Hi-Lights
Mater Dei High School Student Magazine @MD_HiLights
VOl. 3 Issue 3 third quarter 18-19 1300 Harmony Way Evansville, IN materdeijournalism@gmail.com
Table of Contents 1
Calendar
2
Pilgrimage
4
6
8 10
Take a look at the events for quarter four.
Students march for the rights of unborn children.
70 years: Part 1 Remembering the beginning of Mater Dei
Spotlights Dawson Shroeder and Miranda Nosko
Homecoming
14
Bullseye!
15
Wrestling
16
Posting Up the Season Boasting about boys basketball
12
DC’s Crisis Through Time
13
Diving Deeper The boys swim season
Highlighting clubs
A comic’s history
Teacher Feature Mr. Schleter
21
24
Order Up!
NHS Changes
The importance of donating blood
Know the people behind your favorite lunches
26
Sandmann Controversey Seniors respond
! u o y k n Tha Journalism Staff Sophomores Teresa Berneking, Alexis Griffin, Olivia Hamilton, Dawson Pfaffmann, Leah Richey Freshmen Lucy Fitzgibbon, Sophie Oliver, Chloe Partridge, Catherine Shockley, Briana Stephens, and Addison Whitfield
New bylaws created
22
Lent
23
Grandparents Mass
Fast Lane Life The girls swim season
Should girls be allowed to play boys sports?
19
Showcasing the girls basketball team
11
Let All Play
Be Involved
20
Blood Drive
Wrestlers wrap up season
17
The Crowning
Breaking away into the season
Archers aim for their target.
23
Magnifying a traditional Catholic practice
A Special Celebration
Contributors Junior Sam Westerfield Seniors Audrie Collins, Katherine Hahn, Mia Mitchell, Emily Seger, and morgan Swallows
Adviser Mrs. Angela St. Clair
photo A. Griffin
Upcoming Calendar by sophomore Alexis Griffin, freshman Lucy Fitzgibbon
April S M 1 7 8 14 15 21 22 28 29
T 2 9 16 23 30
W T F 3 4 5 10 11 12 17 18 19 24 25 26
2 S 6 13 20 27
3 May Day ; Dance Marathon 9 2:05 dismissal 14-17 Final Exams 17 10:35 dismissal; Baccalaureate
10 17 18 20
Senior Retreat 1-hour Delay Spring Concert Senior Class Picture Nut Club Egg Hunt
4 SAT Testing 10 Talent Show 16 1:35 dismissal 19 Commencement
Please send all compliments, corrections, and suggestions to materdeijournalism@gmail.com Out of 203 responses
Do you like reading the school magazine?
Yes 79.3% No 20.7%
Would you prefer reading a printed copy of the magazine or an
Hard copy 78.6% Online 21.4%
online version?
5-6
Archery Tournament
11-13 Spring Musical 19 Good Friday Prayer Service 25-26 Stage Show 27 Stage Show
May S M T 5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
7 14 21 28
W 1 8 15 22 29
T 2 9 16 23 30
F 3 10 17 24 31
S 4 11 18 25
1
Marching for Those who Can't by sophomore Dawson Pfaffmann
Students traveled to downtown Washington D.C. to march in protest. The march took place on Jan. 18, where people around the country gathered.
On Jan. 18, students and adults from around the country marched in downtown Washington, D.C. They traveled to D.C. in support of ending abortion. Since 1974, the March for Life has occurred annually. It occurs because people believe that killing an unborn is wrong. Thousands of people travel every year to Washington, D.C.and while many supporters attend, there are people who protest. On the trip, Spanish teacher Profe Angela Conner shared some wise words regarding protesters. “Do not engage and respect others opinions without getting involved,”
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Profe Angela Conner said. The March for Life offers experiences for students who want to speak for those who may never be able to. The trip offers once in a life time opportunities to travel the capitol of the United States while growing in faith. “I definitely think this trip affected my faith for the better. Considering we went to church every day and prayed at least 3 times per day, I really felt closer to God,” sophomore Brooke Hohler said. The March for Life can be very beneficial for one’s faith because prayers constantly surround those on the trip. Everyone attends a daily
mass, prays a daily rosary, and uses different prayers throughout the day. Through these prayers, students only feel closer and more connected to God. “The people I was surrounded by helped me get closer to God through prayer and mass,” sophomore Chris Reising said. Through attending the March for Life, not only do students go to the march, they also attend other activities. The trip takes place in Washington, D.C., where the group takes a tour of the monuments and other attractions. Attending a night tour of the monuments and walking throughout the city are also some activities students participate in. They also visit museums and shrines of saints such as Elizabeth Ann Seton where they learned about her life and how she lived. “I enjoyed touring D.C. and the areas. It was cool going to the different museums and churches,” sophomore Blaise Kelly said. The students who attend the march have the opportunity to grow in their faith while defending those who can not. Many of the
students expressed gratitude for the trip because according to senior Emily Braun, she appreciated “standing up for what I believe in with other believers.” Additionally, students learn what happens during an abortion and “you get to hear people’s experiences,” sophomore Avery Frankenburger said. Twenty-seven students from MD attended the march.
