The Miegian Newspaper: December 2019 by Bishop Miege Press

2019-2020

The Miegian Vol. 63, Iss. 3 | Bishop Miege High School | 5041 Reinhardt Dr, Roeland Park, KS | December 13, 2019

Content Overview

CONTENT

04 06

News

News Briefs & Streaming Services

Faith

Miege Chapel

Features

Athletics

Robot Babies, Charlie Hill, & Chickens and Cows

2+ Sport Athletes & Fantasy Football

Opinion Gifts & Frozen 2 Review, Milk Drinking, Schedule Change

Christmas

November & December

Survey 1,000 Words

Stretch Your Brain Christmas Wordsearch Cover Photo | Maddy Bohon

Editor-In-Chief Maren Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connell

Assistant editor

Kaitlin Thrun

Opinion Editor Maddy McBride

Sports Editor Luke Lazarczyk

writing Staff

Moira Sutherlin Allison Masilionis Miles Haggerty Isabel Copeland

Staff Photography Maddy Bohon Cooper Brandmeyer

2019-2020 Miegian Staff

Monday Jan. 6

Stag Events

Classes Resume 2nd Semester Begins

Jan. 13

Tuesday

Wednesday Jan. 7 Jan. 8

Thursday Jan. 9

V. Girls Basketball vs Sion (home)

Jan. 14

Jan. 15

Jan. 16

Calendar

Friday

Jan. 10

Sat. and Sun. Jan. 11 & 12

Registration deadline for Feb. ACT

V. Boys Basketball vs Rockhurst (home)

Jan. 17

Jan. 18 & 19

V. Boys Basketball vs Aquinas (home)

Jan. 20

Jan. 21

MLK, Jr. Day NO SCHOOL

Jan. 27

Jan. 22

Jan. 23

Jan. 29

Jan. 25 & 26

March for Life (DC)

Topeka Rally for Life

Jan. 28

Jan. 24

Jan. 30

Jan. 31

Feb. 1 & 2

SOUPer Bowl Sun. Groundhog Day

Catholic Schools Week

Feb. 3

Feb. 4

Feb. 5

Spelling Bee Auditorium

Feb. 6

Feb. 7

NO SCHOOL

Feb. 8 & 9

Sat. Feb. ACT (away)

KAIROS 66

Be Aware All Month:

National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month National Diabetes Month Lung Cancer Awarness Month

National Human Rights Month If you would like to send us any story ideas or letters to the editor, email as at newspaper@bishopmiege.com or contact our Instagram, @bishopmiegepress

News Briefs

News Briefs Miles Haggerty Staff Writer

LOCAL Singing to State

Coughing Cautions

Home at Last

The following students auditioned for and made the KMEA All-State District Honor Choir. They performed Dec. 7 at Shawnee Mission Northwest. The top qualifiers will go on to All-State in Wichita in February: Francesca Dessert, Vincent Lopez, Shea McGraw, Cara Parisi, Johanna Quigley, Maria Nguyen, and Vivian Owens.

Whooping cough cases have been popping up around counties across Kansas. This illness can come off as a cold at first, but after a couple of weeks it can explode into a cough so violent it can lead to vomiting and can linger for weeks, even months. Health officials recommend visiting a doctor ASAP if any of the later symptoms occur.

The world-renowned “unicorn puppy” named Narwhal the Little Magical Furry Unicorn, who was rescued in November by Mac’s Mission in southeast Missouri will remain at the rescue building, even after more than 300 adoption requests. The mission claims that Narwhal will be safe and won’t be exploited at his forever home in Jackson.

Friendly Features

French Fry Famine

Providing Protection

Instagram rolled out a new update that removed users from seeing the amount of likes on posts other than their own to make it a space that is more focused on connections, conversations, and community.

An early frost and dropping temperatures have caused a very unusual potato harvesting season, which could result in the food industry running out of french fries or any potato-supplemented foods.

A local elementary teacher in Birmingham, Ala. decided to spread the holiday love to children by buying winter coats for students in need. She raised more than $500 and purchased more than 40 coats for her students and for students in other grades so they can stay warm when temperatures plummet.

NATIONAL

INTERNATIONAL

Dinosaur Discoveries

Browsing the Earth

Series Stopper

A team of international scientists examined the fossils of fluffy dinosaurs at the South Pole. Dinosaur skeletons and ancient bird bones have been found at high latitudes before — but this is the first fossilized evidence of feathered dinosaurs.

In hopes of changing the planet, the Ecosia internet browser plants trees for simply just using it. Around 45 searches profits enough for one tree. The browser is completely free to use and helps save the planet.w

The last and final installment of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” will be released Dec. 20. It has been in the works for two years and is expected to go out with a bang.

