Home --> Alumni/History --> Old President's Corners

Past Presidents (that we have messages from):

• Ms. Miller Kehlet
• Ms. Janet Boots
• Mr. Tom Riddle

May 21, 2005

As I said for the first regatta of the season- Crew…It’s NEVER boring!!! States and Stotes- what an amazing week! The quads have come together and have shown what they are made of, leading the team in what they can achieve when they focus and “row as one”. It makes me think back to watching the kids put that shell in on that first Saturday –and now, just weeks before graduation and summer plans how they have matured.

I think of our coaches- out there every day, trying to pull the best out in each child while putting their best in. Every day our coaches come to practice with a commitment that has not been compromised and standard that will not be lowered. To see the potential in each athlete and remember how they, our coaches, became the rowers they are today is a gift. I am and will forever be grateful to Hylton Crew for our coaches- you each teach all of us so much more than the mechanics of rowing.

To my heroes- the parents: just 4 years ago (fewer for others) you probably had no idea of the impact you would have on these children, this sport or this school. Other programs admire and frankly, envy our committed boosters organization. I thank you for the early mornings, late evenings, days on the road and cheering the kids on. This is one part of high school where the kids LIKE having the adults around- and that is a compliment beyond words.

Next week some of the team will be going to New Jersey to represent our coaches, families, school and themselves for the last time this year. If you are going- I will be with you in spirit and I know you will be cheering them on. For those of you that will be staying here- please pass on your support to the kids, coaches and parents.

I am proud of you all!

Miller Kehlet
Booster's President
president@hyltoncrew.org

May 5, 2005

What a weekend for Hylton Crew!! The prom on Friday, early regatta on Saturday and a car wash on Sunday. This exemplifies the strong connection between our rowers, parents and parents at Hylton. Each of these activities relies on the support and strength of what makes our program so special- to separate the contributions of each component would be like separating the ingredients of mayonnaise.

Kudos to Hylton Crew!!! Both the Men’s and Women’s Quads came in first in their finals, with the Freshmen Men’s 8 placing 2nd in their event. Please check out the pictures on the web site (and its updated look).

I would like to ask the rowers and proud parents to send in pictures from prom and show off their “other” look.  Email them to webmaster@hyltoncrew.org.

This Saturday is an away regatta at  Mathews for the all men and the novice women - different venue and a more challenging kind of water. Our experienced women will be busy either getting ready for what is in front of them by taking their SAT’s or getting ready for a graduation that is barely more than a month away. I am confident that all of them will do their best regardless of where they are. So, in case you (the rowers, parents, and coaches) haven’t heard it lately from me- I’m proud of you!

Lead by example,
Strive for more.

Miller Kehlet
Booster's President
president@hyltoncrew.org

April 27, 2005

Just when I don’t think I could be any prouder to be associated with this program, our rowers “Kick It Up A Notch”. This past weekend, like VISA, Hylton was everywhere you wanted to be! Rowing and sculling in Norfolk and representing our school here on the Occoquan.

Please check out the ISA/Azela Regatta (evsra.org). The short version is as follows:

• HHS Men-
  • 1st Place: 3
  • 2nd Place: 1
  • 4th Place:1
• HHS Women-
  • 1st Place:3
  • 2nd Place: 2

Here at home, our freshmen MEN were amazing- they came in 4th in a hard race that was won by a team from Ohio (Marietta) with a time of 4:55:0. If you haven’t been to the NCASRA site to view times and results, I sugggest you check them out.

My thanks to the parents that made sure volunteer jobs were covered and kids were cheered on. I have a picture of Ginny and Barry proudly putting up the Hylton banner on our tree- that’s right, tree. To the “roadies” for the “2005 Hylton Crew- Takin’ It on the Road” tour, thank you. To the coaches that know how to inspire our kids to “leave it all on the water” and to be courageous enough to run a sculling and sweep rowing program for our team, thanks.

I do have a couple of special thanks- first, to the organizing committee for the EVSRA Regatta. Their willingness to get boats in events so more athletes could compete, to help boosters get things organized for their kids and assuring every aspect run without hitch- even the weather…my admiration and appreciation.

Finally, to Greg Harbac. Greg was the first person I met at Oxford house. Without knowing who I was or why I was there, he was ready with a warm smile and a willingness to help whenever asked. More than once, Greg has trailered our boats back from regattas- once when they came off the hitch pulling them in Penn. that was being driven by a HHS parent. This weekend, he drove the shells once again to a regatta “just because”. He will be forever be associated with crew, and although Potomac may think he’s one of theirs, as far as I’m concerned he’s part of Hylton Crew.

