Crossroads Issue 1

DECEMBER 2023 | VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

CROSSROADS a community of faith-filled PVI students and staff collaborating at the intersection of inspiration and information

a Writer’s Block Club Production

We’ve Launched!

Welcome to the first issue of Crossroads — PVI’s monthly student-run publication that features the interests, talents, blessings, ideas, adventures, and faith of the members of our PVI community. We remain ever hopeful not only that you enjoy discovering new things about your classmates or colleagues that will enable you to foster new conversations and friendships, but also that you embrace this opportunity to share your own uniqueness and God-given gifts with others, too, as we continue to live in communion with each other.

For the Love of Rice an Asian Holiday Memoir Through the Eyes (and Taste Buds) of a 5-Year-Old

By Cruz Liu ’27 I showed up at my grandma and grandpa’s house, whom I lovingly call Nai Nai and Ye Ye, ready to visit with my extended family for Christmas 2013. When I arrived with my parents and sister, all of my cousins were there. Everyone was so happy and in the Christmas spirit. This also meant that everyone was hungry and wanted to eat. Nai Nai has always loved to have her house full of family. She is the best cook in the family and the way she shows her love is through food. At the young age of five and during this Christmas celebration, I had the most impactful culinary experience of my life.

For the Love of Rice continued

By Cruz Liu ’27

Nai Nai’s special meals are always made from scratch and from recipes she knows from memory. There is never any shortage of food on special days like Christmas since my grandma is always prepared to serve the crowd. This particular Christmas was no different. There was no room to sit at the table as it was full to the brim with plates of hot, delicious Chinese food. Since I was only five at the time, I had a limited appetite. I truly wanted nothing more than a plate of chicken fingers and french fries.

Nai Nai would have never had a chicken finger dish on her kitchen table. I did not realize it at the time, but my Nai Nai did not have what I wanted to eat; she had what I needed.

Christmastime in an Asian household means food specialties that can only be found in authentic restaurants. I was very scared at the sight and smell of all of the new foods on the table. I wanted to ask my parents to go through a drive-thru to get the chicken nuggets I was craving, but I decided to take a chance and find something new to try instead.

I sorted through all of the different foods and found a plate with small pieces of chicken on it. This was my chance to have the chicken I was craving. I asked for a serving and took a bite. I remember the feeling of euphoria as I tasted this dish with new flavors. The chicken tasted amazing with these small pieces of brown fluff. My parents would later explain that the brown fluff was rice. I ate three plates of chicken fried rice that night.

I spent the next few days curious about how I could get more rice to satisfy my new craving. I happened to go see Nai Nai again a week later and asked her to show me how to make her famous rice. She explained the entire recipe she knew by heart and I was so impressed with how passionately she explained her process. I told her to show me, and she gave me a step stool, put it next to the counter, and taught me how to make the rice. It was the best experience I have ever had in a kitchen. When she was teaching me how to make the recipe, I felt like an artist carefully making his masterpiece and taking great care of every paint stroke on his canvas.

I will never forget having my first taste of chicken fried rice or learning how to make it with my grandma. Her food has helped connect me to my extended family and my Asian heritage. It is from this memorable experience that my love of rice has grown and continues to this day.

CROSSING INTO COMMUNITY SERVICE A FEATURE ON PANTHERS MAKING AN IMPACT

How Two PVI Juniors Gave Back for the Holidays

BY CARTER CASAGRANDE ’25 Getting a Christmas tree can be a big hassle during the holiday season, so PVI juniors Lena Pirato and Riley Deckelman volunteered their time to make this task a little bit easier for others. Lena and Riley spent their Sunday afternoon at St. helping

It’s easy to get caught up in the chaos of

families choose and load their Christmas

the holidays and forget the real meaning

trees.

of the season, but at the end of the day,

Timothy’s

Catholic

Church

there is no better time to give back and The process of picking a Christmas tree

volunteer your time to others. Lena said

entails multiple steps. First, families

she “enjoyed seeing families get in the

looked at all the trees and chose which

Christmas

one they wanted to take home. After the

appreciative they were for the help.”

selection, Lena and Riley would take the

Even offering just a few hours of your

tree off the stand and carry it over to saw

time can impact others and inspire them

it down. Once the tree was sawed and

to do the same. “Offering a helping hand

clipped, the girls helped load it into the

was a great way to spread the joy I have

family’s trunk or tied it on top of their

for Christmas,” Riley added. Consider

car. This task was so rewarding that Lena

ways that YOU can make a difference

and Riley went back to help out again just

this holiday season.

a few days later!

spirit

and

loved

how

The “Oh So Adorable!”

(But Misunderstood) Opossum

By Amelia “Mia” Sampilo ’26 I am a nature lover — from trees, wildflowers, and wide-open spaces to creatures that crawl, fly, and swim — I love them all, including the northernmost marsupial in the world — the opossum! A marsupial is a female animal that usually has a pouch on its abdomen to carry its young. When looking at these marsupials, you may see what you think is a scary, horrible, rabies-infested animal, but it is my mission to prove you wrong! These animals do so much to help our environment, and one of those jobs is eating those sometimes-pesky bugs in our world. Opossums also reduce Lyme disease since they eat many ticks. In fact, opossums eat 95% of the ticks they find, and in the wilderness, there are a lot of ticks!

The “Oh So Adorable!”

(But Misunderstood) Opossum continued

By Amelia “Mia” Sampilo ’26 Opossums are also rather harmless. When many people think of opossums, they usually think of scary, rabid, and angry animals, but that is far from true.

Opossums are at an extremely low risk of rabies, and it is rare they attack humans. The stigma around them is probably due to the defense methods of playing dead or sticking out their teeth while hissing, but this is all for show because they are truly just shy animals. These creatures are also the only marsupials native to North America and are part of nature’s cleaning crew.

Opossums are scavengers and eat deceased creatures. Opossums are actually very clean creatures and clean themselves using their paws — just like cats!

The “Oh So Adorable!”

(But Misunderstood) Opossum continued

By Amelia “Mia” Sampilo ’26 Did you know that they actually have a saying for playing dead? It’s called “playing possum,” and it’s used to refer to animals who are playing dead!

Some ducks and snakes even play dead! These do this, of course, as a last-resort response to a lifethreatening situation!

Opossums are adorable and are very soft. In addition, because they can make hilarious facial expressions, they are common in some styles of memes. In fact, they entered the meme scene back in 2014 -- that shows that anything is possum-ble.

So the next time you see this animal don’t scream, instead look at them with a new light for all they do for us and the world!

It’s cold out there. Please be kind to opossums.

