Volume 43, Issue IV

Vol. 43, I ssue I V

The Student Newspaper of St. Joseph's Prep

October 19th, 2017

NEWSI ES RUN SEL L S OUT December Performances Added

Members of the cast in rehearsal a few weeks ago. Story on Page 2.

Dr ive Collects 2500+ Paj amas

By M arcus M ur phy '20 In 2014, William Burrough ?19, known to many as Bubba, was told a story by his mother of a local organization that was out of boys? pajamas. They only had girls?pajamas left, so many children in need would have to sleep without the comfort and security that is offered by pajamas. The deficit of boys pajamas was due to the tendency of donors to donate girls? pajamas. After hearing this story, Bubba was inspired to start a pajama drive so that children could sleep in comfort, just as he did when he was a child.

Over 400 pairs of pajamas were donated to the Center of Family Services in 2014 during the first drive and Bubba?s success only continued. 650 pairs were donated in the annual fall drive of 2015, and in February of 2016, for the first time, the Prep participated in the drive and CBS3 produced a Brotherly Love

segment on it. At this point, the drive had collected a cumulative 1300 pajamas from its inception in 2014.

In March of 2016, Haddonfield Memorial HS collected pajamas at their musical ?The Pajama Game,? and the annual Boys? Pajama Drive at the Prep was officially established in October of last year. By the end of the fall, Bubba and the drive had collected a cumulative of 2000 pajamas. The drive continued to collect from Bubba?s church, his father?s work, and his extended friends and family members during the interval between the Prep drive and March of 2017, when Sterling High School FCCLA ran a drive.

Recently, the Prep held the annual drive for the 2017 school year, running from the end of September to early October. More than 450+ donations came in, which raised the cumulative to an

outstanding 2500 pajamas. As the year wraps up, more donations are likely to come in.

The drive is a result of the combined efforts of people donating, volunteering, and spreading the word of the drive. The donations are used to buy pajamas, the volunteer work makes the distribution much easier, and the spreading of the word gets people involved, which in turn collects even more pajamas.

The drive would not be possible without the continued support of the community, so all help is encouraged. No child should have to go to bed without the comfort of their own pajamas.

To help out with the local pajama drive, which will continue until Thanksgiving, contact William Burrough '19!

600 Families Welcomed

By Paul Stowell '18 Every year, countless hours go into preparing for our Open House, as we eagerly await a fresh year of prospective students and their families to walk through the Prep?s doors for the very first time. The Admissions Department masterminds the event by setting up an online registration form, estimating the number of walk- ins, assigning jobs to volunteer parents and each and every faculty member, and planning the entire day?s flow to allow families to efficiently navigate the Prep while gathering as much information as possible.

So, in short, to say that putting on this Open House every year is a huge project would be an understatement. But why do we put so much effort into this one day? Is it to simply make sure we fill another class of Prep students? Or is there possibly something more behind it?

If you ask any Prep student

whether or not they?re proud of their high school, more likely than not, the answer will be yes. Even in the midst of the constant stress, homework assignments, and tests, there is an undeniable sense of pride that is felt for our school, and this pride is exactly why we put so much effort into putting on our Open House. It is one chance a year to make people realize why the Prep is one-ofa- kind and why we are so lucky to go here.

This pride is centered around what truly differentiates us from other high schools: our Jesuit traditions. Personally, I love telling each family I meet about "cura personalis" and how I?m genuinely cared about by each teacher I?ve had and each faculty member I?ve met during my time at Prep. I love being able to say that each one of our teachers wants nothing more than for us to succeed,

(Continued on page 2)

2 | News

Newsies Run Sells Out (Cont.)

By Ronan Egan '18 For the Cape and Sword Drama Society, to be chosen as one of only four high schools in the entire country with the privilege to pilot Disney?s Newsies is an event worthy of extraordinary praise. They have now achieved yet another outstanding accomplishment: selling-out each one of their eight performances. And it only took them four days.

It is no secret that Cape and Sword is one of the most distinguished high school theatre programs not only in the Philadelphia area, but the country as a whole. Still, while expectations are always high for any production put on at the Prep, Director Tony Braithwaite ?89 could not be more proud of this accomplishment: ?No show in the Prep's distinguished history has ever sold out its run in four days. The only show that comes closest is 2011's The Producers ? which took several weeks to sell out eight performances, and then we added two more shows to make it the record holder.?

Even with a consistent level of Cape and Sword's extreme success, Braithwaite believes this show has what it takes to top them all. Although still in the early weeks of rehearsal for the show, he cannot help but notice the tremendous progress from the cast. The show itself, which takes place in New York at the very end of the 19th century, features loads of accents, songs, dances, and fights, all of which are difficult to perfect, but the Cape and Sword crew has stepped up to the plate. Braithwaite says: ?I have never seen a Prep cast learn so passionately and so quickly, and that is saying a lot.? And it really is saying a lot. In over twenty years as the director at the Prep, Braithwaite has put over forty

shows onto the stage. This fall 2017 musical, however, could potentially be his biggest hit yet.

The cast is led by senior captains Matt Phillips ?18 and Paul Koenig ?18, who are joined by James DiCocco ?18 as the leading role. All three of them are ecstatic at the chance to even see the school put on this production in the first place.

Discussions of Newsies were nothing but a fantasy at the start of their high school careers just four short years ago. At the time, Disney still withheld the rights to the show to high schools, since it had just left Broadway. Nobody involved in Cape and Sword expected this to happen. Now, in the rehearsal process, ?the thing we dreamed of as little freshman? has become reality, says Phillips.

Their luck began to change last year. Well, not really, but their persistence did. There was much confusion about the state of the play as it still had not been approved by Disney to go into high schools. The Prep seemingly did not care: Braithwaite urged Phillips and Koenig to write something to Disney during production of last year?s spring musical,The Music Man.Phillips elaborated: ?Originally, I thought of it as more of a fun project, but as time went on and we kept revising the letter, everything began to crystallize. I couldn't help but to picture myself on that stage, in those scenes, speaking those lines. Newsies felt real for me, and I would imagine many others, before it even became real.?

The dream remained a dream for a while. They knew it was a longshot, although it seemed almost destined to happen.

Braithwaite remained confident ? he just seemed to know that they would get it.

The cast of Newsies learning choreography for the opening number.

(Photo: St. Joe's Prep) Late in the summer, they finally did. The dream had finally become definite with the announcement that four schools in the country would be piloting the first ever Newsies high school performances. Naturally, the Prep was one of them. The cast was excited, yet nervous. A national spotlight shined upon them at this moment, raising the stakes to even greater heights. Braithwaite knows they can handle it, however: ?Perhaps because of the (healthy) pressure placed on us

by Disney, there's a great sense of excitement in the air. Disney gave us the challenge, and we're going to do everything we can to meet and exceed expectations.?

Braithwaite goes on to say that ?The Prep is about excellence. In academics, sure, but in Jesuit education we know that academics are just the tip of the iceberg. The greater goal at the Prep ? our Magis ? is the total formation of the young men placed in our charge. Students here grow through experiences ? in the classroom, sure, but also on the

field, the court, the river, the stage. My hope is that the actors and crew making Newsies happen will have an experience that will shape them for the rest of their lives.?

Obtaining the rights to this play was a show of excellence by the Prep; putting on a performance like those we have come to expect from them would be striving for the ?magis? Braithwaite always seeks.

Even with great expectations, it is clear that Cape and Sword is doing everything possible to put on their best possible performance. So, in all of their benevolence, they have scheduled three additional performances over the weekend of December 1st through 3rd. The shows will feature two nighttime productions with an additional Sunday matinee. Tickets for these new shows go on sale November 1st and will, hopefully, sell out as quickly as the last bunch. An eleven-show run would make it the most-performed Prep show ever, besting The Producers to take the trophy.

As time winds down until the long-awaited Newsies finally hits the Prep stage, those who worked hardest for it seem to be expressing the opposite emotions as their fans. While the followers of Cape and Sword anxiously await the release, the actors are cool and confident, but grateful. Phillips noted that he ?pinches himself every now and again,? adding that, ?about once every week, I stop for a moment and remind myself that this is actually happening, and that we're going to open our doors to eleven packed houses this November and December. For the class of 2018, especially, it is such a thrilling culmination of our work over the past four years.?

In just a few short weeks the Prep community will be exposed to one of its greatest achievements in the 166 year history of the school. The play will surely be fantastic, as has become expected and this point. Cape and Sword has wowed the Prep, no surprise.

This time, however, it?s before even setting foot on stage.

600 Families Welcomed for Open House (Cont.) especially considering that it's something that isn?t always the case at other high schools. I love being able to talk about how the Prep has taught me to strive for the Magis, to see God in all things, and to live life for and with the people around me. Ultimately, I love watching these prospective families begin to grasp how our Jesuit roots make the Prep the best possible place to spend your four years of high school.

A group of Open House visitors greeted by a gauntlet of students and alumni outside of the school. (Photo: St. Joe's Prep)

Additionally, it?s nearly impossible to be humble about the accomplishments of our sports teams and extracurriculars. How could you not want to tell people about our football team being ranked seventh in the country? How could you not want to tell people about our Cape and Sword Drama Society being selected as one

of four schools nationwide to put on a production of Newsies? The Prep is filled with talent, perfectionists, and high achievers, and being able to say that you?re a part of that is a privilege in itself.

Most importantly, my favorite part about Open House was being able to tell families that after my time here at the Prep, I don?t want to leave, which isn?t the case at most high schools. I was also able to tell families how going to the Prep has made finding a college even harder; the Prep has set such high standard for my education that now anything less than the Prep would be a let- down. This all goes together to show how much Prep student?s love their high school, how much they love their second home, how much

they love the Prep.

So, again, why do we put so much effort into putting on our Open House? We do it because this is our one chance a year to take advantage of our Prep pride, we do it because it is our one chance a year to have people understand what makes our high school so incredibly unique and special, and it?s our one chance a year to truly change someone?s life by convincing them to become a part of the Prep brotherhood that we love so much. The Open House is much more than a way to help fill another year?s class roster. It is a way to show people why we are so proud of our school and a way to, hopefully, convince people to come experience this immense sense of pride for themselves.

News | 3

Admitting a New College Counselor

By L iam Gr ugan '19 At a school branded ?The Prep,? a primary focus of many students is getting ready for college. Before the opportunity to test out this preparedness arises, however, one must get past the daunting task of college admissions. Set on facilitating this process, Mr. Aaron Jones joined the Prep Community as Director of College Counseling; his hope being to rely upon student feedback in trying to match applicants with appropriate schools.

He describes his own college search as extremely atypical: centered around his participation on the field. Mr. Jones, a two sport athlete, was gaining significant attention from big-name programs. It was seeming increasingly obvious that he was going to get a full-ride for his talents, until, in the third game of his senior year, he suffered an injury. After this, most of the bigger schools offering scholarships backed out, with the lucky exception of Villanova, Jones?s choice.

As he arrived at his new school, Mr. Jones faced the same indecision now presenting itself to plenty of recent alums; he had so many interests that he found it hard

to choose just one. He worked on a Computer Science Major for just one day, when he changed to a Communications Major. He would switch between a total of four majors; moving from Computer Science to Business to Communications, until he finished with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Human Services and a minor in Psychology and Sociology.

Obviously, he can sympathize with the hectic mind of a young adult.

except for subjective merit.

Therefore, students can work incredibly hard and reap incredible results, but many top colleges receive hundreds of applicants, each having succeeded at the highest possible level. So the question becomes: ?How does one stand out from a crowd of numerical clones?? Mr. Jones hopes to encourage students to break out of this cycle by showcasing their personal skills through service and activities, far away from Scantrons.

Through his career and personal experience, Mr. Jones has been able to name Honesty as the most important aspect of picking a realistic college. For example, many students figure they can pursue Pre-Law or Pre-Med, even though they have failed to take advantage of their school?s English and Science Departments. Even for students who check every single box, there exists a problem of simple numbers.

His mentioning parents? and peers? impact on college decisions was beyond promising. Mr. Jones seems to fully understand the common distraction of outside factors on a process that should be entirely about the student, regardless of whether or not the student feels pushed out of his comfort zone. When asked of the appropriate age for considering colleges, he has stated that simply to keep colleges in mind as a student strives for success can be healthy, but the trap of obsession can lead to issues down the road. The best path, he finds, is to begin to discern between potential choices, all the while starting to get to know oneself as a student.

The issue of the modern age of academics, to which Mr. Jones alluded, is that the students who succeed at the highest levels are frequently indistinguishable....from countless other numbers and scores. A ?smart student? is no longer classified at the High School Level by anything

There is no one set formula,

Sprechen Sie Deutsch?

Mr. Jones started at the Prep this past September.

(Photo: St. Joe's Prep) or ?golden pill,? as he said, with regards to forming a solid application, by means of standardized testing or GPA drama. What is universally important, however, is each student?s being independent, individual, and unapologetic about who he is and what he does. This has to be abundantly clear on an application. Mr. Jones finds that the specific activity or club may not be important, but its role in the

Bragging rights are surely on the line on around the ping-pong tables on the Mezzanine during Community Hour on Mondays. Anyone passing by could see the intense and heated games that the St. Joe?s Prep Ping-Pong Club partakes in once a week for 50 minutes.

By David M cCabe '19 At the beginning of this new school year, St. Joe?s Prep made another addition to its staff: Mrs. Aßmann (pronounced Aszmann). Mrs. Aßmann is the newest member of the Modern Language Department, teaching German II and IV. After the departure of Mrs. Watson, the Prep was left with only one German teacher, Mrs. Schlegel. So, to handle all four classes, Mrs. Bietz lent a helping hand and taught German II for that short amount of time while the Prep was going through the interview process with Mrs. Aßmann. Mrs. Bietz majored in German at Fairfield University and has stayed interested in the language since.

