The Summit Vol. 5 No. 2

Always reaching new heights

The Summit

Varsity swim makes waves with a 7‐3 record Senior hoop stars score a sweet victory

By Kristen Farhat

As this year’s basketball season nears its end, seniors Michele Chahwan, Madison Crocco, Elizabeth Bennett and Grace Venezia prepare to say their goodbyes to Hill basketball. All valuable players on the team, the girls deserved a win to cap their four years at Hill.

Hill started off the game with a 9-5 lead. Although scoring was low in the first quarter, great defense by Grace Venezia was on display, as she recovered possession of the ball several times on Holy Cross’ turf.

The second quarter saw Hill rack up 17 points against Holy Cross. Starting off the quarter strong, sophomore Molly Keane scored two two-pointers, followed by Michele Chahwan who scored shortly after.

By Anika Thakkar

The Hill Varsity Swim team has had an incredible season, culminating in impressive performances at the senior meet and ‘A’ Champs. With a 7-3 record this season, the team dominated against all teams except Xaverian, Molloy and NDA.

The 14 graduating seniors were honored on January 22. The team had a triumphant senior night against Dominican Academy at their home pool of CSI. The team emerged victorious, setting the tone for what was to come.

Two weeks after this celebration, the team was ready to compete at ‘A’ Champs on February 4 and 5 at Nassau County Aquatic Center. Hill placed 4th overall, a testament to the team's hard work and

In what was a very impressive play halfway through the quarter, Hill put nine more points up on the board after Elizabeth Bennett and Madison Crocco scored three three-pointers in less than a minute. Hill ended the second quarter with a 2617 lead.

Madison Crocco reflected on the game at halftime. “I think the emotions are really high because it's Senior Day,” she said. “But we're getting it together, getting points on the board, trying to get a bigger lead, and trying to end the game strong.”

When asked about the higher scoring in the second quarter, Madison shared: “It feels good. In the beginning of the game it was kind of close but those threes helped put us ahead, give us the confidence to keep going, and push the pace

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Captains Erin Hagen, Megan Buckley, Kelly Bruen and Emma McLaughlin. Hilltoppers huddle before a game.

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Photo by Kristen Farhat

Hoop stars

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of the game.” Sports director Ms. Lisa Bifalco is confident in the Hilltoppers. “I feel good about the game and I feel like we're gonna take it,” she said.

The third quarter saw great performances from Michele Chahwan and junior Faye Vidal. Michele put up three points early on and Faye took care of the second half, putting up another five points. Faye made both of her foul shots and a threepointer in the last couple seconds of the quarter, ending it with an 11-point lead.

Faye opened up the 4th quarter with another three pointer along with Molly Keane who made both of her foul shots. After a personal foul and technical foul were called at the same time, four foul shots were awarded to Hill, three of which were made by Madison Crocco and Elizabeth Bennett. Hill won the game with a final score of 56-43.

Senior Christina Muraca came to support the girls on their Senior Night. “I feel like the girls did an amazing job as usual. I expected nothing less,” she said.

Elizabeth Bennett said “the game started to get intense. We stuck with each other and picked each other up when things got rough.”

Hilltoppers celebrate the Super Bowl in style

By Kristen Farhat

A long line at West Brighton’s Philly Pretzel Factory meant only one thing -the Super Bowl was approaching. Whether it was booking a flight to Arizona to see the game in person or purchasing an 85-inch TV to enjoy it at home, people were going to great lengths to prepare for the big game.

St. Joseph Hill Academy celebrated the big game with a Soup-A-Bowl food drive. Hill girls dressed up in sports jerseys and donated food items to be delivered to St. Adalbert-St. Roch Parish Food Pantry. For Hill girls, there was no better way to prepare for the Super Bowl than to do good for others.

Super Bowl LVII, held on Sunday, February 12, was between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. Both teams were the top seeds of their respective conferences and had the same win to loss record (14-3) in the regular season. Additionally, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts both had great runs this season, procuring nominations for the NFL MVP award.

Although the playing field seemed to be level, most people put their money on the Eagles and the odds seemed to be in their favor. With 11 seconds left in the game, however, the Chiefs secured a 38-35 win over the Eagles with a good 27 yard field goal attempt.

So how did the Chiefs win a game nobody believed they could win? A fumble by Jalen Hurts in the second quarter, recovered by Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton, certainly helped. Bolton was able to score a touchdown and eradicate the Eagles’ 7-point lead. Another factor was the underperformance of the Eagles’ defense. Coming off of the regular season with 70 sacks, the most by a team this season and a franchise record for the Eagles, their defense was expected to outperform the Chiefs’ offense. Yet they weren't able to get a single sack on Mahomes.

In one of the last instrumental plays, a penalty on Eagles cornerback James

Bradberry for defensive holding resulted in an automatic first down for the Chiefs. This gave them the downs they needed to use up the final 2 minutes of the game and ensure their scoring drive was the last.

