CHI RHOAN CHI RHOAN
Letter from the Editor: 2023-2024
EDITOR
Kate Menz
DESIGN EDITOR
Abby Edwards
STAFF
Rory Brewer
Molly Taylor
Caroline Collins
Margo Webb
Anna McFadden
ADVISER
Kelly Matteson
Season’s Greetings Irish!
With the first semester of the school year coming to an end, our staff is working hard to embody our gospel value of integrity, to spread accurate information and entertaining stories to the school and the surrounding community. After last year’s success, our staff said goodbye to seven members and welcomed three new freshmen and a junior. With this addition, the staff has been busy, learning the ins and outs of telling stories and working hard on our website, chirhoan.com. We invite you to visit the website and read about this year’s sports, new programs, events and more.
In this issue, we offer a wide variety of stories covering everything from school service, including our annual canned food drive and senior service project, to new coaching staffs across multiple sports and state tournaments for the lady Irish in volleyball, cheer and pom. We dive into school culture and those who spread it within our community with a look at the drama department’s production of “Mamma Mia,” the language department’s French exchange program and students’ individual takes at celebrating Thanksgiving.
Our cover story, the Ameri-Can food drive, provides an in-depth look at the work it took to raise over 100,000 pounds of food and 85,000 meals, in a record number of donations to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. With the break approaching, the Chi Rhoan staff is happy to wish you a Merry Christmas and a great New Year!
From the Archdiocese
Table of Contents photos by Aimee Martinez, Abby Edwards, Molly Taylor and Lance Payne
The cover photo by Molly Taylor features students putting together the canned food drive sculpture on pick-up day.
Report abuse or inappropriate behavior immediately. Contact local law enforcement, the state Department of Human Services (800)-522-3511 and the archdiocese Victim Assistance coordinator at (405)-720-9878. (Reporting situations include, but are not limited to, incidences involving priests, deacons, volunteers, youth, chaperons, and employees of a parish, school, or diocese.
Underclassmen take lead at ‘Mamma Mia’
By Margo Webb
Here they go again!
With a shifting class majority, “Mamma Mia” took the stage with a cast and crew of underclassmen.
“It’s constant, and it’s a lot of hours, and I think mainly we just kind of support each other throughout the whole thing.”
-Sylvie Haper (9)
Sophomore Dylan Siemers, who played Sophie, got to experience a lead role during her sophomore year, which she said wasn’t something that came easy.
“There’s a lot of pressure, but it’s cool because not a lot of underclassmen get big parts, and so it was really cool to get to experience that,” Siemers said.
Through her participation in the musical, Siemers was forced to balance academics, the musical, speech and debate and DanceVisions.
“I’ve learned probably the most about time management and making sure I actually memorize my lines before I need
to,” Siemers said.
To prepare for the production the crew practiced multiple times a week, putting in long hours to make sure everything was up and running.
“So in the week leading up to the production, we have rehearsal until nine o’clock every night,” freshman ensemble member Sylvie Harper said. “It’s constant, and it’s a lot of hours, and I think mainly we just kind of support each other throughout the whole thing.”
Musical Director Brett Young ensured the music, choreography and blocking were cohesive, contributing to the success of the musical.
“We start off by learning the music, then learn the choreography, and then we start doing scenes with the acting,” Young said. “It gets really intense at the end, just putting all the elements all together.”
The drama department also said goodbye to some seniors who put in work throughout their four years. Making sure this show was their best work was a priority of all cast and crew members.
“Just knowing that this is going to be my last musical to do, I wanted to make sure that it was the one I’ve been the proudest of, and so I know I was putting pressure on myself, but almost everyone else in the past was putting pressure on themselves as well,” senior lead Taylor Davidson said.