Mrs. Aßmann born and raised in Berlin, Germany. She

studied at the Beuth University of Applied Sciences Berlin and studied Architecture.She has had a career in teaching German and at the Technical University of Berlin as an associate lecturer about 10 years ago.

Jeff Russell ?20, a student in Aßmann?s German II class says, ?It?s so cool to experience a native speaker teach the language. I think Mrs. Aßmann is a great addition to the Prep community.?

Aßmann notes her first impressions of the Prep and how she first heard of it, ?The Prep is one of the best High Schools in Philadelphia. I met a lot of people while living here [in Bella Vista] who came to the Prep and speak still very highly of their experience. I am very impressed with the German program at the Prep. The German II class I teach is already very knowledgeable in German after being just one year in the program. Everybody has been very welcoming and tried to help me transitioning.?

Aßmann obviously has a passion for languages. In addition to English and German, she also speaks a little bit of Russian When asked about how she approaches teaching German, Aßmann says, ?I follow the communicative approach to language teaching.

The communicative approach is based on the idea that learning language successfully comes through having to communicate real meaning. So, I focus a lot on conversational communication among the students and me and I try to speak German as much as possible in the classroom.?

All number-crunching and competition aside, he stresses that in a technological world, no matter where one goes, he will have access to the same information as everybody else.

It is what he does with that information that proves whether or not he learned anything.

Ping-Pong Retur ns

By L iam Stephens '21

Aßmann outside of the modern language office. (Photo: David McCabe '19)

student?s development is integral to getting to know the student.

Though it may seem as the home of the fiercest competition around, the Ping-Pong Club is mostly used as a time to unwind. Roughly sixty percent of the students play or watch actual ping-pong, while the remaining forty percent go off and play antiquated arcade machines or pool with approximately eight balls. I participate in the Ping-Pong Club on Mondays, and it serves as a time to relax during a hectic day and talk with friends. The club?s location is also great: in the middle of my game, I might take a lap and be back in time to spike it.

It?s important to note, this is the return of the Ping-Pong Club. Its previous iteration was disbanded a few years back.

Very recently, the Prep acquired new ping-pong tables, balls, and paddles. On a

regular day, it is offered during Community Hour. That is a good chunk out of what is normally a day requiring much focus and attention. With the Ping-Pong Club, you may now have that time to relax and hang out with your friends, releasing some tension from the stress of school.

Ping-Pong is not the only game offered at the club. The hanging track also houses antique video games and pool, and the stress free environment provides a comfortable place to really do whatever you want.

Signing up for Ping-Pong Club leaves doors open to relaxed study time or simply playing other games on the Mezzanine.

The club is all about freedom and enjoying yourself. To enter the Ping-Pong Club, you definitely do not have to be a professional. Students still enjoy themselves, however, as the enjoy the simple act of trying something fun. Overall, the Ping-Pong Club has been reborn from a period of absence; this time, it seems to be for good. No experience is required to join; just come on Mondays to have fun, finish up some homework, or even attempt to beat the high-score in Pacman -- if that?s even possible.

NEXT M EETI NG: FRI DAY 10/20

4 | News

Prep Fund L ooks Towar d the Future

By Dylan Robak '18 One of the more undervalued aspects of our school is the Prep Fund and what it goes towards. Most students at the Prep often question the usefulness of the Prep Fund or simply do not know what it is. With its home in the development office and focus on alumni, it can get lost in the newsletter to many students.

Therefore, its importance and and value are often underestimated by the school community.

Mr. Dennis ?01, who has worked part-time with Cape and Sword at the Prep for four years and is now is the manager of the Prep Fund,

explained the importance of the Prep Fund, ?It all really goes back to the benefit of the students. Everyone who works with the Prep Fund is so dedicated to it because we have the goal of giving every student the opportunity to experience the Prep fully. I want every student at St. Joe?s Prep to enjoy their time here as much as I did.?

Mr. Dennis was able to participate in this past October Kairos and emphasized the fact that it made his job much more meaningful, as he knows better now the students and their financial struggles that he can help alleviate.

The fund is extremely

important to the students because it closes the gap of money between tuition and how much it costs to run the Prep in a fiscal school year (July 1 - June 30). Currently, the amount it takes to run the Prep for a fiscal year is about 20 million dollars while the amount of money from tuition and endowment is only about 18 million dollars. The job for development is to raise about 2 million dollars before July 1st so that bills can be payed for.

The 20 million dollars account for everything from paying faculty and staff to helping the extracurriculars thrive to paying the utility bills for heating and water. The fund is also about building a

stronger endowment so that the school does not have to rely on the Prep Fund to fill the gap every year. A stronger endowment would give the Prep Fund the ability to branch out and start making the school expand and grow as opposed to only sustaining the school at a minimum.

The Prep Fund?s main purpose is to aid students who cannot afford the Prep financially. Mr. Dennis stresses this point a lot to the students because 47% of Prep students receive financial aid. In addition to giving out about 4 million dollars in aid every year (either a merit-based or financial based scholarship), the fund also covers all

extracurriculars expenses, whether that's transportation for the athletes or new robots for the Robotics Club. A crucial part of what makes up the uniqueness and chemistry of the Prep is that 93% of students participate in some type of extra-curricular and they all enjoy being involved with the Prep.

The future for the Prep Fund is to build a larger endowment for the school so that eventually, the fund will be used to grow extracurriculars rather than just sustain them.

The Prep Fund is currently used to benefit today?s Prep while the endowment is for future of The Prep.

Dignified Alumnus I nspired to Retur n

By David M cCabe ?19 On Friday, October 6th, during the Community Hour, a former Prep student came back to speak to some of the juniors and seniors in science classes about his experience going through the Prep and how it led him to his current career as a biomedical engineer and materials scientist.

Dr. Jack Whalen PhD ?94 ?is an assistant professor of Ophthalmology at the USC Keck School of Medicine and the USC Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics. Dr. Whalen is a biomedical engineer and materials scientist whose research focuses on developing and leveraging next generation materials to treat medical conditions in ophthalmology and neurology.

In addition to academic research, Dr. Whalen is a cofounder and CEO of a small venture called Platinum Group Coatings (PGC). PGC produces high performance electrodes for implantable microelectronics for neurostimulation and neurosensing applica-

tions. In addition to these roles, Dr. Whalen serves as a consultant for the National Science Foundation?s Engineering Research Center program which builds collaborative programs between universities and industry to foster US innovation.

From 2006 to 2010, Dr. Whalen was one of the members of the management team of Aspire Bariatrics, a small company based in King of Prussia, that recently received FDA approval for its novel anti- obesity implant device.

Dr. Whalen received his BS in biomedical engineering, masters and PhD in materials science and engineering all from the Johns Hopkins University.?

Whalen spoke to all of the AP science classes - - Biology, Chemistry, and Physics - - as well as the Intro to Engineering class. What led to his interest in returning to speak was Ms. Brown. She says that ?he contacted me about a year ago and told me that his time at the Prep and my class were an important part of his decision to go into the field of science. He wanted to come back and

speak with students about the importance of science in the world today.?

Beginning his speech, Whalen went into his time at the Prep. He wrestled and did crew in his time here. Ms. Brown described him as ?a funny and outgoing kid. He could make everyone smile.?

Most notably, went off on a short tangent about how he did crew with Rob McElhenney, the creator and co- star of the TV show,It?s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Because of his small stature, ?we used to call him ?Squirrelly?,? said Whalen.

Then, Whalen showed a few of his more prominent research projects that he is working on right now. One of them being an antibacterial hydrogel that will more effectively seal any kind of trauma or injuries in the eyes.

David Haddad ?18, taking AP Chemistry this year, attended the talk. He says ?It was really interesting to learn about innovation in the medical field from the perspective

Dr. Whalen '94 talks about his career with students of the AP Sciences in the Rooney Room.

(Photo: St. Joe's Prep) of someone who had the same teachers as us and took the same classes. The different lab tests he showed us gave us real life applications for what we are learning in the classroom.?

The two messages that Whalen tried to convey some of the aspiring scientists in the room were simple: do not take for granted the things that you

learn here and remember the guys who you are friends with today because they will probably be your friends for life. It was his science classes at the Prep that influenced the career choices that Dr. Whalen made and he is still close with most of his Prep friends, some of them even helping him in his career.

Boar d of Tr ustees Continues to Better SJP

By Joe Scott '19 Many of the large decisions made at St. Joe?s Prep can be traced back to the Board of Trustees. This Board, made up of 20 men and women who love and have dedicated countless hours and dollars to the Prep. But it remains unsought out to know these trustees and how exactly they benefit the school.

Mrs. Tara McFadden, the Secretary to the Board of Trustees was able to shed some light on how exactly how the Board works and what they work towards. Mrs. McFadden, who essentially works as the liaison between the Board and the school itself, assists the Board of Trustees in

disseminating information to the school, scheduling meetings and keeping notes and records of every meeting.

As she put it, ?Father Swope, as the President, reports directly to the entire Board itself. I, the Secretary to the Board report to its Chair.?

The Board of 20 people, for whom the chair is Mr. James Mergiotti ?72, and the vice chair is Ms. M Shawn Bort, is divided into committees with the focuses of Community Life, Educational Affairs, Finance Audit and Investments, Governance, Institutional Advancement, and Mission and Identity. The Chair of each committee also form an additional Executive Committee.

The tasks under each committee are fairly self explanatory. The Community Life Committee handles many of the decisions regarding extracurriculars and events that the Prep hosts. Educational Affairs make decisions regarding things such as curriculum changes.

The Finance Audit and Investments Committee specializes in approving the budget that is annually proposed by the Finance department.

Governance, among other things, takes the lead on approving vetting new members of the Board or, for instance, when there was a search for a new President, eventually leading to the addition of Fr. Swope.

These committees also work together as an entire Board for many large scale important initiatives, such as the Strategic Plan, which as Mrs. McFadden described it, ?will handle the next five years of the school?s running. What do we want to accomplish? Who do we want to be? Thought it is very broad, many things such as the schedule can be a part of that.?

These people that have the future of the Prep in their hands are vetted extensively before gaining a seat on the Board. The process begins when the Governance Committee expresses need for a person with a certain expertise, such as finance, law, or mission. Then a person

expresses interest and a love for the Prep. They are vetted, and then eventually they are granted a seat.

These seats are used for good at the Prep. They are used to create opportunities through which the SJP experience of a student is made or enhanced.

These strong supporters of the school are the reason that this school runs as efficiently and successfully as it does. The Board of Trustees are the ultimate say for the leadership of the school. They live, breathe and bleed St. Joe?s Prep, which shows through their continuous dedication and hard work to truly make this school everything it has the potential to be.

Features | 5

I mprov Club Promotes Creativity

By Jack Thorell '19 Whether you?re a seasoned stage veteran or newcomer to the arts, the Cape and Sword Improv Club offers an opportunity to perform, think on your feet, and laugh. Each week they orchestrate a series of games in which students work together to create scenes on the spot. Co-Moderator of the club, Brendan McHale ?14, describes the goal of the club as, ?for students to gain a fundamental understanding of improvisational theatre. We express the importance of teamwork when on stage and always saying yes to your scene partner.?

A good mantra for any St. Joe?s Prep activity, the improv club, through a series of group exercises, fosters collaboration among Prep brothers, a necessary skill for students both inside and outside the classroom. One such team building game is Dr. Know-it-all. ?In Dr. Know-it-all, four students act as the ?doctor.?They stand in a line while a moderator interviews them. But we interview them based on a topic that the audience gives.

So if someone shouts out

?pizza? then Dr. Know-it-all (the four students on stage) is an expert on pizza. We ask him questions about it and each student contributes one word to the answer. It?s fun because you have to play off the word the person gave before you so you never know what you?re going to get,? explains Brendan. Dr. Know-it-all is just one example of how members of the improv club work together to create a coherent scene or thought.

McHale hopes that the club members become more comfortable on stage performing and working together and have fun doing it.

The students are sure to, as McHale hopes, improve upon their craft under the guidance of himself and co-moderator Connor Feeney ?12. Feeney did improv all through college and knows a lot about the technique of the craft. He worked in the light booth for the Cape and Sword shows while McHale performed on the stage, and the two became close during their shared time as students. McHale couldn't fully participate in the improv club as a student, because the shows kept him busy, which is why he?s so excited to have a

I mprov Club meets every Tuesday after school in 108 and is always welcoming to newcomers and beginners.

(Photo: St. Joe's Prep) chance to moderate the club and help teach an art form he?s always loved. Both of the moderators?passion for improv is apparent, according to Jeffrey Russell ?20. ?This year we play much more thought-based games than last year. Connor and Brendan definitely make us think a lot more about the specifics of being a great performer.?

As the club is all about learning and practicing improv skills, it?s a welcome environment for any theatre novices. ?Improv club at The Prep is amazing not just because we have tons of fun every week, but also because it's a great way for people to get involved with Cape and Sword,? says Russell. ?Everyone at the improv

meetings has such a strong bond of friendship.? The improv club is a friendly, creative atmosphere for students to strengthen their performing skills, learning from and playing off each other, and is open for any who wants to participate. With McHale and Feeney leading it, this year is sure to be an exciting one for Prep improv.

Prep Republicans Fight Political Apathy

By M arco Sammar tino ?18 Political discussion is one of the cornerstones of a healthy democracy. It should also be an integral facet of our school community.

One of the chief goals of the Prep Republicans is to provide a platform that allows this discussion. Similarly, they try to avoid too much personal bias.

President of the club Thomas Dintino ?19 states that, ?The hardest aspect is avoiding having my personal views misconstrued for those of the club, as no single view on an issue can summarize the views of our ideologically diverse crowd.?