The Chiefs were not foreigners to this national stage, having made three Super Bowl appearances in recent years, all with Patrick Mahomes as their quarterback. They won Super Bowl LIV in 2020 against the San Francisco 49ers and lost the following year to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Before these appearances, however, the Chiefs had not been in the Super Bowl since 1970, so fans have been very satisfied with the past several years.

In other matters, singer Rihanna took to the stage for the first time in 5 years to perform in the halftime show. Dressed in all red and accompanied by dancers in puffy white coats, Rihanna delivered a set list of 12 songs. To end the show, Rihanna sang “Diamonds” while suspended 60 feet up in the night sky. She later revealed she was not the only one on that suspended platform in announcing her pregnancy to the public.

Seniors Maria Mignano and Alessia Scalici support opposing teams.

Senior Michele Chahwan prepares to pass the ball to a teammate.

Photo by Kristen Farhat

Photo by Kristen Farhat

Varsity swim makes waves with a 7‐3 record

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dedication throughout the season. Many of the swimmers made it to the finals and medaled in the top 8, including freshman Natalie Kedzior for the 200 free and 500 free, junior Magan Liang and freshman Maeve Keane for the 50 free, Magan Liang for the 100 fly, senior Kelly Bruen for the 100 free and 100 back, freshman Julia Grandstaff for the 100 back, and Maeve Keane and senior Maria Romano for the 100 breast.

Hill's relay teams gave it their all, with the 200 Medley Relay team coming in 3rd, the 200 Freestyle Relay team coming in 4th, and the 400 Freestyle Relay team coming in 4th. These teams were composed of some of the team's most talented swimmers, including Kelly Bruen, Maeve Keane, Julia Grandstaff, Magan Liang, Maria Romano, Erin Hagen, Megan Buckley and Anika Thakkar.

Individual Hill swimmers received recognition as well. Sophomore Chloe Dugan won the All League Award and Hill Coach Amanda Arcieri won the Vinny Harkins Coach of the Year Award. “The season went well this year, and Hill was recognized not only as a formidable team, but as one that demonstrates excellence of character,” said Arcieri.

“When I took on the role of head coach for Hill’s swim team, I asked myself

‘what will my legacy be?’ ‘what will I contribute to this team?’ and ‘what do I want our identity as a team to be?’ AnnMarie and Jill were my coaches and I had big shoes to fill,” she continued. “But I also felt like there were some things that needed to change, and in order for that to happen, I had to exemplify the traits I wanted my swimmers to demonstrate.”

“You can’t expect your athletes to behave the way you want them to if you don’t set the tone with your own behavior first,” remarked Arcieri. “Seeing my swimmers take the initiative to shake

hands with even our fiercest competitors, hearing other teams' coaches and parents compliment them on how poised and kind they are, and watching how they make new and prospective swimmers feel welcome--these are the most rewarding moments for me as a coach.” Although Dr. Arcieri is a psychology teacher at Hill, her swimmers will always know her as “Coach Amanda.”

The season was capped off by several outstanding achievements by Kelly Bruen, who set a new league record in the 100 backstroke.

“Going into this year’s A Champs meet, I knew the 100 yard backstroke record was in reach,” said Kelly. “This race was my focus going into the meet. Breaking the record was a breath of relief for me, because I realized all of my hard work and hours in the pool paid off.”

Bruen won the 2023 Outstanding Swimmer Award and shares the 2023 Career Swimmer Award with Katherine Anticev from NDA, a true testament to her skill and dedication as a swimmer. “Being able to help my team and represent Hill with the two awards and with the record was an amazing feeling,” Kelly added.

Bruen will be swimming Division 1 for Loyola University Maryland in the fall, as she continues her outstanding athletic and academic career.

Kelly Bruen holds her first-place medal after breaking the 100-yard backstroke league record.

The seniors received flowers and gifts at Champs, held Feb. 4 at the Nassau County Aquatic Center.

Why rush home when there’s Avocado Sushi?

By Mia Bavaro and Elizabeth Geissler

Even though most students would like to go straight home and cuddle up in bed, spending time with friends after school is a great way to have a good time. We’ve gathered the top places to go based on your classmates’ opinions.

The most popular place is Avocado Sushi, located at 1919 Hylan Blvd. If you’re going straight from school, take the S78 and get off at Hylan Boulevard and Seaver Avenue.

“After my friends and I finished our PSATs, we decided to go to Avocado Sushi for lunch,” said freshman Emma Gigantiello. “We all got bento boxes, which were super cheap and affordable and the food was delicious.” The menu has a wide variety of Asian cuisine.

Next, we have a Hill fan favorite, Royal Crown, located at 1350 Hylan Blvd. Royal Crown is a local Italian bakery that serves bread, pastries and coffees,

with an adjacent Cucina for hot meals.

“I love the great prices and great food everytime I go,” freshman Julia Grandstaff said.

On early mornings, students enjoy strolling over to Bagel & Panini Co. for flavorful iced coffee and warm buttery bagels to start their day. Maeve Keane and Casey Martinez, tell us their personal favorites are a toasted egg bagel with Nutella or an egg bagel with veggie cream cheese.

