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Volume 46 Number 3 ~ December 2015 ~ De Smet Jesuit High School ~ 233 N. New Ballas Rd. ~St. Louis, MO 63141
“
I want to do as much as I can and be able to make sacrifices the way they have for me. -Luis Mejia Ahrens
” Page 6
THE WAIT IS OVER
Latest entry in sci-fi franchise poised to dominate box office pages 4 and 5
Photos courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures
entertainment
“FALLOUT 4” REVIEW
Latest entry provides rich, expansive world for players to explore. page 8
Courtesy of Bethesda Softworks
news A New Christmas On Campus page 2
opinions Administrators Should Impose A Form Of Drug-Testing page 3
feature Joe Wotawa: More Than A Jesuit Scholastic page 6
sports Christman’s Road Back To Wrestling page 7
For more information visit our website at www.desmetmirror.com
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NEWS
DECEMBER 2015
A New Christmas on Campus Doug Dolan Staff Writer 80 kids arrived to participate in the annual Christmas on Campus. In front of De Smet was an inflatable Santa, and the old wing hallway of the second floor was bathed in red and green light. There were three different Christmas trees in Emerson Lobby and in each of the classrooms, the buddies were able to do activities ranging from making ice cream to watching Christmas movies. “The decorations that they set up look more amazing every year,” senior Max Stroyeck said. “I’ve never seen the decorations this amazing compared to any other year.” After a management change at St. Matthew the Apostle Church, Christmas on Campus underwent a modification. “We could no longer
them a fun, rewarding experience that would positively influence their lives.” Russo wants the volunteers to know that Christmas on Campus is not charity. “I think we’re just trying to reach out to other people and have fun and be friendly with them,” Russo said. “So I think we have tried to get away from that persona of saying that we need to give these guys the Christmas they won’t get somewhere else.” There were around 180 volunteers from multiple clubs and Photo by Adam Craig organizations from De After singing “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” all the buddies got a personalized picture with Santa Claus and his elves. Smet to assist with the nearly 80 buddies. use our traditional so we got a lot of St. Theresa, St. on Christmas Day. “It’s not a De Smet system of getting feedback.” Bridget, Unfailing “We tried to create Stugo event; it’s a De kids,” student body With this feedback, Love, St. Cecilia and an atmosphere that Smet event. I think vice president Jackson Christmas on Campus Most Holy Trinity. focused on the mission that’s what makes Ullmann said. “We evolved. One of the In multiple cases, the of Christmas on had to reach out to biggest changes was De Smet volunteers campus,” Ullmann said. Christmas on Campus special. Most of the new people within the that Stugo moderator would give the kids “We don’t need to give kids were leaving with parish and within the Michael Russo reached expensive gifts and these kids something a smile and I think our Ville neighborhood as out to additional overshadow their super expensive. All guys did too.” a whole and in doing communities including presents they received we want is to give
Engineering Club Holds Bridge Contest Patrick McHugh News Editor 30 students participated this November in De Smet’s first ever toothpick bridge building challenge. The toothpick challenge is an exciting new competition that tests the engineering skills of club members. The toothpick challenge will have teams of up to 3 people with toothpicks and glue that will design a bridge up to 24 inches and pull cars to simulate loads and add masses and see which bridge will support the most weight. The bridge must span a gap of 60 cm, the height must be less than 30 cm and the bridge width must be a minimum of 10 cm. These challenges give students a fun experience and help them learn to be better engineers. Junior Sal Alu explains the process of designing a bridge. “First, you have to create blueprints for a design and sketch it out and see what’s possible and what’s not.” Alu said. “Then it’s basically trial and error from there and figuring out the best overall solution.”
What’s Coming Up December 2015
18- Last Day of Exams 24- Christmas Eve Mass
January 2016
Photo by David Goodwillie
Junior Jakob Hariq constructs his team’s bridge in 307. The judges will pick a winner based on the amount of weight it can support.