An important aspect of the club is its diverse political ideology. Dintino explains, ?No single view on an issue can summarize the views of our ideologically diverse crowd.? He goes on to say that, ?The agendas are not concrete and conversation flows freely from topic to topic, sometimes even straying from national politics to personal, unique political experiences. I also enjoy how attendees are of all political ideologies, either there to affirm their current beliefs or explore new ones.?

So, Prep Republicans isn?t an exclusive club limited to only those who share one set of beliefs. And it isn?t too different from the Prep Democrats either.

Like the Prep Democrats, the Prep Republicans seek to fight political apathy. Ensuring that as many students as possible are allowed to express their views is a principle that motivates the club. ?I support the Prep Democrats, as I believe both they and the Prep Republicans are fighting against high school political apathy,? Dintino states.

Andrew Gallagher ?18 believes that, ?I think just as we have a club for Republicans it is great there is another club with Democrats. We don't ostracize them because in the big picture it doesn't really matter as we are all Americans.?

The mutual respect is encouraging, especially in a time of political turmoil in the United States. Due to the heated political climate in the country, club leaders have to be careful not to step over certain boundaries. ?Being a leader in a political centered club can certainly be

tedious especially since I can be judged for everything that comes from my mouth ? I understand things can get very heated when politics come up but I do like to express my views,? says Gallagher.

ARTI STS NEEDED

However, the goal of the club is to provide a space for students to feel comfortable expressing themselves. ?So far, there hasn't been any trouble, since we are in our own environment and can speak for ourselves,? Gallagher explains.

Are you interested in dr awing for the Hawkeye? Contact David M cCabe '19, M arco Sammar tino '18, or M att Phillips '18 about submitting car toons, comic str ips, photos, or ar twor k of any kind.

Prep Republicans isn't a place for a group of one ideology to share their common beliefs. It is a place where members of all ideologies can be welcomed and challenged to explore new beliefs, possibilities, and opportunities.

Seeing the increased participation and eagerness of students to get involved in political discussion, the Prep Republicans look to be in safe hands for some time. The plethora of topics to discuss will only increase as the political atmosphere in America continues to transform. And hopefully, political apathy, both at the Prep and the country, will continue to decline.

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prep reps

6 | Features

Getting to K now M r. Simon, M ission & M inistr y ASC Q: How much did you participate in Mission & Ministry during your years as a student?

A: As a student, I participated in many of Mission & Ministry?s offerings. I attended most of the retreats that were offered and even participated in Daily Service as well as a Summer Service Trip to the Dominican Republic. ............

Q: What inspired you to come back and join The Prep?s Mission & Ministry team?

Mr. Simon '13, bottom right, pictured with the student leaders of Kairos 157.

(Photo: St. Joe's Prep)

By L ucas Wallick '19

Q: What?s your hometown?

Q: In what year did you graduate from The Prep?

A: I am from a town called Medford in South Jersey. It was about a 50 minute drive to school everyday.

A: I graduated from The Prep in 2013.

..............

.............

A: The service trip to the Dominican Republic was a big inspiration for me and is a major part of why I am back at The Prep serving within the Office of Mission & Ministry.

It opened my eyes to the importance of service and challenged my faith in a way that allowed me to grow my relationship with God in order to deepen my relationships with those I am serving. I wanted to come back to The Prep with the hope of facilitating a similar experience for the current students. However, I don?t want to replicate my experience in them. I simply want to play a role in potentially providing students the opportunity to have an experience which challenges them to think deeper about their role in the

world and how their faith plays a part in that role.

Q: Has The Prep changed, either academically or religiously, since you graduated in 2013?

A: Absolutely! The most obvious change is the schedule. I love how students have a period dedicated to building community. From my perspective, I am able to see students perform community service together at the Gesu School and St. Malachy?s School during this time.

Q: How did the first Kairos retreat go?

A: Awesome! Absolutely incredible. I am so proud of all the students who decided to attend Kairos 157. I am excited to see how the rest of the retreats go. Juniors, sign up!

Q: Are there any tips of advice for juniors who will go on Kairos?

A: Be open. Be honest. Be yourself. Those are the only tips you need before Kairos.

It?s not an exam; it?s simply a way to connect with yourself, your classmates, and your religion.

A: I think I?m a little biased, but I am a huge advocate for The Prep?s Service projects because I have truly been shaped by them. They played a pivotal role in forming the person I am today and, quite frankly, why I am back at The Prep in the capacity that I am.

Mission & Ministry does a great job in providing an impactful experience for both The Prep?s students and the people who our students are serving.

Q: Has The Prep?s Jesuit mission stuck with you since you graduated?

A: ?The mission of Saint Joseph?s Prep as a Catholic, Jesuit, urban, college preparatory school is to develop the minds, hearts, souls, and characters of young men in their pursuit of becoming men for and with others.?Mission accomplished. I can say that The Prep?s Jesuit education has developed every part of me. It allowed me to experience new things, reflect on them, evaluate them, and then proceed to act accordingly based on my new knowledge. I believe The Prep?s Jesuit- based mission is what differentiates Prep men from the rest of the pack.

Q: What are your thoughts on The Prep?s service projects?

Talking with M r s. Hoffman: Code War s

By Nick Paler mo '18 Q: What are ?Code Wars??

A: As the students? coding skills develop, it's fun to facilitate ?Code Wars,? where a mathematical or logic based problem is proposed, and the first student to successfully code a solution wins. Sometimes this is done on the chalkboard with the class cheering on a select few, other times this is done class wide on the computers. The winner usually receives bonus points. Prep students love healthy competition, so it's a great way to have fun while also improving their programming skills.

Q: Is it more exciting to watch when students are competing on a chalkboard or computer?

A: When it's just a few students on the chalkboard writing code it's definitely more intense, because they each represent a team. The other team members watch, cheer them on, and also try to find flaws in the opposing teams? programs.

When the competition is a close race, the students get very excitable. The class wide competition on the computers may not be as exciting, but has a great deal of value, since all students are individually engaged in solving the problem quickly.

Q: How commonplace will programming be in the next 25 years?

A: There are statistics that say within the next twenty years 40% of current jobs will be replaced by STEM positions, most of them programming jobs. In 2016, there were over 600,000 high- paying tech jobs in the U.S. that were unfilled.

Understanding at least the fundamentals of code will undoubtedly be beneficial, and in many cases, required.

Q: What's the benefit of learning how to code for someone who doesn?t want to be involved in computer science?

A: In most fields the largest growing division is the tech sector. Business owners must have a well thought out technological footprint for both tangible and intangible benefits. Tech law is growing at a rapid pace. Robotics in medicine and agriculture is a trending field. Many engineers find themselves working for tech companies because of high demand and attractive job offers, even if it wasn't their original post collegiate intent.

encouraged.

Q: Should The Prep do more to emphasize the importance of computer science? Do you think it will one day be required?

A: I think The Prep could advertise more ways to learn about computer science, and give yourself an edge for college. Students can take Introduction to Programming, AP Computer Science Principles(intermediate level), or AP Computer Science (advanced level). They can get involved in robotics, which is very flex-

ible scheduling wise, or Computer Science Club. Students can also sign up for a code competitions in the Philadelphia area. In January there is a national competition at University of Penn, in March a competition at Widener University, and in April a local competition at Lockheed Martin. You don't have to be an expert to attend any of these events. They are invaluable learning and networking opportunities, and the types of experiences that make your transcript stand out.

Q: Do you think it will one day be required at The Prep?

A: I know students value having choice and exploring different fields, so I can't say that it would be required. I do, however, believe that getting at least the fundamentals of programming is helpful to all students and all majors. Programming teaches you how to break down large problems into an organized, logical solution. It can be highly creative and/or highly technical, which can appeal to different learning styles as well.

Q: Do you think US public high schools will require programming in the near future?

A: Both President Obama?s and President Trump?s administrations have had initiatives to dramatically increase funding for computer science education. If it doesn't end up being a requirement in the near future it will most certainly be more emphasized and

Mrs. Hoffman overseeing a Code War between AP Computer Science students Connor Bansky '18, left, and Colin Sergi '18, right.

(Photo: Mrs. Hoffman)

Features | 7

Stock M ar ket Club Rallies to All-Time High

By M att M ar hefka '19 What was a non-existent club two years ago is now a competitive activity that has started turning heads. The Stock Market Club, re- established by presidents Andrew Koh ?19 and Sean Convery ?19 last year, got off to a decent start, but now the club is starting to pique the interests of the whole student body.

Last year, the club would organize meetings that would take place after school. There were 40 students registered as members, mostly composed of the sophomore class that came to support Sean and Andrew's ambitions. The low meeting attendance last year, due primarily to competing with after school sports, had been an overall risk to the club?s future.

Now with the community period, plus a redrawn meeting plan to entice members, the club is now bolstering a staggering 80 students per meeting.

When asked about how the schedule has affected the club, Convery confirmed how, ?Many students told me they were interested [last year], but they played a sport and couldn?t make any meetings.

So I think I have to thank the new schedule for the club?s growth.?

Due to the revised schedule, the club now meets Wednesdays and Thursdays. The increase in participation has led to a total of 29 groups, most consisting of 4 students per team while there are some brave souls who take on the challenge by themselves.

An interactive decision among the club members has concluded that this semester, each group would start with 20,000 dollars to invest. Each group has an account where they invest into stocks that mimic the real world through a stock market simulator called, How the Market Works .The investments of each group are secretly classified so other club members do not steal anybody?s thunder.

mester. Coming in second is the team led by Conor McCabe ?21 and his partners, Gabe Shoup ?19, Aidan Harvey ?19, and Christian Giuliani ?19.

Twenty four teams have only gained or loss around 3% since the teams were established a couple weeks ago.

Once the standings have been viewed, a discussion aboutwhythe club invested their money the way they did takes place. Sean says, ?This is arguably the most important

part of the club. The club?s purpose isn?t to see who can guess which stock will go up the most. We are trying to explain the importance of research? ? Although the club is competitive, groups try to exchange their strategies with one another in order to benefit the success of the club, while keeping specifics about where their money lies, a secret. In a sense, this is the magic formula that keeps the meetings interesting and fresh on a weekly

basis for everyone involved.

The community period has reassured the beliefs that this club is a desired activity at the Prep. The competition for the first place prize is also what makes this club so unique compared to other activities at school. In the end, students are now more committed into doing their research, especially now that with the new schedule?s community period, and meetings are more frequent and more accessible.

During the 50 minute window of community period, meetings always start with a competitive view of the standings. Currently, Sean Convery, along with members Matt Marhefka ?19 and Jay Hurst ?19, lead the standings with an 11% gain to start off this se-

A concept logo design for the Stock Market Club. (Photo: Matt Marhefka '19)

Featured Ar tist of the Week: Riley Her r iman '18 Riley Her r iman is a well-known photogr apher at the Prep, with lots of his content posted online and on his I nstagr am @her r imanphotos. This photo is from L ake L ouise, Banff National Par k in Alber ta, Canada. Her r iman says, " I t is a panor ama of 32 photos amounting to a 3.4 GB photo. I t took a lot of effor t to stitch it together. I got to this location via a six mile hike."

8 | Features

Connecting with Our Neighbor hood: A Halloween Favor ite

By Car l Whittington '19 Available from September 22 through November 11, the Eastern State Penitentiary offers its skin- crawling haunted house, "Terror Behind the Walls." Opened on October 25, 1829, the Penitentiary was home for scores of famous criminals, such as Al Capone and Willie Sutton. Since 1994, when the prison was declared a historical landmark, tours of the prison have been available year round, where you can go view the cells of famous criminals, learn about the prison life, and discuss the prison?s history of solitary confinement.

You learn about the major escape made in 1945 by twelve inmates who dug a 97- foot tunnel, and the yard games inmates created to pass time during the day.

The historical significance of Eastern State Penitentiary is celebrated year round, but during the fall Halloween season, the Penitentiary ups the ante.

Acclaimed across the world, this terrifying tour has been said to be one of the scariest haunted houses not only on the east coast, but in the country.

The use of the Penitentiary as a

Some of the actors inside Eastern State Penitentiary. (Photo: The Odyssey Online) haunted house began in the early 1990?s, and has ever since been a sensation.

This house of horrors isn?t free, but the prices vary and a deal is easy to find. Ticketing is set up in five different set prices, which change according to the day of the week. Prices range from $25 to $50, and

$19 to $45 if you buy your ticket online prior to arriving.

Fellow Prepper, Tyriq JonesGarland ?19, had this to say: ?[Terror Behind the Walls] was a chilling experience, very frightening. If you are in Philly during the Halloween season, you can?t miss it.? He went on to say, ?I would not

recommend it for the squeamish.? He then explained the way the haunted house is set up. ?The Penitentiary is basically set up as six separate mazes. Each maze creepier than the previous one. You are followed by actors dressed in scary costumes, as you pass there are actors in cages, even sometimes grabbing you and

separating you from the group!? The haunted house allows the option to wear a glowing ring or necklace, signaling that you are okay with being grabbed and separated from your group. ?Overall it was a great experience, and I plan on attending this year,? he finished.

M ission Cor ner : L ong L ive the Prep Brother hood ally missed you. But we know you were and are here at the Prep and how much you loved your Prep brothers and this school. Pray for us and know we pray for you and live on in Patrice, Michael, Kristen and Stephen. Love, '72 - your brothers, Go Prep!? This note is evidence of the Prep Brotherhood and the unbreakable ties that this place creates.

These members of the Class of ?72 will never forget their Prep brother. His dedication to the Prep Mission and love for the Prep has made the school a better place and has strengthened the bonds between his fellow Prep brothers.

