With 32 percent of students watching an average 2-4 hours of Netflix at a time this trend is picking up speed.
The Patriot tackles the ongoing battle between Qdoba and Chipotle to see which reigns supreme. Which one do you support?
SAT? More like SAD. Analyzing the changes of the SAT, The Patriot weighs the consequences of the new format.
Lifestyles 4
A&E 7
Opinion 13
the
Patriot
4.3.14 Issue 4, Volume 49 www.jcpatriot.com
staying
Gold Index
News 2
Lifestyles 4
A&E 7
After alumni backlash over a plan to add black helmets, the school decides to keep the tradition of the gold helmets alive See page 2 for the full story
In-Depth 8
Opinion 11
Sports 14
2 news
thepatriot April 2014
GOLDEN TRADITION
Game Plan: Gold helmets here to stay Cole Alban and Justin Hawkins
The Trad it
Online Chief and Opinion Editor
ion
According to Dan Gra y, the trad of gold he itio lmets start ed with his n Gerr y Gra father y. “When JC first sta father was rted, my the first fo otball coa Dan Gray ch here,” said. “Wh en he ca m in 1964, h e to JC e started th e football here. Bac program k then, we didn’t hav colors. He e sc h o o l said ‘I do not care a color of th bout the e jersey, I want a go That tradit ld helmet. ion stuck. ’” “Ye helmets] a re still a sy ars later [the mbol of JC tradition.”
The football team wanted to change their uniforms by adding black helmets to their existing gold helmets. The proposed change was announced at a football event on Feb. 7. A strong response followed from community members who wanted to stick with the gold helmets. On March 24, President Richard O’Hara and head football coach Keith Rawlings announced to the players that the team would not be getting black helmets and would keep the existing gold helmets. “What I failed to realize [when considering the helmet change] was the importance of the [gold] helmet. We have to honor the past, serve the guys in the present, and light the way for the future,” O’Hara said.
Community Response
After the uniform change was proposed, there were pages of comments from players, coaches, alumni, administrators, and faculty on social media both in favor One thing of and against the proposed change. I to [President R ld People who opposed the change argued ich that it breaks the long-standing tradiO’Hara]- Ch ard ange is tion of having gold helmets. Some posts good, chan about the helmets on JC’s Facebook rege but tradition is hard, ceived over 80 comments. is forever.” Junior football captain Nolan Clawson Former co ach Tim Pe defended the proposed uniform change rry on Facebook saying, “I love and respect the rich history of the ‘Gold’ helmets and respect all who have come before me. The John Carroll football program has grown so much and I feel that with growth there is also change! The black helmets are a great step for the program and are well liked by those who are playing in the present.” This post received over 50 comments both supporting and criticizing Clawson’s position. “Gold is still a symbol of JC tradition. It’s a very rich legacy and bigger than one person,” Dan Gray, class of ‘89 and the son of former football coach and teacher Gerry Gray said. “The color of the helmet is a great tradition [for JC] to build off of.” “There is not another team in the county with a golden helmet,” Dan Gray said.
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Former player John Kozak said on Facebook, “The gold has been a 50 year tradition and in my opinion as a former player [changing it] disrespects all who have been honored to wear it.” The discussion on Facebook occasionally got heated, such as when Dan Gray, son of Gerry Gray called into question one coach’s dedication to the school saying, “my family has set up a fund that gives two scholarships a year to students that need financial aid and have demonstrated pride and excellence in the John Carroll community. As a coach at JC, what have you done to support and give back to the community in which you serve?” Discussion of the helmets was an emotional issue for many. “A black helmet or gold helmet is not going to win games. It is what’s in here,” former coach Bill Mackley said, as he pointed to his heart. Reactions from current staff and students were mixed. O’Hara said, “I felt I hadn’t made myself aware of the depth of the feeling of that connection. A lot of us learned a lot this week.” Dean of Freshman Students and former coach Sean Ireton agreed. “I believe that tradition is important, and some traditions are meant to continue and some not. I think the gold helmets are a good tradition to continue,” he said. Junior Katie Benisch said, “[If I had to choose], yes they should stay gold, if they think they can find enough people to care about it to keep the gold, that would be good. They’ve changed the uniforms, obviously, and there’s no big deal about that.” Senior Mitchell Russell said, “It’s one of JC’s few traditions, so keeping it gold keeps traditions alive.”
Reaching a Decision
On Mar. 17, Rawlings meet with Dan Gray to discuss the tradition behind the helmet. The meeting went for several hours. Dan Gray said of the meeting, “I think [Rawlings] was starting to see the meaning of the gold and I was starting to see the meaning of the black.” Later that day Gray meet with administration, and then the admistration decided to keep the helmets gold. O’Hara announced the decision at a meeting on Mar. 24 at a football meeting during advisory.
Read mor e at jcpatriot.c om
news 3
thepatriot April 2014
NEWS updates Russian Program comes to end Billy Jump Copy Editor As of next year, JC will no longer offer Russian as a language option for students. According to Foreign Language Department Chair Danica Attanasio, “in the last five years or so, interest in studying Russian has declined and incoming freshmen have not chosen to study Russian.” Four years ago, Russian 1 was not offered to students, which allowed the program to “phase out,” according to Attanasio. When the Russian program ends, Russian teacher Ed Miller will also retire. “Fewer and fewer candidates each year [caused the program to end],” Miller said. “JC could not afford to support such classes. I totally agree with the school’s decision.” “It’s sad that the program is ending next year, but [it’s] a good way for Mr. Miller to wrap up his career here at JC,” said senior Haley Kyger, who is in the last Russian class. According to Attanasio, “The department cannot thank Mr. Miller enough for everything he has done for the Russian program at John Carroll.”
CPA welcomes new member
We asked social studies teachers to select the three most important current world topics. These were their top choices for the JC community to know about.
Ukraine Crisis by Opinion Editor Justin Hawkins
Nov. 21
Freelance blogger and Campus Minister Patti MurphyDohn has become a member of the Catholic Press Association (CPA). Murphy-Dohn has been maintaining a blog on The Catholic Review for a year and a half, which has been getting noticed across the country. “I’m very proud of my blog and my association with The Catholic Review,” MurphyDohn said. The CPA recognizes writers who speak out about the Catholic faith in their writing. “You have to be legitimate and accepted to be part of it,” Murphy-Dohn said. “I’m pretty fired up.” Murphy-Dohn is also a part of the National Catholic Education Association, a similar organization to the CPA that recognizes educators of the Catholic faith. Murphy-Dohn said, “So [the CPA] is for the press side of it.”
President Viktor Yanukovych’s government announced it would become economically closer to Russia, striking down joining the European Union. Protests began almost immediately.
Nov. 22
Before the end of the Sochi Winter Games, President Yanukoyvh fled the country, and parliament voted unanimously to impeach him.
Feb. 27
Yanukoyvh was discovered to be in Russia. Next day, Russian soldiers entered Ukraine and took control of military airports in the Crimean Peninsula.
Mar. 16
The people of Crimea voted to join Russia.
Mar. 18
Vladimir Putin signed the annexation of Crimea. U.S. placed economic sanctions on Russian officials.
Malaysian Flight
I’m not sure if [war] is going to happen, but it could happen to the U.S. at any time. Sophomore Darian Weldon
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Ultimately, anything that happens on that level will eventually impact the U.S., but we shouldn’t overly concern ourselves with fear mongering. U.S. History teacher Tony Del Puppo
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“ It’s hard to believe they haven’t found it yet with the technology we have.
by Copy Editor Angela DeCarlo
Mar. 8
A Boeing 777-200ER plane containing 239 people flying from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Beijing, China disappeared one hour into its flight.
Mar. 20
Australian authorities announced that a satellite captured images of two objects in the southern Indian Ocean. These could be pieces of debris from the plane.
