LETTER FROM THE EDITORS
After much dedication and hard work, we are pleased to present you with Issue 3 of Volume 72 of The Shield.
Before getting into the issue, we want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support and engagement with our publication. We appreciate everyone who has contributed, including some supportive alumni and teachers featured in this issue.
It’s officially prom season and the staff wanted to look at how dress trends have evolved through the years. We asked teachers to show us their prom fashions from the 80s, 90s, 2000s and 2010s. Their blasts from the past can be found on page 18.
The time is finally here:
Editors-in-Chief: Chloe Barron and Madison Bolen
Design and Layout Editor: Ally Milonas
News Editor: Serenity Mead
Features Editor: Lorelei Carlton
Opinions Editor: India Brophy
Social Media Editor: Sophia Gredenhag
Online Editor-in-Chief: Parker Fluhr
Business Manager: Glory Dansou
HR/Staff Relations: William Wainwright
Development Manager: Sami Whitney
Writing Coach: Leah Fullerton
the new Betty and Jack Demetree Family Athletic Training Center is complete. Check out some photos captured by the staff on page five.
Our constants, Athlete of the Issue and Artist of the Issue, are back. Read about basketball player Jack Lyons and artist Jordin Pudpud.
Speaking of athletes, we wanted to talk to baseball and softball players about superstitions they have on what makes them have a great game. Check out their lucky tactics on page eight.
Off the field and behind the camera, student journalists work to capture the moments and memories that make up our high school experience. Their work helps market and promote our school and preserves history for future generations. In
honor of National Scholastic Journalism Week, we decided to highlight what student media is all about on page 15.
The staff also reached out to former Editor-inChief of The Shield, alum Megan Wordell to discuss her journalism career as Associate Producer for ABC News.
Additionally, we wanted to feature students who have started and run small businesses, and the staff interviewed senior Emma Baggett about her jewelry company.
Do you want to get more involved around school? Take a look at some upcoming events where you can participate; support your classmates and show Kenny Pride.
Editorial Policy: The policy of The Shield is to provide a forum for student expression.
Staff Reporters: Siena Bakkar, Maddie Benfante, Faith Cabrey, Grace Campbell, Gianna Coyle, Joey Evans, Emma Gallup, Lindy Jakab, Gracie Kuepper, Terran Lathey, Megan Matthews, Becca Moody and Kate Reichard
Adviser: Jessica Durbin
Mission Statement:
The Shield is a student news magazine, published quarterly by journalism students at Bishop Kenny High School, dedicated to empowering and informing the student body by delivering timely, accurate and engaging stories.
We strive to uphold Bishop Kenny’s core values while fostering a sense of community, promoting critical thinking and celebrating the diverse voices and achievements within our school. Through our commitment to journalistic integrity and creativity, we aim to inspire and connect our readers, creating a culture of informed and engaged students.
Advertising:
If you are interested in advertising in The Shield, email newspaper@bishopkenny.org for more information.
Questions, Comments, Concerns: Letters to the editor are encouraged; submit to room 224. Names can be withheld upon request.
Contact Information: 1055 Kingman Ave., Jacksonville, Fla. 32207 (904) 265-9390 www.bktoday.org
Cover Design | Siena
Bakkar, Chloe Barron, Madi Bolen and Sophia Gredenhag
CRUSADER COUNTDOWN
Upcoming events this semester
Ally Milonas | Design and Layout Editor
The annual Miss Bishop Kenny pageant will be held on March 21 in the Carla Harris Center. Tickets will go on sale prior to the event through Canvas and online ordering. Reigning Miss BK Kamea Smith encourages students to attend this year’s pageant. “Students should go to support someone who will lead the way next year.”
The Powder Puff game is an ongoing tradition for juniors and seniors. This year it is scheduled for Monday, March 10, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets for the game are $5 each.
The Theatre Department will host a Broadway review dinner theatre on March 26, featuring performances by BK Theatre Club members from various musical numbers. Tickets will be sold online.
Prom this year will be on Saturday, April 5, and will be held at the Hyatt-Regency—Riverfront from 8 to 11 p.m.
Ticket prices will be $90 ,and Prom King and Queen will be around 10:30 p.m.
