The Aquilian
April 2020 Volume 82 Number 5
Gonzaga College High School Men For Others Since 1821
19 Eye St, NW Washington, DC 20001
Photo By: Carlos Cruz ‘20
COVID on 19 - Eye Street Empty Gonzaga College High School has always been bigger than its footprint on 19 Eye Street. Our community is regional. Our alumni are international. Our renown is global. This greater Gonzaga has never been more apparent than today. As many of you know, COVID-19, a new strain of coronavirus, has recently been a cause for concern all around our country. Due to its high infection rate and novel nature, Gonzaga has gone virtual and only essential staff and Jesuits remain on Eye Street. Many rumors about the start of the virus have been circulating, but the most pop-
ular of which is that the virus comes from bats. Late in December of 2019, many cases of the virus arose in Wuhan, China, and it quickly began spreading. Despite the crisis arising in China, many travelers from other countries were unaware of the virus. As a result, travelers picked up the virus like a contagious carry-on and brought it home. Many of the U.S. cases in early 2020 were found in people who had recently been to China or knew someone that had recently gone there. Fast forward 2 months… March 12, 2020: Gonzaga made the decision to close campus until it is safe to reopen. Along with most other schools in the country, Gonzaga is currently in the dis-
tance learning program in which students communicate with their teachers via Zoom or Google Meet. In addition, all extracurricular activities sports, GDA, clubs, retreats - are canceled until further notice. The virus has also caused all collegiate and major sports leagues in the U.S. to postpone or cancel their seasons - Yep, that means no March Madness this year. It is heartbreaking when you put a lot of hard work toward something and it is taken away from you. As hard as it may be to not be able to go to Gonzaga, we know it is necessary for our safety. In terms of numbers, the U.S. has about 579,486 cases, followed by Spain with 169,628 cases,
Italy with 159,516 cases, and globally there are 1,912,570 cases. On a brighter note, there is a much greater number of patients recovering than deaths in each country. This pandemic has put a dent in our economy. It all started with hand-sanitizer prices skyrocketing, but it eventually grew much worse. Toilet paper has become a reason to stand in line and grocery stores are in short supply when it comes to items like flour and eggs. Lots of businesses are shutting down, which people say can lead to a recession. No one is quite sure how long it may last, therefore President Trump voiced the aspirational desire for the country to be back in business by Easter.
McKenna & COVID, 3
Senior Reflections, 4
Gonzaga Lacrosse, 6
Gonzaga Rugby, 7
By: Robert Dimond ‘21 Contributor
Speaking of Easter, Churches are preparing to have electronic ceremonies, so don’t forget to charge your device! How do you know if you have COVID-19? For most people with no pre-existing health conditions, they will experience a dry cough, fever, and tiredness. People of significant age or with health conditions such as HIV or Asthma might experience more harsh respiratory symptoms. To avoid contracting the virus, the CDC recommends staying six-feet away from other people in public places and washing your hands regularly for at least twenty seconds. If it helps, you can sing Continued on p. 2
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COVID on 19 Continued from p. 1 the Gonzaga Alma Mater while washing your hands. It is important to follow the CDC guidelines and stay inside during these times of quarantine. Even if you think the virus might not have an effect on you (it can), you should stay inside to avoid spreading it to someone who might be in danger. Afterall, symptoms take up to two weeks to show, so you can spread the virus before knowing you have it. “The reality is that now we all know people who have the virus — whether they’ve chosen to tell others or not. Or even, whether they know it or not,” says Gonzaga Chief Operating Officer Stephen Neill. So please stay home and wash yours hands! In hard times like these, life can be scary. It’s the middle of an outbreak, things are getting canceled, plans are up in the air. While a possible
plan is to return to school on April 24th, this becomes more and more uncertain as the days go by. Questions remain about the status of Graduation and Summer Service Trips. No matter how hard things get, you must remember we are all going through this together. There is a bright side to all of this. Recently, Wuhan announced their first day with no new reported cases of the virus, and they are sending some of their medical staff to Italy to help out. Our thoughts and prayers are with those infected with and impacted by the virus. Our community is heartened by the recovery of Fr. Planning and happy that he has emerged from quarantine. Gonzaga particularly mourns the loss of members of its family who’s lives have been cut short by COVID-19. Everyone stay home and stay safe!