Lauren Glase News Editor
“
Mar. 25
The search was delayed due to rough weather surrounding the area. The data of possible debris led Malaysian officials to accept the plane crashed into the ocean and that there are no survivors.
Midterm elections by News Editor Lauren Glase
Nov. 4
Midterm elections will take place to vote for their senators, representatives, state legislators, mayors, and governors. According to an article from The Baltimore Sun, the leading democratic candidates for governor are Anthony Brown, Douglas Gansler, and Heather Mizeur. Another Baltimore Sun article states that the leading republican candidates are David Craig, Ron George, and Charles Lollar. Although Maryland is typically known for voting democratic, it is predicted that the Republicans will stand a good chance in 2014.
Freshman Katherine Grimm
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“It’s an epic loss of human life. It’s the biggest airplane accident [in the students’ lifetimes]. Social studies teacher Bob Schick
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I can’t vote [in this election] so whoever wins, it’s not my decision. Junior Dani Long
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The first responsibility of the citizenry is to be informed. Current [students] will be able to vote in the upcoming 2016 presidential election. Social studies teacher Rodney Johnson
”
for the latest, follow
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4 lifestyles Healthy You
thepatriot April 2014
Are you getting your
By Caitlin Wolfarth
Editor provides alternatives to Netflix With the sweeping epidemic of Netflix rapidly gaining popularity, many students are falling into its unhealthy cycle of binge-watching and late night marathons. With any TV series or movie at the click of the button, it could be hard not to. This may seem all fun and innocent at first glance, but the realization that you’ve fallen victim to the clutches of Netflix soon sets in after watching an entire season of American Horror Story in one sitting. I personally do not own a Netflix account, but I know many people who do and let me tell you, it is not pretty. Countless amounts of times, friends of mine have come to school in a zombielike trance complaining to me that they did not go to bed until 2 A.M. “But why?” I ask. It’s always the same answer: “Netflix.” Netflix addiction affects not only grades, but social lives as well. But when you look back on your life 20 years from now, do you want to remember nights filled with friendship and laughter or dark rooms, junk food, and small, bright computer screens? I am almost certain the answer is the former. With that being said, I have come up with some tips and alternatives to Netflix so you can look back on your teenage years with a little less regret. Instead of watching any old TV series or movie, watch something inspirational or action packed. That way, after you’ve finished watching the movie or show, you will want to go out and save the world or climb some buildings or something. If you watch some sappy chick flick, you’ll most likely just want to sit there and cry about your life. The impending spring weather is a great excuse to go outside and get some fresh air, especially after this crazy winter. Go for a hike with some friends. Harford County surprisingly has some great places, like the King and Queen Seat. If you still feel like staying in, invite your friends over. That way you can be lazy but also be surrounded by fun people. Play Scrabble or another board game. Go for a bike ride. This is self explanatory. Bikes are super cool. Bake some things. If you’re bored on a Sunday afternoon, look up some recipes and make delicious baked goods for your family. Everyone will be happy. Actually do your homework. College, kids. College. Just remember to think to yourself before clicking the next episode, “Is this really what I want to do with my life?”
FIX? Hanna LeBuhn and Billy Jump LIfestyles Editor and Copy Editor “Once you start a show, you can’t stop,” junior Eleanor Cohen said. A Patriot survey conducted on March 23 showed that 50.5 percent of JC students have a Netflix account, and 23.7 percent have access to someone else’s. “I have my own account but a lot of my friends use it. We all share mine so we can watch the same show and talk about it,” junior McKenna McFadden said. However, Netflix makes it particularly easy to lose track of time. “I normally watch two to three episodes a night, but that can easily turn into 10,” Cohen said. Nationwide, Netflix users watch over one billion hours per month. “My favorite thing about Netflix is that I can watch shows and movies whenever and wherever I want,” freshman Seth Anderson said. “Recently, I watched all eight seasons of ‘It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia’ in two weeks.” 35 percent of students said they use Netflix multiple times a week. 21.1 percent of students said they use it every day.
“Netflix is my Friday night date, and basically every other day that ends in ‘y,’” sophomore Carly Lyon said. One of the most significant effects of Netflix is the amount of time it takes out of students’ evenings. With 32.4 percent of JC students watching 2-4 hours of Netflix a night, according to the survey, not a lot of time is left for after-school activities, eating, and homework. “It is a distraction from reality,” senior Mark Michael said. “When I’m doing schoolwork, all I want to do is watch Netflix. Sometimes I will give in to the temptation and then I get nothing done for the rest of the day,” senior April Moscati said. Students even find themselves prioritizing when it comes to watching. “It depends on how busy I am, but sometimes I will sit in front of my TV and watch Netflix anywhere from 1-13 hours a week,” Moscati said. For many students, Netflix is their way of decompressing. “I watch Netflix to relax, but it’s way too easy to get sucked in, “ Lyon said. Once you’re hooked, you’re hooked.”
40%
51%
of students have a Netlifx account
TOP 5
Reasons to watch Netflix
1. Boredom 2. Procrastination 3. To follow TV shows 4. To watch a specific movie 5.To watch missed TV shows
of students watch 1-2 hours of Netflix a night In the Patriot survey on March 21, 105 students responded. The margin of error for this survey is +/-4%
35%
of students watch Netflix multiple times a week
lifestyles 5
thepatriot April 2014
Bowl
Hookah’s popularity has increased among teenagers and college students. However, hookah has harmful health effects that users may be unaware of.
Ashtray Stem Hose Grommet Base Grommet Base
Hose
30
25
Illustration by Billy Jump
How dangerous do you think hookah is to your health?
20
Completely dangerous
Mostly dangerous
0
A little bit dangerous
5
Somewhat dangerous
10
Not at all dangerous
15
In an online survey of the student body, on March 20, The Patriot recieved 90 answers. The margin of error for this survey is +/-4%.
Angela DeCarlo Copy Editor Hookah has been around for centuries, but there has been a recent growth in its popularity worldwide. This trend hasn’t avoided Harford County, as Bel Air is home to The Vape Lounge and Lotus Lounge Main St. Hookah. According to an article by the University of Maryland, a hookah is a water pipe that is used to smoke shisha: tobacco soaked in honey or molasses and mixed with fruit flavors such as apple and coconut. Users smoke the flavored water vapor that is supposed to have filtered out all of tobacco’s dangerous chemicals. “I have my own hookah stick, and honestly I just like the taste,” one student who wished to remain anonymous said. “I’ve yet to see any side effects.” Many teenagers think that because hookah is flavored and is smoked through water vapor, that it offers no negative side effects and is less harmful than smoking regular cigarettes. However, this is not true. Traditional hookah contains tobacco and nicotine, just like cigarettes do. Also, just because water can act as a filter does not mean that it can filter out the countless cancer-causing chemicals from the tobacco used in hookah, according to the UMD article. While The Vape Lounge is a tobacco-free cafe and there are other tobacco-free ways to smoke hookah, such as hookah pens, they still might not be free of nicotine. According to a Center for Disease Control article, these “forms of electronic hookah smoking” turn a liquid mix of nicotine, flavoring, and other chemicals into water vapor. The article also said that there is little health information known about these alternatives. It’s no secret that smoking cigarettes is dangerously addictive due to the amount of nicotine each one contains. It shouldn’t be surprising that hookah can be just as addictive, if not
more so, than a regular cigarette. In fact, some students have experienced hookah’s addictive qualities. “I’ve tried it a good amount of times, and it can actually become really addicting,” a student who wanted to remain anonymous said. According to the same UMD article, a 60-minute hookah session can expose the smoker to the same amount of nicotine and tar as a pack of cigarettes. Additionally, an article by the Center of Disease Control says that “a typical one-hour-long smoking session involves 200 puffs, while an average cigarette is 20 puffs.” We’ve all been to numerous assemblies that explain the hundreds of cancer-causing chemicals contained in tobacco and warned against forming a habit of smoking regularly. Yet, hookah exposes smokers to a higher amount of carcinogens than a regular cigarette. This can be attributed to the longer time spent smoking hookah and the deeper inhalation of the hookah’s smoke. This means that not only does hookah contain the same amount of carcinogens as cigarettes do, but also that smoking hookah increases levels of exposure to these chemicals. In addition to the harmful effects of the tobacco itself, sharing a hookah pipe can spread communicable diseases from sharing the mouthpiece, according to a Fox News article. But if hookah isn’t good for you, why has it grown so popular? Another anonymous student offers an explanation. “[Although smoking hookah doesn’t get] you high as a kite or anything, it’s just another thing to try,” the student said. Some students, like senior Emily Stasuk, question the popularity of smoking hookah. “I don’t really get why people do it if it doesn’t have an effect,” Stasuk said. Bottom line is, hookah is not harmless. It can be just as addicting and dangerous as smoking cigarettes, and its tobacco-free versions have yet to be proven healthy.