This coming weekend is one of the largest regattas held on the Occoquan this season second only to “States” the weekend of May 14. While I know prom is the night before, other schools are looking at this weekend to set their records. Rowers, enjoy the prom-but come on Saturday ready to show these schools who owns this water. Parents, please come and cheer on our team, we will be setting up at the point, and all hands are welcome. This regatta is starting 30 minutes earlier than usual and shuttle parking means planning ahead in order to get to the point in time to see your child race.

Pain is temporary,

Winning lasts forever!

Miller Kehlet
Boosters President

April 10, 2005

To the coaches, rowers and parents!  What a great way to start off the regatta season- everything cooperated. The weather was beautiful! The rowers did themselves, their coaches, their families and their school proud. I want to personally thank all of the parents- I am so glad that you were there, and now you know why I get so excited about this organization. Our novice girls came from behind to walk Woodbridge (crew for “pass” them) to come in 2^nd on their very first race as Hylton rowers in the Hylton boat. I don’t know who was more excited- the rowers, their parents or their coaches. The guys had some serious contenders on the water and held their own. This was the first official outing in the “Swoose” named for Rear Admiral and Mrs. Snead (Michael Heisey’s parents). Brian was able to get in a 3^rd 8 and that boat came in 2nd with Becky Holgate as stroke, and Ashley Moss rowing after being sick through the night. Ashley knew if she didn’t row- the boat didn’t row. That’s the commitment that makes this a team sport. As a reminder, you can check regatta schedules, line ups and results at NCASRA.org. The schedule of events is posted usually the day before- be aware that there may be additions and scratches on race day.

Thanks to all the contributors to the food table and to the volunteer that were at their places- Mrs. Enriquez sold me the best cold root beer I’ve ever had!!!

So, here are the final results (W-Women’s, M- Men’s) as reported by NCASRA:

• W Quad (Finals): 1^st

• 2^nd m 4 B (FIinals): 4^th

• 3^rd W 8  (Finals):  2^nd

• Lt Weight M 4 ( 2^nd Finals): 2^nd

• 2^nd W 8  (2^nd Finals): 1^st

• 1^st M 4 (2^nd Finals): 4^th

• 1^st w 8 (3^rd Finals): 2^nd

•  Freshmen M 8 (Race 1): 4^th

See you Saturday! Bring sun screen!

Miller Kehlet

April 3, 2005

Hylton Crew Parents (and Rowers),

Wow- what a way to kick off the season- or not. First- Thank you to all the rowers (that’s you coxswains, to!!), coaches and parents for all your support today! I do want to touch base today on what decisions were made, when and why.

To all of the parents that were up earlier than their kids to get to their volunteer jobs- I am in your debt.

Thank you all so much!!! As Boosters, our job is to let the rowers row, coxswains cox and the coaches coach- I have emailed Mother Nature and put her on notice that today will not be tolerated, and that we must be compensated with better weather next week. She called and told me that would be taken care of- I’m waiting to get it in writing!

Miller Kehlet

March 28, 2005

Parents and Rowers,

I will keep this brief (Miller, brief??? RIGHT !?)

This Saturday is our first regatta. For many of our rowers this is a continuation of their rowing experience as part of Hylton Crew. For others (our novices) it is the first season as Hylton rowers - only Hylton students in Hylton boats. For our seniors, this is your final season rowing as an “official” Hylton rower.

To Hylton Crew parents-Thank you! I know the regatta season hasn’t started but you are making sure your rowers are at practice and keeping their grades up. This is where the magic starts and grows.

Please check the web pages often; bring your cameras with you to Sandy Run - digital photos can get on the web page usually a day or two after the event, “chairs in a bag” are life savers and layer - the weather is never boring.

To the coaches-Thank you! You do more than teach our kids to row- you teach them teamwork, technique, digging beyond where they want to stop in order to find that extra spark- finding more of themselves than they knew was there.

Hylton - Make this your year! Own the water!

Miller Kehlet
President, Hylton Crew Boosters

October 1, 2003

Good Morning Hylton Crew !!!

Wow, what a weekend !!! The Occoquan Challenge Regatta was a huge success. Many, many thanks to all the volunteers who devoted Sunday to helping Hylton Crew.