Many of them are just seeking a safe, warm, and cozy place to combat the cold (so many we see are missing parts of their tails, ears, and toes due to previous frostbite); your garage or porch may be the only place they have. They won’t hurt anything, I promise, and shooing them out may be certain death due to lack of shelter.

Did I mention that the beloved Virginia opossum, also known as the North American opossum, is the only marsupial in Northern America? So, please, this holiday season, be careful and show patience toward all creatures, great and small, who may simply be trying to get to the other side of the road to be with their loved ones for the holidays!

When my dad surprised me with a trip to the WNBA Eastern Conference Finals, it turned out to be an amazing adventure filled with many surprises. We got last-minute plane tickets and flew to Providence, Rhode Island; short flights are the best thing ever when traveling, and this brief, one-hour trip was no exception!

When we landed, my dad surprised me again and told me that we were going to rent a car and drive to Providence College – about a two-and-a-half-hour ride from the airport. Since we did not have an official campus tour scheduled in advance, we just started exploring the campus and all its buildings on our own.

This was such a treat for me because I know Providence College is well-known for its athletics, especially its basketball program, which really excited me because I play basketball. I started playing basketball in second grade but began taking it seriously when I made my first AAU team in fifth grade. It obviously wasn’t as competitive as it is now, but I know it was the catalyst that made me start to love the sport so much. Now I have to play basketball; it is a big part of my whole life, and it has positively impacted me in so many ways. So, when I found out I was touring a very competitive basketball college, I was elated!

Providence is Division 1 and has a fantastic record and an amazing coaching staff. Initially, I did not have Providence College on my list of possible colleges to attend – until I got there and saw the campus, the buildings, and all the beautiful landscaping and views in person. I was impressed immediately. This unexpected adventure really opened my eyes!

While my dad and I were exploring the campus, we came upon the Athletic building -- a modern, pristine, and state-of-the-art facility. I knocked on the door as a silly joke to see if someone would let us in. We both knew that, obviously, the chances of that happening were very unlikely, but in keeping with how great our unplanned plans were going -- someone opened the door! It was Ed Cooley, the men's basketball coach at the time! It was such a surprise! He asked if we wanted a tour of the Athletic Department, and, of course, we said yes!

A Surprise Plan for a Spontaneous Adventure

By Grac(i)e Swisher ’27

Coach Cooley showed us all around and gave us such a fantastic tour. He showed us the film room, the locker room, and all of the basketball gyms! When he was showing us one of the auxiliary gyms, there was NBA star and Providence grad — Kris Dunn — practicing! Dunn played at Providence for four seasons and then got drafted as the fifth overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. I was so shocked and excited to see him right there in front of me! We took a picture with him and talked for a little while. It was so cool and I am still so shocked by what happened.

After that amazing moment, we drove to the WNBA game -- Connecticut Sun vs. Chicago Sky. I could not wait for the game. It was such a dream for me to be able to experience an NBA playoff game live! When I got there, it was so crowded and loud; it was like a concert.

There were so many people everywhere that I was actually a little nervous that I was going to get separated from my dad and not be able to find him in the crowd!

Our seats were pretty close to the court and right in the middle. We could see everything up and down the court.

The Suns and the Sky both played a great game and it was so interesting to see how different it is to watch them play in person vs. from a screen. The Sun ended up winning 72-63. I loved watching them be so competitive and I could tell they both really wanted the victory.

This was such an unforgettable experience in my life with my Dad, and thanks to my Dad (and surely Divine Providence!)

A Magnified Look at the Beauty in the Seemingly-Mundane

By John Murray ’24 There are some metrics by which many would agree constitutes it: a sunny day, a crisp white shirt, or maybe even a meadow of wildflowers. For me, there is nothing so beautiful as rain.

When I was little, I often found myself staring out the various windows of my house appreciating the powerful downpours which made their way above my town. Perhaps my fascination with rain started out as mere curiosity, but quickly it grew to a great appreciation. It wasn't long until it blossomed into a regular routine — when the sky grew dark with the gray clouds, I would sit in my grandmother's recliner — a chair that was parallel to a window with a perfect view of the cul-de-sac by my home. It was from that vantage point that I found I could best see the rain and its wondrous tidings.

I came to that special spot during so many countless rainstorms that the view out that window remains forever ingrained in my memory — the way the water pooled into the dipped in the pavement, forming the same familiar puddles that reflected the image of the solitary lamp post which illuminated the street in the night. It was in that reflection that I realized what was by far the rain's most beautiful tenet. It was the rain's ability to transform everything it touched -- the boring, ordinary lamppost which previously populated no space in my mind, was suddenly, through a reflection in the puddle, an all-new curiosity which, when unified with the wet pavement, shined its light to behold detailed swirls and patterns. That was another feature of the rain's beauty — its ability to unify everything it touched. While the world we live in may often seem dominated by rigid rules and brutish borders, as soon as the rain falls, it all quickly melts away into something shining and beautiful.

Alas! Nothing lasts forever, and that worn, rain-drenched pavement I grew up with was paved over anew with a fresh matte black finish. Gone were the worn-in dips that gave the street its character. Despite this, the rain I grew to love saw no less appreciation in my thoughts for it did not matter what surface it married with, the rain always managed to breathe new life. As transient as the world is, the rain will always come again to bless the land with its transformative presence. I take comfort in the rain’s constancy because I know no matter where I am when the rain comes, the world comes alive.

Poetry, Plays, and People on Other Planets

The Crucible and the Red Scare

By Dante Massarini ’25 Fear has often served as the primary instigator

in

the

cruelest

events

throughout human history. The firstborn children of the Israelites were thrown into

This theme of fear also held true in 1690s Salem, Massachusetts, the setting of The Crucible by Arthur Miller, and 1950s America during the reign of Senator Joseph McCarthy, the setting in which Miller wrote the play.

the Nile because the Pharaoh of Egypt feared their growing numbers. What was originally a relatively small attempt by the Catholic Church to preserve the faith in Spain grew into a massive ordeal that affected hundreds of thousands of people because of a growing fear of losing its influence. Adolf Hitler manipulated the masses in Germany by convincing them that the outside forces were all working to bring about their downfall, and he turned their fear into a weapon. This theme of fear also held true in 1690s Salem, Massachusetts, the setting of a weapon.

This theme of fear also held true in 1690s Salem, Massachusetts, the setting of the Nile because the Pharaoh of Egypt feared their

growing

numbers.

What

was

originally a relatively small attempt by the Catholic Church to preserve the faith in Spain grew into a massive ordeal that affected hundreds of thousands of people because of a growing fear of losing its influence. Adolf Hitler manipulated the masses in Germany by convincing them that the outside forces were all working to bring about their downfall, and he turned their fear into a weapon.