6 lifestyles
thepatriot April 2014 Freshman Julianna Richard “Everyone is very inviting and willing to help all the time.”
What about JC makes you happy? The Patriot explores what makes students happy as a response to senior WIililam Du’s “Happy -- we are from JC” video
Senior Connor Diday “Free time, hanging out with the nerd community, and teachers here make me happy”
Kathy Deaver Sports Editor “It’s like a love letter to John Carroll,” TV production and social studies teacher Bob Schick said. “He obviously loves going here.” Senior William Du created a video featuring 34 students and 21 teachers and faculty dancing to Pharrell William’s “Happy.” Du’s video was shared with the entire school. I think it’s a great promotion for our
school,” senior Margaret McGuirk said. Not only did Du’s video interest students, it went viral within the JC community. So far, the video has 4,689 views on YouTube alone and has been shared numerously via social media, prasing Du’s work. “Deep down, I don’t care how many views I got. The only thing I care about is that my video can make people happy,” Du said. “Great job, William. It says a lot about you that you got such enthusiastic response and
Lifestyles Editor Next time you sit down to eat your salad from the cafeteria, the delicious, fresh vegetables in that salad may be from the newly renovated greenhouse right outside the school. For her Senior Project, Julia Lindemon decided to renovate the greenhouse and bring it back to life. According to Lindemon, she noticed the greenhouse last year and, not knowing anything about it, thought it would be cool to start it up again. Little did she know, this idea would turn into a Senior Project. “It just turned from thinking about it to actually having it happen,” Lindemon said. Over the summer, Lindemon started getting involved with the facilities department to repair and restore the greenhouse. She began to grow the first plants about six months ago. Lindemon’s love for plants and
By Hanna LeBuhn
Frog legs hop off editor’s favorite foods Sophomore Denny Branch “The people here are really nice. There aren’t a lot of intense cliques. It’s better than public school.”
participation from so many happy people at JC,” Youtube commenter Mara Pais said. The four and a half minute long video incorporated a various amount of teachers ad students. “[Social Studies teacher Rodney] Johnson’s dance was the bomb,” junior Grace Richards said. In addition to the appearences by teachers, the student’s featured in the film ranged from all different grade levels. “I really like how so many people wanted to participate,” sophomore Megan Ingold said.
Senior Project grows to fruition Caitlin Wolfarth
Bucket List
gardening started at a young age, when she used to help her neighbor with her plants. “I grew up around it,” Lindemon said. “I just formed a love for it.” Despite her experience with plants, Lindemon had no prior experience of working in a greenhouse. “It’s pretty much just a learning experience for me. It’s different, but I can still apply my knowledge,” Lindemon said. “I like how I can just go up there whenever I want. Gardening has always been a stress relief.” According to Lindemon, the greenhouse has been successful so far. Food service director Yogi Shupe has even begun using spinach grown from the greenhouse for cooking in the cafeteria. Lindemon also hopes to start a club at JC to help take care of the Photo courtesy Julia Lindemon greenhouse. She has also talked to The plants, in the newly renevated greenhouse, soak up the sun. Creative Writing teacher Allison Senior Julia Lindemon began the maintence and repairs over the Amato about bringing her class up summer and started growing her first plants six months ago. there to write.
Have you ever wanted to… try frog legs? Yeah, neither have I. But for some odd reason, I have always wanted to go out of my comfort zone and order something a little different off the menu. As soon as I saw frog legs as an appetizer at The Union Hotel in Port Deposit, I knew I had to try them. I tried to order them nonchalantly, but ended up sounding completely ridiculous. I even became a little nervous while I was waiting for the kitchen doors to swing open and have a plate of frog legs set in front of me. It took a short 15 minutes to whip up my froggy dish, and as soon as I saw them, I felt like I had made the wrong decision ordering them. Everyone’s heard the expression, “tastes like chicken,” right? Well besides the chewy texture, web-like veins, and slippery coating, they tasted exactly like chicken! The frog legs looked very similar to chicken wings. They were fried and served with garlic and butter, possibly to mask the taste of the actual dish.The smell itself was anything but pleasant, but I knew I had to try it after going to the extent of ordering them. As I went in for the first bite, I couldn’t help but imagine the slimy green creature’s legs I was about to devour. I chewed and tried not to think about what I was eating. Swallowing was a different story. I felt like all of the flavors began squirting out of the frog legs at once as I chewed them as fast as I could. I immediately followed up my first bite with a large gulp of water. I took a deep breath and went in for bite two. The texture was similar to a fish but much, much slimier. The legs themselves were bendable, and I found them hard to chew. The more I ate, the more I imagined the legs beginning to croak. One leg was plenty for me. Although considered a delicacy in places like France and China, I wouldn’t exactly put them at the top of my list. I even had to wash my hands to rid them from the awful smell that lingered. The frog legs seemed to be a cross between chicken with a bit of fishy flavor thrown in for good measure. It’s safe to say my amphibian appetizer did not leave me satisfied. I’m not sure if it was the appearance of the legs on the plate, the texture in my mouth, or the fact I imagined them hopping off the plate. Although high in protein, I don’t think I will be so eager to order them next time.
A&E 7
thepatriot April 2014
VS Cost: 4 All entrees at Chipotle cost either $6.25 or $6.65 whether they be burritos, bur-
WINNER Cost: 4.5 The cost of a meal at Qdoba is reasonable, ranging from $6-$7 for a
rito bowls, tacos, or salads, though an additional fee is required for guacamole.
burrito, depending on the type. Even better is the student discount on Wednesdays and Thursdays that will cut the cost of an entree in half.
Atmosphere: 2 Chipotle’s ambiance was the most underwhelming part of our expe-
WINNER Atmosphere: 3 Although the look of the restaurant is not particularly spe-
rience. The metal trash cans, ceiling, and tables that are nailed to the floor create a cold, industrial atmosphere.
cial, the atmosphere is bright. The setting is casual, with generic art and decorations.
WINNER Portions: 4 The burritos at Chipotle can get pretty big, pretty fast. The
Portions: 3 The portions vary in size: sometimes the burritos are gigantic and sometimes they are just large. However, even with the inconsistency, the portions could never be described as skimpy.
huge amounts of rice, meat, and veggies in Chipotle’s burritos really give you a bang for your buck.
Service: 3 The customer service was lacking. We rarely saw the workers
WINNER Service: 5 The service is cheerful and quick, pleasingly efficient. The employ-
in the buffet-style serving line smile or engage with the customers in conversation.
ee-served buffet is similar to the style of Chipotle.
Menu & Variety: 4.5 Most impressive is the variety of the menu. While the burrito may
reign king, there are tacos, quesadillas, nachos, salads, soups, and more. Most famous at Qdoba is the queso, a melted three-cheese dipping sauce, that can be had on a burrito or with chips. Recently, the menu was updated to include two other quesos, the queso verde and diablo, exciting Qdoba fanatics.
