Nova Highlands Latin School
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December 2020
Roma |
Volume 4, Issue 3
Origins of Popular Christmas Traditions By: Marissa Mudd and Abi Bitner Christmas is undoubtedly one of the most celebrated holidays in America. From baking Christmas cookies to caroling at neighbor’s doorsteps, the Christmas season is filled with numerous traditions that bring joy to many. One of the most commonly practiced traditions is the Christmas tree. Every year millions of families go to a tree farm to pick out the special tree that they will bring back to their home to decorate. However, many do not know the origin of Christmas trees and why it is such an accepted tradition. The true Christmas tree tradition can be traced back to 16th century Germany where Christians began to bring evergreen trees into their home to decorate. When times were rough, people erected simple pyramid shaped stacks of wood in place of large trees. The tradition of adding candles to the tree branches is most commonly
attributed to the leader of the Protestant reformation, Martin Luther. Legends suggest that he was inspired by the stars in the night sky and wanted to recreate the scene in his own home using candlelight. Another Christmas activity is caroling. During the holiday season, many people bundle up to brave the cold weather and joyfully go door to door singing Christmas carols. This practice dates all the way back to pre-Christian celebrations of the festival of Yule in Northern Europe, where revelers would join together to honor the winter solstice with song and dance. A less popular tradition is the burning of the yule-log. The first reference to this tradition can be found in Norse Mythology. A giant log was hoisted onto the hearth to celebrate the return of the sun each year. Many have beliefs that as the yule log burns,
and by counting the sparks and such, they seek to foretell their fortunes for the new year. As it gained popularity, a yulelog cake (Buche de Noel) was created in order to heighten the celebration of the yule-log. The legend of Saint Nicholas is one of the most controversial topics around the holiday season. Over centuries, stories of Saint Nicholas, Santa Claus, and Father Christmas have been combined and added to till there is much overlap and confusion. However the story can be traced back hundreds of years ago to a monk named Saint Nicholas. It is believed that Nicholas was born sometime around 280 A.D. in Patara near Myra in modernday Turkey. Much admired for his piety and kindness, St. Nicholas became the subject of many legends. It is said that he gave away all of his
By: Lilly Pottlitzer, Carly Wheat, Justin Gilbert, Caleb Kang this situation. Each team had a couple weeks of practice before everything was shut down. Our athletes shared their perspective on how their teams are handling these obstacles. New to HLS is the Freshman/ Sophomore Boys Basketball team. This is the first year that the freshman and sophomores have had a highschool team together, and they are coached by Clayton Amshoff. Sophomore, Grant McGill, said “during quarantine my coaches sent out skill videos for us to practice, and
By: Steve and Gus S: Welcome back everyone! Hope everybody had a great thanksgiving break! G: I had a great break, thanks for mentioning it, Steve. S: Today we’re gonna talk to Bo Hamilton, a newbie in high school. G: What’s up Bo? B: Hey guys. G: Bo, tell us a little about yourself. B: I’m in 9th grade and...that’s kinda it. G: Well then, that’s all folks. Thanks for tuning in with us.
