KEQ - The Beliefs Issue - Spring 2017

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{beliefs issue} Letter from the editor

In our third issue, the staff explored our community’s beliefs about hot topics, facts of life, and concepts intrinsic to our lives.

Hopefully, you’ll find a quote or sentence that resonates with you or makes you explore your own belief. Keep turning the pages to find articles discussing topics like the teacher-led shift in education methods (page 8), why select students feel a duty to serve in the military (page 12), what student activists gain from protesting and the other forms of advocacy (page 16), the ways in which students maintain self-care in the high stress environment of high school (page 25), and the diverse types of religions practiced at our Catholic school (page 28). For the more light-hearted: an exposé on conspiracy theories interviews the faithful truth seekers at BSM (page 20), or the absolute truths that the little knights believe (page 18).

It’s always a guessing process to solidify a cover, especially for an abstract theme like this one. So, our concept is meant to showcase the story topics within this issue and the personal beliefs

Catch me in these halls looking out for this issue in the recycling bins, Carolina Jimenez

Publication Policy

Staff

KEQ is written and produced by the journalism students at Benilde-St. Margaret’s School. The views expressed in this magazine are the opinions of the writers and not necessarily those of the Knight Errant staff, advisers, or BSM administrators. It is distributed for free to all BSM high school students.

Editor-in-Chief: Carolina Jimenez Magazine Editor: Grace Gyolai Photography Editor: Ashley Ortizcazarin Graphic Editors: Andrew Cadle and William Krane Writers: Cici Fortney, Katie Sohm, Ryan McTigue, Olivia Rossman, Lucas Latterell, Nolan Arostegui, Annie Paulison, Anna Bergsland, Kayla Farrey, Anna Latourelle, Mary Youngblut, Sam Luo Photographers: Alyssa Brinza, Anna Jewett, Caroline Murphy, Ginny Lyons, Maddie Kurtovich, Lauren Beh Graphic Designers: Michael Koch, John Byrnes, Lukas Freund, Lily Nederveld, Charlie Peavey, John Bulay, Kathryn Gefre, Claire Lancaster

Benilde-St. Margaret’s School 2501 Highway 100 South St. Louis Park, Minnesota 55416 Contact at kkoshiol@bsmschool.org

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of involved staff members. Thank you to Johnny Byrnes for agonizing over editing what was written so everything would fit, and to Ms. Baker’s C lunch class for letting a group of journalism kids invade their room.

This is true for every issue, but the staff worked so hard on making the content as good as it can be. Pictures were retaken and subjects were chased down. Stories got rewritten before they were even put under my scrutinous eyes. And perhaps most admirable was that the designers conceptualized and finalized their pages in a two week deadline (with a little bit extra). Thank you to everyone who put so much effort and time into a publication that, yeah, I probably love.

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Cover Photographer: Ashley Ortizcazarin Photographer: Morgan Williams Designers: William Krane and Charlie Peavey

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Jablonski Learning from life

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As the Jablonski family continues to move forward after 2011, Max reflects on the support of the BSM community.

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hen most incoming freshman enter high school each year throughout the United States, it is normal to experience excitement, anxiousness, and maybe even some fear. However, senior Max Jablonski’s journey was far from the norm. In December of 2011, Max’s older brother Jack suffered a spinal cord injury when playing hockey for the Benilde-St. Margaret’s Red Knights. The sudden tragedy not only altered Jack’s life, but also shaped Max into the person he is today.

In addition to the Jablonski family having to make the transitions in their life like renovating their house in order to accommodate Jack, Max’s perception on those with disabilities changed to having a much greater respect for those handicapped. Since the injury, The Jablonski family created the Bel13ve in Miracles Foundation with the goal of helping people with spinal cord injuries afford therapy. “My perceptions have changed quite a bit. A year after Jack’s injury our family began the Bel13ve in Miracles Foun-

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dation. Being a part of a foundation like this has been impactful on my perception of life, as it has shown me that when you dedicate yourself to a cause you can make a real impact,” Max said.

One of the biggest aspects of Max’s life that is and will always be close to him is his relationship with the BSM hockey team. After Jack’s injury, Max became extremely tight knit with the players and coaches of the hockey team. “The Benilde hockey program has evolved into a second family for me in the past six years and being a captain this year was a huge honor for me. I definitely drew inspiration from my brother these past years. His injury was a constant reminder of how lucky I am to play the game I love, and I’ve used it as motivation to dedicate myself to work as hard as possible and get everything out of the game I could,” Max said.

Although there are certain aspects in Max’s life that he wishes he could change, one that remains constant is his strong relationship with his brother. Even though Jack attends USC across the

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country in California, both brothers are extremely close with each other and talk daily. “My brother and I have a unique relationship as we’ve become extremely close since his injury. We talk often and I try assisting him in as many ways as possible. He also serves as a constant reminder to never take anything for granted as life can change dramatically at any moment,” Max said.

Max believes the biggest takeaway from these past years is just how powerful positive attitude can drive an individual, and Jack is a living example of that. “I’m not sure I would’ve had the strength to hear that I’d never be able to move below my elbows, and still have a smile on my face. It would’ve been really easy for him to give up and become sad and secluded. Instead, he took it as a challenge, a challenge he’s still fighting to this day. Jack’s injury has taught me that no matter the difficulty of the task, if you believe in yourself anything is possible,” Max said.

Writer:Ryan McTigue Photos courtesy of Max Jablonski Designer:Claire Lancaster

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Success: in lifE + In S “My job is to help kids be successful academically. I joke with them all the time, ‘I don’t care what your grades are,’ but I want them to feel in control of their academics. To me, they’re successful if they’re learning and they’re excited about learning.”

– Sandy Barry

at ood y. nt ss

“I feel like a success when...I see someone who comes back and still has a passion for this place and still wants to connect with this place because they know it meant something to them. That’s when I feel like a success––when they say I made a difference.”

– Dan Bowler

“My desire in life is to know things. Jumping from history to literature to politics, to combine them all, to have an opinion, to understand the world... It’s easy to say that success is being rich, but if I have money and no understanding of the world, I will not be successful.”

– Elanna Tang

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n high school a lot of the time academic success is recognized through being a valedictorian or going to an Ivy League school, especially at college prep schools like BSM. However, many kids work equally as hard if not harder to obtain the best grades possible, for them success isn’t just being a student with a 4.0. It extends beyond.

Value of effort and perseverance has been taught since day one to many students including senior Jack Will. These traits can help students persevere and find success.“My grandpa has always been a really hard worker; he’s a really good role model, and I value what he values...I look up to how dedicated and determined he was,” Will said.

Being productive, especially as a senior, can be difficult, but Will has always been determined to be efficient with his time. “When I get an assignment, I just want to get it done as soon as possible. I get stressed out if I don’t do homework right away or if I don’t study for a test,” Will said.

