March 2014 Crusader

paperless Debate Is Moeller as tree-friendly as it seems? | 3

Straight outta Moeller Student rappers rising from the halls | 5

CHasing State Baseball team looks for third title | 7

Crusader the

Celebrating 50 years of publication

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF ARCHBISHOP MOELLER HIGH SCHOOL 9001 MONTGOMERY RD. CINCINNATI OHIO 45242

Retiring Head wrestling coach Jeff Gaier has decided to step down. He plans to continue working in Moeller’s technology department, and will still be involved with the wrestling team next season.

EMBARASSING The faculty overpowered the seniors in the annual studentteacher basketball game. Held, Rooks, and Campbell showed they weren’t too old to top the three-point contest to the tune of eleven shots. The competition that followed was punctuated by Erik Deeds’ highlight performance and an appearance by Keisha Phillips, straight out of Backyard Baseball.

Praying This month begins the season of Lent. A group of students under the leadership of Mr. Todd Naumann has embarked upon the spiritual journey known as C40M. Teens spend the 40 days in prayer and reflection while meeting in small groups led by faculty.

Reading Pat McLaughlin is heading to Reading High School to coach the Blue Devils’ football program. The Crusader encourages all readers to support his football team by buying mulch from the Reading mulch sale. If you buy more than 10 bags, Pat McLaughlin will deliver it to your house for free.

TEACHING Please welcome Mr. Michael Timmons to Moeller, representing the Social Studies Department. He’s the nicely-dressed gentleman on the third floor, joining Tull, Naumann, McLaughlin and Faller in their historical work upstairs.

SHAVING Mr. Hotze returns this spring with the musical Sweeney Todd. Senior Kole Shade leads the cast as a murderous barber with a fondness for sharp razors. Tickets will be on sale in the spirit shop.

COrrecting It was falsely stated previously in The Crusader that senior Corey Pieper represented Australia in the Model UN club. Although he spent a few months there last spring, he actually plays the role of China. The staff of The Crusader apologizes for any controversy caused by this error.

MARCH 2014 VOL. 50 NUM. 04 SPRING ISSUE WWW. MOELLER.ORG

Seeing red: Gus Ragland to fly with Redhawks Standout senior joins Andrew Hendrix ‘10 as quarterback at Miami

By Kyle Zimmerman ‘14 Crusader Editor-in-Chief Moeller quarterback and AP Offensive Co-Player of the Year, Gus Ragland ‘14 will be joining former Moeller quarterback Andrew Hendrix ’10 at Miami University to play football for the Redhawks this fall.

Ragland received early December and committed to play under Miami’s new head coach, former Notre Dame offensive coordinator Chuck Martin.

Ragland is likely to red-shirt his freshman year which will allow him 5 years of eligibility.

Hendrix will be the RedHawks’ starting quarterback this season. Hendrix saw limited action at Notre Dame where he played behind quarterbacks Everett Golson and Tommy Rees.

Hendrix graduated from Notre Dame where he majored in pre-medicine and has plans to attend medical school. Hendrix red-shirted his freshman year and was able to transfer to Miami this winter without any penalization from the NCAA. Miami, a member of the MAC, finished last season with a record of 0-12, the worst in the league. With a new head coach and an experienced quarterback, the team is poised for

Hendrix (left) and Ragland both started as quarterbacks for Moeller.

improvement this season. Coach Martin, along with bringing Hendrix in as his quarterback, also brought tight end Alex Welch, a 2010 Elder graduate, with him to Miami.

Ragland may be the starting quarterback in the 2015 season.

“It’s hard to put a percentage on it, but it’s definitely my job to lose. Coach Martin recruited me, I’m his quarterback. I fit the offense very well,” said Ragland.

Colerain quarterback Kelvin Cook,

whom Moeller defeated in the playoffs this season, committed to Miami as a wide receiver.

Hendrix is no stranger to mentoring younger Moeller quarterbacks. He spent two seasons with former Moeller quarterback Charlie Fiessinger at Notre Dame and now will spend a season mentoring Ragland at quarterback.

“I’m going to take you under my wing haha,” Hendrix said in a text to Ragland. “We’re both going to learn a lot and have fun doing it.”

HENDRIX

VS

RAGLAND

2008-2009

Season

2013-2014

11 Games 1731 Passing Yards 54.1% completed 11 Touchdowns

Games Pass Yards Percentage TD’s

14 Games 2058 Passing Yards 62.9% completed 22 Touchdowns

201 Rushing Yards 4 Touchdowns

Rush Yards TD’s

1674 Rushing Yards 30 Touchdowns

OPINION

Page 2

Shirtless fourth

MOE-PINIONS

By Tyler Schumacher ‘14

It has become commonplace for seniors and, likewise, teachers of senior classes, to treat the second half of senior year as a mere formality wherein no real learning is required. After winter break, students treat their remaining high school career as a veritable victory lap to their academic achievement, as if nearing graduation from high school is an accomplishment worth celebrating with several months of stagnation.

It may be due to weariness from four years of high school, entitlement based on their position in the school, or the pervasiveness of the cultural penchant to take the aforementioned victory lap, but regardless, it seems unavoidable that students will let up a bit in their senior year. That teachers support this tendency, on the other hand, is problematic.

Logically, it would seem that at a college preparatory school like Moeller, the second semester of senior year would be viewed as one of the most

It is better for our growth as students and as thinkers that our teachers treat senior year as an opportunity to challenge us academically. important times in a high school career. With the majority of students planning to attend college, the last days of school should be used to help them become ready for college-level coursework. After all, the last night before a test is invariably a student’s most intense night of studying. Why should preparation for college be any different as we approach the final stretch?

At high school graduations, a “commencement speech” is delivered. The title is a not-so-subtle indication that high school graduation is only the beginning and that the real work is yet to come.

Why, then, should the school treat seniors’ second semester as if they are effectively done?

Our nation’s current state of preparedness for college is unsatisfactory, and it is worsening. According to an LA Times study, more college freshmen than ever describe their emotional health as “below average” due to stress. It is plausible that this is at least partially due to the fact that for most high school students, one-eighth of the academic time is sacrificed to the epidemic of “senioritis,” and that the institutions which could prevent that problem instead propagate it.

