The Patriot November 2016, Issue 1 Volume 52

11.10.16

Issue 1

Volume 52

www.jcpatriot.com

LUCK DRAW of the

The administration may start random drug testing as early as Nov. 28. How will students be affected?

News 3 In-Focus 8-9 Perspectives 12

2 NEWS

November 2016

The last

Illustration by Ashlee Kothenbeutel

In a 2016 USDA report, the number of colonies lost from suspected cases of CCD during JanuSocial studies teacher Darrion ary to March 2016 was 114,000.

Siler zips up his bee suit and puts The report also stated that the on his veil. He goes outside to number one stressor besides CCD check on his beehives and opens was Varroa mites, with 34.3 perthe lid to look inside. To his dis- cent of colonies affected. may, one hive is destroyed, and Varroa mites first infested the bees are dead. The hive is in- North American hives in 1987. undated with cocoons and webs. Former JC English teacher Dick The culprit: gypsy moths.

Paaby has been a beekeeper for Siler is one of many beekeep- more than 40 years. His bees’ ers who have honey collection suffered the loss “[Bees] serve a began to decline of a hive. It is an rapidly in 1988 unfortunate real- major purpose in due to the mites. ity for beekeepers terms of the way, The bloodacross the United sucking mites not just we as in States. attach to the Since 2006, the humans, but the bees and spread throughout the honey bee popuway nature works.” hive. lation in the U.S. History teacher Darrion Siler This leads to a has been rapidly declining. From significant infesApril 2015 to April 2016, bee- tation, which leads to the death keepers across the U.S. reported of a colony. “When the mites bite losing 44 percent of their hives, the bees, they inject a disease into which was a 3.5 percent increase the bee. It’s like when a deer tick in loss from the year before. bites a human, it gives us Lyme The rapidly declining bee pop- Disease,” Paaby said. ulation can be attributed to many Another contributing factor to problems including mites, para- bee colony loss is the use of pessites, pesticides, and diseases. ticides and insecticides. Scientists Although all of these factors are have specifically focused their rea major problem for bee colonies, search on a group of insecticides an even larger crisis arising is a known as neonicotinoid insectiphenomenon with an unknown cides. cause identified as Colony ColAccording to Paaby, these inlapse Disorder, or CCD. secticides are placed on flowers According to a Pennsylvania that bees get nectar from, thus State University article, CCD is poisoning the bees when they get characterized by “a sudden disap- the nectar. While effective in prepearance of adult bees but no bod- venting farmers’ crops from beies in or near the hive; evidence ing consumed, their use comes at of recent brood rearing, meaning a cost for bees’ health. the queen and young larvae are Siler and his family started left behind; and an eerie absence beekeeping in 2013 out of a deof pests which typically pillage sire to make a difference. “I think honey and bee bread (a mixture of they’re interesting. There’s just honey and pollen that is the bees’ something about the way a hive main food) from dying or aban- works and there are a lot of stodoned hives.” ries in the press about the disap-

Lauren Becker News Editor

Bees are disappearing faster than ever.

Colonies are collapsing, and without increased conservation efforts, the results could be catastrophic.

pearance of bees [...] so we just felt like we wanted to do our part locally and see if there was something that we could do and keep some bees on our own,” Siler said.

Bees are essential to the environment. The bees pollinate plants, and as a result, we get fruits, vegetables, nuts, and berries on our kitchen tables.

“They serve a major purpose in terms of maintaining the way that we, not just we as humans, but the way that nature works. They’re a pretty massive keystone species,” Siler said.

The pollen that bees pick up and carry plays a major role in agriculture. Bees are responsible for pollinating an estimated 80 percent of crops in the U.S. The Burt’s Bees Foundation was established in 2007 to raise awareness for the disappearance of bees and to educate about their importance to the environment.

Since then, the organization has donated over $2 million in grants to help with pollinator research, education, and conservation.

In March, Burt’s Bees launched a new program to get the public involved and informed about the disappearance of bees.

From March 8, 2016 to June 30, 2016, for every tweet or Instagram post with #BringBackTheBees and for every purchase of Bring Back the Bees lip balm, the Burt’s Bees Foundation would plant 1,000 wildflower seeds. The wildflowers provide bees with a nutritious meal and pollen.

Their goal for this campaign was to plant 1 billion wildflower seeds and to get the public involved to help make a difference. “I think it is good that they are promoting awareness, it will help people do things. [...] We are learning that we have to be mindful too,” Paaby said.

Photo by Katherine Grimm

Honey, almonds, and chapstick are some of the things that would be unavailable if bees disappeared completely. California’s almond crop requires 80 percent of the bee colonies in the United States to pollinate it.

NEWS 3

November 2016

Random drug testing begins no later than January Edward Benner and Grace Mottley

Administrators have recently taken additional steps to discourage student drug use, such as having an assembly on Oct. 27 where News Editor and recovering drug addicts spoke to Assignment Chief each grade level about their strugThe new random drug testing gles with addiction. However, adpolicy will be placed into effect ministrators have not held an asby January at the latest, according sembly explaining the new policy to Vice Principal of Student Af- to students.

As a result, many students, like fairs and Technology Brian Powsenior Logan Moore, are still unell. The testing is not expected to clear on the destart any earlier tails of the polthan Nov. 28.

“Everyone says icy. “Everyone Powell wants says different to meet with different things things about the each grade level about the policy, and the individually beadministration fore administer- policy, and the hasn’t clarified ing the first test administration anything.

I honin the hopes of estly thought fully informing hasn’t clarified the assembly the community anything.” was going to be on the nature Senior Logan Moore on the drug poliof the tests and cy,” Moore said. clarifying the Students will be selected to policy itself.

“The goal [of meeting with be drug tested through a random each grade level] is to effectively number generator that will select communicate what we’re trying a student’s ID number.

Once selected, students will be to do with the new policy,” Powtested by school nurse Michelle ell said.

Webster.

The school will be using the 10 Panel Urine Drug Test to screen students. This test can determine the presence of 10 types of drugs in a person’s urine including marijuana, cocaine, PCP, amphetamines, and opiates.

If a student fails this first test, they will then be required to go to the Harford County Health Clinic for a confirmation test.

If students test positive for drug use both times, there will be no punishment involved. Instead, students will be required to see a professional who will create a treatment plan for each individual student.

Families must report the stuPhoto by Caroline Cooney dent’s suggested treatment plan JC will begin randomly drug testing students in order to deter drug use by to the school and will be required January 2017 at the latest. The 10 Panel Urine Test will be used to test for to follow the plan, according to marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, and opiate use.

Powell.

If their parents reported the use the test, the results will not be However, there are some exceptions to this policy for stu- of this medication to the school in on anyone’s permanent record. dents who are prescribed amphet- advance, as they are supposed to, “There’s no file, health, academamines for ADHD. If they were students will not be required to ic, or behavior record,” Powell drug tested, these students would receive a confirmation drug test if said. not pass, as their test would show they fail the amphetamine aspect Administrators hope to address that there are amphetamines in of the first drug test. students’ questions during meettheir system.

Regardless of the outcome of ings with each grade level.

Capital Campaign fundraising begins

Community proves they can help others

O’Hara sent an email to members of the JC community informing them of the upcoming phase in Fundraising for the second the Capital Campaign. The email phase of the Capital Campaign, also included a survey which which aims to improve the aca- asked members of the commudemic wing has begun, according nity what they felt needed to be to President and Interim Principal improved.

Richard O’Hara.

Survey results showed that the Money will be raised to re- community felt that renovating model the classrooms and the the academic wing was the highoverall academic wing. While the est priority. construction hasn’t started yet, “[The Board of Trustees] refundraising is underway in order viewed the full campaign feasito obtain the funds needed to be- bility and planning study report, gin. which included This phase “[The goal is the results of will span almost this survey along two years with to] create an with many perhopes of raising extraordinary sonal interviews,” $7 million. The O’Hara said. school looks to teaching The Board hire a profes- and learning of Trustees apsional council to proved the next help administra- environment.” phase of the camPresident Richard O’Hara paign. According tors run the Capital Campaign. to O’Hara, the While the school has not al- goal is to “create an extraordilocated where all of the funds nary teaching and learning enviwill go, administrators hope to ronment, preparing students for remodel “everything from the air success in life and the new world conditioning...the furniture, new economy.” flooring, drop ceilings, energy Senior Caity McComas is glad efficient lighting, whiteboards, that there are changes being made new science labs, [and] new rest- to the academic wing. “I think rooms,” O’Hara said. there are important things they The Capital Campaign has need to do for the academic wing been in the works for about nine like air conditioning, but there years. The first phase, known as are also remodels that need to be “Lighting the Way,” focused on done like the bathrooms, clocks, changes to the overall school fa- and better Wi-Fi,” McComas cilities. said.

This phase of the campaign is There is no definite time completed, according to O’Hara. schedule for the remodeling proThis phase included “the [remod- cess, however, O’Hara predicts eling of] the foyer, the restrooms, approximately two years are the air conditioning of the cafe, needed to make the renovations. and the theater, and then the turf The time of the renovations will fields,” O’Hara said. be dictated by the donors and the Planning for the second phase amount of work that can be comstarted over the summer when pleted over the summer.

