March 2016 edition

MARCH 2016

Volume 56, Issue 5

K E E P I N G YO U C OV E R E D

BREEZEWAY

B I S H O P K E L L E Y H I G H S C H O O L l 3 9 0 5 S O U T H H U D S O N A V E N U E l T U L S A , O K L A . 7 4 1 3 5 l B K B R E E Z E W AY. C O M

varsity for a day Mrs. Chou Achieves citizenship

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A great BK Cheer tradition continues - p. 4

THE FOUR LEGGED STUDENT ON CAMPUS

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COMMITTED TO THEIR SPORTS

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B R E E Z E WAY

· NEWS ·

MARCH 2016

academic bowl hat-trick Academic Bowl Team wins State Championship for the third year in a row.

BY BETH KEANEY Beyoncé may have performed at this year’s Super Bowl, but Academic Bowl is where the talent really is. For the third year in a row, Bishop Kelley’s Academic Bowl Team has won the State Competition.

Going undefeated during the competition, there was no question which school had the superior team. The team played Claremore in the finals.

“Our third round game against Claremore was difficult, but in the finals we came out super strong. I was confident after the first quarter that we were going to win,” Coach Ms. Bendel said.

The road to State had its hiccups. The team also participates in Eastern Oklahoma

Academic Conference, separate from State. Not being the top team in the EOAC took a psychological toll on the BK team, but persevering through these doubts allowed them to come out on top in other competitions.

“The hardest part of everything is acknowledging weaknesses and trying to cover them,” team member Devin Raine (11)said. “If there’s a certain subject the team feels weak on, it’s hard to force ourselves to learn about things we aren’t already familiar with; sifting through information and weeding out what bits are important and which bits aren’t might get tedious.”

Despite the excitement of winning State, coach and players alike agree that the

COACHING FOR LIFE “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.” –John 12:26.

As Christians, we are called to serve one another and to serve God. One great example of a servant at Bishop Kelley is Jerri Berna, or as students know her, Wads.

While many people see her coach the volleyball team, what they may not realize is how much she influences the students of Bishop Kelley in more profound and spiritual

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competitions aren’t the most important part of being on the Academic Bowl Team.

“I think most people probably have an image of us being super serious and studying all the time, but we play and goof around as we go through our material...sometimes maybe a little too much,” Ms. Bendel said. “Building team relationships through laughter and good-natured teasing is crucial to being successful.”

Players echo the same sentiment.

“Winning games and tournaments is fun and everything, but honestly the most fun part is the weekly practices where we all just loosen up and answer questions without all of the pressure of losing the game,” Raine said. “The

general lightheartedness of practice is just more appealing to me, I guess.”

So with three state championships under their belts, what’s next for the BK Academic Bowl Team? Nationals of course. Coming off of a great showing of 3rd place in the nation last year, the team is headed for the New Orleans portion of the national contest this year.

Although the team will lose a senior this year, Ms. Bendel is confident in her current juniors to pick up the slack.

She also has high hopes for promising sophomores and freshmen. It’s safe to say the Academic Bowl Team will be contenders for a fourth championship next year.

Coach Wads’ new role in Campus Ministry

ways throughout our daily lives. As Director of Campus Ministries, Wads organizes the morning prayer, daily and all school Masses, Confession, and prayer services in order to bring us closer to God. In addition to these things, she also organizes retreats, service trips, Lasallian Service Saturdays, and many other events. This position differs greatly from the high intensity volleyball matches in which we are used to seeing her.

“It is very challenging to blend the coaching and

BY MADISON BROOK

Campus Ministry,” Wads said.

“I am a pretty intense person and that serves me well in my coaching, so, in Campus Ministry events, students are often surprised that I am a bit softer than the person they see coaching volleyball.”

Through this change of pace, Wads is able to connect with many more students than coaching has allowed her to do.

“Also, I love the wide spectrum of students that I encounter in a wide range of Campus Ministry activities,”

Wads said. “The best part is the opportunity to watch students grow in their faith through the variety of opportunities offered at our school, and to come to realize their God-given gifts and how they can use them to make our school and our world a better place.”

Those who encounter Wads can see her dedication to serving God and serving our school, and she is a shining example of God’s love to the community at Bishop Kelley.

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· NEWS ·

MARCH 2016

Lots of Parking Problems Parking spots look to be scarce in the coming years.

BY KATE HUIGENS As larger class sizes enroll each year, parking has become scarce for many students. Whether you are late to school or not, parking can pose a challenge for many students due to the small size and limited availability of spaces, not to mention poor parkers that make adjacent spots impossible to use.

Most drivers have experienced a late morning where one has to squeeze into the only available spot that seems miles away from the main building and rush inside.

With next year’s class likely to

be over 200 students, parking will become even more difficult.

This year’s seniors class only has 182 students, while the juniors, sophomores, and freshmen have 249, 226, and 223 students, respectively.

Although parking seems tight already with 880 total students, next year’s class could expand the student body to over 900 students.