I understand why students want their senior year to serve as a victory lap rather than a rigorous school year, and admittedly, I would likely be content for the time being if my teachers were to make the rest of high school easy on us. I maintain, however, that it is better for our growth as students and as thinkers that our teachers treat senior year as an opportunity to challenge us academically.

Personally, I have teachers who are known to not ease the load on seniors. I expect a second semester full of rigor from teachers like Mr. Ward, Mr. Eble, and Bro. Lohrey. Just before break, I saw several former Moeller students in college come back and express appreciation for each of these teachers because of the way that they prepare students for college.

Though I am not particularly excited by the notion of late nights and hours of studying over the next few months, I believe that it will be good for me, and that I too will find myself thankful for my teachers’ refusal to make a mockery out of my senior year. *drops the mic*

Senioritis: curable

March 2014

Making The Grade

A

By Kyle Zimmerman ‘14

I am a second-semester senior. One quarter stands between me and the college experience. Since I’ve already been accepted into numerous colleges, what motivation do I have to stay up late writing a Tim Held’s 3-point skills research paper when I could be re-watching epiHeld got lucky and hit sodes of Prison Break on Netflix? four 3’s in the facultyI’ve hit a wall. I’m tired of sitting in drafty classsenior game. “It was rooms that smell like sweat and taking notes for 90 better than winning state.” minutes at a time every day. Walk down the hallways and peek into senior classes. Do seniors look interested or attentive? (Thumbs down emoji) No. They are probably staring blindly into a Lenovo Grant Benzinger & Co. ThinkPad as a teacher drones on in front of a proBenzi was named GCL jector, making no attempt to curb this trend of Player of the Year and the disinterest from students. I’m not saying that it is team finished regular seaa teacher’s job to entertain, because it’s not, but son ranked AP #1in Ohio there is a fine line between entertaining and simply breaking up the monotony of a class.

For teachers who have seniors, it is time to shake things up. We don’t need pizza parties and streamers, necessarily, but just a little bit of variety in the Aquasaders lesson plans. Teachers have started to accept “SeThe swim team sent eight nioritis” as the norm. Once the first semester ends, swimmers to State this year seniors lose focus and interest. and finished in third place, The “Zimmerman Senior Threshold Theory” tying its best finish ever. states that high school students have the mental caWe have to let St. X win pacity for 14 quarters of schooling. After this threshsomething old is reached, the “Senioritis” disease sets in. Many teachers have touted senioritis as incurable. This is why they are teachers and not doctors.

Senioritis is very curable. It can only be cured Symposium season by teachers, but they can perpetuate the epidemic In the first symposium of the too. Some teachers may be appalled or disturbed post-Wilke era, Mr. Shaffer led a at the thought of changing their approach to teachsuccessful day of presentations ing or their teaching style. Maybe their methods are and a keynote speech by Bart Campolo. good for the first 14 quarters, but the final semester is something completely different than any other educational endeavor.

I’m not saying seniors need a semester to slack off. However, I believe most seniors would benefit Mr. Tull’s store from a different approach to teaching in their final The Social Studies gitwo quarters at Moeller. “A different approach, eh?” ant has downsized his some teachers caustically retort as they belly laugh snack-sale operations; in the faculty lounge. No—I’m not talking about exnow he only sells to his perimenting with the “flipped classroom” method mentor group or incorporating more technology into class. Please, no! Merely some deviation from the standard lecture-quiz-lecture-quiz-test format that Moeller teachers have been following since 1960 would be a Prom MND, Ursuline, Ursula, and nice start. Although I don’t have a master’s degree Loveland are all on Spring in secondary education like some teachers, I still Break during Moeller’s Prom, like to believe that I understand how students learn, and vice versa. It’ll be Mom and I think that a change needs to be made.

Prom part II. Instead of cramming the final semester with material that is most-likely going to be resented or forgotten, teachers should aim to prepare students for the their first semester of college. If a student is already burned out on English before he graduates from high school, he’ll approach college English courses Published quarterly, the student newspaper of Archbishop Moeller with a bad mentality. Teachers should try to instill a High School is a public forum, with its student editorial board maklove for the subject they are teaching in all students. ing all decisions concerning its contents. Unsigned editorials express More than anything, this last semester should be afthe views of the majority of the editorial board. Letters to the editor are welcomed and will be published as space allows. Letters must firmative; teachers should help students realize how be signed, although the staff may withhold the name on request. The well Moeller has prepared them for college.

Crusader reserves the right to edit letters for grammar and clarity, and So, teachers, when you’re struggling to teach a all letters are subject to laws governing obscenity, libel, privacy, and disruption of the school process, as are all contents of the paper. bunch of disinterested, half-awake seniors, don’t Opinions in letters are not necessarily those of The Crusader staff or its dismiss the situation as something you can’t fix. faculty adviser, nor should any opinion expressed in a public forum be construed as the opinion or policy of the administration of Archbishop If you’re asking yourself, in the words of Jaime Moeller High School.

Escalante, “How do I reach these kids?” start with Kyle Zimmerman changing up your lesson plan. Make your lesson Connor Borton Editor-in-Chief Features Editor relevant to college-bound seniors, because, at this point, we don’t really care about anything else.

Joe Pappalardo

F

Crusader

Managing Editor

Tyler Schumacher Entertainment Editor

Danny Bruns News Editor

Ben Rigney Art & Photography

Andy Strotman Op/Ed Editor

Mr. Michael Rose Faculty Advisor

Ben Land Sports Editor Eric Maus Asst. Sports Editor

The Crusader Archbishop Moeller 9001 Montgomery Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45242 Crusader@moeller.org

The Crusader

EDITORIAL

‘Going paperless’ no magical bag

When it comes to getting an education, a heavy backpack is better than a fuzzy head

By Danny Bruns ‘14 Crusader Staff Reporter

When I came to Moeller four years ago, I was told many times that the school was “going paperless.” At first, I thought that seemed like an amazing idea. I would not lug textbooks around with me everywhere because, they would be on our laptops.

I could stop stockpiling all of my papers for class in bulging folders, and I might save some trees along the way. I was made to believe that all I needed would be on my environmentally friendly machine.

