March & April Student Inscape

INSCAPE

4 Stopping the school-to-prison pipeline?

5 Summer break: teacher edition

10 Artificial intelligence or artifical menace?

Ferocious Feminists?

How do you view or define feminism? It may seem like a simple question, yet answers vary as one’s biases and misconstruing of feminism can distort their understanding of the concept to a harmful degree. Misinterpretations of feminism and its doctrines is the main reason why intense apprehension, degrading stereotypes and negative connotations linger when one hears another proclaim themselves as a feminist. Such stereotypes include the idea that all feminists are “man-haters” or working towards a female-dominated society. Thus, the question presents itself: what are the true morals or teachings of feminism when unraveled from the hasty rhetoric and demeaning stereotypes that plague the common perception of feminism today? The two foundational goals of feminism are gender equality and social liberation from the patriarchy: the system in which men as a group are constructed as superior to women as a group and as such have authority over them. However, what does this mean? When feminists say they want gender equality, they mean they want men and women to enjoy the same rights and freedoms, no matter their gender identity. Examples range from equal and fair pay, job access, and freedom in how

one can dress. Furthermore, in regard to social liberation, women should have a choice in how they would like to present themselves socially. Whether it is by taking on a more submissive, dominant, masculine, feminine or neutral role in society, they should be respected and treated equally. Moreover, feminism is not a unilateral cause; it is not just

“Such stereotypes include the idea that all feminists are “man-haters” or working towards a female-dominated society.”

about liberating and expanding women’s rights. Feminism recognizes how the societal constraints potentially do as much harm to women as it does to men, especially when we look at how men are conditioned from a young age to stray away from “feminine” hobbies and interests or how male mental health and sexual abuse are belittled. Thus, feminism seeks to empower men and women and liberate themselves from society’s patriarchy.

However, some opposing views towards feminism are reasonable and valid. When we think of someone who “challenges” feminism, we think of the stereotypical man who feels threatened, or emasculated even, by the equality of genders; however, an unlikely opposing faction comes from women who have been marginalized for their intersectional identities. Many marginalized women have recognized that feminism in its inception did not acknowledge the contributions of women outside of white, wealthy or cis-gendered individuals. Recognizing these shortcomings, many women have worked to integrate intersectionality into modern-day feminism. A testimony to such movements are the creations of “Xicanisma” (also known as “Chicana Feminism”), which recognizes how the economic, social and political landscape of the United States and Latin America have suppressed Latinas throughout history, and “womanism,” a form of feminism created by Alice Walker, which seeks to address how class, race, gender identity and sexuality can impact one’s experience as a woman.

It is valid to be multiple types of feminists. So, label yourself as you wish, but always do so with pride, and remember the main goal: equality.

Front cover created by ChatGPT back cover by Inscape Staff seniors

The Mighty Crusader: Shannon Pasters

Fiona Stanek

When we hear about a signing day here at McAuley, we automatically assume that an outstanding athlete is being recognized for her talent and is signing to play at the collegiate level. However, for McAuley senior Shannon Pasters, her upcoming college signing in late April marks a unique milestone, for she will be the first McAuley student to earn a scholarship for esports and to have a college signing day for her talent on the esports team.

Pasters has been a member of the joint Mother McAuley/Brother Rice Mighty Crusaders esports team since its inception in spring 2023. The esports team is a competitive gaming team where its members compete in intense matchups of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Overwatch 2 and Splatoon 3 against other schools. This club is an opportunity for both McAuley and Rice students to be able to take a fun hobby and be able to make a competitive team out of it.

For Pasters, this club serves as a sanctuary, allowing her to pursue her hobby and find a sense of belonging at the same time: “It made me fit in because I’m surrounded by people that are kind of just like me.”

Pasters and the rest of the esports team usually meet around three times a week at the gaming room located at Brother Rice. When the esports team is competing, most of their matches stay at Rice, and the team competes

online against the other schools.

Carthage College, located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, has offered Pasters the scholarship, securing her a spot on their esports team. When asking Pastors on her thoughts about her earning this scholarship, she was nothing short of amazed and grateful. “It makes me really happy that I’m continuing something

from highschool to the college level. I never thought I would be given this opportunity.”

As McAuley celebrates Shannon Pasters’s achievement, her story serves as a reminder for us to put ourselves out there and to always be trying new things. Best of luck to Pasters as she competes with Carthage College!

McAuley summer immersion trip

The junior Theology classes, which focus on Catholic social teaching, are preparing for their summer immersion trip experiences. ARISE Adelante in Alamo, Texas is one of the trip experiences that junior students are able to go on this summer.

