The Patriot February 2017, Issue 3 Volume 52

2.9.17

Issue 3

Volume 52

www.jcpatriot.com

With divisions becoming increasingly apparent across the nation, students are voicing their opinions on topics such as...

The March for Life 2 Effects of Protests 8-9 Obamacare 11 Women’s Rights 13

2 NEWS

February 2017

Marchers demonstrate on D.C. streets Lauren Becker News Editor Over the course of about a week, three large gatherings occurred in Washington, D.C. including President Donald Trump’s inauguration, the Women’s March on Washington, and the March for Life.

An estimated 535,000 people have marched through Washington since Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20.

The day after his inauguration, people took to the streets of Washington, D.C. for the Women’s March on Washington.

According to The New York Times, an estimated 470,000 people attended. There was a rally with speakers and performers, which was followed by the march down Independence Avenue.

For those who could not attend the Women’s March in Washington, D.C., 673 sister marches were held across the world. According to their website, approximately five million people attended those sister marches. These events were organized by volunteers that were inspired by the Women’s March.

Around a week later, thousands more took to the streets of Washington, D.C. as part of the pro-life movement.

The 44th March for Life was held on Jan. 27. While there is no official head count, the Los Angeles Times estimated that tens of thousands attended.

The March for Life is the largest pro-life movement in the world and consists of a rally and then a march.

Photo by Patriot Contributor

Marchers gather outside of the U.S. Capitol during the Women’s March in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, Jan. 21. An estimated 470,000 people attended the march in D.C., and an estimated five million people attended the 673 sister marches across the world.

The rally took place on the grounds of the Washington Monument, and the march was down Independence Avenue.

The March for Life has been held every year since 1973 and is scheduled around the anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

Roe v. Wade was a court case in the 1970s that challenged a Texas law prohibiting abortions unless it was to save the mother’s life. It was taken to the Supreme Court where the justices ruled 7-2 in favor of declaring the Texas law unconstitutional.

Senior Caleb Olsen attended the march as a part of JC’s Respect Life Club. The club took a bus from Saint Margaret’s parish to Washington, D.C.

They attended Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and then converged with the rest of the march in front of the Supreme Court.

“It was really crowded - the streets were filled,” Olsen said.

“There were a bunch of different groups - religious groups, non-secular groups, newborns to the elderly that couldn’t walk. It was a very diverse group that came to support.”

In addition to the Women’s March and the March for Life, another large-scale march on Washington is the March for Science.

Scientists across the nation are planning to march on Washington, D.C. on April 22, after Trump declared that climate change was a hoax.

470,000

people attended the Women’s March on Washington

50,000

people were expected to attend the March for Life based on their permits

Photo courtesy Caleb Olsen

A participant in the March for Life holds a sign during the demonstration in Washington, D.C. on Friday, Jan. 27. The March for Life is an annual march held around the anniversary of the Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade.

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Facts from The New York Times and the Associated Press

Illustration by Lauren Becker

NEWS 3

February 2017

Going Global A new world religions course will be offered starting spring 2018, with the goal of widening students’ worldviews and broadening their perspectives Elizabeth Harmison News Editor As senior Anna Smith sits in her Christian Life Choices class, her head slips into her hands as she starts to doze off. She has been taking religion classes since she was in elementary school, and this one is nothing new for her.

Many seniors share Smith’s experience, and by the time second semester rolls around, most of them are experts in the subject of Christianity and tend to zone out during their religion class.

For this reason, the Religion Department will be implementing a world religions class for seniors called Ecumenical and Interreligious Issues. The class will be offered along with the previous choices of Christian Life Choices and Honors Philosophy.

“A world religions class will add more vareity to the curriculum and to the school becasue I know that there are many students who are not Catholic,” Smith said.

This course was chosen as an option to try and provide an interesting and engaging option for seniors in their second semester religion class. According to Religion Department Chair Joseph Gallen, “We really wanted to provide a choice that people might like to take.”

The Religion Department sent out a survey on Oct. 6, 2016, to the junior class about classes they would be interested in adding to the curriculum, and students showed the most interest in taking this class.

“I would be interested in a world religions class because students need to be educated on world religions and cultures that we would otherwise not know

“I am looking forward to seeing what students bring to the class in terms of prior knowledge.”

Religion teacher Barry Zavislan

of,” junior Anna Kotula said.

This is the goal the Religion Department is striving for and according to Gallen, “We hope the subject matter is practical as well as interesting.”

The course is set to touch on major religions such as, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism, but the class will also try to fit in information about the more unique religions such as the sects of Islam and the Amish.

“[Religion teacher Barry] Zavislan and I are in the process of looking for a book that encompasses and gives justice to all of the different religions,” Gallen said.

The class will be a regular, non-honors class , and, as of now, the class is set to be taught by Zavislan. The current plan is to only offer one section of the class, but the Religion Department is willing to make changes to accommodate for additional sections if there is a greater demand.

“I have been begging for this to be in the curriculum since arriving here, and I am looking forward to seeing what students bring to the class in terms of prior knowledge and preconceived notions,” Zavislan said.

Smith is disappointed that she never had the opportunity to take the course but feels that it will only add to students’ knowledge and appreciation of different cultures.

“We can get a better understanding of the world from the class, and I think it is perfect for seniors since we will be going to college and into the workplace where we will encounter people with many different faiths,” Smith said.

Breakdown of religions in the U.S. 71% 23% Christian

None

2% 1% Jewish

Muslim

1%

1%

Hindu

Buddhist

Information from Pew Research Center

4 COMMUNITY

February 2017

Students and teachers share motivations and meanings behind their tattoos

Grace Mottley Assignment Chief Senior Shannon Norwood peels the layer of plastic wrap away from her skin to reveal the scrawling script on her wrist, which reads “Darling, you’ll be okay.” After two years of waiting, she’s finally gotten a tattoo, and she couldn’t be happier.

Norwood is one of the members of the community who have used tattoos as a way to remind themselves of something significant or express who they are.

“I decided to get my tattoo because it is in a song, and the song really means a lot to me. It’s helped me, and those are lyrics that have stuck with me,” Norwood said.

When Norwood underwent personal struggles, the song “Hold On Till May” by Pierce the Veil provided her with comfort and support, and she now has that support permanently etched in her skin.

While some students use tattoos to express themselves, others use them to remember and honor memories close to them.

Senior Taiylor Kriss is one of these students. “Some say that it’s a way to express things like their art, their respect for a loved one or for other people in their lives, and other meaningful things in their lives,” Kriss said.

She and her family members chose individual tattoos in honor of her aunt, Hannah Kriss, who passed away in a car accident in 2012.

Each tatoo reminded them of

their special connection to Hannah so they could honor her legacy.

Kriss chose to get a tattoo that reads “I hope you dance” in green cursive, because Hannah was Kriss’s dance coach. The tattoo reminds Kriss of the time they spent together dancing and “brings back great memories of [Hannah].”

Kriss chose those song lyrics to use as her tattoo because it reminds her of the way that she

“I decided to get my tattoo because it is in a song, and the song really means a lot to me.”

Senior Shannon Norwood

danced and lived life to the fullest. It reminds Kriss to “dance” and to take advantage of every opportunity for joy.

Other people get tattoos to rebel. “Tattoos are used to express people’s personalities, show what they believe in, to remember people who have passed away, or even to rebel,” German teacher Mark Canter said.

While students believe that tattoos serve as a way to express their personalities to remember significant events, some are concerned that tattoos can negatively affect them in upcoming years.

“I hope it doesn’t affect my future, but the only reason it would, I believe, is when I’m try-

ing to find a job, because I think people have this idea that people with tattoos are not professional,” Norwood said.

Professionals also believe that high schoolers can be affected in the long-run by their tattoos and the negative connotations they hold.

“I’ve seen kids get tattoos that affect them down the road during job employment, graphic tattoos that they then can’t get rid of,” Inkslingers Tattoo Studio’s tattoo artist Michael Paztrick said.

While Paztrick believes that visible tattoos can affect students’ futures, college counselor Kelly Smith believes that tattoos have little to no effect on college admissions decisions for students who partake in interviews as part of the application process.

“When I worked on the college side, [tattoos were] not something that negatively affected [students’] chances of admissions, but it can depend on the school,” Smith said.