Streaming Takeover

Maren O’Connell Editor-in-Chief

s streaming services like Netflix and Hulu have quickly taken over the entertainment sphere, they and many others have practically made cable obsolete in the homes of many Miege students. “My family has not had cable for two years because streaming services offer less commercials and they are typically cheaper, so we can have multiple [three in total] streaming services for the price of cable,” senior Acel Copeland said. According to a Miege survey sent on November 16, 2019, where 165 students responded, only eight students have cable itself, without any separate subscriptions. Some of the streaming service giants, like Netflix, have been steadily increasing its prices over the years, deterring subscribers to renew. According to the Washington Post, Netflix reported subscriber numbers lower than even its own estimates for the second quarter this past summer with a loss of 126,000 subscribers. The drop came as a surprise when analysts predicted the figure to in-

crease by 352,000. This could be connected to the price hike, but this drop is the first realization that Netflix could be losing its dominance in its respective market. “I stopped subscribing to Netflix because I rarely have time to be able to sit down and watch any sort of T.V,” senior Andrea Martinez Villarreal said. “Having to focus on college applica-

“My family has not had cable for two years because streaming services offer less commercials and they are typically cheaper, so we can have multiple streaming services for the price of cable,” - Senior Acel Copeland tions and my current studies has taken much over my schedule.” With Disney+ launching and other various networks trying to hoard their material for their own “unique” service, the situation is seemingly veering back to cable days, with families being subscribed to more than one service. “I usually use Netflix, but if there is a movie I want to watch that Netflix

News

is not streaming, then usually it is on Hulu and I can enjoy the movies that I want without worry, ” junior Bethy Ruiz said. Some families take it even farther with the amount of streaming services they subscribe to at one time. For sophomore Jenna Dorsett, her family is subscribed to four separate streaming services: Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Youtube TV. “My family is subscribed to more than one streaming service because they all have different shows that we watch and they’re all cheaper than paying for cable,” Dorsett said. According to the survey, 156 students have some form of streaming services they use in their household. At the end of the day, streaming services have been a new way to consume entertaining content and students find it very unlikely that the world will revert back to a single streaming service. “I do not think the world will go back to preferring cable over subscribing to streaming services because streaming services are cheaper and have variety of T.V shows and movies to watch,” freshman Darby Sutherlin said.

Miege’s Favs

NETFLIX

99%

AMAZON PRIME

61%

HULU 52%

DISNEY PLUS

37%

OTHER

36%

Results from an online survey of 166 students. Illustration By|Allison Masilionis

Faith

Building on history

Light shines through the stained glass art in the chapel, which is called Duc in Altum. Mr. Michael Pilla of Monarch Studios, from St. Paul, Minnesota was chosen as the artist to design, build, and install this stained glass window. | photo by Cooper Brandmeyer

Chapel connects students with larger Miege family Isabel Copeland

front of the beautiful and vibrant stained glass creation. “In the window is the apostles and Jesus in the boat for that big catch into Duc In Altum,” Mr. Creach said. rom the busy hallways of Bishop Miege High School, “Duc in Altum” means to “put out into the deep” and a simple and elegant wooden sculpture of St. Angela is from Luke 5:4-6 in the Bible. It is used to describe when Merici draws the students, staff, and visitors to the front Jesus was speaking to the crowds from of the chapel. The St. Angela MeriSimon’s boat, and then he invited the aposci Chapel is an important part of the “The chapel offers a Catholic faith aspect at Miege. As it has place for students to be in a tles to “put out into the deep” for a catch. changed throughout the years, it still time of need, whether it be When they had done this, they caught a seems to draw people in with its array of for prayer or just to gather great number of fish. The stained glass window is now titled “Duc in Altum.” symbolic items. themselves.” As the new stained glass window was The chapel was first opened in 1958, put into the chapel in 2004, there were a but has changed significantly over the -Senior Katie Taylor few different ways it looked throughout years. the years. One transition the chapel went “When I was here, there was a through is that there was once a wooden cross in the middle glass window in the back with little slivers of light coming of the stained glass comprised of red, yellow, and blue tiles through,” Campus Ministry leader Bill Creach said. “You could see some daylight, but when they built the auditorium surrounding it. “The old stained glass had a wooden cross carved into it, there was no point in having stained glass there, so when which is now in the theology hallway,” Mr. Creach said. they redid the chapel once upon a time the altar was in the This wooden cross in the sophomore hallway was back.” recently used to carry the multitude of sticky notes encomFast forward about 46 years, the altar is now placed in Staff Writer

passing the school’s love for Mackenzie Cowan. With the stained glass window being so big, it magnifies the abundance of light shining through it, many eyes are immediately drawn to the front of the chapel. “I notice the stained glass window just because it is really beautiful,” sophomore Francesca Dessert said. Many students, staff, and visitors use the chapel as a place of worship because it is private and has a special purpose to them. “There were moments where I just needed a place to collect myself and my thoughts,” senior Katie Taylor said. “The chapel offers a place for students to be in a time of need, whether it be for prayer or just to gather themselves.” Although being in the chapel alone serves as a private space for anyone who needs it, there are also times where the chapel is used to celebrate and worship with one another. “I am very grateful that I’m in the position of being in Mass with all my teammates and really taking the time to calm myself before an exciting night,” senior football player Jake Ryan said. Whether being alone or with a whole team, the chapel continues to have a great impact on people. When students walk into the chapel, there are icons of saints surrounding the holy water font that completes the hallway of holiness. This symbolism is

