FUN FACTS ABOUT THE CLASS OF 2022 — PAGE 14
The Summit Always reaching new heights
VOLUME 4 NO. 3
ST. JOSEPH HILL ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL
MAY 2022
HILL RAISES AWARENESS ABOUT AUTISM
More than 70 Hilltoppers walked around campus in solidarity to increase awareness about autism, raising $1,300 in donations. The April 4 event was co-sponsored by the Special Olympics Club and the Autism Awareness Club. From the left in the photo above are Michaela Capano, Cecelia Gabriel, Jessica Dantoni, Abigail Grandstaff, Emma Devlin, Bridget Keag, Emma McLaughlin and Kelly Bruen. For a story and more photos, turn to Page 2.
Girls Who Code: Closing the gender gap By Ewa Pekala Are you interested in furthering your knowledge of coding? Then Girls Who Code is perfect for you! This club was recently introduced at St. Joseph Hill Academy and is open to all grade levels regardless of whether you are in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) or Humanities pathway. It is known that only about a quarter of workers in technology are women, and that girls who study STEM-related topics usually lag behind their male counterparts. Since the leaders in the world of technology are mainly men, women lack
role models to push them to strive in this field. Society has been trying to change the gender gap in technology as well as introduce women to the field of technology. This is the exact purpose of Girls Who Code. Members of the club enjoy many different activities. This includes simple online coding tutorials, building community through interactive activities, and learning about inspiring role models in the technology industry. The club meets once a day every two weeks. Mrs. Sandra Nevins introGrace Ruocco displays a robotic crab.
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Closing the gender gap Continued from Page 1
duced the club to St. Joseph Hill Academy, with president Lauren Scimeca, a current senior, leading the team. Next year’s president will be current junior Anika Thakkar. Since so many girls have shown interest in the club and are partaking in it, the Girls Who Code Organization has provided Hilltoppers with free merchandise. This includes a shirt, notebook, and stickers. The first meeting was held on February 17. The girls completed an interactive activity called, “What does code do?” Lauren and Anika explained how they got into coding and their love for it. The girls were able to learn about the different areas and ways that code can appear in the world. They were also introduced to different types of tutorials they can follow to learn more about coding and the different types of coding they can make. Everyone had a great time and the first meeting was a hit. Members are eager to build strong relationships, as coding cannot be accomplished alone. Mrs. Nevins has high hopes for what the club can accomplish next year. After the girls have a solid foundation in coding, she would like to have them create something together, such as an app. This would show just how much the girls have learned in their experience and how important it is to work together as a group. The ultimate goal is for the girls to enter into hack-a-thons and/or the Congressional App Challenge. This competition allows middle and high school students from different districts to compete in an annual application contest for software development. These goals don’t sound like anything that Hilltoppers can’t accomplish. Since the introduction of the STEM pathway at Hill in 2017, there have been many strides made to provide the students with programs that can teach them about technology, engineering, and different sciences. The introduction of this club shows the world just how powerful women in science can be by teaching younger generations about the importance of coding and technology.
At left, Kelly Bruen introduces Pal, her brother’s service dog.
Walk raises $1,300 for autism awareness By Emma Devlin The Special Olympics Club teamed up with the Autism Awareness Club, under the guidance of moderators Mrs. Gaudet and Mrs. Mayrose, to host their first Autism Walk on April 4. About 70 Hilltoppers walked around campus and raised over $1,300 to benefit Autism awareness and acceptance. This money was raised through donations and Special Olympics themed tshirt sales. The funds will be donated to a local organization that supports people with autism. The club heard from junior Kelly Bruen about her brother Jake's service dog named Pal. Kelly introduced Pal
and explained the process it took to get a service dog and the training Pal received in order to become a service dog. She even shared how Pal has not only helped Jake, but her whole family. Everyone enjoyed light refreshments after walking and even had the chance to see Pal up close and pet him and speak with Kelly and Jake's mother who is a former Hilltopper as well. “I loved this new event at Hill,” senior Stefania Gomes commented. “Seeing all the girls come together and raise support for autism was awesome.” The club looks to make this an annual event that will grow over the years.
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After the 100 Days Mass, it was time for the Class of 2022 to enjoy breakfast and some socializing.
Seniors count down to next journeys By Emily Ciarlo The 100 Days Mass, held this year on March 10, is a Hill tradition that takes place 100 days before the seniors graduate. Since that day fell during February break, it was more like 85 days — but who's counting? Graduation is June 3. The homily by Father Jeff Pomeisl from Monsignor Farrell High School left an impression with the recurring theme, “God has a plan for each of you.” As the seniors embark on their next journeys, Father encouraged us to keep God with us always and to pray whenever guidance is needed. God’s plan for us is already set and we need his guidance to follow it. Choosing a college can be difficult and stressful because no one wants to make the wrong decision. Father told us to talk to God because he knows where we are supposed to be. Although the plan may be scary, he also affirmed that we are ready, and God put us on this earth at this time for a reason. After Mass, Ms. Paladino presented the President’s Volunteer Service Awards for Junior Year 2020-2021: Gold to Samantha Bentsianov, silver to Lauren Scimeca and Jacqueline Troiano, and bronze to Jonna Buono, Jessica Dantoni, Emma Devlin, Kelly Dugan, Alison Holst and Katelyn Toto. Mrs. Molluzzo assured us that we are ready for the next chapter in our live. When we walk up the hill one last time
as high school students on June 3, we will be walking as confident, independent thinkers, she said. Then it was time to go to the auditorium for bagels, muffins, egg and cheese sandwiches and orange juice — and some socializing with our friends. Class pictures were taken in front of the high school. It was sunny but chilly as we wore our white polo shirts, skirts and saddle shoes. This beloved Hill tradition was a reminder about how little time we have left as Hilltoppers. It’s a little scary. In September, it felt like I had so much time left and now I’m almost done. It feels like I had so much time — but not enough time. I’m planning to make the most of the next few weeks. When I graduate, I know I’ll be ready for college and beyond. Hill has given me the foundation to succeed.