The admissions department, rather misleadingly, made the laptop out to be some magical bag of wonders where I could keep all my assignments and textbooks.

Although a heavy backpack is not the best alternative, a sore back is better than a fuzzy head.

Soon, I realized that I was sorely mistaken. Before I even got my laptop, I was given some books to read. This was not a big deal, seeing as how I had been reading hard copies most of my life. I thought that once I got my laptop, I could just read books on there for class. However, the first time I tried to read a novel on my laptop was disastrous. I couldn’t concentrate, and my head immediately began to hurt.

Eventually, I realized that laptops are terrible for reading. That was alright because contrary to what I had anticipated, I was loaded down with unwieldy textbooks; not weightless digital ones. I do not have to read from my laptop, and I am very happy to say that. Although a heavy backpack is not the best alternative, a sore back is better than a fuzzy head.

Additionally, I was promised that all my worksheets and notes would be on my laptop. We were given pens to write on our screens which I thought was pretty neat at the time. I was looking forward

to not losing various papers in a mass of confusion inside my backpack. Although it was cool for a little bit, I was eventually turned away from taking all my notes on the screen which hurt my head. I was partly forced to do this once my pen stopped working on Word, and the eraser became just a cute piece of junk on the end of the pen that did not even work on OneNote. I also just learned better by taking notes on paper. Notebooks were more tangible than OneNote; so I stuck with paper. This year, I have had to print out more physics worksheets and English essays than I can count. I have spent more money on printing this year than I ever have before.

I could very easily turn all of these documents in online, but writing on PDFs is a pain, and it is much easier for teachers to correct essays on paper than on our laptops. These things make me wonder what the students gain by having laptops.

As I have gone forward in school, I have noticed the increasing lack of utility the laptops provide. I take almost all of my notes on paper now, except for when teachers give us PowerPoints. It is nice to have these to study from, but how much teaching is really happening when students just get an exact copy of what the teacher reads verbatim in class? Personally, I do not believe that each student really needs his own laptop. I know I could certainly learn just as well without it. Not only would I have fewer distractions, but the school might save a good chunk of money by tossing the program all together. Now, the primary function of my laptop is for emailing teachers and friends, and checking NetClassroom; both of which I could easily do without my own personal computer.

When I came to Moeller, I was a wide-eyed freshman who thought the laptop program would be the best thing in the world. I thought it would be much more helpful than it has proven to be, and I thought it would be a great way to cut back on paper. They do have their perks when actually working, but I cannot say that Moeller has kept its promise of integrating laptops into school for the maximum educational experience.

Give us real books for classroom use Growing reliance on electronic media makes learning more difficult

By Andy Strotman‘14 Crusader Opinions Editor

to recall how far along in a book something occurs.

When taken into account, this information cannot help but raise the question: if reading a book on a Computers make a lot of things easier. Researchcomputer makes us less likely to retain and undering for a paper is infinitely easier when you can stand the information contained therein, why do find reputable sources through a Google search teachers continue to move more and more towards rather than wading through book after book at the using online books in the classroom? public library. Without a computer and PowerThe move towards online reading has been sigpoint, giving a group presentation on rhetoric in nificant. During my freshman year, I did not read Julius Caesar would be even more grueling than it a single book online. However, last year, I read is right now, and keeping up with the news would multiple books in PDF format for various classes. be much harder without the use of the internet.

Computers, in many cases, are a marvel of modern convenience.

Have classroom reading come from Unfortunately though, computers are much books, and let the computers stick to inferior in one area: reading. While computers and being gaming devices. the internet may be superior to older methods in disseminating news, reading an ebook just cannot compare to reading a real book. The difference, I found that my understanding of the books read however, is not just tactile. According to studies by online was lacking compared to my understandKate Garland, a psychologist at the University of ing of books read in print. Reading on the computer Leicester in England, more repetition is required strained my eyes, and I was limited in the amount with computer reading to impart the same informa- of reading I was able to do. This year, I decided to tion, and book readers are more fully able to digest purchase the all-school reading assignment in print and understand information in a reading. Jakob rather than online copy, and I felt that I better underNielsen, founder of the Nielsen Nelson Group, a stood the book. Through my own experience, I have corporation that evaluates the usability of various found ebooks to be lacking. computer interfaces such as websites and operating News, short pieces, and non-academic reading systems, believes that part of the problem may be is perfect for ebook format. However, works read as the difficulty of returning to important parts of a part of a class should be read in print. Reading from reading. Scrolling back or searching is much more a print copy allows students to better understand the taxing on the mind, according to Nielsen, than sim- concepts presented in a piece. Is that not the goal of ply flipping pages. Additionally, the lack of spatial classroom reading? I implore all teachers at Moeller context in an ebook makes recalling important to have classroom reading come from books, and let parts more difficult because it is harder the computers stick to being gaming devices.

Page 3

Ask Schu-Daddy

Tyler Schumacher ‘14 takes on prom dates, Harry Potter, and the bittersweet relief of death.

Q: How do I get a prom date?

A: You’ll have to have either charm or low standards. I tend to opt for the latter. Just remember, always check for the pulse.

Q: Is curling really just bowling on ice?

A: I see it as a way to save money on a Zamboni.

Instead of buying an expensive machine, let the curlers do their thing between periods at hockey games and watch profits soar.

Q: Which Harry Potter book is your favorite?

A: Harry Potter is a poorly written excuse for a fiction series that makes its money by captivating sixth graders everywhere with the fantasy of a boy their age being plucked from the difficulties of his real life into an imaginary world where he’s able to do things that the rest of society doesn’t understand. It’s 50 Shades of Grey for children. So to answer the question… I read the first three. The third one was okay.

Q: Are you all-knowing or are you a fraud?

A: Between Google and I, we have a pretty wide base of knowledge.

Q: What is your favorite “blocked” game?

A: I only game in school for the educational experience. Tetris was great during geometry class sophomore year. Fishy was good for biology class with its commentary on Darwinism and the food chain. I’ve also always found Happy Wheels to be an interesting lesson in anatomy.

Q: I retired last year, and started receiving social security payments. Do I have to pay taxes on my social security benefits?