Have you ever attended the March for Life? 86.1% No 13.9% Yes
Would you ever want to attend? 37.2% No 62.8% Yes of 209 responses
“
The March for Life is so important because it brings people together to fight for life.” sophomore Avery Frankenburger
SIGNS. Posing with their March for life sign, sophomores Esther Wannemuehler, Savana Schneider, Aubrey Singer, and Laine Ruggles are traveling to downtown D.C. Before the march, the students toured the monuments. MEMORIAL. Seniors Natalie Schneider, Lily Becker, and Emily Braun pose for a picture at the World War ll memorial. SHRINE. Students gathered for a picture at the Saint John Paul ll National Shrine. They traveled to the shrine on Jan. 17 and learned about his life.
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A Moment in
by sophomore Teresa Berneking, freshman Sophie Oliver
efore the first academic year, Mater Dei was known as the Memorial Annex. The recently vacant elementary school was used as an annex for Memorial High School, which was rapidly growing in population. It was not until the academic year of 1949 that Mater Dei became one of only two Catholic high schools in the area. With Sister Mary Irmingard Fritz as the principal, the new high school opened in the fall with the
1949: Mater Dei is founded
October 16, 1950: Girls started to wear uniforms 1952: Detention period was introduced
1950 4
class of 1950 having 84 graduates. When the school first opened, many traditions weren't established yet. For example, the fight song wasn't perfected until 1953. On Nov. 5, the school song was sung on the Bosse football field, as it is today, for the very first time. Many clubs that are known today weren't established until a few years into the school’s history. The National Honor Society was not established until early
November 5, 1953: The fight song was sung for that first time, as it is today, at Bosse Field February 9, 1954: National Honor Society is established Spring 1957: 300 students are scanned for a TB prevention program
1954 and the theatre department appeared in the 1966-1967 academic year. Along with building high school traditions, Mater Dei stayed up-to-date with current events and technology. So, as part of a prevention program, the students were scanned for Tuberculosis in the spring of 1957, and in 1968, Mater Dei students were introduced to typewriters. In the next issue, we will cover the 1970s through the present day.
1962-63: The last pages of the yearbook are dedicated to Pope John XXIII 1965-66: The boys’ uniform changed to white shirts and black ties
1960
196667: First drama club was instituted. A small theatre was built in room B104. It was
What's W h a t ' s your y o u r favorite f a v o r i t e fashion f a s h i o n eera? ra?
1990’s 35% 1980’s 35.9% 1970’s 9.2% 1960’s 1950’s
photo C. Scobbo
photo A. Rusk
6.8% 13.1%
photo A. Rusk
Dancing for homecoming, seniors Ben Ubelhor, Anna Bury, Cali Paul, Tyler Goeble, Keegan Marx, and Jenna Zirkelbach compete with underclassmen to win votes from students. Sophomore Rachael Greenwell and Jordan Seiler strike a pose to show off their fashion journey back in time. Senior Allen Hungate shows off his gladiator outfit, representing a unique decade.
photo C. Scobbo
1968: Electronic typewriters were put into classrooms. Mater Dei beat Reitz in football for the first time in 10 years. known as 1968-69: First the “Little Homecoming Theatre.” The first female cheeleader 1969-70: First mixed gender homerooms appeared at Mater Dei along with the 1970 pom pom squad
1970-71: First 1972-73: Girls’ “scruff day” where track and boys’ students didn’t have to wear tennis played uniforms, but could their first wear whatever seasons at they wanted Mater Dei 1975: The first gymnastics team was formed
1976-77: Open campus lunch tradition starts every Wednesday
1980 5
by sophomores Olivia Hamilton, Leah Richey, Teresa Berneking, Dawson Pfaffmann, and Alexis Griffin
Shroeder
I Like doing track and cross country because it clears your mind from the stresses of life.” Sophomore Dawson Schroeder enjoys swimming, running track, cross country, playing ultimate frisbee and participating in theatre. Activities like these keep him very busy, as well as hobbies outside of
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school. Schroeder fishes, hunts, hikes and simply enjoys being outdoors in his free time. Schroeder’s favorite class is theology, and his favorite school lunch is Italian grilled chicken. He attended
grade school at Resurrection, and both of his parents and all of his siblings have attended MD. Schroeder plans to go to college and strives to be an expedition leader in the future. “When people go white water
rafting or hiking in certain places, they have guides. The guides lead them on those journeys. So, I want to learn how to do a bunch of things and take groups of people out and climb in the mountains and stuff like that,” Schroeder said.
