M ental Health: M inding Your M ind Page 6
Vol. 43, I ssue VI I I
I nter view with M r. Petr uzzelli Page 8
Star Wars: The Last Jedi Review Page 10
Debate: Dressing Down Dur ing Exams Page 16
The Student Newspaper of St. Joseph's Prep
L etter from Fr. Swope Page 17
Januar y 18th, 2018
(Photo: St. Joseph's Prep)
SPEEDY REACHES 1,000 WI NS
The members of the Prep basketball team pose with head coach Speedy Morris and his wife, Mimi, after the win against Lansdale Catholic. Full story on Page 19.
M aking the Call: Petro's Plan By Jacob DeAnnuntis '19 Nothing creates a bigger buzz among students than the greatest two words that a student can hear: ?Snow Day.? Whenever there?s a possibility of snow in the forecast, the whole school is electrified, students and teachers alike, debating the likelihood of a snow day. Suddenly everyone is a meteorologist, tracking the storm, arguing about the different snow forecast, eagerly awaiting the official call from Mr. Petruzzelli. There?s no better feeling than reading the tweet, getting the call, seeing the text, or opening the email signaling a snow day. But what goes on behind scenes in the process of calling a snow day? The Hawkeye was able to sit down with Mr. Petruzzelli and former principal Mr. Zazyczny to discuss this. Mr. Petruzzelli says the process of calling a
snow begins at any mention of potential snow in the forecast, usually a few days in advance. ?Believe it or not we become meteorologist of sorts?, says Mr. Petruzzelli, ?tracking the path of the storm, the various models, weather patterns, and various forecasts, in order to predict amount of snowfall we receive.? Mr. Zazyczny says this active weather tracking begins as early as December, when snowfall becomes a legitimate concern. Once snow is in the forecast, the administrative team consisting of the Principal, Mr. Petruzzelli, Assistant Principal, Mrs. Kettinger, Dean of Students, Mr. Greene, Director of Transportation, Mr. Ghee, and the Director of Communications, Mr. Avington, discuss their options. Each of these positions play a key role in making the decision,
from staying in contact with the bus company, to alerting students and teachers. ?It?s not as easy as it seems,? said Mr. Petruzzelli regarding calling a day off due to snow or other inclement weather. Mr. Zazyczny agrees with this, recalling this process as one he overlooked when he applied to be a principal, saying ?It takes up a lot of time and energy. It?s a big part of the job.? Many factors must be taken into account during the process, including the geographic diversity which Prep students come from, checking the snow forecast in many areas. ?If twenty percent of our students live in New Jersey and they can?t get to school, we?re not going to have school,? said Mr. Petruzzelli. Safety is always the number (Continued on Page 4)
Students Question Chr istmas M idter ms By M att Phillips '18 With classes finally meeting again after a series of snow days and one early dismissal, the final days of the first semester are here. And while, in many classes, progression has largely remained steady, even normal, in this new ?interregnum? period, others are fumbling to effectively conceptualize these two weeks. Should students continue to be tested as normal, or is shoving in another test before semester?s end overkill, or worse, useless? What becomes of semester classes when all information for the final assessment has already been covered? The overarching question in all of these debates is whether or not moving midterms to December was
beneficial to the student body -the goal of the new schedule at its time of proposal. With regard to that question, reviews are largely mixed. Among the points of high praise is the relative ease of Christmas break in comparison to previous years - - for many students, it has been a break in the truest sense of the word. Homework assignments were few and far between, allowing the break to be worry- free for the majority of the Prep?s student body. ?Having December midterms helped because I didn?t go on a long, extended break and forget the things we learned in the first quarter,? says Nick Mattera ?19. ?I also enjoyed having a relaxed (Continued on Page 4)
2 | News
Chilean Students Reflect on Time at the Prep
The Prep?s foreign exchange program recently hosted seven students from Chile to become part of the brotherhood. Most of them participated through the exchange in association with their own school, San Ignacio El Bosque in Santiago. They arrived just shy from the first week of school, around August 22. From the constant inundation of homework, to the spirited sports games, to the quotidian commute, these Chileans fully embodied the lifestyle of a Prep student. On top of that, they toured any notable city that stretched between Washington D.C. and Boston. Four of the students reflected on their high school experience and how St. Joe?s infinitely became part of their lives. Clemente Sanchez ?19 became well known throughout the hallways. He lived with sophomore J.P. Newstead ?20 in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, and commonly traveled by train. Sanchez, along with the handful of other Chilean students, became involved with the Prep even before the first day of school. He joined the J.V. soccer team and instantly had the task to remember an abundance of new names. Clemente?s first observations of the Prep were how ?the school doesn?t have a garden or place outside? where students could hang out. Within a short span of 4 days, Clemente?s friendly nature became contagious, as he felt his connections spread throughout the student body, he reflected upon how he ?was a friend of almost the whole school? especially among the sophomores and juniors.? The Prep?s workload allowed Clemente to see the differences between his school in Santiago, Chile and Philadelphia. Clemente felt the material itself was not particularly difficult, but rather ?the infinite [amount of] homework and
tests every day? was the most challenging. He continued saying, ?I admire how The Prep prepares the guys in organizing [their time] and how [students] organize their time very well.?
know each other and maybe have more of a brotherhood.? He quickly added how he does feel the brotherhood at the Prep, especially how ?all of the guys help each other.?
Reflecting on his very first days of school, Clemente found that the hardest part was trying to figure out who to eat with early in September. Despite this daunting task, he chose the tougher option to sit with someone new rather than his Chilean buddies, because he ?didn?t want to speak Spanish and the first idea of this adventure was to learn English.? As the semester flew by, Clemente emphasized his transformative experience outside the classroom: ?I still watch my memories on Snapchat and really laugh and miss the guys...This was my best part of The Prep, I made a family, I made the best relationships that I made in my life...I love all the guys and how they showed me love, when they went to my house to pick me up or when they bought me a jacket or hat, or just being nice all the time? ?
Clemente Gonzalez ?19 took part in the exchange program with the goal to better his English as well, but his intentions changed realizing how he enjoyed ?learning about the culture and making new friends.? The benefit of living with a host family in Philadelphia allowed him to visit Boston, New York, Washington D.C., and to even experience skiing for the first time in his life. The weather was weird for him explaining how, ?there is no snow in Chile?s cities, only in the mountains does it snow.? When snowfall descended for the first time this winter, he took joy in seeing it in the city. Looking back on his past four months, he believes he will probably be back soon to visit all of his friends and host family.
Rodrigo Payauta ?19 came for a new experience, mostly oriented around the objective of ?wanting to learn more English.? Besides the anomaly that he is from Antofagasta Chile, while the rest of the Chileans were from Santiago, he felt the camaraderie among his fellow voyagers through the soccer team. He spoke on how, ?The Prep was very cool and different than my school in Chile. The school work was too much, because all the days we had homework and in Chile that is not common.? His favorite holiday was Halloween, especially due to the energy that accompanies it saying how ?it was very interesting [to see] all of the guys in disguises...it was very cool.? When asked about the brotherhood in his school in Chile he explained, ?my school is smaller than The Prep, so in my school, we all
Diego Morales ?19 committed himself to the American experience by wanting to put his English to the test. He stayed with junior Kevin Or-
tlieb ?19, a close friend of Tomas Zalidvar ?17, a past foreign exchange student that visited last year. He heard only good things from his two cousins that had already been part of the Prep?s foreign exchange program. Thinking back on his immediate reaction, he said ?I was kind of impressed by everything, from the school spirit all the way to the different clubs available during community hour.? He loved the Prep?s ?variety of sports available for the students year round.? He expanded on this saying, ?My best experience would definitely be the Prep games, any of them.? Similar to his Chilean peers, he said, ?I think the classes I took at The Prep were not hard, and I was able to understand almost everything, but still I think teachers would send too much homework, sometimes almost making the experience more about school rather than the cultural side of it which I was looking for.? When asked about his favorite teacher, he replied: ?It was by far Ms. Cook, because of her way of teaching and how she
was able to make us feel part of a community so quickly. Although it was frightening at first due to how fast her lessons were, I really enjoyed it.? Diego described the type of bond he felt at The Prep, and how it is similar to his Ignatian school, San Ignacio El Bosque, in Chile. He said he feels a similar brotherhood at his own school where they ?also look after each other, because we have a bond and we share values.? Asked if he felt the brotherhood at St. Joe?s, he replied, ?Yes, I felt it, especially after the tragic death of Sal. I saw how the Prep students would not only cheer for their teams but also grieve as a whole. I would say I completely felt part of it.? What was coherent between all of our Chilean friends was the cherished brotherhood and relationships they formed in America. Although all of them have returned home to Chile before Christmas break, they have forever been inducted into the brotherhood of The Prep community that extends thousands of miles throughout the__world.
Photo: (Diego Morales)
By M att M ar hefka '19
The seven exchanges students hosted by the Prep pose on a tour bus in Times Square on one of their trips around the country.
SJP Father s' Club Collects 200 I tems For Donation By Nick Rios '19
Photo: stfrancisinn.org
Philadelphia along with many other cities faced record setting freezing temperatures this winter, a frightening figure considering the city?s roughly 400,000 people that face poverty, and there is not close to enough beds in facilities to
help shelter these people during such extreme temperatures. To attempt to combat this, the Prep Fathers? Club has partnered with St. Francis Inn to help many poor and homeless families survive and thrive during the winter months in Philadelphia.
Fr. Michael Duffy, OFM, shakes hands with a guest in front of a mural at St. Francis I nn in Kensington
Located on Kensington Ave, St. Francis Inn is about 10 minutes from 17th and Girard and has always served as a safehouse for the poor and homeless of our shared city. The Prep community has offered many service opportunities involving St. Francis Inn, such as after school times to help serve food and more recently, the Father-Son Sleeping Bag Drive. The Father- Son Sleeping Bag Drive is an event that takes place at the Prep two weeks prior to Christmas break and is an opportunity for Prep students to donate old winter coats and sleeping bags, instead of simply getting rid of them. This year, The Prep came together in full Christmas spirit and put together about
200 items such as coats, blankets and sleeping bag to be delivered to the Inn. Al Zimmerman ?73, the moderator of the Fathers?Club, says ?During an especially frigid time in Philadelphia, the homeless were immensely appreciative of these gifts. On behalf of the Fathers? Club, I extend my appreciation to the many members of our community who participated in this important outreach.? Many have attempted to explain the motivation that brings Prep students to a love of service and donation.William ?Bubba? Burrough ?19 describes it as being an opportunity to brighten a day. He says, ?I do the Pajama Drive because I know that it is a basic need that not everybody can
afford. I also found out that even a simple pair of pajamas can make someone?s day brighter. After I started getting donations, I saw the impact and it inspired me to reach more people.? This is the type of motivation that calls into action the students and faculty members at The Prep. So, please consider saving your lightly worn unwanted coats, blankets, and sleeping bags, and help relieve the burden on so many homeless Philadelphians, hopefully not only brightening their day, but aiding in their survival. For doing so, the Fathers?Club, the Prep, and those who find themselves without homes in this city thank you.
News | 3
Cape & Swor d L ooks to Night of Scenes, 1776 By Ronan Egan '18 After an exciting, recordbreaking first semester, the Cape & Sword Drama Society is moving along in a new direction. Following the massive success that Cape & Sword had in ?Newsies? is no easy task, but the club seems prepared with multiple major projects on the way with the musical 1776 and the annual Night of Scenes.
Senior Marco Sammartino ?18, a former soccer star with little to no theatre experience, said that it took weeks to come up with his topic, but the nervousness faded when he got there: ?The directors and other students are all incredibly helpful and supportive. When I got up onto that stage, I wasn't really too nervous; I just enjoyed the moment and enjoyed being part of such a great thing.? From the perspective of a
seasoned veteran, Cape & Sword captain Matt Phillips ?18 was elated by this years turnout. 137 members of the classes of 2018 through 2021 auditioned with a variety of songs, jokes, monologues, and pretty much everything else. Their experience, according to Phillips, is something whose importance cannot be overstated, as he goes on to say, ?In the process they?ll broaden their scope of experiences and hopefully make long- lasting new friendships. In short, we?re thrilled.? There will be plenty of opportunities to see this, as the show hits theatres on February 1 and ends on the 4th, with a double- performance on Saturday. It is a can?t- miss opportunity.
Night of Scenes is not the only new thing coming to the Prep stage this semester. Cape & Sword?s spring musical, 1776, appears to be a promising successor to Newsies. The musical centers around a plot that we all know: the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As too are the characters, focusing on Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock, John Adams, to name a few.
based show where Newsies was a music- based show. Everyone knows the story, but the writers of 1776 tell it in a captivating and new way. It's going to kill -- in a very different way than Newsies, but kill nonetheless.? While the show has yet to be cast, it is evident that its delivery is expected to be just as breathtaking as Newsies was. It is a new direction for the crew to take on, but an achievable one, at that.
Phillips is confident in the show, but understands preparations will be different this time around: ?The show was intentionally chosen because it's so very different from Newsies: wigs and jackets where we had knickers and suspenders, little dance numbers where Newsies was chock- full, and a book-
With both a musical and the famed Night of Scenes on the horizon, Cape & Sword is preparing themselves for a busy and exciting spring. The expectations are high, but Cape & Sword continues to amaze, as we have come to expect from__them.
(Photo: New York Times)
(Photo: St. Joseph's Prep)
To begin with the latter, Night of Scenes is one of the legendary traditions at the Prep. In case you do not know, Night of Scenes is a studentrun production that displays a variety of small scenes packed together into a single, discombobulated, spectacular event. Actors, athletes, and anyone in
between all are welcomed with open arms by a committee of directors waiting to hear their audition. The audition, 30 seconds in length, can be a struggle for those who have no idea what a typical theatre production audition contains.
The finale of last year's NoS 7: A Musical.
A musical number from 1776 on Brodway.
SJP Alum Rides Cross-Countr y for L ung Cancer By Ned Bur ke '19
Unknown to many people, lung cancer is the deadliest form of cancer. People diagnosed with lung cancer have a one in five chance of surviving their first five years. Even more haunting is the fact that, despite being the most fatal cancer, it only receives 10% of the total funding and donations for research and treatment for all cancers. One of Kathleen Matthews?s favorite sayings was, ?Many hands make light work.? This adage was certainly relevant in this operation. Matthews required nearly a year of train-
Mr. Whelan, a cross-country cyclist and a Prep English teacher, was able to give Matthews some personal advice on how to accomplish his journey: ?Most of the route Mr. Matthews took this past summer is the same route I cycled in 2003, but I went from West to East. Specifically, I offered him my advice on how to cross the Rockies. The Rockies are intimidating and many cyclists consider out of the way routes to minimize the suffering. I recommended to Mr. Matthews that he trust his ability to tackle them, promising him that after he did, he would have accomplished something great.? The ride took 52 days from the time Matthews left theRide
Hard Breathe Easyheadquarters in Newtown Square to when he arrived at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Matthews encountered many hardships along the way including steep hills, hot days, bad food, and, most disturbing of all, fans of the Dallas Cowboys. Matthews rode for about six hours everyday, in addition to preparations, such as driving to the spot he stopped on the previous day, eating, and getting dressed. Matthews also shouted ?Yeah Prep!? everyday and sang the fight song in every state he visited. Matthew?s motivation for this athletic challenge was the memory of his mother. Despite being a lifetime non- smoker, Kathleen Matthews died of lung cancer in 2011. The misconception that every single person who died of lung cancer was a smoker is one of the primary reasons that lung cancer receives such little financial support, despite it being the deadliest of cancers. Matthews and theRide Hard Breathe Easyteam raised about $93,000 for two organizations:
Photo: (ridehardbreatheeasy.com)
After the loss of his mother in December of 2011, Kathleen Matthews, through a nine month long battle with Lung Cancer, Prep Alumni John Matthews ?80 decided to do something more to honor his mother?s memory and to raise awareness for this disease. On August 24, 2017, Matthews beganRide Hard Breathe Easy,a 3,400 mile bike ride from Newtown Square to San Francisco.
ing, planning, preparation, and promotion for this athletic and ambitious feat. Matthews, who was one of five brothers, all of whom went to the Prep, was even able to turn to his alma mater for some support on his journey. Among the 50 volunteers that made this possible, Prep faculty members Bill Avington and Andrew Whelan advised in this operation.
John Matthews '80 on his trip across the county, "Ride Hard, Breathe Easy," to raise money for lung cancer. Bonnie J Addario Lung Cancer Foundation (BJALCF) and the lung cancer Alliance (LCA). The BJALCF is a team developing research for the early detection and prevention of lung cancer, as it is much more curable if treated in its early stages. The LCA has a similar goal, to heighten to the availability and affordability of lung cancer detection screenings.
The organization will ride again in 2018, hoping to raise another $100,000 for their cause. The organization is still searching for volunteers and participants for this event. Donations can still be made at ridehardbreatheeasy.yournextstepisthecure.org/ and information about the 2018 fundraiser will be released later this month.
4 | News
M aking the Call: Petro's Plan (Cont.)
Mr. Petruzzelli and the ad-
ministrative team also track the decisions of neighboring school districts, including the Philadelphia School District, and the public school districts in the areas form which Prep students travel. If the Philadelphia School District cancels school, chances are we?ll have off too. A unique aspect of this process is Mr. Petruzzelli?s coordination with Merion Mercy?s principal, Sister Barbara Buckley. Because many Merion girls ride the Prep busses, it is important to consider the busses? ability to make it to Merion Mercy and back. Unlike what many think, the Prep has no built- in snow days, because instead we chose
to go by total hours, which according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education is 990 hours. Calling a snow day is the ideal situation says Mr. Petruzzelli, but the toughest calls come during early mornings, when the decision could go either way. At that point, the team usually calls for at least a delay, but are nervous to jump the gun and have a snowday with no snow. There is rarely a clear cut choice for the team, and, as Mr. Petruzzelli said, ?Man plans and God laughs.? Although most students love a good snow day, many a times Mr. Petruzzelli?s email inbox is
flooded with parents who have a different opinion. Mr. Zazyczny said ?You cannot, and will not, make everybody happy with these decisions,? and Mr.
Petruzzelli agreed, saying you learn this very fast, and your best bet is to ?roll with the punches and hope for the best.?