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COVID Adjustments: Basketball Many HLS students look forward to the basketball season all year. Players are excited to reunite with their team and practice once again, and those not on the team anticipate Highlander madness and cheering at those exciting Friday night games. Since the KHSAA told the school to put a halt to practices, the teams have adapted in many different ways. All three of our highschool teams have endured many challenges this school year, but they are still managing to find the best in
What’ s Up!? Your HLS Student Spotlight
almost every day I have gone on a run and have been practicing outside.” The team is hoping to return to regular practice before Christmas. The Girls JV/Varsity team is coached by Tim Amshoff, Pam Amshoff, and Leah Bryan, all new coaches to the Varsity team this year. Sophomore, Maria Ingram, said “As with anything, it takes a while to transition to new ways of doing things, but I am enjoying learning about the Continued on Page 5
S: Oh be quiet Gus, give him a minute. So Bo, how’s high school been treating you? What’s been the best part so far? B: Getting interviewed. This is my highlight. S: Well, Gus and I feel honored to be your favorite part of high school so far don’t we Gus? G: You bet. Everyone aspires to be in my presence. S: Well, I wouldn’t go that far. Back to the questions, what house are you in? B: House of George, the best one. S: Well, that’s debatable, but we’ll let you have it. G: Do you have any hobbies, Bo? Continued on Page 3
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HLS Student’s Favorite Traditions By: Lilly Luse
In a time where nearly everything is uncertain, there is a comfort in traditions during the holidays. Christmas is a time where families come together to celebrate the birth of Christ and find peace in reflecting on the past year, while looking forward to the next. Some students at HLS have shared a few of their favorite Christmas traditions. Elizabeth Bramer recalls a favorite tradition she celebrates with her family every year, “We all wear Christmas pajamas, my mom gets them from Costco or Kroger, and we have years and years of matching Christmas pajamas, we’re all forced to wear them Christmas morning.” Elizabeth says that her family also has created a system to make opening gifts even more exciting, “My mom devised this system a couple years ago, because we would fight over presents, and we would try to guess what was in stuff, we have a number system for our presents, so all the numbers of presents are on a list, and my mom has that list so we end up wrapping our own presents because she’ll put them in boxes, so on xmas morning it’s always a surprise.” There is nothing like the excitement and joy of Christmas
morning. Many families have smaller activities they share to celebrate the Christmas season, and Carly Wheat shares a few of her family’s favorite holiday traditions, “We put notes in our stockings for the next year, like how we want to improve ourselves, and then we do a lot of puzzles, and we bake cookies every year, usually with my grandma, and we always do a tree of course.” Some traditions bring together generations. Danny Mangione shares a tradition his family observes every Christmas Eve, “Everyone on my moms side of the family lines up oldest to youngest. Then the oldest member of the family goes to the second oldest and gives them a blessed wafer and wishes them peace and prosperity for the next year. It’s a Polish tradition called Oplatek.” For Lily Lange, everyone in her family plays a role in the Christmas celebration. “On Christmas Eve, we always have a junk food meal because we go to church, we have a christmas eve service, my dad’s always preaching, and I go over there and sing. Then when we come home from
Photo provided by: Elizabeth Bramer The Bramer family is pictured above in their traditional Christmas PJ’s on Christmas day. (Top: Mrs. Bramer, Max, Elizabeth, and Mr. Bramer, Bottom: Isabella and Sam)
Photo provided by: Abigail Bitner The Bitner’s traditional Christmas Morning breakfast church, we open Christmas presents, and then on Christmas day we decorate sugar cookies and have a nice dinner.” The Windhorst’s do Christmas very loud. Sydney explained that the house is decorated inside and out including a life size robotic Santa Claus that moves, sings, and talks. Christmas music plays constantly and the family always enjoys Hallmark Christmas movies together. Every year, they host a Christmas Eve party and gift exchange. The Bitner’s also have some favorite Christmas traditions. They spend a whole day making and decorating cookies. They share the cookies with their neighbors and friends. Being a large family, each Bitner kid puts their name in a hat and the family does a secret santa gift exchange. They spend an evening shopping for presents and always treat themselves to Starbucks while jamming to Christmas music. Finally, on Christmas morning, they have waffles and
icecream, with peaches and maple syrup. The Bitner Christmas is full of joy and lots of delicious treats! Sophie Harris also shared some of her favorite family Christmas traditions. Like other families, the Harris clan spends the day baking Christmas cookies. On Christmas Eve, they attend the Midnight Service and finish the night with a reading of the Night Before Christmas. On Christmas day, the Harris’ participate in the German tradition where someone hides a pickle in the Christmas tree and whoever finds the pickle is the winner. A big thank you to everyone who shared their family’s favorite Christmas traditions. It seems that most of the HLS community enjoys decorating Christmas cookies and festivity’s with family. If your family is looking to start some new traditions, try a few of these! A very Merry Christmas to you and your family!
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Student Spotlight Continued from page 1 B: I like sports and sleeping and That’s all I do.
G: Wow, those are the best hobbies I’ve heard of. S: Way to support, Gus. What sports do you like to play? B: I play soccer, basketball for school, and a lot of other ones just for fun. S: What’s your sport to play?
favorite
B: Soccer, definitely, I just really like the sport, and my brother and I play soccer together a lot. S: Ok Bo, since it’s near Christmas, when do you think is the best time to start listening to Christmas music? B: Never. I don’t really like Christmas music. S: You just offended a lot of people, Bo. Personally, Christmas music should be year round… G: But...before Steve starts throwing hands, at least tell us what your favorite Christmas song would be? B: Hmm, I guess the Grinch?