Bishop Kelley currently has 654 parking spaces, with 622 spaces available to students. Around 500 students are expected to park at school

by the end of the year. Mr. Pratt, the dean of students, expects an increase of twenty to forty students next year, making parking more limited.

“There are no immediate plans to expand parking over the next couple of years but there is a possibility we will add some spaces in the future,” Mr. Pratt said.

However, students should keep in mind that more spaces will become available in Bishop Kelley’s non-traditional parking lots.

“There is parking available down at the field house,

and even more of those spaces will be available as we wrap up construction. Carpooling is another great way to save on gas and reduce the load on our parking spaces,” Pratt said.

Overall, parking may become more difficult, but the school is equipped to provide spaces for all students. The real solution to this problem may be students’ parking skills so that every space is able to be used.

LAND OF OPPORTUNITY Bishop Kelley’s Chinese teacher achieves citizenship

BY BETH GRUNDY The World Language department has expanded its citizenship. Chinese teacher Pei Jen Chou was naturalized as a United States citizen on January 13. Hailing originally from Taiwan, Chou moved to America in 1995.

“I came to the United States to accompany my husband who went to graduate school at the University of Kansas,” Chou said.

The application process to become a citizen is very lengthy. With an advanced degree, a company can hire you and sponsor you with a work visa. Then you start applying

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Mrs. Chou and her class celebrate her citizenship. Her ceremony to become a citizen took place on January 13, 2016.

for a green card. The next step is to apply to become a citizen after 5 years. In total, it can take more than 8 years

depending on how soon the green card is approved.

Chou’s colleagues helped her celebrate her new status

by decorating her classroom.

Mr. Kyle Garasche, Ms. Elisha Thach and Mrs. Karen Cruice even gave her a full-size American flag.

“Her citizenship was something she worked hard for,” Garasche said. “I felt like it was important to affirm that.”

Mrs. Chou is currently in her sixth year of teaching at here, and she is also the sponsor of the Chinese Club. The future looks bright for World Languages and its newest citizen.

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B R E E Z E WAY

· NEWS ·

MARCH 2016

Third Annual Varsity for a Day The Bishop Kelley Spirit Squad provides a fun experience for special needs girls.

Varsity cheer has taken their talents beyond the courts.

During Varsity for a Day, they’re changing lives.

The tradition began three years ago when Maddi Hassell, class of 2015, was a junior and made her Brother Bernardine project this Special Needs Varsity for a Day. Her passion for helping special needs children began when the Spirit Squad went to the Buddy Walk, a fundraiser for Downs Syndrome, her sophomore year. She loved spending time with the kids there and decided she wanted to do more to give these children fun experiences.

Maddi has since graduated, and this year she passed the leadership positions to seniors

BY ANNA Shelby Pasque and Mallory Brookover.

The cheerleaders and the special needs children had two practices this year on Saturday mornings, where the girls were able to bond with their assigned cheerleader buddy. The girls learned cheers, a dance to Hannah Montana’s “Rock Star,” and a simple stunt.

The Special Needs Varsity for a Day gives these girls with special needs an opportunity and experience that they may not have otherwise had, an adoring audience. This year’s Varsity for a Day was during the basketball game against Jenks. The crowd for the past three years has been incredibly responsive to the girls and

HANISCH helped them feel loved.

“This project was definitely the best part of my senior year. My favorite part was the little girls’ reactions to the crowd’s response,” Shelby Pasque (12) said.

Ask any of the Varsity girls involved and they will affirm

that they had just as much fun, if not more, than their counterparts.

“This project did not just benefit the little girls, but my team as well. We are so thankful that Maddi Hassell started such a special project,” Mallory Brookover (12) said.

Shelby Pasque (12), Sarita Torres, and Mallory Brookover (12) pose for a picture before the game. The special needs girls cheered during the first half of the game and performed at halftime. “It was so much fun!” Pasque said.

ARMED WITH A POSITIVE ATTITUDE Freshman Lily Rhodes shares her inspirational story

BY MADISON BROOK

“Once you get in the right frame of mind, I think anything’s possible. …We so often get caught in this state of negativity and it’s a… it’s a poison like nothing else,” Bradley Cooper said in the Oscar winning movie Silver Linings Playbook. Throughout our lives, we hear this phrase often, or at least something similar to it. We have to be able to believe in ourselves in order to truly accomplish a task and to succeed at it.

Our mentality determines our outcome. However, there is nothing more challenging than having to keep a positive mindset after life brings an unseen obstacle into our path.

Keeping positivity through-

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out hardships is one thing that Lily Rhodes, a Bishop Kelley freshman, has become an expert on over this past year. After she and her friends were unexpectedly in an ATV accident the summer before her freshman year of high school, doctors were forced to amputate her right arm above her elbow, which was also her dominant hand.

“We weren’t doing anything crazy, we weren’t speeding or anything, but the ATV hit a pothole and we flipped,” Rhodes said.

But this event is not what defines Rhodes- it’s her positive outlook on the situation that life has presented before her.

“The recovery process has been hard, but I have to keep a positive mindset about it because I am alive,” Rhodes said.