One of our personal favorites is the Hylan Diner located at 2561 Hylan Blvd., which provides fresh breakfast, lunch or dinner any time of the day. The wide variety of food and loving staff offer a homelike experience every time.

“On every half day, I beg my friends to come with me to the Hylan Diner to enjoy pickles and curly fries,” said freshman Brianna Azzarello.

Another well-loved choice for Hilltoppers is Rab's Country Lanes located

at 1600 Hylan Blvd. Rab’s bowling alley features 48 lanes, plus a snack bar with pizza and a laser maze. “I love hanging out with my friends and having fun bowling after a long day at school,” said freshman Julianna Osorio.

Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’ is worth a watch

By Alyssa Testaverde

If you live on this planet, you’ve probably heard talk of Tim Burton’s latest accomplishment, “Wednesday.” The Netflix Original series has sparked conversations nationwide and taken the Internet by storm.

The show follows Wednesday Addams as she navigates her adolescent life at a boarding school for “outcasts.” The series incorporates all of the original characters from “The Addams Family,” including Morticia, Gomez, Pugsley, Thing and Uncle Fester. The widely known cinematic family invites viewers, but the modern spin entices you to stay.

Though Wednesday is not your average 16-year-old, she still manages to be relatable to a young audience. She balances

school, new friendships, love interests, and novel writing, all while solving mysteries and exploring her psychic abilities. The series manages to be coming-ofage, while simultaneously encompassing drama, mystery, romance, and dysfunction.

Aside from the intriguing plot of the show, it is also a high quality production. Jenna Ortega stays true to Wednesday’s original character while bringing uniqueness to the role.

Her persona and mannerisms appeal to traditional Wednesday fanatics, as well as newer fans. Tim Burton’s attention to de-

tail makes for an exquisite show that’s easy on the eye.

From start to finish, the season had me on the edge of my seat. Whether it was questioning Wednesday’s motives, or laughing at her wit, there was never a dull moment in the series. The build up to the shocking final episode was phenomenal, and that alone made the show worth the watch.

Already renewed for a second season, “Wednesday” is widely loved. Personally, I agree with the masses. The show has many layers, and it is capable of appealing to various people in different ways. It is not overtly one genre. It is eccentric, much like “The Addams Family” themselves. Regardless of age range or interests, I highly recommend you give this series a try.

Royal Crown has expanded its space.

Photo by Mia Bavaro

RESTAURANT REVIEW: WHITE STAR BAR IN JERSEY CITY

Juicy burgers and fried pickles

By Angelina Ochoa

After a long day of exploring the streets of Manhattan, my mom and I were starving. We drove through the the Lincoln Tunnel and were now in New Jersey. I Googled into my phone “Best Burger Near Me’ and the top suggestion was White Star Bar, located at 230 Brunswick Street in Jersey City.

With an impressive 4.5-star rating, we were eager to revisit this favorite. I can definitely say that White Star Bar lives up to its pride by serving Jersey City’s best burger.

White Star Bar is located on the corner of Brunswick Street, nestled between residential townhouses and apartments in a quiet area of Jersey City. Tables are available outdoors and indoors.

There are plenty of seats and the wait time is not long. Televisions placed around the restaurant make it a prime destination for sports events. The dim lighting from antique-style lamps and fake candles on each table provide a sense of relaxing ambiance throughout the establishment.

Cards on the tables with a QR code let customers scan the menu on their phones. As an appetizer, the fried pickles are served with a side of chipotle ranch. These beer-battered fried pickles are perfect for sharing. They are super crispy, and the chipotle ranch offers a spicy kick. Another staple appetizer is the Mexican street corn, topped with chipotle mayo, cotija cheese, cilantro and lime. With three medium-sized pieces of corn being served, this appetizer is large enough to share and can definitely be filling. The corn is fresh and sweet, and all of the toppings come together to form a delicious appetizer.

Now comes the best part of the experience — the burgers. The Paulus Hook Burger is an eight-ounce Pat La Freida patty with portobello mushrooms, caramelized onions, Swiss cheese and truffle mayo. All burgers are served with fries.

When I order this burger, I ask for no mushrooms due to my personal preference. I am a huge fan of anything cooked

with truffle and enjoy the umami flavor it gives off. Combined with smooth Swiss cheese and savory caramelized onions, this burger is nothing short of incredible.

The Buratta Burger stands out among the rest of the burgers for a very delicious reason: a creamy burrata ball is placed on top of a Pat La Freida Patty, roasted red peppers, arugula and garlic herb mayo. The combination of the smooth cheese with the garlic mayo is savory and delicious. With the side of fries, the burgers

are very filling and guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds.

Seating is prompt and the wait time is short. I celebrated my 17th birthday at this restaurant with my friends, and the three of us definitely had a meal we would never forget. I recommend this restaurant to anyone looking to enjoy quality food and a rustic ambiance.

The total bill was $55, a reasonable price for the experience. I give White Star Bar a 5/5 rating.

The Paulus Hook Burger, an eight-ounce patty with onions and mushrooms, is $20. Fried pickles served with chipotle ranch dressing are $9.

White Star Bar is located at 230 Brunswick Street in Jersey City, N.J.

