The Patriot April 2005, Issue 5, Vol 40

John Carroll School ! Tradition ! Pride ! Excellence

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PATRIOT Volume 40, Issue 5 ! April 2005

RUGBY Stellar team capitalizes on talent and downright determination to prevail in championship.

Dave Lomonico Sports co Editor

Rugby is arguably one of the most exciting, grueling, and physically demanding sports in existence. It is no wonder that four years ago, when the game was Þrst introduced to JC, this new phenomenon drew in a great amount of devoted players willing to learn a new game.

After three Potomac Rugby Union (PRU) championships, the JC program has exceeded expectations. If they can continue to excel as the sport gains more popularity in the region, JC could become known as a rugby powerhouse.

Every year it seems the program grows and improves and this year’s team has already put together a tremendous season ending in yet another championship. Those who expected a fall off in play because of the loss of size and strength from last year’s squad were wrong.

Due to the experience of the players and the excellent coaching, the team has adjusted to a new style of play and has been just as successful as in the past.

“We may have lost a lot of talent, but all the returning guys have stepped up and gotten better,” said senior Grant Dircks.

Maybe the greatest advantage JC has is the coaching. The coaches, Chris Powell, Mr. Barker and Mr. Del Puppo have turned players coming in with raw talent into rugby savvy individuals.

“I can’t stress the coaching enough,” said senior Charles Sergent. “Our success comes from great coaching complemented by talent and the will to win.”

The coaches have done an excellent job getting the most out of the talent they have.

Each player knows his assignment on the Þeld and the team experiences few mental lapses.

This is a credit not only to the players but

Baseball team pushes for playoffs Page 17

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also to the teaching and the planning implemented during the games and in practice.

“We have a number of skilled players and we know what our best players can do,” said Mr. Barker. “[Our system] is set up so that we can take advantage of these players.”

A team can have the greatest coaches in the world, but without the talent and the individuals willing to perform and devote themselves to the game, failure will inevitably prevail.

However, maybe even greater assets than talent are experience and chemistry. Now that the program is in its 4th year, many of the players have had 3 or more year’s experience in the program.

“This is the most experienced we’ve been,” said Mr. Barker. “Players like Jason Devoy, Paul “Truck” Muehlenkamp and Eamonn Gordon have been here since the start of the program.”

Because many of the players have been together for a few seasons they have developed a strong sense of chemistry on the Þeld.

“We really play well as a team,” said senior Alex Wozniak. “What we lost in talent last year we gained back in experience and team chemistry.”

Just by walking onto the practice Þeld, anyone can tell that these guys have fun.

They know the game and each other well.

One might mistake their attitude as cocky and arrogant. However, they back it up with solid play. The team is full of colorful personalities, but on gameday they come together to dominate the opposition.

Dircks summed up the team’s personality simply by saying, “We’re not arrogant; we’re just good.”

The captain of the team is Adam Devine, but even the leader of the team was quick to give all the credit to his teammates before himself. “We play really well as a team and because of that we are in position for the PRU championship,” said Devine.

A myriad of students inducted into various honor societies.

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What stands out most about this team is the leadership. It seems as if each player has the ability to step up and be a key contributor at any moment. The motto of the team is “15 as one” signifying the emphasis they have put on teamwork.

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Ring Dance disappoints many juniors.

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Pope John Paul II 1920-2005

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Editorials Lateness policy proves ineffective Staff Editorial

Everyone has slow mornings.

Whether you had to wait an extra ten minutes to use the shower, trafÞc was heavy, or you just hit the snooze button one too many times, sometimes lateness occurs. Here at JC, as at any school, there is a certain limit to the number of tardies students can rack up.

This accumulating a certain number of tardies eventually results in detention.

However, the “punishments” seem to do more harm than good.

The typical lateness procedure is to allow a student six days to be late to homeroom before they are penalized. After the sixth day, students are given an afternoon detention. For each ensuing lateness to homeroom, students receive another detention.

This policy is fair in that it allows for a reasonable amount of morning mishaps without too much hassle afterwards.

The main problem lies in the occurrence of lateness after homeroom. Students are allotted two days per semester to arrive to school late without a doctor’s note. After

these two days are used up, students serve a detention each time they are late.

The overall idea of this policy makes sense, but it leaves students with a tough decision to make.

Consider the possible circumstances: a student wakes up feeling a little under the weather and takes an extra hour of sleep. If he wakes up feeling better, he is faced with a choice between going to school and serving a detention for lateness, or staying home for the entire day. Oftentimes students will opt for a day of stress-free relaxation rather than a day sitting in school followed by a tedious hour of detention.

There should be a new system implemented for post-homeroom lateness. Although the intent seems fair, it does not make sense that coming to school is a punishable offense. There should be some sort of system that does not require a detention, seeing as detentions do not effectively deter students from coming in late. A less time-consuming punishment that still gets the point across, perhaps a cafeteria duty, would better suit lateness.

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PATRIOT 703 Churchville Road, Bel Air, Maryland 21014 Volume 40, Number 4, February 2005

Editor in Chief........................................................................Rachael Kessler Editorials co Editor..................................................................Laura Kirchner Editorials co Editor.......................................................................Mary Etting News co Editor.......................................................................Courtney Kurtz News co Editor...........................................................................Aisha Turner Features co Editor.................................................................Elizabeth Hersey Features co Editor...............................................................Lindsay Nicolucci Entertainment co Editor.........................................................Sandy Wienholt Entertainment co Editor................................................................Sarah Jones Sports co Editor.........................................................................Rose DiPaula Sports co Editor.....................................................................Dave Lomonico Photography co Editor...........................................................Lauren Schnupp Photography co Editor...................................................................Jess Rießer Business Manager..................................................................Patricia Kingery Cartoonist......................................................................................Rich Fleury Moderator.....................................................................................Mr. Ionescu

Staff: Jordan Fritz, Ben Hagan, Carolyn Hedlund, Christy Heere-Beyer, Kate Martin, Leah McGann, Danny Morris, Kristin Pytko, Trista Sturdivant, Kristen Winner The Patriot is a publication of the students of John Carroll School. The views and opinions expressed in The Patriot are not necessarily the views and opinions of the Board or Administration of John Carroll School.

The editorial staff invites and greatly appreciates comments from readers on any issue.

Volume 40, Number 5

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Senior editor bids farewell Laura Kirchner Editorials co Editor

High school is what many call the best four years of their lives. It is the time when we do much of our growing up and transitioning into adulthood; we Þnd our identities and come into our own. JC provides these opportunities for all of us, although we may not always recognize the lessons and experiences as they occur. It is extremely important, however, that we appreciate these ßeeting days of our youth.

When I was a freshman entering the daunting world of high school, I can certainly testify that I was not exactly thrilled with the idea of leaving my friends from Fallston Middle School in order to join JC. I am sure that many of my peers can relate to how I felt. As freshmen, it is normal to feel alone and unsure of yourself in a new school. Everything and everyone is new, which can be intimidating. It is important to remember that these feelings are merely temporary.

Embrace this experience; it is a prime opportunity to prove your own strength. Go to homecoming, join clubs, speak up in class, and most importantly be yourself. Break out of your shell, make new friends, get involved, and show yourself just how resilient you can be.

To me, sophomore year meant one year closer to being an upperclassman. The seniors at bench were still scary, I didn’t have my driver’s license yet, and I couldn’t wait to get my class ring. Though I already had one year down at JC, it still seemed that high school would go on forever. Nonetheless, I made an effort to enjoy myself and I no longer felt lost amongst a sea of new faces.

By this time, I had made friends and established myself at JC. I dreaded sophomore retreat, but found that it really did bring me closer to people with whom I had not previously had an opportunity to socialize. Sophomore year is when we have our feet wet and know the ropes at JC. There is a whole class of students younger than us and we are familiar with the swing of things. Take pleasure in the new sense of belonging and be sure to make an effort to get to know your class even better.

By the time junior year rolls around, everyone pretty much knows everybody else. The boys have gotten taller, cliques begin to fade, and the underclassmen know your names.

The class really starts to bond and has its own sense of pride. During spirit week, you proudly wear the

Patriot

color blue and write your own class year on your face, not the year of an older class. The girls get to participate in the annual Powderpuff game while the rest of the class cheers. Enjoy the fact that you are old enough to get your license and get excited at the prospect of getting your class ring. High school is what you make of it and if you commit yourself to making memories and making the most of everything, the rest will fall into place.

Senior year. What can I say; it is the best and most ßeeting of all the years. After three years of waiting, you will inevitably get your chance to experience senior year Þrsthand. First semester seems like forever, but really passes by so quickly. Between college applications and Senior Variety Show, everyone’s schedule is jam-packed.

Do not get overwhelmed, but revel in the class unity and excitement that comes from being a senior. Be sure to appreciate all of the different personalities and talents of your classmates. Every class is truly such a diverse, unique group of people that will leave its mark on JC and on you. Do not become so focused on graduation day that you neglect to live each day to the fullest. You will be told this many times, but you will not realize how important it is until the end of high school is in sight.

Each of high school’s four years has its ups and downs. You will meet new people, form new relationships, make mistakes, be hurt, love, grow, and learn. Focus on your schoolwork, but do not forget to focus on friends and the social aspects of life. Schoolwork will pay off, but it is the good times with friends that we will always cherish.

With graduation day just around the corner, I have come to realize that JC has been a wonderful part of my life. I have grown so much since my insecure days as a freshman, and I think I have grown into a better person. Despite the stressful, frustrating times, it has all been worth it. I have made friendships that I know will last a lifetime and I have made memories that I will never forget.

With the limited days I have left at high school, I want to thank JC for everything it has taught and given to me. If anyone has made it to the end of this article, thank you for reading and supporting me during my past two years on The Patriot newspaper. This will be my last article and last issue working on The Patriot, and it has been fantastic. Good luck to everyone - no matter which grade you are in, I wish you all the best at JC and in the future.

April 2005

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EDITORIALS

Students debate Bush merits Bush to blame for North Korean nukes

Bush administration does best to protect

Danny Morris Staff Writer

Mary Etting Editorials co Editor

There is a new nuclear power in the world, and it doesn’t like the United States.

North Korea revealed on February 10th, 2005 that it has developed nuclear weapons.

Sources indicate that North Korea has only manufactured one or two warheads, and no tests have been conducted.

Neighboring countries have become understandably alarmed as North Korea also pulled out of talks of disarmament with South Korea and other countries. But what was the ultimate cause of this threatening behavior and North Korea’s reason for producing more of the most dangerous weapons ever created by man? We need look no farther than Washington D.C. The relations of America’s leaders with North Korea have been in a sad state over the past decades, and the Bush administration has drastically worsened the situation through their arrogance and ignorance. The question no doubt arises, why did North Korea feel it needed to develop nuclear weapons? The answer is obvious if we look at the situation from a global perspective.

The Bush administration responded to the terrorist attacks of September 11th by launching a “War Against Terror.” Bush publicly named several countries, including Iraq, as members of an “axis of evil,” who need to be stopped. American troops have already invaded and conquered Afghanistan and Iraq. Syria, Iran, and North Korea have each responded to this ßagrant display of American imperialism by taking steps to guard themselves against this threat.

Syria and Iran recently formed an alliance, which is clearly for the purpose of mutual defense against a certain administration which is rampaging through the Middle East, leaving hundreds of thousands of civilians and soldiers dead in its wake as it wages war.

Similarly, North Korea must feel threatened when it is labeled as “evil” by a megalomaniacal administration bent on spreading American imperialism to every corner of the Earth under the guise of democracy and liberty.

The Bush administration invaded Iraq with the excuse of national security, claiming Saddam possessed deadly “weapons

of mass destruction.” Now North Korea has armed itself to protect its own national security, which is threatened by American aggression.

You may Þnd yourself asking how the Bush administration has dealt with this new threat to the planet. To date it seems that our president has done next to nothing. With the safety of the country now genuinely at stake, the Bush administration has done no more than suggest to North Korea to stop pursuing nuclear programs and return to disarmament talks. The Bush administration invaded a country causing the deaths of over a thousand U.S. soldiers and as many as one hundred thousand innocent civilians because it claimed that Iraq might possess weapons of mass destruction. Now North Korea has declared to the world that it possesses nuclear weapons, the most powerful and deadly weapons of mankind. Our administration hasn’t raised a Þnger against this new threat. Anyone else sense an inconsistency? This just might hint at ulterior motives behind the invasion of Iraq.

Well then, what should be done? The United Nations, led by the U.S. should immediately begin the disarming of all nuclear weapons around the world. It is ridiculous for the United States to ask another country to abandon its nuclear programs when, ac-

Rachael Kessler Editor in Chief

days between February 24th and March 1st caused the cancellation of school from that Thursday to Tuesday. I have grown to love the timid nature of the Harford County Public School superintendent, who appears to take immense pleasure in canceling school at the slightest provocation, and the fact that JC follows Harford County’s direction with regards to closing for snow.

Harford County schools jump at the mere suggestion of the powdery white stuff.

They cancelled school on both Thursday and Monday long before any snow actually began to fall and the regular school day would have already have ended by the time any snow actually began to accumulate on the roads.

When I Þrst heard that it was going to snow it was Wednesday night and I was mildly excited. I thought that maybe we

cording to the National Resources Defense Council, the U.S. has stockpiled at least 8630 nuclear warheads.

That’s enough to destroy the planet several hundred times.

Hopefully there will be a peaceful resolution to this dangerous situation and no innocent lives will be lost. However, if the Bush administration continues to pursue its present course, bundle up, because it’ll be a long, cold nuclear winter.

Americans often misinterpret the US government’s efforts to protect its people from foreign threats as attempts at world domination. Throughout history situations where Americans disagreed with actions of the US government have presented themselves repeatedly.

During World War II, the US government secretly executed the Manhattan Project, in which they developed the atomic bomb.

Once the project was completed, President Truman dropped the a-bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end the war.

When America found out about this act, many felt that it was evil and unnecessary.

There was also an outcry against Truman’s keeping the project secret from the public.

However, today Americans would generally agree that Truman made the correct choice, as the bombs effectively ended World War II and spared countless American lives.

Just as in the past, Americans currently harbor a negative outlook towards the actions of the US government in the War on Terror. Maybe future generations will look back and agree with the actions the Bush administration ha taken against terror.

Bush was trying to fulÞll his duty as President of the United States when he entered the US into the War on Terror.

This was his reaction to the horrors of the 9/11 terror attacks.