COVID Cancellations By: Gabriel Brady ‘21 Editor With the recent coronavirus outbreak, Gonzaga student life has changed enormously. With Zoom Conference classes, more homework, and seeing less of friends, life on Eye Street has temporarily changed to life in one’s bedroom. Another casualty of the COVID-19 outbreak is the cancellation of two spring break opportunities: the Camino and the Apopka trips. The Camino, led by Mr. Laguilles, Mr. Hartnett, and Mr. Szolosi, is a course elective that culminates in the trip to Spain during spring break, where students hike the last one hundred kilometers of the famed Camino de Santiago leading to St. James’ remains. About the trip’s cancellation, Mr. Laguilles said “cancelling the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage was a tough decision to have to
make but it was the right one. I was following how the virus was affecting Spain from when the first cases were confirmed there, and as each day passed, it was getting worse and worse. Ultimately, putting our students and chaperones at risk was something we did not want to do, so we decided to cancel.” Spring Apopka, led by Ms. Flood and Mr. Freeman, is an immersion trip where students work with the Hope Community Center to help migrant families during the day and stay with them in homestays at night. “Cancelling was tough and disheartening,” Ms. Flood commented, “but it was easy, too, in certain ways.” The cancellation was different from the Camino’s, in that the decision centered on the families in Apopka as well– “Since many of the community members are [part of] an already marginalized popu-
lation with limited access to healthcare, it would be unwise of us to both expose our students to the Apopka community and to expose that population to our students.” The cancellations have obviously disappointed both the students and teachers planning to embark on the trips. “We have a great group of guys in the class,” Laguilles reflected, “and I was really looking forward to seeing them experience the pilgrimage. They are definitely disappointed.” The importance now for the whole Gonzaga community is to move on from the effects of the coronavirus and respond as Men For Others. In Laguilles’ words, we must “understand that although some things are out of our control, we can control how we respond and adapt to these unforeseen challenges.”
No Place Special By: Tre Mcguire ‘20 Contributor Like most I also drift only I to no place special
Breathtaking gusts of wind resurrect the recorder
A simple place with a complex tune
A snare from the window sounds Its dinner time
A song filled backyard melodied with the scent of aster
I say goodbye, to an abandoned orchestra
A pond riddled with chords of ice As the ball strikes the backboard, a drum of peace The doghouse barks no more, an a capella The tattered swingset screeches like a misunderstood violin With help from the Gonzaga Poets & Writers and its moderator Mr. Joe Ross, The Aquilian plans to feature a work of poetry written by a Gonzaga Student in each issue.
The Aquilian Founded In 1940 Gonzaga College High School 19 Eye Street NW Washington, DC 20001 Men For Others in the Jesuit Tradition Since 1821
Editor-in-Chief Jack Martino ‘20 Managing Editor Josh Knutsen ‘20 Photography Editor Henry Sullivan ‘20
Editors Brendan Burns ‘20 Tommy Fisher ‘20 Adam Wojciak ‘20 Gabriel Brady ‘21 Jesse Dolojan ‘21 Charlie Neill ‘21 Reid Norton ‘21 John Ferrara ‘22
Moderator: Dr. Harry Rissetto
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The McKenna Center Faces COVID-19 By: Luke Elliott ‘21 Contributor Located just eight blocks from the U.S. Capitol Building, the Father McKenna Center is a men’s day shelter located in the basement of St. Aloysius Church on the campus of Gonzaga College High
tical and social services. The president and CEO of the Father McKenna Center, Dr. Kimberly Cox, says that the D.C. Department of Human Services wants those struggling with homelessness to find refuge in shelters rather than in the streets as the virus continues to spread. For this
pers continues to drop each day. Dr. Cox and the McKenna Center staff hope that this is because people have enough food and are playing it safe by staying home. Clients have come in telling stories of neighbors offering food to others in their apartment buildings, moments of
School in Washington D.C. As with most businesses and organizations around the globe, the McKenna Center and its surrounding community have been severely impacted by the rapidly evolving COVID-19 outbreak. Named after Fr. Horace McKenna, S.J,. the staff and volunteers at the McKenna Center have worked to provide services to men, women, and families struggling with homelessness and poverty in the city since 1983. Services available include daily programming and meals for men and a food pantry for families in the neighborhood. The only overnight service typically offered is the hypothermia program during the winter months. The recent COVID-19 outbreak is the first time in the Center’s thirty-seven years that they have had to drastically change their programs for an extended period of time. The first major alteration to the McKenna Center’s normal operation is the interruption of its general day service for men. This program consists of breakfast, shelter during the day, inspirational talks from the Center’s staff, visits from partner organizations, lunch, and other logis-
reason, the McKenna Center recently held a meeting before shutting down their day program to encourage clients to find shelters to stay in for the duration of the pandemic. Dr. Cox explained that the Center’s director of services, Cortez McDaniel, gave the men an inspirational talk on their last day, encouraging them to stay strong and level headed through their experiences in the shelters. The hypothermia program takes in roughly 10 to 20 men on the brink of breaking out of the vicious cycle of poverty, providing them with food, shelter, and resources to conquer homelessness throughout the brutal winter months. By the end of each winter, participants are positioned to have stable housing and employment opportunities. The program was set to finish on April 1, but the Center will continue to host the current group until the outbreak is brought under control. The reasoning behind this is to prevent the group of men from having to return to shelters, back-tracking all of the progress they have made so far. While the Center’s food pantry continues normal operations, the number of shop-