Photo by Madison Bolen
Photo courtesy of BK Theatre
Photo courtesy of Ally Milonas
Photo courtesy of Brooke Curry
The athletic training center’s facilities will be open to all Crusader
BUILDING INSIGHTS
Betty and Jack Demetree Family Athletic Training Center opens
India Brophy | Opinions and A&E Editor
The ground breaking ceremony for the building took place last January, and the building was finalized and blessed on February 19, 2025.
The new building includes a film room, health science classrooms, a state of the art weight room, wrestling room, athletic trainer clinic, spirit store and locker rooms.
The slam wall is the same custom made wall that quarterback Patrick
uses, according to Assistant Director of Athletics and head football coach
Mahomes
Tim Krause.
All of the equipment in the weight room was designed and built by Sorinex.
The weight room has a panoramic view of the sports complexes along the river.
sports teams.
right on
Jumping into different aspects of track and field
Chloe Barron | Editor in Chief
When people hear “track” they typically think of runners, right? But there are several events in track and field that don’t even involve running.
The sport is a combination of running, jumping and throwing events. These include 100m, 200m and 400m sprints, 800m and 1500m middle distance, long distance 3000m, Steeplechase 5000m and 10,000m, hurdles (100m and 400m) and relays (4x100m and 4x400m).
The jumping events include long jump, high jump, triple jump and pole vault. Discus, shot put, javelin and hammer throw are a part of the throwing events.
High Jump:
The jumper’s goal is to gain enough speed to jump off of one leg up and over a bar, landing on a crash mat. The approach involves jumpers starting to the left or right, and running in a curved or “J” shape until coming up to the side of the mat and the bar. From there, they jump off of their preferred foot and drive their opposing knee up into the air. While mid jump, those performing the “Fosbury flop” can be seen making an arch with their body and ultimately landing on their back. This technique was popularized by American high jumper Dick Fosbury in Mexico City at the 1968 Olympics. He went on to
win the gold medal, and by the next Summer Olympics in Munich, 28 of the 40 high jumpers had taken on this technique compared to the scissor jump, according to olympics.com. In the scissor technique, jumpers imitate scissors by going over the bar with one leg, then the other. The person who can jump the highest wins.
Shot Put:
The “putter’s” goal is to push a metal ball as far as they can. A woman’s “shot” weighs 4 kg or 8.8 lbs and the man’s weighs 7.26 kg or 16 lbs. Athletes grip the ball with one hand to then rest it on the same side of their neck. Keeping a high elbow allows for athletes to
focus on pushing the shot from their neck rather than throwing it.
Hurdles:
There are two different lengths of hurdles: the 400m and 100m. This race consists of 10 hurdles spaced throughout the duration. Runners start at a block, then make their way to the first hurdle. To clear a hurdle, the runners jump with their first leg extended then their second leg follows bent at the knee. To be the fastest runners need to spend the least time in the air and get their feet on the ground as quickly as possible. After the last hurdle, runners must sprint to the finish line.
Photos by Chloe Barron
Athletes express what superstitions they have
Faith Cabrey | Staff Reporter
Junior Timmy Pellicer is a life long baseball player with many superstitons.
“Not stepping on the foul lines... you just don’t do it,” Pellicer said.
He and his team believe that stepping on the foul lines means you willl have a bad game.
BASEBALL SOFTBALL SUPER SUPERSTITIOUS
Coach Wray played baseball in high school. He explains that he is a very superstitious player.
“Whatever you ate the night before you had a good game... is now your meal the night before every game,“
Coach Wray said.
He insisted on eating spaghetti and a salad before every game.
Junior Michelle Jones is part of the softball team and only has one superstition.
“I switch the bracelet I wear after every bad hit,” Jones said.
She believes that if she wears the same bracelet after a bad hit, she will continue to hit poorly.
Dean Wray played softball as a teen and is now the softball coach. She says she has more superstitions as a coach than she did a player.
“If a family member doesn’t show up to a regular season game, they can’t come to a playoff game,” Dean Wray said. She is serious about this superstition, and will turn family members away if they try to break the rule.
Athlete of the issue
Junior Jack Lyons shoots for success this season
Kate Reichard | Staff reporter
It all started with a six-foot seventh grader who tried out for his middle school basketball team but found his forever sport. For Junior Jack Lyons, there has not been a crossover since.
Middle school basketball was a learning period for Lyons before he advanced to the next level, high school. He prepared for high school basketball by playing for club teams in his free time. A few
challenges.