The note left by members of the class of 1972 dedicated to George Schoener '72, transcribed in the article. (Photo: St. Joe's Prep)

By Paul K oenig '18 On Saturday, September 30th, the Prep hosted an Alumni Reunion for all SJP Alums from the classes of ?72, ?77, ?82, ?87, ?92, ?97, ?02, ?07, and ?12. The night went very well. Alumni from a wide variety of years attended and many old friends and classmates were catching up on old times. The alumni began walking around the school, observing new renovations, looking at their old classrooms, and reminiscing about their time at Mother Prep. Then, two amazing events transpired that epitomized the Prep Mission and the Prep Brotherhood.

The first took place on the 3rd floor J- Hall study area.

Many of us may not know this, but that study lounge is actually named, ?The Schoener Study Area.? It is named after Prep alum, George Schoener ?72. Schoener unfortunately passed away several years ago.

He was the poster-child for the Prep Mission. He thoroughly believed in it and lived it out with vigor. SJPrepFacebook made a post regarding the note and the plaque. The post elicited several comments, one coming from Prep Alum, Matt McDonnell. McDonnell wrote saying: ?I still remember Mr. Schoener coming to the court-

house to see the mock trial team compete, leaving the hospital even though he couldn't really speak from how sick he was. That's how much he cared about the guys on the team, most of us he had only just met months before. Truly a great man.?

Members from the Class of ?72 who attended the reunion remembered the same love and ?man- for- otherness? in their friend as well. As they were walking around the Prep that night, they stopped by the Schoener study area and left a note for their late Prep Brother taped to his plaque: ?George: We missed you tonight...we re-

That same night, another fantastic feat of ?Prepness? took place. This one occurred in Room 103. Mr. Kevin Ryan '08, a Development Officer here at the Prep, was making his rounds throughout the halls of the Prep, alerting the alums that the building was closing.

As he was walking down the first floor hallway, he noticed a group of alums in Room 103 writing on the board. The alums were from the Class of ?97. Mr. Ryan asked the men to wrap up and leave the room since the building was closing.

But, they asked Mr. Ryan to give them just one more minute to finish what they were writing. Mr. Ryan looked at the board and decided that this message deserved an extra minute. The men had written in huge lettering: ?Long Live Vince Taggart. - Class of ?97?

Vince Taggart was a beloved

Jesuit at the Prep. The Taggart Cultural Series is named after Fr. Taggart. Mr. Ryan described Fr. Taggart as ?a combination between Mr. Raffa and Mr. Connors, truly a beloved figure.? Unfortunately, Fr. Taggart passed away during the senior year of the Class of ?97. A funeral was held in the Gesu and the senior class processed with the casket throughout the Gesu and the school itself. In the foyer, members of the Class of ?97 could be seen huddled together linked arm and arm, sobbing as they stared at an image of their beloved deceased teacher. This is another epic man whose dedication to the Prep Mission fortified the friendship and brotherhood between a group of Preppers. Fr. Taggart?s devotion and abounding love and generosity resonated in these men and brought them closer together as brothers.

These two occurrences are simply and utterly awesome.

They are the moments that make St. Joe?s Prep a place to call home. The alums described above will never forget the legacy of love, generosity, and dedication left behind by men such as Mr. George Schoener ?72 and Fr. Vince Taggart. Those two men lived out the Prep Mission to its fullest and in turn, Prep brothers were brought closer together. Moments like these are what makes St. Joe?s Prep, THE Prep. Long live the Prep Mission and Long Live the Prep...Brotherhood.

Sports | 9

Hawks Flying Through Catholic L eague Play

By John L euzzi '19 After starting their season against three highly talented and ranked high school football teams (Tampa Jesuit, St. Peter?s Prep and Archbishop Wood), the St. Joe?s Prep Hawks headed into the heart of their season playing against Catholic League opponents.

The first game up for the Hawks after winning the Catholic League Opener 27-7 vs Archbishop Wood, the Hawks headed on the road up to Radnor, PA to take on Archbishop Carroll. The first half of the game between the Patriots did not look like typical St. Joe?s Prep Football.

The game was very compelling in the first half, with both teams having to punt numerous times. The Hawks went into the locker room with a 10-0 lead, but they were not done there. Within a ten minute span in the third quarter, running back Marques Mason ?19 and quarterback Marquez McCray ?18 both added their names to the box score with a rushing touchdown of less than ten yards. The Hawks were back on their opponents 40-yard line. As CJ Duell ?20 took the snap, he was immediately pressured off the edge. Instead of stepping up in the pocket, he elected to go backward to avoid numerous tackles again.

He finally stepped up into the pocket and found slot wide receiver James Cherry ?18 wide open running across the middle of the field. Duell connected on the pass, and it gave both him and Cherry their first touchdowns of the season.

This explosive Hawks attack was prevalent throughout the entire matchup, on both sides of the ball. The Hawks defense was amazing as they have been throughout the entire season.

The defense put their stamp on the evening when the Hawks forced another punting situation for Archbishop Carroll. Wide receiver and

captain Brandon Sanders ?18 was able to break through the punt protection team, and get both of his hands on the punt to send it back into Patriot territory. Cooper Kim ?19 led the team with five tackles, including his first career varsity sack. Kim?s sack was one of six for the Hawks on the Patriot?s quarterback Kamal Gray. Cherry, the Hawks? offensive MVP, made his presence felt in his return from an ankle injury, totaling four receptions for 61 yards, including the 40-yard touchdown reception. The Hawks walked away with the 38-6 victory in their first Philadelphia Catholic League road game.

After a well deserved bye week the Hawks returned to the field to take on city rivals Roman Catholic. It did not take long for SJP to get on the board. James Cherry started the second drive of the Hawks with a punt return of 25 yards putting the Hawks offense in great field position placing them on the Roman 31 yard line. Quarterback Marquez McCray ?18 handed the ball off to RB Kolbe Burrell who with the opening his offensive lineman Casey Stephenson ?20 made for him and with the blocking down the field by WR Anthony Rightley ?20, Burrell was able to run it all the way down the sideline into the endzone and give the Hawks an early 7-0 lead against the Cahillites. RB Marques Mason took the handoff from McCray and moved through the entire Roman defense to run it into the endzone for a 41 yard rushing touchdown and to bring the Hawks up to 14-0.

After another three and out for Roman, Cherry was ready for his third punt return of the game but this one was a little more special than the others.

He caught the ball at the Hawks 48 yard line and made some juke moves through

some Roman players to run all the way into the endzone for a punt return Touchdown.

Cherry?s touchdown increased the Hawks lead of the Cahillites to 21-0. With just a little over 2 minutes in the 1st Quarter, McCray saw the pressure coming on him from the Roman defense and went to the opposite side of the field and held on the ball to run it all the way in for a touchdown from the Hawks 47 yard line as McCray increased the Hawks lead to 28-0. Leading 28-0 and a punt coming up from Roman, DL Rayshad Wallace ?18 was able to get around the coverage team for Roman and get a hand on the punt to block the punt and recover the ball for another Hawks TD and to increase the Hawks lead to 35-0.

After another miscommunication play for Roman, S Jake Goss ?18 was able to recover the fumble for the Hawks and put the offense in great field position. CJ Duell was up at quarterback and he picked up right where he left off two weeks ago vs Carroll.

He was able to find WR Brandon Sanders ?18 in the end zone for a 32 yd TD reception and to increase the Hawks lead to 42-0. The Hawks would head into halftime with a huge lead over In the second half, the Hawks had one QB sneak for 11 yards

by Duell as their only score, making the final 49-0. The defense for the Hawks was extraordinary once again. The key player of the defense was junior DB Nick Rios who had 2 interceptions and a sack during the game.

After an impressive 49-0 win against Roman the week before, it was time for the Hawks to take on the Crusaders of Father Judge in the ?Great Northeast." It did not take long for the Hawks to get on the board. After a block from Cooper Kim ?19 and the offensive line, Marques Mason was able to get through the

Marques Mason '19 runs for a touchdown against Roman Catholic. (Photo: Marques Mason) defensive line of Judge and run it into the endzone for an early Hawks touchdown. On drive #1, the Hawks defense picked up where they left off last week. S Dejuan Dandridge ?18 was able to read the pass from Judge QB Shane Dooley and put a hand on the ball to tip the throw from Dooley right into the hands of CB Michael Alexander ?19, who brought it to the house. Cherry was able to return the next Judge punt all the way to the Judge 1 yard line and put the offense in great field position. Kolbe Burrell took the handoff from McCray and waltzed into the endzone for a 1-yard rushing TD to increase the Hawks lead to 21-0 in the first quarter.

Burrell was not done scoring as he was able to run the ball in for another 1 yard touchdown on the day and for the Hawks 4th touchdown on the day to increase their lead over Judge to 28-0. After a poor decision on a punt return, Dooley took the snap, but fumbled it, and Rayshad Wallace was the one who fell on it. McCray connected with WR Jack Sutton ?19 for a couple screen passes to bring the ball all the way down to the 10 yard line.

McCray handed the ball to Noble House ?21 who took an unorthodox route but House was able to take it to the house

for his first varsity touchdown and increase the Hawks lead over Judge to 35-0 all in the first half. Just before the 2 minute warning LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr ?21 was able to strip the ball from Dooley and recover the ball for the Hawks, but no score came of it. At the beginning of the 2nd half it was time for the entire Prep JV team to come into the game and show what they can do.

LB Nick Bikah saw Dooley?s pass coming at him and he was able to put those freshman baseball skills together and intercept Dooley and return the pick for a Pick 6 and for his first varsity interception and touchdown. Bikah increased the Hawks lead to 42-7 over Judge. After Bikah?s Pick 6, the scoring was over for the game and St. Joe?s Prep improved to 6-0.

The next game for the Hawks will be this Friday, October 20th, as the Hawks take on La Salle at 8 pm at Widener University. You can tune into WSJP to hear all the action of the game between the Hawks and the Explorers by going to www.blogtalkradio.com/wsjp.

You can also stay up to date with the latest score updates and stats by following @SJPrep_Sports on Twitter.

Prep Rugby Hopes for State Championship

By James Brenner '18 After the last 15s season ended in a disappointing early exit for the boys, all the returning players immediately turned their attention to the upcoming fall 7s season.

Rugby 7s, a new Olympic sport, is a dynamic combination of toughness, speed and strategy. As Coach Tom Dugan says, ?If you have a couple of good athletes with skill, speed and endurance, you'll fare well in 7's Rugby.?

Coach Dugan highlighted seniors Brendan Heffernan, Colby Clayton, Chris Lamplugh, Jack Perretta, and Alex Smith as examples of this, also highlighting the

experience these players bring to the team.

For those not familiar with the sport of Rugby, the main goal is to advance the ball and touch it down in the try zone for a ?try.? Coach Dugan explains, ?While it may look like football without pads, it's actually more like soccer but you can run with the ball.?

The team has played in three tournaments so far this year, resulting in third, second and first place finishes. Coach Kevin Tkachuk, who played 12 years professionally worldwide, has liked what he has seen from the team this year, saying, ?The players have continued working very hard in

training and have continue to develop and improve immensely in the first half of the season.? If you don?t believe him, you can catch Coach T and the team in the weight room at 6:30 Tuesday and Thursday morning or after school at Chamounix field in Fairmount Park.

Senior captain Alex Smith is very optimistic about the remainder of the season: ?Our team this year is stocked full of talent and athleticism and hopes on making a run at the state tournament.?

In their most recent tournament, the team dominated, only giving up a total of 12 points over four

games. In pool play, they took down Downingtown High School and Blackthorn, not allowing either team a single try. Things got tougher in the winners? round-robin pool, however. In the first game against Cumberland Valley, the team jumped ahead early but CV fought back. Sam Bennetta ?19 scored a crucial try late in the second half to secure a 21-12 victory. The last game of the day for the team was a defensive struggle against Hempfield. The teams were deadlocked at 0-0 for the first half, but tries by Frank Villanueva ?18 and Lorenzo Recchilungo ?19 were good enough to secure a 14-0 win and a tournament victory.

The team?s biggest challenge this season comes in the form of Bishop Shanahan. All three of the team?s losses this year have come at the hands of the Eagles. On the bright side, the team has improved in every game against Shanahan this season and will look to finally turn the tables before the State Championship.

The Hawks will play at the La Salle Tournament on Sunday October 22, and then will return to La Salle the following weekend for the State Championship tournament on Sunday October 29, where the team will look to win their first 7s state championship since 2013.

10 | Sports

Avington: Prep Soccer Progr am Redefined

By Dan Avington ?18 This season, the Prep Soccer team has certainly had its ups and downs. There have been a couple tough losses and some unfortunate ties, but there have also been some fantastic wins.

The biggest wins of the season, in my opinion, both came last week against the Bears of Delran High School and the Lions of Cardinal O?Hara. In fact, Prep principal John Petruzzelli referred to the win over Delran as ?program-defining.?

While some may consider this to be an exaggeration, I think that this statement is completely true. The past couple of games have shown the student body that the soccer team is capable of great teams, and I believe that translates to a shift in the direction of the program.

Coming in ranked number four in the state of New Jersey, the Delran High School Bears were bound to be an incredibly tough contest for the Hawks.

On Senior Night, the Proccer squad gutted it out against the Bears, using physical defense and smart offensive tactics to take down one of the best squads in the Northeast region.

Joe Tobia ?18 scored the lone goal for the Hawks, after Pat McHale ?18 received a pass from the midfield and made stellar moves down the field.

