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Malden Catholic High School – A Xaverian Sponsored School – 99 Crystal St., Malden, MA 02148
By Cameron Zahner Staff Writer
Student Council
The 2014-2015 Student Council consists of dedicated, hard-working, and caring students. Our elected officers are Brian Senier as President, Alex Massa as Vice President, Tim Smith as Treasurer, Jimmy Donlan as Secretary, Garphey Crevocour and Cameron Zahner as Junior Representatives, and Cameron Kelly and Matt Hirl as Sophomore Representatives. Our Student Council strives to make all student-run events, such as dances, as enjoyable as possible. Despite a down year in terms of attendance last year, this year’s Student Council has been revitalized through the likes of our senior elected officers. Already in the first two months of school, new and exciting ideas have surfaced pertaining to the cost of the dances, dance themes, class gift money, graduation, and student run spirit-week activities. Our first dance, October 20, was a decent success with close to 400 attendees who danced all night at this country themed dance. Four more dances are scheduled for the remainder of the year and The Council hopes to build and expand on the success of the inaugural dance. Camouflage, ‘Merica, and, of course, Neon are some of the various possible themes on the docket for these upcoming dances. In other news, our members in the highest leadership roles, especially Brian Senier and Alex Massa, have fabricated a multitude of interesting and entertaining ideas to improve upon our school spirit and participation. These ideas include an enormous ping-pong tournament, a lip-sync battle during spirit week, and graduation in tuxedos. Senier has also shown great dedication to raising an impressive amount of money to be put towards the class of 2015’s gift. Also, many of the underclassmen in The Council have suggested a December dance in which the price was cut in half for one time only to 5 dollars. All in all, the Student Council has been running smoothly since the start of school, and the high aspirations of this year’s members will ensure success at the myriad of events still to come. As always, student body suggestions and proposals are welcomed and encouraged from myself and all the other Student Council members. We hope this year will be one to remember. Do you know your representatives? Do you have an idea? Your opinion does matter. See your representitive to have your voice heard! President : Brian Senier Vice President : Alex Massa Secretary: Jimmy Donlan Treasurer: Tim Smith Junior Representatives: Garphey Crevocour & Cameron Zahner Sophomore Representatives : Cameron Kelly & Matt Hirl Editors of the Bulletin: Joe Valente and Andrew Ward Athletic Chairs: Anthony Gill & Jason Woods Religious Chairs: Gerry Lopez-Picardi and Chris Della Piana Publicity Chairs: Tim Guinee and Bryan Smith Social Chairs: Joseph Delory and Peter Ventola Cultural Chairs: Matthew Borges and Kevin Su
In this issue... - Interviews with the headmaster and a new teacher - An introduction to the STEM Club and a piece on the Art Club’s new project - An update and new writing sample from the Creative Writers Club - A recap of the fall sports season for football, soccer, cross country, and golf -An editorial on bow ties
November 14, 2014
EIt’sdAi Bird, to r i a l s It’s A Plane . . . No,
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Crystal 99 It’s a Game Day Bowtie Student Newspaper Malden Catholic High School 99 Crystal Street Malden, Massachusetts 02148 (781) 322-3098
Editor-in-Chief Jack Stockless
Executive Editor Liam Lynch-Galvin
Senior Editor
Dom de Bernardo
Staff Writers
Chris Fitzgerald Brenden McCarthy Dennis Nicolas Tyler Ransom Brett Thomas Joe Toomey Greg Viola Cameron Zahner Emery Zahner
Faculty Advisor
Mr. Craig Schneider
By Mr. Craig C. Schneider Faculty Advisor
Throughout history, proper gentlemen have always adorned themselves in only the finest things. What do Karl Marx, Groucho Marx, Bill Nye the Science Guy, Charlie Chaplin, Jerry Lewis, Bruce Bowen, Indiana Jones, Pee Wee Herman, and Boo-Boo Bear have in common? They all have the confidence and creativity to sport a necktie. We aren’t talking about a foppish ascot or the politician red/blue power tie, but a proper gentlemen bowtie. Some would say that is about being different and going against the norm. But some might contend that it is about looking and feeling like a boss (see James Bond). Others may be paying homage to the bowtie originators who were Croatian mercenaries during the Prussian wars of the 17th century. They used a “scarf ” around their necks to hold together the opening of their shirts and then later this look was adopted by the French high society in the 18th century. This year’s Malden Catholic varsity soccer team decided it was more than that. It was about being a team. Halfway through the season, there were grumblings about doing something as a team. I took it upon myself to help the cause and implement the “Game Day Bowtie.” The team was already wearing a shirt and tie to school on game days, but it lacked a je ne sais quoi (see what I did there…its French…like where the bowties took off ) a team look.
Reporting on current events and publishing student opinion, we at the Crystal 99 hope to inform, challenge, and entertain our readers, and allow students an outlet to communicate with their peers. If you would like to contribute to the paper, submit an article, or offer your suggestions, contact any editor or Mr. Schneider in Room 211 To place an advertisement in the Crystal 99, contact: Craig Schneider (781) 322-3098 (ext. 365) The Crystal 99 is published by School Publications Company.