While her daily life poses more challenges than it had before, Rhodes is determined not to let that stop her.

“It’s just taught me to be more appreciative about the things that I can do instead of the things that I can’t do,” Rhodes said. “And I don’t give up; I just keep trying until I get it because I will get it eventually.”

Recently, Rhodes was fitted with her new prosthetic arm.

She is able to move the robotic wrist and fingers, which enables her to grip things and

hold them.

“It took a long time [to get the prosthetic], but it was so cool when I was able to put it on and operate it. It was life changing,” Rhodes said.

Even though this unexpected event occurred, it has not slowed down her dreams for life after high school.

“I would like to be able to show dressage in the Paralympics and become a Paraequestrian trainer,” Rhodes said.

There is no doubt that through her positivity, determination, and perseverance that Rhodes will be able to accomplish anything that she puts her mind to.

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· NEWS ·

MARCH 2016

TRAINING FOR SERVICE

BY ZINA PATEL

Catie McCharen (11) feels like her life has gone to the dogs - at least for a few weeks.

McCharen is training a German Shepard for the Therapetics organization. The dog, named Freedom, is training with McCharen until March 3rd. Catie has begun appreciating the effort it takes to train a service dog.

“It takes a lot of work, at school especially,” McCharen said.

However, it’s a labor of love.

Catie says she has always wanted to work with dogs, but has found some of the pitfalls of being a high school student and a trainer.

“The most challenging thing about this is finding time to take care of his needs,” Mc-

Charen said.

She manages to find time to teach him right from wrong.

She loves going over the stuff he already knows because it comes easy to him and it is just practice from there.

After the initial excitement, Freedom has not been a distraction to the students.

He usually rests under Catie’s desk and chews on his bone.

“Its fun to have the dog around and it doesnt do much so its not much of a distraction” Samara Cain (11) Of course, you can’t just bring in any dog to train at school. Catie got permission from the administration.

“The organization vets out their dogs and handlers very well so all I ask for is the dog’s

paperwork from Therapetics,” dean of students Mr. Jeff Pratt said.

Therepetics is a non­profit organization that helps individuals with disabilities over Oklahoma. They train and place the dogs according to the needs of their clients.

HOW TO BEHAVE AROUND SERVICE DOGS (courtesy of the Therapetics website)

- Don’t touch the dog without asking permission first!

- Never feed the dog. It may be on a special diet.

- Do not whistle or make sounds to the dog as this again may provide a dangerous distraction.

-Never make assumptions about the individual’s intelligence, feelings or capabilities.

- Don’t be afraid of the dog.

Freedom pays close attention to Catie McCharen, his trainer. He spent most of class lying under McCharen’s desk.

former bk chaplain becomes bishop Tulsa-born Msgr. Peter Wells is appointed as an archbishop in southern Africa.

The decision for a new bishop has been made. No, it isn’t the new Bishop of the Diocese of Tulsa, but a Tulsan will be ordained a bishop soon. And not just any Tulsan; his mother attended Bishop Kelley, and he served as a chaplain at BK in the 90s. Pope Francis will ordain Tulsa native Msgr.

Peter Wells on March 19 as an archbishop. Archbishop-Elect Wells will be Papal Nuncio to southern Africa, where he will support local bishops, encourage vocations, and promote evangelization for the Vatican. The first priest from the Diocese of Tulsa to attain such a position in the church,

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BY BETH Wells looks forward to the opportunity.

“I am extremely humbled and honored by the faith which has been placed in me by the Church and our Holy Father, especially in this Year of Mercy,” Wells said. He asks for the Diocese’s prayers as he begins this journey.

Archbishop-Elect Wells was ordained as priest of the Diocese of Tulsa in 1991. He served as the Associate Pastor at Holy Family Cathedral. He worked as Bishop Slattery’s Vicar for Religious Education to teach theology to lay Catholics in Tulsa. He was called to Rome in 1996 and entered

KEANEY the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1999. Wells was first assigned to the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria. For the last six and a half years, he has served as the Holy See’s Assessor, a position in the Vatican similar to the President’s Chief of Staff.

Wells would like to come back to Tulsa after Easter to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving with his family, the priests of the Diocese, and Bishop Edward Slattery.

Bishop Slattery expressed his support of Archbishop-Elect Wells’ new position.

“I have known the new Archbishop for more than 22

years,” Bishop Slattery said.

“Peter is well thought of by all who know him, and the innumerable ways he has put his intelligence, his commitment, and his priestly zeal at the service of the Church - and especially the Office of the Papacy - have earned our deepest respect.”

The BK community should be proud to see one of its former chaplains hold such an important role in the Church.

Maybe we will see more members of our community do the same in years to come.

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· F E AT U R E ·

MARCH 2016

FATHERS KNOW BEST There has been a movement to stop holding hands during the Our Father in Mass.

What do you think about that?

Wakulich: I don’t like holding hands with random folk, especially when I don’t know where their hands have been.