Bush and his administration did their best to make Al Qaeda realize that Americans will protect themselves, and will retaliate

when attacked. Although “weapons of mass destruction” were not found, there is no way foolproof way of proving that these weapons were not in the process of being made. It would be better to stop rival countries before they acquire both the technology and knowledge to pose a signiÞcant threat, and create an even larger possibility of nuclear war.

North Korea has recently disclosed that they have successfully created nuclear armaments and are currently working towards improving their nuclear capabilities.

Some Americans have come to blame the Bush administration for causing North Korea to become a nuclear power.

While North Korea could possibly feel threatened, maybe Kim Jong Il just has a Napoleon inferiority complex and that is why he decided to partake in nuclear experiments.

While North Korea now has at least one nuclear warhead, we do not know if they have the technology to use it effectively.

While they currently may not be an immediate threat, we must take careful precaution to not aggravate them.

The Bush administration is doing their best to protect the citizens of the United States. No matter what he does, he is criticized. If we were not a nuclear power, Americans would be pushing to become one.

So while Americans seem to love bashing Bush and his attempts to keep the United States as the number one nuclear power in the world, I would like to see how they would react if the tables were turned.

Imagine if we only had one or two nukes, and possibly lacked the technology to use them effectively, while North Korea had thousands…. I believe Americans would be singing a different tune if that were the case.

Planned break would reduce wintertime stress This was originally supposed to be an impassioned rant about the lack of snow days thus far this year. It was to cite the unfairness that no days off from school presents to seniors whose graduation date remains Þxed, unaffected by whether or not all the snow days that are worked into the school year are used. This article was supposed to be embittered and angry, a sharp reproof of JC’s policies that can be so generous and so cruel simultaneously. However, that has now changed.

My entire outlook has been enlightened.

The kami have bestowed us with a generous gift: a six day weekend. The snow that kind-of-sort-of blanketed the ground on the

April 2005

The

would have a 2-hour delay on Thursday or, if we were really lucky, a day off from school.

However, when I awoke on Thursday morning and the snow had not even begun to fall, I was sorely disappointed, thinking that I would have to go to school that day. Then my mother delivered the heavenly news that school had already been cancelled that day and I went back to sleep.

When the snow actually started falling, it lasted long enough and messed up the roads badly enough to cancel school the following day. Then all the snow melted the following day. This process repeated itself on Monday-Tuesday as well, adding up to a wonderful six day weekend.

Every February there seems to be a minisnow storm: just enough to cancel school, but not enough to paralyze any other part of our lives. Perhaps this suggests a good

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idea for the future school schedule. The administration should look at past years and see when snow has historically fallen in February and then schedule a mini-winter break. This would both allow students a short breather from the stress of third quarter, which is always the toughest with the least amount of time, and prevent the huge breaks from school caused by February snow storms.

The administration would beneÞt from trying to Þt in a small break around the time when the snow usually comes. Teachers would not be complaining that all their classes are so far behind because of the multiple days off and students would be appeased and well-rested so that they can learn and absorb more information.

Volume 40, Number 5

4 Editorials Academic competition decreases scholastic value Aisha Turner News co Editor Between six-Þgure salaries and “100 Greatest...” countdowns, we live in a nation obsessed with numbers. Whether it’s the three digits we see when we step on the scale or the three digits we spend on our latest designer bags, we measure our lives with numbers.

High schoolers are no different.

Just like the larger world around us, we want to be number one, and if we can’t, we want to at least be “greater than.” If we don’t receive the highest grade on a test, we want to at least do better than most of the class. When students are concerned only with their grades, they do not study for the purpose of learning, they study to get a good grade. There is nothing wrong with wanting to do well in school, but sometimes doing well comes at the price of an education.

Recently, Rutgers University issued a survey on academic integrity. JC students participated in this survey and the administration was shocked by the results.

According to the survey, almost 80% of students have cheated on a test or quiz at least once. At the risk of sounding pompous, I cannot help but think that the level of cheating would not be nearly as high if students did not feel so much pressure to succeed in the traditional sense.

Too often in society and in school, something is considered a success only if its number is better than its competitors. We are unable to deÞne ourselves or our work

as a success without comparing ourselves or our accomplishments to those of others.

Everyone has that one person in class that they enjoy beating on a test or assignment.

But if the people around us have nothing to do with what we accomplish, they should have nothing to do with our deÞnition of success.

Two years ago, JC decided to teach AP Human Geography as a freshman year course. While I understand that a freshman AP course introduces students to difÞcult schoolwork earlier so that they are better able to handle the academic stresses of later years, why must this start so early? By its nature, freshman year is always stressful.

There is no need place the pressure of a college level course onto 14-year-olds. Freshman AP courses do little more than create anally retentive freshmen and make JC look like a more competitive institution.

This is important because the more competitive a school, the more prestigious it becomes in the eyes of the outside world.

For instance, the reason Ivy League schools like Yale and Princeton are considered such impressive schools to attend is not just that they are good schools. Such schools are so impressive because they are competitive, as very few people are able to make their way in.

Why must such schools be put above others simply because they are more competitive? I have heard many seniors snub their noses at schools like Towson University and Harford Community College. Despite not being the most competitive colleges, they are still good

Stressed seniors deserve end-of-year relaxation Leah McGann Staff Writer

Well here it is, the middle of April, and it’s happened again. The seniors are mentally Þnished with high school. Teachers ask, “When did we lose them?” Right around spring break, I’d say.

It always happens, so you would think that teachers would be used to it by now, right? Wrong. I can’t tell you how many people have been grumbling about “senioritis,” the teachers piling on more and more work, and the administration keeping strict standards for the dress code. Although I can logically see the reason for this and appreciate that our teachers only want us to do well on end-of-the-year exams, I do think the irritation with our lack of attention is a little out of proportion.

I mean, we have worked hard all year, Þlling out college applications and writing essays on top of the normal workload.

Plus, most of us seniors have just Þnished our term papers. All in all, it’s been a tough year academically, and now that the warm weather has arrived, everyone is ready to relax a little and enjoy the last few weeks of high school.

One of the things we are looking forward to is prom (April 23rd for those of you who’ve been living in a cave), and everywhere you go there’s talk of dresses, limos, dates, etc. Another event we are looking forward to is graduation, and then, maybe most importantly, senior week. Please forgive us if staying with our friends at the beach for a week is more appealing than foreign grammar or endless physics equations.

In addition to these end-of-the-year events, most of us have already received acceptance letters to one or more colleges

Volume 40, Number 5

and have deÞnite plans for the fall. Even though this means even more school, living in a new place without our parents is such an exciting thought that we are able to overlook the prospect of more school. All in all, we’ve got a lot to look forward to, so this should be a month of euphoria.

For the most part, our teachers do not give the impression that they share our feelings. They seem to think that they must cram as much information as possible into our heads while they still have the chance.

We’re getting mountains of homework and there doesn’t appear to be an end in sight.

They tend to forget that, at this point, we have lost much of our work ethic. It’s not that we don’t care about our grades; it’s just that we are thoroughly exhausted. Rather than understanding or sympathizing, many teachers just get annoyed when we show a lack of concern for our academics. They were in high school once, so shouldn’t they be able to empathize? It seems instead that they just Þnd us irritating, and some teachers have spent a good portion of their time recently giving lectures on the dangers of catching “senioritis.”

I think this is more than a little unfair.

We’re not slacking off, and as I have said, we really have worked exceptionally hard this year. I know that it is not quite the end of the year, but it is close and that is good enough for most people. With about a month left of class, we all just want to have fun and enjoy our last couple months with each other. So please give us a break. We will all miss JC when we are gone, but the memories will be that much nicer if we are allowed to relax.

Hopefully teachers will soon realize that as our days at JC are dwindling, the workload should be too.

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schools. The competitiveness of where one goes to school is not nearly as important as what one does while there. Most employers would rather have a hard worker from HCC than a lazy one from Princeton.

What I don’t understand is why numbers matter so much. It seems that we have become so concerned with GPAs and class rank that we have forgotten why we are in school in the Þrst place. While I do

feel that the “knowledge is power” line is a little stale, I must admit that I agree with its message. As important as going to a good college may be, the point of high school is not to get straight A’s and be accepted into a big name university. The purpose of high school is to provide teenagers with a foundation for learning, but this often gets lost in our competitive world.

Ring Dance festivities fall short of expectations the music was bad, it’s that most of it was music that we could not dance to; however, I think that was the point.

Many people entertained themselves by After the severe disappointment at twirling around the dance ßoor like pretty Homecoming, I was half dreading, half ballerinas because that is basically the only completely excited for Ring Dance. I thing you could do to the music that was beprayed that the lights wouldn’t be obnox- ing played. I believe the only reason people iously bright and that people wouldn’t be did not get kicked out for dancing inapprokicked out. However, an assembly that was priately was because it was virtually impossible to dance in any held the week before way, although I was the dance helped to tempted to ankle calm my nerves. Mr. dance just because I Piercy assured us that was aggravated. the lights would not My date and I endbe blinding like they ed up leaving early were at homecoming with a group of other and that there would people because the be some leniency todance was so dull. wards the dancing.

Girls spent a fortune The “Tropion dresses, hair-dos, cal Nights” theme, shoes, and accessowhile overused, was ries while boys spent cute and the decoraa large amount on tions looked awetickets and ßowers. some. Outside stuI personally think dents were greeted by all that was a huge tropical music, large waste of money. paper ßowers, and The favors given Mr. Kachur handing out were mugs in out leis. various colors. The Inside there were front looked cute, palm trees with balwith “Tropical loon coconuts lining Nights” written on the walls of the gym it. The back, howand cloth covered ever, had the Patriot some of the lights mascot riding a horse creating a dimly lit, on the beach…a tad somewhat intimate bit to bizarre for my atmosphere.

There tastes. were also two tiki My suggestion to bars serving frozen this year’s sophofruit drinks that were more class is to have quite delectable. someone throw a The food was huge party and ditch somewhat respectthe schools Ring able. While the ap- Stephanie Novak listlessly does the Dance, I bet you’ll petizers looked like macarena. have a much better dog food, the dinner was actually decent. However, it wasn’t time .

Homecoming was horrible, Ring Dance so great that I would call up and have them was horrible: good luck to the senior class. cater food for a graduation party.

After the dinner came the party everyone I sincerely hope that the JC administration was looking forward to, the dance portion does not ruin your prom. To say the least, of the evening. You may Þnd this hard to JC has again fallen short of their motto “trabelieve, but it was worse than homecom- dition, pride, and excellence” because this ing. It wasn’t just bad, it was ridiculously year’s Ring Dance was far from excellent.

JC could have done a much better job horrible.

The music was atrocious. I understand putting together the dance. While “bumping not wanting people to dance inappropriate- and grinding” may not have been permitted, ly, but banning rap is just wrong. I under- good music shouldn’t have been banned. stand that the administration did not want The penalty box idea was a good one, why any “bumping and grinding” to be going on, wasn’t it followed through with? At Ring but does that mean we have to be forced to Dance there was no need for one, due to the listen to music that you not only can’t dance fact that there was no music to dance to.

JC has a reputation for having dreadful to, but makes your ears bleed? What hapdances, maybe that’s why there are conpened to having a penalty box?

The chicken dance, YMCA, and the stantly getting canceled. Hopefully there macarena are a few songs that were played, will be some way to compromise between which made me feel like I was at someone’s the students and adminisrtation, and the fu50th wedding anniversary. It’s not that all of ture dances at JC can be salvaged.

Mary Etting Editorials co Editor

Patriot

April 2005

5

EDITORIALS

Celebrities improperly infuence Mary Etting Editorials co Editor

courtesy of letraschristina.htm

http://bestweekever.vh1.com/2004/11/

selling CDs to young girls, lyrics such as these are absolutely inappropriate. They serve no good and have no place in the music business.

These days you cannot turn on the TV, Many celebrities are hypocritopen a newspaper, or listen to the radio cal. They take a stance against without hearing about some mistake a cesomething such as smoking, lebrity has made. Celebrities blame their drugs, or poor actions on pre-marithe difÞculty tal sex, of living life in yet turn the lime light, around but there reand take ally is no viable part in excuse for the the acmajority of their tions they actions. Like it have proor not, however, claimed they are the to be role models of wrong. today’s youth.

They While they also take may not have Collin Ferrell gives teens the impression that a stance asked to become it is cool to smoke. on porole models, litical problems moral actions are, in fact, okay. once celebrities that they probably Whether or not it is the media’s intention become welldo not completely to glamorize immorality, the effects are still known, precomprehend. the same. There has been a drastic decline teens and teens Celebrities are in the ethics and morals of those residing look up to them. not the only ones to not only in the US, but everywhere.

From their blame for the lack More teenages are getting pregnate, and midnight marof morals in society often having abortions. Drug and alchohol riages that only today. The media usage has climbed drastically. Distructive last days to their does just as much behavior has become a trend, and now is the drug scandals, damage. Writers, time to stop it. these so called Look at the past and the present. You can agents and producrole models are Originally Christina Aguilera was clean cut, and the only thing her wardrobe ers are just as much see how societys standards have fallen. In bad examples revealed was her bellybutton. Now Aguilera wears barely there outfits and to blame as actors the twenties it was a big deal to hold hands, for the youths sings songs with extreamly sexual connotations. now casual sex is considered normal by and musicians. of today. Their Rarely do you many. infamous stoChildren are extreamly impressionable, see the good works ries only set the Aside from the trashy outer appearances people have done televised; instead you see and people often emmulate what they see stage for today’s pre-teen and teen generations. Young people tend to follow in the of many song artists, the lyrics in songs every little mishap around the world. At in the media. When smoking is seen in as of late have gone downhill. No matter award shows the neck lines keep plunging movies, it is magically acceptable to smoke; footsteps of their favorite celebrities.

Like everyone, celebrities strive to be which radio station you listen to, you will lower and lower and the envelope keeps get- this is the same for sex, drugs, and foul language. the best in their businesses, and some will most likely hear songs that discuss sex, ting pushed further and further.

The ethics of today have taken a toll for While sex does sell, we need to keep in stop at nothing to succeed. Oftentimes we drugs, and murder.

I personally would not want my eight- mind that there are younger minds about the worst, and the future is not looking much see huge transformations in the fashions of celebrities. More often than not these trans- year-old daughter singing the lyrics of some us, which is a fact we must not disregard. better. Unless we as a society discontinue formations are from classy to trashy instead of Spears’s songs, which include, “another Children’s overexposure to promiscuous support of such corruption in the media, culday without a love, the more I come to un- sex, smoking, drinking, and drugs just leads ture will continue its downward spiral. of vice-versa. them to believe that these actions are okay.

