The well-known Chicago Bulls Mascot, Benny the Bull surprised 3rd and 4th grade girls competing in the St. Joseph School Basketball Camp on Friday, June 18th.  Bringing games and activities for the girls to enjoy, Benny brought flips and fun to the last day of this summer camp. 

Fourth grader Grace Lamoureaux and third grader Julia Marciniak who were celebrating birthdays were totally surprised when Benny singled them out on their final day of basketball camp.  "It was very surprising and I thought it was the funnest day of camp!" said Lamoureaux.  Benny had a birthday present for the two girls, but they had to decide to keep it for themselves or share it with the group.  Both girls decided to share their presents and were glad they did.  Next thing they knew, Silly String was being sprayed over all the participants.

Offered by St. Joseph volunteer dads, this program was meant to bring classmates together in the game of basketball.  Coach Brooks Boyer, along with Coaches Joe Sebek and Doug Vlasak oversaw the program.  "Having coached many of the girls since kindergarten through the park district and YMCA, the camp brought new techniques while at the same time gave newcomers a solid overview of the sport," said Boyer.   

The coaches brought in four Montini basketball team members to lend their expertise.  Junior Hailey Adams, North Carolina-bound Whitney Adams, Notre Dame-bound Whitney Holloway and Senior Kasey Reaber demonstrated and taught drills to the girls.  The camp included competitive shooting games which brought the top scorers trophies.  Top shooters for the week were (L) 3rd graders (3rd place) Grace Malone, (2nd) Grace Jaworski and (1st) Ann Nader; and 4th graders (1st) Mia Marconi, (2nd) Joslyn Boyer and (3rd) Lauren Sebek. 

Lauren Sebek was glad to be a part of the camp.  "I just started playing basketball in second grade, but my dad has been playing since middle school."  She found the competitive shooting games to be helpful to her.  In fact, she took third place shooting honors.  She plans to play for St. Joseph in the coming years.  Lamoureaux was also happy to be involved and found that learning how to box out her opponent was her highlight.  

Juliana Vlasak was new to the sport.  She found herself on the court in a one on one with Benny the Bull.  "I knew most of my friends were going to do the camp, so decided to do it, too."  Being new to basketball, Vlasak had never experienced Benny the Bull before. "Before, I wasn't getting the hang of it, but when I started learning the drills...it's a fun sport!"  Vlasak won a Chicago Bulls gym bag after competing in her one on one, which she plans to use as her gym bag next school year.

The girls were excited to have the high school girls in attendance to show them their moves.  "All the coaches made it fun for us," added Lamoureaux.