hope in these troubling times. One change to the food pantry service, however, is the Center’s new role as a Capital Area Food Bank food hub during the outbreak. Anyone
with a Washington, D.C., ID is able to pick up bags of groceries when they are in need. This opportunity arose out of an ongoing partnership between the Center and the Capital Area Food Bank. Dr. Cox jumped at the opportunity when the Food Bank asked if she would be interested in helping out given the present circumstances being faced by the collective public. Volunteers at the Center usually include Gonzaga students and families, various local school groups, students on college immersion trips, and other adult volunteers. With students no longer on campuses and the high degree of contagiousness, volunteers are not permitted in the Center at this time. Marino Angeloni, a sophomore at the University of Scranton, was set to lead an immersion experience in March. “The McKenna Center was empathetic and gave our group hope to return at a rescheduled time to serve,” says Angeloni, “I am hopeful to make it to D.C. and the McKenna Center in the future.” Some of the only workers left at the McKenna Center now are the Center’s staff and Gonzaga’s Alumni Service Corps, three Gonzaga graduates who live and serve at their alma mater for a year after their college
graduation. With such limited numbers now in the Center every day, Dr. Cox and her staff are truly connected with the men. During the first week of social distancing, the group in the hypothermia program, like many of us, found themselves bored with no one new to talk to and little to do. In search of something meaningful to kill time, the men joined together to clean the kitchen at the Center. In these times, it is important to recognize that we are all in the same boat. Though we may often think there is a divide between an “us” and a “them,” maybe this pandemic can help bridge this gap. Maybe there are more similarities between “us” and “them” than we think. Right now, we are all encouraged to stay in and quarantine, no matter who we are. As Dr. Cox put it, “if we all stay in, wash our hands, and remain kind to other people, we may just come out better as a world community on the other side of this. We’ll be better people in future.” Hopefully we can all heed this message and seek to make ourselves and the world a better place during this time.
A Legend Breaks Even By: Charlie Neill ‘21 Editor “It won’t mean you’re weak if you turn the other cheek.” You could be forgiven for thinking this is a Jesus quote, but it is actually from country music legend Kenny Rogers. On Friday March 20th, the gambler broke even. Country music legend Kenny
Rogers passed away of natural causes. Kenny’s music career was a long and successful one. He had a whopping twenty-four number one hits and released thirty-nine albums over more than six decades of amazing music. Kenny used his music to let us know what to do when the Gatlin Boys come callin’ and remind us that there’s always time for counting when
the dealin’s done. If you don’t mind me sayin’, we could all use some of Kenny’s advice in this uncertain time. Kenny’s life gives us all an ace that we can keep. Rely on Kenny’s music and his beliefs to help you through these times off Eye Street, but more importantly, remember to rely on each other.
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Reflections from the Class of 2020
By: Tommy Fisher ‘20 Editor What a wild four years. The Class of 2020 started off in a uproarious election year and is ending during a national crisis. While it may have been tumultuous at the beginning and end, the seniors have had nothing but an amazing experience at Gonzaga. Life at Gonzaga is infinitely long for a day, and infinitely short for a year--or four years. We often dread our classes or having to get through all eight periods, but when we are on break (or have school go online because of a global pandemic), we realize just how special the entire Eye Street experience is to us. There are always things that just randomly happen at Gonzaga that make us happy. I can say that for the most part, I hadn’t really thought about them until now, when I am about to leave them all behind forever. There were the hot takes of Mr. Sampugnaro, the freshmen battling Mr. Pugliese, Mr. Maddox roasting kids, the “then-and-now” comparisons with the ASC’s, Mr. Cardozo’s humor, the times we shared a laugh with a Sage employee, the times the food wasn’t that good, the question of whether or not free pizza would be provided, the times we got a webassign problem right that we didn’t think we would, the times when we had a horrible day at school but cheered up with friends at practice, the times we learned about the value of service, the fun ways people would get around the blocks on surviv.io, the times our beliefs were challenged in Ethics, the lightness we felt at Kairos, the living thesaurus that is Dr. Schaefer, the glitched-out computer transition thing on WZAG that was really funny for some reason, The Office skits that were even funnier, the times Mr. L’Etoile made books something that could apply to life, the times that Mr. Turner would teach a life lesson that we would never forget. All of these experiences, plus all the running jokes, all the stories, all the antics, and all the little daily activities we never consciously noticed, put a smile on our faces practically everyday. Here are some of the
thoughts and memories current Seniors have as they prepare to say “goodbye” to Gonzaga: “One thing I remember from this year is the mouse that would make its way through the cafeteria. Everyone would start yelling and chaos ensued. It made lunch a lot more fun and it was cool to have something interesting happen to the whole cafeteria. The quote “issa rat” will forever be cemented in my head” - Cameron Ross
