THE
Columns St. Agnes Academy
9000 Bellaire Boulevard Houston, TX 77036
2014 Quarter 4
Volume 63 Issue 4
So long, Farewell!
What’s Inside
We’ll miss you editors!
Want to know what it’s like to be an Editor-in-Chief?
Abby Varona Sports Layout
See page 2.
“I will...” Find out if your Senior bff left you something special! See page 3.
“Most likely to...” See what the Senior Class awarded each other! See pages 4 and 5.
From Fish to
rulers of the School See how much the Seniors have grown up! See pages 6 and 7.
Ask the Seniors! Your last chance to get to know the class of 2014!
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emember that time when you woke up earlier than your alarm clock to take a test that would determine your life for the next four years? Remember that time when you were welcomed by the St. Agnes student council on your first day of Tiger Camp and you were overwhelmed by the excitement that seemed to radiate off of each student? Looking back over your career here at St. Agnes, you can remember all the memories you made, good or bad, that shaped you into the person you are today. We can all remember our freshman year at St. Agnes, and when the topic is brought up, we might not want to talk about it at all. However, freshman year is the start of something new. Whether it be a new look or a new attitude, freshman year is where you test the waters and meet new people, join different clubs, or participate in various activities. This is the year where you establish yourself and learn the ropes of high school, such as how to create a proper study guide or slowly realizing that you cannot go to bed before 10 every night. The following year, sophomore year, is where you’re thrown right into action. The teachers are relentless, giving you assignment after assignment where you feel like you’re drowning in
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY ELLEN NEIERS
Winter Wonderland: Throwing it back to sophomore year, Winter Formal is always a night full of beautiful gowns, great friends, and fun times. papers. However, this year you grow and develop valuable skills that will benefit you in the next year, Junior year. Most people agree that Junior Year at St. Agnes is the hardest year of all. Many girls credit Junior Year as the most stressful, with college applications to worry about, AP tests, and more. Junior year may be the hardest, but with the promise of becoming seniors the next the year, juniors remain motivated to finish off strong.
See page 8. To advertise with The Columns, contact the staff through our email address: journalism@st-agnes.org
Index Page 2...................Editorial Page 3........................News Page 4-5.......Center Spread Page 6-7................Features Page 8.................Tiger Tail
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY RACHEL LAROCCA
Neon Nights: One of the many highlights of their last year, all St. Agnes Seniors break out their neon clothes for the Big Sis/Little Sis Dance!
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Senior Year – the most anticipated year for all St. Agnes students – is, arguably, the best. Whether it be the excitement of college or graduation, Senior Year is full of privileges and perks that make it so fun. However, St. Agnes seniors would agree that even though it is your last year here, Senior Year is still full of work. Although many seniors just want to throw in the towel, their student career is not over yet, meaning that there is still a lot of preparation before they can strap on their cap and gown and walk down to the aisle of graduation. Despite all the work, Senior Year remains to be the most exciting year of any St. Agnes student as they realize that they are closer and closer to adulthood. So, seniors, we wish you the best of luck in the next years of your life. Always remember where you came from and all the memories that you made over your career at St. Agnes. Congratulations!
2014 Quarter 4
Editorial the columns
Vol 63 Issue 4
It’s time to say, “Goodbye”
SAA Journalism staff ST. AGNES ACADEMY 9000 Bellaire Boulevard Houston, Texas 77036 713.219.5400
Ellen Neiers Editor-in-Chief
Advisor..........................................................................................Ms. Felicia Miller Editor-in-Chief.............................................................................Kathy Lester Editor-in-Chief.............................................................................Ellen Neiers The Columns: Editorial/News Editor..................................................................Amanda Pope Center Spread Editor....................................................................Reilly Knecht Features Editor..............................................................................Taylor Chukwu Reviews Columnist......................................................................Angela Ott Girl Code Columnist...................................................................Haley Rocha Tiger Tail Editor............................................................................Sara Donovan The SAA Buzz: Sports Editor/Wellness Columnist.............................................Abby Varona Students Out Editor/Entertainment Columnist.......................Bettina Darling Just for Girls Editor.......................................................................Isabel Scott Around the School Editor............................................................Catie Eichler
The Columns is the student newspaper of St. Agnes Academy. Its content, which is the responsibility of The Columns staff, is not subject to direct administrative approval. Unsigned editorials represent the opinions of the newspaper, while Opinions columns represent the writer’s perspective. Advertisements do not represent the newspaper’s viewpoint. The Columns, an open forum, welcomes signed letters on pertinent issues from the SAA community. The editors reserve the right to edit and decline to print letters. All writing may be submitted to Journalism@st-agnes.org. ADVERTISING POLICY The Columns accepts advertising that does not promote illegal services or immoral products to its readers. The moderator reserves the right to accept or deny advertising with her discretion. Contact the Journalism Staff at Journalism@st-agnes.org for advertising rates and information. Upon approval of the advertisement, The Columns promises to follow through on all contracts. If advertisements are not approved, The Columns promises to refund the fee in full. St. Agnes Academy Mission Statement Rooted in the Dominican tradition, St. Agnes Academy provides a Catholic college preparatory education that encourages young women to develop intellectual curiosity, to work for social justice and to act with integrity and compassion.