The goal of a service immersion trip is to provide an opportunity for individuals or groups to serve and make a positive impact in communities that may be in need. It’s a chance to engage in meaningful service, learn about different cultures and deepen one’s faith or commitment to helping others. It’s all about spreading compassion and making a difference in the world!

Julissa Gonzalez 11 is one student who is going on the immersion trip to ARISE Adelante. Involvement with ARISE Adelante, a Texas-based program supporting immigrant communities, is something Gonzalez is eager to explore. “I’m super excited about this trip!” said Gonzalez. “Being part of ARISE Adelante’s program, including their transformative summer camp, offers a profound opportunity for connecting with the immigrant experience.” Rooted in personal ties to Gonzalez’s immigrant grandfather, this journey promises to deepen her understanding

and foster a renewed perspective of her heritage and shared stories. She sees participation, particularly in their summer camp, as an opportunity to delve deeper into the immigrant experience–a topic close to her heart due to her grandfather’s immigrant background. This journey represents a chance to connect with his narrative, enriching their bond and offering a fresh perspective on her roots. She eagerly anticipates the insights and connections this experience will bring.

ARISE Adelante gives students an up-close perspective on the realities immigrants deal with, such as securing housing and accessing quality education. These students are getting the scoop on the obstacles immigrants face while striving to find work and settle in the community. The Sisters of Mercy also sponsor ARISE Adelante, and other Mercy schools will be attending the service immersion experience. This will be a great chance for Mother McAuley students to meet other Mercy students from across the country.

Mother McAuley juniors will have an opportunity to learn more about the complexities of immigration, the strength of community and the power of compassion on their service immersion trip to ARISE

Adelante. It’s a chance to see the world through a different lens and to grow both personally and spiritually. Wish these McAuley juniors the best of luck and pray for them as they embark on this life-changing journey over the summer!

“ARISE Adelante, A Resource In Serving Equality moving forward, empowers immigrants living in low income communities in South Texas to attain a better life for themselves, their families and their community. Through education, resources and support ARISE provides these immigrant communities with the foundation to achieve their life goals.”

-ARISE Mission Statement

Mireya Gomez de la Casa

above. Shannon Pasters practices with the Mighty Crusaders esports team playing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. photo by Mr. Bochenczak

Learn more about ARISE Adelante by scanning the QR code.

Can’t put all your eggs in one basket

The Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that frozen embryos, like those used in the IVF process, are children and are therefore entitled to the same legal rights as other unborn children under state law. In an eightto-one ruling, the Alabama Supreme Court declared, “The Wrongful Death of a Minor Act applies to all unborn children, regardless of their location.”

What is IVF?

IVF stands for in vitro fertilization. It’s one of the more widely known types of assisted reproductive technology (ART). IVF works by using a combination of medicines and surgical procedures to help sperm fertilize an egg and help the fertilized egg implant in the uterus.

How does this affect treatments?

IVF is still legal in Alabama, but it must be done in a certain way. Any of the embryos that are fertilized must be used. The only exception to this is if the cells stop dividing for 36 hours, they can be disposed of. If they are disposed of without the proper reasoning under this new law, it is seen as wrongful death of a minor. The clinics that have chosen to stay open will only fertilize one egg at a time. Most clinics have stopped offering long-term egg freezing.

Caitlin Sears

What can happen if the new rule isn’t followed?

If an embryo is destroyed before the 36hour window or destroyed due to negligence, the offender will be punished under the Wrongful Death of a Minor Act. The punishment ranges from large fines to jail time. The Alabama Supreme Court has not released a specific punishment for breaking the new law.

Why is this a rule?

Alabama justices say that this law was introduced because of an incident in December 2020 at the Mobile Infirmary Health and the Center for Reproductive Medicine in Alabama, where a wandering patient gained access to the cryogenic storage area, removed the embryos from the freezer and destroyed them by dropping them on the floor. Many people disagree with the cause of the ruling, saying that Alabama leaders are using this incident to take control of women’s reproductive issues.

Why is this an issue?

This is an issue for Alabama women trying to conceive via IVF treatment because many fertility clinics are stopping or slowing down the process due to possible implications for mistakes during the treatments. IVF treatments can be very pricey. Most treatments range from $15,000 to $30,000. Without any

Catastrophic changes

On Feb. 26, 2024 in Sinnett, Texas, the Smokehouse Creek Fire blazed through the panhandle of the state. The series of wildfires lasted three weeks, burning over one million acres of land, destroying dozens of homes and taking the lives of two people. It is the largest wildfire in Texas history and the second largest in U.S. history.