However, Paztrick advises students “to think very carefully” before getting any tattoos and to choose something that can be covered “by simplistic clothing, like a t-shirt or a pair of jeans,” in order to prevent any negative consequences tattoos can bring.

Norwood and Kriss share similar ideas and suggest that students decide carefully when selecting a tattoo.

“My advice is to know exactly what you want when getting one and to be sure that you want this on your body forever,” Norwood said.

Express yourself Individuals explain what their tattoos mean to them German teacher Mark Canter Canter’s tattoo is of Mega Man, the video game character. “I got it because I thought, ‘Wow, that would be a cool tattoo.’ I grew up playing those games, and I love them,” Canter said.

Senior Andrew Moss Moss’s tattoo is of Japanese figures on his right shoulder blade. “It means family. I wanted to get it because family is really important to me, and I want to be able to take that reminder with me everywhere I go,” Moss said.

February 2017

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COMMUNITY 5

From there to...

HERE

International students share experiences living in the United States in dorms and with their host families

By Erin McCloskey and Emily Stancliff

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11

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Healthy Crusade Christina Giovanazi

Meet you at the barre

I hold onto the ballet barre in front of me for dear life as I try to raise my leg while also lifting a weight with my opposite arm. This is absolutely nothing like that ballet class I took in first grade.

Barre isn’t new to the fitness world, but a recent influx of barre studios, such as Inline Barre in Bel Air, makes it seem as if this trend appeared out of nowhere.

Barre is a type of workout inspired by concepts from ballet, pilates, and yoga to target small, typically unused muscles.

With the indoor track season recently ending, I thought trying out barre could be a cool way to cross-train. Luckily, Inline Barre allows non-members to sign up for a class as a drop-in for $16 as long as you reserve your spot ahead of time.

There are five different types of classes you can take at Inline Barre. The most popular class is called Barre Fit. This is the class that comes to mind most often when people think of barre, so I signed up for that class.

Although the class is called “barre,” the workout began on yoga mats. It was only after stretching and warming up that everyone stepped up to their own places on the ballet barre that stretched nearly the whole perimeter of the studio.

The ballet barre itself is used as a tool to help people balance.

Everyone in the class relied on the barre in order to replicate the instructor’s actions. Most of the workout consisted of repetitive, small movements of the legs and arms while either balancing, doing ballet techniques, lifting small weights, or moving with a resistance band above the knees.

Balancing at the ballet barre, along with push-ups and planks, requires core work. This idea, which comes from pilates, drove the class and made it a workout.

In the final minutes of class, the instructor played slower music as she guided everyone in stretching and cooling down. As I sat on my yoga mat in the butterfly stretch, I couldn’t believe how sore I was after just an hour.

Days after my first barre class, I was still a little bit sore, but that’s why I hope to drop in on another class soon. Although the class was only an hour, barre is one of the best workouts I’ve done in a while, and I think attending classes consistently would not only keep me from getting out of shape, but would also increase my overall athleticism.

I’d recommend trying this workout for anyone looking for a fun new way to cross-train. Barre isn’t just for ballerinas anymore.

6 COMMUNITY

THIS ISN’T

February 2017 The National Eating Disorder Association’s logo is a stylized purple heart made of two lines to represent strength and recovery.

Caroline Cooney and Taylor Bynion Editor in Chief and Copy Editor Staring at her dinner plate, junior Jordan Wrzesien contemplates her next move to avoid eating what is placed in front of her. As she takes a small bite, she slowly chews the same piece over and over again until it dissolves in her mouth. Instantly, aggressive thoughts echo throughout her mind: this is the one thing you can control in your life, how could you let yourself eat that?

Wrzesien started to develop unhealthy eating habits and was diagnosed with anorexia in seventh grade after her uncle unexpectedly passed away. She began eating the bare minimum, skipping meals, and doing an excessive amount of exercise to get rid of the small amount of calories she ate during the day.

“I didn’t know how to deal with all these emotions, so it gradually took a toll on my selfconfidence. I realized the only thing I could control in my life was how much I was eating, whether or not I was eating, and my weight,” Wrzesien said.

Within two months, Wrzesien lost 30 pounds.

Her physical appearance quickly deteriorated, and her face became pale and sunken in. “Emotionally, I got to the point where I couldn’t find one thing that I liked about myself, so I went from not caring how I looked or what people thought to not being able to go out in public because I would think that a random person in Target was talking about me,” she said.

While Wrzesien’s eating disorder was triggered by a traumatic event, there are several other causes that can result in the development of an eating disorder. According to Community Outreach Coordinator at the Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt Kate Clemmer, eating disorders can also be caused by having a negative body image, dieting, and genetics.

Freshman Cross Lockett began starving himself and exercising excessively to subdue his fear of becoming overweight. “I looked at my father, and I looked at myself, and I noticed that I was becoming mildly obese like he was. I decided I needed to take action or that was the road I was going down,” Lockett said.

When he first started dieting, he only ate oatmeal and rice, which would be approximately 500 calories a day. Lockett would then exercise one to two hours in the morning and at night to regulate his weight. “I made sure my calorie intake was less than the amount of calories I burned so I would at least lose some weight every day,” he said.

Sasha Smith, an alias to protect a student’s identity, developed body dysmorphia and anorexia after she also decided she needed to start dieting and lead a healthier lifestyle. This quickly evolved into something more as the desire to be healthy became excessive, and she began to run frequently and avoid foods over 150 calories.

“Everything I ate was low fat, low sugar,

and as low-calorie as possible.

At the time, I thought I was doing what was good for me. To me, my lunches still looked big, but they were low calorie and not enough,” Smith said.

Within three months, Smith lost eight pounds, which was a large deficit since she was already slightly underweight for her height. Due to her weight loss, she started experiencing negative side effects, such as a decrease in energy levels and feeling cold constantly.

According to Clemmer, these are some of the many negative effects eating disorders can have on your body. “Common symptoms one might notice include dizziness and fainting, heart palpitations, hair loss, menstrual irregularities, fatigue, and energy loss. The effects on physical health can occur rapidly or may deteriorate over a longer period of time,” Clemmer said.

“My family would burst out crying all the time, and I couldn’t believe that I was causing that much pain to them.”

Junior Jordan Wrzesien Eating disorders can have more than physical effects on a person and can affect and disrupt people’s relationships with others.

According to Wrzesien, an eating disorder can make you a very selfish person because you’re so concerned with yourself and how you look that you don’t realize how it’s affecting everyone around you. “My family would burst out crying all the time, and I couldn’t believe that I was causing that much pain to them. It was something that I was like, ‘Why are they upset? I’m the one dealing with this,’” Wrzesien said.

Kylie Andrews, whose name has also been changed to preserve her anonymity, hid her struggles from her family out of fear that they would judge her.

“Going through it, the hardest part was keeping it from people. You want to ask for help, but you can’t because people might look at you differently,” she said.

It was not until her younger sister walked

in on her purging that she realized she needed to get help to prevent her sister from following her example.

Andrews began her outpatient therapy at Sheppard Pratt. While she wasn’t given a specific meal plan to follow, she was watched closely to ensure that she was eating. “It was not a diet, but mainly having people watch me. You feel like you’re caged for a while, [but] they are doing it because they love you,” she said.

Wrzesien’s family also decided to enter her in outpatient treatment and had her start seeing a therapist and nutritionist. “When you have an issue like that, all you want is to feel heard. In my mind, it was like [my therapist] was the first person who was actually listening,” she said.

Wrzesien started going to at least four doctors appointments a week and working with her family to get better.

This, according to Clammer, is the most effective way to treat an eating disorder. Although it may be difficult and uncomfortable, Clammer believes that recovery is worth it. “Anyone who has been through an eating disorder and recovered says that at some point it felt impossible for them to get better, but that they kept going anyway. Life is so much better without their eating disorder,” she said.

Once someone develops an eating disorder, they will continue to struggle with it even after recovery.

“I’m constantly comparing myself to other people, and I feel like I’m bigger than them.

I think I’m always going to have to deal with the negative thoughts, but I think it is going to get to the point where it is in the back of my mind and not always my first thought,” Andrews said.

Wrzesien believes that struggling with anorexia and going through recovery has made her a stronger and much more confident person. “Even if I’m still dealing with regular teenage girl issues where I’m feeling down on myself, in the end I know that I’m much more confident with who I am and what I stand for because I’ve dealt with this,” she said.

