The Patriot December 2008, Issue 3, Vol 44

The John Carroll School 703 E. Churchville Rd. Bel Air, MD 21014

Volume 44. Issue 3. December 2008

INSIDE

An in-depth look at fashion & body image

Local teens display their craft

Effective flu vaccines examined

2

4

TRADITIONS:

8

The Good, The Bad, and the Hope for the Future

back to school dance ‘03 field day ‘07 Katie Clarke and Faith Reilly

Features Editors

M

r. Barker was leaning against the wall trying to hear ‘Backpack Police’ at this year’s senior Variety Show as the class of 2008 members in the center section screamed, “Not funny!” and “Get off the stage!”

The audience got so rowdy that no one could hear the lines of the skit and the three actors walked off the stage angrily as the alumni laughed and jeered.

“We only should hold onto good traditions. If they bring others down, why are we holding onto them? Traditions should show where we came from and be beneficial so they’re worth repeating,” said Principal Barker.

After recent events of Variety Show and consequent negative reactions, many parents, teachers, and students have expressed their concerns over this tradition.

“We need to make sure we live up to our mission statement and catholic identity,” said Barker. As this tradition is being examined, which traditions should JC also examine to determine if they are beneficial to our student body and are worth continuing?

Good Traditions Ring Week is the star of all of JC’s traditions present and past.

According to junior class mod-

erator Gregory Kachur, Ring Week has been a tradition since the school opened. Kachur said, “[Ring Week] has changed and evolved over the years.

Seven years ago we had the catered dinner and dance.

The last three years we added the breakfast and mass.”

Kachur added, “It’s a great event because it brings the junior class together and parents have a chance to connect and help with the breakfast and decorating for the dance. Mass also adds a spiritual aspect. This is part of the living tradition of JC.” Another “living tradition” for seniors is Variety Show even though it is a more controversial, yet important event.

Mr. Barker said, “I thought there was some real talent this year with singing and dancing.

Funny is really hard to do in a Variety Show and I thought this year’s show pulled it off with several Saturday Night Live skits.

Continued on page 5

coffeehouse ‘07 w o h s y variet ‘09

variety show ‘07

class rings Class Rings: Photo by Melissa Vinton Variety Show ‘09: Photo by Katie MacDonald Pictures from Patriot Archive

News 2i to The Patriot

The John Carroll School 703 Churchville Road Bel Air, MD 21014 Volume 44, Issue 3, December 2008

Editor in Chief: Natalie Shaw Managing Editors: Daniel Gallen Melissa Vinton News Editor: Niki Muse Features Editors: Katie Clarke Faith Reilly Editorials Editors: Kaitlin Bobbin Ashley Powers In-Depth Editors: Evan Conley William Schultz Entertainment Editors: Michelle Cvach Dave Hatem Sports Editors: Katelynn Colgain Elly Dannenfelser Copy Editors: Kate Froehlich Leah Goss Nick Temple Photo - Design Editors: Emily Burdeshaw Megan Chlada Kristen Novak Katie O’Hara Cartoonist: Brooke Basta Staff: Mark Apicella Katie MacDonald Amanda Nguyen Morgan Seiler Business Manager: Rebecca O’Brien Moderator: Mr. Ionescu

The Patriot is a publication of The John Carroll School.

The views and opinions expressed in The Patriot are not necessarily the views of the Board or Administration of The John Carroll School.

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

Please email us at jcpatriot@gmail.com or visit our website: www.johncarroll.org

Corrections Box

Last issue’s edition of “Temple of Knowledge” erroneously states that John Quincy Adams signed the Declaration of Independence. His father, John Adams did, but J.Q. Adams did not.

Volume 44 . Number 3 . December 2008

The Patriot

Flu shots prove their efficiency Natalie Shaw

Editor in Chief

I

lost like 20 pounds when I had the flu,” said junior Kara Fassio. “I was so sick.” Fassio has never received a flu shot and has gotten the illness twice in her life.

The most recent incident three years ago was described in detail.

“It’s terrible, the worst thing ever.

You’re throwing up all the time and it’s just awful,” she said.

Her classmate Molly McComiskey gets the flu shot about once every two years and has never gotten influenza. “I don’t want to get sick, and my parents don’t want me to get sick,” she said, “I’d rather get [the shot] than get sick.”

She added that getting the shot was no inconvenience and the only side effect was soreness in her arm, which, according to Laura Frank, school nurse, is perfectly normal.

Frank, a ten-year veteran of the emergency room, gets a flu shot every year as a school nurse. When she worked in the E.R. “people would walk around with the vaccine and [nurses] would pull up their sleeves and get the shot and keep working.”

“I think they work very well.

I get them for my kids, my family,” Frank said. There is not much to be concerned about for healthy

people getting the shot. While some people experience a “mild achy-ness or tiredness, [they] can’t get the flu from the flu shot,” she said. The virus in the shot is not a “live virus” unlike the flu mist which contains a weakened version of the live virus.

At Churchville Elementary school, like in all Harford County Public Schools, the flu mist is offered to students of all grade levels.

Susan Brock, school nurse of Churchville Elementary, said that “everyone should be vaccinated.”

Out of the 370 students in the Churchville Elementary school, 202 received the mist, administered as “a nasal spray by a health care professional” according to the Harford County Health Department.

In helping to protect school age children from the illness, the mist “pro-

tects everyone by targeting this [specific] age group,” said Brock.

Frank said, “In high school, [adolescents] are more responsible for their own health. On the elementary level, the smaller they are the more vulnerable they are.”

Because the mist is still fairly new technology, doctors only allow people 49 years of age and under to receive it. Also, since the mist is not injected through the skin but through the respiratory system, it is not given to patients with asthma.

“Giving FluMist to all children in public school is helping to keep kids in school, teachers in school, parents from taking off. I’d do it here if they’d let me,” said Frank. She added that public schools have grants to allow them to

pay for the mist but JC would not receive this funding as a private school.

“We offer the flu shot or mist for teachers. It does cost money, but Upper Chesapeake [workers] come in and distribute them,” she said, “In this setting, there’s over 800 kids so we would have to have health department workers come in which would be difficult.”

Frank also noted that younger children are more susceptible to illness and less likely to recover as quickly as high schoolers and should be vaccinated.

Besides young children, Frank recommends that anyone who is elderly, immuno-suppressed or working in the healthcare industry be vaccinated, though she reminds those who get the shot that it takes up to two weeks before full protection from the virus takes effect.

Public schools consider uniform option Kate Froehlich

Copy Editor

A

fter months of rumors that Harford County Public Schools were considering switching to uniforms, the Board of Education cited budget cuts and economic restraints as the chief reason why uniforms were being placed on hold. The County Executive called for a 5% cutback from all county agencies, which amounted to $5 million for the school system.

“When cuts are made, it is a major process for the Board and staff to engage in and we needed to focus all energies to that effort,” said Terri Kranefeld, manager of communications for HCPS. According to Kranefeld, a process was begun to collect information regarding parent reaction to the idea of uniforms, but, because of the HCPS’ choice to push back this decision, only two of the scheduled ten community meetings were held in October.

However, no decision was made as to what type of uniform would be chosen, as the process ended before the public school system was able to get an adequate amount of parent input.

The police have addressed a variety of issues that ultimately point back to what the student was wearing. Incidents range from students getting demeaned because they are not dressed like the “in crowd” to gang issues, where a student feels “disrespected” by school authority because of his clothing choice and lashes out violently.

Harford County Sherriff Jesse Bane said, “We shouldn’t have

“They [uniforms] would restrict our individuality as students.

,,

- Brent Sanders

crimes committed where a kid gets beat up because he has a jacket someone else wants.”

Bane “does not want the decision to be the sheriff’s, but there are merits to uniforms.”

The focus begins to shift from what to wear to students wanting to enhance their education. Bane said, “[Clothing] distracts from

the learning environment. Education should be the focal point, not what students wear.”

Some students find the idea of uniforms more appealing because “[uniforms] would make life easier for me,” said C. Milton Wright junior Aly Amoriello.

Bane, however, realizes the reaction that uniforms would cause among the community.

It forces him to consider, “where the focus is: on what we wear to school or the quality of education? There is more emphasis on not wearing uniforms than education.”

Although detractors may argue that uniforms hinder a student’s ability to express themselves, uniforms have proven benefits. The first district in the United States to don uniforms was Long Beach California in 1994, leading to a 50% drop in fights and 74% drop in sexual offenses, according to PBS. About 22.1% of students who responded to a survey issued by the Board of Education in classrooms said they would like to wear uniforms. More than 75% of the teachers and administrators that responded favored uniforms. Parents were split on the topic, with

58.4% favoring uniforms, and a slightly higher approval rating from elementary school parents.

However, a clear concern with the idea of uniforms is the feeling of losing one’s self.

“No one would be able to be different,” said Kerri Ehinger, a freshman at Joppatowne.

North Harford sophomore Brooks Miller is against uniforms because “it is how we express ourselves.”

Aberdeen sophomore Brent Sanders agreed: “They would restrict our individuality as students and prevent us from expressing ourselves.”

The uniform debate can go much deeper. North Harford sophomore John Greene said, “I’m against them because it is against the first amendment, freedom of speech, which I feel includes clothing. I don’t believe the government can just take away that right.”

Fallston junior Kate Kidwell sums up the anti-uniform sentiment most effectively: “School uniforms are a waste of time and money, not to mention a suppression of students’ individuality and creativity.”

3i News

Volume 44 . Number 3 . December 2008

The Patriot

Gas prices drop, economy slumps

Emily Burdeshaw

Photo-Design Editor

W

ith average national gas prices falling to $1.75, the lowest national average since 2004, junior and senior studentdrivers and teachers are happy that they are not shelling out a fortune for a tank of gas.

“I love it! It’s more money in my pocket,” said senior Sophia Lambros.

Russian teacher Ed Miller agreed, saying, “Keep it coming!”

Local gas prices average $1.64, and many people, especially young drivers, are thankful for the drop in cost of fuel, which has left more money for rereational items.

However, Guidance Counselor Carrie Siemsen hesitates to give the all clear, saying, “On the surface, I love it, but if you get below the surface, globally speaking, it spells trouble.”

If prices continue to fall, gas stations will be forced to sell gas at a loss. Some believe that this indicates trouble for the economy but others disagree, pointing out that with the money saved on gas consumers will have more to spend in stores.

Jake Hollin, economics guru

and teacher, explains the economy’s current status as one of “correction.”

There are a number of factors that affect fuel prices. Some are real economic forces, while others are artificial. OPEC, or the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, is one of these artificial forces.

OPEC sets the prices for crude oil on the market, creating an artificial ceiling. As demand lowers and available supply increases, gas stations must get rid of the gas or lower their prices. Obviously, the latter has occurred. Eventually, supply and demand will meet at what is known as a “price point,” in which the balance between the two is met.

When asked specifically about the state of economy, Hollin said that “lower [gas] prices are ok” and that “the economy is not destroyed but merely in a correction phase. [The] economy has plenty of principles to fall back on. It won’t be destroyed by this.”

Although the economy is in a state of flux, everyone has felt the effect of its transition. “The government is there to ease the burden [on the everyday person],” Hollin explained.

T

Photo by Niki Muse

Gas prices at the Bel Air Texaco gas station fall to $1.59, as of Thursday, Dec. 11. State-wide gas prices range from $1.56 and $1.70. (Photo by Niki Muse.)

Boys’ bathroom School store Drama dept. defaced, admin provides online rewarded for seeks culprits convenience dedication

A

s a precaution against bathroom vandalism, the academic wing now closes at 4 p.m. every school day. The boys’ bathroom by the courtyard and the academic wing bathrooms have had three or four incidents where paper towels were stuffed into the toilets and strewn across the floors.