Although most of high school basketball has been successful so far, during his first year as a sophomore on varsity, he endured a serious injury. His ankle faced a severe sprain, which resulted in him being out for three months. During this time, he went to intense therapy and followed a strict schedule of wearing a brace on his foot. Eventually, he healed and year. Although recruitment aspirations for of this year.
Photo by Gianna Coyle
BK to the Big Apple
Alum takes on the world of New York journalism
Grace Campbell | Staff Reporter
Dreaming Big
When Megan Wordell packed her bags and moved to New York City, she was a girl with a dream and a passion for journalism. With complete uncertainty and no idea if her big leap of faith would pay off, Wordell’s deep love for storytelling kept her hopeful.
Ultimately, it propelled her from her first internship to producing global headlines with ABC News.
Now, as a seasoned reporter, Wordell has learned how to navigate the world of breaking news, handle ongoing political shifts and uncover the stories behind the stories. Discovering Journalism Wordell was always someone who enjoyed writing. While others were interested in movies or sports, she found herself drawn to the stories that mattered. Her mom, a Kenny alum and former staffer on The Shield, recognized her daughter’s passion and encouraged her to join the newspaper staff, igniting her love for journalism.
For Wordell, joining the
newspaper was a natural fit.
“I really fell in love with the whole process of writing and reporting and news gathering,” Wordell said.
Being a part of the school newspaper came with the additional opportunity to attend journalism conventions around the country. In Wordell’s first year on staff, she attended the fall National High School Journalism Convention in Indianapolis. While there, she was able to network with experienced journalists and learn more about the field of communication.
It was at this convention that Wordell’s dream of becoming a journalist was realized.
College Years
Though she might not have recognized it then, Wordell’s time spent on The Shield gave her the skills she would need to pursue
“It was exciting. I was ready to get the whole ‘life thing’ started.”
-Megan Wordell
her professional career in journalism.
Graduating from Kenny in 2017, she then attended The University of Florida and graduated in 2021 with two undergraduate degrees: one in journalism and the other in political science.
The Big Leap
Originally, Wordell planned to work in politics but ended up changing career paths, deciding to choose the route of journalism, soon moving to New York City, a place
where the stories are bigger and the stakes are higher.
After moving to the Upper West Side of Manhattan into an apartment she shared with three other roommates and two cats, Wordell immediately jumped into the world of New York journalism, beginning a fast-paced internship with ABC and starting graduate classes at Columbia University.
“It was exciting,” Wordell said. “I was ready to get the whole ‘life thing’ started.”
Life as an intern was challenging. Wordell was put on the night shift, working long hours in a world still shut down by COVID.
“So much of
journalism is getting out in the field and meeting people and attending events like protests and rallies,” Wordell said. “[That] got really tricky when we couldn’t go anymore.”
New Beginnings
Wordell began to climb the ladder at ABC, moving from Intern to Regional Desk Producer, and by 2023, she was working for ABC World News.
While there, she tapped into the political side of journalism, reporting on the early stages of the Presidential Election and the internal conflicts. In 2024, ABC needed someone to cover global affairs, so Wordell, with her background in political science, took on the responsibilities and eventually became an Associate Producer.
The Reality of Breaking News
everything and report on a story as it unfolds.
Wordell currently spends her time researching and writing stories for ABC’s online platform and TV programs. In addition to her regular duties, Wordell handles breaking news, meaning that at any point she might have to drop
“It’s crazy to think that, like, I’m the news.”
-Megan Wordell
“It’s crazy to think that, like, I’m the news,” Wordell said. “There’s something surreal about knowing something before it hits the public eye.”
She’s required to adapt to the twists, turns and surprises that come from working in news media. In less than 5 minutes, her day can go from the regularly scheduled programming to a hectic news chase, trying to capture breaking news live.
“You’re just trying to figure it out as you go,” Wordell said, acknowledging the intensity of breaking news. “Luckily commercial breaks exist.”
Humanizing the Headlines
Lately, in the political world, Wordell said she has found herself covering more difficult stories. When writing about foreign or domestic affairs, she feels that many journalists tend to get swept up
in the big questions and controversies, forgetting about the real people being affected by these issues.
“I think my favorite part of my job recently has been being able to humanize the difficult parts of the story,” Wordell said. “It’s emotionally tough, some of the stuff I have to work with, but I also feel very grateful that I get to help tell these stories.”
