Bishop Montgomery High School
Knightlife NOVEMBER 23, 2016 XLXVII • ISSUE 2
We Miss You Ms. Libbon! *Above: The photo mosaic of Ms. Libbon was created using all the student and faculty/staff ID photos, symbolizing that Ms. Libbon is a part of all our lives and that we all support and love her.
PG. 3
PG. 4
PG. 6
5430 TORRANCE BOULEVARD, TORRANCE, CA 90503 • WWW.BMHS-LA.ORG
PG. 8
We Love Libbon
FRONT PAGE/SPORTS
Written by Matt Alcedo and Annaliese Rupp Left: Ms. Libbon always shows her love and support to the Bishop community.
In the beginning of October, an unfortunate accident happened that impacted the entire Bishop Montgomery community. Bishop Montgomery’s Principal, Ms. Libbon, fell and, sadly, broke her hip. This news surprised everyone, and students and teachers were filled with serious concern. Immediately, we wanted to do anything we could do to help her. We are incredibly thankful that she will be making a full recovery. During her recovery process, Bishop’s faculty, students, and families, kept Ms. Libbon and her family in our thoughts and prayers.
Bishop Montgomery High School is extremely different without her everyday presence. All of the students and teachers truly miss seeing Ms. Libbon. Whenever she is walking through the hallways or visiting classrooms, she is always smiling and spreading her joy and kindness to the entire school. Mrs. Rodriguez said, “We miss her a lot. Ms. Libbon is so sweet. She is always there for the students and the teachers. Her office is always open for both personal and school related issues.” There is never a moment when Ms. Libbon isn’t thinking about others.
CIF: Crashing into Finals Written by Skylar Lamar and Ricky Xu Photographed by Zandra Tsao There’s always those couple of students in your class who always get out of class early and you can’t help but be envious. Chances are they are on a school sport’s team and bigger chances are that they have been practicing nonstop to make the school proud! Every team in this school is amazing, but there are three specific teams that just can’t go without recognition for their efforts. Our Boys’ Cross Country, Girls’ Varsity Volleyball, and Girls’ Varsity Tennis team have all made it into the CIF! *Applause* Sports are no walk in the park, so let’s give them some credit. The Girls’ Varsity Tennis team has been killing it this whole season. With a record of 12-0-0 in the League and a 13-2-0 overall record, it’s easy to say that these ladies have been giving it their all. Let’s also take into account that since their first game was on September 6, they did not have a lot of time to practice so they must have put a lot of time and effort into those first two weeks, so all those wins are clearly deserved. Also, a special congrats goes to the doubles team of Cameron Banks ‘20 and Adela Henry ‘17 for being the Individual League Champions! Sophomore doubles player Malia Lee says that, “even when you miss a shot, it just means that you are trying your best.” Playing individually seems slightly easier because you can practice even when you’re not practicing with the team, but being a doubles player you
Knightlife pg.2
have to be in sync and cooperate with your partner. When asked how she and her partner work so well together, Malia said, “My partner and I work together by practicing together to see how each of us plays and knowing each other’s skill level really helps because we can translate that into each and every game we play.” We can obviously all agree that what the girls, their Assistant Coach, Mr. Hoel, and their Head Varsity Coach, Mr. Quimson, did was working for them. Great job Lady Knights! Besides the brilliant job done by the girls’ tennis team, Knights on the BMHS Cross Country team also had a wonderful season. It is no doubt that their hard work paid off. Most of the athletes were satisfied with the achievement they have made. The secret of all the victories is the teamwork. This team is just like our BMHS big family. They help each other, support each other, and get each other’s back. CIF means a lot. It’s not only an honorable title, but also the certification of every player’s diligent practice. Senior runnner Brandon Johnson said that: “My team was dedicated and we were striving to be something better than what we thought. We’ve lost a couple of races, but we learned to keep our heads up, and to persevere through it. When we win, we feel a form of gratitude and pride, knowing that all of our hard work paid off.” In the interview, he also expressed he was looking
She continuously prays that we stay healthy, safe, and happy. Ever since 1998, Ms. Libbon has been showing an amazing amount of love to all the staff, students, and their families. Sophomore Kaitlyn Bali expresses, “I miss Ms. Libbon and her smile. I am happy that her recovery is going well, and I can’t wait to see her around campus when she returns!” All of us are excited and cannot wait to have Ms. Libbon back. Ms. Libbon is truly one-of-akind. At mass and assemblies, Ms. Libbon always ends the event by
forward to next season. In addition, he was sure that he and his teammates will put in much more effort to be better and to get further. Let’s not forget about our Girls’ Varsity Volleyball team! They put in so much effort when conditioning in the summer and every game they gave it their all and motivated each other. From their first game against Notre Dame Academy, which occurred towards the end of August, up until now, they haven’t slowed down and it shows in their 2013-0 overall record. With the undeniably good team it may not have been surprising that they made playoffs, but regardless, they fought hard until the end. Starting setter Jillian Miranda, class of 2017, says that the only way to prepare for each game is to practice hard each week. Especially with volleyball, a specific key is teamwork. Jillian says, “We support each other mentally before each game. It was very important
telling us her wise words of advice and encouragement. Students miss seeing her at school and hearing her voice, reminding us that we are her “precious jewels.” Additionally, she constantly tells us that we are all “special, miraculous, and unrepeatable.” Ms. Libbon never forgets to remind us how much she loves us. She only wants the best for us. For many of us, Mrs. Libbon is more than just a principal; she is a loving friend, a caring mother, a deep reservoir of kindness. She represents the best in Bishop, the beauty within in each and every single one of us; she is an example of who we are, and who we strive to become. There is no rainy day her presence cannot turn into sunshine, or frown that she couldn’t turn into a smile. Our hearts and minds go out to you Ms. Libbon. May this setback not hold you back from living your life. We love you.