Senior officer Matt Carroll describes the benefits of the competition to help students become better engineers. “It’s a really interactive way to work as an engineer and experiment with the different possibilities.” Carroll said. “It’s about experiencing physics hands on instead of just on a test.” Club moderator Joe Feld is excited for the future of the club and wants to make
engineering fun for students. “I worked 20 years as an engineer and I want to expose students to careers engineers create and do things beyond the classroom and do things we can’t do in the classroom,” Feld said. “I enjoy working with students outside of the class and seeing their creativity and excitement.” The club participants final toothpick bridge designs were submitted December 10.
4- Classes Resume 7- Fr. De Smet Mass 17- Senior Mom Prom 18- MLK Day, no classes 20-22- Kairos #97 28- Culture Fest 2016 31- Father Son Banquet
February 2016
1-3 Kairos #98 2- All School Assembly
Under Armour Sponsorship Deal Athletic Department Switches Jerseys For A New Look
the cool look, and Under Armour is ahead of the game.” Kevin Roberts, the new athletic Last year, John Stewart, the director, also has a positive outlook former athletic director, signed a on the deal and believes that Under sponsorship deal with Under Armour is “an up and coming Armour for new game and practice product.” uniforms. Every sport, including One of Roberts’ goals is to bring those that are club, will gradually more potential players onto the take on the new uniforms in the fields of De Smet, and an Under next few years. Armour sponsorship is his solution. “We wanted uniformity within the “Kids look at what you wear. They sports,” Stewart said. see those jerseys, they’re drawn to As of this year, each sport uses it. So, this is a recruiting tool as a different company for their well,” Roberts said. uniforms and the difference is John Stewart and Kevin Roberts evident within the design and believe that embedding Under quality of the jerseys. Armour into the De Smet athletic “We really like the quality of identity will bring more students the uniforms and practice gear,” through the doors and onto the Stewart said. “We’re looking for fields of De Smet.
Alex Kramer News Editor
Photo by Kevin Berns
Hockey was among the many teams to receive new Under Armor jerseys for the 2015-2016 season. The team debuted new jerseys at the start of their regular season.
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MIRROR R
DECEMBER 2015
OPINIONS
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Drug Testing Would Improve Welfare Drew Brown Web Editor
Cartoon by Darrian Sandoz
Staff Editorial
Anti-Refugees Is Anti-American
By closing its borders to refugees, America embodies the evil that ISIS has been propagating for the last four years. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) has not helped to diminish the violent stereotypes of Muslims, but Christian-Americans should have more compassion towards the marginalized of society. History proves that all religions have had some sort of radical group. Have those, specifically Christians who stereotype Muslims forgotten that the Ku Klux Klan, the Oklahoma City bombers, and nearly all the mass shooters in the last decade have all been Christian? It is not the Christian way to murder dozens of people nor be discriminatory. Furthermore, it is not the American way to refuse Syrian refugees because one of them might be a terrorist. The Statue of Liberty represents friendship between nations and
freedom from oppression. A few decades ago, ships would sail into New York Harbor and Lady Liberty would be the first thing the passengers saw. Many of them were immigrants traveling to the United States for the first time, seeing this and America as a safe haven and a new start. This was the image for nearly 320,000 Soviet refugees in 1975 and for 231,000 Vietnamese immigrants in 1980, but for the Syrians of 2015 that image is distorted. By closing its borders to refugees, America embodies the evil that ISIS has been propagating for the last four years. When Ben Carson compared refugees to a rabid dog in a neighborhood, he did exactly what ISIS wanted America to do. The longer America waits to
abandon fear of Muslims, the bigger ISIS will grow as more and more refugees see no other option for survival. “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” reads the inscription on the Statue of Liberty. It is by these words that people fleeing persecution have always been welcomed into our country. Americans cannot allow Donald Trump’s neo-nazism to pervert the values in which this country was founded upon. We cannot believe that a person’s faith causes them to have less morals than that of other people and thus must be surveilled, tracked, monitored and automatically seen as a threat. To be anti-refugee is to be antiAmerican.