Taylor Bynion Copy Editor

Edward Benner News Editor Each year, students sort cans and fill the entire lobby with donations for the annual “Patriots Can Do” Thanksgiving Food Drive.

The drive takes place before Thanksgiving and spans a week to encourage students and faculty members to come together to create positive change in the community.

“It is overwhelming to see how much food is collected. It shows what a large effect our community can play to our neighbors right next door,” Coordinator of Service Learning Susan Strawbridge said.

Strawbridge feels that the drive is an important event in the community, and it shows students and faculty how they can make a difference

The drive has proven to be a success the past several years, collecting a record number of cans in 2014 at 7,242.

Strawbridge is hopeful that this number can be surpassed by the efforts of this year’s food drive.

Strawbridge hopes that a set goal of 8,000 cans can be met.

The cans are taken to local food pantries in the Harford County area.

According to Strawbridge, the food drive can supply these pantries with enough food for three months.

Strawbridge enjoys seeing the thankfulness of the pantries receiving the cans. “I am pleased to be a part of it. The need has not changed, the hunger doesn’t go away and students need to realize that it is still there,” Strawbridge said.

The drive ends on Nov. 18 with the Thanksgiving prayer service.

FAST FACTS Last year, JC collected

7,242 cans

The goal for this year is to collect 8,000 cans The cans collected can last up to

3 months

4 COMMUNITY

November 2016

THE COMMON STRESS

BY COMMUNITY EDITORS ERIN MCCLOSKEY, PIA SCOTTO, AND CHRISTINA GIOVANAZI

Seniors stress over completing the Common Application, while lowerclassmen prepare for college applications Illustration by Ashlee Kothenbeutel

Senior Megan King types anxiously on her laptop - the clock is ticking and she is almost out of time. She has to leave in half an hour for Junior Retreat, where she is volunteering as a peer leader, but her dreaded deadline has arrived. Her college applications must be submitted before retreat.

She rushes through the lastminute touches on her applications, thinking to herself that she wants nothing more than to go back in time to two weeks ago.

She would have more time to perfect her resume, essays, and short answers.

She ties all of the loose ends of her application together, and she hits send, relieved.

The college application process encompasses many things, including taking the SAT and ACT, visiting colleges, and building transcripts. Many times this causes students, their families, and even school faculty members a great deal of stress. Because of this, beginning the process early is a good idea.

Student stress is recognized by many faculty members throughout the building who admit students’ stress could go down if they planned further in advance.

“Some of my seniors seem a little stressed but that’s something that they maybe procrastinated about and they could have avoided, by doing it ahead of time,” Spanish teacher Jane Michael said.

College counselors agree, suggesting the best thing to do is begin writing applications even before senior year. “The students who tend to start early on in the process and have their college visits all done and really get started on that college essay early on in their senior year, if not before, I think definitely have an advantage, and they do seem a little bit less stressed,” college counselor Kelly Smith said.

Senior triplets, Mary, Caleb, and Iain Olsen started their college search in the beginning of their sophomore year. According to Mary, their mom didn’t want them to be overwhelmed with stress throughout senior year.

Caleb has completed all of his applications and values their early start, comparing his friends’ stress from juggling school work,

Senior Project, and college applications, while he has more time “to focus and keep stress levels down.”

Even non-seniors, such as junior Kathryn Hodges, have begun to plan their college application process. Hodges began by taking the SATs in March in order to see which areas of the test she needed improvement in. “I did that so I would have time to prepare and get the score I want,” Hodges said.

“That’s something that they maybe procrastinated about and they could have avoided...”

Spanish teacher Jane Michael

Hodges’ knowledge of how to approach the college process early comes from watching her brother go through the same thing a few years ago. “Having an older sibling was honestly a huge help because watching Robert go through the whole process showed me what and what not to do,” Hodges said.

However, many are not as fortunate as Hodges and do not have a sibling to base the experience off of, such as senior Shelby Umbarger. “It is more difficult having to do everything with no guidance from a sibling,” Umbarger said.

Classes such as the junior College Planning class are offered to provide guidance for students in both situations. Meeting once a cycle, the class is devoted to looking into various colleges and their applications.

According to college counselor Carrie Siemsen, the class is very helpful but not many students take it seriously. Hodges agrees saying, “I think you get as much out of it as you are willing to put in. If you don’t take the opportunities the counselors are giving you, it probably isn’t that useful to you.”

The College Head Start Class is a class which is offered to incoming seniors over the summer and aids in writing the Common

Application and essay. Both Umbarger and King took this class, and confessed how much help it provided.

According to Siemsen, writing the essay is one of the biggest struggles seniors will have. They overthink it, trying to “perfect” every detail. “The best advice is to think about what or who you care about, what the most important thing in your life is, or what you spend most of your time doing and create a story from that, and accommodate to the application question,” Siemsen said.

It’s also essential for students to get an early start on visiting colleges and preparing applications. Whether it’s figuring out where and how you should get involved, preparing for the SATs sophomore year, or writing college essays in the summer, students need to finish as much of the college application process as they can before senior year begins. “It takes a long time, and it is not something that you want to rush at all,” Umbarger said.

“It’s really exciting and rewarding to open that letter and see that you’ve been accepted into a college.”

Senior Caleb Olsen

An important thing to remember throughout the stressful college process is to “have faith that you will end up where you’re meant to be as long as you respect how much time and energy the process really requires,” Siemsen said. “Give yourself motivation, time to think about where you really belong, and more options for yourself.”

By doing this, you will find relief and great success. No stress, no problem. Caleb agrees, “It’s really exciting and rewarding to open that letter and see that you’ve been accepted into a college, especially when your number one college sends you an acceptance [letter],” he said. “At that point all the worries in the world seem to wash away.”

College counselors give the “411” on what you should be doing every year to be on the right track for college:

FRESHMEN Try hard to get good grades and get involved - it matters!

Develop good study and organizational habits.

Take the PSATs seriously.

SOPHOMORES Maintain good grades and stay involved in clubs and sports.

Start thinking about colleges. Look at various programs and see what grabs your attention.

Try taking a summer course offered at colleges that interest you. (Colleges like seeing that!)

JUNIORS Colleges - VISIT, VISIT, VISIT! Take the College Head Start Class and get started with your Common Application over the summer.

Take the College Planning class, SATs, and grades seriously. This is the final year to showcase yourself for colleges.

SENIORS Don’t wait to start your college applications and essays - it matters!

Look into applying Early Action and appling for scholarships.

Wait for your acceptance letter!

November 2016

H A T TA S I

Caroline Cooney and Alyssa Kraus

Christina Giovanazi

THING?

a cow takes away from baby calves. You’re saving more animals than you think.”

According to National Public Radio, a single vegan diet spares an average of 95 animals each year. Based on this calculation, each meat-eating person consumes about 7,000 animals over their lifetime.

Protection of animal rights is the underlying reason why many become vegan. Three and a half years ago, senior Annie Zickefoose decided to pursue a vegan diet after watching several documentaries and YouTube videos about the repercussions of eating animal products. “The documentary was so disgusting that I cried,” Zickefoose said.

Senior Delaney Link used to be a meat-lover until three years ago when she decided to try a veggie burger at Red Robin rather than a normal burger. This experience led to a three-year long vegetarian lifestyle.

Non-vegan remarks: The Patriot asked vegan students for the craziest remarks they’ve received about being vegan.

“What do you even eat?”

“You’re taking away our grass.”

“Don’t you miss bacon?”

“Why don’t you just eat meat?”

“Can you eat animal crackers?”

“Don’t you know plants are living things too?”

“I’m surprised you drink water since that’s the home of the fish.”

Editor in Chief and Copy Editor Junior Nicole Kanaras slowly makes her way through the cafeteria line, examining all of her options for lunch: a hamburger, chicken tenders, a grilled cheese, or a chef’s salad. Each of the foods in front of her have something in common: they contain animal products. Disappointed, she turns away and grabs only a bottle of water.

For the past eight months, Kanaras has followed a completely vegan lifestyle, which means no animal products in her food, cosmetics, or clothes. According to Vegan Peace, a website dedicated to animal rights, a vegan diet refers to “the practice of dispensing all animal produce, including meat, fish, poultry, eggs, animal milks, honey, and their derivatives” from your diet.

“I like the idea that nothing has to die for me to live,” Kanaras said in regards to her decision of becoming vegan. “It actually makes a big difference. By not eating eggs, you save animals every year because the demand is lower.

People don’t realize that milking

Healthy Crusade

When vegans eat something curious, their peers can’t help but ask...

COMMUNITY 5

She decided to switch to being a vegan after watching a documentary called “Vegucated,” which follows around three avid meat-eaters as they try a vegan diet for six weeks. “Vegetarian didn’t work out for me very well.

[When I was vegetarian] I wasn’t focusing on getting my nutrition, and then when I went vegan, I really focused on eating every meal,” Link said.

“I like the idea that nothing has to die for me to live. It actually makes a big difference.”

Junior Nicole Kanaras

Not only does veganism positively affect the supply and demand of animals, but it also affects the consumers themselves.

