2013 november

SACRED HEART RUNS ON....

ALL DRESSED UP

AND THE RED SOX MAKE HISTORY

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HEART Volume 31

Sacred Heart High School, Kingston MA

CONTENTS News......................................2 Features..................................3 Profiles...................................5 Arts & Entertainment.............8 Opinion................................10 Sports...................................11

BEAT

November 18, 2013

Number 3

Changes upon Changes Hey, Arnold uniform providers from Lands End to Donnelley’s.

Although the maker of the uniform changed, much of the style stayed the same. The girls skirts are now plaid and At the beginning of the new school year, several changes the polos are a royal blue in the warmer months. went into effect at Sacred Heart High School. The time The survey shows that many students are indifferent the school day starts and ends, homeroom period, break towards the change. They either felt as though it’s not a and tutorial, the uniform, and the length of classes were all significant change from the previous uniform or that the affected by the decisions made by the administration and change wasn’t necessary. academic counsel.

The two major criticisms, however, were that the When asked why so many changes were made, principal students should get a say in what the uniform is and Michael Gill responded, “Our main goal is to improve that students should be allowed to wear Sacred Heart student learning. We want students to engage in as much sweatshirts during the school day. instructional time with teachers as possible.”

“I was not personally involved in the uniform choice,” Administration, faculty, and students have all been said Gill. “However, I do think it makes sense to involve affected by the changes. In order to determine what the students when it is reviewed for next year.” student body thought of the changes, they were asked to The two most controversial changes, however, are the take an anonymous online survey. addition of the hour-long block and the shortened length The survey asked each person to rate each change on a of break and tutorial. scale of 1 to 5 (1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest).

The day’s second block now lasts sixty minutes, whereas Then, the survey asked for comments as to why the student last year every block was 42 minutes long. Most students gave a particular change a certain numerical rating. feel as though the hour long block doesn’t add anything The first change presented on the survey was the new extra to the learning experience. start and end time of the “It’s hard to concentrate for school day. In the previous a whole hour,” a commenter years, class began at 8:19 stated.

AM and ended at 2:42 PM. “Recent studies have Starting this year, class begins actually shown that the at 7:53 AM and ends at 2:35 amount of time for optimal PM. learning is about 60 minutes,” Most survey participants Doctor Gill said. “It all goes rated this change as a back to improving student 3.

Although many were learning.” indifferent to the new time The second block of the day changes, several comments isn’t the only period where said that it allowed the time was altered. Break, students more time to do which used to be thirteen homework. minutes long, is now seven “One of the things I noticed minutes, and tutorial, which before the schedule was used to be 30 minutes long, is changed is that students were now 25. missing a significant amount This change was the one of class time for athletics,” students responded to most Photo courtesy of Sacred Heart Kingston said Doctor Gill.

“That New uniforms for the 2013-2014 school year. negatively. Almost all of the doesn’t make educational comments state that break is sense. Having school end earlier is our way to try and more of a lengthened time to change classes, rather than minimize that. We don’t get out as early as I had hoped, a time to change books, use the bathroom, and maybe get but any earlier would have conflicted with the elementary something to eat. Many also feel that tutorial is now too school bus schedule.” short to accomplish a relevant amount of work, make up a Another way the administration and academic counsel test, or get help from a teacher. Some even said that break tried to maximize class time is by cutting each morning’s should be taken out and the school day should end earlier. homeroom period from the schedule. Most students stated When asked about the new length of break, Gill said, on the survey that this change has made mornings too “Many high schools don’t have a morning break at all. It hectic, whether it be lack of time to get books, inability to all goes back to the school having an excessive amount make grade specific announcements, or difficulty hearing of downtime.” As for tutorial, he stated, “The new length the morning announcements. A number of the students, is partially because of the new lunch schedule, but if you however, agreed that it saves time. added up all the time spent in homeroom, or on break, or “Homeroom never really served a purpose before,” said during tutorial everyday, it comes out to be a lot. You have a commenter. to consider if tutorial is a good use of time.”

Previously, homeroom period began at 8:00 AM and Gill’s final comment was that the administration and ended at 8:19 AM. academic counsel will always be looking at the schedule “I understand the students need downtime, but that is and other factors of Sacred Heart to try to improve an excessive length. It’s mostly just a loss of instructional learning. time,” said Doctor Gill.

One of the survey commenters said it best when he One of the major changes around the school that does wrote, “Changes are important and they happen all the not relate to the schedule is the new uniform. Last year, time. Sometimes we hate the changes but as time goes on during the winter months, the high school students wore we end up liking them. It’s too soon to tell if what Sacred a white, button-down Oxford and an optional navy blue Heart has done is good or bad but it is certain that there are sweater. The girls wore khaki skirts and the boys wore many pros and just as many cons.” khaki pants. In the fall and spring, the boys and girls wore white polo shirts. This year, however, the school switched

BY HANNAH WISNIEWSKI Staff Writer

BY MOIRA GATTONI Staff Writer

Photo courtesy of Karen Arnold

Ms. Arnold teaches a lesson on the State of Liberty

If you are a frequenter to our school library then you would have noticed that our school librarian, Ms. Karen Arnold was gone for three weeks. While Ms. Arnold was away, she was completing requirements for her teaching certificate at Plymouth River Elementary School in Hingham, MA. Obviously by working at Sacred Heart she has fulfilled her requirements of teaching higher grade levels. In order to be certified by the Department of Education and Secondary Education as a school teacher for grades K-12, Ms. Arnold had to teach a minimum of 100 hours in an elementary school.

At Plymouth River Elementary School, there are around 600 students and Ms. Arnold taught first through fifth graders. She said that the class sizes were bigger there than at Sacred Heart. There were usually about 25 students in a class and because the students were younger, it was really high energy and therefore lessons had to be short and concise. Ms. Arnold used smart boards and did a lot of PowerPoint presentations with pictures and sound in order to keep their attention. Working with the fifth graders was her favorite because she could see their personalities develop. They had great questions and she could interact with them better than with the younger students.

She said “the kids were great especially the first graders.

They all wanted to hug me and welcome me. They just saw me as another library teacher immediately.”

Working with the younger students, Ms. Arnold had the opportunity of doing some really creative and fun activities with them including a Statue of Liberty lesson, an archaeologist for the day research activity, and a How To Read Atlas’ lesson.

Ms. Arnold was very excited to finish up this stage of her education and receive her teaching certificate from the Department of Education. She enjoys taking classes to keep her mind active. She also feels taking additional classes makes her a better teacher. She wants students at Sacred Heart to see her as a school library “Teacher” not only a librarian. In addition, she would love to have a regular scheduled class and teach students all about what the library and databases have to offer including teaching more resource methods.

Arnold regards her time spent at Plymouth River Elementary School as a great learning, challenging, and satisfying experience. One she will put to good use here at Sacred Heart.

News

2 November 18, 2013

HEART BEAT

U.S. Closed Until Further Notice

BY AUSTIN HAUGHTON Staff Writer For the past few months, many Americans have been concerned with a handful of new and somewhat foreboding terms, among them “ObamaCare” and “government shutdown”. These issues happened to come about at perhaps the worst possible time, as the U.S. would hit and have to face its enormous debt ceiling in mid-October. This sudden storm of controversy effectively sparked varying degrees of hysteria and anxiety throughout the nation and even throughout the world. Even now, with the government out of its shutdown, the debt ceiling suspended once more, and with ObamaCare off to a rocky start, people are still unsure of and worried about everything that’s happened and perhaps will happen. In the midst of this political and economic storm, the facts tend to get muddied and overdramatized by the media. So let’s set a couple of issues straight now, before the coming potential storm...

Photo Courtesy of obamacarefactrs.com

President Barack Obama gives a speech

The United States federal government shut down on October 1, 2013 for the first time since 1995.