Quality of Food: 3 The quality of the food is good, but not great. The ingredients are yum-
my but do not taste as fresh or well-seasoned as Chipotle’s. Also, they do not follow the same high-quality and morally-conscious standards in terms of mear that Chipotle does.
Ingredients and Nutrition: 3 The nutritional value of a meal at Qdoba depends mostly on what a customer chooses when customizing their burrito. With such large portions, and toppings like queso, the calories add up quickly, with an average of more than 1,000 calories per burrito.
WINNER Menu & Variety: 5 Chipotle offers a fairly wide range of options, and many other deli-
cious options to add into your feast, best of all being the guacamole, seasoned to perfection. Additionally, Chipotle offers a vegan option, a spicy tofu called sofritas, which Qdoba does not have on their menu.
Rating Guide Each category was rated from 1-5, with five being the highest score.
WINNER Quality of Food: 5 Even more inspiring than the variety of burrito toppings is the quality
of the food and morals of the company. Chipotle advertises “Food with Integrity,” meaning the ingredients are all sustainably-raised.
WINNER Ingredients & Nutrition: 5 Don’t feel too bad about eating all that delicious food, because every-
thing in the burritos, well, besides the cheese and steak, is healthy and natural. If you’re wondering how many calories are sitting in front of you, you can check the menu online or in store.
Conclusion Chipotle offers delicious, reasonably priced food in a less-than-appetizing atmosphere.
53%
Chipotle
Qdoba has good service, a wide variety of food, and some unique elements that keep customers returning, but the quality and taste simply cannot measure up to that of Chipotle. Overall, Chipotle is better for your stomach, but Qdoba is better for your feelings.
of students like or love
47%
of students like or love Qdoba
For more survey responses check out jcpatriot.com. In an online survey of the student body on March 21, The Patriot recieved 113 responses. The margin of error is +/- 4%.
OVERALL WINNER Reviewed by: Madison Meyer and Kaley Martin
8 in-depth
thepatriot April 2014
By Nicole Arrison
Does JC have a sweet tooth? “Sour patch kids are the greatest gift from God,” senior Sam Werneke said, describing his favorite candy. Like other students, Werneke has a sweet tooth. According to a survey of 89 students conducted by The Patriot on March 24, 70.9 percent of students eat candy at least once a week. Werneke eats candy about two times a week, normally after school. “It’s usually after I go to the store because it’s convenient,” Werneke said. Junior Grace Lee tends to eat candy 3-5 times a week. “When I get upset or stressed, I eat more sweets,” she said. Afterwards, she feels better and more relaxed. Other students, like sophomore Brooke Vogel, eat candy simply because they’re bored. “I’m more encouraged to eat candy when I’m bored, and I want something sugary,” she said. Vogel tends to eat candy about five times a week, normally right after school.
Sophomore Kristen Flanigan eats candy the most when she’s with her friends. “Whenever my friends and I hang out, they bring candy most of the time,” she said. According to the survey, 39.3 percent of students eat the most candy when they’re with their friends. 54.8 percent of students eat the most candy when they’re bored. On the other hand, senior Rachel Weskalnies eats candy the most when she is at home while watching movies, and she normally eats candy once every week. “Sometimes, I go on candy splurges,” which are caused by “stress and hunger,” according to Weskalnies. Afterwards, she feels “really unhealthy yet satisfied.” In response to the survey, 54.9 percent of students feel satisfied after eating candy. Biology teacher Kyle Leppert tends to crave candy during the holidays and after exercising. “Sometimes I want candy after long runs,”
he said. “I don’t buy candy that often, though. I normally only eat candy when it’s free candy. When you start actually buying candy, you know you’re in trouble.” Even though freshman Zach Miller’s favorite candy is Heath Bars, he does not eat candy that often. “I’ve never been a big candy eater,” he said. “I have to really be in the mood for it. I don’t have a big sweet tooth.” According to the survey, the most popular candy for students is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, with 24.1 percent of the vote. Kit Kats came in second place, with 19.5 percent of the vote, and Sour Patch Kids came in third place with 11.5 percent of the vote. Lee’s favorite candies are caramel creams. “I haven’t eaten any kind of caramel cream before I came to the United States,” she said. Chemistry teacher Julie Baker loves candy every now and then. “Sometimes I just love having something sweet,” she said.
in-depth 9
thepatriot April 2014
What are the effects of candy? O’Connor, eating too much sugar can cause damage to the teeth. Tooth decay occurs when the bacteria that line the teeth feed on sugar, creating acid that destroys the outside layer of the tooth. “When you eat something sweet, it takes the bacteria about 20 seconds to convert to acid, which then lasts for 30 minutes,” O’Connor said. Eating candy does not come without a price. “I had a cavity once in third grade after I had too much sugar on Halloween,” Werneke said. “If I sleep after eating candy and forget about brushing my teeth, I feel like I will get a cavity,” Lee said. Additionally, “I feel like I am gaining weight when I eat too much [candy],” Lee said. Unlike Werneke, Weskalnies has never had a cavity from eating candy. “However, sometimes if I eat too much, it does make me feel lazy,” she said. Leppert also knows that it is unhealthy to eat too much sugar. “Having a lot of sugar at one time causes some sugar to go to your bloodstream. If there’s too much sugar in your bloodstream, it turns to fat,” Leppert said. According to Leppert, the amount of candy someone can eat depends on their health. “More active people can handle more sugar easily,” Leppert said. “Being active allows your body to use the stored sugar right away.”
Leppert says eating too much candy can affect the insulin in the body. “Insulin controls the sugar in the blood and if too much sugar is taken in, it can cause problems,” Leppert said. According to the article, “Effects of Eating Too Much Sugar” by Lauren F. Freidman, eating too much sugar can increase your body’s demand for insulin, which helps your body convert food into energy. “When insulin levels are consistently high, your body’s sensitivity to insulin is reduced, and glucose builds up in the blood. Symptoms of insulin resistance can include fatigue, hunger, high blood pressure, and weight gain,” Freidman said. Junior Emily Meyerl doesn’t eat a lot of candy. “[In] the past six months, I have started eating healthier, and I just don’t eat a lot of candy or processed foods anymore. Ever since then, it honestly doesn’t taste as good anymore,” she said. From not eating candy and other unhealthy foods, Meyerl has seen some positive changes. “I have lost weight. I have more energy. I fall asleep quicker and sleep better. I have learned a lot about food and nutrition and just feel overall healthier as a result,” she said. Even though students are still hooked on candy, some have tried to break old habits, like Meyerl. Meyerl said, “I have found other foods that taste even better and satisfy my sweet tooth even more than candy ever did.”
Amoun t
of suga r
in a se
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ize
Although eating candy can be satisfying, it also has health effects. According to Psychology teacher Paul Lazor, eating too much candy can affect the brain. “Eating a lot of candy leads to some production of dopamine,” he said. “However, eating too much candy can become an addiction.” One student that responded anonymously to survey said, “I gave up all sweets and desserts for Lent, and it’s actually pretty hard. Sometimes it scares me how much people are dependent on sugar.” Some students, like freshman Bella Huffman, get a lot of energy after eating candy. “After I have candy, I’m super hyper,” Huffman said. Like Huffman, sophomore Erica James also becomes hyper after eating candy. “If I eat too much candy, then I act really crazy and get a ‘sugar rush,’” she said. “After I reach my sugar high, I crash.” Vogel feels unhealthy after eating too much candy. “I feel bad about myself because I really want to stay healthy,” Vogel said. Leppert doesn’t like eating too much candy because it “tears up his teeth.” Like Leppert, Miller believes that eating too much candy will damage his teeth. “After I eat a lot of candy, I feel like I have to brush my teeth a lot,” Miller said. According to the article, “The Claim: More Sugar Leads to More Cavities” by Anahad
43 gram
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19 gram
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18.7% of students said their favorite candy is Kit Kats
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11.0% of students said their favorite candy is Sour Patch Kids
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For more survey results about candy, visit jcpatriot.com.