Illustration by Nicole Kanaras

The desire to lose weight and improve physical appearances can lead to unhealthy extremes. Students share their stories of battling and surviving potentially deadly conditions, such as anorexia and bulimia.

ENTERTAINMENT 7

February 2017

D O FO T H G FI

Two breakfast restaurants, Waffle House and IHOP, battle it out to see which one offers the better 24-hour service

Illustration by Beth Sapitowicz

By Elizabeth Harmison and Anna Sullivan

Atmosphere: 3 There is nothing better than a Waffle House run at 2 a.m. with your best friends. Since it’s open for 24 hours, it attracts interesting people and supplies a light-hearted atmosphere that makes your meal eventful.

Waffle House is a judgement-free zone, and no matter what you’re wearing or what state you may be in, nobody will even blink.

Quality: 4.5

Atmosphere: 4 Going into IHOP, you’ll always be welcomed by the friendly and upbeat staff, as it’s open 24 hours on certain days. There is usually only a short wait, and the food always comes out in a timely matter, making your experience enjoyable. If you’re there late at night, you’ll definitely see some characters, but other than that, IHOP tends to have a casual, happy vibe.

Quality: 5

What more could you ask for in breakfast food than crispy bacon, pillowsoft waffles, and a piping-hot cup of strong coffee? Waffle House achieves these standards without any gimmicks. The crunch of bacon mixed with waffles provides a delicious combination. They keep it simple and stay true to what they do best: classic American cuisine.

The sweet aroma of pancakes that meets your nose when you walk in the door matches what’s on your plate. With every bite you take of the fluffy pancakes, you’ll be satisfied with the large portions of high-quality and freshly-made food. Your meal will be complemented by your choice of side and hot coffee.

You simply cannot beat two waffles for $4, especially when they are warm, dense, and covered in sweet maple syrup. Everything on their menu is under $11, which for the quality that you are getting, is a steal.

IHOP tends to be on the pricey side for a 24-hour restaurant, averaging $6 for a stack of three pancakes. That’s not to say you can’t get a great meal for a reasonable price, but you truly do get a bang for your buck.

Price: 5

Variety: 4 Not only do they serve breakfast all day, but they also serve lunch with a menu full of everyone’s favorite comfort foods. They serve a variety of breakfast foods and also offer T-Bone steaks, Texas melts, and cheeseburgers on the lunch and dinner menu. They really have it all.

Cleanliness: 2.5 Waffle House may not be the cleanest restaurant, but its flaws add character to the authentic diner feel. Customers don’t go there for a fivecourse meal or to propose to their significant other. They go for a cheap, all-American meal, even if its cleanliness may be a little questionable.

FINAL SCORE: 19

Price: 3

Variety: 5

With a large menu spanning breakfast, lunch, and dinner, IHOP has a great selection. In addition to the traditional breakfast foods, they have a variety of syrups and toppings for their pancakes and waffles. They also have a large selection of lunch sandwiches and dinner platters.

Cleanliness: 5 IHOP does an extraordinary job keeping the dining area clean and organized. Whether you’re there at 3 a.m. or 3 p.m., you’ll be pleased with the cleanliness and great customer service.

FINAL SCORE:

22

8 IN-FOCUS

February 2017

Peaceful protesters call for change Leaning against metal barriers, Derek Cassidy is awestruck by the immense crowds and booming chants blossoming around him at nine in the morning. For a while, he simply watches hundreds of people walk by and listens to their repetitive words.

One chant, “Show me what democracy looks like,” rises up sporadically from the crowds. Immediately, in a response even louder than the initial call, other protesters yell back, “This is what democracy looks like!”

Cassidy, an alias to preserve the anonymity of a teacher, attended the Women’s March on Washington on Jan. 21.

According to Cassidy, he marched in place of his daughter, who was unable to attend the protest.

For Cassidy, the Women’s March represented a call for change, rather than a manifestation of various complaints. “It was a march for women, technically not against certain individuals. It was for women, immigrants, LGBTQ all groups that are marginalized and need to be heard,” he said.

Though Cassidy went to a Women’s March prepared for conflict, his experience was strictly a positive one. “I read all sorts of tips like, ‘don’t engage,’ or ‘have a bandana with you in case of tear gas,’” Cassidy said. “I was prepared for things to go wrong, but there were 500,000 people, and no one was arrested.”

Students also attended the Women’s March

including senior Sarah Meyerl, who took part in a sister march in Trenton, N.J., hoping to inspire change in the community, particularly for LGBTQ rights. “Women aren’t as equal as men.

We have more rights than we did centuries ago, but we aren’t equal yet,” Meyerl said. Like Cassidy, she did not experience any violence while at the march.

Other members of the community peacefully protested for different causes. Director of Strategic Marketing and Communication Joseph Schuberth, for example, attended the March for Life on Friday, Jan. 27 with the Respect Life Club, which he moderates.

Schuberth was taken aback by the number of people who attended the March for Life. “It’s amazing to see people both behind you and in front of you as far as you can see,” he said.

“It’s hopeful, too, to see lots of young people trying to make a difference,” he said. For Schuberth, the March for Life

“It’s kind of a Catch-22.

Peaceful protests don’t always get the coverage they deserve, but violent or online protests don’t have as much of an effect.”

Science teacher Anthony Davidson

is particularly meaningful because his grandmother, who had six children and now has 10 grandchildren, decided not to terminate a potentially dangerous pregnancy.

According to sophomore Emma Rash, a member of the Respect Life Club, the atmosphere at the march was also one of solidarity and love. “The atmosphere at March for Life was very moving. There were people there who regretted getting abortions, and there were people giving hugs,” Rash said.

“I think I will definitely protest again in the future and will probably attend the same event next year.”

Though the JC protesters used nonviolent tactics in order to spread their messages, they recognize that coverage of violent protests gives their activism a bad rep. Schuberth agrees that using violence diminishes the effect of a protest. “[Protesting] is a vehicle to make your voice heard. If you choose violence, no one will listen,” he said.

However, according a recent survey, only 45 percent of students believe peaceful protests are actually effective, and just five percent believe that violent protests are effective.

Members of the community have seen firsthand how violent protests can fail. Science teacher Anthony Davidson was affected by the violent Baltimore riots in April 2015, as he lives just 20 blocks away from the main source of violence.

He considers public awareness of protests to be a double-edged sword.

“It’s kind of a Catch-22.

Peaceful protests don’t always get the coverage they deserve, but violent or online

protests don’t have as much of an effect,” he said.

Despite students’ skepticism toward peaceful protests, non-violent protests have seen success in the past with advocates like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Cesar Chavez. King’s belief that “unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word” still guides protesters like Cassidy today.

Cassidy firmly believes that peaceful protests create a more powerful and convincing voice than violent protests.

“Nonviolence is more effective than violence. You have more chance of getting people to notice and listen that way. You give people a reason to negate what you are saying when you use violence,” Cassidy said.

Regardless of their differing political views, both Schuberth and Cassidy believe that protesting alone is not enough to make a difference. “[Protesting] is an effective way to get voices heard, but it does have to be followed up with actions,” Schuberth said.

Though Cassidy does not know if the protests will ultimately make a difference in society, he admits that the actions they stand for are the only way to bring about change. “If people just go home and show pictures, it was just a nice walk in the park,” he said. “If you don’t do anything and don’t say anything, nothing changes.”

Illustrat Nicole K The Patriot conducted a via Surveymonkey on J received 155 resp

IN-FOCUS 9

February 2017

Whether they carry signs or send tweets, some students and faculty turn to protesting to spread their ideas, while others question the effectiveness of these actions

By In-Focus Editors Paige Alban and Ianna Pirozzi

Social media activists stay silent

Exhausted but exhilarated, senior Sarah Meyerl returns known as “slactivism,” which from the Women’s March she attended in Trenton, N.J., the Washington Post describes and goes on Twitter to see what the rest of the world has as forms of advocacy that “pose been saying. Though she sees both positive and negative a minimal cost to participants.” reactions, she notices that many of the famous proponents This could include posting for a for the march never actually attended one themselves. cause on social media or buying an item that donates According to Meyerl, these people often profess their part of the proceeds to a charity or organization. beliefs for a certain action online, but they do not help to “It’s sad that people do things like that for social meadvance the cause in real life. dia when they could actually go make a change instead of “I see [exclusively online protesting] more with celeb- trying to impress their followers,” Langrehr said. rities like Taylor Swift than everyday people. She calls Social studies teacher Darrion Siler agrees with Meyerl herself a feminist and has a whole girl group posse, but that social media allows a concept to spread to all people. she doesn’t go out and do anything. She just tweeted “The use of social media has galvanized people and kept about it,” Meyerl said. crowds fluid. It has made it easier to spread ideas and orHowever, she notes that the use of social media can, in ganize marchers,” he said. some cases, help protesters to spread their ideas. “I think However, Director of Strategic Marketing and Comthe effectiveness of social munication Joseph Schuberth media can depend on the pernoted that social media is son,” Meyerl said. “If somenot necessarily the most one tweets but then also goes effective way to actually out and does something, then change someone’s viewit can help raise awareness. point because it does not If they just tweet about it but involve the “relationship don’t do anything, nothing and ability for a back-andwill change.” forth” conversation.