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For this alum, special ed is her calling By Olivia Sorrentino It was a bustling Friday morning at Where Little Minds Grow (WLMG). I was greeted with the friendly sounds of the toddler class singing their morning songs and doing circle time. Where Little Minds Grow, located at 501 Richmond Hill Road, offers an interactive, inclusive and multisensory language based approach to learning. After assisting an integrated classroom of toddlers, I sat down with the founder and owner of WLMG, Mrs. Jenna (Ristivo) Baratta, a Hill lifer and member of the Class of 2001. She went on from Hill to attend Wagner College. “I originally enrolled in Wagner College to pursue a nursing degree. I always knew my path was in pediatrics,” said Mrs. Jenna, as her students call her. “I then discovered a passion for developmental language and acquisition. I became a St. John’s University undergraduate student where Education, Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology were offered as degrees and intertwined.” Jenna first discovered her love for this work in a very special way. “My first experience with special needs children was at the Eden II School,” she recalled. “I met so many wonderful children Jenna follows the and families who were dedicated advice she received to their children’s comprehensive from Sister Mercedes, success. Here, I knew my place was with the special needs comprincipal of the elemunity.” She then worked with mentary school when the Pre-K population at United Cerebral Palsy. she was a student: Although Where Little Minds Grow offers different resources “Always be the best for children with the best eduyou can be.” cated teachers in their field, a privately owned school competes with the Department of Education. Jenna shared her views on what it was like not only working for the DOE but branching off to establish her own learning center. “So much of my professional growth came from the learning experiences I encountered during my time with the Department of Education,” Jenna remarked.“Although there is an established ‘safety net’ with multiple benefits, unfortunately I felt very stagnant in the dayto-day operations. A speech teacher’s primary purpose when working with the DOE is to support the classroom teacher and focus on teaching the speech and language skills needed for the child to make progress in academic areas. I truly felt that my skills were being suppressed and I was unable to make clinical decisions in the best interest of the children.” “I decided to open Where Little Minds Grow when I developed a business plan that would greatly benefit the special needs community. In order for children to acquire, maintain and generalize skills in all areas of cognition, receptive and expressive language, there needs to be continuity across environments and a marriage between intervention and social development.” Jenna has expanded her love of children and teaching into a family of her own. Being a businesswoman, teacher and mother
Jenna Baratta, a 2001 Hill graduate, operates a school for special needs children in New Springville. is definitely a lot to handle. “Managing home life and owning a business is not always easy. God blessed me with a wonderful support system. I married an amazing man and our two children are always our primary focus. As a family, we have established routines. My son Jason, 6, and daughter Jiavana, 4, already have a love for the special needs community.” As a Hill lifer, Jenna shared some of her favorite memories from her high school days. “I have such fond memories of all the teachers at St. Joseph Hill. They all instilled the same set of morals and values. I enjoyed the life lessons taught by Mr. Thompson in religion class and remember gaining the physical and emotional strength needed to carry out those life lessons through the teachings of Mrs. Phillips during gym class.” Finally, Jenna shared advice for all Hilltoppers. “As strong ladies, we evolve so many times in so many ways between our time at St. Joseph Hill and ‘adult life’ life experiences, both the good and bad shape us throughout time. The best advice I can give to such dedicated and ambitious ladies at St. Joseph Hill is the same advice I received from the elementary school principal, Sister Mercedes: ‘Always be the best you can be.’ I took this with me throughout my entire life and this motto is written on my website and business cards.”
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On the runway, creativity and sustainability Green Fashion Show highlights outfits made from 100% recycled materials
Mercedes Clark, top photo, Kate Lawton, above, and Emma Wagner, right, walk the runway on April 28.
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HELM focuses on vaccines and trauma care By Charlotte Curlin Hill's Educational Leadership in Medicine (HELM) Institute, offering students hands-on learning opportunities encompassing the large umbrella of healthcare, recently held meetings about Covid-19 Vaccination and about Trauma Care. Though Americans are finally making strides toward normalcy, to be informed about the Covid-19 vaccine is to be proficient in the world of science today. The vaccine panel, held on February 9 over Zoom, was led by Dr. Maniatis of Northwell Health and was open to all students. The history of vaccinations was discussed, followed by an explanation of the credibility and effectiveness of this vaccine. When a person gets Covid-19, their bodily functions could fail completely: multiple medications are dripped into the body, a respirator is used to facilitate
breathing, a bladder tube is necessary for kidney function, and brain, cardiac, and lung function must be monitored. A reliable vaccine, however, has been effective in minimizing these effects. New viruses are obviously unknown, but the way Covid-19 has been dealt with is unique because of its use of technology for research and combat. Dr. Maniatis discussed the discovery of major diseases throughout history including Lyme, Legionnaires, and HIV, but they cannot be compared to Covid-19 because none got close to the same level of rapid vaccine development. Sometimes vaccinology goes unnoticed because it eliminates the diseases people never get -- one must consider that the reason why they don't get these diseases is because they are vaccinated. Although the creation of a vaccine might be costly and difficult, it has been the top priority of scientists for years in
hopes that people will one day be able to look back on Covid-19 as a distant memory. The vaccine may only be two years old, but the statistics formed by the billions of people that have received it all show that it is safe and effective. The second HELM panel, discussing trauma care, was held on March 14 by members of Stop the Bleed, an organization aiming to educate others about what life-threatening bleeding looks like and how to intervene effectively. There was a presentation about recognizing various levels of bleeding and treating each one, and students were then able to apply this knowledge using a training leg. Wrapping, packing, and using a tourniquet on gashes and gunshots provided first hand medical insight, supporting HELM’s mission of educating Hilltoppers on careers in medicine.