St. Louis In Need Of New Stadium Stephen Baxendale Editor-in-Chief Over the past year, the city of St. Louis has made a push to try to keep the Rams from relocating to Inglewood, California. Spearheading the project is Governor Jay Nixon’s task force of former Anheuser-Busch president David Peacock and attorney Robert Blitz. Naturally, there has been a large push against the measure. But the truth is that we need this stadium, National Car Rental Field, and the people of St. Louis need to come together to make this project a reality to help revitalize our struggling city. To be clear, Stan Kroenke, the owner of the Rams and 63rd richest man in the world, is already set on moving his team out west. He already has a plan for a
$1.86 billion privatelyfunded stadium in Inglewood. If he wants to move the team to California, the National Football League’s loose relocation guidelines will most likely let him, no matter how much progress the task force has made. But it’s bigger than that. Even if the Rams leave, we can still make a pitch for one of the other two teams trying to relocate, the San Diego Chargers and the Oakland Raiders. The stadium can even expand beyond the NFL into Major League Soccer. Soccer is growing in popularity each year, and having a stadium that contains both an NFL and MLS team would be a powerhouse in economic growth for the area. St. Louis has always been one of the leading contenders for a team and building the stadium
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Submit your Thoughts
would make this possible. The largest factor when considering the stadium is how it will benefit the community. The stadium will help elevate a city that’s been in sharp decline, as crime levels rise and areas are left dilapidated. National Car Rental Field, combined with the upcoming renovation to the Arch grounds, will help stimulate north St.
Louis city with new jobs and a general uplifting of the surrounding area. The construction of the project alone will provide an estimated 5,000 jobs. Overall, the stadium plan will provide economic growth with or without an NFL team. If we sit around and do nothing, we’ll miss a golden opportunity to elevate our city and reverse the decline we’ve faced.
Design by HOK
The Mirror staff welcomes opinions and ideas from the De Smet community. All comments or editorials should be submitted to: Kevin Berns (kberns@desmet.org) Brendan Johnson (bjohnson@desmet.org) Stephen Baxendale (sbaxendale@demset.org)
The National Institute of Drug Abuse reports that 35% of high school seniors across the U.S. have used illicit drugs in the past month. Data trends show this statistic is not likely to change any time soon. Some schools are trying to combat this by drug testing their students. Rockhurst Jesuit High School, St. Ignatius Jesuit High School, Christian Brothers College High School, and St. Edwards High School are just a few schools around the country that have started to drug test their students. It would be beneficial for De Smet Jesuit to drug test its student body. Many schools do not punish their students, but if drugs are detected the student’s parents and school counselor will be informed so they can work through the situation. The Office of National Drug Control Policy states that drug testing in schools has been tremendously effective at reducing drug use and, most importantly, preventing drug use among teenagers. In a study of Hunterdon Central Regional High School in Flemington, New Jersey, the principal concluded that a random drugtesting policy reduced cocaine use among seniors from 12% to 4%. Drug testing the student body costs on average are about $40 per person. Considering parents pay over $10,000 to attend a private high school, most would not complain about the extra $40. On top of this is the fact that it is well worth the money if it helps a student in need overcome or receive assistance with drug abuse. Some may argue it is an invasion of privacy for a school to drug test students but this is not the case as shown by many court rulings such as in Schaill v. Tippecanoe School Corporation, Vernonia School District in Oregon v. Acton, and Earls v. Tecumseh School District. The court in all of these cases ruled in favor of the schools. It a school’s duty to consider the wellbeing of its students and, in the case of De Smet as a private institution, it is a privilege, not a right, to go to school here. The school has final say. De Smet should drug test one time a year in order to improve the overall welfare of its student body.