Dean of Students Tom Vierheller said, “The immediate solution is not about catching them and winning. It’s about doing the right thing and stopping. If anyone knows anything, they can anonymously tell [an administrator or dean].”

he convenience of the school bookstore has gone to the internet, where we can now order some of the most popular JC gear. According to Donna Hetzel, manager of the bookstore, “We have put some of our best sellers online. There are a few sweatshirts, sweatpants, hats, ornaments, coffee mugs, lanyards, and other items.”

The online bookstore is meant to be a convenience for alumni and parents. They simply fill out an order form and supply a credit card or check, and their items will be shipped within two days.

O

ur drama department recently received a generous $1,500 donation from an anonymous source after its fall production, “Hello Dolly.” Principal Paul Barker’s blog said the donation was “to promote and engage John Carroll students in the love of music, both instrumental and vocal.”

The donation came from a charitable Pennsylvania couple who were greatly impressed by the hard work of the cast of “Hello Dolly,” in which more than 100 students participated.

Black Friday tradition continues Katie O’Hara

Photo-Design Editor

W

ith the economy in a constant decline, many retailers questioned if Black Friday would live up to its name.

According to junior Chris Kunkel, there was not a noticeable change. “We went to New York for [cross country] and it was packed.

There were lines everywhere!”

Black Friday proved to be the usual hectic event, not only in New York City, but also in Bel Air, where the day seemed just as bad.

Senior Katie MacDonald, who sang in Barnes and Noble on Nov. 28, said, “There was always a consistent line up front. There were always at least ten or more people waiting in line.”

The atmosphere and amount of people was the same as every year, but the amount of money spent was nowhere near the normal average for Americans on this day.

According to the Baltimore Sun, most merchant reports recounted sales percentage declines of at least ten percent.

Although most stores, such as Target and Macy’s, had major sales for their opening holiday shopping weekend, they still had sale declines that were larger than expected. Target had a 10.4 percent decline in sales while Macy’s suffered a 13.3 percent drop in their sales.

Nevertheless, there were people out to take advantage of the oneday shopping spree. “I knew that if I did not shop now, the prices would just go up,” MacDonald said.

A JoAnn’s cashier said, “I don’t think that the economy is affecting the sales. We had lines that wrapped around the store on Black Friday.” When asked how sales were now she said, “We still have lines that are ridiculously long.

There are only three cashiers. It’s chaos.”

From up in New York, Kunkel described one scene: “We were outside and there was an outdoor market set up. It was so crowded, people could not even move.”

While Black Friday appeared notoriously busy, the rest of the weekend remained as dead as the earlier days of November.

“I saved my shopping for Saturday. I am so glad that I did -no one was out. It was incredible,” said Senior Mia Puopolo.

This retreat from shopping played a large role in retailer’s figures. The single day of shopping only improved standings a little, causing the moderate spending to make sales records only terrible instead of completely miserable.

Apparently not only were the sales miserable, so were the people. Christmas spirit did not come along with the Christmas shopping. “People were on their phones the whole time. And they seemed so irritable,” said MacDonald.

Features 4i to

Leah Goss

Copy Editor Design by Katie O’Hara

O

n November 17, Scott Durbin (name has been changed) and his two sons were on their way home in upstate New York when the car slid off the road, careened over an embankment, and sank in a backyard pond.

Scott’s teenage son was the only survivor.

Authorities reported that the car was traveling under the speed limit, but that slushy conditions and insufficient rear tires contributed to the tragic accident.

Unlike New York, week-long blizzards are not expected, but ice, snow, and frost are guaranteed.

The question facing student driv-

ers is how to prepare and deal with the upcoming dangerous weather.

Junior Michelle Murphy recognizes the risk of winter driving, saying, “I am sometimes nervous about driving, especially if there’s ice.”

Even so, student drivers don’t always know how to react or be prepared. “I have a scraper, that’s all, and I just drive slower and more carefully,” said Murphy. And really, what more can you do?

Like Murphy, senior Shannon Runk said she “drives slower and pays more attention to the other drivers and the road when it’s icy out.” This seemingly obvious re-

SPOTLIGHT Melissa Vinton

Managing Editor

T

he phone rang for the fourth time in an hour as freshman Cara Reilly reached over to grab her cell phone. Reilly rapidly scribbled an order for a matching earring and necklace set on the back of an already full Postit note. No one, not even Reilly, could have guessed that a Christmas present would create such a successful career.

“I first started making jewelry at age ten when my mom bought me a jewelry making kit around Christmas time to make gifts for my sister and the rest of my family. I really liked it, and she thought it was just a phase, but I’ve kept it up since then,” said Reilly.

Creative minds receive credit for abilities ranging from inspired works of art to eloquent writing, but there are students whose abilities are overlooked. They silently buy beads and work tirelessly to create jewelry.

From birthday gifts to fundraising, the jewelers of JC have found an innovative way to make a statement.

“Half of the jewelry I make typ-

Volume 44 . Number 3 . December 2008

The Patriot

sponse to inclement weather is included in the safety tips published by AAA. According to this service, start with what should be done before you get in the car: prepare yourself. AAA suggests expecting traffic to travel at a slower pace, and leaving earlier to accommodate for the difference.

Choosing to travel on major roads is another idea to consider. Main roads are maintained more efficiently during winter weather. Often, minor back roads don’t receive this kind of attention and can be full of icy patches.

Because winter weather primarily affects visibility and road conditions, AAA suggests clearing the windshields before driving and using low beam lights to avoid a glare.

During winter weather, it is important to anticipate so-called “hotspots” that could be plagues by icy conditions: bridges, off ramps, and elevated highways.

As senior Maura Donnelly put it, “Being alert for black ice is a particular concern.”

Understanding how to prepare and respond to inclement weather is key to making the right decisions.

JEWELERS

ically goes in my inventory where I put all of the jewelry I make that can be sold or given away as presents. I separate the jewelry I make for myself to wear from the jewelry I would sell,” said Reilly. “A lot of times I’m asked to make a specific type or piece of jewelry for someone, which is sold right away.”

Some students find resourceful tools to help make their jewelry.

Sophomore Audrey Schiminger said, “One day I saw a hemp jewelry kit in Michael’s and thought it would be fun to try something new. Now I make bracelets out of soda tabs, beads, and anything else that I can use.” Schiminger started making her jewelry as a hobby, but decided to use it for gifts and as a fundraiser for her cross country team.

“I made these bracelets to sell at the art show in Bel Air to raise money for the trips we take for cross country,

Photo by Katie O’Hara

but I never got a chance to,” said Schiminger. “I’m sure I’ll be able to sell them sometime in the future.”

Many students are motivated to continue making jewelry because of the appreciation they receive. “When someone complements a bracelet I’m wearing that I’ve made it makes me proud that I can say that I created that,” said Schiminger.

Students apply to countless jobs hoping to hear from one.

They head off to work complaining about how much they dislike it, whereas Reilly has found that making jewelry isn’t a hassle, but a fun and interesting way to make money.

“My favorite part about making my own jewelry is that whatever I make is unique, something that no one else has.

I also like being able to create something beautiful out of just a few raw materials with a skill that not many other people have,” said Reilly.

Learning how to make jewelry has taught Reilly a skill that she hopes will carry her farther than high school. Her ability to create something unique from every other student’s jewelry is more precious than any store bought necklace.

Reilly said, “I hope I continue making jewelry for a really long time, because it’s a useful skill that I will be able to continually use. I have a feeling that I won’t drop this for a while because it’s enjoyable for me personally, and I love making things that other people admire and enjoy as well.”

Evan Conley

In-Depth Editor

C

andy canes are the food that best symbolizes the Christmas season with the only other possible contender for this position Egg Nog, of course, which, if we want to be technical, it’s not a food, but a drink. As popular as this scrumptious confectionary is, however, many people remain unenlightened about its origins, its history, its… well you get the idea. Here to dispel your ignorance is I! The great, Evan Conley! Be grateful.

Myth 1: A candy maker in Indiana invented the candy cane.

He wanted to create a candy that reminded people of the reason for the season, so he bent a white sugar stick, symbolizing purity, to resemble a J, standing, of course, for you know who, and striped it red to symbolize God’s love and Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

Verdict: This is an urban legend that’s been kicking around for quite some time, and for the majority of my life, I believed it as well. As poetic as it seems, it’s sadly not the case. The candy cane was actually invented before Indiana even came to be, in 1670 by a German choirmaster. The myth even gets the reason for the cane’s invention wrong: its sole purpose was to keep children amused during mass.

Myth 2: The candy cane has always been striped red.

Verdict: While it’s hard to imagine the treat without stripes, this is also bunk. That choirmaster back in 1670? All he did was bend sugar canes to look like shepherd crooks; he never actually colored them. That innovation didn’t come around until the early nineteenth

century. It’s not entirely clear who decided that striping them was a good idea, but it caught on.

Myth 3: I heard last year that candy canes could cause cancer!

Can it be?

Verdict: This is another urban legend that was passed around last year in the form of a chain e-mail, when there were major recalls of products made in China. While it is true that titanium dioxide, a compound used as a pigment in some candy canes, is recognized as a carcinogen, you’d probably have to eat your own body weight in candy canes, in a single day, before you would be in any danger whatsoever.

Myth 4: Evan Conley can eat his own weight in candy canes in a single day.

Verdict: Well let’s see: a candy canes weighs about half an ounce; that’s thirty-two per pound, and multiply by two-fifty. That’s eight thousand candy canes! Are you kidding me? That’s nothing!

5 Features

Volume 44 . Number 3 . December 2008

The Patriot

ring ceremony ‘05

variety show ‘07

Secrets Behind Christmas

Traditions inspire students Continued from Front Page

would be OK, but no senior could ostumed, and it was a paro- handle it. The only way to do it dy of an actual event with- is if a teacher rode with students out pointing people out.” There in the hunt and no teacher would were several acts he and many oth- want to do that.” ers in the audience thought were Currently, a favorite tradition of questionable but Barker said, “I students (and fear of the admingive credit to the kids, most have istration) is the infamous Back to never performed on stage.”

School Dance. The way students However most of the controver- choose to dress for this event tends sy arose because of the behavior to be overly provocative and enof the audience, not the content of courages inappropriate actions. the show. The tradition of the most SAC Moderator Rodney Johnson recent alumni coming back to see said, “At the end of the day, we are the show and making a scene has a Catholic school and we hold stu“been that way for a long time,” dents to a certain standard. There’s said Barker. He said, “The content a cross outside for a reason.” of the show became The students’ mean-spirited and choosing to dress and most people won’t act inappropriately is sit back and take “Traditions not a new concept at JC. “[The Back to that. I regret waiting should show until intermission to School Dance] has alwhere we take action this year. came from and ways been the dance We will throw people be beneficial that pushed the enout if we have to. You so they’re velope with scantily hope you don’t have worth clad kids, girls more to do that, people pay repeating,” than boys usually. At their money and you a minimum, in the hope they don’t act - Paul Barker last decade [this has like buffoons.” been the trend],” The administration said Johnson. is working to make Traditions for this a more positive event. Barker the Future said, “We need to offer more guidSenior Field Day is an up and ance and pay closer attention to coming new tradition that encourwhat’s on stage. I hope this will ages class unity. Starting with the continue to be a long-standing tra- Class of ’07, on the seniors’ last dition at JC. Unless people are not day, the seniors would join toinclined to show their talents or gether on teams for an afternoon have acts that promote our mission of healthy competition outside. statement, we will continue this.

“The Class of ’07 wanted an What is on that stage represents event at the end of the year that our values.” would bring closure. Graduation is Questionable Traditions the ultimate closure but they wantThe most infamous of all JC’s ed something before that. Gradupast traditions was the scaven- ation is such a solemn, somber ger hunt. Mr. Scholl said, “It was event that we wanted something never for anything productive, it to close out the year that was fun,” was purely for fun.” The Class of said Johnson. ’01 brought about the end of this The Class of ’08, unfortunately, tradition. Scholl said, “Like every didn’t have an outdoor Field Day hunt, it promoted bad activities. due to rainy weather, which upThe problem was that it encour- set many class members. Some of aged students to participate in il- the students were angry that their legal actions, such as traffic viola- event had to be moved indoors and tions, theft, drug and alcohol use, complained to Johnson who said, and vandalism.”