Junior Karson Langrehr For Langrehr, social mebelieves that while social dia presents an opportunity media, in general, can exto show her ideas, but it pand a protest’s message does not define the extents more effectively, many of her protesting. “I fill my people use it for “fake activprofiles with things I beism.” In other words, they lieve in but also try to find promote ideas online withopportunities to actually Junior Karson Langrehr out working for change in participate in activism,” real life. she said.

This concept is

“It’s sad that people do things like that for social media when they could actually go make a change instead of trying to impress their followers.”

9 45

tions by Kanaras a survey Jan. 30 ponses.

percent of students have attended a protest or march percent of students believe peaceful protests are effective

10 ENTERTAINMENT

February 2017

MI ING

mediums

As student artists work to hone their talents, they discover what media best enable them to express themselves. Featured are three artists who speak about their backgrounds, favorite works they have created, and where they find inspiration.

By Entertainment Editor Edward Benner

G abrielle Baikauskas Freshman Gabrielle Baikauskas took Introduction to Drawing first semester and is currently taking Computer Aided Design (CAD) as part of her requirements for the STEM Program.

This was her first foray into formal art education. “I took my first constructive art class this year. I do art as a side thing. I want to go into the medical field in the future. Not many jobs relate the two,” Baikauskas said.

Despite never taking an art class

Freshman, Charcoal

at school, she has been interested in art from a young age. “I have done art ever since I was little. I am pretty much self-taught, but there are a lot of artists in my family who have pushed me,” Baikauskas said.

Baikauskas’ favorite medium is charcoal. “I like the different contrasts and the way you can show light,” she said. She feels that it is the best way for her to express her artistic vision.

Baikauskas has been inspired by

the important people in her life. “[The image] kind of came to my head. I draw what I’m feeling, and I’m really thankful that I’ve had friends and family in my life” she said.

Baikauskas uses art as a form of escapism and tries to portrays human connections in her work.

“I have been going through hard times with surgeries, and [the piece] shows the bonds between friends, family, and everyone,” Baikauskas said.

Baikauskas’s favorite piece depicts human connections.

“The piece was a Christmas present to my parents. They were really surprised and thought that it was a picture,” Baikauskas said.

Yi-Ting Zhang

Sophomore, Watercolor

Zhang’s piece titled “Left vs. Right” is a product of her imagination and artistic vision. “I found inspiration for it after we had a project in art class dealing with the differences between left and right brains,” she said.

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Sophomore Yi-Ting (Christina) Zhang is currently taking Studio 2. She has a long history of art in her family and has pursued a formal, as well as an informal, art education throughout her life.

“I first learned drawing when I was four years old. I started to be interested in it right away. I learned art both in art school and by myself,” she said.

Zhang hopes to pursue art as

a career and further improve her skills.

“I would love to get to [a] higher level art course in the future because I want to study art in college,” she said.

Zhang found inspiration for her piece, “Left vs. Right” by considering the distinctive parts of the brain.

“The piece mainly includes my personal view on the differences

Link D elaney Senior, Mixed Media

Senior Delaney Link is a member of the AP Studio class, and she has pursued art from an early age.

“I have been doing art my entire life. I went to art camps when I was little,” Link said.

Link realized the full importance of her artistic career after recent faculty changes within the Fine Arts Department.

“I have always liked art, but once Mr. Baran left, I realized how important art was in my life. Since my art classes were disrupted for a

time period, I noticed what it was like to not be making art,” Link said.

Link has also expressed that she would like to continue art in the future. “I want to find some way to incorporate art into my adult life. I’m not sure how yet, though,” she said.

In her art education, Link discovered her favorite medium: mixed media. Mixed media combines various types of traditional art forms into one.

“My favorite type of art is mixed media with acrylic

of the brains. I used my own imagination and life experiences to create this piece,” Zhang said.

“Left vs. Right” is the product of a variety of mediums. “I created this piece with watercolor, colored pencils, markers, and crayons. I love to use different kinds of mediums to draw,” Zhang said.

While she uses many kinds, Zhang’s favorite medium is watercolor.

paints,” Link said.

Space serves as one of Link’s greatest inspirations.

“Space is something that inspires me as an artist. There are so many directions and meaning that involve space.

By depicting space, I am showing the limitless boundaries of my art,” she said.

Link views art as a process that heals and distracts from the harsh nature of the world.

“My pieces are concerned This untitled work is Link’s favorite piece. “The piece with escaping reality, which is an example of a mixed media collage with acrylic I do while making art,” she paint on cardboard,” Link said. said.

February 2017

PERSPECTIVES 11

Obamacare burdens America’s taxpayers

Repealing ACA will strip millions of health care

Patriot The Future of Obamacare Debate:

James Keller Copy Editor As an employee at an accounting firm, I get to see first-hand the havoc that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) wreaks on the average American.

According to the IRS, a 2.5 percent penalty on total household income is charged to those who choose not to pay or register for health insurance.

Every single client at the firm must sign a letter clearly stating that they understand the requirements and documentation required to avoid paying the fine.

Should Americans really have to shell out a shared responsibility payment for something they can freely opt out of?

Repealing the ACA is a good first step on the path to a more effective public health care system. If it is repealed, lawmakers will need to act quickly to ensure that millions of people will have the coverage they need to stay healthy.

Although many Americans cannot afford private sector insurance, getting a public institution involved in something like private health care is completely inappropriate. I would venture to say that this “shared responsibility” stinks of socialism.

Whose business is it that I do or don’t want to have health insurance? If I don’t want to pay exorbitant prices for a service I don’t feel I need, what gives the government the right to force me to purchase a private sector service?

With a current national debt of almost $20 trillion, spending tax money on required health care that could be better used to pay off loans to other countries doesn’t seem too fiscally responsible.

The country is already neckdeep in debt from foreign wars, social security payouts, and vet-

eran care. Adding health care onto all of this will cost taxpayers more in the long run and bury our leaders in even more debt to dig our country out of.

Yes, the government is making you spend your money on something. They are forcing you to spend your hard-earned money on a privately-managed service in order to avoid paying a 2.5 percent penalty.

The government is requiring that individuals purchase private sector health care or file for public health care that is heavily intertwined in private businesses.

The care available to those on an Obamacare Plan is mediocre at best. Doctors are not top-tier like those available to people with non-federal plans.

In order to qualify for public health care, your income has to be incredibly low, and nearing the poverty line (a total household income of about $11,700 is reqired, according to the IRS).

If your income is low enough, you get a very limited list of doctors and hospitals that will take your insurance. Often, care providers will not accept ACA coverage, and if they do, copays are incurred. For a typical private plan, there is no copay for a doctor’s visit. For a visit under the ACA, a copay is at least $35.

Keeping the ACA around will require hundreds of hours spent re-writing and trying to pass complicated legislation. By the time all of this work is done, it would be best to simply repeal the ACA and start with a clean slate.

Illustration by Stephanie Imbierowicz

Patriot Answers

Adriana Guidi Perspectives Editor For most Americans, getting surgery to fix a health concern is not the scary part of being in the hospital. The scary part is the massive bill that they will have to face after they wake up from the effects of the anesthesia.

In 2010, President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, into law. It requires Americans to have health insurance, and if they cannot afford to purchase their own health insurance, they can then file to receive Obamacare.

President Donald Trump has promised the American people that he will repeal and replace Obamacare, and he is currently working to make this happen.

Even though Trump is committed to repealing Obamacare, he currently has no plan on how he will be replacing it, which is extremely concerning and problematic.