24.2% of students said their favorite candy is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
In The Patriot survey on March 24, there were 109 responses. Survey results have a +/- 4% margin of error.
Illustration by Madison Meyer
10 A&E
thepatriot April 2014
Prom
C I N A P The Patriot explores how much
ir: Ha -$100 $20
up: Make 0 5 $20-$
students spend on Prom Lauren Fabiszak A&E Editor
Na $2 ils: 0-$ 50
Dre s $10 s: 0-$5 00
Artwork by Madison Meyer
In an online survey of the student body on March 21, The Patriot received 38 responses. The margin of error for this survey is +/- 4%.
What are seniors’ strongest feelings going into Prom?
By Emily Cassidy
wave-safe ceramic mug. Stir with a fork or spoon to mix well and break up any clumps. Add the oil, water, and vanilla to the cup and stir until the mixture is smooth and there are no lumps. Be sure not to use extra virgin olive oil, or else your brownie will be runny. Place in microwave and heat on high until the mixture is cooked through, about one minute and 40 seconds for a 1,000 watt microwave. You may have to experiment and adjust the time for less or more powerful microwaves. If you don’t know the power level on your microwave, start with 60 seconds and increase until the brownie is done. It should still be moist when cooked through, not dry. Top with some super yummy ice cream or whipped cream.
Brownie Mug 1/4 cup flour
Month
‘Divergent’ leaves fans of the novel wanting more
Confections with Cassidy This may be the most dangerous recipe I have ever made. However, the best part is that you will most likely have all of the ingredients in your pantry. If you don’t have cocoa powder on hand, you can easily substitute it with some instant hot cocoa powder. Place flour, sugar, cocoa, salt, and cinnamon in a micro-
of the
By Karly Horn
es: Sho $50 $20
Scanning through the barrage of glittery and bright colored Prom dresses, senior Julia Wilbert shrieks with joy at the thought of going to her fourth Prom with a new dress. For many families, the price of Prom and the time dedicated to finding the perfect selection is unbearable. “Last year I couldn’t get a Prom dress because my grandma was in the hospital and I couldn’t afford it. So this year being able to choose my Prom dress was so important to me,” Wilbert said. Boys understand that Prom is a huge deal for their female counterparts. “Years later they are going to show pictures to their daughters, they don’t want to have a bad dress,” senior Isaiah Speller-Martin said. “Girls stress a lot about their dresses, but they always seem to be proud of their dresses. I personally love my tux, I am really into wearing them on special occasions, I spent $190 on my rental,” senior Jonathan Kolson said. Junior Molly Exter agrees. “Prom is important because it’s a once in a lifetime thing, but some girls go a little overboard,” Exter said. However, not everybody wants to go over-the-top for the big night. “The whole process is overrated. I don’t really care that much if people are wearing the same dress,” senior Paige Tyler said. “It’s not about the dress, it’s about the night.” Tyler said that she
spent around $200 for the night. Tyler isn’t alone, as Prom can come with a pretty hefty price tag. According to a Patriot survey, a majority of this year’s senior girls said their dresses alone cost anywhere from $100-$500, and it took them 1-5 hours to find it. Although dress stores are becoming more competitive with their prices to keep up with more convenient online counterpart, 32.26 percent of girls bought their dresses online. Long, form-fitting dresses with cutouts have been the recent favorite style, but 26 percent of girls went for a princess ball gown and 3.85 percent opted for a short dress. No matter what the preference of each girl, the whole package to look “perfect” isn’t cheap. Besides the dress, 56.67 percent of girls who get their nails done spend $20-$50, 46.67 percent also spend that amount on a new pair of heels and makeup, and 20 percent add that same price to their bill for a tan. 40 percent of the senior girls then plan to spend between $20 and $100 for their hair. Males spend about half of that amount, only having to rent a tux and shoes ranging from $100-$300. So much thought is put into that one special night, but it’s worth every magical moment. 90.91 percent of students expressed that their strongest feeling towards Prom was “excitement.” A corsage/boutonniere? $20. A ticket to Prom? $50. The memories created there? Priceless.
Movie
1/4 cup sugar
1-2 drops vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Tiny pinch of cinnamon
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons cocoa powder 2 tablespoons canola oil or vegetable oil
A story of a dystopian society that has risen from the ashes, and the girl who will be instrumental in societal change. Doesn’t that sound familiar? The theme of “Divergent” may lack in originality, but the details of the story make up for it. Though I remain torn on my opinion of books being made into movies, as my knowledge from the book made me enjoy the movie as much as it made me realize it was why I was enjoying it, I can’t deny that I was entertained by “Divergent.” The story follows Beatrice “Tris” Prior (Shailene Woodley), as she comes of age to take the personality test that will tell her which faction she fits into. The faction system was designed to keep peace in a divided world, and when Tris takes the test to find that she doesn’t fit into just one faction, she faces imminent danger as a “divergent.” I was pleasantly surprised by Woodley. I did not have high expectations of her role in this movie due to her “Secret Life of the American Teenager” roots. She is very relatable, and not the least bit annoying, which can be hard to come by. Another character I particularly enjoyed was Jeanine Matthews (Kate Winslet), the antagonist of the story who comes from Erudite, the faction based on intelligence. Winslet played the character perfectly, as a rational and persistent woman who truly believes she is doing what is best for society, and has an impressively seamless American accent. Four (Theo James), Tris’ teacher in her new faction and eventual love interest, is both intense and loveable. Four and Tris have excellent chemistry, and though the character of Four is a little dry, James is able to make his character likeable, as he should be. This may be due to the number of times he takes his shirt off. The pace of the movie seems appropriate at the beginning, but, by the end, the story feels rushed. In addition, many of the characters from the novel are so underdeveloped that people who read the book end up disappointed, and those who did not end up confused. This can be accredited to the fact that the novel simply has too much character development and detail to fit into a film. If you are a fan of the novel, you will fill in the gaps of detail that the film cannot fit, but if you have not read the book, you may be left feeling somewhat underwhelmed by a story that is such and enthralling novel. I enjoyed the film, but it is not a must-see.
opinion 11
thepatriot April 2014
PATRIOT DEBATE
U.S. INVOLVEMENT IN FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The Patriot staff debates the effectiveness and validity of the U.S. getting involved with other countries in trade, war, and foreign aid
PRO Intervention is protection
VS CON
PRo Billy Jump
Copy Editor Interventionism is not the manifestation of a moral duty to protect other people or countries. It is the result of a threat to interest. As paradoxical as it may seem, interventionism is more of a responsibility to protect your own country, not to protect others’. Moral duty is often the excuse for U.S. interventionism. In WWI, President Wilson’s ideology of protecting democracy and defending the rights of those at the hand of imperialism, among many other reasons, were explanations for the government’s intervening in the war. Arguing that interventionism is a waste of U.S. resources is ignorant. Not only does intervention occasionally benefit the economy, but it also supplies one of the most powerful resources: alliance. WWI gave us the foundation for an alliance that we built on during WWII. The U.S. has to be wary of the terms by which it intervenes in foreign affairs. We should only intervene with the intention of maintaining peace. In 2003, the U.S. led the invasion of Iraq, using national security and 9/11 as an excuse for intervening in the affairs of the government and society. This intervention is alarming, as the exact mo-
tives are relatively blurred. American supremacy and the Bush administration’s goal of getting Saddam Hussein out of power made it hard to justify this type of intervention. Recently, the chaos in Syria and Ukraine have made U.S. intervention a likely prospect. The U.S. government must keep in mind the intentions of intervention. If maintaining peace and protecting American interests are the main goals, then intervention may be justified. Regardless, the U.S. has often been dubbed the “defender of freedom,” and the people of Syria are losing their liberty and life every day. The U.S. must factor in this aspect of possible reasons for intervention. However, Russian and Chinese anti-interventionist sentiments must also be factored in, as the U.S. cannot afford to make its relations with these two powers tense. Intervention is, as I have stated, a defense of personal interest. However, it is this purpose that brings the noble and inspirational blessing that interventionism can produce. Imagine the relief that the Jews in Auschwitz felt when they saw American liberators coming to free them. Or, apart from warfare, imagine a Haitian parent seeing relief effort volunteers offer food to their family after days of hunger. Although the U.S. government will never, nor should ever, intervene without some sort of benefit, intervention is a blessing on those lost in the hopelessness of corruption and injustice.