preserved in eight icons of holy men and women who were individuals who live with Christ in the Kingdom of Heaven. “When I walk into the chapel, I always think of my patron saint as I walk by the pictures of saints by the water font,” sophomore Mikey Hanson said. “I think of people who do little things that end up making a bigger impact.” Nova et vetera meaning “the new and the old” has great meaning to Bishop Miege but especially when referring to the chapel. “Not too many people would recognize the fact that those stations of the cross were the same ones from the old chapel,” Mr. Creach said. “Taking the old to the new or ‘nova et vetera.’ I love that that’s our motto.” was the images of the stations of the cross were taken from the previous chapel, they had been refinished and now offer a faithful way to enter into a prayerful state of mind. “I look at the stations of the cross as a reminder about what Jesus did for us,” Hanson said. “To save us from our sins.” Many items in the chapel have a different meaning for different people, but one thing that will never change is the importance it has to our Catholic faith. “The chapel is a place where I can go and just relax and tell God all my worries and problems and not feel judged,” Hanson said.

Faith

Did you know?

Our Lady of Guadalupe This image was given to Miege from Mexican students who graduated in the 1970s and ‘80s. After meeting Sister Mildred Berdelle who taught in Mexico during the summers, those students then attended Miege.

How well do you know the chapel? 1. What is the name of the chapel? 2. Who is St. Angela Merici? 3. How many icons surround the holy water font? 4. How many of those icons are saints? 5. Is Kateri Tekawitha one of those icons? 6. Is St. Teresa of Avila one of those icons? 7. What year was the renovated chapel dedicated? 8. Who designed the crucifix in the chapel? 9. Is there a confessional in the chapel? 10. Who was the artist who created the stained glass window?

Tabernacle This mosaic shows two fish coming together around the vessel of bread. Intertwined with this design is an ancient cross as an anchor, which had caught two little fish, representing the faith. | photos by Isabel Copeland Information from Mr. Creach.

1. St. Angela Merici Chapel 2. Foundress of the Ursuline 3. Eight 4. Six 5. Yes 6. Yes 7. In 2004 8. The artist is a local Kansan 9. Yes 10. Mr. Michael Pilla

Feature

Child Development teacher Ms. Sarah DiDio sets up the robot babies for senior Kaitlin Thrun and junior Catherine Boling. The robot babies are part of the recent project where students take the baby home with them overnight. | photos by Katie Wolfe

Robot babies take over

Child Development finishes up baby project Moira Sutherlin Staff Writer

he loud, repetitive scream of a baby goes off at 3 a.m. It is not the sound of a real baby, but the sound of a mechanical baby from the Child Development class. The Child Development class started a project in November that involves students taking care of a mechanical baby doll for about 15 hours. Students take the robotic baby home,

which is set on 1 of 3 programs: A, B, or C. Students observe and record when the baby cries, and when it does, students are given a set of keys which are used to silence the baby. “They have a battery pack in their back, and there I put a key in that programs it to program A, B, or C,” Child Development teacher Ms. Sarah DiDio said. “When the baby cries, they have put in one of the keys to see whether or not it will stop crying.” There are a variety of keys stu-

dents are given to quiet the baby. Each key represents a different need a baby would have in real life. “You might put in the key that says ‘feed’ but if it doesn’t stop crying, you have to try another one like ‘needs attention’ or usually ‘burp’ comes after feeding, or maybe the baby needs their diaper changed,” Ms. DiDio said. The babies’ cries are random and can go off at any time during the night. Junior Emma Baird’s baby cried around 15 times throughout the

night, which frustrated her. “It was fine at first, but then when it cried three times in the span of an hour at 3 o’clock in the morning, I was kind of over it,” Baird said.

“It’s a huge responsibility having the care of someone for 24/7 and babies need a lot of time and attention.” Ms. Sarah DiDio

Even though Baird was wakened several times in the middle of the night by the baby’s crying, she had enjoyable moments with her robot baby. “The looks you would get from people in public were definitely the best,” Baird said. “I was in my car and the baby was in the passenger seat. A guy stopped next to me at the light, looked over, and at first was concerned but then laughed.” This year’s dolls look different than previous years, because four

Senior Sara Gallo

new babies were bought in August, and are in a much better condition than the older robot dolls. “The old ones were pretty worn out, bruised up, and the battery packs just weren’t working anymore,” Ms. DiDio said. The new babies are more diverse than previous years with a variety of skin colors. “Last year, there was only one female white baby, so this year I got a Hispanic, African American, white, and Asian baby,” Ms. DiDio said. This project is not just an excuse for students to take a robot baby home, but is meant to teach every student a lesson about raising a child. Baird learned that she is not ready to have a baby. Ms. DiDio wants students to understand that taking care of a baby is a big responsibility and involves a lot of time and effort. “Most of them decide on their own that they’re not ready to have children,” Ms. DiDio said. “It’s a huge responsibility having the care of someone for 24/7 and babies need a lot of time and attention.”