Will also has a set routine. It starts with after school activities and then moves into homework right when he gets home. He usually doesn’t finish his school work till around 10pm. “I do homework in the order of my schedule. I get everything done that’s due the next day, then move onto things due later in the week,” Will said.

Will figures that if he puts the work into high school, he’ll have more options for his future. He believes that this work ethic also contributes to other skills in life. “A good work ethic helps in volunteering, work, etc., and I am now pretty good at solving problems in the real world.

With my motivation, I built a lot of desks at my dad’s office,” Will said.

While some school assignments may seem like busy work, Will believes that doing his homework, and all the assignments that go along with school, has taught him transferable lessons. “I think that high school has given me a good work ethic; I don’t think your grades matter necessarily, but it prepares you to do well in college,” Will said.

Pulling incentive from outside forces like family is common, but senior Cora Wyvell’s story is different in that all her efforts come for self motivation.“In first grade, all my classmates and best friend could read chapter books, but I had trouble even reading basic sentences and thought I was simply a lot less smart than kids my

Writers: Lucy Scherer & Carolina Jimenez Photographer: Alyssa Brinza Designer: Kathryn Gefre

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n School age,” Wyvell said.

Shortly after first grade, Wyvell was diagnosed with dyslexia. Instead of letting her differences hold her back, she used them to fuel her drive and success. “My parents don’t really push me; they are really accepting. My brother was really smart and didn’t try in high school, they kind of let just him do that,” Wyvell said.

Last year she had a full work-up and discovered she also had ADHD and dysgraphia. Both of these things were explanations to more of her troubles, pushing her again to work hard. “Because of my disabilities, classmates, teachers, and my parents never really expected anything from me; I just wanted to prove them wrong,” Wyvell said.

For Wyvell, she feels like she has to care about her grades more because for her, being anything but fully motivated and engaged is risky. Her key to motivation is her personal growth and acceptance, as well as prioritizing school. “I don’t really play any sports and all of my goals are in school; it is one of my strengths,” Wyvell said.

Wyvell believes the work ethic she found in high school prepared her for things outside of school in the future. “With volunteering at Gigi’s Playhouse and working at Tin Fish in the spring and summer, my motivation helps me organize my life in general and balance things,” Wyvell said.

Between school, volunteering, friends, exercise, and work; Wvyell’s schedule can cause stress; however, she finds that being timely helps relieve some for that stress.

“Never procrastinate, I am usually really good about getting home and doing my homework right away. Do the least amount you can possibly do to get the best grade,” Wyvell said.

While many students work towards their personal bests, others value titles and rewards and see them as a definition of their progress. For senior Morgan Bettin-Coleman her accomplishment of being named valedictorian helps her define success and shows how hard work can pay off. “It’s a great feeling. I had to earn it, and I’m very proud of myself that I was able to work so hard,” Bettin-Coleman said.

Bettin-Coleman always valued her high school education and she believes strongly that having a solid educational base will aid her in her general life. “It’s very important for me to be a global citizen, and being edu-

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cated is a large part of that,” Bettin-Coleman said.

After moving from Maryland, Betin-Coleman wasn’t sure how changing environments would affect her valedictorian goals. “It was hard to adjust to a new school environment, going public to private. BSM is definitely more challenging because there is a higher grading standard and of course, the fact that it is private. However, here it was also somewhat easier because I was more comfortable asking for help and the resources for aid are abundant,” Bettin-Coleman said.

Looking back on high school, Bettin-Coleman is very proud of what she had accomplished. “The title valedictorian is something that you kind of have to start working for early. It’s sometimes hard for young teenagers to focus and have a good work ethic, and it was hard for me, and a lot of the time, I had to focus on school instead of other things that I maybe would have liked to do instead,” Bettin-Coleman said.

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Education.

Education.

The way the American educational system is structured has remained largely the same for decades, with the only major changes coming in the form of technological advancements.

However, as more teachers begin to focus on individual learning, the classic homework model is being questioned.

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t has been explicitly stated to most if not all of the students at BenildeSt. Margaret’s that our education is the key to success. Work hard in school and life will fall into place, giving the traditionally educated vast advantages. This belief that attending K-12 school and then advancing on to some kind of higher education has been tested over time, but as job markets change and traditional approaches to school shift, it maybe time to de-emphasise the traditional school model and highlight a more personalized, holistic education.

There are already teachers at BSM that are challenging the way that school has been taught for decades. Specifically, science teacher Mark Peterson, takes an approach that most other BSM teachers stray away from. “I rarely assign homework.

I think if you’re in my class I give you time to do what should be done. When you go home you should be a son or daughter first, and homework takes up precious time from that,” Peterson said.

Peterson structures his classroom in a way that allows students to focus on more than simply completing their biology work before the due date. “There were times in my career where if students didn’t have

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their homework done, I wouldn’t accept it and that was poor adolescent psychology on my part. You shouldn’t hold adolescents to adult-level competencies. If a student doesn’t get their homework it’s a problem to be solved not something to be penalized for,” Peterson said.

Many teachers are beginning to realize that their classes can teach students bigger thinking skills that can be utilized moving forward. “I want to teach students to have a growth mindset where it’s okay to try something and get it wrong. That’s how you learn. Maybe you don’t understand this at first, but you can get better from there... I want to help you continue to grow,” physics teacher Tanner Stevens said.

Stevens has experience teaching at two other schools before settling at BSM, giving him a unique view of the importance of education to different demographics. “The public schools that I’ve been at get students from a wide variety of backgrounds, and you get a lot of students who really value their education whereas other students see it as a means to an end... Here I’m guessing that a large majority of the students come with the background that they will go to college and continue their education,”

Stevens said.

English teacher Anna Overbo taught at an alternative school before coming to BSM and found that, like Stevens, being an educator at multiple schools was a great learning experience and helped develop her teaching skills. “It was really nice to have my first teaching experience at this alternative school because when I got there it was a one-to-one program so everyone was doing their own individual thing to progress towards taking the GED. You had to come up with an individualized plan for different people’s deficits,” Overbo said.

Through teaching at nontraditional schools, Overbo was able to acquire understanding about students and create a unique environment in her classrooms based around that knowledge. “There is a world inside every student. To figure out what that world is and how to make the world of the classroom connect to the world they carry inside them is one thing, and I like to meet a student where they’re at and then pull them up to speed rather than always being five steps ahead and have a student fall behind,” Overbo said.

At BSM more faculty and staff members are pushing to give students an

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aiding them as they take on society, not just the next test. “For people to be willing to consider other ways of looking at the world takes a level of maturity and courage.

They need to be willing to think about their own beliefs, where they come from, and how they were shaped. That is the goal,” Belanger said.