McHale then put the through pass right on the foot of Tobia, who was able to break out a juke and put the ball in the back of the net. Some other players who looked rather impressive against Delran were CM Riley Herriman ?18, whose long throw-ins, physical play, and powerful kicks kept the offense moving and the ball out of the defensive zone, CB Trey Fruncillo ?18, who used his bigger frame to keep the Bears at bay and, at one point, caused a Delran player to get so heated over his physical play that he retaliated and drew a yellow card, and RCB Christian Doyle ?20, who made some rather intelligent plays to keep the Bears attack out of the

box as often as possible and muscled his way to forcing a couple of turnovers. Some other players who looked incredibly strong in that game were strikers Pat McHale (C), Isaiah Ritchie ?18, and Joe Tobia, left midfielder Liam Broderick ?18, center defensive midfielder Colin Marshall ?18 (C), right midfielder Kane Ritchie ?20 left center back Thomas Magiera ?20, and goalkeeper Chris Ix ?18 (C).

The previous night against the Lions of Cardinal O?Hara, the Hawks played a strong 90 minutes, but still ended up with a 0-0 game, so the match headed into overtime. In that overtime, Colin Marshall ?18 put a header right into the top corner to put the Hawks over the top in the matchup. Assists on that goal came from Broderick and Pat Diviny ?19, who has been one of the most consistent players for the Hawks all season. Evan Filak ?19 totaled 82 minutes in that matchup, which is shocking considering his time on the field is spent all over the place, constantly getting touches on the ball and hounding the opposition. Aidan ONeill ?20, the team leader in assists, also played rather well in the past

couple games, as has been the story through most of the season.

In my opinion, these two games were program-defining and, this season, the team has set a new precedent for all of the future Prep Soccer teams.

Under the leadership of coach Joe Coyle, the team has become a much more involved, much more popular sport here at the Prep. Since there have been three games at Temple University?s field, three games broadcast by WSJP, and all other home games have been moved to the Dairy Fields, the team certainly seems to be on the rise as one of the Prep?s premier sports.

But, the one issue about the soccer program is the fact that they do not have a real team facility like the football team has. The switch to the Dairy Fields and games at Temple have been phenomenal improvements over previous years. But, the team should have its own facility near the school where they can practice and have games. A partnership with Temple would allow for easy access for the team and would mean more students attending the games, more

WSJP broadcasts of the games, and a nicer location to host their matches. The team needs to have a permanent solution, rather than hosting some at Temple and some at the Dairy Fields.

These wins against Delran and O?Hara aren?t the final games for the Prep, though, as they head into playoffs in the upcoming weeks. Defeating the #4 team in the state of New Jersey, one of the nation?s best soccer states, shows how impressive this team can be when at full strength. While La Salle will definitely be a tough matchup, the Prep Soccer team has a legitimate chance of making it all the way in the Catholic League playoffs this season. WSJP plans to have any playoff games on their channel: www.blogtalkradio.com/wsjp, but the Proccer team can use all the support possible at their games so stay tuned to these four Twitter accounts (@SJPREP, @SJPrep_Sports, @sjpsoccer, @SJPBroadcasting) for further updates regarding the upcoming matches. The first game is against Ryan on October 20th at Temple University.

Student-Athlete of the Week: M iles Green '18

By Simon Williams '18 With a calm demeanor, Miles Green ?18 is consistently in the zone.

There is no wavering in concentration or effort.

Once the gun goes off, so does he, often sprinting his way to the podium as a medal winner. The national attention is rightfully earned, as the Roxborough native was named to the New Balance All-American roster for the second consecutive year in the 400 meter hurdles.

Locally, the senior has been just as impactful as he has been on the national stage. In both the 300 and 400 meter hurdles, Green took home All-State honors.

Green was a part of a Prep quartet with Bobby Dupell ?18, Stephen McClellan ?17, and Calvin White ?18 that posted a 3:18.11 time at the Penn Relays, breaking a 26-year-long record and stealing the show at Franklin Field in the process.

With eyes on the next level, Green announced on October 1 that he has

trimmed his college recruitment list to eight schools: Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Michigan, Mississippi State, and Virginia Tech over the likes of Georgia, Louisiana State, Florida, and others. Out of the eight schools on his list remaining, six have claimed spots in the national rankings thus far: two schools from three conferences (Southeastern, Big 10, and Atlantic Coast).

The SEC?s Mississippi State Bulldogs and Kentucky Wildcats and hold the 26, and 59 spots, respectively, with the #33 Fighting Illini and #41 U of M Wolverines represent the Big 10. The #32 and #51 positions are held by the ACC?s Virginia Tech Hokies and UNC Tar Heels.

Green joins a growing list of members of the class of 2018 who are set to play intercollegiate athletics next year, and without a doubt whatever school can snag this kid will have a stud on the roster and a well-rounded student in the classroom.

Track and field captain Miles Green '18, who has shortened his college options to eight schools, including Kentucky and Ole Miss. (Photo: Philadelphia Tribune)

M eet the Captains: Br adley Cobaugh '18

By Dan Avington ?18 Senior outside linebacker Bradley Cobaugh ?18 is entering his fourth season as a St. Joe?s Prep football player with a brand new mindset. Last season, Cobaugh was a new starter at outside linebacker on a veteran team, with seniors defensive tackle Jake Ballard, defensive end Chris Lowndes, middle linebacker James Johnson, and cornerbacks Richard Carr and Ricky Goodson providing the example for the juniors to follow. But this season, as one of the team?s eight captains and a returning starter, Brad has stepped into a leadership role on the team. When I asked him what it?s been like stepping up into a leadership position on such a powerful defense, he said, ?As an older guy it?s important for me and the other seniors to make sure the younger guys play and practice to our standard.

Moving into a leadership role should feel natural for any senior. Especially those who played junior year. That?s exactly the case for me. It hasn?t felt like anything too crazy. Being a leader this year is simply one of my responsibilities.?

As

mentioned

in

the

previous paragraph, Cobaugh was named one of the 8 captains for the 2017 season.

When asked what it means to be a captain, he answered, ?Being a captain has been a great experience. Being one of the guys that people look up to is a huge responsibility but I think the other captains and I have done a great job so far,? and I believe many would agree with his claim.

Brad also stated that his season goals are to finish this year even stronger than last year, which he thinks is certainly possible if the team continues to learn from their mistakes and improve every single week. The game he?s most looking forward to is definitely the matchup against La Salle, because, ?The rivalry is such a great tradition. It?s always electric at the La Salle game. Two great programs.

Thousands of people. I can?t wait to play in that game.?

When asked about whether he?s been approached by colleges about playing football next season, he responded, ?As far as college goes, I haven?t done much thinking about it yet. I?m just focusing on the upcoming game for every week. I trust I?ll end up exactly where I belong. The more important thing is that we?re in

season and we have a lot of more games to win.?

The final question that I asked Cobaugh was what it meant to him to have the jersey of Ryan Gillyard on the sideline with the team during each and every game and in the captain?s ceremony specifically. His response to this question was a phenomenal one: ?Losing Ryan freshman year was absolutely devastating to everyone. Bringing Ryan?s jersey out with us before every game is very comforting. The feeling I get holding Ryan?s jersey with the other captains is nothing short of divine motivation. We loved Ryan so much and we play every game for him. That?s only right.

We?re blessed to see more opportunities to play the game that he loved most. We keep him alive through the way we play every day.?

So, even though Cobaugh takes on a lot of responsibility this season as a senior and returning starter, he certainly has not let the pressure get to his head. Last season?s leading tackler has played fantastically throughout the season, and it doesn?t look like that?s changing anytime soon.

Senior outside linebacker Bradley Cobaugh '18 is one of 8 captains of the Prep football team this season.

(Photo: Prep Football)

M eet the Captains: Colin M ar shall '18

By Reza Ali '20 St. Joe?s Prep knocks off nationally ranked program!

We?re used to hearing this when it comes to football, but this time it wasn?t. On October 11th, under the lights at Temple and on Senior Night, Prep Soccer defeated the Delran Bears, who are ranked #3 in New Jersey and have defeated nationally ranked programs this season. It was a huge statement win, as PCL playoffs are coming up.

Center defensive midfielder and senior captain Colin Marshall has been a huge part of the Hawks success this year.

I was able to catch up with him and ask a couple of questions.

First, we talked about how he felt the season had gone so far.

Marshall said, ?We started off slow and had the hardest part of our schedule in the first half of the season, but we have closed the season strong which gives us a great place in the standings heading into playoffs.? Afterwards, we talked about the great result versus Delran.

Marshall responded, ?The Delran game is no doubt a season changer. I think the team's morale is high which is ideal heading into the playoffs.? Finally, we talked

about new head coach, Mr. Joe Coyle. According to Marshall, ?He is doing phenomenal as the head coach. I mean there isn't really a way to put it into words. The passion he comes to practice with is inspiring and I can see the program being very successful because of Coach Coyle.?

Prep Soccer is going into the PCL playoffs as the #4 seed, and have gained home field advantage. Marshall has done a great job leading a young team, starting four sophomores. The back three consists of Thomas Magiera ?20, Christian Doyle ?20, and Trey Fruncillo ?18.

Magiera and Doyle were center midfielders on the Freshman team last year and Fruncillo was the JV goalie. Marshall plays defensive midfield, right in front of these three guys, and his leadership on and off the field is shown in the consistency and chemistry of our defense.

Recently, Coach Coyle has had team members tape their wrists, and write 10/28, the day of the PCL Championship. I wouldn?t be surprised to see Marshall and the rest of the squad there.

Senior captain Colin Marshall '18 after a header against Penn Charter. (Photos: St. Joe's Prep)

12 | Sports

M eet the Captains: Dawson DeI uliis '18

By Dan Avington ?18

supposed to look like.?

Yardley native Dawson DeIuliis ?18 has been a staple of the Prep defense for both of the past two seasons. The 5?10?, 195 pound strong safety has been terrorizing Catholic League opponents for two years now, and his success has not gone unnoticed. This season, as a returning 2nd-Team All-Catholic, DeIuliis was selected as one of the eight captains for the Prep program, alongside Ryan Bryce, Bradley Cobaugh, Nick DiPrinzio, Ryan Gillyard, Marquez McCray, Phil O?Connor, and Brandon Sanders.

The next question I posed to DeIuliis was wondering which of the remaining games he?s most looking forward to. His answer was, ?Every game this year is equally important, and looking forward to getting as many chances as possible to play with the guys on the team,? which is a very smart way to approach the season. I then asked what his goals are for the team this season, and he responded that they had to get better each and every day in order to be playing in December.

When asked what it?s like to be chosen as a captain and to assume a position of leadership on a squad that has so many talented defensive stars, he responded, ?It's a great honor to be selected as a captain, especially by your teammates.

It's a great challenge to step up and embrace the new role. We had such great leaders last year, and it's great to have such a strong example of what it's

Another question I posed to him was wondering what Ryan?s jersey remaining on the sideline means to him specifically, and he responded, ?Having Ryan's jersey with us on the sideline means a lot. It's great to be able to honor him and all that he means to us. We really try to keep him a part of our team in any way possible.?

The final question that I asked Dawson was about his commitment to Princeton

University, which he announced early on in the summer. I asked what made them stand out and why he had decided to commit so early in the process, and he said, ?Princeton was such a great choice for me because of its excellence as an academic institution while still playing a high level of football. Also having Jake Strain, and James and Tom Johnson already playing there helps a lot.?

Despite being a returning starter and returning member of the 2nd-Team All-Catholic, DeIuliis does not feel as if he has massive pressure added to his shoulders. He sees his selection as captain as a challenge to step up, and he wants to use the example of last year?s seniors to guide him. The Princeton-bound strong safety has been a key piece of this Prep defense for two seasons to come and, behind him, the Hawks could make it all the way to Hersheypark Stadium in December.

Prep Bowling Star ts Up Promising Season

By Thomas Avington ?20 As all St. Joe?s Prep students know, Prep Bowling is an important topic of discussion in the halls. The Bowling team is coached by science teacher Mrs. Kristin Ashcom. The team is coming off their worst season in the history of the Prep Bowling program, and is looking to bounce back from a rough 2016-2017 season.

I talked to Mrs. Ashcom about the experience and the key bowlers for the team and she responded, ?The team has not had bowlers who have bowled in Saturday morning leagues in several years now.

Each new bowler who joins the team is starting from scratch and building their bowling skills. We have three returning bowlers: captain Chip

Gallagher ?18, Victor Liu ?20 and sophomore Luke Vacha.

At our first informational meeting 5 new bowlers, a collective of freshmen and sophomores, showed interest in joining the team. The bowler to watch this year is sophomore Victor Liu.?

I spoke with the Prep Bowling savior, Victor Liu, about his personal goals and team goals. He told me, ?Personally, I want to get more strikes and increase my game average. For the team, we all want to win more games.?

Mrs. Ashcom agrees with Victor on his goals, as she explained, ?Joining the team last year as a freshmen without prior competitive bowling experience, Victor impressed the Philadelphia Catholic

League by increasing his average 32 pins by the end of the season. Victor bowled the highest individual single game score and the highest individual 3 game series score, 223 and 587 respectively, beating out last year's senior captain Tommy White, who was voted All-Catholic. This year I predict Victor will lead the team in scoring and average.?

Even if the team struggles this year, they only need one win to see improvement from their abysmal 2016-2017 campaign. The Prep Bowling team is certainly on the rise this upcoming season, with Victor Liu spearheading the squad under the direction of Mrs. Kristin Ashcom.

Bowling captain Chip Gallagher '18 bowling in a match last season.

(Photo: St. Joe's Prep)

Princeton-bound strong safety Dawson DeI uliis '18 is one of the football team's eight captains this season. (Photo: Prep Football)

Prep Frosh Headed to Augusta

By Nick M atter a '19 Jack Farkas is a freshman on the Junior Varsity Golf team and is ready to represent the Prep in April 2018 while competing the United States Golf Association's Drive Chip and Putt National Championship.