“It proves that even God hates the Some students were arrested Class of 2008.” through this tradition and JC Although Field Day is designed quickly ended it. Scholl explained to bring the senior class together, this by saying, “It did not promote it sometimes becomes a problem if the values and mission statement participants get over competitive. our school stands for.” Could this Of this, Johnson said, “Every class tradition ever come back? Scholl has someone who will do that and said,” If it was good, legal fun it it goes against the spirit of the

C

“

back to school dance ‘03

coffeehouse for darfur

‘07

,,

All files from Patriot Archive event.”

Coffeehouse is another new tradition that has potential to be longlasting. Following in the steps of the very successful Coffeehouse for Darfur held in 2007, NHS has decided to hold a similar event to benefit “The House of Opportunity,” a Vietnamese orphanage.

NHS moderator Rebecca Jansing-Kaestner believes the event can succeed if student interest is great enough. Jansing-Kaestner said, “The NHS has to decide if this will be an event repeated to help NHS. I want the group to choose projects that they are interested in it. If people find it fun and rewarding, then it will continue.”

The event this year features individual and group musical performances, poetry readings, and other artistic acts. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, brownies, cookies, and

other snacks will be served to the attendees.

The group hopes the event will have a successful turn out that will raise ample amounts of money for the orphanage. “I know that the hearts of our students open when help is needed. I pray that the Lord will bless the orphanage with a good turn out,” said JansingKaestner.

These six unique traditions to JC show our originality and passion for our school. Mr. Barker said, “They should bring us together but the problem is when these traditions become perverted by certain people. We need to communicate with each other. When you tell the students what you expect, then they tend to do it.”

Additional reporting by Emily Burdeshaw, Megan Chalada, and Amanda Nguyen.

Nick Temple

Copy Editor

K

ris Kringel, a fifty-five year old man living in the town of North Pole, Alaska, does not, despite what you may have heard, deliver toys from his sleigh.

Mr. Kringel actually delivers pizza in his 1984 Ford Tempo.

Christmas, like any holiday, has a murky background, strange traditions, and odd facts associated with it, and I’ve taken it upon myself to dig them up for you.

Take, for instance, those reindeer you’ve heard so much about: Donner and Blitzen, Rudolph and the others? Actually, Donner’s name should be Dunder and Blitzen should be Bliksem, as they were first written in “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” and Rudolph’s been around for a whole century less than the other eight. Those “eight tiny reindeer” that pull Santa’s sleigh have only been on duty for about 170 years, since 1823, and, like Santa himself, have no connection whatsoever with the holiday.

Speaking of Jolly Ol’ St. Nick, you should really consider stopping in to visit him some time.

St. Nicholas, who is not only the patron saint of children, but also thieves, pawnbrokers, and prostitutes, spends all of his time these days in the Italian church where he’s buried, where sailors carried his bones to sometime around the first millennium.

That’s not to say he doesn’t get around, of course, as Christmas Eve always proves quite busy for the big guy. In the twelve hours he’ll have to visit all the houses in North America and Europe, Mr. Claus will need to swing by some 42 million homes, or somewhere in the ballpark of 983 homes per second.

For those of you who would like to find out which of those houses the Big Guy is at on Christmas Eve, I highly recommend NORAD Tracks Santa, a website run by the North American Aerospace Defense Command, which uses “high-tech systems to track Santa” as he travels around the world.

Even if you think you’re too old to check this out, trust me, their “Santa Cams” are awesome.

As high-schoolers, we’ve all decided we’re far too cool for Santa Claus and Christmas, but we haven’t found out just how cool the oddities can be. So happy holidays, kids, and remember: you heard it here first.

Features 6i to

In-demand careers give hope for future Kristen Novak

Photo-Design Editor

M

iranda (name has been changed) is a recent graduate of Virginia Tech. She spent four years studying public relations and communications. As graduation quickly approached, she realized that her search for a job was not going well at all.

It turns out that finding a job in PR is difficult. Because there are so many people who are qualified for that field, Miranda found herself struggling to find a job.

Teens are uninformed about what professions are out there. To combat this, Siemsen and fellow guidance counselor Larry Hensley put together Career Day for the sophomores.

Career Day is used to give the sophomores tips on how to choose careers. In the days leading up to Career Day, Siemsen and Hensley go to all the sophomore classes and give them ideas on how to choose a career.

In class, they take a career interest inventory. This inventory is a survey that gathers the students’ interests to see how they pertain to various careers.

After the lesson, the students are assigned to research three careers they are interested in. They fill out a form with roughly twenty different careers on it. The students choose eight presentations they want to see and people from all types of professions come and speak to the students, who attend two of them.

“In time, I would like to build the program up, whether it’s just for sophomores or every grade level,” said Siemsen. Siemsen also said that in the future she would like to have a sophomore career guidance class. In this class, students could look more directly at what route they want to take in pursuing certain careers.

The jobs most in demand today are in the math and science fields, including engineers, nurses, environmental scientists, and technological jobs.

Joe Iacchei, math teacher at JC said that today it is very difficult to succeed in the field of engineering.

Many teens do not understand the amount of work it requires to get there.

Mike Iacchei, son of math and physics teacher Joe Iacchei, is currently working as a mechanical engineer at Aberdeen Proving Ground. “You can’t get [there] by only being smart. It’s challenging and you can’t be lazy. It is one of the most challenging degrees you can get,” said Iacchei.

Among the requirements for engineering, Iacchei said, “A good math background is important.

It’s better if you had some calculus and some type of physics. Programming is also very helpful.”

Nursing is in high demand and the healthcare industry is consistently a good field to enter. “Employment of registered nurses is expected to grow 23 percent from 2006 to 2016,” according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Studentdoc.com said, “With so many Baby-boomers getting older, the need for highly trained and technical nursing has increased almost at an exponential rate. This has opened up many new doors for women and men who want to join the nursing profession and get a nursing degree.”

As concerns with global warming continue to increase, there is a greater need for environmental scientists to address these issues. A survey done by the Bureau of Labor Statistics states that “employment of environmental scientists is expected to increase by 25 percent between 2006 and 2016.”

Jobs involving technology, such as software engineers, are also in demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said, “As a result of rapid employment growth over the 2006 to 2016 decade, job prospects for computer software engineers should be excellent . Those with practical experience and at least a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or computer science should have the best opportunities.”

Miranda eventually found a job in the healthcare industry, which had nothing to do with her original major. Even though it is not the job she bargained for, she is grateful that she is employed.

Volume 44 . Number 3 . December 2008

The Patriot

suburban

DICTIONARY

JC edition browse

Neologisms (new words, expressions, or usages of a word) continuously float from student to student through the hallways. If you are completely befuddled as to what these colloquialisms mean or how to use them, I have put together a list of the most commonly used words in the JC language, so you will finally have a one-stop spot to master these sick new terms.

Creeper

This is that one person you see everywhere who does really weird things, such as stare at you for long periods of time. This person can also be that random partygoer that pops up in the background of all of your pictures staring straight at your camera.

Mike is such a creeper; he never leaves me alone.

Dece

The shortened form of “decent” or “decently” for those who do not have the time to waste by saying the word.

That girl was dece-looking.

Epic

This term is used to describe things that are unusually massive, overwhelming, or inconceivable.

-“Epic” can be used preceding “win” or “fail” to put more emphasis on them.

-“Epic” can also be used by itself to signify something that is phenomenal.

Did you see that epic game against the Redskins last night?

Fail

This is a glorious word that can be used to sum up basically every bad situation in just one syllable.

Bob’s such a fail at diving; all he ever does is belly flops.

Sketchy

Use this word to describe that feeling you get when something just isn’t right, is creepy, isn’t safe, or

something you generally wouldn’t want to be associated with. It can also be used to describe a really shady guy that you wouldn’t want to run into in a dark alley.

-“Sketch” is another form of “sketchy.” It also holds the same meaning as “sketchy.”

What a sketch, that guy was so creepy.

Totes

The abbreviated version of “totally.” Whenever “totes” is used, the word immediately following it should also be abbreviated.

Amanda Nguyen OMG that physics test was totes ridic.

Staff Writer

Q & A with...

Michelle Cvach

Mr. Fendryk

Q:How

el?

1

ding?

A:

was your wed-

A:

My father [is my role model] for too many reasons to mention. I could literally write a book!

My wedding was absolutely amazing! It was the best night of my life. Our reception was at The Belvedere, a beautifully restored hotel of the early 20th century in downtown Baltimore. I would recommend getting married to everyone!

Q:

A:

I chose Towson because of their soccer program and scholarship opportunities. I transferred as a result of a series of injuries and figured I needed a fresh start somewhere else.

UMBC was the best option for me because of how close it was and their coaching staff.

2 3

school memory?

A:

Q:

What is your favorite song and band?

A:My

favorite song and band are “Diamonds on the Inside” by Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals.

6

Why did you choose to go to Towson University?

Q:What is your best high

Every class I had in my senior year especially my British Literature class. My teacher, Mr. Bill Pistner, was the smartest and funniest man I have ever met. He made that class unforgettable and made me want to be a teacher.

5

Q:Who is your role mod-

Entertainment Editor

(photo by Morgan Seiler)

4

Q: What are your hobbies?

A:When I am not at school,

the things I enjoy most are playing/coaching soccer, (I coach at CCBC ESSEX and play for CHRISTOS F.C.), painting, [and] surfing.

Q:

7

What are your plans for the future (Are you staying at JC)?

A:

I love it here at John Carroll and I plan on being here as long as I can. The quality and character of the students at John Carroll make my 40 minute commute in the morning well worth it. I couldn’t imagine teaching anywhere else.

7 Entertainment

Volume 44 . Number 3 . December 2008

The Patriot

Managing Editor

T

he senior Variety Show has always shown the character of the senior class. The Class of ’07 showed their witty and hilarious personality with skits like the infamous “Laguna Beach” and the “Teacher Dating Game.” The Class of ’08 ran around the stage targeting individual students from the Class of ’07 in the “Mean Girls” skit with an occasional talent skit like “Ultimate Ping-Pong.” When I saw the Class of ’09 Variety Show, I saw a balance between the Class of ‘07’s witty skits and the Class of ’08’s disastrous show.

Some skits showed the true talent that the class has, such as Dave Hyman, Brent Fox, and Dan Vaughn playing “Here is Gone” by the Goo Goo Dolls. I was surprised to find how talented our class was by watching the dancing and various musical skits.

Kelly Sneddon’s interpretive dance was incredible, but what made it even better was Eddie O’Keefe’s interpretation of her interpretive dance. The show’s humor was continued with Keith Sneddon’s version of MadTV in “Stewart.”

Although the show started a little slow with the opening speech, the second act made up for it.

However, the audience did not have a chance to enjoy the first act because the Class of ’08 drowned out the performers, and even cut two of the skits short.

Throughout the years of the Variety Show, the senior girls dance has taken many different forms.

The Class of ’07’s amusing battle between the nerds and gangsters switching from rap to Spice Girls and Britney Spears was the funniest dance I’ve seen. Last year’s Class of ’08 put on a performance that had people wondering how they got it approved. But this year’s dance was choreographed well and there were no provocative dance moves.

A few of the skits that were

1. Spend less money at Starbucks. You have no idea how much you’re going to save.

2. Stop vandalizing the school.

Really guys?

3. Spend less time on Facebook and MySpace.

4. Start working on senior project. That prospectus is probably due one of these days…

5. Remember those college apps?

Get crackin’!

surprisingly approved by the moderators caused a controversy due to the resentment from some teachers. The students involved in these skits were targeted during their Social Justice class.

Even though there were many entertaining acts, there were also a few jeers at the Class of ’08 that could have been avoided. A couple of individuals were singled out and a few personal subjects were touched that shouldn’t have been.

Although a few “What If’s” were amusing, some were questionable and just downright harsh.