In the cases of Britney Spears and Chris- derstand the touch of my hand.”

For an artist who makes her money by The media has begun to teach that imtina Aguilera, as record sales went down, courtesy of http://muzyka.onet.pl/mr,1025393,plotki.html

more clothes came off. Do we really want young girls to believe that it is acceptable to strip down to next-to-nothing just to sell more CDs? Britney Spears even had a twelve-inch doll made of herself, complete with a suggestive outÞt consisting of pig tails, thigh highs, and a peek-a-boo bra.

Wolf-Man Comic: by Rich Fleury

April 2005

The

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Volume 40, Number 5

6

News Jordan Fritz Staff Writer JC students did it again— they earned their magazine holiday. Only this year, it wasn’t a magazine holiday at all. Instead of the traditional magazine drive, students sold rafße tickets as a way of raising money for the school.

The original goal was to reach 90% student body participation. However after the Þrst few weeks of the event, the administration found that that goal might have been too high of an expectation.

Mr. Barker thought there was “no chance” of the 90% mark being reached.

The bar was then lowered to 80% which the students just barely passed at 82%.

To motivate students to sell tickets, Mr. Perry offered to let students shave his head if the school goal was reached.

Two weeks later, on February 22nd, what was left of Mr. Perry’s hair was found on the ßoor in front of the entire school. Along with “the shaving,” awards were handed out to the top sellers, as well as homerooms

that reached 100% participation. These homerooms were later treated to a free breakfast consisting of bagels, pastries and other breakfast foods.

Mr. Barker had hoped to have a larger percentage of participation, but “it was a new event and we didn’t know how students would react,” he said.

Overall the administration hoped to do better despite the satisfactory gross amount of money raised for the school: $42,000 to be exact, which is much more than what was earned during the magazine drive in the past.

With other schools known to raise up to $200,000 with this same program, the bar is likely to be set higher next year.

“This fund raiser is a chance for the school to raise big money. Along with the other fund raisers during the year, these help to Þll the six Þgure gap that comes along even after tuition,” said Mr. Barker.

Some of the prizes included senior prom tickets, locker bucks, and the $7,000 cash grand prize.

Senior Eva Budzynski won several prizes by Þlling

out her entire rafße booklet.

Along with winning gift certiÞcates to Subway and Flagship Cinemas, Budzynski also won the chance to park in Mr. Barker’s coveted parking spot in the faculty lot.

“Selling all ten tickets wasn’t difÞcult,” said Budzynski. “I’m glad I did because the prizes were a nice beneÞt and I was also able to help out the school at the same time. It was surprising to win so many since my chances for winning just one prize was so small,” she commented.

In the end, the event was a new and fresh experience for the students as well as the administration. Although some events like the horse race kick off seemed irrelevant, they were all designed to be fun alternatives to the ordinary school day.

With expectations for next year’s rafße already rising, the students are likely to be selling rafße tickets for at least one more year. Mr. Barker hopes that next year’s fund raiser is Þlled with more “pizzazz” than this year’s and that the future student fun raisers become increasingly more proÞtable.

photo by Lauren Schnupp

Mr. Perry loses hair, students gain holiday

Garrett Mosca, because he was the top seller in the Senior Class, was selected as one of the students to shave Mr. Perry’s head.

Student body increase creates classroom shortage Always a small school, the size of JC’s building is Þnally starting to show. As class size increases, the JC administration has found itself scrambling for more teaching space.

“When I started here enrollment was below 800. Next year it will probably be about 865. Numbers are going up. We added four classrooms worth of students without actually adding new classrooms,” said Principal Barker.

Due to the shortage of classrooms, there is a rising number of teachers that do not have a classroom to call their own. Moving from classroom to classroom with all their belongings on a push cart, these teachers are referred to as “ßoaters.”

“Currently, there are a lot of teachers who ßoat,” said Mr. Barker. This year JC has a total of ten ßoating teachers, including Mr. Akers, Mr. Perry, Mrs. Barton-Barrett, Mr. Torres, Ms. Urra, Mrs. Dohn, Mr. Miller, Ms. Beadle, Mr. Wojewodski, and Mr. Schick.

To help reduce the amount of ßoaters, JC has to utilize its space. Over spring break, JC began its extensive renovation process of the faculty ofÞce on the third ßoor, formerly used as a home economics room.

“The plan right now is to give the room to Mr. Akers because he is the only ßoater in the Social Studies department,” said Mr. Barker.

Volume 40, Number 5

While taking out a wall was the extent of the structural renovations, the conversion of the faculty ofÞce into a classroom will cost JC an estimated $20,000-$25,000. This cost includes desks, boards, etc.

Although the faculty ofÞce is still a work in progress, Mr. Akers is looking forward to the change. “It will be nice to have a place of my own on the third ßoor,” said Mr. Ak-

ers.

Ideally, Mr. Torres would like to get a room with the math department. “It’s easier to work with the department that way,” said Mr. Torres. This is his third year as a ßoater at JC. “It would be nice if we all had our own rooms, but that’s pretty hard to do so we basically have to deal with it,” said Mr.

Torres.

At this point, the faculty ofÞce is the only room with renovation plans; however, “I wouldn’t completely discount the math center,” said Mr. Barker.

In regards to converting the musical conservatory, JC is skeptical about changing it into an extension of JC’s academic wing. “We’ve discussed the future of the conservatory,” said Mr. Barker, but “the big logistical problem is the 200 yards between our buildings.”

When it was constructed, the conservatory was put far enough away so the sisters could have some privacy. This distance brings up the issue of safety and security of students, timeliness of mod changes, and inclement weather.

Besides the distance, the structure of the building is not conducive to learning. The average height of a typical classroom is at least 10 feet, and the ceilings in the conservatory are comparatively low.

Another alternative to ßoating teachers would be the implementation of portables; however, according to Mr. Barker, “[Portables] would just be too destructive of what we want the school to be.”

Although the search has been unsuccessful so far, Mr. Barker is still looking for creative and innovative ways to make room for all of JC’s students. He said, of- “Until we get some sort of reduction in the school it will be a challenge.” photo by Lauren Schnupp

Courtney Kurtz News co Editor

Ms. Urra, a floating teacher, currently uses the faculty room as her fice. Next year the room will belong to Mr. Akers.

The

Patriot

April 2005

news

7

Students venture abroad over spring break

The Church of Spilled Blood is one of the most distinctive churches in St. Petersburg. It was built where Czar Alexander II was murdered in 1863, hence the name.

photo courtesy of Laura Kirchner

Most students count down the days until spring break, looking forward to sleeping all day, hanging out with friends, and relaxing.

While the majority of students slept their vacation away, some students took advantage of their time by participating in one of three JC sponsored trips.

Students had the option of choosing to go on a Russian exchange program to St. Petersburg, an environmentally oriented trip to Costa Rica, or a tour of Spain, France and the Pyrenees Mountains.

Each trip offered its own unique experiences for all those who were involved. Students who chose to go on these trips had to do many things in preparation before they even left the United States. First was the issue of money. Each trip cost $2000-$3000, which is quite a signiÞcant chunk of change, especially if you are coming up with the money by yourself, without the help of your parents.

“I had to save up money for the trip by myself; at one point I was working four jobs in order to raise the money I needed,” said senior Shannon Lhotsky. “Because I did it all on my own the experience was a lot more rewarding for me.”

Money was also a reason that some students were unable to attend one of these trips. Senior Rich Fleury said, “I wanted to go to Spain because some of my friends were going, but I couldn’t because of the money issue.”

Another thing that students had to consider before going on one of these trips was making sure they were friends with the people who were going. The students that went on the Russian exchange were all seniors and juniors who knew each other from Russian class with Mr. Miller, which made their experience very enjoyable.

The other trips were not limited to students who spoke the language of the loca-

tions they were visiting. On the Spain and France trip, there were three German students and ten Spanish students.

These students were chaperoned by Mrs. Michael and Ms. Zavodny, both of whom are Spanish teachers. Mrs. Michael was the only person who spoke French.

The Costa Rica trip was a more mixed group of students studying different languages, all of whom were seniors and were chaperoned by Mr. and Mrs. Hughes, Mr. Maynard and Ms. Pyzik. The trip was focused more on the diverse ecosystems and environmental studies rather than the language of the country.

Each trip had hectic schedules that offered the participants countless opportunities to sightsee and to engage in the different cultures. In Russia, the students visited many museums and historical sites including the Hermitage Museum of Art, and the Church of Spilled Blood where Czar Alexander II was assassinated.

Senior Justin Huovinen said “the museums there were interesting--even more so than the ones we have in America because there’s so much history there.” Before going on the trip, however, Huovinen was not as excited to learn about history. “I was excited to meet Russian girls and it was also cool to visit the students that came here on the exchange,” said Huovinen.

According to Huovinen, the best part of the trip was “going to the school because the Russians were excited to meet us—we were the Þrst Americans to ever visit their school.”

Senior Leah McGann also went on the trip. “It was cool being in a big city because everyone rides the metro and kids over there can do whatever they want—the parents aren’t uptight at all,” said McGann. The only downfall of the trip for McGann was the 12 hour plane ride, “I don’t like planes so 12 hours deÞnitely wasn’t fun.”

photo by Leah McGann

Kristin Pytko Photographer

The group of students who visited France, Spain, and Pyrenees had the opportunity to take a day trip to Pau. From this landmark they were able to get a clear view of the Pyrenees Mountains.

April 2005

The

The trip to Spain, France and the Pyrenees Mountains had a jam-packed itinerary for the 12 day tour. The group started their trip in Madrid and worked their way up through Spain and the Pyrenees and southern France until they got to Paris where they spent their last 3 days.

This trip was an especially exciting experience for senior Danny Condon because it was his Þrst time ßying in an airplane. In regards to the 8 hour ßight, “It was very long and the food wasn’t very good, but at the same time it was a new experience for me so it was exciting,” said Condon.

Everyone had unique memories that were their favorite parts of the trip; Condon said, “My favorite part of the trip was buying a sword in Toledo.”

Lhotsky, on the other hand, enjoyed France the most and said, “I liked Biarritz the best because it was on the beach and seeing the other side of the Atlantic Ocean was really cool.”

The group visited several art museums in both countries including the Prado in Madrid and the Louvre in Paris.

They also visited many historical cathedrals and palaces including Versailles in Paris and El Alcazar where Columbus Þrst approached King Ferdinand and Queen Isabelle about traveling to the new world.

Although Mrs. Michael had seen all the places before this trip, she still had a wonderful time. “I’ve seen the places many times but seeing the reactions of the students seeing them for the Þrst time was my favorite part of this trip,” said Mrs. Michael.

The Costa Rica trip has been a highlight of JC spring breaks for nine years now. This year was no different. The exotic location attracts students each year to experience the rainforest and wildlife Þrst hand.

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Mr. Hughes said that his favorite memory was going to Tortuguero where they saw a plethora of wildlife: “It was a 4 hour boat ride there but we saw at least 4 species of monkeys, caimans, lizards, and about 100 species of birds.”

Monteverde was also a highlight of the trip because of the “gorgeous view from 1 mile up the mountain,” said Mr. Hughes.

“One of the funniest moments of the trip,” said Mr. Hughes, “was when Mrs. Hughes’ horse ran into a tree and gave her a big knot on her head.”

This trip was senior Pat Casey’s second time going to Costa Rica. His most memorable experience was surÞng—“I was the only one who stood up in the real waves.”

He also commented on the beautiful wildlife they saw. “The scarlet macaws and the quetzals were really cool to see,” said Casey.

Fellow senior Steph Silva mentioned that her favorite part of the entire trip was “surfing and dancing at the disco.” Commenting on the rainforest, she said, “We saw the top of the canopy of the rainforest which was really memorable for me.”

One downside to the amazing natural habitat was the insect problem; “the insects were bad” said Silva. Despite the annoying bugs, the students were able to appreciate the culture of the people living in Costa Rica. “The culture was really simple living, I liked that a lot and I want to go back sometime soon,” said Silva.

While most students spent their spring break as a time of rest and relaxation, the students who went on the trips utilized their time making memorable experiences. “The lasting friendships that were made as a result of the exchange… made it all worthwhile,” said Mr. Miller.

In the words of Mrs. Michael, “I’m grateful I did that instead of sleeping away my vacation.”

Volume 40, Number 5

news

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National Merit finalists recognized Tricia Kingery Business Manager Every year JC has at least one student who is eligible to become a National Merit or National Achievement Finalist. These individuals represent the top percentages of American high school students in the region.

According to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation the National Merit competition is “an academic competition for recognition and scholarships.” Student

ters of commendation in recognition of their academic achievement. These students receive a high PSAT score index but at a lower level than that of those students who qualify as SemiÞnalists.

The selection indexes change every year depending on how students in each individual state score, and these composite indexes are not the same from state to state: Maryland’s selection index is on average ten points higher than many of the other Southern states. The selection index “keeps going up every year,” Mrs. Barnes said. Whether

Above from left to right: Tricia Kingery, Leah McGann, Aisha Turner PSAT scores are the basis for determining eligibility with the selection index as a combination of their critical reading, math, and writing scores.

This nationwide program began in 1955 and screens an initial 1.3 million applications each year. Of these 1.3 million entrants, the top 50,000 are chosen with the highest PSAT selection index qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program. The test is administered in the fall and students are notiÞed the following September if they have qualiÞed as either a Commended Scholarship or a SemiÞnalist.

Two-thirds, or approximately 34,000 of the 50,000 qualiÞed students, receive let-

or not JC students qualify depends on how high this number becomes. This number has been steady rising each passing year.

Approximately 16,000 of the 50,000 qualiÞed students attain SemiÞnalist status and are notiÞed in early September. They then have to wait until February to learn if they have attained the status of Finalist.

15,000 students achieve the recognition of Finalist.

The competition does not end there.

After this point students enter the “waiting for scholarships” period and Þnd out if all of their hard work will pay off in monetary rewards. From March to early June, 8,200 Þnalists will be notiÞed that they have been

selected to receive a Merit Scholarship.

There are three types of scholarship awards available: a one-time $2,500 scholarship payment, corporate sponsored awards, and college sponsored awards. According to Mrs. Barnes, simply being named as a Finalist is an achievement in itself regardless of whether or not the individual receives a scholarship or not. “Colleges like to boast about how many Þnalists they have,” Mrs. Barnes said. Barnes felt that simply knowing the student was a Finalist or SemiÞnalist might spawn multiple scholarship opportunities.