Recently hired Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon’s gimmicks are legendary and perfectly timed for the “Age of Instagram” when he was at Tampa Bay. Quote “You have to be crazy to be great and when is it ever bad to do something as a team.” Team bonding is essential in building a winning mentality. My Pee-Wee basketball team (YMCA Manchester North Champs…no big deal) coached by Craig W. Schneider always told us before each game, “tuck your shirt in, lace up your shoes, and socks up…as a team boys…we may not win this game, but we will look good as a team trying our best.” Mind you we looked like a choreographed boy band running the same pick and roll play all the way to championship. So in the spirit of team bonding, while instantaneously increasing our appeal to PPDs (potential prom dates), every game day, the team was decked out in a Malden Catholic blue and gold striped bowtie (and no it was not a clip-on…if you are going to do something, do it right).
Right away, faculty members and the student body took notice that there were a few more bowties on site than normal (normal being defined by me and the occasional Brother Hoey bowtie) and quickly picked up on the team vibe. Mrs. Endicott loved the idea so much that she wanted a photo for the school athletic website. But we weren’t in it for fame, glitz, or glamor, but instead looking to be a part of something. It may have only been the idea of doing something as a team and learning a life skill
(albeit some of the boys would rather learn AP calculus than to figure out how to tie it. This led to the line up outside of room 218 at 7:15 in the morning so teammates could help each other tie the bowties after learning on youtube… learning to tie one of those things can be tough). Speaking first hand, it was cool to see proper gentlemen grace the halls of MC only to walk past teammates and watch them give an approving head nod to each other of “well tied my friend… looking sharp.” I’m not going to say that the bowties helped us win. I’m not going to say that we intimidated the other teams by our confidence to push the fashion envelope (though deep down inside I know it at least gave us an edge). But I will say that it did bring us closer as a team. I can’t remember the record of my high school soccer team, but can tell you that my Jr. year the team decided that we would all bleach our heads white blonde for the state tournament; so much so that parents had difficulty picking out their sons on the field. And we looked awesome (terrible…ie Dennis Rodman circa 1995). In the end it didn’t matter in helping us win the championship (we didn’t win states and ended up playing a team in the 3rd round that had done the same thing…jerks), but can say that it left me with a memory (and 1st driver’s license photo). Are team bowties a little hokey? Maybe. Are they a little bit amazing? Absolutely. Are they something that the MC 2014 soccer team will remember for a long time? I can only hope so.
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The Xaverian Brothers By Liam Lynch-Galvin Executive Editor
The Xaverian Brothers have had an extremely positive impact on Malden Catholic since the school was founded in 1932. Their presence and service led to the formation the brotherhood inculcated in MC today, a brotherhood in which I, and many more students at Malden Catholic, have felt throughout the years. Their outstanding ability to foster a tight-knit community in our school instigated an interview with one of Malden Catholic’s most dedicated Brothers, Brother Dan Cremin. Brother Dan began the process of becoming a Brother shortly after finishing high school. He went to a school similar to Malden Catholic, insofar that his
school was also sponsored by the Xaverian Brothers. There were two brothers in particular that inspired him when he attended Keith Academy and Lowell Catholic: Bro. Theodore and Bro. Dennis. These men were a track coach and a theology teacher, respectively, and both showed determination to improve their school; moreover, they inspired Brother Dan. Becoming a Brother was obviously a decision that would influence the rest of his life, and one he had to consult with his parents. This process included a few Brothers meeting with the parents and telling them all about becoming a Brother. After a few of the Brothers finished giving his father the “sales pitch”, his father responded by saying, “I think I’m going!”; or, in other words, an enthusiastic approval. After high school, he joined a two year program in which he entered a Brother’s novitiate.
Editorials 3 This eventually led to him attending Xaverian College where he continued his Brotherly studies while furthering his education to the collegiate level. Bro. Cremin has been at Malden Catholic since 1975 and has worked in the fields of physical education as well as Varsity soccer, until finally accepting the position of “Brother Dan the Guidance Man”. His experience here has reminded him of his high school days, during which a “band of brothers” transformed together over 4 years to bond and become leaders. This sense of community is what drew Brother Dan to the Xaverian brothers, and is why he continues to love it today. Brother Cremin has been an influential figure since setting foot on the Malden Catholic campus, and he will continue to bring positive energy and guidance to students for the duration of his celebrated career.
The Creative Writers Club Corner By Tyler Ransom Staff Writer
A Trip to Suffolk During the month of September, members of the Creative Writers Club attended an event held by the staff of Suffolk University. Throughout the event, “Ram Slam your Story”, esteemed writers and storytellers shared their most cherished tales. These stories were both created from personal experiences, and “on the spot”. The goal of this gathering was to commemorate the event’s topic, the idea that a person only lives once in their life, so everyday is meant to be lived to the fullest. Members of the audience could have participated in the telling of their own stories, as well. In order to do so, one would have to register in the main lobby first, and then their name would be picked from a hat. Most of the stories told were meant to be humorous, and make the audience roar with laughter (which they certainly did). Even a member of the Creative Writers Club, Evan Kyranos, participated, making the audience boom with hilarity and glee. Currently, the Creative Writers Club is compiling tales, poems, and more of their own, which may be seen in the Literary magazine once completed.
