The Patriot April 2017, Issue 5 Volume 52

4.11.17

Issue 5

Volume 52

www.jcpatriot.com

Checking the Pulse

The Patriot examines student health to better understand our community’s mental and physical well-being Diabetes 5 Sex education 6 Planned Parenthood 11 Health course 12

2 NEWS

April 2017

Trump proposes Bay cleanup cuts Lauren Becker and Edward Benner News Editor and Entertainment Editor Junior Jessica Bauer stares over the edge of the boat as she and her family travel down the Middle River, a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. She sees splashes of color floating on top of the murky water that don’t fit in with the surrounding ecosystem.

These splashes of color are various pieces of garbage, including plastic bottle caps, soda can rings, and candy wrappers.

Seeing trash is not uncommon for Bauer when she is boating, and for her, it has always been this way. “Ever since I was little I haven’t seen any change. It’s dirty, and even with the money to clean it up, nothing has changed,” she said.

Junior Bella Brooke, who goes crabbing with friends, agrees with Bauer and has not seen a positive change in the water quality.

“From my experience on the Bay, the Bay is dirty. You can see the trash floating in it and the water is much more turbid than the past,” Brooke said.

The problem Bauer and Brooke see when they go boating or crabbing could become worse in the upcoming years due to budget cuts. President Trump’s proposed budget, released by the Office of Management and Budget, reduces funding for many major programs, with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) budget being the most affected.

However, at the time of publication, President Trump’s proposition to cut funds was merely a recommendation, according to Delmarvanow, a news source that

is part of the USA Today network.

The final budget is ultimately decided by Congress and must be approved or changed by Oct. 1, 2017 for the 2018 fiscal year.

The proposed plan slashes the EPA’s budget by 31 percent from $8.2 billion to $5.7 billion. According to the Washington Post, these cuts would eliminate 3,200 jobs and discontinue over 50 programs that are currently funded by the agency.

Among the 50 programs being discontinued is the Chesapeake Bay Program, which received $73

“If it gets to the point where I can’t swim in it or fish or crab, I will have lost one of my favorite things to do.”

Junior Jessica Bauer

million in funding last year. In the proposed $427 million cut of regional funding from the EPA, the Chesapeake Bay Program would be reduced to $0 next year according to the Daily Press. This means that all Bay cleanup efforts will become the sole responsibility of state or local governments with no federal aid.

“Of the $73 million budget that goes from the EPA to the Chesapeake Bay, about $59 million of that is split up and provided to local governments, state governments, community groups, and nonprofits to do cleanup work.

If this proposed budget were to go through and approved by Congress ... all monitoring and research would be halted,” Assistant Director of Media Relations with the Chesapeake Bay Foun-

The current

on $73 milhleisapeake budget for Cp could be Bay cleanu er cut to $0 und get Trump’s new bud

dation Tom Zolper said.

Junior Evan Tridone agrees with President Trump’s proposed budget cuts and believes that the federal government should not be tasked with environmental upkeep.

“I think the federal government should have some sort of influence, but it should be left to the states to make the laws,” he said.

Despite not seeing any difference in the water quality, Brooke still believes that funding for the cleanup efforts should be continued. “The only way that things even have a chance of getting better is if funding is continued. If funding is cut, the state of the Bay will waste away at a much faster rate,” she said.

According to Zolper, federal funding plays an important role in restoration efforts. “Think about this agency as being sort of a doctor of this ill patient, and the doctor needs to have information.

There’s a lot of science that goes into cleaning up the Bay,” Zolper said.

Unlike Zolper, Tridone believes that federal money should not be used to clean up the Chesapeake Bay. “I do believe that the Bay’s funding is needed and extremely necessary because it is really important and needs to be saved. This saving is not up the federal government though,” Tridone said.

The federal government’s allocation of funding and initial restoration efforts to fix the Chesapeake Bay’s declining health began in 2010. In that year, the EPA established the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL).

According to the EPA, the Chesapeake Bay TMDL outlines the necessary steps to re-

duce pollutants such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. It is designed to institute measures for bay and tributary restoration, which should be 60 percent complete by 2017 and fully established by 2025.

In an investigative piece written by Alex Jackson for the Capital Gazette in 2013, the effectiveness of federal funding is debated.

“Tens of millions have been spent on programs critics consider nearly ineffectual, including a state and federal effort to recover the bay’s oyster industry,” Jackson said in the article.

Jackson makes the argument that the problem lies in the complexity and inability to accurately track the path of the funding. “It’s

hard to track funds used for bay restoration from source to destination, so it’s equally hard to calculate trends and determine what’s efficient,” Jackson said.

Although the overall effectiveness of the federal funding is debated, Brooke believes that the quality of the Bay will decline if President Trump’s budget is approved. “It’s important to save the Bay because so many different species of animals live in the Bay and some people make their living off of the Bay,” she said.

Bauer agrees with Brooke, and she thinks that it is important to save the Bay. “It would impact my life because if it gets to the point where I can’t swim in it or fish or crab, I will have lost one of my favorite things to do,” she said.

BAY BUCKS

Almost $13 billio ha s be en n s p e n t o n B ay cleanup effor ts Illustration by Lauren Becker

NEWS 3

April 2017

Administration undergoes restructuring

Caroline Cooney and Allie Taylor

with providing leadership for the planning, development, and production of curriculum mateEditor in Chief and rials, processes, and best teaching practices.” O’Hara believes Perspectives Editor that implementing this position For the upcoming school year, will result in the enhancement there will be no vice principals. of teaching and the curriculum With this change, the current itself.

Vice Principal of Student Affairs “I believe that nothing has and Technology will become more of an effect on the improvethe Dean of Student Affairs and ment of the student experience Technology. The position of Vice than how well we are attracting Principal of Academics will be and developing and retaining the replaced by Dean of Professional very best teachers. We want to Development. make sure that According to the culture is President and In- “We want to make one that always terim Principal seeks to imsure that the Richard O’Hara, prove,” O’Hara this change in po- culture [at JC] is said. sition has been in One facone that always discussion since ulty member the Strategic Plan- seeks to improve.” believes that ning Committee President and Interim Principal focusing on dein 2010, a process Richard O’Hara veloping teachwhich occurs every ers’ professionfive years to plan alism could improvements for the school. create a consistent teaching style “The discussion got a little throughout the school. “I think more momentum when we were that’s needed actually. I think it’s getting a new principal and [dis- great to have so much freedom cussing] what would be the best to teach whatever you like, but it roles that could move everything can also cause problems,” Margaforward,” O’Hara said. The goal ret Kelly* said. is to take the emphasis off of just In June, Tom Durkin, who is completing the administrative currently the Assistant Princitasks and to put more emphasis pal at St. Vincent Pallotti High “on the vision and the implemen- School, will assume the position tation of the vision,” according to of Principal and Chief Academic O’Hara.

Officer. With this position, he “I think particularly in Catho- will take on some of the tasks lic schools, the roles of principals from the current Vice Principal of and vice principals can tend to be Academics, as well as act as the too administrative, almost man- principal. “It seems like they’ve agement of the various parts of taken two jobs, the vice principal the operation that goes on. After a and principal, and they’ve kind lot of discussion and research, we of merged it. That seems like it wanted to put more emphasis on would be too much for one person the academic leadership,” he said. to do. I think it’s too ambitious,” According to the job descrip- Bradley Smith* said. tion, the Dean of Professional However, according to O’Hara, Development will be “charged Durkin is “well aware and is very

supportive of the change.”

“A lot of the responsibilities [that] were basically under the vice principal will be distributed.

It’s not all going to be going to Mr. Durkin, but that is still in the planning stage,” O’Hara said.

When the Board of Trustees and O’Hara made the decision to implement the position of Dean of Professional Development, faculty members were informed through an email sent out to the entire community regarding speculations about faculty changes.

“We didn’t know about [the restructuring] until everyone knew about that. We knew about the title of the principal, but we didn’t know how the other people would be affected,” Smith said.

According to O’Hara, faculty members were “not directly” involved with the decision process and will be informed closer to June with details regarding an explanation of the positions and the reasoning behind the changes.

Several faculty members have expressed that they were upset by this lack of communication regarding a decision that would affect the school. “They have not told us anything at all. They haven’t communicated anything at all to us,” Kelly said.

Although O’Hara believes that this will positively impact the students and raise JC to another level, some students and faculty members think otherwise.“As far as I can tell, we don’t fully agree with [the changes]. Why can’t we just be a school? … We are a business ... but we are in the business of kids, the business of students.

Stop trying to be something we’re not, you try too hard,” Smith said.

Students’ reactions to the structural changes were mixed. “It’ll be like people are overwatching us, but no one is actually here to see what’s going on in the stu-

Administrative restructuring starting in the 2017-18 school year will remove all vice principal positions

Infographic by Elizabeth Harmison

dents’ lives,” one senior said. “I feel like the students aren’t going to have anyone on their side.”

O’Hara does not understand this apprehension from students.

“Everybody is on their side here, all of the teachers, advisors, coaches, counselors, [and] administration. This change, in putting emphasis on a role that is designed to make instruction even better, is only designed to make the experience better for all students and to make us a stronger school,” he said.

Another teacher believes that the structural change was unnecessary.