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t has been a long four years, and may I add, a very interesting four years. In these four years, I have come quite a ways, making friends I will never forget and memories that will last a lifetime. While that may sound cheesy, it is the truth. I do not know where I would be if I had not had come to this school and had met some of the people here. And with that I would like to leave this school with a couple shout-outs. I am sorry if I miss some, but I will do the best I can. First I would like to shout to Kathy Lester, my co-editor-in-chief, without whom none of this would be possible. To Madison Shields, who adds the perfect amount of weirdness to my life. To Inaas Shirazi, my lab partner, who made my freshmen year totally bearable. To Ally
Barnhill, my sense of reason when I need it. To Angie Knowling, for suffering with me through all the tough classes. To Rachel Sanchez, for running track with me for three years and for telling me all the trials of her life. To all those I went to the Dominican Republic with, thanks for the memories. To my homeroom, it has been a long 2 years but we made it. I know, it’s shocking. To my teachers, thanks for putting up with me, good luck with my sister (just kidding she is great). To Hartini Margot, Do I know you? I’m just kidding, but really it has been fun, you made my year enjoyable. To Julie Vu, thanks for the thousands of Haikus my sophomore year. To Ellen Ally, the best fish ever!! To Taylor Chukwu, who called me Ella for an entire
semester before she found out that was not my name. To Amanda Pope, for torturing me daily with hangman and M.A.S.H. And finally, to my little sister Maria, I do not know what I will do without you. I will miss your hysterical laugh, those long nights helping you with math, and of course helping you find your lost items just about every other day. Sure, it has been a long four years, but it has been some of the best years of my life. I am so sad that the time has come, but I now have to say goodbye. So good luck to everyone and goodbye.
Time is Running Out Kathy Lester Editor-in-Chief
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our years sure have flown by fast, I cannot believe my time here at St. Agnes is over. I have many memories of St. Agnes and it makes me said to have to say goodbye to these halls, our lovely printers and most of all the spectacular computers. It seems like only yesterday I was voting in class, open lab, and during lunch for Flo Rida to come to come preform. Or when we arrived at school to find out that the senior prank caused the Jesus statue on the second floor to break. Even better, when the power went out and we were told we could go home but then had the gates closed on us and were told to come back to school. Cheers to the printer, for any time I had a paper or project
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due, you went out of your way to not work or pretend to be broken when I needed you. My computer’s finest moment happened this year, when my computer decided to delete all my documents and decide to not connect to the internet, ever. Kidding aside, I will cherish the good, bad and ugly memories over the years; it has made me stronger and who I am today. Everything must come to an end and it is time to hand over the newspaper to new people and the school to the rising juniors. I am grateful to my time here at St. Agnes and will miss everyone. St. Agnes has been such an amazing experience and I known it has prepared me well for college. I want to send a big thank you to all my teachers of the years, through all the hard tests, papers and mental breakdowns I have survived. I will use what you have taught me to overcome
any challenge. Here are some last minute words of wisdom--take it or leave it. Don’t procrastinate writing papers, try to finish them ahead of time. Receiving a B or C is not a terrible grade, so don’t cry over it. Don’t worry you will get into a college, it just might not be the one you were hoping for. Being a part of 10 clubs here at St. Agnes does not mean anything to colleges unless you are someone important, like the president or vice president. Make sure you start to volunteer before your senior year project, it looks better on college applications and you are giving back to the community. Be nice to the people who work in the cave, it will come in handy when your computer acts up. Make sure you have jumper cables in your car at all times, you never know when you need them! Be sure to stop and give that person in the hall who looks like there having a bad day a hug, you never know how much it affects someone. Good luck everyone!
Senior Stuff
2014 Quarter 4
the columns
Vol 63 Issue 4
SENIOR WILLS
I, Randi Randle, will a fashion collection to be named after my amazing lil sis Sara VanTeurenhout, when I become a famous designer after being at SCAD Atlanta for college!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I, Angel Hoang, will my position as strangest swimmer to Anastasia Kontrimas.
I, Lynsey Campos, will 1st base to Jordan Howard!
I, Abbey Hale, will 2nd base to Gabbey Smith!