The other scholarship competition sponsored by the National Merit Corporation is the National Achievement Scholarship. Started in 1964, this scholarship competition provides “recognition for outstanding Black American high school students.” Of the over 120,000 students who yearly enter this competition, approximately 4,600 are honored, but only 1,600 are named SemiÞnalists.

Only SemiÞnalists, who are the highest scoring participants in the states constituting each region, are eligible for the limited number of Achievement Scholarships. In late January, 1,300 students are notiÞed of their Finalist status. Only 800 of these students are awarded one of two scholarships by the National Achievement Program: 700 will receive a single-time payment of $2500 and the remaining 100 receive corporate sponsored awards.

This year JC has three Finalists amongst the senior class. Two National Merit Finalists, Leah McGann and Patricia Kingery, and one National Achievement Finalist, Aisha Turner, were selected from JC out of the over 1 million entrants in this competition.

These students represent the top heights of the senior class.

Black, Gold Gala commemorates 40th anniversary Derek Cramer Staff Writer

Adorned with ßuorescent lighting, JC’s gymnasium is typically Þlled with stellar athletes. However on Saturday, March 12, the gym was transformed into a formal dining area complete with white linen tables for eight and tall, thin vases with large white lilies as centerpieces. Normally packed with people, the bleachers were ßanked with potted Þchus trees lit with small white lights.

This year’s Black and Gold Gala was commemorative of JC’s 40th anniversary.

The Gala is one of JC’s major fundraisers and this year raised around $15,000. This revenue was made through ticket sales and an auction that was on-going throughout the night.

Laura Lang, JC’s director of development said, “The gala brings together 300-400 people to celebrate all that is good about John Carroll School, to have a good time, meet new friends, and raise much needed funds.”

The Gala has been a success for many years and has always been a great fundraiser for the school. JC parent Chris Coudon attributes its yearly success to the varying the different yearly themes. “The committee strives to create an event each year that’s different from the last so that people won’t come back to the ‘same old thing’ year after year,” said Coudon.

This year’s theme celebrated JC’s 40th Anniversary and was a more formal occasion than in the past. Guests were treated to a nice sit down meal provided by the Manor Tavern and danced to the music of the live band “Gazze.”

John Paul II’s reign ends, Catholic Church elected new leader Mary Etting Editorials co Editor

Volume 40, Number 5

McComas/KRT

With the recent death of the Pope, the Catholic Church was in a state of Interregnum. For the Þrst time in 26 years the College of Cardinals began the complex task of electing the successor of Pope John Paul II. This process of electing a new Pope was to begin 16-21 days after his death.

Cardinals under the age of 80 participated in the election and attended the conclave, which was when the Cardinals locked themselves in a room to vote for the new Pope, while the Dean of the College of Cardinals presided.

Contrary to popular belief, not only cardinals were able to assume the position of Pope. Any unmarried baptized Catholic male was eligible. The voting occurred in the Sistine Chapel by secret ballot. There were no names on the ballet; cardinals wrote down the name(s) of whomever they think would best fulÞll the role of Pope. Voting was done at least twice a day, and were carefully counted and then double checked.

After each counting of the ballots, the ballots were burned.

When the ballots were burned a chemical was added. If there was still no new Pope then the smoke would have been black; however, since a Pope has been elected the the smoke was white.

To win the election, the person must have two thirds plus one of the votes. However, after a period of time the cardinals may opt to choose the man who reaches the majority of the votes.

Those taking place in the election were not allowed to discuss the process with anyone. The electors vowed secrecy and promised not to let others interfere with their decision.

After a tedious process, the Catholic Church proudly welcomes Benedict XVI as its new leader.

The

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April 2005

news 9 Honors assembly insights controversy

photo by Jess Riefler

The entire population of JC piled into the gym Tuesday, April 12th for a massive combination assembly to recognize 3rd Quarter First and Second Honors, as well as inductions into the National and Foreign Language Honor Societies. As the seemingly never ending assembly trudged slowly through its long itinerary, a general feeling of apathy towards the entire event twisted

Junior Caroline Clark signs the membership book as the final step to being inducted into NHS.

through the student body.

The assembly, which was scheduled to last 2 hours and actually only lasted an hour and 40 minutes, was the longest academic oriented school wide gathering in recent memory. After the students Þled into the gym and order was established, the assembly began with recognition of First and Second Honors for the Third Quarter.

Instead of recognizing each student individually for their academic achievement, the entire group of students from each grade who received either First or Second Honors was simply asked to stand all together and be recognized.

To some, this generic recognition took some feeling of accomplishment away from the students who had worked so hard.

Ms. Potter, who was inducting new members into the German Honor Society during the assembly, said, “They were slighted.

Even though Mr. Scholl tried to make it see like it was okay, it really wasn’t.”

After the brief acknowledgement of these students, the National Honor Society’s inductions began. The NHS induction was originally scheduled for February 27th, but due to conßicts with the musical about use of the auditorium, the NHS was forced to reschedule their induction for April 12th.

Mrs. Dearing, one of the moderators for the NHS, was not happy about having to give up the day.

According to Mrs. Dearing, “We had been on the calendar all year and we had to give it up.” However, she was pleased that the inductions were school wide and not just

something on a Sunday afternoon for a select few.

Mrs. Dearing was not made aware that they would be sharing the assembly with the foreign language societies until the week leading up to Spring Break. Mrs. Dearing admitted that it “probably diminished the importance of each individual part.”

After the new members of the NHS were recognized, a guest speaker addressed the school. This year’s speaker was Larry Noto, a former NHS member and graduate of the JC Class of 1994. A noted comedian, Noto’s speech, while not exactly humorous, was a touching explanation of how John Carroll had impacted his life. Mrs. Dearing thought that Noto “did a good job given NHS Secretary Natalie Vielkind lights the time constraints,” though she admitted that he was not as candle of Service. humorous as he is known to be. assemblies was a good idea. “It got it over It was at this time that ¾ of the students with and we don’t have to have another asbeing inducted into the NHS got up and sembly,” McGann said. moved to their seats in the foreign language The sheer amount of assemblies JC has sections. Christy Heere-Beyer, an ofÞcer had in the past few weeks is beginning to for NHS, did not like this shift, “I thought it aggravate some students, with the feeling was weird. The NHS section was empty.” that we are spending more time in assemNot all of those who participated in the blies than actually in class. Senior Justin assembly were annoyed. Leah McGann, Lake said, “I feel that my parents should vice president of the Russian Honor So- ask for a signiÞcant amount of their money ciety, believes the combination of all the back.” photo by Jess Riefker

Tricia Kingery Business Manager

School receives much needed technology overhaul Lauren Schnupp Photography Editor Imagine you have an important paper due. Unfortunately, your ink cartridge just ran out and Staples was already closed. You e-mail yourself, hoping to print the paper during homeroom the next day. Sadly, your entire class is experiencing the same problem. You frantically run from the library, to the library classroom, to the computer labs but are unable to Þnd an open computer.

You have no option but to hope your teacher is feeling extra compassionate that day.

No option, that is, until now. JC administrators, along with a committee of faculty, have been investigating different ways to integrate a wireless network into student life. The goal is that, starting with the freshman class of 2006, all students will have some sort of one-to-one computing device that will have wireless access to the internet throughout the school.

The wireless networks function similarly to a cordless phone. The access points (the grey boxes currently hanging on classroom walls) act like the base unit and transmit a signal to any computers within the service area. Those computers would be able to access the internet without being plugged in. The actual system will include two separate networks, one for teachers and one for students. This arrangement is similar to the CLAB and JCS networks that exist now. Teachers will be able to access student work; however, the process to do so will differ from the current procedure. The sonicwall Þlter will also be carried over into the new system.

From a technical standpoint, having two separate networks would enhance security and increase speeds, since fewer people would be using each server. Students would also be able to save their work to their own computer, rather than a folder.

JC administrators started discussing the

April 2005

idea of a wireless network as early as last year. “The main impetus,” says Principal Barker, “is the steady exposure to what is happening in education. Having all the computers in a lab has some usefulness, but there are also conßicts such as limited space.”

Mr. Barker and others have also received inspiration from other schools and various conferences. NDP already utilizes a wireless network, and the topic was also discussed at the National Education Computing Conference.

Based on these sources, JC administrators have come up with a tentative plan for integrating the wireless system; however the plan is open to adjustment. Separate options include whether all grades should purchase computing devices or just the freshman.

The speciÞc kind of computing device is also debatable. One option besides an ordinary laptop is a tablet. Tablets have the same capabilities as laptops, but more ßexibility.

Director of Technology, Mr. Russell says, “At this point, I would push for the tablet over the laptop…with the tablet I have the option of rotating the screen, laying it ßat, and writing with the stylus…[you] can do all the things [you] want to do with paper and pen.”

The payment options are also undecided at this point. Mr. Barker states that there will be some cost; however, he is not yet sure whether it will be a “here’s the number, up front cost [which may be negotiable] or a lease-to-purchase option where you pay over two, three, four years.”

Whatever the case, many students are apprehensive or unaware of the plans to go wireless. Senior Jen Russo says, “We’re in high school - you don’t need it.”

Senior Rachel Woolford agrees, “You could type your papers at home. You get laptops when you go to college.”

Other students worry about accountability issues. Senior Grant Dircks complains, “It’s

The

ubiquitous computing. I wouldn’t be necesjust another way for us to get in trouble.”

Some JC teachers are also tentative about sarily surprised if, as student devices phase the idea. Mr. Maynard says, “I don’t neces- in, that instead of four labs we have three.” sarily think it’s a good idea yet. In the long In other words, JC might gain some much run it is good, but there are problems that needed classroom space.

However, the capabilities are not all there need to be ironed out such as adequate storage or air conditioning so that the computers yet. Currently, there are access points in all the classrooms and some in the cafeteria and don’t overheat.”

JC administrators and the committee are auditorium. There are none in the gym at aware of these concerns and are attempt- this point. The internal infrastructure is paring to address them now, before students tially in place right now. Mr. Russell hopes begin to have laptops. However, “some to have the entire network up and running before the end of the year. [solutions] will be Although, adds Mr. Russell, reactive…you can’t “the current teacher laptops all anticipate every have wireless cards built-in so possible problem” we don’t have to wait for stusays Mr. Russell. dents to use [the system].” Mr. Equipment Barker and JC administrators aside, many teachplan to “go public” with the ers and students idea in the fall. are able to see the The future possibilities crebeneÞts to wireless -Mr. Barker ated by the wireless system capabilities.

“It and the one to one studentis a great step forcomputer ratio are endless. ward,” continues “My grand vision…,” says Mr. Mr. Maynard, “It is a sign of the times. It’s great for me as Russell, “let’s get rid of twenty pounds of a teacher; the possibilities are endless. It books and only carry Þve pounds of laptop. would make students more accountable for To me, in an ideal situation, this would be notes, projects, and homework. It would impossible not to have. You don’t have to open the lines of communication between remember a notebook, pen, pencil, book, or calculator. You only have to make sure teacher and student.”

Freshman Christine Lebron agrees, nothing happens to [your laptop].”

Other possibilities include remodeled “Most of our work is typed or uses the internet. This would make it easier…I would see lockers that are designed to accommodate laptops-not books. JC is also tentatively myself using it a lot.”

JC administration also envisions students investigating a school provided email for utilizing the wireless capability to its full students.

Whatever the case, JC administrators potential. Mr. Barker explains, “Students could take more individualized learning are enthusiastically moving ahead with this paths…there are numerous possibilities… project. “The idea of wiring is old hat,” we can’t offer every subject. Say a student says Mr. Barker, “It doesn’t makes sense wants to learn Italian. They could do that for people to walk into the building and step with distance learning. They could just get ten, Þfteen, twenty years back…the notion of, ‘let’s all go to the lab’ is passed, I think. online and do what they need to do.”

Mr. Russell adds, “In a sense it is cost-ef- Now, it’s the notion of, ‘here it is, under my fective: we’re not worried about upgrading arm, what I need.’”

The idea of wiring is old hat.

Patriot

Volume 40, Number 5

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Easter experience in Over Easter break, I had the opportunity to go on a trip of a lifetime, to France, Spain, and the Pyrenees. Planning for this trip had started in May 2004, so you could only imagine the excitement felt when the time came.

Thirteen students met our chaperones, Mrs. Michael and Ms. Zavodny, at Baltimore/Washington International to embark on our twelve-day journey across France, Spain, and the Pyrenees. We left BWI and ßew to John F. Kennedy International to board our connecting ßight to Barcelona, Spain. There in Barcelona we would board our Þnal ßight that would take us to our desired destination, Madrid, the capital of Spain.

When we arrived in Madrid, we were greeted by our tour guide, Maggie McNulty, who would stay with us for the duration of our trip. Maggie was from England and

Madrid. We went to The Plaza and took a tour of The Palace. A little bit of free time was given before we went to dinner at the Museo de Jamon. There we were served an assortment of meats, paella, and ice cream. Along the back wall and side wall of the restaurants there were hams hanging. We walking around Madrid a little bit more before settling down for the night.

On Thursday March 24, we took a city tour of Madrid, while traveling on a bus a tour guide pointed out all the important places and things to see. We then went to The Prado Museum, which is a museum of painting and sculpture. Works

by Goya and El Greco, both Spanish artists were on display. Later, we went to a bullÞghting rink, Plaza de Toros.

was ßuent in Þve languages, including English, Spanish, and French. She was very knowledgeable in the history and facts of all of the places that we traveled to and was able to translate whatever we needed.

We left the airport and boarded a bus that would be all to ourselves for the next twelve days. We went to Hotel Regina, where we would stay for three nights. The hotel was located in the center of Madrid. We dropped our stuff off at the hotel and embarked on a full day of sightseeing.

We spent the afternoon walking around

photo by Laura Kirchner

Sarah Jones Entertainment coEditor

In the afternoon, we took about an hour bus ride to Toledo, Spain’s old capital. Toledo is the town where the JC annual Spanish exchange takes place and is absolutely gorgeous. Once again, we took another city tour; we toured the cathedral, went to a synagogue, and went to a sword factory.

Following our tours we head back to Madrid for our evening’s activities.

We went to dinner and then tried to watch processions. Spain was on holiday Thursday afternoon, Friday, and through the weekend, so many things were closed.

On Friday we went to The Reina SoÞa National Art Centre Museum, which is a modern art museum. There I was able to see artwork done by Pablo Picasso. We spent the afternoon at Retiro Park. There in the 350 acre park we were able to walk among the trees and rose garden. We also had the option of taking a boat ride on the lake. We went to dinner at Planet Hollywood and then headed off to Flamenco.