According to the website Do Something, vegans, who make up five percent of the U.S. population, have a reduced risk of cancer, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. However, the benefits of a vegan lifestyle don’t come easily.

According to Zickefoose, giving up certain foods was harder than expected. “I didn’t look for alternatives and just cut everything out,” she said. Yet, over time, she explained that she managed to find vegan products which made up for foods she missed.

Kanaras also found difficulty in the transition. “No one in my family is a vegan, so I have to make my own food. People tend to get frustrated because they

never know what food to get me,” Kanaras said.

The typical vegan diet for Kanaras includes fruits and vegetables, but also beans, tofu, vegan cheeses, and soy milk. According to Kanaras, not all vegan foods are boring or plain.

“Ben and Jerry’s makes vegan ice cream. There is stuff everywhere, but people tend to overlook it on the menu, or they think it is gross,” she said.

Although there are many options for vegans, Kanaras believes JC has not been the most helpful in regards to providing these foods. “As far as the cafeteria, I don’t eat anything from there because there aren’t a lot of options. It’s the little things that are hard. You can get a salad, but dressings have milk or there is cheese,” Kanaras said. “[The cafeteria] is more accommodating to vegetarians, not vegans. It would be better with more options, but the vending machines are pretty good.”

Zickefoose and Kanaras reported feelings of judgement in the cafeteria from other students and even friends. According to Zickefoose, people often criticize and question her food choices, and she quickly got tired of arguing about it.

Even with the struggles of finding food or explaining her choices to the people around her, Link, as well as Kanaras and Zickefoose, is happy with the her vegan lifestyle.

“A lot of people don’t understand that I’m not judging people for eating meat. I personally just don’t eat meat, so they can agree to disagree about what I eat, since it’s my body, and I can eat what I want,” Link said.

Fast at your own risk Believe it or not, fasting isn’t just for religious occasions and spiritual cleansings. It’s also a lifestyle and diet trend with benefits beyond purely weight loss.

The 5:2 Fast Diet is the most famous intermittent fasting diet.

Dieters eat normally for five days and then eat less than 500 calories per day for two days. This causes weight loss without having to focus on daily calorie consumption.

On fasting days, dieters can eat anything they want, as long as their total calories for the day are below 500. However, it’s suggested that dieters eat foods that will sustain them throughout the day, such as vegetables and lean meats.

Although it might seem crazy to voluntarily fast twice a week, the 5:2 Fast Diet often reaps benefits for its followers. Long-term effects on health could include lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Intermittent fasting can also lower hunger on non-fasting days, causing dieters to not overeat.

When I discovered intermittent fasting was a trend, I wanted to try it out for myself. I had to see if fasting could actually be beneficial, and I planned to follow the diet for three or four weeks.

I followed the diet for the greater part of two weeks. I ate as I regularly do on Sundays through Thursdays, and I fasted on Fridays and Saturdays.

Of course, the first five days of the diet weren’t bad: I got to eat as I normally do! However, the next two days were rough.

On fasting days, I drank a few cups of black coffee in the morning. Then, I ate a small portion of carrots and grilled chicken for lunch. For dinner, I ate a 180 calorie Nature Valley bar.

Fasting for two days proved to be a challenge. I had headaches from not eating, and I was constantly hungry. However, after fasting, I lost four pounds, and when I went back to eating regularly, I didn’t feel the need to eat as much throughout the day.

I continued the diet through Friday of the second week. However, I decided to stop following the diet because fasting gave me bad headaches. Despite this, I’d be open to trying the 5:2 Fast Diet again for a longer period of time to see more of the long term health effects.

If you want to change your eating habits to a more regulated daily diet, the 5:2 Fast Diet may be for you. With this being said, practically starving yourself two days a week isn’t for the faint of heart. Trying this trend should be treated with caution.

6 COMMUNITY

November 2016

The content of students’ posts online depends entirely on their social media...

Grace Mottley Assignment Chief A group of students crane their necks to stare at one phone, anxious to see their classmate’s latest Snapchat story: a video of two students making out. Their classmate may have thought the video was private, but she was wrong: five people unauthorized to see her account have now seen her “secret” social media.

“On Snapchat people are pretty revealing because they know [what they post there] is limited.”

Senior Annie Zickefoose

This scene is familiar to most students. Screenshots and posts from “private” social media accounts change hands every day.

While the creators of these posts may think their target audience

is a small handful of friends, in reality these posts, often full of incriminating material, find their way into the eyes of the public.

One glance at VSCO and you’ll find an abundance of pictures of students passed out drunk, high, or practically naked.

Switch over to Instagram and you’ll find a different quality of posts. You’ll see the same people posting innocent pictures withcompletely clothed friends or maybe an artsy photo of the sky.

These posts, and those on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, show a more tempered side of students.

Students are actively involved with social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and VSCO. However, some students have a tendency to overshare, leaving their private lives exposed, despite their best efforts to keep them behind closed doors.

According to a survey conducted by The Patriot, 87 percent of students see others post things that could get them in trouble at school.

standards

double

Students post these incriminating things because of the way they perceive the various levels of privacy of each form of social media. In the eyes of most students, some forms of social media are inherently more private than others.

“The individual knew what they were doing was wrong, but wanted to post it anyway.”

Vice Principal for Student Affairs and Technology Brian Powell

Students are more likely to post private, potentially incriminating posts on VSCO and Snapchat. “People tend to put more revealing things on VSCO, [but] I have also seen drug paraphernalia on Snapchat,” junior Jordan Wrzesien said.

Overall, students find that the most inappropriate posts end up on Snapchat. “On Snapchat

people are pretty revealing because they know [what they post there] is limited. It’s temporary and to a more direct audience. Plus, you can see if someone takes a screenof students shot and who has seen it,” senior Annie Zickefoose post inappropriate said. content on social media Students who respondthat could get them in ed to the survey agreed trouble at school with Zickefoose. According to student respondents, students are more of students likely to post private content not intended for pubsee others post lic view on Snapchat than inappropriate any other form of social content on social media media. that could get in trouble These pictures, and at school other more incriminatThe Patriot conducted a survey in which 192 students responded via Surveymonkey ing posts, don’t appear on students’ correlating Instagram and Twitter accounts because those platforms have been deemed “public” by students. [trying to post private content on “People post less incriminating certain social media] shows poor things on Instagram because more character. The individual knew people look at Instagram. They what they were doing was unacpost less incriminating things on ceptable but wanted to post it Twitter and Instagram because anyway,” Powell said. it’ll get reported if it is on there,” This is not the community’s senior J.P. LaPonzina said. first introduction to the idea of Despite the seemingly confi- secret social media. In November dential nature of these platforms, of 2008, students were suspended “private” posts can end up in the for posting pictures of themselves wrong hands. Even if students drinking and smoking on Faceput content on sites they deem book. These students thought private, it can find its way to the their accounts were private, but hands of administrators like Vice parents found these pictures and Principal of Student Affairs and turned them into the administraTechnology Brian Powell. Stu- tion. dents then suffer consequences.

Religion teacher Thomas VierEven content like Snapchat heller was the Dean of Students at stories, which seem unsaveable to the time. “I don’t think students some students, have found their have [learned from other stuway to administrators. “Every- dents’ mistakes], but I think that thing links back to you,” Powell they learned other tactics [to post said. inappropriate things online],” ViPowell believes students’ at- erheller said. tempts to hide their activities on Powell reiterates to students certain social media platforms the importance of watching what shows more about their charac- you put online. “Nothing is priter than anything else. “I think vate on social media,” he said.

14%

87%

ENTERTAINMENT 7

November 2016

Oreos please

S’mores galore

Members of the staff baked cookies from old family recipes and decided these cookies were the best.

Test out these recipes and send us a sweet tweet, @JCPatriot, telling us which one was the most delectable.

Photo Credit: Allie Taylor

Ingredients

Ingredients

2 eggs 1 tsp of vanilla 1/2 cup of choc. chips 1 cup of crushed Oreos 1/2 cup of brown sugar

1 ½ cups of flour 1 tsp of baking soda 1/2 tsp of salt 1 cup of melted butter 1/2 cup of granulated sugar

Directions

2 eggs 1 tsp of vanilla 2 chocolate bars 1/2 cup of marshmallow 1/2 cup of graham crackers 1/2 cup of brown sugar

1 ½ cups of flour

1 tsp of baking soda 1 tsp of salt 1 cup of melted butter 1/2 cup of granulated sugar

Directions

Blend 1 ½ cups of flour, 1 tsp of baking soda, and ½ tsp of salt. Next, mix in 1 cup of softened butter, ½ cup of light brown sugar, ½ cup of sugar, 2 eggs, and 1 tsp of vanilla.

Use a mixer to combine all of the ingredients until the dough is fully formed. Use a food chopper to crush 1 cup of Oreos. Then, add 1 cup of crushed Oreos and ½ cup of chocolate chips into the bowl.

After the dough is fully mixed, press at least 8 twoby-two inch cookies across the cookie sheets and bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes.

Take the cookies out, and put a few peices of crushed oreos on top of the cookies for an extra crunch!