While Obamacare does currently have a few fundamental problems, completely repealing it is not a smart decision. According to Bloomberg, 32 million people are insured through Obamacare, and repealing it would leave all of them without health insurance. Obamacare should not be repealed or replaced. Instead, it needs to be improved upon.

The main problem is the economic and financial side of it.

Although everyone is getting healthcare, the taxes implemented to pay for Obamacare have

increased each year, according to Obama Care Facts. For it to work, obviously taxes will be present, but in order to make it more financially effective, the various Obamacare tax rates needs to go down significantly.

Trump should work to improve upon the current aspects of Obamacare rather than completely revoking the Act. The complete removal would cause chaos in the nation as millions of people would be losing the health care they have had for the past seven years. Trump should work to decrease the number of multiple taxes for Obamacare and increase the taxes put on high earning people, business owners, and the health industry in order to make Obamacare more financially responsible.

Obamacare basically forces Americans to get health insurance, and if you do not want Obamacare, you have to pay the individual mandate.

This aspect of the ACA is a positive thing because it provides the health insurance that many Americans need, whether they are aware that they need it or not. For the most part, people cannot help if they need to see a therapist because they developed depression or if they need surgery after a terrible car accident.

Life happens, and sadly, people are faced with unexpected health concerns. Thanks to Obamacare, people have secure health insurance, which protects people from the unexpected.

It is in the best interest of the American people to offer health care, which Obamacare does. It has been able to help people get affordable health insurance and protects them from high medical bills. Repealing and replacing Obamacare would cause more issues than simply improving it.

Do you think Obamacare should be repealed or upheld?

James Ziegler

Michaela Forchion

Evan Tridone

Yena Kim

Darrion Siler

Freshman

Sophomore

Junior

Senior

Faculty

“Repealed, because it’s too expensive.”

“It should stay because the people that use it can’t afford insurance.”

“Repealed and replaced, I feel like it’s not effective.”

“In Korea, we have health insurance run by the government, and it really helps.”

“I believe that the only suitable repeal of Obamacare would be a National Health Care System.”

12 PERSPECTIVES

February 2017

Bynion’s Opinion

Sophomore Ben Blessing reaches for a donut in front of teachers Courtney Von Lange, Louise Geczy, and Tess Gauthier who assisted with handing out donuts and water bottles in celebration of Student Appreciation Day. On Thursday, Feb. 2, students were recognized by the school for their effort throughout the year.

Catholic Schools Week also included a Teacher Appreciation Day on Friday, which honored teachers and faculty members, thanking them for their hard work. These two days were a gift of appreciation for everyone.

Taylor Bynion

The unsung heroes of JC There is a problem with my first semester schedule. I’m stressed because of my workload. I’m not doing well in math. I really just need someone to talk to. Where is the one place students can go for help in each of these areas and more? The guidance wing, where students can visit our school counselors - Carol Heflin, Larry Hensley, and Jennifer Behler.

High school can pose many challenges and struggles, which are nearly impossible to navigate without help. With each new obstacle, it is always nice to have someone you know you can count on, and at JC, it is the guidance counselors.

While I’m sure each of the school counselors is equally helpful and supportive for students, my personal counselor is Mrs. Heflin. She is always around to give advice and to help students with whatever they need. I’ve seen her tutor students in math, help with scheduling conflicts, provide a safe place for students to talk, and even just provide a place to come and relax during off-mods. Mrs. Heflin always stops what she is doing to help students, and treats them with the utmost care as if they were her own children.

Personally, I have gone to Mrs. Heflin many times, especially in regards to my schedule and when I have felt overwhelmed with school. She always manages to help put everything in perspective and gives great advice as to how to juggle everything.

Although I’m closest to Mrs. Heflin, I know that all of the counselors are equally as helpful in any area needed. I truly do believe that the counselors of JC are unsung heroes.

Also, if it is your future that is causing stress or concern, the school’s college counselors, Kelly Smith and Carrie Siemsen, are always around to help. They can give advice on college, how to navigate SATs and ACTs, and help reduce stress when it comes to future plans.

So students, don’t be afraid to go to your counselors and ask for help. There is no judgement or negative repercussions associated with visiting the guidance wing. The counselors are there to help you, and their true motivation is supporting students. If you aren’t sure where to turn, find your counselor and they will help guide you in the right direction.

Overall, students should not be hesitant to reach out to any of the counselors for any kind of assistance. Regardless of if the issues are academic, social, personal, or regarding the future, students always have a built in resource at school offering assistance.

Photo by Caroline Cooney

Catholic Schools Week shines light on appreciating others Junior Anna Kotula slowly drags her feet toward the front doors, feeling the lack of sleep weighing her down as she walks into school. She stayed up late the night before working on countless assignments and studying for several tests. Her exhaustion feels like a lead weight until Campus Minister Zac Ufnar cheerfully smiles, opens the door for her, and says, “I appreciate you!”

On Thursday, Feb. 2, faculty members came together during Catholic Schools Week to celebrate students and express appreciation for their hard work. This year, unlike past years, students were given a donut in the morning along with a bottle of water.

The donuts were baked fresh on Thursday morning by the Safeway bakery.

This unexpected surprise put a smile on many students’ faces.

Classmates were seen walking down the hallways with a donut in their hands, chatting with huge grins plastered on their faces.

However, the day grew increasingly better when multiple teachers told their students how much they appreciate the effort they put into their classes.

Every day, students spend several hours on homework, studying for tests, quizzes, and other assignments, so hearing that their hard work does not go unnoticed was a great way to celebrate Catholic Schools Week.

Later in the day, an email was thanking them for everything sent to students from President they have done to help students and Interim Principal Richard throughout this year or past ones.

O’Hara. He expressed his admi- This contribution to Catholic ration for the student body and Schools Week allowed faculty to recognized the affection teachers understand their importance in share for their students. “Never students lives and to read firstforget for a second how much you hand the amazing things they are appreciated and loved, by all contribute to our community. of us, by precious people in your Ultimately, the coordination lives, and by the infinite God who of these two days brought about made us all,” O’Hara wrote. good feelings and unexpected In addition to this unexpected smiles. It created a positive atmoday during Catholic Schools sphere as both students and facWeek, on Friday, ulty alike felt as Feb. 3, teachers though their hard had their turn in The appreciation work was not gothe spotlight and shown to each ing unnoticed. It were allowed gave time for evpart of our to dress down eryone to express in comfortable community was a their appreciation clothes for the gift for everyone. for one another day. Not only and left a positive this, but also atmosphere over they were offered a selection of the course of two days. In order breakfast pastries in the teachers’ to organize these days, the JC lounge, which were donated by faculty and student body had to parents. come together as a unit to make Teachers earned an extra bit the other feel appreciated. of love from members of the Students constantly spoke National Honors Society and the about the unexpected morning senior class. On Friday, Jan. 20, treat and teachers beamed over the NHS held a meeting to inform their letters. students of an upcoming project.

Seeing positivity spread They planned to write letters of throughout the hallway was a appreciation to teachers and other perfect way to highlight Catholic faculty members that they felt had Schools Week. made a difference in their lives.

The appreciation shown to each Two letters were addressed part of our community was a gift to every faculty and staff mem- for everyone. The school worked ber, and included kind messages together in order to express mes-

The Patriot

News Lauren Becker Elizabeth Harmison

Perspectives Adriana Guidi Allie Taylor

Editor in Chief Caroline Cooney

Community Pia Scotto Erin McCloskey

Sports Christina Giovanazi Emily Stancliff

Volume 52, Issue 3, February 2017

Online Chief Grant Sharretts Assignment Chief Grace Mottley Media Chief Katherine Grimm

Entertainment Edward Benner Anna Sullivan In-Focus Paige Alban Ianna Pirozzi

Copy Taylor Bynion Alyssa Kraus James Keller General Staff Daniel Robinson

Artists Stephanie Imbierowicz Nicole Kanaras Diane McComas Delaney Link Beth Sapitowicz Contributers Caleb Olsen Multimedia Zachary Miller Druw Van der Werff Moderators Mark Ionescu Nick Attanasio

sages of acknowledgment, and overall, this positivity should not be confined to a two-day event during Catholic Schools Week.

Each member of the community should always feel appreciated for their hard work and dedication to their jobs.