“I think that the structure that

we’ve had for the last 50 years with a principal and two or three vice principals has worked fine,” Barbara Anthony* said.

However, O’Hara feels that the community should look at the changes with an open-mind. “The value to the school and to the students of changes like [these] and certain decisions are often not known until much later in the future … I think time will show that they were right decisions, they were good decisions for John Carroll,” he said. *Due to the sensitivity of the topic, faculty members and students wished to be anonymously quoted.

New principal announces preliminary plans Grace Mottley Assignment Chief Tom Durkin will officially assume his role as Principal and Chief Academic Officer on June 12. His selection for the position was announced on Jan. 4 after he went through a three-step interview process.

Durkin’s responsibilities will include reviewing academic curriculum, introducing new programs, evaluating teachers, and providing professional development. He will also be involved in some disciplinary procedures, although he plans to “initially defer to the Deans of Students in matters of discipline, so I can see how we do things.”

Durkin hopes to interact with students beyond his capacity as principal. He wants to be able to teach an English class and help with the Speech and Debate team, two roles he currently plays at St. Vincent Pallotti High School as Assistant Principal.

“I’d like to help set an example of teaching, if I could. I know that may not be possible, [but] I do think it is important for administrators to stay in the classroom, so they know what it’s like to be in the classroom,” Durkin said.

In addition, Durkin plans to have an active relationship with student government affairs. He currently meets with the leaders

of the Student Government Association, or SGA, at Pallotti once a month to discuss student issues, which is something he plans to continue doing at JC as well. This idea will not be foreign to JC students, as the current SGA meets every eight-day cycle to discuss student issues with the administration.

“I’m going to get all my teachers a book called ‘Teaching in the Digital Age’ because education is changing, and we need to know how to keep up with it.”

Incoming Chief Academic Officer Tom Durkin

Beyond plans to interact with students, Durkin hopes to introduce his own grading policy. This policy requires that all graded assignments are returned to students and uploaded to Veracross within 72 hours of the assignment’s due date. “All education-

al studies show students need immediate feedback on work and returning assignments after 72 [hours] provides that. Anything after 72 [hours] loses the gratification of returning it as students move on and learn new things,” he said.

Some students at Pallotti find that this policy is a beneficial one. “The policy is very helpful, especially if you’re stressed or don’t know how you did on a test and are worried about it. Having that information is very helpful to have right away,” Pallotti senior Annie Smee said.

Durkin’s priorities also include learning more about the way JC operates. He especially wants to learn the emergency lockdown procedures because “there’s nothing more important than student safety.”

He also wants to learn the names of all faculty members and students and has already taken the initiative to do so. “I borrowed a yearbook so I can try to know all the teachers’ and students’ names when school starts,” Durkin said.

In regards to the academic aspects of his position, Durkin plans to work on professional development and curriculum quality. “I’m going to get all my teachers a book called ‘Teaching in the Digital Age’ because education is changing, and we need to know how to keep up with it,” he said.

While Durkin is looking forward to meeting more students at JC and becoming a part of the community, his students at Pallotti are upset that he’s leaving. “The whole community is so sad. He’s such a big part of Pallotti, and everyone is going to miss him,” Smee said.

Photo courtesy The John Carroll School

Tom Durkin is the current Assistant Principal of St. Vincent Pallotti High School and will become JC Principal and Chief Academic Officer on June 12. His job responsibilities will include providing professional development and reviewing academic curriculum.

4 COMMUNITY

Shining a light on

April 2017

In honor of Autism Awareness Month, students illuminate the ways they are affected by different sides of the autistic spectrum Asperger’s syndrome, the lowest form of autism on the autistic spectrum. Despite the difficulty of understanding social cues, Menon Senior Phil Prevosto walks was able to strengthen his social outside with his brother, looking skills. “Going to the social skills around at the nature and beauty groups and the therapy groups, it surrounding them. As they walk, really helps ... You have to grind they see a flower sprouting out really hard and really practice of the ground. Prevosto’s brother your social skills,” he said. turns to him and says, “Oh, look Other symptoms that accomat that flower, look how awesome pany autism include difficulty in that is,” while Prevosto responds, communicating, limited and spe“Yeah, it is sweet. It’s awesome.” cific interests in activities, and Prevosto’s 23-year-old brother, preoccupation with certain foods, Dylan, was diagitems, or rounosed with autism “I think people say tines. at the age of 11.

According to As a result of the that [autism] limits Menon, he exdisability, “He just them, but they’re perienced many sees everything in of these sympbeauty and has a actually some of toms in addichild-like mindset the smartest kids I tion to sensory in his life, so it’s dysregulation, a pretty awesome,” know.” symptom comPrevosto said. monly attributed Senior Mary Doud to This child-like Asperger’s mindset is comsyndrome. monly associated with adults who Sensory dysregulation modihave autism and is the result of fies senses which causes someone developmental delays, according to be too sensitive, or not sensito WebMD. tive enough, to certain things.

According to autismspeaks. With Menon, his perception of org, “Autism refers to a range of taste and texture were affected. conditions characterized by chal- “When I was young, I used to lenges with social skills, repeti- love eating things with McDontive behaviors, speech and non- ald’s ketchup and really weird verbal communication, as well stuff like that. I also used to love as by unique strengths and differ- to eat alphabet soup, even at any ences.” restaurant,” Menon said.

This disability impacts thouIn addition to struggles with sands of individuals across the sensitivity to texture, people with country. According to the Autism autism can also be sensitive to Science Foundation, “approxi- sound. This became rather probmately 1 in 68 children in the lematic for Menon, as it started United States has been identified to impact his sense of hearing. “I with an Autism Spectrum Disor- couldn’t bear loud noises. I would der (ASD).” throw up. I would get nauseous in Junior Paul Diehl’s 18-year-old the cafeteria in elementary school brother, Chris, has a high-func- because the noise would just kill tioning form of autism. He ex- me,” he said. After those expeperiences challenges with social riences, Menon’s situation got skills, in particular, struggling to worse. “I got even more socially recognize social cues. isolated after that because they “For the most part, it’s all made me sit outside the cafeteria about social cues and being natu- wearing headphones,” he said. ral. That’s a big issue, [for exSimilarly, Diehl’s brother also ample] looking into people’s eyes found challenges at school where is weird. You have to teach that, he was also isolated socially. and after you do, he’s fine,” Diehl While in school, Chris was the said. victim of bullying.

Junior Sahil Menon also ex“It’s only difficult because perienced difficulty with recog- other kids make it difficult. He nizing social cues. At the age of hated school and only because five, Menon was diagnosed with kids constantly picked on him. He

Pia Scotto and Erin McCloskey Community Editors

shouldn’t have come home crying every day,” Diehl said. According to Diehl, Chris is now at a new school and is doing better than ever with better grades.

According to senior Mary Doud, those affected with autism face many struggles, but these struggles do not limit them. Doud works with autistic children at a summer camp for children with mental disabilities. “I think people say that [autism] limits them, but they’re actually some of the smartest kids I know. They’re so talented. This one kid can play the guitar better than anyone I know ... He can tell you any song by any classic rock band,” Doud said.

Menon has experienced similar symptoms and says those with autism are, “very particular about some things or excessively interested in some things.”

“I just try to tell people ‘don’t treat them differently,’ because they don’t want to be treated differently.”

Senior Phil Prevosto

“They just find their thing and stick to it which is why people think that they’re weird because they’re constantly talking about one thing. They know everything about it, and they love it. That’s their thing,” Doud said.

Although those with autism face personal challenges and have unique qualities, people who have had experience with individuals affected by autism come to realize that they aren’t as different as they seem.

“I just try to tell people, ‘don’t treat them differently,’ because they don’t want to be treated differently. They just want to be treated like everyone else,” Prevosto said.

“People usually feel sorry for them, and they should get away from that feeling ... It’s awesome because they see the world a lot differently. They’re at ease with everything, which is pretty awesome,” Presvosto said.

Lighting up lives

Many students have worked with those diagnosed with autism and found that these interactions have helped to brighten their lives

Senior Mary Doud on her experiences working at a camp for children with disabilities

“Last summer when I [worked at the camp], on the last day, this little kid, he’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen in my entire life, and he’s been there every single week that I’ve been there, and he said ‘I wish Camp Koski never had to end,’ and it broke my heart because this is what they look forward to all year, the week a summer because the majority of it is the same kids who come back, so they’re all friends, and they all hang out for a week, and it’s great.”

Junior Caitlyn Trent on her experience with an autistic student from her previous school:

“He would get made fun of and [a lot of the girls], were really protective over him, and I guess it surprised us how he didn’t really pay attention to [the teasing] and how he was just always really happy.

You would never think anything was really wrong with him.”

Senior Sarah Meyerl

on her experience with Kylie, a camper with disabilities:

“It was the day of my birthday and I told her [Kylie] the day before that my birthday was the next day and she came to camp the next day with a paper bag filled with a bunch little toys that she made and not really knowing how to spell as much she wrote Happy Brithday instead of birthday and it was the cutest thing ever, I still have everything to this day and it just warms my heart.”