Then, put the baking sheet back in the oven for two minutes to make the oreos soft. Take the cookies out and let them cool for five minutes. Enjoy!

Blend 1 ½ cups of flour, 1 tsp of baking soda, and 1 tsp of salt. Next, mix 1 cup of softened butter, ½ cup of light brown sugar, ½ cup of sugar, 2 eggs, and 1 tsp of vanilla.

Use a food chopper to crush 2 chocolate bars and ½ cup of graham crackers. Set aside 1 tsp of the chopped graham crackers.

Add ½ cup of marshmallows to the dough and mix them in. After the dough is fully mixed, press at least 8 twoby-two inch cookies across the cookie sheets and bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes.

After pulling the cookies out of the oven, add some more marshmallows to the tops of the cookies. Then, put the baking sheet back in the oven for two minutes to make the marshmallows soft and melted. Take the cookies out and let them cool for five minutes. Enjoy!

From the kitchen of Grace Mottley

From the kitchen of Anna Sullivan

8 IN-FOCUS

November 2016

High Expectations

By In-Focus Editors Paige Alban, Elizabeth Harmison, and Ianna Pirozzi

Art credit to Stephanie Imberowicz

38%

The Patriot conducted a survey via Surveymonkey. 171 students responded.

of students believe that

the policy will not be effective at all

Illustrations by Stephanie Imbierowicz

How will this affect JC? Lena walks into a cramped room, and a cloud of smoke engulfs her in the hazy atmosphere.

She sits down on an old couch for what seems like the thousandth time that month, as the smell of marijuana clouds her mind.

It is like any Saturday night: the TV is playing, and her friends are rolling blunts. Leaning over, a friend gives Lena a blunt and a lighter. Like a broken record, she starts to light up, but stops to think, “I could be drug tested Monday morning.”

She sits back and hands the blunt to the girl next to her. “Screw school. It doesn’t even matter,” her friend mutters. Leaning back, Lena sighs and says, “Nah …I’m pretty sure my future is more important than an hour high.”

Lena is a junior, but her name has been changed to protect her identity. Lena is one of many students directly affected by the new drug testing policy, which allows for random student drug testing.

This element of random testing has been added to the school’s previous drug policy, which only targeted students who were considered to be suspicious by the administration. The previous policy focused more on punishment rather

than treatment.

Punishments like suspension and expulsion are still possible under the new policy. However, they are applied under more narrow conditions such as when students decline treatment options or continously fail drug tests.

The punishment-based approach to students’ drug use troubled Vice Principal of Student Affairs and Technology Brian Powell during his first few years as dean.

“I questioned if that was effective ... Punishment wasn’t working. It was not helping our kids make the right decision,” Powell said. He believes that the current policy makes students more conscious about drug use and gives students a reason to think twice before using drugs.

According to Powell, reports of alarming student behavior by parents and friends in the school community brought about this new policy. He said that JC wants to prevent students from getting involved with “harder drugs,” and stop their casual drug use from spiraling out of control.

Surrounding yourself with people involved in drug use can be harmful according to health

teacher Teresa Gauthier. “Using drugs is a crap shoot in the sense that you can be around people that do drugs and they can be fine, but you don’t know how they will affect you because everybody is different,” Gauthier said.

The policy has been in the works since the spring of last year. “We had some unfortunate incidents, and they had us moving in the direc-

“We realized we can’t make a decision that protects 70 percent of students and ignores the other 30 percent.”

Vice Principal of Student Affairs and Technology Brian Powell

tion [of the new policy],” Powell said.

A survey on Nov. 2 found that out of 171 students who responded, 54.12 percent take issue with the random testing, saying it is a violation of their privacy. “I think the school should stay

44

of students rep

they never s students us

out of our personal lives. If we cho outside of school, it’s not any of business,” one sophomore said.

Administrators disagree with thi think the policy] isn’t an inappropr of privacy. I would submit to any testing,” Powell said.

According to Powell, this polic dents a reason to say no to drugs an a gift. “During the drug assembly the term ‘refusal skills’ was broug you are around kids who are not don’t have the testing process, you ‘no I might get drug tested at scho to give our students the gift of th strength to say no,” Powell said.

Some students agree with Pow policy. “I think it is fine that they ar ing this policy. Eventually the drug get worse and if they don’t do some will never get better,” one junior sa However, according to senior name was also changed, the policy to drink more heavily and smoke an alternative to marijuana because

IN-FOCUS 9

November 2016

The administration launched their new drug policy at the beginning of this school year with high hopes for its efficacy. Will it pass the test?

4%

Will this be effective?

ported that

It’s August 26. Groups of students pass from room to room to hear the usual speeches from school administrators to start the year. However, in the lower gym, a dark cloud hangs in the air. This is the room where each group hears the news that the new drug and alcohol policy, which had been announced over the summer, will soon be enforced.

While students were thinking about their recent and future decisions, they probably weren’t thinking about the massive amount of planning that went into the policy.

To develop the new drug testing policy, the school conducted research to determine how to address the needs of the community, according to Vice Principal of Affairs and Technology Brian Powell.

First, administrators looked at precedents set by other schools to help create the drug policy. “[We] looked at a lot of school programs - public, private, NCAA - [and] we eventually found Spalding, [and] we focused on them,” Powell said. Powell still contacts them when questions arise.

The Dean of Students at Archbishop Spalding High School declined to comment to The Patriot about the policy. However, one Spalding junior said that the school operates under a three strike system, so if students fail the drug test three times, they will be expelled.

John Carroll’s strategy for developing their own policy followed in the footsteps of other modern high schools. The Patriot contacted Principal Mike Mauthe of the St. Francis Xavier High School in Appleton, WI, who looked at multiple sources from his community and nationally when he was implementing a drug policy in his own Catholic school.

“We met several times with representatives of testing companies to understand how the testing would work, what it would screen for, and what the costs would be. We also interviewed students, parents, and administrators from other schools around the country that have instituted drug testing program. Finally, we studied our own school culture, risk behavior surveys, and the success rates of drug testing programs,” Mauthe said.

JC’s research into the medical aspects of drug testing helped to develop the logistics behind the policy such as what drugs will be tested for and how to best test for them.

see other sing drugs

oose to smoke the school’s

is opinion. “[I riate invasion random drug

cy gives stund is therefore with parents, ght up. When from JC that u can now say ool,’ we want hat. The extra

well about the re implementg problem will ething now, it aid.

Lola, whose y has led her cigarettes as e she assumes

these two activities cannot be detected by drug tests. “[When you smoke cigarettes] you can feel the stress leaving your body after you hold the smoke in for a while. I need that 10 minute head buzz,” Lola said.

The Patriot interviewed several students who, like Lola, have decided to use cigarettes and alcohol because they believe these substances stay in their bodies for less time than other drugs.

Others are moving on to harder drugs because they assume the school is not testing for them.

While these students have refrained from using marijuana, they say the problem of drug use at JC has not been completely solved because they have replaced one drug with other harmful substances.

“Instead, students are now doing molly, shrooms, and acid, which can damage someone’s body much more than marijuana,” one senior said.

Powell’s response to students’ attempts to replace drugs was one of confusion: “Why are you moving from one drug to another? Why do you feel the need to alter your reality?”

Policy creators consulted Dr. Julie Stancliff, a psychiatrist and parent to three current JC students, for a medical perspective on drug testing. Stancliff maintained contact with school nurse Michelle Webster and Senior Harford County Health Department Administrator Beth Jones.

According to Stancliff, a drug test or possible consequence of rehab would probably be enough to deter drug use, especially among a younger population.

“If somebody is suspecting or anticipating having their urine tested for a drug, they are more apt to not do whatever illicit drug that they typically do, or they don’t drink alcohol so that their drug test comes back negative. [Then] there would be no consequence to [a] positive drug test, as it would be negative,” Stancliff said.

However, Stancliff believes that students would be most deterred from using illicit drugs if there was a negative consequence associated with failing the drug

“If somebody is suspecting or anticipating having their urine tested for a drug, there are more apt to not do whatever illicit drug that they typically do.”

Dr. Julie Stancliff

test. She recommended increasing levels of treatment if a student continued to test negatively in the form of rehab or outpatient programs.

“Drug testing works great and is very effective for traditional drugs. However, for synthetic drugs like bath salts and spice, it is more difficult,” Drug Enforcement Administration Spokesperson Russ Baer said. “I feel that [drug testing] is just another tool to keep illegal drugs out of the school system and to help students maintain a clear mind and healthy body,” he said.

According to a study by the U.S. Department of Education in 2010, students subjected to MandatoryRandom Student Drug Testing (MRSDT) used illicit substances less than students who did not have to worry about being tested. 16.5 percent of MRSDT

students reported drug use within the past 30 days versus 21.9 percent of students who went to schools without testing policies. However, that same study found that a drug test had no effect on students’ intentions to use those substances in the future.

The National Institute of Drug Addiction website states that drug testing can be relatively ineffective if no further measures are taken to educate the students.

It says, “If testing is done, it should be a component of broader prevention, intervention, and treatment programs, with the common goal of reducing students’ drug use.”