Doyle & Peggy Raines, Dorothy & John Lazor, Linda Hinz, Mark Lober and I went to set up the tent at Sandy Run on Saturday afternoon. The regatta organizer asked that we not due to the forecasted thunderstorms. He was concerned that we'd be fishing our tent out of the Occoquan on Sunday morning. Of course, no thunderstorm materialized.

Doyle & Peggy Raines, Andrea and Ashley Moss, Dorothy Lazor, Brian & Laura Wares, Brian Wares Jr., Linda Hinz, James Casebere, Scott Devins, Dana Riddle, Alli Kehlet and Matthew & Michael Hinz helped on Sunday morning. We got things rolling right along about 7:00 a.m.

Andrea & Ashley Moss, Dorothy Lazor, James Casebere, Scott Devins, The Wares, and the Hinz's stayed the entire day and helped Hylton Crew for 10 hours.

Lisa & Lyndsi Porto, Enza & Sara Bennett, Mark, Ginny & Michael Fichten, Carin Morrison, and Chris Blue all volunteered their afternoon.

The Wares men were drafted to drive a launch for a referee and left Laura cooking burgers for the afternoon!!

Many thanks to Lisa & Lyndsi Porto, Ginny, Michael & Mark Fichten, Dorothy Lazor, and James Casebere for helping returning everything to the boathouse on Sunday afternoon. We all dragged home about 6:00 Sunday night exhausted.

This was our last big fundraising weekend. Mark Lober came to Sandy Run to help set up and then went to Nissan to work the Toby Keith Concert for Dave Elcano. Ginny Fichten worked Toby Keith then came and worked the afternoon shift at Sandy Run.

Finally, a very special thanks to Linda Hinz who organized all the food. Go Linda !!!!! Very special thanks to Ginny Fichten and Dorothy Lazor who helped Linda organize the food. . . .

Regards,
Janet Boots
President
Hylton Crew Boosters

August 4, 2003

Good Morning !!!

I thought it was time for another update from the board.  I know you all have been receiving the numerous e-mails from our hard-working parent volunteers who arrange the carwashes and Nissan Concerts.  Dorothy Lazor, our fundraising coordinator, ran a very successful carwash at Wal-Mart yesterday.  Many thanks to Dorothy for all her hard work.  We had a fabulous turnout.  Many, Many Thanks to Erin Brady, Dana Riddle, James Casebere, Miller Kehlet, Sandy & Shannon McMahon, Janet McMahon, Brittany James, Caitlin Kelly, Alexa Lazor, Dorothy & John Lazor, Sara Hangsleben, Tim Sudberry, Mike Fichten, Coach Heisey, Coach Malak and myself for raising over $300 yesterday for our 2003-2004 program.  The next carwash will be the first weekend in September (not Labor day).  Dave Elcano has been furiously working all the Nissan Concerts and has raised over $2000 for Hylton Crew to date.  Go DAVE !!!!  The next Nissan concert is this weekend -- Aerosmith & Kiss.

The freshman orientation is August 27th this year.  Last year many of you will remember that we brought a 4 into the lobby of the high school along with an erg and a television with rowing videos.  We had a fabulous response and recruited a bumper crop of freshmen rowers last year.  We want a repeat of that this year.  We'll be looking for volunteers to work the Hylton Crew booth at this orientation (during the day) at the school.  Keep an eye open for more information on that. 

The fall Call-out is currently scheduled for September 9th in the enclosed cafeteria at 7:00.

I look forward to seeing all of you at the Freshmen Orientation and the next carwash.  Don't forget the remaining Nissan Concerts !!!!

Have a Good Day !!
Janet Boots
President
Hylton Crew Boosters

June 23, 2003

Happy Monday Morning to all of you who support Hylton Crew. Happy first Monday of Summer Vacation !!!!

Even though the school year is over, Hylton Crew has been busy at work raising money for our 2003-2004 program. We've also been out recruiting the new freshman. The June 2003 issue of Hylton Crews' News was mailed to 541 incoming freshman last week. Highlighted in this issue were the summer novice camps and the fall program.

Many thanks to Kirsten Boots, Alli Kehlet, J.R. Taylor, Steve Holt, Sarah Hangesleben, James Casebere, and Dorothy Lazor for holding a recruiting drive at Beville Middle School last Wednesday. There was great interest in our program.