G: The Grinch? You’re such a Scrooge. S: Is that even a song? B: Isn’t it? I just mean the one he sings in the movie. S: Ok, that’s a song. I get it now. G: Well, if you don’t like Christmas music, what type of music do you like? B: Classic rock. G: What about traditions, Bo? Does your family have any Christmas traditions? B: Umm...we do a lot of eating. I really like food so that’s the only tradition I know. Oh, I guess we put up a tree too. G: Hey, no shame in eating, that’s what I’d be doing right now if I didn’t have to interview you. S: Gus, ask another question so you can be done and go eat some food. B: Well, food’s really important, so it should be the answer to everything. G: Yeah ok, good point, but if you had to take 3 people to an island with you, who
would you take? B: People? Or things? Isn’t it normally things? Cause I would choose food. G: That’s why I said people cause I knew you would choose food. B: Uh…I guess Jack, Danny, and Ronnie cause they’re my friends. S: Alright, in an attempt to move on from food, what’s your favorite subject? B: Umm...lunch. G: I wanna ask another Christmas question, I’m in the spirit. What’s the best Christmas gift you’ve ever gotten? B: Uh well the last 2 years I’ve gotten nothing but clothes, so I don’t really know. S: Hey well you didn’t say food, so I call that an improvement. G: What about a trip Bo? Where is the coolest place you’ve been to? B: I went to Peru with my family. That was pretty awesome.
S: Tell us about Peru, Bo, that sounds so cool. B: The food was great. G: Oh here we go. B: No I’m serious, it’s the best food I’ve ever eaten. S: That actually sounds pretty good. And now that we are all hungry, Gus, close us out with the final question. G: Alright Bo, the most important part of the interview right here: who’s your favorite Disney Princess? B: Frozen S: Pretty sure that’s not a princess. Pick one, Anna or Elsa? B: Olaf. Definitely Olaf. S: Hey, finally an answer I can agree with! Alright that’s it, thanks Bo! B: Thanks guys. G: Ok, now that everybody is hungry, go get a snack and keep staying healthy everyone! S: And Merry Christmas! G: And Happy New Year!
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Senioritis
By: Sam Birkholz and Jonathan Lasoi Merry Christmas to all you readers and welcome to this month’s edition of senioritis. I hope you all are enjoying the most wonderful time of the year as I am. This month we interviewed five seasoned seniors, Carter McGill, Lily Lange, Elizabeth Bramer, Meg Booker, and Judah Murdoch. Without any further ado let’s begin. SB: The first question today is one to go with the season. What is your favorite Christmas memory? CM: Easily the PS4 I got for my fourteenth Christmas. LL: When I was younger, we got a Wii for Christmas and we spent the entire day playing Wii Sports. EB: Last year for Christmas, all I asked for was some boring pens and notes for school and come Christmas day my parents had gotten me everything but the pens. We laughed about it and enjoyed a really chill Christmas. MB: One Christmas, we got my dog a box of treats as a present. When we gave her the wrapped present she proceeded to unwrap and destroy the whole box of treats, eating most before we could catch her. JM: Well, one Christmas we went to the Christmas vigil, and then had to get up early on Christmas morning, so that was fun. JL: I remember the good ol’ Wii days. Let’s continue this Christmas theme. In your opinion, can Christmas music and the tree be put up before Thanksgiving? CM: After, people need to calm down with that stuff. LL: I would say you can begin on Black Friday but no time before that. EB: Definitely after Thanksgiving, any earlier and you’re a psychopath. MB: 100% after Thanksgiving.