R MIRROR 233 North New Ballas St. Louis, MO 63141 Volume 46, Issue 3 Adviser Kevin Berns Editor-in-Chief Stephen Baxendale Staff Ray Stewart- Managing Editor Brendan Johnson- Opinions Editor Joe Cafazza- Sports Editor David Goodwillie- Photo Editor Alex Kramer- News Editor Patrick McHugh- News Editor Alex Hejna- Entertainment Editor Drew Brown- Web Editor Doug Dolan- Staff Writer Mario Ghazal- Staff Writer The goals of The Mirror, as De Smet Jesuit’s official student newspaper, are to provide accurate information in the spirit of responsible journalism, to entertain and to offer a forum of ideas of students, parents, graduates, faculty and administrators. Bylined commentaries represent the opinions of their writers; they do not necessarily express the views of the administration, faculty, student body or The Mirror staff and its adviser. Editorials without bylines represent the opinions of the editors and staff. At least three-fourths of the majority of the staff is needed for an article to be considered an opinion of the paper. The Mirror welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be limited to 500 words and should be submitted to the publications office in Room 212. All letters must be signed, but names may be withheld upon request.
For more information visit our website at www.desmetmirror.com
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STAR WARS
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DECEMBER 2015
Alex Kramer News Editor
There has been an Awakening On Dec. 18, the Star Wars franchise comes out with its seventh installment, The Force Awakens. The upcoming movie features a new set of characters and a few returning characters, including Han Solo, Leia Organa and Luke Skywalker. With George Lucas passing the torch over to J.J. Abrams and Disney, the Star Wars saga should continue its greatness. A vast array of new characters joins the franchise. Those characters include Rey, Finn, Kylo Ren, Supreme Leader Snoke and Poe Dameron. Rey is a young girl growing up in the desert-based planet Jakku and will be the main character of the installment. Finn is believed to be a New Order Stormtrooper that turns to the Resistance, who later wields Anakin Skywalker’s lightsaber. Supreme Leader Snoke and Kylo Ren are the leaders of the New Order. The trailers indicate fighter pilot Poe Dameron to have an important role. Before the film premieres, anything plot related is still
speculation. One huge rumor is that an important and beloved character dies. In one of the trailers, Rey is crying over someone’s body fans consider this body to be Han Solo’s. In the original trilogy, Harrison Ford had always asked George Lucas to kill off Solo. It is believed that Ford will get his wish in the seventh production. Furthermore, Rey could be Han and Leia’s daughter or even Luke’s daughter. It is also thought that Hayden Christensen will be in the movies as Anakin’s ghost. That theory would continue on the tradition that when a Jedi dies, he takes on a ghostly form and mentors his student. With every showing in the United States being sold out, Star Wars: The Force Awakens is on track to be a
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STAR WARS
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How Strong is the Force With You? 1.What planet did Luke Skywalker grow up on? 2.Who killed Jabba the Hut? 3.What two characters are in all seven “Star Wars” movies? 4. What was Anakin Skywalker’s mother’s name? 5. What is the name of Boba and Jango Fett’s ship? 6. What planet were the clone troopers created? 7. What is the name of General Grievous’ ship? 8. What planet were Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa born? 9.What was the name of Darth Vader’s personal unit of troops? 10.What alien race was Darth Maul? 1. Tatooine, 2. Leia Organa, 3. R2-D2 and C-3PO, 4. Shmi, 5. Slave 1, 6. Kamino, 7. Invisible Hand, 8. Polis Massa, 9. 501st Legion, 10. Zabrak
DECEMBER 2015
Jar Jar Binks Can Be the Key to Everything In the hype of the new movie, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” fans are wondering, who is Supreme Leader Snoke? Other than being played by Andy Serkis, there has been nothing released about his identity. It has been conspired that Jar Jar Binks, the most hated character of the saga is the Supreme Leader. When a Sith dies, it takes on another host body. Jar Jar Binks is thought to be a host body of Darth Plagueis, who was