Hylton Crew also worked the first of Ten Nissan concerts this past weekend. Many thanks to Cathy McCoart, Dave Elcano, Paul Boots, and Christy Ellinwood for working the Boston Concert this past Saturday night.  The next concert is a very popular concert and usually generates a considerable sum of money for Hylton Crew -- Jimmy Buffett on July 5th. We will also be working the Jay-Z/50-Cent/Busta Rhymes concert on the July 6th. Contact Dave Elcano to volunteer. The Boston Concert was the first one that my husband has worked. He came home and just couldn't quit talking about how much fun it was and is anxious to work more. These Nissan concerts are a significant source of money for the club, great fun for parents and rowers over the age of 18 and will go a long way to supporting another excellent source of enrichment for our children this coming rowing year.

Keep on the look-out for more fundraising opportunities this summer!!!

Hylton Crew will also be supporting the Occoquan Challenge Regatta in September. We'll be looking for Hylton Crew Volunteers to support that income-producing function.

Also, for all you political activists out there !!! There will be a meeting regarding the Oxford Boathouse expansion at the McCoart Building, Potomac Conference room at 7:30 on Thursday, June 26th. Many of you may not know that Prince William Crew Association has been attempting to get an expansion project for the Oxford Boathouse approved by Prince William County and Prince William Park Authority. This effort has been difficult and will be elevated to the County at this meeting. We encourage voter attendance to help the Board of Supervisors understand the voter interest in this issue and the importance of maintaining a viable crew program within the county.

Rowers, don't forget the summer sculling program. Contact Brian Tassi (CREWCOACH@peoplepc.com) if you are interested.

Thanks for supporting Hylton Crew !!!!
Janet Boots, theboots1@comcast.net

April 14, 2003

Despite many absences due to sore throats, band trips, and Spring Break fever, Hylton managed a credible showing with the Men's Varsity 8 making Petite finals and the Ladies Varsity 8 making grand finals...if you came out to watch, you know the competition was tough and the wind was even tougher! The Ladies 2d 8 rowed out of progression as a four and did very well, earning a respectable 2d across the finish. The ladies novice boat continued its streak of excellence with a 2d place and the ladies freshmen boat gathered another 1st!! Well done all!

The row-a-thon is scheduled for this Wednesday. Several rowers have already surpassed the $100 mark and have started putting money toward their "rower's bucks" Account. Please remember to collect the donations when you collect the pledges.

The lower boats trip to Mathews Virginia is scheduled for May 3d. We will be traveling by bus to compete in Mathews VA. Gar-field has been doing this trip for several years and we have elected to go again as an away trip for our Freshmen and Novice rowers. More information will be published shortly. We need some parent volunteers to go and are looking for someone to volunteer to head up the maintenance functions and someone to head up the food table efforts. This will be a very early start Saturday morning (due to the travel time: ~ 3 hours) but the gang at Mathews puts on a great regatta and it looks to be a lot of fun.

see you on the water and have a safe spring break!

Tom Riddle

April 10, 2003

As we discussed at the March Pasta Dinner, Hylton Crew will be conducting a fund raiser on 16 April - the 2003 Row-a-thon.

This will support the purchase of new equipment AND will also directly benefit the rowers!

The concept is simple: Rowers use the pledge form (find it on the home page) to collect donations from their supporters (an amount donated “per mile”).  The rowers will then conduct the “Row-a-thon” on April 16th with the goal of meeting a 20 mile row on the Occoquan.  The first $100 collected by each rower will go toward the purchase of new equipment for the rowers.  New this year: ANY ROWER-COLLECTED AMOUNT OVER $100 GOES DIRECTLY INTO A “CREW BUCKS” ACCOUNT FOR USE BY THE ROWER!!!

The rower’s can use that money directly to purchase crew gear, offset costs of an away regatta, etc. for the 2003 School Year.

Get those donations and build your account - In the past, rowers have completely paid for their trips to Stotes and Nationals through the use of “Crew Bucks” -- get those donations

    Tom Riddle
    Parent, volunteering as your Hylton Crew President

March 31, 2003

Hi all…

Uniforms and Crew “spirit” gear: I checked with Rhonda Slocumb (our volunteer crew gear coordinator parent) this evening.  She has been hounding the firm that does our uni’s (JL).  She will contact them again tomorrow to determine when they will deliver the uni’s that have been ordered.  Rhonda will also check what the procedures are to order another uniform for a new member of the men’s team.  The crew “spirit” gear is done by a specialized firm (SewSporty).  Rhonda has been jabbing them to deliver as well.  SewSporty said that the first shipment was supposed to arrive today.  Rhonda is going to call them tomorrow as well.  We will let you know ASAP.

We may end up canceling the trip to Annacostia and rowing on the Occoquan instead (due to potential travel restrictions).  There will still be a requirement for parent volunteers, so please stay tuned.  We’ll let you know soonest.