These finals take place at the most prestigious course in the country, Augusta National. The finals will be broadcasted nationally during the week of the biggest PGA tournament of the year, The Masters.

The goal of Drive, Chip and Putt is to accumulate the most points throughout three rounds.

For the driving portion you get three drives and have to keep them in a 40 yard wide fairway. You get 1 point for every 10 yards. For the chipping, you get three chips, all from the same spot and you get more points for getting closer to the hole. Finally, for the putting you get a putt from 6ft, 15ft and 30ft and the points work the same for chipping, the closer to the hole the more points you get.

Jack made the national finals after winning tournaments on the local, sub-regional, and regional levels. The Regional Finals were at Pinehurst Resort and Spa, the home of the 2014 U.S. Open. Jack told me he made a 30ft putt to move onto the finals, but without making that putt he would not be going to Augusta in April. I asked him what he thought his chances were to win and he said, ?I feel that I have a good chance to win because I have been practicing a lot, working hard and getting help from my coach, John Dunigan. It will be a great experience seeing all of the golf professionals and watching the greatest players to play the game, come together to play in a historical tournament. I am also excited to maybe meet my idol Rickie Fowler.?

Jack is the future of the Prep?s golf team and we all look forward to seeing how his talents will play out on national TV this April at one of the most prestigious golf courses in the entire nation.

(Photo: drivechipandputt.com)

Entertainment | 13

Tr ying Something New: The Good Place

By Jake Feeher y '18 As shows begin to return for the fall, old seasons pop up every other day on Netflix. I normally just ignore them on the way to Fraiser or The Office, but Kristen Bell?s new show The Good Place caught my attention. The strange premise of an imperfect character in a perfect afterlife sparked my interest, and the slow-burn mystery managed to keep it for the entire season.

The Good Place blends comedic timing and dramatic tension in a way that almost forces you to say, ?Just one more episode? .

We are introduced to the show the same way Eleanor Shellstrop, our protagonist, is, with a reassuring message of ?Welcome!

Everything is Fine.? Eleanor is welcomed into the ?neighborhood? by Michael, the architect of this version of ?The Good Place?, a paradise where every want is a call away. He commends Eleanor for her amazing humanitarian work on earth, saying that she earned enough karmic points to escape the torturous ?Bad Place?. There?s only one problem Eleanor and her newfound soulmate Chidi must confront: she was a terrible person! She must find a way to hide her deceit from Michael and the rest of the residents including the perfect Tahani and the silent monk

Kristen Bell and Ted Danson star in this recent release. (Photo: Spoiler TV) Jianyu. Things in ?The Good Place? start to go haywire, and Eleanor has to avoid suspicion until she can get things under control.

The show?s writing and strong cast carry the show, along with the underlying mystery of the afterlife. Veterans like Kristen Bell and Cheers?s Ted Danson work well with newcomers like Jameela Jamil and William Jackson Harper. Harper?s Chibi serves as a perfect foil for

Bell?s self-serving Eleanor, and Danson?s performance balances ominous and aloof, feeding into the idea of a omnipotent but well-meaning being. The amount of visual jokes and call- backs create more than enough reason for a rewatch, and the world the creators build is fleshed out and interesting. The one weakness of the show is that the overarching plotline moves forward most at the beginning and end of an episode, forcing the comedic strength to carry a

large chunk of the episode.

Don?t get me wrong, however: it does this on every occasion without tiring the audience, and I never felt bored.

RATI NG: 8/10

The Good Place is a well developed comedy with a great plot, cast, and writing. While pacing may occasionally be off, I was hooked from start to finish. I can?t wait to see how the writers chose to follow up this season, and I hope they can keep it as fresh as Season one.

Despite pacing issues, The Good Place delivers a rather strong comedy-mystery hybrid that has appeal for everyone.

Haddad: Settling the Bur r ito Score

By David Haddad '18 This week, I decided to settle the long lasting debate over two top- ranked Mexican fast food restaurants: Chipotle and Qdoba. It is important to note that prior to this experience, I had eaten at both places and had both great and subpar experiences. If you are a regular at either place, you know that sometimes the guacamole is not fresh, or the chips are stale, or your burrito is not properly rolled; however, when dining at a chain restaurant, inconsistency is an unfortunate truth.

So this time around, I went to both places and tried the same thing to be as fair as possible: a burrito with half chicken, half steak, rice, black beans, lettuce, cheese, corn, salsa, and of course, the controversial queso.

Before I even placed my order at Chipotle, I was skeptical of the queso. I had heard many mixed reviews about it, but nonetheless, I added it to my order. I sat down to eat and was impressed with both the quality and the quantity of my food ? the burrito tasted great

and was so packed that it was barely closing. Per the usual, the ingredients were fresh and the chicken and steak were cooked perfectly. Now, although it was a great meal, I did not find the queso to be particularly tasty. My usual order (without queso) would have been the better option.

At Qdoba, I placed the same order, but was very happy to find that the queso and guacamole were both free of charge with the order. This was definitely a nice surprise and an added bonus, as both are extra charges at Chipotle.

Upon sitting down to eat, I immediately noticed that the size of the burrito was smaller than my order from Chipotle. I found that the Chipotle burrito definitely tasted better, yet the queso itself was better at Qdoba. Overall, I would say that even though queso and guacamole are both free at Qdoba, the difference in the amount of food you get, and the better taste, cancels it out.

If you are a fan of queso and it is a make or break in your dining experience, I would recommend Qdoba because Chipotle?s queso is nothing special; otherwise I would recommend Chipotle.

Another added bonus to din-

The ultimate victor? Chipotle, unless queso is your end-all, be-all. (Photo: WBNS Ohio) ing at Chipotle is the secret menu, which can be ordered from when the restaurant is not too busy. Basically, Chipotle's secret menu consists of anything you want that they can make with the products they have available. The most popular items are quesadilla, the quesarito, and nachos. Two of these items are self explanatory, but the quesarito is rather unique. It?s basically a combination of a quesadilla and a burrito. Instead of a burrito?s classic wheat tortilla, the tortilla is actually a quesadilla.

The normal ingredients of a burrito are inside of this quesadilla shell. Because it is a rare occurrence that a Chipotle is not busy, I have only ever had this once, and it was nothing short of delicious. It was an amazing combination, but extremely filling, so if you are not starving, it might not be worth it. I do, however, rec-

ommend that you try at some point.

To recap my experience, I would say that if you are looking for a great burrito and are not interested in queso, go with Chipotle as you will get a large quantity of high quality food for a good price. If you are an avid queso lover, Qdoba is the right place for you, as their queso is better quality and just tastes better. But, don?t forget about the secret menu from Chipotle; if you are lucky enough to successfully order from it, you are surely in for an experience.

Both restaurants have location very close to Prep ?

Chipotle with a location on Temple's campus, and Qdoba with both a location in University City and on Broad Street, just a four- minute drive from the Prep.

14 | Entertainment

Book Review: The Stand by Stephen K ing Rating: 9/10

By Chr is Strohman '19 In what many call his magnum opus, Stephen King?s The Stand has everything that one could ask for in a book. Action, tension, romance, and a classic tale of good versus evil only scratch the surface of all the complexities in the story about the raging disease that brings about an end to humanity. Clocking in at around 1,200 pages, The Stand can be a bit intimidating but once you are about 50 pages in, you?ll wish the book was even longer.

King uses his typical tactic of establishing the various characters early in the novel so that the reader actually cares when the conflict finally rolls around. The first 300 to 400 pages are entirely dedicated to familiarizing the reader with each character's life. From the washed- up singer Larry to the acne ridden teenager Harold, King creates relatable characters that the reader can?t help but empathize with. By the time the climax arrives (which may take a while), each character is a completely different person. You almost forget that you are reading a work of fiction and not the biographies of

various people living in a disease ridden America. In the hands of a less talented writer, The Stand would bore its reader to death due to to its length, but King excels in pacing the arc of each character.

Speaking of pacing, King splits the book into three portions entitled ?Captain Trips?, ?On the Border?, and ?The Stand,? respectively. Each section is so unique from the others yet they still feel deeply connected. It?s almost as if King wrote a trilogy and ultimately decided to combine all three novels into one. This three act structure serves the story extremely well as it allows for the complex tale of the line between good and evil.

Every hint that King plants throughout the novel is played out at some point. This may seem like a small detail, but when you have been reading the book for weeks, it is satisfying to have references to past characters or themes. Nothing in The Stand is superfluous.

Any and every word, sentence or chapter that King writes serves to either further the plot or develop the characters more fully.

One criticism of The Stand, however, is its lackluster ending. Most of the novel overtly hints at a coming battle between good and evil, but, in the end, a deus ex machina comes to the rescue. Yet, the actual ending doesn?t really matter.

The act of conjuring up a grand finale in your mind before you reach this point is what makes The Stand so compelling. Asking yourself countless times, ?How will it end?? pushes you past the underperforming finale. It wraps you into its world and doesn?t let you go for even a second.

Plus, with almost 1,000 pages of sustained tension and build, no matter the ending, it probably would not be satisfying.

King is not afraid to take risk in The Stand either. I won?t spoil any particular scenes, but King makes himself clear: there are consequences for the characters? actions. Except for the ending, there are no cheap solutions to the problems that would arise in a disease- stricken, empty America.

The true driving force behind the entire novel is the evil force lurking in the West, the demon waiting to prey on those who oppose him. In Randall Flagg, King has created an enduring foe that manages to scare the reader but also manages to charm them.

Without an imposing villain like Flagg, the novel would suffer greatly.

In The Stand, King has created a masterpiece that has stood the test of time.

Hopefully, everyone can find the time to read this destined classic as it truly is a master creation from a master writer.

The cover of King's 1978 post-apocalyptic horror-fantasy novel. (Photo: Wikipedia)

" Blade Runner 2049" I nches Past Or iginal every image on the screen pop.

He paints a setting that is breathtaking, creating a new atmosphere within each scene.

This movie displays a great visual director and cinematographer, both of whom display their talents creating a totally new sci-fi movie experience.

Ryan Gosling stars in "Blade Runner 2049" as Officer K. (Photo: Entertainment Tonight)

By Anthony M cTighe '18 Almost 35 years later, the long awaited sequel to the classic sci-fi hit "Blade Runner" is in theaters. The Denis Villeneuve directed film continues the story of replicants and blade runners.

This motion picture is taking place thirty years after the original events, skipping to the year 2049. The plot follows Officer K, as he searches to find answers in an investigation that turns into a personal goal (or perhaps vendetta) This journey reveals the successful sequel of "Blade Runner 2049" through visual effects, an interesting storyline, and good acting, with minimal

downsides, such as its pace and supporting cast dilemmas.

Among this movie?s strong points are the visual effects, which are top notch in this film. A science fiction movie usually has some sort of cool graphics, and as in the original Blade Runner film, the sequel has phenomenal action shots.

This was also boosted by the combination of director and cinematographer. Villeneuve is known for visually stunning movies such as "Enemy" and the Academy Award Nominated "Arrival". The cinematographer is a key factor behind the beauty of this movie.

Cinematographer Roger Deakins also makes

In the last issue of The Hawkeye, my review for "Kingsman: The Golden Circle" spoke about how the villain did nothing. "Blade Runner 2049" is very similar, but slightly different. If the villain is taken away from "Kingsman", there is nothing, whereas, if the villain is taken away from "Blade Runner", there are some concepts left.

The villain, Niander Wallace, portrayed by Jared Leto, is the owner and head of the Wallace Corporation. Wallace was built up to be a major villain in the trailers, but after seeing the movie, it seemed that he was there just to explain the reason for the recreation of replicants.

It did not seem to be a good guy versus bad guy storyline, but rather seemed to follow Ryan Gosling?s character. This is not meant to put Wallace down, I just feel that he was

never intended to be a huge part. The story is not about sticking it to the man, but rather connecting it with the previous "Blade Runner", and getting personal with K. In addition, another upside in the film are its actors and actresses. A cast of this caliber exudes great acting, from Gosling?s stoic performance as K to Harrison Ford?s surprisingly funny return as Deckard.

The supporting characters also display many pleasing performances. Each supporting role from Robin Wright to Sylvia Hoeks is entertaining on screen. The acting is definitely solid.

On the other hand, the film had some downfalls. I was not a huge fan of the original "Blade Runner", as it was never a movie that swept me off my feet, mainly because of its slow pace. The sequel is very much the same. The story is slow moving; it takes a long time getting from place to place. The movie has a runtime of about two and a half hours, which feels a lot longer with sluggish entertainment.

Additionally, the supporting cast did not seem to be used to

the fullest advantage. A movie of this length should be able to squeeze in many characters.

However, as soon as the supporting actors were shown on screen, they seemed to have quickly vanished, never to be seen again. Actors such as Dave Bautista, Jared Leto, Lennie James, and Carla Juri are just a few with interesting roles cut short. I had high expectations and was super excited to see these incredible actors work together, but after seeing the film, I came out upset that there was barely any interaction between most of them. While there was a great supporting cast that performed well, they were just not given the time to really demonstrate their skill and range.

Overall, "Blade Runner 2049" was a satisfying movie, and I would say it?s better than the original. It focuses less on the replicant versus humans, and more on the continuation of the last film and Gosling?s K. The visually stunning effects, intriguing storyline, and solid acting, make it is easy to say that "Blade Runner 2049" was a great movie. Just not a perfect one.

Entertainment | 15

M usical M usings: I n Rainbows by Radiohead

By Sebastian Por reca '18 Growing up in a very musically- oriented household, Radiohead was always one of those bands I heard again and again. I always heard how good the 1990?s- early 2000?s British alternative rock band was, and knew their most popular song (?Creep?), but I never really sat down and listened to any of their music.