The need to poke fun at individuals is unnecessary and makes people think less of the Class of ’09.

The witty closing act was a skit about the Class of ’08’s infamous scavenger hunt. Keith Sneddon along with a number of senior guys sang “Team-Up Musical,” (set to the tune of “Bohemian Rhapsody”), which deserves to be on SNL. The clever lyrics lightly mocked the trouble that a group of the Class of ’09 guys found themselves in, making the skit entertaining for even those in the audience who did not know the circumstances of the event.

The variety show for the Class of ’09 had its ups and downs. Skits may have been thrown in among the clever skits, but overall the show was a success.

Bella Voce members Grace Marconi, Bridget LinsenKeith Snedmyer, Liz Johnson, and Connor DeVoe perform at the 2008 Christmas concert. Their voices brought Christdon plays the mas spirit to the audience. (Photo by Melissa Vinton) role of Stewart from MadTV. This Bella raises voices in WBAL encore skit added Katie Clarke Stephanie Meadowcroft, undera humorous stands that family-like feeling.

Features Editor touch to the “Everyone’s pretty nice to me very morning at 7:15, the and they don’t treat me like I’m show.

E

Photo by Mark Apicella

Melissa Vinton

(Below) David Hyman performs “Here is Gone” by the Goo Goo Dolls.

Members of the audience sang along with him, as did fellow seniors backstage. (Photo by Katie MacDonald)

sound of sweet, soothing harmony fills the chorus room.

The voices of sixteen students fill the entire music hallway with renditions of popular Christmas carols. As a student walks by, he pauses outside the door to listen to some of the most talented vocalists at JC. These beautiful voices belong to members of Bella Voce, the school’s a capella group. In November of 2007, Choral and Band Director Daniel Briggs decided to begin a specialized vocal group that sings without accompaniment, which would be “another outlet for our talented musicians.”

Bella Voce incorporates some of the most dynamic vocalists’ talents into a group that works together to produce a unique sound. “In an a capella group, every part is needed and everything comes together to produce one sound,” said junior member Bridget Linsenmeyer.

The 16 students currently in the group were chosen due to the strength of their auditions in September. “[We had] to do the auditions in front of the whole chorus but they weren’t that bad,” said junior Charlotte Hagerman.

The group wants to move others with their different styles and pleasant voices as they perform in public. “I wanted the group to serve as ambassadors for the school as we go out to other places and sing,” said Briggs.

But being a member of Bella Voce is no walk in the park. “Being in [the group]is always challenging and pushes me farther.

I’ve become a much better singer and grown closer to everyone in the group. It’s like a family and Mr. Briggs is the grandfather,” said sophomore David Scharfe.

The sole freshman in the group,

the youngest,” she said. “[The upperclassmen] are really friendly and helpful.” In the past year, Bella Voce has traveled to local area businesses, a hospital, retirement communities, Saint Margaret School, and WBAL morning show.

“Last year, I e-mailed WBAL and told them about the group but because of their tight schedule, I didn’t think we’d have the chance to sing last Christmas. The station e-mailed me back and said that they had a cancellation and invited us to sing,” said Briggs.

This winter, on December 23, the a capella group will be visiting WBAL again to sing from 6am to 9am on the Dave Durian Morning Show. Briggs dedicated a sizeable chunk of time trying to publicize for the group. Briggs said, “The station invited us back this year because I was persistent. I’d say my efforts paid off in the end.”

Listeners can look forward to a modern rendition of the classic “O Holy Night” and a fun version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” as well as other famous Christmas carols.

The members of Bella Voce who are new to the group this year are thrilled for their upcoming radio appearance. “I heard from my friends that were in the group last year that they had so much fun at the WBAL studio playing games during their breaks from singing.

I’m excited to go,” said Meadowcroft.

For their future, Bella Voce dreams big. “We will be auditioning for the Macy’s Day parade for next year. The audition tape will be made in December for the deadline in April. I plan for the group to go competitive eventually,” said Briggs.

In-Depth 8i to

Volume 44 . Number 3 . December 2008

The Patriot

In-Depth takes a closer look into what students see in the mirror, the restrictions of uniforms, and what they will do to ‘fit in’

Weight tips the scales of self esteem

Weight tips the scales of self esteem Evan Conley

yelnoC navE

In-Depth Editor

T

rotidE htpeD-nI

he world today has become completely obsessed with the way people look. As Senior Andrew Blasco said, “Everyone always has something to say about whether you’re too fat, too skinny, too tall, or too short.” But possibly the most dramatic example of this is people’s opinions on ‘body mass’ (or, less politically correctly, how much you weigh).

Obesity (or lack thereof) hugely impacts people’s perspectives of others, and in more than just an ‘I have to look around you to see the movie’ kind of way. Heavier people actually make less on average than “normal” sized people, about a buck twenty-five an hour less according to the Council on Size and Weight Discrimination.

Not only that, but studies by the

Council have shown that thinner people are hired more often than heavier people (even when faces are obscured, eliminating attractiveness), and that overweight individuals are often labeled as too aggressive, less productive, and less determined. Also, only seven states offer any legal recourse that specifically deals with weightbased hiring policies. To some managers, a heavier person is a greater insurance risk, and it may be more cost-effective to hire the Thin Man. But legal issues aside, the most troubling problem is the way society’s stereotypes affect self esteem.

While Blasco believes that “physical features don’t mean squat,” he is, however, in the minority.

“I see plenty of people” said

Stephanie Meadowcroft

guidance counselor Carrie Siemson “who use their outward appearance to their advantage. Society is very superficial; kid’s feel like they need to look good to achieve things in life.”

Sophomore Mike Reininger comments that a person’s weight plays a major role in the way people look at themselves and each other. Reininger stated, “Heavy people might have a lower selfesteem, and skinny people can see themselves as above them.” Siemson’s comments support this idea as well: “Those who know they look good act the part.”

This feeling of inferiority can make the problem snowball. Just as Junior Samie Stefanik said, “When people have anxiety issues, they eat,” and having the constant

Mirror mirror, on the wall

just here at home..

It is estimated that 20% of anorexics that do not receive treatment (and only about 1 in 10 do) will eventually kill themselves because of their disorder, according to ANRED. That’s over 12,000 deaths in our county alone, stemming from the fear of being “too fat.” Of those that do get treatment, only about 60% recover.

The others only make small, partial recoveries or do not improve at all.

“It’s a shame” concludes Siemson “it’s really upsetting to know that there are so many young females who have so much pressure to look good, and not enough pressure to use what they’ve got inside.” The problem is real, and unless this generation can step up and look beyond society’s superficiality, will continue to wreck the minds of people everywhere.

Beauty remains remains skin skin deep deep Beauty Ashley Powers

Photo by Emily Burdeshaw

feeling of being looked down upon doesn’t help. Stefanik concluded saying that it’s easy to “begin to feel apathetic about everything.”

Even if these statements were untrue, the fear of becoming subjected to such opinions can cause major problems. Siemson said that those with problems like anorexia and bulimia “generally feel their losing control of their life; they take control of what they eat to make themselves feel in control.”

According to ANRED (Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, inc.), it’s estimated that about 1% of female adolescents develop some form of anorexia. That might not seem like much, but considering there are roughly 61,500 teenage girls in Harford County alone, there could be 6,150 girls affected,

Editorials Editor

S

tanding in the checkout line at any Safeway, a person can scan the covers of the typically fabulous pieces of journalistic integrity called tabloids. They have stories with headlines like “Look ten years younger in ten days!” or “How to get sexy hair!” or even “Get a new butt!”

Eventually, people may start to wonder what getting a new body part involves, or if this has just gone too far.

“I think it’s gross,” said junior Christine Neenan. “My aunt got a nose job and her nose looked better before.”

Achieving “beauty” in the sense the media describes does demand a high price. Whether it’s purely monetary or not, there are plenty of people willing to pay.

According to plastic-surgery. net, patients spent over $2 million on Botox alone in 2007, and over $1 million on rhinoplasty (nose reshaping), another common practice. Large amounts were also spent on lesser-known procedures such as cheek implants.

However, the price of beauty goes beyond those figures. The mental and physical costs of plastic surgery are far worse, and sometimes outright dangerous. With

srewoP yelhsA

rotidE slairotidE risks including anything from scarring to death, the benefits of getting a new face do not seem to outweigh the potential costs.

Nerve damage, posthumous bleeding and infection are common side effects of the surgical procedures and premature aging is also a possible and ironic complication as people tend to pay for surgery to look younger.

There are more dangers beyond those of the actual cutting and pasting.

Also, according to plastic-surgery.net, anesthesia itself can kill you. It also can lead to abnormal heart rhythm, airway obstruction, blood clots, brain damage, heart attack, malignant hyperthermia – a condition where body temperature, blood pressure and heart rate all rise to hyperactive levels – nerve damage, stroke, and paralysis.

If a person makes it through the procedure unscathed, they are still not out of the woods. From Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) to depression, the National Women’s Health Information Center says that patients’ reactions to cosmetic

“

surgery vary and can be drastic, especially when patients have previous mental issues.

But this obsession with changing to look “beautiful” isn’t a new fad that can be easily stopped in its tracks.

For centuries, people have been taking risks to change their looks. Foot binding in China hobbled women for life. Corsets commonly squeezed ribs so out of shape that they would puncture lungs. Women would powder themselves with white lead to make their faces look paler and more “fashionably pretty,” never mind that they were slowly poisoning themselves.

How far are people today willing to go? And the most important question of them all: Is it worth it?

JC students seem to think it is not.

“It’s trashy,” said freshman Liam Gaeng.

Junior Brandi Loga agreed, saying, “You shouldn’t change yourself.”

My aunt got a nose job and her nose looked better before.

- Christine Neenan

,,

9 In-Depth

Volume 44 . Number 3 . December 2008

The Patriot

Jennifer Eikenberg

‘Ink’ ‘Ink’ industry industry swells swells swiftly swiftly William Schultz

ztluhcS mailliW

In-Depth Editor

rotidE htpeD-nI

O

n Sept. 18, 2008, senior Josh McGill walked into Flesh, a tattoo parlor in Fallston. He had always wanted a tattoo and had finally found a design he liked: a tribal sun. After researching all the health risks associated, he found a place that was, as Josh said, “extremely clean and sanitary.” He walked out two hours later with his first ink.

More young people than ever are starting to get tattoos. As recently as 2007, 36% of those aged 18-35 have at least one tattoo, according to Pew Research. That’s a significant rise since 2002, when Esquire found that 1 in 8 Americans was tattooed.

According to the US News and World Report, tattooing is one of the top ten fastest growing businesses in the country. Reflecting the industry’s rise is the drop of removal rates. Only around 6% of those treated with light therapy or lasers are actually having their ink taken off.

Today, a hard-working tattoo parlor can make over $100,000 a year, according to several anonymous businesses. There are even TV shows revolving around the tattoo

culture including “Miami Ink,” its spinoff “L.A. Ink” and “Inked.”

But what is causing more young people to get tattoos in the first place?

Well, teenagers see it as giving themselves some type of identity.

“Tattoos and piercing can offer a concrete and readily available solution for many of the identity crises and conflicts normative to adolescent development,” said psychologist Andrea Martin, “Seeking individuation, tattooed adolescents can become [completely set apart] from others and singled out as unique.”

This appeals to a generation growing up with self-expression as a key value.

Summing up this ideal, senior Zach Colgan said, “People think it makes them look cool.” As far as expressing his own opinion on the subject, he said, “If you get a really big tattoo, you should jump off a cliff.”

Senior Chris Phillips agrees and thinks “if you get anything too crazy, you’ll regret it when you’re older. But if it’s a smaller one, it’s not as bad.”

Of course, the process itself has

Photo by Emily Burdeshaw

some health risks so licensed tattoo artists’ facilities are regularly inspected to cut down on problems, according to the book “Body Piercing and Tattooing,” by Sarah Sawyer.