Ketterer: I think that people haven’t held hands for the Our Father for 1950 years and holding hands is a recent phenomenon. It came from imitating the priest’s posture when he raises his hands during the Our Father, though really that posture is really appropriate for the priests during that part of the Mass.

What is the hardest thing about being a priest?

Ketterer: Trying to do every-

thing, because there’s so much work to be done and trusting the Holy Spirit to do what we can’t.

Wakulich: The change you have to make where you celebrate the birth of a baby at one moment, and the next phone call to console somebody at the death of their family member.

Do you have a pet? Do priests ever have pets? If not, what kind of pet would you get?

Wakulich: I have no pets.

Priests can have pets, but I’m allergic to cats and dogs. If i had a pet, he would probably die from lack of contact and probably starvation.

Ketterer: No, I have parishioners.

If the next Pope came from Oklahoma, who do you think it would it be?

Wakulich: Bishop Paul Coakley. I hope he would take the name Pope Cletus.

Ketterer: I really like father Wakulich.

How long does it take you to work on a homily?

Wakulich: Weekday Mass: About 20-30 minutes, for a Sunday Mass, maybe 4 or 5 hours. 7 at the most.

Ketterer: Basically the same.

When you decided to enter seminary, did anyone protest and try to talk you out of it?

Wakulich: no one Ketterer: On the contrary, I found support from people who aren’t catholic or really even religious.

What was the strangest thing anyone has ever said to you when out in your collar?

Ketterer: Oh you’re a priest?

So I shouldn’t cuss?

What are common misconceptions about priests that people have?

Ketterer: That we’re lonely and sad.

Wakulich: Re-tweet In this political season, what are some key issues you’ll be looking at before you vote?

Wakulich: Pro-life, immigration, and the poor.

Ketterer: Concern for the poor.

To have your questions answered by the friendly campus chaplains, submit them to: yearbook@bishopkelley.org

student polls The Breezeway Research Department (Kate Huigens) conducted an intensive review of the most pressing issues facing students today. The startling results revealed in the next few pages.

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the 40 days craze

Your fellow students share what they are doing for this Lent.

BY BETH KEANEY AND ANNA HANISCH “I’m writing in a prayer journal every day.” - Abby Cutter (9) “I’m giving up candy.”

- Dominic Roman (9) “Every Sunday my family and few other families get together to make sandwiches for the homeless.”

- Meredith Ritchie (10) “I’m going to confession every Wednesday.”

- Michael Douglas (10)

“I’m giving up Chik-Fil-A.” - Allison Hammer (11) “I gave up candy and chips.”

- Ben Sands (11) “I’m writing people nice notes every day.” - Sarah Ervin (12) “My youth group has a challenge.

We give up candy, do a weekly challenge, read a daily Bible verse, and give up a social media.”

- Read Hanisch (12)

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· F E AT U R E ·

MARCH 2016

UNRAVELING THE MYSTERY THAT IS 8&8 Where it came from and how it really works

BY SAMARA CAIN What exactly is 8x8? It’s a question that is debated between students every day.

Asking your teachers doesn’t

always help, because each teacher seems to have a different answer. It’s a very confusing subject. After extensive research, an exact answer has been found.

8x8 was founded on the belief that the administration could improve student attendance. It’s a privilege to be exempt from your fourth

STUDENT POLLS

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quarter finals. There are five factors that go into 8x8.

Grades, Academic Dishonesty, Service Hours, Tardies, and Absences. While the first three factors are pretty self explanatory, many students are confused about Tardies and Absences.

Absences go by block, so it’s four independent chances. You can miss eight days in each individual class. For example, you could miss five days in first block, three in second block, five in third block, and nine in fourth

block, and only be required to take your fourth block finals.

Although, if you had eight fourth block absences, then you would be exempt from all your fourth quarter finals.

Tardies are where most people get caught. If you have more than eight first block tardies, you are required to take all four finals.

If you’re ever wondering if you’re missing too many days, or if you’re qualified for 8x8, check Backpack first. If that doesn’t help, don’t hesitate to stop by the front office to ask.

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B R E E Z E WAY

· F E AT U R E ·

FEBRUARY SENIOR BOY & GIRL OF THE MONTH Josh Christner & Sydney Marouk

MARCH 2016

Bonfires and Backpacks

All you need to know about this year’s auction.

BY ANNA HANISCH

Josh

Sydney

What does being a senior mean to you?

It means being an older It means I’m almost done role model to the younger with KP duties and uniform students and someone fines!! everyone can look up to.

On Saturday, April 9, Bishop Kelley will host its 36th annual auction. This year’s auction is titled Bonfires and Backpacks, so the decorations and activities will have a camping theme.

To begin the evening, the guests will enjoy appetizers and drinks while listening to live music, which includes a performance by the Jazz Choir, and will participate in a silent auction around a bonfire.

The dinner and live auction will be held in the “Lasallian Lodge,” and the evening will end with more live music, dancing, and a s’mores bar according to Robin Lewis, Events Coordinator.