(Photo: Philly.com)
one priority of the administrative team, and they also keep in mind the student drivers. Mr. Zazyczny recalls many students emailing him on their way to school, concerned about driving conditions in the snow. Mr. Petruzzelli said that if he could do it again, he would have called an early dismissal on that last Friday before break, December 15th, to ensure the safety of teachers and students. Another important aspects to consider is if it is possible for the campus to be cleared in time for school, so that there is adequate and safe parking, as well as cleared entrances.
4 in. of snow in Philly caused the Prep's recent snow day.
Students Question Chr istmas M idter ms (Cont.) break without having anything to worry about.? His sentiment is echoed by Dan Avington ?18: ?Honestly, I didn?t really have any qualms with the new midterm system, and actually really loved it [...] I didn?t have anything to worry about over break.? It must be noted, however, that studying for midterms over Christmas break wasn?t exactly par for the course even prior to this year. Of twenty upperclassmen surveyed for this article, all but one admitted to doing no preparatory over their Christmas break in years past. Before the implementation of the new schedule, the period of review days didn?t even begin until after students returned from break. With midterms spread out over two weeks, students mostly relied on those two weekends to prepare and to synthesize material from the first two quarters. For students, the most notable change seems to be the shortening of preparation time. Prior to the 2017-18 academic year, students did have the ability to begin midterm
preparation while on break, though few actually did so. With the new schedule, that opportunity is removed in its entirety, and many students found themselves fumbling to prepare for seven midterms with only one weekend to do it. In addition, review time for certain classes took a major hit -- if a review day happened to fall on a drop day for a certain class, the teacher would have a total of either forty- five or sixty- five minutes to review three months of material. The most notable issue seems not to be related to scheduling midterms in December, but to the nuances and aftereffects of those scheduling changes. ?I felt that there was an abbreviated amount of study time and the exams were crammed,? says David Haddad ?18. ?As a senior, too, I had exams right before the deadlines for college applications, which gave me less time to focus on them.? Scott Yezzi ?20 offered a similar gripe: ?There were quite a few flaws with the new exam schedule. The time leading up to midterms was much more stressful, especially because all exams were com-
pressed into four days. In addition, with the new letter- day rotations, I only had one review day for four of my classes - - many of which I vitally needed to review for.? In summary of his experience, Jason Mattera ?20 said that ?the idea of giving midterms before Christmas was a good idea [...] but the idea still has flaws,? a sentiment which appears to be shared among the majority of the student body. By and large, complaints seem unrelated to the interregnum period or the nature of midterms before Christmas break, but to issues with the amount of review time and preparation time. From the perspective of Prep teachers, reactions to student performance this year has also been mixed. Mr. Kevin Kearney, when comparing the AP English III 2016- 17 average (87.3) with the 2017- 18 average (86.9), believed there to be little change of note. ?I?m no mathematician, but that?s negligible difference to me,? Kearney says. ?We definitely could not go into as many topics before the exam, but I ad-
justed the test accordingly, so covering less material would not have hindered students from doing well on the test.? Mr. Michael Dougherty echoed a similar sentiment. ?After a preliminary and cursory evaluation, averages across the board are either in line with what they?ve been in past years, or marginally better,? says Dougherty. However, he also noted the importance of remembering that less material was covered on these midterms than on previous ones. In the math department, Mr. Mark Kravetz expressed some level of concern: ?The mean for both of my calculus courses have been the same, but the data had a larger spread this year (larger standard deviation). I believe the larger standard deviation was due to some students not having the time to review the material.? It would seem that the student concerns mentioned above are reflected in comments like this one. To be sure, this new schedule has brought monumental changes to the Prep over the past year, many of those
changes to the benefit of the student body. With more hours in the school day to study, do homework, meet with teachers and with clubs, students have more time than ever to complete the same, or a similar, course load. Almost across the board, students have reported better grades and higher levels of understanding as a result throughout Hawkeye issues this year. It would seem, however, that the new midterm policies are now becoming the most oftspoken complaint from students in the first semester. Possible solutions include an earlier beginning to the school year, review days without block scheduling, an earlier beginning to the December review process itself, or returning the midterms to their former timeslot in January. Whatever the solution, discussions about this on the administrative level are nothing short of imperative. For a largely new administration that has emphasized improving student education and the entire student experience since their arrival, this should not remain the one blemish.
M ontser r at Retreat Sees Changes, Reboot By Scott Hibbs '19 As the first half of the year is coming to a close the Mission and Ministry office has been preparing for the upcoming Montserrat Sophomore Retreats. Similar to years past, the entire Sophomore class will travel to the Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary to participate in a retreat meant to teach them about the profile of the Graduate at Graduation and how to embody these characteristics as
a student at the Prep. However this year?s retreat will differ from its predecessors.
team decided that now was the time to change this retreat into something completely unique.
life and reflect. In the span of only a day it is more of a challenge to take this step back.
The Sophomore Retreat has been no stranger to changes, it has seen many revisions and changes in its history. Unlike the other retreats such as Kairos and the Ignite Freshman Retreat, the structure of the Sophomore Retreat has never been set in stone. With the many new changes made to the Mission and Ministry office, the
The team hopes that these changes will allow the Sophomore Retreat to become a highlight of a Prep students Sophomore year, much like the Freshman Retreat and Kairos. Leading these changes is Mr. Mark Dushel, the Associate Campus Minister of the Prep. In his first year at the Prep, Mr. Dushel is hoping to forge the Sophomore Retreat into a unique retreat that will have an immense impact on a Prep students time at the Prep.
The number of retreats has also been reduced to only two total retreats in February and March in hopes of making the retreat more of an entire class experience. Each retreat will contain nearly half of the Sophomore class, allowing each student to get to know more of their class.
"Each individual characteristic will be explored by the retreating in different activities based on these principles."
However the retreat faces many obstacles in this journey. The Sophomore Retreat is the only non-overnight retreat at the Prep. One of the purposes of any retreat is to force one to take a step back from their daily
One of the largest changes made to the retreat is the change in approaching the Graduate at Graduation characteristics. Unlike in years prior where each characteristic would be grouped together as one overarching concept, each individual characteristic will be explored by the retreating in different activities based on these principles.
Another large change made to the retreat is the introduction of student leaders. These leaders will be comprised of Juniors and Seniors who will lead the small group discussions and various other activities throughout the retreat, similar to Kairos and Freshman Retreat. These retreats take place on February 17th and March 10th. Any Junior who has attended Kairos interested in becoming a student leader for one or both retreats should see Mr. Dushel in the Mission and Ministry Office for more details. All Sophomores are also reminded to hand in their permission forms for the retreats as soon as possible to ensure their ability to experience this crucial step in their Jesuit education.
News | 5
Net Neutr ality Repeal M eans M aj or Changes By Andrew K oh '19 On December 14th, 2017, to the dismay of nearly the entire American population currently using the internet, the Federal Communications Committee (FCC) voted 3-2 to repeal regulations on businesses that connected consumers with the internet, otherwise known as net neutrality, potentially radically changing the landscape of internet usage. Before considering the effects and possible consequences of the repeal, however, it is important to understand what net neutrality really was, before the repeal took place. Net neutrality was a set of regulations imposed by the FCC in 2015 under the Obama Administration, essentially forcing broadband companies to treat all internet traffic the same. Under net neutrality, internet companies play the same role as companies that provide electricity or phone service; the internet was to be treated as a utility, which gave the FCC concrete authority over matters regarding it. Providers could not block or slow access to certain websites or services
and could not charge companies for access to so- called ?fast- lanes? or higher quality internet, regardless of whether or not the particular broadband provider owned or was affiliated with said companies. Whether or not a consumer payed Verizon, AT& T, or Comcast for internet service, he or she could expect access and similar internet speeds for all websites, from companies big and small.The repeal is a simple reversal of the regulations imposed in 2015. The exact effects of the repeal won?t be apparent until some time passes, but as it stands now, the repeal is posed to spell a dark future for smaller businesses and consumers alike. Smaller companies and startups will not be able to afford the fees required for premium internet service or any internet service at all, stifling innovation; sites like Pinterest or Etsy would never have become household websites had it not been for an open internet. Even tech giants, such as Google, Facebook, and Netflix, who would have no problem affording additional internet fees, are vocally op-
posed to the repeal, due to the fact that it allows broadband companies to play favorites. For consumers, this could mean a rise in prices, especially for services that rely on fast internet service, such as Netflix. If Netflix were forced to pay fees for use of a ?fastlane,? rates would rise for consumers as well, who would essentially be paying more money for the same service they had had previously. This prediction of consumers having to pay higher prices applies for many internet- based services, some of which, such as Instagram or Twitter, were entirely free beforehand. This could also mean consequences for the Prep, which could potentially have to pay higher rates for its Internet service, as well as its usage of the Google Education Suite. Although the extent of the extra fees is unknown, the Prep could even have to pay for each of the programs it runs on its internet, such as its website blocking program and security, depending on how the broadband carrier changes its internet plans in the next few
months. All of this, of course, could lead to an even higher tuition, which is already rising on a yearly basis. Considering the widespread negative consequences for consumers that are agreed upon by most analysts, it is certainly valid to ask: ?How the heck did this happen? Why did nobody stop it?? Most of those who were aware of the issue regarding the repeal did, in fact, make their voices heard. The FCC?s votes had been intended to depend partially on comments submitted by the citizens, especially if they raised questions. Those who knew about the comment system duly submitted their own, voicing their opposition for the repeal. By the date of the vote, the FCC received a whopping 21.7 million comments. However, Ajit Pai stated that they would be dismissing all of the comments, since the vast majority, about 94%, were labelled as not being ?unique,? or not ?introducing new facts into the record or making serious legal arguments.? The repeal of net neutrality
does not seem to be in the best interests of the citizens. Therefore, several states and public interest groups, most notably the Internet Association, a trade group that represents several tech giants such as Google and Facebook, have promised to file lawsuits, while some individual companies, such as Netflix, promised to do the same. The public uproar also prompted politicians to attempt to do something about the repeal. Regardless, the fight for net neutrality is still strong, as many will stop at nothing to obtain a free internet. Hopefully, with the support of nearly the entire internet-using population, a change can be made before widespread consequences begin affecting everyone. I doubt anyone is willing to pay large fees every month for services that were previously fee, much less a higher Prep tuition to use Google Classroom or Edmodo. While the road is long to reestablish net neutrality, change can be made, especially if the United States is the strong democracy that it so advertises itself to be.
M L K Day of Ser vice Unites Gesu and SJP By Joe Scott '19 For the very first time, St. Joe?s Prep participated in organized service with the Gesu school to celebrate Martin Luther King Day on Monday. This connection between the Gesu and the Prep has been a long standing tradition, and this cooperating service is a step toward strengthening that bond. Ms. Porter, Diversity Director, who was contacted by Gesu along with Mr. Deitch, Director of Ignatian Service, is very passionate about service, specifically on MLK Day. About Dr. King she said, "Through him, I?m sitting here today. He was a man of ser-
vice, so to honor him how he would have liked to be honored, we go out and help others however we can on his day.? Philadelphia boasts the largest MLK day event year after year in the country. Last year, 115,000 volunteers served across 1,400 service projects that were part of the Annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service, and this year more are expected. Among those additions to the event is the Gesu school?s action with the Prep to clean up areas of the neighborhood, make donations to a local senior citizens? home, and putting together hygiene kits
for Project Home. Alanna Lee, Assistant Dean of Gesu School, reached out to the Prep to open the doors to more hands that can serve the community we share. The Prep?s relationship with the grade school we share our block with has grown exponentially within the past few years. Mr. Deitch listed the ways the two schools are getting closer, including events like Gesu trick- or- treating, grade school students attending mass with the Prep, and even a new Big Brother Mentor program headed by the Black and Latino Culture Club. The Big Brother Program will begin on January 18th,
when 21 fifth graders form Gesu will come to the Prep and have their first of many meetings with their mentors, members of the BLCC. ?Mentoring develops character,, so hopefully with their Big Brothers at the Prep, these boys will be guided to more success in their lives through strong character.? The connection between students at the Prep and Gesu is an extremely important one to both parties, as highlighted by Big Brothers at the Prep as well as the Martin Luther King Day service. The importance of service on what may seem like just another day off was emphasized by both Ms. Porter and Mr.
Deitch because, as he put it, ?Service was such a huge part of [King's] ministry, to be loving and compassionate. So we try to better our community like he bettered so many communities in his life.? For those who did not participate in service on Monday, Martin Luther King Day of Service has become a staple day for the Ignatian Service of our community. Looking forward, the Mission and Ministry department hopes to spearhead growth on this day, both in the scope of people directly served and the students who partake in serving.
Photo: romeacrosseurope.com
Segovia, Spain Opens Door s to M ore Prep Students
The famous aqueduct of Segovia, Spain, where students will be hosted this summer. By Car l Whittington '19 The Prep, like all institutions of Jesuit education, places an emphasis on the importance of learning modern foreign languages. Aside from offering extensive classes for students to learn these languages, the Prep is home to many amazing
traveling opportunities for its students. From Germany to China, students are given the option to travel worldwide and immerse themselves into various cultures. Anyone who has taken a Spanish class at the Prep is likely to know SeĂąor Chema MartĂn, the charismatic direc-
tor of the Instituto San Pedro. This program partners with the Prep each year to send a group of students to Segovia, Spain: the home of the historically famous aqueduct and beautiful Gothic architecture. Students who choose to go will be accompanied by Dr. Farren and stay with host families with up to two other Prep students for four weeks. Students will study three different aspects of Spanish language and culture at the Instituto San Pedro during the week; taking a siesta break in the afternoon with their host family, of course. Students can earn Ignatian service hours by tutoring Segovian children in English. Travelers will first meet with their host families on June 22nd, after flying from
Philadelphia to Madrid. The following day will be spent celebrating the festivities of San Juan and San Pedro, a week- long celebration during the last week of June. Throughout the trip students will take part in many different activities, such as hiking, visiting many different historical sites, and even watching a traditional bull fight. During the last week of the program, students are finished their classes and take a tour of southern Spain. Students visit historical sites like CĂłrdoba, Granada, and La Alhambra: sites that include Roman ruins, Muslim fortresses, Christopher Columbus' grave, and more UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The program concludes with a celebratory dinner with students and their host fami-
lies, where diplomas will be awarded to the students. Students receive transcripts from their school in Segovia, and have the option to include these transcripts with their Prep transcript during the college admission process. The trip is available to all freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. Being immersed in a culture gives students a larger appreciation for the language and cultures of a country as well as forces them to practice daily, which greatly improves Spanish ability. The Prep is hoping to send at least six students, and up to 16 students this summer. So far, two students have signed up, and it is not too late! Don?t miss the opportunity of a lifetime, and contact Dr. Farren with any questions or if interested.
6 | News
" Things Can Get Better " - M inding Your M ind By Chr istian Giuliani '19 Minding Your Mind has speakers who travel to area schools, hoping to reach out and educating students from the negative effects of seeking no help at all. The speakers? personal experiences give the audience something with which to connect. The counselors know that school is difficult, and for that reason they always have an open door for help. Counselor Dr. Barbera advises, ?Don't go through things alone. If someone is having a difficult time with classes or with how they are feeling encourage them to talk with someone they trust - a family member, teacher, coach, counselor or friend. Talking with someone can make finding solutions to problems and making things better much
easier than going at it alone. We are fortunate that at the Prep there are so many resources to support students with their school work and their well- being - engage with the resources and people here at school.? Minding Your Mind goes hand-in-hand with this type of help. A healthy mental state is crucial to accomplish the various activities not only at the Prep, but throughout life. Isolating oneself is unhealthy, because of the bottled up emotions that will eventually deteriorate the person. Another important piece of advice Dr. Barbera has for students is, ?The first thing that students might want to consider is that things can get better - there is hope. Both academic struggles and mental health concerns can
improve. Academic coaching and study skills training can really help students improve their school work and counseling and getting support from friends and family can also be very effective for helping students to feel better and do better.? Maintaining ideal mental health is essential for future success as well. Part of high school is learning who one is, and learning how to handle different situations under stress and pressure. Dr. Barbera also adds to the issue of the ideal mindset by asserting that, ?Students with a growth mindset realize that struggling with learning a subject is part of the process of challenging oneself and getting better. People with a growth mindset don't view academic struggles as some-
thing that is fixed rather they view their mastery of the material as a process and they just haven't mastered the material yet- but with practice, tutoring and coaching they will eventually reach their goal.? Minding Your Mind, in conjunction with the Prep?s Counseling Department program will continue to educate students undergoing mental health issues. Adolescence is a very important stage in life to create
a strong foundation of good habits of awareness. Support is always available for anyone in need of help. One of the most significant solutions to solving problems is to talk to someone, and it should be expressed explicitly that there are countless people in every Prep student?s life, counselors, teachers, visiting speakers, and coaches, who are present and always willing to provide support.
(Photo: Minding Your Mind)
L ooking into Potential Swim Requirement By Ned Bur ke '19 Today, swimming is generally thought of as a fun summertime activity to escape the heat. But many people do not consider the fact that swimming is a skill that could very well save one?s life. Recently, studies have shown that anywhere from one third up to one half of all Americans do not know how to swim. For this reason, organizations are beginning to offer grant money to schools that have a swimming requirement for all students. According to the American Red Cross, only 56% of Amer-
icans can perform the five basic swim techniques referred to as ?water competency.? `These numbers are certainly unsettling, considering the emphasis put on swimming as a form of competition, entertainment, or fitness in these days. As a result, grant money is being offered to some schools if they institute a swimming requirement for its students. If applied here, this grant would guarantee that every student at the Prep would be able to swim, mirroring the requirement of a swimming test in many Ivy League Schools. This requirement, if instituted amongst
more schools, could potentially decrease the risk of drowning and increase water competency amongst teenagers and children in this country. This grant is a popular idea but its practicality is still a question mark, according to a few members of the swim team. Scheduling, swim instructor availability, and overcrowding would make this requirement seem infeasible. Junior Swim Captain, Robbie Calabro ?19 states, ?I do think it?s a good idea because the ability to swim is something everybody should have an op-
portunity to learn. At the same time, I?m not sure how practical it would be here since we would need both someone to administer the test/lessons and find time to do it with an already crowded schedule.? Another swimmer, Andrew Koh ?19, experienced mandatory swimming at Upper Dublin Public School. ?For us, we have a student body size that rivals that of a public school, but a pool a quarter of the size [of Upper Dublin]. I think the first hurdle it would encounter is that the pool locker rooms are old and tiny. ? I don?t think our pool can accommo-
date the entire student body at the moment,? Koh stated. This grant possibility would not only help the Prep financially, but it would also provide the entire student body with a valuable life skill. The feasibility of having enough space or time for all the students to be able to swim can be called into question, but many members of the Prep community legitimately are considering the idea. Swimming, although not always viewed as such, is an ability that could very possibly save one?s life someday.