this year to let each other know that we got each other’s back on the court. Having a strong court connection was a major factor in preparing for each game”. When asked if there were any rituals they did before each game, Jillian said, “While warming up we listen to the song ‘Love Robbery.’ We would also do I believe we will win chant.” With such great teamwork there’s no wonder that they made it into CIF! Amazing job girls! Great job to all teams that have played so far this year and good luck to all the teams who will play later in the year.
Above: The Lady Knights tennis team celebrates a successful season and CIF appearance with a post match and final group photo.
Sports/campus life
A Field Day for Field Trips
Written by Devin Brown and Haya Rabadi
For many classes, November was an exciting month of many field trips to be had. Some lucky students were able to escape the monotony of everyday classes and take their learning outside of the classroom. From museums to places of worship, there was a great variety of places Bishop Montgomery students were able to visit and have memorable learning experiences with friends and peers. For Art 3-4, the small class was able to visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Located on Wilshire Boulevard in Downtown Los Angeles, the museum is home to antiquities and modern art alike; the museum houses nearly 100,000 works of art from the obscure and avant-garde to relatively well-known pieces, such as the famous Urban Light sculpture by Chris Burden in front of the museum that could be easily mistaken as the average light fixture. Early that morning, students were able to visit the La Brea Tar Pits adjacent to LACMA. However, junior and senior Bishop Montgomery students from Art 3-4 set out primarily to visit a special exhibit on Guillermo Del Toro, a seasoned Mexican filmmaker known for dark fantasy films such as Pan’s Labyrinth. Rachel Hong, a senior, excitedly noted, “It was pretty fun seeing the Guillermo Del Toro exhibit and it was great being able to hang out
with the rest of Art 3-4.” While Art 3-4 students were able to see contemporary art at the LACMA, Latin and Mythology students took a time warp back to Greco-Roman times at the Getty Villa in the outskirts of Malibu. Founded in 1954 by J. Paul Getty, the Villa houses pieces from 6,500 BC to 400 AD and is a second campus of the J. Paul Getty Museum. Students were able to explore the Villa and witness many pieces correlated to their studies, as all of the works of art housed in the museum are of Greek, Roman, and Etruscan origin. “We got there early, so before the tour we had a chance to walk around the beautiful gardens and see the different plants and statues,” senior Mariana Traversa reflects about the beautiful environment of the Villa. However, art wasn’t the only subject students were able to delve in outside of the traditional classroom setting. As other classes explored art museums, Ms. St. James’ Religions of the World students were given an opportunity to experience and learn about different places of worships- a mosque and Buddhist temple. Travelling to Puente Hills, Los Angeles, the seniors seemed almost awestruck at the traditional Chinese architecture and gardens of Hsi Lai Temple. Senior Madison Reynolds notes, “Seeing an authentic Buddhist
ATHLETE OF THE MONTH: Bryce Matthews
temple was amazing. The architecture was absolutely breathtaking.” Built to serve as a spiritual and cultural center for those interested in learning more about Buddhism and the Chinese culture, the Hsi Lai Temple helped open the students’ eyes on Buddhism and appreciate the different aspects of the religion. Senior Ashley Kim also commented “I liked learning about different religions. The Hsi Lai Temple was really pretty!” The class also continued on their trip to visit King Fahad Mosque, located in Culver City. Thanks to the funding of Prince Abdulaziz Bin Fahad of Saudi Arabia, the mosque covered an impressive 63,000 square feet and possessed traditional Islamic elements of a marble facade, seventy-two foot minaret, a central prayer area, an auditorium, a
wudu, and conference rooms. Once entering the mosque, the female and male students were separated, and the females were kindly requested to wear hijabs in respect of customs. While the male students went down to the central prayer room, the female students looked on from an upstairs room. When asked about her experience, senior Alexa Marquez commented, “I did not like the gender separation and roles in the mosque, but the culture is pretty cool and their devotion and dedication to prayer is amazing. Overall it was very peaceful.” Thanks to the imam and monks on this trip, students of Religions of the World were able to take a step back from Christianity and experience first-hand the different religions they learned and discussed in the classroom.