We need help each Friday afternoons to get the dock and other crew stuff over to “the point”.  We also need help 1) to set up; 2) during the day at the point; 3) to tear down move the dock back and put everything away in the boathouse.  We had some great help from one of the new parents (both on Friday and Saturday) and here are his thoughts about his experiences:  “I have to admit, I had a great time. All the parents need to visit the point at least once. You really get to see and feel the entire race as it is not just only on the water. Watching the boats come in and out of the water. More graceful the ballet. And honestly, much more enjoyable to watch.”  Please drop me a note if you would like to help out.

Also, please remember, we need food for the food table.  Please contact Carole Protacio (guam3@comcast.net ) if you need to know what to send on Saturday.

We’ll see you this weekend,

Go Hylton!

Tom Riddle
Hylton parent
Volunteering as your Crew Boosters president

March 6, 2003

Hello everyone…

Some feedback & tidbits….

IT IS NOT TOO LATE FOR SPRING CREW – if you know anyone who wants to come out for spring Crew have them contact me immediately!! We are especially looking for guys! Deadline 14 March!!

Boathouse tomorrow for practice…on the water Saturday!! Guys be at the boathouse 8:30 AM…Ladies – 9:00 AM…dress in layers!! Yahoo!!!

Reminders – DO NOT speed – the park speed limits are STRICTLY enforced for everyone’s safety…if you may be banned from the park for speeding. There is no crew refund if you are banned from the park. The police have been known to spot check registrations and safety inspections of vehicles entering or leaving the park – be aware. Also, obey Virginia’s maximum passenger limitations for your age.

Parents…please obey the crew drop off requirements…drop off and pick up ONLY in the upper parking lot…it is too congested in the lower parking lot to safely drop off or pick up rowers. Please help keep out rowers safe.

Need a ride? Can you give a ride? Please check out the web page and fill out the form as shown – lets please help each other out. Car pooling is strongly encouraged as there is limited parking at the park.

Need the cookie dough sales this year. The snows have really crimped our efforts to get new equipment for our team. Please help and sell that cookie dough – its easy and it really tastes great. Contact Karen Alam if you need a form.

If we do not have a swim certification form on file you need to go to the pool and have the lifeguard administer a swim test. Please contact Coach Malak for the forms.

Parents: please sign up to learn how to operate the outboard motor launches so you can drive a boat as a volunteer during the regattas – please visit www.ncasra.org to sign up. Dates are this weekend and next weekend at Sandy Run.

Mark your calendars: the start of season Pasta Dinner is two weeks away : 19 March at 7:00 PM at the Hylton High School enclosed cafeteria.

Thanks for all you do for Hylton Crew!!

Tom Riddle
Hylton parent
Volunteering as your Crew Boosters president

March 2, 2003

Parents, Coaches and especially, rowers,

I wanted to take a moment of your time to announce the arrival of our newest addition to the Hylton Fleet – our Vespoli M2 arrived today!!

Thanks to the rowers, coaches, and parents, present (and past) that have worked so hard at Car Washes, Cookie Dough Sales, Nissan Concerts, and Tag Days to raise the funds so that our Hylton Student athletes are able to row in competitive, regularly upgraded racing equipment!! Also, a special thanks to Coach Tassi who was instrumental in the effort to locate, arrange and complete this transaction on behalf of Hylton Crew.

We’ll post pictures on the web site as soon as possible of the new boat being offloaded and unwrapped (we are temporarily storing it across the reservoir at Sandy Run until the ice is off the Occoquan (remember: THINK WARM!!).

As you might imagine, this is a very nice addition to the fleet and really underscores the strengths of Hylton Crew. Student athletes, coaches, and parent volunteers working together to accomplish a common goal.

Why do we ask you to fund raise? Please note -- We did not have to wait for a tax increase. We did not have to buy something dictated to us by a county agency. We did not have to beg funding for newer equipment against higher priorities determined by some county board of non-rowers. As a club, we worked together (most of us), and today we have a $17,000 Vespoli M2 racing shell for our student athletes to race in.

For those who have contributed, well done. You are the spirit of Crew – pulling as a team for a common goal. For those who have recently joined us, please do what you can. Sell cookie dough at work and in the neighborhoods. If we can schedule a car wash (where the store haven’t broken the pipes without telling us <grrr>) come and help wash (or at least come and get washed). If you can’t volunteer your time, do as one parent has offered to do – he runs his own business making items that the club can use – he has offered his wares at a substantial discount. And students – I really ask that you keep your parents informed of upcoming events and fundraisers – we can’t do it without your help.