The goal of the auction is to raise over $250,000 to construct a breezeway to the STC and to help with tuition assistance.

Reaching this goal should be achievable since more than 450 people are expected to attend, and there are some very exciting donations this year. Guests can win a trip to Pringle Bay in South Africa or the U.S. Open in New York City. Attendees may also bid for a day at the Green Bay Packers Training Camp, a BOK Suite and a limo to the Selena Gomez concert, and a NASCAR racing experience.

Also, on BKbay, Bishop Kelley’s online auction, people may bid for over 350 items.

Bishop Kelley is so grateful for all the generous donations that its members have given to the Auction.

“The Bishop Kelley community is so very generous.

We are blessed and thankful,” Robin Lewis said.

How do you want to be remembered as a senior?

I want to be remembered as a I want to be remembered guy everyone can rely on. as someone who is friendly, approachable and accepting of everyone! If you need a friend, hit me up.

How have you changed since your freshman year?

I’ve been more open to meeting new people and being social.

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My interests have shifted from athletics to art!!

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· F E AT U R E ·

MARCH 2016

Bishop Kelley junior in the spotlight Sami Isler continues her acting career during school BY: BEN SANDS

Junior Sami Isler has recently made appearances in two popular TV shows, and also has a movie coming out soon.

Sami has always known she wanted to be an actress, but she never knew if that could be possible.

“When I was about 10 years old, I knew acting was something I really wanted to do,” Isler said.

She began taking acting classes, and about two years later she got her first acting job. In her earlier years, Isler was in a short film titled No One Knows and had a role in the baseball film Home Run. Isler’s career took new heights when she was cast as the daughter of actor Sean Hayes in the sitcom Sean Saves the World. The sitcom was featured on NBC for one season.

While she was on Sean Saves the World, Isler was homeschooled in California.

Once the show was over, she moved back to Tulsa and started at Bishop Kelley. Although she was back in Tulsa,

she did not give up on her acting career.

“Balancing school and an acting career can be a bit difficult at times especially when I’m taking more difficult classes, but Bishop Kelley has been great about working with me whenever I leave to film,” Isler said.

Earlier this year, Isler was featured on the hit CW television show, Supernatural.

Most recently she was on the medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, where she was featured as a young patient with severe cancer.

“The days were really long, and one night I worked until about one in the morning, but overall it was a fun shoot and the actors were fun to hang out with,” Isler said.

Isler will also be featured in an upcoming movie Captain Fantastic. The film features famous actors including Viggo Mortensen and Steve Zahn. The movie is about a family who lives in the forest, but are forced to move back

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Sami Isler hugs Sean Hayes in her role as Ellie Harrison in the sitcom Sean Saves the World. Sami played the role of Ellie from 2013 to 2014 until the show was cancelled. “Sean taught me how to be a better actress and person, and his friendship means a lot to me,” Isler said.

to normal civilization. Isler will portray Kielyr, one of the daughters in the film.

“My role as Kielyr in Captain Fantastic was my favorite role I’ve ever played because she is hyper intelligent and incredibly fit, and knows everything about literature and art,” Isler said.

Captain Fantastic will be released to theaters on July 8, however, it is still un-

Spring Breakaways

Where are students going for Spring Break?

Maddi Duke (11) Disney World

Claire Murphy (10) - Rosemary Beach

Maddie Veit (11) Crested Butte

Grace Arnold (10) -Mission trip to Jamaica

Lexi Gogets(12) - Cruise to Cozumel, Honduras, and Belize

Meg Grundy (9) Puerto Rico

Josh Christner (12) - Bahamas

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known which theaters will be showing the film. Isler plans to continue an acting career after high school, but she also wants to go to college.

“I hope to continue my acting career, but want to study something else in school just so I have something to fall back on,” Isler said.

Whether or not Isler continues her career, she has Bishop Kelley’s support all the way.

Joe Edmonds (11) Paris, France

Lane Berry (12) Cancun, Mexico

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MARCH 2016

“PROM-POSAL” CONTEST Your chance for free Prom tickets

your date to the prom. Past Spring has sprung once submissions have been as again. It’s the time of year elaborate as asking in the when a young man’s mind middle of a historic square turns to...free prom tickets. in Rome, Italy. They have You read that right. also been The Journal“Dreams can only as simple as ism Department is once become reality when being in a dunk tank, again offering they are sought after covering two free a car in prom tickets with the spirit of Sticky for the best boldness.”

Notes, or Prom-posal -Ellen J. Barrier, creating of the year. a “victory Submit your author tunnel” of description students in the cafeteria. and preferably pictures of Prom-posals don’t need your big ask to yearbook@ to be expensive or crazy, but bishopkelley.org by Wed., they do need to be creative.

April 6. Winners will be Go on, brainstorm a little announced Thur., April 7.

What is a prom-posal, you bit, show her why she should go to prom with you, and ask? It’s a creative, origisave yourself $100. nal and public way to ask

Previous Promposal Pictorial

Mo’s Victory Tunnel

Michael’s Dunk Tank

Carson’s Amusement Park Rules

PAGE 10

Marc’s Sand Script

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· OPINION ·

BRING BACK SSR!