Isabel Scott
Just for Girls Editor
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he Senior Class of 2014 will not be the only missing faces in the hallways next, several members of the faculty will also not be returning next fall. As they depart for various adventures both in Houston and around the world, we wish them the best of luck in their new endeavors and hope they fondly remember their time here at St. Agnes. Not one but three members of the math department are leaving Houston this summer! Mrs. Breuer, who currently teaches Algebra (both one and two), is traveling to Mexico for the coming year. Uprooting to New Orleans, Ms. Loup is retiring and moving to an exciting an equally diverse neighboring state. Maybe a senior in the city will run into her! Lastly, Mr. Silberman, who also teaches physics, is departing on an international adventure to Israel. Academy women will currently miss their talent in doing the impossible and explaining math. Ms. Kim, one of our beloved counselors, will be straying to new areas of H-Town by next fall, and Ms. Miller, the backbone to the theater department for 10 years and our also Journalism advisor, will set off for the New Braunfels area to start a new life there. While they will be hard pressed to find
students as bake sale obsessed as academy women, I’m sure whatever new student cross their paths will be just as inspired by them as we have been. Last but not least, Mr. Ferrenz, the newest biology teacher at St. Agnes, is returning east for fall 2014. Despite being here for a relatively short time he has left an impact on this school. The faculty here at St. Agnes is the foundation of our school and each member makes it the place that so many of us call home. Every student will currently feel the difference that the departure of Ms. Breuer, Ms. Loup, Mr. Silberman, Ms. Kim, Ms. Miller, and Mr. Ferrenz will leave in the environment. Therefore all students wish them the best of luck in wherever their paths take them and joy in what they are doing. Similarly, I would like to issue a preemptive welcome to the new faculty that will arrive with the same eager faces as the freshmen next fall. However, they should be aware that this years’ departing faculty has left big shoes to fill in educating and inspiring students! To all departing faculty, we wish you the best next year and will miss you dearly!
I, Marina Ibraheim, will the title of “trumpeter of horrible music jokes” to my sister and fellow percussionist, Veronica Ibraheim. If you are ever in treble and need more jokes, you can always fall back on the following: Q: What’s the similarity between a drummer and a philosopher? A: They both perceive time as an abstract concept. I, Rory Doolin, bequeath my parking spot to THE Fiona Swanson. Keep the tradition going super star.
I, Halle Butler, will 3rd base to Maddie Heno!
A FarEwell to Faculty as Well
I, Caitlun Addicts, will “the Big Spit” to Zoe Narvacan!
Congratulations Class of 2014! The Columns staff, would like to wish you the best in your future endeavours and hope that you will always remember to strive to be a Academy Women in everything you do.
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senior awards Class of 2014
Worst Driver: Nina DeAyala
Best Twitter: Hartini Margot Most Accident Prone: Helen Trumble
Most likely will adopt a lot of kids: Mary Charles Wolfe
Most likely to beThe Next Bachelorette: Laura Stubbs
Happiest: Inaas Shirazi
Most likely to be an SAA teacher: Isabel Sutter
Most likelyWill win an Oscar to share with her cat: Madeline Garvis
Most Likely to be Abducted by Aliens: Bao Tang
Quietest: Andrea Touma Most likely Will Travel the World: Montana Hermes
Loudest: Caterina Nasr
Most Likely to be on a Reality TV Show: Joi Walls
Most Likely to Cure Cancer: Reilly Smith
Best Dancer: Kaitlin Karcher
Most Likely to Solve a Minor World Issue: Ella Jackson
Best Laugh: Halle Butler
Most Gullible: Dom Levy
Most likely will get ID’d when 30: Jessica Wimberley
Most likely to be Presdient and Vice President of America: Kimmie George/Reilly Smith
Has the best hair: Lillian Kirkpatrick
Most Likely to get a lot of tattoos: Kathryn Pielech
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Most likely to become a rapper: Kathy Lester
Most Likely to Change the World: Kimmie George
Best Sportswoman: Michelle Nwodeki
Class Clown: Shannon Storey
Most likely to Become an Artist: Kate Moger
Most Likely to be a Baker: Annsley Tarver
Most likely to be a Fashion Desginer: Randie Randle
Best Fish Face: Eliza Mason
Most likely to sleep through college: Andrea Sussarey
Most likely will become the Manager at The Chocolate Bar: Olivia Haase
Most likely to win the lottery and lose the ticket: Erin Miller
Biggest Drama Queen: Emma Kelly
Most Likely to be a Nun: Ally Barnhill
Most likely to become America’s Next Top Model: Sakile Simmons
Most likely will be an Olympian: Ally Podsednik
Most Likely to be a Hippie: Sara Donovan
Most likely will be late to graduation: Adriana Robles
Most likely to invent something totally useless: Lauren Torres
Best Musician: Marina Ibraheim
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Best Personality: Catie Eichler
Most likely will be seen in Traffic Court: Meg Roppolo
Most Likely to Shave Their Head: Christine Dunn
Most likely will get married First: Grace Hadad
Freaky Freshman & Sassy Sophomore Year
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Jazzy Junior & Superior Senior Year
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lenten sacrfices “Boys!”
“I gave up junk food, which is near impossible at SAA.”
“Chick-fil-A. But the struggle is real though because you know how it's allowed to cheat on Sundays? Well Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays.”
“Sarcasm (And no that was not sarcastic).”
St. Agnes wants to know what you gave up for lent this year “Starbucks, Yes I am insane.” “Boys. Especially ones from STH.”
“My obsession with KR.” “Talking to my boyfriend. He’s not very supportive of my sacrifice.”
“Kissing boys, eating candy, doing homework, watching television, drinking soda, browsing the deep web, and shaving.” 8