Sophie Pierce (12), Taylor Davidson (12) and Eve Moen (11) perform as Donna and the Dynamos during the “Mamma Mia” performance. Photo by Molly Taylor
Harrison Fried (12) and Dylan Siemers (10) perform “Under Attack” during “Mamma Mia.” Photo by Molly Taylor
Tyler Pickens (11) and Dylan Siemers (10) perform as Sky and Sophie during the musical. Photo by Aimee Martinez
Mary Krodel (10), Dylan Siemers (10), Ryan Hughes (12) and Ellie Stayton (10) perfrom “Honey, Honey” at the beginning of the musical. Photo by Molly Taylor
Taste of America
French exchange students visit BMCHS to experience American high school
By Rory Brewer
In a transfer of American culture, the language department’s french exchange program introduced students from across the pond to the fast pace experience of American life.
The students spent two weeks in Oklahoma. The program created a transfer between cultures from American students and French exchange students.
French teacher Lori Hill worked with the teachers from the English language classes in France to set up the exchange program. French language students hosted the exchange students in their homes for 20 days.
“It was such a fun time to meet all of these people from different cultures,” junior Ashlyn Beasley said. “This was my second year hosting an exchange student, so I felt better prepared this time for sure.”
They attended a few full days of school with their host students and
explored American culture on field trips to the Oklahoma History Center and other places around the OKC area.
“It was so much fun to explore Oklahoma and even get to know my host family,” exchange student Nelly Walp said.
While most stayed in Oklahoma, some exchange students left with their host families.
“I got to go to a concert in Dallas which was super cool,” exchange student Paul Goret said. “I ate barbecue and went to Meow Wolf,” an interactive art installation with different locations around the United States.
Goret’s host family went to Texas for a Morrisey concert where Goret spent his last weekend in America.
“We already had this trip planned and decided why not introduce Paul to the full American experience,” senior Masie Krodel said.
This summer, students from the BMCHS French class will visit France.
French exchange students take a picture together in the commons before the Halloween assembly. Photo by Kate Menz
French class and French exchange students take a picture together at Frontier City’s Fright Fest. Photo courtesy of Emelia Chambers
French exchange student Paul Goret and Maise Krodel (12) pose with Buc-ee during a stop at Buc-ees in Texas. Photo by Rory Brewer
French students pose for a picture together at a Halloween Party at Morgan St. John’s (11) house. Photo by Emelia Chambers
French students Paul Goret, Nelly Walp, Olivia Pefferman (12), Emelia Chambers (11) and Maise Krodel (12) take a picture at Chester’s Barnyard. Photo by Molly Taylor
Fast Facts:
• Founded in 1980, the Regional Food Bank distributes food through a network of more than 1,300 community-based partner agencies and schools in 53 counties in central and western Oklahoma
• Among their four programs, Food for Communities, Food for Health, Food for Kids, and Food for Seniors the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma provides food and meals for those in need around Oklahoma
• The majority of people served by the Regional Food Bank are chronically hungry children, seniors living on limited incomes and hardworking families struggling to make ends meet
*53 counties served by the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
Information courtesy of https://www.regionalfoodbank.org/
Behind the Scenes of the Ameri-CAN
Food Drive
By Molly Taylor
Although planning the canned food drive took many weeks and long hours, StuCo’s dedication and hard work paid off with about 600 students donating food for 85,000 meals.
The three chairs of fundraising, junior Eve Moen and seniors Peri Mossman and Mikey Al-Bostros, began planning the theme of the drive in July. Fundraising events started in September when students paid for free dress days and donations started from parents at different events.
“In September, we start doing all of our events, but the one we do most often would be our free dress days and the miracle minutes at softball, football and volleyball games,” Moen said. “We usually raise a couple hundred dollars every time we do that and that will happen throughout September and November.”
The Canned Food Drive committee not only fundraises at events throughout the fall months, they also encourage students to donate cans. Students are allowed to have free dress throughout the month of November once they bring 60 pounds of cans. Students brought cans every morning before school, starting at 7 a.m.
“You could see me every morning in front of the school, carrying in cans and helping students,” Al-Bostros said.
Peri Mossman said that reaching out to students and successfully persuading them to donate is a difficult task. The committee would communicate with not only the student body, but with the parents and the community for fundraising.
“I think Eve was a lot of help,” Mossman said. “I think the two of us combined were able to find extra sources of money that we haven’t been able to find in the past. We’ve beat a lot of records in the past, and I think our ability to find money in unusual places and our ability to communicate with the school has upped our numbers a lot.”