by sophomores Olivia Hamilton, Leah Richey, Teresa Berneking, Dawson Pfaffmann, and Alexis Griffin
Nosko
I really enjoy soccer and track because you can compete with yourself.� Sophomore Miranda Nosko enjoys playing soccer and running track. She loves playing together with her teammates while working to reach a goal. The Nosko family
has a history with Mater Dei, as her older brother and sister attended here while she attended Resurrection. Her favorite memory from freshman year is going through the obstacle course on
May Day. Nosko’s favorite school lunch is pork tenderloin because of the gravy. Nosko wants to become a physical therapist which is why her favorite class is health. To help reach her goal, Nosko likes
to learn about her health and how to stay in shape. Along with her academics, Nosko enjoys many hobbies including travel soccer, playing with her dog, and watching TV. She also enjoys hanging out with her friends.
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Taking the story and photos by freshman Sophie Oliver
The Wildcats played Mt. Vernon on Friday, Feb. 8, when students wore black and crowded the student section with one wish: to find out who would be named this year’s Winter Homecoming king and queen. Students cheered as seniors Keegan Marx and Anna Bury were crowned king and queen. The members of the court: freshmen: Ava Effinger, Reed Egli, Nicholas Boots, and Holly Karges, sophomores: Leah Richey, Gregory Mayer, Julia Dassel, and Drake Clausheide, juniors: Audrey Seng, Madeline Swallows and Marco Andino Coca, and seniors: Cali Paul, Tyler Goebel, Anna Bury, Ben Ubelhor, Jenna Zirkelbach, and Keegan Marx.
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Crown
“My first thought was excitement and i felt very grateful for my classmates,” senior Anna Bury said. Students in the homecoming court love the whole process, but, like everyone, they had favorites. “My favorite part was having my whole family there to support me,” Bury said.
choosing a homecoming king and queen
Volunteering by freshman Addison Whitfield
out of 207 people
Do you volunteer? YES 84.1% NO 5.9% out of 168 people
If you volunteer, where do you volunteer the most? My parish 56.5% Soup kitchen 11.3%
2225 W. Franklin Street 812-423-2624 www.paulsmenswear.com
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breaking into away post season by freshman Lucy Fitzgibbon
Driven. The lady wildcats finished up the season at 17 wins and 11 losses. These ladies ended up going all the way to semi-state. After defeating Eastern Peaky in the regional finals, they then advanced to semi-state. “The best feeling can be getting hype when someone hits a three,� sophomore Emily Beckerle said. Post season brought these ladies much success. During the first round of sectionals, the cats beat Forest Park 62-36. Soon after, they crushed Perry Central at 54-29. After their victory, the lady cats took home a sectional title by defeating Tell
City 52-40. They soon advanced to regionals and won round one against South Ripley at 39-23. Five hours later, they overcame Eastern Peaky at 37-32. During the semi-state game against Winchester, the team overcame some hard obstacles and were able to finish the season off strong. With an injury that took a player out of the game, the lady cats were able to put up a strong fight and finish the season without giving up.
SIGNINGS Aaron Thompson signed for Xavier University to play tennis.
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INTRODUCTION. Seniors Jossie Hudson and Alaina Spahn introduce themselves to the regional referees and the Eastern Peaky team captions . SOUVENIR. Freshman Jamie Luigs takes home a piece of net after the regional final game hosted by Paoli.
by freshman Chloe Partridge photos by E. Braun, K. Raben, L. Fitzgibbon
Allie Goodin signed for the University of Southern Indiana to play softball.
posting the up season GAME PLAN. Coach Wildeman runs over the game plan with the varsity players during a time out. The boys played at home against Tell City. photo by M. Mitchell SLAM DUNK! Sophomore Alex Money showed the crowd his skills with a breakaway against Bosse. He waited for an opening and came out with a dunk.
Finishing with a 17-8 season, the boys basketball team won 17 games. The boys were able to advance to the sectional final game. “Some ways that we “During the can get better as a team is season, it felt to work hard and keep like everyone going,” freshman James was working Mayer said. as one unit The freshman team instead of finished the season at 5-14 individual wins to losses. The JV team parts. We all ended at 18 wins and 4 had one goal losses. At the end of the in mind, and, season, the varsity team even though ended up with a 3-3 city we fell short, it record. was still a lot The team worked of fun working together though wins and with the losses. The boys fought team,” through injuries and tough junior Tyler games but still never gave Phelps said. up. The sectional final game ended at a close loss for the cats though they still worked to win and are ready for the season to come.
