THE BRAVE A Student Led Newspaper
Vol # 16|Edition 4
13640 S. Bellflower Blvd. Bellflower, CA
March 1, 2017
Health Care Policy
Women’s March
A Student Poem
See Page 2
See Page 6
See Page 8
A Lenten Message from Father Nick Reina Lent is a time for almsgiving, prayer and fasting as the Gospel of Matthew reminds in the reading for Ash Wednesday. Lent is a special time to reflect on our relationships with others, God, and ourselves. The main word in Lent is “repentance” which means a change of mind and heart to recognize God’s love alive and vibrant in our daily lives. In this Lenten season it’s not so much what we are willing to “give up” that matters, it’s more about what we are willing to do—for others, for God, and for our own well being. As we begin this Lenten season perhaps we can begin by being respectful of one another, being grateful to God for the blessings we have, and being aware of our gifts and abilities in bringing love into our daily lives. In these ways we preach the “Good News” of Jesus Christ.
I Must Complain About Complaining
I hate to complain, but I must complain about complaining. Research shows most people will usually complain once a minute during typical conversation. Complaining is tempting, because it feels good but like many other things that are enjoyable, complaining isn’t good for you. The brain loves efficiency and doesn’t like to work any harder than it has to. Repetitive behaviors, such as complaining, lead neurons to branch out to each other to ease the flow of information. Repeated complaining rewires the brain to make future complaining more
By: Raymond Rojo
Editor-in-Chief ~ Junior ‘18
likely. Over time, it can be easier to lean more negatively than to be positive, regardless of what’s happening around you. Complaining becomes your default behavior, which changes how people perceive you. It also affects areas of the brain such as the hippocampus, as noted in research by Stanford University. This is an area of the brain critical to problem solving and intelligent thought. Damage to this part of the brain is quite scary, especially taking into consideration that it’s one of the primary brain areas destroyed by Alzheimer’s. Not only is the brain affected,
but other areas of the body as well, where complaining releases the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol shifts the body into fight-or-flight mode, directing oxygen, blood, and energy away from everything but systems essential to immediate survival. One effect of cortisol is to raise blood pressure and blood sugar to prepare for escape or defense. All the extra cortisol released by frequent complaining impairs the immune system and, in time, makes one susceptible to high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and obesity. This Lent, let us make it a goal
IN THIS EDITION
Cover ~ A Lenten Message Page 2 ~ Political Policy Pages 3 and 4 ~ Sports Page 5 ~ The Life of a Brave
to give up complaining. We must be able to cultivate an attitude of gratitude, where if you feel like complaining, shift attention to something that you’re grateful for. Taking time to find what you’re grateful for isn’t just the right thing to do; it reduces cortisol by 23%. We can also foster a positive sense of complaining by engaging in solution-oriented complaining, or complaining with a purpose. Solution-oriented complaining usually has a clear purpose, starts of positively, specificity, and ends in a positive manner.
Page 6 ~ Brave Voices Page 7 ~ Around Bosco Page 8 ~ Arts & Entertainment Page 9 ~ Science
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Political Policy
A Real Healthcare System By: Vincent Grospe
Over the summer, I interned at a dental office. I had the chance to attend dental operations, interact with patients and employees, and sterilize instruments. But one event struck me the most: a patient had her first check-up in over a decade. I later found out she was able to afford a healthcare plan that also included dental insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). I was ecstatic to see the ACA impact someone’s health and assure her of the medical coverage that she needs. However, I received a different perspective from my dental associates. The dentist told me about how costs for equipment and care have increased because of taxes the ACA imposed, while one of the assistants explained how her premium has skyrocketed. The ACA has its ups and downs. Despite expanding health insurance to millions of people, it has greatly increased health care spending. Every American should be entitled to health care in a costeffective and patient-protective manner through a universal and preventative healthcare system. One of the biggest obstacles
Executive Editor ~ Senior ‘17
that we have today with both the prior and current healthcare system is insuring people with pre-existing conditions, those who had a medical condition that began before their insurance policy became effective. Before the ACA, many with these conditions often had difficulties in finding an affordable insurance plan, because companies would have to spend more money on those who have or had chronic, costly diseases. The ACA stopped these practices by mandating these companies to not increase their rates for people with these conditions. But in order to supplement the decrease in charges, companies have increased the premiums and deductibles of their customers overall. With a universal healthcare system, everyone, regardless of medical history, can receive the care that they need. This type of system can take profit out the equation, and Americans can pay for what medical care actually costs. France is a great example of a country that has a unique universal healthcare system, which costs approximately 50% of what