COMMUNITY 5

April 2017

Don’t

As diabetics in the community deal with their disease each day, they struggle to overcome the challenges it presents Katherine Grimm Media Chief For most students, blood at the breakfast table is a cause for alarm, but for Type 1 diabetic junior Emma Potthast, it’s simply a part of her daily routine.

As she sits at the table waiting to eat her breakfast, Potthast pricks her finger. After inserting the blood into her glucometer, she waits until it gives her a reading on her blood sugar saying she can safely eat her meal.

For Type 1 diabetics, finger pricks are an occurrence that happen multiple times a day. They need to test their blood sugar levels every time they eat or whenever they feel the slightest bit dazed. “I always need to know my blood sugar levels and know how many carbs I’m eating,” Potthast said.

Without checking blood sugar levels routinely, diabetics run the risk of a high or low blood sugar, which can lead to hospitalization.

Type 1 diabetes is caused when the immune system destroys cells that create insulin, and the body cannot produce this necessary hormone, causing elevated levels of sugar in the blood.

Left untreated, diabetes can be dangerous for the body. It can cause problems such as blindness, kidney failure, and heart disease.

Diabetes changes the way an individual lives and how aware diabetics must be of their body.

Since blood sugar levels fluctuate more frequently for diabetics, they must be more aware of the carbohydrates contained in foods.

Some diabetics, like Potthast, feel that they must plan each meal far in advance to keep count of their carb intake.

As a result, Potthast has had to place more emphasis on what

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she eats. “I’ve become more self-aware, especially with eating. I never really cared what I used to eat, and now it’s opened me up to being healthier,” Potthast said As a result, she must pack her lunch every day so that she can

“[Diabetes] causes me to restructure the things I do during the day.

It just becomes an impedance.

You have to think ahead.”

Athletic Trainer Eric Fabriziani

keep track of the carbs she eats.

Although she can get something from the cafeteria, it’s easier to pack her own lunch because when she eats from the cafeteria, she doesn’t know the exact amount of carbs the food contains.

Diabetics must not only plan their meals around their disease, but also their entire schedules. “[Diabetes] causes me to restructure the things I do during the day. It just becomes an impedance. You have to think ahead,” Type 1 diabetic Athletic Trainer Eric Fabriziani said.

After counting the amount of carbs in their meals, diabetics must also find ways to supply their bodies with additional insulin afterwards.

Some diabetics, like Fabriziani, use an insulin pump, which is attached to the body, to supply it with insulin. This is a way to avoid frequent injections with a needle.

While this pump injects insu-

Healthy Crusade

this lin into the body, to leave class all the time because diabetics must still of my blood sugar levels,” Potinput how much insu- thast said. lin they need into the machine Diabetes not only forces stusince the process is not automatic. dents to change their routines, but This makes administering in- also places a new emphasis on resulin easier. “Sometimes we have membering supplies. long days where I’m away from Forgetting diabetic supplies my desk, and it’s just not easy to or a lunch can lead to low blood constantly deal with insulin injec- sugar, which could cause weaktions,” Fabriziani said. ness, shakiness, or even hospitalOther diabetics, like Potthast, ization. have complications with the Remembering the supplies that pump and must give themselves a keep you healthy may seem like shot of insulin after every meal or an easy task, but with so much to snack. In some instances, an in- keep track of, students can still dividual’s blood sugar levels can forget to bring everything with be elevated without eating, but them to school. diabetics must still take a shot of The importance of these supinsulin. plies and the negative conseThis required injection means quences of forgetting them can that Potthast, as well as other stu- lead diabetics to stress over their dents with diabetes, must visit the preparation for health-related isnurse’s office at least once a day. sues. “It’s always the thought “I make friends of ‘will I need with all the nurssomething?’ and es at my schools “I’ve become not have it,” Fabbecause I spend riziani said. so much time more self-aware, Despite the there,” Potthast especially with struggles of livsaid. ing with diabeIn addition, eating. I never tes, handling the some students really cared about disease can help may experience individuals below blood sugar what I used to come more selflevels or high eat.” sufficient. blood sugar lev“I’m very inJunior Emma Potthast els at any point dependent now, during the day and I’m indepenand need to be excused from class dent with my self-care,” Kerfoot to go address their symptoms. said.

Sophomore Tommy Kerfoot This independence may have says that he can spend up to a half developed in response to his dishour in the nurse’s office address- ease, but it is now a part of Kering low blood sugar levels. foot’s life.

These necessary absences from While diabetics are forced to class can affect students’ school- change their eating habits and work, as they miss class time lifestyles, these changes can ulto go take care of their physical timately help each of them grow health. and mature as a person. “Diabetes “I think I would have a better has made me a more prepared and academic standing if I didn’t have organized person,” Potthast said.

Christina Giovanazi

Shrink your workout not your results

My arms grow tired as I notice the stopwatch on my phone is approaching 30 seconds. Once the time is up, I have only five seconds to stand up from my plank and reset the stopwatch. Now I have to do as many high knees as I can while running in place for another 30 seconds. Thankfully, I have less than three minutes left in my workout, and I haven’t even been exercising for five minutes.

The Scientific 7-Minute Workout is an accelerated workout that, when done at maximum effort, can reap the same results as a full-length workout. If someone doesn’t have time to do a full cardio workout, this can be done instead. I decided to do this workout every day for a week in order to see how effective it is compared to regular workouts.

The workout is comprised of 12 exercises, including different types of pushups and planks, along with crunches, lunges, step-ups, and wall-sits. You do these exercises for 30 seconds each, with five second breaks in between.

The first day I tried the workout, I didn’t feel like I got enough exercise. I went over the exercises and their order before I started the workout, but since there are 12 exercises, I still got confused about what I was supposed to do. I spent the five second breaks looking at my phone for which exercise to do next instead of recovering.

In order for this workout to be as effective as possible in only seven minutes, I had to take all of the exercises seriously. When you’re doing a bunch of jumping jacks for 30 seconds, it can be easy to slack off and get lazy. In order to make this workout worth it, I had to do all of the exercises at maximum effort.

By the end of the week, I was able to complete the workout efficiently, but it started becoming pretty tedious and repetitive. Although there are 12 different exercises, completing each of them in the same order every day became tiring.

I also found that although the workout is only seven minutes, I would still dread doing it and procrastinate like I would for a longer workout. The workout may be short, but it’s really intense.

If you’re short on time, the Scientific 7-Minute Workout is a quick and effective replacement for a full workout. However, it’s most effective as a short-term solution. I don’t suggest replacing your regular workouts with this for a week like I did.

6 COMMUNITY

April 2017

Let’s talk about the

BIRDS and the BEES

As students develop and mature, the community questions the most appropriate way to discuss safe sex while following the Catholic Church’s policies Grace Mottley Assignment Chief Sex has become a part of mainstream media and finds its way into almost every aspect of life.

It’s a common theme throughout marketing campaigns because “sex sells.” It makes its way into our news cycle with the coverage of sex scandals. Sexually graphic images and ideas are more common in our television shows and music than ever.

This exposure to sexualized content leaves students with questions about sexual intimacy and their bodies. Fifty-five percent of high schoolers have looked up information online in order to learn more about health issues related to sex, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research and policy organization.

While students’ desire for a sexual education is evident, according to the Center for Disease Control, the percentage of schools offering sexual education has steadily declined since 2000.

JC offers a semester-long Health class for freshmen, but only 68.5 percent of freshmen currently take Health. The remaining 31.5 percent of students are exempt because they are enrolled in either Band, Orchestra, or the STEM program. “Freshmen in STEM and freshmen in band get excused from Health because of scheduling matters.

They have required courses to take, and to support them, we

waive the Health and phys. ed. requirements,” Vice Principal of Academics Gary Scholl said.

The sexual education component of the class includes discussion about chastity and the negative consequences of premarital sex and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

While students learn about STDs, as well as the emotional,

“We make a mistake when we think that a sex ed course is a class that talks about the actual act of intercourse.”

Dr. Jamie Arthur

spiritual, and mental consequences of premarital sex, the sexual education program focuses on using sexual abstinence as a way to combat these issues. “We mostly talk about STDs and how it can affect your future, but because we are a Catholic school, we focus on chastity. We also talk about the mental, social, and emotional consequences of sex outside of marriage,” Health teacher Tess Gauthier said.

JC’s sexual education curriculum falls in line with that of the Catechism and the Catholic Church. “Every Catholic school is required to follow the United

States Conference of Catholic Bishop’s framework,” Director of the Department of Evangelization of the Archdiocese of Baltimore Edward Herrera said.

According to the sexual education materials distributed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Vatican, sexual education is “none other than an education in the virtue of chastity” and condemns premarital sex or the use of contraceptives.

This educational program is rooted in a comprehensive study of the dignity of the human person and of love.

Dr. Jamie Arthur, a senior fellow at The Cardinal Newman Society, which is a group devoted to promoting and defending faithful Catholic education, said, “We make a mistake when we think that a sex ed course is a class that talks about the actual act of intercourse. It’s really so much more.

It’s about protecting the dignity of life and of love.”

Arthur agrees with the Church that sexual education should focus on chastity and sexual abstinence.

She believes that a comprehensive Catholic sexual education program extends beyond these issues and includes discussion on modesty and the ways abortion and contraception violate human dignity. “Sex ed classes should not be a one semester course. It has to encompass the whole person,” Arthur said.