Peer counseling opens up communication By Bailee Webb As I consider all of the happenings within our world, I feel a sense of urgency for enhanced mental health services, especially for young people today. One of the most difficult things for people to do is to share their innermost feelings. In my experience, one of the most rewarding interactions is when I have the opportunity to speak privately with one of my friends. This has motivated me to consider developing a peer-related counseling group at Hill. I have had prior experiences with my own friends where I have been able to open up to them in a raw and real manner, while still managing to have the privacy and confidentiality that is necessary for a productive relationship. A peer mediation group within Hill is necessary because of many impactful occurrences such as the war in Ukraine, the new Covid-19 policies, or lack thereof, and school shootings. For two years while our lives were stripped away during the pandemic, we lost a sense of communication and intimacy with one another. I notice how we have had to re-teach that to ourselves, how bonding with others seems so hard, and talking about feelings that we’re all enduring seems impossible. At a time as sensitive as this, we need to be able to talk to each other knowing that we are being heard and understood and accepted no matter what. Venting in itself is one of the most therapeutic experiences a person can have. If we feel as though we can’t even talk to our closest friends about our deepest and
most intimate thoughts and emotions, that proves why a peer mediation group is necessary. As a teenager, I myself know how difficult it is to talk to someone older. Peer counseling can be a tool to allow freedom of the mind, and can create a safe, non-judgmental environment to go where anything could be talked about.
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For Hilltoppers, every day is Service Day By Anika Thakkar The Summit interviewed Ms. Madeline Paladino to find out more about Service Day, a cherished Hill tradition. Q. When/how did Service Day start? A. Back in 2010, during the years when we participated in the March for Life in Washington, D.C., every January, Sister Denise would take the students who wanted to go. We were not allowed to give tests that day, so we decided that it would be a good day to start a Service Day. Everyone in the school would be either going to Washington or out into the community and all around campus. It was a huge success and we have been keeping up with it every year, except for last year when the pandemic restricted us to virtual service work. Q. How was it different this year? A. This year we actually had some organizations and places on campus that students could go to, so we could accommodate most of our students which we could not do last year. In 2020, we were remote, so the girls participated in online service activities, including tutoring, web maintenance, or joining Zoom calls. Q. What is your role in connecting students with service opportunities? A. My role is twofold. One part is that I maintain relationships with organizations that are nonprofits and find out if they need volunteers from our school. The other is that I would get inquiries and inbound information so that we can place our students with these organizations. Hill students are known to be efficient, wellpoised, and polite, and they know how to get things done. They are well appreciated, and they are called Hill’s Angels for a reason. Q. How are Service Day, and volunteering, integral parts of being a Hilltopper? A. We say that service is a given at Hill. By going out into the community, we are building strong, confident, independent thinkers. And also the effect that it has on students who might have found a niche that otherwise they would not have discovered or thought about learning about or participating in. For example, some
Alessia Scalici, a junior, volunteered with Pre-K4 in the elementary school. students work with special education students and they end up majoring in special ed or related fields in college. Some go into the healthcare field because they volunteer at hospitals and nursing homes. Q. What is your favorite part about Service Day? A. After the day is over, I can sit down knowing where everyone’s been. I breathe a sigh of relief that we had a successful day, that we made an impact on the community, that our students were fulfilled in their work, and that we made a difference in the lives of others. I can’t tell you how much of a joy it is to know that our Hilltoppers are connecting with the community, and that they will continue to do good work by serving others not just on one day, but every day.
Junior Cecelia Gabriel volunteered at the Carousel for All Children.
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Order in the court! Mock Trial Team tackles a conspiracy case By Kristen Farhat The Mock Trial Team had a great season this year, winning three competitions in March and making it all the way to the round of 16 in the New York City Bar Association competition. This year's case was a criminal case: “The People of the State of New York v. Shawn Miller.” The case revolves around whether or not Shawn Miller, a principal at a hedging company, engaged in a conspiracy to commit securities fraud at her company. The team is made up of returning juniors and seniors as well as a lot of young talent coming from our freshman and sophomores. Seniors Leah Cardinale and Alison Holst take on the mantle of being team captains, guiding the team at every step of the way along with Coach Mrs. Kerry Sullivan. Leah Cardinale along with juniors Kristen Farhat and Gabriella Sawa are the lawyers for the prosecution team while Alison Holst, junior Julia Ahern, and freshman Isabella Gassoso make up the defense counsel. Sophomore Brianna Bello plays
Seniors Leah Cardinale and Alison Holst are team captains this year. Shawn Miller, the defendant, and junior Bridget Keag plays Fran Ashcott, the victim of the scheme. They are joined by juniors Anika Thakkar and Emily Vitulli and sophomores Grace Ruocco and Giavana Ricciardi who play the other witnesses in the case. In their first competition against Urban Assembly Law and Government High School on March 7, the defense team
competed and won. The prosecution team competed on March 8 against Cobble Hill School of American Studies, bringing home another win. After scoring high enough in these two competitions, the team made it to the round of 32 and defense won this competition on March 31 against The Hewitt School. “My favorite part about Mock Trial is definitely the adrenaline rush and the feeling you get after doing something right,” Senior Leah Cardinale described what it's like to be on the Mock trial Team. “For example, objecting on something that gets sustained or defending yourself against an objection. You never know what’s going to happen next but that’s the best part!” After making it to the top four last year, the team is super excited to have had another go at making it to the final rounds. The bond between the team members is strong and the girls have a lot of fun moments during their practices and competitions. From inside jokes to Sunday practices with bagels, being on the Mock Trial Team is a fun and rewarding activity.