StuCo Sponsor Susan Smith, Peri Mossman and Eve Moen work on the can sculptures. Photo by Molly Taylor
Senior Joe Coats plays music while helping stack cans. Photo by Molly Taylor
Junior Eve Moen works on the can sculptures. Photo by Molly Taylor
Senior Ryan McClanahan helps stack cans. Photo by Molly Taylor
Seniors host annual service project for Boys & Girls Club
By Anna McFadden
Boys & Girls Club
The seniors had their annual service project Oct. 24 at the Boys and Girls Club of Oklahoma County where they worked together to plan and put on “Monster Fest,” a Halloween carnival for the kids and their families.
Led by Campus Minister Kelly Allen, senior class sponsor Christine Pankratz-West and senior StuCo members, every senior had to volunteer at least two hours to the project. Some seniors worked to make bags of candy and posters before the project. This is something that the families of the boys and girls club have looked forward to for the past 10 years; about 500 people attended this year.
“We do one big project to prove one last time that we are people for others,” Pankratz-West said.
Pankratz-West said that it was overall a great experience for the seniors and the children.
Senior Class president Ashlyn Dolan said the project had a great impact on the school community.
“This service project reinforces the value of service and helping those who aren’t as fortunate as us,” Dolan said.
“Realizing that doing something as simple as planning a game means a lot to them.”
-Ashlyn Dolan (12)
As president, Dolan said she reached out to her class by emailing and organizing everyone into committees to help things get done faster. With the help of senior vice president Taylor French, they explained the project to their class through a slideshow at the senior retreat.
Dolan said she hopes future classes will continue to get involved and enjoy the process of participating in the service project.
“It made me realize how something as simple as handing out a prize or planning a game could mean so much to someone,” Dolan said.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County provide youth centers where children can go after school and during out-of-school time to grow beyond the classroom. Since opening in 1995, the organization has grown from one Club to 18 Clubs serving over 1,200 Club members each day and over 14,000 youth every year. The purpose is to provide a fun, safe space and a fostering environment where they can be who they are –and become who they were meant to be. According to the Boys and Girls Club of Oklahoma County website, their mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those in most need, to reach their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.
-Information courtesy of bgcokc.org
Senior volunteers play games at the Boys and Girls Club. Photo by Kelly Matteson
Seniors distribute candy at “Monster Fest.” Photo by Kelly Matteson
Seniors Harris Green, Teddy Wright and Ian Chavez fill bags of candy to be passed out at “Monster Fest.” Photo by Kelly Matteson
Seniors Abby Edwards, Ana Barrios and Amy Le prepare for “Monster Fest” with face paint. Photo by Kelly Matteson
The coaches’ “Why”
“I think it’s so important because there’s so much life after softball, and so we constantly preach to them that it’s not just what you do on the field but off the field, so that’s a big thing for me,” Coach Maureen Leblanc said. “I just like to see that the girls obviously get better on the field, but they also need to just develop as a person.”
“There’s the young players that are good young players, and you know, to be honest with you can only go up from when we got there, so I was just thankful for the opportunity,” Coach Eric Davis said.
“You get into coaching because you want to help the individuals, right,” Coach Dillon Walker said. “I want to go out there every day to show these girls that I’m teaching them more than just softball. I’m teaching them life lessons. I’m teaching them how to build community, things like that.”
Finding their why
By Kate Menz Players, coaches discuss lessons learned
“What’s
your why?”
That is the question every athlete, coach, student and person asks themselves. The answer, because it matters to them.
Coming off of one of the more successful softball seasons in recent years, people might not imagine the challenges the young team with a new coaching staff faced at the beginning of its season.
During a particularly rough patch, first year Coach Dillon Walker said the team struggled with cohesion due to miscommunications and differences in players’ personalities and coaching styles.
“We had all the challenges, name it,” Walker said. “Anytime you bring a group of people together, there’s challenges, right? There were personality differences. There were differences in the girls and their expectations of the coaches and how we coached them, and we had differences with each other in the coaching staff.”
