December 2022

CHRISTMAS AT

ST. MARY’S

How do we celebrate this beautiful holiday as a school?

| page 3

CHRISTMAS RECIPE

Bring some Christmas cheer to your household with some yummy cookies.

| page 6

THE SEASON OF ADVENT A description of this sometimes overlooked season.

| page 9

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Hello SMCHS Student Body!

A Blessed Advent to all of you! As the secular year draws to an end and the Church year has only just begun, Advent is a time of putting old habits to rest and beginning anew. During Advent, we often fall into the trap of anticipating Christmas to the point of forgetting Advent’s joys and meanings altogether. Take this as a time of preparation for things yet to come, and as an exercise in humility. Celebrate Christmas fully and with joy when it comes, but not too far ahead. Happy Holidays, and enjoy your break!

Fiona Kelly Editor-in-Chief

OUR EDITORS

FIONA KELLY Editor-in-Chief

JULIANNA LENGOWSKI Entertainment Editor

OUR MISSION

EVA RYKOWSKY Social Media

ELI DAVIS Co-Entertainment Editor

EVA STEIER Religion Editor

NATE LETTEER Opinion Editor

MAJA DOJS Layout Editor

Here at Messenger, we love to see the groups of people huddled around our paper, the proud smile when students read articles about themselves, and the slight laughs as students make fun of our bad attempts at jokes. Our mission at the Messenger is to produce a quality newsletter that provides insight into SMCHS by featuring our own students and their accomplishments and goals.

ON THE COVER

A beautiful, SMCHS themed, Christmas tree.

CONTACT US Instagram: SMMessenger Email: smmessenger@locstudents.org

READ IT ONLINE

OUR WRITERS

Daniel Wojciehowski

Marie Wilson

Rory Milbradt

Libby Kadrmas Liam Turman

LAYOUT

Kayla Hilzendeger Kerstin Hilzendeger

Hannah Koch

Kylie Aus

Christmas at St. Mary’s

We Celebrate Different Here

Christmas at Saint Mary’s is a little different than most other schools, but what exactly does that look like? Our school has some long standing traditions that get everyone excited about Christmas and in the holiday spirit. Most students have noticed that we tend to go all out with the decorations, with trees and lights in every classroom. Almost every door is decorated with a different Christmas theme, making each classroom feel a little more festive. Something else to look out for is the music and carols that play every year during finals week. Students are greeted in the morning by their classmates sharing their favorite holiday music, which puts everyone who hears it into the holiday spirit (something much needed during finals week). What sets Saint Mary’s apart from other schools is that we have the freedom to celebrate Christmas to the fullest every year, something that makes the school feel more connected and welcoming. Next time you find yourself wandering the school, take a moment to appreciate what makes our school special during the holiday season.

Images of our very own SM Christmas decorations courtesy of our Saints for Life club members!

During the Christmas Season, there is no better way to celebrate than with music. And here at St. Mary’s, the beginning of December not only marks the beginning of the Christmas season, but it is also the height of concert season for those in Band and Choir. Over the past few weeks, we have heard many amazing performances from the Concert Choir, Jazz Band, Steel Drum Band, Jazz Choir, and Concert Band. But as fun, as these performances were to watch, they are not always easy to put together. Musicians spend months practicing and rehearsing in order to give the crowd the best performance possible, and it is all done out of love. Music has the special ability to not only bring people together but to put everyone in good spirits, both of which are important to the spirit of Christmas. So to embody these abilities, even more, St. Marys does something uniquely special during the holiday concerts, they do combined concerts.

| Eli Davis, Fiona Kelly, and Kerstin Hilzendeger

Giving Back to the Community

An integral portion of Christmas at St. Mary’s is (and always has been) the concept of giving back to the community. This year, the SM Blues took this fully to heart, and performed (or will be performing) at various Christmas events in both the Bismarck and Light of Christ communities. Returning to the Blues’ agenda this year was their “Gig Night,” during which they traveled around Bismarck caroling. For this, on the fifth of December, the Blues visited CHI St. Alexius and various stores and shops in downtown Bismarck to spread a bit of Christmas spirit, and to remind all those who heard of the truth and reality that Christmas brings. All of this caroling was done completely gratis, further buying-in to the concept of giving back to one’s community.