Senior Vivian Owens

Feature

Junior Catherine Boling is dressing her baby, which has a battery pack in its back where the five different keys are inserted.

The Keys

The baby makes a “coo” sound when the correct key is inserted into it.

Attention Diaper Change Feed Burp Panic

Junior Maisie Young

Baby Name: Panini

Baby Name: Grendel/Asparagus

Baby Name: Squish (Lasquisha)

Funny experience: “My child and I watched ‘Ratatouille.’ Culture them while they’re young.”

Memorable moment: “My mom was holding her, and when she wanted to stop, she picked her up by her head and set her on the ground.”

Spooky situation: “I put that warped Snapchat filter on my baby, and it looked like a sleep paralysis demon.”

Feature

Uncommon Friends

Students explain the benefits of having animals Miles Haggerty

The animals aren’t just for looks or meat. Sophomore Chloe Farthing Staff Writer uses her chickens to get eggs for recipes or whatever she needs them for. “They can be a hickens croak chore sometimes, but and cows bellow it’s all worth it in the as the morning end because not only sun shines down on are you getting unlimthem, starting a new ited eggs, but you're day in their life. also making new fuzzy Sophomore Lola friends,” Farthing said. Wrigley has a variety of Chickens and cows animals at her Louisare unique and intelliburg home. Animals gent, each one having that wouldn’t normally their own characterisbe see in the typical tics. suburban yard. “There’s a variety of “We used to have different chickens and chickens when I was they all have different a kid, but we just got personalities; like one them again for eggs,” can be furry and furious Wrigley said. “Our cows or one can be silky and are actually my grandsweet. It’s fun to get pa’s friend’s cows that to know your chickens we keep on our land. personally,” Farthing Sadly, he kills them, said. “They’re like dogs but we get some of that fly.” the meat, so it’s like a In a flock, chickens trade-off.” will establish a ranking Although Wrigley system with a series of owns animals that fights with each otharen’t typically seen, er (sometimes to the it’s nothing new to death) until there is a her. She’s been around superior chicken to rule animals like these since them all. birth. Cows are also smart “We have about and social animals, seven cows and about each one being unique 20 chickens in our field Booger the cow prances in a field. | Photo Courtesty of Lola Wrigley in behavior. Some can be back home,” Wrigley said. quiet and gentle, while others can be the herd and is actually a really nice “We used to have some turkeys but ecstatic, active, or alert. cow,” Wrigley said. “Most of them are they all passed around the same time “Booger usually stays away from scared to come up to people but he’s from a coyote.” the other cows,” Wrigley said. “He pretty fearless. He’s pretty fun to look A majority of people haven’t seen always runs up to me and tries to play. at and when I’m bored I can go and go an energetic cow, which is why they’re He lets me pet him and eats out of my out with him and the other cows and normally just passed off as livestock, hand.” give them some food.”

to be eaten. Wrigley has gained a great friendship with a cow of hers, a friendship she hopes lasts forever. “My cow, Booger, is the cutest of

Miege’s Superstar

Feature

Kaitlin Thrun

Managing Editor n average day for junior Charlie Hill starts off with him waking up between the hours of five and seven to finish homework, and sometimes continues to work on it as his mother drives him to school in the morning. Eventually, classes start and he falls into his routine, keeping up with his advanced placement classes. His after school activities vary from day to day; one day it might be Scholar’s Bowl, the next it may be debate. One thing is for sure — Hill’s schedule is packed Junior Charlie Hill sits in his AP US History class playing a speed dating game about historical figures full. that his teacher, Mr. James Wilcox made up. | photo by Cooper Brandmeyer “What makes him special Charlie’s work ethic has proven him well, considerto me is his ability to juggle so ing he scored a perfect score on his first ACT at the end many things,” said Hill’s guidance counselor, Mrs. Elaine of sophomore year. No student at Miege has obtained a Schmidtberger. “He’s obviously intelligent academically, perfect 36 in years. but he also does so many other things.” At the end of last school year, Mrs. Schmitberger gave In eighth grade, Hill was taking Intro to Engineering Charlie his AP World History test. She saw the intensity of and Honors Geometry. his love for learning and working as she watched him take When Principles of Engineering didn’t fit in his schedule freshman year, Mr. Anderson taught him and two other that test. Mrs. Schmitberger acknowledged that he clearly knows at a young age how important things are. boys before school. As a freshman, Hill was already taking Yet, Charlie is more than his academics and extraeight hours of classes and excelling in each one of them. curricular activities. “He was so “He’s super conscientious and sensitive,” Ms. Reynsmart I was even olds said. “If he tells you he’ll do something, you know worried,” Mrs. you can count on him 100 percent. He’s careful to keep Cross Country Schmidtberger an eye on other people’s emotions, or how they’re reactsaid. “ I was thinkDebate ing to stuff. He really wants to make sure they’re okay.” ing ‘Are we going Forensics Hill is the first person to give someone positive feedto be able to keep Robotics back and to congratulate somebody else after a Debate up with Charlie?’” Page Pirates tournament. According to Scholar’s Bowl According to Ms. Reynolds, he’s talented at so many Ms. Melissa ReynNational Honors Society things, yet he’s so incredibly humble and sweet. He’s a olds, Hill’s Debate good sport and never mentions if he does something and Forensics well. He lets it go unsaid. teacher, she won“I don’t like disappointing people,” Hill said. “That’s ders if Hill has a stop button. He just keeps working. part of why I stick with stuff even though I feel that it’s She believes that his work ethic is an amazing model tough, but I really want to stick with it because I made a for other people as well as his tenacious attitude about commitment to it.” hanging in there.