CON
Illustration by Madison Meyer
Cole Alban
Online Chief The U.S. has claimed an identity as a nation that gets involved in everything. Our nation spends $526.6 billion per year on defense to fund our wars, according to gop.gov. Perhaps with the condition of our nation, it’s time to invest some of those resources back into the U.S. and lean towards isolationism. Isolationism in the context of the U.S. is the belief that, as a nation, we should not get involved in other nations’ affairs. Our focus should be on cutting spending on defense and wars. International trade, another form of involvement, is important for the U.S. and should not be cut off. Ending that is simply out of the question right now. However, the U.S. should keep out of other nations’ conflicts. George Washington warned against entangling alliances with foreign powers, and it was good advice. Alliances made by later leaders set off conflicts like WWI and WWII. These were the first two wars where the U.S. broke off from the isolationist path. During the 18th and 19th centuries, wars due to alliances ravaged Europe. During this time, the U.S. was free to grow and only fight when needed. The effects of the world wars were far reach-
United States is too involved in other nations’ affairs
ing and hurt many people. According to the National World War Two Museum, the U.S. had 407,316 military deaths. Not having so many military alliances would prevent large-scale conflicts from occurring. Small conflicts between two nations can quickly become large when other alliances are held between various nations. Getting too involved in the situation between Ukraine and Russia could set off a large scale war. Even though the U.S. is not fighting any world wars now, the defense budget is still $526.6 billion for 2014. That is a lot of money that could be spent on other things. Even though international trade is important to the U.S., it is too dependent on other nations. The U.S. depends strongly on the Middle East for oil and on China for consumer goods. Events like wars or natural disasters in those areas can change prices for citizens in the U.S. In this way, U.S. citizens are almost at the mercy of these other nations, as far as prices go. Perhaps not getting out of international trade completely, but instead moving away from it, could help the U.S. become less dependent on other nations and more in control of its own economy. Also, the U.S. has many of its own issues that must be fixed before we get involved in the issues of others. According to cnn.com, the U.S. is $17.2 trillion in debt currently, yet still spends $526.6 billion on defense. These are issues that the U.S. needs to deal with first before getting involved in other nations’ affairs.
Joseph Gallen “I am an isolationist because we can’t go around assuming our ways are right. A democracy works here, but other countries have different values set.”
Religion Teacher
Austin Schap “No, it’s their business not ours. We’ve already been involved in other countries, and we haven’t really helped.”
Senior
Bethany Toy “[It’s] necessary to keep stable relations with the rest of the world.”
Junior
Joe Kyburz “No, because we should fix our own problems before we get involved in others.”
Sophomore
Freshman
Esther Peters
Patriot Answer Do you believe the U.S. should get involved in other countries’ affairs?
“Limited support and involvement are necessary because of the interconnectedness of all the countries.”
12 opinion
THE
PATRIOT
PERSPECTIVE Is the sky falling? Is this school burning? You may think so, but no, someone said the color of the football helmets might change. During a football meeting on Feb. 7, a proposal for new black helmets to replace the old gold helmets was unveiled. The team was excited to start a new season, hopefully even on a new turf field, and part of that excitement led to the possibility of a new look for the team with a black helmet. Many other sports teams have gotten new uniforms, and it only seemed fitting that the football team should be allowed a change as well. At this time, the coaches and players were unaware of the 50-year tradition of the football team having gold helmets, which was initiated by former coach Gerry Gray at the onset of the football program at JC. When the proposal was made public, family members of Gray and many other alumni quickly made the tradition known, through Facebook, emails, and various other outlets. They said that they thought that the gold helmet should stay. For something as seemingly trivial as the color of the football helmets, the outcry and debate that erupted was enormous. Many alumni responded passionately in support of keeping the gold hel-
IAAM doubles opportunities for female athletes
mets, but this was a double-edged sword. On one hand, it is positive to see so many alumni still active in our community and passionate about JC. Many alumni made inspiring comments about the importance of tradition and the legacy of JC. On the other hand, some alumni unfortunately took it too far, even to the point of calling current students “children” and “stupid” publicly on Facebook, saying that, “one day you will understand tradition and memories. You just don’t get it now.” The biggest attacks raised were that high school students were too stupid and young to understand tradition and that they did not respect and appreciate tradition. First, while students have not yet reached adulthood, they are old enough and mature enough that they deserve to have their opinions respected. As they struggle to savor their precious high school memories while the pressures of college and work loom over them, they are more than aware of the importance of memories. As students currently in high school, they are the young adults and the ones in the moment, making their own memories. No one can dispute that the main purpose of JC should be
thepatriot April 2014
Possible change in the color of the football team’s helmets elicits juvenile arguments
providing the best experience and education for the current students that will lead future generations. This is not to say our whole community is not important, but the focus needs to be what is best for everyone, especially the students now. Too often, the angry responses were from people who were focused on their own personal thoughts instead of on the welfare of the students and the football program. The discussion should have been about what is best for the community. Secondly, assuming students want to disrespect tradition and do not appreciate it is wrong. Students are currently part of the 50th anniversary celebration, a huge year for JC. Students have never been more aware of the many traditions present here. To say students don’t understand at all is too harsh. For example, one of the defining moments of junior year is receiving the class ring, and every student respects and appreciates this tradition. Students have no choice but to be ignorant of traditions if they aren’t informed about them. The administration and even some of the teachers should be responsible for educating them and sharing the history of the school. Overall, the negative outcry from the alumni did not embody
Juniors float away with compliments
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what JC is all about. The disapproval from both sides of the argument was overblown. Although both sides had valid points, the argument and controversy over such a small matter makes JC look like a zoo from the outside. If we cannot settle on something as simple as the color of our football helmet, what else can we not settle? The fact that a majority of this discussion was plastered all over Facebook only worsens the matter. At the end of the day, the helmet is staying gold like it should, but the situation could have been handled better. The art of balancing tradition and change is never an easy concept to master. On one hand, tradition is important. It binds people together and connects generations with memories. It keeps the old young, and gives the young wisdom. However, change is also necessary to keep any organization going. Without change, progress is hardly made. Because these two concepts can rarely coincide smoothly, tension often results. The JC football program sure did see a lot of that this month. The one tradition that should never change is the tradition of JC having caring, compassionate, and thoughtful alumni, students, teachers, and administrators.
