By Suzette Fuentes - St. Theresa School (Little Flower)
Photographer: COURTESY
Top prize winners: “All-State Contractors” team captain Mario Chaluja, second prize, poses with “Off Limits” team captain Mike Murias, first prize, at St. Theresa School's 2023 Fishing Tournament, held May 20, 2023.
Photographer: COURTESY
St. Theresa third grader Max Chaluja won first place in the Junior Angler category, reeling in a 25.8 lb tuna at St. Theresa School's 2023 Fishing Tournament, held May 20, 2023.
CORAL GABLES | The waters near Coconut Grove were teeming with friendly rivalry as St. Theresa School in Coral Gables held its 2023 Fishing Tournament and Dock Party.
On May 20, 2023, 32 boats filled with St. Theresa families and friends sailed out from Shake-A-Leg Miami to compete for bragging rights, joining sponsors and donors in raising $50,000 for the school.
Team “Off Limits” earned first prize, captained by Mike Murias, who also came in with the biggest individual catch of the day, a tuna weighing nearly 29 pounds.
The kids were also in on the competition: junior anglers Max Chaluja, a third-grader, reeled in the biggest catch in the youth category with Mikey Murias and Julio Jimenez, Jr., a first-grader, coming in second and third place with great catches of their own.
Without even setting foot on a boat, fifth-grader Anthony Petisco caught a five-foot nurse shark directly off the sea wall, the largest catch from the dock, with sixth grader Adrian Camano scoring a barracuda and fourth-grader Alexander DiDonato reeling in several puffer fish.
Guests of all ages enjoyed music, games and delicious bites, including fresh oysters from The Lazy Oyster, paella from Fresh Florida Fisheries and a live crawfish boil by St. Theresa parent Carlos Smith of Silmar Electronics.
The St. Theresa Fishing Tournament and Dock Party is organized by a dedicated committee made up of school families and is sponsored by St. Theresa and its community of supporters, including Casa Smiles, Dr. Bob Pediatric Dentist, Marine Max, Universal Pallets, Fresh Florida Fisheries, Casablanca, Dream Vacations/NCL and East Cape Boats.
Photographer: COURTESY
St. Theresa parents and students, joined by several Carmelite Sisters, enjoy music and food at the dock party that was part of St. Theresa School's 2023 Fishing Tournament, held May 20, 2023.