Kendyl Weinzapfel
Jossie Hudson
signed for Austin Peay to play softball.
signed for the University of Evansville to play basketball.
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Swimming begins with LOVE for the water. It isn't about winning; it's about being a part of a reliable team. Swimmers succeed with friends and family who support them and their team. “Trying to beat time. It's more about beating yourself
life the in FAST lane by freshman Addison Whitfield
rather than others. When you beat your own time, the more it will make you want to get better,” freshman Kelly Blair said. If you are thinking about joining the swim team next season, you can start off by trying to figure out which stroke you would prefer. You can also start by figuring out what is easiest for you. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. For example, some people have a fear of diving or have trouble holding their breath
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underwater. The bottom line is a common saying that almost everyone knows: practice makes perfect. The sooner you start, the better off you will be. All of the swimmers started off with different talents and levels of expertise. Throughout the season, everyone came together to form more than just a team. They became a family. The closer you become with your team, the more confident the team becomes with themselves. Joining the swim team could prepare you for other sports by keeping you in shape and building your endurance. For some people, swimming helps them relax and discover what is truly upsetting them. However, swimming makes some people nervous because they think that it's all about competition. If they join and stay on the swim team, then they might finally discover that it's about doing your best and not focusing on the times of others. If you try your hardest, even if you don't succeed, then you will still feel more accomplished rather than if you were not confident and weren't having fun.
“
don't put a limit on anything. the more you dream the further you'll go”
- michael phelps
“ R E P E DE G N I V I D
ens a Steph n a i r B hman by fres
Life is better when you're swimming, especially if you have a team like Mater Dei’s! While on the team, friends start to feel more like family. “The only enemy a person makes is time,” freshmen Carter Marx and Kelly Blair said. “I love to swim because it keeps me in shape and it's just for fun,” Marx said. In swim, it's not about competing against others, it's about competing against yourself for the accomplishment of being your best. Anyone can choose from any of the strokes: breaststroke, free style, butterfly, sidestroke and backstroke. All of the swimmers have their personal favorite stroke. Freshman Abigail Hoefling said that she favors freestyle. “I did it when I was young, and it has always pushed me to do better,” Hoefling said. Blair claimed that she favors the breaststroke because she wanted to beat her sister. The 100 x100’s were often used, which helps boost both a swimmer’s confidence and
Give all you have for the goals you have.” - Alia Atkinson
her endurance. All agreed that Coach Justin Carter pushed team members to get the time that he wanted and that he believed they could accomplish. The swim team started off
feeling a little out of place. With broken time records, and a little bit of friendly competition, the season developed into a memorable one.
photos by C. Scobbo
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Bullseye!
by freshman Catherine Shockley
Archers Aim For Their Target
Archers have to concentrate to make it far, and at the March 9-11 state competition in Indianapolis, 24 archers competed, and the team qualified for nationals, which will occur in May. The team also placed 8th in the state for Bullseye competition and 4th in the State for 3-D competition. Freshman Zach Pfeffer is ranked third in the state, and senior Natalie Record is ranked fifth. Additionally, six seniors have been awarded $500 scholarships
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Archery is a sport where people have to focus. Otherwise, the arrow will not go where it needs to be. “It gives me [the ability] to be able to learn how to focus and concentrate better,” senior Natalie Record said. Tournaments occur on Fridays and Saturdays. This offers Tournaments occur on Fridays and Saturdays. This offers the opportunity for archers to compare themselves against archers from other schools. “They are kind of quiet, but I enjoy them because I can focus better,”
sophomore Luke Smith said. Pulling back the bowstring and releasing it aren't the only steps in shooting. “I make sure my feet are positioned correctly, make sure I know where my aim point is, steady myself, make sure I don't move, focus on the target and then shoot the arrow one
at a time,” senior Natalie Record said. Archery is a place to hone concentration but also to hang out with other people. “I just like how I get to meet new people and get to have this experience,” sophomore Luke Smith said.
Scoring in archery means that an archer records the other individual's score. That archer then checks off the score, showing they agree.
by sophomore Olivia Hamilton photos by senior A. Mauer
After months of preparing, nine wrestlers competed for state titles at Bankers Life Fieldhouse,with five of them placing. This included junior Matt Lee who became the 145 pound state champion. This all came from hours of practice starting in October. “We practice a lot longer than other schools and a lot harder. We focus more on technique than other schools, and our coaches are a lot more involved,� sophomore Cole Ross said. Winning the season opener, a five way at North Posey, was the first of many successes throughout the regular season. After this, the team won the Holiday
postseason
wrestlers take down the
ON THE SIDELINES. Coaches Greg Schaefer and Jeremy Goebel watch, encourage and direct from the corner.