Charlie’s Activites

Athletics

Multi-skilled Stags

Senior Sophia Stram tosses up a serve in her doubles match with fellow Bishop Miege soccer/tennis player senior Caroline Schwarz. Stram and Schwarz will continue to be teammates in the spring as they work to win their fourth straight state soccer championship. |Photo by Maddy Bohon

Athletes thrive as they balance different sports Luke Lazarczyk Sports Editor

rom the beginning of summer, it has been a constant grind for junior Angel Franco. He spent much of his summer working hard and preparing for the Bishop Miege Football season. The achievement filled season just came to an end with a 68-7 state title victory over Andover to bring the title streak to six straight. While the football year is over, Franco’s athletic season continues on in wrestling. Franco is one of many athletes at Miege who works hard throughout the year to be a two-sport athlete. For Franco, he goes straight from one sport to another. After finishing off his football season, Franco is jumping into wrestling season for winter sports. With the physicality of both football and wrestling, Franco needs time for his body to rest and prepare for wrestling season.

“I give my body a few weeks to rest then I am back to lifting with the boys,” Franco said. Having a break is key for Franco to be ready for the wrestling season. Being an interior defensive linemen, he has to work especially hard to hold his

“I am going to work as much and as hard as I can to prepare for state tennis.” - Junior Andrew Ladwig ground in the trenches. “Being smaller does suck just because they are like 200 plus pounds bigger than me and/or usually a lot taller than me,” Franco said. “I use a lot of techniques and just staying low to were they can’t get me.” Franco believes his time on the football team provides him help for

coming into the wrestling season, but not something most people would first think of. “The leadership that the seniors (football players) show makes me do the same with the other guys (wrestling teammates) when I am in the room with them,” he said. Senior Sophia Stram is another multi-sport athlete who is leading Miege to success on the field. In the spring season, Stram plays for the girls’ soccer team. She has been a part of the last three state titles for the team since her freshman year. Soccer is the sport where Stram is the most dominant. After last year’s season, Stram was named to United States Coaches All-Midwest and was an Honorable mention All-American. Along with those two honors, Stram was also named 4-1A 1st Team All-State, 1st team EKL, and 4-1A Co-Offensive Player of the Year. After her illustrious career for Miege soccer ends, Stram will

be continuing her soccer career at Saint Louis University. Before Stram starts soccer every year, she first plays tennis for Miege during the fall providing a different outlet for competition. “It helps me build skills in different areas that I would not work on at a soccer practice,” Stram said. “It also takes up some of my time instead of always playing soccer.” Another Stag who is a multi-sport athlete who plays tennis and soccer is junior Andrew Ladwig. Ladwig and the rest of the boys’ soccer team just finished off their season adding another state championship to the trophy case. This makes Ladwig a new state champion Stag. He will have the chance to win a second state title in the spring. In last year’s tennis state competition, Miege finished with fourth place coming close to a state victory. Ladwig’s medal-earning performance lifted Miege to a fourth place finish. Ladwig and his doubles partner, senior Patrick Cashman finished in fourth place for doubles. With each higher doubles team consisting of seniors last year, Ladwig and Cashman are set in place to take first place doubles in the spring of 2020 and possibly help propel the Stags to 4A state champs as a team ”Winning both soccer and tennis state would be crazy,” Ladwig said. As Ladwig is hoping to become a two-sport state champion this year, senior Richard Estell is planning to accomplish the same achievement. Estell started off the first sports season winning a state championship with the football team. The Stags finished off the season with an 11-2 record. Estell has been working with the team since the beginning of summer for this title. Even though he has gone through all of this hard work, Estell is not taking much of a break. Right after football season ended, Estell has jumped right into basketball season to help the team reclaim the title as 4A State Champs that they lost last year, with the boost football has provided him. “Football keeps me in shape and it makes me more physical.” Estell said. “When it is physical on the court, I can take bumps and fouls and still score.” With the boys’ basketball team

looking to redeem themselves, the girls’ team is working to become backto-back state champions with the help of junior Catherine Boling. The team is going to be looking for new players to contribute from last year. The 2018-2019 Stags basketball team last year consisted of seven seniors, which is more than half a regular roster. After the basketball season starting in the winter, Boling will be going into softball season. The softball team is looking to have the vast majority of the varsity squad back, which will provide the team with experience and chemistry. Boling has put work into both

sports but has leaned toward Athletics dedicating herself to basketball. “I put more work in for basketball mostly because I like it more and it is a more intense sport than softball,” Boiling said. “I mostly play softball for fun, so I do not put as much work into until the season actually starts.” For all multi-sport athletes at Miege, spending time focusing on multiple sports can be time consuming and requires great dedication. The work that these athletes put into their respective sports can be seen throughtout Miege’s athletic success.