am thankful to Gonzaga for funny for how spontaneous we have had some less than exposing me to these realities the whole thing was.” - John pleasant instances (“ha _ instance” during Sophomore and am indebted to Gonzaga Koenig year for example). Thank forever for teaching me to you for also giving me the be more open to growth, inopportunity to take honors tellectually competent, reliEnglish.” - Jacques Pelletier gious, loving, and committed to doing justice.” - George Clifford
“Mr. Young is a keystone species at Gonzaga.” - Augie Sommers “The most important part about my Gonzaga career were the endless possibilities for extracurricular activities that forged relationships that “The intellectual quar- I know will last through any “As much as I’d love to rels between Tommy Fisher natural disaster, virus, and and Mr. L’Etoile in first pe- lifetime.” - Augie Sommers spend another year at Gonzaga, I can’t help but feel riod AP Lit.” - Ben Stone (his it’s time to show the world words not mine) what I’ve learned.” - Rowan “Officer quack and the Kreischer boys in Chinese III” - Grady Lonergan
“I am thankful for being surrounded by a community that cares about you and wants the best for you. The support that my brothers and teachers give me for all of my activities reminds me that I am welcome here. It reminds me that I am loved. This support motivates me to march through each day with a smile on my face with the aim of being a man for others. Thank you to the Gonzaga community for strengthening my optimism and accepting me into your brotherhood.” Coleman Bunn
“For me, one of the most valuable aspects of the Gonzaga education was being in the heart of D.C. Being exposed to the realities of poverty and gentrification in D.C. made me realize why we need men for others now more than ever in our community and in our world. I
“First I would say the hail mary, also I would say the basketball game at home vs PVI this year. Everyone got there about 20 mins early and the stands were practically full when there were still 10 mins left in the JV game. It was awesome because we treated it as a varsity game, and got really into it. You could tell the JV guys were loving it, and it was a really hype moment when one of the JV players threw down an alleyoop. Everyone went wild.” - Jack Dougherty
“I remembered when they announced that we’d get the day off after the Super Bowl and we all rushed the floor and formed a big dog pile. I lost my shoes but I kept going, and once everything calmed down it was just me and ten other guys sifting through a pile of shoes trying to find ours. It was pretty
“I remember when I got Mr. Hartnett a gigantic bell as an end of the year gift/prank so he could ring it when he said: “that’s a negative ghost rider.” Thank you for teaching me the dos and the don’ts of ethics. I want to thank Mr. Turner for teaching me how to be a true man for others; it was because of his class I was able to grow as a person and help those in need. Running the ‘Get Over the Hump Breakfast’ has been one of the most rewarding parts of my time at Gonzaga and I am only sad that I couldn’t have had more. I want to thank the teachers who made this breakfast possible including Mr. Hartnett, Mrs. Hudson, Mr. Kilroy, Mrs. Valeiras and Ms. Tobin. My senior year was the first year I have played Rugby and I enjoyed every second of it. I could have not asked for a better coaching staff and teammates, it is because of them that rugby was my favorite sport while at Gonzaga. I want to thank Dr. Schaefer for having a positive impact on me for the last two years at Gonzaga. You have always treated me fairly and have always been a big supporter of all my club activities and breakfasts. Mr. Pierce, you have been a great English teacher and even though
Our high school experience has been anchored by the idea of getting into college and performing well in order to achieve that goal. But Gonzaga has been special because beyond the pure academics, we have had the daily opportunity to serve those in need at the McKenna Center, in D.C., and all across the U.S. We have had the opportunity to do things like protest in the shadow of the Nation’s Capitol, walk on the Great Wall of China with classmates, sing at the National Cathedral, and to participate in or cheer for our classmates during numerous sports championships. Most importantly, we have had the opportunity not just to learn-but to pray, to reflect, and to care for others--everyday. As we move on from Gonzaga, we are well-prepared in all facets of life. And we had fun in the process. Thanks to Dr. Rissetto for his commitment to keeping this timeless newspaper going strong. And thanks to all the students, teachers, and staff who have made Gonzaga as memorable and perfect a high school experience as it possibly could have been. AMDG.
First Year Teachers Check In
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By: Sean Carley ‘21 Contributor & Jesse Dolojan ‘21 Editor
What is your favorite quarantine pastime? I’m working on a puzzle of a pretty German town. It’s been much more entertaining than I originally thought it would be. Do you support the Pineapple on Pizza Movement? I’m not even sure what exactly the Pineapple on pizza movement is...as a child I didn’t like pineapple on pizza, but as an adult I do. Does that answer the question? What has been your favorite Gonzaga memory so far? It’s too hard to choose a favorite memory so far, everything is so new to me. What is your favorite food item from Sage? Coffee Are you willing to divulge in who your favorite class is? They know who they are Do you coach/help out in any Gonzaga sports? I was going to help with tennis this Spring :( On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your first year Gonzaga experience? 10! Where did you originally come from? I was born in San Diego, but grew up mostly in Idaho and Oregon. Did you ever imagine landing anywhere like Gonzaga when you first started working? I went to a Jesuit high school, so I always assumed I would try to remain in Jesuit education if possible. I am thrilled to be here!
Pineapple on Pizza: Big pizza fan here, big pineapple fan here too, but I do not support the pineapple on pizza movement.