Above: Art 3-4 students enjoy the outdoor sculptures at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Veteran’s Day Written by Nicole Barragan
Written by Camille Petroni Photographed by Libby Hadnett Congrats to Bryce Matthews ‘17 for being chosen as the November athlete of the month! Bryce has continually strived as a player on the BMHS varsity football team. His outstanding performance for the past four years has been evident when he sets foot on the field. Bryce has been a key factor in carrying the team to the playoffs this current season. Through this Q&A we are able to receive some insight into Bryce’s hard work as a student-athlete. Q: For how long have you been playing football? A: About 7 years Q: Would you like to play football in college? For what school(s)? A: Yes, I don’t know which schools specifically yet Q: What position do you play? A: Tight end and defensive end
Q: Do any of your siblings that play football? A: Yes, my older brother does Q: How did you decide to play football? A: Well, I almost quit playing football the summer going into my freshmen year, but once I got to Bishop I decided to join. The decision to join the team and not quit was the best decision of my life. Q: How well do you think the varsity football team did this season? A: This season has many ups and downs but overall we improved Q: How would you like the team to do in playoffs? A: I would like us to work hard and try and do the best that we can.
Above: Bryce Matthews leads our football team with 6 sacks and 26.5 tackles for a loss.
Left: Jack Felix ‘18 is proud to support the veterans who sacrificied for our country. One of the few holidays in November that many people look forward to is Veteran’s Day. Whether this is because they have a family member in the military or they are excited about having a day off of school, Veteran’s Day is anticipated by many people in America. Originally called “Armistice Day,” the holiday was first recognized in 1919 as the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Nineteen years later in 1938, the day became a national holiday, but the name wasn’t changed to Veteran’s Day until 1954 thanks to President Eisenhower. The day originally was meant to be observed with parades and public meetings, along with a suspension of business at 11 a.m. In the United States today, the holiday is typically celebrated by visiting family members that are veterans themselves or by visiting the graves
of family members who have died in the army. Others may also visit various memorials dedicated to veterans or other important historical events and leave flowers. However, in Europe, Britain and Commonwealth countries, people commonly observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. every November 11. On the other hand, if someone has no friends or family members that are veterans, they may treat the day as a normal holiday and use the day to go out with friends and take advantage of discounts or sales or stay at home to catch up on homework. Either way, Veteran’s Day is a holiday with a lot of history behind it, not to mention that it offers a nice break before Thanksgiving break comes along. The day provides many options of things to do whether or not you have friends or family in the military.
pg.3 Knightlife
Thanksgiving
Do You Know Thanksgiving Like the Back of a Turkey? (Thanksgiving on a Timeline: Traditions Edition) Written by Anjelika Esteban and Sarah Oppenheim
Above: Elia Thornburg ‘17, Peter Rocca ‘17, Jacob Flores ‘17, and David Snearl ‘17 are all thankful for each other’s friendship. Thanksgiving is a time for being grateful for what we have been given. It is also a time for traditions, family, and culture. How did this holiday begin and what are some traditions associated with Thanksgiving? The holiday of Thanksgiving started when the Pilgrims arrived in what would be Massachusetts in 1620. They encountered the Wampanoag tribe and made peace with them. The next year, to celebrate their friendship, the Wampanoag people and the surviving Pilgrims had a great feast for the harvest. This event became known as the first Thanksgiving. Since then, tradition has passed down this celebration to us today, in which we commemorate all that we are grateful for. The Pilgrims were thankful for their harvest, and the Native Americans were grateful for friendship.