Junior Angel Franco looks over to the coaching staff for instructions in the 34-7 victory over Rockhurst. |Photo by Katie wolfe

The reality of

Sports Opinion

It’s Championship Week in Fantasy Football Luke Lazarczyk Sports Editor

he great season of fantasy football is almost over. It has been a grueling 15 weeks of regret, joy, anger, and overall exhaustion with many ups and downs. Every week can lead to a last second thriller where you are sweating bullets watching the final garbage minutes of a game. The implications of these minutes are essentially useless for the two teams playing, but can mean everything Miege for you. Through all of this misery, it is finally chamBall On pionship week. 52 Everything that has been done in the past 15 weeks has lead down to these final games. No one wants all the time spent on their team wasted with a poor showing from their squad in the championship game. Moves need to be made and nothing is off the table. In this big game, it will be important to not solely rely on your main players for the year. If they have a bad matchup, do not feel inclined to play them. For the quarterback position, most of the star players will be the best options to play. One player to avoid is New England Patriot Quarterback Tom Brady in his matchup against the Buffalo Bills. The Bills have had a great defense all year highlighted in their

previous matchup versus Tom Brady. In that matchup, Brady was held to 3.7 points in a standard league format. Another player to look at is Tennessee Titan running back Derrick Henry. Henry has been reliable for the majority of the year, but will face off

Rock

6:21

To Go 6

general are players for the Philadelphia Eagles. They will face off against their rival, Dallas Cowboys, to finish off the fantasy season. In the past couple years, the Eagles have heavily struggled versus their bitter rival, including this year. The Cowboys easily beat the Eagles 37-10 where most of the Eagles players failed their fantasy owners. In this week, do not be afraid to play lesser known players. If their matchups are favorable, go out and take the chance. These are the players who can have the biggest weeks and make your fantasy opponents rage as they see their championship aspirations fall from your key moves. The first player could come from a team that no one would expect. The Miami Dolphins can actually carry a team to championship. They are facing the one team who can 100 percent be said to be worse than them. The Cincinnati Bengals provide great support for a fantasy team. Miami Dolphin quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick can use his “FitzMagic” and be a top quarterback in the final week of fantasy football. As well as Fitzpatrick, his fellow teammate and top receiver, DeVante Parker could be another big time player in week 16. If

against the Saints and their grueling front seven and overall defense. There is a chance that Henry performs, but he may be too much of a risk in a Championship matchup. Lastly, a team to avoid in Miege emblem by | Cooper Brandmeyer

fantasy football

Sports Opinion

and unforseen players can bring you a title Lastly, an unexpected player who has struggled the majority of the season, but can provide a solid running back, especially in PPR leagues could be Chicago Bear Tarik Cohen. Even though he is not the main running back and has bad quarterback play, his matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs is perfect for his style of play. The Chiefs have struggled with running backs who excel in the passing game, and Cohen is one of the best receiving running backs in the league. Cohen could take multiple short passes to big gains. A touchdown in the game could Senior Cooper Brandmeyer’s fantasy football teams shows how someone can obtain points. |Photo by Coolead him to be a potential per Brandmeyer top ten running back in the Fitzpatrick plays well, Parker will have receiver Will Fuller V. As a deepmost important week of the a major role in that success as Cincin- threat receiver, his matchup against fantasy year. nati as struggled against everyone. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gives him Everything comes down to this Another receiver who can “boom” great potential to have multiple big week. A few unexpected players can and carry your team to a championtime plays and possibly be the top bring you the joy of becoming a Fanship could be Houston Texan wide wide receiver in the entire week. tasy Football Champion.

Standout Athletes: Charles Cahalan | Sophomore

“Melvin Gordon holding out for a contract.”

Jesus Hernandez | junior “The fact that I got a pretty good player in the early rounds, and he got injured.”

Carson Key | Junior “I’m in the top of my league. My running backs have been trash but my QB and WR help me a lot.”

Richard Estell | Senior “When I was about to beat someone and Atlanta’s defense decided to put up like 50 points.”

Opinion

Gender Gift Debate

Cooper Brandmeyer

Maddy McBride

Staff Photographer

Opinion Editor

Gifts for Boys, Curated By a Boy

Gifts for Girls, Curated By a Girl

$10:

ne thing that every teenage boy at Miege can come together and agree on is that we’re by far the easiest to shop for, and girls are the most difficult to shop for. The reason why is because you can get us just socks, but if you get us that one video game, or that one novelty that’s all we need. Whereas, for girls, they tend to care more about all the little things, and those little things start to pile up, then you start losing track of what they wanted, and if you mess up what they wanted, then prepare for a long Christmas day. The truth about boys is that we only care about how much thought you put into the gift and that you knew they wanted it, that’s why we say, “I don’t know.”