Saturday March 26, we left Madrid and headed to The Valley of the Fallen, a memorial site, to honor those that died during

Students soujourn south to experience Costa Rica never would consider a bomb threat a possibility.

Monteverde. Monteverde literally means ‘green mounWe ended up landing in Panama, an unexpected stop on tain’, and it was indeed that. Monteverde is located in the our trip, for less than Þve minutes, and then Þnally reached mountains of Costa Rica.

San Jose safely.

American Quakers established the town in the 1950’s This spring break was spent not in the conÞnes of my own Upon arriving in Costa Rica we retired to our hotel, and because they opposed the Cold War, and the town holds home this year, (my home being the prime spring break loca- the next morning left for a small town called Tortuguero lo- many of those paciÞst qualities today. There we visited tion where the most exciting activity is feasting on Easter cated on the Caribbean coast. The name Tortuguero literally many tourist-type attractions, like serpentariums, butterßy candy until a certain uneasy feeling sets in) but trekking means ‘a lot of turtles’, however we did not see any. The two farms, and frog ponds through the raindays spent in Tortuguero Overall, Monteverde was the most Americanized town forest in Costa were laden with boat rides out of the others, but it did not take away from it’s beauty.

Rica. Twelve oththrough low land rainforWe visited a cloud forest, which is probably what many er JC natives exest .We saw three species of you see on the Discovery Channel when rainforests are plored the small of Costa Rican monkeys, shown. Our last night in Monteverde we were treated to a Central American among other tropical ani- night of Salsa dancing, which was many of the girl’s facountry for ten mals. The vorites. days. We saw weather The last few days monkeys, crocowas very of our trip were diles, lizards, and humid, spent on the PaciÞc many different and it Strip, located on kinds of birds, poured the PaciÞc Coast of none of which off and Costa Rica. There can be found in on, typiwe visited one more the wilderness of cal of a rainforest, which Harford County. low land was also a lowland Starting at rainforrainforest, and saw noon on the Þrst est. the infamous poison Saturday morn- Mr. Hughes relaxes in the Costa Rica sun. His spring break trip After dart frog. The last ing of our break, to Central America has become a John Carroll tradition. our time day of our trip we when the majorin Tortuspent at the beach, ity of JC students guero we where many particiwere probably still asleep, we embarked on our journey. We traveled to the west coast of Costa Rica to pated in surÞng, and boarded a plane that brought us to Miami, and then to San a place called La Ensenada. A whole day socializing with the Jose, Costa Rica. of traveling took place got us there, but locals. The beach However, while circling the airport in San Jose, the pilot we earned the right to say that we touched was beautiful, and explained, “We’re not able to land in San Jose, due to a the Atlantic and PaciÞc Ocean in the same very different from – bomb threat.” Traveling is usually unpredictable, but we day. The west coast of Costa Rica is a those we are used much drier climate, but still to, because it was a extremely hot. It is a place black sand beach. where tarantulas and scorpiOverall, the trip ons can be found. was full of many The rainforest located fun activities, getaround this area is not what ting to know difmany people would imagine ferent people, and a rainforest being like. With Senior Jaimie Barlow sports a Costa Rican being exposed to two very different seasons, dress. The students enjoyed learning not new surroundings. rainy and dry, it makes for only about the natural beauty but about the My experience in a barren environment at one culture as well.

Costa Rica was one time of the year, and lush at I will never forget, the other. We happened to visit it during the and was full of things that I could never seen in my town, barren time, where some of us found our- or even in my own country. I strongly recommend taking selves painfully sunburned. part in any foreign exchange opportunities at John Carroll, We left La Ensenada in the morning after whether it is to Europe, Central America, or any other part two days of horseback riding and swimming of the world. for a town in the center of the country called photo by Liz Burger

photo by Liz Burger

Carolyn Hedlund Staff Writer

Volume 40, Number 5

The

Patriot

April 2005

Special Feature

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France, Spain excite said that in 1858, a peasant girl named Bernadette had a series of visions of the Virgin Mary. Lourdes is a very spiritual place and many people go there to be healed. After

on the TGV to take us to Tours. The TGV holds the world spend at 320 mph. When we arrived in Tours we did more sightseeing.

On Wednesday we left Tour and went to the chateaux of Chenonceau and the chateaux of Chambord. We then went to the cathedral in Chartres before going to Paris for the next three nights.

Thursday March 31, we did morning sightseeing with a local guide. In the afternoon we went to Versailles, which was incredible. We went to dinner before taking an evening boat ride along the Seine River.

On Friday morning, we went to the Louvre. There we were able to see the Mona Lisa, The Winged Victory of Samothrace, and Aphrodite, known as Venus de Milo. That afternoon we had free time to walk around Paris.

We also went to the top of the Eiffel Tower.

For dinner we went to the Hard Rock Café, photo by Laura Kirchner

the Spanish Civil War. Among those buried there is Francisco Franco. Later, we headed to Segovia to see the Roman Aqua ducts.

After spending the afternoon walking around Segovia, we went to Burgos, where we would stay the night.

On Easter Sunday, we took a city tour of Burgos. We went to a Cathedral where we stayed for Easter Mass. There they Priest welcomed us, prayed for us to have a safe journey, and at the end he shook some of our hands. After mass, we headed for Pamplona, where the annual running of the bulls takes place. Later that afternoon, we headed to Biarritz, an ocean resort town. When we arrived we went to dinner. They brought out a salad with a Þlet of rabbit on it. It was ironic that on Easter Sunday we were eating rabbit. After dinner we walked around before heading to bed.

Monday March 28, we headed to Pau where we were able to see the Pyrenees Mountains. They were absolutely gorgeous!

That afternoon, we headed to Lourdes. It is

spending time in Lourdes we went back to Biarritz.

We left Biarritz on Tuesday and went to Bordeaux, wine country. Again, we did more walking around before going to get

and then went on an illumination drive. We were able to see Paris all lit up at night, including the Eiffel Tower and the Moulin Rouge. The illumination drive was a great way to end not only our last night in Paris, but our last night of our trip.

On Saturday morning we went to De Gaulle International to get our ßight to JFK. After an eight-hour ßight we arrived at JFK for an unanticipated Þve-hour layover. Unfortunately, the Þve hour layover turned into an almost twenty hour lay over because our ßight was canceled due to weather. However, as mad as I was, I was not going to let that ruin my entire trip.

A day later than expected, I Þnally arrived home. Unfortunately, my luggage was lost, but I did not care because I was just happy to be home.

The trip was an amazing experience, and one that I will never forget. I was able to do and see things that I thought they I would never see. I hope that one day I will have the opportunity to return because it is truly a place worth going.

Russian exchange improves international relations

photo courtesy of Justin Huovinen

We were like animals in a zoo. Many of the Russian students had never met Americans before—we were literally mobbed in school. In between classes we stood in the hallway, surrounded by curious people who took loads of pictures with us and asked for our email addresses and telephone numbers.

One gentlemanly little boy (who couldn’t have been older than eight) kissed my hand in greeting and then ran off to class.

Our excitement rivaled theirs, however.

We endured an entire day of travel, jet lag, and missing our friends and family for the opportunity to complete our half of the Russian exchange. I was eager to experience their culture, and the people were wonderful.

To illustrate: one day we took a trip to a local activity center where children learn traditional Russian culture. They danced, sang, painted, embroidered, etc. While there, we played games, made little dolls out of yarn, painted and even sculpted with the kids. I left with no less than twelve addresses to write to and had to pry the little girls off my legs.

April 2005

At our host families’ homes, we were received with, if possible, even more enthusiasm and warmth. At every meal we were encouraged to eat more and every possible convenience was made available to us. They gave me phone cards and my own room— quite a sacriÞce in a four room ßat such as most people live in.

As is evident, we were made to feel right at home, and many things were similar to the United States. Modern Russia isn’t the Cold War/Communist Russia you may think of. They have things like Coke and Pepsi, know American music (Green Day and Linkin Park being particular favorites), and even have McDonald’s.

There was still a little culture shock. First of all, we walked At a cultural center, the students interacted with young children. They learned about everywhere. This explains the Russian life and took part in various craft activities. absence of overweight people, anThe metropolitan atmosphere was also less than forty-two separate islands. The other facet of American culture missing in new for us students, although this is mostly visual effect is amazing, and the city is lent St. Petersburg. Each student’s house was due to growing up in Bel Air. So many a worldly air by its many ports. close to school, so we walked there and more activities were available to us than In the end, the trip was more than worth back daily. The metro station was about a there are here. We went to the circus, the the twelve hours on a plane it took to get half mile away, and we made frequent visits ballet (Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker), and vari- there. It was incredibly difÞcult to leave. to this and the nearby mall. ous dance clubs. There is never a lack of We all want to go back, and our host famiThis is another cultural difference: the things to do and everything is within Þfteen lies insisted that we visit them during the metro. Everyone rides the metro, which minutes by metro. We rarely had more than summer months. is much cleaner, brighter and faster, not to a couple hours of inactivity at a time.

For anyone thinking about trying one of mention better smelling, than our subways Aside from differences in the people and the exchanges our school offers, I deÞnitely here. Parents have no qualms about letting the culture, the city itself was so foreign to recommend it. Take the chance to experitheir children ride it alone, and we made us, coming as we do from a relatively young ence something new while you can. It was many trips into the center of town without country. As you walk down Nevski Pros- so fun for all of us, and our only regret is any adult chaperones. pect, the major avenue through the middle that the trip is over.

Another culture quirk is the methods of of the city, you encounter modern ofÞce greeting and farewell. The people in St. buildings and stores directly across from Petersburg kiss on the cheek, sort of like the the Winter Palace or the Kazanski French, but only on one cheek. They natu- Cathedral. rally included us in this practice. I actually One of the most visually shockgot so used to it that I found myself kissing ing and obviously Slavic buildings people automatically. is the Church of Spilled Blood, A Þnal notable difference in societal which is hidden among more unnorms is found in the ideas and practices the assuming and recently built archiRussians have concerning dating and mar- tecture. Some of the buildings are riage. It is perfectly normal over there for a very old and beautiful; in fact, the sixteen year old girl to be married, often to entire city is gorgeous. a much older man. In fact, we were quesThe city is built on a system of tioned about our wedding plans and people rivers, the major waterway being seemed surprised that we had none. the river Neva, and consists of no photo courtesy of Justin Huovinen

Leah McGann Staff Writer

The

Patriot

Volume 40, Number 5

Features

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Features

The Life of Pope John Paul II

photo courtesy of Detroit Free Press/KRT

Pius XII named him Auxiliary Bishop of Krakow. He was consecrated a full Bishop on September 28th of that year, in Wawel Cathedral (Krakow) by Archbishop Baziak.

Pope Paul VI did much to advance Bishop

Above: The Pope at the height of his papacy.

Right: After his death, thousands came to pay their respects to this spiritual leader.

Volume 40, Number 5

Wojtyla, making him an archbishop in 1964 and cardinal in 1967. He held this position for roughly eleven years, before becoming Pope John Paul II in 1978.

Karol Wojtyla was inaugurated into the papacy as John Paul II on October 16, 1978, the 264th pope of the Catholic Church. At Þfty-eight years old, John Paul II was the youngest pope in 132 years as well as the Þrst Slavic pope ever and the Þrst non-Italian pope in 455 years.

It was clear from the beginning that John Paul II’s papacy was not simply about advancing the Catholic Church, but rather improving conditions for people throughout the world. Only eight months after his inauguration, John Paul II returned Karol Wojtyla as a young priest, long before he to his homeland of Poland became Pope John Paul II. where crowds of adoring supporters greeted him. nology and the media to remain connected His presence and popularity among the with humanity.

Poles brought great embarrassment upon John Paul II’s involvement in the world Poland’s communist government. He community was not, however, without conmade a famous motivational speech in sequence. In 1981 a Turkish man named front of one million Poles, encouraging Mehmet Ali Agca shot John Paul II twice them to rise above their oppressors and in an assassination attempt. He survived Þght for their human dignity, resulting in after receiving two months of treatment and his being credited with helping to end the rehabilitation in a hospital and later visited Cold War. Agca in his jail cell to forgive him for what Throughout the remainder of his pa- he had done. pacy, John Paul II remained committed to In the Þnal years of his life, John Paul II the Þght for human rights throughout the also suffered from Parkinson’s disease, but world. He was the most traveled pope in continued to travel and minister to the world history, visiting more than 115 countries despite his debilitating condition.

Such was John Paul II’s undying commitin the past twenty years. In the winter of 1999 he toured the US and Mexico, visit- ment to his duty as pontiff.

In the midst of this constant traveling and ing major cities such as Boston, New York, ministering, John Paul II also managed to and Philadelphia.

John Paul II also used satellite transmis- reorganize and revamp the Catholic Church, sions and recorded tapes to reach out to the which had been struggling since the drastic world, allowing him to remain constantly reforms of Vatican Coucil II. He conÞrmed accessible to his supporters, unlike his the church’s conservative positions on predecessors. He modernized the papacy many contemporary issues, including aborin many ways, continually utilizing tech- tion, birth control, and the ordination of women. He criticized the western world for rampant materialism and secularism, urging them to reach out to struggling third world countries.

He warned humanity that the current status of the world will not allow happiness to prosper, citing prayer and faith as the only source of true prosperity. John Paul II himself was an enormously spiritual man, known to kneel before statues deep in prayer for hours at a time.

In a constantly changing world suffering from a debilitating lack of values, John Paul II’s ability to stick by his beliefs and remain a pillar of faith for millions of people throughout the world is a source of inspiration for many and he will not soon be forgotten. photo courtesy of www.acripensa.com

ethics at Lublin Catholic University (the only Catholic university in Poland). During this time he began counseling people on married and family life, an area in which he would later make several important observations.

When Communist pressures caused the Jagiellonian University to close down its theology department, Karol Wojtyla and the rest of the staff simply moved their work to the major Krakow seminary.

His religious career accelerated through the late 50’s and 60’s. On July 4th, 1958, Pope

photo courtesy of internet

Pope John Paul II was born Karol Jozef Wojtyla in Wadowice, Poland on May 18, 1920. “Lolek,” as friends came to call him, was part of a devout Catholic family who encouraged religious tolerance. They were open to people of all faiths, and Lolek had many Jewish friends.

His attitude of equality would later help him in unifying different religious groups.

Even during Germany’s occupation of Poland he remained true to his beliefs and would not dare betray his Jewish friends.