A: Theoretically yes, but practically, no. Assuming you’ve been smart enough to hide any other sources of income from the IRS, your social security benefits won’t constitute enough income to tax.

Q: Who shows more emotion: Grumpy Cat or Kristen Stewart?

A: Grumpy Cat’s default face is angry. Kristen Stewart’s default face is a soul-deadening blank stare. Grumpy Cat wins hands down.

Q: How do I tell my girlfriend’s parents that I’m not in love with their cooking?

A: Well, with the way you phrased that, I’m assuming you mean you don’t dislike it, you just aren’t a huge fan of it. Let them know subtly by using negative compliments. Something like “That meal was great even despite the excessive salt” or “That might have been the best overcooked chicken I’ve ever had” should work.

Q: If Seven-Elevens are always open, why do they have locks on their doors?

A: We’re being lied to. They say they’re always open, but the locks are an unequivocal sign that they close down when no one is watching.

Q: Is life complete if I had breakfast with Gandalf in isengard?

A: Even I’m not a big enough nerd to know what that means.

Q: Are there still any spots left on the Outdoor Education Trip!?! Help me Schu-Daddy!

A: I’m told there are five spots left, but over the next three months they’ll be filling up very quickly. The applications are already beginning to flood in at a rate of nearly one per six weeks.

Q: How do you deal with the constant dilemma of human nature that all life is fleeting and that the bittersweet relief of death is waiting for all of us one day?

A: I write this column. schumacher_t14@moeller.org

Page 4

Remembering long-time janitor Bobby Dunlop

OPINION

Service hours or indentured servitude?

Put volunteer aspect back into community service, unwilling workers hurt more than help Quincy Williams ‘14 Crusader Rant Artist

By Kyle Zimmerman ‘14

Crusader Editor-in-Chief

In the days before Moeller outsourced its cleaning duties to Alpha & Omega Cleaners, Bobby Dunlop walked the hallways as one of the best janitors the school has ever seen. His age and career tenure are somewhat enigmatic. Even Mr. Tull couldn’t confirm anything. “His length of tenure was… a pretty log time.” Mr. Ward confirmed that Bobby was here in 1982 when he was a senior and that he left the school 10 to 15 years ago.

His recent passing prompted some veteran teachers to recount their memories of “Bobby D.” “If you were down and ran into Bobby,” smiled Tull, “you’d find a reason to laugh and walk away smiling.”

With glossy eyes and a big smile, Mr. Ward shared his memory of Bobby, “I think everyone who ever encountered him c:n remember his signature line of ‘Oh man!’ He was truly a great presence.”

Reportedly, Bobby had a difficult home life and declining health while he was at Moeller.

“I don’t think he had a tooth in his head,” said Mr. Naumann, “but he was always smiling and got the job done.”

Mr. Browning remembers Bobby’s last day at Moeller. Part of Bobby’s job was to mop the AC floor, and as Mr. Browning passed him in the AC, Bobby smiled and said, “Oh man, that AC floor just kicked my butt for the last time.”

“He lived a great life. And look at us all now; we’re all smiling as we talk about him,” said Ward.

Exam schedule must not change Eli Proffitt ‘15 Crusader Staff Writer Recently I heard the news that there is a proposal to move midterm exams from before winter break to after winter break. Most students like that idea – It would give us a whole 2-3 weeks extra to study. However, there are several other factors that play in to the proposal that add to my belief that midterm exams, and our quarterly schedule, should remain the way it is and has been for years.

There are many things about Moeller that make it so fantastic. We have waffle Wednesdays, 1:17 dismissal, and Mr. Thaler. But my favorite thing about this school has to be our schedule. There is no better feeling than that middle-of-May afternoon when you finish up your final exam and are free for the next three months. No other school that I know of finishes as early as us. Most schools remain in the 4th quarter until June. By then, we’ve had nearly two weeks off already. What allows for such an early release? Ending the second quarter, and taking care of exams, before winter break.

Additionally, I love finishing up my midterm exams before break. The holidays are a time for us to relax, forget about our stresses, and spend time with friends and family. I think it’s more important to spend time with family members, whom I haven’t seen in months, then to be cooped up in my room studying.

Leave our schedule the way it is. There’s no problem with it. It’s worked for years. Yeah, we may have to go to school in the middle of August.

But we get out in the middle of May. And, most importantly, we get to enjoy a stress and academics free winter break.

March 2014

However, these positive service experiences were all things I wasn’t pressed into doing. The most enjoyable service activity I ever participated in was a trip to the Appalachian area of Kentucky with ten other Moeller students. I was very good friends with six of the guys who went on the trip and was on amicable terms with the rest. The way I got involved in

Moeller’s forced community service program reminds me of another involuntary community service program: the criminal justice system’s. Isn’t forced community service, which ostensibly teaches altruistic values, more effective if it’s voluntary?

Pressing a school full of over-worked teenagers into involuntary community service often results in complaints and ill will towards the programs they are involved in. The fact is that often our attitudes towards service are thinly veiled masks of disingenuousness. On the surface it appears Moeller students are the modicum of service, yet if you lift the veil you see that there are many malcontents.

In my own experience as a two-year member of Little Buddies, I can speak to students who complain incessantly on every trip to Corryville. Seniors at Moeller are required to have 35 service hours, which is an astronomical number. However, the enormously populated Little Buddies program can provide its members with all of the required service hours.

Salyersville, Kentucky: Twelve current seniors immersed into Little Buddies is a great program Appalachian culture during a four-day retreat in April 2012

Often our attitudes towards service are thinly veiled masks of disingenousness. when its Moeller “buddies” want to be at Corryville.

When they don’t, the program damages more than it helps. I have seen some of my contemporaries rush off to Corryville with glum looks upon their faces and then sit with exasperation in the classrooms as their initially loquacious child becomes withdrawn.

Children are often more astute than they are given credit for being, and they have an uncanny ability to sense when someone is mentoring them out of requirement rather than out of a naturally altruistic nature.

Service, while not playing a gargantuan role in my time at Moeller, has been the vehicle for very positive experiences during my tenure as a student.

Moe Student Q&A

this trip was very unorthodox. Usually the pastoral ministry staff sends out cavalcades of emails that clog everyone’s inbox. However, I heard of this trip from word-of-mouth at the lunch table and decided I would join my friends on what sounded like an enjoyable trip. This kind of student-led service is, in my opinion, more effective than a someone telling you why you should do service.