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Class of 2018 Reflects on College Process With early actions and decisions responded to, regular decision applications submitted, and college admission officers beginning to review them, mixed emotions run through the Class of 2018. Anticipation, disappointment, and excitement are dispersed among the seniors, all of whom are at different places in the college selection process. Nate Coulibaly, for example, is already certain of the school he?ll be attending next year, Columbia University. A member of the robotics team, volleyball, Treblemakers, and JSA, Nate balanced time between participating in his various extracurriculars and working on 7 college applications. However he only finished and submitted one, his early decisions application to Columbia. ?I was very lucky in the college process to know 100% what my top choice was,? says Nate. ?I loved [Columbia?s] campus and it has a highly ranked engineering school (second in the Ivy League).? Planning to major in mechanical engineering with a minor in Mandarin Chinese, the engineering program was an important part of his college search. However, sticking with
the Jesuit mantra of holistic education, Nate examined every aspect of his potential future college. ?I liked the core curriculum and engineering core which would make a well rounded and educated person in addition to a well rounded engineer.? Nate?s definitive knowledge of the college he?ll be attending is a rarity among the senior class. While the application deadline has come and gone, senior Jay Fogarty is still in the midst of applying. As a seasoned actor in the Cape and Sword Drama Society, Jay plans to turn his passion for entertainment into a career, as a future acting/theatre major. Having submitted essays and recommendations along with the rest of his class, Jay continues the application process with college auditions. ?A standard college audition usually consists of the department head and a few professors on one end of a room or and you performing your piece on the other. The pieces you?re asked to perform typically range depending on the program. For me personally I auditioned for acting focused programs so I only had to ever prepare monologues and programs will either ask for classical (pre
(Photo: St. Joe's Prep Twitter)
Nate Coulibaly '18 visiting his school of choice, Columbia University.
1900) or modern monologues, or both... Typically after you?ve performed your piece once they?ll ask you to do it again with some notes or caveats to see how you can implement changes on the fly and your range as an actor. Once the audition is over they will typically ask you a few questions about your background in acting and try to get a feel for you as a person.? explains Fogarty. In addition to this live performance, Jay submitted to colleges a filmed audition of various monologues, drawing from Julius Caesar and Good Will Hunting for material. With two of his three theatre applications finalized, Jay is almost done his unique application process. ?So far, I have been accepted into both programs I auditioned for, Temple and Loyola Marymount, and am eager to audition for USC in February,? reports Fogarty. He notes that the smoothness and success he has had with the process so far is, ?largely due to two things: constant work with my counselor, Mrs. Logan, and limiting the number of schools I applied to.? Behind the scenes of the stage that has led Fogarty to his theatre major is the stage crew, led by tech director Ron Spaide. Ron, who has been accepted to Pitt, Scranton, and Drexel, looked predominantly at two things in selecting the best colleges for him: a dynamic and engaging student body and research opportunities. Ron hopes to utilize the research facilities at whichever school he decides on to explore his love of science. ?I knew I wanted to study something science related but I couldn't decide on one [branch] I liked more than another. I finally decided on studying genetics because I feel that is the field that is most rapidly expanding right now and is the most likely field for me to find a position doing research in,? says Ron. He is leaning towards Pitt for his undergraduate genetics degree, but has big, definitive plans for
(Photo: St. Joe's Prep Twitter)
By Jack Thorell '19
Ron Spaide '18 with his decision letters from Drexel, Scranton, and Pitt. further down the line. ?I plan to leave the country after my undergraduate degree to pursue my post- grad degrees in Germany, where the tuition is exponentially cheaper and the education better in my opinion.? Starting to plan and think about future educational endeavors, as Ron has, is something that senior Mike Pagliaro stresses to those entering the college application process. ?I was lucky enough to see three older siblings before me go through it. The key is to start early. Whether you know exactly what you want to study or have no idea, starting early is key because it makes the workload much more manageable. Starting during the summer before senior year with visits and applications makes your first semester much easier,? says Mike. This planning ahead certainly worked out well for Pagliaro, who had a binding early decision offer to row at Santa Clara University, but declined it and waited to hear back from a number of other schools. He was accepted to and is attending his top choice, Fairfield University?s business school, as a Loyola Scholar. ?Next year I will be
studying finance as well as rowing on the team up there,? reports Mike, who couldn?t be happier with his decision. Having successfully navigated the college application and selection process, these students offered words of advice in reflection on their experience. ?The College Process here at the Prep is one that underclassmen can look forward to, as it goes, ?College Starts Here? and I believe it starts in the college counseling office,? says Pagliaro, who explains that the help he received from Mrs. Pinto made the process much less daunting. Similarly, Fogarty notes that, ?It was thanks to the help from faculty members, such as Mr. Braithwaite and Mrs. Pinto, that I attended a live audition and sent in my application with confidence.? Coulibaly reiterated this gratitude towards Prep faculty, saying, ?All of the college counselors are amazing, honest and committed individuals who want nothing more than your success in the college process.? These four seniors offer a glimpse of the many successes had, resources used, and wisdom gained by the class of 2018 in applying to and selecting colleges.
Talking with M r s. Castagno: Cook Extr aor dinaire By Nick Paler mo '18
A: I became interested in cooking because I watched my mom, who was born in Rome, cook basically everything from scratch. She?s an amazing cook, way better than I am.
basics, like how to make meatballs and gravy. Even now, I call her to learn how to make lots of things. I do experiment with my recipes, and the greatest compliment is when she likes something that I?ve made and asks me how I made it. I also learn many new things from food TV shows.
Q: Who did you learn most of your skills from?
Q: Which food shows are your favorite?
A: While I learned a lot from observing my mom, she didn?t like having people in her kitchen while she was cooking. Soon after I got engaged, I asked her to teach me some
A: I really like Rachel Ray, because she cooks things that most people like. Also, the show Everyday Italian with Giada De Laurentiis is one of my favorites.
Q: How did you first become interested in cooking?
Q: What are some of your favorite dishes? A: No surprise that my favorite dishes are usually anything Italian. I?ve also been told that I make a great spinach and artichoke dip and chocolate chip cookies (some of our Prep boys have had these cookies if they won my pi contest I hold each year in March). Q: Are you a fan of baking as well? A: I do like to bake. Some of my specialties are chocolate chip cookies, chocolate chip Kahlua cake, and peanut butter
tandykakes (my version of the Tastykake_candykake). Q: Do you always cook on holidays? If so, what do you usually cook? A: I do cook for the holidays quite a bit. My family does the traditional seven fish feast on Christmas Eve. I make a seafood chowder that everyone seems to like quite a bit. Q: What is your family?s favorite dish? A: That?s a hard one. I think they all have different favorites. My husband likes a
grilled Honey salmon dish. My daughters usually like a chicken cutlet dish that is served over top of a mesclun salad with craisins, goat cheese and pecans in a balsamic vinaigrette. In the summer, I make a lot of grilled vegetables and different kinds of salads. Q: Have you ever participated in any competitions? A: I?ve never been in a cooking competition however the guys in the math department have jokingly said that Mr. Falcone and I should have a meatball contest.
8 | Features
Reflecting on the Semester with M r. Petr uzzelli By Paul K oenig '18
Koenig: How has your transition into the Prep community gone thus far? Petruzzelli: Great. Really smooth. The fact that I had been at the Prep before and knew certain faculty members from the past really helped. Also, the summer lunches with students were especially helpful. Being able to hear from the students before the school year began was really important. It was difficult to schedule the summer lunches with the stu-
(Photo: Mr. Petruzzelli's Twitter)
The 2017- 2018 school year has been marked by change. There are new faculty members, a new schedule has been instituted, and the student body experienced a new midterm schedule. One of these changes includes our new principal, Mr. Petruzzelli. Late last school year, The Hawkeye spoke to Mr. Petruzzelli, getting to know him, learning about his transition into his new position and his hopes for the new school year. We are now checking back in with Mr. Petruzzelli to see how his year has gone, and learn more about
his hopes for the second semester of the school year.
Mr. Petruzelli and Fr. Swope '72 with(L:R) Jaden Clark-Cole '21, David McCabe '19, Sean McFadden '20, Patrick Pagliaro '20, Zavier Atkins '21.
dents, but I wish I could have done even more. In order to continue this idea of getting to know the student body and hearing from the students, I have been holding Freshman Focus Groups during Community Hour. This way, I have been able to get to know the freshmen, and I plan to hold sessions with the sophomores in the second semester and get to know them better as well.
towns and different backgrounds is much more noticeable and celebrated here at the Prep. Koenig: What was the biggest highlight of your time back at the Prep thus far? Petruzzelli: Going on Kairos was awesome. It was my first time back on Kairos since I left the Prep. Being able to go so early in the school year and get to know the juniors was truly amazing. Another highlight was being around and attending Newsies. I beamed with pride sitting in those theater seats every night. I was absolutely blown away by both experiences. Overall, though, I love the fact that Prep students can be goofballs. I love the fact that you guys love and care about each other. Even when you bust on each other, it?s done in a way where you still know the person cares about you. I love seeing that in the mornings, in the cafeteria, and at sporting events. You are all loveable knuckleheads.
Koenig: What are the differences between serving as the principal of the Prep compared to serving as principal of Bethlehem Catholic? Petruzzelli: The obvious difference is the fact that the Prep is all boys. Another obvious difference is the fact that I am not a known commodity here. The students at Bethlehem Catholic knew my personality and they knew when I was joking around and when I was being serious. Now, I need to consider ? the Prep being an all boys school ? whether the student body will appreciate or understand what I am hoping to accomplish. For example, programs such as Student of the Week and Twelve Days of Christmas were a hit at Bethlehem Catholic, but I did not know how they would go over with this male student body. Lastly, the Prep?s diversity with regard to different home-
Koenig: What are you looking forward to this upcoming semester? Petruzzelli: I am looking forward to continuing to ingrain myself in the Prep community as students, faculty and staff learn more about who I am and
what I hope to accomplish. I look forward to continuing getting know the people here and hopefully building a close bond and trusting relationship with the Prep community. Of course, I could pinpoint a certain event in the upcoming semester that I am excited about, but it?s way more than just one event. Koenig: Do you have any thoughts or advice for students as we enter the second semester? Is there anything you would like to ask of the student body as we approach the second half of this year? Petruzzelli: I would like to say two things to the student body in regards to the second semester and the latter half of this school year. First, don?t wish the year away. This applies in particular to the seniors. Don?t be so concerned about next year and college that you miss out on the rest of the year. All students should enjoy the experience of the next few months. Lastly, I know 406 students by name -- I have another semester to get the rest down. I welcome students to come to my office, say hello and introduce themselves. So many students say hello in the halls whose names I don?t know. The principal's office is not a scary place to go. Feel free to stop by.
ASC Profile: M r. Thomas L ederer '13 I caught Mr. Tom Lederer ?13 for an interview at the end of his sixth period freshman class. He, a recent grad, was having a discussion with Mr. Kevin Kearney ?06, so I waited in the hall by Room 101. I asked a freshman friend of mine coming out of his class how Lederer was as a teacher, and received the most glowing review for which any young educator could ever hope from an adolescent boy: ?he?s good.? Lederer, a member of the Alumni Service Corps, shows the relationship of good teachers and students as selfperpetuating: one grows into the other. Mr. Lederer, a Roxborough native and graduate of St. Genevieve in Flourtown, spent his first tenure at the Prep admiring teachers like Mr. Patragnoni and Mr. Dougherty, the former influenced him towards teaching the English language, while the latter impressed him with his structure. Now he has the opportunity to work alongside them. He acknowledges his appreciation of the two as polar. Patragnoni was unconventional: ?instead of us serving the text, the text was there to serve us,? and Lederer loves that he now
can give his students the same passion that his teacher gave him. On the other hand, Mr. Dougherty?s precision, order, and fear factor as Lederer?s teacher have turned into sarcastic humor as his coworker. He tries to find a ?balance? between the two of them as a teacher. Though his teachers and past inspirations are important to forming a base for his style of education, his experience is not limited to the objective. While Mr. Lederer returns to teach English having double majored in English and History at the University of Pittsburgh, he brings with him the invaluable knowledge of what it?s like to be a student at the Prep. He came in knowing only two Preppers his year from his grade school, but quickly branched from his past connections and found homes both in the classroom and out. Though he sticks primarily to History and English, he found all departments at the Prep fulfilling. That?s how Mr. Lederer is; he says ?as long as I?m learning, I?m interested.? However, just as nearly every student to have attended the Prep has, does, and will, he struggled with one subject in particular: Latin. But for Led-
erer, this was not the end. He continued to work at it until he gained a love for the language. He states rather uncharacteristically generally that he thinks ?it?s the best language.? In his extracurricular life, Lederer bounced around from activity to activity until he found his niche. Coming from, as he says, a ?crew family,? his freshman year, he rowed and hated it. His sophomore year, he got involved with Forensics, which he now moderates, because of his cooperative loves of history and debate. In that year he also got involved with Cape & Sword, being convinced the day of auditions to try out for the ?First Annual Night of Scenes.? (As he and I talked, Sonny Leo, the choreographer for C& S, dropped in to give Lederer, now set to direct a scene in the program?s eighth ?Night of Scenes,? a two minute warning: auditions were about to start.) This experience motivated him to get involved further with the club, so he, deeming himself unfit for the stage, joined the Usher Squad (yet another one of his former commitments which he now leads). He organized, shaped, and made lethally effective this integral part of Cape & Sword, utilizing the
(Photo: Cape & Sword Drama Society)
By L iam Gr ugan '19
As a member of the Alumni Service Corps, Mr. Tom Lederer '13 teaches English to freshman alongside Mr. Kearney in Room 101. same devotion and work ethic he employed in the classroom. It is also important to note, though he slid it in casually, that he was a member of the Philosophy Discussion group for all four years. Having not yet decided finally that he wanted to become a teacher, he spent his first two years as a Neuroscience major. All his accolades, all his interests, every single dimension
that comes together to make Mr. Lederer can be characterized by the intangible presence he found lacking in the world of science: ?dynamism.? Mr. Lederer needs the energy, the passion that his type of classroom thrives on, otherwise he and all his students would lose the same wonder he himself found at the Prep not so long ago.
Scott Yezzi '20, Jump-Roper By David M cCabe ?19 Prep sophomore, Scott Yezzi ?20, participates in a very interesting activity: jump rope. When asked how he first got involved with jumping he explained, ?When I was in 5th grade, I went to a summer camp for jump rope. After the camp, I fell in love with the sport and tried out for the team.? He competes for Zero Gravity Jump Rope in South Hampton. The team consists of many people from all over: ?Doylestown, Yardley, and even Jersey.? The name Zero Gravity is fitting because of the gravity- defying athletic feats that this team is doing. Currently, the team consists of members from eighth to eleventh graders. Yezzi admits that his activity is uncommon, and says when people approach him about it they ?usually don?t know what to think because when they think of jump rope they think of little kids playing in the recess yard, but it?s definitely a serious, competitive sport worldwide. There are people as old as 50 years old coming to nationals each year.?
Yezzi is very decorated in jumping. Two years ago, he came in second place overall for his age group in the Junior Olympics in Houston among dozens of the best jumpers from all across the country. Zero Gravity Jump Rope also takes Yezzi to many interesting places all around the country. Yezzi says that recently his team visited Orlando, Florida and they often compete in Nashville, Tennessee; Columbus, Ohio; Hartford, Connecticut; Virginia, New York, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Wisconsin is to be added to their list of places to compete this upcoming summer.
Prep, and perhaps start club for those interested, he said, ?The opportunity hasn?t presented itself yet, but every so often i will go jump in the Multipurpose Room or Mezzanine and people will ask questions. I never really considered it, but maybe in the future.?
well in the competition will qualify you for nationals in late June. There are also camps and classes in Maryland and Virginia taking place in March.? Yezzi says that these opportunities have allowed for him to grow in leadership skills by helping others learn to jump.
Coming up for Yezzi is plenty of practices each week until this April. This is when the first competition of the season is in Maryland. ?Doing
To Yezzi, jump rope is not just something he does to fill his time. ?These guys [on my team] are my second family. We tell each other everything.
We see each other at least three times a week. The family and relationships that I have with these people are amazing and I wouldn?t trade it for anything in the world.? Right now, at the Prep, he is an active member of Cape and Sword and an Ignatian scholar. Yezzi will most likely continue to jump throughout high school, but he says he is uncertain about competing in college.
They also get the opportunity to experience interesting venues. Yezzi recalls, ?We went to do a halftime show at Madison Square Garden for a Villanova game. And whenever we perform we get to go behind the scenes, so seeing everything was amazing.? When asked if Scott would like to bring his talents to the
(Photo: Kelly Phillips)
To those who are not familiar with team jump roping, Yezzi explains, ?There are many aspects of a jump rope competition. The four main ones are speed, power, freestyle, and team show. Speed is how many
jumps you can get in a given amount of time. Power is the amount of triple unders you can do in a row (for every jump, the rope goes under 3 times). Freestyle is a 1 minute routine that shows your best skills, and team show is a routine done by a total of 10- 20 people all in sync with each other.?
Features | 9
Scott Yezzi ?20 jumping on the Ocean City boardwalk_in_New_Jersey.
