The Patriot February 2013, Issue 4, Vol 48

the

www.jcpatriot.com Issue 4, Volume 48

February 2013

Class of 2017 PENDING After employing unique recruitment strategies, the Admissions Department waits to see which of the 240 accepted students will fill the slots in the incoming class of 2017 and the JC community.

Emily Clarke, Martha Schick

Print Chief, Multimedia Chief JC has accepted 240 students from the U.S. for the class of 2017. However, the real battle is seeing how many of them choose to come to JC. According to Director of Enrollment Kim Brueggemann, figuring out who will actually enroll is “not a science.” Although 163 of the accepted applicants marked JC as their number one choice, they sometimes say “what they think you want to hear.”

Brueggemann, Associate Di-

rector of Enrollment Ed Maynard, and Admissions Assistant Jenny Falcone are the face of the school to prospective students, and they try to be “as welcoming as possible,” according to Brueggemann.

They are also trying to get teachers and students to get involved to give the school a more personal atmosphere.

“I requested that any faculty, staff, or administration...call a few people that have been accepted or send them letters,” Brueggemann said. “Any extra pull to help them turn the page and come here

would be fabulous.”

According to Principal Madelyn Ball, teachers calling could be the difference “if [prospective students] are teeter tottering between schools, hopefully it will convince them to come our way.”

Student hosts are already required to write a handwritten note to their shadows at the end of their shadow days. This is to help JC stand out from other private and public schools in the area, according to Brueggemann.

Another change could come with a daily bus being sent to

Cecil County or West Jarrettsville to encourage students from those areas to apply, according to Brueggemann. This is in response to private schools in Baltimore sending buses to rural areas.

“I meet with the heads of the other schools and we’re all going after the same group of kids, so I’m not sure what the numbers are going to be this year, but I think we are looking okay,” Ball said.

The number of accepted students is up only slightly compared to the class of 2016, which had 235 acceptances. The 240

students does not include international students, all of which are recommended by Coordinator of International Student Programs Sandi Seiler. When all is said and done, Brueggemann hopes to have at least 170 U.S. students enrolled for the class of 2017.

Ball is optimistic about the progress made within the Admissions Department and the hosts for shadows. “We’ve done an excellent job with our ambassadors, allowing the kids to shadow with them…They’ve done a wonderful job.”

Archdiocese approves dorms for 2013-2014 The Archdiocese has given JC its stamp of approval to move forward with its plans for the international student dorms in St. Joseph Hall, which can house up to 15 male international students starting in the 2013-2014 school year. Now that the dorm handbook has been established, the next steps are to find dorm supervisors and renovate the facilities of the building.

Ball hopes to find a young couple to act as dorm parents to supervise the expected 14 young men around the clock. “They’re totally responsible for the care and wellbeing of the kids … they’re like these kids’

parents,” she said.

In addition, some renovations are still needed before the facilities can be up to code to lodge students. According to Director of Facilities Stewart Walker, “this is an easy renovation.” Facilities is more or less “reverting [the dorms] back to their original condition.”

According to Walker, the necessary changes include updating security, modernizing the kitchen, adding a sprinkler system to the second floor in case of a fire, and updating the heating and air conditioning systems.

One of the Archdiocese’s stipulations is to make security a top priority, so more cameras and locks are going to be added to

the building. The kitchen also needs to be updated.

The plan to begin physically renovating the dorms is already in the works. According to Walker, a contractor will be chosen and hired by April 1.

Construction should begin on April 15, and the renovations are projected to be finished by the beginning of August.

Photo courtesy Stewart Walker President Richard O’Hara said, “I have total confidence The second floor of the dorms will have 15 bedrooms, a that it will be done well and resident assistant room, a common room, and a bathroom with shower room. The dorms will also feature a laundry done on time.” room, storage, and a deck.

Read more at jcpatriot.com

L if es t y l es 6

In-D epth 8-9

A&E 10

Brianna Glase Online Chief

The Patriot uncovers teachers’ friendships outside of the classroom and how their children have brought them closer together.

In “You Are What You Eat,” take a bite of nutrition facts about your favorite fast food restaurants and find ways to have a healthy and balanced diet.

The Patriot showcases the leads of Aladdin by capturing the stars’ experiences while rehearsing and their passion for the musical arts.

Index News...................................2 Lifestyles...............................4 A&E.....................................7 In-Depth...............................8 Opinion...............................11 Sports................................14 The John Carroll School 703 E Churchville Rd Bel Air, MD 21014

1 news

thepatriot February 2013

Romero Club shares Valentine’s Day with elderly Sydney Setree Managing Editor The Romero Club hosted a Valentine’s Day party at Rock Spring Village in Forest Hill for the elderly on Feb. 14.

During the event, the Romero Club provided snacks and decorations. Residents also received a valentine made by members of the Romero Club. Pin the Arrow on the Heart, similar to Pin the Tail on the Donkey, was also played.

INSIDER

Senior bakes cake pops to raise money for cancer Haley Kyger

of thinking “ Instead about ourselves and if we have a valentine, we think about bringing love to other people.

Junior Jessie Clingerman

”

“The main focus was companionship,” according to Romero Club moderator and religion teacher Elise Gower. “It’s all about spending time with the inhabitants.”

Thirteen students attended to spend time with the individuals

JC

Photo by Brianna George

Juniors April Moscati and Kirsten Kyburz play Pin the Arrow on the Heart at the Rock Spring Village Nursing Home. Romero club members ate snacks and talked to the residents to celbrate Valentine’s Day. and share their holiday with the community.

“Instead of thinking about ourselves and if we have a valentine, we think about bringing love to other people,” Romero Club President junior Jessie Clingerman said.

“My favorite part was talking to the residents and really getting to know them,” junior Kate Rizzieri said. “It was so much fun.”

In previous years, the Romero Club has hosted similar events for Valentine’s Day. However, the club has never hosted the party at

Rock Spring Village.

Next year, the Romero Club hopes to hold another event for this holiday. “Service is all about forming relationships, so we really hope to keep in touch with the residents at Rock Spring Village,” Gower said.

Sports Editor For senior Susie Snee, having her mom as a breast cancer survivor helped her realize that she wanted to sell cake pops for the Patient Advocacy Fund at Johns Hopkins for her senior project.

On Feb. 8, she began baking and the cake pops were delivered over several days.

Overall, Snee managed to raise $203 from selling her cake pops.

According to Snee, if she can find the time, energy, or volunteers, she may do another cake pop sale before Easter to raise more money.

“She [Snee’s mom] is glad she could influence me in the right direction.” Snee said “She is encouraging me to do it again.”

Harford County Public Library hosts book trailer contest

Music Advisory Council returns

Brianna Glase

Meredith Haggerty

Online Chief

In-depth Editor

The Harford County Public Library is giving students the opportunity to express their creativity and their love for books while having the chance to win up to $300.

The Film This! Book Trailers Contest invites middle and high school students to film a short video in the style of a film trailer for any book, and JC students are taking advantage of the opportunity.

TV Production teacher Bob Schick originally brought the contest to JC and advertised it to the student body. “I think it’s awesome when we can do things that get recognized outside of the school,” he said.

As TV Production teacher, Schick hopes that students canrealize the perks of entering the contest.

“It’s a great opportunity for people who like to make little films anyway to win money and prizes,” he said. The grand prize winner will be awarded $300, second place will get $125, and third place will receive $75.

Besides the monetary prizes from the library, the some members of the English Department are also encouraging students to enter the contest by offering extra credit. “It covers everything we

The Music Advisory Council, a group of students representing all music ensembles, was resurrected on Feb. 20.

A council existed about five years ago, but was cancelled due to the lack of involvement and student interest.

Over the course of the program, music director Marc Bolden plans on discussing activities the music department can do out of the classroom to build friendships and have fun with the department as a whole.

According to Bolden, “ [The MAC] will allow the students to have a more uniformed voice when discussing issues in the department such as music, concert themes, outside performances, etc.”

Photo courtesy Harford County Public Library

talk about in English anyway,” English Department Chair Susan Fisher said.

As an English teacher, Fisher is not only pleased with the literary aspect of the contest, but also the creative aspect. “I think it’s a wonderful way to give [students] recognition for their talents,” she said.

The downfall of the contest for students is that the deadline for video submission is March 1.

“I really wanted to do it, and we had a bunch of ideas, but we ran out of time,” junior Margaret McGuirk said.

Despite this, Schick thinks JC students are perfectly suited to enter the contest. “We have a lot of really talented people who

know how to tell a story through film and you’ve got a lot of wellread people in the school, and when you put those two together I don’t see any reason why someone couldn’t win something,” he said. “[Filming] it is a fun process…

It gets more high school students really involved in literature and film,” junior and contest participant Catey Minnis said.

Media Center Director Theresa Burlas likes the contest and thinks it gives students an opportunity to view their favorite books differently.

“I think it gets students thinking about books in a different way and allows them to express their creativity about books,” she said.

In addition, Burlas believes that viewing the trailers in the end will give her insight into the kind of books that students like.

“I hope there’s a good amount of participation. I think seeing what students choose to do their trailers about will help give me a good idea of what students are reading,” she said.

In general, Schick is excited for students to be able to get out of the classroom and take their work into the community.

“The more you can get out of this building, out of this classroom and show it to an audience, the better.”

The winning films will premiere on March 15 at the Abingdon Branch at 6:30 p.m.

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STEM, music electives added Cole Alban Managing Editor In the upcoming school year, new fine arts electives are going to be available for students. Computer Assisted Design (CAD) 2, Architecture 2, and Music in Your Life will be available to students.

According to guidance counselor Larry Hensley, CAD 2 and Architecture 2 are continuations of the original classes. Architecture teacher Lisa Collins will teach them.

Music in your Life will replace the current Digital Audio class and will be taught by music director Marc Bolden.

“I am very excited about offering this course next year,” Bolden said. “I look forward to the student input to help mold the course over time.”

3 news

thepatriot February 2013

College counseling system expands options Kailey Tracy Copy Chief Sifting and sorting through countless papers and innumerable websites adds unnecessary stress to the college search. JC’s new counseling arrangement, with one college counselor, has singled out one source for students to access college information. As the new program’s first year ends, seniors have trended towards “big, southern schools,” according to college counselor Carrie Siemsen.