W Ph rite D oto r: G es g ig ra ra ne p ce r: he G M r: yo ich M la ae org i l K an oc W h ill

education based on being globally active and aware. “I love world cultures and I wanted to try something, so we created Immigrant Literature. We have a lot of immigrant groups in Minnesota, and when people don’t know a lot about a culture than tends to create fear, so I wanted to talk about the Somali culture, the Hmong culture, and the Latino culture,” English teacher Katie Belanger said.

Part of shifting away from traditional education is insuring that students have the ability to cope and be productive in a world that is growing increasingly connected, and Immigrant Literature is one way to help foster that type of education. “Stories humanize us. Hearing and seeing other people’s experiences breaks down barriers...

This class is about humanizing the ‘other,’ and immigrants are often labeled the other,” Belanger said.

Challenging beliefs and the “old ways” of education doesn’t mean devaluing its importance, but it will include improving the comprehensive skills of students and

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The

4 Year Pl I

t is accurate to say that the college process starts extremely early here at Benilde-St. Margaret’s. From Freshmen Fridays, to Sophomore Sessions, to Build Your Future Day, to final college decisions, the preparation to find the right college is constantly in the back of students’ minds no matter what grade they are currently in.

Although students do not actually start the college application process until the end of junior year, it is no secret how time consuming it is.

For starters, many seniors argue that the process is more work than originally expected. It isn’t just a weekend of filling out application forms and writing one common app essay, it is much more extensive than that.

“The process is endless, you try throughout high school and get good grades, then you take the ACT and SAT tests multiple times, along with subject tests, and then you write essays both common app and individual for schools. All while participating in extracurriculars,” senior Bryan Sauer said.

As all seniors know, and most underclassman will soon learn, there is nothing short and easy about the college application process.

There are requirements that most people are aware of when applying to colleges. Freshman Morgan Anderson understands the general idea of what is needed when applying to colleges, “You need your ACT score, your transcript, your college essay,” Anderson said.

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Plan

Writers: Anna Bergsland and Carolina Jimenez Photographer: Maddie Kurtovich Designer: Johnny Byrnes

However, as a senior Sauer understands that colleges require much more than just those three basic things. “I think that colleges look at your GPA and high school curriclum the most, but I feel like colleges also look a lot at your extracurriculars and what else you’re involved in outside of just your grades,” Sauer said.

One thing that changes for many people between freshman and senior year is the dream college and what they are looking for in their college. It is common to hear examples from someone who thought they wanted nothing but to get as far away from home when they go to college but end up staying close. This is the case for Senior Cici Fortney, “At first I was indifferent about being close to home for college, but the further away my friends talked about going, the further away I wanted to go, too. After lots of thought, I decided that there weren’t any downsides about being close to my family. I know in the end going to the University of Minnesota will be right for me,” said Fortney.

For underclassmen preparing for the application process that is ahead, many seniors have wise words of advice. “Try hard freshman year, I tried hard, and I am so glad that I did. And also participate in extracurriculars: they are fun, and they look good on college apps. They can help you find stuff you like to do and potentially help figure out your major,” said Sauer.

In the end, it’s important to focus on grades, but not important enough to let them become the epitome of stress. The college preparatory programs that BSM has to offer will prepare students for what’s to come. As long as students work hard and do their best, the college process will go smoothly.

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Service A

Above Self

ccording to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 3.5 million Americans will graduate from high school in 2017. Many of these students will move on to four year colleges, trade schools, or other educational and employment opportunities. For nearly every member of the class of 2017, graduation will mark a turning point, transforming their lives each in different ways.

For some graduating Red Knights, this means not only travelling away from home, but also swearing an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, as they either enlist in the military or attend one of its various Federal Service Academies or Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs at colleges across the country.

Military service is an American tradition that is older than the nation itself; the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and National Guard of the United States were all founded prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Millions of Americans have served in uniform throughout our nation’s history, and thousands more join each year.

As an increasingly smaller percentage of Americans make up active duty military personnel, what attracts these young people to service rather than going to a traditional four-year college varies from person to person.

Senior Kameron Herndon will ship out to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in August of this year to attend boot camp as the first step in his journey to become a Marine Combat Cameraman. For Herndon, one of the draws to service is the people who will serve alongside him. “[A main reason to serve is] that sense of pride and brotherhood that the Marine Corps offers. I think that it’s something that’s definitely under-appreciated in society,” Herndon said.

“It’s very individualistic in the civilian world, and in the military there’s that bond that’s important to your overall mental and social health.”

Another senior looking forward to joining a large team is Jack Boase, who will be attending the United States Military Academy at West Point this fall. Boase put in countless hours applying for admission and congressional nominations for West Point because of the opportunity the academy offers.

“I don’t really want to go to a normal four-year college and have a normal job per-se. I kind of want a little more action than that and I want something a little more difficult than that,” Boase said.

Boase also shares Herndon’s enthusiasm for service and

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cites his responsibility as an American as his motivation to serve, but also reflected on his experiences as an American when choosing to pursue the military. “I think service is important because we’ve all been given tremendous opportunities, but the fact is that men have fought and died for our opportunities and our freedom. To even get to live in the United States is a huge privilege, and I think we need to give back,” Boase said.

Senior Lauren McDonell, who applied to the United States Naval Academy, also feels the same drive and obligation to serve. “For me, that’s just how my family raised me with a kind of ‘service above self ’ mindset. So I’ve always volunteered, I’ve always tried to help those around me, and I think that there’s no better way to help the largest amount of people than by serving your country,” McDonnell said.

Maria Satre, who will be attending the United States Naval Academy this fall, also hopes to serve one day and possibly follow in the footsteps of her brother Will, who graduated from the Naval Academy in 2016. Though she didn’t base her pursuit of the USNA off of her brother’s experiences, that added connection helped give her perspective on what chosing service really means. “Going to an Academy is like giving up the best years of your twenties...[These students] are thinking about something bigger than themselves... It’s not something that everyone can do if they don’t have the emotional or physical strength to do it, but since we all benefit from the armed forces and people who serve our nation in that way, I think that everyone should at least consider it or say ‘thanks’ to someone who gives much of their life to the service of others,” Satre said.

Family also plays a role in wanting to serve for BSM senior Sean McCullough as his source of values that are exemplified by the military. “[My dad] always taught me over the years to be kind and diligent, to serve your community, and to sacrifice for those around you,” McCollough said.

McCullough will be attending the Naval Academy next year, fulfilling his dream of serving in the Navy. When choosing to pursue the military, McCullough took his father’s service as a police officer in mind. “I just wanted to do it on a bigger scale. He always said he regretted not joining the military, and it’s something I want to do. After seeing him day in and day out serving his community, I just want to serve my country with that same passion,” McCullough said.