Rudolph was a special FOSI guest Bravo!

By Julianna Bottalico

The Friends of Staten Island (FOSI) Tree Lighting is an annual Christmas celebration that brings students and staff together.

Monsignor Farrell High School hostedthe event and presented various activities throughout the evening.

One of the main activities was the lighting of the Christmas tree. Everyone gathered around as they started a countdown.

Sports teams entertained with Christmas songs. Each of Farrell’s sports teams went on stage with their coaches and spread the holiday cheer with Christmas carols. People sang along and took many videos of this joyful time.

And there was a live reindeer! People got to take pictures and pet it outside in its cage. Adults and kids watched in awe as the reindeer moved around. A mini ice skating rink allowed people to glide on the “ice.”

This big celebration at Farrell brought many people together and created a joyful, fun time for everyone.

‘The Wizard of Oz’ presents valuable life lessons, says Ms. Hermansen, who directed the show

By Alexandria Yates

After four months of rehearsals, hard work and dedication, St. Joseph Hill Academy’s Drama Club presented yet another spectacular show, with four performances, December 1-4. With the choice of the classic show, “The Wizard of Oz,” the cast and crew put on a wonderful performance that shared the beautiful message of the show.

After the success of her second show at Hill, Director Samantha Hermansen shares insight into why she chose “The Wizard of Oz.”

“I chose the show because it's one of the greatest classics of all time. It’s such a fun show and we fall in love with every character,” Ms. Hermansen said. But one of her main reasons for choosing this show was because of the life lessons it conveys.

“I think realizing the importance of being yourself and finding what makes you special is something we all should tap into. A brain, a heart and courage — three major components in being a unique and successful person as well as

being proud and finding a love of where you come from.”

With the exciting costumes and makeup of the Lion, Tinman, Scarecrow and Wicked Witch of the West, along with some fantastic special effects and a real dog to play Toto, the show received rave reviews. A breakfast with the characters was also held before the Sunday show.

“My last year in Hill Drama was so surreal,” said senior Avamichelina Hodgens, Drama Club president, who played Dorothy Gale. “I have grown so much with this program and it has always been such a safe place for me. I knew it would be one of the hardest goodbyes of my senior year. ‘The Wizard of Oz’ was the most perfect experience and my favorite show I have ever done. It will always hold such a special place in my heart.”

Many Hill students are in performances at other schools this year, so make sure not to miss “Into the Woods” at Monsignor Farrell, March 15-18, and “The Addams Family” at St. Peters, May 19-21.

A live reindeer helped guests celebrate the holiday season.

How did Hill places get their names?

By Ewa Pekala

Madonna Hall is a place that every fellow Hilltopper is familiar with. It is a separate building on the school’s campus where Mrs. Laureno teaches her art classes.

It was named in 2009 in honor of the Virgin Mary.

The building is considered a hall due to its long rectangular structure where the art is hung on the inside walls.

The Sal Gerardi Sports Field is located near Madonna Hall on Hill’s beautiful campus. Elementary and high school students use this fields for sports such as basketball, baseball, and track.

The field contains a basketball court, a baseball area, as well as a track and longjump pit. Students are able to enjoy gym class outside on days when the weather permits it.

The Sal Gerardi Sports Memorial Field

was named in honor of Salvatore Geraldi. He worked as a gym teacher at Hill for 28 years and passed away in March of 2015.

Mr. Geraldi was a role model for all of his students. His positive attitude and dedication to his job inspired them to do their best in sports and most importantly life.

Sister Ernestine Jeck Library: On November 28, 2022, Hill celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new library.

It has been named the Esternine Jeck library.

The goal of renovating the library was to create a learning commons that provides a sense of community.

Sister Jeck was a devoted member of the Daughters of Divine Charity and a member of the first graduating class in 1934. She was a teacher and longtime head librarian at Hill. It is named after Sister Ernestine Jeck who recently passed away.

Whenever students enter the new li-

brary, they are reminded of the dedication that Sister Ernestine had to this school and most importantly to her faith.

The Golden Doors, or the doors to the entrance of Hill’s elementary school, were named after Mr. Golden, a supporter of the Catholic Church and particularly, Catholic Education. Mr. Golden and his wife, Maureen Moore, were generous benefactors to Hill and the Daughters of Divine Charity.

Their generous gift to the 1999-2001 building campaign provided the funding for the critically needed security school entrance doors. During the Centennial Year (1919-1920), the Goldens were philanthropic leaders as sponsors for scholarships and events.

Mr. Golden passed away on June 9, 2020 from heart complications. Now whenever somebody walks in through the Golden Doors, his memory will stay with the school forever.

Photos by Ewa Pekala

She’s a Disney and ‘Wizard of Oz’ fan

By Kate Farhat

Q. Why did you choose to come to Hill?

A. It’s my first full time position as a teacher, and I’m really excited to be back in an all-girls Catholic school. I went to NDA ... it’s definitely nice to be in that atmosphere again.