“Kids here tend to be drawn to southern schools and drawn to the warm weather. This year, we have a lot of students really reaching for some very competitive schools, which is great,” Siemsen said.

The college counseling setup has mainstreamed college facts and figures. “It makes the whole process a little more fluid, a little more smooth,” Siemsen said.

As far as expanding students’ college searches, according to Siemsen, this is nothing new.

“We have always encouraged them to look beyond what they’re comfortable with. I don’t think that this new structure has necessarily created students broadening horizons,” she said. The new arrangement has, however, caused students to branch out beyond Maryland’s borders.

Seniors Allison Blackman

and Thomas Sullivan have explored schools outside of Maryland.

Blackman applied to High Point University in North Carolina, while Sullivan applied to James Madison University (JMU) in Virginia.

Although the college counseling process helped him discover JMU, Sullivan “only applied to three schools,” so he doesn’t consider his search “very broad.” He does believe that the way JC handles the college process is “efficient and effective.”

Blackman believes that the new arrangement helped her find schools that she othPhoto courtesy Jen Kreis erwise would not have Senior Jen Kreis and her cousin Andrew Engle stands with a statue of James Madison at James Madison University. The new applied to. According college counseling system has increased out of state college searches. to Blackman, it was beneficial having both her perAlthough previous classes Junior Brian Matejevich be- This includes videos of seniors sonal counselor and a designated have followed a trend of popular lieves this individual role is a ben- giving juniors advice about the college counselor suggesting schools, they have not had the efit in addition to other opinions. college process. schools to fit her. advantages that the class of 2013 “I guess it’s good that we have Looking at the variety of col“While [Director of Guidance and future classes have, accord- one person who is specialized in leges seniors applied to this year, Carol Heflin Shupe] gave college ing to Siemsen. The additional [the college search], but it’s also Siemsen feels confident in the suggestions based on my person- resources, added communica- good to have multiple people we new college counseling structure. ality at a deeper level, Siemsen tion with students and parents. can go to for it,” Matejevich said. “Overall, I feel like this is a really was able to bring up some options The fact that there is one person In the coming years, Siemsen good move in the right direction that [Heflin] would not have con- whose “sole responsibility” is the plans to do “creative” communi- for JC and for JC’s college counnected to me,” she said. college process is “an advantage.” cation with students and parents. seling process.”

Technology Dept. tests tablets for incoming students Brianna George Copy Editor

Photo by Sydney Setree

Junior Erika Lipford explores different programs on the Android tablet. Director of Technology Greg Russell is having students evaluate tablets for feedback.

Currently testing new tablets, the Technology Department is looking to the future.

According to Director of Technology Greg Russell, although iPads and Android tablets have been and continue to be considered, they will not be a part of JC until they are fully capable of performing the necessary functions that the current tablet computers do.

According to Technology Specialist Chuck Wilson, the computer program offered sets JC apart from most high schools. “[There are] things our students can do [with computers] that you just can’t do without them,” Wilson said. According to Wilson, the downside of not having a personal laptop in school is that students have

to wait until they can access to a computer to do school work. With personal laptops “[students have] instant access to [their] school work.” Wilson said.

According to Russell, the technology department tests new technology every spring. “We’ve tried to evaluate all the possible devices to get the best educational device for students,” Russell said.

Some things that prevent JC from becoming a tablet-based school are the tablets’ inability to offer a physical keyboard and stylus option, their limited amount of space, and their lack of proper coverage in case of damage, according to Russell.

Russell tested the ThinkPad Ultrabook, the HP Elite, and the ThinkPad 2 Tablet 2.

“They’re promising but I don’t think they are quite up to the standard of the current PC,” Russell said. Wilson is currently test-

ing the Microsoft Surface RT, a tablet that runs Windows 8.

“It’s easy to get used to using,” Wilson said. Wilson also claims it has an ability to install anything a normal windows computer can install. Microsoft Surface could be seen in the future for students, according to Wilson. The Technology Department plans on viewing tablets by other manufacturers as well, like Apple and HP. Technology Lab Help Desk Coordinator Joseph Vitucci agreed that tablets have been “considered,” but “lack functionality.” Not only do they not function as a laptop would, but the overall cost for a tablet is more expensive than the laptops currently used.

Russell believes that in the future, computers will change just as technology continues to change every day, and JC will have to adapt to that change.

Fell, Nichols leave, Frazier occupies Fell’s former position Caitlin Wolfarth News Editor Meredith Fell, class of ‘06, who was formerly the Advancement Assistant, left JC on Dec. 28 to start a new job in the admissions department at former employer, Notre Dame of Maryland University. Additionally, Director of Finance Katherine Nichols will be retiring towards the end of March.

Before coming to JC, Fell worked at Notre Dame of Maryland University for 18 months.

After 10 months at JC, Fell started her new job on Jan. 2.

Advancement Assistant Cathy Frazier has been hired as her replacement and started the job on Jan. 28.

Prior to JC, Frazier worked

with United Way, a non-profit organization. She discovered her current job through long-time friend and colleague, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Kurt Sudbrink.

“I really liked the tradition at JC,” Frazier said. “It has an excellent reputation, and I knew if I came here I would be working with decent people. Everyone I already knew I highly respected.”

As Advancement Assistant, Frazier manages the donor database and institutional advancement relations.

“I love [the experience at JC],” Frazier said. “I was surprised at how down-to-earth and friendly everyone is. I feel very welcomed and at ease here.”

Frazier was also surprised and

impressed by the International Program. “I was surprised at how big [the International Student Program] was,” she said. “I think it not only benefits the exchange students, but the local students as well. It exposes them to life outside of Harford County.”

Nichols moved back to Maryland from Arizona 15 years ago and started looking for a job. According to Nichols, there was an opening at JC for Financial Director that “fit into her credentials.

Throughout her 15 years at JC, Nichols had overseen the business office, monitored the schools investments, and managed budgets.

One of Nichols’s favorite memories was the Capital Campaign, which raises money for the

Photo by Caitlin Wolfarth

Advancement Assistant Cathy Frazier works on her computer at Saint Joseph’s Hall. She is the replacement for Meredith Fell. school, specifically for the construction of the Fine Arts Wing and the practice gym. According to Nichols, the capitol campaign is “a multi-year fundraising ef-

fort.”

“I’ve really enjoyed working here,” Nichols said.

A replacement has currently not been found.

lifestyles 4

thepatriot February 2013

Music c omposes students’ personalities Ashley Beyer Lifestyles Editor After a rough day of school, I drive home, blaring “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore. Turning up the volume on this mainstream song as loud as possible helps me de-stress from a horrible day, as well as pass the time on my 15-minute drive home.

63.9 percent of students surveyed by The Patriot believe that music completely or mostly defines their personality.

The type of music a person listens to is often a way people judge that person’s character.

Music is also a way of connecting with people and making friendships.

Music can do all of these things because it says a lot more about a person than some people think.

Senior Rebecca Kotula sees music not only as enjoyable and a good judge of personality, but also as a way to meet people and become friends.

“I think for me, [music] largely defines my personality. I rarely find people who share similar musical tastes, and when I do, it is fantastic and it makes me want to be friends with them,” Kotula said.

Junior Kaley Martin agrees with Kotula, believing that music does have something to do with a person’s personality. “[Music shows] what [people] look for in their life. It shows what they enjoy,” Martin said.

Senior Thomas Gardner believes that taste in music is a great indicator of what people are like.

“If you only listen to mainstream music, you

In an online survey of the student body on Feb. 15, The Patriot recieved 224 responses.

The margin of error for this survey is +/- 4%

are generally someone whose personality is defined by popular culture. Punk and heavy metal is for people who need to vent. Indie music is for people who want to be seen as individuals.

Jazz is for soulful people who are generally open to other genres,” Gardner said.

Freshman Andrea Sipos agrees with Gardner. Sipos believes that music “influences how people think and perceive the world around them.”

Those are just some of the music genres and assumptions that people can make about them and the people that listen to them.

[Music] influences how people think and perceive the world around them.

Freshman Andrea Sipos

While some students, like Gardner, Sipos, Kotula, and Martin, believe that a person’s taste in music can adequately portray their personality, other students believe that a person’s taste in music has absolutely nothing to do with their personality.

For example, junior Emily Goheen does not agree with Gardner. She believes that music is not a good indicator of what they are like as a person.

“I like classical music, but I don’t think [music] really has an effect on who you are,” Goheen said.

Freshman Kelly Foulk said people are surprised to find out her taste in music. “I feel as if my musical tastes represent a side of me that I

don’t show too often. Often when I tell people what type of music I like to listen to they are surprised and don’t see me as the type of person who would listen to that type of music,” Foulk said.

Senior Kristina Aragon has a somewhat different opinion. She believes that only some people can be judged accurately based on their taste in music.

“Even though I listen to R&B the most, I also listen to other genres. I feel like it depends on the person. If someone listens to rock, they look like they listen to it. I am a mellow person, which is what R&B is. I like music you can jam out to, so I feel like it means I like to have fun,” Aragon said.

Teens listen to music for a variety of reasons, and when surveyed by The Patriot, students gave a wide array of answers.

While 90.9 percent of students who participated in the survey said that they listen for enjoyment, other students had many different answers.

Some of these students said that they listen to music “to explain something I cannot find the words for,” “[to] express myself,” “[for] inspiration,” “to concentrate,” “to get pumped up for a sports game,” “as an escape,” and “as background music,” among many other reasons.

Music can affect people in very different ways, from changing their mood to changing their personality. Senior Connor Sheward has a unique taste in music also.

Sheward said, “I’m different than most people and I have an eclectic taste in music. It also says that I can deal with a lot of situations and I can power through the struggles of life.”

5 lifestyles

thepatriot February 2013

Scholl, alumni warm up to pond hockey Brianna Glase Online Chief After a whole winter season without a decent snow, Vice Principal of Academics Gary Scholl wasn’t feeling very optimistic about continuing the tradition of playing pond hockey on the lake behind St. Joseph’s Hall. To his surprise, on Jan. 26, he found the pond frozen solid, so he rounded up JC alumni to play two whole days of pond hockey for old time’s sake.