Should service be encouraged at Moeller? Indubitably yes. However, I don’t believe it needs to be mandatory.

For people like Renaissance-Man Gus Ragland, the service requirements can be a debilitating tertiary responsibility. If service wasn’t required the group of students who view Corryville so laboriously wouldn’t be required to go to the school.

Only those who actually wanted to do service would have to do service. One person’s apparent discontent can ruin the whole altruistic rhythm of a group on a service trip. Adding more stress unnecessarily to the life of high school students very rarely ends in high morale.

Zaire Heard ‘16 Q: Favorite event at the Winter Olympics?

A: I don’t really watch the winter Olympics because well, look at me. Do I honestly look like the type of guy that would go and watch people ski, play hockey, and snowboard?

Q: What is the best rap song of all time?

A: Wow. That’s tough. The title is pretty explicit but basically it’s called !@#$%^&****. Now let’s see how many people get what I just put down.

Q: Any interesting facts about yourself?

A: Well I always wanted to know if I am the first guy with dreads at Moeller. I think that I just made Moeller history or something.

Interviewed by Danny Bruns ‘14 Crusader News Editor Zehler sophomore Zaire Heard transferred from Princeton to Moeller, and he brought a wonderful new hairstyle with him. Thankfully, he and his dreads found enough time to answer a few questions from The Crusader.

Q: What superhero do you resemble most?

A: I am going to say that I resemble the Dark Knight and the reason is pretty self explanatory.

Q: What Pokemon do you resemble most?

A: Bro, I know Pikachu and that’s it. I don’t even know how to spell the little dude’s name. I’m not in to all of that stuff.

Q: Why did you transfer to Moeller?

A: I transferred to Moeller for quite a few reasons.

I knew that it would be tough on my first day at Moeller from everyone staring at me wondering, “Who the heck is that kid with the Q: How long have you been growing your dreads? dreads?” to the education, but I am always A: Not too long. I don’t want them dragging on the up for a little challenge. ground or anything but I want them to be visible from my helmet. The look of dreads out Q. Who is your favorite Crusader staff reporter? of a helmet is pretty cool.

That’s easy. The only one I’ve met is you.

Q: Is there a story behind your name?

A: Yes, actually the country was going through some kind of war when I was born.

The Crusader

FEATURES

Crusaders change the face of OTR

MACH1 cleans up Cincinnati’s most talked about ‘hood

“Opportunity to interact with these people is something that I look forward to every day” - Luke Gurekovich‘15 “I just feel that Over the Rhine and Cincinnati in general have so much to offer,” says Gurekovich.

“Most of the kids here, including myself, come from sheltered, suburban neighborhoods. To actually get out into your city and see poverty, see addiction, see homelessness – and to, more importantly, have the opportunity to interact with these people – is something that I look forward to every day and something that I feel needs to be experienced by more students.”

Lately, however, MACH 1 volunteers have been seeing a difference in the historic neighborhood.

Construction crews are sprawled all over the area,

Moeller rap artists make their voices heard

By Adam Garbacik ‘15 Crusader Staff Reporter

By Eli Proffit ‘15 Crusader Staff Reporter Over ten years ago, English teacher Mike Moroski and a group of Moeller students spent a Saturday working in what was then one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the United States: Over the Rhine.

They went under the name, “Moeller Advocates for a Common Hope,” or, MACH 1.

Years later, OTR is blossoming into one of the most prized areas of Cincinnati. Voted the “Best Cincinnati Neighborhood,” by Citybeat magazine in both 2011 and 2012, Over the Rhine is constantly bombarded with volunteer groups from Mount Notre Dame, Elder, Ursuline, and other high schools all over the tri-state.

Last year, Mr. Brian Gilronan teamed up with Moeller junior Luke Gurekovich to create a special leadership board for the MACH 1 program. Their goal: expansion.

Page 5

Ian Kanu ‘14

Cincinnati’s Over the Rhine, now known fashionably as OTR

high-end cars cruise up and down the streets, and five-star restaurants are taking the place of old fast food joints and abandoned apartment buildings.

Jake Wermes, fellow junior and MACH 1 Board member, remembers a different OTR in the not-sodistant past.

“Freshman year, when I went down for the first time, half the restaurants and businesses that are there now were still abandoned buildings. It’s really shocking,” said Wermes.

Recently, there has been a growing problem with the amount of service work available to do in Over the Rhine.

“The key is finding a unique way to help people.

There are service groups making meals for homeless people every day. To be able to attack a specific, unique problem, like addiction, would be a great way for us to make an impact,” says Gurekovich.

“Over the Rhine is the basis of the MACH 1 program. It’s our foundation. We’re not abandoning it.

We’re just focusing our efforts in an area that needs us more,” says Gurekovich.

Christian Givens ‘15

During the 2013-2014 school year, a number of students have been rapping at Moeller, most notably junior Christian Givens and senior Ian Kanu.

Although all two have different reasons for making music, they similarly use Soundcloud and Twitter to get their music out to the world.

Senior Ian Kanu has been receiving a fair amount of local hype for his steady stream of releases. He put out a song called “Anderson” for a Lakota competition. Lakota West’s head football coach, Coach Cox, judged it. The song also got retweeted by a verified ESPN analyst, Jared Shanker. Occasionally, a song can be heard from his Snapchat story.

Kanu gives shoutouts to some Moeller students in his songs. Kanu isn’t looking to make a career out of rapping, he just enjoys it. He says he will likely stay in touch with his inner rap genius in college.

He is hoping to attend Indiana University where he will major in pre-med.

Many of his classmates may not be aware, but Christian Givens is also one of Moeller’s rappers.

He has put out a fair amount of music as well. He has performed covers of “Poundcake” and “Tuscan Leather,” both originally performed by Drake.

“Poundcake” received 1,702 views.

Both of these Moeller music makers aren’t finished yet. They are still working on new songs that are highly anticipated. Their music can be found on Soundcloud and Twitter.