Overall, she believes that sexual education classes are not the place to discuss the specific details of the act of intercourse and should not serve as a form of preparation to become sexually

active.

Specific details about sexual activity, as well as the promotion of contraception, can not be included in a Health class in a Catholic school, as they violate the beliefs of the Catholic Church.

“Instead of saying ‘practice abstinence,’ teach us about other options that we can use.”

Sophomore Zach Haskell

Some students believe that there isn’t a need for high schoolers to be prepared to have sex because sexual intimacy should be saved for marriage.

“I really don’t think [Health] should prepare you for sex. It should show you the negative outcomes of sex before marriage because students shouldn’t be having sex outside of marriage anyway. They don’t need to be prepared,” senior Caleb Olsen said.

Health class is not supposed to serve as a form of preparation for sexual activity, according to Religion Department Chair Dr. Joseph Gallen. “It’s not going to be a ‘how-to’ class. It’s not going to prepare you for sex. The idea needs to be conveyed that our sexuality is a gift,” Gallen said.

While students may receive an education on the effects of STDs, some feel that this lack of information regarding practicing safe sex exposes them to greater risks.

“I don’t think Health prepares

students to actually be sexually active. And I think that by not teaching them how to be safe, they can get hurt, they could get STDs, they could even get pregnant,” one student said.

If the sexual education program at JC was more “realistic,” some students believe that their classmates would be safer. “Instead of saying ‘practice abstinence,’ teach us about other options that we can use,” sophomore Zach Haskell said.

These other options include reliable forms of birth control and methods to prevent the spread of STDs while still engaging in sexual interaction.

However, Arthur says that agreeing to attend a Catholic school means sacrificing a sexual education program that includes more details.

“Students must know that first and foremost, we are Catholic.

Catholic schools aren’t like a cafeteria: you can’t pick and choose what you want. They have to be exposed to and respect these teachings,” she said.

Overall, the freshman Health curriculum has one focus: protecting the mental, social, physical, and emotional health of students.

Regardless of the parameters of the Catholic teaching, students believe that administrators and Health teachers want to keep them safe.

“At the end of the day, I know they can’t teach us any more about sex, it’d be nice if they could, but I think the little bit they do teach us is to help us because they don’t even really need to teach us anything about sex at all,” one student said.

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ENTERTAINMENT 7

April 2017

o t t e k c i T y t i v i t a e Cr

Baltimore art museums are perfect day trips for families, couples, and art connoisseurs alike. Check out these museums today to enhance your social awareness and abstract thought.

By Entertainment Editor Edward Benner

Photo courtesy Baltimore Museum of Art

Baltimore Museum of Ar t Photo by Edward Benner

n a c i r e m A rt A y r a n o Visi

FAST FACTS Perfect for: eccentrics and the curious-minded Cost: $9.95 for students/children, $15.95 for adults, $13.95 for seniors Distance from JC: About 40 minutes What to see: “Yummm! The History, Fantasy, and Future of Food,” and “Matt Sesow: Shock and Awe”

The American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) is home to some of the most eclectic and unique art you will ever see within the walls of a museum.

The museum showcases the work of individuals who are primarily self-taught and use artistic mediums as a means of expression.

These artists create pieces in order to shed light on their own personal struggles or the struggles of the world, including war, hunger, and climate change. The art takes a variety of unconventional forms ranging from matchstick sculptures to food art.

A visit to the AVAM is a complete sensory experience as there is a constant bombardment of lights, sounds, and colors throughout the building with quotes and art in various forms covering

every square inch of the space.

Even the outside of the museum is artwork, as it is covered in a mirrored mosaic and has attached sculptures, including a large golden hand and a metal bird’s nest.

One of the most interesting features of the museum is the exhibit of interactive automata that move in an entertaining fashion at the push of a button.

Visitors can press buttons to see the pieces move and do a variety of things, including jump, fly, and rotate behind glass.

Another point of interest is the museum’s gift shop, named The Sideshow, that houses an unusual selection of merchandise. One can purchase a variety of things, including original pieces from featured artists and oddities such as novelty jewelry and humorous knickknacks.

The AVAM is an incredible place to visit that will surely inspire personal artistic expression. Embrace your inner eccentric and visit its vibrant displays today.

Photo by Edward Benner

Above: Many art pieces, including the one placed outside of the AVAM, feature mosaic work. This medium is showcased throughout the museum as various sculptures are done in this style.

Left: Featured is a mesmerizing motorized sculpture created by artist Wendy Brackman.

The piece is shown in the “Yummm! The History, Fantasy, and Future of Food” exhibit that depicts attitudes toward food supply, production, and consumption.

Photo by Emily Stancliff

FAST FACTS Perfect for: art connoisseurs and cultural enthusiasts Cost: Free for all visitors Distance from JC: About 45 minutes What to see: Contemporary art wing and English sporting art The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) is one of the finest showcases of the diversity and influence of art around the world. The museum brings a large collection of various eras and styles together, including American, African, European, and modern art, all under one roof in its vast collection.

Visitors can take a visual journey, seeing the finest classical works along with interesting modern pieces. Thousands of people visit each year as the museum is home to famous pieces by Warhol, Degas, Picasso, and Matisse.

Some of the most notable include Matisse’s “Blue Nude,” Degas’s “Little Dancer,” and Warhol’s “Last Supper” that are on permaAndy Warhol’s piece “The Last Decade” reinterprets the “Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci.

The BMA contains the second largest collection of Warhol pieces outside of The Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, Pa.

nent display.

The museum does a fantastic job of showcasing the broad definition of art and celebrating its immense influence and history.

The contemporary art wing of the museum is the most fascinating because it showcases unconventional and extremely captivating pieces. Visitors can interact with a large beaded sculpture by walking through and touching it, as it separates two of the rooms in the wing. They can also stand under a glass sculpture that, when viewed from underneath, resembles a kaleidoscopic image. A small theater called “The Black Box,” is also a specific point of interest as it screens modern artistic films.

Another notable exhibit is a formal carpeted room that features British sporting art. Visitors can witness scenes of horse racing and polo on the walls while also seeing trophies in cases in between the paintings. The room is riveting because it transports visitors to a romanticized and wealthy setting that cannot be experienced outside of the pages of a book.

The BMA is a fantastic choice for casual and traditional art fans, as it offers something for all audiences. Its large size and the diversity of its collection brings an appreciation of art to all people.

Photo by Edward Benner

8 IN-FOCUS

Mountains of change

April 2017

Three community members share stories of how they adapted to and overcame changes that seemed insurmountable

By In-Focus Editors Paige Alban and Ianna Pirozzi

Persistent Haitian man perseveres to save his community and his dr In the dead of night, several men approach a door and knock earnestly. A woman answers the door, confused because she does not recognize them. In haste, they ask to meet with her husband but are met with an apologetic response that he is not home. Unbeknownst to him at the time, this absence spared the life of Haitian Gabriel Thelus.

“They came to my house and knocked, met [my] spouse, and I’d say, [I was] fortunate that I wasn’t there. It would have been the night of my killing,” Thelus said.

The men who came to his home were looking to kill him because he wanted to majorly change the economic disparity between the rich and the poor in Haitian society.

This near-deadly encounter did not sway him, and he kept repeating to himself, “I don’t have to stop for those things because my life doesn’t belong to anyone, and I’m doing God’s work, so I have to keep going.”

Thelus, who visited JC from March 20-23, was and still is continuing his father’s mission of changing his hometown of Jacsonville, Haiti, through the development of stabler infrastructure for the village.

The mission takes on a special significance

for him because Jacsonville, which was originally known as Matabonite, changed its name in honor of Thelus’ father. The community members did not want to live in a place that did not represent who they were. “We wanted a different name for the village because the people used to leave because it looked different [elsewhere],” Thelus said.

He describes himself as a “village developer,” which means that he works on projects to improve the functionality of the village because the people do not receive any assistance from the government for local improvements.

“I try to help out and make the community nicer, more tranquil, by picking projects and building streets so that we don’t have the community [separated] because we are trying to help the community be nice,” Thelus said.

Along with raising money to build streets and overseeing their completion, Thelus has helped to build houses and bring electricity and water systems to residents.

He also acts as a teacher and administrator for the school that he founded in order to provide greater opportunities for the children in his community. The school, Sainte Rose de Lima, currently educates about 320 students.

Socially, Thelus tries to keep religion an active part of his village. “As a leader in the community, I have to inform and to do what I can do, like Church,” Thelus said. “I want to make sure that the Gospel is getting around [and get] the community to go to church.”

Though Thelus is working to enact change that would better the lives of the Haitian poor, he notes that many of the richer members of his country are uncomfortable with the concept.

On that night when Thelus was sought out, the men were able to target Thelus because Haiti experienced a political coup in 2004, which ended that same year, so the police force was nonexistent and thus unable to protect his rights and safety.

Thelus’ changing concept of Haitian rights are viewed as a threat by the aristocracy, who believe that enhanced opportunities for the poor will lessen the established power in the country.

“A lot of people don’t understand, or they don’t want to accept change,” Thelus said.

“They get so selfish. They don’t want to give up [their privileges] to let the people get a chance. Some people get frustrated because we are poor people looking for [better] conditions,

and they want me to stop.”