BY CONTRIBUTING WRITER MARCUS LYONS This year, SSR was abolished day can expose students to in favor of three longer lunchnew vocabulary and change es. SSR was a 15 minute readbrain structure to be better ing period that many students inclined for learning. enjoyed, but unfortunately not There are many ways SSR enough. could be improved so that it Reading helps language and would be a viable option for writing skills, and many stuour schedule again. Reading dents don’t have time or motiduring SSR and completing vation to read at home. a report on your free choice “If a person studies a subject book could earn you points for 15 minutes a day in a year for your current English he will be an expert. In 5 years class. A minimum number he will be a national expert,” of points could be required said Albert Einstein. for graduation, or simply a This quote applies to reading quota for a certain number also, and is a great testimony of books you could read. This for SSR. Language is the most would require students to do important element that holds at least a minimum of readtogether human society, and ing, but hard-working, more keeping Kelley students “exambitious students would get a perts” in the English language chance to improve their grades should be a school priority. in English classes. Offering In What Reading Does for incentives in almost any task the Mind by Anne E. Cunmakes it much more attractive ningham and Keith E. Stato students to go above and novich, they claim “books have beyond.

50 percent more rare words in In conclusion, reading is them than does adult primebeneficial to students’ brains, time television and the conver- and with these proposed insation of college graduates.” centives, SSR could be part of Reading just 15 minutes a the BK schedule again.

Breezeway staff

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HOME EC 2.0

BY CONTRIBUTING WRITER REMMI SMITH When people think of home apply in life. Instead of those economics class, or home ec, life application problems in they generally think of the algebra , this class will actu1950’s idea of learning how to ally teach how to use those cook, sew, clean, and, at the applications. time, basic housewife duties.

Some argue that it is still an However, much like styles and outdated class and the school trends since the 50’s, the class should focus on more techhas evolved. Now, it is more nology-based classes, as that formally known as Family is where the future is headed. and Consumer Sciences, or But, the future will be headed FCS. in a different place without FCS classes are currently real-world education in the options for students in many millennial generation. other high schools. The class FCS has worked before and teaches family and work roles benefited many students at to the students. The class other schools. If integrated generally includes hospitality, into the course catalog, it food and nutrition, family could potentially increase finance, housing, and human Kelley’s life preparedness for development. its students to handle life after By covering so much in schooling. a single course, FCS opens Now, home ec could be doors for students into many thought of as a vintage and fields. The students have out-dated class teaching the benefit of working “real you how to simply run your world” responsibilities. house, but it really is a class Students are often told that necessary for the future to all the stuff in school applies ensure that students continlater in life; however, with ue their successes after high FCS, students can learn how school. that material actually does

Madi Brook - Staff Writer Samara Cain - Staff Writer Beth Grundy - Staff Writer Anna Hanisch - Staff Writer Kate Huigens - Staff Writer Beth Keaney - Staff Writer Jackson Lavarnway - Staff Writer Abby Nagode - Staff Writer Zina Patel - Staff Writer Ben Sands - Staff Writer Mr. Russ Hembrey - Adviser

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Cover Design by ABBY NAGODE BISHOP KELLEY HIGH SCHOOL 3905 SOUTH HUDSON AVENUE TULSA, OKLA. 74135 (918) 627-3390 Ext: 174 w w w . B K b r e e z e w ay. c o m

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Just keep swimming

A Glimpse into BK Swim Team’s Successful Season “The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand,” Vince Lombardi, famous football player and coach, once said. In everything we do, we strive to be the best. It’s our human nature; we want to succeed.

We watch the Olympics and picture ourselves standing on that pedestal listening to our national anthem play while we hold our gold medals. We become invested in the Super Bowl, or the Boston Marathon, or March Madness, and we imagine what it would be

BY MADISON BROOK like to win on that grand of manship we show, and the gratitude for our God-given a level. It’s what we yearn for talent.”

- the chance to succeed. And The swimmers also enjoyed that is what the swim team being part of something bighas experienced this season. ger than themselves.

While this past season was “I enjoyed the team atfull of success for the Bishop Kelley swim team, the success mosphere because it made swimming fun and exciting,” isn’t just measured in the staBeth Grundy (11) said. “My tistics. What truly made this team great was the camarade- favorite part of this past season was seeing everyone’s rie that they built out of the hard work pay off at the State pool. and Regional meets and see“In our team huddle before ing how much everyone had every meet, we recognize that improved this season.” we race in the lane alone, but It was this team atmosphere we very much a team, there that allowed the team to sucfor one another,” assistant ceed in the pool. coach Sean Callan said. “We “My favorite part about this represent Bishop Kelley in the past season was definitely my way we compete, the sports-

relay team because we took down all the school relay records,” Colin Frazee (12) said.

The team concept helped some swimmers look beyond the Bishop Kelley waters.

“I really enjoyed being a part of the team at Kelley, and it helped me to become more dedicated to the sport,” Kyleigh Meyer (9) said.