From ‘Men of Moeller’ to military men Six seniors seeking futures at service academies

United States Air Force Academy in Fort Collins, Colorado

By Tyler Schumacher ‘14 Crusader’s Resident Schu-Daddy Five Moeller seniors recently earned the honor of being nominated to service academies. In December, Congressman Steve Chabot nominated Andrew Carmichael for West Point and Scott Rumsey for the Air Force Academy. Speaker of the House and Moeller alumnus John Boehner nominated two seniors, Alex Armour and Brad Popplewell, for the Naval Academy.

To this point in time, the only Moeller service academy applicant to have been officially accepted is Austin Bohenek, who will be attending the Air Force Academy next fall. He applied using the academy’s early action program, which allowed him to receive his decision in January.

“I officially accepted the offer to attend right away,” said Bohenek. “I love the military lifestyle and the discipline that goes with it. The fact that it will open up opportunities for me after graduation is also a huge plus.”

The applicants still waiting for decisions from their respective academies will have answers by March. However, even completing the application process and receiving congressional nominations

United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland

are impressive feats in and of themselves.

“The application process is extremely demanding,” said Armour. “I started very late compared to other applicants. I began the process in October of this year, whereas others started over the summer or even during junior year. Since I started so late, I had to work on my application pretty much every day.”

“I love the military lifestyle and the discipline that goes with it.”

- Austin Bohenek ‘14 One unique feature of applying to a service academy is the fact that there is a physical component factored into admission in addition to the academic component that is typical of college applications. To be considered for the academies, applicants must meet certain standards in athletic drills like pullups, the shuttle run, push–ups, and a mile run.

“The physical testing was challenging,” said Scott Rumsey. “It was a wakeup call. For me, it was stressful but it served as motivation to keep healthy and keep working hard. In addition to the obvious conditioning aspect, it prepares us mentally for the

United States Military Academy in West Point, New York

rigors we will face.”

Their lives will be rigorous indeed in college and beyond, but the prospective cadets unanimously believe that the difficulty will be worth it.

Each service college offers a widely renowned education. On the Forbes list of the best colleges for undergraduate teaching, West Point ranked seventh, the Naval Academy ranked 28th, and the Air Force Academy ranked 31st.

In addition to a quality education, each institution opens doors for its students’ careers in the military. Over half of the graduates from service academies earn commissions immediately out of college as second lieutenants, which secures for them a place in the military hierarchy which would take years to obtain otherwise.

Each of the students believes firmly that Moeller has prepared him well for a service career. The prospective cadets all feel ready for the difficult military lives they are seeking to lead.

Crusader Note: As The Crusader was going to press, we received notice that Andrew Bergman ‘13 was recently accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy.

Bergman, last year’s editor of The Templar, spent his freshman year in college at Virginia Tech.

Page 6

NEWS

March 2014

Three Crusaders earn Eagle Scout rank

Matt Walsh ’14 ,Shane Wever ’14, Daniel Kopcha ‘16 recognized for work in community

By Eric Maus ‘14 Crusader Staff Reporter

Many boys are members of the Boy Scouts of America when they are growing up, but few stick with it long enough to reach the rank of Eagle Scout.

This school year, two Moeller seniors and one sophomore have already reached that rank, Matt Walsh ‘14 completed his Eagle Scout project in August, Shane Wever ’14 completed his in November, and Daniel Kopcha just finished his this month.

The Eagle Scout rank is the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America program. To become an Eagle Scout, scouts are required to earn at least 21 merit badges and demonstrate “Scout Spirit” through service and leadership. Once a Boy Scout earns the rank of Eagle Scout, he is given a medal and a badge that rewards him for his accomplishments as a scout.

Matt Walsh ’14 completed his project by creating a kiosk on a walking trail at Grailville Park in Loveland. The kiosk includes a sheltered board with

“Being an Eagle Scout means more to me than I can explain.”

- Matt Walsh ‘14 Daniel Kopcha stands in front of the garden he created at St. Margaret Hall in O’Bryonville.

a map of the trail, a news board, and a box for holding maps of the trail. After he submitted all of the proper forms, he officially became an Eagle Scout on

Lytle, Admissions, heighten standards

October 21, 2013.

“Being an Eagle Scout means more to me than I can explain. It’s not just a title to me; it’s a description,” said Matt. “Having the description of Eagle gives me a responsibility to set a good example for others and is known by all Eagles to be something to be proud of.”

Shane Wever ’14 received his Eagle Scout status last November after he made a campsite for the St. Columban Church and school community. Shane built benches, picnic tables, an axe yard, and a fire pit for the campsite that can be used by the members of the parish.

“During this experience I learned a lot about leadership, construction and hard work. It shows that I have a lot of dedication, and I’m very proud of all the work I did,” said Wever. “After many years of hard work, it feels good to know that I finally accomplished it and now I’ll have this forever.”

Daniel Kopcha ‘16 earned his spot as an Eagle Scout by creating a garden surrounding a statue of St. Margaret for the residents of St. Margaret Hall in O’Bryonville. His goal was to create something that would enhance lives of the residents there. In addition to eight years of in the program, Kopcha is also a manager on the basketball, football, and baseball teams and has a black belt in Taekwondo.

All three realize what an incredible accomplishment it is that they have received the title of Eagle Scout. Only one out of every 50 boy scouts become Eagle Scouts.

MOE Tweets

Only top 90% of 8th grade test-takers to be admitted as Men of Moeller

By Gus Vogel ‘15 Crusader Staff Reporter The Moeller Admissions has stirred up some controversy this year. In the past, Moeller has always welcomed students through the doors of this school no matter how they score on their High School Placement Test (HSPT). Times are changing as now students who score low on an HSPT will not be admitted to Moeller. Many find this to be unfair and others find it just what Moeller needs to stay atop

“We realize Moeller is not a place for everybody. We have to be true to that.”

- Mr. Lytle of the academic charts in the state of Ohio and carry the tradition of excellence.

Students can remember waking up on a chilly Saturday morning embarking on your journey for high school. If you were planning on attending St. Xavier High School, you worried about being accepted into a school that takes its academics very seriously and in order to get in, you had to score a certain average to get accepted. You also have to have an A,B, or C average to be enrolled. If you were planning on going to Moeller, all you had to worry about was what classes (Honors, CP1, or CP2) you would be placed in.