Despite the challenges that com posing a culturally-accepted hierarc courages limited change, Thelus sti it is important to work to better the c “I want to continue to do that b wanted change for our village, and we didn’t know how to write and re us [from going] to school and [getti cation and trying to do it,” Thelus s Thelus believes that donating not enough of an effort by Americ improve conditions in Haiti, maki “one quarter of the solution.” He while prayer is an important comp ing people actually visit his villag influential step to equality.

“I would like to see white peo and show that we are brothers and said. “We can share our misery with way we can show them that we can Though Thelus has made an im community, he does not feel that complished enough in order to stop would like to retire, but I don’t h yet. I have had to tell my family, sorry for me if I get killed.’”

April 2017

reams

me with opchy that enill feels that community. because we the fact that ead deterred ing] an edusaid. money is cans to help ing up only e adds that ponent, havge is a more

ople coming sisters,” he h them, that n be equal.” mpact in his he has achis work.“I hear the call y, ‘Don’t be

Brave Sitting at her lunch table, Shannon Weber looks around and listens to her friends argue and shout an endless stream of insults at each other. It’s the same drama every day. She takes a deep breath and acknowledges the growing realization that this group of supposed “friends” is extremely toxic. She needs a change.

Weber, an alias to protect the student’s anonymity, was part of a group in which all discussions focused on one specific girl. “Everything had to be about her. You could definitely call her the queen

IN-FOCUS 9

Student breaks free from toxic friend group bee of the group,” Weber said.

Weber was initially reluctant to leave her friend group because she was worried about how she would find a new crowd. “I’m a pretty shy person, so fitting into friend groups can be hard for me,” she said. However, the group of friends targeted Weber through social media and publicly embarrassed her.

Although it took Weber time to realize her situation was having a negative effect on her, she still decided to change and allow room for herself to grow. The

change was voluntary, but Weber has still struggled to adapt to her new situation. “As soon as it became crystal clear what was going on, I left the group. I’m still floating around, trying to find a friend group, so it’s complicated whether I’m happier now,” Weber said.

The change for Weber has been difficult, but she admits that she would not go back. She sits with a new group at lunch, but that has not yet replaced the sense of belonging that she felt, even in her negative situation.

“I still don’t feel like I have a place. It’s complicated because there are a few burned bridges, and the girl from my old friend group has tried to patch some of them up, but I don’t want to go back,” Weber said.

Despite Weber’s ongoing struggle, she believes that she will ultimately find a new place in school with healthy relationships.

“I think that any change can be overcome in time, but you might need a second change, too, like a change in environment,” Weber said.

Strong Junior learns how to cope Sitting on the couch one afternoon watching “Shark Tank,” junior Jordan Wrzesien hears her mother call her brother upstairs and then shortly after, Wrzesien hears her name.

Her mother, distraught, tries to explain the unimaginable reality that she had fallen asleep to the steady breathing of her husband, Wrzesien’s father, but had woken up to silence.

In January 2016, Wrzesien’s father passed away from cancer. “I woke up without a father, and there was nothing I could do about it,” Wrzesien said.

Wrzesien said the worst part of the process of adaptation is the constant reminders of memories that they could have created together. “You try to ignore it and move on with your life, but then the first holiday without him shows up, the first birthday, vacation, and

all the pain you’ve worked so hard to ignore comes bubbling to the surface,” she said.

Although Wrzesien admits a change as impactful as the death of a parent may seem impossible to overcome, it can and did happen, and, whether or not she wants to, she has to work to move on. “You find strength in others to accept the unacceptable. And with strength comes hope for the future and hope that you’ll see them again,” Wrzesien said.

“You just keep moving forward, and that’s how you adapt and accept a change as drastic as that.”

Wrzesien claims that anything, even a tragic death, cannot eradicate the ability to move on with life.

“You can overcome anything as long as you have the means and the tools. In this case, the means were the prom-

ise of a future I created myself, and the ideal that I wanted to celebrate my dad’s life, and the tools were my friends and family,” Wrzesien said.

Despite the continuing hardship that Wrzesien faces, she has managed to find some good in the situation by learning lessons about herself. “It makes you appreciate what you have and who you have because you realize that it really can change in an instant,” she said. “When you have to take care of the person who took care of you all your life, it humbles you and makes you grow up really quickly.”

Even though Wrzesien was faced with many challenges, she has kept an optimistic mindset toward change. “It makes you stronger, it makes you humble, and it makes you appreciative of everything you have,” she said.

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April 2017

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10 ENTERTAINMENT

During Lent, our diets are often altered for religious reasons.

Try these three unconventional pizzas for a unique snack that help you stay within your Lenten goals.

By Entertainment Editor Anna Sullivan

Ingredients:

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*Recipes from www.howsweetitis.com and minimalistbaker.com Photos by Anna Sullivan

PERSPECTIVES 11

April 2017

Planned Parenthood provides valuable resources to all Elizabeth Harmison News Editor In recent years, Planned Parenthood has grown to be associated with the practices of abortion and contraception and therefore has acquired a negative connotation, especially in the Catholic Church. However, Planned Parenthood is more than abortion and contraception and offers a variety of health services for men and women alike.

According to their website, “Planned Parenthood was founded on the revolutionary idea that women should have the information and care they need to live strong, healthy lives and fulfill their dreams — no ceilings, no limits.”

This organization should continue to be government funded because it provides basic medical screenings, education on a variety of topics including STDs, sex, sexuality, gender, relationships, and body image, and offers counseling services for women and men.

By focusing on the sexual aspects of Planned Parenthood, many people lose sight of the fact that they are helping men and women in need with more than their sexual health. Even though Planned Parenthood supports views that some people disagree with, it is still an important organization in the field of health care.

One important way that Planned Parenthood is beneficial is that they provide basic testing that one would get at a regular doctor’s office for people without healthcare. For example, according to their website, they offer tests for anemia, high cholesterol, diabetes, and thyroid disorders.

They also can give physical exams that are required for sports or employment and give expecting mothers prenatal care. They even perform vasectomy and female sterilization procedures.

An integral part of medicine is the ability of the medical community to educate the masses about their bodies and how to protect them. According to CNN, Planned Parenthood provides sex

education to 1.5 million people each year. By teaching people about sexual health, especially at a young age, the spread of STDs and accidental pregnancies can be avoided, which is why these education services are important. Aside from STDs, Planned Parenthood also provides educational services on several other important aspects in people’s lives, such as sexuality, gender, relationships, and body image.

Another aspect of Planned Parenthood is counseling services.

They offer counseling regarding pregnancy options and postabortion counseling services that are available to women at a discounted price. These services are important because they give women the necessary mental health care that they need and can help a woman make the right choice under her circumstances in regards to her pregnancy.

Although abortion and contraception are against Church teaching, there are other free health services offered to patrons of Planned Parenthood. According to CNN, abortions only make up 3 percent of the services Planned Parenthood provides, so putting such a focus on those services is a misrepresentation of the organization.

When put into perspective, 3 percent is such a small percentage of the many services provided, and many Planned Parenthood clinics don’t even perform these abortion procedures on site, instead giving their patients referrals to other clinics.

So overall, when you look at all that Planned Parenthood has done to help women and men, it is a shame that Planned Parenthood is overlooked because of abortion and contraception.

In conclusion, Planned Parenthood should continue to be government funded because it provides many services and help both men and women get the medical care that they need.

Patriot Debate: Cutting funding for Planned Parenthood

Illustration by Ashlee Kothenbeutel

Patriot Answers

Unethical groups should not receive federal funding Taylor Bynion Copy Editor I am in favor of any company or organization that strives to serve the needs of women and children. With that being said, however, the reality of Planned Parenthood is that they provide limited services to women and they focus on abortion, which obviously does not benefit the child.

While running for office, President Trump “vowed to defund Planned Parenthood.” Recently, Republicans announced their plans to defund Planned Parenthood as part of the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. According to an article from CNN, “Republicans have tried for years to zero out all federal funding for Planned Parenthood because the group provides abortion services.”

In an undercover investigation conducted by Live Action, 68 Planned Parenthood centers across the U.S. were contacted and asked if they would provide a pregnant woman with an ultrasound to check the health of her baby. In all but three cases, the woman was told that ultrasounds were only provided to women who wished to abort their child and only then to see the age of the fetus.

According to CNN, 323,999 abortions were performed by Planned Parenthood in 2014.

During the same period, they provided 17,419 people with prenatal services. These numbers clearly show that the focus of the organization is on abortions and not helping women get the care they need, such as regular check ups and prenatal testing.

Former employees of Planned Parenthood have also revealed that the organization requires its centers to meet quotas for the number of abortions that they perform. According to an article in The Washington Times, cen-

ters that consistently met their quota goal were rewarded with pizza parties and paid days off.

“Employees were trained to manipulate women into choosing abortion by bringing up the costs associated with raising a family,” one employee said. Another revealed, “I felt more like I was selling abortion sometimes than treating people.”

While federal funds sent to Planned Parenthood cannot be used to directly finance abortions, the funds provide them with money that they can use to cover other services. This money is funding the other services offered, so it indirectly allows Planned Parenthood to finance abortions with other forms of income. If the government did not fund the organization, they would have to allocate all other forms of income to all services, limiting the amount spent on abortions.