“I had played pond hockey as a kid,” Scholl said. “When [Mr. Smith, former assistant Dean of Students] came the year after I did, he was also a pond hockey kid, and we said, ‘We gotta do this here,’” Scholl said.

Brothers Scott Kelly, class of ‘81, and Rich Kelly, class of ‘83, attended JC at the beginning of the pond hockey tradition and continue to play today. “Mr. Boo Smith and Gary Scholl started [playing] a few years before I did. They would just hit the puck around,” Scott said.

The two boys were the first to skate with the teachers when Scholl invited them out one day. Scholl and Smith would round up some students after school and take them out to play ice hockey. Because Scholl was

Photo by Hope Kelly

Vice Principal of Academics Gary Scholl (far left) plays ice hockey with alumni on the frozen pond. Scholl and alumni try to play ice hockey at least once a year, weather permitting. the wrestling coach at the time, he would Scholl’s class at the time and on the wressometimes just take the wrestling team out tling team, it was playing ice hockey on the pond that really allowed him to grow there instead of practice.

The entire winter, Scholl would grab closer to Scholl. “Being a teacher just kind students at the end of the school day, tell of goes out the window, it takes it to a perthem to get some skates and a hockey stick, sonal level of respect and friendship. Beand come out and join them on the pond. sides, you get to check a teacher which is “Anybody that came out there loved it,” pretty cool,” Scott said.

Scholl said.

When the pond hockey games were the In Scott’s case, even though he was in most popular, “we had so many kids we’d

have to have two different games going on at the same time,” said Scholl. However, the daily tradition of pond hockey eventually fell by the wayside as Scholl I got into more administrative duties.

In addition, as Scholl aged, pond hockey games became harder and harder. “I used to be able to keep up with them, I can’t so much anymore, but I’m out there and that’s what’s important,” he said.

“It’s amazing how everyone sacrifices to get back to campus for the precious few days of ice. It’s a great way for alumni to get together to reconnect,” Brian Kelly, class of ‘96, said.

Even today though, the tradition of pond hockey continues, just with slightly less intensity. Instead of grabbing kids at the end of the school day, Scholl assembles a weekend team through an email list whenever a good snow comes by. Normally, they will have two teams of six face off all day Saturday and Sunday.

Scott is one of these past students that still continues to come back for a game.

Even now, he still retains the same enthusiasm. According to Scott, “you’re thinking about it all winter long, and as soon as you get [the pond frozen], you know you will be on the ice.”

Teacher friendships thrive outside of school Chioma Iheoma Opinion Editor The concert filled with music as the band O.C. Supertones played their set.

Members of the audience included social studies teachers Jake Hollin and Brian Powell, who sang along with the Christian Ska band.

Jumping up and down in the mosh pit at the concert is just one of the memories they’ve formed throughout their friendship.

Students only get a glimpse of teacher friendships during the school day. When the last bell rings, these relationships turn into friendships that the average student can identify with. The friendship between Hollin and Powell is one such example.

“That [concert] was a couple years ago, and Mr. Powell made a comment like ‘Well, I hope I can still jump around like that when I’m your age,’” Hollin said.

Jokes like these can be made between the two teachers who have been friends for “about seven or eight years,” according to Hollin.

Not only are their classrooms close together, but they live about three minutes away from each other. The two met before they started working at JC. Monday Closed Tuesday - Friday 10:00am to 9:00pm Saturday 9:00am to 3:00pm Sunday Closed

“We were originally friends at church, and then, he had applied to work here,” Hollin said.

The two attend Mountain Christian Church, where they are involved in several activities.

“We had Mr. Powell dress up one time as Kung Fu Panda, and I had kids at a church event throw hula hoops at him, like ring around the panda,” Hollin said.

Bonding time isn’t only for church events, however.

“We watch pretty much all of the Ravens games together. Our kids hang out with each other a lot, so we’re usually just hanging out while they’re playing and just have fun,” Powell said.

There are nine children between the two teachers, Hollin’s four and Powell’s five.

The close proximity of their homes and the size of their families results in good memories.

“Our wives are best friends, our kids are best friends, and we all hang out all of the time and do stuff. It’s not just us, it’s our whole family,” Hollin said.

At one point, the Hollin household and the Powell household were even less than three minutes away from each other.

“They lived with us for about six months while they were moving into their new house,” Hollin said.

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According to Hollin, their home, which was then filled with 13 people, was “a beautiful mess.”

On the opposite end of campus there are two other teachers who also share a bond.

English teachers Christine Zurkowski and Susan Fisher have been friends for about 10 to 12 years.

Like Hollin and Powell, Zurkowski and Fisher’s friendship involves their children.

“We’re moms and we talk about our kids,” Fisher said.

“She’s been at my kids’ weddings.”

Fisher taught Zurkowski’s three children as well. “You get to know each other a lot that way too,” Zurkowski said.

“When she’s worrying about her kids, my kids are older, so I just say ‘you’ll be fine, they’re just being teenagers,’” Fisher said.

Becoming friends at school progressed to becoming friends outside of school, according to Zurkowski.

“Just getting together about once every month for just a little light dinner, friendship after school, that kind of progressed to interactions with our spouses,”

Zurkowski said.

“I think one of our best days was when we met down at the Grand Prix. [Zurkowski’s] husband was doing the fly-over, and then, we met in the stands and went to my boat,” Fisher said.

Friendships amongst teachers at school go beyond the staff lunchroom. The friendships between Powell and Hollin and Fisher and Zurkowski are just two examples.

Similar to the books that they teach from, the friendships of teachers cannot be judged by how they appear.

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thepatriot February 2013

Students discover value of working on farms Hope Kelly Managing Editor The sun beats down on senior Nathan Barringer’s back. It’s 97 degrees outside and he’s stuck in the middle of a field with no shade. He has been there since 7 a.m. and won’t be finished until 11 p.m.

“You have to stack 200 bales at a time on a wagon, and then do another 200 bales on another wagon, and you’re all day stacking hay, so by the end of the day you’re dead,” Barringer said.

Barringer’s family owns Deer Park Farms in Street, MD, one of 704 farms in Harford County.

According to nass.usda.gov, in 2007, Harford County had 75,166 acres of farm land. The large amount of farms and land for farming in Harford County makes JC a farming community.

Barringer said they use their land to farm “several fields around Harford County growing hay, apples, peaches, rare tomatoes, and other garden produce.”

Barringer works as an equipment operator driving the vehicles, a salesman selling their bulk commodities, a mechanic who works on their various farm equipment including 11 tractors, and a harvest coordinator.

Healthy you

By Ashley Beyer

Photo courtesy Nathan Barringer

Senior Nathan Barringer drives his tractor around his farm in Street, MD. One of Barringer’s jobs is to act as a mechanic helping with the 11 tractors, two bulldozers, and the various other farming equipment.

Senior Thomas Reeves lives on a beef farm with about 80 cows, only a portion of the 11,454 cattle found in Harford County in 2007, according to nass.usda.gov.

Reeves’s favorite part is “planting the crops and tagging the calves when they are born.” Most importantly, he believes “living on a farm has taught me to have a good work ethic.”

Junior Bethany Boniface lives on a horse farm, Bonita Farm in Darlington, where they raise and train thoroughbred race horses. “[Racing horses] all started

with my great, great grandfather,” Boniface said. Boniface’s horse farm is one of the largest in Harford County.

“Even if there is a hurricane or a blizzard or sweltering heat, we always have to go take care of the horses. These are living creatures that need food, water, and care every day of the year,” she said.

Junior Casey Reil has worked on a horse farm since the age of 7.

“Sometimes it’s hard because I can’t do a lot of the things normal teenager can, but most of the time it is worth it because it’s what I

want to do,” Reil said.

Even though it is a lot of work, Barringer appreciates the opportunity his parents gave him. “[My parents] wanted me to have that kind of experience in life, and I really appreciate them doing it because it’s made me the person I am,” Barringer said.

He feels so passionately about farming that he intends to pass on to his kids, “build up what we have,” and have “a farm that is farming some larger acreage and doing some stuff on a larger scale.”

Teacher Spotlight:

Courtney Hugo, math and science Stats

Kailey Tracy

Subject: Algebra 2, Environmental Science

It was the last 200 meters of the race. math and science teacher Courtney Hugo scanned the crowd of screaming people and shouted for her dad. When he finally saw her, he lit up.

This is a recurring scene for Hugo, who has run 16 races after starting running marathons in her junior year of college in Hartford, Conn. “It wasn’t too big of a deal for me because I was a distance runner in track,” Hugo said.

In 2008, Hugo completed the National Marathon in Washington, D.C. in 3 hours, 30 minutes, but hopes she can beat that time.

Her family’s support is her motivation for continuing to run marathons. “The thing about some of these races is that you can’t do them without someone supporting you. I couldn’t do it without my family helping me,” she said.

The experiance of accomplishing a marathon pushes her to continue running, according to Hugo. “[My first marathon] was so painful and I was like ‘I am not doing this again,’ and then a few weeks after running a marathon, you forget about the pain.”

Hugo’s favorite race was in Boston. Hugo deems the Boston Marathon in April 2012 her most fulfilling race. Runners could have dropped out if they wanted because the temperature was in the 90s, and according to Hugo, many did or simply didn’t finish the race. “I was so happy I finished. Getting through all of that was probably one of my hardest races,” she said.

Hugo’s 16 medals hang in her basement, along-

Copy Chief

Years teaching: 2 Interesting fact: She did research for the Department of Bioresources Engineering at the University of Delaware researching bird flu in turkeys. She had to chase these turkeys around their pen and tackle them to the ground. She probably wrestled at least 500 turkeys in one summer.

Pet Peeves: When students come to class without a pencil or calculator and when they want to charge their tablet.

