Megaphone Volume 103 Issue 3

MEGAPHONE STAFF

MARCH

Co-Editors-in-Chief

Caroline Schilling

Luke Spencer

On the front cover

Seniors, Will Toombs and Luke Spencer greet guests as they arrive. The ShamRauction event was themed "Sham-Rock-The-Boat" this year. The event was February 24th, 2024 and was a huge success for Cathedral High School. In 47 years of ShamRauction, a theme has never been repeated.

https://jackielynnphotos.pixieset.com/shamrauction2024/

On the back cover

* Visit https://titus-slaughter-photography.com/for more

Managing Editor

Avery Stuckey

Daniel Kent Reporters

Katherine Nash

Roch Egan

Kate Moriarty

Celia Miles

Caroline Drew

Ben Holmes

Regan Ralstin

Camila Jackson

Faculty Moderator

Mr. Marc Quaranta

Principal

Mrs. Julie Barthel

School President

Dr. Robert Bridges Memberships

Indiana High School Press Association

National Scholastic Press Association

Junior Christopher Dravis swims for the Cathedral Swim Team.

Photo by Titus Slaughter

Photo by Jackie Miller of JL Photography

*to see more visit

Consider The Boat Rocked

Students and staff put on an amazing Shamrauction and the night ends with an outcome the Hill can be happy with

On February 24, Cathedral’s Shamrauction took place and the night finished with a grand total of $902,108.

Shamrauction is an event that is held at Cathedral, where families, alumni, and friends can come for dinner, music, a raffle, and an auction. The fundraiser is not just fun for the guests but also gives students a chance to be involved in many ways.

Mrs. Carrie O'Brien, Director of Events, said, “From the weeks leading up to Shamrauction, the actual event itself and after, students are key to making this a success. Students contribute by helping assemble items, write letters and set up for the event itself. Many classes of students also contributed by writing letters for each guest, setting tablecloths and moving furniture. During the event, we had tons of National Honor Society students help serve dinner and sell raffle tickets, and quite a few students volunteered and served as greeters, worked coat check and were also ‘interactive actors’ and tear down the event as well.”

The money raised from the auction and raffle is used for multiple funds including the athletic department, financial aid and to help fund Cathedral’s budget. Shamrauction used to be a more formal event where guests wore ball gowns and

BY CELIA MILES

suits, but after Covid-19, it became more casual, giving guests opportunities to be creative. This year the theme was “Rock the Boat,” a sailing theme where guests could dress up as sailors, captains, best mates or really anything of the sort.

One of the main parts of the night is the live auction, which included items like a golf cart and different trips including a condo in Miami or a trip to Nashville in a private plane. This year, one of the biggest items auctioned was 12 Taylor Swift tickets that sold for $65,000.

A lot more happens at the Shamrauction other than the auction, which gives students multiple chances to be involved. This year, Irish Connection broadcasted the event. One of the students, Senior Roch Egan, took part in making the broadcast happen. “Quinn and I streamed the event on Facebook live. We interviewed many of the volunteers. We also got to talk with Dr. Bridges, Mrs. Lisa Ford and Mr. Rafael Sanchez, the emcee. In addition, we helped introduce the fund-a-need. Our main goal was to promote the silent auction items and bring more attention to the evening for

people who couldn’t make it,” Egan said.

The guests were also served dinner which included cocktail hour, where assorted appetizers were served. Dinner, catered by Sahm's Catering, included assorted breads, an everything wedge salad, crab cake, and filet was the main entree, and the sides included roasted potatoes and honey garlic brussel sprouts.

Although the Shamrauction is only one night, there are months of hard work and thought put into making it happen. Coordinators like Mrs. Nicole Beasley, Ms. Natalie Matthews, and O’Brien work year round trying to make the best night for everyone. Although the fundraiser just happened, planning has already begun for next year.

“For the most part, the programming of the event stays the same for the theme. We look at what’s trendy and what would be in our budget, and we want to involve as many students as we can, but as of now, we do not have a theme for next year,” O’Brien said.

The WAC gymnasium was transformed into a sailboat getaway ready for guests to enjoy.

Sham Rock-The-Boat was the 47th annual

Seniors, Tillie Browning and Madeline Sheddy, volunteer to help at Shamrauction, a part of the National Honor Society organization. The two of them were a part of the Raffle Crew to sell raffle tickets to guests.

Seniors Serving the United States

Here on the Hill, students are called to greatness in many unique, fulfilling ways. From athletics and academics to charity and service. Three students from the class of 2024 have answered this exact call by being appointed to highly prestigious Service Academies.

Paul Sheddy and Teresa Wojtalik will attend The United States Military Academy West Point in West Point, New York and Alex Lozano the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

They were put to the test and they faced intense physical testing and difficult training proving they had what it takes to be the next generation to lead America’s sons and daughters into battle.

The process is very long and tedious. There's a lot of moving parts. It's not one major application that is submitted one day. It is a nomination process, without this nomination, there is no acceptance. Many people can nominate. Sheddy said, “you can recieve one from your house representative, a US senator, or the Vice President, along with their special nominations reserved for particular categories, such as children of disabled or wounded military veterans, along with children of Medal of Honor recipients and ROTC units.”

Sheddy was only eligible for a congressional nomination, “I was very fortunate to have received an interview from my congressional representative, Representative Sparts and she nominated me for the Academy. But overall, the process of just waiting was the hardest part. And it's a lot of moving from one step to the next, that makes it difficult. It's not all one complete application done in one step,” he said.

Along with the nomination, there is an interview with members of the acad-

emy for acceptance. Answering these questions can be very difficult as it is something that is unusual to navigate. “The hardest part for me was my academy interviews because I was not very experienced with this and many of the questions were hard to answer,” Wojtalik said.

After having spearheaded the application process confidently, as they have worked so hard for this moment, it came as no surprise that they were granted acceptance. With their acceptance came honor and joy as they have officially been given the opportunity for the next stage of their life.

Sheddy was very excited after receiving the news. He had been waiting for a while since Westpoint operates on a rolling admission process. “It was interesting and kind of difficult to just wait knowing that any day I could hear or it could be months until I hear back. So it wasn't like other college decisions where it's a date, and you know, that's when you're going to hear back. But, receiving the news was definitely very exciting, very surprising, and just kind of feeling elated, overwhelmed and overjoyed. I couldn't wait to tell my parents, I was so excited. And the overall feeling of relief and gratitude for how far I'd come. I am very blessed to have this opportunity and grateful for all those who helped me to this point,” he said.

For Wojtalik the anticipation was also high, but the joy and excitement was no less. She said, “I feel so honored and grateful for this opportunity to serve my country and learn alongside the nation's leaders.”

After accepting their appointments to West Point they will endure a 47 month experience that includes four academic years as well as four summer experiences. Wojtalik said, “This summer I

will be completing a ‘beast’ also known as basic training that will help to establish basic military knowledge. During my other summers I will be doing other leadership and military training.”

Despite the rigorous training they have set big goals and dreams to achieve. Sheddy said, “As of right now, I would like to go into branch aviation. I'd like to fly the Apache helicopter. I believe that they fly interesting and cool mission sets, as well as being incredibly impactful in the missions that they fly. However, ultimately, when I arrive at West Point, there'll be a lot of influencing factors from everywhere from what the army needs to what I'm capable of achieving that will influence what I'll branch in.”