When it comes time for the actual tattooing, the artist must wash his or her hands and open a singleuse needle. In the book, Sawyer states, “if the artist does not open the needle in front of you… leave the shop immediately.” The machines should all be sterilized as well, and the floor should literally be clean enough to eat off of, according to “Miami Ink.” Even with precautions, there is still some level of health risk for diseases like AIDS and hepatitis.

The best way to avoid them is just to be cautious.

Some final things to be wary of are India ink, which contains a mild poison, and lead-heavy inks, which may seep out of the body during an MRI because of the effect of magnetic waves.

Rodney Johnson

Clothing garners no no uniform uniform opinion opinion Clothing garners Kaitlyn Bobbin

Editorials Editor

V

enturing into the world of fashion and clothing, one would expect the cliché message that “it’s what’s on the inside that counts.”

But there’s more to it than that.

Audrey Greene, a junior at North Harford high school opens her closet pondering how she wants the world to perceive her. Sophmore Julia Burke of JC, however, wakes to the regularity of knowing what she has to wear today.

Audrey takes great pleasure in knowing that what she puts on will tell a story. Her identity can change from day to day, and she likes the idea that the material she puts on her back could be worth a thousand words.

She gravitates toward a casual black dress, whereas Julia dryly reaches for the all too familiar John Carroll uniform.

Greene, who used to attend JC, said she “absolutely hated wearing a uniform.”

“I noticed that without my personal style, I blended in with everyone.

There was a loss of confidence. Without my style, I didn’t stand out and I felt like something special about me was taken away,” said Audrey.

Sophomore Julia Burke doesn’t mind wearing a uniform. “It saves a lot of time in the morning.”

nibboB nyltiaK

rotidE slairotidE But they both agree on one thing, clothes have a direct correlation to self esteem. Or rather, the reasons we wear them.

Audrey admits, “What I wear really means a lot to me.” This reflects studies that conclude the only self-esteem from clothing is the self- esteem gained through reassurance from others. According to Skilluminati Research, self esteem and materialism have a relationship in which low self esteem increases materialism and materialism lowers self esteem.

Julia agrees that “If a person is really comfortable with whom they are and have high self esteem then what they wear is not a huge object to them. It’s important to just be comfortable in your own skin so that you will be confident no matter what you happen to end up wearing that day.”

But Audrey argues, “Self esteem comes from confidence in knowing you’re an individual worth getting to know. People with high self-esteem are very comfortable with themselves, and they dress with confidence to express inner confidence.”

There needs to be a clear distinction

between people defining their selfesteem by following the latest trends in magazines and people taking pride in what they wear. The two are typically just called “shallow” because they have to do with the way the rest of the world perceives you.

Audrey states, “Ideally, we dress the way we do for ourselves just as much as for other people.

As human beings, we need to be socially accepted. But you need to create a sense of style for yourself as well. How can you feel a desire to get to know someone wearing disease-ridden rags? What you wear should be a reflection of who you are on the inside,” said Audrey.

So is assuming that caring about clothing is shallow really the shallow perspective? People need to have enough confidence to dress the way they want without worrying about what people think, just as much as they need the confidence to put their own concerns and priorities in order.

“What I wear really

means a lot to me - Audrey Greene

,,

Photo by Emily Burdeshaw

Entertainment 10i to

Volume 44 . Number 3 . December 2008

‘Gears’ keeps war machine turning for Xbox owners Dave Hatem

Entertainment Editor

M

elee attacks to the face, trampled bodies, a mad dash to the final objective; that’s just the super fans trying to snag a copy of Epic Game’s “Gears of War 2” on its November 7 release.

With two million copies sold in the first weekend and a new record for the most online players simultaneously, it is evident that the gears of war are still turning.

Ever since the 2006 release of the original, Marcus Fenix and his band of post-apocalyptic super soldiers have been infiltrating Xbox 360s everywhere. The original scored points with gamers for its simple cover system, unique gunplay, ravenous enemies, and of course, the chainsaw.

But not even more gore-tastic chainsaw action can mask the fact that this installment of the series fails to innovate over the original.

Although the game departs from the original with the addition of a semi-coherent plotline, it is far from spectacular. Without spoiling anything, the story revolves around Fenix & Co. fighting to protect the last bastion of humanity, Jacinto, as well as Dom’s search for his still-missing wife, Maria.

Quite frankly, the script is something Vin Diesel rejected for being

too stupid. The dialogue is melodramatic and just feels forced, and the plot itself isn’t as captivating as any action movie I can remember seeing. I found myself wanting to skip most of the cut scenes.

You, however, like the rest of the world’s gamers, are not going to buy ‘Gears 2’ for the story. Anyone who has played the previous installment knows that the heart of the game is the ingeniously simple cover mechanics and chainsaw kills.

In this respect, GoW2 delivers more of the same. While this isn’t a bad thing, I would have appreciated more gameplay innovations.

The game tries to innovate with added vehicular segments, but they can only carry the game so far.

The game retains the clever cover mechanics and solid sense of pacing that the original had, but don’t expect too many new combat options.

Fortunately, the awesome level design of the original also returns. The environments are varied, and the Locust caverns are some of the best-looking environments in any game available today.

The hiding spots littered throughout each level are wellplaced and make great cover. They allow the player to take a short or

longer range approach to combat, and provide some pretty frenzied fire fights with enemies at all angles, often charging towards you.

In situations like that, it really is best to bring a buddy. In this respect, GoW2 does not disappoint. The co-op multiplayer is still among the best on the market today, and the versus multiplayer has received some improvements from the previous installment, in the form of a more clever matchmaking system and new game modes.

So if you’re looking for more of the same gameplay you’ve come to love, make sure GoW2 carves its way onto your wish list this Christmas.

The Patriot

‘Charlie Brown’ soothes listeners at Christmas Dave Hatem

Entertainment Editor

D

riving home from school recently, I turned on my radio and, much to my chagrin, I was bombarded by pure crap from all stations.

Modern rock bands that wish they were Creed on 97.9, overproduced hip-hop on 92.3, and ads for debt counseling on 104.3 created a mood that reflected the cold weather of the season.

As soon as I got home, my mood improved when I popped in the Vince Guaraldi Trio’s ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas.’ This is the perfect album for just relaxing with some hot chocolate and enjoying your upcoming break.

This album manages to create a homely and quaint sense of tranquility in your mind. The record, primarily jazz, was originally released in 1965 as the soundtrack for the animated comic of the same name. Just like the cartoon, this album works on so many levels.

Guaraldi’s piano creates an unpretentious elegance that seems to make all of the stresses of the holiday season melt away.

The bass adds a jazz element that gives the songs, especially the instrumental version of “Christmas Time is Here,” a more contemporary feel. When the piano and bass come together, classical and con-

(Photo from ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’) temporary jazz combine to make some truly memorable tracks.

“O Tannenbaum” and “My Little Drum (Little Drummer Boy),” strike me as the tracks that best encompass that concept. The piano in “My Little Drum” spices up what I generally consider a repetitive and monotonous track.

I cannot say that there are any rmonotonous tracks among any of the twelve on the thirty four minutes and nine second album.

I know I must sound pretty weird when I say that a cartoon’s soundtrack is my favorite Christmas album, but please give it a chance.

You won’t regret doing so.

So when you get done shopping and visiting with relatives and all of the other stressful holiday traditions, you need to sit back, pop in ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ and let your troubles drift away.

‘808s & Heartbreak’ breaks music lovers’ hearts Daniel Gallen

Managing Editor

K

anye West has finally left the schoolyard, ladies and gentlemen. After dropping out of college, registering late, and, finally, graduating, West has stumbled into the real world with his latest album, “808s & Heartbreak.”

West has grown up, found love, lost love and gotten very, very whiny.

For the listener, there is one important theme: it gets old. Fast.

West’s music on this album is greatly influenced by his recent personal hardships, particularly those he’s faced throughout the past year: his mother, Donda West, died in November 2007 due to

complications from plastic surgery and a few months later, West split with long-time fiancée Alexis Phifer.

Apparently, Kanye has taken it upon himself to spread the lo- er, misery to his fans, starting with his opening track, “Say You Will,” where he sings: “I wish this song would really come true / I admit I still fantasize about you.” It’s really great for artists to express their feelings through their music, but West takes it over the top, giving the listener fifty-two minutes of lamenting anguish.

The musicianship of this album is also an about-face from prior albums. For “808s,” West enlists the help of an ancient Roland TR808 drum machine, which supplies

most of the beats for the album.

Not quite coincidentally, the Hawaiian area code, where the album was recorded, is also 808.

Another new, if not quite welcome, feature to West’s music is the incorporation of Auto-Tune, a voice manipulation system that is used on every single track of the album. Every single one of the songs has West singing through the Auto-Tune. It gets old. Fast.

West does, however, bring in some of his cronies to do the rapping for him, including Young Jeezy on “Amazing” and Lil Wayne on “See You In My Night-

mares.” However, these cameos serve only to upset the chemistry and flow of the album.

After being lulled into a trance

by West’s manipulated vocals and the TR808’s repetitive beats, the trance is broken by Jeezy’s obnoxious cries on the fifth track. His unmanipulated voice seems hoarse in comparisons to West’s smooth Auto-Tune vocals.

The unusual thing about Lil Wayne’s contribution is that it seems like it would fit perfectly in with West’s use of the AutoTune. Lil Wayne’s recent releases have been at the vanguard of this technique. However, compared

to West’s smoothed-over vocals, Weezy sounds rather, well, wheezy.

Overall, the album does have some bright spots. “Heartless” has a great beat and chorus along with “Love Lockdown,” and “RoboCop” is the strongest song on the album. “808s & Heartbreak” is in no way “The College Dropout,” “Late Registration,” or “Graduation.” West totally changes up his style significantly, which, at first makes his new album difficult to handle. After listening to it multiple times, it is easier to get into the music, but one thing remains the same: it gets old. Fast.

he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Production & Engineering.

During his time at Berklee, Hatem performed nationally with a number of different bands and toured with them multiple times.

Currently, he is interning at Echo Mountain Records in Asheville, NC and a member of the band The Secret Lights. “We are excited to start playing some shows and we are planning a mini-tour in March 2009,” said Hatem.

Hatem’s most successful venture to date was the band Tulsa, in which he played drums. “Tulsa had a brief moment in the college radio circuit,” said Hatem, “we had a small write-up in ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine, went on a few tours [and] made some recordings.”

While with Tulsa, Hatem played the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, TX, alongside such bands as Tokyo Police Club, Girl Talk, Kings of Leon, and The Stooges. He plans to make his second appearance at SXSW this March with The Secret Lights.

New projects aside, pleasant memories of local shows still remain for Hatem. “Oddly enough,” Hatem said, “I remember having a lot of fun playing at the John Carroll Battle of the Bands.” The Baltimore music scene was kind to Hatem, and his bands “were always busy playing shows in Baltimore” and “were able to record a few records.”

Now that he has left JC and the local music scene behind him,

Hatem has big plans for his future in the music industry. “I would love to be a full-time [audio] engineer,” he said, “…[which] is basically the recordist in a recording session. The engineer makes decisions about how the music is captured.”

At the end of the day, as those teens return home from the garage and their other musical haunts, they all imagine the millions of different ways to be involved in music.

They can only hope to carve out their own as well as Greg Hatem has managed to.

Alumni career provides hope for talented music students Daniel Gallen

Managing Editor

T

he dream of “making it big” is one that inspires millions of teens, armed with guitars, drum sets and amplifiers, hiding out in garages across this country each and every day. For most of them, that dream will die rather quickly.

But not all high school musicians’ careers have to end this way.

Greg Hatem, a member of the class of 2005, has come closer to making that dream a reality than most teen musicians could even imagine.Following a high school music career in bands such as Turquoise Slaughter, Thinking Toys, and Passiou, Hatem attended Berklee College of Music in Boston where

Volume 44 . Number 3 . December 2008

The Patriot

X-mas commercialized Dave Hatem

Entertainment Editor

I

t’s funny that the way we celebrate Christmas can say so much about us.