Fork Veterinary Hospital, Inc. Specializing in Companion Animal Care Kevin C. Doherty, VMD

12546 Harford Road Fork, Maryland 20151-0118

lifestyles 6 Emotional eating curbed by strong mind

z

410-592-7569 Fax: 410-592-5675

Photo courtesy Courtney Hugo

STEM Co-Coordinator Courtney Hugo grabs water from her mother so she can cool down at the 2012 Boston Marathon. Hugo hopes to qualify for the Olympic trials one day. with her numbers with her time written on them.

For the future, Hugo holds big ambitions. “I have this crazy idea, and this is a big pipe dream ... I’d like to qualify for the Olympic trials,” she said. “It’s a huge pipe dream, and it may never happen, but I’d at least like to try really hard for it.”

Ariel Basham Teacher of Piano & Voice Call for lessons in Contemporary, Popular, Jazz, Blues, Classical, and Gospel Music

410-836-7359 arielbashamsmusic.com

As I collapse on my bed amongst abandoned Honors Algebra 3 notes and AP Psychology flashcards, I take a break from stressful studying to eat some mac and cheese.

Although I’m not actually hungry, I’ll do practically anything to get away from the stressful situation that is studying for my midterm exams.

Most people are guilty of emotional eating. Emotional eating is eating when you’re not hungry, but when you are angry, stressed, upset, or just generally emotional. It is not only a bad habit, but also a major contributor to weight gain.

People usually emotionally eat when they’re in tough situations, such as being stressed out by school or work, watching a sad movie, after a bad breakup, or pretty much any situation that would make someone sad, angry, or stressed.

Although stuffing your face in a container of Ben & Jerry’s may seem like a good idea in the emotional moment, it isn’t for the best.

I’m guilty of emotional eating myself. During exams, I often find myself snacking on comfort foods such as chocolate and mac and cheese.

I often turn to comfort foods such as these because the foods leave me feeling calm and peaceful.

Most of these foods are full of carbohydrates, which increase levels of serotonin, a calming neurotransmitter in the brain.

Emotional eating literally calms me down.

Of course, I do try to avoid emotional eating, since it isn’t healthy. I replace the junk foods with healthier snack foods, like fruit, granola bars, and roasted seaweed.

I also make a point to only eat when I am hungry, which may seem obvious, but is harder and than you’d think. Most people eat as a social event or when they are bored.

There are also other ways to cope with stress. Exercising is one way that I can relax, but there are other options, too.

Drawing, playing a sport, or simply walking away from whatever is stressing you out are all healthy ways to deal with negative emotions such as stress, anxiety, and sadness.

Eating comfort foods in moderation is an important part of being healthy.

Although emotional eating may help you feel comforted and at peace in the moment, it will be better and healthier later on to only eat when you are actually hungry.

7 A&E

quick

Bites:

Backfin Blues Bar & Grill 19 South Main St. Port Deposit, MD 21904 410-378-2722 www.backfinblues.com

Rating

Backfin Blues offers fine dining for a reasonable price in a casual atmosphere.

Emily Cassidy A&E Editor Upon walking into Backfin Blues in quiet Port Deposit, I was immediately greeted with a warm smile from the hostess. She seated me in a quiet back corner with a view of the Susquehanna River.

The atmosphere in the restaurant was nice, and all the employees were polite and courteous.

Within seconds of sitting down the waiter appeared and took my drink order, and told me the numerous specials that they offered. The menu was two pages long with only about 12 different entree choices. It contained an equal amount of seafood as meat entrees. The entrees were a little pricy, with the average price at about $27. However, the portion sizes were decent.

I decided to get the Barramundi with glazed baby carrots and mashed sweet potatoes. My entree also came with a salad that arrived a few minutes after I placed my order.The fish was cooked to perfection and it was coated with the ideal amount of hollandaise sauce.

The carrots were seasoned nicely, but the sweet potatoes were the best. They had the perfect amount of butter and were

thepatriot February 2013

The Patriot staff scopes out the best seafood restaurants in light of the Lenten season

Photo by Emily Cassidy

One of the many delectable dishes at Backfin Blues Bar & Grill is this Barramundi with glazed baby carrots and mashed sweet potatoes. Backfin Blues offers meat entrees in addition to seafood. smooth. They were the best potatoes that I have tasted in my life.

As I was finishing my meal, the owner/chef came out and introduced himself to every table in the restaurant. He came over

Jimmy’s Famous Seafood 6526 Holabird Ave. Baltimore, MD 21224 410-633-4040 www.jimmysfamousseafood.net

Rating

Jimmy’s Famous Seafood offers quality service but only sub-par food.

Emily Clarke Print Chief Living in Maryland means there are seafood restaurants everywhere, all claiming to special-

Price’s Seafood

654 Water St Havre De Grace, MD 21078 410-939-2782 www.pricesseafood.com

Rating

Price’s Seafood serves up yummy seafood and delicious vegetables, but at a slightly high price.

Rebecca Driver Copy Editor Despite the surprisingly high cost of Price’s Seafood in Havre de Grace, the restaurant pleases with its atmosphere and delicious food. I’m not a big seafood eater,

Photo by Emily Clarke

This rockfish topped with crab imperial is one of the many entrees at Jimmy’s Famous Seafood. Jimmy’s Famous Seafood offers six different types of fresh fish daily. ize in Maryland-style crabs. Sorting out the best places from the busts can prove to be a real challenge. Jimmy’s Famous Seafood

turned out not to live up to the hype of its name.

When I walked into the restaurant with 14 members of my

so I’m no expert, but I haven’t seen any restaurant that compares to Price’s decor and food.

Price’s has a rustic feel. It’s more of a crab house than a restaurant, with wooden picnic tables inside and out. Instead of table cloths, it has simple brown paper that’s perfect for eating hard-shelled crabs. The decorations are inviting and suited to the casual crab house atmosphere, making it great for a family outing. Blue jeans and a t-shirt are perfectly acceptable, as is fancier attire. Price’s also keeps it casual by offering carry-out for when you’re on the go.

The food at Price’s Seafood is amazing. Besides the normal Maryland style hard-shelled crabs, Price’s has a variety of both standard dishes and specials. One of their most popular dishes is the seafood mac and cheese, which features extra-cheesy pasta with several types of seafood, includ-

ing crawfish.

I tried one of the specials: salmon topped with crab imperial. It was fantastic. The salmon was perfectly cooked and they didn’t skimp on the crab imperial.

I did think the imperial had a little too much sour cream, but it was a minor setback compared to the fish.

The sides were healthy portions of fresh broccoli and mashed potatoes. They’re simple, everyday foods, but delicious nonetheless.

However, I do wish that I had their sauteed Brussels sprouts with my meal. Even though I don’t like Brussels sprouts, Price’s sautees them with onions and carrots making them so tender and delectable. They are not only tolerable, but desired.

Price’s, however, loses some appeal with its high cost. Of course, I didn’t really expect anything different from a seafood restaurant, but still, $24 for mac

to my table, shook my hand, and asked me about my meal. He told me a brief history about the restaurant because it is in a historical building. I liked that the chef took the time to come out and talk to

all of his customers.

I would recommend Backfin Blues to anyone who is searching for a quaint restaurant with lots of charming character and fantastic food.

family, I was pretty impressed.

The hostess and bar area were very organized. The area was also very modern with the style of the furniture and the decor of the space. It was a good thing that the waiting area was so nice-looking because we had to wait in there for about 15-20 minutes, despite having a reservation.

Once the hostess took us to our seat, we didn’t have to wait long before our waiter came and took our drink order. When the waiter came back, he brought delicious, onion rolls and promptly took our order. Our appetizers, soups, and salads came out after about 10 minutes of being ordered and entrees were served within 30 minutes of being ordered, which was quick for a party of 15.

My cousins and I split the crab dip as an appetizer, which had a nice Old Bay flavor, but was a little too heavy on the mayonnaise.

However, I stole a couple spoon-

fuls of my grandpa’s cream of crab soup, and it was extra thick and filled with crab meat. When the entrees arrived, they smelled heavenly.

Unfortunately, the food appeared better than it tasted. My chicken Chesapeake was charred on the edges, taking away from the normal creamy, rich taste of the crab imperial on top. My grandpa said that, similarly, his rockfish was overdone making it dry. My friend’s crab cakes were average at best, definitely not worth being called famous.

While there was not too much mayonnaise or filler, the bottoms were burnt. They were good, but not even close to the best I’d ever had.

Overall, the restaurant didn’t live up to my expectation. The staff at Jimmy’s was pleasant and on top of their game but the below par food would stop me from returning.

Photo by Rebecca Driver

This salmon topped with crab imperial is a special offered by Price’s Seafood. Price’s offers great food in a casual and comfortable atmosphere. and cheese, even with seafood, is a little high. The good thing is that you can buy discounted gift certificates at Restaurant.com. I usually save a third of the cost of my meal by using a gift certifi-

cate.

If you’re looking for a good seafood restaurant, for the family or yourself, and are willing to spend a little money, consider Price’s.

in-depth 8

thepatriot February 2013

t u a h o Yre W at E A u

9 in-depth

thepatriot February 2013

The Patriot drives-thru the unhealthy world of fast food and weighs the options for the busy people held back by their full plate.

o Y

52.9 cho % of o s s tude e thei C r fav hick- nts orite fil-A rest as uran t

Meredith Haggerty In-Depth Editor

Nutrition Facts Fast Food resturants 160,000 in America Americans served

50 Million daily

Annual Fast Food Revenue $110 billion Daily Nutrition from Fast Food Meal Percent of Daily Calories 37% Percent of Daily Carbs 42.6% Percent of Daily Fat 33.6% Percent of Daily Protein 15.4% According to http://www.statisticbrain.com/fast-food-statistics/

t a e s t n e d u t s f o k 48.2% e e w a e c n o d fast foo ore or m

Every second, McDonald’s, the top selling fast food company, sells 75 burgers worldwide. 6,480,000 are sold every day.

2,365,200,000 McDonald’s burgers are sold nationwide every year. If this just includes a regular hamburger which is 250 calories, 591,300,000,000 calories are sold every year.

According to the Huffington Post, “just one fast food meal can pack enough calories, sodium and fat for an entire day or more. Eating fast food on a regular basis can lead to a variety of different health problems including obesity.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health (NIH) conducted a multi-center study to determine whether weight gain, obesity, and diabetes are linked to the consumption of fast food.