M ission Cor ner : The Case for K airos 2.0 By Paul K oenig '18 I am writing this article for the men of the Class of 2019. Gentlemen, it is your time. It is your year. You, the men of the Class of 2019, are given the unique and special opportunity to be a part of the longstanding Prep tradition of participating in and attending a Kairos retreat. There are only three retreats left. Do not let this opportunity slip between your fingerprints. Many of you have yet to sign up for a retreat. This saddens myself, other Kairos leaders, and other Kairos alums. It does not anger us, it saddens us, for we know that you all are missing out on a once in a lifetime opportunity. An experience which countless Preppers describe as the greatest gift the Prep has given them. This is the second article I have written this year promoting attendance. That shows you all that we here at the Prep do not take this retreat lightly. We understand the deep meaning and far reaching effects that it has. It is for this reason that we cherish it and protect its legacy. I have heard and understand all of your misgivings about why you don?t want to attend: it is an unknown, you have to make up work, you?ll miss practice, etc. I completely un-
derstand. But realize this: not one Prep student has ever come back from Kairos and said ?Man, I wish I didn?t go. I have all this work to make up? or ?Gosh, Kairos was okay, but I wish I didn?t miss that one practice.? Being that this is my second article advocating for your participation in Kairos, I figured that I would open this article up and allow other Prep upperclassmen to share their love of and appreciation for Kairos with you all: ?Kairos at St. Joe's Prep is one of the most important, most fundamental, most necessary experiences in a student's four years at SJP. What's more, it's just plain fun: it's a retreat in every sense of the word, and I'm still experiencing the positive ripples of my Kairos experience nine months later. You cannot miss this chance, there's quite honestly no good reason to - - and there are so many excellent reasons to go.? - Matthew Phillips ?18, Leader Kairos 160, Kairos 156. "Kairos is a once in a lifetime opportunity and a great experience. It can be difficult to be out of school for a week and miss class work, especially going into such a secretive experience, but the experience will forever change your view of life.?- James Brenner ?18,
Leader Kairos 159, Kairos 154. ?My experience with Kairos, both here and at other Jesuit schools has proven to be the single most significant link for students to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Through the retreat, young men begin to integrate the academic, extracurricular, personal and spiritual elements of their lives and see themselves truly starting to evolve into that"Man for and with Others" that we seek to impart before a young man graduates the Prep. What a privilege this Kairos retreat is for me to participate in and come to know the Junior class. The retreat shows me how the faculty and staff have guided and nurtured first these boys, now young men. Not to mention, the retreat really creates an experience of community that lasts a lifetime. The Society of Jesus calls this whole process co-laboring; I would add - It's all about Grace!?- Fr. Chuck Frederico S.J., Director of Mission and Ministry. "Kairos is really the most unique experience you can have at The Prep. It's almost a staple of the Prep Brotherhood. Religious or not, everyone gets something out of the retreat. It is a time for self-
reflection and bonding with your friends and classmates. It's not some kind of thing where you go away and have to pray and go to mass for three days straight. Not one bit. It is about interaction with those around you, and coming to understand who you are, and who you want to be. Yeah, there's some masses and prayer, but the religious aspect also comes from experiencing the divine in other people. I've heard that some students may be hesitant to go because of the amount of work they need to make up. I went on Kairos after having already missed half a week of school due to mono. I made up all my work within three days. The teachers want you to go and will work with you to make up your work in a speedy and effective manner."- Jameson Fogarty ?18, Kairos 156. ?There are a lot of unique, special opportunities that you have as a student at a Jesuit Institution and none of them have created a lasting bond among students quite like Kairos. I've had the chance to see Kairos at work in Jesuit high schools, colleges, and parishes and each time students return from the retreat excited, joyful, and eager to share what they've learned with others. It's an amazing
opportunity to experience God's love in your life. It's a chance to learn how living your life with faith, hope, and love can be the most worthwhile endeavor to pursue throughout our lives.?- Mark Dushel, Associate Campus Minister. "Kairos allowed me to take a step back from the busy Prep world so that I might recenter and refocus myself. My experience on this retreat encouraged me to embrace my humanity and to trust in my brothers. I firmly believe that what the students learn while on retreat is at the core of what it means to be a Prep student. I encourage the Junior class to sign up to take part in these four fulfilling days"- Stephen Dierkes ?18, Kairos 156, Rector Kairos 161. These quotes are explicit evidence of the love and respect that the student body and the faculty have for Kairos. It is not just some dumb tradition, it is not just some retreat. Please do not let this opportunity get away from you. Read these quotes above. Kairos is an experience you will not forget. Sign up for one of the final three Kairoses. I promise you, you will not regret it.
10 | Entertainment
M usical M usings: Top 10 Albums of 2017 By Sebastian Porecca '18 It?s that time of year again, where everybody makes lists of the top ten movies, albums, books, or whatever else that the past year had to offer. Going into this, I?d like to say that, as a whole, I was really unimpressed with 2017 in terms of albums, and actually found it difficult to find ten albums I liked a lot as a whole. Sure, there were a lot of bangers and smash hits that I really enjoyed, but there were not a ton of whole albums that I was super impressed with, especially coming out of 2016, which gave birth to a huge number of spectacular albums. That said, there were still some noteworthy albums that I want to give credit to. I also want to point out that this list is not a definitive, be- all- end- all list of 2017?s best albums, this is simply my subjective opinion of the 10 albums I enjoyed most. Here are my top ten picks for albums in 2017: #1- Swear I?m Good At This by Diet Cig- Aside from the fact that this band?s name is hilarious, their newest album, released this past April, is fantastic. It?s incredibly fun and energetic, and has this poppy, dreamy, even sort of innocent sound to it, but still maintains a refreshing amount of punkish aggression. The album centers on the struggles of female lead vocalist and guitar player,Alex Luciano, in the notoriously male dominated pop punk and indie music scenes, and the interesting themes of the album, coupled with it?s fantastic, glossy- yet- grimy sound makes it all the more great. Notable Tracks: ?Link In Bio,? ?Tummy Ache,? ?Maid of the Mist? #2- This Old Dog by Mac
Demarco-I already wrote a review on this album, so I don?t have much to say that I haven?t already said. Still, Canadian croner and singer/songwriter Mac Demarco (A.K.A. the Pepperoni Playboy) delivers a powerful, low- fi, indie/soft rock ballad about a transitional time in life. The album balances perfectly between fun and melancholy, and it?s some of Mac?s best work
bum really set it apart and make it much more interesting that a lot of other albums of the same breed. I?m also pretty happy I?m able to put a local Philly band on this list and represent a lesser known, but certainly vibrant music scene. Notable Tracks: ?Nothing Nice,? ?Absolutely Positive,? ?Long Distance Dedication? #5-Culture by Migos-Migos, the Atlanta rap trio comprised of members Quavo, Offset, and Takeoff, have absolutely exploded this year. They have put out some of the biggest songs in rap this year, been featured on almost every other, and have all individually excelled in their solo careers. While Mr.Rupertusof English Department claims the Migos are past their prime, I thinkCulturemarked their peak, and captured the quintessential sound of the Migos.
Notable Tracks: ?My Old Man,? ?Baby You?re Out,? ?Watching Him Fade Away? #3- You?re Welcome by WavvesThe San Diego indie punk band, Wavves is one of my all time favorites. They?re noisy, hilarious, energetic, and are a perfect mix of cool guy punk and introspective emotion.You?re Welcomewas released in May under Wavves lead singer, Nathan Williams?, record label Ghost Ramp, and for whatever reason, I didn?t really listen to it for awhile, but as time went on, it definitely grew on me. WhileYou?re Welcomeisn?t my favorite album from Wavves, I still think it is really well done, catchy, and enjoyable, and represents an ever escalating high point for the band.
Notable Tracks: ?Slippery,? ?Get Right Witcha,? ?Deadz? #6- Rocket by (Sandy) Alex GThis album, a suggestion by Mr. Kearney, is an extremely unique and really nice to listen to. Released this past May by Alex G, local singer/songwriter from Delco,PA,Rocketis nothing like the typical indie album I expected it to be. It?s sound is a weird limbo between country western and lo-fi indie rock, and the unique individuality of the album, complete with extensive use of violin, some autotune, and even a bit of saxophone, make it a really great overall album.
Notable Tracks: ?Daisy,? ?Dreams of Grandeur,? ?You?re Welcome? #4- Play The Song You Like by Radiator Hospital-Local Philadelphia indie punk band Radiator Hospital has once again released an infectiously catchy, weird album, and it works super well. Their newest album, released in October, has a perfect mix of these high intensity, almost epic songs, that have, at the same time, a lovable punkish energy as well as a sad, downcast sound to them. The weird, quirky qualities of this al-
Notable ?Bobby,?
Tracks:
?Guilty,? ?Proud?
#7- The OOZ by King Krule- I can safely say that this is one of the strangest albums on my list,
but one that grew on me the most. Archy Marshall, better known as King Krule, is a jack-of-all-trades musician from London who is best known for his lo-fi, sad indie music, and while I?d sayThe OOZis true to his sound, it moves beyond it. This album is an absolutely strange listening experience, which makes it so great. The whole thing plays like a melancholy, dark collision between Mac Demarco and a 50?s Jazz bar, and the doleful monologues of lyrics, and downcast, jazz- meets- indie noise makes it seem like the
perfect auditory equivalent of lonely, rainy day. Coupled with the wonderful and wide array of instruments, noises, and moods, this really works, and while it isn?t the best 24/7, it certainly is an album that sets itself apart. Notable Tracks: ?Slush Puppies,? ?Czech One,? ?Emergency Blimp? #8-Playboi Carti by Playboi Carti- The debut album of Atlanta-turned-New York rapper Playboi Carti primarily received it?s buzz for the smash hit ?Magnolia?, and, at first, I paid no attention to the album as a whole. However, after giving it more listening time, I found out that the entirety of this album is really great. While Cardi gets criticised for his repetitive, ?mumble rap? style, I think it adds all the more to this album, and makes it equally mellow and hype. Combined with the stellar beats and production byPi?erre Bourne, this album is a truly interesting and, in a way, different trap album.
Notable Tracks: ?New Choppa,? ?Flex,? ?Let It Go? #9-You?re Not As ______ As You Think by Sorority NoiseThis album is actually a bit of a guilty pleasure from the angsty realm of emo- ish pop punk, but it is nonetheless a really moving and well done album. While the album, from Connecticut band Sorority Noise, still maintains a lot of energy at points, it is overall very somber and downcast, and focuses on a lot of very hard issues such as lead singer Cameron Boucher?s clinical depression and the death/suicide of close friends. Not the best album if you?re looking for something light and upbeat, but it is still a very good piece of music. Notable Tracks: ?Disappeared,? ?Where Are You?,? ?First Letter From St.Sean? #10-Mr.Davis by Gucci ManeThis is another album I already reviewed so I?m not going to say much, aside from the fact that this album is absolutely bumpin. It really epitomized Gucci Mane?s newer, chiller sound, and represented a new Gucci Mane, who reinvented and improved himself after spending two years in prison. Overall, a very well done trap album. Notable Tracks: ?I Get the Bag,? ?Lil Story,? ?Stunting Ain?t Nothin?.
A Relatively Spoiler-Free Review of Star Wars By Ronan Egan '18 Note: No MAJOR spoilers ahead. On the night of December 14 of 2017 the world was gifted yet another cinematic classic from the Star Wars universe in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.The film is the eighth addition to the storied franchise, and the second of the new trilogy.
The film picks up right where it left off in two separate locations. The first centers in on the evacuation of the Resistance base, as the First Order
On the opposing side, the First Order, behind a fantastic performance from Adam Driver as Kylo Ren, chases down the depleted Resistance for the bulk of the movie. With the whole Resistance within eyesight, the antagonists can do nothing but watch as their enemies slowly drift away. This theme continues throughout the movie almost until its end, when the larger- scale battles occur. While all of this is happen-
ing, two side plots occur. The first, a minor plot between John Boyega?s Finn, one of and Kelly Marie Tran?s a strange connection links the two young enemies? minds in ways that only they can communicate through. Kylo and Rey begin to talk, forming a bond between them that is neither good nor bad. This, too, continues to develop throughout the movie, climaxing in the last fifth of the two-and-a-half
hour long film. As has become a tradition in Star Wars, the acting was excellent. Powerful performances by Driver and Ridley led the way for the film. Driver?s rendition of Kylo Ren is breathtaking, truly depicting the inner conflict that his character feels. He becomes a ?bad guy? that the audience can sympathize with. By their side was the emergence of Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron) and Domhnall
Gleeson (General Hux) as breakout stars. Of course, the two most nostalgic performances came from the original stars, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher, who did not disappoint. Full of suspense, action, and emotion, the film?s short timeframe and quasi- polarization from the original trilogy makes it a perfect new direction to take the series. In short, Star Wars: The Last Jedi is the must-see movie of the year.
(Photo: HighSnobiety)
For decades, Star Wars has followed the story of its main family, the Skywalkers, as they manage to turn the galaxy upside down through their adventures. In case you are not aware of where their story left off, the powerful First Order has taken over control in the wake of the destroyed Empire. Opposing them is the small, influential Resistance, who is backed by the Republic in stopping the oppressive regime. The two leaders of the enemies, Snoke and General Leia, played by Andy Serkis and Carrie Fisher, respectively, have been at endless battle since both of their rises to power.
has tracked down its secret location and plans to obliterate it. In a scene full Star Wars?classic dry humor and knack for exhilarating space battles, they manage to escape, setting up one of the main plots for the movie. The second, focuses more on a smaller connection between Daisy Ridley?s Rey and Mark Hamill?s iconic Luke Skywalker. The hyped-up relationship was expected to be glorious since it picks up directly after the final scene of The Force Awakens, however, this proves to be untrue. In typical Star Wars fashion, things take a while to develop between the two. Rey essentially forces Luke to train her after seeing her receive a ?call? to the Force.
One of the first encounters of Rey (Ridley, left) and Luke Skywalker (Hamill, right).
Entertainment | 11
The Hawkword By Fr ank Coyne '19
Be the first person to submit your completed Hawkword to the David McCabe '19, Matt Phillips '18, or Marco Sammartino '18 to receive a free Sage lunch pass.
Across 2. Location of the Winter Olympics
23. The newest state in the US
7. One of two countries in South America that does not border Brazil
24. A great place for last-minute printing
11. Teaches APUSH
6. This teacher collects fine art 8. The school's president
Down
12. The last battle of the Revolutionary War 13. This year's replacement for homeroom 14. Home of the school's Xbox
1. Book written by Mary Shelly
9. The only state with two unique words in its name
3. This city is home to the oldest college in North America
10. Buy low, sell high, during community period
19. The only continent with no countries in it 4. One of the colors of the Prep 22. A club for aspiring anglers
17. The only city that is located on two different continents 18. The winningest sports team in Prep history 20. This king is famous for having a round table
15. Student council president
21. One of two countries with an "X" in its name
5. English teacher with a love for vocabulary 16. Popular cryptocurrency
Ranking For ty Year s of Star Wars By M ichael Enr ight '18
With the release of the new Star Wars movie, The Last Jedi, it?s time to look back at the saga that defined a generation and define which movies are our favorites and least favorites. Now in this ranking article I may go into spoilers for all the movies except for The Last Jedi because if you haven?t seen the originals at this point, that?s your own fault, but I won?t ruin The Last Jedi just yet because it has only been out for a couple weeks. Also, before I get into my rankings and reviews of these films, this is my opinion, not objective fact, and if you disagree I will happily debate with you in a friendly discussion. Now with that said, let?s get on with the rankings: 8. Episode II: Attack of the Clones Now it is universally agreed that the prequels released in the early 2000s were subpar at best, but this movie ascends to a whole new level of bad. Episode II: Attack of the Clones is not only a bad
favorite Star Wars movie, it is a terrible movie overall with a plethora of problems that include: terribly slow pacing, a horribly written script, cringey dialogue that will send shivers up the most hardened star wars fan?s spine, disappointing battles, boring Senate debates, and a God awful and forced love relationship between Anakin and Padme. Anything scenes that could be redeemable for this movie are often cut short and replaced by more awful dialogue or boring action sequences. In addition to all this,Attack of the Clones just simply wasn?t a fun movie like a Star Wars movie should be, it lacked heart and direction, and that?s why it claims the last spot on my list. 7. Episode I: The Phantom Menace Similar to Episode II, the Phantom Menace is an overall lackluster movie that lacks a good pace and good writing. All of the action is pretty lame except for the end fight scene between the Jedi Masters and Darth Maul in a story that finds many of the characters are boring and one dimensional.