Miller lived in the United States postWorld War II at a time when the U.S. and the Soviet Union were locked in an ideological battle for supremacy between capitalism and communism. This Cold War created global tension and paranoia, and in the U.S. resulted in the “Red Scare.” This fear of communist sympathizers in the country fueled the efforts of the House Un-American Activities Committee, spearheaded by Senator Joseph McCarthy, to root out anyone with potential connections to the Communist Party. Hollywood became one of the primary targets of the Committee’s attacks because of the influence and fame that was wielded by the movie stars that could be considered dangerous. Miller himself became a target in 1951 when a script of his was shown to the FBI that, according to them, was not “Pro-American.” When Miller began work on The Crucible, he knew that his play would be perceived as a direct affront to the methods of the House Committee; he wrote it to condemn the hysteria that gripped the country.

The Crucible and the Red Scare continued

By Dante Massarini ’25

Artist Charlie Balderrama ’25

When Charlie isn’t creating art, you can find her playing soccer, participating in the DE Art Program, or spending quality time with her friends, her family, and her many dogs. One of her goals for this school year is to promote the PVI Art program, including the Art Show. She wants to help get more individuals recognized for their remarkable talents that may be overlooked by people.

The Red Scare was orchestrated by the U.S. government, just as the Salem Witch Trials were organized by the theocratic government in charge of the colony. In each case, to question the events was to question the very foundation of the system.

In the U.S., reluctance was seen as a sure sign of a communist tasked with infiltrating and destroying capitalism; in Salem, this was the Devil’s infiltration of the church and a plot to undermine Christ. In Salem, those accused were arrested as witches. In the Red Scare, an accused person was blacklisted and cast aside. Virtually any chance of employment or social status was lost, and these people were to be avoided. In Salem, denial of being a witch meant hanging because it could be viewed as a denial of Satan’s attacks, which would expose the court. Thus, people would quickly change their opinions from opposition to the proceedings to full cooperation. During the Red Scare, if a person wasn’t a strong supporter of the Committee’s tactics, they must have been a communist. This led to, in Miller’s words, “the overnight conversions of former leftists into bornagain patriots.” In Salem, once a person was accused, their only option was to confess and point to others as also having frolicked with the Devil.

This was “proof” that the confession was valid and not a lie to save themselves. During the Red Scare, a person brought before the committee could testify to seeing others who associated with the party to draw the attention that way.

The Crucible and the Red Scare continued

By Dante Massarini ’25

The Salem Witch Trials and the Red Scare could not easily be stopped, as fear drove the two crises along. Fear of unknown, foreign, and hostile ideas motivated each other as the witches and communists could strike at any moment.

Fear of coming under fire from the prosecution prevented good people from speaking out against the persecution. Even today, The Crucible serves as a reminder of what can and does happen when fear, fanaticism, and paranoia goes unchecked.

Natalie enjoys playing guitar, listening to music, doing art, and drinking any type of caffeinated beverage. Her favorite subjects are English, Psychology, and Art.

Artist Natalie Pearce ’25

From Back Stage to On Stage: My Experience in PVI’s The Crucible

By Emma Ladowicz ’26 Even before I started my freshman year at PVI, I knew that I would love to be involved in the Theatre program. After working on the crew for last fall’s production of Murder on the Orient Express and playing a member of the Vice Squad in the spring’s Nice Work if You Can Get It, I was blessed to land a role as one of the infamous “Scream Queens” in The Crucible. To say the experience was exhilarating would be an understatement. Every second of the show, both onstage and off, was absolutely incredible.

One of my favorite parts of working on the show was not even the acting itself. At set builds, which took place on Saturday mornings and afternoons, I got to work with my fellow cast and crew members to make the show’s set look straight out of the 1600s. It was really enjoyable not only to spend more time with everyone but also to learn how to operate tools that I previously had no experience using. It was really interesting to experience firsthand how much work goes into making a show look amazing.

In addition to working on the set, every rehearsal was also fun. Even when I felt absolutely exhausted, the adrenaline rush from playing one of the terrified girls always helped me to give my all. One of the best parts of rehearsing so much was getting to know the play, the scenes, and the actors’ lines so well. When rehearsals first started, I couldn’t remember who said what line or at what point they were supposed to say it.

Pretty soon, though, I knew what was coming; this made the show, and my ability to perform right on cue with the appropriate amount of spontaneity, even more enjoyable. The courtroom scene, for example, never really stopped being thrilling, and I know that is what made it so much fun.

Outside of my main role as a Scream Queen, I was also given the opportunity to understudy Katherine Heflin ’27, who played Elizabeth Proctor. This was truly a unique experience for me because it was the largest role in which I had ever been placed. It was really nice to get to know not only Katherine but also Mateo Sur ’24, who portrayed John Proctor. Understudying Katherine helped me to develop my skills as an actress.

One of my favorite memories from my experience in being a part of PVI’s The Crucible is dancing backstage and spontaneously singing songs like the team-building and energyinspiring “Kumalata Vista'' with other members of the cast. There is just something so incredible about joining together with others in something like singing or dancing to a song. If I could go back and relive any moment from the show, it would definitely be one of these backstage moments.

On Sunday, after the curtain fell at the matinee, it was bittersweet. All of our hard work was now shown to everyone, and it was time to begin taking down the set at set strike. It felt a bit strange taking apart the set after spending so much time putting it together, but this end to PVI’s fall production meant a new beginning for PVI’s spring show – Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical, Cinderella. I cannot wait to see what happens next!

The Crucible’s Director’s Notes: An Interview with Mrs. Kathy d'Alelio

By Emma Ladowicz ’26 Actress, Director, and Teacher Mrs. d’Alelio has enabled the PVI community to experience incredible productions year after year.

Following this year’s play, The Crucible, I embraced the opportunity to sit down and speak with her about her most recent production.

What was your favorite scene in the show?

That’s really hard. I think the courtroom scene because of the range of things that went on. We start out quiet, then some things happen, and it ends with ten girls screaming their guts out!

What surprised you the most during auditions/rehearsals?

What surprised me -- in a good way -- was how good some of the people were.

I knew that the people I cast were good, but some exceeded my expectations.

Some took stuff and made it their own. It was great.

What was the hardest scene, in your opinion, to fully develop?

The hardest one would have to be the last scene. The relationships - having Katherine and Mateo come to that really loving “I’ll never see you again” part that made the audience feel what they were going through. Having the noose hang at the end and get that reaction was also great.

What is your favorite PVI show you have ever directed?

I cannot answer that because every one of them is unique in its own way. This one was a joy.

There were hassles, but right now, I would say that this one is one of the best shows we ever did.