“Our goal is to have every kid go to college,” said Mr. Charlie Lytle who is working his first year in Admissions. He said they went back through records and data and discovered kids who scored in the lowest tenth percentile on the HSPT were the students who were withdrawing from Moeller and not performing well in the classroom.

“We realize Moeller is not a place for everybody,” he added. “We have to be true to that. We came up with a simple question that we ask ourselves and all of our students: Can the student be successful at Moeller for the next four years?”

“Moellers average enrollment for a freshmen class is somewhere from 240 to 260. At the end of every senior year, as many as 30 students drop out of Moeller while their parents just wasted anywhere from 11,000 to 25,000 dollars in tuition with no end result.

The tuition at Moeller is $11,600 with the extra cost of lunches, field trips, Kairos and other retreats, and of course athletics. Many parents spend somewhere between to 45,000 to 50,000 dollars of the four years they send their child to Moeller. The school

wants to make sure the parents get what they paid for when sending their boy to Moeller.

“It is not just the test score, explained Mr. Lytle.

“We looked at their record. We looked at their Iowa Test, Terra Nova Test, and we looked to see if this kid can be successful at Moeller High School. We did have kids who scored below a ten, failed two classes, and remediate between seventh and eighth grade. Is that type of student going to be successful here at Moeller? The answer is no,” continued Mr. Lytle explaining that it is more than their High School Entrance Exam that they focus on.

Many Moeller students and some faculty have been upset with the number of students who are poorly achieving in the classroom and continue to not contribute to Moeller and their academics.

Faculty see this as a new era in Moeller as students who struggle with academics and staying out of trouble will decrease and more students who strive for excellence will be brought into Moeller continuing a dominance of not just on the field, but in the classroom.

Jeff Gaier @ITyoda “It’s been real guys. I just can’t stand the smell of the wrestling room any more.”

St. X Sports @Stxinfo “OK, OK, Benzinger’s actually really good” Susan Bailey @MarketingMistress “Taking the job opening at Stratton Oakmont see you losers l8r #Wolfie” Jim Bauer @Bauer_Power “After freshemn year nobody even remembers that I teach at this school. Ugh. #TabletProbz ” Mr. Timmons @SlickedHairdontcare “Swag is for boys, class is for men. Wardrobe too silky #suitandtie #PopeIsWatching”

Mr. Wynn @All_I_ DO_IS _WYNN “Where in the world did i even get this pullover? #Crispy” Mrs. Heisel @Flyzal_Heisel “UGH. That was a quick vacation #TheReturn” Gerry Faust @Faust_Is_Fauster “I’ve been living in the AC waiting to be unleased for the next pep rally.”

Pat McLaughlin @qbtrainerpat “Reading? Never heard of ‘em! No, seriously, I have never heard of Reading.”

John Rodenberg @jrody25 “Congratulations to Whitey Campbell who will be replacing Pat McLaughlin as offensive coordinator #heyboy”

The Crusader

Page 7

SPORTS

Inside the mind of Coach Rodenberg

Head football coach talks about his time on gridiron at Moeller High School

By Quincy Williams ‘14 Crusader Staff Reporter

Rodenberg by the Numbers 20

Q: What drew you to the head coaching job a Moeller?

A: A chance to compete with the best. You live one time and I wanted to go as high as I could.

I never worry about failure just knowing the experience is what’s worth it. Like I say i

health, I don’t care how long I live I just want to go down swinging, and we aint done yet.

Always create something high. That’s a song I think by Creed.

Number of schools Coach Rodenberg coached at before Moeller

Q: What has been different during your time at Moeller as compared to other schools?

Wins in the last 5 years

Years of head coaching experience

3 5

Years at Moeller

45 17

Head Coach John Rodenberg during a practice.

A: Anytime you win a state title it’s special. To be completely honest though the state titles are for the players I’m just along for the ride. I love seeing the players have success.

“I just want to keep climbing higher.”

- Coach Rodenberg A: I can definitely say I have enjoyed all my stops. Moeller is special because it is the place that I am at. I get more concerned about the students than the building, and we have great kids here. I enjoy seeing our player grow and become better people after 4 years here.

Q: What changes did you make after taking overfor Bob Crable? What did you keep the same?

A: The changes I made were more just “personality of me” changes. I am a positive and up-tempo guy who always believes there is a way to succeed. I think you just have to have the “keep choppin wood” mentality until you get what you want.

Q: Were the two state championships you’ve won at Moeller sweeter than the ones from the other schools you’ve coached at?

Q: How does returning the glory to a school that had been in a lengthy state-championship drought feel?

A: Moeller is in the right place at the right time

now. I just had a bunch of guys buy into my message and they took us to the top. Great guys equals a great chance and that’s what I am blessed with.

Q: Did bringing back coahces who were key cogs in former state chamonship victories have a big impact on this year’s and last year’s teams.

A: You know I feel like I have the best teachers of football in the state. They are truly interested in making our players better. Truly concerned.

Q: Do you have any aspirations past the high school level?

A: Never say never. Never create a finality. I just want to keep climbing higher. I love it here, but I won’t put a cap over my head.

Losses in the last 5 years

22

Moeller players moved on to play D1 football

6

Players named to the All-Ohio team

2

State championships won under Coach Rodenberg

1

Time Ohio Coach of the Year receipent

2

Number of states Coach Rodenberg has won Statee Titles in

State or bust: Mentality of Moeller baseball for new season Coach Held’s team looks to take State for third consecutive year

By Ben Land ‘14 Crusader Sports Editor Moeller baseball is shaping up for another state run. After becoming state champions in 2012, and then again in 2013.

Moeller baseball returns to its glory days of wiping its cleats on every team in the state of Ohio.

A program that has won back-to-back state titles has somehow slipped under the radar with students in the halls. While football and basketball get a majority of the attention but one could easily argue that baseball is the most dominant sport at Moeller.

The squad this year, led by reigning Ohio coach of the year and math teacher Tim Held, made up with a number of key varsity starters who played vital roles in the team’s success last year.

Shortstop and third basemen Riley Mahan ’14 who is signed to play at the University of Kentucky,

“Every team that plays us is playing in their world series.”