Sample of First Writing Project What is a Man? : By Tyler Ransom The day of the opulent city’s demise, Athens was cloaked in a veil of crimson infernos, the scent of burning flesh engulfing the atmosphere. Its former inhabitants had littered the streets, their fingers tainted with the blood of their brothers and sisters, palms marred with scars, legs, all but consumed by the spears wielded by their opposition, and their faces, hardly distinguishable. Even our Parthenon had been left in ruins. They had ravaged every region of our coveted city. Every edifice, every statue, every sign of our advancement of our city had been built for nothing more than its utter destruction. The Spartans had insulted our entire way of life, they had showed us that everything we held dear to us had meant nothing to them. Even I perished, but not from the unrelenting attacks of the Spartans, but from my own kin.
Advertisement If you are interested in sharing your own stories, visit the Creative Writers Club now being held on Wednesdays after school in Mr. Bosco’s room. Throughout the year, the members of the Creative Writers will be welcoming back the Literary magazine, which is a compilation of student’s writings (essays, stories, poems, etc.) from throughout the school year. If you are interested in helping out assemble the Literary magazine, please
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Just My Type: Mr Pinabell By Dom de Bernardo Senior Editor Yesterday I sat down with new MC history teacher Mr. Bryan Pinabell in the cafeteria where he obliged me by answering questions for a brief interview. Dom de Bernardo: Good Morning, Mr. Pinabell. Thank you for doing this interview for Crystal 99. Bryan Pinabell: My pleasure. DdB: Tell us a little bit about your background. Where are you from originally? BP: I was born in Malden and I grew up in East Boston. DdB: What attracted you to MC? BP: The all-boys setting and academically and extracurricularly emphasized aspects of the school were appealing and unique features that made it an easy decision to choose MC. I felt that there was a lot that I could bring to a well-established yet progressive school. DdB: What have you thought of your first several weeks at MC? BP: It’s completely lived up to expectations. The students are diligent and understand the essence of community. The faculty has been welcoming and they’re unbelievably dedicated to
the mission of the school. The atmosphere is great as well. DdB: What is your alma mater? BP: I went to the University of Central Florida where I played on the baseball team. I had moved to Florida for my senior year of high school so I went to school nearby. DdB: Very impressive! D1 baseball school. Are you still a UCF fan? BP: For sure. I’m a self-proclaimed sports geek. I have season tickets to BC football games, and I’m a huge fan of the Pats, Sox, Celtics, and B’s. DdB: Where have you taught before MC? BP: This is my 21st year in Catholic education. I previously taught at Central Catholic in Melbourne, FL, St. Pius X in Atlanta, GA, where I served as head coach of the football team as well as Athletic Director, Our Lady of Mercy where I served in the same role, and at Notre Dame Academy in Hingham where I worked on the business side of education, serving as the Director of Annual Giving for two years. DdB: What are your thoughts on Obama? BP: I think he’s had some good ideas, but he’s been gridlocked by the incompetency of Congress. DdB: Tell us something people don’t know about you. BP: I love to cook!
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DdB: Best dish? BP: Chicken marsala. DdB: We could use some good food at MC. Maybe you could help us bump Chartwells out of here. Tell us about your experience coaching the MC football team. BP: I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. We put in more work than any team out there. I know the record doesn’t reflect that, but I’m so proud of the effort put into the team by the players and coaches. Coming from a winning culture at previous schools, it’s tough losing these games sometimes, but I put in long hours watching film on the weekends, and I think we’re heading for a November turnaround. DdB: What is your favorite vacation destination? BP: Anywhere with a beach. DdB: Can’t argue with that. Last question, is there anything you’d like to see differently at MC? BP: Part of the reason I came here is because I truly believe that MC is on the right track and I think newly anointed Headmaster Doherty is a passionate young man who can do a lot of things for the school community. DdB: Mr. Pinabell, thank you for your time. You’ve been most hospitable. BP: Any time.
Student Council Superlatives By Gregory Viola Staff Writer
Brian Senier - President
Favorite TV show: Netflix’s “House of Cards” Favorite Hobby: Golf Hometown: Melrose DOB: June 10 Favorite Teacher(s): Ms. Imondi, Ms. Lee, and Mrs. Scialdoni Favorite Class(es): Mr. Ghiloni’s theology I, Mr. Kissel’s English II Honors and Latin II Honors , Mr. “Murrdawg” Murray’s AP English Language and Composition, Mr. Pokorny’s AP US History, and Mr. Gregory’s Theology IV: World Religions Something people don’t know about me: My peers may be surprised to learn that I am a State-Certified Baseball Umpire. Favorite Musician: Bob Seger Contribution: I hope to provide open, honest, model leadership to my peers, especially those younger Lancers, who undoubtedly look to members of the School’s senior class for guidance and mentorship.