What is the hardest part of being a director? What is the easiest, if there is any?

There are two - one of them is not being able to cast everyone in the play. People don’t get the roles they want, or they don’t get in at all. It’s also hard because I demand hard work from my actors, and it is frustrating when they don’t feel the need to do that. The easiest part - the most joyful part - is seeing it all come together in the way that I saw it coming together - my vision, if you will. There is nothing really easy about the process, but there are joyful moments -- like when an actor makes a breakthrough.

As an actor yourself, what advice would you give to aspiring actors at PVI? If you want to do this, you must love it. If you want to go into the business as an actor, you have to be tenacious and understand that you will get rejected -- probably more so than success. You just have to keep working. You start out small and have to build up to a lead. Hard work is the basis of it all. This applies to high school students as well. I look for people who will work hard and are talented.

Sonnet 1: Zeke

by Brent Barlow ’26 After begging for years, I got my wish.

I had wanted a dog since I was five.

Previously, I have had many fish.

I could not wait for you, Zeke, to arrive.

I saw you online, you looked sweet as pie.

I knew you would enjoy being with me.

I was ready for you to be my guy, And now you are home, by the Christmas tree.

You bring so much joy to all of us here.

You have a big smile that lights up the room.

I can’t imagine life without you near.

It's so amazing to watch you zoom-zoom.

I am looking forward to grow with you.

The love and joy you bring to us, who knew?

Can You Say My Name Can you say my name to remind me of your voice for the final time I forgot your face the way that you glanced at me is all I recall

By Katherine Kirk ’25

The Gracious Full Moon the gracious full moon shines her love's light on my face gleam in still black night

By Elizabeth Anderson ’25

Excerpts from the Portfolio of Fantasy Fiction Writer, Garbriela Bergstrom ’27

genre: Fantasy title: "Dweller's Guide to Roygaia" setting: Roygaia, a fantasy world not connected to Earth characters: Tremiyth, from the Gemata Region of Roygaia, and Rockalse, from the Exiled Dunes Region of Roygaia

“The inspiration for these scenes was from how much I enjoy fantasy genres and themed games inside fiction. Since I am always imagining a number of different fictional characters, moments, and mini-stories inside my head, I decided to actually write one of them out for the real world!” ~ Gabriela Bergstrom

from Tremiyth’s Point of View (POV) He landed this annoying shift. Again.

Now standing at top of the guard tower in Gemayta, the crystal region of Roygaia, he now had to stay in place there for even more hours. He could have been out foraging for special runestones in the caves, especially during the night when it was the best hour to spot them. But no! And all because someone from the Unwanted Region had given an attempt to attack Gemayta.

Why Unwanted loved to try and attack regions, he didn’t know. All that was figured out from ones previously captured is that there was a need for a shard from the Portal of Eternal Light. There were no more answers forced out other than that conclusion. Now, there was an increase in the number of soldiers in its location.

Even though his job was in Gemayta’s army, Tremiyth had never seen someone from the Unwanted region before. Once he had hid behind a few shelves in order to get a glimpse at whoever was captured, but was found before the interrogation began. Any time he asked about what they were like, the reply always was, “They are terrible people,” they can “never be trusted,” and “they look like the walking dead, all covered in sand and musk.” The last comment was the most frequent among everyone. Although, what is the difference between the looks of the Unwanted and the rest of Roygaia? People in Gemayta are literally walking crystalized stones but in a humanoid form. So are the ones in the Fallowood Region, except they’re walking plants and trees.

To him, apparently, sand is the universal hate.

Tremiyth stepped closer to the edge of the tower’s deck. There was a runestone cave near his location. It would be a lot less boring if he was able to search for some instead of this. He began to think back to why he even joined the army in the first place. Seeing as there wasn't a ton of gailem, the world’s worldwide money made from runestone foraging, he didn’t have much to bring for a real job.

He glanced back at the cave. Now there was someone near the entrance, probably ready for the best runestone heist ever. They did make good collections, after all.

Hm. That’s strange. There’s sand all over them.

Wait.

Why is there sand?

from Rockalse’s Point of View (POV) No. No, no, no.

NO. Someone saw him.

Just when he finally made it out of that dumb holding room, he had to get himself caught. So now he had no choice but to lose this guard in the runestone caves. And if it came to worst, they would be perfect for getting rid of them.

For once, Rockalse was glad that no one knew the real use of runestones.

They were great for defense and currently have no selling price, which makes it easy to get hold of one. But if any other region besides the Unwanted knew about runecasting, how the tables would turn. The Capital would take control of every runestone cave, shut off their free use, and only allow access to those stuck-nobles that live there just for another gailem in their pocket.

His older sister, Raiden, was now back in his designated region; she had revealed her finding of the real properties of runes a couple months ago. She didn’t tell how, why, or when -- just that she did. And the more mysterious part is that Raiden never even spoke a word. Ever. It was confirmed that she was mute since the beginning of childhood. To randomly talk about runecasting while not speaking forever gave him suspicion.

And then to send him on this little vacation? Now that seemed very off.

Rockalse kept running down the caves, still hearing fast steps behind him. Clearly sprinting from the guard wasn't working, so it was time for Operation Runestone Fight Ring.

He snatched off a rune near him on the wall. Its color was a deep gray with an encryption. According to Raiden, this one said “sage of the stone.”

Quite a convenience for a fight in a cave, don’t you think?

Rockalse hid behind the next corner of the passage and waited for the guard to get close. During his wait, he snapped his fingers in order to activate the rune. Once there was a shadow starting to loom across the other side, a unique hand motion with a flick of his hand controlled the stone walls. They surrounded the guard, then turning his hand into a fist, the stone morphed into a cage with the guard inside.

Leading the stone again, it changed itself to a smaller hand behind the guard and knocked them out.

Score.

Now what was he gonna do with them?

Music: The International Language

Spreading Happiness Through the Gift of Music

By Roy Wulf ’26 In Acts Chapter 20, we are told to “remember the word of the Lord Jesus, how he said: It is a more blessed thing to give, rather than to receive.” I consider myself extremely blessed to be able to play music and sing, allowing me to be involved in giving musical experiences to others. It is a great way to spread happiness in our world!

When I was very little, often at Christmastime, I would play piano and violin and sing for the residents of a nursing home near where I live. I continued to perform there until the pandemic prevented visitors.

Even then, I was able to serenade a couple inside who were celebrating their 75th wedding anniversary, playing out in the parking lot. It worked fine because bagpipes can be heard despite any social distancing!

Perhaps this Christmas, I will perform inside again.

Also, when I was little, I met a Civil War Reenactment Group from Pennsylvania.

