Knights of Columbus free throw competition
By Robert Camilleri
Special to the Herald
The Knights of Columbus have been involved with young people in a variety of programs through its partnerships with Catholic schools.
The founder of the Knights of Columbus, Blessed Michael J. McGivney, while studying for the priesthood, played left field on his seminary baseball team. After his ordination, while serving at St. Mary Church in New Haven, Connecticut, Father McGivney organized youth activities for the parish community.
In Hawaii, the local councils which make up the Hawaii State Council of the Knights have served the youth of the diocese by offering youth activities through its partnerships with Catholic schools.
Beginning in 1972, the Knights of Columbus have sponsored an annual free throw competition for boys and girls ages 9 to 14. The purpose of the competition, according to the Knights’ “2021 Faith in Action Program, is “to provide an athletic outlet and encourage the values of sportsmanship and healthy competition.”
Children compete again with each other in their own age and gender division. They compete first at the council level and advance to the district and state levels. In Hawaii, there are council, district and state competitions.
In the past, Damien Memorial School and St. Stephen Diocesan Center have served as competition sites, along with other Catholic schools.
For many years, Catholic students in Hawaii have participated in the Knights’ Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest. This contest is open to Catholic students in grades 8 to 12 at public, private or parochial schools, or homeschooled.
The Soccer Challenge is another Knights’ youth activity for boys and girls, ages 9 to 14, who demonstrate the most important skill in soccer — shooting accuracy on goal — through the use of the penalty kick. Winners at the council level advance to the district level and district winners advance to the state championship. On Dec.11, the Hawaii State Championship was held at St. Patrick School in Kaimuki. The winner in the 9-year-old boy division was Zisten Ganaban Newman; in the 11-year-old boy division, Ryder Caballes; in the 11-year-old girl division, Kalehina Nakanelua Kepa; and in the 12-year-old boy division, Kamakau Beckett.
Hawaii State Deputy Ryan K. Brown said, “Our youth programs help to introduce the Knights of Columbus to a younger generation. It promotes active living through our free throw and soccer challenges. It allows our youth an opportunity to articulate how our faith impacts their lives through our essay contest. One of our most popular youth programs is a simple, but important, message of Keep Christ in Christmas with our Keep Christ in Christmas poster contest.”