Q. What was your first impression of Hill?

A. I was very impressed with how helpful every girl is here, and even teachers, too. I can't just limit it to the girls, everyone here is just so helpful. They knew that I was new, and were always able to help. I was really grateful for that because when you're transitioning to a new school, there are so many new things you have to learn — a different culture, where my classes were, and things like that. I very much felt like a freshman on my first day of high school! It was kind of fun, but a little intimidating at the same time. Everyone helped me transition and become comfortable, and I'm grateful for that.

I was hired in February of last year, and Mrs. Molluzzo asked me to come in March through June for a writing workshop with the now-sophomores. This also helped me become familiar with the school so when I started, I was really able to go in full swing. I knew what the schedule system was like and I knew how the end of the year goes, before I even got to my first end of the year. I got a whole feel for it before I even got here, which was really awesome.

Q. What are your interests outside of teaching?

A. I love watching and playing tennis. I love baseball, too. I'm also trying to get into hockey because my family are big Rangers fans, and I'm so clueless. I tried football, but I gave up on it. It's like a foreign language to me!

I did voice lessons from first grade until until I was a senior in high school. I was also in my church choir, the NDA Singers, and drama.

I'm trying to learn different languages. On Duolingo, I’m studying Italian. My family is Italian. My grandparents are Italians from Sicily, Calabria and Avellino. They spoke Italian to my dad, and my mom knows Italian but she doesn't speak it. I ask Ms. Fiola every once in awhile to converse with me.

Q. Do you have a favorite movie or TV show?

A. My favorite movie is “The Wizard of Oz,” so you can imagine how excited I was for the show! I actually saw Mickey Rooney a famous actor from the ’30s in a production of “The Wizard of Oz” back in the ’90s.

I'm also a Disney fanatic. I’ve memorized “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Tangled’ and “Aladdin.” I still watch the movies, shamelessly.

Q. Where would you want to travel one day?

A. Definitely London. I've also never been to Italy so my plan is to go there one day and see it all. Australia also since I have family there.

MEET MS. MEGAN NASO, HILL’S NEW ENGLISH TEACHER

Photo by Kate Farhat

top liberal arts colleges

From Hill Scholars to Posse Scholars

By Anika Thakkar

Seniors Kristen Farhat and Emma Dinolfo were nominated to apply for the Posse Scholarship in late June of 2022. Three interviews, five essays and eight months later, these students are now committed to two top liberal arts schools with full-tuition leadership scholarships. The girls join a Hill legacy of Posse Scholars ‒ there have been eight Hill graduates who have received this scholarship in the past 13 years.

The Posse Foundation is a non-profit organization that was established in 1989 with the mission of identifying, recruiting and training talented young people from diverse backgrounds and sending them in groups, known as “posses,” to top colleges and universities across the country. The foundation provides a comprehensive support system to these students, including mentorship, academic support, and leadership development, to ensure their success and help them become the next generation of leaders in their communities.

The Posse Foundation's program has several components that work together to support students in their journey to college success. The first component is the selection process, where talented students are identified through a rigorous and competitive application process. These students then go through a three-part dynamic group interview process, where they are evaluated on their leadership potential and ability to work well in a group setting.

Once selected, students enter the precollegiate training (PCT) program, which prepares them for the academic and social challenges they will face in college. This program includes leadership development activities, workshops, and academic support to help students transition smoothly to college life.

In college, students are part of a closeknit support network, consisting of their Posse peers and alumni, as well as faculty and staff at their colleges and universities.

The Posse Foundation also provides ongoing support and resources to help students persist and succeed in college and beyond. This comprehensive approach to college success has been proven to increase the graduation rates and success of Posse Scholars.

This fall, Emma Dinolfo will be studying at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, as a biochemistry major on the pre-med track. Emma meets with her posse, a group of 10 future Lafayette students, every Tuesday from 4 to 6 p.m.

“Not only will I be receiving a full tuition scholarship to Lafayette College,” said Emma, “but I will be surrounded by an incredibly supportive network of people, nationwide, for the entirety of my professional career.”

Kristen Farhat will be attending Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut, majoring in economics with a minor in finance.

“The Posse meetings have been really fun,” said Kristen. “It is always great to

meet new people and that's what the early Posse meetings are all about.”

Kristen meets with her Connecticut College posse, a dynamic group of 11 students, every Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. “It's really enriching to be around people who come from all different backgrounds who bring many different experiences to the table,” Kristen continued. “I love finding similarities in the diversity of our group as well as learning and benefitting from our differences.”

Kristen is interested in pursuing a law degree after undergraduate school, and she feels Posse will help her achieve her goals. “I know Posse's career, alumni, and internship networks provide tremendous help for future aspirations like mine.” Aside from the academic and career related opportunities Posse provides, Kristen is excited to embark on this journey with her fellow Posse Scholars.

“I look forward to forming new relationships and being able to trust and be trusted in a group of great people.”

Kristen Farhat and Emma Dinolfo receive full-tuition leadership scholarships to two

As Posse Scholars, Kristen Farhat is heading to Connecticut College and Emma Dinolfo will attend Lafayette College in the fall.