Because of this, it is a positive change that the federal funding for Planned Parenthood is being cut since the funding indirectly enables abortions. If the government wishes to help mothers and children get the care they need, it would be better for them to divert funding to community health centers.

Planned Parenthood has also been accused of fraud. According to The Washington Times, “the organization deliberately submitted $6 million in fake Medicaid claims.” This is a clear misuse of taxpayer funds and proves that it is appropriate to cut funding to prevent future abuse.

There are also numerous allegations currently being investigated regarding other questionable and potentially illegal activities that are being conducted by Planned Parenthood. The government should not involve itself in funding an organization that has a high potential for having unethical and illegal business practices.

With many questionable practices, Planned Parenthood should not receive funding from the federal government. The government is moving in a more positive direction by cutting funding.

What is your opinion on funding Planned Parenthood?

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“Everyone should have access to these services to be healthy. ”

“People that can’t support their own families should be able to get help from the government.”

“I feel the government should fund [Planned Parenthood] because it is a woman’s right to have options.”

“They should defund it because [the U.S. government is] already trillions of dollars in debt.”

“I see it as government overreach, they have no business getting into that level of people’s lives.”

12 PERSPECTIVES

April 2017

Bynion’s Opinion Taylor Bynion

Scoring a college education Saturdays are meant for sleeping in and reviving your tired brain for another strenuous week ahead. They are not meant for taking a three-hour test that can determine your future.

High school students first take the PSAT in their freshman and sophomore years. Then, in their junior and senior years, they move on to take the SAT or ACT. Throw in AP exams, and you have a classic case of alphabet soup.

Standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT help to determine if a student can cumulatively put together what he or she has learned throughout their education. Some schools use these tests to determine if a given student should be accepted into their college.

Some students, however, do not perform well on standardized tests. Is it really fair to determine if an applicant is ready for college based on their performance during one test?

While students are able to retake the SAT and ACT multiple times if they want to, if the student is not a good test taker or has test anxiety, the amount of times he or she takes the test may not make a difference.

In addition, there are some students who test very well and score highly on the SAT and ACT, but who are not well-rounded students or do not achieve high academic standards. According to an article published in the New York Times, “A high test score and a mediocre G.P.A. is a red flag - a sign that the student may not be working to potential.” Therefore these test scores do not fairly showcase the type of student that is applying for college.

In both scenarios, the student is not well-represented by the results of standardized test scores.

This is why some colleges are moving toward a test optional model. According to an article in The Washington Post, “More than 800 four-year colleges and universities are test-score optional for applicants.”

Test optional schools place no emphasis on standardized test scores and instead focus on the other aspects of the individual student. They consider consistent academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and overall involvement in school a better determination of the quality of a student.

There are many things that can influence how a student performs on a particular day of testing. Looking more closely at the achievements of a student over a period of time shows a student’s work ethic and growth. A simple score on a test cannot show this.

Photo by Allie Taylor

Of current freshmen, 31.5 percent are exempted from taking Health class due to the STEM program and Band. Health is a vital course that all students should take during their freshman year, and the curriculum should be revisited as a seminar-style elective for upperclassmen.

Health curriculum must be mandatory As a school that prides itself on encouraging students to be wellrounded individuals, we must be educated in all parts of daily life, ranging from humanities to mathematics to basic human health.

While each academic field is essential in its own way, regardless of the career path you choose, the information taught in Health will provide assistance with both present and future situations.

In Helth, students learn to value the importance of their physical and mental well-being, all while analyzing possible dangerous scenarios and ways to avoid them. These scenarios and solutions stem from many unfavorable situations, such as drug and alcohol addictions, negative self-images, mental diseases, and sexually transmitted diseases.

While Health is a considered a mandatory course, students who are a part of the STEM program or Band do not take it freshman year due to schedule conflicts for these programs. In fact, 31.5 percent of the class of 2020 does not experience the Health curriculum and is not required to take the course.

Due to its importance, Health class should be a graduation requirement and should be reinforced through an added Health elective revised for more mature upperclassmen. This will ensure

that all students are actively provided with new information and are aware of their physical and mental well-being.

The Health curriculum is unique because it provides the information needed to aid in decision-making, and it gives students a foundation of knowledge to refer to in times of hardship. This way students are more likely to avoid bad decisions, and, therefore, are more likely to have a healthy school career.

In high school, students can find themselves caught in alcohol and drug-related situations, which can lead to issues in school and at home. Not only are drugs and alcohol dangerous, they can ultimately have a negative impact on students’ future college acceptances and school careers.

Health helps students avoid these situations altogether by informing them of the repercussions of drugs and alcohol and the effects they can have on your body.

The Health curriculum also helps students deal with mental diseases. Depression and anxiety are two obstacles that many students face, which can be regarded with a negative stigma. However, Health touches on the basic understanding of these mental illnesses and shows how students can personally deal with them

and assist in others’ recovery. Not only are students able to understand the reality of depression, but they can also receive firsthand aid from the class itself.

On the more extreme end of complex situations, Health can help the student body avoid STDs and unexpected pregnancies. The class promotes abstinence and shows that avoiding sex altogether will prevent both STDs and pregnancies. Health also covers different types of STDs and their side-effects, which can help students bypass these problems by understanding the negative outcomes of sex before marriage.

These topics are important for freshmen to understand, seeing as they undergo drastic changes due to a new school environment and a new social life. Having Health class allows these students to make the appropriate decision in the respective situations.

A mandatory Health class provides an active source for students to receive essential information regarding the appropriate ways to take care of their body in both mental and physical aspects. Students who are not exposed to this information through a structured class are forced to seek information on their own. Whether it’s searching online or discussing it with their friends, this can misinform students and can contribute

The Patriot

News Lauren Becker Elizabeth Harmison

Perspectives Adriana Guidi Allie Taylor

Artists Ashlee Kothenbeutel Adria Pirozzi

Editor in Chief Caroline Cooney

Community Pia Scotto Erin McCloskey

Sports Christina Giovanazi Emily Stancliff

Multimedia Zachary Miller Druw Van der Werff

Entertainment Edward Benner Anna Sullivan

Copy Taylor Bynion Alyssa Kraus James Keller

Moderators Mark Ionescu Nick Attanasio

Volume 52, Issue 5, April 2017

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

In-Focus Paige Alban Ianna Pirozzi

General Staff Daniel Robinson

to making uneducated choices.

With this in mind, it is imperative that the Health curriculum is reinforced throughout our high school career. A seminar-style elective for juniors and seniors would allow for further emphasis and further discussion about the original topics covered in Health.

An optional class such as this is vital because upperclassmen are often confronted with more drastic situations compared to those of freshman year. With a driver’s license and more freedom, juniors and seniors have entered a new stage of their lives.

This is why upperclassmen should be offered a Health course as well to reinforce the details they learned in their freshman year. The broad topics discussed in Health must be emphasized as students prepare for college.

In order to fully educate students on their physical and mental well-being, Health class must become a requirement for all students. Although some course changes may need to be made for those who participate in the STEM program and Band, the overall benefits of taking a Health course are worth altering schedules. Students must be aware of the causes and repercussions of their health-related decisions in order to be the true well-rounded individuals that JC hopes to mold.

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.

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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

April 2017

Stereotypes divide community Jock

Alyssa Kraus Copy Editor Throughout my years of high school, there is one thing that has become clear: everyone is different. Every student has a different hobby, different personality, and different beliefs, which is why I often ask myself the same question: why are stereotypes so present in our community?

You would think after countless civil rights leaders and newly implemented laws, we’d be able to appreciate diversity instead of having division. However, the community is split due to different hobbies and the stereotypes that come with them.

We often find ourselves listening to stereotypes involving our activities and interests, whether we discover them through media, personal experiences, or stories.

The smart student is unpopular.

The athlete isn’t intelligent. The theater and band kids aren’t athletic. When we start accepting these statements as reality, we start dividing ourselves accordingly. It is time we understand that these stereotypes are wrong.

For example, some smart students shy away from socializing because they don’t want to be made fun of.

I recently spoke with a quiet, straight-A student about her daily activities. She seemed surprised by my question and carefully replied that she doesn’t do much besides study. After I urged her to tell me more, she explained her devotion to her faith and the countless hours she has spent helping children at her church. It was clear that she was insecure she didn’t want me to judge her for these activities. “I don’t want to waste your time with school and church because it isn’t that big of a deal,” she said.

Instead of letting our classmates struggle with insecurities like these, we should be promoting their individuality. The smart student should be appreciated for hard work. To earn good grades, the student must focus while ded-

Ba n

k e e dG

Nerd Photo by Caroline Cooney

Instead of listening to stereotypes and being ashamed of them, members of the community must not place each other and ourselves into these stereotypical categories. Whether an individual is a dedicated athlete, student, musician, or actor, one description does not fit all, and we must stop labelling students into groups. icating their time, and the student reotypes are wrong. must be independent and strongLikewise, students involved in willed. These are the qualities we theater and band also find themshould celebrate. selves divided by false stereoSimilarly, an athlete immedi- types. ately makes me think of the term Recently, the Theatre Depart“jock,” which tends to carry a ment produced “Shrek The Munegative connotation. Throughout sical,” which was filled with this year, cheating talented actors has been at an alland singers. time high. When I “Instead of letting However, durasked a classmate our classmates ing the show why this was, she preview, I heard struggle with said, “It’s because several negaof the athletes. insecurities like tive comments.