As Thomas Browne famously said, “Charity begins at home.” In an effort to further enrich the Light of Christ community, the SM Blues will be performing with both the Concert Choir and the Academy Choirs at their respective Christmas concerts. This is especially important and impactful for the Academy Choir concert. It provides an opportunity for the Blues to act as role models for the younger students. Additionally, and perhaps most importantly, in order for a tradition to become a tradition and persist as one, it must be taken on by each new iteration of students. The participation of the Blues in the Academy concert gives them the opportunity to present St. Mary’s Christmas traditions to the younger students in an overwhelmingly positive light, solidifying these traditions, with luck, for years to come.

It has been a long-standing tradition to combine winter concerts with middle school bands and choirs. Combining band and choir concerts with the middle school bands and choirs not only allows the middle school groups to see where they are headed in a few years, but it also humbles our high school musicians by reminding them where they started, and, overall, brings musicians of all ages together. The SMCHS Steel Drum Band was also able to collaborate with UMary’s Steel Band in which there were multiple SMCHS alumni, adding more to the theme of bringing people together by acting as a sort of homecoming for those past graduates. So thank you to all the musicians who worked together this holiday season to not only make beautiful music but to also remind us of the importance of coming together and being joyful in everything we do.

Bringing Summer Vibes to the Winter Wonderland

Every year, the small town of Garrison, North Dakota celebrates the Christmas Season in a different but traditional way. Garrison hosts their annual Dickens Village Festival in the few weeks preceding Christmas and packs it full of fun concerts and performances by bands and acts from around the state. But this year, audience members were in for something a little bit different. The SMCHS Steel Drum Band was specially asked to play for this event on December 9th and it really was a show. The SMCHS Steel Drum Band is one of only a few steel bands in North Dakota and is one of the only High School Steel Bands in the state. The band members had an absolute blast performing for this event and hope the audience enjoyed their performance as much as they enjoyed performing. Their December 9th concert was truly something special they will never forget, and they hope to be invited back again in the future.

Concert Dates

December 5: Jazz Choir Caroling

December 9: Dickens Festival

December 12: Beginners Debut

December 14: State ‘A’ Sax/Percussion Festival

December 14: Christmas Choir Concert

December 15: 7-12 Jazz Band

You Still Have Christmas Decorations Up?

| Nate Letteer

October 10 October 31

I was sleeping soundly until I heard a loud bang outside. I jumped up and ran out the front door. I froze. There they were. Horrific monsters, tearing apart everything I loved and replacing it with cornucopias and pilgrims. All my hard work was gone in a fell swoop. I look down, tears streaming from my eyes only to see the broken face of my jack-o-lantern staring back at me.

I stood on my porch watching all the children in costumes walking door to door. My eyes filled with melancholy for the time is 11:58 PM and I know that they are coming as soon as the clock strikes midnight. As I wave off the last trick-or-treater I start to notice the shadowing figures standing on the hilltop, looking down at the town below. Rushing inside, I call to warn my family of their coming. As I lock the deadbolt I heard the clock call out, bellowing throughout the whole house. It was time. In a flash, the entire town went from plain browns, yellows, and oranges to brightly lit reds and greens. It was too late, they had brought Christmas decorations out before Thanksgiving even began.

This may be my last message to all the readers. I currently sit in wait, hiding in the bushes. I can hear them creeping in, the early holiday decorators. I will do my best to prevent their attack for as long as I can but I can’t promise much. I leave you with one last piece of advice: wait for the holiday season to end before setting up for the next one.

North Dakota Winters: A Survival Guide

Well, the weather outside is frightful, and the fire is so delightful, but since we have places to go, we need to make it through all the snow. In North Dakota there is an obnoxious amount of snow and ice that can often be an inconvenience for daily life. For students, the drive to school can often be tedious, and, contrary to popular belief about North Dakotans, not everybody owns a truck. Even when you think ahead and start your car early, the car still manages to be cold well over 75% of the time, and even that 25% when it’s warm, the windows still need to be scraped. After saying goodbye to your mom for what could be the last time, you say your prayers and start your drive to school. (Solution #1)

Solution #2

For Women: Stop wearing skirts during the winter… just stop…

For Men: If you wear the uniform jacket, wear a long sleeved undershirt rather than a short sleeved, or put on the uniform jacket if you don’t already.