The shutdown lasted until October 16, with regular government activities resuming on the following day.

This 16-day-long shutdown was the third-longest government shutdown in U.S. history, behind the 18day long shutdown in 1978 and the 21-day shutdown in 1995–96. For those 16 days, some 800,000 government workers were furloughed, meaning they

were sent on a temporary leave due to the financial condition of the government. Only government services deemed necessary continued to operate.

This government shutdown, the 18th since 1976, comes as the result of an unsettled dispute within the government over President Barack Obama’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, less formally known as ObamaCare. Republicans in the House of Representatives, when coming up with the fiscal plan for government spending in 2014, sought to defund or at least delay Obama’s health program.

The Democratic Senate, however, refused to accept this revision of a bill that aimed to continue regular funding to all government programs except for ObamaCare. Both sides refused to budge on their stance before a resolution could be made by October 1, the day a number of ObamaCare services would go into effect, and with that, the government shutdown.

Before we go any further, let’s quickly get up to speed on ObamaCare. ObamaCare reforms the health insurance industry in the U.S. and the American health care system, as a whole. This act seeks to expand access to affordable health care to millions of uninsured Americans and expand Medicaid to those who still could not afford insurance. It was signed into law March 23, 2010 and upheld by a Supreme Court ruling on June 28, 2012. During the ruling the law was changed to allow states to opt-out of its expanded access to Medicaid. The law requires that all Americans have health insurance by 2014 or else they would have to pay a tax penalty. This new health care law makes health insurance available to most uninsured low and middle income individuals through a health insurance exchange also known as a health insurance marketplace. The exchanges are state or federally run online marketplaces where customers can shop for affordable quality health insurance. Health Insurance Exchanges opened with a slew of difficulties in October, and coverage is projected to start on January 1, 2014.

The greatest issue with ObamaCare, and the primary reason it has faced such opposition, is simply the fact that many people, conservatives and liberals alike, question our ability to even afford it. Over the course of the next ten years ObamaCare is projected to cost $1.1 trillion, funded primarily through taxes and further budget cuts.

Its enactment comes at a time when we’ve hit and raised our debt ceiling–now near $17 trillion–on more than one occasion. In mid-October, at the tail-end of the

government shutdown, we were on the brink of hitting that ceiling once more. The government narrowly avoided defaulting on (i.e. claiming its inability to pay off) its debts with one day to spare on October 17th.

The debt ceiling was safely suspended until February 7, 2014 when the issue will, once again, have to be faced.

So where do we stand now? The government is back in action; ObamaCare is off to a rocky start to say the least, and the debt ceiling has only been further suspended into the coming year. Things have comparably settled down from a couple of weeks ago. We’re now left with this temporary reprieve until we have to face our economic responsibilities once again.

The success or failure of ObamaCare in the coming months could very literally determine the fate of millions of Americans, but the next decision to be made on our debt ceiling looming in February could have far-reaching implications beyond the American people alone. Whatever economic decisions our government leaders make over the next few months could very well determine the fate of the world’s economy.

Photo Courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

Satirical depiction of overnment shutdown.

Big Brother is watching United States and her allies in conflict over spy controversy

BY SAMUEL BOYLES Staff Writer Spying just isn’t what it used to be. In the old days, if you wanted to spy on someone, you had to follow them to a really shady place in town and try to listen in on their conversations, or maybe just throw on your invisibility cloak.

In the modern world, however, seemingly everyone’s conversations can be listened to at all times. The National Security Agency has been recording thousands of world leaders’ conversations by monitoring their phone calls.

Perhaps at the forefront of all of the controversy is Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany. Despite Merkel being one of the United States’ most powerful allies, it has been discovered that the NSA has been monitoring her phone calls since 2002, Merkel and President Obama had developed a very amicable relationship, but the new spying allegations have prompted Merkel to rethink their friendliness, stating, “spying between friends is simply unacceptable.”

Ms. Merkel shouldn’t take the infiltration of her privacy too personally though. The NSA has spied on countless other world leaders, and they are offended just as much as Merkel.

“Technology is nothing when it is not based also on

human resources,” said Dominique de Villepin, the former Prime Minister of France. “Good intelligence is always based on cooperation. And in this case, there is a very, very serious blow on trust.”

Additionally, United States citizens are also upset, because it’s been discovered that the NSA has been spying on them too. A la 1984 by George Orwell or the much less, reading text messages, and browsing the twittersphere.

Despite being an invasion impressive “Eagle-Eye” starring Shia LaBeouf, American citizens are constantly under surveillance by their own government, who is recording phone calls, scanning facebooks of privacy in the eyes of many, the actions of the NSA are not illegal.

A senior government official recently said, “Congress passed that act and is regularly and fully briefed on how it is used, and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court authorizes such collection. There is a robust legal regime in place governing all activities conducted pursuant to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. That regime has been briefed to and approved by the court.”

So while this invasive action may be upsetting, chances are it will continue for a long time and even develop into more advanced spying.

Photo Courtesy of allthingsd.com

Remember, Uncle Sam is watching you too!

3

Features HEART BEAT

RED RIBBON WEEK

November 18, 2013

BY CAROLINE THOMAS Staff Writer

Photo courtesy of www.northcentralpa.com

Students against destructive decisions logo.

National Red Ribbon Week is the last week in October and is a week dedicated to the promotion of living a drug-free life. The first Red Ribbon Week was declared in 1988 by the U.S. Congress in honor of DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) agent Enrique Camarena, who was kidnapped and brutally murdered due to his commitment to combatting drugs.

SADD chapters across the nation are encouraged to create awareness of the problems related to the use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs, as well as show their commitment to a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

According to Mrs. Karen Horan, who became the SADD moderator at Sacred Heart in 2001, our SADD chapter has been sponsoring Red Ribbon Week for the past twelve years. Red Ribbon Week’s most popular activity is the door decorating contest. Throughout the week, each homeroom is urged to decorate their door however they please, using catchy phrases and flashy decorations to help promote the idea of living a drug free life. This year, Mr. Michael Duchaney’s homeroom won first place, while Mr. Jon Olson’s homeroom took second. These two high school homerooms will face off in a dodgeball game, while the middle school winner, Mrs. Margaret Pasquale’s homeroom, will be awarded with a pizza party.

When asked how she felt about the response to the door decorating contest this year, Horan admitted that

she was disappointed with the high school’s effort, saying “In the past you would walk down the halls and every door was decorated. The competition between homerooms was fierce.” She believes that the lack of motivation this year was largely due to our lack of homeroom time.

Horan claims that the middle school made up for the high school’s lack of effort, saying, “They were on top of it! Every door was decorated and looked great!”

The cafeteria was filled with red decorations and SADD members eager to share their positive messages to students. In order to efficiently spread their messages against drugs, drinking, and destructive decisions, SADD members handed out bags of candy with suggestions for happier and healthier lives. The candy was definitely a big hit among the students.

“They were on top of it! Every door was decorated and looked great!”

-Mrs. Karen Horan

Another popular present from SADD members was the color changing pencils that Horan generously handed out to students. The pencils provided inspirational messages about living drug-free, such as “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” and “Let your true colors shine drug free.”

When asked about why it is important that Sacred Heart participates in Red Ribbon Week, Horan said “It’s important to send the message that together we can encourage each other to stay focused on a healthy future.”

Senior Kelly Allen, a SADD officer, was kept very busy this past Red Ribbon Week with her fellow officers, saying, “As officers, we helped organize the door decorating contest, set up the cafeteria, and helped hand out stickers to spread

Staff photo courtesy of Alessandra Pasquale

Mr. Olson’s homeroom wins door decorating competition with catchty slogan: “Shoot for the stars, not for your arms”

awareness about living a drug free life.”

Allen is passionate about the message behind Red Ribbon Week, claiming that, “as teenagers, a lot of us tend to forget how important it is to make good choices.”