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Writer: Lucas Latterall Photographer: Maddie Kurtovich Designer: John Boulay

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Mix U it

BSM strives to foster an environment that caters to the needs of all students. A range of opinions and an aware community are requirements for true diversity.

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he United States began as a nation of immigrants and has continued to attract people from all over the globe, from all sorts of different religions, political beliefs, and socioeconomic statuses, and thus the country was nicknamed “the melting pot.”

This concept of the melting pot is well represented within the microcosm of Benilde-St. Margaret’s. Students at BSM all have their own story, and students are faced with the option to associate with those who share their beliefs or to diversify their friendships. “I like hanging out with people that agree with me on fundamental things, so that I’m not always in conflict, but I’m also friends with people who disagree with me fundamentally just because they are fun to be around. If they are easy going, I don’t care if they disagree with me, just as long as they are honest and can separate my ideas from me as a person,” junior Spencer Becker said.

In fact, many students feel the same way. “I try to make friends based on their personality, but if we disagree in conversation, I wouldn’t say that that affects our friendship. I think it makes for good conversation.

If that’s going to affect our friendship, I don’t think that that’s the type of person I would want to be friends with,” sophomore Cheyanne Carter said.

BSM strives to make everyone feel safe and welcome, while at the same time letting students share their opinions. “I think that as long as you’re not saying

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anything that is crude or offensive, you are allowed to speak your opinion and hear other people’s opinions,” sophomore Maya Argenta said.

Theology teacher Michelle LeBlanc observes the complexity of BSM’s relationship with diversity. “I believe that Benilde-St. Margaret’s tries to create a safe environment for everybody. But, I would say that [based on] the feedback I get from students, underrepresented groups naturally feel unsafe at times, just by virtue of numbers and by the dominant group always having the voice and backup of society.

But, I think that there is goodwill on the part of most students and all teachers, administration, and [the] board to make it safe,” LeBlanc said.

Some students have found that despite the best intentions of BSM, diversity isn’t quite at the level they would want it to be, which can lead to some groups feeling marginalized. “I wish there was a little more [diversity.] I think it wouldn’t hurt. I think it would make the community feel a little easier for those who feel like they are minorities. It would make it easier for people to be more outgoing in their classes, and speak up––speak their minds and beliefs, if we had a little more diversity in all ways: religious, political, ethnic, in any way,” Carter said.

And diversity goes beyond the traditional definition; it also includes different perspectives––where the learning

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Up environment allows students to explore a variety of political and ideological contexts. “By virtue of being human, and a teacher in charge of such a wide variety of students, the thing that keeps me awake at night is that I can’t reach all my students, and all my students can’t reach me. We do our best––I try creative ideas by using online discussions, anonymous papers, partners so that they feel heard at least once a day, and small groups,” LeBlanc said.

But not all students think that BSM is meeting this standard. ”I would say that three quarters of the administration and faculty here are very liberal. They try to trot it out as even, but it isn’t. I find that I’m sad with the amount of intellectual diversity,” Becker said.

Junior Remy Tremblay grew up and was educated in Canada. Coming to BSM, he has found that the amount of diversity at this American school is very different from that of a Canadian one. “It’s mostly Catholic, American people. In my old school, there were immigrants from everywhere, and people with different beliefs,” Tremblay said.

Despite sentiments that there isn’t enough diversity in many capacities, students who are friends with a diverse friend group seem to have educational experiences because of the school’s demographic. “A lot of times I’m friends with people who challenge my beliefs. I think that it’s very interesting to listen to other people’s opinions. I feel that I’m rooted in my own beliefs, but they can be altered by other people’s, especially if I don’t know a lot about [the topic,]” Argenta said.

Similarly, senior Kameron Herndon has a politically diverse group of friends, but has never seen it as much of an issue. “I have a bunch of conservative friends and a bunch of liberal friends––I find that I fit right in the middle. They challenge my beliefs sometimes, but I stick to my opinions,” Herndon said.

The BSM student body isn’t homogenous when it comes to ethnicity, religion, political views, or socioeconomic status, making the school’s diversity a visible and vital part of the culture at BSM. It seems that most members of the BSM community can agree on one thing: diversity is incredibly import-

ant. “It’s imperative that we have a wide variety of opinions, and [students] need to feel safe to share. They need to be open to changing.

Morality class does a great job with that. I’m hearing so much feedback that kids learn to listen respectfully, consider others’ point of view, but also share their view. If you just hang around people like you, you won’t change or grow,” LeBlanc said.

A buzzword that is being thrown around in popular culture is “echo chamber,” which is a metaphor for hearing only the same opinions as your own. Becker warns against the danger of this routine. “If everyone agrees with something, you get an echo chamber.

What happens is that you stop hearing the other argument, and you stop having to justify your own beliefs. I believe it’s important to have diversity of opinion because it makes you think about why [you] believe the things that [you] do,” Becker said.

The variety in experiences and opinions that students interact with at BSM are critical to preparing students for the reality of a world filled with diversity. “It’s really important to have a diversity of opinions because by not hearing what you want to hear all the time, it can open up your viewpoint; it can get you to understand that the whole world doesn’t revolve around what you believe. [Arguments are] not alway going to be a one sided. You have to be able to see multiple views whether or not you agree with them,“ Carter said.

Writer: Nolan Arostegui Photographer: Ashley Ortizcazarin Designer: Andrew Cadle

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RAISE YOU v

A

s people age and begin to realize the importance of citizenship and involvement, it becomes imperative that action is taken and advocacy is expressed. Protesting is just one of endless ways that those who wish to step up can express their personal objections.

Several students at Benilde-St. Margaret’s argue that protesting is the most efficient beginner method for taking action for a cause.

“It’s just like anything else when you don’t speak up about a subject or matter that you know is not right, and instead remain quiet. You have got to speak up or demonstrate to try to make positive impact,” senior Mark Racchini said.

Not only can protesting help educate a crowd and raise public awareness, but it can help an individual fully understand themselves and get their beliefs in order. “I now see protests as more of a chance to be in an atmosphere where you feel connected through some issue, while trying to get your opinion across. Obviously pro-

tests aren’t by any means a solution, but they can be a positive and effective way to get a point across,” senior Zip Kaffey said.

There are countless reasons why protestors do what they do, and why they believe what they believe. “My intent for showing up and protesting at this Black Lives Matter rally was to exercise my First Amendment Constitutional Right in a peaceful and safe manner. I wanted to show my support to the Black community, especially during this difficult time, and instead of just saying that I supported them, actually show up and demonstrate this,” Racchini said.

While some people protest to display their support for the people who are being affected, many also protest to advocate for their own community. “I protested because I was infuriated and enraged.

People that looked like me were being slaughtered, and I had never been so frustrated and angry about an issue before. Since I had all these emotions, I wanted to find a way to exert all my negative, but

There are countless advantages to getting involved in protest rallies, but there are also a number of issues to consider before launching into the streets. With the right planning and thought, a protest can run smoothly and still deliver an important message. It is much more tactical to come over-prepared, no matter the type of protest.