Photo by Anika Thakkar

World Cup fosters unity

By Kristen Farhat

Attracting millions of viewers from all over the globe, the World Cup made its grand return this past December. Held in Qatar, the 2022 World Cup welcomed 32 national teams to the international stage.

This was the first time the World Cup was ever hosted in the Middle East and by an Arab country. Qataris and other Arabs took great liking to the representation the World Cup was bringing them. Qatari culture was on display all throughout the event, especially to the visitors who watched the matches in person. The opening ceremony began with passages from the Quran, a nod to Qatar’s Islamic culture.

A tribute to Sandy victims

By Alexa Viggiano

It has been over 10 years since a devastating hurricane hit Staten Island. Sandy started in the Caribbean, headed north and destroyed about 650,000 homes. The storm caused waves to reach heights of 32.5 feet, a record in New York Harbor.

On October 29 and 30, 2012, Hurricane Sandy attacked New York, which was among the hardest hit states, claiming the lives of 24 Staten Island residents. They are remembered on each anniversary.

After the disaster, the Staten Island Community Organizations Active in Disaster (SI COAD) formed to unite not-for-profit organizations and agencies that provide assistance in disasters, coordinate services and interface with response organizations on the federal, state and local level.

One of the members, the Red Hook Initiative, served as a food and shelter center. Several days after the disaster, restaurants began doing cookouts. Early November saw much food delivery and heater distribution by the Red Hook Initiative. With the efforts by these COADs, heat and power was restored to many homes two weeks after the hurricane.

On the 10th anniversary of Hurricane

Sandy, members of the Staten Island community came together at Miller Field to pay tribute to the victims and honor the resilience of survivors. Local officials, including Mayor Eric Adams and Borough President Vito Fossella, delivered speeches that highlighted the community's strength and bravery. Attendees participated in a moment of silence and candlelighting ceremony to remember lives lost.

Young student artists offered reflections on the impact of Hurricane Sandy on their community. Overall, the commemoration served as a reminder of the strength and determination of Staten Islanders in the aftermath of this catastrophic event.

The cup began with a very eventful group stage bringing surprises like a Saudi Arabian win over then two-time World Cup champions Argentina and a landslide victory for Spain against Costa Rica with a score of 7-0. The U.S. advanced to the round of 16, which came as a pleasant surprise after failing to even qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

Powerhouses Argentina, France, Brazil, and Portugal all advanced to the round of 16, placing first in their groups. Underdog Morocco also placed first in their group, not only advancing to the round of 16, but knocking out Spain and Portugal, paving their way to the semi-finals, and shocking the world by becoming the first African and Arab nation to do so. The quarter-finals saw the advance of Argentina and reigning champion France to the semis, as well as Croatia after an exciting – or devastating win, depending on the viewer –against five-time World Cup champion Brazil.

The final match was set after Argentina and France won their respective matches against Croatia and Morocco. Much was at stake for the two national teams as well as for their star players. France’s 23-year old Kylian Mbappe was looking to add yet another World Cup win to his resume and Argentina’s 35-year old Lionel Messi hoped to realize his dream of getting the last title there is to get and put a golden cap on his successful career.

After 120 minutes, the match went to nervewracking penalties, where Argentina won 42, eradicating a World Cup win for France and fulfilling Messi’s dream. Argentinians took to the streets of Buenos Aires to celebrate the country’s first win since 1986.

Mayor Eric Adams joined Borough President Vito Fossella on Oct. 29, 2022 for a 10th anniversary remembrance of Hurricane Sandy.

Hurricane victims mourn the loss of their home in October 2012.

Photos courtesy of silive.com

THREE SENIORS SHARE THEIR ADVICE AND INSIGHTS

Class of ‘23 is busy making college decisions

By Angelina Ochoa

Angela Buscemi

Q: Where are you going to college and what will you major in?

A: Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York. I will major in Psychology.

Q: Why Marist?

A: I love the atmosphere there. Marist definitely cares about its student body and is very supportive of its students. Also, they offer an amazing travel abroad program which is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to explore the world.

Q: What inspired you to choose your major?

A: I hope to one day be able to help people and coach them through hard times that may occur in their lives.

Q: What advice would you give to underclassmen navigating the college process?

A: To visit as many schools as possible. When you know where you are meant to be, you will feel it. The best thing to do is to follow your heart and not limit your options. Sometimes, the best things to happen in our lives are things we don’t see coming.

Amanda Prinzi

Q: Where are you going to college and what will you major in?

A: Misericordia University in Dallas, Pennsylvania. I will be participating in the Five-Year Accelerated Program in Speech-Language Pathology.

Q: Why Misericordia?

A: I am convinced that Misericordia’s pre-professional programs, such as SLP, PT, and OT, are extremely advanced and the professors will work hard to make you into a successful student. Misericordia is quite small, which means you

can develop a more personal connection with your professors and you will never be seen as a number. I attended Misercordia’s Speech Pathology Exploration Camp for four days in the summer and I loved everything about the school. It was a perfect fit.

Q: What inspired you to choose your major?