But today, the all time favorite tradition of Thanksgiving is the food. What could possibly be better than a turkey or ham dinner with potatoes, green beans, stuffing, rolls, cranberry sauce, and pie? Some families have a traditional meal, at the same house, every year. Other families alternate who hosts. Some do it potluck style. There is an element of chance when it is done potluck style. For example, the person who brings the desserts could bring apple or pumpkin pie. An interview of 60 Bishop students and teachers shows that 43% prefer apple pie and 57% prefer pumpkin. The majority of interviewed teachers prefered pumpkin. Mr. Skelly commented on his traditions by saying that his Thanksgiving involved “stuffing his face with food and passing out on the couch
afterwards.” He also mentioned that he loved watching the football game. Watching or playing football is a common practice for many families. Mrs. Walle said that in her family, instead of playing football, they have a huge game of soccer. Soccer or football, Thanksgiving is nowadays associated with sports. Although the majority of people share common customs, that doesn’t mean that you can’t liven up your Thanksgiving in innovative ways. It’s possible to establish your own twists during this particular holiday, while still spending quality time with family and friends, and truly having fun. For instance, a tradition that can be done for this day is writing messages of thanks on balloons, and releasing them into the air. A simple yet interesting way to make Thanksgiving more exciting and start new traditions is through crafts. Arts and crafts can engage individuals of all ages, especially kids, in doing a single activity together. Plus, the making of such decorations doesn’t necessarily need to be complicated. Some ideas for DIY projects include origami centerpieces, burlap-covered mason jars, festive candle arrangements, paper lanterns, and a ‘What are you thankful for?’ tree. One more suggestion to deviate from a typical Thanksgiving holiday is hanging out with friends for the day. If you found yourself placed in that situation, how would you celebrate? My brother responded by saying that he would watch a movie with friends from school, eat food, and probably play video games with them. According to Jasmine, one of my good friends and
a fellow sophomore, she shared that “[they] would have a Thanksgiving dinner with a variety of food and desserts, and play games and just have a fun time.” The final question that I pose is “What are you thankful for?” For some, answers are already set, whereas others struggle in determining everything they’re appreciative of. However, memories seem to form the summit to which Thanksgiving encompasses; they are the testaments of all our experiences and emotions, created over and suspended in time. Describing what she found most memorable about Thanksgiving, Leyna, another close friend of mine, relayed a sense of joy and reminiscence: “What I find most memorable would have to be playing board games with [my cousins]. We played Settlers of Catan, and we all ambushed one cousin. We also had ‘little minions’ which were our younger cousins. There were two, so they chose out of [the] four of us who they wanted to be with.” New traditions, old traditions; Thanksgiving is full of American culture. We recall that it is a time to give thanks for what we have, and to count our blessings and be grateful. Traditions help express our gratitude, and also are lots of fun. Remember to enjoy that turkey with that (apple or pumpkin) pie! “Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. May I never forget the good things he does for me.” (Psalm 103:1-2)
Give Em’ Pumpkin to Talk About Recipe and photographed by Anna Quast
Cream Cheese Pumpkin Roll This dessert reminds me of my childhood since my neighbor would always make this for my family around Thanksgiving. Not only is it delicious, but it also looks attractive; therefore, it makes the perfect dessert to display at your Thanksgiving dinner! Ingredients Cake Cream Cheese Filling ~ ¾ cup of flour ~ ½ tsp. of baking powder ~ ½ tsp. of baking soda ~ ¼ tsp. of salt ~ ½ tsp. ground cinnamon ~ ½ tsp. ground cloves ~ 1 cup of granulated sugar ~ 3 large eggs ~ ⅔ cup of canned pumpkin ~powdered sugar ~ 1 cup of sifted powdered sugar ~ 8 oz. of cream cheese (1 package) at room temperature ~ 6 tbsp. softened butter ~ 1 tsp. of vanilla extract Other Supplies ~ 15x10-inch baking sheet/pan with lip (or jelly-roll pan) ~ thin, cotton kitchen towel ~ wax paper and plastic wrap ~ bowls, spoon, and electric mixer Directions Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease the bottom and sides of the baking sheet with butter or shortening, and then line the sheet with wax paper. Grease the top of the wax paper and flour the surface. Take the kitchen towel, lay it on a surface, and sprinkle powdered sugar on top. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and cloves. In a larger bowl, beat the sugar and eggs together; then beat in the pumpkin. Add the flour mixture to the large bowl and stir all of the ingredients together. Once completely mixed, spread the mixture evenly into the baking sheet. Bake the cake for about 11-13 minutes. It will be done when the top of the cake springs back when touched. Immediately after taking the cake out of the oven,
Knightlife pg.4
carefully place the cake top-down on the kitchen towel with powdered sugar, and slowly peel off the paper from the cake. Starting from the narrow end, roll the cake with the towel and set it aside to cool. To make the filling, beat the softened butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and powdered sugar until you get a smooth mixture.
Sir Port’s Support Dear Sir Port, Thanksgiving is coming up and between me and my friends I’ve been chosen to host a friendsgiving! I’ve never had a friendsgiving before (or friends, for that matter)! How do I make sure that this friendsgiving is turkey-tastic? Well, don’t you fret, here’s some advice from a friendsgiving vet! Food of course will be your first priority, but friendsgiving is traditionally a potluck - all you have to do is coordinate who’s bringing what and whether or not you can roast a turkey or ham at your house. You’ll want to put together an eating area large enough to fit your entire group, of course, which might mean moving tables around or even setting up in the garage. Another important part of friendsgivings is setting up the right atmosphere - that means paying attention to the little details, like loudly announcing your guests’ names when they arrive and having a closing ceremony. As long as you go ham and not cold turkey, your friends will gobble gobble up the food and have a gobble gobble good time! If you are interested in submitting a question to Sir Port, please email knightlifebmhs@gmail.com with the Subject “Sir Port’s Support”.