According to Junior Margaret Mcgurik, she “hardly ever eats fast food.”

“I only eat it when I’m going on trips or long drives because it’s convinent,” she said.

After the study, the NIH had startling results. “After 15 years, those who ate at fast food restaurants more than twice each week compared to less than once a week had gained an extra 10 pounds and had a two-fold greater increase in insulin resistance, a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is a major risk factor for heart disease,” according to nih.gov.

But not all fast food is unhealthy. It is true that many fast food restaurants serve food with extremely high calories, but some restaurants are becoming more aware of nutrition and are trying to

have healthy alternatives.

If someone goes into McDonalds and buys an Angus Bacon & Cheeseburger, a medium fry, and a Coca-Cola, the calorie count is 1,180.

But if someone buys a Premium Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken without dressing, apple slices, and a water, it adds up to 205 calories.

At Burger King, a Triple Whopper Sandwich meal with French fries and a small fountain drink included is 1,550 calories and 1,570 milligrams of sodium, which is only 500 calories less than the recommended calorie count for a day. Although Burger King does not have many healthy alternatives, the Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap is 390 calories, but has 1,210 milligrams of sodium, which is still less healthy than alternatives at other restaurants.

Taco Bell is just as fat-filled and calorie stuffed as the next fast food restaurant. An XXL Grilled Stuft Burrito with beef is 880 calories, 370 calories from fat, and 42 grams of total fat. A healthier option at Taco Bell would be a Chicken Soft Taco, which is 170 calories, 50 calories from fat, and six grams of total fat.

Another big part of eating healthy is to drink water. “Most liquids that are consumed should be water and milk, with the occasional power drink,” health teacher Tess Gauthier said.

Liquids that are high in calories and sugar, like soda, are very unhealthy compared to water. Although sodas have zero grams of fat, most sodas range from 100 to 170 calories and 30 to 50 grams of sugar, while water is zero calories and zero grams of sugar.

According to Gauthier, “It is all about picking the right meals and having a steady, healthy diet, even with fast foods. Maintaining a healthy diet, moderation, and a balance between what is good and bad is key.”

Sales stats courtesy of businessinsider.com

53% o f stude nts eit infrequ her ently o to pick r neve r tr y heathl ier opt ions

In a online survey of the student body on Feb. 12, The Patriot received 225 responses. The margin of error for this survey is +/- 4%.

A&E 10

thepatriot February 2013

Photo by Mary Kate Luft

From left to right, sophomores Juan Cajigas, Scott Walczyk, and Brady Fritz, and junior Lindsey McCumber rehearse a scene for this year’s spring musical “Aladdin.” The show will be performed on March 1 at 7:00 p.m., March 2 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., and March 3 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the school store or online through JC’s website.

Underclassmen steal show in ‘Aladdin’ Mary Kate Luft

Juan Cajigas

A&E Editor Starring in his biggest role to date, sophomore Juan Cajigas is ready to play Jafar, the power-hungry and villainous advisor to the Sultan in “Aladdin.” Cajigas has previously performed at JC in “Cinderella” and “Singin’ in the Rain.”

“So far, out of my entire life, this is the first lead role I have been given, which I am really excited about, but also very nervous about,” Cajigas said.

Cajigas has been preparing for the show during the daily after-school rehearsals and on his own. “I have been looking in the mirror practicing my seriousness and facial expressions that I assume Jafar would do.

Also, I have been practicing to develop a deep voice in order to make his character seem scary.”

Cajigas has been singing his whole life, but he did not start acting until fifth grade when he was in a Christmas pageant. According to Cajigas, he prefers singing over acting and would rather “do acting as a hobby.” In addition the musicals, Cajigas participates in Music Ministry and Chorus.

Brianna Glase

Scott Walczyk

Online Chief Sophomore Scott Walczyk waits hidden at the back of the stage, listening for his cue. He hears sophomore Brady Fritz shout “Genie” and springs out of nowhere covered in blue to grant his master’s every wish, while fulfilling his own wish of having a lead role in “Aladdin,” premiering March 1, 2, and 3.

In the show, Walczyk plays the Genie, the iconic blue character that helps Aladdin out of many situations after being summoned out of his lamp.

Walczyk’s favorite part of playing the Genie is being able to act as a goofy character. “I get to leave all dignity at the door and just act like a freak on stage,” he said.

However, having a lead role presents challenges for Walczyk. He has performed in “Cinderella” and in “Singin’ in the Rain,” but Walczyk said the role of the Genie involves a lot more dialogue and practicing.

Although memorizing his lines has been a challenge, Walczyk is still looking forward to performing in “Aladdin,” and especially “being painted blue, that’ll be interesting.”

Martha Schick

Brady Fritz

Multimedia Chief Sophomore Brady Fritz feels like he’s in a whole new world playing Aladdin. Although he’s had a leading role before, Aladdin is his first title character.

“In our last show [‘Singin’ in the Rain’], I was Cosmo Brown, which was a lead, but it was a supporting role, so this is my first main character lead,” Fritz said.

With a great role comes great responsibility, which means that Fritz has no time for anything other than the musical. According to him, his usual schedule consists of “school, rehearsal, and maybe some dance classes, but that’s pretty much it.”

To prepare for his role, Fritz researched and “studied the character.”

With a possible future in TV or Broadway shows, Fritz appreciates JC’s theater department. “The atmosphere, the people, the directors, they’re just all awesome and fun,” Fritz said.

As for playing Aladdin, Fritz loves his character, saying that his favorite part of the show is “acting Disney-like and … having fun with the role.”

Cu p c a ke s w i t h C a s s i d y

Cole Alban

Lindsey McCumber

Sports Editor Dressed as Jasmine, junior Lindsey McCumber looks and feels like a princess as she acts out her character in “Aladdin.”

McCumber has been acting since she was in the second grade. This character, however, holds special significance for McCumber as it is the first time she has ever acted as a princess.

Although Jasmine is not the type of character McCumber usually likes to play, she is enjoying it. “I usually like playing more in-depth characters but I like [playing Jasmine] because I grew up watching Jasmine as a kid.” Although the character is not as profound as McCumber likes, she said, “I can focus on having more fun this way.”

McCumber describes Jasmine as being rebellious. “She’s sassy and slightly immature and she has all the general princess attributes,” McCumber said.

McCumber is excited to perform the show, especially for the younger audiences.

“I think [Aladdin] will be really great,” McCumber said. “The kids will definitely love it.”

Mint Chocolate

Emily Cassidy A&E Editor Try your luck with these yummy and festive cupcakes. Mint and the chocolate pair perfectly together for a delicious St. Patrick’s Day treat.

INGREDIENTS: 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 tsp baking soda 2 tsp baking powder 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/8 tsp salt 3 tbsp softened butter 1 1/2 cups white sugar 2 eggs 3/4 tsp vanilla extract 1 cup milk DIRECTIONS: First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Line a muffin pan with paper or foil liners. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda,

cocoa, and salt in medium-sized bowl. Set aside.

Next, in a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla. Add the flour mixture alternately with the milk, about 1/4 cup of the flour mixture for every 1/8 cup of milk. Beat well. Fill the muffin cups 3/4 of the way full with the batter.

Finally, bake for 15 to 17 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.

PEPPERMINT BUTTERCREAM FROSTING: INGREDIENTS: 3 cups confectioner’s sugar 1 cup butter 2 tsp peppermint extract 1 to 2 tbsp whipping cream DIRECTIONS: In a standing mixer fitted with a whisk, mix

together sugar and butter. Mix on low speed until well blended and then increase speed to medium and beat for another three minutes. Add peppermint and cream and continue to beat on medium speed for one more minute, adding more cream if needed for the desired spreading consistency.

Pro

11 opinion

thepatriot February 2013 The Patriot

Honor Council will greatly improve the disciplinary system at JC by mirroring top universities throughout the country.

Bryan Doherty Opinion Editor The Honor Council has been long in coming. Finally, the student body is getting what it has been so deprived of for years.

Honor councils are a staple to many private schools and universities. When they are managed effectively, they instill in the student body a broad sense of school pride. Students can be pleased with the fact that all their peers are upstanding and honorable without exception.

If there was pressure on students from other students to not cheat, steal, or lie, then overall quality of life at JC would improve.

JC should not be a school where one runs the risk of getting

their belongings stolen if they are accidently left out.

With the old system, all of these offenses were handled by the administration. There is a disconnect between the students committing the offense and the administrator judging them.

The Honor Council resolves these issues. It is far more shameful to be judged by a panel of peers for stealing a chicken patty than it is to be judged and punished by the administration.

The Honor Council’s job of recommending which students deserve expulsion and which deserve a second chance is hard, but it’s good that students have a hand in the decision. The students on the Honor Council will have a better handle on the logic

The John Carroll School 703 Churchville Road Bel Air, MD 21014 Volume 48, Issue 4, February 2013

Print Chief: Emily Clarke Online Chief: Brianna Glase Multimedia Chief: Martha Schick

Artwork by Brynly Wilson

of the offending students and will provide insight into which cases deserve leniency and which are unacceptable.

It’s possible that students who participate in offenses that go before the Honor Council are an embarrassment and a sad misrepresentation of the student body

and should be treated as such.

Adding the Honor Council is a good way to improve student life.

Students will not only feel safer about having their possessions in school, but they will also gain more pride as JC becomes a universally upstanding and honorable community.

Con

Will the Honor Council work effectively?

Artwork by Brynly Wilson

Lauren Fabiszak In-Depth Editor With the new changes to the Honor Council, it is impossible to think that students will be less likely to get into trouble. Students deciding the punishment of their classmates will make students more likely to be punished harshly.

There are a number of reasons why a student Honor Council will not succeed. If students are not liked by one of the Honor Council members, they could try to get revenge on them and give them a larger punishment than they should’ve received.

However, it could work the opposite way as well. If an of-

Patriots Answer

Julianna Butta Freshman “Yes, if someone gets in trouble they’d feel embarassed to be in front of students.”