Classic, placed fourth at team state and beat the number two team in the state in a dual match. The postseason started very well. Each wrestler made it through sectionals and regionals, making them team champions for both. As the team moved on to semi-state, they still had all fourteen wrestlers competing. They finished semistate with three champions and nine advancing.
STATE SUCCESSES MATT LEE 145 LB IHSAA STATE WRESTLING CHAMPION! BLAKE BOARMAN 2ND ELI DICKENS 3RD ALEC FREEMAN 3RD MACARTNEY PARKINSON 7TH
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let
ALL
play
by freshman Addison Whitfield, Briana Stephens
No matter the gender, all can play. A person's ability to do so will depend on whether he/she makes the team or not. However, many people agree that gender should not be a factor in the decision. “I mean I wouldn't have anything wrong with it; guys have strong attributes and can add extra strength to the team,” senior Jenna Kratochvil said. Gender is one of the the key points of every sport, and if you are a female, you aren't allowed to play contact sports, such as football or wrestling. Similarly, males often can't participate in cheer or volleyball in most high schools. High school is all about fun and getting a good education from people willing to give
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their time and effort into doing so. “It's a well-known assumption that girls are supposed to be weaker than guys, when sometimes girls are just as strong or sometimes stronger,” freshman Briana Stephens said. Although girls can be sensitive, they can also be more emotionally strong. Day by day girls are thought of as weak, emotionally and physically. “I feel that a coach’s outlook toward one's gender might be an unfair disadvantage, but that's why we have separate sports,” freshman Cameron Weinzapfel said. If a male were on a sports team such as cheer, he would have to be open to the thought of trying new things. “A guy being on a female sports team
could provide some advantages because it is not very common to have a male and female on the same team. It might throw the opponent off guard because of the fact that some of the players are of the opposite gender,” Stephens said. It's the same for a female being on a male sports team. “I believe that having a girl on a male sports team would provide diversity and prove that girls are just as able to do anything that a guy can,” Weinzapfel said. Although girls and guys being on each other’s teams could be an advantage, there are also disadvantages. “If a guy has a history in tumbling or would be open to learning how to tumble, it would be a major asset. Stunting is also something he would need to be open to,” Kratochvil said. It's true that most people think that guys are better at athletics. Sometimes it's true; other times it's not. “If a male is on an all female team and isn't open to
listening to a female, then I feel that he should not be on the same team,” Stephens said. To some people, cheer and volleyball are considered “female sports.” “Since those are considered female sports, they might get bullied for being on the team,” freshman Holly Karges said. In the future coaches and athletes should set goals to have both males and females come together and act as one team.
If you are a girl, which of these sports would you want to play if you could be on the team? Football 25.4% Wrestling 9.9% Lacrosse 18.3% out of 142 responses
If you are a boy, which of these sports would you want to play if you could be on the team? Volleyball 49.5% Cheer 6.7% Both 5.6% out of 107 responses
Art
German
Sponsor: Mrs. Toni Wallace Art club meets every Wednesday. “In our meetings, we talk about artists while creating art. We have a lot of creative and talented students who want to further their experience without worrying about being graded on it. It's also a great way to collaborate with other peer artists and make new friends,” art teacher Mrs. Wallace said.
Sponsor: Mrs. Abby Whicker German club meets a few Thursday mornings a month. “We try to make it something that's related to German culture or something that's going on in Germany at the time, and it's a good time for all students who take the language to get together,” German teacher Mrs. Whicker said.
Involved with Clubs by freshman Catherine Shockley
Spanish
Sponsor: Mrs. Kristen Weinzapfel Spanish club meets every other Thursday morning. A big part of the club is holidays. “Sometimes there are certain holidays, like the Day of the Dead that we will celebrate by having a party and playing a game that goes along with the holiday,” Spanish teacher Ms. Weinzapfel said.
Photography
Sponsor: Mrs. Toni Wallace Photography club meets every Wednesday after to school. The club focuses on improving different points of photography, like depth of field, rule of thirds, framing, capturing the peak of emotion, leading lines, and more.
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DC heroes represent all aspects of humanity from light to dark personalities. They tell stories that span all forms of genre and story telling.
Crisis on Infinite Earths was a story that crossed several earths in the DC universe. It was a way for DC to clean up messy continuity getting rid of unwanted characters.
Crisis
Final Crisis was an event DC used to change the status for several characters. It followed the story of the Justice League trying to stop Darkside’s anti-life equation.
Final
Infinite Earths
89% of Mater Dei students believe parents should set clear rules and expectations about avoiding alcohol.
Crisis On
Rebooting
1939-1941 Regarded as the beginning of comic books. The Golden Age focused on one-off monster of the week stories and had a heavy impact from WWII.
tHROUHG TIME
FLASHPOINT
cRISIS
Flashpoint was a story that rebooted DC from post-crisis and brought the New 52. The story was about Flash going back in time and saving his mother.
