Christmas Traditions - Part III

Today concludes our program’s three-part series on our Christmas Traditions. Each member of our program – players and coaches – was asked to describe the special or unique traditions they experience with their families this time of year. Feel free to let us know some of yours. We would love to hear from YOU!

 

A Tradition that my family and I do for Christmas is that we celebrate with my mom’s side of the family, then travel to my dad’s side of the family. I love it so much, because I get to spend my Christmas with all of my family. We all eat, open gifts together and play games. Before we eat our Christmas meal, my grandfather always says the prayer. Our Christmas tradition is something that I will make sure stays around for when I get older. -- #13 Mariah Powell

Mariah (on right) with teammate Sarafina Arthuer-Williams

During the holidays, my family gathers at my grandmother's house in Virginia. On Christmas Eve we have dinner, followed by a rather competitive game of Scrabble, usually always ending with a victory for my grandma. Later that evening, we watch Christmas movies and relax. The next morning we sprint downstairs to rip open Santa’s presents. To top off the lovely morning we have a big breakfast, then, spend the rest of the day enjoying each other’s company. Being able to spend quality time with my family is definitely the best time of the year. -- #21 Jody Chickey

 

Every year for Christmas I, my sister and my mother all go to Culpeper and spend time with my mom’s side of the family, and eat a big Christmas dinner at my uncle’s home. My sister and I also go to my father’s house and spend time with him and my grandparents. I wouldn't say that it's necessarily a tradition, but coming together with my family every year is always special. Although, there is a favorite dish that my mother makes called Trifle -- which is a dessert! I get so excited whenever she makes it! -- #22 Sydney Henderson

It's a throwback! But there's nothing more important than looking to your left & right and having your family right by your side!

My favorite family tradition is to go Christmas tree shopping. We always go to a Christmas tree farm and chop down our tree. Even though it's cold and takes us all a while to agree on the perfect tree, we enjoy bickering and the occasional snow ball fight. When the tree is all packed and ready to go, we thaw our bodies by a fire with hot chocolate and popcorn.  -- #14 Ashley Christie

Ashley (on left) with siblings.

 
Christmas Eve has always been a bigger deal at our household compared to Christmas. It starts midday when we get all dressed up for church. Then after church in the big downtown cathedral, we all go to Maggiano's (which is an Italian restaurant), and we enjoy the big family-style dinner together. Afterwards, we go back to my house and change out of our church clothes, and we all put on our pj’s. The adults make "adult beverages" for themselves and hot cocoa for the kids. Afterwards, we all sort the presents under the tree and take turns opening them. -- #2 Rachel Mathews

Annual Christmas pic with my sis!

Every December 23rd, for the past 15 years, my family and I go to my parents’ house in Delaware and celebrate with my parents, my two sisters, and their families.  We open presents and go out to dinner at Mrs. Robino's, a great Italian restaurant.  Now that I have my own family, we have developed some of our own traditions.  My sons, Jamie (5) & Brayden (3) are really into trains.  For the past 3 years we have ridden the Polar Express.  They love it.  In the 1^st picture below, we are on the train.  The 2^nd picture below is from last year.  We were staying in a hotel, and this gentleman walked in and the kids went crazy.  They thought it was really Santa.  He was a guy who traveled around and was "Santa" for local events.  We just happened to be at the right place at the right time.  With my schedule I can't always do this next one, but every year my wife Angie takes the boys to her hometown in Lewes, Del., and they go to the local Christmas parade.  Lastly, for the last few years, we have gone to a local festival in Frederick to see a tree-lighting, drink hot chocolate and do crafts.  These traditions are great for now, but I'm sure as the boys get older, our traditions will change a little.  The most important tradition to me is being with my amazing family who I love tremendously and see the smile on their face!!!

On the Polar Express

With Santa!

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas, enjoy your own traditions, and spend some quality time with your loved ones!!! -- Coach Whit

Christmas Traditions - Part II

Today is Part II of our program’s three-part series on our Christmas Traditions. Each member of our program – players and coaches – was asked to describe the special or unique traditions they experience this time of year. Part III will be published on December 25. From our family to yours, we wish you a special time of holiday tradition! Feel free to let us know some of yours. We would love to hear from YOU!