Because I played the fife with the Linton Hall School Fife and Drum Corps, this group signed me on as their musician. I took my assignment very seriously. Since then, I have been involved in all kinds of historical music for the Civil War, Revolutionary War, and Great War events, playing bugle, fife, drum, cornet, fiddle, and bagpipes. It has been my honor to sound Taps and provide other music from the past. If anyone reading this has a curiosity about historical reenacting, performing historical music, or Victorian dance, please ask me! continued

Spreading Happiness Through the Gift of Music continued

By Roy Wulf ’26

remely t x e f l e ic er mys lay mus p I consid o t e l to be ab d e e to be s s m e l g b n i w g, allo usical m and sin g n i v i d in g involve thers. o o t s e nc experie

When arrangements of historical pieces are played on period-correct instruments, it is possible to bring back music from the past much as it would have sounded long before ways to record sound were even invented. This year, at an estate sale given by the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia, my family acquired a harpsichord, a truly magical instrument. Almost every day, I play this harpsichord and travel back in time.

I also love to sing. Growing up, I was a member of the Greater Manassas Children’s Choir. Now, I sing almost every Sunday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Gainesville, usually at the 9:30 Novus Ordo Mass and at noon at the Nokesville Oratory for the Tridentine Latin Mass. The Catholic Church has an incredible wealth of Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony.

My hope is that some of this might be used at PVI school-wide Masses. This singing is not primarily for entertainment; rather, it is singing prayers to God. This acapella singing can be deeply beautiful and moving. It is impossible to describe in words, but if you experience it, you feel its impact.

Roy’s Treasure Chest of Instruments: Piano Bagpipes Harpsichord Organ Fife Drums Violin/Fiddle Cello Bugle Trumpet Eb Cornet Voice (singing) Of course, many of my most recent musical experiences have been with the incredible Performing Arts opportunities at PVI. If you have not attended an instrumental concert, a choir concert, or the musical or other theatrical production held in Teatro Montini, I urge you to go. Mrs. Siegfried, Ms. Prince, and Mrs. d’Alelio are amazing instructors.

Our PVI instrumentalists, vocalists, and actors are incredibly talented. It has been a great pleasure to be involved in performances with everyone here. Therefore, come out to performances, and trust me, you will be amazed by what you experience. Also, if you are so inclined, please consider getting involved yourself. As for me, I am very grateful to be a part of the performing arts here at PVI!

Radiance Road

By Hans Sirotniak ’24

In the beginning, God said, “Let there be light.”

Even among the darkness, the bad news, the negativity, the hopelessness, the despair, the evil, the problems, the struggles, the sadness, and the uncertainty, there is still a source of light in this world. Here at Radiance Road, come find the goodness, the solution, and the way through inspirational music, Bible passages, and excerpts from homilies. Light up the meaning, the joy, the wisdom, and the courage in your life.

Can you imagine it?

Hans Sirotniak ’24

Radiance Road (continued)

What are the types of Christian music?

Christian music might be a type of music you are very familiar with, or it might be something you’ve never heard of before.

Just like there are many genres of music, there are many subgenres of Christian music. These include Christian country, Christian rock, Christian pop, Christian hip-hop, Gospel music, Southern Gospel music, Nigerian Gospel music, Christian metal, Worship music, Sacred music, Adult Contemporary music, Spanish Christian music, Christian R&B, and more!

What makes Christian music different from other music?

All music has an effect on our moods, and it is important that we listen to music that will provide us with the best messages possible. Although it is not bad to listen to music that is not Christian-related, there are many non-Christian songs that promote negativity and unkindness, which are not very inspiring for those who want to live a faith-filled, joyous life.

Why should you listen to Christian music?

Many people, including teenagers, suffer from feelings of loneliness and depression. Instead of listening to songs that are negative and add to the melancholy, it’s easy to find hope and positivity in Christian music because it provides encouraging messages. People who might be struggling with their faith, people who are suffering physically or emotionally, and people who are experiencing uncertainty can identify with Christian songs and take in those messages.

Songwriters and singers of Christian songs share both their own personal struggles and their celebrations. That is why some Christian songs might be about experiencing the lows in life, while others are about praising God for making it through. One of the main messages of Christian music is that hard times are a part of life, and although there is uncertainty, there is hope and meaning in whatever we go through. Christian artists welcome everyone to hear their songs and be blessed by God through their messages. Maybe you are having a great time in your life, and you want a way to celebrate. Worshiping God through listening to Christian music is a great way to do that. Maybe you are losing hope and feeling like you want to give up. Seeking out God’s help through listening to Christian music is a great way to help keep your focus in the right place during hard times.

Hans Sirotniak ’24

Radiance Road Check out these 10 inspiring Christianbased Christmas tunes “The Hope of Christmas”

by Matthew West

“Awakening” (Christmas Version)

by John Waller John Waller’s song “Awakening” has a Christmas remix, and now the coffee becomes peppermint latte.

Overall, the message is consistent that John Waller depends on two things to get his Christmas morning off to a great start: a lot of Jesus and also a little caffeine.

In 2020, the world looked dark. It was hard to find peace in the strange world that the year had brought.

Luckily, however, we had this song from Matthew West to cheer us up.

It took our focus off of the craziness of the world and onto the hope of the Father. God is the hope of my heart, and although the year presents pain “[the night the sky joined in]”

by All Creatures and suffering, there is hope in the Christmas has a different focus from message of Christmas. what we experience. It is a historical celebration that focuses on a single night in all of history, the night that the sky joined in. The sound of the coming of “Someone Like Me” the Savior rang loudly. Will you

by Evan Craft accept the call?

This song is a Christmas prayer from one broken person to the “King who they said came in a manger” asking for mercy. Although it might not seem like it’s filled with the usual “Good News” Christmas cheer, it’s a cry out for

by Unspoken hope from the last pew in a church Do you want some good news? I’ve on Christmas Eve. It’s calling on got it right here. In this song, Jesus, asking for room at the inn, Unspoken celebrates the fact that asking for help, asking if there is “everyone got a gift from Heaven,” mercy “for someone like me?”

God’s only Son. And once you accept that gift, your deepest wishes can come true.

“Peace Has Come”

by Hillsong Worship “Behold Him”

by Francesca Battistelli This song is a reminder for all those who are suffering during the Christmas season -- the message of the coming of Christ is still relevant. Jesus was born to spread the message that there is hope in the midst of pain. If you’re not feeling alright, remember to behold Him, and be reminded of the hope that you have in Christ.

“Lift Up Your Eyes”

by Danny Gokey In the midst of the holiday celebrations, it is important to pause for a second and put your trust in the right place. That’s one reason this song is so wonderful. It’s a reminder that we should lift up our eyes to God who will guide us to safety with Him. This holiday season, on our journey to a more perfect world, we reach out to God and pray for His help.