At a young age, he faced immense tragedy as his mother, older brother, and father died all before he turned twenty. However, he found ways to get past the grief. As a child he was very athletic and focused on education. He took up many hobbies including soccer and kayaking, and eventually found a place for himself in the study of the arts. He participated in singing, acting, and was fond of poetry.

At the age of 22, Karol Wojtyla entered the seminary of Krakow. It closed temporarily during World War II, but when it reopened the young man continued his studies.

He was simultaneously a student in the priesthood and a teacher for the theology department of the Jagiellonian University, where he worked until his ordination.

This future pope was ordained a priest on November 1st, 1946. Shortly afterward the archbishop of Krakow, Cardinal Adam Stefan Sapieha, sent Karol Wojtyla to Rome. There he aided the French Dominican Garrigou-Lagrange.

Throughout his life he continued studying theology, philosophy and exploring his own Catholic faith. In 1948, he earned his doctorate in theology. He spent the next few years abroad, traveling to France, Belgium and Holland. In his visits he ministered to the Polish immigrants in those countries, offering them spiritual support and guidance.

Upon returning to Poland, Karol Wojtyla became vicar for Krakow and chaplain for Jagiellonian University. His extensive studies warranted him the position of Professor of both moral theology and social

The

Patriot

Lindsay Nicolucci Features co Editor Features co Editor Liz Hersey Editor in Chief Rachael Kessler April 2005

13 Features Editor adopts bathroom, filth remains soap was around the sink, and trash somehow missed the trashcan. Paper towels were strewn all over the I often found the state of the JC bath- ßoor. Some were stuck in rooms sickening. The lack of soap made the sink, clogging it. me constantly think I was hugging, passing Not only did students notes to, and eating with people who prob- take things and throw trash ably hadn’t washed their hands. And even in carelessly on the ßoor, the rare circumstance that there was soap, they wasted the products I chances are they wouldn’t have washed brought in. I did not expect them any way because there was nothing to they would last forever, but dry their hands with. in a matter of days virtually After writing an editorial about how all the soap was gone. As much the bathrooms needed reform and the soap supply started to seeing no change, I decided to take matters dwindle, the suggestion box into my own hands. That’s right; I’m the one began Þlling up. who adopted the Fine Arts Wing bathroom.

Some of the suggestions The weekend before starting my project I were kind comments thankwent to the mall to stock up on girls’ room ing me for adopting the necessities. bathroom, while some were The products I purchased were top of the absolutely preposterous. I line. The soap came from Bath and Body think one of the most absurd Works, but I also brought in lotions, body comments was asking for a sprays, hair bands, and a variety of other pink couch to lounge on. accessories.

People also asked for These items did not come cheap, how- music—not that a CD player ever, I thought I would do something nice wouldn’t be nice, but we for the student body. can’t even trust the student On the following Monday, I came in body to not steal things from early and set up my bathroom. Throughout the locker rooms. Another the day I periodically checked the bathroom suggestion was for a razor. to see how the supplies were holding up and Ironically, this came from witness people’s reactions. To my disbelief, the same person who called there were no feminine products or hair ties a community nail clipper left by the end of the day. “unsanitary.”

There was an excited buzz throughout the There were, however, hallways as girls gossiped about the recently some good suggestions. The renovated bathroom. As the days went on, top three items asked for however, the appearance of the bathroom were gum, mints, and perrapidly deteriorated. fumes. While many of these Caps were left off the tops of the lotions, were good ideas, I refuse to A trashcan overflows with paper towels in the first floor girls bathroom. Despite the cleanup buy J Lo. or any other efforts, the bathroom is often cluttered and in disarray. expensive perfume for JC students. is still continuing to do so.

I apologize to those of you who said I would like to thank Unfortunately, not everyone was as thank you, and those of you who did your [sic]“anonamous” for posting a comhelpful, and my funds were limited.

After best to keep the bathrooms clean. My aggrament, which they taped to the wall. a while I began to feel that I had attempted vation is not directed towards you but rather This person said something along the to do something nice for the student body, to those around you who didn’t appreciate lines of your a nice person for doing and I was now being taken completely for my efforts. this, and other girls at JC should help Maybe if everyone was positive instead out as well, with which I completely granted.

My soap and tampons had been wasted, of negative, if everyone helped out instead agree. my hair ties had been stolen, and my beauof taking things for granted, we could have This kind of support made my projtifully immaculate bathroom had been a nice, clean bathroom all the time. ect worthwhile. I was pleased to see trashed.

I started to become extreamly I now have a deeper respect for the janitohow excited everyone was about the frustrated and aggravated. rial staff.

I apologize for the student body changes I made.

This wasn’t something I could continue being such slobs.

I would like to speciÞcally recognize Anyone interested should feel free to Mrs. Geczy, who noticed that someone throughout the year, so I abandoned my The adoption process began with the imporbathroom.

From now on, if students want continue the adopt-a-bathroom project. was bringing in soap and decided to tation of soap and hand lotion. These items something nice for the bathrooms, it will be However, I refuse to continue doing nice help out. She contributed numerous were quickly used, but not appreciated. things for ungrateful people. up to them to get it. bottles of Bath and Body Works soap, photo by Mary Etting

photo by Mary Etting

Mary Etting Editorials coEditor

Senior reflects on Holocaust Museum trip In preparation for our trip to the Holocaust Museum, all the teachers reminded us to be respectful. “The person next to you could be in mourning,” they said. “If anyone speaks in here, it’s in a whisper.”

As we entered the museum, I felt more apprehensive than anything. I’d heard about the elevators like cattle cars and the intentional claustrophobia of the fourth ßoor. I was afraid the whole experience would be like a haunted house ride with a disturbing theme.

However, the theatrics ended with the elevator. Once the doors opened, the museum began. Mere minutes after I stepped out of the elevator, I started crying.

Why did that one picture affect me so much? I’d seen the way these people were treated before. It was nothing especially gruesome, just a man sitting outside a cattle

April 2005

car, a prisoner with an empty bowl in his lap and legs thinner than my arms. Certainly, there were more shocking things to see: skeletons lined up for roll call, dismembered limbs from experiments. Yet this single photo is one thing I will never forget from that day.

The man stared at me for a long time.

I stared back through watery eyes. Maybe I was reading too much into it, but in his expression.

I saw more than just fear and fatigue.

There was something more personal there, something more like hurt or betrayal. I felt as though he was singling me out and demanding, “why did you do this to me?”

I Þnally walked away. I crossed my arms to try to control my shaking; I wiped my eyes hastily and felt stupid for crying. No one else was this upset. We hadn’t been

The

there for ten minutes. My nerves had failed me once again. And if this was my reaction to such a simple picture, how was I going to make it through the rest of the museum without breaking down?

We made our way through the museum, silent except for the shufßing of our feet.

Every so often I saw a friend and attempted a smile, but it felt so foreign and uncomfortable that I soon began gazing at the ground.

I honestly don’t remember much. When I tried to tell my mother about the exhibits, I discovered there were big holes in my memory. I saw the bunks, but what else was in that room?

I do remember that feeling of guilt.

It worsened as I heard about the United States’ involvement. So many people have this image of us as great rescuers who came

Patriot

in, freed the prisoners, and set things right in the world. I’m not saying that we didn’t save lives, or that the efforts of our soldiers weren’t heroic. But for millions of people, we were too late. And there was all the disbelief about how the Jews could have waited and done nothing to protect themselves, when really the American people were just as eager to think Hitler’s concentration camps were a nasty rumor.

I tell people I’m not a pessimist; I’m a realist. I’m not un-patriotic, but I’m critical of every government. The information I gathered at the Holocaust Museum severely lessened my faith in the United States.

For our trip to the Holocaust Museum, the teachers told us to be quiet and reverent, but they needn’t have bothered. While inside and for a long time afterwards, I felt like I never wanted to speak again.

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entertainment

Entertainment

Students give up on Lent tradition Kate Martin Contributing Writer During Lent, Catholics are supposed to give up something they love, whether it is a favorite food, television show, or game.

The real question is: Does young Catholics really stick to the Church’s teachings and renounce an item or habit they will miss?

Is it possible for Catholic teenagers today to go without something they want?

Lent is celebrated in the Catholic Church as a time of “soul-searching” and repentance for all that God and Jesus have done.

Celebrating and fasting for the 40 days of Lent symbolizes Jesus’ time spent in the wilderness. It also shows how the church can depend on God and how Catholics need God through out daily lives. To give up something is to show appreciation for what God gave up for humanity – his son, Jesus.

For Lent, my friend Kaitlyn Kinser and I gave up soda and candy. We helped each other through the season, making sure the other did not have these treats. Although my friend and I sacriÞced, I was interested in Þnding out what other people gave up.

Interviewing various JC students was a harder task than I had expected. It turns out that John Carroll, even as a Catholic

school does not have many students who participate in Lent. However, I managed to Þnd sophomore Robyn Boyle. She gave up her favorite Pop tarts and soda. This was hard for her at Þrst, but two weeks into Lent she still had not consumed either of these treats.

For adults it may be easier to stick with the Lent tradition of fasting. Students often look up to the adults in the JC community for guidance. So I went to teachers to Þnd what they did for Lent and I was happy to Þnd one who did give up something for Lent. English teacher, Miss Pyzik, hoped to inßuence her students by giving up trail mix and her beloved Starbucks drinks. In addition, she held a class discussion about the issue.

In Miss Pyzik’s section blue English class, two out of fourteen Catholics actually gave up something for Lent. Also, only four of these fourteen Catholics decided not to eat meat on Fridays. The issue on whether it really matters to God if you give something up for Lent was thoroughly debated. The class was split into two halves. One side of the room thought God would want us to follow Jesus’ lead and sacriÞce something for Lent. This is what the Bible and Church teaches us, it is the right action to take. The other half of the room did not believe sacri-

Þce during Lent mattered.

The fact is that the Catholic Church teaches that teenagers need to be treated as and also act as the adults they will soon become. However, this raises an important question. Is it vital to give up something during the Lent season or can Catholics give back to the community? In the end, isn’t community service or helping out a family in need more beneÞcial to the spirit of Lent?

Mr. Vierheller brought up the point, in one of his tenth grade morality classes, that Lent can become a more positive experience by helping out in the community. As said in Vatican II’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, “During Lent penance should be not only inward and individual, but also outward and social.” Volunteering at a nursing home or joining a group like Rebuilding Together are acts of kindness, just as great as giving up something. Especially for adolescents, a constructive hands-on activity stays in mind while teaching values and morals.

“The law of fasting was not designed to make the followers of Christ miserable, but rather to equip them better for service to God and their neighbor” (Matthew 6:17).

This gospel verse must be discussed with all the Catholic youth because it speaks mountains to students as to why they should give

up something they truly love for Lent or, in reality, for God. Striving to continue the Lent tradition keeps the church in-tune with God and Jesus. Fasting is a constant reminder of the ultimate sacriÞce that Jesus made for Catholics by dying on the cross. A good deed or simple sacriÞce is the least that can be done in order to be more like Jesus. Yet the student body remains timid in attempting to sacriÞce for God.

Top Five Things To Give Up For Lent 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Soda Cursing/Swearing Gum Candy/Chocolate Fighting with your siblings

Cheeburger Cheeburger wows new employee Sandy Wienholt Entertainment co Editor

You may have seen Cheeburger Cheeburger driving through the Festival of Bel Air. It is the pink store with neon pink lights and a 1950’s/1960’s theme. I had run across it, but never actually went into the store until I applied there for a job.

A new Cheeburger Cheeburger was being built up in Perry Hall by the White Marsh Mall. I recently moved to the area and applied for jobs like crazy. However, none of the places were hiring and I never received a call back.

Finally, I was driving through a brand new shopping center and saw a restaurant with a sign that said, “Now Hiring.” I stopped in and picked up an application.

The next day I went back for an interview which consisted of the manager basically telling me what I was going to do. It was very strange because I felt like I was already being trained.

Anyway, I got a call from the manager the next day and got the job as a server. I was so excited because I had Þnally gotten a call back and I got the call very quickly.

On Wednesday, April 13th I went to Cheeburger Cheeburger for Orientation. For an hour and a half I sat there not knowing anybody because they all went to Perry Hall High School. It was weird and I was very discouraged until Þnally I began to talk to a girl at my table. She just moved to my new neighborhood a month ago.

The next day I had training from 4:00 to 8:00. In this time I came to the conclusion that the chairs in the restaurant were extremely hard and uncomfortable. Basically, I sat in a chair with twenty other teenagers and listened to manager after manager talk.

Volume 40, Number 5

In the Þrst speech, I learned how cows and chickens were slaughtered, which was not really appealing, but it was interesting.

What made it even better was the jokes that the manager kept sliding into his lesson.

The point, apparently, was to teach us food safety. It was very enlightening and yet it was a turn off to other restaurants, especially Chi-Chi’s.

We learned that in thirty days, Chi-Chi’s infected 800 people with Hepatitis A. Hepatitis A can only be spread through the eating of human feces. Now that was nasty to think about: Chi-Chi’s customers ate food that had feces on it because they did not wash the vegetables before serving them. This eventually led to the lesson that we must wash all vegetables before cooking them and we must wash our

The

hands after using the bathroom.

The next speech was about the menu.

We learned what each dish consisted of so that we could answer any questions people had about the menu. I also learned that we would have a test on the menu on Saturday, which was two days away.

Finally, we were taught the codes for certain dishes so that we could just circle letters to take orders instead of having to write them down. The symbols were confusing and hard to Þnd. We practiced taking orders a few times and then were asked to take out the trash. Finally, we were dismissed.

On Friday, I walked in and sat with two girls and a guy. We were asked to role-play and take turns taking each others’ order. Surprisingly, this was a lot of fun.

We all

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basically made each other suffer by insiting that we have our burgers cooked rare.

Cheeburger Cheeburger does not serve burgers rare or medium rare because of safety issues.

Soon we were working on the touch screen computers, which was easy since I have already used touch screen computers at my old job. And Þnally we were let out an hour early, which really made my day.

Wondering what the point of all this is?

Well, during my training time, I learned that Cheeburger Cheeburger is very unique.

Various things are much different then any other restaurant I have visited: the menu, the food, and policies.

The menu includes Þve different sized burgers which can be cooked to four temperatures: medium, medium-well, well done, and very well done. Also, there are 8 cheeses and 24 toppings. There are over 4,000 different combinations one could have with just the burgers. Toppings include salsa, onion rings, teriyaki sauce, and old bay seasoning.

Cheeburger also offers chicken sandwiches, melts, and BLTs. Also, salads come plain but customers may add toppings for free. There are 18 salad toppings and eight dressings. Toppings include peppers, olives, guacamole, sunßower seeds, pineapple, and almonds.