She was impressed with the students’ response this year, and said, “Red Ribbon Week is great because it helps remind students that the decisions we make now can affect us for the rest of our lives, and doing drugs is certainly a decision that more teenagers should learn to say no to.”

All Saints Day Celebration

Sacred Heart celebrates holy day of obligation at its first indoor liturgy this year

BY CAROLINE IMPARATO Staff Writer

Father Kiemont concecrates the blood of Christ.

On November 1st Sacred Heart High School celebrated its first indoor liturgy celebration. The liturgy was in celebration of All Saints Day, a holy day of obligation. Mass was held in the auditorium and celebrated by Father Wally Kiemont, pastor of St. Joseph’s Church in Kingston.

Kiemont gave an insightful homily about being a saint (not just a Sacred Heart saint!). He told us that saints aren’t just martyrs and people who left their lives behind and prayed in caves, but saints are people

who walk among us. A saint is someone who shows care, concern, and love for others and makes just decisions. Father expressed that we all have the power to be saints. He asked us not to be afraid of being a saint.

Senior Shauna Sweeney said, “It truly spoke to what it means to be a saint and how important a saint is in teaching us what it means to practice faith in works.”

As this was a school mass many students and faculty were involved in the celebration. Religion teacher and Deacon Mr. Christopher Connolly, helped celebrate the mass as deacon. Religion teachers, Mrs. Elin Slavin and Mr. Vincent Boccalini, were the congregation’s Eucharistic ministers, while sibling duo Maribeth and Andrew Mason altar-served for Father Kiemont. All the while your Sacred Heart Saints choir sang their hearts out.

Senior Victoria Lynn Herman states, “I think that having a mass as a whole school brings us together!

It’s nice to know there are others who share your values and understand your principles.”

Many other students feel the same way. Sharing mass with each other is just one thing that makes Sacred Heart special.

Senior Kayla Potrykus said, “I really enjoy when the whole school gathers together, specifically being a senior, and sitting in the middle of the auditorium during the past mass. It has a really nice atmosphere, especially with the big liturgical choir and friendly priest.”

Our next school-wide mass will be held in celebration of Thanksgiving. The date is yet to be determined.

Deacon Chris gives call to prayer.

Kory Turner recites the first reading.

Staff photos courtesy of Alessandra Pasquale

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Features

For all the Javaholics

BY JENNIFER HABEEB Staff Writer

Photo courtesy of Alessandra Pasquale

Student coffee cups line the halls of Sacred Heart

When I decided to skip my morning coffee before a flight to London to help me sleep better on the plane, I quickly realized that my plan had backfired. Instead of just feeling tired, I also had a screaming headache. I was unable to sleep on the plane, and six hours later I still had a headache even after taking Advil. My headache only subsided when a stewardess on the plane handed me a cup of coffee. That same stewardess also remembered exactly how I liked my coffee by the third time she walked past because I kept asking for more. It was then that I realized how truly addicted to caffeine I am. And I am certainly not the only one.

Coffee, espressos, lattes, frappachinos, and energy drinks. Caffeine is the drug of choice among teens and most adults. On average, 400 million cups of coffee are consumed daily in the U.S. It’s no secret we are addicted to caffeine. The evidence is all around us. Just walk into any coffee shop before 8 a.m. and you’ll be treated to peoples’ most impatient versions of themselves. Why are we so addicted to caffeine? Why does it seem that the world is going to crumble around us if we don’t get our morning cups of coffee?

The answer is in the drug itself. Caffeine is a stimulant to the central nervous system.

It wakes us up and makes us feel more alert. Without it, many people find it difficult to concentrate. When consumed on a daily basis, caffeine can also be mildly addictive.

Withdrawal from caffeine can cause headache, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, moodiness, and difficulty concentrating. Despite these symptoms, caffeine is categorized as being only mildly addictive because after the first few days without it, the drug is no longer addictive.

Caffeine resides in the body for about ten hours. For most people, one cup of coffee

November 18, 2013

each morning will suffice throughout the day. For students at Sacred Heart, however, one does not simply drink a single cup of coffee. With a Starbucks and two Dunkin’ Donuts within five minutes from campus, students might as well walk around with a coffee IV in their arms.

“If I have time in the morning I get my coffee from Dunkin Donuts because it’s right down the street. When I get my coffee there I’m really picky. If there’s too much cream I get mad,” said Sacred Heart junior Lauren Bracken.

The most common caffeinated beverage among Sacred Heart students is a Dunkin’ Donuts iced coffee. Despite drinks of any kind being banned from the classrooms, students have become remarkably clever in hiding their precious coffees. Some put their cups in pockets on the sides of their backpacks, some balance their drinks precariously inside their back packs, and some carefully hold theirs behind their backs as they walk past a teacher. During the first class of each day, it is a common sight to behold rows of Dunkin’ Donuts, Starbucks, or Marylou’s coffee cups lining the hallways. These poor banished beverages have to be pried unwillingly from the hands of their drinker, or face the dreaded trash can.

Why is it so hard for us to let our coffee go? In a society where celebrities are photographed on a regular basis holding trays of Starbucks’ drinks, we are exposed to coffee everywhere. It is rare in Massachusetts to drive for more than ten minutes without coming across at least one Dunkin’ Donuts. Now, with Keurig coffee makers, we don’t have to wait very long for our beloved coffee. With the push of a button, coffee is ours in just five minutes. Coffee has become more accessible to the average teenager than ever before, and for the students of Sacred Heart, it has become a necessity.

Sacred Heart senior Alexa Nasr used to work at a local Dunkin’ Donuts. The mornings were the times when she noticed that most customers and fellow co-workers were short tempered without caffeine.

“We would start off a shift and people would need their coffee,” Nasr said.

She also said that, “most of the people that worked at Dunks were teenagers.”

Teenagers are quickly becoming the primary consumers of caffeine, and Sacred Heart is certainly full of them.

“I get really bad headaches when I don’t drink my coffee,” Lauren Bracken said.

Being addicted to caffeine can not only have side effects, it can also become expensive.

Alexa Nasr says she spends, on average, over twelve dollars a week on coffee. Twelve dollars a week adds up quickly. Teenagers, as well as adults, may find themselves spending more than six hundred dollars a year on coffee alone.

Caffeine addiction may be prevalent in today’s society, but, it is easy to break the habit.

Making coffee at home saves a lot of money, and taking a break from drinking coffee for just one week will break the addiction.

Students at Sacred Heart, however, aren’t about to let their coffee go without a fight, and I’m with them.

Are you addicted?

You START wake up in HERE! the morning and instantly want coffee.

Your mood at school or work depends on you having coffee.

No

Yes

No

Yes

You have two or more cups of coffee per day.

No

You need coffee to focus.

When you go out with friends, you usually get coffee.

No

You get headaches without your daily dose of caffeine.

Yes

No

Yes

No

You spend more than $12 a week on coffee.

No NOT ADDICTED!

Yes

A cup every once in a while is more your style!

Yes

You tend to drink coffee at all times of the day.

No M I L D LY ADDICTED!

You’re en route to addiction.

Yes

Yes Coffee doesn’t give you a boost anymore, it just makes you feel No normal. Yes

TOTALLY ADDICTED! Caffeine is your drug.

Profiles

5 November 18, 2013

HEART BEAT

Meet Mr. Peter Curley Sacred Heart welcomes new math tutor Mr. Peter Curley

BY MOLLY PRESUTTI Staff Writer

With the start of the new school year, Sacred Heart has welcomed several new faculty members. Among these is the new education support professional, Mr. Peter Curley.