One of the things that many of us want most in life is peace.

This song is a reminder that peace has come. The King is with us. Let this holiday season be that reminder.

“Miracle of Love”

by Chris Tomlin This song put the emphasis on Christ as a baby being born on Christmas. The news of a Savior being born is amazing news.

Chris Tomlin hits his knees in this song to celebrate the fact that God has come to Earth from Heaven above to save us all.

“Comfort and Joy”

by Tasha Layton This is a song for those who feel left out during the holiday season, for those who feel pain when everyone else around them is celebrating but they can’t. What’s the meaning of Christmas? Jesus came to bring us comfort and joy.

And so remember where you should place your hope, not in the celebrations of the holiday but rather in the message of the Savior.

travels ventured by students and staff

Statistics Teacher

Nicole Packard’s Adventures in

Europe: Italy, Greece, and Iceland

photos courtesy of N. Packard

This year I was fortunate to take a trip to Europe with my family. We visited Italy, Greece, and Iceland. While in Rome, a city with a lot of history and culture, we visited Vatican City, where we took an inspiring tour of the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel.

Notably, one of the many things we saw was the famous Range Rover — the Popemobile! We were reminded of the attempt on Pope John Paul II’s life that led to the design and inclusion of a boxedshape bullet-resistant glass in the vehicle.

The Colosseum -the largest ancient amphitheater ever built, and the largest standing amphitheater in the world. Built between 69–80 AD in Rome, Italy.

Statistics Teacher

Nicole Packard’s Adventures in

Greece

After Rome, we explored both the island of Santorini and Athens — the capital and largest city of Greece and a city rich in culture and history. Greece was absolutely amazing.

Santorini

Statistics Teacher

Nicole Packard’s Adventures in

Italy

photos courtesy of N. Packard We rounded out our trip by stopping at an Italian beach on our way to the island of Iceland.

Statistics Teacher

Nicole Packard’s Adventures in

Iceland

Iceland is one of those rare gems that can be both scorching and icy at the same time, earning the nickname "Land of Ice and Fire."

vacation photo provided by N. Packard

photos courtesy of N. Packard

Although our one day in Iceland was rainy, the views were breathtaking. The country is absolutely a must-visit destination for any outdoor enthusiasts. While in Reykjavik, the capital and largest city of Iceland, we stopped at a cute little café where we enjoyed traditional (and delicious) Icelandic pastries. We also stopped at a couple of history museums where we learned more about Icelandic history and culture, including that it is ranked the 3rd healthiest country in the world!

Catherine Murphy’s ’27 Adventures in

USA: Yellowstone National Park Mud pots bubble, lakes snap, crackle, and pop like Rice Krispies, and emerald springs steam at the Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park.

When most people think of Yellowstone, what immediately comes to mind is the iconic Old Faithful, the famous Great Prismatic Spring, and maybe a few bison.

However, Norris is a hidden gem that packs a few surprises of its own. This is the hottest, most acidic, and constantly changing basin in the park, and park nerds and geyser enthusiasts alike are in for a real treat! Norris is composed of two distinct basins, both of which contain diamonds that are not to be missed.

The more barren of the two is the Porcelain Basin, where the ground looks like you’re on the surface of the moon, abound with surreal and boiling-hot volcanic features, hearkening back to a bygone era in which the Earth was a hostile environment that only the most hardy could survive. Some of my favorite features of Yellowstone are its mud pots; a mud pot is a hole in the ground with mud in it. Here comes the twist, though: these fantastical pots are about 198 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning they produce huge bubbles, almost like magic brew. Another wonderfully absurd geothermal feature Yellowstone’s Porcelain Basin has to offer is easily the Crackling Lake, a lake containing water so boiling hot it crackles, making you instantly think of Rice Krispies.

Minute Geyser photos courtesy of Catherine Murphy

The other basin making up Norris is the more forested of the two, Back Basin, containing the impressive Emerald Spring. The splendid green color is created by the water absorbing all the colors of sunlight except for blue. The blue hue then reflects with the yellow sulfur deposits in the water, creating the emerald green. The sulfur is also why many of the hot springs at Yellowstone smell of rotten eggs, as eggs contain a chemical that, upon rotting, is released into the air as sulfur.

Further down the basin is Minute Geyser, a hot spring that, as of today, occasionally erupts as a geyser.

However, back at the turn of the last century, it would erupt vigorously every minute, hence the name. With eruptions as tall as a whopping 40-50 feet -- while not as impressive as Old Faithful -- is impressive considering it had only a minute’s rest between eruptions. It actually has two vents, with eruptions coming from the bigger West Vent. However, some tourons (tourist + moron = touron) decided to throw rocks in the vent like it’s a wishing well (spoiler: it isn’t), clogging it. Mending these wounds would deal even more damage to a sensitive geothermal environment, leading to the few occasional eruptions we now must live with today, which occur now from which o the East Vent, the smaller of the two. Despite the occasional eruptions, there is still a consistent fountain-like turret of water from the East Vent. continued

Catherine Murphy’s ’27 Adventures in

Yellowstone National Park

Mud Pot

The main event, though, the pièce de résistance as they say, is easily Steamboat, found a little way after Emerald Spring. This gem is currently the tallest active geyser in the world, erupting mighty streams of water up to 300 feet high. It’s a rare treat to witness an eruption, as Steamboat erupts very irregularly, even having a 50-year lull between 1911 and 1961.

However, it does sometimes spout shorter bursts of water regardless of whether there’s an impending major eruption or not, causing some who visit to think they’re about to witness history in the making by watching a major eruption, and some even get their cameras out. When it does erupt, mighty turrets of boiling water blast out of two vents up to 300 feet high, and debris from the eruption can be flung so far it is known to ding cars in the parking area. However, this is just the beginning, as this Water Phase, as it’s known, lasts from about 3 to 40 minutes. Next comes the Steam Phase, which is known to last from hours to days after the Water Phase. Roaring steam billows from the vents, making it hard to even have a brief conversation around the geyser. Even if it isn’t erupting, it is still cool to see the world’s tallest active geyser, especially when it’s spurting water, and tourists are acting like it’s about to go off!

I am so blessed I got to see this masterpiece of nature in person, and I hope this makes someone rethink going to Yellowstone just to see Old Faithful do its thing for all of 5 minutes and then leave. Norris is God’s work of art, and everyone should take time off their Yellowstone trip just to see this unique basin. Just don’t be a touron and ruin natural wonders that have been on the Earth for generations for the generations that come after you.