Tim Smith - Treasurer
Favorite TV show: The Walking Dead Favorite Hobby: I enjoy skateboarding with my friends Hometown: Saugus DOB: July 18 Favorite Teacher(s): Mr. Gregory Favorite Class(es): Junior Year English with Mr. Wood Something people don’t know about me: I love going to concerts and crowd surfing at those concerts. Favorite Musician: Tim McIlwraith Contribution: I hope to contribute the students’ ideas to student councils as well as my own ideas. All will be followed up with hard work to dedication to making the school an enjoyable experience.
Alex Massa - Vice President
Favorite TV show: Breaking Bad Favorite Hobby: playing football Hometown: Everett DOB: December 23 Favorite Teacher(s): Mr. Ghiloni / Mr. Schneider
Favorite Class(es): Freshman Theology Something people don’t know about me: I can juggle Favorite Musician: Eminem Contribution: I hope to bring a better overall experience to the students of MC.
Jimmy Donlan - Secretary
Favorite TV show: Walking Dead/ The Following Hobby: sports and studying Hometown: Medford DOB: 9/17 Favorite Teacher(s): no response Favorite Class(es): all four years Spanish Something people don’t know about me: people always seem to be shocked to hear I want to be a teacher: it doesn’t pay a lot but it seems from what I’ve seen at mc to absolutely be worth it Musician: Queen Contribution: Improve on what the Student Council did wrong last year and what people complain about most: mainly try to get better attendance at dances; focus more on helping the whole student body and support Every Sports team better than we have in past years.
November 14, 2014
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Exclusive Interview with Headmaster Doherty By Dennis Nicolas Staff Writer
On October 17th, I had the pleasure of meeting the new Headmaster of Malden Catholic, Thomas Doherty. During that time, I was able to compose an interview of Headmaster Doherty in order to better understand what kind of person he is and then broadcast his character to the Malden Catholic Community and hope to have everyone get to know him a little better. Dennis Nicolas: Now, in order for us (The Malden Catholic Community) to understand you better, I must ask about your background before M.C: What is your educational background? What was your previous job or career? Thomas Doherty: Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, where I attended an all-boys high school during my teenage years, much like Malden Catholic. I excelled in academics and was able to attend both Boston College and the University of Notre Dame to expand my academic career in Mathematics and Theology. I had taught at other schools before coming to M. C., such as when I was the Dean of Mission and Advancement at Lowell Catholic High School, and was also the headmaster at St. Bernard School in Connecticut. D.N.: So, as the newly appointed headmaster of Malden Catholic, I’d like to ask of your impression of being headmaster here and how you feel the school has welcomed you. T.D.: Well, it’s been a tremendous welcoming. It felt warm and friendly for me here. Often within my first few weeks, students that I had never met were happily greeting me as I passed by in the hallways. Reasons such as these have touched me, leaving me with a good feeling from such an open student and faculty community. D.N.: Where do you see yourself in regard to aiding the Malden Catholic Community the most? T.D.: As a headmaster, it is important to never let any aspect of the School go. Maintaining a high standard for academics, finances, as well as admissions is crucial for me as the headmaster. Really, my job is essential for keeping the school financially sound and stable while also establishing high quality academics. All factors are equally important. It is mainly my responsibility to see that the standards of M.C. are maintained if not improved in every aspect: community, academics, athletics, finances, etc. D.N.: Are there any particular departments in which you are inclined to academically, be it Scientific and Mathematic, Liberal Arts, Foreign Studies, and so forth?
T.D.: Well, considering my undergraduate and masters degrees were both in Mathematics and Theology, I have a particular inclination towards those subjects. Those are typically the subjects that I enjoy. However, I believe that all the students benefit from the making full use of the academic facilities we have at our disposal, and each department is a distinctly good thing for the community. But, if you were to ever catch me in a class, it would probably be either Mathematics or Theology. D.N.: Will there be any specific academic fields that you intend on extending or developing in some manner in the not-so-distant future? Or are any remaining upgrades to be done to the school purely for creating a more appealing environment, with say, lockers being upgraded? (Soon-to-happen changes) T.D.: Well, there is currently a lot of work being done out back, a lot of coordinating with the city to help both the school and the city. Yet, there are a number of things that need upgrading in the years ahead: the lockers definitely need a fresher modern look to them. I would also like to have the auditorium expanded upon and created so that it is appealing not only to the student body, but also to outsiders. Additionally, the football field could use a new layer of turf, seeing as the current layout has lasted a number of years and is reaching its expiration date. All in all, there are some things that need to be changed, but it is all a work in progress. D.N.:Now, seeing as we’ve discussed a lot of broad info about M. C. and your impressions, I’d like to ask you some questions about your opinions on certain clubs. Firstly, as I myself am a member, I must ask about your impressions on the M.C. Drama Club or Lancers Unity club, M.C.’s chapter of the LGBT Society? T.D.: I had met with Brother Ron and had a nice chat with him earlier in the year about the Drama Club. I understand that drama is as fierce a commitment as most sports are for students, if not a greater commitment. There is a need to get more kids involved. In reference to the Unity Club, an important part about being Catholic is to embrace all of those experiencing social, political, religious dichotomy. Pope Francis preaches that we have to try to make everyone love each other. D.N.: I’d like to know what kind of hobbies you have and enjoy? T.D.: Cooking and eating are two off the top of my head, however I cannot bake. I am definitely more inclined to cook a steak rather than a cake. Also, I play tennis as a hobby and occasionally read if given the opportunity. I am
a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals as well. D.N.: What kind of mantras or ideals do you abide by that get you through everyday life and help you succeed in your careers? T.D.: Firstly, to always be kind and exhibit kindness. Secondly, to follow this quote, “I hope that even if you were the class valedictorian, and even if there were only three days left until graduation, you would still come into school to try and learn something.” D.N.: I’d like to ask one last question, this time directly correlated to your influence in the school: How do you plan on broadcasting M. C. in the future? Are there certain rules and appearances about M.C. that you’d like to change or restructure for the public’s sake, in order to maybe see M.C. in a new light? T.D.: I came to this school for a reason. I was impressed with the image of the school. It was something that I felt an admiration for. Thus, I feel that the image Malden Catholic has projected for the outside community is the same image the school should be represented as in the future. My goal as the headmaster of this school is to reinforce and maintain the high caliber status of Malden Catholic.