Walker said he knew having younger players on the team meant they would have issues, but that it would also have its benefits, one being that while players with more experience are always appreciated, younger players don’t overthink tough situations.
“[Younger players] don’t know that the moment is big, and so they don’t play differently, and so sometimes it can work in your favor having a young team,” Walker said.
Coach Eric Davis said he also thought the team faced challenges with inexperienced younger players.
“I think we had three or four girls that played travel ball, and so it’s a huge challenge because you’re playing schools that have all girls that are playing all 10 months a year, and we have like three,” Davis said.
Though the team struggled at the start, they were able to develop the necessary skills imperative for success through practice.
“We had ups and downs because they were not used
to the grind, but once they got accustomed to it and working together as a team, that’s when they started having success,” Davis said.
Through the team’s hard work and practice, it was able to create success later in the season, leading it to victories in some of the most significant games.
“We didn’t win all the games at the end of the season like we wanted to, but we won some big games, and I think that speaks to the fact that the girls finally started developing relationships with each other,” Walker said. “They finally started to trust us as coaches and themselves as individuals.”
Eventually the team came together, but it meant that one of their leaders had to find her why.
As the only senior on the team, Abby Edwards said both her teammates and coaches expected her to show up and be a leader, but she didn’t understand what her coaches wanted.
“I guess I didn’t really know what they needed me to do, and they didn’t know what was going through my head, so at that point I didn’t really know why I was playing anymore because I was like ‘this is just getting too much for me’,” Edwards said.
After a conversation with Coach Maureen LeBlanc, Edwards knew she needed to find her why.
“Once I did, that was the best season I had ever had, both with my teammates and all that stuff, so I think that that was a really beneficial thing that [Coach LeBlanc] did, and it stuck with me even now,” Edwards said.
Now, Edwards says she plays softball because of the impact she has on her teammates, and the environment she is able to create for them.
“It was just softball,” Edwards said. “Knowing that I could help create an environment where they were comfortable to do that really kept me going.”
Leblanc said that she asks her players to find their why, so that they can work with the coaches to achieve their goals for the season.
“In those hard situations where you say, ‘I hate this and I don’t want to play anymore’ and you’re really frustrated, you’ve got to remember your Why,” Leblanc said. “Why am I here? Why do I do this? You know? And just remember that, and that will get you through.”
Rounding third, Senior Abby Edwards high-fives assistant coach Dillon Walker. The softball team defeated Classen SAS 19-4, Aug. 13. Photo by Lance Payne
Photo by Lance Payne
Photo by Lance Payne
Photo by Aimee Martinez
Familiar Faces, New Roles
New head coach leads team to playoffs
By Caroline Collins
At the beginning of the
season, the football team welcomed new head coach Ryan Stringer. In his debut season as head coach, Stringer guided the football team to a 7-3 season and a spot in the playoffs. The team hosted its first playoff game Nov. 16, beating Lawton High School 42-7. Their second game was Nov. 22 against Del City, where they lost 66-0.
Football has always been a part of Stringer’s life. Starting at a young age with his father as a coach, Stringer eventually moved on to play Division II football at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. When graduating college, one of his former assistant coaches was also a coach at BMCHS and asked if Stringer was interested in a job. After accepting the job, Stringer acted as assistant coach for the Irish for nine years and offensive coordinator for six.
“I fell in love with it right off the bat,” Stringer said. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
Stringer, who was promoted to the head coaching position in January has expressed that there are ups and downs of being a head coach.
“It’s been kind of a crazy year,” Stringer said. “The football side of things haven’t changed much, but there have been new responsibilities and challenges.”
Despite the pressures of stepping into the top role, Stringer has maintained a focus on both athletic excellence and character development.
“We want to play really high-level football, but what we’re working on is trying to create really good young men that are ready to head off into
this world after they leave high school,” Stringer said.
Stringer’s mindset emphasizes discipline, accountability and attention to detail. He aims to prepare his players not just for success on the field, but also for life beyond high school.
Season overview
“We want them to be ahead of their peers when they leave McGuinness,” Stringer said.