Curley is no stranger to the area, attending Silver Lake Regional Middle School and Pembroke High School. He recently graduated from the University of Massachusetts as an applied mathematics major, and hopes that this position at Sacred Heart is the first step in a teaching career. Mr. Curley realized that he wanted to be a teacher his sophomore year of college. At the time he was on an engineering track, but decided to forgo that career choice for something he was more passionate about. While a career in teaching meant a much smaller paycheck than that of an engineer, Curley says he decided that enjoying what you do is more important than money.

Mr. Curley spends five class periods during the school day sitting in on math classes from seventh grade to eleventh grade, helping students understand what they’re being taught. This is especially helpful if a member of the class doesn’t understand a topic, because Curley can act as a personalized tutor for them without interrupting the whole class.

Junior Adam Tomasi is an example of a student whom

Mr Curley has helped during his college preparatory pre calculus class, and states, “Mr. Curley is awesome. He has been extremely helpful because not only am I learning from Mr. Olsen but I get additional input on my math problems. I feel that my grades are especially improving.”

As a recent graduate, Curley is especially helpful to many of the students because they feel like he relates to them better and understands the problems they have as students. With Remember the Titans as his favorite movie, and basketball as his favorite sport, students say Curley is easy to relate to. They feel comfortable talking to Curley and explaining what help they need.

While Curley has only been at Sacred Heart High School a few weeks, he says his experience so far has been great. “Im very excited to be here. I really enjoy working with the faculty and students of sacred heart. Everybody has been very kind and friendly. I actually look forward to coming to work every morning,” Curley said.He hopes as he spends more time at the school more students will come seeking math help, and he can inspire students to enjoy math.

If you haven’t noticed Mr. Curley in one of your math classes, he’s available for study help in the library during tutorial, A block, and E block on odd days.

Staff Photo by Alessandra Pasquale

Mr. Curley smiles for the camera during break.

The Secret Life of Sacred Heart Administrative personnel aids teaching staff

BY KELLY ALLEN Staff Writer

Behind the teachers and lesson plans are personnel who play extremely important roles in the development of Sacred Heart. Recently, the Sacred Heart administration has hired/promoted many of these people to round out their team. Although their positions are essentially behind the scenes rather than in the classroom, their work and job requirements are extremely important and need to be commended and recognized.

One of the newest members of the Sacred Heart staff is Mr. Chris Ernest, the school’s newly hired Chief Financial Officer.

Ernest has a very strong background in public accounting and finance as he Sr. Alice Marie is the Vice has worked with Principal of Operations clients such as Boston College High School, Cardinal Spellman High School, and SEA Education Association. “[Ernest] attributes his successful career to date to the faith based education that he received at these schools,” said President Pamela Desmarais. “He was taught to live a life of compassion, community, and service.”

Another new face at Sacred Heart is that of Mr. Dave Ellis, who has been working for the school for just over a month. Ellis recently accepted the position as Director of Marketing. He has immense credibility due to his previous work experience at esteemed schools, such as Tufts University.

While walking in the lobby, students may have seen a friendly new face behind the front desk. This face belongs to Ms. Mary Carroll, who has taken the receptionist position.

She is also the Administrative Assistant to Principal Dr. Michael Gill. Carroll has significant experience as an

Mrs Jordan works hard at her computer.

Staff Photo by Alessandra Pasquale

manage other operations such as the Chartwell Food Services Program and the Sacred Heart bookstore.

Some students who have been been attending Sacred Heart since elementary school may recognize some other faces of the new Sacred Heart High School personnel.

Ms. Erin Presutti and Ms. Joanne Jordan, former Administrative Assistants at Sacred Heart Elementary School, have taken on important roles at the high school. Jordan works alongside Ms. Ann Taylor as the school’s Admissions Resource Manager.

Presutti’s position is the Alumni Relations Manager, and she works alongside Ms. Sue Giovanetti. Both Jordan and Presutti are adjusting well to their new positions in the Sacred Heart community.

“I really appreciate the opportunity the administration has given me to work in a different capacity at Sacred Heart,” Jordan said. “I look forward to the challenges ahead of me in the admissions department.”

Presutti looks back on her elementary school career with content, but has plenty of excitement for her new position at the high school. “The elementary school was a perfect fit for me these past seven years. Now I am grateful for the chance to get to know and work with our alumni.”

The many changes Sacred Heart has made in staff who work “behind the scenes” will undoubtably be noticed as the number of improvements and changes increase throughout the school. The qualifications that each new staff member has speaks volumes, and foreshadows even more school-wide success for the months to come.

The future gets brighter by the minute for Sacred Heart.

Mary Carroll is the new receptionist.

Executive Assistant to senior leaders in the corporate sector.

Not all positions have been filled with new faces, however. Someone that the Sacred Heart community has grown to know very well, Sr. Alice Marie Lyon, has been promoted to Vice Principal of Operations for the High School. Aside from her new timeconsuming position, Sr. Alice Marie still continues to

Sacred Heart High School Student Council is having its first ever Christmas tree sale fundraiser for My Brother’s Keeper. Order your trees now using the QR code above!

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Costumes, Pumpkins, and Candy... Oh My! Sacred Heart High School continues its tradition of hosting an annual costume contest on Halloween

By: Molly Presutti Staff Writer

From costumes to candy, from ghost stories to games, from haunted houses to hocus pocus, Halloween is known as a season of spooky excitement.

The holiday itself has evolved to the celebrations we know today based on traditions that date as far back as 2000 years. In the modern world, many families have their own traditions surrounding Halloween, whether it be parties or trick or treating, and the Sacred Heart family is no different. This year, the students and faculty at Sacred Heart High School were allowed to continue the tradition of hosting an all-day costume contest.

I’m now a member of the graduating senior class, and have been at the high school since seventh grade. For a few years before that, I saw my sister experience time at Sacred Heart. For as long as I can remember, the Sacred Heart administration has approved the request for this student contest.

On October 31st (or the closest school day if Halloween fell on the weekend), members of the Sacred Heart community were encouraged to utilize their creativity, express their individuality, and embrace their inner child with a fun and exciting Halloween costume.

Over the years this tradition has been altered and changed slightly, but still remains a day of amusing enjoyment for the students. In past years, a parade has been held around the gym or cafeteria that allowed students to show off their costumes.

Photo courtesy of Alessandra Pasquale This parade was also the time Seniors Katelyn Foley, Reilly Robbins, Eric Struski, Lily Besduring which the costumes were sette, and Hannah Wisniewski celebrate Halloween in costume judged by faculty and rewarded with candy prizes for several school students freedom to wear what categories, including best home made they want, there are rules involved to costume, most ensure the costumes remain school original cosand age appropriate. The rules have tume, and best remained fairly consistent over the group. In recent past few years and include no cross years, however, dressing, no dressing student council as clergy, no masks, has taken over appropriate length, no 9th Grade: the responsisuggestive costumes, Tess Bertino-Honey Boo Boo bility of being etc. The stipulations peer judges, and are put in place every Jonathan Clifford- Teutonic Knight throughout the year to guarantee that day they take the day can remain The Ninja Team note of the best amusing and fun, and 10th Grade: all around coscontinue for years to tumes to award come.

Rose Klein- Rosie the Riveter prizes in two Walking into the categories for John Quinn- Hanson Brother high school on Haleach grade: best loween, it’s pretty Winnie the Pooh Cast group costumes clear that students and best indiappreciate and take 11th Grade: vidual costume. full advantage of this The winners of Nichole Henderson- Sally the Rag Doll enjoyable tradition. these costume From scary costumes, Billy Kelly- Captain America categories are to clever puns, to announced to creative groups, a mix “Where’s Waldo?” Duo the whole school of almost every cos12th Grade: and rewarded tume imaginable can Photo courtesy of Ales with candy. be found at Sacred Heart. Freshman Yanni Pap Shayla Goodell- Angel While this day This year, in particular, Halloween dressed a Alex Babyak- Walter White (Breaking Bad) gives the middle there was everything school and high from Winnie the Pooh characters to

High School Costume Contest Winners

Jamaican Bobsled Team

7

Intermediate School Costume Contest Winners

Most Original: Ryan Veitkus- Viking, Caitlyn Carberry- Minion, An-

dreas Cappelletto-Big Bad Wolf, Ian Coletti- Soldier Most Creative: Eileen Hallisey- Cowgirl, Carlie Sheen- 80s Girl, Sam Presutti- Blackmail Best Group: Lea Anthony, Maddie King, Emma Keane, Kassie McguireWizard of Oz Chrissy and Jackie Hurley- Thing 1 and Thing 2

the Jamaican bobsled team (complete with a homemade bobsled for navigating the halls).