With all of the positive attitude towards their teammates and the sport, it is easy to see why the statistics are so impressive. It’s also a huge stepping stone toward next season’s success.

Swim team smashes school records

BY BETH GRUNDY As the swim season wraps up, it’s an opportunity to look back at some of the record-breaking performances set this year. Some of these records were more than 30 years old. Take a look at the new standards set by the swimmers.

200 Individual Medley: old record 2:02.13 - 2015

new record 1:56.92 (Patrick Callan) 200 Medley Relay: old record 1:50.26 - 1982

new record 1:46.79 (Riley Crismon, Patrick Callan, Colin Frazee, Rafael Serrano) 200 Free: old record 1:41.78 - 2015

new record: 1:40.81 (Patrick Callan) 200 Free Relay: old record 1:39.22 - 2009

new record 1:37:07 (Riley Crismon, Patrick Callan, Colin Frazee, Rafael Serrano)

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100 Breaststroke: old record 1:02.92 - 1984

new record 1:02.60 (Colin Frazee) 400 Free Relay: old record 3:31.31 - 1986

new record 3:29.12 (Riley Crismon, Patrick Callan, Colin Frazee, Rafael Serrano) 100 Fly: old record 59.33 - 1999

new record 59.19 (Beth Grundy)

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MARCH 2016

Spring sports preview

A look ahead to what’s in store for spring sports

BY JACKSON LAVARNWAY Track: Track season opens on March 5, where the Comets will have their first meet at Holland Hall. Last season the boys finished 6th in regionals and the girls in finished 7th.

Baseball: This year’s squad will be led by seniors Phillip Scott and Daniel DeSimone, both of whom were named to the Tulsa World 1st team last season. The pitching rotation also looks promising with standout seniors Charlie Case and Zach Othon. Last

season BK went 13-1 in their district games, and made it all the way to the 6A State semi-finals. The Comets open up their season on March 5 at home in a doubleheader vs Tahlequah. On March 8 they face Jenks at OneOk Field as part of the OneOK High School Classic.

Tennis: The season opens on March 1. The boys and girls teams have combined for a total of 14 State championships. Girls tennis looks to continue their success as regional champions

for the 6th straight year, and the boys have high hopes for this season as well following a 3rd place state finish in 2015.

Golf: The BK Golf team opens up their season at the Tahlequah Invitational on March 8. Both the boys and girls teams look to improve on their 8th, 11th place finishes at regionals last year.

Soccer: BK girls soccer has won 13 state championships since 2000 and continues to pro-

duce great teams under Coach Tokarchik. The girls have plenty of talent and returning players including junior midfielder Ellie Chapple, who was named to the All-Metro 2nd Team in 2015. Both the boys and girls teams are coming off 7-7 records last year. The boys team also looks very promising this year with juniors Adam Habib and Ben Barkley, who were both named to the All-Metro teams, returning as starters.

Soccer Preseason kicks off

The BK soccer teams are ready for their new season in the 5A division.

BY: BEN SANDS The Bishop Kelley Soccer season started off on Tues., Feb. 16 with the annual Red and White game. The girls scrimmaged against each other to showcase the new squad. After the girls, the boys played. The girls’ preseason began on Mon., Feb. 15, and the boys first JV game was on Thur., Feb. 18. The boy’s roster carries 38 players, and the girl’s roster has 52.

“I love playing soccer for Kelley because I get to play the sport that I love with my friends that I see at school every day,” Andres Gonzalez (11) said.

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Due to the OSSAA ruling, both teams have moved down to the 5A division, and have high hopes to win the state championship.

“I have full confidence that we have a great shot at winning state this year, as long as we stay focused,” Greer Hudkins (10) said.

The girl’s head coach, Troy Tokarchik, is also expecting great things from the team this year.

“Last time we were in 5A we had great success...the hope is to find that success again,” Tokarchik said.

Graham Chapple (9) hopes

to have a great start to his first year of Bishop Kelley soccer.

“I hope to play as many varsity games as possible and win state,” Chapple said.

Both teams have been working hard, and now they are beginning to show off all the hard work they gave off in the preseason. The boys defeated Muskogee (4-0), and Owasso (1-0) in their first couple preseason games. The girls defeated Norman (1-0), Norman North (2-0), and lost to Owasso (3-2) in their preseason games.

“We’ve put in a lot of work in the preseason and we have

a lot of returning talent and freshmen that can contribute, so I think we will be successful,” Gonzalez said.

The seniors of the soccer team are prepared to begin their last year on the team.

Many four year members of the team are sad to leave next year, but ready for one last season on the team.

“Our ultimate goal this year is to win the state championship, Since us seniors started our high school careers with a state championship, it would be awesome to end with one too,” Hannah Shelton (12) said.

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Athletic Signings

Some of BK’s seniors have signed to play college athletics Audra Keeling

Ricky Ronketty

Signed with the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville, AR) to play soccer.

Committed to Southwestern Christian University (Bethany, OK) to play baseball.