“Find a cause that you’re extremely passionate about, or even just any cause, and if they happen to have a protest going on, go and even just be a spectator. I believe that you can’t properly describe the protesting experience because the atmosphere speaks for itself,” senior Zip Kaffey said.

2. Pick A Time And Location 1. Organize A Core Group Once you have come up with an idea for an event, assign roles to members of your group which cover areas such as media coverage, permits, equipment, safety, transport, signs and placards.

16 spring 2017

Knowing when and where the protest takes place ahead of time allows individuals to prepare. It is vital for participants to be informed about logistics.

Causing maximum disruption may not always result in the best outcome or public sympathy for your issue.

Writer: Annie Paulison | Photographer: Lauren Beh | Designer: Charlie Peavey

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3. Check The Weather It is important individuals have a backup plan in case the weather doesn’t cooperate.

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OUR VOICE strong, feelings into positive change. So that’s why I protested. I protested to join in unison with other passionate people to peacefully get my rage out,” Kaffey said.

Many of the issues that Racchini and Kaffey feel strongly about have the opportunity for peaceful protests. “Protesting is a difficult situation. I think when you do it, you have to be really smart about it. Naturally when you are protesting a cause, there will be people who disagree with your viewpoint, and they have every right to disagree. However, all of this disagreement must remain peaceful. If one side turns to violence or hostility, the other side will only have a reason to hate you, rather than try to understand your side of the story,” Racchini said.

Many people agree that peaceful protests tend to be not only the safest but also the most effective; however, the variety of people and motives at protests means that maintaining peace is sometimes difficult. “I believe outside forces are the most dangerous at pro-

tests because from my experience, if any violence should occur at a peaceful protest, it’s almost always coming from outside forces such as law-enforcement officers or spectators that are against whatever the cause is. I use the term peaceful protest because those are the only types of protests I partake in,” Kaffey said.

“I think protesting is a great initial way to get your voice heard, but then you have to try to make it to the legislative level. You want that idea that you are standing up for to actually go somewhere, that’s why the legislative level is so important,” Racchini said.

For further advocacy, action must go beyond the protest; one way is to contact local legislators. “Vote! Talk to your local legislators! Honestly, just getting involved with your local or even national government in any way can have a huge impact. When you do all of these things then you are actively taking steps towards making social change,” Kaffey said.

4. Round Up Volunt

eers

Gather as many peop le as you can to help out on the day of the pr otest. Using social me dia to advertise the even t and organize it is a 6. Notify The Authorities great way to insure more people are included and aware of the protest. told It is very common that individuals are isperm for ple peo of e to contact a rang 5. Check For Hazar at that y likel is It est. prot ds And Dangers sion to stage a the tact con to need will some point you Individuals at a prote aust should feel safe. Pla police, local council, and/or school nning ahead can red be will es oriti auth that uce the chance for y thorities. It’s likel unexpected threats or dang e mad are they if e erat ers. Make sure to ch more likely to coop eck out the area and think help can ch whi on, g goin about all of the poten aware of what’s tial risks to someone at orgathis protest. Next, ide the entire event run in a smooth, ntify what you can do to red uce or remove the po nized fashion. ssibility of something going wrong.

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7. Clean U

p Your Me

ss

This final step seems to be o ne individuals often neg lect. Protester s must make sure to clean up when they ’r is important e done. It to remember that it was generous to be given that space in the first place, an d that it is th e least those protesting ca n do to clean up their area and leave it the way they found it.

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17 3/27/17 12:51

from the

Sylvia KE: How do credit cards work?

Amelia: Um. You scan it at the checkout line. I get a sticker.

Sylvia I get a sticker, too.

KE: How does a wish come true?

Sylvia: A wishing star, or you throw a penny in a pool.

Dori

KE: How do credit cards work?

Dori: Well, I don’t know. That’s a grown up thing. - My mommy or my daddy slides it in. Sometimes I buy treats at the store. Do you know what’s my favorite color? Purple and pink. Maybe my favorite color is all the colors.

KE: Can you tell me what makes a wish come true?

Dori: Wishing Stars. Well, I wonder if they’re real, I don’t know.

KE: Do you know anyone who is magic?

Dori: Fairies.

KE: Do monsters exist?

Dori: No, sometimes guns are actually real, you know? Well, not in Minnesota.

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3/30/17 12:01 PM

Amelia KE: Why does someone die?

Amelia: You die because you’re heart breaks KE: Do monsters exist?

Amelia: Yes, KE: Do you know any monsters?

Amelia: Zombies, witches, skeletons, vampires.

KE: Do you know anyone who’s magic?

Amelia: A witch KE: How does a wish come true?

Amelia: no, you throw a penny in a water fountain.

Henry KE: What do you love about your family?

Henry: Mommy and Daddy, and my brothers. I love when we go skiing together.

KE: How do credit cards work?

Henry: You put something in there, and you put it in the mailbox. KE: Can you tell me what makes a wish come true?

Henry: You be the guy you wanted to be.

KE: Do you know anyone who is magic?

Henry: Magicians and robots.

KE: Do monsters exist?

Henry: They are not real.

Oliver KE: What’s your favorite thing about your family?

Oliver: I like love.

KE: What do you like about your sister?

Oliver: Her orange hair. She’s funny.

KE: Do you guys know anyone who’s magic?

Oliver: a Wizard, a Blizzard.

Writer: Anna Latourelle and Mary Youngblut, Photographer: Caroline Murphy, Designer: Kathryn Gefre

KE_Issue3_Page19.indd 3

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{Redac T

he first moon landing, the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the location of the Illuminati Headquarters, and even the existence of aliens have all come under a scrutinous eye, thus fitting under the category of conspiracy theories. History has been challenged by conspiracy theories for decades and has nearly been transformed by these intriguing speculations. Even BSM students hold strong confidence in some of the most outlandish conspiracies known to humanity.

Senior Lexi Brass is a firm believer in the Mandela Effect, a conspiracy suggesting that history reveals itself today differently than it did in the past. The Effect has taken the social media world by storm, advertising well-founded evidence comparing and contrasting the past and the present. The idea is that our world has

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gone through a time continuum, placing us in a parallel universe.

“Everybody remembers Snow White as ‘mirror, mirror on the wall,’ but now it’s ‘magic mirror on the wall,’ isn’t that crazy? Or how the Berenstein Bears is now spelled Berenstain Bears? The Mandela Effect blows my mind,” Brass said.

Being a diehard believer in this conspiracy, Brass resists claims that might invalidate her beliefs. “I know it’s actually real. It hasn’t technically been proven yet, but the theory has its own website.

That’s why I know so much about it,” Brass said.

