MIRROR
De Smet Jesuit High School / 233 N. New Ballas Rd. / St. Louis, MO 63141
THE
Volume 49 / Number 1 / August 2018
WELCOME BACK TO THE PALACE ON BALLAS
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As we open the 20182019 school year the newspaper staff wanted to provide the school with an issue to greet students when they walk in their homerooms. This year the staff consists of an experienced staff full of motivated individuals who want to provide the reader with the best possible content possible. Our focus this year is to tell the story of you; whether that be your accomplishments on the field, in the classroom or outside of school. We want to make sure this years issues are catered to you. This issue is focused on helping you map out your year and give you a better understanding on what De Smet Jesuit High School has to offer for you. You have a place here, and it is our mission to see you find your place here at De Smet Jesuit. Everyone has a story to tell, so do not be afraid to tell us yours.
- Jay Dolan, Editor-in-Chief
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@DeSmetPress page design by Grant Stegman
STAFF
THE
Letter from the editor’s desk
Kevin Berns / Adviser Jay Dolan / Editor-in-Chief Brennan Dolnick / Editor-in-Chief Nick Einig / Web Editor Grant Stegman / Design Editor Jack Windler / Multi-Media Specialist Jacob Deighton / Multi-Media Specialist Cameron Range / Staff Writer Max Conway / Staff Writer Jon Carani / Staff Writer Spencer Caldwell / Staff Writer Camden Brazile / Staff Writer Gave Helm / Staff Writer Chris Bateman / Staff Writer
Our Mission
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 for the ideas of students, parents, graduates, faculty and administrators. By-lined 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 the staff. At least a three-fourths 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 or emailed to desmetpress@gmail.com. All letters must be signed, but names will be withheld upon request.
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Friend of The Mirror? Contact desmetpress@gmail.com Editor ($25) Editor-in-Chief ($50) Publisher ($100+) desmetmirror.com
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News Spartan Summer Cool pictures taken over the summer from the student body
Speaking out Students response to questions asked about specific events during school What was the most memorable part of Junior Projects?
Joey Zarrick Just to see the light on the kids’ faces when you walk in the room and help them.
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What was your opinion on the block schedule?
What was your favorite memory of freshman year?
Matthew Huber Getting to go out of school and see the eclipse was pretty cool. What was the transition like from freshman to sophomore year?
Harrison Evers
It was a bit harder.... the homework went up quite a bit.
ec
Zach Siebert It gives students more time to finish their homework that they have in their classes because students won’t have the same classes everyday.
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A look at the schools upcoming event calender Aug. 25
Back to School Bash
7:30 pm-10:30 pm
Father-Son Golf Tournament Sep. 14
Sep. 24
all day
Sep. 9
Spartanfest Semi-formal / Homecoming
Sep. 22
Big Draw All School Assembly Ascent retreat / day of service Fall play 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Nov. 4
Open House 11:00 am - 4:00 pm Giving Tuesday
Dec. 1
all day
Dec. 9
Semester Exams Christmas Break starts
desmetmirror.com
Nov. 27
Christmas on Campus Christmas Band Concert
Dec. 17-20
Oct. 20
Dec. 21
page design by Grant Stegman
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Feature
Ready to serve New Principal hopes to bring new concepts to school by Nick Einig, Web Editor
F
ive years is a long time not talk to someone. When a person remembers one conversation that made them laugh, they remember who it was with. Principal Kevin Poelker realizes that this is the reason he does his job. Poelker, who has recently risen to the position of principal, comes to work everyday for those special moments. Poelker applied for the position of principal not to improve the school, but to be able to serve others more easily and readily. “I do believe that [De Smet] is a unique and special place,” Poelker said. “I’ve also always felt a call to serve the school.” Poelker started at De Smet as a theology teacher for 15 years as well as coaching soccer, basketball, and track during that time. After that he became the Assistant Principal for
Student Welfare and Discipline. When the position for principal became open he saw it as chance to keep the school great as well as a better way to assist and serve others. “I believe in the mission of the school,” Poelker said. “It was never a career aspiration of mine, I was just exploring the opportunity.” Poelker sees one primary way he can serve the school, and that is leading by example, which for him is being a role model not just for the students but for the faculty and staff as well. For Poelker, the day might never be done, there’s always more work to do and sometimes he forces himself to go home, spends time with his family, puts his kids in bed, comes back that night, and keeps working. His goal for his first year as principal is to bring the school to be the best version of itself that it can be.