Americans pay and, according to the World Health Organization, is ranked number one in the world. In addition, the government must recognize that a driving force for healthcare costs come from chronic illnesses and emergency room visits. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chronic diseases account for more than 75% of the United States’ healthcare spending. Annually, the state of California alone spends up to $26 billion per year just for treating cardiovascular diseases, while, according to a study from Health Affairs, emergency room costs have increased to over $30.8 billion. It is integral to prevent these diseases by investing more funds in preventative medicine. In a collection of policy papers by the nation’s top public health leaders, they emphasize “real health reform starts with prevention.” It focuses on two main aspects: detecting and treating the illness as soon as possible and preventing the disease by maintaining, as well as promoting, a healthy lifestyle. By
halting the disease’s growth right at the root, doctors can save time, money, and lives. Today our healthcare system is much more expensive and less effective than most industrialized countries, and America is the only developed country that does not use a universal healthcare system. Our citizens are suffering because of a system that costs too much yet delivers too little. But the solution for America’s healthcare problems already exists. Hopefully, people can find common ground over these issues, and our politicians can utilize an inclusive and preventative healthcare system in which both doctors and patients alike can benefit.
Conservative Regulation By: Mark McDermott
Americans are tired of asking for healthcare reform. Some thought Obamacare could help, but instead premiums and drug prices continued to rise, and businesses cried out under the financial pressures. This is because the government overextended itself. Government exists to regulate industries, not compete with them. Furthermore, the government mandated healthcare for citizens and businesses; each person has the freedom to decide to spend hard-earned money on an insurance plan without fear of penalty. Similarly, requiring businesses to provide a service for their employees unrelated to their operation is overregulation and limits growth by forcing additional costs on expansion past a certain number of employees. Businesses cannot be forced to provide food or housing for their employees, and thus cannot be forced to provide health care, even if it is
expensive to the individual. The proposed solution towards government overreach is to socialize a private industry for a single-payer healthcare system that the government has absolutely no role or right to impose. The ideal solution involves two main reforms: First, rather than competing with the private sector as with Obamacare, government should institute moderate regulations to prevent individuals from being dropped by their provider if they contract expensive conditions. These regulations would establish current plan choices as contracts between the consumer and the provider. The provider would offer a rate based on the degree of coverage desired and current condition that is fixed regardless of future health changes. The consumer can opt out of the coverage if they choose, subject to a government fee that increases with each change of
Editor-in-Chief ~ Junior ‘18 provider to prevent disloyalty to companies. This compromise between the provider and the consumer offers protection against rate increases with less flexibility. Healthcare is an investment like any other in business, aiming to buy low rates and then profit on their insurance if expensive treatments are needed. In essence, it is an investment on health, similar to stocks based on a company’s health. Second, the cause of high cost of healthcare should be addressed by reducing prices for drugs and procedures. Pharmaceutical companies offload costs in the United States to compensate for negotiated international prices, and lack of coordination between doctors sharing a patient causes expensive procedures. Instead, current restrictions on American companies for negotiating drug prices should be dropped. Deals that keep generic alternative competition off the
market must be blocked. Efficient doctors should be rewarded for cost-reducing measures. It sounds so anticonservative to support regulations like these, but they prevent inefficiency and profiteering, with profits and competition amongst private companies, not the government. In the history of the United States, the solution to a wayward industry has never been to eliminate the private sector, as universal health care would do, or inject a government plan to compete with businesses. Rather, moderate regulations within the limits of government power can protect the common people and their medical needs, without the need for the government to offer its own alternative. By working within the role of government, we can protect citizens from excessive costs and keep billions of dollars of industry thriving.