Photographic evidence has shed light on another conspiracy theory that has often been swept under the rug: who is Chelsea Clinton’s real father? Is she the daughter of Hillary and Bill Clinton? Or the love child between Hillary and American author and lawyer, Webb Hubbell? BSM junior Spencer Becker is the expert, and holds onto the idea that Hubbell is Chelsea’s real father. “It’s

3/31/17 12:31 PM

acted} Writer: Cici Fortney Photographer: Morgan Williams Designer: William Krane obvious that Chelsea Clinton is the daughter of Webb Hubbell and not Bill Clinton. I believe this based only off of photographic evidence. She looks exactly like Webb Hubbell and absolutely nothing like Bill Clinton. Just look at the pictures, the boot fits,” Becker said.

Some of the most popular and bizarre conspiracy theories simply test the limits of what people will believe––but there’s also a handful of conspiracies that take a more serious note, including assassination. BSM senior Kake Trochlil denies the existence of the “magic bullet” conspiracy in the John F. Kennedy assassination.

The magic bullet was introduced by the Warren Commision in 1964, proposing that the bullet that struck Kennedy was the same bullet that injured John Connally, who was riding in the front seat of the presidential limousine. “I’ve heard people talk about it and I’ve seen a few documentaries covering the magic bullet. I’ve also

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seen a Mythbusters episode of it being tested and shown how it’s literally impossible for the magic bullet to happen, making the actual possibility of it being real very slim. I’d be impressed if someone could prove that a bullet can go through a very winding path in someone’s body and still have enough velocity to go through another human being,” Trochlil said.

The facts supporting the Mandela Effect, the Chelsea Clinton conspiracy, and the assassination of JFK will always be questioned.

They are unlikely to be proven with the millions of opinions Americans have about them, and it is left to individuals to decide how accurate these conspiracies actually are. Conspiracy theories have defied written history and are left with three options: to be proven, refuted, or remain undetermined forever.

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utting down roots

Not everyone is avid about adventure in the wilderness, but the vastness of nature invites all people to make a personal connection to the outdoors in some form.

P

eople are able to make connections with many abstract ideas, but one of the oldest and strongest connections in life is between humans and nature. People have been connecting with the natural world since the dawn of time, and though that relationship has changed drastically over the years, it remains intact. Spending time in nature has changed from being an everyday occurrence to an escape from the stress and monotony of daily life.

Because nature is so vast and diverse, its value differs from person to person. Nature is a way to connect with the earth in a raw and untapped way, as well as a focus on self reflection. “Nature to me means the whole experience. It’s about actually being in it and using your senses in a way that makes you a better and more whole person. It’s somewhere you can really get away from stuff,” science teacher John Porisch said.

Many people find themselves getting connected with the outdoors from an early age. Since children spend their time outside, a relationship begins then. “My dad was my science teacher when I grew up in South Dakota. We lived out on the edge of town raising gardens and chickens, having honey bees and nothing but fields around us. I think you are born with it, it’s like a sixth sense,” Porisch said.

Others find themselves bonding with nature because they were forced into it. “I don’t think I was aware of my connection as a child. My parents always made us go outside and play so we played kickball and climbed trees. Being outside was apart of my childhood. It’s apart of my identity now,” English teacher Katie Belanger said.

With so many ways to get involved with nature, each person feels the deepest connection through different activities. More adventurous people love exploring the wilderness, while some enjoy it the most through simply being outdoors. “I truly just like to be outside. I will be on my deck in the winter, just sitting there. I like listening to the birds. My major in college was biology, so I have always connected,” senior high assistant principal Mary Anderson said.

Some feel that the best way to really get attached is through directly interacting with the wilderness by fishing and hunting. “I most enjoy hunting and fishing, which to people who don’t do it, it seems contradictory or old school. The reality is when you hold a duck in your hands and look at the details in its feathers, it’s amazing to me, and the amount of defense mechanisms some fish have to survive is incredible,” Porisch said.

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In addition to hunting and fishing, one of the best ways to get in touch with the environment is by growing vegetables and plants.

Gardening is a special way that people can get hands on––watching something grow that they planted themselves is a completely unique experience. “I have a garden and [my husband and I] have gotten really into growing vegetables and food. I love the process of planting and ordering our seeds, and getting dirty and watching them grow. Harvesting is the best and then cooking with them. We see what’s for dinner in the garden,” Belanger said.

Those who love the outdoors feel called to protect it and work to undo some of the damage that has been done. “My whole life, I’ve always heard that pollution is increasing or of animals becoming extinct. The fact that our climate is becoming warmer kind of scares me,” Anderson said.

Learning about these issues influences people to make changes in their daily lives in the hope that their action will make a difference. “We make small changes, and we shop at a co-op to try to purchase food more locally sourced. We go to a farm and buy a part of cow to eat for the year. I don’t yet have chickens for my own eggs, but I want to at some point. I feel like I’m scared, and I’m not doing enough” Belanger said.

Because the environment is cherished by so many people and in so many ways, everyone has a favorite place or special memory that they will always remember. Some find that memories really stick with them when family or friends are involved, while others enjoy private moments the most. “My favorite memory is my son Daniel’s first deer [that he shot] when he was ten and his first duck that he harvested. I have a different perspective because I’m a dad, and those memories with my kids now are replacing those I had as my best memories,” Porisch said.

These memories hold a distinct place in many people’s heart, and can signify something significant. “My husband and I got engaged in the Chippewa National Forest ... and that was incredible.

It was so cold–about 16 below. We had to wear all of our ski gear and we went on a hike, and we sat under the pine trees under my husbands deer hut, and he proposed,” Belanger said.

With all of these wonderful memories associated with nature, it’s hard not to feel a distinct connection. Nature means something different and rare to everyone, but this entity is intrinsic to how we experience our lives. “To have an appreciation for how complex and special everything is ... and that it’s all tied together is so amazing,” student teacher Garth Askegaard said.

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23 3/28/17 12:22 PM

A Few Of My Favorite Things

W

hile studying for finals or pulling an all nighter for a project, students need a source of comfort to help take the edge off of daily stress. Sometimes daily life is overpowering to young lives–– security blankets are the perfect stress reliever. So no matter how a security blanket manifests, it’s a personalized form of protection.

Sophomore Grace Knoer has had a special teddy bear named Theodore since she was seven. This beloved stuffed animal has dutifully served as her safety net, providing a level of reliability and familiarity that other objects can’t deliver.

“Theodore has always made me feel safe.

I’ve had him since I was little and have never lost him. He might be a little worn out by now but that just shows how much love I gave him when I was younger. When I go to hotels or other places, I don’t think

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I sleep as well because I am in an unknown place, but when I am home I always sleep longer and more deeply because I feel safe and totally comfortable, and he is part of the reason for that,” Knoer said.