What is your favorite quarantine pastime? Watching Avatar: The Last Airbender with my brothers and Parenthood with my Gonzaga Memory: Have a mom couple so far, soccer winning WCAC and States, Gonza- Do you support the Pineapple on Pizza Movement? gaFest I have no strong feelings beFood Item: I would probably yond my personal dislike. have to go with their salads or their pulled pork sandwiches What has been your favorite Gonzaga memory so Favorite Class: That’s easy, far? because I do not have a fa- Hmmm... this is a tough one. vorite. I like all of my class- Do I have to only pick one? Each Kairos I have been es for different reasons. on has been awesome in its Coaching: I helped coach own way, full of wonderfreshman soccer and was ful memories. Gonzaga Fest coaching JV purple baseball was amazing. All of the performances - on the stage, the before the quarantine. field, the court, the rink, or in First year, 1-10?: It’s gotta the pool - have been wonderbe a 10. From the students ful moments to witness the to the faculty, this year has support that the students and been the best year teaching Gonzaga have for one anfor me. Even with this quar- other. antine making us have online classes, everyone has been so What is your favorite food helpful and willing to change item from Sage? that it has still been a pretty I like their shrimp and potato soup a lot (I think that is what positive experience. they call it) Origin Story: I am originally from Drexel Hill, a sub- Are you willing to divulge urb of Philadelphia (S/O Joel in who your favorite class is? Embiid) No Comment. Did you ever imagine landing anywhere like Gonza- Do you coach any Gonzaga ga when you first started sports? No, but I try to go to as many working? To be honest, I did not. I games for as many different taught at my alma mater for a sports as I can. few years, where like Gonzaga many alumni teach there On a scale of 1-10? (most for their entire careers) A solid 7 for quite a few years. So I sort of thought I’d be there Origin Story for the time being. I always The great town of Kensingwanted to work in the D.C. ton, Maryland (shout out to area but did not know much all the other Ktowners out about the schools in the area. there) Luckily for me the timing worked out and I am here at Landing at Gonzaga? Gonzaga. I am enjoying my I never saw myself worktime here and learning about ing at Gonzaga, but I always the history and traditions of wanted to help people in high school explore and deepen the school. their faith
Quarantine pastime? Reading & working out! Currently I’m reading the book, Unbroken. It is unbelievable and I strongly recommend it!! I am also taking advantage of the free premium subscription in the Nike Fit AppI’d recommend this too!
What is your favorite quarantine pastime? I have enjoyed sitting on my balcony with music playing and reading a book. Something simple, but still a nice view of nature.
Do you support the Pineapple on Pizza Movement? Pineapple on Pizza? Yes! It’s a go-to topping of I’m sorry but in my book, pineapples and pizza just will mine at &pizza :) never go together. Gonzaga memory? Our first mass in August when the student body sang along to “On Eagles’ Wings” and the Alma Mater. I was not expecting it and both gave me goosebumps. It was clear to see from day one how proud you are of Gonzaga- as you all should be!
What has been your favorite Gonzaga memory? I think my favorite memory at Gonzaga thus far has been GonzagaFest. It was awesome to see everyone having such a great time and students who didn’t otherwise interact were meeting each other and making new friends.
Favorite food from Sage? Sun Chips- it’s always a good What is your favorite food day when there are sun chips! item from Sage? I have not been down to the Sage Cafeteria...so always Favorite class is...? I love all of the classes I open to recommendations. teach.
Are you willing to divulge who your favorite class is? Each class is my favorite for a different reason, but they also each know a different button of mine they can push. Give and take :)
Coaching? I helped out with the lacrosse program this Spring. Although our time together was short, I felt very fortunate to be apart of such an amazing group of people. I am looking forward to the day when On a scale of 1-10, how we can all get back together would you rate your first year Gonzaga experience? again! 11, is that allowed? I have loved it here and can’t see On a scale of 1-10? 10/10 most definitely. This myself anywhere else. has been an extremely strange, but absolutely wonderful, first year experience. I have loved being apart of this community and feel so blessed to be here.
Origin Story? Coming from a Navy family, I would have to say Annapolis, MD, since this is where my family has been for the last 10 years or so.
Where did you originally come from? Orange County, California... maybe 15 minutes from the beautiful Southern California beach
Landing at Gonzaga? When I was working in South Carolina and decided to go with high school teaching near Washington D.C., everyone said I had to go to Gonzaga so that became my Landing at Gonzaga? I did not, but I’m very grate- goal. Zero regrets. ful that I did!
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Ecosia
By: Gabriel Brady ‘21 Editor Most people put very little thought into which search engine they use– usually Google, perhaps the occasional straggler on Bing. Choosing which one doesn’t seem like a particularly important decision. But what if it could be? Ecosia, a new company, is attempting to change that. While companies like Google place ads to bring in revenue for their investors, Ecosia’s profits go to planting trees. Ecosia has planted eighty-eight million trees and counting from search-generated revenue. On average, Ecosia plants a tree for every forty-five searches. With only fifteen million users so far, Ecosia has room for growth as a business, and when more people find out about it, more trees get planted. Possible objections to
Ecosia may be its quality or its possibility of being a scam. Quality-wise, Ecosia hasn’t had the decades of experience Google has, so its search tools may not be as finely-tuned– that said, the differences between the two in practice are negligible, and only one of them plants trees. Another potential criticism is that Ecosia is too good to be true, that it is some sort of elaborate scheme. To counter that, Ecosia provides monthly reports that detail where their income goes, as well as updating constantly on the tree-planting sites (over 9,000 at the moment). And, unlike most other search engines, Ecosia doesn’t allow third party trackers, nor does it sell users’ data to advertisers. Do you like trees? If you answered yes, then download the Ecosia extension today and start searching.