Every year, my father buys my whole family tickets to go see the Nutcracker from les Grands Ballets Canadiens. My siblings and I are pretty tired of watching it and know it by heart, but my dad falls asleep every year at different moments during the show, so he has never actually seen it all. He thinks it’s a new show every year! Another tradition we have is to open our gifts at midnight on the 24th. I also usually end up doing the dishes alone with my mom since I am the youngest! That sums up the Bélanger-Finn Christmas traditions, Joyeux Noël! -- #3 Kathleen Belanger-Finn

In the picture from left to right: Richard, me, Melanie, Eric and Brian

Every year my family does something different. I cannot really say we have a tradition; we have more of a spontaneous get-together at someone's house. The time we are together we laugh, talk, eat and pray. Traditionally Christmas for me is a time to reflect about all that has happened in my life, and see where I would like to be when I am here next year. I also hope that when I have a family of my own we are able to have traditions that last a life time. Happy holiday from my family to yours! -- #44 Sarafina Arthur-Williams
 
Our Christmas traditions are changing and growing as our family changes and grows.  We always go to church on Christmas Eve.  This year my niece, Everly, will be singing with the cherub choir at the early service. My dad also plays in the church band.  After church, we normally get sushi and go to my sister’s house to wrap my niece and nephew’s presents!  Sometimes we have brunch on Christmas morning, and sometimes we have Christmas dinner. This year we will be having brunch at my parents’ house, then my fiancé and I will drive to Philadelphia to have dinner with his family. -- Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Brianna Gauthier

My dad & Everly at church two years ago.  John & my nephew opening presents at Christmas last year, & John & I on Christmas Eve last year.

One tradition that my family has is getting our Chriatmas tree every year.  We go out in the snow and cut one down ourselves.  We then bring it home and decorate it as a whole family. Another family tradition we have is making my grandparents’ famous Chistmas cookies! My brother and I go to their house every year to help them make the cookies.   My poppop cuts out the cookies, my mommom bakes them, and my brother and I decorate them. -- #45 Kaitlyn Eisenhard

My brother, Colin, and I getting our tree.

For as long as I can remember, no matter where we are or how early we open presents on Christmas morning, my family always pauses to read the Christmas story from the Bible, Luke 2:1-20. Unbeknownst to me until we were married, my wife Christy’s family has always done the same. It is a beautiful and simple way to keep the reason for the holiday at the forefront of our minds. On Christmas Eve, my extended family always gathers for a Chinese Gift Exchange, which may not be the best way to spread holiday cheer. – Assistant Coach Josh Keys


Christmas 2011 at football stadium where my dad works: me, wife Christy, mom Lori, sister Jamie and dad Kevin

My family always makes Christmas cookies for the holidays. It's really nice to decorate and bake and share stories with my family by a toasty fire. We end the holidays with a very competitive game of Family Feud. My team always wins of course. But the Leftwich family always knows how to enjoy the time we have together. -- #5 Jayla Leftwich

My favorite Christmas tradition is the joy of spending Christmas with family and extended family that I only get to see over the holidays. Christmas Eve usually consists of cooking, baking, and watching Christmas movies all day long, and that night my family will attend a Christmas Eve church service. My family has a Christmas Eve get-together at my aunt’s house every year. The day after Christmas, we have another get-together but with my dad’s side of the family. I'm really looking forward to spending time with family who will be traveling a long way to visit! -- #12 Kayla Bates


Last Christmas with the seniors from my high school team

Christmas Traditions - Part I

Today is Part I of our program’s three-part series on our Christmas Traditions. Each member of our program – players and coaches – was asked to describe the special or unique traditions they experience this time of year. Parts II and III will be published on December 18 and 25, respectively. From our family to yours, we wish you a special time of holiday tradition! Feel free to let us know some of yours. We would love to hear from YOU!