Baer also believes that a successful drug-prevention program should be a conversation-starter between students and their peers. “Teenagers are more likely to listen to their peers and their friends and need to help each other to understand how dangerous drugs are,” Baer said.

Currently, the only drug education that students receive at JC is in Health class during freshman year.

However, students do not take Health if they are involved with STEM or band.

“I have always felt that one-third of the students have already experimented with drugs, one-third have made the decision to stay drug-free, and the other one-third are on the fence and are not sure what they are going to do,” Health teacher Teresa Gauthier said.

When Gauthier teaches drug education in Health, her aim is to reach and help the students who are undecided about whether or not they will use drugs. She also feels that the students’ families and the entire community should be supportive of her message.

“Although private schools can subject students to invasive searches that are not allowed in public schools, random searches are not a best practice for addressing concerns with youth choices about drug and alcohol use,” ACLU of Maryland Communications Director Meredith Curtis Goode said.

It is unclear whether or not this policy will be effective since each school has a different situation. In some places, like St. Francis Xavier High School, drug testing has been a positive change, according to Mauthe.

“Our data tells us that somewhere between four and eight percent of our student population typically reports drug usage of some sort. So far, our testing has had positive results for less [than] one percent.

That is consistent with the improvement that other schools have reported,” Mauthe said.

Previous Policy: Team Up program From 2003 - 2011, this was the drug testing policy that was in effect under Dean of Students Thomas Vierheller.

Who did it affect?

This program targeted student athletes and students in the theater program.

How did it work?

Students who turned themselves in were not harshly punished, while students who were caught faced consequences such as being excluded from athletics for 365 days.

Who was in charge of the process?

According to the 2007 Student Handbook, “John Carroll Assistance Committee (JCAC) supervised the process of the students’ assessment and recovery.”

10 ENTERTAINMENT

Fall Fashion

Tie-up fronts on shirts are very trendy this year. This peasant top is adorable and has a black lace cutout on the midriff.

Ripped jeans never go out of style. We see them each fall season and fall in love. These jeans will fit like a glove and are extremely comfortable! The rips add an extra flare to any simple look.

Rock this fashionable yet simple outfit to any fall gathering.

The black patterned shirt pairs perfectly with these distressed jeans. The Chucks bring more of an edgy vibe to the outfit without being wild. This outfit is perfect for a night out on the town with some friends while being dressed up but still having the comfort of a casual outfit.

You can never go wrong with a classic pair of black Chucks.

These shoes go with everything and will never fail to be comfortable and reliable.

Artist Spotlight Grade: Junior Activities: Acting, singing, and dancing

Influence: Her mother

November 2016

Fall is here, so it’s time to break out all of those cute jeans and sweaters.

Here are some fashion tips and clothes in style this season.

By Paige Alban

This chambray denim shirt goes with everything and is much soft than normal denim. The loose cut falls right below your pockets and is loose fitting.

Stay warm and cute in this adorable outfit. The burgundy jeans are a popular fall color to help give this outfit a more seasonal look. The black top go great with the denim shirt. The black and white vans help pull the look together. They add a flair of pattern to this simple yet fun outfit.

Wear this outfit on a fall date or to any casual get-together.

Burgundy is a staple fall color, and these jeans should be in everyone’s wardrobe. The sateen finish of these jeans looks sleek and provide so much comfort.

These classic Vans are easy to wear and won’t give you blisters! You can wear them anywhere from a casual get-together to a special event.

Ella Wilson

For the latest, follow

The Patriot online at jcpatriot.com.

Experience: Started acting in middle school. She has been in five JC plays, including “Mary Poppins.”

“I’ve been [performing] since I was 10, and it has always been a way to get emotions out and to allow myself to de-stress.”

Junior Ella Wilson

@JCPatriot

@TheJCPatriot

@JCPatriot Photo by Katherine Grimm

Junior Ella Wilson portrays the character Mary Poppins while singing the song “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” from the musical “Mary Poppins.”

She plans on perfroming in the spring show, “Shrek” the musical.

The JC Patriot

PERSPECTIVES 11

November 2016

Patriot Debate:

The Electoral College Popular vote makes voters’ beliefs heard Elizabeth Harmison In-Focus Editor The Electoral College is one that is outdated, unreliable, and in direct conflict with our rights, so why is it still in use? Are the American people not trusted to make the right decision for their country?

When the Electoral College was first instituted in 1804, it served as a way to guarantee that the uneducated and illiterate voters were not the ones making decisions.

This was because more often than not they were incapable of making the right one. However, in today’s society, where the majority of the population is literate and educated, this practice is obsolete and should be eradicated.

Although officials are elected by the public into their positions, there is still a possibility for a member of the College to vote against the general sentiments of the public.

They are just as human as the rest of the population and are just as capable, if not more, of manipulating the system.

Even though the Electoral College can be beneficial in sorting out the votes that do not represent the majority opinion of a district, it poses a threat to the ideals of democracy.

In a political system based entirely on the input of its citizens, an overwhelming

The Electoral College is used to elect the President of the United States. Each state is allotted a certain number of electors based on the number of delegates the state has in the House of Representatives as well as the number of senators. During the presidential election, the candidate who wins the popular vote in a state thereby wins the electoral votes for that state. The candidate who receives at least 270 electoral votes wins the election.

Electoral College gives voters control

abstinence from voting can cripple the political system.

In 2012, 93 million citizens did not vote, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center. According to “American Government: Power and Politics,” the text JC students use in AP U.S. Government, citizens often refrain from voting in the Electoral College system because they feel their voices aren’t being heard.

In the case of the popular vote, constituents’ votes actually make an impact, something that citizens appreciate.

The popular vote makes everyone’s vote count, regardless of the political ideology of the area they reside in.

The popular vote tallies every single vote cast for a candidate instead of counting the number of votes of districts who supported a candidate.

When more people are involved in the political process, the president selected represents the will of the people more accurately.

If voters felt that their voice was heard, they might be more willing to vote, something that could positively impact our society.

Overall, if the Electoral College voting process changes into one that is closer to a true democratic process, then Americans’ political beliefs will finally be heard.

Ianna Pirozzi In-Focus Editor Americans seek the best of everything, and they don’t care who knows it. They want the best economy, the best military, the best technology, and the best leader. Why then, would they still use the Electoral College for presidential elections? It must represent them in the best way.

First and foremost, the Electoral College emphasizes the importance of state rights in a time when federal power reigns supreme. In a country where the legislative process spans across several levels from local to statewide to federal, it is impossible to ignore the middle step in crucial decisions without disproportionately skewing power distribution.

If individual voters and federal power were the only important parts of the political hierarchy, then the country might as well be called “the Conglomerate of Independent Voters,” not the United States of America.

By making the presidential election a more local affair, candidates are forced to vie for the support of the population as a whole, not just for the largest demographic group.

They cannot ignore racial or ethnic minorities, as they might during a popular election, because they must win support in culturallydiverse regions of the country.

Patriot Answers

Technically, as critics of the Electoral College say, the electors for each state do not have to vote for the candidate that they are pledged to. However, these “faithless electors” are exceedingly rare. There have only been eight since 1950, and none of those instances affected the outcome of the election.

Ultimately, a vote under the Electoral College system is worth more than a vote under the popular vote system.

According to the Bipartisan Policy Center, there were 126 million total voters in the U.S. during the presidential election in 2012 and 2.5 million in Maryland alone. In the overall election, a single vote is worth significantly less than in the closer state elections.

Through the Electoral College, a voter casts his opinion in order to fight for multiple represented votes in the form of an elector.

Furthermore, it is rare that the Electoral College winner does not reflect the popular choice, so the eventual president isn’t “cheating” his way into office. In fact, a discrepancy has only happened four times: 1824, 1876, 1888, and 2000.

The Electoral College is more than just a tradition or a concept from the Founding Fathers that has since ceased to become relevant. It has evolved over time to fit the needs of the country, but it has nonetheless remained the most logical way to elect the president.

Illustration by Ashlee Kothenbuetel

Do you agree with the electoral college or the popular vote?

Blake Hollandsworth

Jacob Lotz

Josie Cohen

Hailey Ishak

Jake Hollin

Freshman

Sophomore

Junior

Senior

Faculty

“Popular vote because it is more of what the people want.”

“Popular vote, because that way everyone’s vote is accounted for and worth the same amount.”

“Popular vote, because I think the people should decide rather than the government.”

“Popular vote, because if you’re in a state where one candidate is going to win it’s not fair.”

“I agree more with the popular vote. It could hurt the small states but also engage more people to vote.”

12 PERSPECTIVES

November 2016

Bynion’s Opinion Taylor Bynion

Enough is enough Are my grades high enough for me to achieve a good GPA? Is my GPA high enough to get me into college with scholarships? Will the amount of work I do ever be enough?

There is an incredible amount of pressure on students to do well in school, and they often wonder if they are doing well enough.

School is the biggest aspect in a teenager’s life, as it lays the foundation for his or her future.

High school can help develop good study habits for college and should be a time for learning more about yourself and growing up. While these benefits can come from high school, some students find themselves solely focusing on getting good grades.