Emerald Spring

Clare Bolton’s ’26 Adventures in

Italy

I took my first trip out of the country in the beginning of October to visit Italy. The reason I went was in honor of my aunt, who passed away. After her death, my dad decided to make it a tradition to take one of us five children each year to commemorate where she lived and died.

Instead of a bereft trip, my dad and I wanted to make it a celebration of life. At this point in the year, it also happened to be the Feast of Saint Francis, who is a special saint in our family. In the ten days I spent there I got to celebrate the feast of Saint Francis in Assisi, visit my aunt’s grave, and travel around to different places in Italy.

Florence During my trip to Italy, the first place my dad and I visited was Florence. This was one of my favorite places to visit because it is abundant with character and culture.

Walking into Florence, the first thing that caught my eye were the intricate and delicate pieces of architecture and sculptures. Whether it was the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral or the meticulous carving of The David, each piece of work I saw was made with so much care and detail. I continued to muse over the fact that these statues, paintings, and architecture before me were such culturally important pieces of history.

Truly all a person can do when beholding such beautiful artwork is extol the adroit creator of it.

Clare Bolton’s ’26 Adventures in

Italy

photos courtesy of Clare Bolton

Assisi A place I hold special in my heart is Assisi. This is because I got to visit the tomb of the two saints whom I was named after. In Saint Clare’s Cathedral, there did not seem to be any stolid people. Everyone in there looked to be so deep in prayer that everything and everyone around them became dormant.

Visiting the sites where Saint Francis talked to the birds or the altar where he prayed was spectacular. There is no way that I could describe the feeling of joy that enveloped me when I got to experience such close interactions with Saint Clare and Saint Francis.

Clare Bolton’s ’26 Adventures in

Italy

photos courtesy of Clare Bolton

Vatican City When I visited Vatican City it felt surreal.

Everyone in St. Peter’s Church was in awe while scrutinizing all the detailed paintings. It was an extraordinary feeling to be able to go inside the Vatican and be able to visit every Pope’s grave. It was clearly extra special when I got to St. Paul VI’s tomb. Being able to pray for Fr. Schultz at St. Paul VI’s tomb was a very spiritually moving experience for me. I never thought that I would be able to pray at the tomb of the Pope for the Chaplain at my school -- a high named after St. Paul VI. It made me just want to stand there in silence and serenity in such a holy place.

Clare Bolton’s ’26 Adventures in

Italy

Rome In addition to Vatican City, the rest of Rome was breathtaking as well. I could not believe that century-old buildings were right in front of my eyes. I loved seeing places like the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain that were built with such character, making them look so opulent.

Rome was a lot more city-like than I thought, yet it is so different from a city like New York, which has less history.

Walking on the same uneven cobblestone streets soldiers walked centuries ago was a memorable experience I won’t forget.

photos courtesy of Clare Bolton

Audrey Culipher’s ’26 Adventures Living in

Germany I moved to Germany during the summer between sixth and seventh grade, during the height of Covid. We had to move because my father had been deployed over to Ramstein, Germany in December; my mother wanted to keep our family together, so we moved over the summer. This would be my second time traveling outside of the US, but my first time to Germany. The day we left the US was a nerve-racking day; in the morning we were cleaning the house, and in the afternoon we were saying our goodbyes to our cousins and our dog, Tucker. Leaving everything we knew and were accustomed to was hard, but leaving behind all our family and our dog was really hard, especially for my two younger sisters.

After arriving in Ramstein, Germany, we moved into a small bachelor apartment where our dad was staying. Our mother had to go back to the US for work so it was just us four kids and our dad in a two bedroom, one-bathroom home. We lived in that apartment for the majority of the summer until our dad found a house for rent. We soon started school at at the DODEA school on base, thatisiswhere whereII met base, that some of the best friends som I had ever had.

We never visited the US at all during those two years, but we had our grandparents on both bothsides come to visit.

The best part of living in Germany was that we could Germany travel travel to three different countries in about an hour or two.

Audrey Culipher’s ’26 Adventures Living in

Germany continued

One day, we decided to go to Paris, so we bought tickets for a two-hour train ride to Paris. The worst part was that the further out into the countryside we got, the less people spoke English. At times it could also be hard to drive and park in Germany because of the small roads and small parking places.

Education While I lived in Germany, I attended Ramstein Middle School -- a Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) school on the US Air Force Base in Ramstein. However, while attending school on the US AFB, we learned all about the German culture and their education system.

Kindergarten is for children between the ages of two to four, and at age five they are ready to attend Grundschule (elementary school) from grades first to fourth. After Grundschule, kids have to choose one out of the five types of secondary schools: Hauptschule, Realschule, Mittelschule, Gymnasium, or Gesamtschule. Hauptschule is for students who wish to enter trade school and offers apprenticeship opportunities.

Realschule is the most popular for students to attend; it is most similar to high schools in the US for its academic standards. There students have to take one foreign language for about five years. Mittelschule is a combination of both Hauptschule and Realschule; it is also very uncommon and can be found in only some states. Gymnasium is an academic secondary school. It has higher math and science classes and requires students to learn two languages. Gesamtschule is another school similar to American high school and is a combination of three secondary schools.

Audrey Culipher’s ’26 Adventures Living in

Germany continued

photos courtesy of: Audrey Culipher’s mom

Sites Germany has many places that are worthy of seeing. Some of the more popular places were cities like Berlin; the places I liked to explore the most were the castles and cathedrals of Germany.

When we first moved to Germany, we saw the Kusel Castle. It's more of a ruin now but it still holds so many memories of us climbing to the top of the hill where the ruins of a great Castle lay, surrounded by the many fields and trees and forests. In the city of Trier, you can find one of the oldest cathedrals in Germany, and not far from the cathedral, you can find the gate to the city that was put up by the Romans. The city of Trier has a lot of Roman influence in it, with the many columns and ruins of columns scattered around the city. I have many memories of going to the Trier Cathedral for Mass and getting ice cream and a little shop next to it and walking down to the Porta Nigra.

While in Germany, we ventured on the Rhine River; one summer, we took a boat down a small portion of the river, ate goulash, and looked at the beautiful view. Another notable city that I visited and recommend to anyone traveling to Germany is the city of Cologne. In Cologne, we saw the famous Cologne Cathedral; with its Gothic design, it can be seen from miles away. Although the Cologne Cathedral suffered nearly 15 hits by aerial bombs during World War II, this amazingly designed and detailed Cathedral remained standing amidst a flattened city.