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Sports
March 1, 2017 | Page 3
Basketball In-Season By: Issak Gonzalez At 18-12, the Bosco basketball team was in a prime position to make a run in the CIF playoffs. Despite not being an easy season, the Braves won a number of difficult games, including tough victories against Edison, Crespi, and twice against JSerra. The starting lineup, composed of JoJo Bush, Tarrean Brown, Alpha Okoli, Makani Whiteside, and Jake Bailey, produced a great balance of both scoring and defense. Sophomore Makani Whiteside led the team in scoring at a solid 14.3 points per game. The leading rebounder was senior Tarrean Brown, averaging 8.5 rebounds per game, and sophomore Jake Bailey, who led the team in assists at 5.6 assists per game. The recent schedule for the Braves was made up of league matches
Journalist ~ Junior ‘18 against Santa Margarita, Servite, and JSerra. Along with these Trinity League contests, the Braves participated in the Nike Extravaganza at Mater Dei, where they defeated Capistrano Valley High School. On February 12th, the CIF-SS Playoff pairings were released to the public. The Braves were given the #2 overall seed in division 1AA. The playoffs started with a trip to Santa Barbara High School where the Braves won handily. The team faced Maranatha in the second round of the playoffs but lost in a heartbreaker. Bosco was the better team, in my opinon, yet Maranatha found a way to win. While the season did not result in a CIF title, the Braves progressed as a team and hope to use this campaign as motivation for next season.
St. John Bosco Tennis By: Calvin Zabala The Saint John Bosco tennis team is starting this year strong with the return of the varsity team along with new players to further increase the chance of success in league. The return of the core varsity team will lead the group to achieve more victories due to their prior experience from last year and the refinement of their skills during the off-season. This season, five members were moved up to varsity from junior varsity in their previous season. Talented players, such as Sebastian Padilla and Peter Uyanne, have joined the distinguished rank of varsity due to their capabilities. They all will provide the varsity team with their talents
By: Christian Sotomayor Jeffery Powers: two time Olympic medalist, successful swimmer, and now the prestigious head coach of St. John Bosco aquatics. In the fall sports season, the Bosco water polo team went to new heights with achievements, such as their first League win in over 5 years, granting them the opportunity to be able to compete in the CIF playoffs, and in the end, having Coach Powers to be nominated for ‘Coach of the Year’ by the Long Beach Press Telegram. Powers, very pleased and astounded, said, “I’m very honored to have received this award. It was great, because it gives the program some recognition and hopefully the school can get some incoming players which could contribute to the program. Water Polo, this year, has just been an absolute pleasure.
Journalist ~ Junior ‘18 that they have been honing and mastering all off-season. This year varsity team focuses as a collective to improve from last season, along with attaining more victories in league. The specific goal the team focuses on is to win another victory against Servite along with going after J Serra to secure a possible spot in CIF. Overall, the varsity team is comprised of talented players who will only defeat more schools in the Trinity League and win yet another victory for Saint John Bosco. Go Braves, and best wishes for the 2017 Varsity tennis team!
Journalist ~ Junior ‘18
Not only did the team improve in their skills and became stronger, but they grew more mature in their sportsmanship and work ethic, and I couldn’t be more proud to be the one who lead them there.” A Long Beach Press Telegram award
Photo by Christian Sotomayor
was also given to senior goal keeper Eliott Bergerson who was nominated for ‘Goal Keeper of the Year’. Powers proudly responded, “I’ve been with Eliott for all of his 4 years on varsity, and I’ve got to say, he’s come a long way in this sport and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him.” In regards to the seniors graduating this year, Coach Powers is very grateful for all the hard work they bestowed in the sport throughout their high school careers. Coach Jeff Powers, Olympian, and now the Long Beach Telegram Coach of the year for St. John Bosco High School, has formed a legacy like no other. He still continues to do great things for the sport that has impacted him so much and with his expertise, the St. John Bosco water polo program will prosper even more.
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Sports
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St. John Bosco Swimming By: Christian Sotomayor With the spring sports season upon us, everyone is getting excited for what’s to come for our athletes. Spring time is always an exciting experience to take part in the great athletics here at Bosco. One of these sports, whose athletes couldn't be more excited to reach their goals and hopefully break some school records this year, is none other than swimming. Most would say that swimming is one of the most difficult sports in the world in which the team swims at least 5000 meters, which is a minimum of 3 miles, every practice. As talent may be present in other sports, swimming is dependent on hard work. Practicing every day and being motivated to give it your all in the pool goes a long way. This year, we have a few returning varsity swimmers who are ready
By: David Black The volleyball team has a promising season ahead of it this year. With several returners and even more newcomers, the team consists of a hopeful roster with potential for greatness. Each player is talented in his own right, and through thorough collaboration under the leadership of coach Sid Davidson, the team’s 2017 season is looking bright. Before the season’s kickoff, the team will be participating in several tournaments which will serve as a precursor for the team’s success. Of these tournaments, the most exciting is an invitational known as “The Best of the West.” This calls the most competitive volleyball teams in Southern California to San Diego to battle it out to see which team is truly the best of the West. "The Best of the West" marks the end of the SJB preseason. Following the tournament, the team’s season kicks off with their first game versus Orange Lutheran at home. Come out and support the team to help set the pace for the entire season!