There is a portion of students for whom school comes before all else. While I agree that school should be a top priority, it should not cause students to be up until 1 a.m. to an excessive amount of work.

This amount of work can lead to large amounts of stress causing students to want to pull their hair out.

When students are under this amount of stress, they cannot adequately do their work. They can’t focus on anything because they are so overwhelmed, leading to more stress.

The list of things that cause students stress seems endless.

Whether it’s in the classroom, on the sports field, during a debate, or in any other situation. The list goes on and on, and students feel the pressure to do well.

In some cases, this pressure is good. It creates a competitive atmosphere and makes students hold themselves to the highest possible standards.

Most of the time, however, this pressure just leads some students to becoming overwhelmed and makes them feel as though they are inadequate.

In order to better avoid stress that results from this, students should make a homework and study schedule for themselves.

For example, setting aside specific times to spend on each assignment that needs to be completed. Making a schedule will help students better allocate their time to spend on their homework and studies.

Additionally, creating a schedule will help students to focus and not become distracted. Setting aside an hour to study for a test, for example, will help students to not spend an excessive amount of time on any one assignment.

So, students, always try your best, but also set a schedule so that you know when to say, “enough is enough.”

Photo by Zachary Miller

Peer Recovering Specialist Shawn speaks to the senior boys during the community drug assembly on Thursday, Oct, 27. Several speakers shared their stories of battling addiction with all grade levels throughout the school during the assembly.

Drug prevention assembly format improves on previous attempts Skeptical faces stare up at the presenter in the Chapel, uninterested in her story. This was not the first time the senior girls had heard the “don’t do drugs” speech. However, the atmosphere of the room began to change. As Sarah, a bright and energetic recovering drug addict, began to tell her story, students sat rapt in attention, fascinated by her story on the way drugs impacted her life.

After previous unsuccessful attempts to educate the student body on drug use, this assembly proved to be a step in the right direction in the administration’s attempt to prevent illicit student behavior.

On Oct. 27, the administration and the Guidance Department organized an assembly focused around drug use prevention. Recovering drug addicts shared their stories with the students, who were broken into small groups by their grade and gender. Each group heard two speakers who shared their personal stories.

The speakers managed to touch the audience with their sincere, honest, and forthright stories which had a sense of relatability

The Patriot Volume 52, Issue 1, November 2016

Editor in Chief Caroline Cooney Online Chief Grant Sharretts Assignment Chief Grace Mottley News Editors Lauren Becker Edward Benner

and authenticity that last year’s tially life-changing speech about assembly lacked. the dangers of drug use.

The 2015 drug prevention asThis year, the administration sembly consisted of a member of made a wise choice by skipping the Harford County Department the statistics PowerPoint. The exfor Drug Control Policy reading clusion of another lecture on the outdated statistics and warnings facts about drugs left students off of a PowerPoint slide. more open and interested when The seemingly inaccurate sta- the most persuasive speakers got tistics included their chance to during the prespeak. sentation wast- The speakers In addition, this ed students’ managed to touch recent drug astime and left no sembly had a more positive impact. the audience dramatic impact on This previ- with their sincere, students because ous plan of acthe speakers had tion ultimately honest, and directly experifailed and left forthright stories. enced the pain and students disrestruggle of drug garding the seaddiction themriousness of the selves. Instead of topic at hand. Students could not offering a story of addiction from relate to a seemingly unrealistic a second-hand perspective, like statistic on a PowerPoint slide Gallion, they asked each student and could not see themselves as a to avoid making the mistakes they potential number on a screen. did.

By the time the first presenter The opportunity for students was finished last year and it was to see the consequence of their time for Michelle Gallion, who choice to use drugs in high school told the story of her brother’s bat- made the speakers relevant to tle with addiction and his ultimate high school students. It was more death, students were frustrated effective than a man coming to and unwilling to listen to a poten- lecture students about why drugs

Community Editors Christina Giovanazi Pia Scotto Erin McCloskey Entertainment Editors Azanae Barrow Anna Sullivan In-Focus Editors Elizabeth Harmison Paige Alban Ianna Pirozzi

Perspectives Editors Adriana Guidi Allie Taylor

Artists Ashlee Kothenbuetel Stephanie Imbierowicz Sydney Shupe

Sports Editors Daniel Robinson Emily Stancliff

Multimedia Editors Katherine Grimm Zachary Miller Druw Van der Werff

Copy Editors Taylor Bynion Alyssa Kraus James Keller Drew Forthman

Moderators Mark Ionescu Nick Attanasio

are bad.

While the efforts to make this most recent drug assembly possible are greatly appreciated by students, there is still room for improvement. Most students went into the assembly expecting to hear details about the drug testing policy and to have their remaining questions about it answered.

This did not happen, and the process of drug testing was not even mentioned during the hour that students met, an example of the lack of communication between the administration and student body.

The administration’s most recent assembly was certainly a step in the right direction. There is still a need for an assembly that directly explains the new drug testing policy, as was promised at the beginning of the year, but this most recent attempt to prevent student drug use was an admirable one.

In order for students to accept the lessons taught at assemblies like these, and by the school’s drug use prevention policy, it is crucial that students understand all aspects of the school’s drug use prevention program.

The John Carroll School 703 Churchville Road Bel Air, MD 21014 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 700 students and 110 faculty and staff 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 Patriot’s byline policy is available at jcpatriot.com.

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.

November 2016

Breaking the curse In a hallway filled with curse words, students can choose a better way to communicate Azanae Barrow Entertainment Editor “Did you just swear? That’s 50 cents in the swear jar.”

If you know what a swear jar is, whether you’ve seen it in a TV show or have one at your house, the concept of foul language is familiar to you. Although some people say swearing jars have benefits, others don’t feel the same way.

I’m not going to sit here and tell you that I haven’t used any curse words. I would be lying.

In fact, anyone who says they haven’t said something other than “Oh, crap!” when they stub a toe would be lying as well.

Bottom line, cursing isn’t good.

You may hear a few of your buddies screaming oh $%!* at every single thing that passes by, and it may be amusing in the moment, but after awhile, you start to pick

$ Oh

% ! &

up their habits. Eventually, everyone is cursing at the sky just for being blue.

Cursing used to be this unknown area of language that children only heard adults use. Now it’s common, everyday language.

Back then, “hell” was spelled out h, e, double hockey stick to keep you from getting caught saying the real word. That’s another point: the amount of censorship in the world has been toned down. It allows for anyone of any age to hear all types of inappropriate language that would usually be bleeped out.

In recent years, cursing has become a popular concept. Singers and songwriters use it, actors and actresses can be heard swearing in the latest movie, and even books we read can contain some inappropriate language.

The idea that artists feel the need to swear in order to seem

Report Card: New and improved Open House One of the most important events within the school calendar is Open House, because it can be a large determining factor in whether or not prospective students choose JC. This year the Enrollment and Admissions Department stepped up their game in order to make an Open House that was well-structured and informative. Instead of prospective students looking annoyed that their parents had dragged them to this event, they were actively participating in a variety of activities. The students seemed to be genuinely interested in JC. The success of this event came directly from massive student involvement and the leadership and planning from members of the Enrollment and Admissions Department.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly:

Thanksgiving

PERSPECTIVES 13

using swearing as a way to bond with my friends, but I guess for some people it works.

However, Scientific American, says that “swearing is a sign of a weak vocabulary, a result of a lack of education, laziness or impulsiveness.” I don’t necessarily agree that swearing shows you have a weak vocabulary, because some words are just better understood in the form of a curse word.

However, it’s not always appropriate to swear just because you think it might sound better.

All things in life should be done with moderation, which includes cursing.

It’s not the end of the world if you accidently yell out a curse word, but at the same time, remember to use appropriate words.

If you don’t know any non-curse words, look in the dictionary!

There are about 171,476 words if you need any reminders.

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

By News Editor Edward Benner and In-Focus Editor Elizabeth Harmison

Water fountain upgrades

Once a year, your family gathers to gorge themselves on specialties like apricot stuffing, cranberry jam, baked turkey, and those rolls with butter that you can eat five of without getting sick.

Grace Mottley

Feminism doesn’t mean extremism

more appealing is absurd to me.

If I want to learn about an artist’s life through their songs, how can I focus if 20+ expletives are being sung? It takes away from the message, and sounds stupid.

I can’t tell you the last time I’ve listened to an album without the black and white “explicit” signs.

Seriously ask yourself, have I listened to any songs without curse words? No offense to any of the rappers out there whose whole careers thrive from controversial and curse-filled lyrics, but once in awhile, it would be nice to get through a song without having my ears violated.

According to Psychology Today, a blog where doctors give bits of advice to the public, swearing provides “many unexpected benefits.” Some of the benefits of cursing are: pain relief, a sense of power over a bad situation, and social bonding. I don’t remember

In previous years, students were forced to purchase plastic disposable bottles, further damaging the environment, or risk the disgusting and outdated water fountains for refills if they wanted to drink water at school.

With the installation of the bottle refill stations students are now using reusable bottles and taking advantage of the school’s water.

The fountains have positively impacted the community as there is now a greater emphasis on conservation. The only complaint with the new water bottle filling stations is that they can sometimes be unreliable, only working some of the time. JC is now one step closer to being a green community and students are unknowingly making a difference.