TV, Netflix, and YouTube are common go-to relaxation tactic as watching a show or movie offers an escape from reality, school assignments, and prior commitments. “TV… keeps me company when others aren’t around. People come and go, but TV shows are consistent. You can watch a show from the 1970s today. It also gives you a break from your own life,” BSM Psychologist Dr. Jeff Steffenson said.

Although the reasons people turn to security blanket varies, the core purpose is for comfort. “The general answer is because [security blankets] make [people] feel better. It brings them back to a place when they were safe and felt good. TV and social media are a distraction from life––it takes care

of you like a favorite blanket when you go to sleep. Going on a walk or cooking [are] different things in order to deal with being overwhelmed with life,” Steffenson said.

Sophomore Sami Kalman found that her dog, Larkin, was a perfect security blanket after her uncle gifted the rescue dog to her a year and a half ago. “There is always less stress when I am around him and he helps keep things off of my mind. He tends to calm me down when I’m having loads of stress over school or anything in general. Larkin is easy to rely on when I need a little bit of uplifting or happiness,” Kalman said.

Although security blankets aren’t the answer to everything, these sentimental objects can soothe students and adults alike.

These meaningful possessions, activities, and companions help people cope with obstacles as impactful as a parental divorce or loss of a loved one to something as simple as a bad grade.

Security blankets to be there even when people can’t be, making them cherished and individualized.

Writer: Kayla Farrey Photos provided by Grace Knoer Designer: Michael Koch

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in the balance I

n a college prep school setting, many students forget to care for themselves, choosing grades and ACT scores over their mental health. While BSM has some resources to help students with mental health such as various groups and the numerous counselors available ondemand, the incessant focus on college can weigh down on students like me. Some, however, have managed to find success in the college-prep setting and take the time they need to unwind.

Not taking care of my mental health resulted in my pulling out of BSM at the end of my junior year to go to an in-patient treatment facility for depression and anxiety. Putting my grades before my health nearly had permanent consequences, and now, after a catastrophic year, I realize

stress. Know your study habits, and take the appropriate amount of challenge,” Roby said.

Another tip from Roby is one that “I know that I’ll go crazy if is fit to make teenagers across the counI don’t take the time to take try groan: spend enough time with the family. “Have some type of relationship care of myself.” with your parents and your siblings. So -Katrina Jamison then, when you’re having that stress or that the importance of balancing my personal anxiety, you know who you can go to when needs with my academic achievement. Afyou’re feeling down,” Roby said. ter being in the facility, I realized that my Katie Ercolani, a senior, is in two AP grades, while important, aren’t everything. classes, skates competitively, and is an acI would spend more time worrying about tive member of NHHS and NAHS. With my homework than actually doing it, and all of these activities in motion, she finds that’s no way to live. that she needs to set aside time to relax in With the seemingly overwhelming order to keep up with the stress of everyday stresses of life, it is imperative that students life. “When I get home at night, I do facehere at BSM remember that mental health masks, and I try to listen to calming music. and self-care are just as important as getting I also like to do yoga,” Ercolani said. the A. Grades are a temporary mark on a Katrina Jamison, a junior member of life, but the consequences of disregarding the jazz band and e-sports team, believes all the needs that make a healthy and hapthat her mental health is just as important py human can have lifelong aftershocks. as her grades. “I listen to music or play vidSchool counselor Fran Roby believes eo games [to unwind]. I know that I’ll go that the high-achieving nature of the avercrazy if I don’t take the time to take care age BSM student may contribute to stress of myself. I didn’t do it earlier at BSM, but and lack of down time for kids. “Some kids, now, I do what I have to do,” Jamison said.

I think, take so many AP and honors classIt is so important to cut time out of es that they neglect to get enough sleep at every day to care for yourself, even if it’s night or have friend and family time,” Roby just taking your dog on a walk or playing said. an hour of video games. At the end of the Roby recommends that a healthy menday, if you’re a straight-A student but your tal state at BSM starts with asking for the anxiety is keeping you from enjoying your help of family and counselors when chooslife, there is no value in having a 4.0 GPA. ing classes. “Think about how much homeTake the time to take care of yourself and work you’ll have. Something that may take you’ll feel all the better. one person 45 minutes can take another person two hours, and that causes a lot of

KEQ_2016-2017_Folio (5).indd 1

Writer: Olivia Rossman Photographer: Kristina Brown Designer: Charlie Peavey

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25

3/27/17 12:50

For the

Love of

Writer: Olivia Rossman Photographer: Ginny Lyons Designer: Lily Nederveld

26 MUSIC.indd 2

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3/28/17 12:25 PM

Pop, rock, and everything in between. According to The New York Times, the average teenager consumes 2.5 hours of music per day, so what a person listens to can play a huge role in life and development. For three people at BSM, music isn’t just a pastime, it’s the makings of a lifetime.

N

ancy Stockhaus, a 20-year veteran of the music program at BSM, believes that even though the music industry is hard to break into, it is possible to be successful with hard work. “I can count on one hand the number of students [from BSM] who are making a living from music. It’s very hard to do. However, if you are passionate enough and you work hard enough, it can be done,” Stockhaus said.

Stockhaus admits that although she no longer performs in theater, her goal in life is to pass her love of music onto a younger generation. “I want to inspire other students to have a passion in music. I encourage students to listen to all different types of music and find what they love, just like I did,” Stockhaus said.

Senior Lexi Brass (known to her classmates as Lexi Gay) doesn’t play music, nor does she write it, but her life has been shaped through the experiences she has had through music. Starting out with bubblegum pop like 5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) and One Direction (1D), Brass was introduced to the world of new musicians with huge followings and hasn’t forgotten her roots. “5SOS and 1D brought me into the band world because that’s how I met the majority of my friends,” Brass said.

Now that she’s gotten older, Brass’ music taste has deviated from boy bands to more mature music, such as twenty øne piløts and Blink-182. Through the years, her love of music has encouraged her to try new experiences and to do things she never would have considered before. “At [a Zedd] concert, I actually was supposed to be sitting in the nosebleeds, but I snuck my way to the front row. It was insane,” Brass said.

Brass credits her love of music for allowing her to travel and connect with people she otherwise never would have met. “I have friends in New York, California, Florida, and Arizona, and these people have helped me figure out who I am,” Brass said.

Band Teacher Paul Keefe’s life has also been changed by music for the better.

After majoring in music at St. John’s University, Keefe has been teaching music at BSM for over 30 years. “I think that we’re influenced by music every minute of the day, [so] teaching people about it is an important part of education. If I weren’t in music, I’d be doing business, and I’d be miserable,” Keefe said.

Keefe has been pursuing music since his youth and has never stopped performing––he doesn’t believe that he ever will. Keefe encourages everyone, music major or not, to find what kind of music speaks to them. “For me, performing music is a lifelong joy. Listen to all different kinds of music; find what works with you, and enjoy it,” Keefe said.