Economic Stimulus Plan By: Duke Chiow ‘23 Contributor In light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses big and small have been closing their doors. Because of this, many Americans are suffering economic distress, and there is fear of a second recession. The White House’s response to this has changed very rapidly over the past two weeks, but the bill that passed the Senate on Thursday the 26th seems to be the culmination; $1,200 dollars to every qualifying American adult, and $500 for each child. In addition, billions in loans will be made available to corporations, and a notinsignificant portion of those billions will be grants. The limitations on the stimulus check are based on a $75,000 single-filer income. Those at or below that number (or double for joint-filers) will receive the entire check. For every $100 above that, $5 is removed. For people with no
children, this creates a range of $75,000 $99,000. Above this range, you will not be receiving a stimulus check unless you have children. This plan was very popular across the aisle in Congress, and it passed without much argument. On the other hand, Congress’ plan for helping businesses has inspired a lot of controversy reminiscent of the 2008 financial crisis. As in previous economic crises, the government has decided to primarily focus its efforts on saving large corporations. Whether or not this will work remains to be seen, but the decision to offer grants instead of longterm loans to America’s largest corporations has angered some in Congress. The government has created new programs for small businesses; there will be an expansion of current loan programs and a fund to help with employee retention.
Gonzaga Lacrosse By: Reid Norton ‘21 Editor Despite a disappointing short season due to COVID-19, the Gonzaga Lacrosse team has had a promising start. The team performed well in its first three scrimmages, improving with each opportunity. After defeating St. Stephen’s and St Agnes, and then St. Paul’s, the team experienced a slight bump in the road against Calvert Hall in the final scrimmage. In the first regular season
Photo By: Kimberly Gardiner
game against McDonough, things were not looking promising after the first half. The boys, however, responded with energy and intensity in the second half, going on a 7-0 run to tie the game up at 7-7, proving that no deficit is too extreme to manage. Despite a disappointing 12-9 outcome, Gonzaga proved that they are a force to be reckoned with and that the team will never give up. Hard work truly paid off in the home opener against Boys Latin. Gaining an early
lead by halftime thanks to goals from Andrew O’Berry, James Matan, and others, Gonzaga was in a position to win. However, in the fourth quarter Gonzaga was trailing by a goal, with only a few minutes to go. Unfazed and under pressure, Junior Johnny Stanton found himself with the ball right on the crease, maneuvering a backwards shot while on his knees to tie up the game at 9-9, with a little under two minutes to go. Thanks to Andrew O’Berry’s
Many questions remain about whether the existing systems are prepared to keep up with the new demand generated by millions of citizens seeking loans at the same time. Americans will continue to debate whether the congressional decision to prioritize grants for specific industries like airline travel and national security in lieu of economic stimulation that focuses on small businesses was the most efficient choice. Just as during the Recession, America must ask itself “are some businesses just too big to fail”?
Courses By: James Owan ‘20 Photography Editor
clutch face-off win, Gonzaga quickly regained possession of the ball. Immediately, Junior Luke Raymond stung a step down shot to put Gonzaga in the lead at 10-9, which eventually proved to be the goal that won the game. Sadly, as you all know, Gonzaga’s season was cut short due to the Coronavirus. This has been disappointing for the lacrosse team, as it had been improving steadily since the start of the season. “Our team is only as good as our seniors want us to be,” and evidently, the seniors this year exemplified a winning attitude (Coach O’Neill).” Coach O’Neill is staying positive, simulating our current games with the captains on how each one would have played out. Luckily, on the last day of classes, the team was able to play the annual Virginia versus Maryland scrimmage. Surprisingly, Virginia won this time, which was a bit of a change in tradition as of late. For now, all we can do is wait, and pray that the season will continue after spring break, especially for the seniors.
The closing of schools has thrown many of us astray from our planned course of action but this does not mean everything is cancelled till next year. For example, course registration is one of those things. Course selections for all grade levels, Freshman-Junior, are still due on March 20. If you have already met with your counselor and gotten your schedule approved then you are fine. However, if you have not met with your counselor, or you have not gotten your schedule approved, then you need to get in contact with your counselor soon. If you have met with your counselor but have yet to get your schedule approved, then you can email or do a google hangout with your counselor to approve your schedule. If you have not done anything to set your courses for next year you will need to first select your classes online and then meet online with your counselor to approve your schedule. APs and Honors classes will need approval from your teachers, so you should make sure to look ahead in order to have time to make sure you are on the approval list. Course selection is a very important decision, and I highly encourage everyone to really think about it and talk it over with upperclassmen, Gonzaga alumni, and your parents.