Hey all, the Grossett Family doesn't do anything different from most families: we go to Christmas eve church service and we wake up on Christmas day and open gifts. However, this year I thought it would be fun to start a new tradition. I'm having my family do an ugly sweater theme for Christmas. Also my grandmother cherishes this old school picture of the whole family, so we're gonna get a modern day pic of all of us older. I think it will be super special present! -- #20 Kayla Grossett

Kayla with her family.

 

One tradition that still goes on is we still wake up at 6am to open presents. When I was younger, I would go in my mother’s room wake her up, because I was sooooo anxious to open up my gifts. Now at age 28, my mother is the one who comes into my room and wakes me up. Another tradition we do every year is host a Christmas party at the house. We do activities like play dancing games on the Wii for the kids, playing taboo for the adults. -- Assistant Coach Brittany Pinkney



Brittany with her cousin Ava

Every year during this time, I always love relaxing with my family and just enjoying time with them. On Christmas Eve, we always go to mass and then go over my cousins’ house after for dinner and gifts. Before mass, we always take our family Christmas photo. My Christmas break is a time with family and just enjoying the memories and time we get to spend together. -- #42 Jenn Carney

Jenn is back right. She and all her sisters are obviously thrilled to be taking this pic!

Growing up, I remember going on those tacky light tours. Christmas was a special time for my grandmother and myself. When my grandfather passed while I was still in high school, I would go pick up and deliver a Christmas tree to her house and help her decorate it. Then on Christmas Eve, I'd be front and center at church to watch her sing in the choir. Value the time you spend with people this holiday season, and take the time to reach out to that old friend you haven't talked to in a while. Have a blessed holiday, and.... GO MOUNT! -- Director of Basketball Operations Travis Ponton

Every year, my family does a gift exchange called Secret Santa. Since there are 6 of us kids, this makes it exciting to get each other gifts.  At Thanksgiving, we each draw someone else’s name from a hat. Being a college kid on a very tight budget, it would be difficult to get all my siblings a gift! After Christmas Eve Mass, we all sit down in our family room and exchange the gifts.  Its exciting getting to see who had you as their secret Santa, and also its rewarding to see your sibling open the gift you got them. – #32 Jessie Kaufman

Jessie (front left) with her siblings

Christmas is my favorite time of year because I get to spend it with my family! Every year, I go to my grandparents’ house on Christmas Eve. We have a family dinner, which is what I look forward to the most and afterwards we open gifts and do Secret Santa. On Christmas day, my family and I make a big breakfast and open gifts from Santa! -- #24 Jackie Brewer

"O Captain, My Captain" -- Sydney Henderson

Part 3 in our three-part Captain's series about their expectations for the year and what it means to be a captain of the Mount women's basketball team:

   Being a team captain is definitely an honor. Knowing that my teammates can look to me to lead and to be a positive person on and off the court means a lot to me. Being a team captain, you are thrown into a role and have certain responsibilities that you ultimately have to fulfill. It's not about having "power" or "authority" over your teammates. Leading your team is about being that person they can talk to or look to when they need something. Ultimately, as a team captain, personally, I can also go to the girls on the team and ask them for help or specific advice. Everyone on the team is wanted and needed in their own special way and I try to make sure they know that in different ways. 



   Individually this year I want to do better than what I did last year. It has been a huge accomplishment to join the 1000 point club and it's been a wonderful journey so far. Being better than what I was the day before is what I want. Knowing that I improved from yesterday puts a smile on my face. It was also an honor to be chosen a pre-season first team pick. But it's pre-season rankings; that doesn't mean anything to me. I have to continue to stay humble and continue to work hard on and off the court to better myself.

 



My Team, My Family: it takes a lot of personalities to make up a family



   As a team, we have set our standards high this year. Last year we made it to the semi-finals and ended up losing that game, but it was a great accomplishment for us. However, we know as a team that we have to work ten times harder than what we did last year in order to get where we want to be at the end of this season. Making it to the NEC tournament, NEC championship game and winning the championship is our ultimate goal.

   I plan to continue to lead the team the same way I have been this season so far. I will continue to support them and be that positive influence as well. I will continue to make everyone around me better as they continue to help me improve everyday as well.

 

#22 Sydney Henderson