Thank you,
Tom Riddle
Hylton parent,
Volunteering as your Crew Boosters President

February 26, 2003

Last year we wished for rain (and we have received it). PLEASE stop! Wish for sunshine!! <grin>

This Saturday – 9 AM Oxford Boathouse – All ROWERS and parents:

1. 2003 TEAM PHOTO (rowers) …if you have it wear your Hylton Crew gear.
2. Coach Brian and Coach Micheal want to do some set up work on several of the boats – Rowers and parents - Lets get them ready for Spring racing (yes, it will happen!! THINK WARM)
3. Hylton Parent Oxford Boathouse orientation – take a moment and learn how we run regattas; get hands-on with the boats and equipment that your sons/daughters race with; learn how to “survive” (and enjoy) spring regattas on the Occoquan; meet Lakeridge Park’s head ranger (Tracy) and learn the best ways to keep the Park open to crew and other users; figure that this will be from 9:00 – 9:30 for the orientation; meet at the parking lot at the boathouse
4. There will be some dock work on some of the launch docks – Parents bring your grubbies and gloves – you can help and learn that being a river rat dad/mom is the best part of being a crew parent – no experience required!!
5. For the parents who would like to work on getting the racecourse equipment ready, Hal Johnson needs at least two parents over at Sandy Run (Fairfax Side)…please see the NCASRA Website for details.

If we don’t do a good enough job of positive thinking and the weather looks bad, please check the website ( www.hyltoncrew.org ) for updates Friday night/Saturday morning before you head over – we’ll post a notice if we have to postpone…but we won’t…cause everybody is going to ….THINK WARM!!

P.S. Remember, Sunday there is a fund raiser at the Walmart parking lot – we will wash shoppers cars – we can potentially make $800 dollars in a single day…everyone will be anxious to get their car washed – it’s a winner but we need rowers (and parents too) we will need 2 shifts- 9-12 and 12-3- we need to bring all but the water- if anyone has brushes for roofs and tires they help speed things along- we will need soap and pleanty of towels -- see you there!

Tom Riddle
Hylton parent,
Volunteering as your Crew Boosters President

February 22, 2003
Message from the Boosters Executive Committee President:

Rowers and Parents:

 Well, the weather has not cooperated as we had hoped.  The Occoquan reservoir is still not suitable to begin “on the water” practices. 

 We will continue to assess and will keep you apprised as the situation develops.

 In the meantime, Brian Tassi (Ladies Varsity Coach) and Micheal Heisey (Men's Varsity Coach) have asked me to communicate the following:

 Practice for Spring Crew will initially be held at Hylton High School.  Times are Mon – Friday 4 – 6 PM for Men AND Women. 

 Dress for OUTDOOR workouts…that means be prepared to work out in inclement weather (rain).  Dress in layers.  Concept is to conduct workouts outdoors to become used to spring outdoor workouts…(actually, working out at the High School will be more pleasant than working out on the Occoquan…brrrrrrr).

 We will continue to post up dates to the web site and to the rower and booster email listserver.

 Final reminders – Spring Crew payments (with required paperwork) and uniform orders (with sizes) are DUE Monday, 24 Feb  Pizza and candle Fund raisers are to be turned in 24 Feb as well.  Turn in at the High School at the beginning or practice.  One of the booster board members will be present to collect.

 1 March is the scheduled TEAM PHOTO and parent/rower boathouse orientation (9 AM) at the Lakeridge park golf clubhouse

Tom Riddle
Hylton parent
Volunteering as you Crew Boosters president

November 8, 2002

The President of the Hylton Crew Boosters, Mr. Tom Riddle, was "interviewed" today.  He answered many questions posed by Pat Fox.  Here are the questions and his answers:

Pat: "...we have been completely unaware as to what is going on with crew..."

Tom: I really apologize for this and I thank you for bringing it to my attention. I'm afraid that the blame for not keeping the parents and rowers informed resides with me. I did not do a good enough job of making sure that information was posted on the web page and the rowers/boosters listserver email list as things were developing. Better communications to the parents of our rowers is one of the board's on-going priorities. Toward that end, we have added a first year parent volunteer to our boosters board, Angela Moss, to help us do a better job of ensuring our parents and rowers questions are answered. We do a lot of our notifications and updates via the web and via email due to the difficulties of getting phone calls out in a timely (and accurate) fashion. We have been working hard to get the listserver email group to fulfill its potential, but a lot of people don't appear to have been signing up or have been unsubscribing themselves(?). We will keep working this one. One of our plans for the spring is to organize by "boat" to ensure the word gets out. That has worked pretty well for the Spring season by keeping the call lists manageable.