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Joy and pride on Junior Ring Day By Alyssa Testaverde Since the beginning of my time at Hill, I eagerly anticipated the day I would receive my school ring. I saw my mother’s Class of 1991 ring at an early age, and could not wait for the day I would have my very own. This year’s Junior Ring Day ceremony was held on March 21. As tradition goes, Ring Day was celebrated during Saint Joseph’s Day Mass. It was in the new gym, and for the first time since the pandemic, the entire school was able to attend. We (the Class of 2023) wore our most formal uniforms — our blazers and skirts
“I opened the ring box and saw a bright blue sapphire gleaming at me, with the words ‘St. Joseph Hill Academy’ carved along its border.” paired with the infamous white tights. We lined up in the hallway in alphabetical order, and received white carnations. We then proceeded into the gym, and were greeted with smiling faces as we walked to our seats. Just before the Mass concluded, the rings were blessed. The room was filled with tension and bliss as we waited for our names to be called. One by one we received our rings and returned to our seats. As I opened the ring box, I saw a bright blue sapphire gleaming at me, with the words “St. Joseph Hill Academy” carved along its border. Everyone seemed overjoyed to realize how special Junior Ring Day truly is. We enjoyed a celebration in the auditorium with tables of every breakfast food imaginable — including tater-tots! We mingled with friends and took photos. I spent the rest of the day staring at my newest prized possession, and asking my peers to turn my ring for good luck. I was originally determined to get 100 spins, but that goal quickly felt unattainable. Nonetheless, Junior Ring Day was a remarkable memory for me. I believe I speak for the majority of the Class of 2023 when I thank Hill for keeping traditions like this one alive.
Above: Cecilia Gabriel, Emma Dinolfo, Paige Jerrahian and Michaela Capano show off their rings under the gazebo. Left: Victoria Terranova, Natalie Bala and Gabriella Sawa pose after the ceremony.
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Justice for DC Comics’ antihero By Angelina Ochoa When the popular Batman phenomena released a trailer for a new movie titled, The Batman, at the end of December 2021, I felt indifferent toward it. I had grown up watching movies surrounding Marvel characters as opposed to DC Comics, where Batman is from. I knew the generic background story of Gotham’s defender, but I didn’t have all the small details. My dad was super excited to see the film, so I went to go see it with him on a dark and stormy night. Even while I sat in my wet coat, this movie captured all of my attention and had me on the edge of my seat. The movie begins on Halloween night in the infamous city of Gotham, modeled off of New York City. The city is filled with crime and violence, with the majority of its residents experiencing a growing animosity towards the rich. During this chaos, there is a mayoral election being held, with the candidates promising a restored and safer Gotham. The former
mayor is watching the debate at his house and is on the phone with an affiliate talking about the matter. As he shuts his lights off to end the night, he is ambushed by a merciless killer, known as the Riddler, and is savagely beaten to death. In parallel to these events taking place, a violent gang is seen riding the subway late at night looking for trouble. They decide to follow an innocent bystander off the train and begin to beat him up on the platform. It is then that the audience is introduced to Batman, played by Robert Pattinson. Batman fights back against the gang members and disappears into the night. When the mayor’s family returns home from a fun night of trick or treating, they are distraught over the discovery of the murder.. The police are called immediately to investigate. Batman is summoned by the iconic signal light with a bat outline being flashed through the sky, in connection with his friend and police commissioner Jim Gordon. When Batman enters the
crime scene, the other police officers make snarky comments about their perception of him as an anti-hero as opposed to someone truly looking for justice. When Batman is presented with the body of the mayor, his entire face is duct-taped with the words “No More Lies” scribbled on his face. The police draw the conclusion that he was subjected to blunt force trauma, being stabbed multiple times. As the home is being searched, a letter addressed to Batman is stumbled upon. Having already a bias toward the crime fighter, the police question his involvement in this horrific case. Batman opens the letter and is met with a vintage card with a riddle inside. Batman decides to follow these riddles to ultimately find the culprit behind the string of murders in Gotham City. There were various aspects of the movie that truly impacted me, and made me feel a different way about Batman’s backstory. The directors did a fabulous Continued on next page
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Continued from previous page job at recognizing Batman’s mission to save Gotham stemming from the controversy surrounding his family, the Waynes. Living a double life as a crime-fighter as well as the son of the famous Thomas Wayne, Batman shows vulnerability towards the current crises occurring in Gotham. Many of Gotham’s residents have a deep hatred toward the rich and have grown tired of corrupt politicians and false hope. While Batman hears the people’s cries, he has his own perception of his family and living an upper-class lifestyle. Upon the death of his parents, Batman lived a life of seclusion, grief, and hungered deeply for vengeance. As he sees the city fall deeper into disarray, he feels the inclination to personally carry Gotham upon his shoulders, and lead its residents towards the light. This abstract concept of exposing one’s vulnerability while also fighting for righteousness really stuck with me, as many people in real life have expressed similar feelings as Batman felt. Since the movie’s release on March 4, “The Batman” has continued to reign over the worldwide box office. Directed by Matt Reeves, the film surpassed the $400 million milestone and soared its way to $463.2 million by its second weekend. Currently, “The Batman” has had the highest weekend debut of 2022 which places it as the second-biggest pandemic debut. Before I watched the movie for myself, I overheard conversations concerning the film's almost 3-hour duration. I was worried I’d become bored after only an hour into the film, but I can faithfully say that my eyes were peeled for the entire 2 hours and 56 minutes. “The Batman” has a unique style to it that allows the viewer to immerse themselves into Gotham’s society. Most significantly, viewers can feel the emotional struggle Batman is feeling and relate to feelings of vulnerability in their own lives. I definitely recommend watching this movie in order to feel intense emotions that are almost tangible through the screen, an element that not just any ordinary film can pull off. Also, as a tip, be sure to stay glued to your seats a little while past the film duration.
