KGW Newschannel 8 reporter Pat Dooris and cameraman Gene Cotton spent time at the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Convent on August 1, 2012 while the Sisters and others cheered on 2003 Valley Catholic School Alumna Mariel Zagunis as she fenced in the London Olympics.

The story aired on KGW that evening on the 7 o’clock news, but unfortunately KGW was not able to post it online due to NBC’s strict guidelines regarding the use of any Olympic footage. Therefore, only a transcript of what was aired of appears below. (The text in all-caps is the voice of Pat Dooris, and each quote is followed by the name of the speaker in brackets.)

Many thanks to Pat Dooris and KGW for this report and for the permission to use the script from the story.

INSIDE A NORMALLY QUIET CATHOLIC CONVENT—

“Nine more come on!” [Voice calling out]

AN EXCITED CROWD GATHERED TO CHEER ON BEAVERTON’S OWN MARIEL ZAGUNIS.

SARAH ANDERSON HAS KNOWN THE FENCER SINCE CHILDHOOD.

I know…it’s amazing to see her and it was AMAZING to watch her walk in with the flag. That was such a proud accomplishment. She deserved it. [Sarah Anderson]

THE CONVENT IS PART OF VALLEY CATHOLIC—WHERE ZAGUNIS SPENT 13 YEARS…FROM PRESCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL.

AMONG THE CROWD—SR. CHARLENE HERINCKX—THE SUPERIOR GENERAL—AND OVER HER SHOULDER—SR. MARIE BERNADETTE—ZAGUNIS’ FIRST GRADE TEACHER.

“It was awesome…really awesome. You never know what’s going to happen to the students you teach.” [Sr. Marie Bernadette George]

AS ZAGUNIS FOUGHT TO REACH THE GOLD MEDAL ROUND—HER SCHOOL FAMILY GATHERED—

“cheer….woo!” [voices calling out]

WITH GOLD BEADS—FOR WHAT MANY EXPECTED WOULD BE A THIRD GOLD MEDAL.

BUT AFTER A QUICK START TO HER FOURTH MATCH…ZAGUNIS RAN INTO TROUBLE.

DEEP TROUBLE.

THE KIND FROM WHICH SHE COULD NOT RECOVER.
“Oooohhhhhhh!!!” [voices calling out]

BUT THESE ARE MORE THAN MERE SPORTS FANS.

“She’s a very gracious and thoughtful woman.” [Sr. Charlene Herinckx]

THIS IS PART OF AN EXTENDED FAMILY THAT POURED LOVE AND VALUES INTO MARIEL ZAGUNIS LONG BEFORE SHE EVER APPEARED ON THE WORLD STAGE.

“And so I…I’m sure she’ll handle it very well. I’m sure it’s a big disappointment—to her because it’s been 4 years of preparation for this.” [Sr. Charlene Herinckx]

SO WHEN SHE LOST AGAIN IN HER FIGHT FOR THE BRONZE MEDAL—IT WAS QUIET HERE. BUT LOVE NEVER LEFT THE ROOM.

HERE…MARIEL ZAGUNIS WILL ALWAYS BE A CHAMPION.

“I’m very proud of her yes.” [Sr. Charlene Herinckx]

Posted by dtomich in About the Sisters