As students, we should openly voice the gratitude we have for faculty members, whether it is for a kind lunch lady who always gives extra fries or the science teacher who never fails to help out.

We see these staff members each and every day, yet how often do we fail to say thank you?

With this in mind, teachers should do this same. Everyone deserves recognition, whether they are the students who actively participate in class or the students who study hard each night.

Each member of the student body works toward a goal and puts effort into something they love.

The dedication put into Catholic Schools Week had a positive impact on faculty and the student body, and therefore, this spotlight on appreciation for everyone’s hard work should be more than once a year.

Whether it is Catholic Schools Week or a regular school day, we ask students and faculty to thank those around them. The potential for positivity is endless if we only remember to share appreciation for the little things in life.

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.

PERSPECTIVES 13

February 2017

WOMEN S RIGHTS ARE

Coup de Grace Grace Mottley

HUMAN RIGHTS

Paige Alban and Alyssa Kraus In-Focus Editor and Copy Editor

A huge crowd of men and women march down the streets of Washington D.C., chanting loudly and holding signs for equality during the Women’s March.

People of many races, ages, and sexual orientations from across the nation gather together as one to fight for the rights of women.

“I do not wish [women] to have power over men, but over themselves,” English author Mary Wollstonecraft wrote.

This quote represents the view of women around the world who are fighting for their rights among men through marches and protests, much like the Women’s March that took place on Jan. 21 in Washington D.C., as well as in over 500 U.S. cities and 100 international cities.

So the question we propose is this: why are women in 2017 fighting for the same reason that Wollstonecraft was in 1792? It has been 225 years, yet men and women still do not have equal rights.

According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, women have been receiving unequal pay. In 2015, women earned 80 cents for every dollar earned by a man in the same job.

Additionally, women of all ages have been objectified and sexualized in school, the workplace, the media, and more. In an interview with Esquire about the media, President Donald Trump said, “You know, it really doesn’t matter what they write...,” and then continued with a derogatory and explicit statement about female anatomy.

Women have also been seen as incapable of fighting for our

Speaking secures success for students

Illustration by Nicole Kanaras

Women are constantly objectified against in every aspect of life, and we need to work to bring light to the issue.

Capability should be determined by performance, not gender. country in the military. We are when they put men & women tostereotyped and grouped as a gen- gether?”

Furthermore, many people are der unqualified for protecting our concerned with recent events renation. garding a woman’s choice over According to Vice President her body.

Mike Pence’s op-ed titled “WomWhile we recognize and reen in the Mulan Military,” “Many spect the Catholic beliefs taught young men find many young in religion classes and understand women to be attractive sexutheir value, ally. Many young many women women find many We must stand are concerned young men to be together to with potential attractive sexulaws restricting ally. Put them support the rights birth control and together, in close of all women. abortion due to quarters, for long Trump’s potenperiods of time, tial plans for health care. The outand things will get interesting... come could aff ect many women Moral of the story: women in personally for example, birth military, bad idea.” control is not only used to prevent President Trump also stated something similar on Twitter in pregnancy, but also to regulate May of 2013. He wrote, “26,000 painful menstrual cycles and to unreported sexual assaults in the control hormones.

As human beings, we should military - only 238 convictions.

What did these geniuses expect all be deeply concerned about

Report Card: Lettuce rejoice: salad bar returns

After many requests for its re-instatement, the cafeteria has brought back the salad bar.

The salad bar provides a healthier option for students, which serves to spruce up the cafeteria. There have been a few complaints about the return of the salad bar: the prices have increased significantly and there aren’t many options when it comes to toppings. It is understandable that there can’t be every topping under the sun made available, but an attempt should be made to avoid students getting sick of the same old toppings. It might be a good idea to rotate some of the toppings out once in awhile. Also as far as prices go, there could be days every so often that give discounts off the salad bar, which will keep the students happy.

these decisions and statements.

We must stand together to support the rights of all women. We must protect our freedoms and liberties. As actress and women’s rights activist Emma Watson said in an article from CNN, “How can we effect change in the world when only half of it is invited or feel welcome to participate in the conversation?” The time to change is now. We cannot repeat history, and we will not reset the clock.

We are women, and we need our voices to be heard and respected. Our rights are human rights, and our bodies belong to us.

We decide how we are respected, touched, and treated. We are just as capable as a men. We stand with feminists for the equality of genders.

We will not submit.

We will not be silent.

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

Weight room upgrades, makes gains

For the past few months, the weight room has been under renovation, and just recently, the renovation was completed. By rearranging the equipment and adding a few more machines, the overall quality of the room has been improved. This opens up the weight room to be used by more teachers and students, even if they are not involved in athletics. Even though the renovations may not have been extensive, they still make a huge difference. If small improvements are made over time, the weight room will become a highly trafficked area of the school, and instead of paying for expensive gym memberships, students and teachers can take advantage of the amenities offered of the weight room to them here.

By Entertainment Editor Edward Benner and News Editor Elizabeth Harmison

Hats off for school-wide service

On Monday Jan. 30, students were given the opportunity to participate in school-wide service during the “H” day community period, instead of a typical assembly. Students made hats to be donated to local pediatric cancer patients. The experience enabled advisories to come together to achieve a common goal and grow closer as a group, and consequently grow closer together as a school. More frequent opportunities of this nature would not only bolster the image of the school, but help fulfill the mission statement of “developing young men and women of moral integrity, and preparing them to serve responsibly in shaping a more just and compassionate global society.” In the end, an estimated 325 hats were made and donated.

What do people fear more than dying? According to a study conducted by the University of Nebraska, the answer is public speaking.

Public speaking scares 80 percent of people, which is understandable because it can be nerve-wracking, nauseating, and stressful. At the same time, good oratory skills are one of the most important abilities you can possess.

In almost any profession, you will be required to speak well, even if it’s not in a formal setting.

Developing good oratory skills benefits your overall speaking abilities, which you use on a daily basis while interacting with others.

Regardless of the field you enter, you will be required to speak to others in a coherent manner, and the capability to do so will make you seem more intelligent and professional.

Even if you’d rather seem unintelligent than speak in public, good public speaking skills allow you to successfully present yourself and your ideas, a strength that is critical if you hope to succeed in your career.

The development of good public speaking skills is pertinent for students’ success in the workforce, yet we don’t encourage that development during high school. Some students choose to take speech, an elective offered to upperclassmen, and some choose to participate in activities that develop these skills, but there is no Speech requirement.

JC should require students to take a semester-long speech class as a graduation requirement in order to encourage students to develop these important public speaking skills. The ability to speak and present well is something that will make them successful, and JC should teach students these skills.

While implementing a required speech class may prevent students from taking an additional elective and may negatively impact year-long journalism and yearbook electives, the benefits of developing good public speaking skills in students outweighs the negatives of missing a semester of electives. Students will learn an inherently valuable skill that will stick with them and benefit them for the rest of their lives.

In order to combat the fear of public speaking held throughout our society and to prepare our students to be successful, JC should implement a mandatory speech class that will prepare them for the world that lies ahead.

14 SPORTS Here’s the Game Plan Emily Stancliff

February 2017

Indoor soccer claims title

ever, Howe has now taken the team to the varsity-sport level, challenging her soccer players to What was once a program not improve during the off-season. taken seriously is now a team Many outdoor players that bringing home its first champion- played for Howe during the fall ship since 2010. When women’s season joined the team in order to indoor soccer head coach Hayley improve both their relationships Howe came to JC in 2013, indoor with their teammates and soccer soccer existed, but it was only skills. “It gives me a chance to seen as “a fun off-season sport,” get better at the [fundamentals] according to Howe. However, af- of soccer,” senior indoor soccer ter Howe was promoted to head player Gabby Centi said. coach of the women’s outdoor In addition to improving her soccer team, she took over the varsity team’s ability, Howe enindoor team as couraged her JV well. players to come “I am so happy After winning out in order to the semifinal, the that for my senior gain more oneteam had their year we were finally on-one time with minds set on the their coach and able to finish off championship. fellow players.

Playing in front the season with the “To me it seems of a student sec- championship.” like a no-brainer. tion for the first If you are a freshSenior Gabby Centi man, sophomore, time of the season, JC were or even a junior victorious in a 4-3 thrilling vic- and you’re looking to find ways tory against Mercy. “I was just so to get better at soccer, playing proud of the team, and especially soccer obviously is going to be the seniors, they are just such a the best,” Howe said. great group of girls,” Howe said.