Darth Sidious. Surely, clumsy Jar Jar doesn’t seem to be anything close to evil. However, in “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith,” Senator Binks granted Chancellor Palpatine immediate emergency powers over the Galactic Republic, destroying the long-lasting democracy. For some reason, the entire senate agreed with his proposal. In this scene, Jar Jar is seen waving his hands, possibly using the force to persuade the senate to agree with him. Why would Plagueis, or Jar Jar want to give overall power to his murderer? Jar Jar simply used Palpatine, or Sidious assassinated for his long-term plan. by his apprentice, Jar Jar’s plan was to wait
for Palpatine to turn the Republic into an empire. In “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace”, Jar Jar is seen performing a gravitydefying 20 foot jump into the water, a jump only possible using the force. In addition, it is noticeable that Jar Jar is moving his mouth while certain people are talking, perhaps putting words into their mouths. Clearly, that evidence could be written off if Jar Jar wasn’t animated. Except that Jar Jar is a CGI character, so every move he makes is intentional by the creators. Bottom line, “Star Wars” fans shouldn’t be surprised to experience a prominent role with a Jar Jar based character. All images courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures
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MIRROR R
FEATURES
DECEMBER 2015
Luis Mejia Ahrens Chases The American Dream Junior Escapes Violence Of Cartels And Corruption To Find A Better Life Brendan Johnson Opinions Editor
In an overpass just across the street from Luis Mejia Ahren’s house in Veracruz, Mexico laid 50 naked bodies of men and women butchered by the cartel. “I saw them lying right in front of me,” Mejia said. “That event is what made me decide that it was time to come to the United States because stuff like that was happening too often, and was just getting ridiculous.” In late 2011, violence in Veracruz increased dramatically. The government was forced to call in the Navy to replace the corrupt police department during the city’s decline. Living in a region ravaged by murder, abductions and corruption, it became hard for families to feel safe from the crime that was eating away at their city. “Veracruz is a very pretty city full of culture and full of life,” Mejia said. “But to see it destroyed by gangs and violence and other groups made me sad and afraid most of all.” In addition to the violence that plagued his neighborhood, Mejia felt that Veracruz was no longer a place that he fit in.
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To me uprooting my life wasn’t hard, I had loved coming to the United States the few times that I did.
“To me uprooting my life wasn’t hard, I had loved coming to the United States the few times that I did,” Mejia said. “There wasn’t much for me in Mexico. Once I came here I didn’t look back.” After months of paperwork and procedures to get into the country, his mother received a student visa to attend Webster University. After classes she works online helping Mejia’s father, who still lives in Veracruz, run their family’s auto part distribution company, Digosa Autopartes. Mejia would attend Blessed Teresa of Calcutta to finish grade school before arriving at De Smet Jesuit. “They do it all for me, and they do it so that I can stay here,” Mejia said. “The fact they do this for me is humbling, and I am forever grateful.” Taking advantage of the extracurricular opportunities De Smet offers, he has been able to grow his talents as an actor and singer and develop into a true artist. He is in the spotlight of every play, and has gone as far as to make the state chorus. “He is one the most reliable actors in our shows. Mr. Knoedelseder and I know that quality of work that he puts out,” teacher Ryan Sextro said. “We know that, because of the level of talent and dedication he has, he will always deliver.” Mejia said he is going to take advantage of what his parents have done for him. “It is only fair to them for me to do that. I want to do as much as I can and be able to make sacrifices the way they have for me.”
” Joe Wotawa: More Than A Jesuit Scholastic -Luis Mejia Ahrens
Photo by Adam Craig
After his mother obtained a student visa, junior Luis Mejia Ahrens came to America in search of a safe life and an education.