Journalist ~ Junior ‘18 to dominate at swim meets and bring many wins to Bosco. On their third year on varsity are juniors Jared Trinidad, Christian Sotomayor, Nathaniel Burch, and Mark McDermott, and four-year letterman seniors Zachary Estrada and Eliott Bergerson are more than prepared to put Bosco on top. After the extraordinary season of water polo, a few players wanted to step up and join the team as well, such as sophomore Patrick Burke and freshman sensation Jack Pierce who couldn't be more excited to swim. With that, the 2017 St. John Bosco swim team couldn't be more pumped up to not only show their true potential in the swim pool, however grow all together and bond as Braves and brothers.
Journalist ~ Senior ‘17
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March 1, 2017 | Page 5
The Life of A Brave
Tribe Robotics: It’s Time By: Trevor Peitzman Contributing Writer ~ Sophomore ‘19 Whether you like it or not, St. John Bosco is a highly athletic and competitive school. All of our sports programs here rely on one core value - that of the team. Since its beginnings in 1940, our school has grown its athletic ability and scope of sport variety exponentially. In 2012, a new style of team was founded on campus. It initially consisted of an alliance between multiple local schools: St. Joseph High School, Valley Christian High School, and Saint John Bosco. Five years later, Tribe Robotics (as it has come to be known) operates solely on members from SJBHS, having aided both Saint Joseph and Valley Christian in branching out into their own respective teams. Our team and the competition it participates in is like no other in that it requires skills in timemanagement, programming, machining, safety, leadership, business management, social media management, marketing, strategy, creativity, and above all, problem-solving. These attributes are highly sought after by the most prestigious universities and corporations alike. Each year, the Robotics team participates in what is known as the FIRST Robotics Competition, or FRC. Now you are probably asking yourself “what does all that mean?” FIRST is an non-profit organization created by Dean Kamen, the creator of the everloved Segway. FIRST stands for “For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology” with the mission to inspire students of all ages and to help them recognize the importance of science and technology in our world today, all while enjoying it.
The FRC is a subset of FIRST, their highest level of robotics competion available. It usually entails the construction of a 12 cu ft robot from scratch to compete in a given ‘game’, which changes every year. Upon the release of the game details in early January, every team in the world has exactly 6 weeks to complete said robot and all of its components. This year’s game is called Steamworks and features an Industrial Revolutionera theme. Its main goal is to acquire plastic 10-inch diameter gears, and place them on horizontal pegs in the center of the field. A secondary goal is to acquire 5” diameter wiffle balls and shoot them into a “boiler” 8’ off the ground. Each action completed earns the team points, and at the end of every 2 minute and one-half minute match, points are tallied and the team with the most points wins. For this year, Tribe Robotics has built a robot that is designed to be a ‘swiss army knife’ on the field, as it can retrieve and place gears, as well as launch balls into the high goal. The robot has been secured in the official FIRST plastic bag since Tuesday February 21st, which was the official “stop-build” date for the entire world. It will remain that way until competition March 24th through the 26th at the CSULB Walter Pyramid. With a team comprised mostly of freshmen and firstyear members, this season has been an ample learning experience for all involved, and will hopefully continue into the regional competition and the nationals in St. Louis, Missouri.
Planning Ahead
By: Connor Cartledge
High school can be confusing. With the majority of students still unsure and uneasy about what they want to pursue in life, having the knowledge of electives that are available for students to expand their pallet of career choices is essential. While many are aware of the mandatory theatre, music, or art electives freshmen have to take, few know about the hidden gems within electives, such as applied engineering or microeconomics. Freshman and sophomores at Saint John Bosco have a fairly set class path. While having few choices as to what classes to take, underclassman truly focus on the core standards before branching out on their own. In fact, most don’t know the online class opportunities that can free up space in the tight schedule of the Bosco student and leave room for electives. Now, while counselors and teachers alike will encourage students to go above and beyond the required core classes, and perhaps take an extra year of math or language, why not add the option of the growing number of electives available on the Bosco campus?