Although it is the hope and determination that keeps them there Wojtalik notes the other things that called her here. She said, “Apart from West Point's beautiful campus and history, they have some of the best opportunities for their cadets. I have spoken to many students there and the opportunities that they have access to for free is beyond amazing. I am expecting West Point to be very difficult academically and physically, but I am looking forward to my time there,” said Wojtalik.

Wojtalik will be the second of her extended family to attend, as her Uncle also attended West Point. For Sheddy, it was a little bit different. His older brother John Sheddy ‘22 is currently enrolled at the Naval Academy. Although Paul did not follow in these footsteps his many siblings are still very proud of him. His twin sister, senior Madeline Sheddy said, “I am super excited and happy for him, but it will definitely be sad going to college without my twin. He has worked so hard for this and I couldn’t be prouder.”

Seniors Alex Lozano, Paul Sheddy, and Tess Wojtalik have been given the opportunity of a lifetime to give back and serve their country BY AVERY STUCKEY

for around two hours. Then another application and a separate interview with senators and House representative to try and win at least one congressional nomination. Lozano’s Rep was Andre Carson.

Similar to Sheddy, the anticipation of waiting to hear back was the hardest part for Lozano. He said, “The waiting after everything had been submitted. At that point, I knew everything was out of my control, and all I had to do was wait for a response. I was lucky enough to hear something back relatively early, as most people do not find out until April.”

For all of these students they wouldn’t be here without their roles models who have left such an impact on their lives. Alex has been heavily influenced by his brother Nicholas as he has been a huge inspiration. Lozano said, “Ever since I was a little kid, and I’ve tried to model his work ethic and selflessness as much as possible. He taught me that hard work can get you anywhere, and if you want something badly enough, then you’ll get it. He has truly been crucial in my decision to serve my country and be a part of something far greater than myself.”

With West Point and Navy being huge rivals, it is now a house divided.

Senior Alex Lozano, has been awarded an appointment to the Naval Academy. Lozano said, “I feel really grateful. I owe this opportunity to so many people, and to God for giving me the strength to do all of this. I’m very excited to go out and serve others, God, and this country.”

Just like the process for acceptance to West Point, Navy also holds their students to extremely high standards with similar application tasks. “The process is arduous, but rewarding,” Lozano said.

To receive an appointment to the Naval Academy, great high school grades is a must. There is also a fitness test that must be passed. This test consisted of a mile run, pull ups, push ups, sit ups, basketball throw, and a shuttle run. Then there is the DoDmerb exam, which is the medical exam for any DoD (department of defense) employee, “This is where most people lose eligibility,” said Lozano.

Finally, there is an interview with a United States Naval Academy liaison

After accepting the appointment Lozano’s time at the Naval Academy will begin with I-day on June 27th. Then for six weeks, he will be in Plebe Summer, which is very similar to any sort of basic training. Then the school year will begin and it will be like any other college but there will be military training alongside it. That will continue through most of the year, and into the summer for the next four years.

While attending Navy, Lozano has high hopes for himself. “I currently plan to join the marching band because it continues a passion of mine at Cathedral. Furthermore, the opportunities presented with the USNA marching band are many. Upon commissioning, I hope to be assigned as a submarine officer or a foreign service officer with the intention of pursuing a career in international law,” he said.

The decision to attend Navy was easy as he had an opportunity last Summer to go out and experience life as a midshipman at the USNA Summer Seminar. This experience blew his expectations out of the water, no pun intended. Lozano said, “I was totally enamored with the values the academy had instilled on their students as leaders, friends, and as family. In the future, I expect to be a part of something greater than myself, but also a family that is undaunted.”

While Wojtalik has had tremendous support from her family, the most influential person in her decision process was her Field Force Officer, Eddie Rivers. Wojtalik said, “He helped me through the process and guided me to do the things I needed to to get in.” Similar to Lozano, Paul has seen his brother as a huge inspiration, although obviously having attended the Navy Naval Academy. “He has been a tremendous inspiration and guidance into terms of what a service academy can do for an individual,” said Sheddy.

There were hundreds of individuals who helped these students achieve their dreams. Along with many members of the Cathedral staff, and most notably the College and Career Coordinator. Sheddy said, “I don't think that I can understate how much Mrs. (Kathy) Pivonka played a role in helping me through the application process everything from the logistics of the application itself, to just being someone there alongside me helping me along the process. She was a tremendous resource and friend in the process, and I'm truly grateful for all that she did to help me along the journey.”

As these students move on to their very impressive next chapters, the Cathedral family could not be prouder of their hard work and dedication.

Scan the code to see a slideshow of Alex Lozano, Paul Sheddy, and Tess Wojtalik on their journeys to serve the country.

We Are All Really The Same

Through visits and conversations, it is obvious that there is not much of a difference between our two worlds

As I see what students are doing at other schools, not just in our community but worldwide, I have quickly realized that there is more that unites us than divides us. All students attend school with the purpose to learn and grow, likewise, all teachers spend their time teaching to fulfill their school’s missions and aid in future generations of growth for individuals all over.

I came to this realization when I visited Kassie Braun Memorial Schools (KBMS) in Abakaliki, Nigeria in July 2023. A place full of love, yet without access to abundant resources that still works tirelessly to ensure their students are given proper support and education to aid them for the entirety of their lives. This led me to wonder, what is the difference between our school and our sister school over 6,000 miles away?

This realization led me to form a collaboration between Cathedral educators and the staff at KBMS, along with our students and theirs. I had conversations with our chemistry teachers, French teachers, technology specialists, math teachers and students. I had the same conversations with KBMS to form this relationship between both schools. Through these conversations, I asked both sets of people identical questions and received these answers.

First, I talked to their chemistry teacher, Mr. Samuel Okechukwu Darlington and ours, Mr. Howard Fogel.

How do you connect your curriculum and classroom teaching to the lab?

Samuel Okechukwu Darlington: Our chemistry classes are held in the labo-

BY CAROLINE SCHILLING

ratory, though we have separate days for classes and separate days for experiments. These experiments are usually related or in tandem with topics treated during lectures in order to give a clear view of the concept to the students.

Fogel: They are integrated together. Sometimes we will use a lab to introduce a topic, other times we will work on a topic and then carry out the laboratory experiment.

Next, I talked to their French teacher, Okpokpa Felix Osykhena, and ours, Mr. Gary Spurgin.

How do you connect your curriculum to daily life at the school and in the comunity?

Okpokpa Felix Osykhena: I connect the curriculum to daily life by encouraging conversations outside the classroom.

Spurgin: We always pray in French at the beginning of class, we do many things with culture and how the French language has affected our own English language. We also do many activities that celebrate the different holidays and feast days. Since Cathedral has a strong connection with Holy Cross and the Sisters of Providence, we do different activities throughout the year emphasizing the history and contributions to our Catholic faith during the school year. There are also many opportunities during class to compare French speaking countries to our own.

Schilling gathers with all Kassie Braun Memorial Schools (KBMS) students and fellow Cathedral visitors during the July 2023 visit. Since this visit, KBMS has grown by 29 students.

Photo by: Caroline Schilling.

I also talked to their Technology Director, Mr. Nwancho Sampson and our Librarian and Technology Specialist Mrs. Krista Bohannon.

How does technology impact your school and the students?