Although the cast isn?t terrible with names like Liam Neeson and Natalie Portman, the plot just is not interesting and one character in particular almost single handedly ruins the entire movie (cough cough Jar Jar). Much of the classic, witty comedy from the original movies is replaced with slapstick humor, which achieved nothing except breaking the hearts of fans worldwide. The only reasons this movie is better than Attack of the Clones is because it did have a slight edge of fun to it and the final fight was good enough to hold my attention until its end. 6. Episode III: Revenge of the Sith Revenge of the Sith is widely regarded of the best prequel, and I?d agree, although that does not make it better than any other Star Wars movie. What the other two prequels failed at, this one finally kinda succeeds at with a better script, sightly better pacing, and interesting, emotion filled action sequences. The fights between General Grievous and Obi Wan Kenobi, The Emperor
and Yoda, as well as Obi Wan and Anakin are some of my favorites throughout all of the movies Even witnessing the downfall of the Jedi and the carrying out of Order 66 was actually quite powerful in its execution on screen. Personally, I enjoyed this movie; however, compared to the other installments of the franchise,Revenge of the Sithis still below average. 5. Episode VII: The Force Awakens After waiting years for this movie, it delivered with an exciting, fast moving, and fun adventure that revitalized the franchise after years of hibernation after the terrible prequels. However, this movie followed a plot that followed the original New Hope plot line way to closely with a bootleg Death Star and a small flaw to exploit in attempts to ?destroy the First Order.? In addition to this, it took bold steps when dealing with the classic characters of the past, specifically getting rid of Han Solo. This wasn?t necessarily a bad thing is was just unexpected.The Force
Awakenswas good and far better than the prequels, but not better than what comes next. 4. Episode VI: Return of the Jedi Being the lowest of the originals, Return of the Jedi was a great movie but lacked that special something the first two had. Don?t get me wrong, I still thoroughly enjoy this movie, but like The Force Awakens, several plot points from the first A New Hope are reused like the Death Star. However, the dynamic between Luke and Vader as well as a pretty convincing portrayal of the Emperor elevates this movie above the Force Awakens. Similarly, it holds a nostalgia factor involved when looking back at the original conclusion. 3. Episode VIII: The Last Jedi Now this is most likely my most controversial pick as many fans strongly disliked this movie because of bold steps writer and director Rian Johnson took when (Continued on Page 14)
12 | Entertainment
Haddad: A Food Tr uck Adventure By David Haddad '18 Over the course of this column, you have read reviews of places ranging from take out to dine in, and just about anything in between. What has been missing from my column are food trucks, a staple of the city. This week, I decided to tackle a unique mobile food
vendor. In the past, food trucks have been dubbed in two different ways: spots for amazing, creative food, or some of the worst food you can have. Unfortunately, there usually is no in between. If you are eating from a food truck, you definitely want to be sure of two things, first that it is clean and
second that the food is somewhat healthy. This week I decided to try Cucina Zapata after being referred there by many people. Obviously, there is no real venue or seating area for the food truck as it is a vehicle, which makes it a great option for a quick bite. Cucina Zapata is a Thai and Mexican food truck. It is pretty easy to spot as it looks to be covered in graffiti, but I assure you that is an intentional design. They have food ranging from currie, to burritos, tacos, creative dishes, sandwiches, and a variety of drinks. Of these options, I decided to try the Chicken Katsu, a mixture of rice, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and of course the essential piece, the chicken. To top it off the dish is mayo and sriracha. I will admit that I was skeptical eating vegetables from a food truck, but nonetheless I tried it. Of all my Dining with Dav experiences, this was definitely a unique one. Apparently, this
food truck is so popular that, sometimes, they actually run out of food. On two separate occasions, back to back days, I went to the food truck and on both days, all that was left were veggie patties. Although this was a large inconvenience, it was definitely worth the wait. Fortunately, when I went back on the third day, they were not sold out of their various meat dishes. From what I have heard and from my experience, there is usually a wait outside the food truck around the ?busy meal? times, which includes lunch time and late afternoon. After ordering my food, there was about a ten minute wait to get it as the kitchen inside the truck is pretty small and there were many people who were ordering. After receiving my food, I dug in. The Chicken Katsu was very good: the perfect amount of sauce? not too heavy but not too light? and the chicken was very tender. From what I heard around the food truck,
the fish tacos are very good as well, and they also have bubble tea which is also very popular. Overall, the experience was great, aside from the initial need to go back three times. The customer service was great, something you would not necessarily expect from a food truck. They do get pretty busy around lunch time as mentioned above, so plan accordingly. The truck is located at the corner of 31st and Ludlow, and you can check out their Facebook for more information (@cucina.zapata) and to get directions on the exact location. It is located on a side street along with about seven other trucks, so many options are out there. The food is pretty cheap so you will not have to spend a lot of money. If you are someone who is looking to try something different, I would definitely recommend Cucina Zapata, just hope they are not sold out by the time you get there!
Faculty Gr id By K evin L atu '19
What?s your motto in life?
I f you weren?t a teacher what other j ob would you have? What faculty member do you have beef with? I f there was a movie made about your life, which actor /actress would play you?
Dr. Bill Gillespie
M r. Joe Coyle
I?ll sleep when I die.
Easy doesn?t teach us anything
Police Officer
M r s. Nancy Pr imick
Always treat people Never stop learning and the way you want to be thinking treated
PA State Trooper (I was Something in the medical accepted to the Academy field in ?98)
Gillespie and any other Me??? I play nicely with Dr. Farren & Mr. Coyle teacher from Lawncrest everyone (Farren and Doc)
Seth MacFarlane
Pacino
Dr. John Campbell
Meryl Streep
A chiropractor
Nobody
Tom Hanks
Entertainment | 13
Book Review: The Genius Plague by David Walton Many novels have explored the concept of a disease or some other biological nightmare destroying mankind, but how many of them have explored a disease which actually helps mankind? The Genius Plague, by local Philadelphia author David Walton, tackles this very question head on. When a fungus infects Neil Johns? brother and somehow increases his intelligence, he is forced to question the meaning of human life. Walton creates rich concepts such as these and raises fascinating questions about humanity in The Genius Plague, but the actual plot and characters are severely lacking. The most engaging sections of Walton?s recently published novel all share one common theme: the effect of the fungus on world affairs. In the novel, although the fungus increases intelligence, it essentially hijacks the human mind and commands it to protect its home, the Amazon rainforest. Whether this is scientifically
possible is beside the point, as Walton utilizes it to explore how politicians, soldiers, highranking NSA members, and even the President of the United States would react to such a drastic situation. Neil Johns is an NSA agent and therefore is involved in the political aspects of The Genius Plague. It is through his eyes that the reader witnesses the collapse of the U.S. military and several foreign nations? governments. These sections of the novel, paired with Walton?s captivating deconstruction of the human psyche, make The Genius Plague an overall success. There are, however, some sections of the novel that are either ridiculously boring, extremely predictable, seriously stupid, or a combination of all three. The actual storyline concerning the fungus, probably the one and only interesting storyline in the entire novel, does not kick into full gear until about the halfway point. Everything before that is
either Neil Johns spending time with his father (granted this does factor into the finale, but predictably so) or attempting to rise in the ranks of the NSA. The characters sometimes make questionable choices as well. For example, when Johns is driving away from the NSA headquarters after receiving a job, he forgets to turn in his I.D. badge. So, instead of parking the car and walking back inside to return it, he simply puts the car in reverse and floors the gas pedal, causing him to run over spikes and become surrounded by armed NSA guards. For someone who is supposed to be one of the most intelligent characters in The Genius Plague, Johns often makes silly choices like these. This lack of connection and relation between the reader and the characters is the reason for its lackluster qualities. The ending, wow. The ending of The Genius Plague is so convoluted and confusing that I could not even explain it if
asked. Without giving away any spoilers, the ending seems to underride Walton?s main message of humanity being special because of its freedom and imperfections. Also, the plot device used in the ending is introduced very late in the novel. This did not minimize my appreciation of the novel because the plot device added a new layer to the philosophical questions posed, but I can definitely see other readers being angered by it. The philosophical questions raised in
Rating: 7/10 alone are worth reading the novel for. But, if you are looking for a novel that has interesting characters, is engaging throughout its entire length, and one that has a satisfying ending, this is most likely not for you.
(Photo: Penguin Random House)
By Chr is Strohman '19
The cover art for David Walton's The Genius Plague.
Revisiting a M aster piece: Good Kid, m.A.A.d City By Chr istian Giuliani '19 Fame, fortune, and power are the main aspects that most people strive for, and struggle to achieve this throughout their whole lives. Tunneling these aspects creates negligence for the real and substantial parts of life itself. Rapper Kendrick Lamar Duckworth constructed his Good Kid, m.A.A.d City album to combat this cyclical thinking, and to instill maturity and realness about the world into his audience about his transformation in Compton, California. Owning his mistakes and immaturity during his adolescence and creating them into songs, allowed Kendrick to make the ultimate decision to dedicate his life to informing the world of the way out of the struggles of life through positivity and respectfulness. On October 22, 2012, Kendrick Lamar released Good Kid, m.A.A.d City with Top Dawg Entertainment, Interscope Records, and Aftermath Entertainment. Twelve tracks make up the standard issue of this album, including bonus tracks and remixes to these songs down the road. Overall, the album is going through Kendrick?s life as a young kid and after listening, one may say that it was watching a movie inside their mind. Kendrick does this because the most effective way of showing his personality and lifestyle was to illustrate critical scenes in his life with lyrics. Kendrick creatively places each track in a specific order to bring all scenes of the songs back together towards the end. The first track, "Sherane"
a.k.a Master Splinter?s Daughter, opens up the album about a girl named Sherane. Kendrick flashes back about how he met her at a party and exchanged numbers. After a couple of months, Kendrick has maintained contact with her over the summer. He expresses his likeness for her and mentions her family?s history of gang affiliation. He disregards those facts and the flashback ends. The song ends with him pulling up to her house ready to meet each other, but instead is confronted with two men in black hoodies as his phone rings. His parents leave a message about waiting for their food Kendrick was supposed to bring back to the house. This song is a very strong opener to understand Kendrick?s lust and impulsiveness, which is one of the mistakes that he admits to. Kendrick relates to the younger generation about love and lust in Compton. Kendrick?s parents also play an important role in his songs, in a way that brings him to mature and become a ?human sacrifice.? The very next track,"* * * * , Don?t Kill My Vibe" does not create more scenes of the short film, but rather explains his outlook on the rap style during present day. Kendrick states multiple times in the song: ?I can feel the changes I can feel a new life, I always knew life can be dangerous? ? He illuminates on the maturity he obtained from his previous mistakes; something that the people of Compton could not see in themselves. At the end of this track, one of Kendrick?s friends asks him to freestyle. "Backseat Freestyle" proceeds after this and the lyrics exam-
ine the mind of sixteen year old Kendrick.Compton has a history of gang violence and other crimes, so Kendrick Lamar includes this track to appeal to those undergoing the same deal. This songs revists the violence that goes through Compton as a flashback. Mirroring the lives of the younger generation wasting their lives with unreal values of life; later of which Kendrick breaks out of. At this point in the album, the title comes into play describing Kendrick as truly a good kid in a maniacal city. Kendrick is almost forced by his city to perform actions that stray away from his true self. "The Art of Peer Pressure" exhibits this concept immensely. The story continues with the poor decisions Kendrick and his friends made based on inhumane thoughts. He goes onto rapping saying that he should never be in this situation to rob anyone. The song proceeds with the ?friends? of Kendrick that persuade him to do so because that is what is expected from people in Compton. Lamar uses this example as a leap into his change because no person is expected to undergo a ?mission? such as this, simply because they live in Compton. He is conflicted with the values that separate him from others of being a good kid. Reaching closer to Lamar?s change, "Poetic Justice" provides a path to forgiveness and realization of past sins. ?If I told you that a flower bloomed in a dark room Would you trust it?? This line is referring to Kendrick and any other person following his footsteps in
making a change in their life in Compton. Finally, the track "Good Kid" is the flower blooming into the ultimate goal for Kendrick; to get out of the hood. Kendrick compares Compton to a trap that is almost inescapable. Kendrick wants to show the world that he can make it out and defy all the criticism that surround Compton. To complete this goal, Kendrick must face the temptations of the streets and avoid being involved in violence in m.A.A.d City. He explains the worst of the worst in Compton, seeming like an uncivilized world in one city. Chaos around the clock is the most accurate way to present this. Kendrick allows the goodness within him to shine and focus on his music at the time. He hopes to do good for the youth stuck in this wild jungle. "Swimming Pools (Drank)" is Kendrick defeating the temptations of alcohol. Kendrick states in an interview with Complex, ?What better way to make something universal than to speak about drinking? I?m coming from a household where you had to make a decision? you were either a casual drinker or you were a drunk." Ways of surviving of the people of Compton, is demonstrated at the end of the album Kendrick takes on the personality of a negative and positive person. Taking on the negative person?s point of view, Kendrick gives into the temptation of joining another killer in finding the man who murdered his brother. The positive side is introduced when right before he finds the perpetrator, an old woman comes in to stop
Kendrick and lead him and his companion in prayer. The outro to this track is Kendrick?s realization of sensing God in everyone, including one of the harshest places such as Compton. On the second to last track, he utilizes the strength of love and compassion inReal. How could a person commit to violence or drugs in such an unnecessary way if he or she does not love themself. ?But what love got to do with it when you don't love yourself?? Kendrick symbolizes the embodiment of change and hopes for others to follow. His parents leave a voice message towards the end of the song saying that he is missed at the house. His mother states, ?If I don't hear from you by tomorrow, I hope you come back and learn from your mistakes. Come back a man, tell your story to these black and brown kids in Compton. Let 'em know you was just like them, but you still rose from that dark place of violence, becoming a positive person. But when you do make it, give back with your words of encouragement, and that's the best way to give back. To your city? ? Kendrick ends the album with the song "Compton." Kendrick has a way out with his lyrical talent through Dr. Dre. This song symbolizes the start of his new life as an inspiration. Kendrick can now say he made it out of Compton through making correct choices, and looking through the lives of those like him in a top down view. Kendrick Lamar Duckworth deserves the praise of helping the world understand through the eyes of a good kid in a mad city.
14 | Entertainment
2018 Best Picture Winner a M ust-See It?s the beginning of the New Year and the award season is starting. In honor of this occasion, I am reviewing a film that has been nominated for multiple awards. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, written and directed by Martin McDonagh (In Bruges,Seven Psychopaths), tells the story of a small town that is suddenly faced with adversity when a mother decides to rent billboards to protest the police treatment of her daughter?s murder investigation. Three Billboards is a movie with a strong message, seen through a realistic story and great acting, which are some of the reasons it is receiving so much buzz, however, the ending is questionable. Three Billboards portrays the message that if you want things done, you need to do them yourself. Frances McDormand?s character, Mildred Hayes, decides to stand up against the delay in finding the killer of her daughter. She remains strong throughout the
film, trying to find answers through any means necessary. McDonagh brings a special perspective on the difficulties that families face when having to deal with a monotonous case of a lost loved one. The message is held high throughout the film, seeing Hayes take action into her own hands. She strives to find answers no matter the cost. As the winner of the Golden Globe for Best Picture, Three Billboards is a very effective story. Anyone who has experienced a slow pace of resolution when a crime has been committed, can relate to this movie. It follows the efficiency of cops, the relations that people share with the ineffectiveness of those in charge, the pain and suffering of a mother, and how she copes with the loss of a child, and the unknown of her daughter?s death. It portrays the will that a family holds when looking into the face of transgression. Everyone can connect with this film in some way. People go through these types of situations every
day. I believe that Three Billboards can convince families to fight, as well as, motivate relationships. In addition, my favorite aspects of this film have to be the acting and comedy. The cast led by Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, and Sam Rockwell, prove the film was in trust worthy hands. McDormand, who won the Golden Globe for Best Actress, puts on a very memorable performance as a tough, bold, loudmouth mother, who is both very emotional and extremely strongwilled throughout. Woody Harrelson, who was only in the film for a short time, put on a great performance. Lastly, and easily my favorite character, was Sam Rockwell?s Officer Jason Dixon.Three Billboards, while being an amazing drama, was unexpectedly funny. The film seemed to carry a strong comedic angle, and the biggest source of the laughs was Rockwell. Dixon played a racist cop faced with some personal struggles, however, along with the dramatic char-
(Photo: Any Good Films)
By Anthony M cTighe '18
The famous billboar ds of 2018's Golden Globe winner, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missourri acter, came a dim-witted, nonsensical, goofy personality. Rockwell made me laugh on multiple occasions which was very helpful in getting through such a heavy story. He put on an exceptional performance and deserved the Golden Globe for Supporting Actor. I can not wait to see what he does next. On the contrary, the ending of the movie was somewhat disappointing. It was sort of abrupt, and seemed to stop before it should. This was upsetting because I really enjoyed the story being told, however,
the quick ending left an empty feeling. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is a bold film. It takes aim at cops during the heavy political and social climate that we are in, and attempts to tell an effective story whether it helps or hurts people. This is what I appreciate about filmmaking, the bravery it takes to be able to send a message on the silver screen. Through it?s strong message, realistic story, great acting and questionable ending, I believe Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is a great film, and a must see.
Star Wars Rankings (Cont.) formulating the plot. Personally, I really enjoyed this movie. It had a lot of powerful moments that sent chills down my spine with countless callbacks to the original trilogy as well as new spins on the force that really spiced things up. The only reason this movie is lowered below my top two are two to three flaws that draw back heavily on the movie. There
was a lot to think about when forming an opinion on this and I really want to see it again, but for right now it remains at number three. 2. Episode IV: A New Hope Before we get to number one, we have the first movie that started it all. The reason this movie is so high on my list is simply because its nostalgia factor. I can watch this movie countless times and still have a
fun time with tons of quotable lines and an exciting plot that started it all. The reason that Star Wars is such a phenomenon is because of this movie and there is a reason why. Although much of it today may seem corny and outdated, I believe the movie still holds up very well today. There is only one movie that is possibly better than the original. 1. Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
When people think of perfect sequels, The Empire Strikes Back is easily the first movie that comes to mind. Regarded as one of the best movies of all time, Empire is able to have a completely new plot with darker themes without sacrificing the charm and fun of the original. The acting is spot on, the writing and pacing is better, the conflict becomes more real. Empire, perhaps, has one of the most shocking plot
The Hawkeye Staff Editor s-in-Chief
Head Wr iter s
Matt Phillips '18
Matt Brennan '18
Marco Sammartino '18
Simon Williams '18
David McCabe '19
Andrew Koh '19 Jack Thorell '19
M anaging Editor Dan Avington '18
Staff Wr iter s Michael Enright '18
News Section Editor
Jake Feehery '18
Joe Scott '19
Liam Gibbons '18 Riley Herriman '18
Features Section Editor
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Nick Palermo '18
Anthony McTighe '18 Sebastian Porreca '18
Enter tainment Section Editor
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Stephen Dierkes '18 Paul Stowell '18
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Patrick Adams '19
Liam Grugan '19
Ned Burke '19 Robert Calabro '19
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David Haddad '18
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twists of all time as it is revealed that Darth Vader is in fact Luke?s father. Empire is my favorite movie, but only slightly. With 40 years of exciting, action-packed movies under its belt, the Star Wars franchise has never failed to disappoint. , Saying that, I look forward to what Episode IX, and this series, has to offer.