Another popular choice this year, due in large part to the spectacular World Series win, were Red Sox themed costumes. When students are asked about the costume contest, they agree almost unanimously that it’s a favorite among the Sacred Heart traditions. Many of us in high school have outgrown the age of trick or treating with our parents, and when Halloween is on a school night it becomes difficult to go out with friends. This contest allows us all to be able to celebrate the holiday every year in a safe and entertaining way.

Obviously dressing up in Halloween costumes is a far stretch from the uni- Photos courtesy of Alessandra Pasquale form students are required to wear daily, so one might begin to wonder why is such an event allowed? When we asked Miss Karen Arnold, school librarian Students pose for the camera in their Halloween costumes and student council coordinator, she answered perfectly, “Most schools don’t do this, but Sacred Heart can handle it. We do it to bring some fun. It gives the students a chance to showcase who they are. It’s a fun, clean, day for everyone.”

Miss Arnold further explained the importance of raising school spirit, a topic that has been stressed in the past few years especially. Sacred Heart High School has undergone a lot of changes recently, many of which directly affect the students. By holding on to some of the older traditions it helps remind members of Sacred Heart why we love the school, and also encourages the students to view the changes made as steps in the right direction.

These changes will not replace what the school already means to us, but instead they will improve it.

For yet another year, the Sacred Heart Halloween costume contest was a success for the students ssandra Pasquale and faculty at the school. Student council planned Photo courtesy of Alessandra Pasquale ppas celebrates it well, and the student body whole heartedly participated to make this Halloween as as Santa Clause outstanding as it has been in the past. Hopefully this tradition will continue annually in the halls of Sacred Heart, and Halloween will continue to be a favorite day among the students.

Arts

8 November 18, 2013

HEART BEAT

She’s got the best of both worlds The evolution of Miley Cyrus’ new image through her album, Bangerz.

BY JENNIFER HABEEB Staff Writer

How do I even begin to describe Miley Cyrus?

The little girl with the best of both worlds is gone.

In her place stands a bleach blond, scantily dressed, twenty year old. At first glance, it is easy to dismiss the new Miley as crazy, wild, and racy, but there is more to this bad girl facade than we think. Like any of the great female pop stars, Miley is causing a buzz. People can’t seem to get enough of her, and she certainly has them sitting on the edge of their seats to see what she’s going to do next.

Amid all this turmoil, Miley has released a creative and fresh new album that is worthy of more attention. Her newest album, Bangerz, was released October 4th and quickly rose to the top of the charts.

The first single on the album is her strange, but catchy song, We Can’t Stop. I instantly liked the song when I first heard it. It is a far stretch from the Miley we used to know, and prepares us for what is to come on the rest of her album. The music video to accompany the track is even more strange and random than the song, but somehow Miley manages to convince us that the more times we watch it, it doesn’t matter if there’s a man laying in a pile of bread. (To this day, I still don’t understand this scene).

When I first listened to the album in its entirety, my impression was that it sounded messy and overworked. The more I listened to it, however, the more I began to understand not only the music and its message, but Miley’s story. The album is

essentially the tale of her engagement to Liam Hemsworth gone wrong. It is a medley of sweet, crooning love ballads, angry breakup songs, and party anthems.

Miley’s best song on the album is clearly Wrecking Ball, a heartfelt song about love and mistakes. Other gems on the album include Adore You, a softer love song; FU, featuring French Montana; and 4x4, featuring Nelly. These songs show the variety and range of Cyrus’ talent and bring us into her world. The majority of her songs are all solid tracks, and it is evident that Miley is a talented singer.

Sprinkled among these good songs, are a few flops as well. SMS featuring Britney Spears just sounds messy, and Britney adds no positive substance to the track. Do My Thang feels like Miley is trying too hard to be something she’s not, and doesn’t exercise her vocal talent as well as other songs on the album.

Overall, the album is a huge risk on Cyrus’ part, but the risk paid off. It’s catchy, fun, and different.

Miley has created something unlike any current artist. Her songs are a unique blend of grit, soul, and pop that beg to be replayed. We may have lost our beloved Hannah Montana, but this new Miley is here to stay, and I don’t mind her one bit.

However, I still want to know what happened to the bread guy. I’m slightly concerned about his carbohydrate intake.

Photo courtesy of Disneychannel.com Miley’s Hannah Montana TV show album

Photo courtesy of spin.com Miley’s most recent album, Bangerz

Miley’s many moments

A timeline of Miley Cyrus’ development as a public figure since the first season of Disney Channel’s hit series, Hannah Montana.

Photo courtesy thelastsong.com

Photo courtesy of mileyfansite.com

At the Teen Choice Awards, Miley has a risque performance to her single, “Party in the USA.”

The first season of Hannah Montana is in full swing.

2007

2008

Miley starts her solo music career with her album, Breakout.

Photo courtesy of mileycyrusfansite.com

Saturday Night Live hosts Cyrus.

She performs a skit mocking pop star, Justin Bieber.

2009

Photo courtesy of mileycyrusfansite.com

2010

Miley stars in The Last Song, based on the bestselling Nicholas Sparks novel.

2011

Photo courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

Photo courtesy of digitalspy.com

2012

Miley has an unforgettably innapropriate performance to her hit single, We Can’t Stop, at MTV’s Video Music Awards.

2013

Miley chops her brunette locks in exchange for a short blonde cut.

Photo courtesy of perezhilton.com

Arts

9 November 18, 2013

HEART BEAT

Speaker inspires aspiring artists Sacred Heart Alumna, Aleta Hickey, speaks to current photography students

BY SHAUNA SWEENEY Staff Writer On Wednesday, November sixth, Aleta Hickey, Sacred Heart Alum and daughter of religion teacher Mr. Vincent Boccalini, came to Sacred Heart High School to speak to art teacher, Miss Julie Trahon’s, A and G block photography classes.

Hickey graduated from Sacred Heart in 1994 and attended Emerson College to study creative writing and marketing. She accented three keys to succeess: education, confidence, and support. Hickey also stressed that people should focus on and study what they really have a passion for, so that working is never a chore.

“Aleta was smart about her decision to follow her dreams, in that she got experience in marketing and advertising to help support her ambitions to become a photographer and graphic designer. In the end, because she worked so hard and had the right support system, she is now able to get up every day and go to a job that she really enjoys- while calling herself an artist- and I can say from experience that is the best feeling in the world,” said Miss Trahon.

From a young age, Hickey had a strong interest in art and photography. Her paternal grandfather was an artist and at age eight, Hickey’s Uncle John let her use his camera, sparking her interest. Hickey has worked several jobs in both advertising and marketing for companies such as Pea Pod for Stop&Shop, Transportation Displays Incorporated, and Vector Media. She also has a background in graphic art.

Traveling throughout Massachusetts, but primarily in Boston, Hickey goes on location for her photographic business. Hickey takes a lot of senior portraits as well as family pictures. She enjoys taking senior pictures because it is such a special time and her clients are patient and

really care about their pictures. Hickey has been able to promote her business through social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook, as well as her new website AVH ART. Landscapes and outside lighting are Hickey’s favorite places to take pictures because they can completely change the perspective and look of photography. Her favorite season to take pictures is summer, since there are so many options and more daylight hours for outside photos. Hickey noted that at times it can be difficult balancing family and running her own business, but she loves being able to call herself an artist and doing what she does every day.