Thanksgiving
Turkey Time! Written by Erin Hall and Jackie Pistole
The Layman’s Guide to a Successful Friendsgiving in 3 Steps (and you won’t believe #2!) Written by Madison Reynolds and Harrison Cook
So, here you are: the week of Friendsgiving has arrived. What will you do? There’s no place settings, no food, and no decorations. Well, fret no more because we have all the information you need, and more, to host your very own, super successful Friendsgiving. Step 1: The Food What would a Friendsgiving be without your favorite foods? A sad, oddly turkey-themed get together. That’s what. Instead of slaving away to recreate a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, the best parties incorporate a smaller variety of foods that are the most appetizing to you and your friends. For example, 3-5 dishes that are easy to prepare yet appeal to a wide audience will be your best bet. The main course should be a protein of some kind. Does this mean turkey or ham? Absolutely not! Some of the best Friendsgivings we have ever attended included fried chicken, kabobs, and even Thanksgiving tacos! The most important thing is to set a theme, stick to it, and create the rest of the menu around it. So, let’s
say you’ve decided fried chicken will be the entrée. The theme could be called “Classic American.” Side dishes may include: Ready-Made Pillsbury biscuits that can be bought at just about any grocery store, or corn on the cob, which can be barbecued relatively easily. For dessert, a pumpkin pie is perfect, and a simple recipe can be found on most cans of pumpkin pie filling. Step 2: The Decor In this day and age, a DollarStore table cloth and Times New Roman, 12-point-font printed name cards just don’t cut it. For an atmosphere resemblant of a lovely Autumn day, the centerpiece is what it all comes down to. You truly can never go wrong with flowers. The traditional fall colors (orange, red, yellow, brown, etc.) are not required, but certainly recommended. Your local farmer's market should sell flowers of that sort, so head on down there a few days in advance to pick a few of your liking. Next, grab some mason jars and tie a Fall-themed ribbon in a bow around them. Fill with either water or stones, and set
Above: Get festive for your Thanksgiving celebration with turkey decorations and traditional dishes such as pumpkin pie.
your appropriately-cut flowers inside. Place a few of those arrangements in the center of the table, and, also, feel free to add any leftover pumpkins from Halloween to complete the full Fall-like ambiance. Table coverings are also fairly easy. Just select a fabric table cloth that is in a fall color. That small, yet important little touch can really tie the whole room together. Decorations can be as simple as this, and you’ll find that less is often more. Step 3: The Guest List Now that you have checked most of your Friendsgiving necessities off of your To-Do List, the easiest part is choosing who will attend. There are two types of Friendsgivings: a small, intimate gathering between yourself and a few close friends, or one that consists of a sizable amount of people, leaving standing-room-only in your kitchen.
Both result in enjoyable experiences for everyone involved--it just depends on your preference. However, it is important that the amount of people that you invite should never exceed a number that creates an uncomfortable environment for you and your guests. Always take into account the size of your venue and its amenities. By following these three steps, you will certainly be the hostess with the mostess come this Friendsgiving season!
pg.5 Knightlife
May the Fourth Be With You!
campus life/clubs
Written by Theresa Sitter, Stephanie Trelease, and Caroline Cusolito Photographed by Simon Tran
Above: The November Kairos leaders share a laugh before starting the retreat.
Above: All the students and staff members grew a close bond after the Kairos retreat.
it was the excitement, nerves, or indifference of feelings that kept a group of fifty-four seniors awake on an early eight o’clock bus ride to Calabasas’s Camp Mt. Crags. Wednesday, November 9th started off wMaybeith a short mass given by Father Ken in preparation for a safe bus ride and the long awaited three days of relaxation, prayer, and openness. After filling the bus with duffle bags, sleeping bags, and pillows, the seniors filed onto the bus and found comfort in being surrounded by friends, listening to music, and of course taking the opportunity to post on the ever so entertaining Snapchat. Next came a lunch break at a shopping plaza near the campsite; retreatants spent the time eating lunch with their friends as a last stop
before entering the serene and quietness away from the city. When arriving at Mt. Crags, students marveled at the place that would be home for the next three days. Greeted by the seven student leaders, Nick Simone, Madison Marozik, Celina Villanueva, Jasmyne Robinson, Harrison Cook, Nora Ward, and Sean Carnahan, the retreat anticipated since freshman year was coming to life. Students soon grabbed their bags and reminders of home and ran to claim dorm rooms with their friends. Hallways and windows were covered with reminders to “live the fourth,” in hopes that when students learn the meaning of the phrase, they too would live it. After gathering together and becoming familiar with the campsite, from
Teacher Trivia Corner Written by Riley Parker & Katelyn Tomanek
Questions: 1. What would your last meal be? 2. If you could do anything else besides teaching, what would it be? 3. What is the most embarrassing thing you have done as a teacher? Mr. Egan 1. An all-you-can-eat buffet because then it would never end. 2. Unemployed or retired. 3. Answer these questions. Mr. Sheckler 1. A full Italian dinner with bruschetta, caprese, a good pasta meatball sausage combination and an amazing dessert made from scratch. 2. I would love to travel the world or be a football coach. I actually used to want to work in advertising too. If I had to do any other thing I would want to play professional baseball. I think it would be awesome to be a catcher for the Dodgers. 3. I did a cartwheel in the middle of class once. Mrs. Rudder 1. I would say tofurky mash potatoes, and gravy casserole, and of course ice cream for dessert. 2. Getting paid to travel the world with my family. 3. One time I was walking down the hall at the end of my off period and I spilled hot coco all over myself right as the bell rang, and everyone saw me in the hallway. Mrs. Bagnell 1. Sushi and bananas. 2. I’d be a writer. 3. Back when I taught at public middle school, they asked me to leave the room for a few minutes because it was my birthday and they wanted to surprise me, but when I came back in one of the kids had lit a desk on fire.