Jacob DeAnnuntis '19 Patrick Diviny '19 Christian Giuliani '19 Scott Hibbs '19 Kevin Latu '19 John Leuzzi '19 Christian Locantore '19 Matt Marhefka '19 Nick Rios '19 Kenneth Shegogue '19 Cris Strohman '19 Ricky Weipz '19 Carl Whittington '19 Thomas Avington '20 Peter Banfe '20 Denis Gallagher '20 Marcus Murphy '20 Patrick McCabe '20 Liam Stephens '21 M oder ator Mr. Leo Vaccaro '05
Opinion-Debate | 15
DEBATE: I s Fir st Semester Post-Chr istmas Reasonable? Pro: By Jack Thorell '19 As I write this, with midterms long gone and graded, the only thing that stands between each student and his first semester report card are 11 days of class. Granted, these days are fair game for tests, quizzes, and other graded assignments, but put into the perspective of an entire semester of material, performing well enough to not drastically drop any grades for 11 short days is a breeze. The decision for the first semester to continue for these 11 days of class after midterms and winter break have passed has been called a flaw of the new schedule, the reasoning behind which many members of the Prep community have questioned. But the benefits of enduring 11 days that likely won?t have much effect on
Con: By Scott Hibbs '19 I?ll admit: at first I was as critical of the new schedule as anyone. A schedule that would require multiple emails and a computer program to finally figure out did not seem horribly innovative at first. A Community ?Hour? that lasted a grand total of 50 minutes and a lunch that rapidly changed certainly didn?t help the matter. However over time I have come to see the good that this new schedule has brought. Students that would before
grades accumulated over an entire semester outweigh the glitch of midterms coming before the official end of the semester. This new addition to the semester coming after midterms, which should theoretically be the culmination of a semester?s material, is a small side effect of the decision to have midterms before Christmas, a change that was overall well received by the student body. In order to both have a true break from school with midterms happening in December and have an equal amount of time devoted to the first and second semesters, the second semester has to continue into January. While students may not like the loose end of their first semester grades continuing after midterms, we must consider the two, less appealing alternatives.
have had limited access to activities can now participate in whatever their hearts desire, regardless of which sport they play or which bus they take. This being said there are still some problems with this upheaval of the schedule; namely, the dreaded two weeks of the 2nd Quarter remaining after midterms. As a result of midterms? being moved to before the Christmas Break, the 2nd Quarter now extends to after the break, resulting in a two week period separated from the rest of the 2nd
If the Prep made up for this first semester time- roughly two calendar weeks- that continued into January by beginning two weeks earlier, we would be returning to school in mid- August. I personally would rather enjoy a long summer break than go back to school two weeks before my friends and most other high schoolers across the country just to have the semester end with midterms. If students want to continue returning to school in September and continue having the actual break over Christmas that the new midterm schedule has created, this buffer period is a necessary inconvenience (if 11 more days can even be labeled as such). Another possible solution is to continue returning in September, have midterms as scheduled this year, and then add those 11 days onto the
Quarter. While most classes are unaffected by this, simply being forced to leave out two weeks of material on the midterm, any semester class took the brunt of this change. Instead of the midterm being the fitting end to a class, culminating in a final test that comprises all material learned throughout the course, students must now return to this class for an awkward period of time, too short to learn anything of true substance. Not only is the course affected by this, but the stu-
second semester. This uneven balance would be undesirable and potentially problematic for students. The logic and convenience of the two semesters having equal weight is that, in year long courses, the two semester grades have equal influence on final year grades. If a student performed significantly better in a hypothetically shorter first semester, it would have less impact on his grade than a second semester with more days and more opportunities for points. Additionally, students can use the opportunities for points in the 11 days left to potentially redeem themselves from rough midterm grades and boost their first semester grade, which, and rightfully so in a balanced schedule, determines half of the student?s year grades. This hypothetical uneven distribution would also unfairly gyp students taking semester classes in the first semester of
the 11 day conclusion to their class and leave those same classes and teachers fumbling to find 11 days worth of extra material in the second semester.
dents are as well. Having the realization that there will be more to come after the final exam for a class is a disheartening thought while studying.
the remaining two weeks they must endure before they can finally call an end to their first semester classes.
Don?t get me wrong, midterms taking place before break was a good change to the schedule. Allowing students to not have to study or have the shadow of midterms loom over them while they attempt to enjoy their week off is a huge improvement. This improvement is nullified however if a student still has to worry about
Essentially, any alternative to continuing the first semester for 11 days after Christmas break, over which classes will only meet 8- 9 times with the schedule, would only hurt the students. No student wants to go back to school halfway through August, and an uneven distribution of semesters simply wouldn?t work. There is a reason that the Prep, after hours of time, money, and conversation, decided on this schedule as the best and most beneficial for Prep students. While this period may seem like an oddity of the schedule, enduring these 11 days of class is more convenient for everyone than changing the schedule to rectify the situation.
I believe that starting the school year earlier and getting rid of this two week period would be a much more efficient approach to compensating for the earlier midterms. Without the worry of continuing the first semester on return to school, the Christmas Break can truly be a relaxing time for a student, allowing them a clean slate upon their return to school.
Opinion: College Process I s Tough, But Has To Be Like every college admission cycle, this year?s is certainly a stressful one. The seniors, after three and a half years of hard work and sleepless nights, began their quest to move on. As always, there have been some surprises, but, like any college process, they are to be expected. It seems that the Prep?s student body?s feeling towards this year?s admission process is stress-ridden. If we have learned anything during this process, it is that nothing is guaranteed. What students forget to consider is that although we have some of the brightest students in our area, there is a nationwide applicant pool. People all around the country are applying to the same colleges as our students. Most of the colleges that our students have heard back from have been early decision and
early action school. Many of them are elite, top tier institutions, so it is no surprise that many students have been deferred and will be reconsidered in the regular decision pool. In other words, this is not something to panic about. As a senior who is officially done with his part of the process (as of Wednesday, January 10), I can give a few of our underclassmen some advice. The first and most important piece is to not underestimate the importance of the college essays. Many colleges ask one, two, or more very specific prompts for their school only. It is important to use this prompt to get your love for the school across. Second, use your college counselor as a resource, and be honest with yourself. Even if you are the top student in your class at the Prep, there are hundreds of schools in our area
with top students as well, so you need something to set yourself apart from all those other students. This needs to not only come out in your essay, but on your application. It seems that everyone around the school is nervous and concerned that our seniors are not attaining acceptance to college. This certainly is untrue. So far, just from early decision, early action, and rolling admission school, our students have been awarded admission to fantastic academic institutions, including the University of Chicago, Notre Dame, MIT, Columbia, Fordham, Boston College, Georgetown, Penn State, Pitt, and Wake Forest, just to name a few. There is no need to panic. This happens every year. Each year gets more and more competitive, as expected, but it is important to remember that if you are looking to move on to college after
the Prep, you will go to college. Senior Brad Ehrlich has been able to maintain a sense of humor about the college process saying, ?Applying to college is like finding a girlfriend. After searching for a long time you will find the one that is a perfect fit but most likely will end up getting denied.? Over the past few months, I
have heard people express their concern over the college process, but rest assured, your hard work at the Prep will pay off. It is definitely a stressful process, but it is only as stressful as you make it. Be sure to work ahead, stay on top of the essays, as mentioned earlier. Stay focused. Each year students get rejected and accepted to colleges, this year is no exception.
Photo: (St. Joe's Prep)
By David Haddad '18
The Prep Class of 2017 at graduation last year.
Do you have thoughts or comments to offer on any of the beliefs expressed in this issue? Contact Liam Grugan '19 to write a letter to the editor. Your letter could be featured in our next issue.
16 | Opinion-Debate
Student-L ed Choir Eventually Needs Adult Director By Stephen Dier kes '18 For a few months now, the Dei Gloriam Vocal Ensemble has been left without an official choral director. A few upperclassmen who are involved in music for the liturgy took up the reins and continued practices. I?ve been asked to share my opinion on whether or not this new leadership has been effective and if we need a new choir director. Now, my opinion on the matter will be biased because I am one of those students who help run the choir. Nevertheless, I will do my best to give a balanced argument.
It may come as a surprise, but there is a lot that goes into providing music for the Prep?s monthly masses. I won?t go
into great detail about these responsibilities, but I will say that the other leaders and I have realized why this position was previously held by a a paid faculty member. The overlying difficulty with this position is the amount of the leaders? time it takes to prepare for a mass, both in and out of rehearsal. And, while we are all willing to spend this time, I can say for me personally, it has taken time away from other activities. Another logistic to consider is leaving things for next year. As far as I know, I?m the only regular member of the choir who feels comfortable enough to play the piano for a mass. At
the end of this school year, once I graduate, the choir will be left with no pianist. While there are ways to work around this, such as opening up this position to our music scholarship recipients, a director with playing abilities would be ideal. While this current situation has its share of problems, there?s a considerable amount of good within. Our basic duty is to provide music for the monthly liturgies. I believe we have successfully done just that. I personally love the atmosphere of the rehearsals. The students who do come are eager to rehearse. In addition to this, rehearsals are fun and they have
become one of my favorite uses of community period. The number of choir members in the actual liturgy has grown significantly since students took over leadership. I firmly believe that this increased participation in the liturgy will have its benefits later on. The choir will be able to continue its work for the rest of the year under our current leadership. Having a choir director would be extremely helpful but its not a pressing issue with our current situation. However, for the years to come, I think filling the position will be necessary.
(Photo: St. Joe's Prep)
We average around 10 students per rehearsal and an impressive 30 for the actual mass.
While I love the fact that students are willing to involve themselves in the mass, the sparse attendance at practices discourages us from learning new, more challenging music. So, while the choir has still been able to provide music, attendance continues to be a problem. I believe a faculty member with the choir director title (with a bit more authority than we, student leaders, have) would more effectively be able to encourage the students to attend practice.
Dierkes's first official mass as pianist was at this year's I GNI TE Freshman Retreat. Pro:
DEBATE: Dress Downs Dur ing Exams?
By Chr istian L ocantore '19 A button up shirt, khakis, a tie and a sports coat has been apart of the St. Joe?s Prep experience for as long as one can remember. This uniform is a key tradition carried on for many years. Students are only allowed to dress down on special occasions or when donating money to a cause. Nevertheless, the desire from students to have dress downs during exams was still prevalent this year and many students wondered why it was not allowed in the first place.
Con: By Denis Gallagher '20 Midterms this year were very hectic. Students had free rein between exams, and after school was very messy. Some students were worried about grades during break, and others just disliked the emotions exams brought them in general. One suggestion to ease some of these negative feelings was to allow dress down days during exams. This is a bad idea for many reasons, all of which support dress code being enforced to a degree during exams. The reason for why dress code should be kept for the duration of midterms is acad-
The main issue students have with wearing uniforms during exams is the comfortability factor. When having to sit at a desk for at least an hour and thirty minutes, keeping your focus and comfort can be difficult and wearing khakis, a tie, etc. does not help. Eugene Miller states: ?I am more confident going into exams when I am comfortable in my normal clothes since wearing my suit makes me feel restricted.? Comfortability is the forefront of this argument. If students can not remain comfortable, then their focus on the exam is likely to drop which can easily
result in a poor grade. Stereotypes surrounding uniforms improving grades seem to be a key point in the argument on why uniforms are necessary during these exams but many studies prove otherwise.
emic performance. According to almost 70% of parents and teachers, Larry Wilder Ed.D. of Fresno University writes, dress codes during testing periods increase attentiveness and performance. This should win over any student that is concerned about grades at all. Dress codes promote a serious attitude towards behavior and trying to take a test, not just get in and get out to winter break. I know that dress code can be a nuisance, but the effects of adhering to it during exams are of greater importance. While out of uniform, students tend to be lazy, tired, and less organized. These things can really affect someone while they take a 150-
question test. Getting out of bed and putting on sweatpants and a sweatshirt is better than a shirt and tie in the short term, but when grades drop ten points because of what you wore for two hours during your Spanish midterm, you will regret your sloppiness.
Stereotypes about school uniforms improving grades and performance have been disproven many times through polls and studies. Many studies, like one from the University of Houston in 2010, have expressed that school uniforms do not make much of a difference, if a difference at all, in academics. My next thought
Proponents of dress down days may bring up that comfort would help test scores, that having to deal with shirt and tie is so terrible that 20% of semester grades seem like no biggie. Wearing the same clothes that you normally wear to school keeps you in the same mentality as when you were learning the information, and keeps you attentive instead of just dying for break to start.
was tradition. Since the school uniform has always been worn during exams, why would it be changed? When asking Mr. Petruzzelli on this he conveyed that tradition was not the reasoning but instead the mindset of the students was a core reason: ?With exams, I would not want students coming in to be less serious or unfocused because they are dressed down.? He also used an example from when he used to coach baseball ?I would never let my guys be sloppy: shirt untucked, hat backward; before we warm up because it puts them in the wrong frame of mind.? UltiProponents of dressed down exams just cannot argue with the facts: the numbers don?t lie. Dressing in normal school uniform, or in the Prep?s case dress code, leads to higher grades. It would be extremely counterintuitive to shrug off this fact just to feel like you?re still at home during midterms, and, although they are tough, every student should at least take the simple and easy steps to a good grade, like following the dress code. One compromise both parties could reach, though, is a mandatory dress code that is less strictly enforced. Students don?t need to worry about IDs and JUG, and teachers need to understand that. But it remains that dress code is the
mately, the reasoning of being in uniform on exams is so students remain focused and are in the right mindset. The mindset of a student during an exam is an important factor in this debate. Each student should always remain focused on performing the best they can on their exams. Uniforms may help with keeping students in the right mindset, but one could argue that students lose that same focus from being uncomfortable sitting in a desk in uniform for at least an hour and a half.
way to go to succeed. The main goal of taking midterms is to succeed. Although it is great wearing comfortable normal clothes instead of dress code, this hurts academic performance. The weight of midterms is very heavy, since they affect grades very much. Pushing them off as a chore to be done quickly is not the way someone should approach them. Instead, he should dress for success and be prepared and organized for a little while longer before zoning out for a week and a half of Christmas break. Trust me, it will be worth it in the long run by a mile.
Opinion-Debate | 17
L etter to the Editor : Rev. John W. Swope '72 Tr avis M anion Foundation and the Prep For several years now, the Prep has enthusiastically welcomed the Travis Manion Foundation (hereafter, ?TMF?) to offer its ?Character Does Matter? (hereafter, ?CDM?) program twice a year to Prep students who voluntarily enroll. Essentially, this CDM program involves an 8-week after-school leadership academy facilitated by veterans of recent wars who now live and work as full-time professionals in the Delaware Valley. The aims of TMF are more than clearly articulated on their website, and all members of the Prep community have been invited to the closing ceremony of each CDM program, an occasion where TMF members talk about their mission. For anyone interested, I would like to spell out why the Prep is in relationship with TMF. First of all, more than half of veterans feel disconnected from the civilian life we lead. Together with TMF, the Prep is providing an opportunity for veterans to transition to civilian life--to fully return home. I see TMF as a holistic program to help recently returned vets transition to civilian life, with clear benefits for Prep students. The Prep welcomes these vets and their gifts, and TMF vets feel their gifts being received and valued. This relationship is a beautiful exchange. After all, compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded, but a covenant between equals. In the CDM program, our students are engaged with the vets in a sort of "attentive listening," a priceless gift for the vets. They sense themselves as being able to establish a kind of kinship with our students that, more than anything else, brings these vets back fully into the civilian family. At the Prep, we have what the vets need: a strong community. TMF deals head on with the alienation from a lack of a community and a lack of purpose that vets feel in their return home. TMF accepts and celebrates the personal stories of the vets they serve. TMF is not afraid to address the lurking suspicion among some people that their lives matter less than other lives, even though these vets are men and women who have built their teams under one mission, engaged in countless humanitarian efforts in their time abroad, faced loss, made hard decisions. The Prep, meanwhile, as a Catholic and Jesuit institution, works within the same vision, as we treat each life as one with dignity, sanctity, and purpose. Together TMF and the Prep do not see veterans as civic liabilities needing rescue, but rather as terrific civic assets needing channels so that they can rediscover the fullness of their own humanity and to re-engage them in the community. This personal journey of rediscovery of the fullness of one?s humanity has been a profound restorative experience for TMF vets. And our Prep students have contributed to this journey in a significant way. Our Prep students have valued the lessons taught by TMF vets. The vets have rediscovered the joy of experiencing themselves as valued for who they are. No wonder that TMF itself is strengthening its focus on the CDM program, while spending less time and resources on job training and other programs. The TMF-Prep relationship is such a dramatic departure from the national conversation about vets from Iraq and Afghanistan. Casting vets as ?needing to be saved?, as ?a big health care problem? and as ?cases of PTSD from combat-related injuries? ---these are ideas not shared by TMF and the vets. This is what we hear in the press, and it is used mostly as a pretext for attacks on the poor service in the VA. By contrast, TMF chooses to see these men and women, far from damaged, needy, or abandoned by the VA, first and principally as ready, able and equipped to lead upon their return. Alongside TMF, the Prep has "extended into the community," caring for our city through service projects in South Philadelphia. Together, more than 150 veterans and Prep students have "moved beyond themselves," joining ten non-profit organizations in the Point Breeze neighborhood, for instance, this past Veterans Day, to beautify schools, gardens, community centers and parks. This day of service that united over 300 people, epitomizes the TMF mission: bringing disparate groups together to unite in the one mission of building a better neighborhood and city. Also, when both Ryan Gillyard and Sal DiNubile passed away, TMF veterans, together with many in our community, offered us such value in moving students through conversations about loss and grief. This is, indeed, a beautiful exchange at work. The Beatitudes are internal dispositions that allow us to fulfill the moral law; they transform each of us, enabling us to abide by the great commandment to love others in the manner that Christ did. This love extends to all those with whom we share kinship, including the kinship we share with our veterans and the respect we show, even when we disagree with particular war policy, for those who defended the nation. The Prep will continue to embrace TMF because it permits us to experience God as we accompany vets in their restorative journey to the fullness of humanity.