Typically, wildfires are at the highest risk in March because of high temperatures, strong winds and dry grass. The blaze initially began due to a collapsed Xcel Energy utility pole; however, while this may have lit the spark, the arid climate fed the fire. According to a 2021 report by the state climatologist’s office, the temperature in Texas has risen by 0.61 degrees Fahrenheit per decade since 1975. Moreover, Texas’s State Climatologist and Professor of Atmospheric Science at Texas A&M University, John Nielsen Gammon, said, “Climate change is making the fire season start earlier and last longer by increasing the number of days in a year with hot and dry weather conditions that enable wildfires.”

Additionally, throughout February, California has experienced an atmospheric river, a type of storm in which Pacific winds blow narrow intense bands of moisture over the West Coast. During this storm, California

Elise Malinowski

has seen up to 13.68 inches of rain. This has caused mudslides, hillsides, overflowing banks, flooding and knocked out power for more than 100,000 Californians, further leading to various severe wind advisories and evacuation warnings. Detrimental damage has been done to homes, nature, vehicles and buildings. Tragically, three people were reported to have died due to storm-related injuries.

The West Coast commonly experiences these storms during the winter months; however, Danial Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California, said, “ The intensity of recent atmospheric rivers is almost certainly affected by human-caused climate change.” Additionally, the pattern of increasingly frequent and severe droughts punctuated by stronger and wetter storms is due to climate change. The growth in atmospheric temperature increases the amount of water the atmosphere holds, exacerbating the amount of saturation California experiences during these storms.

The reasons for the climate changes in Texas and California vary; however, the severity of recent tragedies is due to the burning of fossil fuels increasing the temperature. The destruction is seen nationwide, but

guarantee of a viable fetus by extracting one egg, the cost becomes a problem. Alabama governor Kay Ivey said, “But right now, I am confident that this legislation will provide the assurances our IVF clinics need and will lead them to resume services immediately.” On the other hand, President Joe Biden disagreed with this ruling and said, “The disregard for women’s ability to make these decisions for themselves and their families is outrageous and unacceptable. Make no mistake: this is a direct result of the overturning of Roe v. Wade.” Many people are eagerly awaiting what will come of these new rules and regulations.

above. Egg becoming fertilized though In vitro fertilization process.

devastatingly, many throughout these states have had to experience these catastrophic changes firsthand.

above. Trends in annual surface temperature in the past few decades (1994-2023, bottom) compared to the trend since the start of the 20th century (1901-2023, top).

Stopping the school-to-prison pipeline?

Following the uproar surrounding police brutality within black and brown communities in 2020, many Chicago Public School (CPS) students and parents have made extensive efforts to rally for “#CopsOutCPS,” urging for the removal of police officers from school settings. Cumulatively, on Feb. 22, the Chicago Board of Education voted unanimously to remove Chicago police officers from all CPS schools backed with the support of Chicago’s mayor, Brandon Johnson, who believes “armed officers have no place in schools, in communities already struggling with overincarceration, criminalization, profiling and mistrust.”

Many community activists and researchers have found that having police officers stationed in schools can exacerbate the schoolto-prison pipeline, as well as foster a hostile environment improper for learning. Research at the State University of New York found that while having police officers present in schools reduces violent altercations, it also increases the number of suspensions, expulsions and referrals to the criminal justice system among the student body. Consequently, with an increase in expulsions and suspensions, more and more students are required to miss days, weeks and even months of school, which can put a large hindrance on their education, so much so that they are likely to drop out of school.

However, despite such arguments, many believe that having police officers stationed

If you had $1 billion to spend, what would you do with it? Ruth Gottesman was put in this position and used her money for the benefit of the world. She changed the lives of students attending Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the future of healthcare.

Ruth Gottesman, chair of the board of trustees of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (AECOM) in the Bronx, New York, had a large sum of money left from her late husband, businessman David Gottesman. With all this money Ruth used her passion in giving back to the healthcare system by donating $1 billion to the students at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. This donation means that the college will now be tuition free. Any student who currently attends the university will be fully refunded any tuition payments they have paid prior to the spring 2024 semester. Starting for the fall 2024 semester, the university will officially be tuition free. Ruth used her knowledge of tuition debt to relieve that stress from students. Students who graduate from public medical schools have an average of $194,558 in debt, while

Addison Haywood

at schools is detrimental to school safety, especially with the rise in school gun violence. For example, on Jan 31., three teenage boys were shot, one fatally, outside Nicholas Senn High School, located on Chicago’s north side. In response to such concerns, however, community and school board leaders plan to supplant police officers with alternative methods of restorative justice and programming meant to respond to the emotional, physical, educational and mental needs of students so that they do not fall into violence. Said programs and alternative justice methods would be funded by the money CPS usually allocates to the Chicago Police Department, which is around $2-3

million. Some community leaders have also suggested hiring more social workers for students experiencing problems at home or school, as well as creating more educational opportunities, such as high school nursing programs, that will provide students with career guidance and hands-on experience, while simultaneously keeping them busy and less prone to engaging in illegal activity.