Coup de Grace

Parking lot traffic terror Between the student lot, the teacher lot, and the drop off circle, only having one entrance to the school causes traffic jams and serious delays.

There is nothing better than arriving at school at a reasonably early time and then proceeding to wait to turn into the school for upwards of 10 minutes. Then once you finally think you are about to make the turn, the line suddenly stops, and you are caught in the middle of the intersection. Not to mention the irresponsible teenage drivers who fly through the parking lot with no regards to pedestrians, making it even more dangerous in the tight and cramped parking lot.

This is all a result of the poor design and traffic control, which should be a bigger concern for the administration.

After eating four plates of tryptophan-laden turkey and cranberry sauce, you will be equally tired and bloated. It usually takes the remainder of the weekend to deflate your stomach.

Honestly, who really wants to deal with all those relatives that you’ve never seen and probably never will see again?

Discussing the results of this year’s election should be a special kind of crazy.

I shouldn’t have to write this.

I shouldn’t have to defend myself every time I tell someone that I support gender equality. I shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to explain why I would support a movement deemed as insane as feminism.

You may think that I’m exaggerating, that I’m over-embellishing my experiences to be dramatic, and I wish I was. Unfortunately for the other feminists out there, and for our society, I’m not.

When I tell people I’m a feminist, they act like I’m an extremist. Oftentimes, they’ll ask me questions such as “Why do you hate men?” or “Do you really think women are better than men?”

I am a feminist, but I don’t believe I’m better than any man.

That’s not the belief behind feminism.

Feminism, plain and simple, is “the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities.” If you disagree with the definition, go argue with Merriam-Webster.

This doesn’t mean that I hate men and I want to be treated better than them or that I want to undermine the way society is run.

There are some extreme feminists out there, and I’m not going to deny that. There are women that walk around shirtless in New York City to try and prove a point or those that believe that men aren’t entitled to opinions on some women’s issues. However, these are extreme cases and should not define the belief of gender equality.

There are extremists in every belief system: Christianity has the Westboro Baptist Church, the Civil Rights Movement had Malcom X, the pro-life movement has abortion clinic bombers, so on and so forth.

We don’t define the pro-life movement by those who bomb abortion clinics. So why do we define feminism by the few extremists?

Feminism doesn’t equal extremism. We merely support the equality of the sexes.

We don’t want to suppress men’s rights or have society treat women better than men. We just want to be treated as equals and given equal opportunities.

If you don’t support gender equality, that’s your prerogative.

You’re entitled to your opinion.

But if you believe that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities, then guess what? Congratulations, you’re a feminist.

14 SPORTS Here’s the Game Plan Emily Stancliff

Tempers are flaring Having grown up in the craziness of youth sports, I have had quite a bit of experience dealing with heated arguments. During a heated game, it is easy to get mouthy with the referees who make those “questionable” calls.

In the end, though, refs are in charge of the game and whatever they say goes.

In those intense, rivalry games, players can be quick to anger or retaliation. In my experience, arguments with the refs usually start with a seemingly “unjust” call. There is nothing worse as a player than feeling slighted by the official for doing nothing wrong.

I would normally recommend removing yourself from this potentially hostile situation, but with the game on the line, this is often impossible. Instead, you have to find a way to tame your inner beast.

Throwing your hands in the air, talking back to the refs, or cursing at the other team are some of the easiest ways to get thrown out of the game. If you really need to address the refs, your speaking captain should be asked to do so during a suspension of play.

You will not only come across as more level-headed, but you will also be given the opportunity to explain and clarify the referees’ calls.

It is not only the job of the players to contain their emotions, but it is also the responsibility of the coach to maintain a level of calm. The coach sets the example for the team, and if they start to get riled up, then you can guarantee that players will quickly lose their composure as well. I think many coaches underestimate the influence that they have on their players, which is crucial to understanding team dynamics.

Coaches should also take responsibility for their own players’ actions on and off the field.

In the past, I have found myself on teams in which the coach refused to take accountability for their own players. It made playing much more difficult and had a negative effect on team morale.

The coaches that were willing to sit out players who were good, but who also had bad attitudes, were rewarded for their proactive decisions.

At the end of the day, everyone is responsible for their own behavior.

Let’s all simply take a deep breath, become present in the here and now, and ask ourselves what is important in this moment.

You just might be surprised to find the answer.

November 2016

Staying together on and off the field Ianna Pirozzi In-Focus Editor With intense concentration, senior varsity soccer player Franco Caltabiano powers a corner kick into the goal, scoring in a game against Archbishop Curley High School. His teammates swarm around him, ready to jump and celebrate.

Players on the men’s soccer team, as well as many other sports teams, come together each year to not only play the sport they love, but also to support one another both on and off the field.

Teams encourage students to increase cooperation among their peers and to strengthen the sense of community that many regard as a highlight of a JC education.

According to Caltabiano, the soccer team was one of the first places that he found support when he transferred from St. Paul’s School for Boys as a sophomore. He quickly felt comfortable with his fellow players.

“We all have team dinners at people’s houses, and we all sit together at lunch. The cool thing about the soccer team is that we all click, and we’re all great friends,” Caltabiano said.

Being on a sports team also enables students to meet other people whom they wouldn’t have a reason to associate with otherwise.

Members of the team have plenty of time to interact between practices, bus rides to away games, and other team activities.

“I didn’t think I would really talk to or interact with people in dif-

Photo by Katherine Grimm

Seven women’s soccer seniors pose with their fatheads after their senior game against Mercy on Oct. 19.

Women’s soccer is one of the varsity teams that emphasizes team unity on and off the field. ferent grades, but through tennis, I made friends in other grades,” sophomore Annie Iorio said.

Participation in athletics gives students the opportunity to learn valuable life lessons as they grow both individually and as a group.

For example, junior Chika Chuku, a member of the women’s cross country team, attributes her perseverance through difficult situations to running.

“I’ve learned to never give up on anything I’m doing because cross country requires so much mental toughness to finish a race, so you can’t just give up or drop out when you’re tired. I also learned how much a negative mindset can affect your performance in anything, so it’s good to always be positive,” Chuku

Athlete Spotlight:

said.

Math teacher and women’s cross country coach Robert Torres echoes the role of a team in shaping a person’s character. “I think [being on a team] teaches [students] how to win well and overcome defeats and obstacles.

It also teaches how to support, encourage, and work well with others,” Torres said.

Senior Madison Reeves, a member of the varsity field hockey team, also agrees that a great part of being on a team is that it challenges students to be better people. “I’ve learned that [playing field hockey] might not be easy, but having your teammates there pushing you can make it so much more fun,” Reeves said.

Altogether student athletes

rely on their teammates for more than just game-time experience.

Their participation in athletics not only creates valuable memories, but it also helps to form a strong group of friends who do not hesitate to show their commitment towards each other.

The athletic bond is so strong that teams will often come together at games to support other teams in their extended sports family.

Remembering a victory against Indian Creek from last year, Reeves said, “The win was nice, but we wouldn’t have been able to accomplish it without the help of the soccer team cheering from the sidelines. Even from different teams, we all come together as one.”

Andrew Kappel Sport: Soccer Grade: Senior

Achievements:

Years Played: 14

- 4 year varsity player - 2nd Team AllCounty

“Andrew establishes his prescence in the middle of the field with timely tackles and recovery runs. His effort and consistency will be missed.”

Varsity men’s soccer assistant coach Rodney Johnson

Photo by Zachary Miller

Senior midfielder Andrew Kappel chases down an opponent looking to play the ball to the corner during a game against McDonogh on Oct. 28. Kappel has been on varsity soccer for four years.

“He’s a strong defensive-minded player who does well with reading gaps in the midfield. He helps us out with distribution out of the back.”

Varsity men’s soccer right back Jevan Leyh

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SPORTS 15

November 2016

Silver is the New Gold Men’s cross country sets individual records but falls short of first place

season with a three-way tie for first place in their conference between Boys’ Latin and the Park School.

For the runners, there was great anticipaSophomore Alexander Kirkland sprints tion at the start of the season for the team to down the straightaway as the crowd blurs win championships. “At the beginning of on either side of him. It’s the final stretch the year, [our runners] thought they had the of the season’s final meet. The pressure is championship sort of locked down when high as he tries to pass as many runners as we beat BL, because BL were the champihe can. He crosses the finish line and looks ons last year,” men’s cross country coach to the official timer.

Michael Monaghan said.

The red numbers read 17:09. Kirkland However, the team lost to Park School has passed his previous personal best by in the championships. “We nearly 20 seconds and beat them so bad last year breathes a sigh of relief.

“I definitely think that they weren’t on our raHe has just finished fifth in dar this year, so we weren’t the varsity B Conference we can win next really keying on them,” Championship. year.

There is Monaghan said. Park was The varsity men’s cross the only team in their concountry team placed secno doubt in my ference that beat JC in the ond out of eight teams in mind.” regular season. the MIAA B Conference Junior Ben Sullivan Last year’s team also in their championship race placed second in their at Stevenson University on championship race.