It never feels like Christmas until at least after Thanksgiving so you shouldn’t decorate before. JM: Oh, you are a degenerate if you go before Thanksgiving. Always after, that should never change. SB: Wow, I feel like I’m interviewing Scrooge here. Maybe you all will like this next question. I want you to build the perfect Christmas meal. CM: Lasagna, Mashed Potatoes and literally every casserole you can even imagine. LL: This is not very festive, but honestly I would order takeout from Olive Garden. EB: Chicken fried rice with spring rolls and derby pie as dessert. MB: Meat Lasagna, Texas toast, Caesar salad. It’s an Italian Christmas. JM: Ham, fried rice, bacon, and sticky rice. Lots of pigs and rice. SB: I didn’t know an Italian Christmas was so popular. Speaking of popular things, what is your favorite movie ever? CM: The Dark Knight Rises is easily my favorite. LL: Mine has to be Napoleon Dynamite. EB: Either Up or Muppets Most Wanted. I still haven’t grown up. MB: The Lion King is the best movie no question. JM: This is a hard question, I’ll say Footloose. JL: It is now time for my favorite question of them all. Who is your favorite musical artist ever? CM: Luke Combs. LL: The Weeknd. EB: I love the Lumineers, but also Elevation Worship. MB: Billy Joel. JM: It’s a band but the Seatbelts. SB: I love the throwbacks here! Continued on Page 6
Origins of Popular Traditions Continued from Page 1
inherited wealth and traveled the countryside helping the poor and sick. One story of his generosity tells of Saint Nicholas, overhearing a farmer and his daughter’s financial troubles, snuck coins into their stockings as they hung to dry. This tale created the tradition of hanging stockings so that Saint Nicholas (or the related figures of Santa
Claus and Father Christmas) can fill it with small toys, candy, coins, or other small gifts. Many Christmas traditions have been formed and slightly altered throughout history, but the redemptive story of Jesus’ birth and coming will remain forever true and is the greatest gift that one could ever receive.
St. Nicholas is pictured above. Notice his red garb and thick white beard.
Editor’s Note By: Sydney Windhorst
Dear HLS Students and Families, I am beyond excited to share this issue of the Nova Roma with you all. If it wasn’t already obvious, this issue is filled to the brim with all things Christmas. If you know me at all, you know I love celebrating Christmas and am one of the crazy ones who listens to Christmas music all year long. I love the lights, the smells, and, of course, the food. To me, Christmas is a season of joy, fellowship, and reflection. May your soul find respite from this crazy year in the celebration of our savior! I wish you all a restful break and a very Merry Christmas! Sincerely, Sydney Windhorst
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Sports
Nova Roma Staff
Continued from Page 1
game from them.” Senior, Maggie Hunsucker, said that during quarantine “I’ve been shooting around outside a lot and doing workouts from home.” There have been a lot of changes over the past couple of weeks and the girls have handled it with grace and ease. The team hopes to go back to practicing on December 14th. The Boys JV/Varsity team is once again coached by Tony Schnell. The team has sent in many videos of them practicing at home. They send in about 15-20 minutes worth of videos every day (except Sundays) doing different drills and workouts. Sophomore, Eli Robson, said
“The team looks insanely good! As some might say, ‘we’re just built different.’” On top of all the COVID related challenges, they are also finalizing the transition into the KHSAA league. Senior, Cade Wheat, said that “it may be difficult, but it will better the athletics of our school tremendously.” Our basketball athletes have done a wonderful job embracing the constant changes and challenges. Continue to encourage our team and pray that they can receive some normalcy in the near future.
Sydney Windhorst Sophie Harris Samantha Kang Steve Gus Justin Gilbert Lilly Luse Abi Bitner Lilly Pottlitzer Leili Popejoy Carly Wheat Kara Moran Elliana Bitner Sam Birkholz Jonathan Lasoi Devin Moore George Hall Grant McGill Sophie Krumhansl Marissa Mudd Caleb Kang
Editor-In-Chief Junior Editor Format Editor Student Spotlight Student Spotlight Sports Writer Features Writer Features Writer Sports Writer Book Review Sports Writer Advice Columnist Photographer Senioritis Writer Senioritis Writer Features Writer Poll Conductor Poll Conductor Head of Art, Poems, and Puzzels Features Writer Sports Writer
Book Review and Recommendation By: Leili Popejoy
The Christmas season is marked by special time-honored traditions for each family: holiday movies, decorating the tree, or just gathering as a family. This year may be different, but there are certainly ways to keep the magic and hope of this season alive. The Best of Guideposts Christmas: A Collection of Christmas Stories from America’s Favorite Magazine is a heartfelt retelling of miracles that surround the Christmas season and serves to point readers to the best miracle of all: the birth of Christ. A diverse range of tales, this collection reveals just how impactful kindness and generosity are at Christmas and is an encouragement to continue even after the holidays end. Discover the ways God has worked in and through the lives of these men and women to bless their communities and strengthen their own faith. It is inspiring and so powerful to see how God has directed man in years past, and how He can use us in this difficult time to fulfill His will and reach others.