For Wordell, her interest in journalism was never about breaking the most interesting story, or about the number of views she gets; it is about speaking truth to power and giving a voice to the voiceless. It is about working as long as it takes to make sure every voice is heard and every side of the story is shared. The Journey Continues Through being open to opportunities like moving to New York City, staying dedicated to her job and committing to telling stories that matter, Wordell has become the reporter she always dreamed of being.
There is no telling what is in store for Wordell’s future; after all, her story is still unfolding, one headline at a time.
REQUEST SUCCESS
Your how-to guide on navigating course requests
Emma Gallup| Staff Reporter
Course Request sounds simple; it is the process where students request the courses they wish to enroll in for the following school year.
However, knowing which courses are most suitable and managing the various forms can be complex. The easiest way to navigate this year’s selection process is to approach it thoughtfully. The course selection form is available in each class cohort module, and freshmen, sophomores and juniors will watch a video during Flex mod to explain how to fill out the necessary form.
The first thing you see when filling out the course requests is your year-to-date average (YTD). But what even makes up this number? Your YTD average comprises your quarter 1, quarter 2, quarter 3 and midterm exam grades. Then, you divide this sum by 7 to calculate your YTD average. This number is also shown on Renweb Facts on the Quarter 3 Report Card screen.
If you do not reach the needed average or GPA to be admitted into an upper-level course, then you can request an academic review. Academic Dean Ashleigh Bradley and Assistant Academic Dean Jennifer Whitford review a student’s grades,
after-school activities and teacher recommendations to determine if the requested course is really the right fit for your academic career.
What is a good baseline to know if your academic review will be passed?
It is recommended that you are at least 5 points within the point average that is
What if you get lost in the academic course selection process?
needed. For example, if you are trying to go from English 2 to English 3 Honors, and you have an 87, then it is not recommended that you submit for a review since the required grade to move from college prep to honors is a 95 point average.
Your first step in this situation is to make an appointment to meet with your school counselor. Ask for their advice. If you are unsure if you want to take a class, you might also consider speaking to the head teacher of the course; ask them about the workload of the course, or anything else that might concern you. Sometimes they can give you advice on whether the course is best structured for you.
Ultimately, if you still have questions then you can always talk to Bradley, Whitford or Vice Principal of Academics Micahel Broach.
How will you gauge your limit the year before, and balance your academics with extracurricular activities?
Sometimes you may be eligible for all the classes with strong academic rigor, but that is when you must
take a step back and be completely honest with yourself.
“If you are involved in sports and school life, there is nothing wrong with taking one less AP or honors class,” Whitford said.
Leave room for school activities and, most importantly, protect your mental health.
What happens if you regret your course selection choices?
If you are still in the school year and have not started the courses you selected yet, then it’s not too late to manage changes. Just stop by the Academic Office and they can help you. Schedules are created and finalized during the summer, though, and when the school year begins, changes are no longer permitted. It is important to be thoughtful when selecting classes and making sure that you are correct in your decisions.
What is the most important thing to remember when going through the course selection process?
Honors and AP classes are not a “quick GPA boost.” They are a full-time commitment. You have to remember to request classes for the right reasons and focus on a balance in your academic and extracurricular workload.
COURSE CONVERSATION
Advice from a school counselor on choosing classes
Joey Evans | Staff reporter
When considering what classes to take for the next school year, an important person to consult would be your school counselor. While every situation is unique, school counselor Scott Sberna, who is responsible for last names beginning with A through E, shared some advice.
Chemistry is a popular choice for upcoming sophomores at Kenny; however, it is not required. In preparation for the 2013-2014
school year, a Florida bill was passed which eliminated the requirement for certain classes to graduate, one of which being chemistry, according to the Florida Department of Education.
So, should a student sign up to take chemistry, even though it’s no longer a graduation requirement?
“I usually start from where the student is intending to go later [in college],” Sberna said. “So, if you feel like you’re going
GO WITH THE FLOW
These flow charts from the course catalog can help students make decisions about which science and math courses to select for the upcoming school year.
to go into a field or major of study that involves science and mathematics, then yes, chemistry is probably a good idea.”
Additionally, Sberna shared insight on a math course that most students are unfamiliar with: Math for College Algebra.
