VOl. Xlii, issue 3 9/16/11

HOMeCOMiNG

With Homecoming dance quickly approaching, Senior Tommy Yoon has creative ideas for asking that special someone. Page 4.

CARDiNAls

Do the Redbirds have a chance at a postseason run? Writers Eric Stange and Will O’Brien have different views. Page 4.

THE RECORD

VOl. Xlii, issue 3 9/16/11

THe OFFiCiAl sTuDeNT NewspApeR OF sAiNT lOuis pRiORY sCHOOl

Flawless

By Peter Cogan Staff Writer

Last week the Priory soccer team went out to the St. Dominic FastLane Supercup with only one goal in mind: win the championship and earn their #1 ranking among small schools.

The Rebels are the winningest team in the Supercup’s history, but after a disappointing 3-2 loss in the championship last year to a strong Eureka team, they were ready to reclaim the title. Coach John Mohrmann said, “This is a high-profile tournament, we have to get to the championship and then get the job done.” The 2011 tourCrowned Rebels basking in their glory. Elaine Collins | Record Weekly nament was stacked with high-caliber now found themselves in the championship Their dominance was rewarded again with teams Fort Zumwalt West, St. Dominic (#2 in small schools), and Oakville (#8 in game against Oakville, who had beaten St. a goal from captain Andrew Rhodes in the Dominic in a penalty shootout. large schools). first half. With a 2-0 lead at halftime, the Some fans actually made it out to Rebels were able to hold off the feisty Tigers In the first round, the Rebels squared off with a solid Fort Zumwalt West St. Dominic on Saturday night to support to secure their first place finish again at the team. Priory had solid control most of the the Rebels: most notably Alex “Tom Shane” Supercup. Junior captain Jeffrey Hopson game with Jeffrey Hopson and captain Ja- Haueisen and Clay Swanger whose vuvuzu- was awarded player of the game. cob Mohrmann dominating the central elas thundered through the stadium, as well Not only did Priory accomplish midfield, but it wasn’t until the second half as Thomas Burton, Quentin Amice, Nehal their goal and win all three games, they when the Rebels took the lead with a head- Patel, and others. They didn’t have to wait also did not allow a single goal the entire ball goal from James Pieper. James shared long to cheer. 55 seconds into the game the tournament, an impressive feat. “It says that rare emotions about his goal. “Whatever,” Rebels drew a corner kick. James Pieper we are concerned with not only getting forhe said, “I don’t really care.” After another flicked it on to Jeffrey Hopson, who rock- ward and putting goals in the back of the goal from Jeffrey Hopson on a breakaway, eted it into the upper corner for an early 1-0 net, but also getting back to play defense as the Rebels won 2-0 and were set to face off lead over Oakville. Jeffrey said, “Christmas a team, and working hard to put pressure against Holt in the semifinal. Holt didn’t came early this year: a gift in the form of a on our opponents,” says Jake Mohrmann. pose any problem to the Rebels. Junior goal. I was fortunate to be right there and Come see the Rebels take down captain Sam Newman scored the first goal knock it in.” Priory was clearly outplaying Lutheran South today at 4:15 at New Trafand Priory cruised to a 5-0 victory. Priory Oakville and had most of the possession. ford.

FeATuRe

2

THe ReCORD sTAFF T H e p R i O RY R e C O R D @ G M A i l . C O M

eDiTOR iN CHieF

Content Editor

lAYOuT eDiTOR TReVOR JiN

CONTeNT eDiTOR CARTeR GAGe The Record is the official student publication of Saint Louis Priory School in St. Louis, Missouri. It is produced by student editors/ staff members. Its purpose is threefold: to inform students of events in the community; to encourage discussion of local, national, and international issues; and to serve as a training ground for budding journalists, photographers, and graphic designers. The Record accepts contributions from all members of the Pr iory community, including students, faculty, and alumni.

The Record will not publish content considered legally unprotected speech, including but not limited libel,

copyright

in-

fringement, or unwarranted invasion of privacy, or material disruption of the educational process. Student edi tors apply professional standards to the production of the newspaper and are solely responsible for all content, both explicit and implicit.

Letters to the Editors are

always

Spencer King is Athlete of the Week

By Carter Gage

luKe D slABAuGH

to:

Gentle Giant

appreciated.

Feedback not intended for publication is also welcome.

One fine the team and still fall afternoon not improving. Even long ago, Senior though he is quiet David Fournie and by nature, Spencer I stood at the top was elected team of a hill watching captain this fall. the varsity runners “Spencer’s not the finish their race at loudest guy on the the Lutheran South team, but his runInvitational and ning speaks for dreaming of foot him,” Senior runspeed from our caner Austin Federer pability. And then, says. “He’s not gohe crested the hill. ing to get into your Never beface, but he’s going fore had we taken to work his butt off the time to admire every day. He leads him running, but by example.” we should have.