JACOB'SDECLASSIFIEDPREPSURVIVALGUIDE January - - 2018 By Jacob DeAnnuntis '19 1. This time of year is always tough on Prep students. Straight school with no breaks is definitely no fun. With the temperature dropping rapidly, and many of us waking up and going home in the dark, our days can seem long and dreary. In order to break this cycle of just pure school work, make sure not to center your life around school. There?s so much more to life than just school. Have fun on the weekends. Play video games, play sports, read a book, watch a movie, hang out with your friends, watch football, and spend time with your family. Don?t let homework coup you up in your room all weekend. It takes a mental toll on all of us, and we need to alleviate this stress. Think about this: Will a bad latin test really make a difference in your life one year from now? I?m a huge advocate for focused studies, but do not let it dictate your life. Find ways to have fun during the week too. Take bus SJ8 to suburban station sometime and hang out with your
friends to eat. Joe?s Pizza on 16th and Walnut is the move. There is also a Chipotle, Chick- Fil- A, Five Guys, and more within a 5 block radius of Suburban Station. 2. It is likely you have heard this before, but just in case you haven?t, be sure to take note. If you have to GO the bathroom, definitely use the J-Hall Bathrooms. They?re much cleaner, nicer, provide more privacy, and offer the luxury of paper towels. Once you try it, you?ll never go back to Villiger. 4. With Winter in full effect now, the whole school seems to be getting sick. Kids are coughing everywhere and constantly blowing their noses. Obviously we have all been sick, and I highly doubt any of us like it. Contracting a sickness during the school week can really make life harder for us Prep students. To avoid catching a cold, sore throat, etc., make sure to wash your hands often, especially before you eat. But, since it is in-
evitable, once you do get sick try to consume a lot of Vitamin C and get as much sleep as possible (Also Alka Seltzer Cold and Flu works magic. Don?t knock it until you try it.). My advice is to try and power through minor illnesses, because suffering through two days of school with a cold is much better than making up two test, three quizzes, and a whole lot of homework and class notes. If you can?t come into school, definitely make sure to email your teachers, give them and heads up. Find out what you missed, get the notes from a friend, schedule a makeup test, even try doing some work if you can. Missing days is tough, but don?t the let the work pile up. 5. Among us ?men for others,? cheating is actually exists, and it can be really easy to join the crowd and cheat as well. As the saying goes, cheaters never prosper. Cheating is honestly not worth it, especially in the long run. You?re going to have to know the material someday,
eventually when final exams roll around. Plus, the consequences far outweigh the positives. Risking possible suspension and expulsion, or taking the L on one latin quiz? Don?t give in. 6. If you?re going to use your cell phone in the hallway, at least look up occasionally. Don?t walk around with your buried in your phone. Either you?ll get by a teacher, or you?ll bump into an upperclassman. Don?t be that kid. 7. Service hours are great for the community as well as for building character, but some may see them as a burden (they are most certainly not). Even if you do see them in this way, at least get them done. Quick reminder: Freshman need 5 hours, Sophomores need 10 hours, Juniors 20, and Seniors 40. When the hours are due in the Spring, there?s always a mad rush to cram as many hours as humanly possible into one week. I?m telling you now, start knocking them out sooner
than later. The Prep offers so many great opportunities to volunteer in our community, whether through the Father?s Club, Travis Manion, or even during Community Hour and after school, with Empty Bowls, Daily Gesu Service, Hurtado Food Pantry, and more. Take advantage of these options, and don?t wait until the last minute. 8. Whether you?re doing phenomenal in a class, struggling heavily, or floating somewhere in between, always take advantage of extra credit opportunities. Towards the end of the quarter, many of our generous teachers offer small assignments to help boost our grades. There?s no reason not to make the most out of this, as it can only help. Don?t be mad at your teacher for your grade when you chose not to attend the Community Hour speaker for extra credit.
18 | Opinion-Debate
Una Carta al Editor: Paul K oenig '18 In a past Hawkeye edition, one Prep student wrote an article describing the unnecessary and unrealistic modern language requirement. This particular student cited statistics such as the fact that only one percent of American adults are proficient in the language they studied during their time in highschool. He holds the belief that the mandatory years spent learning a modern language could be better spent by students engaging in various other electives. The Prepper then brought up a very strong point regarding the modern language education system in our country. He holds the belief that in order for students to truly master a language they learn in school, they must begin their immersion with this particular language at a very young age. A couple years in grade school or high school will not go very far in achieving the goal or fluency. I do not completely disagree with this student. His opinion holds great merit; however, I believe he may be missing the idea behind the Prep?s modern language curriculum. The Prep?s modern language requirement is not merely in place to assist students in their mastering of a second language. The Prep is a Jesuit college preparatory school rooted in the humanistic ideals. The Prep educates young men with the goal of providing them with a more cultured, worldly, and open-minded viewpoint on society and the world. That is one of the main goals of Jesuit education ? fostering an environment which promotes free thinking founded in the ideals of compassion and brotherhood. Classes at the Prep open up the minds of boys beyond their own personal lives and problems. Young men become aware of their surroundings and the events and sufferings of the world in which they live. The modern language classes do just that. They make the students aware of the cultures, sufferings, beliefs, and languages of others. The modern language department does not only strive to enhance the proficiency of each student in a secondary language; rather, the teachers strive to educate the students on a much larger scale. SeĂąora Baland?s AP Spanish class is a supreme example of a modern language class going beyond the grammar and vocabulary lessons. Each day, Baland?s AP students engage in thought provoking discussions. Their topics range from political turmoil in Venezuela to the recent rise of genetic engineering in the Argentinian agricultural industry. Students engage with each other in conversations, drawing on past knowledge and information from other classes, all while speaking in Spanish. Not only does the modern language department achieve this very noble goal of enlightening young men to the happenings and traditions of various cultures and countries, so too do these teachers assist students in their aspirations of becoming proficient in a second or even third language. A prime example of a Prep student achieving proficiency and a desire to continue his education in his modern language is alumnus Thomas Koenig ?16. As a current Princeton student studying in the Politics Department, Koenig says, ?Without my Spanish skills, I would not have my internship at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. this summer. They had me answer questions in Spanish on the spot during the interview, and if I hadn?t been able to do so, there?s no way I would have gotten the job. At the end of the day, the ability to at least be proficient in a second language is another tool to help you land internships, jobs, and advance in your career.? This article is not meant to criticize or prove the previous article wrong. It is simply an alternative viewpoint. The writer of the previous article regarding the unnecessary modern language requirement and fruitless efforts of students in achieving second language capabilities had many strong points and opinions. However, the opinions described above hold merit as well and must be considered as one takes a look at the Prep curriculum and as one takes a look at the mission and purpose of St. Joseph?s Preparatory School, a Catholic Jesuit prep school.
L etter to the Editor : M r s. Cour tney Pinto On Wednesday, December 6th, the College Counseling Office at the Prep was invited up to Fordham University for a tour of its newly renovated Lincoln Center Campus. This tour was followed by Fordham?s annual Christmas gathering for NYC area college counselors and the Prep, while offered a special invitation given our location in Philadelphia, was one of a few hundred schools invited to the event. Because of this, it was somewhat surprising that the initial group invitation was then followed up by a personal request from President Fr. McShane?s office for a private meeting with the Prep college counselors on Fordham?s Rose Hill campus in the Bronx, well ahead of the Lincoln Center program. Plans were made, train tickets were bought and as an office we were pretty excited to get some time together away from school to connect with our colleagues at Fordham and hopefully catch up with a couple Prep guys currently enrolled in the university. In our minds, the meeting with McShane would simply be a nice 10 minute conversation on an already full day. If I learned anything, though, from my time at Fordham under Fr. McShane?s tenure as Dean, it was to never underestimate the charismatic and welcoming nature of this Jesuit. Fr. McShane?s assistant, Prep grad Mike Trerotola ?06, was waiting for us at the Metro North Station when we arrived on campus. Mike informed us that Fr. McShane was running a few minutes behind and offered to walk us through campus while we waited. I hadn?t been back to Fordham for many years and was glad to see everything still felt just as familiar despite all the upgrades since my graduation. After going through the completely renovated building for the Gabelli Business school, we made our way back to the president?s office and were quickly welcomed by the rest of McShane?s staff. Fr. McShane soon joined us in his front office. He loved unwrapping the Prep Christmas ornament we had brought as a gift for him and we really appreciated the Fordham t-shirts and books on the reflections of St. Ignatius that he gave us. Pleasantries were exchanged and we were ready to be on our way as we had heard the office was getting ready to head out to an alumni event in Hartford. Instead, Fr. McShane welcomed us back into his private office where we then stayed with him and Mike for the next hour. Our conversation ranged from discussing everything from the newly restored piece of art in McShane?s office to all the papal visits he has participated in during his time with the Jesuits and his hilarious dealings with New York politicians. When we got to the signed blue book that Bono had drawn when he was on campus for a surprise U2 concert in 2009, McShane turned to me and asked if I were disappointed that this hadn?t been a gift for the Class of ?99 instead. I swear, the man has a mind like a steel trap and he forgets nothing, including the the graduation year of some random girl who showed up to Fordham from a public school in Massachusetts. Settling down at his conference table, McShane got right to business. ?Why aren?t we enrolling more students from St. Joe?s Prep?,? he inquired of the three of us. He had his stats down and knew that despite the many applications our students send to Fordham, we typically enroll only a handful each year. Before we could answer his question, McShane went on to explain that he holds the academic program of the Prep in the absolute highest regard. He highlighted the fact that our student leaders for service and retreats were so well prepared to take on similar positions at Fordham that Prep guys immediately stand out in such a positive way among their new peers on campus. McShane also pointed out that no other Jesuit high school has given the Society of Jesus more scholastics in recent years than St. Joe?s Prep and believed this was an incredibly strong testament to the individual formation that happens at 17th & Girard. As Fr. McShane was speaking, I couldn?t help but agree with so much of what he was saying. I also know from first hand experience what an amazing place Fordham is. Looking back nearly 20 years, I?m able to recognize that many of the gifts in my life, even still to this day, came about as a result of my time at Fordham. Participating in Fordham?s Global Outreach program to serve in places like Kolkata, India led me to seek a full time volunteer position at Red Cloud Indian School (a Jesuit school in Pine Ridge, SD) for two years after graduation. It was at Red Cloud that I met my husband and then went on to build our beautiful family that now includes 11 year old Isaiah and 9 year old Daisy. After Red Cloud, I thought back to my time at Fordham and realized living in the Bronx for four years had really helped open me up to understanding the inner-city experience from the perspective of the residents in these neighborhoods and eagerly sought out a counseling position at a charter high school in Camden, NJ. My six years at that school were wonderful and I loved the students I worked with on a daily basis, but the itch to reconnect with a Jesuit institution was too strong to ignore and I felt incredibly lucky when my current position at St. Joe?s Prep opened up and I was hired as a college counselor. Having so thoroughly enjoyed my work in Camden, I truly can?t say that I would have even seen the value in applying to this job if it had not been for my time at Fordham that gave me such a strong foundation in understanding the value of Ignatian pedagogy in education.
(Photo: Fordham Housing)
I realize many of the intangible gifts I received from Fordham are available in similar ways to people associated with the community of St. Joe?s Prep. I also understand that college costs can be a huge determining factor in where a student ultimately enrolls and it can be really expensive to send your child to a private school in a major metropolitan area. Because of these points of view, our students may not have as much need and/or interest in continuing their education at a Jesuit institution like Fordham. For those who do want to remain on an intellectual and spiritual with St. Ignatius, though, I think Fr. McShane has a totally valid question. Why aren?t we sending more Prep guys to Fordham?
Fordham's sprawling Rose Hill campus in the middle of the Bronx, New York City.
Sports | 19
Speedy Reaches 1000th Career Win The day had finally come. In his fiftieth season as a basketball coach, Speedy Morris would be going for his 1,000th career win. In his 16th season at 17th and Girard, he is the winningest coach in St. Joe?s Prep History, in Catholic League History, in La Salle University Men?s Basketball history, has been inducted into 11 different Hall of Fames including the Big 5 HOF from his coaching days at La Salle University, has won 8 Catholic League Titles (2 at SJP, 6 at Roman Catholic), is the only coach in Pennsylvania High School History to win 300 plus wins at two different schools and has far more than just that. The Hawks would be looking to get Speedy his 1,000th as they took on the Crusaders of Lansdale Catholic in a matchup for the ages. Mayor of Philadelphia Jim Kenney ?76, former Princeton men?s basketball coach Pete Carril, Saint Joseph?s University men?s basketball head coach Phil Martelli ?72, and Temple University men?s head coach Fran Dunphy, along with tons of former players who played for Morris, were all in attendance. The stage was set as leg-
The Hawks played a fantastic
Photo: (Josh Verlin)
Darius Kinnel '18 (right) shortly after scoring his 1,000th career point.
endary public address announcer Dan Baker introduced the starting line- ups for both teams and the game began. Senior co- captain Darius Kinnel was also looking to make some history against the Crusaders. Kinnel came into the matchup 6 points away from scoring his 1,000th career point. Kinnel who transferred into the Prep in his sophomore season from Highland Regional High School in Highland, NJ has developed into a 5- tool player for the Hawks in his 3 seasons under the leadership of Morris and has come through in crucial situations for the Hawks so far this season. Kinnel moved the ball into Lansdale?s side of the court, and Jacob O?Connell ?19 then took over. The 6?11 forward has had a bit of a slow start to his Prep career, but played his best game of the season in all aspects, becoming more physical in the paint and shooting the deep 2 pointers with ease to help the Hawks increase their lead. He would finish the game with 6 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. SJP jumped out to an early lead, which would be a story of the game as Lansdale couldn?t keep up with the Prep?s fast paced offense.
game inside, drawing fouls against the Crusaders?big men and cleaning up the glass routinely. Both team?s main big man, SJP?s Ed Croswell ?18 and LC?s Luke Godzieba, got into foul trouble early, but the Hawks still had O?Connell to continue their height advantage. Trevor Wall ?20 came into the game early, and made his usual contributions on the defensive, rebounding, and driving games, just as he always does. After back- to- back three pointers by Wall and Gabe Arizin ?19, Kinnel took the ball himself, drove through the middle, elevated, and layed one in. Just like that, Darius Kinnel scored his 1,000th career high school career point. After the shot, play was stopped and Kinnel was joined by hugs and high- fives from his teammates, coaching staff and his family as everyone in the Kelly Fieldhouse cheered him on. After the game, in an interview with City of Basketball Love?s Josh Verlin, Kinnel said,?I?m a part of Philadelphia history now. It?s unbelievable to me.?After the Hawks helped Kinnel reach his milestone, the team?s focus went all towards finishing the game with a win to get Speedy into the
record-books. Heading out of halftime with a 31- 16 lead, the Hawks continued their dominance over the Crusaders. Thompson and Kinnel got going with their crafty skill moves, juking in and out of the LC defenders to set up easy scoring plays for the Hawks. Thompson and Kinnel have become one of the best backcourt duos in the Catholic League as the two have scored nearly 2,000 points combined in their careers. With just 3 minutes left on the clock and the Hawks leading 61- 38, the Hawks reserves checked into the game. As the clock ticked down into the final seconds, guard Vince Busico ?18 held onto the ball, and then it was over. Speedy Morris had won his 1,000th career game. Crimson and grey streamers and confetti were dropped onto the court from the track above. Following the game St. Joe?s Prep president Father John Swope, S.J ?72 and athletic director Dennis Hart ?95 presented Coach Morris and his wife Mimi with the game ball and a plaque that included the philly.com article that ran in Friday?s paper written by Rick O?Brien that highlighted
The Prep Hockey team will be commemorating Sal DiNubile '19 at the Prep - La Salle game at the University of Pennsylvania on February 5th at 4:00. There will be transportation to and from the Prep to the game for all students. All proceeds will go to the DiNubile scholarship fund. $5 for students. $10 for adults.
Speedy?s historic career. Coaches like Roman Catholic?s head coach Matt Griffin ?07, who played and coached alongside Speedy up until last season, and Neumann Goretti?s coach Carl Arrigale, who played for Speedy during his time at Penn Charter in the 70s, both of whom had to coach a game that night, were present to honor their former leader. Morris joins an elite class of just two other Division 1 coaches to ever reach the 1,000 win milestone, Duke University's men?s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski and Syracuse University's men?s head coach Jim Boeheim. After such a huge game for the basketball program, the Hawks now refocus their minds to the goal everyone wants, a trip to the Palestra and the Catholic League Championship. Up next for the 10-2 Hawks will be a home game against the Eagles of Conwell- Egan Catholic on Friday, January 19th. If you can?t make it to the game, make sure to listen in to WSJP as they bring you all the action of St. Joe?s Prep Basketball__on blogtalkradio.com/wsjp.
Photo: St. Joe's Prep
By John L euzzi ?19
A group of Prep Hockey players during the Pink the Rink game against O'Hara.
Pink the Rink: Hockey Sticks I t To Cancer By_Pat_Diviny_?19 The Prep Hockey team secured a phenomenal win against opponent Cardinal O?Hara in the seventh annual Pink the Rink matchup before Christmas break. Attempting to extend a five game win streak, Prep Hockey approached the game with great momentum. A great start to the season was a driving force in the Pink the Rink victory. A dominating presence from the first puck drop, the overall team effort for the win was outstanding. The Prep controlled possession from the start with successful offensive possessions, which led to far more shots for the Hawks than the Lions. During the beginning of the first period, strong
defense and goaltending on both sides of the ice kept the exciting game scoreless. SJP was the first to prevail as Nick Urbani ?18 took a breakaway all the way for a goal with ten minutes remaining in the first period. The second period began with an electric atmosphere at the Skatium. The Prep offense moved the puck with ease to acquire the second goal of the game, with senior Marc Colavita ?18 netting one to give the Hawks a 2- 0 lead. The third goal came just a little bit later with close to four minutes left in the period by senior captain Ronan Egan ?18, who extended his five game goal streak to six, with assists from Colavita and Ur-
bani. With the clock ticking down below five seconds, the Hawks were trying to get one more shot on goal, and Jared Schaal ?21 was the hero. Assisted by Colavita and Conor Ryan ?18, the freshman phenom put one in the back of the net just as the buzzer sounded for the second intermission. Junior goalie Dan McGill had been perfect throughout those first two periods, not allowing a single goal and making some huge saves on nifty shots by Liam McCanney and JP Ahearn. During the intermission break, many spectators participated in the puck toss contest, a fundraiser for Breast Cancer Awareness, and the entertain-
ing fan game for a great cause showed the true importance of the night. The final period began, and the tremendous defensive performance continued for both teams for the majority of it. The period remained scoreless until the final minutes of the half, when Cardinal O?Hara finally was able to sneak one past McGill. Prep continued to dominate the game on both sides of the ice and prevailed with the 4- 1 win of Cardinal O?Hara. The great night in Havertown was an example of how the Prep lives its mission statement of being For and With Others. Some things are bigger than the game. The Pink the Rink event demon-
strated the impact sports can have on many complex issues in life. The Prep Hockey team sold Pink the Rink shirts to students and spectators to raise money for breast cancer research. The profits made from the shirts, tickets, and merchandise were donated to the American Cancer Society. The Pink the Rink game was an opportunity to reach the core principles of reflection and take a step back from the busy holiday season to realize how truly blessed we our to posses many great talents witnessed during the night. Many lives were benefited by the seventh annual Pink the Rink, and its great tradition will continue to benefit many for years to_come.