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November 14, 2014
Club Spotlight: STEM Club By Jack Stockless Editor-in-Chief
During the morning and afternoon bulletin earlier this year, students might have heard an announcement about the newest club at Malden Catholic. When I first heard of the STEM Club, I had no idea what it entailed, and I did not think much of it. However, after attending a meeting so I could write this article, I discovered that this club will be an extracurricular experience unlike any other available here at 99 Crystal Street. Students should consider joining since this innovative club offers introductions to many potential careers, and club members actually get the opportunity to undertake projects that have a tangible effect on student life. Among the numerous new clubs that have been created at MC in the past four years, the STEM Club is perhaps the most unique. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math, and this club was organized at the beginning of this school year. While there are other clubs, such as robotics and the math team, that also provide students with opportunities to participate in “STEM” activities, this club synthesizes study, exploration, invention, and innovation in these four fields. According to faculty moderator Mr. Gleason, “The overall aim of this interesting new club is to learn about real life situations and solve real world problems through the use of science, technology, engineering, and math.” One of the first projects that this new student organization will undertake is the construction of an endzone camera for the football field. The base for the camera mechanism will have either three or four legs, which will then attach to a telescoping pole, allowing for different
heights for video recording. The recording itself will most likely be done with a camera similar to a GoPro which will attach to the top of the pole. Although some games are already recorded from the press box above the bleachers, a camera in the endzone would offer many benefits to Malden Catholic’s sports teams. This camera will assist in providing better video for sports played at Brother Gilbert Stadium, and it will offer an entirely different viewing angle for the games. The first football game of this season, played against Quincy High School, was broadcasted via a live-stream website with video and audio. With the anticipated completion of an endzone camera, an alternate look at games for various MC sports, such as lacrosse, rugby, and soccer, will be available to be used in future live streams. Having watched one of the football live streams to hear the expert commentary of Myles Rose and Chris Della Piana, I thought that some of the action (particularly field goals) might have been clearer had it been shown from another angle. A Malden Catholic alumnus has offered to fund the initial STEM Club project, and access to a nearby welding shop will be provided for the construction of the support system for the camera. This is a unique aspect for an extracurricular at Malden Catholic since no other club or organization delves into the trades, and this club will clearly afford students with the opportunity to learn how to plan out and complete building projects. This skill is invaluable in the engineering fields, and it is also beneficial in day-to-day life. I interviewed the recently appointed chair of the STEM Club, Andrew Barros, to see what he had to say about one of the newest clubs at Malden Catholic. He
Art Club Mural By Chris Fitzgerald Staff Writer
The Art Club has been given a major task by a local business. Yankee Pest Control, on 20 Waite Court in Malden, has asked the students in the art club to paint a mural on the side of their new building. Yankee Pest Control is located near the Malden bike path, which is close to the Salemwood School. Yankee Pest Control has also asked Malden High School and Mystic Valley Regional Charter School to participate on this mural. Each school will have to paint a mural pertaining to the idea of pest control. The intention is to have people vote on the three parts of the mural. Each school has a designated area in which they will paint. Malden Catholic has been given a 13 foot tall and 20 foot wide part of the wall. The idea behind painting the mural was brought up by both Yankee Pest Control and the Malden City Hall. City Hall contacted the art club to see if they wished to join in the project and of course they said yes. The theme is each school’s choice; however, the mural must contain Malden culture and history. Malden history may even include the Malden High School and Malden Catholic football rivalry. Steven Doucette and Chris Flemming, the heads of the art club, have come up with a 1950’s sciencefiction comic book theme. This theme will include giant bugs attacking the city, people
News 6 summarized the benefits of the club by saying, “It’s a really interesting and fun idea and I hope that being a part of this club helps prepare me for studying engineering in college.” An increasing number of students across the nation are starting to strive toward careers as engineers, and a club that will introduce MC students to the processes and concepts that go along with studying engineering will provide a definite academic benefit. When asked why he thought other students should stay after school on Friday afternoons to go to STEM meetings instead of leaving at 2:30, Andrew responded, “They get the chance to do some fun and challenging projects and they get the chance to see if this is a job they would want to have in the future.” Having hands-on experience in conceptualizing, designing, and then implementing projects helps students gain vital skills that they will need in all fields of engineering and in many other jobs as well. Building off this, Andrew commented, “It’s not just engineering. The club also includes science, technology, and math, and to have success in these types of jobs you need to have experience.” Even though the STEM Club definitely does not appeal to every MC student, it offers students who are interested in science, technology, engineering, and math another extracurricular activity to help them prepare for careers in the real world. This new club also allows students to practice being creative and to introduce their own ideas about how a project should be completed. In college or in any work situation, people are required to think up new solutions and take different approaches to the most difficult problems faced in the classroom or in the real world, and clearly the STEM Club helps students learn how to do just that.