“It is offered to seniors who had difficulty in Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2,” Sberna said. “The [academic] deans look at those students and consider whether it
would be best for them to shore up those skills before moving on to college level class.”
Rising sophomores, juniors and seniors have the opportunity to take a history class during summer school.
“That it is a valuable option if you are not interested in history as a class,” Sberna said. “Or, if you would like to double up on science or math classes.”
SUNKISSED SUCCESS
Senior Emma Baggett’s jewelry business
Lorelei Carlton | Features Editor
From marketing to making necklaces, Senior Emma Baggett has navigated every aspect of her business leading to its current success. Last summer, Baggett discovered her passion for jewelry-making, which set her journey in motion.
“I wanted cute waterproof jewelry but didn’t want to spend money on it,” Baggett said. “I also couldn’t find exactly what I wanted online, so I started making my own jewelry.”
That is when Baggett came up with the idea to make her own jewelry brand, and she named it Sunkissed Jewels.
Although she created everything herself and built her brand up, Baggett shares that others inspired her.
“I saw other small business owners on social media who inspired me to start my own,” Baggett said.
So, her business began to flourish. She started off by selling necklaces to her friends through Instagram, but this would not last long.
“As I started getting messages from other girls all over, I knew I should take the
next step,” Baggett said.
The next step for Baggett led her to building her own website, a platform in which she could maintain the increasing number of customers she was getting.
Baggett promotes her business in various ways. She has attended pop ups and arts markets where she can sell her products in person, but her main way of advertising has been through social media. One of the ways she specifically uses social media to promote her business is through public relations (PR). Baggett gives out PR to bigger content creators who can draw attention to her business.
“I specifically look at views and interaction to make sure I’m reaching a big audience,” Baggett said.
One creator that Baggett is currently working with is TikTok influencer Demetra Dias.
While Baggett’s business has been quite successful, she has also faced challenges. The biggest challenge she has faced has been finding quality wholesale materials.
“While I do look for the
cheapest charms and chains, I don’t want to compromise the quality of the necklace,” Baggett said.
Despite these challenges, Baggett plans to continue selling jewelry in college.
“It’s a great way to make money, and its convenient because I can work on my own time,” Baggett said.
In high school, she has kept the business a manageable size due to her busy schedule. However, she is looking to potentially expand the business in the coming years.
“In college, I will have more time and resources to grow the business,” Baggett said.
Owning a business is one of Baggett’s greatest accomplishments, and there are moments that can be so
fulfilling. One of Baggett’s favorite things about owning a small business is that she can be creative and know that other people enjoy what she creates. Aside from these moments, owning a business has given Baggett certain values that she will carry with her in the future.
“Owning a business has helped me to understand the values of responsibility and time management,” Baggett said.
The lessons she has learned as a student entrepreneur makes her inspired to be a role model for those looking to do similar things.
“I advise others to not let fear of judgment or failure stop you from being successful,” Baggett said.
BEHIND THE CAMERA
Journalists cover campus actvities
Siena Bakkar | Staff reporter
At Bishop Kenny events, it is not unusual to spot a student with a camera taking pictures and videos from different angles. But why is it important to capture these memories digitally?
Senior Veronica Pinate is on yearbook staff this year, and she believes it is important to capture the moments of Bishop Kenny after-school activities.
“There are a lot of things that happen at the school,” Pinate said “And everyone deserves the recognition for what they do, and what they are passionate about.”
“It’s important for other people to see what happens [at Bishop Kenny], and how everyone is involved in the community we have,” Shivers said.
photos,” Shivers said.
Although Bishop Kenny offers many electives, Shivers chose yearbook to broaden her artistic horizons.
“I really liked the creative aspect of it, but also being able to take photos and tell people’s stories from the
Yearbook isn’t the only elective that focuses on capturing Bishop Kenny’s moments. Kenny offers Newspaper, Creative Photography, Multimedia Journalism and Multimedia Videography.
Social Media Coordinator for The Shield senior Sophia Gredenhag says the importance of spreading Bishop Kenny news via media is a main way to gain viewership.
“It’s important to promote our work that we do on social media because we are meeting people where they are, which is through the internet,” Gredenhag said.
Gredenhag believes that if students “see our posts on Instagram, they are more likely to click on the link to our website and start reading our stuff.”
The game-point touchdown, final bow and winning goals could not be frozen in time without the journalists who work to capture the events of the school year, preserving memories forever.