The immaturity and irresponsibility of teenagers negates the good intentions of the Council.

fender is friends with somebody on the council, that council member might go easier on the offender and give a lesser punishment.

Furthermore, a group of students could simply overlook factors in their decision making process that adults might not.

Adults hold students to higher standards, believing that students need to be responsible and mature about situations they get themselves into. Students wouldn’t necessarily consider that because they are teenagers themselves.

Adults think of how the punishment could deter the student from committing bad acts in the fututre. If one of the adults has a different opinion on what the final outcome should be, they freely voice it and the group as a whole takes time to think about it.

Teenagers often follow the lead of one another, so if one suggests

a drastic punishment, many might just agree to come to a decision as quickly as possible instead of thinking the suggested punishment through completely. This could lead to a random student completely changing someone’s future.

In no way will having a student Honor Council work. Instead, the JC staff should be more involved.

They could collaborate so at least 50/50 with the student council, making a larger group of people deciding the fate of the student to ensure justice is served.

Even though the student council is there to get the student’s side of the situation, there are too many risk factors.

If JC proceeds with keeping the Honor Council based on a group of students, there will be a lot more trouble that will not be addressed correctly.

Do you think that the Honor Council will work effectively?

Mitchell Hubbard Sophomore “No, because it feels like there are spies around the school. It makes me afraid to talk about stuff.”

Alyssa Lazaro Junior “It would because you’re talking to people who go to your school and know you better.”

Brian Cadden Senior “I think the judgments on what punishments people get will be more fair.

Students can relate to other students.”

Joseph Gallen Religion Teacher “I would be really hopeful because they’ve done a lot of prep work, but it’s new and a change.”

Copy Chief: Kailey Tracy News Editors: Sydney Setree Caitlin Wolfarth Lifestyles Editors: Ashley Beyer Shannon Olsen A&E Editors: Emily Cassidy Mary Kate Luft In-Depth Editors: Lauren Fabiszak Meredith Haggerty Hope Kelly Opinion Editors: Bryan Doherty Chioma Iheoma Sports Editors: Cole Alban Haley Kyger Copy Editors: Rebecca Driver Brianna George Multimedia Editors: Brianna George Emma Minnis Shannon Vinton Contributors: Brynly Wilson Christine Kim Katellyn Wolf Moderators: Mark Ionescu Nick Attanasio 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 of Trustees or the Administration of The John Carroll School.

A copy of each print issue is distributed to each of the 691 students and 121 faculty members. Some of the remainder are sent out to exchanging schools with a return address. The remaining copies are shared in the Main Office, Library, Admissions Office, Office of Institutional Advancement, given out when needed, or archived. For more information, please visit jcpatriot.com/about.

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

Please email comments or letters to editor@jcpatriot.com or submit them through our website: www.jcpatriot.com.

thepatriot February 2013

opinion 12

PATRIOT

THE

Risky Education, rather than business, should be sequester PERSPECTIVE the focus of improvement to strengthen JC could shatter JC’s mission statement claims To educate the whole person, parents. This will lead to a tired Alumni donations are a major part of the school’s budget. If, in that “we educate the whole per- the school must not only encour- and hostile view of JC. In a recent assembly, Principal the next few years, recent alumni not “we create the largest age students to thrive in their MD economy son,” Madelyn Ball told the students view their experience at JC as one profit margin possible.” There academics, but to get involved as Doherty’s Democracy

By Bryan Doherty Congress is taking a trip to Vegas with America’s livelihood.

The sequester, which Congress has put off until now during the fiscal cliff debates, needs to be handled swiftly and definitively.

So far they’re pathetically missing that mark.

The sequester is a group of systematic budget cuts to a broad range of government programs spread out over the next nine years. This means that just as current JC students are getting out of college and entering the work force, the full effect will be seen.

The largest cuts are in defense and many cuts are carried out at the agency level.

The sequester will have a drastic effect on all government agencies and state and local governments, but there could be a disproportionate effect on Maryland that will undoubtedly last for years.

Maryland is poised to take a loss of $11.5 billion in gross domestic product.

This huge hit stems from the cuts in federal spending on defense contractors, many of which fuel the Maryland economy on bases like Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Harford County’s largest employer, and the federal aid that goes to local and state governments and local businesses.

It’s not just defense and government jobs that could be in danger if the sequester takes effect.

A total of 114,795 jobs would be lost in Maryland alone and students returning to the state in the next few years will have slim job prospects.

However, every state will be affected and a total of 2.15 million jobs will disappear.

That’s 114,795 families in this state that are going to suffer because someone in Congress likes to hold the biggest bargaining chip around. It’s impossible to tell how many of these families would be from Harford County.

The country can’t sustain that kind of economic decline once again. It’s a fact that federal government spending is imperative to financial growth in this country.

Legislators need to realize that it is American families that are going to be feeling the real effects of the sequester. 2.15 million jobs and a $215 billion loss in nationwide GDP can’t be used as political firepower.

The sequester needs to be dismantled and Congress needs to approach the federal budget deficit and overspending from a different angle.

Congress needs to wake up and realize that strapping an economic doomsday device to the economy wasn’t the best idea and the situation should be defused.

shouldn’t be anything more important to a school than the safety, well-being, and the quality of education of the students, therefore JC should avoid viewing itself as a business.

Like all private schools, JC is in a predicament. They must make a choice between running the school as a business or as a place of education. Because the school is a private institution, they do not receive any government grants that public schools enjoy.

JC must raise every penny of their expenses to survive and continue to run as a school.

leaders in their sports and clubs.

When sports and student groups get involved in the community, they work as ambassadors for the school. When these groups lose funding, the school’s image is affected.

JC needs to focus on being a center for education first and foremost. Ultimately, it’s the students who would lose if JC was run like a business.

If the administration chooses to focus on the business side of JC, that attitude will rub off and negatively affect everything from the way teachers teach to the attitudes of students, alumni, and

that how the community views the school matters because JC is a local business. By increasing the quality of the graduates, JC’s reputation will only get better.

Eventually, this will become what really helps the school financially. Enrollment in private schools may not be at its highest, but the prestige of the school can be heightened.

If JC spends more money on becoming an amazing educational facility with a low price, then the school’s reputation, and ultimately enrollment and the percentage of alumni that give back to the school, will improve.

that gave them a great education at a great price instead of a poor one that sucked their family dry, they will be more willing to give back to the school to ensure that the tradition continues.

The only business model that would work for JC is the one that focuses on doing whatever it takes to make the JC education far better than anyone else’s. We need the best teachers doing their best work and focusing solely on that.

If JC follows this plan and keeps clear of turning JC into a profit-hungry business, the school will prosper long into the future.

Dorms flawed by lack of planning In a perfect world, JC would be able to offer dorm living for international students and wouldn’t have to worry about liability issues, dorm parents, and weekly itineraries. Unfortunately, having dorms for JC’s international students is just not practical.

Even though the dorm solution is not practical, JC has just gotten approval for 14 to 15 international male students to live in St. Joseph’s Hall. It is soon to be renovated into dorms for the 2013-2014 school year.

Ideally the dorms would be fantastic: they would broaden the international student horizon that the administration is hoping to have and it would create a great life and learning experience for the international students. But logistically, JC just doesn’t meet the standards.

The plans were already denied once last year by the Archdiocese for liability issues because “dorms are all new territory for the Archdiocese” and they weren’t sure how to deal with it, according to Principal Madelyn Ball. It should have been a red flag to the school that there may be a reason why no other school in the Archdiocese has had students live on campus.

One flaw with the plan is the decision on who would stay with

Letter

Artwork by Christine Kim

the students. Previously, Ball had stated that she hoped to have a young couple that would live with the students and have access to drive the students on a mini bus to places besides the school campus.

Realistically speaking, no young couple would be willing to do this. Sure, colleges have dorm parents with similar responsibilities, but they are responsible for college age students who speak their language, not 15 high school boys who may not be perfect in English.

Another issue with the dorms

is meals. The students could have breakfast and lunch at the cafeteria, but what about dinner and snacks?

According to Director of Facilities Stewart Walker, once the kitchen in the dorms is updated, it will be a commercial kitchen in which full meals can be cooked.

If the students were to cook for themselves, they wouldn’t have anything to cook with since JC, like every other normal school, doesn’t have a grocery store on campus.

Also, what would the interna-

tional students do on the weekends? Students who are residents of Harford County already have a tough time finding things to do on the weekend. And even if the students find something to do, there will still only be one couple to drive all 15 of the boys.

The dorms would be ideal if everything worked out perfectly and JC found a young couple that would be willing to be dorm parents, solved the issue of meals, and had weekend plans for the students. But having dorms isn’t realistically possible.

to the editor

Coach defends wrestling team I have to take exception with the word “cutting” in the article about wrestling. Wrestlers, for the most part, reduce body fat through diet and exercise. Many wrestlers have no weight issues … some have self-control issues.

We are not the weight cutting team, we are the wrestling team.

The vast majority of JC’s wrestlers have the self-control to eat healthy, which, along with our practices reduces body fat to about 8-10 percent … a totally healthy number

according to the National High School Federation (7 percent is the minimum allowable for boys). So … anyone who is “cutting” weight (aka not eating for a prolonged period) is doing so because they have or have had self-control issues when it comes to eating.

Your article paints an unrealistic picture of our sport. Some football players lift weights, then overeat, because they believe it makes become bigger and stronger so that they can excel at their sport …

but then again some don’t.

Some wrestlers feel that they need to be as lean as possible in order to excel … but then again some don’t.

You might interview George Weber … three time All American and a very successful wrestler, to get a more accurate picture. George has gained about 4 to 6 pounds during this past wrestling season.

Wrestling head coach Keith Watson

We want to hear what you have to say.

Write us your opinion by emailing your letter to editor@jcpatriot.com or submitting it online at jcpatriot.com

13 opinion

Holocaust program’s future relies on creativity Emily Clarke Print Chief The only sound in the room is the quiet speech of a Holocaust survivor. The seniors are virtually silent besides a few sniffles and small gasps of disbelief. Unfortunately, future seniors won’t have these real-life opportunities much longer.