Photo By Jacob Deighton
Kevin Poelker smiles and talks to a parent at Odyssey 1 Aug. 10.
“I think how I carry myself and where I spend my time will inform a lot about where we are as an institution,” Poelker said. “You never feel like your day is done, sometimes you just gotta go home.” Poelker loves the opportunity to be there for someone, and just the rare moments people don’t see everyday. “I see my job as making us the best version of what we already are,” Poelker said. “We have a clear mission, my job is just to make sure everyone can do the things they know they can do.”
Fun Facts Favorite music
Johnny Cash, Pearl jam, Oar and 311
Hobbies Water skiing, golfing and being with his kids
Favorite Show Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee
Back at it again
Former teacher goes back to his routine as a member of the school by Jay Dolan, Editor-in-Chief
A
fter four years working with the Jesuits, Peter Musso returns as Assistant Principal for curriculum and instruction and English teacher.
Musso has grown nostalgic thinking back to his days at De Smet. This was a driving force in his coming back to lead and teach. “I miss my colleagues with whom I have been with since 1995,” Musso said. “I miss the students and I especially miss the relationships I have with the kids in the classroom.”
page design by Jay Dolan
Being on break from De Smet made Musso miss the daily routine he had as a teacher. He wants to get back to what makes him truly happy. “I miss the rhythm the school year provides,” Musso said. “In the times where I wasn’t at De Smet I was enjoying my work but it was only when I was back at De Smet that I would wake up very early in the morning excited to go to work.” Being at De Smet helps Musso realize his greater mission in life. “It is because of the spirit
Photo by Jacob Deighton Peter Musso talks to a student while propping his feet up on his desk.
here that makes me so happy,” Musso said. “It helps me fulfill the greater mission of the Society of Jesus which is to help people have a greater relationship with Jesus and make it to heaven.” What Musso is most looking forward to about this year is getting to meet new people as
well as just be a teacher again. “I am super excited about being a sophomore English teacher as well as a freshman homeroom,” Musso said. “Everytime I am a freshman homeroom I am always so excited because I am anticipating how excited they will be.”
desmetmirror.com
What’s New?
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Kiki, do you love the new teachers? John Reyes ‘94
Freshman Biology Teacher Sophomore Soccer Coach “One of the reasons I wanted to be or want to be a teacher is to have a positive impact on the students and help them become better individuals.”
Ethan Valencia
Freshman Theology Teacher, ASC “My favorite hobby is vintage video game collecting and playing. I have close to 1000, I don’t know if I’m embarrassed to admit that.”
Maria Lang
Assistant Director of Admissions “My favorite TV show is Blue Bloods and my favorite movie is The Greatest Showman. I make my kids memorize the lines so they can say it back to me so we can do scenes.”
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Chris Schroeder, S.J. ‘00
Chaplain Service Projects Team Coordinator “For me, what I want for everyone, is to help them love more generously, to be more available for God and to just follow Jesus and really pin their hopes on Him.”
Peter Musso ‘89
Assistant Principal of Curriculum “My favorite vacation destination is Copper Mountain in Colorado in the Spring; Vail, Colorado in the summer; Lake of Egypt in Illinois in the summer and Michigan in the summer. I love vacation!” page design by Max Conway
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News
Fresh Advice Tips For The Freshmen
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Meet New People Making new friends is very important during your freshman year, so put yourself around new people. It’s also important to get involved early by going to sports games and joining after school activities. Joining clubs and sports is another great way to meet new people with similar interests. 2
Ask For Help Do not be afraid to go to teachers outside of class. The teachers are there to help you!
Club De Smet Previewing some unique clubs around campus
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Use Time Wisely Time management is really important. The Innovation Center is a great place to go to work during or after school. It is a great place to work individually or in a group. 5
Start Off Strong Beginning the year on a strong foot is the best way to simplify the complicated months of adjustment which allows for a less stressful high school experience. 6
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Photo by Jacob Deighton Freshmen in room 204 work on their homeroom t-shirts.
sports are interesting show it. Every school needs variety.
Be Yourself The most important tip is to show who you are. If theater is interesting, show it. Or if
Stay Out Of Trouble The beginning of freshman year is chaotic enough, try to avoid getting into trouble.
Check out the rest of the clubs De Smet has to offer on our website desmetmirror.com
Photos provided by Colin Donovan
The Paintball Club
The Spartists Art Club
The Math Team
Super Smash Bros Club
The paintball club is just what it sounds like. Throughout the year, the club will partake in outings all over the city.