running in chaos, and the Yankee Pest Control rescuing the city. Chris Flemming said, “We want to have an old-school comic book approach to the mural.” Chris also stated that, “The mural will contain bugs, people, and both Malden culture and history.” Both Steven and Chris came up with the idea for the theme by drawing out multiple sketches of how they want the mural to be painted, but many of the other members of the art club also helped in creating the idea. The other members, along with Chris and Steven, will work on the mural each chance they get. The art club is currently waiting for the scaffolding so they can begin the project. Their section of the mural is gridded off and ready to go. When I spoke with Mr. O’donnell, the art teacher and head of the art club, he said the mural should be done before the winter if the city and the owner quickly approve their ideas. Mr. O’Donnell also said that the mural should take about a month to complete. The gridding will help the club paint the mural by sections. Painting the mural by sections allows for a more accurate and well done painting, which is based of a small drawing. These are sketches and drawings that Chris and Steven have done to give the art club a sense of what their section of the mural is going to look like. The art club will incorporate aspects from both drawings to create the mural. Both drawings demonstrate a 1950’s science fiction comic book theme and also give a mix of Malden history and culture.
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Pictures of the Art Club Mural
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Malden Catholic’s Summer Renovations By Emery Zahner Staff Writer The Malden Catholic community is the lucky recipient of a $5 million donation from MC alum, Mr. Joe O’Donnell. This donation (the biggest in MC history) was used to help renovate our library and science wing. Speaking on behalf of all contributors to the Essential Malden Catholic Campaign, Mr. O’Donnell remarked, “The school made a difference in all of our lives, and that’s why we’re doing it.” Both the new Learning Commons and the new science wing have been named after O’Donnell for his generous donation. These renovations to Malden Catholic have vastly enhanced the academic life of all students. The library is now equipped to accommodate several different studying environments, such as quiet study areas and conference rooms. These rooms utilized for club meetings, group work, or more formal meetings such as when colleges visit for information sessions. In front of the conference rooms are large tables suitable for group work or individual studying requiring some space. In the center of the Commons is found a help desk, where the diligent Mrs. Karen David-
son-Heller and new librarian Ms. Taylor Stevenson unwaveringly greet the anonymous MC student and answer any question he might pose. Furthermore, the help desk serves as the location for where books can be checked out and where supplies can be found. Along the far wall of the library are computers that are open to everyone, at anytime. And, there are comfortable chairs and sofas on one side of the library making for a great spot to relax while studying or preparing for an upcoming test. The science wing is also a beautiful new part of the building. It includes new safety measures as well as the ability to conduct labs in the classroom. Brand new seats, desks and tables can be found in all of the new science classes. The desks are serviceable for left-handed and right-handed writers alike, and the chairs are sturdy and comfortable. The tables (which are in the back of most classrooms), are where lab experiments are performed. This allows students to take more room than a standard desk would allow to spread out their materials for a safe, productive, and fun lab environment and experience. New devices such as cutting-edge microscopes and scales have replaced outdated science equipment. Furthermore, renovations have been made in chemistry labs, physics labs, and
in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) department. Altogether, the school has added 5 brand new lab rooms. This project, which has been 10 years in the making, is no small feat. The library is about twice the size it used to be. These renovations are part of the Essential Malden Catholic Campaign, officially announced last year. Jim Donovan, the chairman of the Malden Catholic Board of Trustees, is the co-chair of the campaign along with Joe O’Donnell. The goal of this program was to raise $15 million dollars. Obviously, not all of that money has gone to school renovations. Teachers’ salaries have been raised, the infrastructure of the school has been strengthened, and the technology has improved. According to Headmaster Doherty, “We wanted improvements that would have an impact on the most students. Everyone benefits from a learning center like this.” The changes that were made to the school are greatly appreciated, and in the words of Mr. Doherty, “We’re very lucky. We have very generous donors who were very good to us.”