Photos by SiSi Lyar
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
Senior Jordin Francis Pudpud finds art in ordinary wildlife
William Wainwright I Business Manager - HR
As senior AP Drawing student and artist
Jordin Francis Pudpud meanders around her neighborhood searching for various animals, she finds more than just common reptiles hidden in treetops and bushes — she finds beautiful creatures worth celebrating.
She looks closely at the way they move, their skin color and other physical traits. She returns home with her findings, ready to begin working with diverse supplies, vibrant colors and different textures.
Pudpud has been a part of the art department for all four years of high school, beginning with Art 1, and completing her journey in AP Drawing, where she is tasked with creating a portfolio of artwork centered around a common theme.
“It basically entails finding a guiding question and experimenting with
different facets of it, and creating works around it,” Pudpud said. “This year, it’s about subverting expectations around misunderstood animals.”
Despite her growth as an artist, the AP art program has proved sometimes challenging for Pudpud. She
highlights her difficulties about creating art graded at the college level, where advanced-level perspectives are expected.
“I want to make people consider or look at animals that we often dismiss more closely,” Pudpud said. “That’s why I did the frog pieces;
people often think they’re ugly, and I want to show the hidden beauty and interest that they have.”
Even though Pudpud has to adhere to her selected theme, the College Board also gives students some personal freedom in their work. In addition to having a portfolio with an overarching theme, Pudpud also explores the themes of identity and change in her personal artwork. She notes how these themes can appear randomly in her art and can be informal.
“It’s basically what’s on my mind at the time,” Pudpud said.
Pudpud also has some advice for budding artists beginning their art journey.
“Don’t be afraid to scrap works if you feel like it,” Pudpud said. “You aren’t obligated to be happy or save everything you make. Just making art is a learning experience.”
Pudpud frequents new exhibits at the Jacksonville Zoo.
BLAST FROM THE PAST
Faculty share prom dress styles through the years
Terran Lathey | Staff reporter
Megan Matthews | Staff reporter
We reached out to faculty members to find out about their prom dresses, and each teacher shared a dress that not only showcased their individual fashion taste, but also gave a glimpse into the unique time period.
Each of these educators possesses a distinctive style, resulting in an array of dresses with colors such as coral, black, white, and magenta. The variety highlights how fashion can serve as a form of selfexpression. The teacher’s personal taste is reflected, as is the decade in which they spent their high school years.
1990
Yearbook adviser Dawn Huskey wore a white lace dress with a sweetheart neckline. She accessorized with a classic pearl necklace and baby’s breath flowers in her
1992 2000 2011 2019
English teacher Grace Isaac, who was also Miss BK, wore a black beaded dress with ostrich feathers at the hemline.
German teacher Carol Hollen wore a magenta strapless satin A-line, styled with a sparkling silver necklace and classic Y2K updo.
hair.
Math teacher Kristen Zumwalt wore a black and white off-the-shoulder dress with a white bow on the front and custom dyed shoes to match. Her big hairstyle is classic 90s era.
Marine biology teacher Taylor Malewicki wore a neon hued halter gown lined with rhinestones. The updo was still popular in the 2010s, as was sparkly matching jewelry.
POPE CALLS OUT PRES
Pope Francis condemns mass deportation in letter
Sophia Gredenhag | Social Media Coordinator
On February 10, Pope
Francis wrote a letter to The United States Catholic Bishops condemning the Trump administration’s efforts of mass deportation. The Pope made this rare public letter to the U.S. Bishops to remind them that the “major crisis” at the border is not a minor issue.
In the letter, he stated that “an authentic rule of law is verified precisely in the dignified treatment that all people deserve, especially the poorest and most marginalized.”
We can interpret this to mean that those who have power are called to have dignity for all people, especially the most vulnerable among them.
He continues to write that it is wrong to affiliate one’s immigration status with criminality, putting them in a box with those
who have dangerous criminal records. Naming a migrant as a criminal “damages the dignity of those people and places them in vulnerable and defenseless positions,”
Pope Francis said.
Several times throughout the letter, The Holy Father references stories from the Bible. For example, he reminds the Bishops that Jesus himself was an immigrant fleeing to escape the ungodly King Herod when he and his parents left Egypt.
In an interview with Sean Hannity from Fox News, Vice President JD Vance said that it is a Christian teaching that people should love their families, neighbors and community before loving people from other countries.