For Both: Carry around your own personal campfire aka, a torch.

Once you get to school you remember none of the rooms seem to have a temperature over -2 degrees, and so your suffering doesn’t stop with the car ride. You have to go the whole school day underdressed, cold during every class. (Solution #2)

After school, and another terrible car ride home, you may think that you are finally safe from the cold, but even in your house your dad won’t let you turn the thermostat up, and every room is very cold. He tries to offer you solutions like “sit in front of the fireplace” but what if you don’t have a good view of the TV from there? He may say “put on warmer clothes” but when you’re already wearing three winter jackets, a scarf, your mittens, and a blanket I don’t think there is much more you could do.

(Solution #3) Oh wait, there isn’t one. Suffer quietly while you slowly become a human popsicle.

| Sam Huntington

Christmas Recipe: Sugar Cookies

A yummy holiday treat

| Kerstin Hilzendeger

Winter weather is the perfect time to bake, and nothing puts a person in the Christmas Spirit like making a delicious frosted sugar cookie. One of the easiest and most common holiday desserts is the good old-fashioned sugar cookie. And for those who don’t like the taste of gingerbread cookies, a sweet sugar cookie hits the spot. Baking these sweet, soft, and chewy desserts that are practically made to melt in your mouth is the perfect activity to bring a family together during the holidays. Everyone loves a good-tasting cookie.

1 Cup unsalted butter

2/3 Cup + 3 Tablespoons granulated jnnjsugar, each in their own bowls

1 Tablespoon all purpose flour

1 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract

The Cookie The Frosting

1/2 Cup Shortening

1/2 Cup Butter

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

4 Cup Powdered Sugar

2 Tablespoons Milk

Tools

3 Bowls

1 Whisk or Stand Mixer

1 Cookie Sheet

1 Spatula

Instructions

Combine butter, flour, and vanilla in a bowl. Then add the sugar 2/3 cup at a time. Mix in a bowl until of doughy consistency (it will be a bit gritty). Roll dough into small 1-inch balls. Gently roll each ball in the remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar to give them a nice coat of sugar. Press the balls into a more flat cookie shape on a cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for about 14-16 minutes. Leave cookies to completely cool. Combine frosting ingredients and mix until it is a stiff whipped consistency. Frost your cookies. Eat and enjoy.

Album Review: And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow

| Eli Davis

An album that is only a couple weeks old but already in the running for album of the year is Weyes Blood’s “And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow.” Natalie Mering, better known by her stage name Weyes Blood, does not have the mainstream success and attention of many other musicians, but she is one of the most critically acclaimed artists of the past decade. The artist’s past projects have received great amounts of critical acclaim, and this record is no different, with critics already arguing that this is the singer’s best project to date. The album creates its own sound, that is somewhat hard to define to one genre, though Mering describes it as transcendent and wistful folk pop. The album is lush, ethereal, elegant, and incredibly intricate and unique. With roots in dream pop, the album has a distinct sound reminiscent of old 1970s soft rock. Each track is its own story and sets itself apart from the rest of the album, something I really appreciate in an album. Some standout tracks include Children of the Empire, Hearts Aglow, It’s Not Just Me, It’s Everybody, and God Turn Me Into a Flower. Most tracks follow a rather unconventional song structure, but do not have a hard time catching the listeners attention. Her sound is familiar and nostalgic, but still creates something new and unique which attracts many kinds of listeners and makes her audience rather diverse. I believe anyone who sits down and gives this project a listen will enjoy it, and I truly believe that Weyes Blood is one of the greatest artists of our time, and deserves far more attention than she receives. I (and many other fans) can’t wait to see what she will do next in her music career.