Monaghan knew this Nov. 1. Kirkland placed fifth and junior Ben Sullivan placed eighth out of 56 run- year’s team had a shot at winning, but before the season began, the team was more ners in the whole conference.

The JV team placed second out of eight skeptical. “The kids didn’t think [they teams with freshman Cam Mezzatesta could win] because Evan Moore, who was the individual number one runner in the B placing first in the JV B Conference.

Although second place is considered Conference last year, graduated. However, an achievement for some, the team was a Alexander Kirkland and Ben Sullivan both bit disappointed. They finished the regular scored up in the top ten this year, so they

Christina Giovanazi Community Editor

Photo by Christina Giovanazi

Sophomore Alexander Kirkland keeps pace with the top runners during the MIAA Cross Country Championship on Nov. 1. The men’s cross country team placed second in the varsity B Conference with a score of 60 points. replaced his depth,” Monaghan said.

Most of the team was able to finish the season by breaking their own personal record times. Sophomore Bryan Stancliff’s first meet back after spraining his ankle was at championships, but he still beat his time by 50 seconds.“That was the bittersweet part of it: a lot of our kids PR’d, but we still managed to lose,” Monaghan said.

The team had previously run the same course at Stevenson for the Spiked Shoe Invitational on Sept. 24. Most of the team ran better times at championships than they did at Spiked Shoe, and one runner improved by over five minutes.

Although they may not have ended with a win this year, team members feel they have a good chance to win championships

next year. “We’re not losing many of our main guys, and a lot of the other teams are losing some of their big key people,” Sullivan said.

“The biggest challenge is getting our athletes to train over the summer,” Monaghan said. If the team gets miles in during the summer, they’ll be able to hit the ground running in August with more endurance and minimal injuries.

Kirkland, the team’s top runner, is still optimistic after varsity got second place.

“It’s a disappointment because we were doing so well this season, but we’re gonna get ‘em next season,” he said.

“I definitely think we can win next year.

There’s no doubt in my mind,” Sullivan said.

Freshmen faces flock to varsity fields Azanae Barrow Entertainment Editor Freshman Katie Hormes nervously waits for her first varsity soccer tryouts to start. “I was worried because I knew there were only a couple of spots left [on varsity] and I really had to prove myself,” Hormes said. Even though Hormes was stressed, she landed a spot on the women’s varsity soccer team as a freshman.

Normally, freshmen trying out are placed on JV, but on rare occasions, a freshman will make varsity. The question is what guarantees or prevents a freshman to make varsity?

For some upperclassmen, freshmen being on varsity doesn’t disrupt team bonding experiences or create a negative atmosphere.

There are even underclassmen, such as sophomore Stelio Stakias, who like the idea of freshmen having the chance to be on varsity.

“I think it’s fair [for freshman to be on varsity] because if they are good enough to be on varsity then they should be there,” Stakias said.

Previously, cheerleading reserved JV spots for the under-

classmen and varsity spots for the upperclassmen. However, that is no longer the case, because now everyone who tries out for cheerleading makes varsity.

Some coaches feel that the division of teams shouldn’t be looked at as a difference in talent, but as a way to develop players with potential for varsity in the future.

All coaches have a process that they use in order to determine who makes the team and who will represent the team on the varsity level. Women’s varsity soccer coach Hayley Howe looks for unique qualities in her players.

“Fitness and physical strength are certainly something we take into consideration, but something I look at especially with the freshmen is potential: potential to be the best player that they can be.,” Howe said. I certainly look at what we have currently coming back as varsity because you don’t want to only take JV players that were sophomores or juniors, you want to look at the freshmen.”

On the contrary, the men’s soccer team mainly keeps their freshmen players on JV because of both physical and tactical differences.

“I have only had probably two guys out of the 145 players that I have coached that have had that physical ability to compete on varsity [as freshmen]. So it doesn’t happen too often, but we are always on the lookout for it,” men’s varsity soccer coach James Fendryk said.

A freshman starting their athletic career on JV gives them

the ability to have more time to play. If a freshman has a spot on the varsity team, they might not get a whole lot of playing time throughout the season.

“The negative stigma I’m trying to get rid of is that being on JV is a bad thing. I’ve actually said to freshmen, you have the potential to be on varsity, but you won’t get any playing time. If you’re on

JV you’ll play every single minute. There is something valuable about sheer playing time,” Howe said.

To all of those freshmen who are trying out for varsity, people are rooting for you.

“Always work your hardest.

Even when you’re playing badly, you can still work hard,” Hormes said.

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November 2016

16 SPORTS

Sticking to

t ra d i t i o n

By Online Chief Grant Sharretts

Even with a new head coach, the varsity field hockey team was able to achieve their third championship title without forgetting their roots

(from left to right) 1. Seniors on the varsity field hockey team pose after winning the IAAM B Conference Championship 1-0 against Maryvale on Nov. 6. 2.

Senior center midfielder Charlotte Haggerty holds a record of 10 assists for the season, which is the highest recorded number of assists for the team. 3.

Junior left midfielder Ashlee Kothenbeutel has scored seven goals throughout this year’s season. Kothenbeutel is the second highest scorer on the team. 4.

Freshman left forward Ellie Bruggeman has scored nine goals throughout the season. Bruggeman is the top scorer of this year’s season.

Photos by Caroline Cooney and Grant Sharretts

With a strong tradition of teamwork and communication, the varsity field hockey team has thrived and achieved success through two coaches over the last three seasons, repeating for the third time as IAAM B Conference Champions with a 1-0 win over No. 1 seeded Maryvale on Nov. 6.

Head coach Alice Puckett, class of ’77, expected a lot out of her players, and they responded with the determination to repeat as champions. “As a team and individually we have worked so hard this season, pushing ourselves to the max,” junior right wing Kathryn Hodges said.

To begin the season, the varsity team came out with an impressive win against A Conference opponent Garrison Forest. Any possible doubts about how the team would perform were shattered. “That was one of the best games we played, and it was a huge win over a No. 3 seeded A Conference team,” senior captain and center midfielder Charlotte Haggerty said.

Repeating their perfect conference record from last year was thought to be difficult due to the lost talent from last

year’s team. “We did have a hole in our defense because we lost a lot of players,” Puckett said.

While senior leaders stepped up to lead their team, two freshmen joined the varsity program. “We have had a couple freshmen come in and started, and they have made an immediate impact on the program,” Puckett said.

Leading the team in goals this season was freshman left forward Ellie Bruggeman who made an immediate impact with the team. “I had to prove myself and show the upperclassmen that I belonged on the team,” Bruggeman said.

After a 12-3 overall regular season record, the team defeated both St. Paul’s and Mount de Sales while only giving up one goal in both games. “The key is just playing great defense, the rest of it will take care of itself,” Puckett said.

After tough match-ups in the playoffs, the field hockey team faced Maryvale again for the third year in a row preparing to solidify themselves as champions. Bruggeman scored in the first half, which set the tone of the game. The team was able to fend off Maryvale for the remainder of the game

to complete a three-peat, 1-0.

“The team played with a champion mentality today. Overall, what a wonderful group of young ladies. They embody the real meaning of [a] team as each of them supported each other on and off the field,” Puckett said after the championship win.

Former head coach Gary Scholl responded to the team’s success as he watched them from the sidelines. “I

Head coach Alice Puckett

“They embody the real meaning of [a] team as each of them supported each other on and off the field.”

have to thank the coaches for being so open and encouraging for me to stay connected with the team. I was just honored to be allowed to be involved to a limited degree with the team,” Scholl said.

After back-to-back championship wins in 2014 and 2015, the announcement of a new head coach came as a surprise. “It was definitely different having a new coach, their individual coaching styles are not similar at all,” Hodges said.

However, Scholl felt it was right for the team. “I don’t have the sophisticated knowledge that Puckett has or the recruiting power. I feel really comfortable turning the program over to her,” Scholl told The Patriot after Puckett was named head coach in May. After coaching for 10 years, it was odd transitioning to a new coach for some players. However, Puckett believes that the players performed well during the season. “We have 11 seniors, and I think some of them are in different positions than they would have been with Coach Scholl. I think they have really been open to trying different things, which has made a huge difference,” Puckett said.

Players on the team agree that transitioning has gone well. “In the beginning, none of us really knew what to expect, but the transition has been good,”

Hodges said.

Players note the differences between both coaches but believe that overall, Puckett brought a lot to the team.

“Having Coach Puckett has been awesome for the JC field hockey program. She has brought so much new knowledge to everyone on the team,” Haggerty said.

Although Scholl stepped down from the head coaching position, he was still present at every game, cheering his former team on all the way. “It is really nice still having Mr. Scholl on the sidelines with us. [...] I am glad he is still a part of the team,” Haggerty said.

To the team’s delight, some of the traditions such as vision quests, sage rituals, and Indian warm-up songs stuck even though a new coach was introduced to the program. “We all love that Mr. Scholl is still supporting us from the sideline and still brings his Indian traditions to the team. We wouldn’t want it any other way,” Hodges said.

“This has been one of the best seasons we’ve had. We put in a lot of work and I think it has really paid off,” Haggerty said.