One of the season’s highlights came during a pivotal game against Lawton Macarthur where the team, down 13-10 at halftime, rallied to a 38-23 victory. Stringer described it as a moment when “a lot of weight lifted off their shoulders,” especially for the senior players.
Looking toward playoffs, Stringer said he feels optimistic but grounded.
“We feel pretty comfortable, kind of feel like we’re starting to play our best football as we go down the road,” Stringer said. “It’s just kind of focusing on one game at a time.”
Stringer said his ultimate vision is clear.
“We want this to be the premier program in the state of Oklahoma, regardless of class,” Stringer said.
With a strong first season under his belt, the new coach has the team well on its way to achieving that goal.
Varsity Record
Overall: 8-4
District: 4-2
Ranked 4th - 5A district 1
8/30 - Deer Creek (17-53) 9/6 - Bishop Kelley (39-25) 9/14 - Bishop Lynch (34-28) 9/20 - Bishop Carroll (49-0) 9/27 - Classen SAS (63-0) 10/11 - Midwest City (11-14) 10/17 - Duncan (60-7) 10/25 - Southeast (70-7) 11/1 - Newcastle (21-24) 11/8 - Lawton Macarthur (38-23) 11/18 - Lawton High (42-7) 11/22 - Del City (0-66)
John Luke Kloberdanz (10) talks to Head Coach Ryan Stringer on the sidelines during a football game. Photo by Lance Payne
Seniors pray before the game against Lawton Mac on Nov. 8. Photo by Lance Payne
Teammates celebrate after a good play against Del City. Photo by Molly Taylor
Seniors walk out together to perform the coin toss before the game against Del City. Photo by Lance Payne
Growing on and off the court
Volleyball team bonds before competing in state tournament
By Molly Taylor
Although taking third at the 5A state volleyball tournament was not what they desired, head volleyball coach Kelli Miller said the team still found the experience valuable both on and off the court.
With a record of 18-13, the team hosted regionals and were victorious over Midwest City in three sets and advanced to the state tournament. At state, they swept Duncan in three sets to advance to the semifinals, where the team ultimately fell to Booker T. Washington in five sets.
Junior Elise Grim said the overall experience of the tournament was positive, and the team became more connected on the court.
“I feel like we were closer as a team,” Grim said. “We all were together, and we knew what we were doing on the court.”
The team was disappointed after the loss at state, but realized the tournament and season were positive overall. Sophomore Kenzie Smith said the team fought to keep their season alive until the very last point.
“We continued to work hard and work on defense and serve receive,” Smith said. “I knew that every game was going to be a battle.”
The varsity volleyball team had three freshmen on the team, two of whom were in the starting rotation. Freshmen Amelia Metz and Abby Buckelew played in their first state tournament.
“I was definitely a little bit nervous at first, but once we got started the nerves went down, and it was a lot of fun playing with everyone,” Buckelew said. “The environment was pretty relaxed and calm, but when the score was tight, there was an intense vibe because we needed to win to keep our season alive.”
Miller said she was proud of the girls for their performance throughout the season and the state tournament. She added that it was essential for them to work hard and to work together as a team. The tournament was more than just two games, it taught the players life lessons.
“The experience taught the girls about handling pressure, learning from setbacks and recognizing that improvement comes from challenging moments,” Miller said. “They showed maturity, resilience and a growth mindset.”
The volleyball team celebrates after getting a point at state against Duncan to advance to the next round. Photo by Molly Taylor
Seniors support their friends during the senior night volleyball game with fat heads.
Photo by Molly Taylor
Landing on top
Cheer wins state in Performance and Game Day
By Rory Brewer
With wins in both the Performance and Game Day State Championships, the cheer team has
continued its legacy of success incorporating new elements in its routine to elevate the performance.
The team’s routine was particularly unique because it incorporated a new element into “hand and hands,” which was a stunt where the flier was in a handstand, thrown and landed on her feet in the base’s hands. The girls competed five “hand in hands” in the routine, which elevated them to compete above the other teams.
They struggled at first, but the practices helped them master the new element.