Spencer It was a beautiful says that hardsight. He was so working example tall and so gangly, comes from his yet still so graceful. dedication to the And he was silent sport, his secret to the whole time, success. “My biglike he usually is. gest secret would David summarized be setting goals for this great man as myself,” he says. glided past, “It’s “After freshman Spencer dominates the competition, setting a stunlike he’s saving his year, I set goals for ning personal record for a 5 kilometer course - 17:19. words for when he what I wanted to Rick Graefe | STL Today needs them most. accomplish each Spencer King: the Gentle Giant.” season and I trained hard over the summer in Spencer stands in at a staggering 6 foot order to accomplish those goals.” Spencer has 6, and running has become part of him. “I can’t worked hard to meet his goals, running roughly see my life without running,” he says. “Over the 400 miles each of the past two summers (the summer, running became a daily ritual for me; team collectively ran 4125 miles- the most in instead of get up at 7 and go to school, it was get Coach Rebello’s long history) and choosing to up at 7 and go run.” He attributes this fascination run long-distance track instead of playing tenwith running to the Priory sports requirement. nis, where he was guaranteed a varsity spot, “Honestly, I would never have been a runner had to train for his final cross country season. He we not had mandatory sports,” he says. “I never promises to continue his hard work this season. really cared about running until the end of my He would like to finally meet all of his goals and freshman season when I discovered that I wasn’t lead the Rebels to a successful season in the ABC half bad at it.” “Not half bad” is Spencer being league and possibly further. modest, another integral part of his character. He He may appear reserved, but his dedicurrently is the number one runner on a promis- cation to his sport is evident. “Thus far, there is ing Rebel cross country team, and his personal not a goal that I have not met,” he says. “And I record for a 3.1 mile course is 17:19, best on hope to keep it that way in my final season.”

News

Middle East Unrest Political struggles ravage the lands.

By Robert McAullife

Staff Writer

In the past month there have been quite a few disturbances going on in the ever-warring Middle East. Allow me to offer a brief recap of the situation.

Our first matter of concern is Libya.

As most of you probably know, a youth-led revolution has been attempting to overthrow the corrupt leader Muammar al-Ghadaffi, whom the rebels accused of corruption and slaughter of Libyan dissenters. The United States, with a NATO coalition of British and French troops, imposed a nofly zone over the country to prevent Ghadaffi from using planes to suppress rebels. Finally on August 23, the rebel group Libyan Arab Jamahiriya were able to take over the capital of the city, Tripoli. Gadhaffi’s compound was stormed and looted, although Gadhaffi and his sons’ whereabouts are currently unknown. Gadhaffi’s dubiously-gained assets had been frozen by the United States, Britain, Germany, and France after the rebellion. However they’ve just recently unfrozen them in hopes that the funds will aid the rebel movement’s humanitarian aid for Libyan refugees.

If you’ll remember back to February, you might recall some news about another dictator, this time an Egyptian one. Hosni Mubarak, president of Egypt since 1981, had been expelled from office by another youth revolution, citing the state of emergency law the country had been under for 40 years, which limited free speech and political opposition as well as allowed as many as 30,000 political prisoners to be held indefinitely.

For the moment, the Egyptian military has control of the state, at least until its democratic elections are held. The recent news from Egypt is that five Egyptian policemen have been killed by Israeli forces, supposedly

caught in the cross-fire between them and Palestinian forces. This sparked public outrage in the country, including a storming of the Israeli embassy, where a brave protester (dubbed “Flagman” by the internet) ripped off and burned the Israeli flag, replacing it with that of Egypt. Meanwhile, the interim Egyptian government withdrew their ambassador from Israel, in protest of the killings.

With Mubarak, a long-time friend of the Israeli government, gone, many now wonder if Egypt will again return to being an anti-Israeli government, breaking a peace established in 1979. If the Egyptian people’s reactions are any indicator, it is not likely the new, democratically-elected leader will be any friend to Israel.

Finally, it is worth calling attention to the ongoing violence in Syria: President Bashar alAssad has been violently putting to rest a rebellion that has been going on since January. Inspired

by Tunisia, Egypt, and now Libya, Syrians seek to overthrow yet another corrupt dictator. While media is tightly controlled in the country, reports have surfaced that point to massive bloody suppression of the protests.

The United States appear to be secretly backing regime change, and have imposed sanctions on Assad and his cabinet members.