Pat: "Will the girls get to make up the camp time in the Spring?"

Tom: The Novice Fall Camp is a separate activity from the Spring season. The Spring season is the competitive season for the High School and we will be fully engaged on practicing for the Spring regattas so it will not be possible to run a separate make-up for the Fall Camp in the Spring.

Pat: "What's going on with the weight training?"

Tom: The booster board met last night to nail down the details for our "Winter Crew" (a.k.a. weight training) efforts. You should be seeing details on Winter Crew shortly on the web site (www.hyltoncrew.org ) and via the listserver email system. We figured the best way ahead that we will have a meeting on Wednesday, 20 November in the Hylton enclosed cafeteria from 7:30 - 8:30 to provide information about Winter Training, accept registration and payment for Winter Training, and pass out info for Spring season. We will also take orders for crew clothing (optional) and have folks available to answer your questions.

Here is the current Winter Training plan:

• Winter session is open to all and novices are especially encouraged to attend. Winter training details are being finalized with the school activities director. Winter session will be held at the school and will emphasize cardio (running & rowing machines) and strength training (weights) to help the athletes prepare for the Spring season. It will begin on Monday 25 November and run 4 days a week (M - Th) Through approx. the end of January. The specific start/finish times are being finalized with the School activities director now, and we will provide those details soonest. Rowers participating in Winter Crew will pay $75. This $75 dollars will be deducted from their Spring dues. We do this to spread out the costs of Spring dues...makes it easier on the wallets of Crew Parents (like me <grin>) and to ensure that the students participating are there to get ready for Crew. Rowers who do not participate in Winter training (and will miss out on the total conditioning work out and be less competitive in Spring...hint, hint) will pay the full Spring dues fee at the Spring Callout Meeting ( ~ 30 Jan). The exact fee for Spring has not been finalized but will not exceed $275.

Pat: "Until I saw your name on the email, I was unsure who to talk to."

Tom: Excellent point...thank you. I will ask that the web master for our web site (www.hyltoncrew.org) put a "link" on the web home page so parents & rowers know who to contact if they have questions. We are encouraging the use of the web page as a means to get information out so we can keep the costs of mailings and reproduction down (thereby saving our parents their hard earned cash).

Pat: "Is there someone specific for novice crew?"

Tom: Yes and no. Novice crew rowers and parents are our biggest focus (I have not been doing a good enough job, I am sorry....this is my first time as a parent volunteer trying to run a boosters club for anything...please be patient with me <grin>) and I encourage you to always feel free to contact me or ANY of the board members (see the web site for each of our email addresses) with your questions. We have also added a new "At large" member to the board to help us improve Novice Parent communications. Her name is Andrea Moss and last night was her first meeting. She is going to be a great help. Her email address is: amoss13@aol.com.

Again, thank you for writing and allowing me to try to answer your questions. Please let me know if I can provide additional clarification and please continue to watch the website ( www.hyltoncrew.org) for updates - our webmaster, Mark Fichten is doing a wonderful job of keeping it updated almost every single day!

Sincerely,
Tom Riddle
Hylton parent, volunteering as your Crew boosters president

October 29, 2002

IMPORTANT NOTICE: During the recent criminal threat, the coaches from the Prince William Crew Association suspended Fall Camp to ensure the safety of our rowers. As many of you know, the Fall Rowing Camp was to have culminated in a Fall Fun Regatta on October 25th. Due to the loss of rowing days (and associated instruction) caused by the suspension of rowing and the onset of Daylight Savings Time, the Fall Novice Rowing Camp could not be restarted. Hylton Crew Boosters Club regrets this loss of what was shaping up to be one of the best Fall Novice Camps to date but hope that you join us in applauding the commitment to the safety of our rowers by the coaches who ran this season's Fall Camp; Thank you!

Tom Riddle
Hylton Crew Boosters President

September 30, 2002

Fellow parents,

Please join me in a very loud THANK YOU to the Hylton Crew Parents and rowers who came out and helped raise funds toward more competitive equipment for our rowers (yours and mine) at Sunday’s Occoquan Challenge Regatta:

• Linda Hinz - purchasing organizer & executor, concessions operations master of ceremonies, Concessions Take down…Linda also got the majority of our food DONATED….GREAT JOB LINDA!!!!