Ultimately, the vote made by the Chicago Board of Education to remove police officers from schools will manifest by fall of 2024 after “officials pass a resolution requiring the district to develop a new safety model that does not include police inside schools,” reported WTTW news.

Philanthropist changes the future of healthcare

Elizabeth Gadzik

those who attend private schools graduate with an average $222,899 in debt. Many medical students are not able to afford to take out those kinds of loans or carry that much debt.

Now that students no longer have the finical burden of medical school, many more brilliant people are able to pursue their dreams of becoming doctors, surgeons, nurses and other medical professions; Ruth hopes that students will now be able to study in areas of medicine that they are passionate about and will ultimately help the healthcare community by placing these people in wonderful positions.

Many students at the university spoke out on how this donation will positively affect their lives. Samuel Woo, a 23-year-old student at the university, has been struggling to afford his schooling. On top of being a full time student, he has had to manage tutoring and working at a cafe to fund his studies. Samuel has always wanted to provide medical services to underserved communities post-grad, but he would not earn enough to pay off the debt he was going to graduate with. This caused

him to change his career path to cardiology, where he would be making more. Now that he is going to college for free, he is able to slow down on his other two jobs to put all his energy into schooling. He is able to do what he wants in life: helping others in impoverished areas. This donation not only affected his life but hundreds of others throughout the world.

Watch Dr. Ruth Gottesman’s free medical school tuition surprise below:

left. Excerpt from Rachel Marie-Crane William’s Zine, “The School to Prison Pipeline” Scan the QR code for the full graphic zine!

Sometimes students forget that teachers have a life outside of McAuley. Here are some teachers that do exciting things over our summer break!

Mr. Sheridan (Theology): No destination. No plan. Just road. Theology teacher Mr. Sheridan takes his “skoolie” (school bus turned into camper) and travels throughout the country. His plan this summer is to just start driving in one direction with his true companion: his dog, Dakota.

During his destinations, he talks to individuals that have camped out on the campgrounds and tries to find new and interesting places to commute to. Throughout these spontaneous trips, he meets all sorts of people from various states and ethnic backgrounds that really make his trip special. Ironically, while speaking with campers, Mr. Sheridan learns about different religions that have spread across the country. This allsummer vacation sure helps Sheridan with his Global Studies class!

Sheridan spent most of his time last summer in North and South Dakota. He took his skoolie to beautiful open plains where he watched the sunset and took in the beautiful Dakotan land.

He spent many days on the road or on open campgrounds, taking in the beautiful nature around him. He said one of his craziest campsites was right near a large cliff! Sheridan and Dakota stay at populated campgrounds with people that share their love for traveling.

Nothing has changed, as he will still partake in a long skoolie trip across the country this summer. This summer he plans to do the exact same trip. “I don’t have a planned destination. I will just see where the trip takes me!” Sheridan said. Wherever the road takes him, every place will be a new surprise that he gets to experience and a chance to meet even more new, interesting people.

Olivia Murray

Mrs. Woronko (Counselor):

When you see one of McAuley’s counselors, Mrs. Woronko, you might never assume she has a passion for wrestling, but this couldn’t be further than the truth! “I have loved watching wrestling since I was in middle school,” Woronko said. Woronko would always just watch wrestling, but now she participates in the action!

Throughout the school year and especially during the summer, Woronko volunteers at Warrior Wrestling, which is an independent wrestling company. As a volunteer, she is the Director of Fan Experience and works with ticketing and merchandise. She even helps organize fan meet-and-greets for wrestlers to meet their supporters! She is the main volunteer at the “front of the house,” meaning she is in charge of helping fans get to see their favorite wrestlers by ticket selling and giving wrestling fans the opportunity to meet their favorite wrestlers. Woronko found out about this wrestling company at her previous job at Marian Catholic High School. Her former principal from Marian Catholic runs the shows at Warrior Wrestling. They instantly became friends due to their similar interest in wrestling. Because of her former principal, Woronko got to be a part of the Warrior community. They have run over 40 shows together!

Warrior Wrestling has had shows all throughout the Midwest area. If they can drive there, they can go! Shows have been at South Bend, Indiana, Madison, Wisconsin and throughout the Chicagoland area. Warrior Wrestling recently had a show at the Tinley Park Convention Center. So, if you have any interest in wrestling, stop by Mrs. Woronko’s office to learn more. “I could talk about wrestling for hours. I am very passionate about it!” Woronko said.