The concept is simple: Christmas is the celebration of the birth, of the savior, of all people. At its core, Christmas is a sort of grandiose celebration of the birth of the one true being to rescue mankind from their otherwise hopeless existence on earth.

Why is it then, if we are all celebrating the birth of hope beyond an earthly existence, that almost all of the focus on the season is placed on buying the latest blood-

bath videogame or new cell phone for your loved ones?

Why is it that the gift of an eternal beacon of hope and transcendence is shoved to the side, replaced instead by the season’s must-have present?

Christmas is no longer about Christ, anyone with two eyes and a television can see that. It is not even a celebration of people.

Instead it has become a celebration of things: owning things, buying things, wanting things. Many among us have suffered through an infinitely boring Christmas vigil thinking of all of the cool stuff you’re going to get the next morning.

Another ‘Republican Revolution’ needed?

Nick Temple

Copy-Editor

T

he Republican Party is in disarray, fractured and in need of salvation. In order to save itself, the party has to let go of the fringe, religious, radical right and once again become the party of Reagan, a party focused not on nation-building and “faith-based initiatives,” but on limited government and fiscal responsibility.

For the first time since Newt Gingrich’s 1994 “Republican Revolution,” the GOP is undeniably the opposition party.

Barack Obama will take office in January as 58 fellow Democrats head for the Senate and another 255 take their seats in the House.

Even here in District 1, Maryland’s most conservative district, we’ll be sending a Democrat to represent us.

The American people are ready for change after eight years of the Bush Administration, five years at war, and a year-long, ongoing recession. That change is coming to the GOP whether it wants change or not. Choosing to change will mean a far more successful and stronger party that will contribute to the political process, while waiting for it to come will mean many months outside of the establishment.

Americans no longer want to

see extremism on either end of the spectrum. John McCain made the mistake of appealing to these fringe elements with his choice of Palin as his vice president and it cost him the White House on Election Day. The public has seen what reactionary politics have done to their nation and have rejected its continued presence in our future.

It is both a responsibility and a matter of survival for the Republican Party to move back to the center. Conservatism, in its true, responsible form, can be beneficial to America, but the far-right policies of the past eight years are incompatible the needs of America today.

President-elect Barack Obama has brought into his cabinet a team dedicated to bringing many different views to the table. The Republicans can have a place there, so long as they can be reasonable and constructive. Today’s America needs responsible management from the center to lead her out of her current struggles, and there is no better way to find that moderate center than to involve everyone.

It is now up to the Republicans to decide who will be speaking: the reactionaries or the true conservatives, those who can help restore the prosperity of the Reagan years, the hope and fire of Barry Goldwater, and the dignity of the Republican Party in the eyes of the American people.

There’s no magic to it. You ask for something and then you get it.

There’s no thoughtfulness involved. Anyone on this earth can get you what you ask him or her to get you, even if they’ve never even met you.

It’s not that I take issue with gift-giving, it’s just that gift-giving should at least celebrate our relationships with one another. Gift giving should express the intimacy of the relationship you have with the person with whom you are exchanging gifts.

Modern Christmases are also marked by certain hypocrisy.

There are people who only attend Mass twice a year: Easter and

Editorials Editor

E

ach year, thousands of tissues are wasted mopping up the tears of teenage girls and boys who have just had their heart brutally crushed, stepped on, thrown across the room, etcetera by a member of the opposite sex.

And when you think about it, we waste so much time and leave so much math homework undone because we’re thinking about and/ or crying over our latest “crush” or relationship that didn’t work out.

Let’s face it guys: high school relationships are what we verbal aficionados refer to as “overrated.”

Why do we do this to ourselves?

No relationship lasts forever, unless you’re my aunt and uncle and you’ve been in love with each other since 9th grade and are still happily married. That kind of love is rarely found in high school. Yet still we search.

Everyone – no matter how bitter, callous, and jaded – longs to be loved. It’s true. But is high school the place to find it?

I don’t think so.

Even if you really wanted to ride off into the sunset with the boy or girl who sits next to you in math class, it’s not like you have time with all of the homework we get.

And sure, this is Harford county, but where are you gonna find some

Christmas. Mass should not just be some routine you go through in order to delude yourself into thinking Christmas is still about Christ.

If you are not a Christian then celebrate the human aspects of the season. Get closer to your loved ones. It is okay to revel in the joy of the season, but that joy should not come from possession and material goods, but your closeness to others.

I urge you, dear reader, to try and find something of substance this Christmas.

Nourish your close personal

relationships.

Explore your spiritual convictions.

Do something to benefit others in need. Work for something you believe in. Take joy in the hope brought by eternal life.

I promise you that you will have a more enjoyable and fulfilling Christmas if you genuinely want to get something more than material goods out of it. This Christmas, try and discover what that something is.

Letters to the Editor Truth About the Main Office

Dear Editor, In response to the recent editorial that the Main Office is, “a big, scary place,” we beg to differ. Most times, students are greeted by the pleasant, upbeat, and easy going Mrs. Strawbridge. The Main Office is a multipurpose room in the truest sense of the word. We are the place of lost wallets, forgotten cell phones, confiscated sweat shirts, parental drop offs for sporting goods, lunches/ lunch money, and “ forgotten” reports and projects. Our other services include scavenger hunt information, schedule revisions, copying, Har-Co deposits, permission slips, jammed lockers, anything ring-related, the Senior Early Release sign out sheet, and the first point of contact for parent questions. Just like the rest of the school we have diverse personalities, but we also freely share our love for chocolate. Please, come in and learn about us for yourself.

The Ladies of the Main Office The John Carroll School

The John Carroll Bully

Dear Editor, Congratulations on your first-ever, full-color Patriot. The visual aspects of The Patriot continue to get better and better. I was taken aback when I read Entertainment Editor Michelle Cvach’s Countdown of the Top Ten Ways to Deal with Annoying Siblings. I find it troubling that Ms. Cvach finds bullying so entertaining.

It is no secret that bullying has become an issue at John Carroll. It is also no secret that there is a perception in the community that John Carroll students think they are better than other teens attending public schools.

Don’t kid yourselves. Not only do we have a segment in our student population that find the act of bullying entertaining, we now have our school newspaper staff thinking that it’s an entertaining and fun subject to write about.

To those students out there who do the bullying, who laugh at the bullies, and who chuckle at Ms. Cvach’s article, keep in mind that bullies bully because THEY suffer from a low self-esteem. Bullies need to bring the people around them down in order to make them feel better about themselves. So, in essence, bullies are broadcasting that they feel inferior to the person that they are bullying.

There is good news for those who suffer from low self-esteem! John Carroll offers many, many activities that can result in positive self-esteem. You can achieve success in your own right!

Do yourselves a favor – always treat yourself and others with respect. You’ll be amazed how good you’ll feel about yourself. And to those who find themselves on the receiving end of being bullied – look your bully in the eye and simply say, “Feeling bad about yourself today?” Trust me – it’s not about you. It’s all about your bully’s bad feelings about him or herself.

Sincerely, Sue Cathell Director of Communications

High School Relationships: worth it?

Ashley Powers

A Editorials

white horse you can just borrow to ride off into said sunset? Most of us don’t even know HOW to ride a horse. For those who do, I salute you. But ride by yourself.

We’re too young to completely invest ourselves in someone else.

Relationships are uncertain and irrational. As we all know, relationships fail.

Yes, it’s nice to be happy with someone. It’s nice to get flowers and watch lame, corny movies with someone. But don’t wear your hearts on your sleeves. Or any other part of your clothing for that matter.

So champion the cause of the lost tissues! Save the trees! Keep your heart where it belongs.

Dear Mrs. Cathell, We at the Patriot seek to hold ourselves to the highest standards of journalism – a standard based on presenting the reader with articles that both entertain and inform. The line between the two is not always clear, and sometimes the reader fails to distinguish the difference. Your input is appreciated; but, we politely disagree with your opinion. This article was an entertainment piece, written by an entertainment editor and printed in an entertainment section. It is one thing to laugh about a subject, and an entirely different thing to endorse it.

Sincerely,

Editorials

Do you have comments of your own? Write a Letter to the Editor!

Email your letter to jcpatriot@gmail.com

Editorials 12i to

Volume 44 . Number 3 . December 2008

The Patriot

V Is there value in practicing a sport all year?

PRO

:by Katie O’Hara

I

don’t like sitting still, so hearing that I won’t be able to do anything physical for the next six months put me on the verge of tears. While most students play a designated sport for only three months out of the year, I play softball year round. I put in the time and effort to become better because I love it.

Playing throughout the year gives me an advantage over those who only pick up a glove when softball is in season. I never have a lapse in my skills, because the continuous practice allows me to improve, while others are trying to remember what they learned last season.

Improving in softball can be monotonous. A player may have to practice the exact same motions and mechanics hundreds of times before they finally become second nature. But it is that one moment, when all of

Seniors Isaiah Philmome (left) and Rafael Jordan (right) practice basketball year round. This kind of dedication requires sacrifice, but immeasurable skills are gained. (Photo by Kristen Novak) the hours of practice and tireless effort finally come together to make everything perfect, that makes it worthwhile.

One of the advantages of playing all year is that that I never wake up with sore muscles. On day two of tryouts, while most players are stretching and complaining, the muscles in my arms and back are fine. Constant practice not only eliminates the soreness, but makes the muscles stronger, giving same sport athletes an advantage.

The majority of athletes who continue to practice past the normal season do so because they plan to play in college.

Athletes are better prepared for the workouts ahead by playing year round. The workouts get more difficult and target specific points of improvement such as batting mechanics and fielding tactics. These pinpoint workouts would not benefit those who need to relearn them.

Practicing the same motions can get extremely frustrating, and sometimes painful. When it

is only 40 degrees outside and the ball hits too close on a metal bat, the pain shoots through your entire hand. But passion and love of the game are what makes every second worth it.

CON

:by Melissa Vinton

A

thletes push themselves year-round to live up to the cliché that “practice makes perfect.” But when does training become too much?

Students that play one sport year-round run the risk of burning themselves out and hurting their team. How can one athlete play basketball all year? Or lacrosse? Where do they find the time to cross train? The answer in most cases is that they don’t.

Each of these sports makes athletes prone to injuries that, if they cross trained, could be avoided. Overexertion can cause stress fractures and pulled muscles, which can lead to issues that may endanger the athlete’s

entire career.

Every sport calls for a different set of skills and a different training regime. Cross training helps keep athletes in shape.

The off-season is meant to help athletes recover from intense training, and athletes put themselves at incredible risk when they take no time off from a specific sport.

These athletes face physical and mental strains.

High school is stressful enough, with school work and social problems, and the extra pressure put on a student athlete to succeed in one sport can be overwhelming.

In college, athletes focus on one sport. They usually are awarded a scholarship for one sport. However, for them to succeed in the sport, cross training is imperative to their development.

Athletes need the seasons they don’t play to cross train. It isn’t healthy for athletes to focus on one sport, as the strain on their muscles becomes too great.

Students turn cold shoulder to cold temps

Ashley Powers

Editorials Editor

I

probably should be taking notes.

I’m shivering in Mr. Laws’ third floor classroom, listening to a lecture on poverty.

I yank down the sleeves of my JC sweater in

hopes of warming my frozen fingers enough to write.

I’m wearing two pairs of tights, shorts, my long sleeve JC polo, two other shirts, and a sweater. That’s four layers. Short of wearing three pairs of tights or three shirts under my polo, there’s not much else I can do.

During the winter, it feels about ten degrees in Mr. Laws’ classroom. I swear it might snow in there one day, especially when he leaves the windows open.

While Mr. Laws’ classroom may be the coldest in the school, many other classrooms are a similar temperature. With classrooms this cold, it’s difficult to concentrate, let alone learn, while we’re afraid we might get hypothermia.

Teachers don’t seem to mind the cold, as it helps most of us stay awake. It’s hard to fall asleep when you’re shivering. However, teachers are not restricted to a uniform, and can wear whatever they want, within reason of course, which means that they’re a lot warmer.