As the Holocaust survivors age, JC should come up with plans that would give future seniors an experience on Holocaust Remembrance Day. Every year, seniors are told the survivors won’t be around to speak in a few years. While we haven’t yet reached that point, it is inevitable. JC should be, and in some ways already is, taking measures to keep this senior tradition alive when there are no survivors left to speak.

JC is already adding activities to the Holocaust curriculum. This year, seniors were required to watch “See You Soon Again,” a film that follows the lives of two survivors. JC should make this

Papal resignation could bring changes Martha’s Musings

By Martha Schick

Photo courtesy Patriot Archives

Morgan Seiler, class of ‘10, listens to Holocaust survivor Leo Bretholz during the 2010 Holocaust Remembrance Day. Bretholz is one of over a dozen survivors that comes to JC on Holocaust Remembrance Day. an annual event. “See You Soon Again” shows the effects the Holocaust has on survivors’ descendents.

An obvious way to continue the tradition is to video-tape the speakers when they speak to current JC students. If the survivors are videotaped today, then the

films can be shown in replacement of the actual survivors.

While it won’t be the same as hearing the speakers in person, it’s still a viable option.

Another source of Holocaust education for future seniors could be asking children of survivors to speak with students. These rela-

tives have valuable insight that could be passed along to continue the memory of the Holocaust.

No activity can substitute the experience of talking to real Holocaust survivors. However, JC must continue to find alternatives so that future seniors will not forget the tragedy.

Lenten sacrifices should focus on social justice

Mary Kate Luft A&E Editor WWYSFJ? Or, “What would you sacrifice for Jesus?”

During Lent, Christians are asked to give up something as a way to give justice to Jesus, God, and the poor.

However, many people fail to see the true purpose and choose to give up things like chocolate, soda, chips, or junk food in general. They use Lent as a chance to restart their failed New Year’s resolutions.

People are overly concerned about becoming healthier, skinnier, and more attractive instead of trying to become closer with God and more charitable, which are the true purposes of Lent.

Giving up desserts or soda is not going to help anyone besides yourself and

fails to strengthen your relationship with God. Lenten promises that consist of pledging to volunteer at Our Daily Bread once a week or praying at least once a day outside of school have more value and are geared more closely towards Lent’s ultimate purpose: dedication to God. By volunteering at a charity, you are helping the less-fortunate, and through prayer, you are building your relationship with God. While there is nothing wrong with trying to become healthier, a resolution to not eat sweets should not be your main Lenten promise. Instead you should have additional Lenten promises that coincide with the actual purpose of Lent: to give justice to God and others.

Just remember, “WWYSFJ?” Artwork by Brynly Wilson

February Report Card The Patriot turns the tables by grading the school on today’s issues

C

thepatriot February 2013

Yes, drugs are bad

“Hugs not drugs.” How many times can elementary phrases such as this be repeated to the ears of bored teenagers?

The best way to ward teens away from drugs is to make the side effects of drugs more personable to the student. Speakers that give their horror stories that result from drugs really make teens think.

Teens care about appearances and the best way to steer them from drugs is to show them the physical results. Teens should be reminded about this constantly instead of simply being told “Don’t do drugs.”

A

Clap it up for Music Ministry

The members of Music Ministry deserve a pat on the back for managing to sing at every Mass with more energy than the entire student body combined.

It takes a lot to stand up in front of hundreds of blank stares and sing with the utmost enthusiasm.

Music Ministry aids in making Mass much more interesting than it would be without the group of melodic voices rising up from near the altar.

Music Ministry doesn’t always get people singing along but they sure do deserve a round of applause.

D

Chioma Iheoma Opinion Editor

Mumble to the Lord

The song choices at Mass may not always make you want to get up and jam, but the student body should at least try.

While the members of the Music Ministry sound great to begin with, it wouldn’t hurt to help out the courageous members of Music Ministry from time to time by chiming in on the songs that you know the words to.

Once in a while, the gymnasium fills with the voices of the students and the energy that fills the room is overwhelming. Times like these are great and should occur more often.

With the Pope’s retirement comes a chance for the church to turn a new corner. I respect Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to step down due to failing health, and I wish him a comfortable and prayerful retirement. This change in leadership could also mean changes for the church.

A new Pope will give the church a chance to update their policies to the 21st century. Our generation has different needs and concerns than the generations before us, and the church, needs to adapt.

In the midst of the vocational crisis, perhaps this new Pope will allow priests to get married.

There are people our age who could be excellent priests, but couldn’t give up the chance for a family. When our generation is older, there may not be enough priests to fill current parishes.

I don’t expect the church to turn liberal, but the strong possibility of a Pope from Africa could change the conversation on contraception. An African Pope could look at the rampant spread of HIV/AIDS and the ever-increasing population and decide that contraception could do more good than harm.

Worldwide, there are ever-increasing numbers of those affected by this awful disease. People our age are being infected, particularly in poorer areas. A new understanding from the church could help teens and young adults prevent this terminal illness.

This Pope will have the chance to do something about the priests guilty of molestation. This scandal was at its height during Pope Benedict XVI’s term, but other than apologizing and meeting with victims, the Vatican took very little action. Apologies are well and good, but we can only hope that the future Pope will take steps to protect children in Catholic churches.

It’s a long shot but this Pope could even practice tolerance towards Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) couples. I’m not expecting the church to change its teachings on homosexuality, but now that gay marriage is being legalized in more and more places, the church has to catch up.

At the very least, the church should not oppose rights for LGBT couples like visitation rights in hospitals. As more and more young people come out, they won’t want to join a religion that has a division with the gay community.

A new Pope could mean a new Catholic Church. I hope that our generation can look forward to an updated church for a changing world.

sports 14

thepatriot February 2013

Blair takes over as men’s lacrosse coach Cole Alban

camaraderie and adrenaline frocompeting is addictive,” Blair said.

The players are also excited that Blair has taken over the available coach position.

“I think Blair will use a different method of coaching that could benefit the team,” junior Sam Foard said.

Sophomore Austin Eiseman is just as excited.

“I am thrilled to have Mr. Blair be the new men’s head coach. He has been with the school for a long time as an assistant and he knows the game well and is already close to the players on the team.”

A few changes will be coming to the coaching staff this year. “[Science teacher] Kyle Leppert and Ken Kyger are my assistant coaches. Kyle coaches the offense and Ken coaches the defense,” Blair said.

According to Blair, this is also the first time the team will have specialized defensive and offensive coaches.

Scheduling, fundraising, and recruiting will also be changed, according to Blair.

For example, a team from California will face off against the team this upcoming season.

“We are hoping to increase our

Managing Editor It was freezing outside and players could see their breath in the air. The team ran through the painful cold air, their lungs burning in pain, and returned to the gym. Balls flew through the air, sweat dropped, and players yelled as varsity men’s lacrosse tryouts began on Feb.19. It wasn’t the same tryout as past years, however. The hopefuls had a new head coach evaluating them as they vied for a spot on the team.

English teacher Matthew Blair has taken over the head coach position from past coach Keith Hinder.

Hinder was the coach from 2001 to 2012. According to Blair, Hinder decided that he was just ready to step away from coaching.

Blair accepted the position this past September. He had begun coaching lacrosse in 2001 as the JV assistant.

The next year, he became the varsity assistant coach for Hinder until this year.

Blair said that most of his experience with lacrosse comes from coaching, although he did play lacrosse in high school.

“I began coaching as a way to get involved with students outside of the classroom. The team

Photo by Haley Kyger

English teacher Matthew Blair talks with players at the varsity lacrosse tryouts on Feb. 21. Blair is taking over the head coach position after being assistant coach to past head coach Keith Hinder. social media presence also,” Blair said.

JC lacrosse is now on Twitter (@JohnCarrollLacr).

Blair’s responsibilities will change this year with his new job.

“As assistant, I communicated with the head coach and players about all aspects of the team. I was in charge of substitutions during games,” Blair said.

Accoding to Blair, as head coach he is “responsible for implementing offense and defensive strategies, communicating with parents, recruiting players, etc.”

“My coaching philosophy is based on seeing the team as an extension of family. The success of any team is a reflection of the group dynamic,” Blair said.

As for the upcoming season,

Blair thinks that the future is bright.

“We are looking forward to a successful season, which to us means playing for a championship,” Blair said. “There are many players who will stand out this year. We have 12 seniors, and each of them are very capable of being a top performer in our league this upcoming season.”

How do you feel about the new head coach?

Position: Midfield Years on varsity: Two

“I am very excited about it. I think that he will help us have a great season this year.”

Sam Foard ’14

Position: Attack Years on varsity: Three

“I think he will make a very productive season for us. He brings a lot of enthusiasm to the team.”

Sully Gerety ’13

Men’s basketball competes in BCL tournament Cole Alban

Managing Editor As the clock ran down in the St. Frances gym on Feb.15, a feeling of disappointment filled the student section. The men’s basketball team lost and was eliminated from the MIAA ‘A’ conference tournament, with a score of 47-61.

“We didn’t perform the way we should. We came up short, but we worked hard, we fought to the end, but it wasn’t good enough,” sophomore Kimbal Mackenzie said.

According to head coach Tony Martin, the loss to St. Frances was a tough one. “They played really well and we just had a subpar night shooting the ball,” Martin said.

However, the men’s basketball team had another chance for a championship run. After winning on Feb. 22 against Calvert Hall, 45-41, the team had a chance to win the Baltimore Catholic League (BCL) championship.

The BCL tournament is also a single elimination tournament.

The team lost in the semi-finals

of the BCL tournament against Mount Saint Joseph 62-53. “I was so proud of our guys. Their effort and intensity was evident to everyone who attended the game,” Martin said. Junior Devin Smaldore said, “I thought we played well but a lot of our shots were not failing and we could not stop them on defense.”

After the BCL tournament, the only chance that the men’s team would have to play is in the Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament (ACIT). “You have to have a pretty special season to

get in,” Martin said.

The team has been to the tournament in both 2011 and 2012. In 2011, they finished 32-38 losing against DeMatha Catholic High School from Maryland in the semi-finals. In 2012, they won two out of three rounds. They beat Benedictine College Preparatory from Virginia and Mt. Saint Joseph High School from Maryland and lost one game against St. Benedict's Prep from New Jersey.