Old event venues are so last year things trying new , d re e v o c is d things As JC has all the new t, c fa In . d a sb eshing isn’t alway been a refr e v a h g in y n tr JC has bee anquet twist. r Sports B te in W e th , attenBy moving lin Ballroom et. h ic R e th to e last banqu off-campus y up from th did not get to a w t n e w e danc iors y, while sen etreat location Additionall rR io n e ining revious S go to the p ren’t compla e w y e th y, e ll a facilities of Willow V w and nice ie v l fu ti u a e y Cove. about the b dge at Sand o L e k a e p heard at The Chesa p it all off, have you to be cruisFinally, to udents will st , m ro P r io rbor in the that for Sen re Inner Ha o im lt a B e th esome. ing around ise ship? Aw t with ru c re o im lt it up JC. Ou Spirit of Ba say is keep All I have to new. in with the the old and
Advice ...you didn’t
know you wanted
By Kaley Martin
Spring into being kind to nature
As the old saying goes, March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. The snow is melting, the temperature is climbing, and life in the great outdoors is blooming once again. With all this nature popping up around us, it’s important to consider how we can help it grow and blossom! So now that March has calmed down, I’ve decided to come up with some ideas on how we can all be kinder to the earth this season. 1. The most obvious suggestion is to plant a tree. Trees are not only beautiful, but they also produce oxygen for us to breathe. Depending on the type of tree you plant, in a couple of years, it could grow tasty and healthy all-natural fruit for you and your family. What a good environmental and health-conscious decision. 2. Trees aren’t the only things you can plant. You can grow a whole garden: flowers, veggies, fruits, and other plants are all things you can grow right in your own backyard. Not only will you be helping the earth by enriching the soil with your garden’s nutrients, you’ll be helping your household by growing things you can decorate your house and feed your family with. 3. Pick up trash in your local community. Let’s be real, litterbugs are everywhere. There have been countless times when I have been driving home from school, and I see a McDonald’s cup or some other kind of trash lying on the side of the road. Just the other day I was walking out of the mall, and I saw someone’s math homework fluttering across the parking lot. A simple way to be kind to the earth is picking up trash that hasn’t been thrown away properly. Make sure you dispose of your own trash correctly. Nobody likes a litterbug. 4. Speaking of trash, I’m sure everyone is aware of the importance of recycling. It’s as simple as 1-2-3. What could be an easier way to be kind to Mother Nature? 5. Last but not least, encourage others to join you in your quest for kindness towards nature. Not only should you totally tell everyone you know about this article, you should motivate all your friends and work colleagues to do as you’re doing and spread the love. Get your family to start recycling, make a date with your friends to plant a friendship garden, or organize a tree planting event in your community. Being kind to the earth is fun, but it’s even more fun when you involve others. The earth loves you, so love it back. The happier the planet is, the happier everyone on it will be.
opinion 13
thepatriot April 2014
Rachel’s Rants
By Rachel Amhrein
The Patriot examines how the upcoming changes to the SAT will affect students What do you feel colleges should look at as most important when looking at potential students?
What section of the SAT do you believe is or will be most difficult for you? In the Patriot survey on March 10, 2013, 213 students responded with their thoughts on the SAT. The margin of error for this survey is +/- 4 percent.
Lauren Fabiszak A&E Editor SAT? More like SAD because no student is happy when taking that mandatory standardized test. The new version of the SAT, which will go into effect in 2016, will be available online and on paper. We live in a tech-obsessed world, so that actually isn’t a bad idea. Additionally, instead of taking one-quarter of a point off the total score for wrong answers, no points will be taken away. The only downside to the new changes is that the essay portion will be optional. That sounds beneficial, until you consider the fact that the SATs are supposed to assess how well a student will perform during their freshman year of college. Newsflash: every college student has to maintain the ability to write a good paper. Easier vocabulary words are going to be used in the reading section. Why would we want our American, English-speaking students to flourish in their native language and deliver a well-writ-
The Patriot
The John Carroll School 703 Churchville Road Bel Air, MD 21014 Volume 49,Issue 4, April 2014
Editor in Chief: Hope Kelly Print Chief: Sydney Setree Online Chief: Cole Alban
ten essay as a nice future indication of success in college? The easier vocabulary will only hurt students because, no matter what profession they get into, they will need to speak, and possibly write, intelligently. The math section will cover fewer topics, which is wonderful. However, the terrible bombshell has been dropped that no calculators will be allowed. Ouch. Lastly, the biggest change of all: the point scale. The current arrangement of a score out of 2400 will be reduced to 1600. Nobody is complaining about this change, because the test is simply a waste of everybody’s four hours anyway. However, what could cause College Board to finally make a change? Like everything else, it’s about money. The ACT overtook the SAT in 2012 because of its broader and simpler concepts (aka it doesn’t try to trick you as much as the SAT). According to The Examiner, at least 2,000 more teens take the ACT than the SAT. If col-
leges and their prospective students’ families quickly uncovered the truth that the SATs are a giant scam, they would not require them in the decision-making process. College Board would therefore lose a significant amount of money. The college application process is expensive enough. The added pressure on students to hire a tutor so they can do better than the kid across the room from them who never gets less than an A on anything is ridiculous. According to an article on PBS. org that analyzed the results of the effectiveness of the SAT, the only true indication of how well a high school student will perform in college is solely dependent on their grades. According to article author Sarah Sheffer, “if high school grades are not high, good testing does not promise college success. Students with good grades and modest testing did better in college than students with higher testing and lower high school grades.” Anybody can study for
News Editors: Emily Cassidy Lauren Glase
Opinion Editors: Justin Hawkins Kaley Martin
Contributors: Rachel Amrhein Eric Johnson Amanda Spaeth
Lifestyles Editors: Hanna LeBuhn Caitlin Wolfarth
Sports Editors: Kathy Deaver Elizabeth Driver
Artists: Brynly Wilson
A&E Editors: Lauren Fabiszak Karly Horn
Copy Editors: Angela DeCarlo Billy Jump
Moderators: Mark Ionescu Nick Attanasio
In-Depth Editors: Nicole Arrison Madison Meyer
Multimedia Editor: Erica Kelble
the same test, but not everybody can achieve the same level of high academic success for four years straight. The SAT assumes that every student can equally excel in every area, thus pointing out students’ downfalls when they do well on two of the sections and miserably fail the third. Not to mention the teens who suffer from test anxiety, who may have not gotten enough sleep the night before, or who may not have eaten a nice breakfast the day of, are automatically at an unfair advantage because one test dictates so much of their future. If colleges can’t live without test scores, it would be smarter to grade students based on a schoolspecific examination. Standardized tests will never accurately depict a student’s true potential because every student learns differently. If anything, it’s about time the SATs changed. While they will unfortunately never become obsolete, I wish the rules had been changed before I took my test.
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 666 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 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.
Feminists are not monsters
All men are created equal, right? Well, where does that leave women? Women have a right to be treated as equals as much as men do. Oh wow, I shouldn’t have said that. God forbid I might be one of those…feminists. Feminism is often treated as a taboo subject. Men tend to turn up their noses when they hear a woman say that she is a feminist. Sometimes feminists are openly mocked and sneered at. What is wrong with this picture? Do we really live in a society that is afraid of supporting equal rights? This is the twenty-first century. It’s time for men to get a wake-up call. The times have changed, and there is nothing wrong with wanting equal rights for both sexes. Being a feminist is not a terrible thing. I know women and men who are very proud to consider themselves feminists. Being a feminist is not the same thing as being sexist. Feminists do not believe that women are better than men, they simply believe that women are equal to men. For some reason, this is hard for many males to accept in today’s society. I overhear men talking about women as if they are objects all the time. If you sit with a group of guys in the cafeteria, sexist comments are sure to come up. Jokes are made about girls’ appearances and bodies. One of the guys that I sat with at lunch pulled up a picture of the cheerleaders and went through, saying things for each girl like “I’d do that one,” and “Eww, not her.” This is not okay. All the girls in the picture he was looking at have unique personalities and should not be objectified like that. No one should ever be considered an object that can be used for anyone else’s pleasure. Too often we focus on racial discrimination, and miss what is right under our noses—gender discrimination. It occurs in schools and in the workplace. Women are still getting paid less than men for doing the exact same jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women that work full time earn an average of $713 per week, while men working the same amount of time earn an average of $869 per week. This is exactly why feminism is necessary. Neither sex is superior, therefore men should not be treated better. For some reason, this is hard for some men to accept, but they need to “man up” and get over it.