A $10 gift card to any store. It’s easy for you, but it also allows us to save it until something we like comes out.

irls are so easy to shop for, unlike teenage boys. If you have been listening very carefully, women tend to plant their Christmas wishes months in advance in the minds of the people they love. But, if you have not received these signals, don’t fret. While each girl has her own specific likes and dislikes, if you are stumped shopping, there are plenty of easily accessible and super acceptable options. Let’s talk price. While places like Walmart and Target offer seemingly great products for a low-low price, the pricetag can often be indicative of the item’s integrity, so be aware while you shop for the girl in your life. Quality trumps quantity always.

Literally any candle, as long as you think it smells nice, she’ll love it. Trader Joe’s has amazing candles for $4 that are seasonal.

$10 TO CARD E GIFT T I R FAVO E STOR

GIFT CA FAVO RD TO FAST RITE REST FOOD AUR ANT

$10

Cedar Balsam

T-shirt or a pair of socks. Boys jewelry at Walmart $15-20: Awill $15-20: Personalized never turn down socks, t-shirts ranges from $16-20 depending or even hoodies. We always could use more, especially socks.

on frequent sales. Personalize a necklace or bracelet with the girl’s name.

nice skincare/spa set. A thorough $20-40: Askincare routine is very popular nowadays and is especially helpful during the dry winter season.

light Strips, because boys $20-40: LED don’t want just a normal bland

room. The lights allow theirs to stick out.

Hyaluronic Acid Refreshing Makeup Wipes

Eye Cream

Facewash

Restorative Face Cream

‘Frozen II’ warms hearts

Opinion

Rating:

Kaitlin Thrun Managing Editor

| poster provided by Disney

he journey begins in the kingdom of Arendelle and travels to a magical enchanted forest, where Anna and Elsa are faced with the challenge of saving their kingdom once again and accepting a dark truth. The sisters are forced to accept their differences and use them to their benefit. They are able to count on each other and save their kingdom in the process. “Frozen II” follows up its predecessor with the same heart-warming and family-oriented energy from the first film. The movie continues the emotional depth and character growth from the original “Frozen”. There is a deeper sense of maturity in each character, having learned from their prior experiences. The sequel kept up with its precursor, continuing with an action packed movie. Between Anna and Elsa’s wild journey and Olaf’s witty and hilarious lines, I can say without a doubt, there was never a dull moment. Kristoff even reprised his song “Reindeeer Are Better Than People,” continuing the same feel from the first film. A multitude of new songs were added to the soundtrack such as “Into the Unknown,” Elsa’s major song within in the film. However, Kristoff’s song is the only one to be reprised. The rest of the fan favorites such as “Let It Go” and “Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?” were left in the first film, although Elsa and Anna keep up the joke by referring to building a snowman towards the end of the film. Between the music, the animation, and warm fuzzy feeling it gives you in your heart, I highly recommend taking the time out of your day or weekend to go see it.

Frozen II By the Numbers:

Debut: November 22, 2019 Box Office Gross Amount Opening Weekend: Domestically: $127 million Worldwide: $ 350.2 million How much did it take to make Frozen II: $150 million “Frozen II” broke records, becoming the number one film over the holidays.

Opinion

Crying over spilled milk

Do you know when drinking milk is a crime? Maddy McBride Opinion Editor

s someone who works in a semi-popular local iguana themed Mexican restaurant, nothing disgusts me more than watching a server pour a glass of milk to serve with a greasy taco. I have heard the milk is the answer to spicy food, and it 100 percent is, but that milk should be poured in emergency and not in search of enjoyment. Milk is not a lunch or dinner beverage. I always thought I was in the majority on this. As I expressed my concern for this, a lot of people, too many people, seemed to disagree with me. I, in no way would like to attack the belief of the milk-lovers. I admire your quest for hardy bones, but

also this is disgusting. Milk is acceptable in many settings. Literally any breakfast food (extra acceptable if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sweet, less acceptable if its savory). For example, a glass of milk besides a pepper and cheese omelette, while still pseudo acceptable due to the fact that

an omelette is a breakfast food, is far less acceptable than a glass of milk besides a waffle or stack of pancakes. It also is acceptable in the dessert realm, but as with breakfast, shares a completely different set of limitation.

It is a great accent to any brownies or cookies, often helping balance out the dryness one may find among these desserts. Which may also beg the question if a cookie or brownie needs a glass of milk, how well is it truly made? One question largely remains in my mind when it comes to milk and dessert. Is it acceptable to double dairy? No. You are just rubbing it in the lactose-intolerant faces. A glass of milk besides a bowl of ice cream is over the top and beyond what is necessary. Milk alongside spaghetti, and other meals alike, is absolutely nasty. The flavor profiles in no way compliment each other. Just thinking of the tastes of garlic and milk together. Gross. Milk has its great qualities and its place in your life. But milk without a doubt does not have a place alongside savory or stereotypical dinners.

According to YOU: Meals milk is acceptable to drink with.

What meals is milk acceptable with?

First Thing When You Wake First thing in the morning Up.