They don’t have these, we should “This is so gay” to worry about and “This is the schoolwork be- be enforcing stupidest thing I cause they get a positive aspects.” have ever seen” free ride to colwere reoccurring lege no matter statements, not what, so they take answers from to mention the constant mocking everyone.” of the performers, specifically the Because of this, some athletes males, on stage. are uncomfortable with their inIt is because of negative feedability to complete schoolwork as back that students who participate effectively, although it is mainly in theater are insecure about their due to practice schedules and hobby. We should recognize these multiple games per week. Just students as good public speakers, because someone is a dedicated who can easily present in front of athlete, this should not label him large crowds. or her as unintelligent. Instead, There are ways to solve stereowe should realize that these ste- types by proving that one descrip-

Report Card:

tion does not fit all. If students get involved in others’ interests, the separation of our community could be mended.

For example, the basketball team took part in the performance of “High School Musical” in fall 2015. They used their skills to dribble in the song “Get Your Head in the Game,” and their participation was something that brought more people to see the show. Something like this is a simple step in the right direction.

When we take part in other people’s interests like the basketball team did, we become one unit. By participating in the play or trying out for a sport, there is no separation - no “us and them.”

There is now only “us.”

And with this in mind, we must understand that being a good student isn’t synonymous with being anti-social. Being an athlete isn’t synonymous with being unintelligent. Being a member of the Theatre Department isn’t synonymous with being unathletic. Students are diverse and this should be revered, not judged. It is up to the community to support students in what they do best.

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

By Perspectives Editor Adriana Guidi

Bathrooms need thorough renovation

LobbyGuard fails to prevent long lines

One day senior retreat proves successful

Dark, dingy, smelly, and gross. Those are the words I would use to describe the bathrooms in the academic wing. While they do serve their purpose, they are still in need of a serious renovation. The Patriot wrote an article on Jan. 23, 2015, noting that many of the sinks did not work, and the same broken sinks have still not been fixed two years later.

In the women’s bathroom on the third floor, there is a stall that has been out of order for the majority of this year. As for the men’s bathroom, the stalls are covered with writing and wet paper towels are continuously thrown at and stuck on the walls. All of the bathrooms look like they have not been redone since the 1980s. Overall, the bathrooms need a complete renovation.

On Tuesday March 28, the new LobbyGuard attendance machines were implemented to handle early dismissals and late sign-ins. The system was supposed to alleviate long sign-in lines from late arrivals, but it seems as if nothing has changed. The first day it was introduced to students, the machine broke down, and many students were still late to class. Several days following, the same problems continued. The whole point of the machine was to speed up the process, and it couldn’t even do its job, proving ineffective. If the system works properly, it may have a chance to live up to its purpose. It takes only four steps and seems like a relatively easy process. If it works in the future, it has potential to be useful.

The Senior Retreat was an one-day experience at the Sandy Cove Retreat Center in North East, Md. Even though it was only one day compared to every other year being an overnight retreat, it was still an effective experience and exceeded expectations based on the circumstances. Throughout the retreat, many faculty and staff members gave engaging and interesting talks that students enjoyed. Then, after these talks, students broke into small groups to discuss provided questions about the talks, which proved impactful. However, there were not a lot of bonding opportunities for students, except for the small groups. Overall, a lot was packed into one day, which was a great way to make the most out of a 12-hour retreat.

Coup de Grace Grace Mottley

This time, take advantage

As I look back on my time at JC, I can’t help but smile and think of all the incredible people that have made this experience what it is.

From the moment I first walked through the doors, the teachers and faculty members who have worked with me have supported me unconditionally in anything I’ve tried to accomplish. They have all shown me that they truly care not only about my academic success, but also my success as a person, in addition to my happiness and health.

Our staff is an invaluable resource that students should take advantage of. We all know of the amazing coaches who lead their teams to victory and teach them about work ethic, the teachers who stay long hours to help tutor their students, and the administrators who work tirelessly to help students. But our staff goes above and beyond these measures to help their students.

For example Games Club moderator Shane Lawler, created the club to give students a chance to develop meaningful relationships and enjoy activities that they love. He devotes his time after school every single day just to give students a place to come together because he is one of the many faculty members who care about their students.

Every student should have a relationship with a member of staff that cares about them. But this relationship won’t develop if we sit around and wait for it to walk up to us and poke us. We have to look for it. The opportunity to find this relationship is there in all our faculty members already, we just have to be willing to take advantage of it.

Some teachers, like U.S. History teacher Darrion Siler, keep their classroom door open for students to come and talk about whatever they want, from random topics to students’ issues. However, we have to go seek out these teachers and walk through their doors. We can’t expect them to come to us, we have to actively seek out these teachers.

So, if you want to know how to make your experience at JC amazing and life-changing, all you have to do is look around you.

Take advantage of the teachers and faculty members who care about you and want to become a part of your life, and try to do everything you want to while you’re here. When you look back at your time at JC, you’ll be grateful for the memories you’ve made, the relationships you’ve developed, and the things you’ve accomplished. I know that I am.

14 SPORTS

Here’s the Game Plan Emily Stancliff

Moving up through the ranks Shivering in my thin jacket, I stood along the sidelines of the turf field in agony, while I watched my fellow teammates run up and down the field gasping and wheezing for breath. I could not help but feel dejected as I watched the game unfold, thinking that I could help my team out.

I wanted to play. I deserved to play, but I was stuck on the sidelines. What could I do?

At one point or another, many of us have experienced the horrifying prospect of sitting out a game or failing to get any playing time while on a high level team.

In the hope of increasing your chances of getting more playing time, I have developed a foolproof way to get you on the field playing the game you love.

While many of us are told to practice during the off-season, I know from experience that there are few people who actually train for the upcoming season. While it is good to give yourself a break every now and then, it is equally important to hone your skills and techniques. By actually getting out there and practicing, you not only improve as a player, but also showcase your dedication when you are the only one to show up to tryouts in shape.

In the same vein, your effort in every practice, every game, and every run matters. The commitment that you show in each of these aspects shows your willingness to get your hands dirty and work hard.

As a trainer, I can attest that I would much rather put in a player who tries their hardest, even if they are not perfect, than a player who slacks during practice, but plays well in games.

Another key facet that coaches look for is intensity.

While I was never the fastest or the most skilled player on the field, I was typically selected on teams because of the quiet intensity I brought to the field.

Lastly, your attitude on and off the field is a cardinal feature of who you are to your coaches and teammates.

Always be the positive influence, encouraging and cheering on your fellow teammates, even if you are on the bench. In the depths of despair, you might be the push that other players need to boost their confidence, and thus boost their play.

No matter what kind of player you are, there will always be highs and lows on the field. Prove everyone wrong and be the one to step on the field with pride in the number on your back and the thrill of the game in your heart.

April 2017

Equestrian riders take on foxhunting Ianna Pirozzi In-Focus Editor Perched atop her horse, senior Ally Whitehead spies a blur of reddish-orange flickering in the distance, and the chase begins.

A pack of hounds scurries below, frantically catching scents of the foxes nearby, and Whitehead focuses on the path ahead as she spurs her horse to keep up.

Whitehead regularly participates in foxhunting, a common activity for equestrians. Foxhunting involves a group of people, typically between 10 and 50 in number, who ride on horseback following foxes. The foxhunting club releases a group of hounds before each hunt, which leads the riders to the foxes.

According to Whitehead, hunters gallop through fields pursuing Photo courtesy Taylor Crews a fox until the hounds chase the Senior Taylor Crews (right) and the Master of the Hunt ride during a foxhunt, which includes the use of hounds fox into its burrow. Though ear- who catch a fox while riders follow behind them. Crews has been foxhunting since she was 10. lier versions of the sport actually involved killing the foxes, that el- ing is compared to horse shows. watching them catch scents and Crews said. ement is no longer practiced.

“I like being able to go and not taking off,” McGuirk said.

According to Crews, people Although Whitehead has been have to worry about how I look Senior Taylor Crews, a fellow outside of the sport do not always riding horses and just go jump equestrian, started foxhunting understand what happens during since she was some jumps, and when she was 10 and was “com- hunts. “People usually think we little, she only “I love the hounds, there’s not really pletely hooked.” are sitting in a tree killing foxes. started foxhunt- so it’s really fun any rules to it,” Recently, Crews has taken a It actually takes a lot of practice ing when she was Whitehead said. larger role of “whipping-in” at to get your horse comfortable 10 years old. “My watching them “You kind of just one of the hunting clubs she be- enough to be near the hounds,” great-grandmoth- catch scents and go out there as longs to. She helps to keep the she said. er has fox hunted long as you pay hunt functioning smoothly by inWhile foxhunters do not comfor years and taking off.” attention and forming the master, or leader, of pete, they still consider the sport years, and my don’t talk and be the hunt of the hounds’ locations. a fun pastime, and Crews has no Junior Emily McGuirk grandfather was respectful.”