Mr. Nwancho Sampson: Technology profoundly impacts our school and students by enhancing learning experiences, facilitating access to information, and fostering digital literacy for both staff and students. It promotes interactive teaching methods, encourages creativity, and prepares students for future careers in technology-driven fields.

Bohannon: Technology enhances learning experiences by providing access to vast amounts of information, facilitating interactive and engaging lessons, and promoting collaboration among students and educators. It also equips students with essential digital skills that are crucial for success in today's world.

Finally, I talked to their math teacher, Otu Priscillia Orieoma, and ours, Miss Mary Ann White.

How do you engage your students in your curriculum?

Otu Priscillia Orieoma: Engaging students in the math curriculum involves several strategies aimed at fostering interest, curiosity and active participation. I use Real-World Relevance, interactive and hands-on activities, problem-based learning, differentiated instruction, visual aids and technology and inquiry based learning. By recognizing that students have different learning styles and abilities, teachers can provide opportunities for differentiated instruction

White: I try to break concepts down so they are easily understandable, and I try to integrate lots of practice opportu-

nities so students can see where their strengths and weaknesses are before an assessment. I try to bring in real world examples to show the why behind the skill. Math may not be as fun or as engaging as other classes, but I try to have fun with it when we can and I work to encourage students and build them up, especially those who have struggled with math in the past.

Through these answers, I learned that each teacher has the same mission: to fulfill their students in their education and encourage them to challenge themselves, but be there for them when they may need assistance.

Similarly, students at KBMS and Cathedral have the same goal: to challenge themselves and prepare for the rest of their lives. I asked a few of our seniors, and one of KBMS’ older students, Elebe Righteous Ngozi, what their goals for their future are.

Senior Julia Morrell: My goal in life is to become a registered nurse and help the vulnerable in our community so they can have an equal chance of success.

Senior Leila James: My goal in life is to graduate college and become successful with real estate. I hope that I can be successful in my own career, but also help those in the community find adequate housing.

Elebe Righteous Ngozi: My goal in life is to become a radiologist and thereby making sure that every patient is properly taken care of by making available hospitals, especially in those primitive villages where pregnant women can go through scans safely and will not have to pay for any expenses. This is my way of giving to society.

To attend a school like Cathedral and Kassie Braun Memorial Schools is a

blessing. At these schools, teachers and students are able to fulfill their goals and prepare themselves for the future. Therefore, we are all the same. We all hope to be successful and therefore are willing to take necessary steps to ensure success to future generations. Fogel said, “Our goal as teachers is that we are always teaching the future. We are always tasked with helping them to grow academically, socially and spiritually.”

The lab at KBMS is set for experiments and learning. Science teachers are able to obtain needed materials in Nigeria, but also through donation drives and visits from Cathedral to KBMS. Photo by: Caroline Schilling.

You Got The Write Stuff

The Writing Center has returned to the Hill in a new, more out in the open location that is designed to help any student at any time in any class

Back in 2014, former English teacher Mrs. Kathy Keyes started the first writing center in a little room upstairs in Loretto. After a few years, and once Covid-19 hit, it was put on the back burner and out of use.

At the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, English teacher, Mrs. Lizabeth Bradshaw met with Librarian Mrs. Krista Bohananon and proposed the idea of using the backspace of the newly renovated library to have a student and teacher-run writing center for students to use during the school day, this location would allow it to be easily accessible, similar to the math center and learning resource center. This center can be used for anything writing related, regardless of grade level or class, it can be helpful at any stage of your writing process. Over a dozen junior and senior students were asked to be help with tutoring.

Bradshaw said “It is often easier, less daunting and more effective to get help from your peers.” This offers a creative type of learning and encouragement that is beneficial for both the tutors and students who are asking for help.

Upperclassman students who have excelled in their English careers throughout high school will be taking time from their resources to provide an impactful type of tutoring. Senior Charlie Rodman said, “Once I was asked to be a part of the student tutors I got very excited. I hope to help other students better their writing skills as well as build my leadership skills and portfolio.”

You don't have to be struggling in writing to go to the writing center. Whether it is an extra set of eyes, an editor for a research paper, or a quiet space to get your writing thoughts flowing, it is beneficial for every aspect.

Bradshaw said “It signals to everyone at Cathedral that the humanities, which have always been a great strength at our school, are still a major priority and that we're more dedicated than ever to

BY CAROLINE DREW

turning out graduates who can think for themselves and communicate at the highest levels. Every college has a writing center, and because our grads will already have experience with ours, they will be that much more prepared to succeed. In the AI era, people who can brainstorm, revise, and put human insight into words and action will run the world and change it for the better.” The writing center opened on Wednesday Feb. 28th. There will be a couple upperclassmen there during every period and a teacher chaperone as well.

Junior Jill Dorsey was one of the first student tutors to work there. She said, “I love being able to help other students but also have time to focus on some of my own writing when we are less busy.” Dorsey explained that she is excited to spend every resource there and learn more about being a tutor. She signed up to gain knowledge, achieve National Honors Society points, and to get to see how other students write and express themselves.

The Writing center has a website showcasing what the goal is and also their tutors at https://sites.google.com/gocathedral.com/writingcenter/home?authuser=0 Where students are able to ask questions, make appointments, and learn more about the writing cen-

ter. Students must get a pass from the writing center to use it during their resource period.

The writing center is working with Graphic design and English teacher, Mr. Huhn’s Graphic Design II class to help find the perfect logo to showcase the writing center. Their main goal is to make it as professional as possible. There was a competition to pick the best logo and the winner is still yet to be decided. Once picked, it will be plastered on the wall of the writing center and the background of the website. As Cathedral is a college preparatory school, most colleges offer a writing center. They want to give students the opportunity to use their resources in high school to give them a feel for how beneficial something like this will also be in college.

Rodman closed by saying “I know Cathedral prides themselves on well-prepared students. I love seeing how Cathedral continues to make strides towards a more impressive and innovative place with every new opportunity.

So, if you’re a student in need of a second writing hand, or a quick grammar question, do not be afraid to stop by the writing center in the back right corner of the library.

The writing center in the back right corner of the library. Junior tutor, Helena Dantas was working with teacher chaperone Mr. Dygert during A period. The Writing center will be staffed with a teacher and student tutors every period of the day.

Preparing for the Total Eclipse

A total solar eclipse will take place on April 8, 2024, at 3:06 PM lasting only about 2-3 minutes

Students at Cathedral were allowed to partake in Eclipse 360 during J-term. In this one-week class, students were offered an extraordinary opportunity to prepare for the upcoming total solar eclipse. Students explored the science and history of eclipses and also worked on their marketing expertise to educate and engage Cathedral students. From research on eclipses and marketing fundamentals to creating captivating eclipse-related videos, students hoped to promote awareness and excitement about the upcoming solar eclipse. Students took part in activities such as visiting the Butler University Holcomb observatory and the Brown Planetarium at Ball State, students dove into the world of astronomy to view the science behind space.

By the end of the week, students were knowledgeable about the upcoming solar eclipse, specifically a total solar eclipse. Yohali Castro, a sophomore who was part of the Eclipse 360 J-term said, “This sort of eclipse happens when the moon passes directly between the sun and Earth, completely covering the sun from view.” This temporary alignment causes the moon to cast a shadow on Earth which will block out the sunlight and will cause a span of darkness during the day.