Breakfast

Brunch

Lunch

Dinner

Midnight snack

Midnight Snack

Results from an online survey of 166 students. Illustrations by Maddy McBride.

120

150

Quarters begone

Opinion

Miege’s switch from quarters to semester grades. Allison Masilionis Staff Writer

his year along with adding an eighth hour, Bishop Miege ditched quarters. I found our grades resetting in the middle of our semester super helpful, but now mistakes I made earlier this year are continuing to haunt me. “I prefer semester grading, as this mimics college-level grading systems and holds students accountable for their learning the entire year without being able to write off an entire quarter,” said College Algebra teacher, Erica Johnson. The new semester grades have also changed the grading system entirely. “Semester grades give more opportunity at points towards your grade through the year, but the downside is that it changes the 2:3 ratio of passing a

Are you glad we got rid of quarters at Miege?

Yes 59.1%

No 40.9%

Results from an online survey of 166 students. class by having a passing grade in the 1st and 2nd quarter but failing the final you

still pass the class for the semester,” Connor Rush said. Along with final grades changing, the way points affect your grade has totally changed. “I think semester grading helps the point system because you have more points given,” said Rush “It is a doubleedged sword because is can be easy to maintain an A and a F due to the points not meaning as much in the long run.” To teachers the semester grading system has allowed them to spread out tests and give assignments that while important, won't destroy their students’ grade if they do poorly. “Semester grading actually has helped most of my students because they have more time to make up for a low test or quiz score as these are averaged across the entire semester instead of quarter-by-quarter,” Johnson said. “It definitely puts less pressure and weight on each individual assessment.”

STAGgering Thoughts

What is the worst Christmas gift you have ever received?

Dawson Utt

Matthew Mohler

Lillian Taylor

“I got a really ugly, bright red and pink sweater.”

“Scratch cards that I never won anything from.”

“I was gifted a pack of cinnamon “It was an Xbox game, but I don’t gum, and it tasted awful.” even own an Xbox.”

Freshman

Sophomore

Junior

Trenton Mandl Senior

Photos By| Cooper Brandmeyer

Survey

What kind Choose ONE word to describe your

Christmas

rm m ag ic a l w a

jo y

f ul

e x h ilar at ing g

t iv

e l ig

h tf u

r ela

x ing lo v ing

s lor i u

e op

l lit t y q u a g m i r e

z ma

ct i

f es

1.9%

morning

None

ex ub

of a tree do you have?

e r a nt m e m o r a b l e t r

tio adi

n al

Illustrator graphics & page design | Maren Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connell

o cc

Real 31.3%

Fake 66.9%

Who do

you

Family 67.5%

buy gifts for?

S.O. 3.1%

Survey

F r i e nds y d o b o N 2 3 .8% % 5.6

personally Christmas gifts total?

How much do you

$10 or less

$10-$20

29%

Results from an online survey of 166 students.

$25-$50

38%

spend

$50-$100

28%

$100+

10%

November | December

1,000 Words

1. NHS Induction Senior David Lauterwasser hands junior Ayden Greene her certificate for being a new member of National Honor Society. Senior Grace Brandl and Molly Lynn presented Ayden Greene with her stole. |photo by Maddy Bohon 2. All Saints Mass The autumnal decorated table exhibits all eight herdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s candles which are presented by each herd exec at the beginning of every Mass. |photo by Katie Wolfe

1,000 Words

3. Wrapped Up In Ms. Nelsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s faith family, juniors Mariann Castillo and Gabriella Waris wrap clothes for their child for Red Bag. Each faith family is assigned a child to get gifts for, and have a wrapping party to wrap all the gifts brought in. Those gifts are then picked up and delivered to the families before Christmas. |photo by Maddy Bohon

4. Debating Together Senior Sam Mitchell and junior Julianna Rice check time slots for all the debaters at Bishop Miege. This debate match was held on a Saturday and many students volunteered to help out. |photo by Katie Wolfe

5 5 6. Pep Assembly Beat During the all-school assembly for the boy’s soccer team winning state, junior Daniel Fontaine plays the tenor drum as students walk into the gym.|photo by Merrin O’Connor 7. 4-Peat Just after the boys soccer team walked through the gym with the state trophy, senior Garrett Hagen, who was also one of the team captains, presents Mr. Randy Salisbury, president, with the trophy. |photo by Lauren Wheeler

Page Design | Isabel

1,000 Words

5. Millie’s Tied Up Mr. Hank Brown lassos senior Jake Ryan for a TikTok. This video follows the idea of Millie’s first TikTok, which they won.|photo by Isabel Copeland

STRETCH Your Brain

CARDS CAROL CHEER CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS DIEHARD ELVES EVERGREEN FIREPLACE FROZEN HALLMARK

HOLLY ICE JOLLY KRAMPUS LIGHTS MISTLETOE NORTHPOLE NUTCRACKER ORNAMENTS PARTY POPCORN

PRESENTS SANTA SLEIGH SNOW SPIRITS STOCKING TINSEL TREES WINTER YULETIDE

Puzzle Creator | Maddy McBride