1941-1960. The Silver Age was a time where stories shifted more to the realm of science fiction with campy stories which brought mainstream readers and success
1970-1985 The Bronze Age shifted into
mid 80’s-2016. The Modern Age
darker stories as the comics’ code authority was closed and comics were free to tell more dark and realistic stories.
had stories that focused on continuity and long going story arcs with advancements in art due to many new computers.
DC' C s ri
ses Th r ou gh T
im e
by junior Sam Westerfield
DC Comics was originally launched in 1934 as National Allied Publications. They are one of the biggest comic book companies in the world, which doesn't say much when you consider the fact that the comic book industry has only three major publishers. But that's beside the point. DC has been a pioneer of comic books through out their inception. Two of the three most popular superheroes at any given time belong to DC, Batman- The Dark Knight, and Superman- The Man of Steel. Jerry Siegal and Joe Shuster created Superman in 1938. Siegal was born to Jewish immigrants who were fleeing anti-semitism in Lithuania. Siegal’s idea for Superman came from his immigrant background. He created an alien character who, much like himself felt alone and out of place in a strange new world. Bob Kane and Bill Finger created Batman in 1939. Batman was created to be an urban fighter without superpowers who told young readers that they can always be a hero.
Batman and Superman were top sellers with young reader until the 60’s with the appearance of Spider-Man, but we won't talk about him because he belongs to Marvel, not DC. DC stories have spanned many a genre over the years. Stories shifted from an “anything goes” format and into a more child friendly format in 1954 with the creation of The Comic’s Code Authority. This format meant that no comic book could show any adult related content and must be focused on stories that kids could read and understand. For example, Batman became a more lighthearted hero and fought robots in the daytime rather than drug dealers in the nighttime. Superman didn’t have to change, though. When science fiction was popular in the 50’s, he had space faring stories, when the family life was all that was wanted in the 80’s he married Lois, and when stories got extreme in the 90’s he was beaten to death by Doomsday. These are the two flagship characters of DC, and they have changed a lot over time from preCrisis to post-Crisis, The New 52, and now finally stopping at DC Rebirth. DC has changed drastically throughout the ages will no doubt continue to change through the years.
Justice! The Justice League is one of DC’s longest running super teams and has been around since the 60’s. Originally it consisted of heroes who couldn't hold a book of their own. Now they consist of the strongest heroes of DC who have come together to fight Injustice.
Go! The Teen Titans was another DC super team created in 1964, and featured younger heroes who were sidekicks to others.The team grew in popularity due to their stories had themes younger readers could identify with, like growing up and finding themselves.
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Teacher
Feature
by sophomores Teresa Berneking, Dawson Pfaffmann
Teachers are the backbone of any school. Although some students may argue that a teacher’s only job is to make their life miserable, a teacher’s job is to prepare students for the outside world. According to The READ Foundation, teachers all around the world are used as role models for young people. Students of all ages look up to them, and every student has their favorite teacher. Mr. Robert Schleter teaches Chemistry I, Chemistry II, and Organic Chemistry. Before he taught here, Mr. Schleter worked in construction, and he joined the Mater Dei family in 1994.
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“I really enjoy all of the excitement that students have.”
Mr. Robert Schleter,
Students who have taken Mr. Schleter’s classes know to never chew gum in his class, as it is one of his biggest pet peeves. Despite this irritation, he still loves his job and his favorite part is, “getting to see and be around fantastic students all day long.” He says that he loves to see a variety of people every day. This year marks Mr. Schleter’s 25th anniversary of working here.