Gonzaga Baseball Opens with a Closer
By: Noah Potholm ‘22 Contributor
and juniors Will Carr, Lucas pitching depth including seLeclair, and Greg Kopp. This nior Will Sapp as well as juGoing into the 2020 sea- year’s squad was also full of niors Riley Grohowski, Luke son, there were high expectations for Gonzaga’s baseball program. Building upon last year’s early-season success, second-year head coach Chad Carroll truly believed the Eagles had the personnel to compete for a WCAC this season. The success of this year’s team was a mix of balancing out older, more experienced leaders and younger athletes. There was no shortage of talent on the roster being led by senior captains, Garrett Newsome and Christian Ficca. Coach Caroll said that “Christian and Garrett are special ballplayers. Not only are they extremely talented athletes, but I couldn’t have asked for two better leaders to take this young, talented team to where Gonzaga hasn’t been in two decades.” The strength of the team, which was offense, included sophomore Nicolas Morabito
Jackman, and Cole Peverall. The team also benefited from the arrival of a very strong 2023 class bringing in Jake Gupton, Marcus Leclair, and Bryson Moore. Rounding out the Eagles’ roster team was Jack Hoffman, Jack Mcgee, Bradley Carvajal, Noah Potholm, Finn Cousins, and Mike Casler. The Eagles’ first game was against Bishop O’Connell, one of the topranked teams in Virginia, according to NOVA Baseball Magazine. In this matchup of two powerhouses, Gonzaga’s offense was aided by startingshortstop Noah Potholm and Garrett Newsome going 2-3 with a double and 3RBIs and 1-3 with a triple and an RBI, respectively. After a back and forth battle, the Knights came out on top winning 7-5. Despite this, Coach Carroll and the rest of the team knew this season would be a special one given how competitive this team was. However, due to the
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emergence of COVID-19, the team’s trip to Georgia was canceled, as well as the rest of the season. Fans, coaches, and especially players were devastated upon this news. While the 2020 season is now over, the future of Gonzaga’s baseball program is very bright. The Varsity roster will bring back thirteen members, and a nucleus of JV players who will continue to develop under Coach Carroll’s energetic and passionate style of coaching. Coach Caroll added, “We have so much talent among our JV teams in the 2022 and 2023 classes such as Bryce Gaines, Alex Catanzaro, and others who I believe could’ve stepped right in and competed at the varsity level if asked to do so.” While Gonzaga will be unable to make a playoff run this year, next year Gonzaga will have an excellent opportunity to compete for a WCAC title.
Rugby - An Interview with Dr. Baggetta By: Mike O’Reilly ‘20 Contributor For this article, I had the pleasure to interview Dr. Baggetta, the Director of the Center for Academic Excellence, a Social Studies Teacher, and the Head Varsity Rugby Coach here at Gonzaga. Dr. Baggetta has been coaching rugby for eighteen years and has been the head coach at Gonzaga since 2009. He led Gonzaga to National Championship titles in 2014, 2015, and 2016—marking the first time that any high school won three straight National Championships. The Aquilian (A): To start, how have you been staying both mentally and physically fit at home during this period of social distancing, and do you have any advice to the Gonzaga community on this subject? Dr. Baggetta (DB): “I’ve been doing lots of yoga, tai chi and working out using bodyweight and bands. Coach Taylor, the Gonzaga S&C coach has been posting daily workouts on Instagram (Gonzaga Strength). I also try to get out at least once a day and run, bicycle or walk but keeping my distance from
others. Additionally, have been doing lots of reading and doing several free online workshops.” A: At the end of 2019, you successfully defended your doctoral dissertation. What was the journey like and what you tell your younger self before you began this great endeavor? DB: “It was a long journey - with working full time and coaching it was challenging finding time to finish, especially the writing. It was a goal I had set for myself to obtain a Ph.D. a number of years ago - to be honest, there were times where I almost quit, but the support of family and close friends helped me through those times when I wanted to just chuck it.”
school rugby is found in the Jesuit schools. I think we will continue to try to work towards creating this competition with our fellow Jesuit schools.” A: What would you like to tell the seniors who lost out on their chance for a national championship? DB: “No question this is a tough blow to the seniors, not just those in rugby, but also for those in all the spring sports - not having the opportunity to compete and challenge yourself individually and more so as a team coming together to achieve something special. Competing for and winning a national championship is incredibly special - to be able to say I’m the best in the country. However, it does not take away from the work they have done in pursuing a national championship. So I would say, it is ok to be disappointed, but also be very proud of the work you have done - both in your own training, but also in mentoring and being leaders for the younger players.”