Knightlife pg.6
the snack room and the swings to the bright blue basketball court and mini baseball field, students took part in an initial team building and trust exercise. Trust was key not only during the exercise, but far beyond it as retreatants later learned it was in trusting themselves, others, and God that made Kairos a special moment. The three days of the retreat flew by. The retreatants experienced several emotional and heartfelt speeches given by their leaders and teachers. These speeches, given on a variety of topics, prompted group discussions, which helped bring each retreatant closer to their peers; students discussed their struggles, challenges, and relationship with God, which created an inclusive and understanding environment for them to open up. As the days passed, many hugs were given, laughs were shared, and common ground was found among all students, who were
reminded to remain judgment free as they return to the real world from the retreat haven. Although Kairos was a unique experience for each student, most people agree that the retreat provided many memorable and life-changing memories: Aaron Glover describes Kairos as “an incredible experience and that inspired me to be the person I want to be in the future.” Kirsten Cazares describes its impact on her, saying, “Kairos gave me a wake up call - school doesn’t show you what someone feels or what happened that morning or that night before. I found people who I never thought I’d relate to and people who I thought had it all figured it out, but no one has it ALL figured out, and I think that’s the beauty of Kairos. We learned to cry together and to laugh together, and as cliche as it sounds, we came together as a family.” Leader Nora Ward described her special role: “Kairos was amazing. It was an absolute honor to lead a group of outstanding individuals. It was probably the most fulfilling experience I’ve ever had.”
We are The Spirit Fingers: The new adventure in Art Appreciation Club Written by Caroline Kim
On Tuesday November 8, during lunch in room 302, Art Appreciation Club members gathered for a club meeting. Then suddenly, one of the members came up to the front of the room with an active pose. Everyone took out their pencil and a paper and started to draw the model. After three minutes, one of the students called timeout and the members started to go around and share their drawings to each other. These students were doing an activity called Croquis, which means ‘sketch’ in French. Croquis drawing is a quick drawing of a live model in a short time. A Co-President of Art Appreciation Club, Chloe An ‘17, said, “Croquis is one of the basic step that encourages artists to focus on the gesture of the body rather than the details. I came up with this activity because I thought this will help the members to learn easily how to sketch and take one step closer to art.” The members of the club are hoping to build selfconfidence in every stroke they put on their drawing. When asked the reason why she joined the club, Carolyn Vu ’17, one of the new club members, said, “Chloe is so amazing at art that I joined the club to improve my skills as well.” Art Appreciation Club has started their second year after their
Above: Aiden Moon ’18 explains how to do an art project at the club meeting.
founding. The new presidents of the year 2016-2017, Chloe An ’17 and Matthew Park ’18, came up with several new projects compared to last year to develop their curriculum. This year, they are planning pottery sales, Valentine's Day project, Puzzle Drawing, and so much more. “Since this is my first year of art appreciation club, I anticipate that members will gain an opportunity to improve their art skills and create works by cooperating with one another,” said Matthew Park ‘18, a Co-President of Art Appreciation club. Recently, Art Appreciation started their new project to make a 2017 calendar. Each member is going to be in charge of a different month and express their own creativity and personality by drawing the top part of the calendar. As the goal of Art Appreciation Club is to unite the artistic spirit of Bishop Montgomery, the club is willing to look for new members who would like to express their talents and interests.