Pope Francis disagrees.
“Christian love is not a concentric expansion of interests that little by little extend to other persons and
groups,” he stated in the letter.
And lest we forget the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Not only has Pope Francis called out the mass deportation efforts of the Trump administration, but more than 25 religious groups and denominations have sued the Department of Homeland Security for rescinding efforts to prevent immigration officers from coming into sensitive places such as schools, hospitals, and places of worship, according to NPR religion correspondent Jason DeRose.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is also suing the Trump administration over the refugee funding freeze, according to the Catholic News Agency. The lawsuit is based on the fact that the organization “worked with the U.S. Department of States Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration for nearly half a century.’’
On February 18, The White House posted a video of immigrants in shackles on its Instagram account @ whitehouse, labeling the deportation footage, “ASMR: Illegal Alien Deportation Flight.”
The video shows an immigration officer patting down a man, placing several handcuffs and chains on the ground and then showing an officer putting the handcuffs on the individual. The caption has an emoji insinuating for viewers to “turn up the volume” for “aesthetic” purposes.
to Bishops
It’s not an ASMR slime video. This person is being deported.
The unprofessional post directly correlates with what Pope Francis was saying about the dignity of the human person being taken away and being mocked in the process.
While deportations are inevitable in every country, the dehumanization of the act is something that should not be tolerated.
In our own community, the Diocese of St. Augustine, Bishop Erik Pohlmeier released “A Call for Justice and Hope in Immigration,” which can be found on the DOSA website.
“Pope Francis has urged U.S. Catholics and the people of goodwill to not give in to ‘narratives’ that discriminate against and cause unnecessary suffering to migrants and refugees,” the statement reads.
The Bishop goes on to challenge parishioners to “look beyond political rhetoric and recognize the human dignity at the heart of this issue.”
If there was one thing that I had to take away from my 14 years of Catholic education, it would be the concept of respecting the dignity of all human life. Regardless of one’s color, sex, income, ethnic background or immigration status, we are all made in the image and likeness of God. Not even breaking a law gives us an excuse to degrade another human.
This core value of Catholics makes us who we are, and we should not forget the teachings that guide our lives.
Illustration by Sophia Nunez-Salinas
Kenny Kupid
How do I pick the right one?
Dear Kenny Kupid,
I have had this boy best friend for 10 years, and I guess you know where this is heading. But rewind: I have had a boyfriend for almost two years now. He completely respects the fact that I have a boy best friend, which is really nice. I got into a fight with my best friend, and we didn’t talk for months. That whole time I felt something was missing from my life. Those days were complete torture. I tried to tell myself that it’s not love, and that I just missed him.
Weeks passed and I started to think of him as more than just a friend. He was non-stop running through my mind. Thankfully, we eventually made up with one another and are back on good terms. Sometimes I catch him flirting with me and I don’t know if he is just joking or he likes me.
Last week, we were hanging out, and he kissed me. I hate to admit it but I really like him. I don’t know how my boyfriend would react if he found this out. Is he going to care, or overreact and throw a fit?
Kenny Kupid, I need your help! I don’t know what to do. I love my boyfriend but I am beginning to realize I have feelings for my best friend, I want to see where this could go. What do I do to prevent unnecessary drama between everyone?
-Sincerely Ms. More than Friends
Dear Ms. More than Friends,
Yikes! That is a pretty sticky situation. Having two guys who want you can be a blessing or a curse. There are two different ways you could handle this situation.
Scenario #1: From your confession, it sounds like you like your best friend more. You have to end things with your boyfriend. I would meet with your boyfriend in person; not over the phone. Ending things over the phone could come off as rude and callous; especially when you have been together for two years! Once you let him know your true feelings, you can let him off easily. This is a respectful way to end on good terms.
Scenario #2: You could secretly date both your boyfriend and best friend. But, make sure that neither one of them finds out. That would be an awkward situation! After a few months, you can decide who you like most. Once you have chosen the one, break up with the other, and then you can live happily ever after.
Ms. More than Friends, if you are still in a pickle and can’t pick which boy is for you, you can put them through a “perfect boyfriend test.” To do this, you can put your boys through a series of situations to see if they make the right choice. After this test, you will be able to see which boy has the most red flags so you can cut him off your roster. I hope you make the right choice and find true love.
-Kenny Kupid