Señora Paraga (Spanish):

Traveling the world is extra special when you are trilingual. Knowing Spanish, English and Croatian, Spanish teacher Señora Paraga has been able to see and learn about places all around the world!

One of Paraga’s passions is traveling. Every summer and over our school breaks, she makes plans to travel. Paraga mostly travels to Spanish speaking countries, but she also visits new places with a variety of different languages. She is able to go on countless trips because she is always searching for the best deals. By staying on overnight layovers and checking prices numerous times, Paraga gets to visit so many different and beautiful countries that are affordable! She gets to see the world with her closest friends and family. Paraga takes these trips with her best friends and with her family when visiting relatives. Some places she has been to are Puerto Rico, Spain, Mexico, Portugal, Peru and Croatia.

Croatia is a special place for Paraga because she is Croatian! She takes countless trips to Croatia, visiting family and just learning more about her family’s culture. Paraga can speak Croatian and has many relatives and loved ones who live there. She is impressively diverse in language, which definitely helps when traveling the world.

This summer Paraga is still deciding what places she wants to go see. “Right now I am looking at airline tickets to see what affordable places I can go to next!” Paraga said.

above. Sheridan and Dakota chilling in the Skoolie. photo provided by Mr. Art Sheridan

above. Woronko posing for Warrior Wrestling. photo by cameraguygimmick

above. Paraga in the island of Hvar in Croatia. photo provided by Ms. Ozana Paraga

Dump the slump

Getting the spring slump is unfortunately a very real thing. In July, we’re ready to take on the world. In March, we feel crushed by it. It’s darker in the mornings, which means it’s harder to wake up. The whole time you’re at school, you’re looking out the window wishing you were enjoying the nice weather. Spring break is happening, and summer is just around the corner. It’s important to remember to take time and care of yourself when you’re overwhelmed in times like these.

One thing that is shown to help with specifically the spring slump is just getting outside. Whether it’s to walk your dog, go on a run or just sit on your porch, being outside helps keep you grounded and be an overall calmer person. It sounds so simple, yet we often don’t even think about this option for our mental health.

Another thing shown to help that may be controversial is spring cleaning. Yes, it may seem impossible to even pick up a sock in your room when you’re spring slumped, but according to an ACI Wakefield

research survey, having a clean work or lounge space can reduce your anxiety by 60%. So next time you’re complaining about doing the laundry, just remember it could benefit you more than you think. The final tip I have for avoiding the spring slump is to set goals. Big or small, doing this will already give you a sense of accomplishment and the motivation to reach your goals. Having expectations for yourself will help boost your confidence and help you understand your strengths and weaknesses.

Spring isn’t just about slowing down and getting overwhelmed. The weather is nicer, the flowers are blooming, school is almost out and there is always summer to look forward to! Do your best to stay motivated and don’t be too hard on yourself this spring season.

Molly Carr

graphic by Brijana Labiak

graphic by Lorelei Saczek

Fiona:

I’m pretty sure that everyone knows the name Taylor Swift. It’s hard not to hear about her, in fact. She has taken the internet and the world by storm with her hugely successful “Eras Tour.” So far she has generated over $1 billion, making it the highest grossing tour ever.

Swift is famous for her singing and songwriting where she shamelessly sings about ex-boyfriends, ex-friends and her own internal struggles. I think that’s why so many young women relate to Swift, making her all the more popular. Whether you’re going through a breakup or feeling on top of the world, there’s a catchy Taylor Swift song for you.

Throughout her music career and public life, Swift has empowered young women by not being afraid to be herself. In an industry where celebrities often try to fit in a certain mold, Swift stays authentic to who she is and her morals.

She does not care what the public might think of her. Why would she? She’s a billionaire, so why would she let comments from a bunch of strangers affect her? Whether she’s speaking out about equality or supporting her fans, she uses her platform for good.

Taylor Swift has been able to reach young women and girls globally. Unlike some artists who are only big in a few countries, Swift is a household name in dozens of countries throughout the world.

Whether you’re a fan of her music or not, Taylor Swift has changed both the industry and the world with her authenticity. She is someone that young girls look up to because of her kindness and compassion. In my opinion, her songs are fire and so is she, making her the best female pop icon.

Caitlin:

Adele is the queen of pop. She was one of the first musicians to make it big with solemn music. Most of our generation grew up listening to her. The sixteen time Grammy winner has created numerous top hits like “Rolling in the Deep” and “Someone Like You.”

You may not always like her kind of music, but you have to like her as a person. During her 2011 world tour, Adele made her concert free, but you had to make at least a $20 donation to Sands, an organization that supports parents whose children have passed and research solutions for neonatal deaths. At the end of just her United Kingdom and European tour, she had raised over $13,000, which was all from her first tour.