Entertainment/Opinion
More Gilmore Fantastic Beasts, Fantastic Movie Written by Stephanie Trelease
Where Lorelai and Rory lead, Gilmore Girls fans everywhere will follow. And on November 25, 2016, these loyal Gilmore devotees plan to flock to Netflix to watch the brand new, four part revival known as Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. The original series ran on the WB from 2000 to 2007, following the lives of mother-daughter duo Lorelai and Rory Gilmore. The fasttalking, coffee-addicted Gilmores guide audiences through their lives in the fictional town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut, a charming and festive environment full of quirky and entertaining characters that make the show so lovable. Stars Hollow’s natural charm can’t help to attract viewers of all ages, and Gilmore Girls caught a new wind in October 2014, when Netflix posted all seven of its original seasons. Suddenly, a new gen-
Above: Mackenzie Tabaldo ‘19 is excited to watch the return of Gilmore Girls. She shows off her Gilmore Girls inspired coffee mug.
eration of fans appeared faster than Rory can complete a complicated Russian novel. Now, fans will celebrate their own Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving with four new ninetyminute episodes that chronicle one year in the lives of the Gilmore Girls. Creator of the show Amy Sherman-Palladino returned to pen the revival, bringing back distinct voices and personalities that made every character so unique in the original series. Fans eagerly anticipate the continuation of pop-culture references and coffee-drinking, but most of all, they look forward to learning the fate of the characters. Has Rory fulfilled her goal of becoming a journalist? What is the status of Lorelai’s relationship? How is Emily coping after the loss of her husband? Has Luke added more rules to his diner? Does Taylor still run Stars Hollow with an iron fist? What are Rory’s former flames up to? Has Paul Anka overcome his fear of watches? What new job does Kirk have? Only time will tell. For now, Gilmore fans, plan your Friday night dinners, prepare your pop tart appetizers, and get ready to return to Stars Hollow.
Written by Liliana Linan & Audrey Egekeze
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them takes place before Harry Potter, and follows the story of Newt Scamander, a magizoologist who arrives in 1926 New York with a case full of magical beasts. In a misplace of cases between a No-Maj (what americans call a Muggle; a person without magical abilities) named Jacob, some of Newt’s magical creatures escape and run wild in the streets of New York. This commences his quest to find the beasts before they cause
any more destruction and contention between the wizarding and nonwizarding worlds. Any fan of Harry Potter will fall in love with this movie, and, even if you haven’t watched Harry Potter before, this film will introduce you to the amazing wizarding world, full of magic possibilities, and surprises around every corner.
Right: Courtney Hall ‘17 and Brooke Murray ‘17 practice their magical spells to watch “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.”
And We Have A Winner Written by Arabella Stadvec & David Carroll A wide range of emotions overtook Americans as Donald Trump won the electoral vote beating his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton, 279- 228, becoming the 45th president of the United States. This historic election showed the first woman presidential nominee lose to a businessman. According to CBS Evening News, Trump won 81% of conservatives, Caucasians, and 9/10 of the Republican vote while Hillary polled 88% of African-American voters, 55% young voters, and 65% of the Hispanic vote. Hillary, even with these voting groups, still couldn’t beat Donald. In Florida, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, Trump won by as little as 1%. Surprisingly, he won Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Florida, and Ohio, which were all states that Mitt Romney lost to Obama in 2012. Since the very beginning, according to CNN, Trump was campaigning on behalf of the Rust Belt, which contained Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan, appealing to the working class. In addition, Trump was the most popular in rural areas and in the rustbelt, where U.S. manufacturing declined and left many families out of work. Clinton was most popular in large cities and with the middle
class. People went to social media to express both their joys or fears. After election day, thousands of Clinton supporters in New York, San Francisco, and in other major cities, started protesting against Trump. The LA Times Reported that in New York, “Protesters filled Fifth Avenue for five blocks, essentially closing down an iconic, much-visited neighborhood of midtown Manhattan.” Despite being a popular figure in his hometown, New York, Trump received 19% of the vote
from the City and mostly from residents on the outskirts of New York. On November ninth, the day following the election, Hillary Clinton delivered her concession speech, while Donald Trump delivered his victory speech to the nation, celebrating the Republican victory. In his speech, he promised that he would be a great president for the nation. This election raised mainstream support for third parties such as the Libertarian Party, which wants small government, and the Green Party, which concerns itself with the environment. According to Real Clear Politics, third parties
usually receive less than 1% of the average of pre election polls, while this year the Libertarian party, at it’s height, recieved 9.2% of the pre election polls, and the Green party received 4.8% . According to PBS Newshour, the reason for the country’s dominating two-party system is due to “the political processes that has regulated the third parties to the sidelines and the nature of the parties themselves.” The surge of people supporting third parties could indicate a fracturing in both the Republican and Democratic parties which could lead to the rise of a new prominent third party, not seen since the election of Abraham Lincoln. The anarchic mess of the past 18 months gave way to this election, and America now has a new President, Donald J. Trump.