Going to this school is very expensive.

For the most part, I think it’s worth it. But if we pay so much to go to this school, why is the heat not on? The school spends so much money on the newest technology, while the students’ hands are so cold they can barely type on their laptops.

And teachers wonder why we always want to wear our hoodies. If I could, I’d wear my scarf and sweat pants too. And maybe mittens.

When the winter cold sets in, it’s supposed to be the weather outside that’s frightful, not the weather inside.

Find the Magic in Christmas Natalie Shaw

Editor in Chief

A

t Christmas time, we are more inclined to give of our time and possessions to those less fortunate than we are.

However, these same needy people are forgotten at about the same time as our New Year’s resolutions.

And while I could preach about how we should remember to give all year, the point that I am really trying to make is that we should take the time to remember what we normally forget or take for granted in our lives.

Think about it…whom do you ignore in the hallway even if they used to be your friends? What lessons have you learned that you have conveniently blocked out? What places do you pass by with barely a thought as to their purpose or significance to you?

How about the chapel? I understand that not everyone who goes to school here is Catholic, or even Christian, but this tiny room nestled into the back corner of the building can bring a feeling of peace and fellowship that people seem to be searching for this time of year.

Last week, I was looking for some kind of fulfillment. I had no idea who it would come from or where it would take place. Then I entered our chapel.

I didn’t kneel at the benches and say a “Hail Mary” or even make the sign of the cross. I walked in with two of my best friends and we sat on the floor in a circle, and talked out our problems with each other and with whomever or whatever was present with us.

By the time the bell rang for mod change, we each expressed the feeling that we had discovered something amazing in that room.

In this season of miracles, I believe that we witnessed an act of God through each others’ presence. In this time of thanks, I feel the need to express my gratitude for the small freedoms JC offers us. Whether we are aware of them or not, this school gives us chances to thrive, especially spiritually.

So, Catholic or not, devoutly religious or not, find someplace to go this holiday season and unearth a source of inner peace. Amidst the hustle and bustle of Christmas, we tend to forget the real reason of the celebration.

Taking just a few minutes to simply breathe and take in the wonders of this peaceful time will pay off in the long run.

I assure you that your holiday will be a far more enjoyable and relaxed time.

There is just something magical about finding a forgotten treasure, and no time is more magical than Christmas, when Santa Claus and flying reindeer remind everyone of the possibilities the world has to offer and the miracles that can happen simply by believing.

A Editorials

Volume 44 . Number 3 . December 2008

The Patriot

How do you think the school should deal with cheating?

“Demerits are fair when it’s other people’s work that you’re taking.”

-Derrin Johnson ‘12

“I think they should make the punishment worse.”

-Jeff Hoch ‘11

“There’s no way to get around it, there’s no way to fix it.”

-Julie Frank ‘10

“What they’re doing now doesn’t really help. Teachers need to be more attentive.”

-Mark Apicella ‘09

“They should still give out detentions, they should still expel people.”

-Patty Wrabel ‘09

Teachers shouldn’t be surprised when they see wandering eyes Daniel Gallen

Managing Editor

I

walk into class and take a seat. My peers and I are on edge: it’s test day, and we’ve all been cramming for days. I think I’ve prepared sufficiently, but once I get the test my heart hits the floor.

None of this was in my notes, or at least I don’t remember going over it.

That girl who sits next to me, she’s pretty smart. That kid in front of me usually gets good grades.

The temptation to cheat becomes more tantalizing. Maybe…

It doesn’t matter which class, because this happens all the time.

Students will do anything to get the edge needed to stay competitive in the dog-eat-dog world of academics. Teachers know how competitive it is too.

There is one question that really sticks with me: Why are teachers so surprised when they find students cheating?

Nearing the end of our high school years, the stress of getting into college drops its heavy hand on us. All we hear about is how we need to get our grades up, so we can get into college, so we can go out in the real world and have a

good career.

As we get older, we also end up taking harder classes, classes with concepts that are totally new to us, concepts that make us feel like we are learning to ride a bike again, and falling on our faces. If a student gets hung up on one concept, he or she can get days behind in a fast-paced AP or Honors class, with little hope of catching up.

With so much riding on the next test grade, shouldn’t teachers expect that kids will try to cheat and get ahead?

Sometimes studying does not totally cut it when it comes to understanding a subject. Failing a test

JMini-EditorialsL

J

L

could mean the difference between an A or B, passing or failing, the Ivy League or Harford Community College. Somehow teachers are still surprised when they find students trying to get good grades using the only means they see as promising.

I know that we are bombarded with reminders of the Honor Code, and I’m not endorsing cheating.

The only thing I ask is that the administration and teachers be more understanding when it comes to the demands of hard classes. All teachers were students once: they know, or should know, the stresses we go through and the immense

Editorials tells it like it is.

Every month. We won’t let you down.

pressures put on students.

When students cheat, they are not doing it to be purposely malicious, or to undermine authority and violate the Honor Code.

Students are doing it so they can achieve success by whatever ways possible. We know cheating is wrong, but we still succumb to temptation to meet the expectations put upon us.

Sometimes it’s just because we didn’t feel like doing it. Sometimes we’re under the gun and working too hard elsewhere. But sometimes it’s deeper than that.

Sometimes it’s being pushed to succeed at all costs.

Kaitlin Bobbin and Ashley Powers

Editorials Editors

J

L

According to the JC Over Christmas We can’t wait for The freshmen clog handbook, a student break, a new lightthe long Christup the hallways is allowed to be preging system will be mas break this like little hairballs nant, but not married. installed in the auyear, and we’re so in a drain. The Doesn’t the Catholic ditorium.

Seeing as excited to forget only problem is Church frown on pregthe one we have now almost everything that you can’t just nancy out of wedlock?

We’re thinkis about circa 1732, we’ve learned so far this semester. pour some Drain-O on them. They ing this is slightly contradictory to this is a nice breath of fresh air.

Oh sweet, blissful forgetfulness. won’t go away. We’ve tried. our Catholic identity.

L

The prices of food in Sports practice We love listenthe cafeteria are riover Christmas ing to Christmas diculous. Since when break just about music. It redoes salad cost one breaks our hearts. ally brings out the dollar per lettuce leaf We like to spend magic of the seaand 50 cents extra our winter break son and warms per carrot shred? sipping on hot our hearts. Who Seriously, we’ve been cocoa and sitting back by the fire doesn’t love singing about how having trouble convincing our parents watching Christmas movies. This it’s lovely weather for a sleigh that lunch costs over twenty dollars a pleasure should not be disturbed ride together with you? week. They think we’re up to no good. by practice.

J

L

J

The Christmas spirit that envelopes JC at this time of year makes us smile. The magical Christmas trees in the chorus room that sprout candy canes and the decorations by the cafeteria just make going to school so much better. In case you haven’t noticed, we really love Christmas.

Sports 14i to

Volume 44 . Number 3 . December 2008

The Patriot

Former JC stars: Where are they now?

Elly Dannenfelser

Sports Editor

D

uring her junior and senior years, she led the Varsity women’s volleyball team to back-to-back conference titles.

She was the co-leader in Maryland for kills, successful spikes per game in her 2003 junior season, averaging 4.6 kills per game as a junior and six kills per game as a senior.

She was named an All-American at the 2003 and 2004 National Volleyball Junior Olympics.

Class of ‘04 alum Kayani Turner managed to accomplish all of these feats in high school in addition to playing Varsity basketball.

She was twice named to the All-County First Team and played for the three-time state champion AAU basketball team, the Baltimore Cougars.

The coaches at the University of Illinois realized Turner’s potential and recruited her to play for the volleyball team.

She is now a senior in her fifth year of college, playing her fourth season on the school team. She missed the 2004 season due to a knee injury.

In the 2005 season, Turner led the team in kills with 16 after attempting 47 in a single match.

She shined through a tournament at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas where during a match against Louisville she totaled 15 kills.

At the same tournament, she set a career high of 20 kills during a win over UNLV and put away 13 kills against Rutgers before missing the final six matches of the 2005 season with a stress fracture in her left tibia.

JC alum Kayani Turner prepares to serve during a JC home match. Turner battled back from a very painful injury in 2006 and returned to the Illinois team to help push the team to the NCAA Tournament in 2008.

(Photo courtesy of Patriot Archive) Turner missed the entire 2006 season because of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD). Turner’s battle with RSD began after she suffered the stress fracture in her left leg. After the injury healed, she began to feel

severe pain in the leg. Doctors suspected another stress fracture, but after many months of tests, it was discovered that Turner was suffering from RSD. Chronic RSD occurs when an injury has already healed, but some of the pain fibers left by the previous injury continue to send signals to the brain as if the injury is still present. Turner was in more pain from the RSD than her original injury.

When Turner returned to the Illinois team in the 2007 season, she was ranked fifth in the Big Ten in kills per game and third for intra-conference games. Turner ranked eighth in points per game in the conference as well.

She was named to the All-Tournament Team at the State Farm Illinois Classic after totaling 44 kills during the entire tournament.

During the Marquette Kick-off Tournament in 2007, she was also named to the alltournament team, picking up a total of 47 kills, a solo block, and eight block assists.

Later in the UNC Volleyball Classic, Turner led the team with 57 kills in three matches. For the 2007 season, she posted at least 15 kills 15 times as well as at least 19 kills five times. She recorded 20 kills twice, which included her season-high 25 against the College of Charleston.

In the 2008 season, Illinois made it to the NCAA Tournament as a nine seed. Her team beat the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the first round, Cincinnati in the second round, and, in the Regional match against California, Illinois fell after three sets of play.

Turner had two kills in the team’s combined 41. California had 50 kills, pushing them past Illinois.

The End of Crime

I

f professional athletes have not already received their wake up call, they got it early in the morning on November 29 from the sound of a Plaxico Burress gunshot to the thigh.

By the time the dust had settled, sports fans everywhere realized what Burress was facing: criminal possession of handgun, which comes with a minimum sentence of three and a half years in prison.

Before you could say, “Self-inflicted gunshot wound to the right thigh,” you realized Plax was in big trouble.

This is the trend developing for professional athletes. Years of getting sentences cut down and avoiding punishment from the law and the leagues have ended.

The introduction of Roger Goodell as the NFL Commissioner is viewed by many as a turning point in the cases of athletes seemingly getting off easy for crimes.

Since Goodell took over the post in September 2006, the landscape of athletes and crime has drastically changed.

On April 10, 2007, Goodell introduced a new player conduct policy which focused on how a player handles himself off the field.

Goodell’s reign as commissioner has seen four players suspended under his new conduct policy: Adam “Pacman” Jones, Chris Henry, Terry “Tank” Johnson, and Michael Vick.

All of these players have been charged with felonies, and all but Jones have served jail time.

The most-publicized of the four is Vick, who is currently serving a 23month sentence in Kansas for his infamous role in a dog-fighting ring.

What does this mean for our good friend Plaxico?

It means he’s getting prosecuted to the fullest extent by the long arm of the law. New York mayor Michael Bloomberg has said that Burress will not get off easy on his charges and that the mayor wants the New York Giants’ star to serve hard time.

Some sources have said that Bloomberg wants to make an example of Burress, much in the way Vick was made an example of by federal authorities.

Athletes are no longer unable to skirt their punishments. With O.J. Simpson getting at least nine years in prison for his role in a 2007 Las Vegas robbery and Burress facing serious charges, athletes are on the same footing as the rest of us.

They’re going to get what the average person gets for committing the same crimes.

Imagine if the infamous Ray Lewis stabbing incident had happened now.

Would Lewis have only received a fine? Or would he have had a suspension piled on top of that?

The fact is, the landscape of the law for NFL players and athletes has changed. They are no longer above the law, and they need to take notice.