“Playing in front of all those people was awesome.” Wotawa said. “It was a blast playing all over town, playing at all these places and meeting new people, it really was Playing guitar and touring with a band a great experience.” all around St. Louis are not something Wotawa has also used music to help most Jesuits do, but English and Theology strengthen his faith. teacher Joe Wotawa was once on stage “It has an unorthodox way,”Wotawa said. rocking out in front of hundreds of people “I don’t listen to mainstream Christian before he was teaching in front of a music but, I think free form jazz and a classroom. Wotawa was a sophomore at SLUH High school when he had the idea to lot of protest songs that have to do with respecting people’s dignity is really what start a band. helps with my faith.” “I was friends with this kid named Alex Since the band has broken up due to the Ampleman who was walking out of band class with a set of drumsticks and I just and members moving to different cities, Wotawa now plays music on his own time. said we’re starting a band,”Wotawa said. “I “I’m still friends with the bass player and played guitar, harmonica and was backup vocals, Ampleman was the guitarist and his sometimes we meet up and play music together,” Wotawa said, “but, now I play brother was vocals and wrote most of the music more in private and just sort of do it lyrics.” for fun.” The band played at different venues all Wotawa is now in his last year of teaching across St. Louis for three years. “We changed the band name every time we at De Smet, next year he will move on to theology studies to continue his road to played because we couldn’t decide what to become a Jesuit. He plans on getting his call ourselves.” Wotawa said. “which could masters of divinity at either Jesuit School of get pretty confusing even for us,” Wotawa Theology in Berkeley, Boston College School said. of Theology or Regis College in Toronto. The band played all over St. Louis “When I’m studying I need to do things including Florissant, Kirkwood, Crestwood outside of school so school work doesn’t and the Hill. The biggest venue they ever drive me crazy.” Wotawa said. “I imagine played at was in front of 350 people at a wherever I go I’ll still be playing music.” church sponsored battle of the bands.
Patrick McHugh News Editor
Photo by David Goodwille
Joe Wotawa S.J once randomly started a band with two of his friends at SLUH. For three years the band played all over St. Louis.
Three Quick Tips To Prepare For Semester Exams
Brain food: Keep your brain well fed with plenty of nutrition. Some good healthy brain foods are bananas, carrots and protein bars. (It also never hurts to reward yourself with a good dessert.)
Winter Exam Schedule:
Wed. Dec. 16, 2015 9am- MATH 10:30am-THEOLOGY
Joe Cafazza Sports Editor
Organize beforehand: Before you start the process of making study guides and flashcards, make sure you have all the material you need for each in subject collected into a single place.
Stay Relaxed: Don’t let the amount of work intimidate you. Make a plan for how to attack each topic and then execute it.
Thurs. Dec. 17, 2015 9am- SCIENCE 10:30am- HISTORY
Fri. Dec 18, 2015 9am-ENGLISH 10:30am- FOREIGN LANGUAGE
More tips on desmetmirror.com
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R MIRROR
DECEMBER 2015
SPORTS
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Opinion
Importance Of No Cut Sports Alex Hejna Entertainment Editor
Photo by David Goodwille
Sean Christman wrestles against Kirkwood High School in the 152 weight class on December 3, 2015.
Christman’s Road Back To Wrestling Senior Bounces Back From Family Tragedy Joe Cafazza Sports Editor
Every day, senior Sean Christman remembers his older brother, Bobby. Every day, Sean Christman takes the wrestling mat thinking of Bobby. “The biggest reason I’m wrestling is because my brother wanted me to,” Christman said. “Last year I didn’t wrestle, and he was all disappointed, so this year I thought it would be better if I wrestled for him.” After wrestling varsity as a freshman and sophomore, Sean decided not to wrestle in the winter of his junior year. In January, he found himself without wrestling and without his brother Bobby, who was killed during an attempted robbery. As a result, Sean missed weeks of school. That is when he turned to his former coach. “While his brother was going through that stuff he had gone through, Sean and I connected in that time,” Colby Robinson said, “and we spent a lot of time together and we spent a lot of time dealing with issues that he was struggling with.” Eventually, under Robinson’s guidance, Sean began training again, with the goal of finishing
his high school career where he started it: on the wrestling mat. “Before I sent him out on the mat the first time I said, ‘What’s your purpose?’” Robinson said. “We looked at each other and we both knew what he was thinking.” Every day, Sean goes to
practice determined to finish his senior year with nothing less than a state qualifying run; determined to do right by his older brother. “Everything I do,” Sean said, “I try to do what would make him proud and give back to him for what he did for me.”