Martin believes that the team had a good season. “It has been

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a great year,” Martin said. “We won 25 games which has only happened five times before.”

According to Martin, their best tournament so far was the Iolani Classic invitational tournament in Hawaii where they finished fifth overall out of a pool of 16 teams from around the nation.

“We really have been getting great support from the students and the pep band,” Martin said.

Mackenzie says they can win.

“It depends on us. If we play like we can play at our best, we can beat anybody,” Mackenzie said.

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15 sports

thepatriot February 2013

Patriots do perform service projects Kailey Tracy

Copy Chief Jared Jones class of ‘12, threw the football to the little boy from Anna’s House, waiting for the pass in the end zone of the gym.

Touchdown. Jones and his “little brother” from Anna’s House lit up with jubilation and celebrated as if they had won the Super Bowl.

Hosting children from Anna’s House last year, the men’s basketball team fulfilled their service project obligation, a requirement for all sports teams.

The requirement was implemented by previous Principal Paul Barker following feedback from parents that their studentathletes were unable to fulfill service hour requirements, according to Athletic Director Larry Dukes.

“We thought it’d be helpful to give them a six to eight hour opportunity to do [service] as part of being a team,” Dukes said.

Senior Mackenzie Reese, a member of the women’s varsity basketball team, views participating in team service as a link in connecting the team. “I love doing service as a team because it is a great bonding experience. We all get to hang out outside of basketball practice and games, which really helps us bond, and is one of the reasons we are so close as a team," Reese said.

Shooting Santas, an event that raises money for poor families at Christmastime, has functioned as the women’s basketball team’s service project for four years, according to head coach Mike Blizzard.

In addition to aiding students, the service requirement was also intended to assist the community.

“I think the requirement for a team to do service as a team helps reinforce the school's core values as a Catholic school. It promotes attention to and care for others, especially the poor and marginalized. And, as an associated benefit, the service experience can be effective in bringing a team together in new ways,” Barker said.

Although the service is labeled as “mandatory,” “there have been exceptions to the rule,” according to Dukes. “It is only a requirement in the sense that I want the coaches to be active in helping students have service as a priority,” he said.

The team experience is one of the exceptions to the rule. According to Dukes, if the entire team doesn’t complete service together, it still accomplishes their requirement. Members of the men’s soccer team running the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is an instance of this exception if not all members participate.

According to men’s varsity soccer coach Rodney Johnson, they don’t participate in the race as a team anymore because “getting everyone to the race got to be too much.”

Although “it’s a hope that each team will have the opportunity to do a service project together during the season,” projects do not have to occur in the same season as the sports, according to Dukes.

The men’s wrestling team is an example of this flexibility, as they have adopted a highway and clean it up throughout the year, rather than just in their season.

Swimming falls under this category as well. According to Dukes, the team hasn’t completed a project yet this year, but plans to do one later in the year. Although sophomore Billy Jump, a member of the team, has not participated in service as a team, he thinks that it “would not only benefit those being served, but also the team.

Doing service would probably bring the team a lot closer together. I don’t think I would mind the swim team doing any service in the future," Jump said.

Due to the reasoning that this requirement was put into place for students’ benefit, no one keeps track of the service, and there is no penalty for teams that fail to complete service. “The whole impetus for it was to make it easier on the students, not to mandate that you

Photo courtesy Rodney Johnson

Players from the men’s soccer team attend the Susan G. Komen Race for the cure in fall of 2007. The women’s soccer team also participated in the event in past years.

51% 26%

of athletes are on a team that does not perform service of athletes think their teams do not do enough service together

have to do service,” Dukes said.

That being said, both Barker and Dukes endorse giving back.

“Put simply, participation in athletics is a privilege. Yes, students work hard to get on teams and devote many, many hours to training and playing. They get perks and to do things that nonathletes do not. So, my view has always been that from those to whom much is given, much is expected. In a Catholic high school, where we always strive for athletic excellence, it is important that we don’t make wins and losses the be all and end all,” Barker said.

“Service ought to be something you want to do,” Dukes said.

In an online survey of the student body on Feb. 19 , The Patriot recieved 115 repsonses.The margin of error for this survey is +/- 4%.`

For the men’s basketball team, it appears that this statement holds true, as they hold annual service outings. Along with hosting children from Anna’s House last year, the team volunteered at Our Daily Bread this year, according to men’s varsity basketball coach Tony Martin. Both this year and last year they teamed up with the Baltimore Catholic League, supporting “the mission of Catholic schools.” They also helped out on a project for Habitat for Humanity a few years ago with some athletes from the soccer program.

This year, the women’s soccer team hosted Kicks Against Cancer, an event at their game against Spalding which raised over $500

for cancer research, according to head coach Gary Lynch. The team also aided in cleaning Annie’s Playground and helped a local recreational team raise money by working at their carwash.

“None of these are looked on as being ‘mandatory,’ but instead an opportunity to give back to the community and thanks for all the gifts and health we have,” Lynch said.

As teams keep the “spirit” of service in mind, Dukes hopes that “participation will eventually get back to 100 percent where it was at one point. If [teams] don’t have anything to do in mind, we have lots of things that they could go do.”

Athlete Spotlight:

Rodney Elliott

Stats

Grade: Senior Featured Sport: Men’s varsity basketball

Position: Point Guard Accomplishments: Winning two MIAA ‘A’ conference championships Stats: 1,000 career points

“

I’ve been playing since I was four, and from the day I had the ball in my hand, I didn’t let go

Senior Rodney Elliot

”

“ No matter what he works the hardest.

He is really more of a team player.

Freshman Trystan Pratapas

”

Photo from Patriot Archives

Senior Rodney Elliot takes the ball up the court during a 40-37 win against Saint Maria Goretti High School. Elliot is a point guard on the men’s varsity basketball.

sports 16

thepatriot February 2013

Winter Wrap-up Senior Austin Markley

Swimming

According to swimming coach Larry Dukes, this year’s swimming season was “predictable.” The women’s side had a record of 3-2 in conference, and the men’s 2-6.

The men’s team was low in numbers this season, and in order to do well in their meets, they had to win every race they competed in, which they did twice. On the women’s side, the injuries of senior Carrie Dukes and junior Paige Tyler hurt the team’s record, but the team ended strong, according to Dukes.

The women’s team ended fourth overall at championships. Freshman Megan Piercy, freshman Julia Dukes, and senior Emily Cashour all double medaled in championships.

“I think that our season went really well because we had some freshmen that were good add-ons to the team,” junior Paige Tyler said.

Dukes is excited for next year, but he is unsure if there will be enough male swimmers for a male team.

The Patriot reports on the highs and lows of the 2012-2013 winter sports’ seasons.

Photo by Katelyn Wolf

Reporting by Meredith Haggerty and Rebecca Driver

Sophomore Elizabeth Driver The women’s indoor track team placed second in the IAAM ‘A’ championships for the first time in JC history.

“Finishing second at championships was the bestthat we’ve ever done, and I’m proud of how they gave everything they had to accomplish this. The guys only had two athletes at championships and they still finished seventh because of their efforts,” according to head coach Robert Torres Torres cited senior Kiana Wright as the women’s varsity MVP who led the team in points, and senior Austin Markley for the men’s team, “with honorable mention to [senior] Derek Alban.”

According to Torres, freshman Evan Moore and sophomore Nicky Clauter were the most improved athletes throughout the season. Both of the runners “worked hard all year,” with Moore running well at championships and Clauter improving to “as fast as some of our varsity girls by late in the season this year.”

Torres said “I am very pleased with how this season finished up compared to other years in the league.”

Indoor Track

Junior Andrew Reininger

Wrestling

Photo by Cole Alban

Wrestling had the best record of all the winter sports with an almost perfect record of 32-1.

According to head coach Keith Watson, “This year, we matured and had a break-out season.”

“We knew going in it was going to be a very strong year, but because we had so many guys who were willing to work hard, we exceeded our expectations, which were pretty high to start with in the beginning,” assistant coach Jake Hollin said.

“I thought that we’d be good and close to Maryland’s best, but

I didn’t expect to be so close,” Watson said.

According to Hollin, the team “finished second in the entire state, [both] public and private [schools], for dual meets and third for tournaments.”

Senior Scott Strappelli and sophomore Hunter Ritter were integral wrestlers. Hollin said they “both won MIAA championships and MIS State Championships and capped off amazing seasons.” Strappelli became the first JC wrestler to win three MIAA championships.

Indoor Soccer

Photo by Cole Alban

The women’s indoor soccer team had a strong season. They ended their season with a 12-2-1 record. With the help of their new coach, Jorge Piquer, they had a very successful season.

“As a new coach, sometimes it can be difficult to get all the players adjusted to my particular style. Fortunately, most of the girls had played outdoor soccer, so they knew how to work together,” Piquer said.

According to Piquer, all team mem-

Women’s basketball faced its first year in the IAAM ‘A’ Conference, and finished with an 11-14 record. “We lost our top three scorers from the season before, but many players stepped up and into new roles,” head coach Mike Blizzard said.

Since moving up to the ‘A’ Conference, Blizzard expected to have more wins than losses during the season. Despite their record, the media recognized their brutal schedule, as the Baltimore Sun ranked them 15th prior to the playoffs.

One of the most improved players of the season was sophomore Ola Ekundayo, according to Blizzard. “[Ekundayo] didn’t play much as a freshman, but has moved up in the rotation to sixth man. She has an incredibly quick first step, coupled with incredible speed and leaping ability. She can be great,” Blizzard said.

Their biggest games of the season were against number seven ranked Pallotti at home on Jan. 16 and number five ranked St. Frances at home on Jan. 29.

The team was able to beat Pallotti by nine and St. Frances in overtime by three.

bers were good soccer players to begin with.

The championship game against Garrison Forest was by far the biggest game of their season, according to Piquer. The team ended up losing at championships 2-1.

According to Piquer, “It was a close score the whole time and it was obvious all the players on both teams really wanted the win. Unfortunately, this ended up being our second loss of the season.”

Basketball Senior Rodney Elliott Photo by Cole Alban