Above: Chris Arce ‘17 weighs the pros and cons of each presidential candidate.
pg.7 Knightlife
Entertainment/Opinion
Prepare Yourselves... It’s Flu Season Written by Jackie Pistole & Erin Hall Photographed by Jackie Pistole It is upon us. It in itself is invisible, but we can see what it does because it affects us all. This merciless predator that we’ve all met in our lifetime is the flu season. From this time of the year to as late as May, schools across America are plagued with the flu. It spreads like wildfire and makes our lives miserable. We talked to some people
who have already gotten sick this school year, and listened to what they had to say about the dreaded flu. “It’s more annoying than painful.” states Gio Garcia ‘18, who has already been struck with both a cold and the flu this school year. Like everyone else, he ardently dislikes being sick, “especially when the weather doesn’t correlate to what you have,
like hot weather with a flu or a fever.” November weather has mostly been hot, making people like Gio frustrated with their illnesses--a fever calling for extra blankets on a warm night, or a cold in the middle of a rainstorm. Like all other students, Gio also is annoyed at having to go to school while suffering from a cold or flu. “I’m usually really worn down and in no mood to participate or pay attention.” What I really want to do is just curl up on the couch and Netflix the symptoms out.” However, something that eases Gio’s flus is his grandmother’s soup. “When I’m a total mess my grandmother makes me chicken noodle soup. It really hits the spot,” he reflects. According to WebMD, chicken noodle soup does, in fact, help in the fight against the flu, as it protects your body from bacteria and viruses, while nourishing your body with essential fluids. If you find yourself sick this season, WebMD also recommends hot tea with lemon, honey, and ginger to soothe a sore throat, a turkey sandwich to replenish your body’s energy, and even vegetable juice to load up on antioxi-
dants and boost your immune system. It’s an annual event, and can’t be avoided. Or can it? While the flu is spread by coughing and sneezing, there is still disagreement over what triggers it. One idea is that the flu and cold viruses are spread more easily in cold weather; people spend more time indoors with the doors and windows closed, trapping the viruses and breathing them in. Another speculation follows the idea that the peak of the cold and flu season occurs in winter. Because of the cold weather and shorter days, we spend less time outdoors in the sunlight, thus resulting in lower levels of vitamin D in our bodies, and making our immune systems weaker. Regardless of whether or not these are true, the flu and cold viruses still rage through our schools. Precautions can be taken through receiving the flu vaccine, or even by something as simple as washing your hands periodically. According to the CDC, people are most afflicted with the flu in December and March, so prepare yourselves! It’s going to be a long year.
Left: Maya Currie ‘17 blows her nose and tries to stay healthy during cold and flu season.
The Knightlife newspaper is published by the Knightlife club of Bishop Montgomery High School, 5430 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503. Opinions expressed in this paper do not reflect those of Bishop Montgomery High School. Knightlife 2016-2017 Board Editors-in-Chief: Stephanie Trelease & Caroline Cusolito Vice Presidents: Jackie Pistole & Erin Hall Photography Executives: Simon Tran & Jenna Yu (art) Treasurers: Audrey Egekeze Secretary: Theresa Sitter This Issue: Staff Writers: Matt Alcedo, Steven Alvarado, Nicole Barragan, Devin Brown, David Carroll, Harrison Cook, Caroline Cusolito, Jayden Davis, Audrey Egekeze, Anjelika Esteban, Erin Hall, Lana Katnich, Caroline Kim, Skyler Lamar, Liliana Linan, Sarah Oppenheim, Riley Parker, Angelo Pasco, Camille Petroni, Jackie Pistole, Anna Quast, Haya Rabadi, Madison Reynolds, Alec Rupp, Annaliese Rupp, Theresa Sitter, Arabella Stadvec, Olivia Thompson, Katelyn Tomanek, Stephanie Trelease, Ricky Xu Staff Photographers: Angela Alexander, Steven Alvarado, Chloe An, Johnny Brunac, David Carroll, Alexis Cervantes, Harrison Cook, Julija Garunkstis, Libby Hadnett, Jada Harris, Lana Katnich, Caroline Kim, Skyler Lamar, Liliana Linan, Brady Liu, Mariana Madrigal, Camille Petroni, Jackie Pistole, Ruth Santos, Katelyn Tomanek, Simon Tran, Jenna Yu, Staff Advertisers: Angela Alexander, Harrison Cook, Ruth Santos, Ricky Xu Staff Interviewers: Devin Brown, Jayden Davis, Caroline Kim, Liliana Linan, Mariana Madrigal, Madison Reynolds, Haya Rabadi, Theresa Sitter, Katelyn Tomanek, Ricky Xu Peer Editors: Theresa Sitter (1-2), Erin Hall (3-4), Matt Alcedo (5-6), Audrey Egekeze (7-8) Graphic Designers: Caroline Cusolito (1-2), Stephanie Trelease (7-8) Advisor: Mr. Hong Proofreaders: Mr. Marafino, Ms. Vigon- Morffi Publisher: Ms. Libbon *Please contact jhong@bmhs-la.org if you would like to advertise in our monthly newspaper.
Knightlife pg.8