Detailing some expectations of the eclipse, Chemistry teacher and Eclipse 360 administrator, Mrs. Dawn Gilmore said, “You will feel a huge temperature drop. Last time, in 2017, when a few staff members and students went to Illinois to see the eclipse, it was so incredibly hot that we were all sweating, and all of a sudden, as the shadow blocked all the sunlight, it became so cold. It gives you a sense of how powerful the sun is and it's crazy how we can experience it.”

Since it becomes dark, animals will think that it is nighttime and people will begin to hear crickets and owls at 3 in the afternoon. This sudden darkness allows people in the path of totality to see the sun’s outer atmosphere, which is called the solar corona. The corona is not normally visible to humans due to the sun's brightness. Gilmore said, “During the time of totality you can take off your glasses and look directly at the sun and you can see the sun’s atmosphere.” Total solar eclipses are rare events because the

alignment of the sun, moon, and Earth must be very precise. They happen on Earth every 18 months, but any specific location will only experience a total solar eclipse about once every 300-400 years on average.

Students in this J-term wanted to bring to light the importance of this solar eclipse and why students should be interested in learning about it. They shared their findings which included the date, time, and length of the eclipse, but also that it will only be visible from parts of North America. Some of the major cities in the US that will be able to be in the path of totality include Dallas, Cleveland, Buffalo, and Indianapolis. Only a total of ten states will be able to see the total eclipse this year. This eclipse is expected to be a significant event for many people in North America, as it will be the first total solar eclipse visible since the one in 2017. Now, why is this specific solar eclipse so important? While total solar eclipses occur every 1-2 years somewhere on Earth, they are rare events to see from any specific location. After the eclipse in April, the next one will be in 2045. This makes each opportunity to see a total solar eclipse special. Indianapolis will be right in the path of totality that will be approximately 115 miles wide stretching from Friendship to Frankfort, Indiana. This is Indianapolis’ first total solar eclipse in 819 years. The chances of seeing a solar eclipse in a lifetime are little to none without driving to see.

As the students in this J-term learned mainly about the eclipse itself, they also learned the dangers of viewing an eclipse with the bare eye. Directly viewing the solar eclipse without proper eye protection can cause severe damage to the eyes because of the intense sunlight. During J-term, students learned some ways to observe a total solar eclipse safely. It could be using shadows and looking at sun rays that may be passing through a tree canopy. Sunlight will filter through tree leaves and create many crescent sun images on the ground or a wall. Another way is interlacing fingers and leaving small gaps between them, allowing the sunlight to pass through your fingers and onto the ground. This would project tiny crescents during the partial phases of a solar eclipse. There are also glasses that are sold that are strictly for use during an eclipse and allows

BY CAMILA JACKSON

Charlise Gibson says, “ I thought this was a cool way to learn about astronomy and it was nice to see an explanation regarding how a telescope works.”

someone to look directly at the sun.

During this J-Term, students planned an assembly that was supposed to take place on the day of eclipse, but after further discussion, Cathedral plans to have an E-learning day instead of in-person school. Gilmore said, “We were going to have an assembly but all these places are doing these big huge events for the day, like Conner Prairie, New Fields, Butler University, and Fort Ben. As students leave at 3:15, the same time all these other people are leaving from those events, which would be probably 500 thousand extra people in Indianapolis, the traffic would be bad and it would be very dangerous for students to be driving.”

As we near the day of the total solar eclipse, students are encouraged to use the hashtag #chseclipse with any photos they take watching the eclipse. Also be sure to follow Cathedral's Instagram for the eclipse, @ chseclipse as well.

Eclipse 360 J-term students pose for a photo after visiting the telescope located in the Holcomb Observatory. In this visit, students learned the history of astronomy and how one can view space directly.

Buzz Cuts for Brown

The wrestling team recently came to school with a new look. The story behidn their change in hair style

December 15 was set up to be a big night for senior Brett Brown and the rest of the Irish wrestling team. It was a Friday night, the team was facing off in a dual against Zionsville at 6:45 p.m., and there was expected to be a massive student section packing the Welch Activity Center.

Brett was wrestling that night in the dual, which was an important match, as the team was looking to solidify itself as a top 10 program in the state. An hour prior to the start of the event Brett was sitting, preparing himself for the match, when he received a phone call. The call came from Brett’s father, assistant coach Mr. Jeff Brown, who rarely misses a chance to see his son wrestle.

According to Brett, that phone call went something like this: “(Jeff) said, ‘I’m not going to be able to be there. I’ll tell you why later. We found out some news. I’m okay, but I’ll tell you later.”

The team easily defeated Zionsville, taking home a 52-22 victory in front of the biggest student section of the whole season. The next day the Irish were selected as one of eight participants in the Team State Championship meet in January. A few weeks later, seven Irish wrestlers advanced to the State Championship in Evansville. However, by this point, these wrestlers were competing for more than just themselves or the team.

When Brett got home after the win over Zionsville, he found out what the phone call from his father was really about. That day, Jeff had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma (commonly referred to as simply “myeloma”), a form of blood cancer that weakens the body’s white blood cells.

This diagnosis was a surprise to everyone — Jeff, Brett, the Brown family, the wrestling team and the entire Cathedral community. Myeloma is a cancer often present in obese people or those exposed to radiation. Jeff Brown falls under neither category. He wrestled at the division-1

BY LUKE SPENCER

level at George Mason University before moving to Indiana. Currently, Jeff is an active duty firefighter, working for the Indianapolis Fire Department at Station 16 in Southport. He is also known to join in on team practices from time to time, coaching by competing with the wrestlers. Brett said, “We had no idea any of this was coming. We were all shocked, of course. (Jeff) is very healthy. He’s in the room all the time.”

The wrestling team shared the same shock, as Jeff has become a beloved member of the program. He has been assisting Head Coach Mr. Sean McGinley ‘88 for over 20 years since moving to Indianapolis from Virginia, and, though his job as a firefighter prevents him from being at practice every day, Jeff is still loved by the wrestlers. Brett said, “Honestly he’s one of the closest coaches to all of the guys.” McGinley said, “When he is here, he’s all in and the kids appreciate that.” He added that Jeff has become a close friend over the many years they have spent coaching together.

Shortly after receiving his diagnosis, Jeff began treatment to combat the myeloma. As a result of the treatment, he began losing hair. Around the same time, senior wrestler Finlay Russell was forced to shave his head as a punishment for losing his fantasy football league. Russell’s punishment combined with Jeff’s loss of hair gave the team an idea of a way to show support for their coach.

One Sunday the team was hanging out together, a weekly ritual that they have continued since the season ended. The idea was brought up that the wrestlers could all shave their heads to show support and stand with their coach. Quickly what began as a fantasy football punishment transformed into a symbol of strength within the team. The first to volunteer was freshman Caden Rodgers. He was followed by Brett, then fellow seniors Gavin Bragg, Dillon Graham, Jack Bacchi, Oscar Kirch and Jackson Weingart, juniors John Bissmeyer and Nathan Reyes and sophomore Kyle Harden.

Senior Brett Brown (left) wrestles with his father, Jeff Brown (right) at a practice this season. Jeff plans to retire from coaching now that Brett has finished his senior season. Head Coach Sean McGinley said, “Our relationship has evolved from me not knowing (Jeff) to him becoming assistant coach to us becoming very close friends.” (Brett Brown)

That night, Brett sent pictures and videos of the haircuts to his dad, who was clearly touched by the gesture. Jeff, in texts to Brett, said, “I can’t believe this” and repeatedly described himself as “overwhelmed.”