Music can influence lives in many different ways, and everyone has a different experience. Music brings people together in ways they never could have imagined, and shapes the way people live their lives. Although it is thought of as a pastime, it touches people, whether it be ballads or rock anthems. That’s the beauty of music.

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From the Chapel to the Temple Writer: Sam Luo Photographer: Ginny Lyons Designer: Michael Koch

Look around yourself and you’ll find the annual scripture theme poster that hangs in every single classroom: Let Love Be Sincere. As a Catholic school, spirituality plays a leading role in the lives of students, staff, and faculty members. The routines of the Catholic Church, such as daily morning prayers and monthly masses, help guide the BSM community toward the holiness of God. Freshman Julia Hoover’s life has always been centered around Catholicism.

“Religion was kind of just always there for the first part of my life up until about sixth grade. I went to a [Catholic] camp over the summer, and it completely changed my life,” Hoover said.

She also explains that BSM plays an important role in helping her to develop the religious side of her life. “I really like the before school prayer. It’s just a great way to start your day. Masses are really fun, too. I like the music,” Hoover said.

While prominent, Catholicism isn’t

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the only religion that students practice .

Christianity, Buddhism, and Judaism are other religions students at BSM celebrate.

Living under the teachings of a religion that is massively different from your own everyday creates a distinct experience that only a select number of students can understand.

“At first, I didn’t understand anything in the religion class, but after a while I just got used to it,” junior Jerry Song, an international student from Beijing, China, said. Song and his family don’t belong to any religion, which he believed makes it easier for him to accept Catholicism and participate in related activities.

While Song’s non-religious background provides him the space to understand other faiths, junior and Buddhist Daisy Zheng from Zhuhai, China, is more cautious about participating in a new religion. “Although I can mentally accept the masses and prayers, participation is another thing. This is something related with my own basic religious principles,” Zheng said.

Even though BSM is a Catholic school, many students are actively practicing other religions. “I try to attend services every chance I get,” Jewish junior Noah Bridges said.

“It opens my eyes to other perspectives on events that both [Catholicism and Judaism] agree to historically happen. I wouldn’t say it has changed [my faith] completely, but it’s created more insight,” Bridges said.

For junior and Thai international student Rakpong “Guy” Pereepong, exposure to a new religion provides insight into his own Buddhist faith. “[Buddhism] teaches us we are the same family. [Catholicism] is a new thing for me, but ultimately we believe the same thing: to do good, not to do bad,” Pereepong said.

While many religions have a central focus of doing good, current events tend to blur that ideology. “Over the past couple of years, there’s been a lot of people upset with the Catholic Church. As a Catholic, I have had so many doubts [about] if I even want to be a part of it and be associated with [the Catholic Church’s stance on] issues like same-sex marriage, abortion, and so many topics you hear on the news,” senior Carrie Bather said.

In every religion practiced by BSM students, there is an emphasis on coming together as a united community and treating others with respect, which is an essential perspective when current events are divisive. “I think that’s how we get through times like these where there’s so much division in our country and within religions.

There’s a

common ground that everyone treats others the way they should be treated,” Bather said.

BSM senior high religion teacher Jeremy Cramer encourages students to avoid hostility and spend more time on self reflection and understanding. “I think [we need to] do our own homework and not merely hear what’s being said either in the media or online. Taking time and exploring your own understanding of another person’s religion and truly knowing the person as well can be challenging, particularly when it comes to our own prejudice. We all have a pre-understanding of something,” Cramer said.

When facing all kinds of difficulties and temptations from the modern world, a core idea that ties all religions together is to remember the teachings and form your own understanding. “The idea is genuineness,” Mrs. Grace Ma, the parent of Senior Samuel Luo, said.

Ma practices Buddhism in China but earned a Master’s degree in the United Kingdom, and has spent months experiencing Japanese culture in Tokyo. “When you keep practicing what your religion teaches you, a genuine trust will emerge from the bottom of your heart because ultimately every religion has the same basic teaching. The genuineness to reach out and do good will not be influenced or affected by anything,” Ma said.

Ma pointed out an ancient Chinese proverb, a saying shared by the Catholic Church that Bather cited. “ 己所不欲，

勿施 于人 . It means to treat others the way you want to be treated,” Ma said.

This “Golden Rule” reminds people of all creeds that the most vital lesson from religion is of respect and love. The common virtues that are central to many religions’ doctrines are being discovered and refined by the students of BSM. “I’m continually encouraged by our students, the awareness of their own spirituality, [and] their own ability to articulate their struggles with spirituality.

I’m in a privileged place to be able to walk with students as they do that,” Cramer said.

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Q&A with the F The BSM community knows Father Tim and the important role he plays, but not all students have the ability to speak with him personally. Reflecting on interfaith connections, Father Tim offers insight on how to respect different religions while growing a stronger relationship with God.

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Father

Q: How can we be more understanding about other people’s faith and religion?

A: “We need to sit down and have conversations in which we first and foremost listen without prejudice or assumptions. We need to honor each other’s faith tradition and religious practices knowing [that] they have the purpose of bringing us closer to the same God and what it is God is calling us to be. [We must] begin from the perspective of unity and strengthen what we hold in common.”

Q: What personally has religion has done for you?

A: “Religion has given me ways of learning how to connect with God, Jesus, and the Spirit that are always new. It helps me to know that there is a power greater than me that directs my life, gives me insight, courage, meaning, and purpose. A community of faith is a strong support for me, that community can be the parish I am pastor at, the community of BSM, a support group of priests that I meet with. All of this keeps me centered [and] anchored especially when things are not going well for me or around me.”

Q: Do you have any connections to other faiths that believe in the same God? Are there any connections that everyone has?

A: “I have and have had connections with other faith traditions and we all believe in the same God though we will call God by different names. God is the God of us all. God is found in each person. We are all made in the image and likeness of God.” Q: What is the importance of different nationalities and ideas within the Catholic Church?

A: “The Catholic Church has always been a church of immigrants bringing their richness of spirituality, faith traditions, and practices. This enriches people’s lives and gives us the opportunity to explore other ways of prayer, worship styles, a deeper sense of God, and who God can be for us. The Spirit is always active and alive [and] different ideas are part of that Spirit moving in our Catholic Church. No one person holds the truth, [rather] we all hold part of the truth, a part of who God is.”

Writer: Sam Luo Photographer: Morgan Williams Designer: Michael Koch

Q: Do you have any experiences with other types of religion?

A: “I have been a part of weddings, funerals, inter-faith Thanksgiving services where clergy of other faiths have shared in the celebration. We have planned together, prayed together, and at times I have preached at a church of a different religion––all this is a visible sign of unity.”

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