As you can see, there is a great deal of violence going on in the Middle East at the moment, and I didn’t even get into IsraeliPalestinian rocket fire. The way things have been going in Tunisia and Egypt, however, seem to be hopeful: pointing towards a more democratic Middle East (notably without the United States’ efforts to “make the world safe for democracy”). One must keep in mind, however, that the results of these democratic revolutions may not please the United States (and by extension Israel), and may seem counter-progressive through Western eyes.

However, the most fundamental concept of democracy is what the nations’ citizens want, not what a foreign superpower thinks is best.

3

Todd Stadium Unveiled Tomorrow

By Harry Lindmark Staff Writer

This Saturday, Priory’s varsity football team will play their homecoming game in their new stadium.

Over the summer, Priory has been building a new addition to the grandstand area at the turf field. This new addition includes many new and exciting features.

One of these features is an arch that reads “Todd Stadium”. Under this arch, there are approximately 330 bricks that Priory families have purchased.

On these bricks, many Priory families have writing inscribed.

Father Michael said that he thinks that the concession stand is the best new feature because it now has much more space and that it is an overall nicer facility. Other new features include new restrooms, a new press box and a larger visitor’s stand.

“This year all the seating will be together and it can seat about 500 people,” said Father Michael. Father Michael also thinks this will help Rebels fans cheer on their athletic teams.

On Saturday, the stadium will be dedicated to Rose Todd Davis whose single donation helped complete the whole stadium.

Rose Todd Davis passed away about a year ago so the stadium will be dedicated in her memory.

Rebel fans will really enjoy this new grandstand area and are looking forward to a homecoming victory.

Opinion

4

How to Ask Your Date to Homecoming

By Tommy Yoon

Staff Writer

Great news: Priory Homecoming is creeping up on us. The dance is on October 15th, less than a month away. We all know what that means: it’s time to find your date.

There are two approaches to this: 1. Asking a girl as a friend. 2. Asking a girl as a love-interest. In asking a girl as a friend, the key is to keep your dance experience laid-back. This is an easy and fun way to enjoy the dance. Asking them can also be simple. If you’re that close to your friend, a simple polite invitation over a phone conversation or in person is usually acceptable. But you can also surprise her with fun ways like baking a cake, giving her a balloon, or even painting “Homecoming?” across your chest. Just don’t overdo it.

Remember, you’re asking them as a friend, nothing more.

The second type of homecoming date is very different. This is where you have been talking to a girl who you seem to be developing feelings for, and you want to use the homecoming dance as a first date.

This inquiry involves more serious things like roses, a letter, chocolates, and, sometimes, if you are head over heels, jewelry.

When I was a sophomore, I wanted to ask my date seriously. I used roses and a letter to ask her. Thankfully, she said yes, and the evening was phenomenal. Showing compassion and romance always is a plus with the ladies.

All these gift ideas determine whether you want to “stay in the friend zone,” or “take it to the next level,” with your intended date. Sometimes the best way to impress her is to think outside the box. Thousands of other ways have been

used to ask a date both casually and seriously. Here are some examples from this year’s senior class: - Burn a CD with “Will you go to HC with me as the last song” (Ted Tooley) - Huge glow sticks on the driveway spelling “HC?” (Tommy Yoon) - Carving pumpkins to spell “Homecoming?” (Mark Mannino) - Writing on her car (Carter Gage) - “NBD T-Bomb” (Luke Slabaugh) - Giving your football jersey away (Brendan Thomas) - Hiding baseballs in her room each with a letter spelling “Homecoming” (Scott Leer) - Lighting candles on her lawn spelling “Homecoming?” (Nico Stillman) And if none of this appeals to you, go stag and enjoy ripping up the dance floor with your Priory brothers.

Opposing Viewpoints - Cardinals Playoffs

By Eric Stange Staff Writer

Now that the season is winding down, there are two teams vying for the N.L. Wild Card spot, the Braves and the Cardinals.

With a 9-4 record in September, the Cardinals seem to have found the groove they had lost earlier in the year.

They find themselves poised to make a postseason run. Entering the last few weeks of the season, the Cardinals face a relatively easy stretch down the road, with exception to the Phillies this weekend. The pivotal game of this series to prove their mettle will be the nationally televised game on ESPN on Sunday night.If they can escape this weekend with two wins, they can enjoy a favorable schedule for the rest of the season. The Cardinals play the bottom two teams in the Central, the Astros and Cubs, and the struggling Mets; the last nine games of the year are very winnable.

If the bullpen holds together like it did last weekend against the Braves, and they have opportunistic hitting, the Cardinals have very good chances

Vs.

By Will O’Brien Staff Writer

Eric is a child with the sports knowledge of a dying cactus. As much as it pains this writer to say it, the Cardinals’ postseason chances are all but finished.

