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December 8, 2006     Barnstable Patriot
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December 8, 2006
 
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Bond of brotherhood KATHLEEN SZMIT PHOTO BROTHERS WITH CHARMS -The Mitchell brothers, Povllas (left) and Vylas,sit still long enough for a photo. The BHS athletes - Povllas playedfootball,Vylaswas onthetrack team-bringwiththemaspecial connection as both were adapted from Lithuania as children. BHS athletes bring with them a unique connection By Kathleen Szmit kszmit@barnstablepatnot.com At one of the last practices ofthe BHS varsity football team the weather bore a distinct autumn chJl to the point where you could see your breath. Nonetheless, kicker Povilas Mitchell was run- ning around the practice field with no shirt on. When asked, "Aren't you cold?" the sturdy senior grinned atV slyly and replied, "Nan! This is nothing!" Those unfamiliar with Povilas might find his antics strange. To those who know this Mitchell brother, this is, well, nothing. In sport s, as in life, Povilas and his brother, Vytas, can be pas- sionate. There was a time when team sport s, sly grins and silly antics were not a part ofthe boys' repertoire. In fact, there was a time when Povilas and Vytas weren't brothers,though they were best friends. More than a decade ago, Povilas and Vytas Mitchell had never heard of Cape Cod. Their only knowledge of America was garnered from whatever they picked up while$ving in a chil- dren's home in Lithuania. The term "children's home" can be deceptive. It was, really, an orphanage. Born five months apart , Vytas and Povilas had been orphaned as infants by their biological parents and were raised in the children's home until their adoption at age 7 by Kate and Joe Mitchell of Cummaquid. While neither of the boys speaks poorly of life in the home, Kate said that by American standards it was bleak. "The conditions were not good," she said. "They had nothing to eat and were malnourished. The sanitary conditions were awful." According to Kate and corroborated by her sons, the children took one bath a week with,the same water being used for every child. "But when you're 7," said Povilas, "you don't have anything to compare it to so what you have doesn't seem so bad." The Mitchells learned about overseas adoption from a mother's Mend. Originally, Kate intended to adopt a baby, but a photo of the boys captured her heart . Even so, she recalled a mo- ment of trepidation. "I went in thinking I was getting a baby and walked out saying, 'Did I just agree to adopt two older boys?'" She has no regrets. There were, however, obstacles to overcome, particularly an enormous language bar- rier. Kate remembers how the outgoing Vytas cried frequently upon coming to the States not because he was frightened but because the normally social child CONTINUED ON AGE A:13 Outof TheBox By Kathleen Szmit kszmit@bamstablepatriot.com E very year numerous student athletes at Barnstable High School take to the fields, courts, water or ice and demonstrate their agility and ability.They impress fans with their skill and speed, determination and Raider pride. Fans at BHS sporting events are often treated to spirited games, exciting matches, and a bit of fun as that cheeky bunny makes another appear- ance. However, fans see what happens on the front lines. In actuality there is much happening behind the scenes, and I don't mean training. There is a driving force behind BHS athletes and it's not some sugary sports drink, nor is it a ferocious desire to win.It is their families, their parents. It can be so easy to forget about the families of high school athletes. After all, at games, matches and meets fans primarily see the players, coaches and assistants. Parents, guardians, and other family members i^^^^tk. are often in with the fl crowd, their 1 shouts of sup- I port blending 1 with the rest. ! Unless you are the student athlete, that is. No matter where fam- ily members sit, somehow the play- er they've come to cheer on can tell their rallying cries from everyone else's. That, my friends, is music to an athlete's ears. I am sure there are some who would play down the role of family in an athlete's life, attributing his or her success simply to prowess and skill. Think about it, though. When pros celebrate success, who is it they point to in the stands? Who is it they seek out in the midst of team- mates and the media swarm? Their families. Just as those who participate in BHS sports deserve kudos, so do their families. It is their familieswho shuttle them to and from practices that often begin in the wee hours of the morning or end in the later hours ofthe evening. It is their families who meticulously clip out every newspa- per article, every photo with caption. It is their families who brave the elements to be on the sidelines feverishly shouting encouragement no matter what the scoreboard says. It is folks like Laurie and John Ellis, who have immersed themselves in football every year for more than a decade for sons Erik and CJ. It is folks like Nancy Brunswick, who braved the chill of autumn to watch son Steve Kilmurray play soccer. It is folks like Kim Rumberger, who does all she can to support the BHS Marching Band for whom her