Photo by David Goodwillie
Coached by Ken Luecke, racquetball is one of the six no cut sports De Smet offers.
Dec. 18 Basketball vs. SLUH 7pm Dec. 29 Wrestling Spartan Tournament All Day
January
Jan. 12 Wrestling vs. Vianney/ Chaminade 5pm
Photo by Nick Plassmeyer
Cross Country is a popular no cut sport. It’s an especially good way for freshman to meet new friends at the beginning of the year.
Most of the sports that are no cut are lesser known sports. A rugby team needs around 18 players with substitutes. While a high school football team can have 35 or more on the team. And even more people try out for the team so there can be cuts because of how many people want to play football. If the rugby team did cut people then the teams wouldn’t have enough people for a team. So the coaches have to work with the players they have to make them good enough to compete. Just because there are teams that do not cut doesn’t mean the athletes should work less. The students that go out and want to play these sports want to have fun and prove themselves as athletes. It is true that many students want to play sports and some can’t compete with more athletic students. These students want to be more involved in their school. Students should always have a chance to be more involved with their school and one of the major ways they could do this is through sports and no cut sports can provide it.
Former Assistant Coach And Alumnus Reflects On Mahoney’s Retirement Photo courtesy of Sean Christman’s Twitter
Sean describes his brother as always being there for him and always watching over him.
Winter Home Games
December
It is understandable why some sports have to cut kids from their teams, but every school should have at least a couple of sports where anybody can play. De Smet offers at least one sport per season that is a no cut sport. It is good for schools to have clubs that people can join but sports can teach different things clubs do. The sports include cross country, wrestling, racquetball, bowling, rugby, and track and field. When a high school student tries out for a sport and does not make the team, the person often still wants to play a sport and the no cut sports give them a chance. Those sports can provide students with an outside activity. The sports also allow the students to get to know each other that could’ve never happened if they weren’t involved in the sport. Some players play their regular sports and need a less time consuming sport . They still need to stay active outside of that sports year they can join a no cut sport.
Jan. 15 Basketball vs. Vianney 7pm
Feb. 9 Basketball vs. Edwardsville 7pm
Jan. 19 Wrestling vs. Priory/ Webster Groves 6pm
Feb. 12 Basketball vs. Chaminade 7pm
February
Feb. 2 Basketball vs. Kirkwood 7pm Feb. 3 Wrestling vs. CBC 6pm
Feb. 26 Basketball vs. CBC 7pm *This list details varsity games taking place at De Smet Jesuit
The lessons I’ve learned from Coach Mahoney have endured well past November 7, 2008, my last high school game: a 35-21 playoff loss to Ft. Zumwalt West. Coach Mahoney instilled a phenomenal work ethic in every one of his players. This work ethic served me well during my time at Truman State and beyond. He also taught me about circular leadership and that true leadership is based in service . The most important lesson I learned from Coach Mahoney, however, is to treat everyone extremely well. As those who have played for him will attest, Coach genuinely cares about every Spartan; from the star to the last man on the bench. In doing so, Coach taught all of us that every person has an inherent value and is deserving of respect,
Photo by Kevin Berns
Mahoney finsihed his coaching career with 100 total wins including a 2005 state championship and three state semifinal runs.