Adele always finds a way to touch people’s hearts with her personality. She never cares about what people think of her. After her divorce with Simon Konecki, she preached self-care and stayed true to herself. She was open with the world on her struggles with depression and anxiety while trying to be a single mother doing the best for her son, Angelo. Some of her hit songs include messages to her son about life and how much she cares for him. Adele also proved she can do it all by losing over 100 pounds in two years. Adele said, “It was never about losing weight. It was always about becoming strong and giving myself as much time every day without my phone.” Many accused the singer of falling into the Ozempic craze, but just like always, she brushed them off. That’s why Adele is the best female artist.

Who is your favorite female Pop Icon? Cast your vote below!

Can you believe it’s already almost the end of the school year? It seems like just yesterday I was starting school as a freshman who was scared of the world, and here I am now, anxiously anticipating the final summer before college. I hate to say it, but those four years of highschool really do fly by…corny, right?

When we were pitching our final ideas for this issue, it dawned on me that this is the last column I would write for the McAuley Inscape. I’ll admit, it made me pretty sad; it feels as if this year just started, and there’s no way we’re nearing the end. So naturally, there was only one suitable topic for me to write about: a goodbye to Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School–a eulogy of sorts.

McAuley is a school that most of us have been visiting, if not hearing about, since we were young. Some of our moms went here, our aunts, our grandmothers. We’ve all spent our fair share of time here. A good number of our days were spent in this building together. And although everyday spent here wasn’t a good day, they were all days, and looking back on it they were some of the best moments of my life.

From state championships, to flyovers, to a cat in D-Wing, my time at McAuley was filled with memorable moments, and those are just from this year. Who could forget the time that was freshman year online learning or the one-way hallways, or during sophomore year when the power went out and we all got to go home early, and even last year with the whole uniform fiasco? Even though these are crazy moments, we’ve all had our fair share of fun times: like back-to-back state champs, all our dances and the moments that brought us closer together. It’s crazy to think that all these moments brought us to now, with graduation only a few months away and prom even closer. It’s crazy to look back on it and see the impact that McAuley had on us.

Mother Mcauley has played a different role for everyone. For me, it was a place for letting me confidently grow into my own, surrounded by others doing the same. When coming to McAuley, we were all asked, “Are you a M?” It’s safe to say that whatever our own experiences were here, we’ll always carry a piece of McAuley with us. We’ll always be Mighty Macs.

Fiona Stanek and Caitlin Sears

above. Fiona recreates her favorite Taylor Swift album “Red (Fiona’s Version)”

above. Caitlin recreates her favorite Adele album “19” graphic by Caitlin Sears

Artemis II Expedition

The Moon is a very significant part of our solar system. Its craters and faces continue to keep us curious. What if I told you that you could learn more about the Moon in 2025?

A mission to the Moon–which hasn’t happened in 53 years–will take place in September 2025. The mission, called Artemis II, will take approximately 10 days. This mission is not set to land a spacecraft on the Moon like in the past, but instead orbit it. The spacecraft will lift off from a complex called “398” in Florida, which is where NASA’s space center is located. During an interview with the crew members, Mission Specialist Christina Koch said, “The Moon is not just a symbol of thinking about our place in the universe… It’s not just a symbol of exploration…It’s actually a beacon for science...It’s a beacon for understanding where we came from.”

The super heavy-lift rocket that will propel the astronauts and their spacecraft out of Earth’s orbit for this mission is referred to as the “Space Launch System” (SLS). The SLS is capable of doing many different things like sending astronauts to deep space and carrying large cargo and supplies. This rocket made history Nov. 16, 2022 when it blasted off from NASA’s space center for the first time. It was NASA’s strongest rocket launch in history.

NASA and its crew members for the Artemis II mission are very ecstatic to see what information they will grasp. The crew members that will be participating in this mission are Victor Glover (Pilot), Reid Wiseman (Commander), and Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen (Mission Specialists). They will be testing the prolonged health capabilities of humans in space through the assessment of life support systems necessary to generate breathable air. Pilot Victor Glover said, “The exploration we’re doing is the first few steps along the path to getting humans

to Mars.” This should be a very interesting mission! Who doesn’t want to go to Mars?

The plan for the mission is to travel around the Moon and back to Earth, which would technically make the shape of a figure eight. The distance from the Moon to the Earth will extend more than 230,000 miles. In 1969 U.S. astronauts made history by being the first people to land and walk on the Moon, and their spacecraft was called the Apollo 11. The 2025 mission is named after the sister of Apollo, Artemis, the goddess of the Moon in Greek mythology.