Audrey Culipher’s ’26 Adventures Living in

Germany continued

Food and Drinks Germany prides itself with some of the best sausages and beers in the world. When you go to Germany there is not one menu that doesn’t offer bratwurst, schnitzel, and their many variations. Bratwurst is a sausage that is made from pork (sometimes veal or beef), air dried, and put in a bun to enjoy. Schnitzel is made from a cut of meat that is pounded thin, breaded, and then fried into flaky goodness. Goulash is a traditional Bavarian stew that is made of beef, tomato paste, onions, many spices, and sometimes wine. Goulash is normally served in the winter to make you nice and warm in the cold weather. When talking about German drinks, beer is the most popular. Pilsner beer is the most popular German beer and is commonly served to guests at restaurants. At fourteen years old, you can order a beer with your parent’s permission, and at the age of sixteen, you can order a beer for yourself. Fanta is another popular drink that originated in Germany as an alternative to American Coca-Cola. In WWII, Americans didn’t want to trade with Nazi Germany; one of the American products was the syrup in Coca-Cola. With the lack of the necessary ingredients, Germany created Fanta using whey, apple fibers, orange skins, and finally, sugar beet.

Living in Germany was an experience that I will never forget; it gave me some of the best days of my life. I plan on returning to Germany for University if I excel in my German class this year and pass the entrance exam.

German Holiday Traditions Shared By German, Spanish, (and previously Latin !) Teacher, Mrs. Nancy Jeffrey The Advent Wreath, Advent Calendar, and Christmas Tree are all traditions with roots in Germany.

Germany is credited with creating gingerbread; it's called Lebkuchen there.

“Silent Night” was written by a church organist in Austria. He wrote it for guitar because the organ bellows had been chewed by mice. The priest of the church had written a poem that became the lyrics.

On Christmas Eve, the Christkind (Christ child) brings the gifts while the family is at church, adults decorate the tree behind closed doors, and in some parts of Germany, bratwurst and potato salad are eaten on the night before Christmas.

Goose is a traditional Christmas day dinner.

Fr. Stephen Schultz From our publication’s grassroots initiative in September, our school Chaplain, Fr. Stephen Schultz, graciously and humbly embraced the invitation to contribute to each month’s issue. As he finishes working on his January contribution, I thought I would share with the PVI community some of the many one-liners and notes I jotted down in my journal from his daily homilies during 7:10 a.m. Mass each morning. #25 is from his most recent homily with us on Friday, September 29, 2023; during this homily, Fr. shared the miraculous story of how a U.S. Marine was saved by St. Michael when wounded in Korea in 1950.

Schultz’s ay for Fr. r p n to e u ntin tercessio Please co ugh the in o r th y r e ey. recov lanus Cas complete Father So d e s s le B of e prayer: This is th

lf to You. give myse I . u o Y e dor e to be, O God, I a u want m o Y n o s r the pe in my life May I be l be done il w r u o Y You gave and May r the gifts fo u o Y k an bless us today. I th our Will, Y is it If nus lanus. ther Sola Father So tion of Fa a iz n o y n r a car on with the C itate and im y a m s er ering of so that oth r and suff o o p e th our r all ccepted Y his love fo joyfully a e h ur s A . ing to Yo our world u, accord o Y k s a te I ple , ns, r the com divine pla fo r e y a r p n ear my er Stephe Will, to h ng of Fath li a e d. h r s o u L ur miraculo s Christ o u s e J h g u n ro Desig s.

Schultz, th in all His d o G e b ssed ather, Amen. Ble eavenly F H O , u o y us this Thank granting in y c r e g! for your m us healin miraculo

1. Receive the moment that God has given to us.

2. Look for Christ in everything.

3. How do I live my journey with people I don’t choose?

See Christ in everyone.

4. If you want to love God today, love your neighbor.

5. Be patient with yourself.

6. If you draw away from the fire, you will get cold.

7. I don’t know if that story is as funny as I hoped it to be.

8. Only a Bishop can preach sitting down.

9. Faith is fidelity; it’s not a feeling.

10. Jesus is coming soon; you better look busy.

11. You can only do one thing at a time.

12. I am letting the Holy Spirit guide me in my virtues.

13. We can’t give someone else Grace.

14. All the angels were created at once.

15. When you arise, make an offering, “I am giving everything to you today.”

16. When Jesus heals a person, he sees and heals the whole person.

17. The psychology of spirituality - we have an innate capacity to connect with something transparent and bigger than us; we are made to be in that state of Grace-friendship.

18. God wants us to have that encouragement by the way that we live and encourage each other.

19. Be okay with things not being okay.

20. God is my stronghold.

21. We have to do something good with the suffering we endure.

22. Don’t thrive on the unhappiness. Don’t thrive on things that tear people down.

23. Respond to challenges with love.

24. Choose to love life, each other, ourselves, Him. 25. I have TWO guardian angels and an archangel!

December 2023

Editors:

ck Club lo B s ’ r e it The Wr eetings: M n o s r e P Ins Thursday d n a s y a d Mon p.m.-ish 3:10-4:10 ge tudy Loun S r o lo F d 3r

! o problem N ? g in t e e a me Can’t mak Classroom le g o o G Club’s Join Our est Info t a L e h t for paulvi.net @ r e g in s s vfa contact:

Crossroa ds is Seek brainstor ing: mers

photogra phers thinkers problem-s olvers writers artists graphic de signers journalist s researche rs editors proofread ers insomniac s tech-savv y gurus

contact: vfassinge r@paulvi.n et

Hans Sirotniak ’24 Charlie Thom ’25

December Contributors: Fr. Stephen Schultz John Murray ’24 Roy Wulf ’26 Emma Ladowicz ’26 Audrey Culipher ’26 Catherine Murphy ’27 Gracie Swisher ’27 Brent Barlow ’26 Cruz Liu ’27 Amelia “Mia” Sampilo ’26 Dante Massarini ’25 Katherine Kirk ’25 Elizabeth Anderson ’25 Gabriela Bergstrom ’27 Hans Sirotniak ’24 Natalie Pearce ’25 Charlie Balderrama ’25

Graphics and Layout Hans Sirotniak ’24 Charlie Thom ’‘25 Carter Casagrande ’25 N. Packard, Teacher V. Fassinger, Teacher

Moderator V. Fassinger

Here’s a sneak peek at some of what you’ll find in our January 2024 Issue: Screenwriter Brian Revor’s latest screenplay Junior Charlie Thom’s research findings on college scholarships Emma Ladowicz’s feature interviews with some of the cast and crew of The Crucible Jakob Mirkes’ article on Artificial Intelligence Nic Monroe’s adventures in Hawaii Feature article on PVI musician-student Martin Ramirez Fr. Schultz’s words of wit and wisdom Favorite movies and books of students and staff Updates and info on some of PVI’s many awesome clubs Feature articles on PVI’s students and staff New Year’s Resolutions of PVI’s students and staff and more!