teacher talk
memorable phrases & quotes
“Hardy har har!” Mr. Schleter science
*whistles* Mr. Voegel science
“This is your history. Write it down.” Mr. Wathen, junior theology
“It’s “Yes, ma’am,” “Yes, Mrs. Donofrio,” or “Yes, my sweet lady.” Mrs. Donofrio English
“You’re bad at algebra” Mr. Keith math
“Good clean fun!” Mrs. Gabbert English
“Stop making stupid mistakes.” Mrs. Strehl math
“Not to sound like a broken record” Mr. Austin business, history
“Happy Friday!” Mrs. St. Clair journalism, English
“Don’t drink, don’t vape, don’t have sex, wear your seat belt.” Mr. Soellner, freshman theology
Most likely to become famous: Mr. Keith 21.7% Funniest teacher: Mrs. Strehl 21.9% results from student poll
NHS adopts bylaws Beginning the year with Mrs. Angela St. Clair as the new adviser, the National Honor Society inducted 48 new members in November and has stayed very active since then. In December, the group implemented Cocoa and Cram in order to help freshmen and sophomores study for exams, wrote postcards to feeder school students, and Christmas caroled at Jacob’s Village. Second semester has been filled with volunteering in the community, writing monthly pen pal letters to Pine Haven, Jacob’s Village, the Boys and Girls Club and creating bylaws for the chapter. To create the bylaws, Mrs. St.Clair and the officers divided the members into five committees, with each group tackling a different area--from the application process to the grounds for dismissal. “Finalizing the bylaws with Mrs. St. Clair was a really special thing because I received the opportunity to impact the future of NHS,” president Claire Adler said. After the students provided their input and Mrs. St.Clair and Adler finalized the document, the administration and faculty had a chance to review the bylaws and suggest changes. Two of the most notable changes involve the application process, which now involves a video introduction component, and the clear defining of member expectations and consequences of not adhering to the four cornerstones of the society: scholarship, service, leadership, and character. “It’s a privilege to be sponsor of a group of students who worked so hard to create original, chapter by-laws of which the entire school can be proud,” Mrs. St.Clair said. Bylaws will be made public after spring break and new members will be invited to NHS in May, with the induction ceremony in September.
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Lent reflection A time for
by freshmen Chloe Partridge, Catherine Shockley
Lent is a time to reflect on life and how it’s being lived. However, one might wonder how lent started? According to the Catholic Education Resource Center, even during the earliest times of the Church, there is evidence of a Lenten service. Although Lent was practiced, it didn't become more regularized until 313 A.D. with the legalization of Christianity. When the Council of Nicea met in 325 A.D., they discussed that there needed to be a 40-day Lenten season of fasting. Once the Council of Nicea had a 40-day season of fasting, they established how the fasting needed to be done. While fasting varies
from place to place, the most popular type of fasting here in the U.S. is not eating any form of meat on Fridays and giving up something for the season of Lent. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday eating only one big meal and then two smaller ones is a good way to fast. Ash Wednesday, the official start of Lent, allows one to receive the ashes at a Mass that represent the ashes from which God created people. “Being Catholic is a matter of discipleship, or imitating Jesus in the 40 days of Lent,” freshman theology teacher Mr. Nicholas Soellner said. The purpose of Lent is to
prepare believers for Easter and the death and Resurrection of Jesus. When thinking of fasting or giving something up for Lent, one thinks of giving up things like soda, chocolate, watching Netflix or TV, but people could consider other ideas such as not buying things that you don't need, throwing away forty things for forty days, forty days of penance, or praying the rosary for forty days. “Lent is a good time for sacrificing. Let us deny ourselves something everyday to help others,” Pope Francis said.
How do you sacrifice for
Lent?
71.2% Give up food or objects
13.5% Pray more 10.6% Other 3.2% Volunteer in their community photo by C. Scobbo During the Ash Wednesday Mass, Fr. Sudhakar Bhastasti reminded the students of the purpose of Lent and how each person can sacrifice during the season. After his homily, he and other teachers and students administered the ashes to symbolize the dust from which God created each person and the dust to which each will return.
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1.5% Read the Bible of 208 responses
’ by sophomore Alexis Griffin
An annual tradition for students and their grandparents to celebrate Mass together, Mater Dei has been hosting the Grandparents’ Mass since 2015. Both students and grandparents love the Mass because they can
spend time with one another. After Mass, everyone gathers in the new back gym for refreshments. This year for the first time, those in attendance will have four photo booth options, one to represent each of the four cornerstones:
You’re Somebody’s
academics, social, service, and spiritual. In collaboration with Mrs. Angela St.Clair, Mrs. Toni Wallace, and the OIA office, art students created the photo stations and yearbook students will be on site to take pictures with students’ or
grandparents’ phones. This new idea for pictures is meant to create an atmosphere of “selfielike” fun while reminding everyone of the school’s foundations of core involvement.
GENEROSITY. A Red Cross representative takes blood from senior Addison Elpers. Students and staff gathered in the new gym thoughout the day to donate blood on April 21. photo by C. Scobbo
TYPE by sophomore Leah Richey
One in seven hospital patients will need blood from a donor. The American Red Cross supplies much of this blood, and Mater Dei’s biannual blood drive strives to help in any way possible. “By making a charitable donation to the Red Cross, you are there for millions of people who face emergencies every year...” Mrs. Karen Robertson, Donor Recruitment Account Manager of Evansville’s Red Cross chapter, said. Students and faculty
contribute to saving lives through this event. Aiming to help others, sophomore Mariah Dickerson donated blood for the first time this year. “It made me happy when she told me I saved three people’s lives,” Dickerson said. Additionally, staff members donate whenever given the opportunity. This is especially true for geometry teacher Mrs. Angie Strehl, who is accustomed to giving blood.