Without any consistency from their hitting triumvirate of Berkman, Pujols, and Holliday, the second half has been very disappointing. The Cardinals have also struggled to find a consistent starter this year after Adam Wainwright missed the season to Tommy John’s surgery.

Throw in a complete lack of a closer the entire year (I am indeed calling out the man with the billy goat beard, Ryan Franklin), the Cardinals are not built for postseason baseball.

The Cardinals will have to be very lucky to make the postseason at all, and if they do, they will be out by the first round. Good luck re-signing Albert Pujols if you don’t make the playoffs...

Puzzles

Across

Crossword Puzzle

1. Gestured greeting 5. As far as 9. Rock of comedy 14. Afghanistan neighbor 15. Get ready to operate 16. Like many wetlands 17. Assent from a Caron character?

19. About face, e.g.

20. Not as good 21. Garden crawlers 23. Mai __ 24. Make __: market successfully 25. Toodle-oo from a

family member?

27. Cash, in law 29. Get back in business 30. Old Atl. crosser 31. It may shimmer in the desert 35. Mob monitors 36. Cartoon gal’s dance costume?

39. ‘90s attorney general 42. Pointer and clicker 43. Filmdom’s Babe, e.g.

46. Gridiron complement 49. Web search tool 51. Le Pew’s goose?

55. Hops driers 56. “Gross!”

57. Bush or LBJ 58. Serious ceremonies 59. Vassal 61. Movie dog’s faux pas?

63. Underground conduit 64. Eclipse, in olden days 65. Choice word 66. Dangerous curves 67. Old dough in Naples 68. Poor grades

5

Sudoku Difficulty - Dastardly

Down

1. Braves’ homes 2. Tuneful ditties 3. Alley sleeper 4. Maroon, in a way 5. Letters on a brown shirt 6. Light bender 7. Edison contemporary 8. Poppy narcotic 9. La __, Wisconsin 10. Part of HM 11. Bureaucratic excess 12. Conceived of 13. Damascus natives 18. “Later” 22.

Narrow-bodied

Cryptogram

river fish 26. Vegan staple 28. Mineo of “Rebel Without a Cause” 32. Bottom line 33. Bar intro?

34. Tommy’s dad in “Rugrats” 36. Something to fall in 37. Take advantage of 38. Many opera heroes 39. Drive back, as an enemy 40. Poems of passing 41. Sons of sisters 43. Old Spanish coin 44. Acute 45. Painters’ plaster-

- Shing Xiong

like preparations 47. Fragrant compounds 48. Raleigh-to-Richmond dir.

50. Put on pounds 52. Go on and on about 53. Watts or Judd 54. Keyboard key 60. “Really!”

62. Top number

News

6 Josh McDaniels - Offensive Guru

By Thomas Burton Staff Writer

On January 18th, the St. Louis Rams made a big splash in signing Josh McDaniels to be their offensive coordinator. McDaniels, 35, is known as an offensive guru from his days as the Patriots offensive coordinator. In 2007, he led the high-powered New England offense to numerous NFL records on the way to an undefeated regular season.

Following the 2008 season, McDaniels signed a contract to become the Denver Broncos head coach, where he immediately created controversy with then quarterback Jay Cutler. Soon after, Cutler was traded to the Bears in return for Kyle Orton, among others.

McDaniels, also made headlines for misunderstandings with Brandon Marshall, which also led to a trade,

and for supposedly “over-drafting” Florida quarterback Tim Tebow in the first round of the 2010 draft. McDaniels revved up the Denver offense, making Kyle Orton and Brandon Lloyd into borderline stars, but he did not get the job done and was fired midway through the 2010 season.

While Josh McDaniels did not get the job done with the Broncos, the Rams signed McDaniels to do what he does best: coach the offense- and only the offense. In Coach Steve Spagnuolo’s opinion, McDaniels is “one of the greatest minds in the NFL.” The Rams are hoping McDaniels can do what he did for the Patriots and Broncos and transform QB Sam Bradford into a bona fide superstar.

In every season McDaniels has been coordinator or head coach, he has had at least one receiver with 1000 plus receiving yards, Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Brandon Marshall, and Brandon Lloyd as examples. Look for the Rams to model their offense off of the Patriots 2007 offense, using Danny Amendola as their Wes Welker-esque slot man and Brandon Gibson or new pickup Mike Sims-Walker as their bigplay guy on the outside. Look for one of these guys to become the Rams first 1000 yard receiver since Torry Holt, with Sims-Walker being the most likely candidate. Under McDaniels, the offense should be much improved in due time.

Martin Fitzgerald illuminated the sky with a dazzling fireworks display last night. Luke D Slabaugh | Record Weekly