Journalist ~ Junior ‘18
Most students aren’t aware that when choosing their classes, particularly junior and senior year, they have choices. Students can ask their counselor at any time to see the possible classes they can take for the upcoming school year. New electives are a possibility for next year as well, including prep classes for college and more diverse history classes that might be added to the already extensive list of electives. While many take electives for granted, trying to find the easiest one to take instead of the most interesting to themselves can be counterproductive. Most students would be surprised if they saw the list of electives they can take. Entrepreneurs as well as students wishing to major in science have an advantage when choosing what electives they wish to take, having a large and diverse collection of different types of sciences, economics, and political classes. Students, particularly in their junior and senior years, are encouraged to pursue their fields of passions, and feed their curiosity in what they might want to do after graduation.
A few members of the TRIBE Robotics team before the “BAG” date. Photo by Raymond Rojo
March 1, 2017 | Page 6
Brave Voices By: Vincent Grospe
On Jan. 21, 2017, a march was heard around the world. At the time, I was ill with the cold and flu. But, in agape, I watched the news on my television screen: thousands of women walking down the metropolitan streets of Washington D.C. and Los Angeles as well as foreign ones, such as London and Paris. Over 5 million people participated in the 2017 Women’s March throughout the United States and in other countries, making this the largest single-day demonstration in the history of the U.S. They advocated for human rights and different issues regarding women’s rights, healthcare reform, immigration reform, freedom of religion, environmental justice, racial equality, and workers' rights. The demonstrations were sparked by the recent election of President Donald Trump, who has been known
Executive Editor ~ Senior ‘17
for controversial statements affecting women, immigrants, and people of different beliefs as well as ideologies. Therefore, the group decided to take a bold stand defending minorities during his first day in office. A student from St. Joseph High School who attended the Los Angeles demonstration stated, “Being surrounded by like-minded women completely empowered me. The inspiration I gained from this march is something I'll always remember, and being there helped me realize how important equality really is to me.” “I believe that the Women's March was an opportunity for young girls no matter what age to stand up for what they believe in. No matter what anyone's opinion is on the recent election, nobody can fight the fact that this was a peaceful protest.” Meriam Meraay from the Plainfield, Connecticut, who
By: Spencer Moore Global warming is an issue that has been talked about and discussed for many years, but it was brought to new relevance during the 2016 presidential race. When it was announced that Donald J. Trump would be President of the United States, those concerned with the environment shuddered, because they feared the inevitable was going to come faster than ever. President Trump has made many bold statements (and tweets) claiming that global warming is a hoax. The issue is that one cannot argue with science, yet he is. President Trump uses the term “America First” to
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describe his energy plan and that is definitely a good way to describe this plan. He claims that he wants to begin by getting rid of the Climate Action Plan. This would be detrimental to the environment, because the climate action plan’s goal is to cut carbon dioxide emissions, to prepare the U.S. for the impacts of climate change, and to help address the international emission issues by entering agreements to reduce with countries like China. He wants to restart the coal industry and begin using coal once again. He feels that the industry has been hurting for too long. This is a ridiculous statement because coal is one of
attended the Washington march, gave her thoughts: “The Women’s March was so inspiring to see streets filled with people who care about others. The best part about it was that it was not just a women’s march, people of all walks of life came to join the movement.” “I’m confident that this was just the beginning of many more demonstrations to advocate for important issues. It may have
had some faults, but to mobilize thousands of people on the basis of human rights is such an incredible thing to do.” “Now we must continue the efforts and stand in solidarity with one another, because this is our America and it will be what we make it.” As a son and future husband, I could not agree more. I pondered if I could have been at the march, fighting for the rights of the women whom I love.