Amanda Contessa shares a moment with Robert Pattinson.
Movie madness By Amanda Contessa For many movie fanatics, seeing a movie with your friends after a long week of school seems like the perfect way to decompress and relax. However, that is not the case for my friends and me. By the end of the night – or should I say the early hours of the next day – we are already planning our next monthly movie. When Julianna Padilla, Gabriela Padilla, Jessica Dantoni, Alison Holst, and I first saw “Dune” in October 2021, we were in the car at 2 a.m. pretending to drive away from “sand worms” when we came up with our monthly movie idea. Although we skipped November, December was when we really kicked it off. With Josie Wong and Kelly Dugan, we packed into Alison’s car for the midnight showing of “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” It was eventful to say the least (the silence and tears on the ride home said it all). Our January movie, “Scream,” left us underwhelmed, so we drove around and got McDonald’s to make up for it. We skipped February (we weren’t in the romantic mood), but March will live in infamy. Opening night of “The Batman”
was the night we’d been planning for weeks. After a delectable Applebee’s meal, we somehow ended up in The Atrium parking lot with my Robert Pattinson cardboard cutout (that is a long story). As we snuck him into the theater, we got many stares, especially since Rob got his own seat. The movie was fantastic, but long. It became the popular subject of the @wegotbarricade account on Instagram (shameless plug). Our love for “The Batman” continued with a reenactment of a scene, and even a featured TikTok on HillTV. So, in short, our monthly movie nights are in a way relaxing, but also some of the most stressful nights of every month. It’s not easy trying to get your friends to stop blaring “Its Everyday Bro” by Jake Paul outside your neighbor’s house at 3 in the morning. I pledge monthly movies for all. It’s brought me closer to my friends, although it may divide you on who the better star is (Timothee or Robert? We may never know the answer). We are sad this event will end in August as we depart for our new chapters, but they were moments in time we will cherish. We hope this inspires you to have a fun, unpredictable night out with your friends.
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Seniors reveal their plans, dreams By Amanda Contessa
Julianna Padilla
Choosing a college is one of the biggest life decisions a high school senior makes. The process begins in junior year, or even earlier, with research and campus visits. We interviewed four members of the Class of 2022 about their college choices and career plans, and asked them to reflect about how Hill has prepared them for this next step.
Q. What college will you attend? A. I’m going to The New School in Manhattan. Q. What is your anticipated major? A. Journalism and Design. Q. Did you ever imagine yourself ending up at this college? A. As soon as I toured this school, I fell in love with it. Of course, I had some other schools that I favored at times but I always had a good feeling about The New School. I knew I wanted to be surrounded by creative minds when continuing my education and I always had a feeling that this was the best fit for me. Q. What are you most excited about, and nervous about? A. Considering I’m going to school in Manhattan I’m scared of getting lost on the subway… and the rats. Honestly, I’m excited about being close to Madison Square Garden since I have a slight concert addiction. Q. What’s one thing you will miss about Hill? A. My friends. It’s so cliche to say but I’ve met some of my best friends here. We’re all going to be quite literally across the globe, which makes me upset. It’s a very bittersweet moment, knowing we’ll all go on to do greater things but also finally acknowledging the loss of our childhood. Q. How did Hill prepare you for this next chapter? A. Hill enhanced my sense of individuality and independence. Not only was I a student at Hill, but I was also a leader, communicator and thinker. Those qualities, especially during this time, are especially vital for young women becoming industry professionals to have. Q. Future plans after college? A. Not everything is set in stone and I kind of like that. I want to eventually be
Jessica Dantoni Q. What college will you attend? A. Wagner College. Q. What is your anticipated major? A. Microbiology. Q. Did you ever imagine yourself ending up at this college? A. Yes, I did. Every time I would drive by, I thought it was such a beautiful campus and I could imagine myself going there. Q. What are you most excited about, and nervous about? A. I’m excited to experience college life, but nervous because it is all new to me. Q. What’s one thing you will miss about Hill? A. Coming to school and seeing the life-long friends I have made. I’ll never forget all the laughs and memories we have shared together over the years. Q. How do you think Hill prepared you for this next chapter? A. I think Hill has prepared me for this next chapter by giving me the tools I need to succeed in whatever I decide to do next. Q. Future plans after college? A. I hope to accomplish great things throughout my career at Wagner College and become a forensic scientist after I have graduated with a master’s degree in Microbiology.