15 Sports

Volume 44 . Number 3 . December 2008

The Patriot

Field hockey coaches retire Sophomore shortstop

talks to major leagues

Katelynn Colgain

Sports Editor

Kate Froehlich

A

fter six years of coaching the Varsity field hockey team together, Vice Principal Gary Scholl and health and gym teacher Tess Gauthier have retired from their coaching duties.

“It’s been fun, but it’s time to move on and let someone else who knows more about the sport than us take over,” said Scholl.

Scholl coached the team for six years and helped take the girls to the championship in 2005.

Gauthier coached the field hockey team at JC during her first year after college and then returned four years later to coach the team for 20 years. Gauthier coached championship teams during 1996, 1999, and 2005.

The three championships the team has won are fond memories for both of them, but they mentioned other aspects of coaching that they have enjoyed.

“Field hockey is a fall sport, so just being outside when it’s beautiful and being with the kids is the best part,” said Gauthier.

“Just seeing the girls’ faces after they have won a game is my favorite memory,” said Scholl.

When talking about her coaches for the past four years, senior Mary-Kate Smith said, “We all

Copy Editor

S

Tess Gauthier and Gary Scholl stand in front of the field hockey field that they have been coaching on together for six years. They both have fond memories of coaching the team, which includes a championship.

(Photo by Megan Chlada) developed a relationship.” She added,“People in school see the serious side of Mr. Scholl, but we got to see a more fun side of him in field hockey.”

The lighter sides of both coaches tended to come out in practices where Scholl led the team in Native American chants and on game days when Gauthier brought in day-old donuts from Bel Air Bakery for the girls to enjoy.

Gauthier and Scholl have a great working relationship and have re-

ally enjoyed their time coaching together.

“I could’ve never coached without Mrs. Gauthier. She is more perceptive with team interactions and saw things with team dynamics better than I did,” said Scholl.

With the retirement of Scholl and Gauthier, the athletic department is going to begin the search for a new field hockey coach “right after the holidays,” according to Mr. Perry. They are hoping to find a new coach fairly quickly.

of the Month These student athletes were chosen based not Only on their athletic ability, but as well as their academic success and overall attitude during the school day.

Ben Pickett

Tiffany Smith

Indoor Track

Basketball

F

reshman Ben Pickett is competing in indoor track and enjoys being one of the freshmen on the team. “It makes me feel more appreciated and highly regarded of as a runner,” said Pickett. He is one of the top freshman runners in the conference. In his first indoor meet, he finished third in the two mile.

His favorite part of indoor track is competing in the meets. He likes being able to run against people who are the best in the state as well as being able to be with friends and meet other people from different schools. Pickett competes in the mile and two mile during indoor track and was the number one runner on the Varsity cross country team. Pickett plans on continuing his running career in cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track throughout his high school career.

S

enior Tiffany Smith has been playing basketball for 12 years and has been playing on the Varsity team since her sophomore year. Smith plays year round with AAU and Maryland Elite. She is the point guard on the JC team and has been working at forward at practice. Smith’s favorite aspect of the game is defense. “I’m good at it and I love to play defense. I like to play in your face and steal the ball from the other team,” said Smith. For her senior year, Smith feels that she has gained more knowledge about the sport and that her leadership skills have improved each year since she began playing high school, and hopes that the team improves with her leadership.

Smith is going to play basketball next year for Harford Community College.

ophomore KJ Hockaday grips a bat and sets up beside home plate during tryouts for Team Maryland. He looks past the bill of his helmet into the field and awaits the pitch. Hockaday swings as it approaches the plate and makes solid contact, sending the ball soaring into the outfield.

Impressed college and pro scouts look on.

Hockaday, the starting shortstop on the Varsity baseball team, has been playing the sport for 11 years, beginning with the Baltimore Buzz and Maryland Monarchs. During his years with the Buzz, Hockaday and the team won a national championship in Minnesota. While trying out for Team Maryland’s under- 17 squad, he was one of two players of 46 hopeful athletes to be approached by scouts from Georgia Tech and the Detroit Tigers.

Hockaday was informed that he “has great potential and pro prospects” by the scouts after they watched his ultimately successful tryout. The Tigers scouts advised Hockaday to “keep up the good work” and that he has “potential to become a great player.”

However, Hockaday refuses to let this inflate his ego. He took the conversation with the scouts in stride and said, “You can’t let this go to your head. You have to set goals and achieve them.” He simply sees this as an opportunity to improve his game. “I can’t be content with how I’m playing now and [I] need to get better to make it [into the pros],” said Hockaday.

The Tigers remain in contact with Hockaday through e-mail and are interested in having some of their scouts attend some of the

Sophomore KJ Hockaday has been contacted by college and professional team scouts through camps that he has participated in. (photo by Megan Chlada) JC games in 2009 to have further access Hockaday’s skills. Besides Georgia Tech, the University of Tennessee, East Carolina University, and the University of Maryland have invited him to participate in various baseball camps they hold.

Currently, his top choice would be Tennessee. Hockaday says, “They are in a big conference and are a team on the rise. I would have a chance to start right away and help the program out.”

Hockaday is an Orioles fan and has the most interest in them as of now, but “would be happy to play for any team.” However, he makes attempts to model his game after New York Yankees’ shortstop Derek Jeter: “(Jeter) is the best short stop in the league and headed for the Hall of Fame and I’ve gotten a chance to watch his game.”

Although Hockaday is currently playing basketball for JC, he is looking ahead to the baseball season, “I think the team will go above 500. We can definitely be in the playoff hunt.”

Sports 16i to

Volume 44 . Number 3 . December 2008

The Patriot

Senior Sammy von Paris pins down his Calvert Hall opponent in a dual meet (left). Senior Nick Almony grapples with his DeMatha oppenent (above). (Photo courtesy of John Froehlich)

Wrestling has hopes of rocking states Katelynn Colgain

Sports Editor

T

his year, the Varsity wrestling team has a single goal: to win the Maryland Independent State Championship.

After a fifth place finish at the state championships a year ago, the team has improved and is looking to place higher.

Head coach Keith Watson said, “As a team, we want to move to the top three in the MIAA and State of Maryland.” Standing in the way of the Patriots are Mt. St. Joseph’s and McDonogh, two of the top programs in the state.

The team is led by senior cap-

tains Ethan Reese, Ryan Owens and Eric Hart.

Watson feels that the only obstacle the team will face this year is the loss of Mat Miller, who was named a high school All-American in 2008 and third-best wrestler in the state of Maryland.

Miller attended JC his freshman and sophomore years, but decided to be homeschooled his junior year to prepare for the SATs and to raise his GPA. Miller took eighth place during his freshman year at the freshman nationals and won the Overlea Tournament.

“Mathew is a tremendous [athlete] and is tough to fully replace,

but between David Hatem and DJ Petty, we’ll fill his shoes,” said Watson about Miller’s transfer.

Along with filling Miller’s place, Watson also hopes to increase the number of All-Americans, champions, and state-placers from last year.

Multiple young wrestlers are prepared to step up this year.

Sophomore Joe Vitucci moved up from JV to Varsity this year.

“My personal goal is to help our team win and hopefully win states before I graduate,” said Vitucci.

One of the other young wrestlers on varsity this year is sophomore Dan Froehlich, after wrestling on Varsity his freshman year. “My

Indoor soccer makes do with changes Elly Dannenfelser

Sports Editor

to manage our weight in a more healthy way,” said Hyman.

The team’s practices are constant physical training which tends to lead to weight loss.

They usually consist of an outdoor run of one to two miles, 30 minutes of weight lifting, an hour of practicing moves and 30 minutes of live wrestling to conclude.

The team practices regardless of the weather, as wrestlers are often seen running out in the cold.

They are hoping that all their efforts will pay off later this season.

“If all of our wrestlers work hard and wrestle their best, we do have a chance to win the conference,” said Froehlich.

Student Profile

Danielle Valdivia

I

n order to keep the women’s soccer program in peak shape, the athletic department developed an indoor soccer team to compete in the IAAM ‘A’ Conference for the winter season.

The girls on this year’s team will have to get used to a few changes.

The first being a new coach and the second being the absence of all seniors on this year’s team.

After losing the former head coach and science teacher Heidi Weaver, the school decided to ask the women’s outdoor head coach Gary Lynch to help coach the indoor team. JV player Junior Kara Fassio likes having Lynch coaching both teams. “When Varsity has a game, JV has off and the same for when we have a game. It is a good break to have,” said Fassio.

“I like having Lynch coach both the indoor and outdoor team. He is nice and can be intense. But he teaches us a lot about the sport and helps us do our best,” said Varsity team member Junior Alex Mezzanotte.

Regardless of the team’s youth of not having senior leadership, Lynch has high hopes for the team.

“Despite being younger than the other teams, the players are playing very well together and matching-up against the opponents pretty well,” said Lynch.

“I think not having seniors on the team will be good for the Juniors. It will let them have more opportunities to lead the team and

goal is to have a winning season and have our team win the championship,” said Froehlich.

However, this year, wrestlers cutting weight, has caused controversy. Cutting weight is losing a set amount of pounds in a short amount of time, sometimes using unconventional methods, to make a specific weight class. “’Cutting weight’ is a term that is over used and has a negative connation…We train down through exercise and diet control, which is healthy body fat reduction,” said Watson.

According to senior David Hyman, cutting his weight has not been a problem. “We [all] try

them,” said Valdivia.

She has to teach the new manSports Editor agers how to fulfill all of the same enior Danielle Valdivia, duties that she maintains. head manager of the varThis year, she is co-managing sity wrestling with senior Emteam, has been ily Burdeshaw keeping busy and training since her freshjuniors Lindsey man year.

Gieman and Valdivia Kristin Little. started managThe team ing the boys’ members have team largely bedifficulty helpcause of her faing her because ther’s influence. they don’t He wrestled in know how to high school and keep the book. then worked as As for the Senior Danielle Vala match referee coaches, Valfor 21 years for divia is one of the four divia described managers on the varsity them as “really local teams.

Her duties as wrestling team. She nice, but unhead manager feels that her head man- grateful someare to keep the times.” aging position is under book, run the Looking scoreboard and appreciated. (Photo by back on her run the blood Megan Chlada) years as mantime. ager, ValdivKeeping blood time is impor- ia’s favorite memory is when tant because it records how long she brought a friend with her to the wrestler is bleeding on the a wrestling match and the video mat and how serious it is. Val- recorder went awry. divia does not have to clean it up, “There are only six minutes however, the coaches do. in each match and we couldn’t Another one of her jobs is to get the recorder to work. By the train the new managers on the time we did get it to work, put the team. “I have to keep the score- tape in, and shut it, the match was board and the book while I train over,” said Valdivia.

Katelynn Colgain

S

Freshman Hannah Archer defends her opponent at a game at DuBurns Arena. Practicing with the Varsity team allows the JV to work on their skills more efficiantly. (Photo by Megan Chlada) to prepare to play as seniors next year,” said Fassio.

Lynch feels that the team’s greatest strength comes from the player’s love of the sport and the enjoyment they get out of representing the school in competitions.

Lynch is also working on developing leadership qualities in each individual player. To do this, he has chosen to not elect specific team captains in hopes of developing leadership throughout the team.

Since the team does not have space at school to practice, they must rent space. Both Varsity and JV teams must practice together because of limited practice times, and the team does not get to practice every day like other sport teams.

“I like practicing with the varsity team. It makes it more competitive for us and it lets us practice against a full team rather than just our team,” said Fassio.

“I think that it’s good that the JV practices with us. A lot of them have potential to move up to varsity so it’s good for them to get ready for it,” said Lookingland.

The team plays the first half of their games at DuBurns Arena in Baltimore and the second half at Perring Racket Club in Baltimore County.

Lynch has 11 players on the indoor team who also play for him during the outdoor season. These girls especially need to get use to the change in practicing, since they are use to practices every day, separate from the JV team.

Returning from a season where the team won the championship, it would seem disastrous to lose all of the seniors. But Lynch feels different about the new and returning players. “All of the players are important and the new players offer things that the returning players might lack,” said Lynch.