An Introduction to the Student Council By Gregory Viola Staff Writer With another school year comes another set of Student Council representatives. Last years senior election resulted with Brian Senier as your Student Council president, Alex Massa as your Vice President, James Donlan as your Secretary, and Timothy Smith as your Treasurer. These gentlemen have come a long way during their tenure at Malden Catholic to the positions they are in right now. They aspire to earn the respect of their student body and accept all opinions and ideas that are not unrealistic. I had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. Brian Senier about the election process and the Student Council in general. Also, I created a set of basic questions to help the student body know their senior council members on a more personal level. I was honored when I was presented with the opportunity to interview the articulate Brain Senier. I knew that he would have a lot of detail and in depth descriptions about what goes on in the Student Council. I began our interview by asking Brian how he felt after the Student Council election and what part of his campaign he thought earned him the majority of the votes. “I felt honored, proud, and thrilled by the prospect of leading the Council during our final year” was his response. As to why he earned the votes that he did, he attributed it to three elements of his campaign: First, his connection with the student body, second, his advocacy for the international student community, and finally, how his speech to the student body captured the “essence of his platform”. The next question in sequence was if he envisioned himself becoming the Student
Council President when he first entered Malden catholic. His answer was what I anticipated it to be, yes. Brian viewed his triumph “as a culmination of three years of relationship building, representing my carefully honed leadership and speaking skills”. Next, I asked him about the Student Council meetings and how they are run. Brian explained to me that the Council meets every Tuesday morning before school in Mr. O’Connor’s room, 208. All of the representatives are present along with Mr. O’Connor, Mr. Schneider, and Mr. Smith. He told me that he chooses topics ahead of time with the consent of the Council moderators. I went on to ask what the majority of the discussions were about to which Brian answered “The majority of our discussions center on procedure for dances, fundraising, and potential opportunities to engage students in positive, appropriate, and enjoyable activities, while also holding firm to our pledge to serve with honor and integrity, and fulfilling any promises made while campaigning”. Following along the topic of Council meetings, I asked Mr. Senier if the sophomore and junior representatives were a good pool of knowledge for them. He told me that they were a major part of their Student Council. “In fact, were it not for their stewardship of the concerns of their respective classes, the Council and my administration would likely be admonished for being aloof and ignorant to the concerns and hopes of underclassmen” said Brian with great appreciation for his junior and sophomore representatives. After this, I followed this question up by asking Brian what his biggest goal for the Student Council and the entire class of 2015 was. His response was that he wanted to serve as a role model and leader to the rest of the school and wanted the entire senior class to serve in this role as well. Not only through school,
but through every aspect of school life including athletics, extracurricular activities, and service. He also wants to be more accessible to students of all classes. He also wishes to show his support to all of the extracurricular groups as well as the athletic teams. Then, I decided to ask Brian the question that the entire student body has been asking for quite some time now, will there be a fundraiser in November involving ”No Shave November”. Brian went on to answer “As a candidate I stood alone in not supporting the initiative. Frankly, I saw it as trivial and believed, due to difficulty in enforcing, the administration would reject any proposal. Yet, as President, during my frequent deliberations regarding how best to serve those who elected me, I often flirt with the possibilities”. If the Council ends up running a fundraiser like this, Brian anticipates for the funds to be used towards the turkey drive during Thanksgiving, which will be run by Andrew Ward, the Chief of Staff. This led to me questioning Brian if they had any new ideas on fundraising this year. Brian’s focus was mainly on prom for new fundraising. He wants to improve our prom experience and he is toying with the idea of running prom buses for transportation. Finally, I closed the interview by asking Mr. Senier how he wanted to be remembered by his fellow Lancers of Malden Catholic. “I hope I’ll be remembered as a tireless and articulate advocate for every student’s concerns, and as an able steward of Malden Catholic’s storied 80-year history and esteemed and noble Xaverian Mission” was Brian’s proud response. I was very pleased with Brian’s elaborate answers and he was very appreciative of the newspaper taking the time to interview him about the Student Council.
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Fall Sports Review By Brenden McCarthy Staff Writer With the Fall season coming to a close, Malden Catholic’s athletes all put in valiant efforts throughout the season. The administration is very proud of the way all of the athletic teams put forth their best efforts and, even when they fell short, kept their attitudes in check and represented the Malden Catholic community with great pride. The football, soccer, track and golf teams all played very well. The football team improved tremendously since last year’s disappointing campaign. They bettered their record from 0-11 to, as of right now, 1- 8. The Lancers were led by senior captains Alex Massa, Noel Charbonnier, and Jason Woods. All three players put in outstanding efforts and shows of leadership throughout the season. Alex Massa was always a threat to run and constantly gave the opposing team’s defense trouble. Noel was a constant threat at wideout, putting in an outstanding effort against Malden, even though the team fell short. Even though Jason Woods was hurt for a portion of the season, he led the line and was a catalyst of big plays. The team pulled out an extraordinary win against Silver Lake. They overcame Silver Lake’s wild crowd and all of the trash talk that was circulating the game to prevail in overtime, 20-14. They closed out the game with a pick by sophomore Kellen Field. All of the boys fought hard and put forth 110%