“I hope that students took away from Aleta’s message that it is so worth it to follow your dreams.”

-Miss Julie Trahon

“I thought that Mrs. Hickey was very inspiring, not only for those who want a career in art but for those who simply want to begin a career in a field they enjoy. She really stressed the importance of loving a job you choose and left a lasting impression,” said senior Kayla Potrykus.

Miss Trahon summed up Hickey’s presentation with the following words: “I hope that students took away from Aleta’s message that it is so worth it to follow your dreams.”

Photo courtesy of Allie Pasquale Art speaker, Ms. Aleta Hickey, speaks to block A and block G photographic classes.

To see more of Ms. Hickey’s photography, visit her website! www.avhart.com Photo courtesy of Aleta Hickey

Photo courtesy of Aleta Hickey Hickey’s photograph of a tiara that she showed the art class.

One of Hickey’s photographs of the Boston T which she presented.

Awkward Season 3 Returns

BY MOIRA GATTONI Staff Writer

Photo courtesy of soundtrack.mtv.com (From left to right) Awkward actors Beau Mirchoff (Matty) and Ashley Rickards (Jenna).

MTV’s Awkward is back and unfortunately not better than ever. With the return of a season always comes new drama, relationships, and friends but this season there are just too many changes happening at Palos Hill High.

As the first half of season three came to a close, it was evident that the flirtationship between Jenna Hamilton, played by actress Ashley Rickards and Collin Jennings, played by actor Nolan Gerard Funk, was not going to end but rather evolve into something more serious. In “Surprise!”, the first episode of the return of season three, the relationship between Jenna and Collin escalates greatly without any regard for Matty Mckibben, Jenna’s present boyfriend played by actor, Beau Mirchoff.

The episode opens with Jenna and Collin attempting to end their relationship but urges and emotions overcome them and they end up starting back at stage one. Jenna knows that she has messed up and must end what she has with Collin but just can’t bring herself to do it.

The remainder of the episode progresses with multiple confrontations between Tamara (Jenna’s best friend), played by actress Jillian Rose Reed, Collin, and Matty.

Jenna can’t keep her hands off Collin, can’t bring herself to tell Matty the truth, and forces Tamara to keep her re-

lationships and feelings a secret after lying about her feelings toward Collin.

After one episode, it is clear than Jenna’s character is going to continue to change if she stays with Collin. His influence has caused her to lie to her best friend, cheat on the boy we all thought she loved, and distance herself from those people that once mattered the most. At one point in the episode though, it seemed like things were going to go back to the way they should be. Collin said they were done and in that moment all was set right. In the last scene, all that changed again and everyone from her parents, to Val her guidance counselor, played by actress Desi Lydic, and all of her friends including Matty catch her in an act with Collin in an attempt to surprise Jenna on her birthday.

Even though I don’t like the person Jenna is becoming, I realize that as a show progresses through seasons, characters must evolve and grow, unfortunately sometimes for the worse.

I expect lots of heartbreak, upset, and tears but what is a good high school comedy/drama without all of that? For all the team Matty girls out there, this is going to be one rough season for you.

Opinion

10 November 18, 2013

HEART BEAT

Money can’t buy me love Editorial As we move past the tricks and onto the treats of the holiday season, the infamous “Black Friday” is closer than we think. While most people will be celebrating Thanksgiving by filling up on turkey and mashed potatoes, others will be stuffing their wallets with the latest coupons. Each year it seems that crowds are lining up outside department stores like Target just a little earlier. The experience of shopping before dawn may seem exhilarating but has it gone too far?

This year Black Friday is being taken to the next level as stores are opening their doors to deals on Thanksgiving morning thru late night Friday. I find this to be absolutely ridiculous. Thanksgiving is not a day dedicated to malls and shopping sprees, but rather a time to spend the day with the people you love and enjoy each other’s company.

People are over-extended with work and are constantly involved in so many activities that few can even make the time to sit down to dinner with their family. Thanksgiving allows us to have face to face communication, to catch up with people we care about most while we sit by a roaring fire and eat a delicious meal; there is really nothing better.

Our world is so obsessed with getting ahead that people are skipping over the here and now. I’m pretty certain people can squeeze in the time to grab a gift when a sale is going on after school or before work; there is no reason it has to be on a national holiday.

People are missing the point of Thanksgiving: being thankful for what we have, not what we haven’t gotten yet.

Everyone is panicking about the lack of time to shop, but what about the lack of time to spend with each other?

Time with family and friends is more important than a brand new sweater or board game. Not to mention the fact that as an employee of a clothing store, there is nothing I want to do less than listen to angry customers scream for not one, but two days.

So instead of “extreme couponing” let’s be extremely thankful for all that we have and perhaps shop online.

Take the time this Thanksgiving to really celebrate the day, not waste family time coming up with a strategic plan to be the first person at the register.

It is supposed to be the season of giving, not getting. Let’s all remember that.

Private school wants you

BY LILY BESSETTE Staff Writer The Old Colony Memorial, a Plymouth based newspaper, recently included an extensive insert about “Preparing for Private School,” written by Linda Murphy. GateHouse Media produced this advertising supplement for the Old Colony Memorial and many other local newspapers. This insert included helpful guidance for parents considering the private education route for their children. It also surprisingly favored private schools and gave substantial evidence that private education is superior to public education.

The insert reviews the different types of private schools: religious-based schools, boarding schools, and independent schools. The article contends that private schools, in general, can be beneficial because they focus on the “whole student.” There are typically lower student to teacher ratios and smaller average classroom sizes in private schools. Depending on the specific school, some private schools can also offer more accommodation to those students with special needs or disabilities.

An entire section of the insert asks the question “Is a faith-based school right for my child?” According to the insert, parents typically choose faith-based schools because they want their children to be surrounded at school with either religious and moral values similar to those practiced at home. It also indicated that students from religious schools tend to further their education obtaining master’s degrees and/or doctorate degrees at a higher rate than public school graduates.

The insert explains the importance of finding the right high school for children suggesting that it is as important as (if not more important than) applying to college. It even suggests getting an educational consultant to help find the perfect fit for students going into high school. The writer, Linda Murphy, portrays the admission to some of these private schools as a challenging, competitive process. Mirroring the way many students look at colleges, the insert advises parents to take full advantage of high school open houses by grasping the feel of the school and its unique learning environment.

The insert implies that applying to private school is

a lengthier, more intense process than applying to college. Although high school is an important time of a student’s life, applying to it certainly is not as difficult as Murphy portrays it to be. After working through this supposed difficulty for admission, readers can infer that private schools are a high aspiration and beneficial choice for children; private schools are therefore worth the challenging admittance process.

Financial considerations are discussed in a positive light. Although private education is obviously more expensive than public education, Murphy explains how financial aid and scholarships can greatly reduce the cost of tuition. Mark Sklarow, the CEO of the Independent Education Consultant Association said, “Most schools have scholarship money and most will find a way to make it more affordable for families, from small scholarships to full scholarships.”

Again, Murphy praises private schools. Their success in high test scores on the SAT and greater ability to provide more individualized instruction help argue that private schools distinguish themselves above public schools. Students from religious and independent private schools exceed the SAT benchmark, while those from public schools fall below the benchmark. Private school students’ high test scores actually helped increase the national average.

Murphy did quote Mark Sklarow debunking the idea that there are better teachers at private schools. Sklarow said, “There are great teachers at public schools and there are great teachers at private schools.” This is true because there can be great teachers anywhere, but private schools are unique because teachers are able to be more flexible and specialized in their methods for teaching students due to the unique learning environment private schools offer.