Elysia Gonzalez

On Feb. 8, a sting ray named Charlotte was announced as pregnant at Team Ecco Aquarium and Shark Lab in Hendersonville, North Carolina. This pregnancy was significant as Charlotte has had no encounter with any male species in her tank for over eight years! Charlotte is predicted to be around 1214 years old. She has been fostered in this aquarium since 2016, and since then, no other males have interacted with her.

Many experts theorize that this surprise pregnancy could be due to an asexual reproduction process called parthenogenesis. This is a process where a female species can produce and fertilize embryos without the need of male sperm. Charlotte is supposed to have around four pups and was projected to give birth two weeks after her announcement; however, she has yet to give birth, causing many to wonder why. This has led her popularity to skyrocket. “We don’t know why it happens…Just that it’s kind of this really neat phenomenon that they seem to be able to do,” said Georgia Aquarium research scientist Kady Lyons.

Charlotte’s story has garnered hundreds of visitors to her tank. On March 9, local Hendersonville cafe, Black Bear Coffee Co., named a drink after her called the “Stingray Shuffle Latte.” The coffee company says they will donate profits made off of this drink right back to Charlotte’s home. These factors have allowed for a huge economic boost for Hendersonville! From numerous TikToks to a “Saturday Night Live” skit performed in her honor, she might be the world’s most popular stingray. Despite the predictions, there is no telling when Charlotte is giving birth; however, this is a wonderful event proving how nature is truly a mystery.

Savannah Simon

above.QR code to follow Charlotte the Stingray ‘s journey into Motherhood.

above. Artemis II projected map. Source. Nasa.gov/public domain

Garrison Urbon

The famous University of Iowa basketball player Caitlin Clark has broken many NCAA records and more during her college years. Not only has she become the leading scorer in all of Division I basketball, but she has become a strong and motivational woman that gives little girls the vision that anything is possible.

Clark was also once that little girl dreaming big. She grew up in West Des Moines, Iowa and began playing basketball at the age of 5. Her father had her playing in boy recreational leagues because there were no leagues for girls her age. Clark began to advance, and by the time she was going into middle school, she succeeded greatly with her skills. No one could compare. When attending high school at Dowling Catholic, Clark took a break from basketball and started as a freshman on varsity for the school’s soccer team. When her junior year came along, she decided to focus on basketball. Unfortunately, she never ended her high school basketball career with a state title, but she did rank at number four on the Iowa career scoring chart with 2,547 points. Clark officially committed to the University of Iowa on Nov. 12, 2019. Clark stated, “I was drawn to the team’s up-tempo style of offense and head coach Lisa Bluders development of point guards.” In her freshman year, she hit it off with a bang and earned All-American honors. By the end of her college career, she

held the title of the most points scored in all of Division I basketball. Clark has entered the WNBA draft and is expected to be one of the top 10 picks.

Not only is she a great scorer and a good team player, but she is an idol to younger girls. Thousands of people pay insane prices to go see her play because she shows them that anything is possible and to always dream big.

Transfer travesty?

Lauren Nichols

Impactful changes have occurred within college sports in recent years, namely with the transfer portal and NIL. The transfer portal is how collegiate athletes are able to give recognition to themselves, and from this, they are able to give light to their “Name, Likeness and Image.” Many know this as NIL.

In an article called “Is the Transfer Portal Ruining College Football?” sports editor Vincent Goldschmidt said, “It seems as if the transfer portal is erasing the line between student-athletes and professional athletes.”

Professional athletes are able to reach for trades or even go as far as becoming a free agent. The transfer portal has made studentathletes feel more like free agents than actual college athletes.

“I believe there is nothing wrong with players changing schools to get a better opportunity for themselves,” elaborated Goldschmidt. “However, when schools form super teams or players transfer multiple times in their collegiate careers, I feel as if it ruins the integrity of college football.”

The main criticism of the transfer portal and NIL is that collegiate teams are able to form almost “indestructible” teams, which

just ruins the fun and excitement of college football–the main victim of the transfer portal and NIL.

Another criticism of the transfer portal and NIL is that it takes away scholarship money and spots on college teams from younger, less-known college athletes. As more biggername college athletes enter the transfer portal looking to play for more well-known teams to gain money from their NIL, more money is allocated to them from the budgets of college teams. This leaves less scholarship money and spots on teams for incoming freshmen and those who want to play college sports simply to help them pay for college.

The future of the transfer portal and NIL is uncertain, as many have argued the benefits of these college sports practices. Some say that it provides financial stability and incentives for college athletes, but at the same, others say that it is sucking the life out of college sports, ruining the competitiveness by catering strictly to the few players who carry the team. Those who are critical of the transfer portal and NIL are calling for more rules and regulations that limit how often college athletes can enter the transfer portal or gain from their NIL.