A: This year, Gonzaga was set to host a special Rugby tournament for the first time. How disappointed are you that this event will likely be canceled and what are the chances of it being restaged next year? DB: “One of the goals we have with the rugby program is to create a national A: What do you think Jesuit schools championship about the state of Rugby since the strength of high in the U.S., especially with
the newly-found Major Rugby League in the U.S., and more schools offering rugby programs? DB: “I think rugby in the United States is in a good place and is ever-increasing in popularity. All you have to do is look at here at Gonzaga - again we had over 200 players in the program this year. More and more high schools now have rugby as a varsity sport - we are hoping that in a few years rugby will be a WCAC sport. MRL provides a pathway for rugby players in the US to play professional rugby - right now we have three players from Gonzaga playing in the MLR - Dante Lopresti (‘16) and Jack Iscaro (‘15) with DC Old Glory and Ben Cima (‘14) with the defending champions Seattle. I think we will see more Gonzaga players in the MLR
in the next few years.” A: What do you feel is special and unique about Gonzaga? DB: “I think what makes Gonzaga special and unique is we (faculty and students) try to live out the Jesuit values of cura personalis, magis, contemplative in action, and finding God in all things on a daily basis through academics, service, and sports and extracurricular activities. This effort at living out our values daily is what I believe creates the community which is Gonzaga.” Additionally, I would like to thank Dr. Baggetta for agreeing to this interview, leading us to three national championships, and representing Gonzaga on and off the field. Hail Gonzaga.
The Six Other Verses of the Alma Mater that You Didn’t Know About By: Will Buffaloe ‘21 Contributor The Alma Mater. One of the most well-known tunes in the DMV, and quite possibly the country. For nearly 200 years, the Alma Mater has been the fight song of Gonzaga, leading generation after generation of students “ever on to victory.” As I was flipping through the handbook the other day
(as all Gonzaga scholars do), I happened across the Alma Mater, and decided I’d give it a quick read. However, something at the bottom of the page caught my eye. What I read next would forever change the world as I knew it. It was the second verse. All my life, I had been living a lie. There are two verses to the Alma Mater. This revelation was hard
Verse #1: Traditional Hail, Hail, Alma Mater! Sing her praises loudly, Echo ever proudly For the Purple and the White Far-famed may her glory be, Staunch her sons in their loyalty, Marching ever on to victory, Gonzaga — Hail!
Verse #2: Underrated Hail, Hail, Alma Mater May her triumph be our glory Truth’s own endless story, The Purple and the White! March on through the centuries, Crowned with honor’s brightest victories Reaching ever on unto eternity, Gonzaga — Hail!
Verse #3: PTs Hail, Hail, PT Master Your power’s all around me I feel profoundly To use ICs when I write! I love DC, IC Always use an xiRC If you can’t master all the PTs You’ll be expelled!
Verse #4: 20-Year Losing Streak Fail, Fail, Alma Mater! Sing her woes softly Our losses have been costly We’ve lost all of our drive Please end our losing streak Free us from our misery Just give us a single victory Gonzaga – Fail!
to cope with for the first week. I tried zooming my teachers about it, but all of them played coy as to why the second verse was never mentioned. Then, on the 7th day, a realization came over me. If there is a secret second verse of the Alma Mater, could there not also be a third, a fourth, a fifth? Within the hour I was pouring over handbook after handbook,
email after email, Aquillian after Aquillian, desperate to find more verses to such a legendary song. I had almost given up, when I found my books from Freshmen year lying under my desk. I nervously blew the dust off my old books, hoping for an answer, even a hint, about the third verse. And there, sitting casually on the back page of my PT textbook, was
the third verse. This was only the tip of the iceberg. Within the next few days, I had done over 16 hours of comprehensive research on the Alma Mater. When I was finally finished, I had done the unimaginable. I had uncovered all 8 verses of the Alma Mater.
Verse #5: Comeback of 1947 Hail, Hail, Alma Mater! The best in the country, We all act so humbly Purely out of spite! We’ll crush our enemies! Ignore all the referees We’re high on our victory Gonzaga – Hail!
Verse #6: Cold War Paranoia Hail, Hail, Atom Bomber! Your power is so mighty! We’re not putting it lightly, We are scared for our lives! No one’s safe in society! Lives are plagued with anxiety! What is the price of victory? Détente has failed!
Verse #7: This One’s Just Movie Quotes Get to the Chopper! (The Predator) You think this is funny? (Joker) Show me the money, (Jerry Maguire) Borat says “My Wife!” (Borat) Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars: A New Hope) Leave the gun, take the cannoli (The Godfather) They call it a Royale with Cheese (Pulp Fiction) We Shall Prevail (The King’s Speech)
Verse #8: ??? Apparently, this verse was inscribed in the basement of the original Gonzaga (now a restaurant in Chinatown.) Curiously, a carbon dating of the message shows it to be over 2000 years old, which would make it older than not only Gonzaga, but the United States. Plus, the message was written in Aramaic, so I had to get Father O’Connor to translate it for me, seeing as only a few people in the world can still speak the language Hail, Hail, Alma Mater! Mankind truly pleads with thee Save us from eternity And the reckoning of time Angel of Totality Replenish our morality Commence the rebirth of humanity Gonzaga – Hail!