a fashion or music journalist. My biggest dream is to have my own bookstore, exactly like the one in the movie Notting Hill. Stephanie Moyle Q. What college will you attend? A. Marist College in Poughkeepsie. Q. What is your anticipated major? A. I’m not sure. Originally I wanted to be a History major or American Studies major, but since I was unsure about what I want to do I figured it was best to just go in undeclared. Q. Did you ever imagine yourself ending up at this college? A. No, not at all. Marist was the very last college I went to visit. I had been looking at colleges since February of junior year and I finally looked at Marist in October of senior year just because my mom wanted me too, and I immediately knew it was where I wanted to go. Q. What are you most excited about, and nervous about? A. I’m most nervous about the weather!! It’s going to be so much colder than here. I’m most excited to study abroad. Q. What will you miss about Hill? A. I’m going to miss regular routines at Hill like conversations in the social hall, classes, practices, and after school trips with my friends. I am so familiar with everything here and it’s crazy to think about it all changing. Q. How did Hill prepare you for this next chapter? A. I feel like Hill prepared me to speak and act professionally when needed. Q. Future plans after college? A. Hopefully pursuing a career in whatever I choose to study, or maybe Continued on next page
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Continued from previous page going on to graduate school. Sophia Sparacio Q. What college will you attend? A. Le Moyne College in Syracuse. Q. What is your anticipated major? Physician Assistant Studies in the 3 + 2 program. Q. Did you ever imagine yourself ending up at this college? A. Le Moyne was the first college I ever visited, and I fell in love with it from the beginning. I always hoped I would end up there, but I had to be realistic and prepare myself for a rejection letter. There are only 10 spots available in the PA Program, and I was up against 700 other applicants. However, I was blessed enough to receive one of those spots, and I could not be happier! Q. What are you most excited about, and nervous about? A. I can’t wait to see all my hard work pay off when I start college. I’m nervous about all the feet of snow Syracuse gets! I don’t like snow at all, yet I chose the college with the snowiest and coldest conditions out of all my choices. Q. What will you miss about Hill? A. Hill gave me my best friends, and I will certainly miss them when we all move on to college. Knowing I won’t carpool with them every morning or spontaneously meet up in the bathroom between classes anymore is something I will miss. Q. How did Hill prepare you for this next chapter? A. Hill instilled in me the importance and skill of time management, and I will forever be thankful for that. I learned how to balance three jobs and an internship on top of school and college commitments. Q. Future plans after college? A. After Le Moyne, I hope to work in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery in New York City, in the Division of Adult Cardiac Surgery. I hope to join the team of LiveOnNY, an organ procurement organization that allocates them to individuals in need.
Not a blockbuster But ‘Uncharted’ is still worth seeing By Kristen Farhat After 14 years of being in the works, Uncharted was finally brought to the big screen in March. The development of this film was quite the whirlwind, going from director to director and being dropped and picked up again countless times. The development of the film seemed hopeless until director Ruben Fleischer decided to take up the project. Against all odds, Uncharted was released and made for an enjoyable cinematic experience. The film is based on the Uncharted video game series, with most of the inspiration for the movie drawing from Uncharted 4. It stars Tom Holland as Nathan Drake and Mark Wahlberg as Victor Sully. Both make Uncharted a fun movie to watch. The experience was entertaining with a couple of good action scenes as well as funny ones. Being PlayStation Productions’ first movie and based on a video game, Uncharted had an obligation to satisfy long time players of the game. To loyal players, Uncharted did not meet their expectations. Nathan Drake, in the video games, is a cocky and witty character who is also in his mid 30s. Tom Holland is young for the role and didn’t accurately embody the charismatic Nathan Drake that many love. Some fans of the game couldn’t help but watch this movie and see it as nothing more than another Spider-Man movie with a young
and naive Peter Parker. That being said, movies based on these kinds of franchises with large fan bases will always be subject to critiques about differences left and right. When watching the movie and knowing nothing of the Uncharted game, the movie is very enjoyable. Without giving away too much, the plot, unlike treasure hunt movies set in centuries prior with pirates, has a modern twist. Let’s just say at one point, Ferdinand Magellan’s ships are in the sky. (not an edit, I just really like this) A character that deserves an honorable mention is Santiago Moncada portrayed by Antonio Banderas, more famously known as Puss in Boots. At the beginning of the film, he seems like the main antagonist but unfortunately takes a back seat for the majority of the film. It was disappointing not to see him have a more prominent role since he arguably was the best embodiment of his character, but for the parts he was in, he delivered great performances. If you’re looking for a blockbuster, action packed movie with an intricate plot, Uncharted might leave you disappointed. However, the film is entertaining and fun to watch. You could be on the edge of your seat for some parts and laughing at others. It’s a good movie that’s worthy of your attention if you’re looking for something mellow to do with your friends.
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THE SUMMIT
MAY 2022
IT’S TIME FOR
SENIOR TRIVIA!
ANSWERS
1. Which senior went on live with Liam Payne? 2. Which senior is related to the president of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins? 3. Which senior is learning how to breakdance? 4. Which senior has fallen off a Jet Ski? 5. Which senior has six cats? 6. Which senior is, in fact, Batman?
7. Which senior did a 2,000piece Disney Pixar puzzle? 8. Which seniors brought a cardboard cutout of Robert Pattinson to a movie theater? 9. Which senior is obsessed with ranch dressing? 10. Which senior has met Kobe Bryant? 11. Which senior’s favorite word is niche? 12. Which senior snuck into a Harry Styles pit?