Ian Draughon

Hayden Ashley

Signed with Lindenwood University (St. Charles, MO) for bowling.

Signed with Oklahoma Baptist University (Shawnee, OK) to play football and run track.

Daniel Desimone

Kent Goulden

Committed to Oklahoma State University (Stillwater, OK) to play baseball.

Signed with Beloit College (Beloit, WI) to play football.

Courting the city of tulsa Bishop Kelley takes the first steps towards acquiring Mitchell Park.

BY BETH GRUNDY As Bishop Kelley grows, the faculty and staff continuously work to improve the campus.

One of the upcoming projects to improve Bishop Kelley begins with acquiring Mitchell Park, which is located across the street from the football field. The money for the purchase has been raised, but the City of Tulsa’s legal office has to sign off on the sale before it is finalized. This process could take several weeks or even months.

The main uses for the park would be a parking lot with 325 parking spaces and a tennis complex with 10 tennis courts, locker rooms, public

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restrooms and an announcer’s stand on the second level.

There will also be a fence around the park like the one on campus.

and other fans who attend sporting events at or near the stadium including football, track, soccer, baseball, and lacrosse,” Doug Thomas,

Artist’s rendering of potential plans for Mitchell Park. Plans include additional parking, tennis courts and locker rooms for tennis players.

“The additional parking will help current students, parents, alumni, friends of Kelley,

Bishop Kelley’s Director of Advancement, said.

The tennis courts would also

help the tennis teams out.

“If we are able to add courts here on campus, it will allow us to practice more easily and to host matches and tournaments,” Tyler Bell, the men’s tennis coach, said. “The tournaments could be a good fundraising opportunity for our tennis program. I also think that some young tennis players will be more interested in attending Bishop Kelley if we have nice tennis courts at the school.”

Money for the actual building of the project still needs to be raised to successfully complete the project.

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Basketball season comes to a close Playoffs prove troublesome for both Comet teams BY: ABBY NAGODE The Comets 2015-16 basketball season came to a close after a hard fought battle for both the boys and girls teams in the first round of playoffs last week. With the boys season ending with 6 wins and 17 losses and the girls ending with 7 wins and 16 losses it was a tough but well-fought battle in the 6A Frontier conference.

For their playoff matchup, the girls took on McAlester Thursday, February 25 and battled hard after a rough first

half to cut the lead down to only 5 points. The Comets fell short with a final score of 35-31.

“We fought really hard in the second half. I was really proud of how we played,” Macy Craig (10) said.

The boys took on East Central on Friday, February 26 at Pryor High School. After a battle in the first half, East Central led by 3 points. That margin held in the second half, with East Central winning 53-50.

On Friday, February 19 the Comets played their last home game, and it was also senior night. It was a fun night for the seniors, especially for senior Leah Colon, who injured a knee in the first basketball game this season.

She got the opportunity to score at the end of the game thanks to Muskogee’s amazing sportsmanship. The Muskogee coach approached the BK coach about letting Colon stand under her own goal and score the final basket.

“I felt overwhelmed with joy that I got a chance to score again,” Colon said. “I didn’t think I would ever be, let alone score, on that court as a Bishop Kelley basketball player again.”

Overall, both the boys and girls basketball teams put forth a valiant effort this basketball season. While this season is just wrapping up, the returning players and coaches are also excited for next year.

Wrestling Wraps up

Another great season for Comets Wrestling comes to an end BY: JACKSON LAVARNWAY

The Bishop Kelley Wrestling team had tremendous success this year, in both athletics and academics.

Matt Smith (11) won the regional championship and made it all the way to the 5A state championship where he finished 2nd. In addition to their great performance on the mat, the wrestling team was also recognized for their

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hard work in the classroom and earned Academic State Champions. This honor, which the wrestling team has now won in back-toback years, is given to the Oklahoma team that has the highest combined cumulative GPA. “Winning this award demonstrates that our wrestlers are, first and foremost,

hardworking students,” said head coach Zac Livingston.

“Their dedication to their academic careers is evident and I am proud that we have won this award for the second time in just as many years.”

As Father O’Brien likes to say, Bishop Kelley is way more than sports, and the success of the wrestling pro-

gram exemplifies just that.

“I am proud of the effort and focus that Zac and his student athletes put in to become great examples for Bishop Kelley in the wrestling community,” Athletic Director Lance Parks said.

“They consistently demonstrate the values of our athletic department and school.”

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Upcoming events BY: SAMARA CAIN

Rodney Carrington

oilers vs. mavericks

March 11 BOK Center

March 18 BOK Center

oilers vs. eagles

r5 & ryland

oilers vs. allen americans March 19 BOK Center

Cirque du soleil March 24-27 BOK Center

The cult

John Mellencamp

March 29 BOK Center

March 15 Brady Theater

March 19 Brady Theater

April 1 Brady Theater

zac brown band

mumford and sons

justin bieber

tori kelly

April 7 BOK Center

April 9 Brady Theater

April 3 BOK Center

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April 6 BOK Center

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