Because many outdoor playPrior to their victory on Saturday, ers also play for the indoor team, however, the team had struggle to it helps form better relationships capitalize in the playoffs. both on and off the field while “[Before, indoor soccer held] playing multiple seasons with the maybe practice once a week, and same teammates. “Since we all it was more of a fun intramural play together in outdoor, when thing where girls who maybe indoor season comes along, we have never played soccer could already have a strong team bond give it a shot,” Howe said. How- and know how each other plays,”

Grant Sharretts Online Chief

Fueling success on game days My heart cries out in pain as my friend drags me through the cafeteria line so she can grab her lunch. The warm french fries, the freshly baked cookies, and the buffalo chicken wraps call out to my guilty conscience. In an attempt to ease the yearning for our everyday junk food cravings, I offer five simple steps to fuel your body for game days.

It’s no secret that water is the ruler of all beverages. When one is fully hydrated, water can give you the sensation of being full, thus reducing your cravings for eating whatever is in front of you.

You don’t have to join the Swell bottle trend, but a water bottle to carry around with you during school is essential.

Almost just as important as water is intermittent snacking.

A small snack during the school day can go a long way to keep yourself on track. When considering your choices, I would lean towards whole grains, nuts, or fruits. I am a personal fan of pistachios, frozen grapes, and sunflower or pumpkin seeds. Edamame has also been a favorite of many fitness fanatics that I would highly recommend because of its high protein concentration.

I know that many of my friends fall victim to skipping breakfast altogether in the morning, but skipping breakfast is not an option for an athlete. Coffee does not count as breakfast. I personally enjoy microwaving an egg, a tablespoon of milk, and a pinch of pepper in a bowl on high for 45 seconds, making an instant egg sandwich in a few quick steps.

I’m sure you are thinking that I am endorsing obesity at this point, but food in multiple small quantities is easier for your body to metabolize than not eating throughout the day and then overeating late. It’s important to have a good lunch of some protein, vegetables or fruit, and something salty in order to fuel you into your workout and keep you feeling energized.

I also try to stay away from Gatorade or Powerade following my workout. Replacing artificial, sugary drinks with chocolate milk will help your body to recover in a healthier way. Any of the aforementioned drinks will make you crave the sugar more, leading to a toxifying relationship between you and your food that could spiral into worse habits.

It can be difficult during our school days to keep ourselves healthy and focused for our afterschool sports, but with the help of these tips, you will survive that long three-month season of practices and games.

Athlete Spotlight:

Photo courtesy of Lifetouch

Senior Abby Hormes dribbles the ball in a game against Friends School.

The women’s indoor soccer team beat Friends en route to a record of 7-22 capped off by a 4-3 championship win against Mercy on Saturday. sophomore indoor soccer player Erin Scannell said.

The women’s indoor soccer team has had success throughout their seasons for the past few years, but has never been able to bring home an IAAM championship. According to Howe, they struggled to win key games in the playoffs. “We do very very well in the regular season, but we get to that playoff stage, and we haven’t been able to break the ceiling and actually win a championship,” Howe said before the championship game.

After successfully getting vengeance against Notre Dame Prep, 5-2, in this year’s semifinals, the

women’s indoor team was ready to seize the opportunity in the championship against Mercy.

After their semifinal win, Howe made it a point to keep her team calm, and just be ready for the championship game. “I just wanted to keep them relaxed. I felt like they were going to feed off my anxiety so I kept it calm,” Howe said.

JC prevailed as IAAM champions 4-3 on Saturday, Feb. 4 “The past three years we came up short at the end after doing well in the season and I am so happy that for my senior year we were finally able to finish off the season with the championship,” Centi said.

Eric Ashton Sport: Wrestling Grade: Senior

Fast Facts: -90 Career Wins -Ranked #21 in MD

Experience: 4 years “Eric is a great leader and role model. He always sets an excellent example for the team and is always where he needs to be.”

Wrestling head coach Mike Mazza

Photo by Druw Van der Werff

Senior wrestling captain Eric Ashton takes down a Loyola Blakefield wrestler in the Parkville Knightmare Meet on Dec. 10, where he finished in first place. Ashton has been wrestling for 4 years and has 90 wins.

“I’ve wrestled with Eric my entire wrestling career. He’s improved a lot since I first saw him wrestle. He’s one of the best on our team because of how hard he works.”

Senior wrestling captain Will Molali

SPORTS 15

February 2017

Students excel on a nationally ranked synchronized ice skating team

By Sports Editor Christina Giovanazi and In-Focus Editor Ianna Pirozzi Illustration by Diane McComas

Sophomore excels in two skating styles Sophomore Alexander Kirk- sachusetts and Hershey, Pa., and land glides off the ice after figure there’s one that changes from skating practice, tired from re- year to year. Last year, it was in hearsing tricks and routines. He New York, this year it is also in catches his breath, but he doesn’t Hershey, and next year it will be have long before he must enter in Florida,” Kirkland said. the freezing rink once again to At these competitions, the team skate with his synchronized skat- performs a four-minute routine. ing team.

“A coach choreographs elements, This is a typical situation for and we do it to music,” Kirkland Kirkland, who competes in indi- said. vidual figure skating and is also Kirkland’s training for ice skata member of a synchronized skat- ing has also helped him improve ing team, the Chesapeake Sailors. his performance in other sports. “I He competes on the same team also run cross country, track, I’m as senior Beth Sapitowicz. “I on [JC’s] swim team, and I swim typically get about two hours of over the summer. The figure skatpractice [for figure skating], but ing has helped with strength in it depends what’s my legs for rungoing on for the “The figure skating ning because of week. I practice all the jumps,” he anywhere from has helped with said. two to 20 hours strength in my Lauren Benfor synchroesch Neidig, nized,” Kirkland legs for running who has been said. because of all the Kirkland’s coach Kirkland startsince 2010, beed skating with jumps.” lieves that he Sophomore Alexander Kirkland has his family nine not only years ago after improved athhe received encouragement from letically, but has also grown as a his mom. “My mom [ice skated] leader. “Alexander is a role model when she was young, so then [my for our younger male skaters and family] all started off together. demonstrates that there is a place Then, I started moving up,” Kirk- for boys to participate in figure land said. skating,” Benesch Neidig said.

Kirkland enjoys freestyle figKirkland stands out as the only ure skating because he gets to do guy on the his synchronized skatjumps and spins. To learn rou- ing team. Many of the teams the tines, “I learn a set of moves and Chesapeake Sailors compete then I can take a test, that if I pass, against are made up of all girls.

I get another set to learn,” Kirk- “A great thing is I don’t have to land said. He has competed in deal with the hair and makeup two figure skating competitions, like the girls,” he said. ranking second in both.

Kirkland is undecided about Once the synchronized skating ice skating in college, but he’s deseason is in full swing, Kirkland termined to continue improving competes with the Chesapeake at least throughout high school. “I Sailors approximately every love skating because of how difmonth-and-a-half. “There are ferent it is each year, so that motilots [of competitions] in Mas- vates me,” he said.

Photo courtesy of Alexander Kirkland

Members of the Chesapeake Sailors lift senior Beth Sapitowicz during a performance. Sapitowicz started ice skating competitively when she was only 9 years old.

Skater reaches new heights while guiding her team Ice isn’t made to be walked on.

It’s slippery, it’s cold, and it hurts to fall on. At least, that’s how most people see it. For senior Beth Sapitowicz, however, ice isn’t just a frozen patch of water.

It’s her field, and her court.

Sapitowicz is a part of a synchronized ice skating team, the Chesapeake Sailors, and performs ice dance as well. She started ice skating when she was seven years old and competed in her first competition when she was nine. As a member of a synchronized skating team, she performs a four-minute routine with the 16 other members of the team.

Sapitowicz looks up to professional ice skaters as role models.

“Growing up, I have always admired Meryl Davis. She is such a beautiful skater and an amazingly

Photo courtesy of Alexander Kirkland

The Chesapeake Sailors synchronized ice skating team performs their routine. Sophomore Alexander Kirkland (third row, second from left) and senior Beth Sapitowicz (front row, far right) have both practiced up to 25 hours per week in order to compete at a national level.

kind person both on and off the ance is completely different,” ice,” Sapitowicz said.