1. Abigail Grandstaff 2. Sophia Sparacio 3. Belle Ursini 4. Patsy McFeeley 5. Katelyn Toto
By Kristen Farhat
6. Alison Holst 7. Sabrina Scire 8. Amanda Contessa, Juliana Padilla, Alison Holst, Josie Wong, Kelly Dugan and
Jessica Dantoni 9. Amanda Contessa 10. Abigail Grandstaff 11. Alison Holst 12. Jessica Dantoni
MAY 2022
THE SUMMIT
The
Summit The student newspaper of St. Joseph Hill Academy High School 850 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, N.Y. 10305
Editors-in-chief Amanda Contessa Anika Thakkar Managing editors Emily Ciarlo Emma Devlin Kate Farhat Kristen Farhat Angelina Ochoa Photography editors Kate Farhat Kristen Farhat Charlotte Curlin Staff Charlotte Curlin Abigail Grandstaff Vanessa Gronock Stephanie Moyle Alexis Pagan Ewa Pekala Giavana Ricciardi Grace Ruocco Olivia Sorrentino Alyssa Testaverde Bailee Webb Alexandria Yates Moderator and page designer: Ms. Claire Regan Join us! New Summit staffers are welcome all year long. Send an email to cregan@stjhill.org
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Entertaining, inclusive and informative – and certainly a must-see!
‘CODA’ raises awareness about deaf community By Emma Devlin March 27 was a historic day, not only in pop culture but also in the deaf community. This year’s Oscars honored a variety of films ranging from historical movies such as “King Richard”and “House of Gucci” to musicals such as “West Side Story” and “tick, tick ... BOOM!” But there was one film that stood out from the rest ... Apple TV’s “CODA.” “CODA” stands for “child of a deaf adult.” In the Oscar-nominated film, the four-letter title is a reference to the character of Ruby, the lone-hearing member of her family. It shows how having deaf family members has affected Ruby’s life and as we see throughout the film, it has not had the negative impact one may think it would. “CODA’s” wins at the Oscars were historic. This was the first time a predominately deaf cast won Best Picture and it’s the first time a streaming service (Apple TV+) was honored at the Academy Awards. But the accolades don’t stop there. Siân Heder won Best Adapted Screenplay. And most historically, Troy Kotsur, who plays Ruby’s dad, became the first deaf male actor to win an Oscar. In his heartfelt acceptance speech, which was interpreted by Justin Mauer, Kotsur thanks his dad who was his hero growing up. He told the story of how his dad, who was deaf, became paralyzed after an accident and couldn’t sign anymore. Despite this, Kotsur said he learned so much from him. He dedicated his award to the deaf community, the CODA community and the disabled community, noting: “This is our moment.” This statement seemed to sum up the sentiments of those behind the making of the movie, along with those who are hearing impaired or live with someone who is
hearing impaired. “CODA” has helped bridge the gap between the hearing and deaf world. It makes ASL more commonplace and less stigmatized. Although many do not relate to this experience of Ruby, it has pulled many heartstrings. It has also become a box office hit, having already grossed approximately $1.1 million within the first two weeks.. Hilltoppers are definitely fans of “CODA” and were celebrating the movie even before it was recognized by the Academy. At the ASL Club’s Oscarthemed movie night, they watched “CODA” and enjoyed Academy-themed cupcakes, popcorn and sparkling cider. Many of the girls recognized ASL signs they had learned during the year, most specifically the sign for love. The ASL Club is moderated by Mrs. Capotorto and Mrs. Bifalco. Even though award season is over, CODA’s legacy continues. It is entertaining, inclusive and informative – and certainly a must-see!
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THE SUMMIT
MAY 2022
IT’S TIME FOR
TEACHER TRIVIA! By Kristen Farhat 1. Which teacher has a master's degree in cinema studies from NYU and has worked on a few movie productions? 2. Which teacher was born on Easter Sunday? 3. Which teacher loves to cook Mexican and Italian dishes? 4. Which teacher tried playing the following six instruments -- clarinet, flute, recorder, violin, piano and glockenspiel? 5. Which teacher can play the harmonica and whose favorite song to play is Billy Joel's “Piano Man”? ANSWERS 1. Ms. Sherwood 2. Mrs. Tirone 3. Mr. Reanda 4. Ms. Mistretta 5. Mrs. Pugliese
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Unique pets make great friends By Emma Devlin We know a lot of Hill girls have cats and dogs, but we wondered if they have any other species of pets keeping them company while they do their homework. So we asked four girls a few questions about their exotic pets. Sean Woods Guinea Pig, Peanut, 3 Q. How did you get her? A. My sister received her as a gift for her 7th birthday. Peanut was only months old when we got her. Q. Where does she sleep? In her cage, under her balcony. It is very dark and quiet under there, so she is always under there sleeping and eating. Q. Does she stay indoors all the time or go outside sometimes? A. We have taken her outside before on a guinea pig leash, but she didn’t like it very much. We keep her inside for the most part because that is where she is most comfortable. Q. What do you feed her? A. Hay, strawberries, lettuce, carrots. Q. Any fun facts? A. Peanut loves the camera. If there is a phone near her or you're trying to take a picture of her, she sits still and lets you take a photo. My camera app was once open, and she started taking random photos by walking on the picture button over and over again. She is always camera ready. Olivia Santana Lizard, Lil Liz, 3 Q. How did your pet get its name? A. My brother named him Q. What type of lizard is he? A.He is a bearded dragon Q. How did you get him? A. We got Lil Liz 2 days before Christmas at PetSmart. We wanted to get a bearded dragon and saw Lil Liz and that’s how we got him. Q. Where does he sleep?