Play like a girl

Tiffany Gonzalez

Maya Hooks is thriving this track and field season. She is outstanding in shot put, which she admires so much. Starting off strong in the season, she placed first overall at three out of the four meets this season.

At the first meet of the season, Hooks made a state qualifying mark. During the summer, she placed eighth at Junior Olympics at Drake University; she’s an AAU 2023 All-American. Hooks has had many achievements throughout the season, and she has offers from various universities. Ultimately, she plans on pursuing shot put at the University of Southern California (USC). “I’ve wanted to be a Trojan girl for as long as I can remember,” said Hooks.

Track and field has brought Hooks long-lasting friendships and given her the opportunity to meet different coaches and people all over Illinois. An unforgettable moment Hooks had was when she went with the whole entire team to a hotel for nationals. Hooks said, “It was a moment I realized how much admiration I have towards shot put and the women in the sport.” All the girls are supportive of each other and the achievements they have made along the way.

Track and field has been eventful for Hooks, and throughout all of this, she has been courageous, competitive and a team player. This has opened many doors and opportunities along the way for her. Hooks can’t wait to excel in her journey and achieve much more. She is ready for an unforgettable lifetime experience to come!

photo provided by Maya Hooks

above. Caitlin Clark during the 2024 Big Ten Tournament Final . photo by John McClellan

Artist spotlight

Julia Easterhouse

Artificial intelligence or artificial menace?

Senior Gigi Marcielle is an extraordinary artist here at Mother McAuley! For all four years of highschool, Gigi has been a part of Mac Melody and the Liturgical Ensemble; she has done the all-school musical and the allschool play every year, directed a one-act play as a senior this school year and so much more outside of theater and singing!

This year especially was a year of success for her in earning the leading role in the musical once again, receiving the Kaylee Murphy Performing Arts Scholarship and being named Mac Melody Assistant Director. When asked how she feels about being a major role in the past two all-school musicals, Marcielle shared, “I felt a great responsibility to be a leader and act professional while maintaining a fun atmosphere. I find the process of getting into character to be the most difficult, yet rewarding, part of the process. The balance can be challenging, but when I achieve it, there is no better feeling.”

A lot goes into being a part of Mother McAuley theater program. Marcielle’s talent did not just spawn overnight. Marcielle takes voice lessons, as well as ballet, jazz, modern, pointe and lyrical dance classes outside of school. She has been dancing since she was two years old and doing musical theater since she was 10 years old! When asked what goes into being a part of Mother McAuley theater, Marcielle shared, “Being a part of Mother McAuley theater requires a lot of dedication and organization. We spend tons of extra hours at and outside of school for rehearsals and performances.”

This great talent doesn’t stop here though! Marcielle will be majoring in Musical Theatre in college and has spent the entire year auditioning for college programs!

Did you notice the front cover photo of this issue was AI-generated? There have been quite a few instances where artificial intelligence (AI) has been used to mislead people. For example, what was portrayed in pictures to be an immersive Willy Wonka experience in Glasgow, Scotland filled with bright colors and an almost life-like candy world happened to be quite the opposite. Individuals who paid $44 a ticket were disappointed to arrive at a dull and feeble replication of the images posted. “There was a crowd of people outside all furious,” stated Paul Connell, an attendee of this experience, to CNN news reporters. Some individuals were so upset that they called the police.These images were created using an AI and were used to trick people into spending money on this lackluster experience. The pictures recently went viral on social media with people calling the event a scam. Additionally, the mistreatment of AI has resulted in fake audios, images and videos of politicians being spread. It has been functional in swaying many people’s votes and opinions. This fake information has been spread throughout the web, making it harder to tell the truths from the lies. AI has begun to have a

negative effect on politics and can eventually result in political corruption. For example, in April 2023, the same day that President Biden announced his reelection campaign, the Republican National Committee (RNC) released a video that portrayed another four years under President Biden as an increase in crime and economic downfall. This entire video was created using AI. The Council on Foreign Relations, an independent publisher, stated, “It seems like a run-of-the-mill political attack at first glance, but in reality, it is the first national campaign advertisement made up of images entirely generated by artificial intelligence.”

Although AI has many benefits, there are many drawbacks that come with it as well. Artificial intelligence has become a large part of the world as we know it. From ChatGPT to social media platforms, AI plays some role. AI, in simple terms, is the science used to try to make computers think like humans. It is able to generate answers, pictures and stories in a matter of seconds. Having access to AI is like having access to a world of creation beyond our comprehension.

Illinois High School Art Exhibition

Brijana Labiak

Aniyah Roberts

above.Gigi Marceille performs her solo at the Christmas Choral Concert with the Mac Melody showchoir. photo by HR imaging