A: My grandmother suffered from a stroke in her early 70s and was recommended a speech pathologist to help with her speech delay. After months of work, my grandma was able to make an almost full recovery and began to enjoy all the things she loved again, including bocci, bowling, and going out to shop. Our Speech Pathology helped her regain her confidence and transform back into her original self. I knew after watching my grandmother recover that Speech Pathology was my calling, to be a voice for those who can’t speak for themselves.

Q: Are there any personal goals you are looking to achieve in college?

A: I would love to be more social and try to get involved in my community as much as possible. Hill has certainly pre-

pared me for what it’s like to do hard work, so I will try my best with the skills I’ve learned to tackle the workload. Giving myself self-care time and relaxation will be something I want to achieve and try not to be too hard on myself.

Q: What advice would you give to underclassmen navigating the college process?

A: Four words ‒ everything will work out. The hardest pill to swallow is you may not get into your top pick, you may not get that scholarship, you may be confused about what to major in and stressed out, thinking all your friends have their life together. The truth will always be that everyone is just as worried as you are. You will get to where you need to be. The universe has a plan for you.

Marielle Cavendish

Q: Where are you going to college and what will you major in?

A: Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. I will major in Computer Animation.

Q: Why Full Sail?

A: Full Sail has a two-year Computer Animation and has connections to the Disney College Program where I hope to study.

Q: What inspired you to choose your major?

A: My love for art has always been a significant part of my life and defines who I am. Also, I have always wanted to work for Disney in some way or another.

Q: What advice would you give to underclassmen navigating the college process?

A: I would say that it is definitely stressful in the beginning, but pays off in the end. When you finally get those acceptances in the mail, it is an amazing feeling to know that you made it.

A warm welcome to Sister Liceria

By Daniela Luci

Despite being new to St. Joseph Hill this year, Sister Liceria Sayon has quickly become one of our favorite faces to see in the hallways.

Sister is a ray of sunshine and she always has a beaming smile for all to see. She has made such an impact on Hilltoppers in a short time, encouraging us to serve in our communities and to know God loves us for it. I had the pleasure of talking with Sister to get to know her better, and I wanted to share some of the highlights of our talk with the rest of the Hill family.

Q. What made you want to become a religious sister?

A. To become what God wants you to be doesn’t happen overnight. Becoming a religious Sister wasn’t on my bucket list. The desire to serve, to share the blessings, to look after others, especially the less fortunate, stem from the examples my parents showed my siblings and me.

I grew up on a farm, where its blessings were always divided between what was to be sold and what was to be shared. The desire to serve was always in my heart, but how and where took a long and rough journey. My education from a public school, Catholic schools throughout the Philippines, as well as many volunteer works I did, helped me sort out things in my life.

Prayers, staying in tune with God, and receiving the Eucharist played the most important parts in my decision. I did consider married life, but it didn’t seem to fit me deep down inside. The thought of becoming a religious sister came to me when I was in high school. I didn’t pay much attention to it or speak about it.

Like many teenagers, I enjoyed my life. My teenage experiences were always coupled with more volunteer work on and outside the school campus even after college. I didn’t choose this life of being a religious sister. God did.

Once I realized that this was what God is calling me to do, I prayed for a sign since I wasn’t entirely sure. The sign came about at an unexpected time. I was teaching in an

all-girls Catholic high school in the Philippines, when from my window I saw a religious sister entering our gate. I couldn’t help but ask for a substitute. I spoke with the visiting religious sister and she gave me a brochure of the Sisters of St. John the Baptist. The rest is history. This year is my 34th year as a member of the Sisters of St. John the Baptist.

Q. What did you take part in before you came to St. Joseph Hill that made you the person you are today?

A. I taught in elementary schools in both the Archdiocese of New York and Newark

for 15 years and was the campus minister and service coordinator at St. John Villa Academy for 8 years. In my religious community of the Sisters of St. John the Baptist, I served as the vocation director. I guided women who might have a desire to become a Religious Sister like me.

Q. What interested you about coming to Hill and becoming the Campus Minister and Service Director?

A. I really didn’t expect that I would be a part of such a great school this year. I didn’t know that there was an opening for Campus Minister and Service Director.

Hill’s new campus minister is a ray of sunshine and a dedicated spiritual mentor

Sister prays in the chapel every morning before heading to her office.

This past July, I received a phone call from Mrs. Molluzzo. The caller ID indicated a call from St. Joseph Hill Academy.

Before I picked up the receiver, my mind was filled up with who, what, and why. My heart beat so fast.

After a short introduction, I found out that Mr. Darrup, a former colleague of mine at St. John Villa Academy, and a current St. Joseph Hill Academy religious studies teacher for sophomores and seniors, had given Mrs. Molluzzo my name. I felt that that phone call was the work of the Holy Spirit and an answer to my prayer. God truly is full of many surprises!

Before I committed myself to coming here, I had a couple of meetings with Mrs. Molluzzo.

I also had several meetings with my provincial superior, the head of the Sisters of St. John the Baptist here in the United States. These meetings and my prayers put my heart at peace that this was God’s will that I will say YES to serve as the campus minister and service director here at Hill.