Journalist ~ Junior ‘18 the most harmful pollutants to the environment. This plan is truly “America First,” because it means he will be destroying the Earth's environment by putting America above all else. He continually discusses how important it is to do this because of the amount of money that could
be made, but that is not what being president is about. Being president is about bettering the country and its communities and although jobs would be created, is that truly worth the cost of destroying the environment? Information is courtesy of whitehouse.gov and usclimatenetwork.org
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By: David Black
Around Bosco By: Calvin Zabala
Journalist ~ Senior ‘17
Some people spend their whole lives searching for the perfect job, whereas others pinpoint an interest early and pursue its fruits. Regardless, a suitable occupation exists for everyone in the land of opportunity. While choosing a career path can be stressful, Career Day at Saint John Bosco High School ensures that each Brave is exposed to as many options as possible from positive and successful role models. From U.S. Army officials to your friendly neighborhood librarian, dozens of Bosco alumni gathered for this year’s Career Day, leaving very little outside its scope. Every single presenter was excited and prepared and served as perfect examples of what a Brave looks like in the workforce. The sentiment was reciprocated by the student body who came professionally dressed and ready with relevant lines of questioning. Career Day provides a special circumstance to consider occupational options for those without a clue of what profession to take up and insight of a day in the life for those who do. It is a unique platform in which students can learn about the possibilities of their future straight from the horse’s mouth. Advantage should be taken when different courses of action can be weighed next to each other in foresight, and Career Day guarantees the opportunity for each and every student to take just that.
“One of the main focuses of Career Day is to expose students to different careers that they did not think of while creating a unique learning experience for the student."
- Mr. Quezada
Page 7 | March 1, 2017
Journalist ~ Junior ‘18
Have you ever wanted to be a professional pilot, a member of the prestigious Navy Seals, or a special agent? Maybe you are on a path to be an attorney, teacher, or a doctor. Career Day at St. John Bosco is an exciting day to discover many known and unknown professions available. Career Day is much more than a placeholder for a normal class day, providing an opportunity to discover careers that could potentially be the beginning of an exciting and promising future. It is more than just a day to hang out without the worry of receiving a test or a lecture. It is a day that can spark interests that you wouldn’t even fathom. This then can drastically change your future path towards an entirely different direction. This year, we had talks from various professionals. An example is that of one that pays extremely well, occasionally has a four-day work schedule, and not only serves the public but also saves lives. A common job taken by most high school students in the summer months is the beach lifeguard, but it can also be more than just a summer job as Life Guard Rick Desease gave information of his career to us Braves. If the career of a lifeguard isn’t right for you but you still want to assist people domestically, then civil engineering may be the career for you. In this area of expertise, you will be able to help people through creation of better commutes, such as improving highways, but also receive stable pay on a regular occasion. Civil engineer Tom Poyer came to Bosco to give us Braves an insight in his career. Mr. Quezada noted that, “the demand for basic skills are at a high in today’s economy and that students on campus are equipped with these tools for success.” All in all, Career Day is one day that can potentially influence the career path you would wish to pursue in the future, making this more than just a simple school day but rather a key to opening a gateway of potential opportunities.
Spanish Honor Society By: Thomas Rhodes
Sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish, the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica is a honor society for high school students enrolled in Spanish classes. The society was established in 1953 and originally was called the Spanish National Honor Society. The name was changed to The Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica in 1959. Not only does the Society help out the community, but it helps its participants by giving them an advantage when applying to college. Honor Society members also stand out at graduation because they wear a gold tassel.
Contributing Writer ~ Junior ‘18
Ms. Rayas is the moderator of the society at Bosco, stating that, “The purpose of the society is to recognize high achievement of high school students in the Spanish languages and to promote a continuing interests in Hispanic studies.” Its members attend weekly meetings where students are able to get a glimpse what they will be doing for upcoming events. The Honor Society may contribute more than you think in that it raises money by making charitable sales in the morning and at break. The money earned from these sales is donated to Bosco’s
toy and blanket fundraisers. For the Day of the Dead event, the Honor Society sets up a booth with altars made by students of Ms. Rayas’ classes and collects money for Teleton, an organization in Texas that helps the disabled Hispanic kids in the United States. Members can also choose to take a piggybank home and fill it up with donations and spare change. The Spanish Honor Society is more than just a Spanish club; it is an opportunity for high school students to make a change in the world. The new members are chosen in
February to apply. Requirements for the application include: • Applicant must be a sophomore, junior, or senior enrolled in a Spanish class • Completed three semesters of Spanish and have received at least two As and a B • Behavioral record must be free from suspension, instances of academic dishonesty, and a pattern of inappropriate behavior • There is a fee of 10 dollars if you meet the rest of the requirements.