20 | Sports By Ricky Weipz ?19 ?We are looking to stay more focused this year so that we do not fall short to any other team? says senior captain Darius Kinnel '18. This past offseason, he was named a captain of the Prep basketball squad for the second year in a row. Kinnel said, ?I am honored to lead this group of guys into another season and look forward to turning it into a special one.? Kinnel is joined by Kyle Thompson ?18 and Gabe Arizin ?19 in the leadership role. Recently, Kinnel became the 13th player rocking the crimson and grey to amass 1000 points over his high school career, and it was an incredibly special moment for the senior and his family. In a historic game, the two year captain reached a milestone that only few in Hawks history have ever reached, joining Joe Ryan ?55 (Villanova), Mo Howard ?72 (Maryland, then played for
the Cleveland Cavaliers), Keith Coleman ?82, Neal McGee ?92, Kasim Holloman ?99 (King?s College), Mark Zoller ?03 (Penn), Chris Clark ?04 (Temple), John Griffin ?04 (Bucknell), Reggie Redding ?06 (Villanova), Miles Overton ?13 (currently at Drexel), Steve Vasturia ?13 (Notre Dame), and Chris Clover ?15 (currently at St. Joseph?s).
Westbrook. ?He wills his team to win and doesn?t back down because of his intensity and passion.? says Kinnel. Westbrook and Kinnel may be on different levels of competition, but the two share similar aspects of their game. They both orchestrate their offenses, while not being afraid of the contact that comes with driving into the lane.
If you come to a Prep basketball game, Darius is usually the loudest player on the floor. Not only does he want to improve upon his vocal leadership role, but he also wants to be more assertive with guys in order to get the best player and person out of each of his teammates. Darius is always locked in, and goes 100% in anything he does. He brings an intensity to this Prep team, and it certainly impacts his other teammates.
Between basketball and school, Kinnel barely has any time to himself. When he does have that time, however, he enjoys relaxing and watching, ?classic and current little kids movies.? His favorite movie to watch right now is the, ?Lego Batman Movie.? Kinnel also added that his go- to pregame meal is the pasta, meatballs, and salad that Sage gives the team before every game.
Darius Kinnel could credit this energy from watching his favorite NBA player, Russell
After a huge weekend for Kinnel, he looks to lead his Hawks to the Palestra this season, and finish his high school career off with a bang.
(Photo: St. Joe's Prep)
M eet the Captains: Dar ius K innel '18
Point guard Darius Kinnel '18 recently reached his 1000th high school career point against Lansdale Catholic.
M eet the Captains: Gabe Ar izin '19
(Photo: Lou Rabito)
By Ricky Weipz ?19
Small forward and captain Gabe Arizin '19 (right) in action last season against Roman Catholic.
Gabe Arizin ?19 was the only sophomore to have minutes in Coach Speedy Morris? rotation last year. This year, he was named a captain of the squad. ?It very humbling to be a captain from one of the most legendary coaches of all time? said Arizin. Coach Morris recently picked up his 1,000 career victory as a basketball coach. Gabe is the second Arizin to be apart of the program that Morris built, as his brother, Luke ?17, was a manager for Speedy, and now Chris ?20, his cousin, is getting some varsity time this year. Arizin believes that his leadership qualities can be used on this team in an array of aspects. He said, ?On the court, I will try to be a vocal leader and do my part to contribute to games. Off the court, I will try to become more personal with my teammates.? He is confident in himself, and there is nothing less of a leader that
you can ask for. He is, after all, the only Arizin to wear the number 11 since his grandfather, NBA great Paul Arizin wore it in his hayday. Even though basketball season is in the thick of its season, last year?s loss to Roman Catholic still sits in the minds of many players including Arizin, ?This year, we are using that feeling of defeat as fuel.? So far, that has seemed to work for the Hawks, posting a 10-2 record on the year thus far. Arizin has contributed not necessarily in the scoring column some games, but through his leadership, rebounding, and ability to guard practically anyone on the floor, he has certainly help the Hawks get to where they are today. He did, however, end up posting a season- high 17 point game against St. Ignatius College Prep (Australia) on his 17th birthday. After three years at the Prep, Arizin has had a plethora of classes, but one stands out
from the rest. ?It?s got to be Honors English II with Mr. Whelan. It felt less like a class, and more like a discussion. [Whelan] made his room an environment that made me want to keep up with reading, and be involved in the conversations.? Ironically enough, Mr. Whelan, who has been the voice of the Hawks for the past few years, just took over as moderator for the basketball program. During the few times of relaxation for Arizin, he likes to watch his favorite player, LeBron James, dominate the league as he typically does. ?It?s crazy how dominant he is and how he stays clear of trouble off the court.? reasoned Arizin. ?He is literally the only non-Sixer I like.? With Arizin and the Hawks off to a hot start to the season, make sure you check them out in the fieldhouse. If you cannot make it to the game, you could also check out blogtalkradio.com/WSJP for all Prep basketball_games.
M eet the Captains: Pat M or r ison '18 By Thomas Avington ?20 Pat Morrison ?18 is the captain of the Prep Squash team. Squash is not thought of as a premier sport but the people that play it love it. When I asked Pat about how he got started playing squash, he responded, ?The first time I played squash was the first day of tryouts my freshman year, which is common on the team. I decided to tryout because it sounded interesting and fun,
and I did not have a winter sport.? For those who are confused about what squash is, Pat explained, ?Squash is a similar sport to racquetball where there are two players playing each on the court. To play, they alternate hitting the ball, the only requirement is each of their shots hit the front wall, and stay in the court. The games are to eleven, and matches are usually best three
out of five. To win a point you must make the ball bounce twice on the ground before your opponent hits it, or your opponent hits it out.? I asked him if the team cuts, he said, ?The squash team has not made cuts since, my freshman year, this year we planned on it, but we did not and put all the kids who would have been cut on JV2 who only play three days a week.? Pat kept it short and simple when I asked about
his favorite part, he said, ?The guys on the team and learning the game.? I asked him if he had any expectations for the team and Pat has his eyes set on the present and the future. He told me, ?I think we have an alright team, we had a great turnout this year at tryouts, so I am hoping in the future we will have a better team.? Pat, however, does not have much confidence in his skills. He said about playing in the
future: ?I plan to play intramural or club in college, since the school I will be attending, George Washington University, has the 11th best team in the country and I am not good enough to play for that team.? The Prep Squash team looks to make some big waves in the league this season, and they certainly have reason to. Led by Morrison and Riley Herriman ?18, the team should continue their great season.
Sports | 21
Student-Athlete of the Week: Trevor Wall '20 After the ousting to rival Roman Catholic in the quarterfinals of the Philadelphia Catholic League last season, the St. Joseph?s Prep basketball program came into the 2017-18 campaign with a focused perspective and a retooled roster. With transfer Jacob O?Connell ?19 joining the quartet of returning starters - - seniors Ed Croswell, Darius Kinnel, Kyle Thompson and junior Gabe Arizin - the starting five was set with apt shooting, rebounding, and defensive presences that the program has not seen since in years. Despite most of the starters staying the same, the bench became completely revamped. Knowing that head coach William ?Speedy? Morris likes to only use two or occasionally three players off the bench for consistent minutes and that six of the eight spots on the roster needed replacement from last season, who would fill those holes posed a big question mark. Amidst a crop of new talent, Trevor Wall ?20 stood out. Af-
ter working his way into the rotation as the team?s sixth man, he made his mark early, knocking down the winning shot for the Hawks over Girard College in the season- opening Enable Sports & Fitness Tournament semifinal at Penn Charter. Since then, Wall has not shied away from the spotlight, maintaining his everimportant role as a utility guard who plays scrappy defense against all five positions. Because of early substitutions of O?Connell, Wall finds himself in close, early game situations, creating the perfect proving ground for a young player with a lot of varsity basketball left to play in his career, let alone this season. Though best described as a shooting guard, Wall is not a high volume shooter. On the season, the North Wales native has only ever shot a maximum of 11 field goals a game, which he did in the win over Penn Charter. What strikes most about Wall?s on-court ability is his knack for a shot in spite of the low totals. He gets in position to make key buckets,
much like the winner against Girard. In applicable games, he is shooting a ridiculous 50.49% from the field and 61.11% from the line. Particularly, Wall?s strength comes from the mid- range game, where he is on pace to knock down 2.1 of four shots from 2. If a reliable bucket is not enough, consider his 2.9 rebounds per game, or 2.1 assists per contest, two steals a game or the fact that he?s good for a block on any given night means that the guy Coach calls up off the bench to get a defensive stop, also can run down on the other end of the floor and give you a couple points if need be. Wall and the Hawks roll on with their Catholic League schedule on Friday, January 19th against Conwell-Egan Catholic High School. Tune in to WSJP for the call of the game live at 3:30 at www.blogtalkradio.com/WSJP. Follow @SJPrep_Sports and @SJP_BB for live scores and stats from every Prep basketball game.
(Photo: Frank Raffa)
By Simon Williams ?18
Trevor Wall ?20 during the Prep?s 54-44 win at Archbishop Ryan on Sunday, January 7, 2018.
Despite Ear ly L osses, Wrestling Still Has Hope By Ronan Egan ?18 After years of success in the Catholic League, the Prep wrestling team looks to continue on its strong path heading into the final stretch of the season.
Captain Duncan Waite ?18 praised the resiliency of the team, calling this year?s schedule ?much tougher than past years.? Even with this added challenge, his impressive 19- 6 record speaks for itself. His stretch has led to him coming up on the 100 win mark, which is a major accomplishment in high school wrestling. At his side is the other captain Dan Guinan ?18, also the co- vice president of the Prep's Student Council and a member of the baseball team, whose success in previous years has given him an outstanding
record. This season, however, injuries have plagued his time on the team, forcing him to wrestle in very few matches.
success.
Just as the team?s record is surging, so too are some of the individuals on the team. Sophomores Dante Iuliano and Sean Guinan, both lightweights, have records of 21- 6 and 23- 1, respectively, to lead the pack.
While the start of the season was rocky, the Prep exploded for an amazing victory over archrival La Salle. Coach Heybach was thrilled at the victory, saying, ?La Salle was a big win for our team and our school. It?s been 17 years since we beat them, so it was great to finally do it. Truly a great stepping stone for our team.?
Senior Nick Palermo, a fouryear varsity wrestler, has battled through an extremely difficult schedule to a record of 11- 13. Contributions are also made by Declan Donaher ?18, Brandon Foy ?18, Aiden Kelly ?18 (although now injured), Adam Staples ?18, and Dan Mauriello ?19, who are all essential to the team?s recent
And it was. The team has lost just one match since, which bodes well as they enter the playoff season. Palermo especially believes that this team has the chance to go the distance, saying that he thinks, ?The PCL bracket right now is playing out in our favor despite the big loss to Wood. We haven?t wrestled out best, but,
if we do, we have a real chance of going to Hershey.? Captain Duncan Waite summed up their season best: ?Individually and as a team, we are looking to learn from our rugged start and finish the last few months of wrestling strong in team playoffs and individual postseason down the line, where real champions are made.? The team?s regular season schedule ends next weekend with a match at Conwell-Egan Catholic on January 20, their last before the Catholic League Semifinals and Finals on the 24th and 30th, respectively. Following that, they will play host to the individual PCL Championships here in the Kelly_Fieldhouse.
(Photo: St. Joe's Prep)
(Photo: Dan Guinan '18)
The team, led by coaches Chuck Heybach and Anthony Panzarella ?90, sits with a Catholic League record of 2- 1 and an overall record of 7- 9. While the numbers are not too pretty, the team?s youth and development is promising with six underclassmen on the 14man lineup. They have come a long way since the start, where a few blowout losses to difficult opponents occured. However, since then, the team has won 4 of their last 5, with the lone loss coming at the hands
of PCL favorite Archbishop Wood. That stretch also includes huge wins over La Salle and, most recently, Roman Catholic this past Wednesday.
The 2017-18 wrestling team picture.
Captain Danny Guinan '18 in action.
Avington: The Case for Thompson and K innel
By Dan Avington '18 The duo of Darius Kinnel ?18 and Kyle Thompson ?18 is one of the deadliest backcourts St. Joe?s Prep has ever boasted. Over their two and a half years starting for the Prep?s varsity basketball squad, they have combined for over 1,800 points, racked up 3 combined all- Catholic honors, and have been the most reliable players Speedy has had year in and year out. Yet, neither of these players have any offers to play any level of college basketball as of yet. Recently, Darius Kinnel reached his 1000th career point in his high school career, even though he only has about 700
in Philadelphia Catholic League play. As a freshman at Highland High School, he was a starting guard for the team, accruing over 250 points there, and when he came to the Hawks, his impact was gigantic. That opening season at 17th and Girard, he scored 263 total points, averaging 11.4 points per game. The next season, he had an even bigger year, averaging 14.3 points per game and reaching the 20 point mark four times. So far this season, he has averaged 14.8 ppg and amassed over 20 points four times. In addition to Kinnel?s phenomenal stat lines, he earned 2nd Team All- Catholic for the 2016- 17 season, which is a huge accomplishment in one of the most competitive leagues in the country. And not just is Kinnel a threat scoring- wise, but he is one of the most complete players the Hawks have ever seen. He has been a reliable rebounder, using his superb leaping ability to elevate over much taller opponents, an incredible passer, his knack for
finding open teammates stunning every opponent, and a phenomenal defender, often taking on the opposition?s top scoring guard and shutting them down. As a two- year captain for this Hawks squad, he has been the team?s vocal leader as well, and he excels at feeding his teammates and continuing to go to them even when their confidence is down, and the leadership he brings to the table is palpable. With everything he brings to the table (scoring, passing, rebounding, ball- handling, defense, quick hands, work ethic and leadership), he deserves a spot on some college roster. But Darius isn?t the only under-recruited player on this St. Joe?s Prep squad. 2 guard Kyle Thompson is another phenomenal player of this Hawks team who deserves to be on far more teams? radar. Thompson has made a huge difference every single game since his sophomore year, averaging 13.5 points per game that season. He earned
2nd Team All- Catholic honors that season, but that was just the start of Thompson?s high school career. In his junior season, he was selected as a 1st Team All- Catholic player, among players like Collin Gillespie (now playing at Villanova), Quade Green (Kentucky), Dhamir CosbyRoundtree (Villanova), and Izaiah Brockington (St. Bonaventure). That season, he accrued 348 total points, averaging 15.8 ppg. Finally, this season, his senior year, he is averaging 14.1 points. On his career, he has 833 total points, knocking on the door of 1000 in his career, so the Hawks could have two of their seniors reach that milestone this year. In addition to Thompson?s phenomenal scoring ability, he contributes to the team in so many other ways. His rebounding, passing, ball handling skills, knack for getting out on the break so quickly, defensive prowess, and fast hands all make him one of the best players the Hawks have ever seen. Kyle is quite a reli-
able scorer, and even when he doesn?t have the ball in his hands, he?s a threat. He spreads the floor incredibly well and just a slight wrong step from a defender gives Thompson an opening. His ability to knock down contested shots is something that drives opponents insane, and the way he gets in front of everyone on a breakaway for open layups gives coaches nightmares. Despite all of these positive attributes, Thompson is also yet to receive any college offers, but with his fantastic ability to put points up on the board, he should be raking them in anytime now. Overall, Darius Kinnel and Kyle Thompson are two of the greatest guards St. Joe?s Prep has ever seen, even when put up against players like Chris Clark '04, John Griffin '04, Reggie Redding '06, Miles Overton ?13, Steve Vasturia ?13, Kyle Thompson ?14, and Chris Clover ?15, and these two players deserve to be bombarded with college offers any time now.
By Thomas Avington ?20 The Prep swimming team is off to a good start. Captain Andrew Clevenger ?18 talked about the team this year, saying, ?The team's looking pretty good so far with one win and two losses.? He has high hopes for the top swimmers of the team. He told me, ?We'll all be watching Quinn Rademaker ?18 swim breaststroke in championships, he might have a shot at the record. We're all also excited to see the Gauntlet matchup between two captains, Quinn and Meade Tolen ?18. The gauntlet is a tradition that all seniors swim. It?s the toughest event lineup you can have in a meet. It is the anchoring leg of the 200 free relay, the 100 back-
stroke, the 100 breaststroke, and the first leg of the 400 free relay. It's four sprints back to back to back to back. After everyone has done it, the times are counted and the person with the fastest time for all four events combined gets their name on a plaque outside the pool. And of course we're all excited to see how the seniors do in their final season. We're graduating a large class so we're hoping to see a lot of best times as the season goes on.? The opponent to watch out for this season is Father Judge. Andrew explained the rivalry by saying, ?Our biggest upcoming opponent will definitely be Father Judge on January 18th. They always prove to be a challenge and this year
it's gonna be a tough battle.? His expectations for the rest of season are, ?When we get to championships, there's always a notion in the back of our mind that we wanna beat La Salle. In addition to being our archrivals, they've been first in the Catholic League for 30 years now. Every year we show up second to them and I know each one of us wants to see that change, but it's gonna take a while to build up the team in order to take them down. Right now we need to fight for our spot at second place. Hopefully, if we have plenty of best times during PCL Championships, that'll happen.? It seems Andrew is confident and thinks the swimming team can make a big run in the
Photo: St. Joe'sPrep
Prep Swimming L ooks to M ake Waves in Catholic L eague
Some of the leaders of Prep Swimming this year at a recent meet (L to R: Meade Tolen '18, Andrew Clevenger '18, Quinn Rademaker '18, Dylan Maziarz '19, and Stephen Dierkes '18). postseason, and he has good reason to. The team has their sights set on a Catholic League title, led by Clevenger, Rade-
maker, and Tolen, along with Stephen Dierkes '18, and Michael Krumenacker '19.