In addition, there is a one pound burger.

If a customer eats the entire burger themselves they get their picture taken and hung on the “Wall of Famers.”

There are also over 60 different ßavors for Milkshakes and Malts, a Cheeburger specialty.

This new Cheeburger Cheeburger opened Monday, April 18. It is located in the new Honeygo Village Shopping Center in Perry Hall.

April 2005

15 entertainment Freshmen recall Medieval Times fieldtrip they watch the show.

The Medieval Times arena is decorated to look like the arenas back in the middle ages.

Costumes are meant to look authentic. Also, authenticity is enforced as guests do not reOn Thursday, March 17, 2005, the fresh- ceive utensils to eat with. Therefore, guests man class embarked on a journey like no must use their hands to eat the chicken, rib, other: They ventured down to the Arundel and potato given as their meal.

In addition, the audience watches a show. The beginning of the show is meant to be educational. The audience is taught how people dressed and acted in medieval times.

Then, professional performers put on the rest of the show. Not only do the performers joust, they also allow the audience to join in the fun. The different sections of the audience are given different knights to root for.

The crowd gets very excited.

Cheering and booing break out during the show.

The plot of the show includes a king, knights, and nobles. The king holds a tournament for six of his greatest knights. The play consists of the preparation for the tournament and then the tournament itself.

Every knight has its own color and is cheered on by a certain section according to where they are sitting. There is lighting, sound effects, and music for every scene and A knight from the Medieval Times show. Actors mood, adding to the setting rode real horses to make the show more authentic created by the richly-detailed and interesting. costumes worn by the actors.

Before leaving, guests can Mills Mall to watch the Medieval Times re- buy many different souvenirs including created right in front of their eyes. The Þeld hats, swords, and crowns. trip brought the period of history to life, alThe following two reviews were written lowing the students to actually experience by freshmen that attended the show and exthe Medieval Times instead of just reading press their individual point of views. about the era in a textbook. Guests are served a splendid feast in traditional style as Kristen Winner: Ben Hagan and Kristen Winner Contributing Writer

My experience at Medieval Times was good overall. All of the knights jousted on real horses until one would fall off, or be beaten to the ground. This was so exciting partially because the entire section would cheer and boo for the knights. The Þghting continued until there was one knight left who was declared the winner.

The actor’s performances were exciting and believable. The swords were real, and as soon as the Þghting Special lighting adds to the magic of the Medieval began, the audience was Times show. blocked off by a net to protect us. This shows how true the Þghting really what they were doing. They kept it very inwas. The horses were well trained and as teresting by giving hand motions and bowsoon as a rider would fall off, the horse ing. Also, even when they were on horsewould run off. Everything was so consistent back they still could act even if their horse was acting a little funny. The King was and happening all at once.

My friends and I were constantly en- probably the best actor in the whole play. tertained throughout the entire show. I do He sounded like he was from the medieval commend these actors for their outstanding times and he even acted like a King by havperformance. Everyone in the audience ing a bad attitude about some things.

The effects were okay, but not perfect. seemed to get into it and seemed to really When the actors were jousting, they would enjoy the show.

As for the food, we were Þrst given veg- try too hard to make it look real that they etable soup which was like nothing I have actually made their actions look fake. Also, ever had. Next, we got chicken breast, a during the play, I did not really feel like I potato, ribs, and Pepsi for the main course. was back in medieval times because of the Last was an apple crisp, which was very lighting. I could see the lights moving and delicious. Overall, the food was different sometime they would shine onto the audience which was very bothersome because of and exciting.

I highly recommend this trip to anyone the brightness. Also, they really didn’t have who enjoys a good time, excitement, and that many props to show that they were in medieval age. pure entertainment.

The audience could also tell that the jousting sticks had splits in them so, when Ben Hagan: Although the trip was not completely aw- they hit a knight, they would break right ful, it was not the best I have experienced. away and not hurt them at all. Also, whenThe plot of the musical was a king holding ever they would miss someone in jousting a tournament for six of his greatest knights. or sword Þghting, the person that they were The whole story was very well put together, aiming at would still fall or act like they got but some parts were very boring and pre- hurt.

I would recommend this trip for younger dictable.

The actors in the play were very good at kids.

New Bright Eyes CD intrigues, captivates listeners Lindsay Nicolucci Features coEditor

Bright Eyes is a band known for its unique vocals, storylike songs, and ability of capturing emotion while immersing the listener. As the style of the band has changed over time, no change is so obvious as in the new album “I’m Wide Awake, Its Morning.” The sound has transformed from shaky, folk-tinged acoustic ballads to full on countriÞed rambling.

The album kicks off in traditional Bright Eyes form, with singer Conor Oberst telling an eerie story about a plane crash over scratchy guitars before Þnally bursting into song. It seems to set the typical tone for their albums with sad lyrics and catchy tunes, but it soon takes a turn.

As the songs play on, more and more country themes are weaseling their way into perfectly good songs.

Slides are becoming more apparent and wood blocks are clomping their way in your ears. The band has always had a somewhat western feeling to their songs so it is not a total surprise, particularly in the last album, “Lifted: The Story is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground.”

Now these inklings become more extreme. This is not to condemn country music, as it certainly has its merits. However, when you listen to Bright Eyes, you want to hear the

April 2005

sad high school drama songs that make you feel better about yourself, not train whistles.

The most obvious sign of this change is the guest vocalist. Renowned singer Emmylou Harris makes a cameo as she harmonizes “Landlocked Blues.” This in itself is not a bad thing, it just shows a different direction the band may choose to take.

Perhaps most disappointing, however, is the seemingly random political anthem “Road to Joy.” Based solely on musical content, it is a great song, but the lyrics are questionable. Politics do not belong in music, especially sophomoric anti-war idiocy. It is not Bright Eyes most polarizing war song, but it does not Þt with the rest of the album and leaves the listener to question.

The album has its high points with the tear-inducing “First Day of My Life,” and bittersweet ballad “Lua.” It still has the orchestrated sound and overall emotional vibe typical of Bright Eyes.

However, it will be interesting to see how the changes affect the fans.

The

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Volume 40, Number 5

Volume 40, Number 5

The

Patriot

photo courtesy of Lifetouch

photo courtesy of Lifetouch

photo courtesy of Lifetouch

photo courtesy of Lifetouch

photo courtesy of Lifetouch

Junior Ring Dance 2005: Tropical Night photo courtesy of Lifetouch

photo courtesy of Lifetouch

photo courtesy of Lifetouch

photo courtesy of Lifetouch

photo courtesy of Lifetouch

photo courtesy of Lifetouch

16

entertainment

April 2005

17

Sports

Baseball team makes push for playoffs “There’s no real, main strength.”

While the pitching has been good, the hitting has been inconsistent. At times they have come up with big hits and put together decent rallies while other times the oppos-

done nothing but improve,” said Cooper.

“Coach Westervelt comes in early to help out with the hitting because the guys are dedicated to improving.”

Finck, who plays Þrst and also pitches, probably has the most consistent bat in the almost entirely right-handed hitting lineup. Sophomore 3rd baseman Kyle Van Beek is the only lefty in the starting lineup. Junior J.T. Levendusky is the team’s main run producer as he leads the club in RBI’s.

“When guys get on base in front of me, I just try to put the ball in play. I’ve gotten a good number of opportunities to knock in runs,” said Levendusky.

The Þelding has been shaky at times, but for the most part has not been bad.

Wolfe is the leader of the inÞeld and plays a steady, consistent shortstop. Kriss has the outÞeld held down and his cannon arm has earned him the nickname “AK-47.”

The team set high goals this year including getting to the playoffs and winThe ace of the pitching staff, senior Rob Fox, is shown pitching against McDonogh. ning a game in the playoffs, which has The team’s current record is 3-5. not happened in Cooper’s 7 year tender of the time. Senior Rob Fox, the number ing pitcher seems to control the game. as coach. However, because of the inexperione starter and ace of the staff, has pitched Against St. John’s Prospect Hall and ence on the team, next year will be the year well including a 10 strikeout performance Cardinal Gibbons, the bats came to life that they make a big stride towards playoff in a win over McDonogh. The win over resulting in a 10 – 0 win over St. Johns and victories.

McDonogh, in which Fox outdueled a tough an 8-3 victory over Gibbons. However, in Said Wolfe, “We’re a young team and John Irby, was huge we’re waiting for a few guys because it snapped a to step up.”

3 game losing streak Rowe added to this comand gave the team ment and said, “We dropped a hope for the playoffs. few close games early against “Fox holds down good teams, but we are imthe pitching staff,” proving.” said Dunn. “He’s Cooper believes that his become a leader and team still has a shot this year a mentor.” to make the playoffs and surCooper agreed prise a few teams. He realizes with Dunn’s comthat next year he will have a ments and said, “The strong core of Senior players, team knows they’re but he is not ready to give up going to be in the on this season. ballgame when Fox “I want this team to mature is pitching.” as a unit. I want them to grow Junior starting Senior Mike Roche slides into second base. Despite being dubbed a “re- up as a team, cultivate a winpitchers Travis Rowe building team,” the team is still fighting for a playoff spot. ning attitude and be as good as and Jeremy Finck they can be,” said Cooper. follow Fox in the rotation and have done early season games against Mount St. Joe’s Coach Wienholt left everyone with the fairly well this year according to Cooper. and Curley, the team failed to score many following comment in hopes that the team Dunn, Kriss, and Junior Bryan Wolfe come runs resulting in two key losses that the will make a strong playoff push towards the in for middle relief and round out the staff. team might have been able to win with a end of the season. “We’re a young team, “The pitching is pretty strong, but we’re few big hits. and the hotter the weather gets, the hotter a pretty well rounded team,” said Cooper.

“We spend a lot of time on hitting and it’s we will get.” photo by Lauren Schnupp

Every team goes through transition years.

Years where most of the key players graduate and the coach is forced to use mostly underclassmen who may have the talent, but not the experience to win on the varsity level.

From the outlook, it seemed that the baseball team might be going through yet another transition year with very few seniors starting. However, the team is still Þghting for a playoff spot while the juniors and sophomores are gaining experience for next year.

Maybe the most appealing aspect of this particular team is the demeanor which in MLB terms would be comparable to that of the Boston Red Sox. Full of carefree, highspirited and joking players this group has fun. Junior pitcher Scott “$-Deezay” Dunn has already dubbed himself the “Team Spirit Starter.”

Junior outÞelder Andrew Kriss joked about the team this year while making light of the performance enhancing drug scandals in sports.

“The secret to our success this year – one word. Steroids,” said Kriss rather sarcastically. Senior outÞelder Mike Roche responded with the same type of comment.

“Obviously the wearing of Underarmour has been the key factor to this team’s success,” said Roche jokingly.

The attitude the team employs has worked so far because they play loose, they play well together and they have created an atmosphere where they can improve while enjoying baseball. The head coach in his 7th year at JC, George Cooper, has enjoyed watching his young team improve and pointed out that the team’s attitude allows them to bounce back quickly from errors and bad losses.

“You can really tell something about your team with how they handle things when they don’t play well,” said Cooper. “After a bad loss to Gilman, they followed it up with a good practice and a steady performance against Cardinal Gibbons.”

In a year where the senior leadership is sparse and a couple key players went down with injuries, it is an accomplishment to still be in competition for the Þnal playoff spot.

Two seniors, starting 3rd baseman Mike Brown and pitcher Tom Mattern both went

down with injuries and have been unable to play.

In order to reach the playoffs, which is the goal, the team will rely on its pitching staff which has kept the team in games most

photo by Lauren Schnupp

Dave Lomonico Sports co Editor

Alumni b-ball tournament honors coach, teacher Five years ago, the Gerry Gray 3 vs.

3 Basketball Tournament was started to honor the memory of Mr. Gerry Gray, a beloved teacher and coach here at JC. This tournament has proved to be a lasting way to remember Mr. Gray, while raising money for the school.

Mr. Gray, one of the Þrst football coaches at JC, was a favorite coach and teacher among many students. In 1996, Mr. Gray died after a battle with cancer. Many remember his work at JC, and were frustrated that he was not remembered and recognized in a

April 2005

a 3 vs. 3 basketball way relating to the tournament for alumni and school. friends.

In the winter of The tournament raised 1999, Toby Tucker, money for the newly a graduate of the formed Gerry Gray class of ’89, took the Memorial Scholarship opportunity to plan Fund, a scholarship for a 3 vs. 3 basketball athletes looking to come tournament in to JC. memory of Mr. The tournament is highly Gray. Mr. Tucker competitive, yet quite was a football player enjoyable, including about under former Coach Bill Mackley, but Alumni participate in the tourna- 80 players, encompassing knew and admired ment every year to fundraise for a all ages, from 20’s to early 50’s forming 30 teams.

Mr. Gray. After his scholarship fund.

Alumni that knew and death, Toby looked for a way to honor Mr. Gray, and organized loved Mr. Gray come back every year to photo by Lauren Schnupp

Delia Pais Staff Writer

The

Patriot

participate in this tournament.

The money raised from the annual tournament, directly enters the Scholarship fund, which gives two $1000 scholarships a year to one female athlete and one male athlete. Each tournament, the fundraising goal is about $2000, enough to fund both scholarships.

Every year, JC student-athletes are encouraged to apply, and the two students who best embody the characteristics of Mr. Gray are chosen out of the pool of applicants.

The basketball tournament is a Þtting way to remember Mr. Gray, who loved sports and camaraderie, which the tournament and scholarship embodies.

Volume 40, Number 5

18 SPORTS Cheerleaders earn three-peat, overcome drama Rose DiPaula Sports co Editor

The team originally had eight senior cheerleaders, but after a few months and a lot of turmoil, the team ended the season with only four. Three of these girls were named captains. They were Laura Kutney, Amy Faby, and Rose DiPaula.

fusion in the team, the girls were able to pull off a successful end of the season with performances at all football games and the annual fall pep rally.

During football season, the competition team was hard at work preparing for their

photo courtesy of Mrs. Cathy Seufert

After much drama and turmoil, the JC cheerleading program has again peaked at the right point of the season. The squad has experienced innumerable roster and captain changes, schedule changes, and choreography changes, but has once again found its way to the top.

On February 26, the Patriots competed in the Maryland Independent Schools’ Annual Championships. The competition was originally scheduled for January 29, but due to the massive amounts of snow that came that weekend, the competition was postponed.