son, Brant, plays trumpet. It is folks like Jackie Camelio. who turned out faithfully for BHS grad Nate's lacrosse matches and recently watched daughter Andrea and her teammates on the BHS cheerleading squad place second at State Championship. It is folks likethese and countless others who boost the spirits of the athletes simply by beingin- volved. So when you come to watch a game or take in a meet this season, be sure to offer praise for the families who have helped those kids get where they are. Where would BHS be without them? Family ties BHS athletes lauded Teams, players receive kudos for achievement and sportsmanship By Kathleen Szmit kszmit@barnstablepatriot.com MOTIVATIONALMAN-CJ. Ellisgets the crowd psyched at this year's Thanksgivingpeprally.Ellis,whohails fromalonglineofBHSfootballplayers, was named an OldColonyLeagueAll- Star for his unwavering spirit. KEEPING HER EYE ON IT - Erika Hansen(#7)watches theballduring afield hockey gamethisfall. Hansen was named an Old Colony League All-Star. SERVING ONE UP - Marissa Pita prepares to send over another point- scoring serve during a volleyball match this season. Pita was named an Old Colony League All-Star at last Wednesday's athletic awards ceremony at BHS. KATHLEEN SZMIT PHOTOS GREAT ONES - Natalie Cohen talks with coach TomTurco before another winningvolleyball matchthisseason. Cohenreceiveda number of awards last Wednesdayduringthe BHSfall athletic ceremony, includingthe Female Red Raider Award. SHE KEEPS ON RUNNING-Chelsea Leroux makes her way past appreciative fans during a cross- country meet this fall. Leroux was namedanOldColonyLeagueAll-Star at last Wednesday's BHS athletic awards. The girls varsity volleyball team was the biggest winner of the evening,withplayersnamed to anumber of awards including Natalie Cohen for Female Red Raider and Jessie Goode for Female Sportsmanship. "In my opinion, Nat was the best all around player in the state. She brought a wealth of experience and wisdom to the younger players on the team," said coach Tom Turco of the senior player. "Jessie was our right back who did a nice job on the defensive end. She had 77 digs including a match-high 12 digs against number-two- ranked MedfieldH.S. Shewas a good representative ofthe team and a good role model for the younger players." Teammates Marissa Pita , Amanda Parker, Kara Cullen, Stephanie Bristol, and Erin Johnson were named along with Cohen as the Old Colony League All Stars, while Goode was presented the Sportsman - ship by Team award. "Marissa brought a lot of experience to the team,"Turco said. "She was our libero (per- manent defensive player) and led the team in service aces with 80. She had the ability to take a game over with her big service runs. Kara isconsidered by many as one of the top two middle hitters in the state, along with Stephanie Bristol. She had a huge match against New Bedford in the Sectional Finals with 12 kills. Stephani e ledthe team,asasophomore,in killswith 270 and was second in hitting efficiency with .455." Cohen, Bristol and Cullen were named Boston Globe All- Scholastic athletes also. This year the team marked their fourth consecutive State Championship for Division I, their 10th statetitle overall.The team also took the Old Colony League Championships and the South Sectional Champi- onship. Turco had high praise for his team in the wake of their continued success. "What can I say?"he asked."Iamvery proud of the players. What was most impressive was their courage and willingnessto set the goals that they did. "The senior leadership gave the team the confidence to have as their number one goal -to win a State Championship - and their number two goal -to win all matches 3-0. Those were lofty goals consideringthe playersthat graduated lastyear, but confidence always winsand they did. "Before you can achieve great things you have to aspire to strive for great things. They were an outstanding group who represented not onlyBarnstable High School well, but also this community and Cape Cod." Other Teams Win Accolades Also noted for their victories inthe Old ColonyLeague Cham- pionships were the girls cross country team, the girls varsity field hockey team and the boys golf team. Players on the boys varsity football team also received a number of awards,withMikeAl- lengarneringoneforMaleSports- manshipandDonnyCampbellfor Sportsmanship by Team. CJ. Ellis, Zach Wilson, Jake Fulham and Dave Wiseman were named Old Colony League All-Stars. The varsitycheerleadingteam was lauded for their first-place finish intheMSSACheerleading Sectional Championship and a stellar second-place finish in the StateMSSA Championship, Division Ico-ed. Team member Brenna Fligg was given the Sportsmanship byTeam award for her outstanding efforts. A complete list of all winners follows. CONTINUED ON PAGE A:13 STYLIN' STUNTS -The BHS varsity cheerleaders show off their style during a halftime show this season. At last Wednesday's athletic awards ceremony the cheerleaders received accolades for their victory in the MSSA Cheerleading Sectional Championship, and their second-place finish in the State MSSA Championship. It was a big night for Barnstable High School ath- letes last Wednesday as more than 25 were recognized for their achievements during the fallawardsceremonyat theBHS Performing Arts Center.