Especially in the last couple of years, it seems like I see them everywhere, from the cheesy Barnes and Noble's vinyl section to numerous music publications, so I finally decided to take the opportunity to listen to them. That opportunity came this week when I was looking for a older throwback album to review, and saw that October 10th was the ten-year anniversary of the release of Radiohead?s sixth full length album, In Rainbows, which was, from what I heard, one of their better albums. I was skeptical going in, not knowing what to expect, but I have to say, I was really pleasantly surprised by this album.

The first thing that really struck me about In Rainbows was the sheer energy of the album. The first two songs, ?15 Step? and ?Bodysnatchers?,

are extremely energetic and eclectic in all the right ways, and it sets a great tone for the rest of the album that keeps it afloat through the more mellow songs. In addition to the energy of the album, it is also, at points, very noisy. This functions in a great way, adding a really enjoyable atmospheric and dreamy effect to some of the songs, such as in the song ?All I Need?. That is not to say, however, that the whole album is this noisy jumble of instruments and vocals.

The majority of the album is actually really chill and mellow, and songs such as ?Weird Fishes/Arpeggi? and ?Faust Arp? are really amazing examples of how the album does some great stuff on the mellowed- out, dreamier side.

The instrumentals across the album are also very interesting and wide ranging as well, with an impressive array of instruments being deployed. The vocals are no exception to this either, and while they are good across the album, they head in some really weird places and across a huge vocal range.

All together, In Rainbows culminates to be a really interesting and well- done album, and something I really en-

Radiohead performing in October of 2012. (Photo: Fuse.tv) joyed. The one critique I would add is that at some points it gets a little weird in terms of sporadic vocals and instrumentals, and a couple of songs seem to drone on a bit longer than expected. But, even with all this being said, I hardly noticed the few flaws of the album. I found

that overall it was a very interesting album, and a good number of the songs on it were downright beautiful, with all the best factors of the album combining to create something amazing. Even on a more baseline level than that, I found it was a great way to break into

Radiohead, and even as a good way to break into the whole 90?s alternative rock movement, something that, much like Radiohead, I am very aware of but never listen to. To sum up, In Rainbows is a really great piece of alt- rock and a great piece of music.

JACOB'SDECLASSIFIEDPREPSURVIVALGUIDE OCTOBER- - 2017

By Jacob DeAnnuntis '19 Any bur ning questions?

Anything you need answered, but you don?t know who or where to ask? Questions you?re too afr aid to ask upperclassman? Fear not, and ask me! Feel free to email me with any questions, concer ns, or problems, which will be featured in the St. Joe?s Prep School Sur vival....Guide.

--Congratulations to all of you freshmen on completing your first month of school! Now that you have some of the basics down, here are some more tips in order to make the most of your time at the Prep:

1. You?ve now experienced your first nights of homework, studying, quizzes, and tests, you now have a taste of the Prep. I would suggest getting used to it, because, well, that?s the Prep for you. If you didn?t perform as well you hoped on your first test or quizzes, don?t get discouraged. It is a long school year, and one test won?t

kill your grade by the end of the year. It?s going to take a little more time and effort than you originally thought, but keep working hard. Don?t let one bad grade start a bad trend, you have to keep studying in order build a solid foundation for your first quarter grade.

2. I?m sure many of you have made it to a football game by now, so here?s a few things to keep in mind. Every chant is only said THREE times. Not four. Don?t be that kid who says it a fourth time. A good rule of thumb is say the chant one less time than you think, cause chances are, that?s the last one. Make sure to listen to the announcements and dress according to the theme, whether it?s a white out or black out. For example, for tomorrow's game, Prep vs.

LaSalle, student council is encouraging students to wear their best "groufit." Also, don?t stand in the first row unless you?re a senior. Rule for kickoffs: everybody sits, puts their arms around the guys on either side of them, sway side to side, and stand up once the ball?s been kicked.

3. I think the new schedule is fantastic. You freshman should all be grateful, because if it wasn?t for this, you guys would have no free periods.

Take advantage of them, and also the community period. A lot of work can be accomplished in these free times as opposed to at home.

Use this new period to get ahead on your work. But don?t always just take study hall every day. This community time opens up a lot of opportunity to join a new a club or try something else, especially for those of you who play sports. Don?t take it for granted.

4. Sleep is essential. Getting a goodnight?s rest is vital in order to perform your best in the classroom and on the field or the court. Unfortunately, us Prep students rarely have the opportunity to benefit from this sufficient sleep. My advice is to catch some z?s whenever you can. Whether it?s on the bus in the morning or on the way home, the train, or while you?re being driven, this sleep will no doubt make you feel

better throughout your day.

Also, there?s really no reason to stay up past 1 AM on school nights, even if you want to post a cool Snapchat story about how hard the Prep is. Finding time for schoolwork isn?t as hard as seems, especially with new schedule, free periods, and community time. In my last issue I recommended doing something other than academics to end the night, but I do not recommend laying on your phone for hours in bed, or binge watching Netflix. I find I wake up much more refreshed if I don?t use my phone right before bed. Pro tip for all bus riders: Grab a three-seater on the bus, lay down (with your legs stretched out across the adjacent seat if possible), and wrap the seat belt around you, to prevent a rude awakening or possible injury due to unexpected stops.

5. For some of you, you?re used to having lockers, as you?ve had them throughout middle school. For others, it?s clear you have never used a locker before. Going to your locker during your free periods

is a solid strategy, collecting the books necessary for your classes until your next free.

With the new ?soft start? (whatever that means), it is important to get to class as fast as possible, so stopping at your locker between classes may be a little tough. Although it is required by the school, many kids still do not lock their lockers. Believe it or not, some kids in this Jesuit Institution, men for and with others, will not hesitate to steal. Yes, apparently even Prep kids steal textbooks. Lock that baby up. I recommend leaving your sport jacket in your locker after school, in order to reduce the need for transport back and forth, but make sure it?s locked away.

6. In the St. Joe?s Prep School Survival Guide, we are introducing a new weekly bonus tip, provided by the beloved staff of St. Joe?s Prep.

This week?s tip comes from everybody?s favorite physical science teachers, Doctor Campbell: ?Turn in all your work, and definitely review your notes every night.?

16 | Opinion-Debate I t's college season indeed. Two Prep senior s, four-year veter ans of this r igorous cur r iculum, debate: should their GPA have been weighted? Should Prep policy be changed to weight GPAs in the future?

YES:

By M arco Sammar tino ?18 As a senior in the middle of the college process, I have scrutinized over every conceivable detail about myself.

Of course, my grade point average (GPA) is one of the most crucial aspects of my transcript.

Over a year ago, the Prep changed its grading scale, and for the better. The adjustment made it easier for students to get the grades they deserved, and subsequently, the GPA?s that they deserved as well.

However, there is one thing that still hasn?t changed.

GPA?s at the Prep are still unweighted. Here?s why this is a problem.

NO:

By Riley Her r iman '18 It seems students have always been concerned with their grade point averages, or simply GPA. I find that many of us at the Prep are worried to an unhealthy extent about GPAs. For some reason, it seems to students that a number between zero and four is a be all, end all. Our lives seem to depend on it.

There have always been murmurs of thoughts to change our GPA scale to a weighted scale. This means that an honors or AP class would be calculated as worth more points.

Students at the Prep love to challenge themselves. Whether this means taking harder classes or trying new activities, we are always pushing the boundaries of what we think that we are capable of. However, we also expect a reward for working hard.

Weighting GPA?s would be an appropriate reward for taking more difficult challenges.

I personally have been discouraged from taking more rigorous courses due to the fact that there is no real benefit to it. Going into my sophomore year, for instance, I dropped 3 or 4 honors courses because it simply wasn?t worth the hassle.

Why take Honors Latin and get a C when I could take regular Latin and get an A? As a senior, I regret taking In a sense, an average AP student would have the same as a excellent on-level student.

I understand that a weighted GPA is almost always a higher numerical value the unweighted GPA. That, however, is not necessarily a good thing.

I have heard people argue that ?The Prep would be so much easier if we weighed the GPAs.? I have qualms with this statement.

First, being an institution that claims to provide ?a rigorous, traditional academic program,? why should we strive to make the curriculum seemingly easier. As Mr. Coyle says, ?Easy doesn?t teach us anything.?

some of the courses that I did, simply because I received worse grades in those advanced classes. ?If I had just taken the regular level courses,? I think to myself, ?then my GPA would be much higher.?

David Sakowski ?18 says, ?I was originally afraid to take higher level classes as a freshman and sophomore.? He goes on to claim that, ?I believe weighting GPA?s is a great motivator for students, myself included, as it gives students more opportunities to learn from mistakes."

Matt Brennen ?18 adds that, ?Many students tend to avoid taking honors or AP classes in order to increase their GPA?s.

With a weighted GPA scale, students would be motivated

Secondly, the weight of our GPA does not make the curriculum easier. Just because you could have a 4.0 with a C+ in an AP math, that does not mean the math will get easier.

It does not mean you are doing better in your math class. The last thing we need is to change a GPA scale that inspires motivation to one that celebrates mediocrity.

Additionally, a weighted GPA quite simply makes everything more confusing.

I?m not ignorant. I understand that many of us want a good GPA to get into a good college to get a good job to make a good salary and have a good life. The weight of our

to take more difficult classes without impacting their GPA.?

One might question whether weighting GPA?s would have any really impact on the allimportant college process.

Some schools claim that they recalculate the GPA they receive.

Others don?t recalculate.

During the information session at one of my favorite schools, I sat in horror as the admissions officer said that they do not recalculate GPA?s in any way.

So, it can depend on the school. But why even play that dangerous game in the first place, when we could just weight GPA?s and compensate students for their hard work?

In an article from takepart.com, Frank Milner, GPA does not affect this plan.

A weighted GPA does not make it easier to get into college As a matter of fact, a representative from the college counseling office explained to me that ?College admission officers praise us for having a raw GPA. Our GPA is easier to read and benefits students applying to top-tier colleges.?

The whole idea that a weighted GPA will trick admission officers to think that you are better than you are is absurd. Many schools recalculate weighted GPA to get back to a raw GPA. Even if they don?t recalculate, colleges see our entire transcripts. They will see that B- in math.

president of a tutoring company called Tutor Doctor, says that, ?Many colleges set a minimum GPA and will only look at students?applications if their GPA exceeds the minimum, so this could be the difference between making the review pile or the garbage pile.? (takepart.com) Make no mistake, the Prep is full of ambitious students who are more than willing to challenge themselves, even if there is no reward. Yet, there are plenty of students who would be even more eager to take on these challenges if they could see the fruits of their labor.

It certainly would not hurt in any way if the Prep decided to weight GPA?s. It can only help motivate and reward students who wish to succeed.

Our unweighted GPA makes college admission officers lives easier, and that is never a bad thing.

We go to the Prep. We knew that we were enrolling in an academically rigorous school.

A call to change the GPA scale is not the outcry that is needed.

Quite frankly, the outcry that was needed was a physical change. But we made that change. We adjusted our schedule to be much more manageable. To me, a change to the GPA scale would not benefit students, but rather promote less motivation in the classroom.

Opinion-Debate | 17

Opinion: Freshmen Should Take the PSAT

By M atthew Bae '21 Five out of ten freshmen at the Prep say yes to taking the PSAT as a freshman.

Sophomores and juniors recently took the PSAT, a standardized test co-sponsored by the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The PSAT is a preliminary test of the SAT that evaluates your skills in reading, writing, and math.

Other freshmen throughout the country take the PSAT. For example, freshman at our brother school at St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland recently took the exam along with sophomores and juniors.

This begs the question: should freshman at the Prep take the PSAT? Personally, even though taking a standardized test during a major transition in your life is not ideal, I think freshmen should take the PSAT because of the many benefits it can produce.

The PSAT and SAT are heavily connected to each other. By taking the PSAT as a freshman, you become more acquainted with the testing format and the different types of questions early on. This allows you to see your strength and weaknesses in order to better prepare for the SAT when it counts. By taking the test as a freshman, and then again in sophomore year, you can improve your score by knowing which sections need improvement before taking the test in your junior year.

The type of PSAT score report that Prep sophomores and juniors will be receiving later this year. (Photo: Ready4 Blog) Furthermore, taking it earlier will help reduce the stress level when it comes to taking the SAT, and hopefully, improve your overall score.Since the two tests are similar, if you become comfortable with the PSAT, the SAT should be a walk in the park.

If you take the PSAT as a freshman, you?ll know what to expect and what you need to work on. You?ll have already

practiced the test at least twice, and all the studying and preparation in your early years of high school will be displayed in your results.

Not only does taking the PSAT help in the long run with the SAT, achieving a high score will earn you a spot as a National Merit Scholar finalist and also makes you eligible for college scholarships. Your SAT score is one of many factors

that will determine which college will consider you for admission. That is why taking the PSAT can be extremely beneficial. Everyone learns from their mistakes and screwing up on a PSAT isn?t as bad as failing the SAT. Some may say taking the PSAT as a freshman is not beneficial because it?s not necessary and just puts additional stress on students to

early on, but I would highly disagree. Getting a head start and preparing for the SAT early will help alleviate the stress when taking the actual test.

Taking the PSAT as a freshman shouldn?t stress you out. You have nothing to lose.

Instead, use it as an opportunity to learn from your mistakes and to better prepare for the SAT.

Do you have any thoughts to offer on this year's PSAT, or school policy regarding the test? Do you want to respond to Matthew? Contact Liam Grugan '19 to write a letter to the editor!