“Consistency is key in the practice room,” Head Cheer Coach Mandy Gerszewski said. “If they’re not consistent in the practice room, there’s no way they’re going to be able to throw a skill in a really high pressure environment.”
Using “hand in hands,” the team won the 5A Performance State Title along with the regional title for the first time in three years.
“I was so proud to be a part of this team,” junior cheerleader Bella Foster said. “The bonds that I have made with people from this team will last a lifetime.”
Gerszewski said that she believes most people misunderstand what a cheerleader is and that they underestimate the level of athletics that cheerleading takes.
“We don’t just cheer football, we don’t just cheer basketball, we are practicing constantly,” Gerszewski said. “We are preparing for Performance or Game Day.
The short turnaround time from Performance State to Game Day state, makes it necessary for the team to dedicate themselves to being at every practice to bring the routine to its full potential.
“Performance state this year was Sept. 28 and then we had about four weeks to prepare for game day regionals,” Gerszewski said. “We do not have overlapping moments when we’re doing Game Day while we’re doing Performance State, so the turnaround is so fast it’s crazy.”
The Game Day state team took first at regionals Nov. 9.
“My favorite memory is knowing we were competing against 37 teams at regionals, and then seeing Bishop McGuinness at the top, that is just a coach’s dream,” Gerszewski said.
They went on to win 5A Game Day State.
“This team was the most hard working, fun, loving and talented team I’ve ever had the pleasure to coach, and I could not be prouder of them,” Gerszewski said.
The team is currently preparing for Nationals, which is in February.
The cheer team celebrates after winning state in the performance category. Photo by Diana Bittle
Beyond the Turkey
Student share views on multicultural thanksgivings
By Kate Menz
Every year, hundreds of students and their families gather around a table filled with home cooked food to celebrate their communities and give thanks. With the diverse backgrounds of the school’s students, Thanksgiving can look different depending on a family’s culture and background.
One student, junior John Nguyen, said his family celebrates Thanksgiving with a blend of both his family’s Vietnamese food and typical American Thanksgiving dishes.
“So usually it’s Vietnamese dishes at Thanksgiving, typically, but we also mix with like, quote on quote American dishes, like turkey or something like that, “ Nguyen said.
Last year, Nguyen and his family shared Bánh mì, which he says is like a Vietnamese sandwich, and rice vermicelli noodles.
Nguyen added that his family plays a Vietnamese dice game where people roll dice to win money which is usually played on new years, and sing karaoke.
“Basically, it’s like a game where there’s six different animals and there’s three dice that have each of the animals and it’s basically gambling,” Nguyen said.
Nguyen commented that his family bets quarters for fun and doesn’t take the game too seriously.
“If it lands on an animal, all the other animals’ money goes into that pile,” Nguyen said.
Junior Julie Vo said her family also shares a traditional meal blended with typical Thanksgiving dinner.
“We usually have hot pot,” Vo said. “It’s usually like a tradition in our family, and then we usually have lobster and seafood, so it’s really fancy.”
Vo added that her sisters like to make American side dishes like mash potatoes and cornbread which is her favorite.
Along with students’ Vietnamese, heritage junior Claire Cortassa said her Italian family shares a Thanksgiving meal including lots of pastas with spaghetti as a major dish at the table.
“We don’t have sweet potatoes or turkey, we just have tortellini or bolognese, and instead of turkey we just do ham,” Cortassa said.
Cortassa added that her family plays bocce ball to see who will get food first.
“Everybody has their own different color balls, and you have to roll it down like a 30 meter area, and the closest person’s ball to that red ball gets the first serving of food,” Cortassa said.
Having lived in the United States for 23 years after moving from Britain, principal Andrew Worthington said he sees Thanksgiving as an opportunity to reflect on the blessing in his life.
“It’s a really nice space in which you can look at everything that you are blessed with and be thankful for those around you,” -Principal Andrew Worthington
On Thanksgiving day, Worthington shares a traditional American dinner with his family.
“Miss Collins makes some magical turkey dressing, which is always good, because I never used to have that, and I cook a mean turkey,” Worthington said.
John Nguyen (11) celebrates Thanksgiving with his family over the break. Photo by John Nguyen