Q. What are your favorite things about working at Hill?

A. I love that I can start my day at 7 in the morning saying my prayers in the beautiful chapel. This makes the rest of my day my favorite. The smiles, the hellos, the good morning and afternoon greetings I receive, as well as the unexpected situations add to the excitement of my day.

I also love when students come to my office, whether to ask a question or just say hello. It is one of the many ways I meet them in person.

Q. If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?

A. I would like to share my thoughts on making the world a better place. Young people should be empowered to volunteer for not-for-profit organizations and become involved in their worship places. They should recognize and respect the dignity of a human person, take care of the environment, and give back to their school and communities.

Q. Who is the person you look up to most and why?

A. I look up to the Blessed Trinity (God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit). I see every single person created by God.

Q. What was your favorite school subject?

A. Science.

Q. What is your favorite food?

A. Filipino food.

Q. Do you have any hobbies or hidden talents?

A. I love gardening ... planting both flowers and vegetables.

Q. Do you have any siblings?

A. I have two sisters and a brother. They all live in the southern part of the Philippines.

Q. What is your favorite color?

A. Different tints and shades of green.

Q. What is a message that you would like to send to the girls at Hill?

A. Be a woman you are created and called to be. If God is calling you to serve him as a religious sister, open the ears of your heart and you will find peace and fulfillment because you are doing God’s will. To do God’s will is the best way to serve God, and the world.

“I love when students come to my office, to ask a question or just say hello.”

Photos by Daniela Luci

OFF TO GREECE

By Amanda Amir

Trips are back at Hill for the first time since the pandemic. No current students have gone on a field trip; members of the Class of 2023 were freshmen when their first trip, Culture Day, was canceled.

Mrs. Molluzzo confirmed there will be a Greece trip over Easter Break, from April 1 to 11. The destination was selected by the seniors — a pleasant surprise for Mrs. Molluzzo, whose family comes from Greece. The senior trip to Disney will take place from May 25 to 19, over Memorial Day Weekend, she added. And during the summer, students will build houses for low-income families with the Habitat for Humanity program.

“Subject teachers are encouraged to make use of the cultural institutions on Staten Island,” like the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, Mrs. Molluzzo said. In the new law and advocacy group, “Hill alumnae who practice law will talk to the students and they will visit the courts in the Southern District of New York.” Students in Mrs. Sullivan’s law class will visit a courthouse in the spring.

Editors-in-Chief

Anika Thakkar

Kristen Farhat

Managing Editors

Angelina Ochoa

Kate Farhat

Alyssa Testaverde

Charlotte Curlin

Ewa Pekala

Staff

Amanda Amir

Alexa Viggiano

Julia Grandstaff

Alexandria Yates

Brianna Paturzo

Mia Bavaro

Elizabeth Geissler

Gabriella Sawa

Julianna Bottalico

Daniela Luci

Faculty moderator

Ms. Claire Regan

A former temple, the Parthenon is a famous landmark in Greece.

Hill Drama Club gets the audience involved

By Alexandria Yates

The St. Joseph Hill Drama Club strikes again with another outstanding performance, this time being a “Murder Mystery” on February 11. The mystery’s setting was a ’60s Vegas Casino and featured famous celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, and Dean Martin, and had cameos from characters like Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor.

Each character sang some of their most famous songs at the audience's level, as the gym floor was used more than the stage. Audience participation was a huge part of the event, as the characters interacted with the audience, viewers were called up to dance, ask the suspects questions, and even get taken hostage.

With showgirls dancing in between tables and Elvis Presley sliding on the

floor of the auditorium, spectator reactions of cheer and laughter were motivation for the Drama Club to keep going.

A definite fan-favorite was “My Way” sung by Ryan Albertson, a sophomore at Monsignor Farrell who played Frank Sinatra, with the audience members singing along, laughing, and screaming.

As the characters walked around the gym, interacting with the audience, group pictures were taken, and interrogations occurred after the double murder occurred.

At the end of the show, the audience was able to vote on who they thought the murderer was, with prizes going to the winner and the funniest answer.

A new Hill tradition has been born that we all hope will continue for years to come. Stay tuned to see what the Drama Club has coming up next!

SUMMIT SENIORS: WORKING HARD TO KEEP YOU INFORMED

It takes a strong staff to run a successful newspaper. Meeting every week, writing articles, conducting interviews, taking pictures, and more, The Summit staff never rests, publishing three to four issues a year. While every member of the staff is a valuable asset, senior editors Ewa Pekala, Charlotte Curlin, Anika Thakkar, Kristen Farhat, Angelina Ochoa, Kate Farhat and Alyssa Testaverde devote themselves to making the school newspaper the best it can be. — By Kristen Farhat

Senior Avamichelina Hodgens starred in “Murder Mystery.”

Picture perfect Picture perfect

Winners of the Photography Club holiday contest

Photo by Daniela Dushynska

Photo by Daniela Dushynska

Photo by Marielle Cavendish

Photo by Julia Lalla

Photo by Daniela Dushynska

Photo by Ava Gumb