Above: Robert Blue and Shade. Below: Peanut and Lil Liz.
A. In a heated terrarium Q. Does he stay indoors all the time or go outside sometimes? A.We let him walk outside of the terrarium sometimes Q. What do you feed him? A.Crickets, super worms, bananas, green apples, lettuce and green apples. His favorite food is the worms. Q. Any fun facts? A. There are nine species of bearded dragon! Valentina Repetto Rabbit, Robert Blue, 6 Q.How did you get him? A.We adopted him after his owner entered the military when he was 2. Q. Where does he sleep? A.In a cage we have for him. Q. Does he stay indoors all the time or go outside sometimes? A. He goes outside sometimes during
the summer. Q. Any fun facts? A. He loves bananas. AvaMichelina Hodgens Veiled Chameleon, Shade, 3 Q. How did you get her? A. My family and I got her for my brother’s birthday. Q.Where does she sleep? A. In the leaves in the corner of her enclosure. Q. Does she stay indoors all the time or go outside sometimes? A. She mostly stays indoors but we take her outside in the summer. Q. What do you feed her? A. Crickets and her favorite food is worms. Q. Any fun facts? A. Her color changes as her mood changes. The more upset she is, the darker.
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THE SUMMIT
MAY 2022
OUTDOOR TRACK: Julia MacPherson, Katherine Vogt, Elle Moeller, Selma Purisic, Amanda Ferrandino, Sophia Teutonico, Sophia Kovacevic, Alice Adamo, Jamie Murray, Mary Moore and Paige Jerrahian at Sea HS.
Time for track, golf, flag football, softball and lacrosse
SPRING SPORTS REVIEW By Alexandria Yates As warm weather arrives, it is time to welcome back our spring sports! With this, Hill introduces a new sport: Flag Football. Hill’s athletic director, Mrs. Lisa Bifalco, says, “Before this year, flag football was a club. We have been officially sanctioned as a CHSAA sport for this season and yes, we will have both a JV and Varsity team. They are the first official Flag Football Teams for Hill — making history!” Sophomore Erin Harris of the Varsity team states, “Football with the girls here at Hill is so much fun and having the opportunity to play this sport is amazing.
Our coaches, George Clark and Bridget Buthorn made everything possible and were on top of schedules and uniforms. “They had their hands full to make sure we made the most of the season. I’m nervous but so excited for this season and I can’t wait to get closer with the girls on the team. “Everyone should come and cheer us on in our games!” The Hill Golf Team, coached by Jim Garin and Assistant Coach Mike Aversa, is coming off of a CHSAA League Championship season. “I’m very excited for this season,” said Team Captain Olivia Albano. “I have high hopes after our win from last season and I hope our team can really
pull through and defend our title.” Other returning spring sports are Lacrosse, coached by Danielle Del Bove and Assistant Coach Emma Bifalco; Outdoor Track, coached by JP Pablo and Assistant Coach Joe Genovese, and Softball coached by Jamey Rimshnick and Assistants Coaches George Anderson and Patty Baroz. All seasons officially started as of March 5, and each team has already begun practicing. The first game of spring season at Hill was on March 21, where the lacrosse team opposed Sea at their home field. The lacrosse and softball schedules are on the Athletics Instagram page stjhillhs@athletics.
MAY 2022
THE SUMMIT
FLAG FOOTBALL: The team won the first scrimmage of the season by two touchdowns at New Utrecht High School in Brooklyn and celebrated the victory at L&B Spumoni Gardens. Touchdowns were scored by Alexandra Palladino, Lianna DiMartini and Stephanie Moyle.
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GOLF: Players practice their swings on the driving range at LaTourette Golf Course.
Caption here.
LACROSSE: The team huddles up before facing Sea HS.
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THE SUMMIT
MAY 2022
STELLAR SEASON FOR TRACK AND FIELD
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS! By Kate Farhat “Heading into the race, the bar was set rather high,” junior Paige Jerrahian shared when asked about her race on February 13. This race wasn’t just like one at any other meet; it was the New York State Indoor Track and Field Championship. The pressure was on, but Hill’s Koalas came out on top. The girls displayed their remarkable skills as they claimed the championship title. Sophomore Ava Gumb won the 3000m race in 10 minutes and 11.58 seconds. In the 1000m, Paige Jerrahian placed second with a time of 3 minutes and 14 seconds. “Our team fought hard and did what most teams didn’t believe we could do,” said junior Ava Pizirusso. “With huge efforts by our distance runners, sprinters, and those participating in field events, we were able to come out on top. We had a challenging season but we persevered and came together as a team. “My favorite memory has to be the 4x200 meter relay that consisted of Isabella Dicostanzo, Emma Gambino, Mary Moore, and myself,” continued Ava. “The four of us were able to pull through in the relay pushing past NDA to gain us the final points we needed to secure the overall championship.” Pizirusso also won the 55m dash in 7.92 seconds, in addition to her impressive part in this relay. “Standing on the starting line can be a bit intimidating but I personally try to clear my head and just focus on the next two minutes,” Jerrahian described her experience as she ran her race. “With the joking and fun atmosphere of the team, the pressure just melted away.” “I am proud to be part of this determined and hardworking team of girls. I look forward to another incredible season where we hopefully earn yet another Sectional Championship title,” Paige said. “Every girl put their best foot forward, despite running in the late hours of Superbowl Sunday. I think it is safe to say we had our very own Super Bowl!”
The indoor track team proudly displays their championship plaque.