The Art Club gives students the opportunity to dive into art after school. It gives students the chance celebrate the beauty of art all over the world.
The Mathematics Academic Team is for students who want to put their math skills to the test by competing against other teams.
The Super Smash Bros Club is a club that gathers every Friday to play Super Smash Bros. Love playing this game with some friends? Then this club is for you.
Moderators: Laurie Kohler and Emily Ledbetter
Moderator: Daniel Likos
Moderator: Kevin Berns
Moderator: William Gunn
page design by Spencer Caldwell
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Sports
Fall Sports Previews Stories by Spencer Caldwell, Brennan Dolnick, Max Conway, and Nick Einig
Football
Soccer There are a lot of returning starters from last season, so the team will be very experienced this year. With the upcoming players and starters from last year, the soccer team is looking to have a great season this year. Coach Joshua Klein believes that there are high expectations for the team this year but thinks that they should focus on the small things first instead of the big things.
Swimming
Coach Steeples two focuses this season are physicality and discipline. They are continuing their M.A.A.D Men mentality and an emphasis has been put on earning everything they get. The spartan offense has a new face in Coach John Pukala. He wants to run a high pace, no huddle offense. Senior leaders hope to improve on past years and to set a good example for the younger talent on the team.
Cross Country
The large number of freshmen on this year’s swim team has created high hopes for Coach Autumn Cortivo. Unlike last year, this team has about a 50/50 split of upper and lower classmen. Cortivo hopes that the 200 medley, 200 free, and 400 free relays will make the state cuts, as well as most of the upperclassmen in individual events, because she believes that they have the work ethic and potential to make it happen.
With the large number of seniors on the team, the Cross Country team has the leadership to help the underclassmen grow while helping other fellow seniors in the process. Coach Alexander Hall is stressing showing up on time and being apart of team activities. Coach Bryan Traughber believes with continuous hard work and showing up everyday that the team can make a good impact on the MCC.
Spartan Home Game Schedule Date 8/24 Date 8/30
Opponent Sport Hazelwood Football Central Opponent Sport Marquette Soccer
Date Opponent 9/6 Hickman
Sport Soccer
Date Opponent 9/8 MCC
Sport XC
Date Opponent 9/18 Vianney
Sport Soccer
Date Opponent 9/29 Alton
Sport Soccer
Date Opponent 9/14 CBC
Sport Football
Date Opponent 9/21 Vianney
Sport Football
Date Opponent 10/4 MCC
Sport XC
Date Opponent Sport 9/16 Tournament Swim
Date Opponent 9/26 Priory
Sport Soccer
Date Opponent 10/10 CBC
Sport Soccer
By the Numbers Wide Receiver Jordan Johnson has received offers from several big name colleges including Alabama and Ohio State. Here are some standout stats from his sophomore season. • 650 receiving yards last season • 25 receptions last season • 25.2 yards per reception • 9 Touchdowns • 22 Division 1 college offers • 4 Star Recruit Photo by Colin Donavon
desmetmirror.com
page design by Brennan Dolnick
Mapping it out WEIGHT ROOM
BAND
A few tips from upperclassman on how to handle the ACT
LOCKER ROOM
WRESTLING
Looking ahead
101 102 103 105
CAFE
CHOIR
106
107 108 109
114
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118
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111 113
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FIRST FLOOR BALLAS
Photo by Grant Stegman The ACT test is composed of reading, English, math, and science.
MAIN OFFICE
EMERSON LOBBY
BOOK STORE
THEATER
CAMPUS MINISTRY
201
202
203
204
205 LEARNING CENTER
CONCESSION STAND
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It may sound crazy, but take a test without any prep, see where you are in the process.
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Guess if you do not know an answer. There are no penalties for wrong answers.
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Unless you for sure know the answer is wrong, do not change your answer. Go with gut feelings.
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If you want to study, do it little by little. Cramming will not help you on test day because of the time deadlines. Use all the resources possible. Teachers, the book, siblings, etc. The book is a great way to study from past tests and teachers in the specific fields of the ACT would love to help you review.
GYM
STUGO
206
IT
207 208 212
214
216
218
220
213
215
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219
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COUNSELING CENTER
210
SECOND FLOOR INNOVATION CENTER
ART
300A
300B
301
302
303
304
305
306
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307 308 ROBOTICS
309 310
316
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318
311 312
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THIRD FLOOR