-Riley Mahan and pitcher Zach Logue ’14 will also continue to play at UK. Nick Voss ’14 the tall, lanky pitcher whose devastating fastball tops out in the 90s will be advancing ontothe University of Cincinnati.

Three juniors who have not yet played one varsity out have already committed to play at division one schools in the future. Jordan Ramey ’15, Grant Macciocchi ’15, and Josh Hollander ’15 have committed to the University of Cincinnati, University of Missouri, and Kent State. If that wasn’t enough, there are also several others seriously being looked at that have not committed yet.

Depth like this comes as an obvious shock to other programs in the state of Ohio, said “Every team that

Last year’s baseball team celebrating their State Championship

plays us is playing in their world series” said Riley Mahan.

Preparation for the upcoming season started in November as the team has been lifting every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday as well as having one day a week with open batting cages. this preparation and results from the last two years have led the team to some strong optimism.

“Our goal this year is to win GCL first, then win state. Said Zach Louge. “With a lot of returning players and a great pitching staff I think we have a really good chance of doing that.”

The team will be making an in season trip down to North Carolina for a tournament as well as playing GCL South foes three times each all coming in a short stint over the course of the spring.

Nick Voss notes that the GCL games will be a big test for Moeller saying “The south is always tough, but we need to take the season game by game.”

Moeller sits in a position where many have already declared them the state champs of 2014 and say it’s Moeller against everyone else. Moeller will look once again to defend their state title when the season opens up against Springboro on March 20.

ENTERTAINMENT

Page 8

March 2014

Moeller theater entertains at improv show

BATTLE OF THE CRITIcS

In the bitter cold months, a group of students put on a show for hundreds of viewers

Quincy Williams and Ben Rigney go to battle over their takes on popular movies.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Quincy Williams @quincywilliamss

I really hope the film studio that produced this has good lawyers; if not they’ll have to answer for all the eyes gouged out during this film.

Ben Rigney @bigrig27

Well I guess the 7.5 IMDb rating disagrees with you, this film made me have to grab a tissue, not a knife.

Right after the basketball team beat St. X on January 24, another group of students equally quick on their feet were preparing for their own performance. This assortment of creative and fast thinkers was about to perform their first improvisational show of the weekend.

Over the next three days, these students used their own ideas and imagination to entertain 420 people over four shows. Theywere given a series of games with different rules and goals. During these games, they had to come up with lines on the spot based on suggestions from the audience.

As guests gathered around tables facing the stage, they were met by: seniors Reed Maertz, John Dickens, Corey Pieper, Tony Platz, Sam Sheets, Evan Verrilli; sophomores Zach Corbett, Jonathan O’Dell, and freshmen Andrew Mashny and Harrison Daniel. Joining the Moeller students on stage were MND seniors Natalie Lutz and Briana Kennedy, as well as MND juniors Stephanie Faller and Mariah Leach.

These students all had to respond to various scenarios and ideas given by the audience, so in order to have a successful show, the audience had to participate.

Mr. Rick Bohne was among the many guests who saw the show. He was very impressed by the cohesiveness of the actors, and he enjoyed seeing

all of them have fun. He pointed out that “nobody stood out and carried the whole show, and everyone contributed. It is always funny.”

Practice for improv began in December, a few days before winter break. When classes resumed, the students rehearsed for three weeks straight until the first show. They used several exercises to prepare themselves for responding to the prompts without hesitation.

For example, they regularly use a physical reaction game where they all stand in a circle, grab hands, and then one person squeezes, and in turn, that person transfers the squeeze down the line.

Additionally, they used a game called Rope to test their mental reactions. One person gives a suggestion, and the other person must quickly make up their own stance on the subject. Games like these target the player’s ability to come up with their own ideas without waiting to gather their thoughts.

Tony Platz, a first-year senior, encourages anyone considering joining improv to not be afraid and to not hesitate to try it. He encourages newcomers to “be confident in everything, even if you think you’re wrong.” -- Danny Bruns ‘14

MOE Culture

Andrew Smith ‘15 Is it okay for non redheads to say “ginger”?

Fill in the blank: This winter was so cold that

________

Bob Thaller or Jorie Ragland?

Last movie that made you cry?

Favorite Justin Bieber crime?

It’s never okay I actually wore a coat

The Lego Movie Quincy Williams @quincywilliamss

Do kids even play with Legos anymore? I saw multiple five-year olds on iPads during this movie. Awful.

Ben Rigney @bigrig27

Say what you will for the demographic for The Lego Movie, the film was so good I couldn’t keep my eyes off the screen; I didn’t even notice the crowd.

Oscars criticism Quincy Williams @quincywilliamss

Alfonso Cuaron wins best director for an hour and a half of Sandra Bullock panting in a space suit? Complete aberration of justice by the Academy. The award should be rescinded and given to Steve McQueen for 12 Years a Slave.

Ben Rigney @bigrig27

The Academy again grants the best movies the best awards, and 12 Years a Slave got its due winning the big one. The technical achievement that is Gravity earned seven awards including best director for Cuaron’s perseverance for the 10-year long project.

Moeller Redheads

Nolan Baker ‘16 Yes, I get it all the time Pat McLaughlin got me through it

Gus Ragland ‘14

Jack Kunkel ‘14

Jared Diesslin ‘15

Dan Miller ‘14

Zac Jansing ‘14

William Heekin ‘14

I wouldn’t know, I’m strawberry blonde.

Only if they say “ginga”

Yes

Absolutely not

My nickname is “Ging”-- so yes

Yes

My hair almost turned brown

Pat McLaughlin wore socks

I got smaller

I caught three colds

I wore my dad’s hobos used my hair green flannel to bed for warmth

Ms. Ragland

I have to say Jorie or she’ll beat me up

Go Ducks!

Ms. Ragland

Yes

Mrs. Heisel

Ragland

Wolf of Wall Street

The Notebook

Lone Survivor

Go Tigers

Ted

Eight Below

I can’t cry, I have no soul

Anchorman 2

peeing in a mop bucket

spitting on his fans

Smokin’ dope

his music

his flat bills

assaulting a limo driver

Ms. Ragland

smuggling a monkey across international throwing eggs at a house borders