Sapitowicz said. While she adHer competitions have taken mits that running long distance her to places such as Boston, De- could have helped a little bit with troit, and Hershey, Pa. Last year, her skating, she believes that the her team placed third at Eastern athleticism required for skating is Sectionals and sixth in the USA more akin to sprinting.

Nationals. At Nationals, the team Sapitowicz is one of the oldest skated to a medley of famous Sat- members of the Chesapeake Sailurday Night Live skits. ors and the member who has been To prepare for both competition with the organization the longest. styles, Sapitowicz practices at Ice She acts as a leader on the team World in Abingdon or at Reister- by setting an example for the stown Sportsplex. She skates for younger skaters. an average of 25 hours per week According to her coach, Lauduring competition season, which ren Benesch Neidig, “Beth emlasts from November to March. bodies what Chesapeake Syn“This past weekend, I was at the chronized Skating strives to teach Eastern Sectional Championships the young women that participate for my Novin our program. ice and Senior She has gained ex“In the span of teams, and in ceptional knowlthe span of three three days, we edge of her sport days, we had a and has the quiet had a total of 12 total of 12 pracconfidence to eftices and three practices and three fectively commucompetitions,” nicate her ideas to competitions.”

Sapitowicz said. both her peers and Senior Beth Sapitowicz her coaches.”

Despite the intense time Because she has commitment, Sapitowicz’s love been coaching Sapitowicz since for the sport has not diminished. “I 2008, Benesch Neidig has seen can always [ice skate] and always Sapitowicz grow both in stature achieve new levels,” Sapitowicz and as a leader. said. In fact, Sapitowicz plans to “Her peers respect that she continue skating throughout col- leads by example, and her coachlege, either in a program offered es trust her perspective and exby the school or with a local skat- perience and use that as an aid to ing club. help other skaters,” Benesch NeiIn order to better prepare her- dig said. self for skating, Sapitowicz has “I’ve learned team building participated in cross country, and leadership,” Sapitowicz said track, and badminton. about her time on the Chesapeake “I actually started cross coun- Sailors. “I’ve always enjoyed [ice try mainly to help my skating skating], and I’m grateful for a with endurance, but the endur- passion.”

16 SPORTS

February 2017

IN THE

Swimmer Olivia Barnhart Photo by Elizabeth Harmison

LANE

Four swimmers exceeded expectations this season in the medley and freestyle relays, speeding into first place and emerging victorious

By Caroline Cooney, Daniel Robinson, and Grant Sharretts

Olivia Barnhart

Amelia Wickham

Kaelyn James

Julianna Richard

The nerves kick in as senior Olivia Barnhart sits in the water, waiting for her call to mount the block. Thousands of thoughts course through her mind with the fear of disappointing her team, but before she knows it, she is set and dives backwards straight into her streamline.

Since freshman year, Barnhart has been a key component to the women’s swimming relay team by participating in the backstroke or fly event. “Anything that’s swimming-related grabs my attention, so I figured I would just [join the team],” she said.

Although she is now a swimming enthusiast, Barnhart hated swimming when she first joined the Bel Air Athletic Club’s summer swim team in fourth grade. “My mom would have to force me to actually go swim my events... I would hide under the chairs, or I would pretend that I was sleeping,” she said.

When Barnhart was in sixth grade, she began to develop her love for swimming. She started focusing on her techniques with her coach and found a rhythm for her specialities, the backstroke and butterfly. “My mom would [tell] me that if you do so many hours of [the stroke], you’ll get it perfect, so I just kept doing it over and over again,” she said.

According to Barnhart, staying fit motivates her to work hard during practices. “There are some days that I would really like to stay home, but I push myself and make myself go to the gym or to the pool, and I feel a lot better afterwards,” she said.

In addition to swimming, Barnhart channels her love for the sport by giving back to her swim community through junior coaching. During the summer, Barnhart coaches younger children after her own morning practices.

This experience means more to Barnhart than just swimming. “[I help coach] so that they’ll have a good experience out of it and hopefully they’ll go somewhere with swimming. One day, I could be watching my little kids at the Olympics,” she said.

Adjusting her goggles, junior Amelia Wickham prepares for the 200 meter individual medley. She steps up on the block, takes her mark, and dives in.

Wickham pulls ahead in the butterfly and maintains her lead throughout the backstroke and breaststroke.

She pushes through the final 50 meters of freestyle and finishes first in her first meet as a Patriot.

As a homeschool transfer, Wickham may be new to JC, but she isn’t new to the pool. She had tried other sports in the past, but she soon found her niche in the swimming world.“I used to play soccer, but that didn’t work out too well,” Wickham said.

For JC, she swims in many events, including the 200 meter individual medley, 100 meter breastroke, the 200 meter medley relay, and the 200 meter freestyle relay.

“She’s a very versatile swimmer willing to swim whatever [event] we ask her to,” swimming head coach Larry Dukes said.

Lately, however, Wickham has not been able to swim as many events as she is used to due to injury. “I’m having back and shoulder problems and they have been hurting really badly lately,” Wickham said.

So far, Wickham’s favorite part of the season has been the interaction with her teammates. “Everyone was very welcoming [to me]. They were all cheering for me at my first race,” Wickham said.

Her teammates have noticed her work and swimming talent. “I’ve been swimming with her for a couple years,” junior swimmer Mallory Smith said.

“She’s talented, very talented.

Swimming comes naturally to her.

You can tell that as soon as she gets into the water,” Smith said. This is the first high school team that Wickham has ever been on, and she has enjoyed it immensely.

She hopes the rest of the season goes just as well as it started. “I’m having a ton of fun and am building good relationships,” Wickham said.

At the mere age of 5, sophomore Kaelyn James found her passion: swimming.

According to James, the only reason she began swimming was because her mother insisted she play a sport.

However, after years of perfecting her craft, she realized the passion she had for it. This passion has continued into high school, when she began swimming for the varsity swim team. While James practices during the school year for the JC team, she also swims during the summer for the Aberdeen Penguins in order to keep up with training for the JC season.

James didn’t expect to become a part of a successful relay team during her sophomore year and was “thrown into it by Coach Dukes.” Nevertheless, the team has enjoyed an undefeated in-conference record for this season.

According to Richard, the team’s success can be attributed to the team’s already existing connections. Although they were all new teammates, some girls on the relay team previously had experience swimming with each other. “We all know each other really well. I’ve swam with all of them before. I even swam year-round and during the summer with Kaelyn,” Richard said.

In addition to each teammate having prior connections with each other, James also believes that the team’s success can be attributed to each teammate’s motivation to win and each person’s proficiency in their type of swimming stroke. “We are mainly successful because we’re each strong in the type of stroke that we do and the fact that we want to win,” James said.

While winning is their main goal, the road to championships is not an easy one. Each member of the team is motivated by their hope to help their fellow team members. “The most difficult part of being on the relay team is having the possibility of letting other members of your team down. If you don’t give it your all and go fast enough, you could be the reason for losing the relay,” James said.

Senior Julianna Richard stands on the block, jittering with anticipation. She watches her teammate glide through the water, knowing that the final leg is all up to her. As the third member of her relay team touches the wall, she leaps off the block, diving into the water.

When she was younger, Richard signed up for many sports, but by the age of seven, swimming was her favorite. “When I was younger, I did a bunch of sports to see what I liked, and out of those it ended up whittling down to just swimming,” Richard said.

While Richard participated in yearround swimming all the way up until high school, she quit freshman year because of the time commitment. “I didn’t like the year-round aspect. The high school side I liked, but when it was year-round, it became way too much,” Richard said.

Richard also participates in yearround volleyball but still finds time to swim three to four times a week to prepare herself for JC swim meets.

Because of her volleyball commitment, Richard can only practice with the team one day a week, but since she puts in individual practice time, she continues to compete at a high level.

Despite limited practice time, Richard thrived her freshman year on the JC swim team and was named an allcounty swimmer. “I got first in our relay freshman year, second in two of my individual events, and then third in our other relay, so I thought it was a pretty cool way to start off my swimming career at John Carroll,” Richard said.

According to Richard, her relay team performs well because of their close relationships and understanding of each other’s roles on the team. “We are all very connected... It makes our relay team a little bit stronger because we know we have to do well for the rest of the team,” Richard said. “It’s not just a one person event, everyone has to work hard in order to stay with the people in the lane next to them and pull ahead.”