Movie Review: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

| Julianna Lengowski

Although the main character, T’Challa, played by Chadwick Boseman, is noticeably absent from this sequel to the Black Panther, the cast of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever held their own. With many moments in the movie paying tribute to the tragically lost actor, it’s no surprise that this movie is an uncharacteristically somber MCU film. The visuals, representation, and overall message of the movie make for a great theater experience; however, the nearly three hour run time feels extensive and unnecessary.

Wakanda Forever holds the spot for the second-biggest opening this year, with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness holding first place. To all of you streaming service enthusiasts: the movie is expected to be released on to Disney+ by the end of December or early January. Either way, Disney is sure to time the release of the hit movie with the release of other projects so as to give each one their sufficient time in the limelight.

His Fatal Phantoms A Short Story

| Rory Milbradt

As the shadow of the accommodation fell upon the alleyway, which was bathed in a lavish flood, a once congenial Aveline Barineu had perished and been raised to a land only God can perceive. Where was the man she once loved, a friend, a father?

He stepped into what used to be an area of extreme fervor and love. Now all he could feel was dread and remorse. How could someone who was so passionate towards his wife and caring towards his daughter be cursed with such feelings of pain and sorrow? If he who lived in fear of a world of memories was yet to fall, he must not have belonged in this world at all.

Maxime, a man who may once have been loved by his family, failed to accept a peaceful slumber, rather he decreased to a hysterical fantasy. He bowed to his disgrace: the disgrace in which he caused his wife Isabella’s downfall when she released dear Aveline from her womb. To the disgrace in which a helpless daughter’s lungs gave in to the effects of her tuberculosis. If only he had been there to fill the small organs with a breath of charity. Instead, a child passed without one to comfort her. A death at her young age may have been the hardest thing for Maxime, knowing that his eleven year old had so much life ahead of her that now seemed to be wasted. Isabella was hardly out of her teenage years, if they had waited a little longer, his sorrows may have been spared. Unimaginable hatred was given to him just by two beautiful illusions coming from a dreadful sleep.

Laying his head down was not an act of restfulness and peace. The moment his eyes made contact with darkness he was faced with his worst fear. Desperately, he implored the phantom of his wife and child, hoping they would forgive him, trusting there might be something or someone greater than himself, who would deliver him from his achings.

His state of delirium controlled him. He no longer had authority over the actions he would inflict upon himself. As a young man of military background he had faced many battles, and had fought against the world’s bitterness, but this was one thing composed by something beyond the concrete world

he lived in. Maxime would never be saved from the radical thoughts and visions in which the beast inside guided him to his own end. Shouldn’t he have known that his true wife would not remain and watch Aveline gash through his lungs with the cruise dagger given to them on their wedding day? Shouldn’t he have known that it was only a delusion?

Alas, all was done. If only he could have awoken before he unintentionally put the blade through his own bosom. A man died with such horror toward two, beautiful, innocent lovers. In his own actions, he would never wake up from that hysterical sleep.

Wondering how Maxime was regarding his grief, a cousin paid a visit to whom she hoped would be in the same accommodation, in which the three tragic deaths had occurred. Certainly, she did not know that her last living relative was dead, but she was yet to see what had become of him. The slim entryway into the old building could hardly fit her corpulent body, but she was able to manage. Though Cousin Eloise was very aged and stagnant, she was much too excited to see her beloved Maxime again, and reported to the room’s door in a hurry. The door was fastened against something long, but not heavy. The residence reeked of rust. Excitedly, she knocked on the splintery door. After no answer, she hurled the door open and heard a rolling and creaking about the decrepit floor. Gazing downward she found what had held that door shut.

Now she knew. What she had found was not a rug supporting the opening, nor was it a turned chair. It was her dear cousin Maxime. In his right hand he held an expensive knife given to him as a wedding contribution. In his left hand he grasped a little red ribbon. She had recognized it as the one Aveline wore to grip her lengthy hair back while she played with her doll.

