair of the Theology Department Robert Gowell. The Mass will be held at The Cathedral Church of Saint Catherine of Siena in Allentown. Gowell's classes continue to collect canned food donations for New Bethany Ministries.

Without a doubt, the winter sports season at BECA was a complete success. The cheerleading team was among the top 20 teams at the UCA High School National School Cheering Championship, the girls basketball team won first place in the District 11 3A Championship, the boys basketball team finished second in the District 11 3A Championship, and the wrestling team dominated by placing first in states for the third year in a row. Students have officially begun their spring sport seasons for which they have been training all year.

Senior volleyball player Taylor Wills speaks on behalf of his team: "Last year's state championship win was a rewarding experience. We are looking forward to defending our title."

Senior softball player Courtney DuPont comments, "We aren't the underdog this year. We will be looked at to win the LVC and districts. But, we won't let it get to our heads. We'll stay focused on what we have to do."

Go to www.bethlehemcatholichs.org to stay updated with BECA's scholastic, charity, performance, and sport events and achievements.