The haircuts, according to Brett and McGinley, are a testament to how close the program, commonly referred to as “The Swamp”, has become. McGinley said, “You do things in and out of the wrestling room and this is just another thing where people are bonding together and came together for a good cause.” Brett added, “We’re a top five team in the state talent-wise, but we’re the closest team in the state without a doubt.”

Though the last few months have been difficult for the Brown family, acts such as the haircuts as well as the support of the Cathedral community have been outstanding. Brett said, “It’s pretty awesome to see the support, especially my senior year. Obviously no one wants what has

happened to me and my family, but it’s really cool how people have been slowly finding out and doing different things for (Jeff).” Brett specifically mentioned how math teacher Mrs. Lisa Ford, a former blood cancer survivor herself, made a video with her classes in support of Jeff’s fight against myeloma.

With the support of the school and the wrestling program, Jeff has been battling his hardest to defeat the myeloma. Brett said, “He’s doing well with treatments. Every week he has treatments and shots in his stomach. It’s been good and we’ve all been praying.” He added that Jeff’s experiences in athletics have helped him in his fight. Brett said, “Wrestling at the Division-1 level is not easy, and it taught him that whenever there’s challenges in life, you can get through anything if you can get through a test like that.”

Though the Brown family knows the road ahead will be tough, they have faith that everything will work out. Brett said, “There’s not a single person that can fight as strong as my dad will.”

Jeff Brown has now retired from coaching after 22 years serving the Cathedral wrestling program.

Members of the wrestling team pose for a picture, sporting their shaved heads in support of Jeff Brown. The team sent seven wrestlers to the State Championship this season and took seventh place. Head Coach Sean McGinley said, “The big thing is we got better every day and we were probably wrestling our best by the end.” (Brett Brown)

Senior Gavin Bragg gets his head shaved by junior John Bissmeyer in support of Jeff Brown. Bragg advanced all the way to the State Championship meet in Evansville this season, wrestling at 126 pounds. Bragg said, “The team is so tight knit that when we saw Coach Brown struggling we had no other choice but to do anything we could to help.” (Brett Brown)

2023-2024 Girls Basketball Season Recap

Hard work and dedication paid off for these girls this year

After a tough season last year, the girls basketball team bounced back and continued to get better in the 2023-24 season. After losing some seniors last year, this young team had the challenge of stepping up to compete through some especially tough competition. The Lady Irish ended the year with a 12-12 record, which was an advancement from last year’s season. The girls continued to improve and work hard throughout the offseason and year, which proved to be beneficial for their record and overall achievements of this season.

Many of the girls on the roster play sports other than basketball in the offseason, which helps keep the girls in shape year round. There is recognizable talent on this team, with three of their players being committed to play D1 sports in college. Junior Abby Beasley and senior Catherine Cline are both in the starting lineup for Cathedral girls soccer. They have both proved to be very successful in this sport, with Beasley being committed to the University of New Hampshire and Cline being committed to Loyola University Chicago. Another great example of a multi-sport athlete is senior Taylor Lewis. She participates in volleyball and tennis along with basketball. She is also committed to play volleyball at Villanova University next fall.

Because of the dedication and athleticism seen on this basketball team, they thoroughly improved from the 2022-23 season. The girls lost three seniors last season, including Layla Gold, Nya Huff, and Kamryn Smith, but didn’t let this affect them. The team this year was fairly young, with

BY REGAN RALSTIN

only two seniors on varsity. The team faced some adversity in the very beginning of the season going 2-6 for the first 8 games. The girls quickly bounced back in the next two weeks, though, catching some impressive wins against Guerin Catholic, New Palestine, and Heritage Christian High School.

This team’s players had many different victories, but also challenges throughout the year. Junior Reaghan Gilmore was injured last season, but she quickly recovered and was able to have a great junior season. Another impressive performance was seen from juniors Jaeda Wilson and Tianna Guy. Wilson, a 5’7 point guard, was

the team’s leading scorer with an average of 12.7 points per game. Her highest scoring game of the year was seen against Heritage Christian High School, with an impressive 26 points. She is looking forward to a bright future in basketball, currently being ranked 46th in Indiana for girls. As for Guy, she also was key in leading this team. She was the third leading scorer with seven points per game. With having these talented, younger players, this team is looking to have a very successful season next year. There is no doubt that with determination and development, the team will continue to grow and win in coming years.

Taylor Lewis celebrates her team after a great play. Her team was fighting hard versus their rivals, Bishop Chatard. “I am beyond proud of how the teams always came together. We knew how to play for each other,” Taylor explained.

Photo by Lacey Nix

for one another.

One of this team’s keys to this success this season was Head Coach Lisa Finn. It was her fifth year coaching girls basketball at Cathedral, and did an amazing job of leading the girls to achieve the most they possibly could. Abby Beasley proved how important Coach Finn was to the program this year when she said, “She is by far our biggest believer. She constantly spent every ounce of her to do whatever she could to help prepare us for a game. She knows the game very well, as she was Miss Indiana and just got inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. We are very lucky to have such a great role model as our coach.”

son with a tough but well-fought game against the Lawrence North Wildcats. The Wildcats had an extremely successful year, staying ranked in the top five of girls basketball teams in the state the majority of the season.

In the end, this talented team ended up winning against the Lady Irish on February 1st. The Lady Irish will definitely miss seniors Catherine Cline and Taylor Lewis next year, but more greatness is yet to come from this team. As Coach Lisa Finn said, “The immediate goal would be for our team to achieve their greatest potential together.”

Junior Abby Beasley also proved to be a key factor for this team and said, “This season was by far one of my favorite seasons yet. The bond that we all had off the court made it so fun to play for each other on the court. Ending 12-12 (a better record than last year) was something we had to work hard for because no game was given to us since we were playing ranked teams. Our defense and effort definitely kept us in a lot of those games because all of us were bought into playing our hearts out every game, no matter who we were playing. This season wouldn’t have been the same without our senior leaders Catherine Cline and Taylor Lewis who helped the whole team achieve what we did this season.” Abby proves how important and detrimental it is to have that strong team bond and play

Finn is obviously very talented and experienced in the basketball world. Coach said, “I have coached at several different levels since I was in college. I coached an AAU team while I was in college and I was the JV coach at Ben Davis High School when I first graduated college. Since then I have coached several CYO teams while I was teaching at St. Louis de Montfort and other youth teams as my daughter grew up and played.” With extensive knowledge and involvement in coaching, it is no wonder that her players would appreciate her dedication. The coach also articulated, “Overall, I hope we are building a competitive program with players that are well-rounded and great kids.” Coach Finn shows support further than just on the basketball court and strives for her players to be the best that they can be, which explains why this team has improved so much.

This team ultimately ended their sea-

Junior Reaghan Gilmore passing the ball to one of her teammates in a close game against Bishop Chatard. Cathedral had lost to them just a few days before, so they were proving their perseverance. Reaghan says, “I am super glad that my team and I pulled out the win.”

Photo by Lacey Nix

Junior Abby Beasley dribbling towards the opposing team during a game against Bishop Chatard. Abby had a great game and the team ended up winning against their rival. Abby looks back, “I had so much fun during this game!”