kindness, compassion and most importantly our best effort. Thanks for everything Coach! *A letter from 2009 graduate and offensive line coach, Will Maasy
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R MIRROR
ENTERTAINMENT
DECEMBER 2015
“Fallout 4:” War Never Changes a necessary element of depth to the game. Though many were skeptical, it has improved the player’s experiBethesda Softworks has dropped yet anence as the Lone Wanderer on a desperate other nuclear bomb on the gaming industry search for his lost son. Combat is realistic in with “Fallout 4.” The company is known for every aspect. Fallout’s famous VATS, Vaulttheir development of some of the best RPG’s Tec Assisted Targeting System, no longer gaming has to offer. The “Fallout” series is freezes time, forcing the player to quickly pick the most unique of its kind, and “Fallout 4,” his shot. Depending on the difficulty, a single released on Nov. 11, is no exception. It is 2287, shotgun blast from a raider or a swing or two 210 years after a devastating nuclear war, and the wasteland is ready to be explored in all of its from a Super Mutant can result in a gory death. With 50 base weapons and 700 different modiirradiated glory. fications, players will always find new ways to “Fallout 4’s” story is as captivating as the obliterate any who oppose them. Weapons and wasteland itself. While taking refuge in Vault armor can be recolored and renamed, allowing 111, Shaun, the player’s son, is kidnapped. The players to make weapons their own. If blowing player emerges from the vault later bent on tracking down his lost son and combating every- your enemy’s head off with a teddy bear does not satisfy you, nothing will. thing the wasteland has to throw at him along For five years, Fallout fans have awaited a vast the way. The story evokes a sense of nostalgia, new world to explore. The graphics are far from as “Fallout 3’s” plot featured a son searching for perfect, but Fallout isn’t about graphics. Next his lost father. Despite similar plots, “Fallout gen visuals are expected, and the graphics have 4” has woven unique twists into its story that received a huge overhaul compared to “New Veexceeds its predecessors. gas.” “Fallout 4” brings the nuclear apocalypse From the technological, android-building Instito life, with a beautiful and vibrant environment tute to the Commonwealth militia known as the to explore. Remnants of the colorful, 1950’s Minutemen, factions have distinct features and motives that differentiate them from each other. themed society before the war is around every corner in the Commonwealth. Where graphics Factions play a major role in how the player lack, though, the story and gameplay compensurvives in the unforgiving wasteland. Like sate. “Fallout: New Vegas,” siding with one group Hardcore fans have devoted the last month to can stake your relationship with another, so playing “Fallout,” and with good reason. With players must choose their friends wisely. Bethesda wanted to make “Fallout 4” their an engrossing plot, interesting characters, most immersive experience yet. The addi- overhauled weapons customization and tion of a voiced protagonist has added so much more, players will never be bored.
Brendan Johnson Opinons Editor
Courtesy of Bethesda Softworks
Christmas Movies: Staff Ratings National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Alex H.
Ray
Patrick
C
A- A+ B+ B+ B+ B+ A+
Alex K.
Drew
Courtesy of Warner Brothers
Stephen
Brendan
Joe
David
Average
-
A-
Home Alone
Ray
Patrick
Drew
Alex K.
Alex H.
Stephen
Brendan
Joe
David
Average
A
A
B+
A
B
B
B
A
B
ACourtesy of 20th Century Fox
Elf Ray
Patrick
Drew
Alex K.
B+ B+
A
B
Alex H.
Stephen
Brendan
Joe
David
Average
B
A
D
B+
A+ B+
Courtesy of New Line Cinema
It’s a Wonderful Life Ray
Patrick
Drew
Alex K.
Alex H.
Stephen
Brendan
Joe
David
Average
B-
A
B
A
B-
A
D
-
-
B Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures
A Christmas Story Ray
Patrick
Drew
Alex K.
Alex H.
Stephen
Brendan
Joe
David
Average
A
B
B
B
C
A+
A
C+
-
B
Courtesy of MGM/UA Entertainment
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