• Dave Elcano - Course Setup, Concessions Setup, Master Chef, Course take down (Saturday AND Sunday!!), Concessions Take down

• Rhonda Slocumb - Assistant purchasing, Master Chef, Concessions Take down

• Peggy Raines - Volunteer coordinator and T-shirt sales force

• Miller Kehlet - Concessions Setup, Master Chef, Course take down

• Ginny Fichten - T-shirt Sales, Concessions Take down

• Dana Riddle (rower),  Drew McKnight (rower), Chris Sudbury Doyle Raines, Caity Raines (rower), Heather Smith (rower) Nancy McLain, Andrew Rana, Rhonda Boigegrain, Ginny Fichten, Becky Abahr (Crew Alumni) (and three other students whose names I unfortunately missed) -Concession Sales

• Doug Taggart (Retired “Crew” Parent!!)- Course Setup, Concessions Setup, Course take down, Concessions Take down (Saturday AND Sunday!!)

 THANK YOU!!

 As you know, although Spring is our competitive season, fund-raising must be a year-round activity, supported by EVERYONE.  The efforts of everyone, parents AND rowers are essential to our continued success of providing competitive equipment to our rowers.  When you are contacted to participate, please remember that it is for our rowers and step forward to help.

 Our next fund raisers will be Cookie Dough Sales and Tag Day…more information soon.

 Tom Riddle

August 29, 2002

Much thanks to everyone who made this freshman orientation such a success!! A special thanks to Janet Boots who worked with the school to get permission to display one of our boats, got the trailer, organized the logistics, rallyed the students to load and unload, and set up the display - much interest was generated as a result!! Also a sincere thanks to the coaches, parents and students who showed up to tell the Hylton Crew Story!!

Here is a roster of 41 persons who signed up as wanting additional information about the crew program or who were interested in the fall program - wahoo!!

Ken Lamm, would you please follow-up with these students and send them the Fall Registration package (if they have an email) and call them (if you can) where there is not an email listed? If not, let me know and I will do it.

Believe we need to set up a table at the "Back to School" night next week as well....Coach Heisey correctly pointed out that the Back to School Night is where we will get all of our parents who want to know about Hylton Crew....believe we can do that one without the four to make it easier on Janet and the kids/coaches(?)....besides, there will be many more people and it will be later in the night....I can bring a TV/VCR combo, I have Micheal's poster, I brought the ERG back here...I think we need to be set up not later than 6:30...the parents are supposed to be in their first class at 6:45....I figure it is over by about 9-ish? Parking is going to be very tough (LOTS of parents coming and all are driving)...car pool if possible...

Janet, can you work your magic again for the set-up (please)? Miller Kehlet has a large display stand that we can use to put pictures on...perhaps she can work up a display for crew??

Given the early start time and long evening (and the crew board meeting for Thursday night), perhaps some shifts to man the tables are the best way to proceed??

Tom Riddle

August 29, 2002

Information for the Fall Rowing Camps:

There will be no registration/callout at the boathouse. Each school will conduct registration and get #'s of rowers (roster), T-shirt sizes, wavier, emergency card and compliance verification (swim test, physical) etc.

Ken:  As the secretary, one of the most important jobs you do is to handle the registration for the Fall and Spring crew.  I have included what seem to be the required forms for Prince William Crew Association Fall Novice and Fall Experienced Camps (see attachments).  The hardest job for the secretary is getting these forms collected, copies made (for Hylton's use) and delivered to the right person at PWCA (believe this person is the camp coordinator, as yet, not hired).  The packages attached to this e-mail reflect the lessons learned by last year's secretary but you may modify the packaging of the forms as you see fit.   The key is that you have all the registration materials collected and ready to go.  PWCA's requirement is to have the registration material finalized by 9 September.  Hylton (and some other schools) will have a challenge making this as our registration cut-off is the Fall Call Out night which isn't scheduled until the 10th of September.  Accordingly, I am aiming to have the novice and experienced info ready to go on 11 September (the first day of experienced camp).  Obviously we want as much done ahead of time as possible.

Linda:  Based on Ken's registration info, you will cut a check for the PWCA according to the number of Hylton Rowers participating (from Ken's registration numbers).  Believe the figure for Fall nivice and fall experienced camp should be $130 per rower.  Ken will collect the checks and turn them over to you for each of the rowers.

Janet:  We need to have a number of these novice and experienced rowing registration packages on hand at the orientation day.