Photo by Lacey Nix

Maya's Melodies

The success and prominence of the school’s choir program has grown dramatically in recent years. From the Adrenaline Rush Show Choir winning Grand Champion in the Open Division at the Heart of America National Show Choir Competition to the Irish Adrenaline (IA) Show Choir being undefeated in the regular season, the choir program has impressed many. Senior Maya Marshalleck, who joined show choir last year but was in Concert Choir her freshman and sophomore years, has, in part, helped lead these choirs to success as the Dance Captain for IA.

Director of Choirs Mrs. Marian Bender said, “When I think of Maya, I think of exuberance, hard-working leader, (and) always pushing herself to be better.”

Both choirs compete during the second semester and preparation begins in August with a week-long boot camp. Marshalleck said, “Being a Dance Captain is a little bit stressful having to make sure that you know the moves perfectly.” This year, IA is performing a “Girls Night Out” themed set, and Adrenaline Rush is performing a “Clue” themed set. Both groups have spent countless hours in rehearsals before, during and after school.

Competitions are on Saturdays, and choir members arrive at school early in the morning to prepare their hair, makeup and have final warmups. Despite the lengthy days, Marshalleck said, “Competitions are the best part of being in show choir. It’s just so fun to watch other choirs (and) make friends with people who go to different schools.”

BY DANIEL KENT

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In the “Girls Night Out” set, Marshalleck has a solo during the song “Shut Up and Drive.” She said, “I get to sing the first verse, which I love, and then I have this really big high note plus a riff. It’s really fun to do.” Marshalleck’s biggest fans, her parents Stephanie and Francis, love cheering her on from the audience. Her mother, Stephanie said, “Her performances are a gem, and we are thrilled she gets to come to school to learn her academics and have this creative outlet. As parents, we couldn’t ask for more.”

Marshalleck has showcased this musical talent at school Masses, choir performances and other events. Stephanie Marshalleck said, “Maya has been singing since she was a little girl. We know it’s a gift as she always lifts up our hearts with her voice.” Her voice, along with her dance talent, has landed her lead roles in show choir and in theater productions.

Senior Maya Marshalleck (right) performs alongside Junior Lucy Lindner (left) as the “Voodoo Queen” at a show choir competition last year. Marshalleck had two solos in the “Celebrate New Orleans” themed set. Speaking about receiving her lead roles and leadership positions, Marshalleck said, “It definitely feels like being rewarded for your work. I feel really blessed.”

Senior Maya Marshalleck takes a look back on her successes and experiences during her time in the choir program

Last year, Marshalleck was a member of the IA show choir. In IA’s “Celebrate New Orleans” themed set, Marshalleck took a lead role as the “Voodoo Queen.” She recounted, “I had two really big solos, and I had this really big costume. It felt like a real honor to step into this role and be able to show my personality.” As the “Voodoo Queen,” Marshalleck won best performer at the Brownsburg competition.

Bender is particularly impressed by her talent. She said, “Maya has an incredible voice. It’s very powerful. She can pretty much sing anything that you give her, and do it really well in the style that it’s in.”

As her primary extracurricular, show choir has been a life-changing experience for Marshalleck. She is also thankful for the opportunities it has given her and the lessons she’s learned. From being part of last year’s Life is a Cabaret

J-term to New York City, to competing around the state and in other states like Illinois, Kentucky and Florida, Marshalleck has created memories that will last a lifetime. “I’ve made some of my best friends through choir, and it’s taught me how to be a leader,” she said.

However, as the competition season comes to a close, Bender is searching for fresh faces to join the program to fill the gap that Marshalleck and her senior peers will leave. She especially emphasized a need for more boys to join, saying, “If we don’t have enough interest, (in Adrenaline Rush), we would have to put a pause on it next year. We just need some more boys to be brave and come on out for that group, so we can keep it going.”

In an effort to recruit new members, an information night was held on March 12 for anyone interested in joining. The meeting followed the choir showcase

earlier in the afternoon, and choir auditions will take place on March 13 and 14.

Bender said, “It’s been a very successful season. We’ve been excited about the accolades, but the most important thing is the growth that I’ve seen within the choirs.”

As Marshalleck wraps up her time in show choir, she turns her focus to the future. She plans to pursue chemical engineering in college, and she is deciding between the University of Michigan, the University of Florida and Purdue University. She will not pursue music in a formal way, but she has been drawn to schools that have robust arts extracurriculars. She said, “At some of the schools I’m looking at, there have been a lot of hip hop dance teams that I would love to join and a couple singing groups,” she said, “I’m just going to see (singing) more as a hobby because I don’t want to lose my passion for it.”

Marshalleck encourages anyone who is hesitant to join the choir program to, as she said, “Just go for it. It’s so worth it.”

Senior Maya Marshalleck (left) snaps a picture with Senior Page Boyle (right) at a show choir competition this year. The Irish Adrenaline Show Choir performed a “Girls Night Out” themed set this year. Her father, Francis Marshalleck said, “Maya’s talent is a gift from God, how she has used it is her gift to him.”

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Scan the code to watch the Show Choirs perform at an All-School Assembly on March 12th.

Trobridge the Archivist.

Senior Ethan Trobridge was offered an opportunity following his internship with Brother Philip Smith CSC at Holy Cross College over J-Term. Over this time period, he worked diligently in the archives and his efforts were recognized and resulted in a permanent position after he graduates from college.

In his youth, Trobridge wasn’t a practicing Catholic, and it wasn’t until his teen years that he would answer God’s call. “I wasn’t really religious during middle school, I would go to Christmas and Easter Mass because of my family” said Trobridge.

He experienced an epiphany, however, that led to him questioning his priorities and decisions he has made, which has led him to accepting God in his life. Trobridge said, “If there's the potential for a winning team after death, you should bet on it. And that's been the basis for my faith. If God is real, which I believe he is, then why not be on his side, why not praise him?” These revelations have led to God being a dominant force in Trobridge’s daily life.

When it was time for Trobridge to sign up for his senior year J-Term, Brother Philip gave a talk to Trobridge’s religion class. Upon listening to Brother Philip, Trobridge decided to approach him in hopes of securing a job from him. Trobridge said, “I thought it was interesting so I went up to him and asked, ‘Can I work for you?’” Within a week, Brother Philip put Trobridge to work. He forwarded Trobridge various documents relating to Brother Columba O’Neil, CSC, as a test to see if he could handle the workload. Trobridge proved he could handle the workload, and was given the opportunity to intern with Brother Philip during J-Term for two weeks.

For his J-Term, Trobridge arrived bright and early to Holy Cross College in South Bend, Indiana, to work in the Archives Department with Brother Philip. In these archives, Trobridge explores documents that have links to Brother Columba.

BY KATHERINE NASH

Father Geoff Mooney, CSC said, “Brother Columba was a Holy Cross Brother who lived at Notre Dame, and he was originally not going to join Holy Cross. He didn’t really know about Holy Cross in the beginning of his life. When he was growing up, he was not in the best of health, and when he applied to different religious orders, none of them really wanted him. This is because they thought that he wasn’t going to be able to do much for them. He finally reached out to Holy Cross after a suggestion someone made and they welcomed him in. The very first thing that he was sent to was to go to an orphanage in Lafayette, Indiana. It was there that he was caring for people, miracles began to happen. When he came back to Notre Dame, after his time in Lafayette, he began to be known as a miracle worker. Later on, people would come to him and they would write letters to him, asking for his prayers.”