Announcements: Have a wondeful and restful break!
Here are the answers to the trivia Questions on Page 6: 1. White Christmas 2. Austria 3. Seven swans a-swmming 4. A visit from St. Nicholas 5. Thomas Edison; 1880 6. 1931 7. Germany 8. Birth 9. Maine 10. Mexico 11. Jacob Marley 12. Mistletoe 13. Hermey 14. Krampus 15. Theodore Roosevelt
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Christmas Trivia
Advice Column
How much do you really know about Christmas? Test your knowledge on the questions below. The answers are found in the announcements section on page 5. Good Luck!
For most, Christmas is a holiday centered around joy and community. We look forward to it all year, anticipating a long break from school full of time spent with family and friends. Now that these circumstances are drastically different, it’s much more difficult to maintain this optimism. The phrase “the reason for the season” is, admittedly, often used flippantly. Because of this we’re often guilty of neglecting to truly consider its meaning and weight. We have grown accustomed to a Christmas centered around visiting family and holiday shopping. These things are, of course, good and should be enjoyed. However, as has become startlingly obvious this year, they fall far short in satisfying us. Of course, we can, and even should, be sad as we’re separated from loved ones. Recognizing and acknowledging our disappointment is important— it allows intentionality in handling it and not letting it
Student Poll
Senioritis
1. What is the most successful Christmas single? 2. In what country did Silent Night originate? 3. In the song Twelve Days of Christmas, what is given on the seventh day? 4. What was the poem “Twas the Night Before Christmas” originally titled? 5. Who invented electric Christmas lights? And in what year? 6. When did Coca-Cola start featuring Santa in their ads? 7. Stollen is the traditional fruit cake of which country? 8. What is the origional Latin meaning of Noel? 9. What US state holds the Guinness record for largest snowman? 10. What country is the Poinsettia, with its red and green foliage, native to? 11. The name of Scrooge’s dead business partner? 12. What traditional Christmas decoration is actually a parasitic plant? 13. In the 1964 classic “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” what was the name of Rudolph’s faithful elf companion? 14. According to the folklore of Austria and other countries, what horned figure punishes naughty children at Christmastime? 15. Which American President banned Christmas trees in the White House?
Conducted by: George Hall and Grant McGill George and Grant asked the HLS upperschool students one of the most controversial questions that arise during this season: is it appropriate to play Christmas music before Thanksgiving? Listed below are the results:
23 people say No 22 people say Yes It seems that HLS students are split down the middle when it comes to this subject. What do you think? Can Christmas music be played anytime or only after Thanksgiving?
By: Kara Moran
overrun good or affect others around us. Still, we will be left dispirited in one way or another. For this reason, we are left with no remedy until we comprehend deeply what Christmas celebrates. All the sorrows and trials we have ever endured are part of the same reality into which God sent His only son. Not only would He undergo more affliction than even a global pandemic can cause, but He would ultimately die for the very people ungrateful for all we have from Him. Meditating on this reality can put into perspective our current circumstances. As cliché as it might be to say, we really have so much to be thankful for, and intentional focus on this and God’s amazing gift of coming to earth as a human will ultimately foster the most constant joy possible. We at the Nova Roma wish everyone a great break! Stay safe and positive in the midst of this season.
Continued from Page 4 I hate that we are here already but it’s time for the grand question. We are offering an all expenses paid trip to anywhere in the world. Where are you going? CM: I’m probably going to go to the Swiss Alps. LL: New Zealand, it seems so peaceful and beautiful. EB: Thailand! You can go diving, volunteer with elephants and eat good food. MB: Ireland. I’d get to visit my heritage and discover its beauty.
JM: China is really nice, maybe the Hong Kong district. JL: A nice variety of places hopefully one day you’ll all get to visit. That’s all for today’s issue, I’d like to thank our interviewees for taking time to answer our questions and give some senior experiences. From your hosts Sam and Jonathan, Merry Christmas and don’t forget Thanksgiving is the best holiday.