The team competed against two other teams in the Varsity division; Institute of Notre Dame and Mount Carmel. For the third year running, the Patriots won the MIAA crown. Junior Christina Gunn was awarded second place in the annual Shining Star competition.

The squad was led by competition and winter season captain, senior Liz Hersey.

Coaches included Mrs. Cathy Seufert, Mrs. Trish Sergi, and the newest member of the The Varsity cheerleading team poses with their MIAA championship trophy. This staff, Miss Sandy Seufert. Miss Seufert title is the team’s third in a row. returned to JC to coach after cheering during her time as a student at JC. She cheered Over the course of the summer and season. The team held choreography sesfor the University of Dayton Flyers and has football seasons, much drama was inßicted sions with professional choreographers and worked as a summer camp instructor for the on the team. The team endured numerous held extra practices. Once the winter season Universal Cheerleading Association. removals of cheerleaders from the team ofÞcially began, the team was scheduled to The squad’s season began months ago, and teammates’ departures. Rumors ßew practice in the tent with the wrestling team. over the summer. In August, the team trav- and girls’ emotions were ßying high for the After the tent facility was damaged, the eled to Ocean City, Maryland to take part entire fall season. squad was again forced to Þght for gym time in UCA’s summer camp program. While at “All the drama in the beginning of the and practice space, as in previous years. camp, the team learned numerous cheers, year was really distracting,” said Patchak.

The JC competition team, which was sidelines, stunt sequences, and dances.

Despite all of the excitement and con- comprised of both JV and Varsity cheerlead-

ers, competed in UCA’s Central Atlantic Regional competition, where they were awarded second place. Next, the team competed at Americheer’s Regional Championships held at UMBC. The squad earned Þrst place, while sophomore Kari Patchak won third place in the Jump-Off and Þrst place in the Tumble-Off. The team had originally planned to compete in the Reach the Beach competition in Ocean City the weekend of February 26-27, but since the Independent School’s competition was rescheduled for that same weekend, the team was told to not go to Reach the Beach and to compete in the Independent School’s competition.

Over the course of the season, the team shared their mats and gym time with some younger girls: the St. Margaret’s cheerleading team. The St. Margaret team consisted of twelve girls that practiced with the JC team twice a week. The girls from both teams were supportive and extremely helpful to each other. The St. Margaret team was led by JC fall cheerleaders Rose DiPaula and junior Alex Popoli, as well as JC Head Coach, Mrs. Seufert.

Despite what many think, the fall squad and the winter competition squad are two very different teams. Cheerleaders that participate in both seasons receive two Varsity letters, and cheerleaders that only cheer one season receive one letter. The seasons are optional and no cheerleader is obligated to cheer either season.

Although the season began with distress and chaos, the team found a way to make things work and to win their way to the top, for the third year in a row. After winning, Patchak said, “We worked hard and Þnally accomplished our goal.”

Track, Cross Country end three successful seasons Trista Sturdivant Staff Writer

photo by Rose DiPaula

photo by Rose DiPaula

juniors Kevin Turek, Mike Stetka, Danny triots Þnished strong in the last two miles. door soccer.”

“This was the strongest team in the past This spring, the boys track team has a Morris, Josh Pickett, and John Clunie.

The girls track team has lost to Mcthree years; we had a strong top seven, with good chance of winning the championships.

Donogh and Mt. de Sales, which a few up and coming stars.

Every season, the cross country, indoor It was a more complete team are the second and third ranked track, and track teams face tough competi- and they worked hard and teams in the conference. Both tion in their respective conferences. Unfor- got more out of the team, losses were close. The girls’ tunately, they seem to be overlooked every and are close to where we most important meet left in the season. In the past the team never quit, and need to be next year,” said season is the May 14 conference now, with the best teams they have had to junior team member Mike championships. They are solid face in three years, they are Þnally getting Stetka. in all events, but are especially the acknowledgment and recognition they strong in high jump, hurdles, and On average, the boys’ deserve. distance. indoor track team Þnished This “They have the potential eight out of Þfteen fall, the cross to be a top three team at the teams. They set a few country team championships” says Coach Mr. new records and moved Þnished 10-2, Torres. The big expected leaders up in standings from and Þnished this season are Jess O’Brien, previous years. They had fourth place in Jen Jones, Allie DePietro, Jess the best high jump threethe conference Hnatiuk, Amanda Johnson, and some in the league. championships.

Emily Horwath, as well as a very In years past the boys strong freshman class.

Their toughest had failed to even score, With very strong, cross rivals in the but this year they scored country, indoor track, and track division were in every meet. Coach teams, this spring and next Seton Keough Torres said the team is Two JC track team members compete in a tight race against Notre and Glenelg year are promising. Each starting to earn respect Dame Prep in a home meet.

Country team has a lot of potential and has been noticed School, both by other teams in the league.

Having just joined their conference a few and motivation to be competitive and restrong teams.

The girls indoor track team aver- years ago, the team really has not found its spected in their leagues.

Although JC aged six out of Þfteen teams. They Þn- true rival yet. was good ished strong in the championship meets.

This year the team to beat is Gibcompetition for They set many new records, and moved bons. The team’s biggest meets this both, Seton Keup signiÞcantly in standings. Throughout season are the May 4 ‘B’ conferough and Glethe season the girls competed steadily. ence championship meet here at JC nelg turned A JC pole vaulter attemps to At one point, they were ranked as high and May 14 MIAA championships, out to be clear the bar with encouras fourth out of Þfteen. where the A and B leagues will stronger than agement of her coach.

Jessica O’Brien was the strongest compete together. the Patriots. high jumper in the league; they also “We have the strongest team The team’s biggest win of the season had the strongest long distance team. we’ve had in the past three years, was over Institute of Notre Dame. IND was Coach Torres said, “They look good for which is mostly led by the junior beating JC at the one mile mark, but the Pa- next year, unless people leave and play in- class.” The anticipated leaders are

Volume 40, Number 5

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April 2005

19 New age limit guidelines absurd concept for NBA

SPORTS Shril Amin Staff Writer

these prospects.

The NBA is another “brand” of basketball. College basketball and NBA basketball cannot be compared because of the differences in the two leagues. It is unfathomable to believe people can change NBA basketball into a college basketball proto-

The MLB or the former NHL never had an age limit, so why does the NBA need one? If a high school player thinks he is good enough to play in the NBA, let him. If he is not good enough and teams still draft him, it is the player and the organization’s fault. Players have a choice whether or not to declare for the draft or go to college.

Their failures are their own fault, not the league’s immaturity.

Got an opinion ??? ????

Please send your thoughts on this subject to the Patriot Room (Room 122) addressed to the Sports Editor.

http://images.allposters.com

The arrival of “King” James last year produced some of the biggest hype in basketball history since Jordan’s Þrst comeback. The fact that a kid straight out of high school could be so dominant in the league was unheard of. Sure, players like Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and Tracy Mcgrady are dominant players, but they took more than just a year to have such a signiÞcant impact on the league.

This same fact brings up the point being discussed in the league right now: should there be an age limit in the NBA? NBA Commissioner David Stern believes a player should be at least twenty years of age to declare for the draft.

Until now, the only If the new age guidelines are put into place in the NBA, sport to have an age high school playerrs, will not ba able to go immediately limit is NFL; and for into the NBA as Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony. good reason. The NFL is a physical sport, type where the highest scores you will see and college players need to be physically are seventy points, and every game comes developed to take the punishment which down to the wire. NBA is popular because comes with playing the sport professionally. day in and day out you will see something However, the NBA, although physical in some facets, is nowhere near being considered a league as physical as the NFL. Some say that the NBA would beneÞt from an age limit because high schoolers would have to go to college and stay there for at least three years. Thus, giving players a foundation, maturity and something to fall back on if basketball does not work out for their future plans.

These same people believe that the NBA has become a ßashy form of entertainment that lacks fundamental defensive skills and has become too individual.

Former NBA superstar Charles Barkley recently commented on this argument: he completely agrees with an age limit in the NBA. He says the draft is supposed to provide immediate help for teams rather than players who will take time to develop. He says that people look at the successes in the NBA and do not look at the fact that for every Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony, there are hundreds of high school - NBA failures.

In my opinion, the comments made by Barkley and those who are pushing for an age limit are ridiculous. The NBA is trying to implement an age limit for all the wrong reasons. The league does not want to “improve” the overall play of the game by making high school players go to college.

They are trying to weed out the mistakes they have been making with high school players.

For example, Kwame Brown, drafted number one by the Wizards in 2001, has been a total failure. Whose fault is this? It is somewhat Kwame Brown’s fault for not living up to expectations, but it is mostly the management’s fault for drafting an immature player. No one is forcing teams to draft high school players; therefore the blame is on the mangers and scouts for not looking carefully enough at the talent of

“amazing” whether it be an amazing dunk or a great move that leaves the defender holding his broken ankle.

Although NBA basketball is not the old school, gritty basketball many people have grown up watching, it does not mean that people will stop watching it. The reason is simply because the talent level is much higher than college basketball. It is naïve to think that NBA basketball can be all of a sudden changed into NCAA basketball.

For those who believe that players should play college ball to help become more mature, that idea is absurd. Just look at Rasheed Wallace and Ron Artest who played college ball, but are some of the most immature people in the league. About eighty percent of the NBA is African American and comes from tough neighborhoods. Three or four years of college is not going to change the way a person is going to act if they have spent their entire lives in rough neighborhoods. Try changing society before changing the NBA.

April 2005

The

Patriot

Volume 40, Number 5

20

SPORTS

Rugby dominates season, wins PRU Championship cism,” said Mr. Del Puppo. “We have great balance.” Last year, JC mauled opponents with their big, physical squad. This year, the team is running by the opposition while playing a fundamentally sound game. “[The team] makes things happen,” said Mr. Barker. “They have good technique in scrums and on lineouts, they have a stout defense and they have great quickness and skills.”

evident in their blowout wins against Calvert Hall, Severn River, North Bay and Spalding. They crushed North Bay 35-0, throttled Spalding 73-5 and Continued from page 1 completely demolished Severn 55-0.

The players and coaches were hesitant to The game against Calvert Hall was point out any standout players because each huge for the sake of rugby in general. player on the team plays an important role.

It was a nationally recognized game “The key players are the team,” said Mr. because it was the Þrst High School Del Puppo.

Interscholastic Sanction Rugby game in the U.S. Not only did the game promote the sport of rugby, but it also gave recognition to the JC program.

They thrashed Calvert Hall 43-16.

Mr. Del Puppo and several of the players agreed that the Calvert Hall game may have been the most important for the JC attempts to grab the ball while in a program. The game lineout in a match against Calvert Hall on itself was close in the March 15. Þrst half when the teams were deadlocked conclusion. at 10.

JC handled Loyola nicely in the champiBut then JC pulled away onship game with tries by Muehlenkamp, and played, “the best half Danny Condon, Dircks, and Matt Kent in of rugby in JC history,” ac- a 27-7 victory. However, the team feels cording to Dircks. that they can go even farther than the PRU The game against championship.

Georgetown Prep may have “Winning the PRU championship again been the toughest contest deÞnitely topped off an awesome season,” as the team squeaked out said senior Anthony Tapp. a 14-10 victory. With the This year, the National High School other games being mostly Rugby Championships will be played at Rugby players battle it out in the trenches of a scrum. The JC rugby team won many of their blowouts, the Georgetown Stanford University in California this May. scrums this year due to their physical prowess. game tested the team’s abil- Last year, the JC team had a chance to play ity to hold a late lead. As it at Nationals, which were in Texas, but unThe talent on the team itself is still very The speed has deÞnitely played a part has been for most of the season, the defense fortunately the team lost in the playoffs. good and very strong even with the loss of in the team’s perfect record. And they still was outstanding and held the lead.

“We really accomplished a lot this year, key players from last year. have a great deal of power, as they have After putting together a perfect season, but now we want to go to Nationals at Stan“The key to our team is speed and athleti- been able to control the scrums. This was the championship seemed to be a foregone ford,” said Muehlenkamp.

Dave Lomonico Sports co Editor

photo by Kristin Pytko

photo by Kristin Pytko

!

Boys’ lax kicks off season, looks to third title in row score with three goals in the Þrst quarter. JC went on to hold Park scoreless for the rest of regulation time, but in the end, JC still came up short.

“Our defense ended up playing pretty well. Greg Boyle was great in the goal,” said Spencer.

photo by Rose DiPaula

The Boys’ lacrosse program has made a name for itself in the high school lacrosse world over the last few years; a name of domination and skill. With seniors that already have two MIAA ‘B’ conference championship crowns under their belts, the team has the senior leadership to lead it to success at least once more. With eight returning seniors, the team has the knowledge of what it takes to be the best, and the willpower to do so.

The Patriots currently stand at a 6-2 record, a record that would be satisfying to most critics.

But after coming off of a perfect season, the team was anything but satisÞed. Their two losses, however, did come from two talented teams: McDonogh, an ‘A’ conference team, and Park, last year’s second-place Þnishers.

After being number one in the conference for years, the Patriots were devastated to have to spend a year in second place.

“Park was really, really ready for us. They knew our weak- During practice, two Varsity players pass the nesses and our strengths. They ball back and forth for a warm-up. had us well scouted. We came out with less than 100 % intensity,” said JC Senior Mike Nawrocki, JC’s leadcoach and teacher, Mr. Spencer. ing scorer, scored two goals in the second The Patriots and the Park Bruins faced quarter, but left the game due to a shoulder off at Park on April 12. Park was quick to injury.

Volume 40, Number 5

The

The game went into double overtime. Park scored and the Patriots lost their Þrst conference game in two years by 1 point.

There will be a rematch between the two teams on May 6, here at JC. But perhaps good will come of this loss. The pressure for another perfect season is off, and now, the team can simply play their game.

They can work hard and focus on their goal, and not worry about Sophomore Cody Frank practices his passing before practice the pressure to begins. The team practices everyday in between their game have another schedule. undefeated season. score of 14-8. They twice destroyed the likes “Because we lost, we’re not undefeated of Key School with a 13-0 victory and a 16like last year. People associate us with good 3 drubbing. St. Peter and Paul was no match lacrosse, and now that pressure to win is for JC, bowing down early and eventually gone,” said Spencer. losing 15-5.

When asked what the team’s goal for the Currently, the top two teams in the conference are Park and JC, with Curley and year was, Coach Spencer replied, “May 19,” the date the MIAA ‘B’ conference champiPallotti not far behind.

They have registered big wins over Pal- onship crown will be awarded. lotti and Curley beating both teams by the photo by Rose DiPaula

Rose DiPaula Sports co Editor

Patriot

April 2005