The work that Trobridge is doing in the archives is all to prove the miracles that Brother Columba performed. Ultimately, the goal is to prove the miracles through letters and eyewitness accounts in order for Brother Columba to finally be canonized. Additionally, there has to be evidence from doctors detailing that the healing that occurred was not medically possible. Trobridge said, “What it entailed was reading through a variety of letters that were written to Brother Colomba and then tracing those letters back to try to find living descendants that can vouch for the validity of the claim. The idea is that to make him a saint, we need a certain number of witnesses and to be a witness you have to be either the person who was cured, or potentially someone related to the person that was cured.”

Ethan Trobridge returning letters concerning Brother Columba O’Neil CSC back into the archives. Trobridge and Brother Philip Smith CSC in the archive room at Holy Cross College.

Senior Trobridge offered job working in the archives at Holy Cross College in South Bend

Working in the archives requires deep devotion and effort, especially with transcribing the letters. Since most letters are written in various languages, most commonly however, is French or German. Trobridge has had to learn a little bit of these languages in order to be able to transcribe these letters correctly.

The efforts to canonize Brother Colomba could take many more years, and Trobridge is in it for the long haul. “Brother Philip said this himself too, I’m too closely tied to all the work I’ve been doing. I’m too deeply invested in this

to stop.” In fact, this summer, Trobridge will be speaking about his findings in the archives at the Brother of Holy Cross History Conference, where brothers from all over, come in to hear updates on everyone’s findings.

Mrs. Latefe Trobridge, Ethan Tribridge’s mother said, “I am so glad Ethan’s found something he’s passionate about, I can’t wait to see what he does in college.”

Ultimately, Trobridge wants to continue on his journey with his faith throughout his life. In fact, once he graduates from Holy Cross College, he wants to go on

to receive his PhD from Notre Dame in theology, where he hopes to later be able to teach at Notre Dame.

Additionally, he wants to continue to work as an archivist to ultimately get Brother Columba finally recognized as a saint. Trobridge said, “My ultimate goal is to make God proud. I want to do something in my life that makes all that he's done for me worth it to him. They preach that you’ll make God proud regardless as he’s proud of all his children, but I want to do something exceptional.”

Ethan Trobridge hard at work early in the morning at Holy Cross College. He is researching various items in order to help his research for Brother Columba.

Ethan Trobridge and Brother Philip Smith CSC going over the history of the Holy Cross Brothers at Holy Cross College during J-Term.

St. Patrick's Day Parade

Cathedral's tradition and history with the Indianapolis St. Patrick's Day Parade

The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is happening again for the 42nd year in downtown Indianapolis. It will take place on Friday, March 15th with festivities starting at 9:30a.m. There will be tents and different gatherings to get ready for the parade before it starts. The tent parties continue through the parade and end at 3p.m. The parade will start at 11:30a.m. and will end at 1p.m. There will be floats, marching bands, Irish dancers, Catholic schools, tossing out sweet treats to the children watching, and much more. There are also parade awards that get announced after the parade is done.

The Indianapolis St. Patrick’s Day Parade happened informally in 1870 until 1920 before fizzling out. The parade was reignited in 1981, giving the city over 40 years of fun, festive, and Irish-filled parade in the downtown area. The co-founder of the parade is Jack Moriarty. Who was the president of the Athletic Club at the time. Jack Moriarty’s brother, Mike Moriarty, helped him gather more groups of participants to make the parade larger and give more representation of various city schools, businesses and organizations.

After about four years Mike took charge of the parade and then Kevin Murray, who was president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, became an integral leader of the parade's success. The Athletic Club Foundation who coordinates the parade uses proceeds to help support youth athletics, such as CYO sports. Jack Moriarty said, “There wouldn’t have been a parade without Cathedral. I mean Cathedral is what really helped to make the parade!” Cathedral High School has been a part of the parade since day one. Both by school participation and through the support of so many who are a part of the larger Cathedral family.

BY KATE MORIARTY

Bob Welch, a Cathedral graduate, is the coordinator of the St. Patrick’s Day parade. Cathedral and Welch share a strong relationship which has fostered Cathedrals continued participation in the parade. For several years, Cathedral was a major sponsor of the parade as Cathedral is a big representation of Irish pride in Indianapolis. Cathedral has continued the tradition even after their sponsorship went away. The school would, (and still does), take the day off in order to be able to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and attend the parade. It’s a chance for the school to celebrate its victories and Irish pride. Mr. Worland, former principal and current Senior Vice President of Mission and Advancement said, “Who doesn’t like fun and festive opportunities to share our Holy Cross values and mission!”

With Cathedral being a high school in Indianapolis with a significant connection to Irish history through its roots, this is a

special opportunity to have the school’s participation in the parade. The participation includes Cathedral’s band, color guard team, cheerleaders, and academic and athletic champions.

At the parade, all of the represented groups are spread throughout the entirety of the celebration. The athletic and academic teams are also spread out individually from the sport or academic group from both here and other schools. The sports teams will wear their jerseys and wear their gold medals to represent their wins. Each group has its own time to shine on their own for their school. Band Director Mr. Ian Callen, said, “It’s really fun, the kids love it! We can be seen for us, as a band, since most of the time when we are performing it is for others at a game.”

Cathedral is always looking forward to participating in the parade. They will always be showing off their Irish heritage.

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The band works to prepare in advance for the parade. Cathedral’s band arrives an hour before as they need to prepare and get in their positions and get ready for the parade. As a tradition, the band will always play “Galway Piper” as the first song and then the Cathedral Irish Fight song. The drumline plays between “Galway Piper” and then finishes off with our school song demonstrating the Irish pride Cathedral carries.

Callen is in his second year of coordinating the band’s performance in the parade. Along with Callen, senior and trombone player Aline Davis appreciates the energy and excitement from the parade, she said, “Cathedral was screaming and cheering

for us! Cathedral’s parents were all cheering!”

The cheerleaders and color guard will also attend as they walk in the parade line while cheering for for school pride. Coach Howard is the head coach of the Color Guard. The Color Guard has been preparing weeks in advance to be able to deliver a great performance.

Cathedral students who participate in the parade will pass out candy to the younger children who line the streets to watch the festivities.

Worland said, “It’s awesome, the P.A. shouts and announces Pride of the Irish, you can tell it’s Cathedral.” It’s an enjoyable time to celebrate the Irish and how the school has a great history of Irish roots.

Cathedral will frequently send their state champions to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The girl’s track and field team is celebrating their victory in 2022. Cathedral’s Instagram

Cathedral's Marching Band, back in March 2022, returning back from a two year absence because of the pandemic. Cathedral’s marching band is proud to be back.

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Discovering Leadership Through Adversity.

BY ROCH EGAN

“SET HUT.” The quarterback calls for the snap from the center. Turf flies into the air as the outside linebacker’s cleat finds traction on the slippery turf at the University of Indianapolis. The bright lights shine upon the faces of the linemen, and with the echoing sound of shoulder pads clashing, Senior Ocsar Kirch records his final tackle for the Cathedral Irish defense.