The Hawkeye Staff Editor s-in-Chief

Head Wr iter s

Ned Burke '19

Matt Phillips '18

Matt Brennan '18

Robert Calabro '19

Marco Sammartino '18

Simon Williams '18

Jacob DeAnnuntis '19

David McCabe '19

Andrew Koh '19

Thomas Dintino '19

Jack Thorell '19

Christian Giuliani '19

M anaging Editor Joe Scott '19

John Leuzzi '19 Staff Wr iter s

Matt Marhefka '19

Matt Bevilacqua '18

Nick Mattera '19

Features Section Editor

Nathan Coulibaly '18

Andrew Shapiro '19

Nick Palermo '18

Michael Enright '18

Kenneth Shegogue '19

Jake Feehery '18

Chris Strohman '19

Spor ts Section Editor

Liam Gibbons '18

Ricky Weipz '19

Dan Avington '18

Riley Herriman '18

Carl Whittington '19

Paul Koenig '18

Thomas Avington '20

Enter tainment Section Editor

Jake Legaard '18

Peter Banfe '20

Ronan Egan '18

Anthony McTighe '18

Marcus Murphy '20

Dan Morrow '18

Santiago Ortiz-Landazabal '20

Opinion-Debate Section Editor

Sebastian Porreca '18

Matthew Bae '21

Liam Grugan '19

Dylan Robak '18

Liam Stephens '21

Brian Scarpato '18 Business M anager

Paul Stowell '18

M oder ator

David Haddad '18

Patrick Adams '19

Mr. Leo Vaccaro '05

18 | Opinion-Debate

Editor ial: A Battle in These Halls

By M att Phillips '18 It is often easy to miss that history is being made in front of our very eyes. I was guilty of that myself in the hustle and bustle of editing and formatting Issue #3 of the Hawkeye almost two weeks ago. By now, the other section editors and I have gotten into a rhythm: articles come in on time (or just don?t), we edit, we format, we publish. It?s a mad rush with little time to stop and reflect, but in this particular case, a heavy dose of reflection is needed.

While chatting about ideas for Issue #3, we agreed that the recent national news story involving Fr. James Martin, S.J. had to be covered in our newspaper. After all, how often do stories like this, ones so ingrained in the ethos of what we

are as a school, make realworld headlines? In passing thought, too, we decided to shoot an email over to Fr. Martin asking for a comment.

We didn?t expect a reply ? as I don?t think I need to mention, we were contacting a national celebrity and Catholic superstar. But in a decision overflowing with generosity, Fr. Martin gave us multiple comments for the article and chatted with Joe Scott about shared friends and acquaintances. I was dumbfounded.

I?ve literally read books written by this guy.

The preeminent implications of this story, however, transcend the fact that this interview happened. The Hawkeye is not published in a vacuum, but is meant to be a living, breathing embodiment of the

day- to- day workings of the Prep and all the history that goes with it. And fourteen years ago, another student publication of the Prep profiled a new student organization, the Lambda Alliance. The group, a predecessor to today?s Breaking Barriers, was meant to serve both as an alliance between straight and gay students and as a refuge for students that might feel misunderstood by the Church.

On one hand, the publication did what student journalism is supposed to do: to report the news of the community. However, the article caused controversy inside the Prep?s walls and beyond. In the following years, the student publication, called The Nose,would be disbanded, due in part to the controversy over its 2003 article.

On Wednesday, October the 4th, I placed four- hundred copies of the Hawkeye in the Prep foyer, quite literally the center of the school. All fourhundred copies featured a front-page story about a Jesuit, Catholic priest who is fighting for a dialogue between his Church and LGBT Catholics all over the world. As Fr. Martin poignantly noted, this battle is taking place in our own halls, as students struggle with their sexual identity, and struggle to accept the charisms of a Church that has disenfranchised them. Though so much progress has been made between 2003 and today, this battle is not over. That?s what being a warrior for Christ is all about.

I am so bolstered, however, by what these recent events

demonstrate about the Prep.

By Tuesday, the entire table was clear, something that doesn?t always happen for our newspaper. The community clearly responded to this story, as is indicated by other content in this issue. We even printed six-hundred more to share with the families that came to the Prep for Open House this past weekend. The fact that we choose to display this issue as we open our doors to so many prospective families, with the full support of the Prep administration, says something powerful: we are St. Joe?s Prep, and we are here, and these walls are permeated with a form of inclusive, person- toperson, meet-them-where-theyare Catholicism. Come see for yourself.

As This Young Jesuit Sees I t...

"Teaching the Teacher" my students desperately want a space in which to ask questions they?ve clearly been thinking about for a long time. Is God real? What does the Church think about this or that topic?

These questions lead to great conversations and because they?re important to my students, they?re important to me.

Fordham Prep's church. (Photo: Fordham Prep)

By Danny Gustafson, SJ If you had told me when I was in high school that ten years later I would find myself teaching high school religion as part of the process of becoming a Catholic priest, I would have told you that you were crazy. Or maybe that this future me had gone crazy.

But here I am: 28 years old, a Jesuit, in my second year of spending my days talking about the Bible, Jesus, St. Ignatius, and different styles of prayer to the freshmen and seniors of Fordham Preparatory School in New York City. Although there are certainly days when my students drive me crazy, I?d like to take this opportunity to assure my past self that my sanity remains more or less intact.

What remains less intact is my understanding of who exactly it is that does the teaching in high schools. Sure, it?s my responsibility to give my freshmen the tools to better analyze and interpret the Bible.

My seniors and I have spent the first quarter reading the Autobiography of St. Ignatius, and I?m the one who explains the historical context for Ignatius? various adventures.

But there?s more to teaching than a simple transfer of facts.

Walking into the classroom on the first day of school last year, my head was swarming with questions. How am I going to keep a room full of teenage boys occupied for a whole 40 minutes? What if I can?t explain ideas in a way they understand? Do I really know enough about these topics to be teaching them?

Will they have questions I don?t know how to answer?

What if the students realize there are way more of them than there are of me and they revolt, take over the classroom, lead an uprising of the entire student body, burn the school down, and it?s all my fault?

More than a year later, I?m happy to report that there hasn?t been a single student uprising in my classroom.

There have, however, been ideas I?ve struggled to explain.

Sometimes I?m teaching content that I wish I knew more about so that I could help the students learn more.

Students regularly have questions that I don?t know how to answer.

And all of that is okay. My students have taught me that.

They have also taught me that it?s important to take a step back and ask big questions every now and then. Even though the main topic of freshman religion is the Bible,

My students have also taught me the importance of prayer. I know that sounds weird coming from a guy who?s working on becoming a priest, but it?s true. I lead my seniors through a guided meditation once per week. I started this practice because I wanted them to have experiential knowledge of Ignatian spirituality. However,

after reading their written reflections about the first in-class prayer, I realized I had missed the point of the activity.

Almost every single student wrote about how they felt God calming them down and reassuring them in the midst of the stress of senior year. I needed this remedial lesson that prayer isn?t about knowledge; it?s about developing our relationship with God. Finally, my students have taught me the importance of being yourself.

They?re naturally curious and aren?t afraid to ask questions or express their ideas. Because of their willingness to share their views and their understanding of the world with me, I?ve

been invited to think about any number of topics in new and more creative ways. In being themselves around me, they show me a model of honesty and openness.

A hallmark of Ignatian spirituality is gratitude for the innumerable gifts we receive from God. The obvious gifts are life itself, friends, family, health, and our natural abilities and talents. When I sit down to pray at the end of each day, my students? faces come to mind immediately. In recalling my interactions with them over the course of the day, all I can say is, ?thank you? to both God and my students for teaching me so much.

L etter to the Editor : M r. Tom Johnson Gentlemen, Let me congratulate you for an excellent article in the Hawkeye. It was well written, balanced and dealt with an important issue both for the school and the Church itself.

I was raised in a home where homosexuality was condemned, if it was ever mentioned at all. However, over my career, I have had the opportunity to meet many gay and lesbian couples. Their love and commitment appears indistinguishable to me from that found in my own 46 year marriage. The more you know people who are different than you, the harder it is to condemn them. The certainly includes the students at the Prep who have come out to me during my years as a coach.

Father Martin challenges us to apply what we have learned about homosexuality, rethink traditional beliefs and treat our brothers and sisters with love and respect. Archbishop Chaput reminds us of scripture and the Church's long held teachings in this area. Both deserve careful listening. I also note that Archbishop Chaput recently commented "The bitterness directed at the person of Fr. Martin is not just unwarranted and unjust; it's a destructive counter-witness to the Gospel.

Good work, Hawkeye. Let the discussion continue Thomas Johnson, Esquire

Opinion-Debate | 19

L etter from the Editor : A M an of the Prep

By L iam Gr ugan '19 What makes a man?

When I first visited the Prep at Open House in eighth grade, I was terrified. The only Prep guys I knew had graduated over a decade ago. Yet, as I walked through the halls with my tour guide, I felt the same kind of warm presence to which I've been accustomed to since my first time at the Prep.

That being said, there have been plenty of moments since in which that characteristic "Prep Guy" composure has begun to slip among the student body. Being a Prepper does not have the same reputation as it used to.

During my sophomore year, I began going to football games, dances, etc. And, while I largely found the pride intoxicating, I was ashamed to have stood silently in the crowd when, at a game at Northeast High, students yelled sexist remarks at the female kicker of North Penn.

Now, I should clarify my stance. As expected, the adage that "boys will be boys" has been used to justify misogyny.

Having known teenagers, being a teenager, I have come to expect this. The distinction I have always hoped to make between a St. Joe's Prep student and a ?regular teen? is that of the two, the more apt descriptor of the former was ?man? and the latter, ?boy.?

grader, was talking to me about her school dance. And, in my Prep lens, I began to think about the issues that face her as a rising high school student.

I remember distinctly the objectifying discussion before my freshman mixer. Girls were eyed as zebras in a dazzle.

There is no way that, with the current acceptable behavior, I would feel comfortable with her attending a dance at a boys' school, much less at the Prep.

So, again, what makes a man? I see this exact question as the kindling for the allconsuming fire of the quest for masculinity.

Students can be found spending classes, presentations, and activities gawking at female teachers. While it could be argued that any actual attention from these students is an improvement over their typical vacancies, it is simply intolerable for that disrespectful behavior to be cultivated and then spread out into the world.

It starts with the attempted schoolyard assertion of dominance: the boy pushes the girl into the woodchips. It spreads to homophobia, and can be found today in barbaric comments in the hallways and in locker rooms of the gym or school.

No adult woman ? you know what? ? no female human being of any kind is interested in you while you actively objectify her and advertise

So, as to the relevance of this critique, I had an electric moment of reality this weekend.

My younger sister, an eighth

Down

your fabricated superiority like it is entitled to you.

No longer can we sit idly by as our brothers dehumanize women and girls. We must stand as the first unbroken example of respect, the front line of human decency, so that our peers, our sons know right from wrong.

But within it lies a Napoleonesque need among men for superiority. Men have been taking advantage of women since the dawn of time. Our mothers and sisters, even for working the same amount of time as their male counterparts, receive a disproportional salary.

To stand alone can no longer be to abandon all hope of popularity in the student body. No Prep student in his right mind would allow his friend to be pushed around. But this can no longer be confined to the safety of 17th and Girard.

In these moments of selfrealization we can recognize the imminent need to end the slurs at football games. Standing up is one of the hardest obligations of a young man; but it is, for sure, the most important.

We learn in our religion classes that the Bible teaches that no man was created above women, so how in the world does this, the scripture written by a group of ancient men, surpass us morally?

Like most endeavors, the first step is the most difficult.

Telling a fellow student that he has done something wrong, especially with adolescent fears of losing a friend, can be terrifying. No normal teenager wishes to be unliked, but, as I have expressed relentlessly, Prep students do not have to be normal.

No woman should have to feel uncomfortable walking into school, no girl should have to feel nervous about going to a game, and no friend should be scared to tell his peer that he has done something wrong.

1

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1. This teacher hiked the Appalachian trail this past summer.

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2. This Hawkeye staff writer wrote about the best place to go trick-or-treating in this issue.

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3. The former home field of Prep soccer in the Northeast.

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5. The only place in the Prep where turtles are found.

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7. Where you can go for Daily Mass during the school week.

10. The Prep's student broadcasting club.

12. One of the five major world religions taught about during Freshman year.

13. The plush hawk that the rugby team carries around on out-of-state trips.

Across

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4. The club that is guaranteed to be found after school in Dr. Giuliano's classroom.

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6. The moderator of The Hawkeye.

8. One of the student-exchange locations from this past summer.

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9. One of the most popular English electives that will make you a more confident orator.

11. The name of the prayer that beings, "Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my understanding, and my entire will..."

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14. The street that the Prep sits on.

15. The department chair of Modern Languages.

Be one of the first three students to submit your completed crossword puzzle to Matt Phillips '18, Marco Sammartino '18, or David McCabe '19 to win a Hawkeye sticker!

This Week on Twitter

By David M cCabe '19

Upcoming Events at the Prep

By David M cCabe '19

Thur sday, Oct. 19th

M onday, Oct. 23r d

Tuesday, Oct. 31st

Freshman Council Election Speeches

Thanksgiving Food Drive Begins

Halloween Day

Thur sday, Nov. 2nd Parent-Teacher

Fr iday, Oct. 20th Football vs. LaSalle

Fr iday, Oct. 27th

Gesu Trick-or-Treating

Quarter 1 Ends

Wednesday, Nov. 1st

Fr iday, Nov. 3r d

Satur day, Oct. 21st

Satur day, Oct. 28th

All Saints Day

No School

Diversity Trip to see "Marshall"

Football vs. Ryan

All Saints Day Mass

M onday, Oct. 30th

More tickets for "Newsies" go on sale

Cross Country PCL Championship

Quarter 2 Begins

Conferences

Operation Warm

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