effort the entire game and, as a result, they got their first win in two years. The football team, overall, has been plagued by injuries and have done the best they can while overcoming all of the obstacles they encountered. Next, the Malden Catholic soccer team had a good season with a disappointing end. The team went 4-2-12 with impressive wins over Bishop Fenwick, Cambridge, and O’Bryant. The soccer team had a thrilling win in the early stages of the season when they beat Cambridge because of a penalty kick that was put in the back of the net by Joe Limoli, a junior captain on the Varsity squad. The soccer team was also pleasantly surprised when they played Bishop Fenwick for the first time. A team and fan favorite who acts as if he were a young man off the boat from Italia, Antonio “Meatball” Fiorentino, scored the game winning goal and followed it up with the most ridiculous but necessary celebration ever seen. This celebration included a push up, a kiss to the fan crowd, a handmade heart held out to his girlfriend, and a kiss of the track. To say the least, he was very excited, as he is not used to scoring often (since he does not play often). The soccer team competed in the Catholic Conference losing to St. John’s Prep 2-0, BC High 2-1, Xaverian 1-0, and CM 2-0 through the first round of games against their rivals. The second time around was not as pretty, to say the least. The soccer team went into the final two games with two must win games to make the tournament. They beat O’Bryant 1-0 with an unbelievable
volley by the Endicott college commit and the team’s leading scorer, Mark Mozzicato, who played excellent fútbol all season long. Then the boys lost to a very good Winchester team 3-0 in what would be the final game of the season, ending their tournament hopes. This was just the beginning for the Lancers soccer club as they expect to come back bigger and stronger next season. The Malden Catholic Cross Country team were underdogs this season. They were led by Derek Packard, Mike Cahill, and Kyle Skinner. Those three runners were consistently on top of the list when it came to standings and were constantly racking up accolades. Though he endured a riff with his buddy and teammate Ryan Cristiano this season, Captain Matt Curran also showed great leadership skills all year. The golf team had themselves an outstanding year this season. They went 6-10 and went to the playoffs where they found great success. The team was led by Mike Shea and Josh Cole, who both put in outstanding efforts throughout every match. All of the athletic teams during the fall put in their best efforts and, whether they won or lost, showed great sportsmanship. It is safe to say that, across the board, all of the teams did well, but there is room for improvement next year.
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A Comeback for the Ages By Joe Toomey Staff Writer A year ago this November I suffered an injury that would limit my athletic ability for the remainder of my life. I was playing defense in a preseason basketball game here at Malden Catholic when a sudden change in direction caused my knee cap to dislocate. I immediately fell to the ground and screamed in pain while everyone around me gasped at the horrific sight of my gruesome injury. It hurt, a lot. I didn’t know what to do, and my friends around me were trying to encourage me and help me through it, but I felt so helpless. I had to to keep my leg in one, weird uncomfortable position in order to keep the pain down slightly. Our beloved school nurse, Mrs. Paquette, was a huge help; she in an instant called an ambulance with legitimate EMTs who knew how to treat me. Mrs. Paquette helped me push through until the ambulances arrived. If it weren’t for her, my left knee could be significantly worse than it is now. My knee hurt the most when the EMT’s put me on the stretcher. They could not keep my knee perfectly in the comfortable position and that caused an excruciating amount of pain. Once on the ambulance, the EMT’s gave me drugs to take away some of the pain I had. Nonethe-
less, it still hurt when we went over a bump on the road, and my leg bounced up and down. The ambulance worker that sat in the back was a great guy; he did anything he could to help me and I’ll never forget his kindness. My parents were waiting for me as I got off the ambulance, and I still remember looking at my dad’s “I told you so,” for everyone in my family has weak knees, and he always told me to do exercises to prevent injuries. We were not in the hospital ten minutes when a doctor came in and popped my knee back in. Again, that hurt, a lot. Luckily, throughout the entire painful ordeal, I did not cry once. Next, they fit me for a leg brace and I walked out to the car in crutches. The first and only homework I did when I got home was Mr. Hickey’s Alegbra 2 homework because I knew if I didn’t have it done for the following day he would probably take points off of my final average. I was very disheartened that I could not play basketball last year, but I knew it would be for the best. My knee had become too vulnerable to risk playing a sport such as basketball. Instead of basketball, I took on driver’s ed with Frank from Pleasant Auto School. Once the brace was off and I was cleared to exercise, I went to Precision Physical Therapy to rehab my knee into shape. The two guys over there worked me like crazy, but I am so thankful for the exercises and stretches that they taught me to better my
weak knees. Although I stopped physical therapy in February, my knee was not back to completely working condition until about the middle of the summer. Until then, I was nervous to rotate my knee or make sharp turns. I am still very cautious with my movements, and I am aware that I am limited to the boundaries that my knees give me. Furthermore, whenever I’m playing sports nowadays, I wear a brace to help keep my knee intact. Working at repairing school this summer, I remember receiving a text from Senior Mark Mozzicato who told me to come to MC and try out being a keeper. I was flattered by the offer, but I had little to no intentions of playing. However, I agreed to the offer and showed up at their second team practice. I loved it. Playing goalie was so much fun. I decided to join the soccer team, and I played the season as the backup goalie. The coaches and the other players taught me so much, and I had so much fun learning a sport that was once foreign to me. I made some great friends on the team, and built a strong relationship with both coaches. The whole season I never had to worry about my knee once, and I didn’t even think about it on top of all the fun I was having. I can’t wait to play next year and prove that my weak knee cannot hold me back from everything.