The one and only, Sacred Heart High School, is featured in the insert with our open house advertisement. Cardinal Spellman, Archbishop Williams, Trinity Catholic Academy, Xaverian Brothers, Catholic Memorial, and South Shore Christian Academy.

THE HEART BEAT Editors-in-Chief: Jennifer Habeeb

Lily Bessette Managing Editor: Shauna Sweeney Front Page Editor: Moira Gattoni News Editor: Austin Haughton Features Editor: Reilly Robbins Double Truck Editors: Molly Presutti Hannah Wisniewski A&E Editor: Kelly Allen Opinion Editor: Sam Boyles Profiles Editor: Jennifer Habeeb Sports Editor: Mark Kahlil Photographers: Alessandra Pasquale Mengjun Duan Staff Writers: Caroline Thomas Kieran Kelleher Contributing Writer: Caroline Imparato THE HEART BEAT is the student newspaper of Sacred Heart High School, located at 399 Bishops Highway, Kingston, MA 02364. The views expressed herein are those of the staff. Responsible letters should be addressed to the Editorial Staff c/o Mr. Boccalini or via e-mail at vboccalini@sacredheartkingston.com. THE HEART BEAT welcomes readers’ opinions on all topics. Letters must be signed. The editors reserve the right to reject, edit, or shorten letters. THE HEART BEAT is printed by Graphic Developments, Inc.

Mission Statement The Heart Beat is Sacred Heart High School’s newspaper. As the present custodians of this long-standing and award-winning publication, we pledge ourselves to the following threefold purpose: To inspire and foster a sense of passion and love for journalism, journalistic ethics and the integrity of the written word; To create and develop an atmosphere of responsible leadership, commitment to truth and dedication to the highest standards of journalistic principles; To recognize that in all we do, we are in the service of our Provident God who has blessed us with the opportunity to minister to the Sacred Heart community.

-Vincent Boccalini Moderator The Heart Beat

Press Affiliations Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) New England Scholastic Press Association (NESPA) American Scholastic Press Association (ASPA) Suffolk University (SU)

Sports

11

HEART BEAT

November 18, 2013

Got Beard?

BY REILLY ROBBINS Staff Writer At the beginning of 2013, Red Sox Nation warily boarded the train toward the “Road to Redemption.” Although they were glad to put the dismal 2012 season behind them, they were concerned with what lay ahead. Many fans wondered about the future of the remaining veterans, while others questioned the ability of the newly acquired players that seemingly lacked superstar status. As the season began, few expected the team to be able to compete in the formidable American League East, let alone contend for a playoff position.

Hoping to quiet the critics with his unique style of leadership was the team’s former pitching coach and new manager, John Farrell. Ultimately, his main goal was to make sure that all the players were on the same page and focused on winning baseball games. Over and again he told them that “every pitch, every play, every hit, and every inning mattered.“ Immediately, they bought in to his philosophy and united as a team determined to play the game of baseball the right way.

Within two weeks of Opening Day, it became apparent that this close-knit team was something special. Shaken by the Boston Marathon bombings, the players helped to buoy the spirits of a city overcome by tragedy. Both on and off the field they worked together to give the people something to cheer about. Soon, Boston Strong became the team’s new motto, and from the front office, to the clubhouse, they put the city on their backs and ran with it.

Led by a team of veterans like David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, and John Lester, and bolstered by tenacious newcomers like Mike Napoli, Jonny Gomes, David Ross, Koji Uehara,

Steven Drew, and Shane Victorino, the Sox ended the first half of the year on top of the A. L. East. Amusingly they became known around the league as a gritty group of bearded bandits who often stole the game on the last out.

Not even slumping starters, or injured all stars, could keep this team down because someone was always waiting on the bench to pick them up.

From Mike Carp to Daniel Nava, Jake Peavy to Koji Uehara, they found a way to Photo courtesy of espn.go.com David Ortiz celebrates after winning the 2013 World Series get the job done. Each night it seemed as if there was a course of four nights, the Red Sox spoiled League history to win the clinching game new hero who created some sort of magic. Suddenly this “Worst to the Rays hopes of a playoff run by winning of the World Series with two different teams.

First” team was making believers out of the series three games to one.

As in any good series, there were also a Next came the Detroit Tigers who everyone. few, more than memorable, heart-stopping With just a few weeks left in the regular proved to be a little more troublesome moments.

For the first time in World season the remarkable Red Sox showed for the Boston Red Sox. With their Series history, a game ending obstruction no signs of slowing down. Never having challenging lineup and stellar pitching call went against the Red Sox, while the lost more than three games in a row they the Tigers put up a good fight. In the end, Cardinals lost a heartbreaker when Kolten were still comfortably in first place. Series however, late inning theatrics once again Wong was picked off first base for the final after series added to what became the best ruled. Powered by two, game winning out. record in baseball. As more teammates grand slams, from Ortiz and Victorino, Perhaps the finest memory of the series sprouted facial hair, and the “Fear the as well as untouchable pitching from the belonged to the team’s inspirational Beard” slogan became popular, Red series MVP, Koji Uehara, the results were leader, Big Papi, who was voted MVP Sox Nation began to look more like the the same. Finishing the series on top four after hitting two homers, driving in six Duck Dynasty. Fans had finally stopped games to two, the Boston Red Sox had runs, and batting an astounding .688. reflecting on the past and looked toward now won the American League title.

The 2013 Boston Red Sox took all of At last the Red Sox were right where a very promising future. Each night after Red Sox Nation on a wild ride this year. another win, Jonny Gomes reminded his they wanted to be - back on baseball’s Both the chemistry in the clubhouse and teammates “We’re another day closer to biggest stage. The World Series matched the talent on the field proved to everyone Boston against Saint Louis, in a series that the parade!” that anything can be accomplished if you On September 20, 2013, the Red Sox the Sox hoped would end the same way put your mind to it. clinched the American League East. as 2004. The Cardinals’ much heralded Perhaps Shane Victorino knew Although their hard work had paid off, young pitching staff was definitely a force something we didn’t back in spring training the “unified group of brothers” knew there with which to be reckoned. Although the when he picked his theme song Three Red Sox seasoned veterans had their work was still more work to be done.

Little Birds, because certainly, “Every The first round of playoffs began cut out for them, they proved themselves Little Thing was Gonna Be Alright!”. with the always difficult Tampa Bay worthy of the task by helping the team win Rays. Scoring twenty six runs over the the series four games to two. John Lackey even became the first pitcher in Major

Started from the bottom

BY REILLY ROBBINS Staff Writer The fall of 2013 marked the kick off season for Sacred Heart’s first football team. Boys in grades eight through ten tried out for the team and began training in August for a season they will never forget.

Playing as a freshman team, the Saints ended the season with a phenomenal 4-4 record.

In their first season, all of the boys worked extremely hard to succeed and prove they would be a top competitor.

Sophomore Patrick Allen said, “It was an incredible run and we set the stage for years to come. They’ll look back on us with pride.”

Looking to the future, the team remains optimistic. All the boys agree that their success was mainly a product of hard work, determination, and communication characteristics they plan on carrying with them into next season.

“We came in as teammates and now we’re leaving as brothers. It was a great season and I wouldn’t have had it any other way,” said freshman Rafael Uribe.

If the football team continues to improve their skills and work side by side, they are certain to be rewarded with even more success.

Despite a wrist injury, top scorer, Maguire Duggan, has high aspirations for next year’s team as well.

“For a first season team we were incredible. It was unfortunate we had a few tough injuries but we pushed through and had a great season,” said Duggan.

The boys are not the only ones extremely proud of themselves. The boys’ football coach, TJ Byrne, also had some inspiring words about the team.

“It was an incredible season and we set the stage for years to come. They’ll look back on us with pride.”

-Patrick Allen

Staff photo by Alessandra Pasquale

The team huddles during Sacred Hearts first Homecoming football game.