This was a moment nearly 12 years in the making. From his first days at the Irish football camps Kirch knew this was the stage for him. “We had a joke amongst the coaches.” defensive Coordinator Mr. Adam Barth said, “Oscar was MVP for the youth camp 9 years running.” Joke or not, even in his younger years Kirch was a true beast.

Coming from Saint Simon the Apostle Catholic School, Kirch was a multisport athlete playing football, baseball and basketball. He was especially known for his leadership and determination as a young man. After his two older brothers attended high school on the Hill, this was the only option.

As a freshman, Kirch showed signs as a natural leader. Although neither of his freshman teams did well, Kirch knew it was a sign he would have to work harder. “Sophmore year was really hard for me on the football field.” Kirch said, “all sports here are hard as a sophomore since all the older kids will play. This just kept me motivated.”

Kirch continued to work hard during the season and that helped him earn a position on special teams, securing himself a spot on the dress list each week. In the off season Kirch spent his time in the weightroom working his hardest to maintain his strength for the next season.

“When you see a guy working so hard in the weightroom you really get to see his

potential for other sports,” head wrestling coach Mr. Sean McGinley said, “I’d been badgering him since freshman year to come out and so junior year he finally decided to try it out.”

Kirch made his wrestling debut junior year. He went 17-17 including big wins against Cathedral’s notoriously tough schedule. After his first year on the mat, it was clear that Kirch had potential to be a state competitor his senior year. His junior year of football also proved that his athletic abilities were far from stagnant.

His senior year would be where he finally proved himself on the field and on the mat. Helping lead the Irish defense to an outstanding year, and making it to semistate in wrestling with a much improved record than his prior year.

Although his football season did not finish in the way he was hoping for, it served again as motivation. An incredible season for Oscar, including winning 6A Senior All

-State, led to his commitment to Butler university. He plans to attend this fall and play football, continuing the trend of Cathedral players going on to the next level.

Kirch’s plan for college would mean he needed to stay in shape over the off season. He spent his winter on the mat finishing 12-1 in his last 13 matches of the season. His season ending ankle injury truly took a State finalist contender out of the lineup for the Irish, and stole one of the leaders from the rest of the team as they went on to State.

This adversity was nothing new to Kirch. He lost his grandmother in the heart of his junior year, and had already suffered a minor knee injury earlier in the season, two truly devastating challenges he was forced to overcome. However, this situation was different. Kirch would not be able to come back and finish his season.

Senior Oscar Kirch #31 getting ready for Friday night. Defensive coordinator Mr. Adam Barth said “Oscar really stepped up as a leader this year.”

Photo by Lacey Nix.

Senior Oscar Kirch’s journey through sports and faith.

Although still in a boot, Kirch will never stop his hard work and determination. He plans to regain his conditioning and strength after this injury is healed, and looks forward to getting back out to practice come summertime with the Butler Bulldogs.

A common occurrence with Kirch is the ability to overcome the adversity he faces. Like many high school students, adversity is an everyday challenge. However, true character is shown when adversity is taken head on and one can overcome it. This is something Kirch has excelled at his entire life.

Through the passing of his grandmother, and the many injuries he has faced including his most recent season ending ankle injury, Kirch continues to strive for his greatest potential. Overcoming each step with God in mind, Kirch never ceases to stop growing closer to Christ.

“You can truly see a man’s character when he’s off the field,” Barth said, “The way he treats and leads his peers tells you all you need to know about the kind of person he is.” Kirch’s leadership in the halls especially as a peer mentor again proves his character.

Kirch lines up against Lawrence North in the Sectional finals. The Irish won 20-3. “You know the season didn’t finish how we hoped but we had some good games and improved a lot,” Kirch said.

Photo by Lacey Nix.

Kirch wrestles Roncalli student in the 190 pound weight class. “I played linebacker at 205 and had to drop 15 pounds for the start of the season,” Oscar said.

Photo by Lacey Nix.

The Rising Star

Exciting looks and a new kind of adventure for the new kid in town.

Junior basketball player Brady Koehler has been a huge hit since the start of his junior season. The 6’9 small forward has also been playing with the varsity team since his sophomore year.

Coach Delaney spoke highly of him and said, “Brady has been extremely good and was ready to step into this role. We expect big things from him on both ends of the floor”.

Watching the small forward dominate the court is particularly impressive when he springs up to the rim, dunks the ball which then inevitably drives the crowd crazy. Brady is well known to the Cathedral family.

Brady found ways to always help out the team with his scoring, averaging 16 points per game. Brady shares this stat with Keaton Aldridge. Keaton Aldridge, a junior starter has also been a rising star for the team using his strength and attacking abilities on the court to help Cathedral. Together they are both showing up every game with passion and drive creating so much excitement both on and off the court. Koehler leads the team in points with an impressive 357 scored. He is also very versatile on the court and has been working hard on defense. With an average 6.4 rebounds and leads in blocks per game with 2.4.

Koehler's best game in his 2023-24 season is the Hammond Bishop Noll game where he scored 29 points with a 72% field goal percentage. The Cathedral Irish defeated the team that night 76-58. Koehler is ranked number 13 in Indiana for blocks. Cathedral is also ranked number 7in Indiana, according to Max Preps.

Before this season started, Koehler earned himself an offer from the University of Wake Forest. This accomplishment is something his family and the entire Cathedral family were proud of. Receiving this offer before the regular season started, definitely sparked some-

thing in him and it was only the beginning of his college offers. He has gained more recognition this past year from other colleges. He received offers from University of Miami, University of Toledo, Valpo, University of Southern Indiana, University of Eastern Michigan, University of Furman, University of Indiana State, Butler University, University of Notre Dame, and University of Appalachia. Senior guard Emmett Herns said “Brady earning these offers and recognition really makes him more hungry to keep thriving and wanting more”.

While the team was eliminated in sectional play, the team and Brady worked hard to prepare for the tournament. Brady said “we are just really working as a team to get better in practice. I stay after practice every day to get some extra shots up to make sure I’m as prepared as I can to make a run”.

The Cathedral Irish ran into a tough Lawrence North team in the sectional championship, 75-61. Even though they were confident heading into the game, Brady said, “We feel really good that we can come out and shock some people. We got a great draw and now it’s time to get prepared. We are definitely ready to make a huge run”.

This season has required strong leadership and a good sense of bravery and belief. All the starters from last year have graduated from Cathedral, so all the new starters have needed to step up to take on the challenge. A new entire starting five this season has inevitably put additional pressure on Coach Delaney but also provided an opportunity to mold the players into a cohesive unit. They should be proud of their achievements finishing the season with an 18-6 record and reaching the sectional championship.

Koehlers appears to be a very composed athlete when it comes to the big moments. He seems to rise to the occasion when the pressure is on. There have been

BY BEN HOLMES

a lot of close games this season and Brady does not seem to be phased at these times. If anything, he becomes even more determined and focused. This composure will surely take him far but so will his aggressiveness which is so evident once he takes the possession of the ball.

After a remarkable regular season filled with unforgettable moments and cherished memories, the bond Brady and the team have shared as teammates will always remain unbreakable. As they step off the court and into the future of this new era, they carry with them the lessons learned of friendship, chemistry and the spirit of a team with very high hopes to become future state champions.

Junior Brady Koehler goes up for a pregame dunk in the December 22nd game versus Carmel. The team played Carmel in one of their regular games. Defeating them 73-50. Koeler has been leading the team in rebounds and points per game.

Photo by Titus Slaughter