March 1, 2017 | Page 8
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The Arts and Entertainment The Never Ending River By: Jordan McGhee ~ From Period 4 British Literature
Contributing Writer - Senior ‘17
As time flows people, nations, they all beat on. Eroding like rocks tumbling down the river of eternity. Temporary means to an end, but never truly in place. Ideologies die and leaders legacy’s diminish,their wake eventually forgotten. As time flows people, nations, they all beat on. Yes,crumbling, falling down to earth in the dust of man’s creation Humanity not able to grasp for air in the rushing rapids As the planets gracefully drift through the low tide of the universe As time flows people, nations, they all beat on No, not bad but natural for material to go even leave For the river will carve out new paths Opening the floodgates for new material, new thought, and new possibilities As time flows new people, nations, they all come by. People, enlightened by new found ideas creating philosophy Instilled in the minds of others forever Nations, creating the system for an eventual utopia Aligning the invisible hand that molds countless societies Truly change, though small, is inevitable as it waits for no one As we flow through the seemingly never ending stream of life We must remember to adjust to its currents
Welcome to Theater! By: Spencer Moore
In years past, going to the theater was a common event. Long gone are the days when going to the theater to see a play was one of the primary sources of entertainment. It is an art form that is legendary, yet many teenagers are unfamiliar with the magic and are letting it slowly disappear. Teens rarely go to see plays or musicals and are missing out on the magic that is live stage performances. Although many have seen musical artists live, not many have seen a true musical, a story that evokes emotions and unfolds in that exact moment, live in front of them. It is a truly magical experience. Money is not a preventing factor either, as decent tickets at a show like Rent can be as cheap as $30. Although that is not as cheap as going to the movie theatre, it is an amazing price for an experience that is life-changing. An even better deal awaits SJB students each year in the Bosco Theater. This is why you should come see Bosco’s production of Guys and Dolls written by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. The play’s storyline follows gamblers who are putting on an illegal casino game, and it has some of the most iconic music of the time period of the 50’s such as “Luck Be a Lady” and “Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat.” Guys and Dolls will be the oldest musical performed here at St. John Bosco. Come out to the Bosco Theater on March 17-19th, or 25-26th to enjoy the play and support your fellow Braves and sister Jesters.
Journalist ~ Junior ‘18
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Science
Clean Air
By: Justin Perry
Science Editor ~ Sophmore ‘19
In recent years, the impact of carbon emissions on the environment has been the subject of intense debate. Regardless of one’s stance on climate change, the detrimental effects of air pollution on the immune, nervous, endocrine, and reproductive systems have been irrefutably proven. Since the energy industry will be dependent on fossil fuels for the next 50-100 years, deforestation will reduce carbon sinkage capacity, and geologic phenomena will release large quantities of toxic gases, greenhouse gas emissions are a global problem of utmost importance. From 2007-2016 Reykjavik Energy, a geothermal energy production company in Iceland, found a plausible solution to this vexing problem through the pilot project CarbFix. Researchers dissolved CO2 and hydrogen sulfide gas in liquid water to form acids that were pumped into porous basalt lava where they reacted with calcium, magnesium, or iron to produce carbonates. In two years over 95% of the
acids were mineralized which substantially shortened the process of geological weathering, the slowest part of the carbon cycle that occurs over millions of years. Although basalt injection remains unready for commercial development and requires large amounts of water and electricity, it has surpassed previous methods that have only been able to store CO2 in its supercritical state. Furthermore, storage space would not be a major concern, as basalt formations comprise approximately 10% of the continental land masses. However, this technique may not be the most efficient long-term solution due to the challenge of transporting massive quantities of CO2 gas to basalt injection sites. Enhanced weathering, an alternative solution proposed by Arizona State University scientist Klaus Lackner and others, involves crushing basalt rock, transporting it to sites where greenhouse gases are emitted, pumping the gases into the basalt, and spreading the carbonates across land as fertilizers.