The only explanation Eloise could infer was that he had intentionally done this to himself out of sorrow for his lost wife and daughter. If only she could have been there to deliver him from his fatal phantoms.

| Eva Steier and Fiona Kelly

The Season of Advent

Every year, cheery volunteers with collection buckets and bells pop up outside shops, grocery stores switch from candy worms to candy canes, and the soothing sounds of Micheal Buble become inescapable. But amidst the excess of secular commercialized traditions of talking snowmen and magical reindeer, other changes start to happen, particularly in the Church. The liturgical colors turn from green to purple, the pew missals are switched for the new liturgical year, and Advent wreaths begin to adorn church sanctuaries as the Church makes the switch from Ordinary Time to Advent. The word Advent means the coming or second coming of Christ, and the season spans the four weeks prior to Christmas. Advent itself is a penitential season, and emulates Lent in many ways, with the purple colors and the preparation for a celebration. While Lent is a little longer, and often more somber due to the celebration of Holy Week prior to Easter Sunday, Advent takes on a bit of a different

aspect. Historically, evidence of the Church’s celebration of Advent as a liturgical season dates back to the end of the 4th century. Back then, it was simply a shift in the liturgical celebrations in preparation for the Christmas feast. However, this was not held in the same regard as the Lenten season, as it is clear the Church celebrated the Resurrection far before the Christmas feast was added to the liturgical calendar. Over the years, the celebration of Advent and Christmas grew. Many Christians recognized the somber nature of a penitential church season by reaching out to the poor and suffering, and taking on fasting as part of reverence for the season. But the penance would be done in a subdued joyfulness, as the excitement of Christ’s coming instilled a sense of eagerness for Christmas. So as the season continues, and the snow falls, remember the roots of the season; to prepare the soul for the coming of Christ, and to emulate the Christian spirit of giving.

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT

MYKENDRA MESSER | GIRLS BASKETBALL

MESSENGER: What are your plans for next year?

MYKENDRA MESSER: My plans for next year are to attend NDSU for 2-3 years in order to get my generals and pre-med degree and then attend Northwestern Health Sciences University in order to get my chiropractic care degree.

M: What are you most proud of from your years in basketball?

M: I am most proud of all of my hard work that I have put into the sport. Basketball is a very demanding sport, and coming to practice everyday and working hard teaches perseverance, something that I am really proud of myself for doing.

M: What’s the best thing about being a senior?

M: The best thing about being a senior is being put into a leadership position. People look up to me and I can be an example to the underclassman, making me want to hold myself to higher standards.

M: What is your favorite memory from being on the team?

M: My favorite memory from basketball would have to be the summer workouts we do. We do a bunch of fun team drills that made me love the game more.

M: How many years have you played for?

M: I have played basketball all four years of high school and have played since about the first grade.

M: What is the hardest thing about basketball?

M: The hardest thing about basketball would have to be the mental side of it. It is very physically demanding, so pushing through when you are tired and working through your mental tiredness in order to remember what you need to do on the court is the hardest but most important part of the game.

M: How do you bring your faith into sports?

M: You bring faith into any sport by first thanking God for giving you the abilities to play sports. Another way to bring faith into sports is playing with good sportsmanship and being a good teammate.

M: If you could tell freshman something, what would you say?

M: It would be to not be so nervous. I know that when you’re a freshman everything is pretty new, but I would have reminded myself just to relax on the court and play like I know how to play.

JONATHAN PLANTE | WRESTLING

MESSENGER: Are you excited about wrestling?

JONATHAN: Yeah, I love wrestling and can’t wait to start competing.

M: When did wrestling start?

J: We started on November 7th.

M: What division are you in?

J: I wrestle in the 220 division.

M: What are you doing to prep?

J: I’m not eating as much and staying as hydrated as possible.

M: What are you looking forward to the most?

J: I’m most excited about the tournaments.

M: What do you like the most about tournaments?

J: Hanging out with the team and watching my teammates succeed.

M: Do you like the coaches?

J: Yeah, Mr. Ricter and Melmer are great coaches.

M: What are you guys working on this year?

J: We’re focusing a lot on technique and our strength.

M: How are practices?

J: They’re hard, but they make the team a lot better.

M: What do you do in practice?

J: We do lots of technique, situations, and lives.

M: What new people should we look out for?

J: John Dahmen will be good in his first full year of varsity, and James Marks and Jacoby Grimm are really good freshmen this year.

M: What does Saint Mary’s have that other teams don’t?

J: We have God on our side.

Interviews

By: Bella Slettlend and Liam Turman