“Personally this is the most rewarding experience I’ve ever had in the sport. It’s fun to watch people come together into the sport I love and watch them turn from athletes into football players and watch them create a team,” Byrne said.

The coach believes that the foundation is strong and that in two years when the team will turn varsity, that the Saints will be ready to compete for the league title.

“I expected improvement and good chemistry from the boys, so that hasn’t surprised me. What has surprised me, is how they’ve surpassed everything I threw at them. At no point in time have I felt that this season has been over their head. From day one, I told these guys that we were here to compete. They’ve gone out and accepted this challenge and the success they achieved from doing so is something they can always hang their heads on.”

Sports

12

HEART BEAT

November 18, 2013

Saints Win Big in Playoffs

BY MARK KHALIL Staff Writer The Sacred Heart Saints had an impressive fall season this year on multiple fronts. The varsity girls’ volleyball team and the girls’ and boys’ varsity soccer teams played exceptionally well and qualified for the Division 4 MIAA playoff tournaments. Each team played well and improved from last year.

The girls’ volleyball team played Blue Hills Regional High School in the tournament’s first game. The Lady Saints beat the Blue Hills Warriors in three straight matches. The girls then moved on to the next round of the tournament where they played Archbishop Williams High School. The Lady Saints fell in three straight games to the Bishops. Although the Lady Saints kept each game close, they fell short in their tournament loss.

The girls’ soccer team also did well in the MIAA playoff tournament. In their first tournament game, the Lady Saints beat Norfolk Agricultural High School. 6-2.

Freshman Bridget LeBlanc scored two goals with assists from junior Kelley O’Donnell and freshman Olivia DiBiase. Senior Moira Gattoni scored a goal with an assist from O’ Donnell and O’Donnell scored a goal with an assist from Gattoni. DiBiase scored her first two goals

of the season with assists from LeBlanc and eighth grader Aidan MacDonald. They then moved on to the next round to play Rockland High School in the quarter finals. The Lady Saints lost to Rockland 4-0. The Saints only let in one goal before half time. Rockland came out strong in the second half and scored 3 unanswered goals. This, however, is an improvement over last year when the girls only played one game before losing.

The boys’ soccer team went deep into the MIAA tournament this year. Last year was successful for the Saints. They made it all the way to the quarter finals and lost to Bourne High School. This year was more successful. The first game the Saints played was against Sturgis West High School. The 4 - 0 win was all about precision passing by the entire 11 players on the field.

Keeper, Ryan Bigley, made a few saves to keep the shut out. The boys then went on to play in the quarter finals against Nantucket High School.

Against Nantucket the Saints kept their composure on the soccer pitch. After scoring first in the 16th minute, the boys held off a strong Nantucket team until late in the first half. Nantucket scored the equalizer in the 31st minute and then neither team scored in the second half.

After 2 OT’s, the game went to penalty kicks where the Saints scored four goals in a row while Nantucket was

Boys soccer lines up before their semi final playoff game

Staff Photo by Alessandra Pasquale

Staff Photo by Alessandra Pasquale

Vollyball team huddled up and ready

stopped twice. The Saints won 2-1 in PK’s. After that victory the boys went on to the semifinals to play Abington High School.

The Saints won in regulation against the Abington’s Green Wave at Quincy’s Veteran’s Memorial Field. Kieran Kelleher scored the only goal of the game in the 39th minute, striking the ball from beyond the 18 and curving it into the right side of the net. The defense remained strong throughout the game to hold off any offensive threats from Abington. The final score was Saints 1, Abington 0.

The Saints then moved on to the south sectional finals where they played Cohasset High School at the Taunton High School field. The Saint’s amazing run continued into the first half. Cohasset scored first but Kelleher and the Saints came back and tied the game 1-1. The game was competitive until the final whistle but the Saints came up short and lost 3-1. The boys’ soccer team hadn’t advanced to the south sectional finals since 1990.

The Saints put Sacred Heart on the map again. With this season’s success, the future of fall sports is bright. The fall sports teams improved from last year and will continue to improve in the future.

Fall Sports Awards 2013

BY LILY BESSETTE Staff Writer Fall sports have come to a close. On November 12th, the Fighting Saints and their parents and coaches gathered in the high school auditorium for the 2013 Fall Sports Awards. This ceremony annually honors the great efforts of the fall athletes.

Mr. Robert Duquette, Athletic Director, commenced the event by welcoming the audience and thanking the athletes and parents for all of their hard work and participation during the fall season. Sports teams that were recognized are as follows: boys’ varsity cross country, girls’ varsity cross country, girls’ varsity and junior varsity soccer, boys’ varsity soccer, boys’ freshmen football, boys’ varsity and junior varsity golf, and girls’ varsity and junior varsity volleyball.

This year Sacred Heart made tremendous improvements in athletics. During last year’s fall sports awards there were only nine All Star Awards, but this year Sacred Heart was able to award nineteen Mayflower League All Star Awards.

Cross country runners Junior Marybeth Mason, Sophomore Christopher Gren, and Freshman Yanni Pappas were awarded All Star Awards for their performances in the Mayflower League Meet. Senior Moira Gattoni, senior Alesandra Pasquale, junior Kelley O’Donnell, and freshman Bridget LeBlanc were awarded All Stars for girls’ varsity soccer. Seniors Kieran Kelleher, Eric Struski, Kevin Strohschneider, and Griffin Ostrowski were awarded All Stars for boys’ varsity soccer. Boys’ varsity golf

was able to award All Stars to senior Robert Anthony Norris, sophomore Collin Gillis, and eighth grader Luke Myers. All Stars were awarded to seniors Katelyn Foley and Courtney Burt, and sophomore Lauren Melchionda for their athletic excellence in girls’ varsity volleyball.

The boys’ varsity soccer team had a tremendous season. Their coach Matthew Bruninghaus was declared Mayflower League Coach of the Year for the second year in a row. The team was D4 South Sectional Finalists, losing the championship game 3-1 to Cohasset high school. The Saints hadn’t advanced to a sectional championship game since 1990.

Kelleher, a star offensive player, was also awarded Most Valuable player of the Mayflower League, Eastern Massachusetts All Star, named to the All State team, and is a candidate for the Patriot Ledger All Scholastic Award and the Boston Globe All Scholastic Award as well.

After recognizing these great achievements, the different sports dispersed to separate, assigned rooms.

During this time, coaches took more time to reflect on the season and congratulate their athletes. Some teams also thanked their senior teammates with gifts. Coaches also awarded players with more personalized awards, trophies, and certificates of participation. Junior varsity players also received recognition with trophies and certificates. Certificates indicate the season, sport, and the level at which the

athlete participated. These certificates are kept track of in order to determine the amount of points an athlete has. Three points are awarded for participation at the junior varsity level and five points are awarded for participation at the varsity level. Once an athlete has earned twentyseven points, he or she is rewarded with a varsity letterman jacket.

After most awards were distributed, heartfelt speech was made by Ms. Colleen Murphy, assistant coach for cross country and an employee at Stafford Hill Assisted Living in Plymouth, Ma. Murphy was filling in for head cross country coach, Mr. George Rose, who couldn’t make it due to a meeting in Boston. Before announcing

the cross country All Star awards, she explained that this sports season was “what you make it.” This insight was given to her by one of her elderly patients at Stafford Hill. She had been talking to the elderly man when she said to him, “It is what it is.” He replied, “No, it is what you make it.” After sharing this lesson with the audience, Murphy showed how proud she was of her son, senior Kevin Strohschneider by explaining how quickly time passes and how valuable that time is.

One couldn’t help but tear up a little at this demonstration of maternal love. For all fall sports teams, their seasons were what they made it and this season all of the fighting saints truly made it a great one.

Staff Photo by Alessandra Pasquale

Many all star awards were given to Sacred Heart athletes