14 sports Time Out
thepatriot April 2014
Is varsity based on talent?
Opinions vary on whether varsity positions should Snow storms be based on talent or class seniority hold back By Amanda Spaeth
Copy Editor
Photo by Sydney Setree
According to Athletic Director Larry Dukes, coaches are “not encouraged to carry seniors just because they are seniors.” Most upperclassmen on varsity are selected based on talent and leadership, not because of class level. According to varsity basketball center and volleyball middle blocker Ashley Hunter, a junior, seniors are treated differently because “coaches want to reward the seniors for their loyalty. Seniors are normally very talented, show great leadership skills, and really deserve to be in the game.” As the oldest students in the school, seniors have a lot of influence over juniors and underclassmen. Junior and varsity offensive tackle Jake Kahoe believes that seniors should have certain privileges on the team, as they are “more like the leaders of our teams.” Having a varsity team full of seniors concentrates the leadership of the entire sport program onto the varsity level and gives JV players the incentive to work
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Maha Khan
Marc Griffin “I think it should happen because, even if you are on varsity, it doesn’t mean you will play.”
“It makes sense. Seniors shouldn’t be playing JV.”
Senior
Sophomore
“No, sports should be based on talent, not grade level.”
to play on varsity basketball and varsity volleyball her freshman year. The factors that influence a coach’s decision of who will and will not play varsity are not about class, but about who will be the most effective in giving the team the best chance of winning and possibly placing at championships. Leadership, loyalty, and skill are all factors that influence a coach’s decision when forming a team, which most seniors demonstrate effectively. A team depends on everyone’s hard work, regardless of their class. Varsity is the strategic placement of the best athletes onto a specific team, which guarantees the best chance for the team to have a successful season and longevity.
Should varsity be a senior privilege?
Dave Carrier
Patriot Answer
harder to make varsity. Obviously, skill plays a major part in being chosen to play on varsity. Letting seniors play simply because they are seniors only leads to a disorganized team with unfair privileges. “If a senior is completely terrible at a sport, then they probably do not deserve a varsity position,” senior varsity field hockey player Kirsten Kyburz said. “A team is a team and everybody should be treated equally.” Coaches are aware that varsity is for the best players, regardless of grade level. “I have been playing basketball my whole life and I can honestly say that my skill did help me make varsity basketball, as well as my natural athleticism,” said Hunter. Hunter was chosen
Junior
Coming into JC, many freshmen face the anxiety of trying out for a sport. The pressure to make it onto a varsity team can be a lot to handle, especially if you can’t pass as well as Peyton Manning or can’t dunk like Kareem Abdul Jabbar. Varsity teams are often built around a core group of seniors. For some students, it may seem like playing on varsity is just another senior privilege, but this is not true. “Coaches are not encouraged to carry seniors just because they are seniors,” Athletic Director Larry Dukes said. “That said, many of us, as we fill out our bench, would rather have underclassmen play all the time at the JV level than sit on the bench on the [varsity level].” Being chosen to play on the varsity level requires skill, leadership, and experience, which seniors almost always excel in, especially when compared to underclassmen. Naturally, a lot of coaches look to the seniors as the leaders of the team. It is not because of their class that seniors get chosen, but it is the accumulation of qualities that make for great varsity players.
Ianna Pirozzi
This morning, I woke up and took a look at my clock, which read 8:56 a.m. It was one of those moments where my eyes opened wide and I thought, “Who am I? Where am I? Why am I still in bed?” Sure enough, I took a look outside my window and saw about five inches of fresh snow on the ground. At this point, there were a couple things on my mind. No school meant Cyber Day and no practice. While Mother Nature surely took care of students who were begging her to have the day off, the odds were definitely not in the favor of spring sports teams. Yes, students love an unexpected day off, but when it comes down to that important, upcoming match against a rival school, they might regret missing practice time. Plus, there is always the chance that they cannot do a workout at home. Battling the snow at the start of the spring season has proved to be a challenge. The main issue teams have struggled with as a result of the snow is playing on the actual field. The school gym does not cut it, since there is a different feeling when athletes are on the field. On the field, the spirit of the game is alive and well, with dirt and grass under the players’ feet. Being outside and dragged down by the snow is not an option. Jumping like jackrabbits through the snow while running our track workout tires everyone out too quickly, pushing us to the brink of exhaustion. The cold hurts our throats, and the wind pushes against us. Plus, by the time we finish, our feet are soaked from the amount of snow that clung to us during our torturous practice. Cancelled practices here and there stalled many athletes from peaking and reaching their potential. For some spring athletes, however, the cold was not as much of a roadblock. Aside from snow days when school was completely cancelled, the basketball, swimming, and wrestling teams practiced uninterrupted. Snow may have cut practices and games here and there, but Patriots are uncompromising. Athletes will stop at nothing for the love of the game. With spring season beginning to warm up, a change in the weather will be much appreciated. So, how have all the snow days truley affected sports performance? Only time will tell.
Billy Jump
Freshman
spring sports
“I think seniors should get varsity privilege. Freshmen have to work their way up.”
16 sports
Double Header
Softball
VS
Softball and baseball step up to the plate to compare fields, equipment, pitching, and more Elizabeth Driver Sports Editor The ball whizzes past junior Katie Benisch, who stands by the softball field, clapping enthusiastically along with the players’ parents. Though there are barely any fans in attendance, Benisch is not discouraged and cheers on her friends. If this were a baseball game, however, there would be more students in the bleachers along with the parents. Why such a difference? According to Benisch, “baseball is more focused on because there are players who are drafted for their sport, while at the same time I don’t know of any who play professional softball.” “[The] softball team’s only fans are usually parents, so I believe more people watch baseball. This might be because most people have never been exposed to softball at a professional level like they have been with baseball through the MLB,” varsity softball pitcher Ally Goheen, a junior, said. Softball coach Jack Westermeyer agrees that baseball is more popular in general. “Major league baseball is well-established and millions of viewers tune in and attend the games. Women’s fastpitch softball is a seasonal event with the NCAA May Super regionals and Women’s College World Series in
Oklahoma City,” Westermeyer said. “They’re different games,” junior and varsity softball player Amanda Nastalski said. “We can’t throw as far because it’s a bigger ball, and [baseball’s] pitch time is faster [because of the smaller ball size].” “There’s a difference in the ball size, there’s a difference in the bat size, [and] there’s a difference in the field size,” baseball coach Steven Teter said. Additionally, “bases are 60 feet from home plate in softball, whereas they are 90 feet [from home plate] in baseball.” However, when the distance of bases is combined with the amount of innings, the length of both softball and baseball is roughly the same. Even though the both sports are about the same length of time, players of both sports agree that baseball is watched more than softball. Junior Anthony Leppert “[does] not believe there is much of a conflict, if any, between baseball and softball.” “Baseball came before softball,” Nastalski said, explaining the reason why she believes baseball is more popular. “Even in other sports, men’s [teams] seem to be more important.” Though baseball gets more attention, there is no animosity between the two.
thepatriot April 2014
Baseball
2014 Play by Play Baseball Captains: Seniors Mark Michael and Connor Reeves Last year’s varsity record: 5-15 Last year’s JV record: 5-11 Toughest opponents: Calvert Hall and Gilman
Softball Captains: Senior Sarah Ford and Juniors Ally Goheen and Molly Exter Last year’s varsity record: 0-9 Last year’s JV record: 0-11 Toughest opponents: Mount DeSales and Seton Keough
Lining up the facts Softball
Baseball
Innings: 9 Pitching: Underhand, flat circle Pitching distance: 60 feet Homerun distance: 220 feet Ball circumfrence: 12 inches Length between bases: 60 feet
Innings: 7 Pitching: Overhand, elevated mound Pitching Distance: 43 feet Homerun distance : 250 feet Ball circumfrence: 9 inches Length between bases: 90 feet