“My mom and dad both gave blood and were CPR instructors, so it kind of ran in the family,” Mrs. Strehl said. Mrs. Strehl’s blood type is O negative. This blood type is universal, meaning that her blood is compatible with all other types of blood. Anyone who would like to support the Red Cross may donate blood and/or contribute monetarily. To quickly connect with the Red Cross, individuals can text REDCROSS to 90999.
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Order up! Meet the ladies behind the lunches by sophomores Alexis Griffin and Olivia Hamilton
photo C. Scobbo
Attending lunch everyday with friends is a nice way to catch up, but do students ever talk to the ladies behind the lunches? Meet Catherin Elpers, Heather Epley, Doreen Hoefling,Cathy and Linda Koressel,Lisa McEuen, Cora Aleta Ritchie, Amanda Warren and manager Tonya Schenk. These ladies make lunch everyday for the students and work very hard to prepare tasty and healthy meals. “My favorite lunch is the Italian grilled chicken with buttered noodles,” junior Austin Griffin said.
The lunch ladies make an assortment of different foods from bacon cheeseburgers with seasoned fries to eggrolls with chicken fried rice. “Stuffed crust pizza with mashed potatoes and corn is by far the best meal the lunch ladies make,” sophomore Christian Baugh said. Besides the daily menu, students can also choose options from the snack line. Next time you go through the lunch line or pass one of the lunch ladies in the hall, don't be afraid to spark up a conversation or even say thank you.
“MY PLEASURE” Out of 208 students 17.3% chose chocolate ice cream as their favorite flavor
Chocolate 17.3%
Strawberry 10.1%
Vanilla 15.9%
Frosty 11.1% These flavors show the most popular favors and not reflect all polling options.
PREP! On this particular morning, cafeteria manager Tonya Schenk and Catherin Elpers prepare buttered noodles and set out frozen strawberry's for the students’ lunches.
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“Media took a chapter of the story and made it the complete book” by seniors Katherine Hahn, Emily Seger, and Morgan Swallows
Following the annual March for Life, conflict arose while Catholic school boys waited for their bus. Sitting near the Washington Monument, a group of Black Israelite protesters screeched slurs, taunting the boys. In hopes to drown out the negativity, the school chaperones encouraged the boys to chant their school song. Nathan Phillips, a Native American, also participating in a protest, felt moved to create peace between the two groups. Despite only good intentions, his involvement sparked another school chant that some perceived as mockery of Native Americans. The media focused on the actions of Nick Sandmann and Nathan Phillips, while it ignored the actions of the Islamic group. Because the media only covered certain aspects of the story, the public questioned their truth and reliability. Consequently, the story was misconstrued. . . As the internet grasped onto the video, Nick Sandmann spoke in an interview as an attempt to clarify any negativity. In his interview with Today, Sandmann reported that he had no intention to offend Phillips; however, once the media grabbed that short clip, people across the country slandered his name by calling him racist.
According to Sandmann, he had every right to stand there with his peers because he had no foul intentions. Regardless, Sandmann, in hindsight, said he would have turned away and “avoided the whole thing.” Currently, Sandmann holds no anger toward Phillips but instead, the Washington Post, who he is suing for 250 million dollars on behalf of “compensatory and punitive damages.” Since the newspaper neglected to include all information, it is subsequently facing these charges. Likely, the situation could have been avoided if the newspaper released nothing with bias. After reading Sandmann’s response and observing the interview, Nathan Phillips assumed that the young boy lacked sincerity and responsibility. According to Phillips, he witnessed two groups arguing, decided to intervene, and advanced into the crowd of school boys. When his passage appeared blocked by Sandmann, photographers clicked an image and issued it to news sites. While reporters and bystanders snapped photos, Phillips claimed he heard the boys sneer “build that wall” and watched the boys mimic the tomahawk chop. . . The responses of people across the nation vary greatly on this controversial topic.
However, recent discoveries reveal the truth. According to the National Public Radio, private investigators hired by the Covington Diocese determined that the high school students did not initiate the conflict. Instead, they found that Sandmann and his classmates were indeed approached first by Phillips, and that they reacted appropriately to the situation. Accusations of slander involving the students, such as yelling “build the wall” and other racist remarks, were confirmed false. . . In the beginning, the media took only a chapter of the story and made it the complete book. In the words of novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, “show a people as one thing, as only one thing, over and over again, and that is what they become.” This concept can be applied to Sandmann and Phillips. When the videos first appeared, people only acknowledged Sandmann’s sly smirk and immediately drew the conclusion that he initiated the whole situation; however, as time went on and the story unraveled, the discoveries of investigators proved otherwise. Overall, the controversy between Sandmann and Phillips created a major rift in the nation and demonstrated how rapidly false information spreads.
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