March 1, 2017 | Page 9
Climate Currents
By: Miles Lacey
Climate change is a political issue that affects politics and people worldwide. It is no surprise that climate change affects more than just the ice caps on either pole, as shown by the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). When ice caps melt, the ice pack of freshwater melts into the ocean. This less salty water is what affects the current which brings up warm water from the equator to the North Atlantic. The imbalance in the salinity of the water causes the frigid water from the Artic to float atop the saltier warm water that AMOC circulates. This cold water is predicted to decrease the temperature in the North Atlantic by 7 degrees Celsius. Thus creating adverse weather in the north and winters will be fiercer than ever before.
Journalist ~ Junior ‘18 Fortunately it has not collapsed yet. The chances of AMOC collapsing are 33% before year 2300. Those odds are terrible, because 300 years is not a long time from now. Yet, we still have a chance to lower that percentage. With so much already threatening the current, the balance might be harder than expected to restore. For now, we are fine, but in the long run it is an issue that will affect your greatgreat-grandchildren. Even if the world changes to all clean energy and stop the ice caps from melting, yet forget to find a fix for AMOC, then they did not do their job at leaving a sustainable earth for their children. Sources TheVerge The Washington Post
Moonshot: Technology and Unity By: Mark McDermott
Space programs, particularly in the United States, have been severely curtailed. American astronauts cannot even reach space from their own country, forced to hitchhike on Russian rockets. Superficially, this is caused by budget cuts, but the underlying motivation runs deeper. Many people see no value in space, only a meaningless expenditure towards nationalistic pursuits, and that we are better served diverting resources to domestic programs. On the contrary, the Apollo missions of the 20th century show us not only the value of exploration, but why it is necessary for us to return to the Moon. From a practical standpoint, the extraordinary challenge of transporting humans to the Moon demanded incredible advances in beneficial technologies: for example,
fire-resistant paints and clothing, freeze drying, and software that is the precursor to modern computing. In the future, these benefits will continue to pour in as humanity pushes the limits of existing technology. President Kennedy spurred the nation forward by declaring we, as a people, must go to the Moon because the very nature of the journey is so challenging. In straining ourselves to reach these solutions, we gain benefits that help us here and now. Traveling to the Moon in particular will tap the power of history and serve as a baseline closer to home before proceeding outward to Mars and beyond. Furthermore, space and the Moon are part of a larger goal for humanity, our final frontier, as space exploration has often been a unifying force. In 1968 and 1969, as the Apollo program readied itself for the
Editor-in-Chief ~ Junior ‘18 first landing, the entire world was in social and political turmoil with the Vietnam War and counterculture movement. But in spite of these conflicts, that July 20, 600 million people, three times the population of the United States that year, watched the landing on television from all over the world. Indeed, the aspiration towards a goal transcendent of our differences on Earth lends refreshing perspective and humility towards our issues that might help us to better cooperate on our own world. Carl Sagan reflected on this, pondering a faint image of Earth from billions of miles away, of the seeming insignificance of our issues compared to the vast universe. In striving to achieve something greater than ourselves in the vastness of space, we can realize our own shortcomings so that we can work to improve what we have. The Apollo 11 landing occurred
almost 50 years ago, and those who witnessed it are quickly growing fewer. It is now probable that, in spite of our incredible technology, there soon will be no one alive who has set foot on the Moon; the youngest remaining Apollo astronaut is 81 years old. Still they have no apparent successors; the “giant leap” has fallen ‘a small step’ short of carrying us back to that strange, beautiful land in the sky. We need to challenge ourselves for something more profound than just a smarter smartphone or a sharper television, or even just commuting to our existing space station. We must challenge the final frontier, and that starts with our own Moon. Sources https://spinoff.nasa.gov/Spinoff2008/tech_ benefits.html https://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/ df/80660main_ApolloFS.pdf
Vol # 16
2016-2017
St. John Bosco High School Presents
The Brave Newspaper
A Student Led Newspaper
Celebrating 76 Years of Academic Excellence
Editorial Staff Editors-in-Chief
Editors
Justin Neff Christian Sotomayor
Science Editor Justin Perry
Youth Ministry Jakob Fierro
Raymond Rojo ~ Technology & Design Mark McDermott ~ Content
Executive Editor Vincent Grospe
Managing Editor Jacob Bueno
Faculty Advisor Mrs. Judith Day
Journalists
Connor Cartledge Isaak Gonzalez Miles Lacey Spencer Moore Calvin Zabala