“When I am going around, I have plans to stop when she goes to part of Elkridge Similarly to to be aware of where the hounds college. “Even though I’m going Harford Hunt Club,” she said.

Whitehead, junior Emily Mc- are. Sometimes, I have to run to college in New Jersey, I’m goWhitehead, who has also been Guirk enjoys the sport due to its across the countryside to tell the ing to see if I can find a barn that on the equestrian team for four differences from equestrian. “I masters where they can go so that will let me ride one of their horses years, likes how free foxhunt- love the hounds, so it’s really fun they’re not interrupting hounds,” in exchange for work,” she said.

Athlete Spotlight:

Chika Chuku Sports: • Outdoor Track • Indoor Track • Cross Country

Current School Records: • 300 meter dash • 400 meter relay • 200 meter relay

“She’s always encouraging. Sometimes I’m tired and don’t feel like finishing a race but I always hear her from the sideline pushing me to finish strong.”

Sophomore sprinter Chimzi Chuku

Photo by Lauren Becker

Junior sprinter Chika Chuku competes in the 300 meter dash at the IAAM A Conference Championships on Jan. 27. Chuku holds three school records in the 300 meter relay, 400 meter relay, and 200 meter relay.

“Besides the fact that she is a very talented athlete, her work ethic is ideal.

She rarely misses a practice and she never gives a halfway effort.”

Track and Field coach Rob Torres

SPORTS 15

April 2017

RAISING A RACK

ET Illustr ation by Adria Piroz zi

Tennis sets up for improvement Grant Sharretts Online Chief

Photo by Caroline Cooney

Senior Andrew Kappel runs to strike the ball in a tennis doubles match.

Kappel and senior Daniel Robinson played their first doubles match of the year at home against Beth Tfiloh on Tuesday, April 4, and won 2-1.

After a disappointing season last year, with a record of 1-5, men’s tennis is looking to rebuild their team with a few stand-out upperclassmen and skilled underclassmen players.

According to assistant coach Rodney Johnson, the team has multiple members that he feels will help secure valuable wins this season. “[Senior doubles players] Andrew Kappel and Daniel Robinson are our No. 1 doubles team.

I think their natural athleticism will make them dangerous in the B Conference this year,” he said.

Johnson also believes that the No.

2 doubles team, juniors Stevie Lutche and Hunter Peverley, will be successful this season.

Lutche has high hopes for himself and his partner this season. “We are working towards a perfect season with no losses,” Lutche said.

Along with these new additions, Kappel has improved his skills by playing with friends and family during the off-season and working to make his serve more accurate.

Kappel is also optimistic about the new members of the team coming in this year. “I’m excited for this year’s season. We have some good young players coming in and should be able to do well in our conference because our team

has a lot of athletic players on the team,” Kappel said.

One new addition to the team is freshman Cameron Mezzatesta who has taken tennis lessons since age 7 and is confident he can make an impact on the team.

“My expectations for this year are to beat some of those big schools and for the team to do their best,” Mezzatesta said.

Lutche believes that St. Mary’s High School and Glenelg Country School will be their toughest opponents. However, he set his expectations for the season high.

The varsity team hopes to regroup to make a run in the MIAA. “As a team, we are trying to make it to the playoffs and win a championship,” Lutche said.

Badminton smashes competition Christina Giovanazi Sports Editor In the third game of last year’s championship badminton match, junior Lily Chen remembers being nervous, but confident. She had spent the whole season preparing for the match, and had just come off of a shoulder injury when she stepped onto the court.

After an exhausting game, Chen prevailed with a win, and to her pride and amazement, became an individual champion, significantly improving her team’s overall score.

After coming in second place in last season’s tournament, the badminton team is looking to win the championship this year. “The goal is always to try to win the B Conference championship, and in order to do that, we try to do our best during the season,” badminton head coach Tess Gauthier said. “There’s no real season champion, it all comes down to the individuals playing in the tournament, and so the more points you get, then they add all those points up and you have a champion.”

After going undefeated last season, Chen won the IAAM B Conference Championship for badminton singles. It’s a title she’s proud of and wants to maintain this season. “I wish I could keep the rank and have an undefeated season again,” Chen said.

“If you win once, you don’t want someone to take it from you.”

Chen’s win contributed to the

team’s second-place title last season, along with the doubles team of seniors Emily Schiavone and Giana Liberatore, who placed second in B Conference doubles.

“It was incredibly thrilling. Giana and I were so excited,” Schiavone said. “This year we want to win so bad, and if we win we’ll be absolutely thrilled because our freshman year the varsity team won.”

This year, there are high hopes for a championship season not only for the singles and doubles teams, but also for the team as a whole. “It’s always a possibility because whenever we haven’t

“It’s fun to be at such a big event that recognizes what people would think is a small sport.”

Senior Emily Schiavone

won it’s always been by a close number,” Gauthier said. “We played St. Paul’s, and they moved down from the A Conference to the B Conference this year. They said they scrimmaged a couple A [Conference] schools and did really well against them, and we beat them 4-3, so that’s promising.” Although the 11 players on varsity are consistent throughout

the season, there are 26 players who rotate through 11 spots on JV. “You have more leeway from match to match because the JV [team] doesn’t participate in a tournament,” Gauthier said.

Some of the JV players may not have spots in many matches this season, but they are preparing to play significant roles in later seasons. “My advice to them is that I want them to play as hard as they can in practice so they get better.

Particularly younger players, the freshmen and some of the new sophomores, so that they have the opportunity to replace those who graduate this year,” Gauthier said.

Chen believes the team will work to improve from last year’s performance. “I’m excited to compete with Oldfields because last time I think we lost, so I want to play against them and maybe get a win even if it’s just a match,” Chen said.

Beyond championship aspirations, the team is anticipating having a fun season together. “We’re all super excited, it’s a very energetic sport and everyone’s laughing and really happy during it, so I think everyone wants to win, but they’re also having fun within themselves,” Schiavone said.

Schiavone is also excited for the championship tournament at the end of the season. “I love the tournament, I think it’s so fun,” she said. “It’s fun to be at such a big event that recognizes what people would think is a small sport.”

The tournament is not only

Photo by Allie Taylor

Junior Lily Chen reaches for the birdie in a singles match against Maryvale.

Chen went undefeated last year and won the IAAM Singles Championship. where the champions are award- were Chen, Schiavone, Liberaed, but also where the IAAM B tore, and senior Erin McCaughey.

Conference All-Conference team In order for the team’s hard is announced. The team hopes work to pay off, they must do that a few players will make the well in all of their matches to get team this year. Last season, four a good seed at the tournament. players made All-Conference, the “Hopefully everybody’s able to highest number of students from make every match. That’s what’s any one school. These players really important,” Gauthier said.

16 SPORTS

April 2017

E S O P R U P A H T I W G N PLAYI 0th man” Josh “1 ir e th r fo s e lli ra m a te ll a b se a b ’s me n e th , te a m m a te a f o ss lo e th g in r o n After fac o h is h in s it lim ir e th st a p s e mselv e th g in sh u p , 9 ’1 f o ss la c r, e m a H

Photos by Emily Stan

follows through on his Junior Ryan Archibald for the out. Archibald pitch, getting the strike ll Division One baseba is committed to play . ars ye o tw in ryland at the University of Ma

the ice prepares to catch Junior catcher R.J. Pr is ice Pr y. pla a lls er he ca ball from his pitcher aft an t he also alternates as primarily a pitcher, bu outfielder.

dedication to the team. Anyone out there on the field at any time when given the opportunity can impact the team in a positive way,” he said.

Last pitch. Make it good. Let it fly.

According to senior Arri Stakias, the Junior Ryan Archibald stares down to team has a great level of depth and skill home plate, hunched over, looking for his this year that has contributed to the team’s catcher’s call. It’s a fastball, and Archibald success. straightens up with a nod, adjusting his “The team so far is looking really good. hand positioning in his glove. “Fly high,” We have strong pitching, strong defense, he mutters. He draws his leg up and the strong offense. If we play together and stick ball is away, tumbling through the air with together as a team, play like the brothers a spray of dust. It’s a strike. that we are, play for Hamer, then I think we In the wake of the have a very good startling, tragic death chance of winning of star pitcher Josh it all,” he said.

Hamer, class of ’19, Archibald con“It gave us something the baseball team has curred with Stato bond over and it’s taken their grief and kias, and noted the turned it on its edge. team’s strong bond, something to play for, They started the which has helped for him and his mom.” season strong in their them to play even spring trip to Emerharder. “Hamer’s Junior Ryan Archibald son, GA, where they passing has really won three games and brought the team tolost one. gether and closer. It Currently, the gave us something team’s in-conference record is 2-3, with to bond over and it’s something to play for, their most notable win coming against Mc- for him and his mom. It’s a big deal beDonough School 10-0 on Saturday, March cause we want to represent him, and he’s 25. always the 10th man on the field,” he said.

Varsity head coach Darrion Siler atAll of the members of the team feel tributes his team’s strength to their dedi- equally empowered to honor Hamer in cation and unity in the face of hardships. everything that they do. The team has “We have a lot of people that have shown even come up with new tributes to their a tremendous work ethic and have shown fallen teammate. “Before we go out on the

Emily Stancliff Sports Editor

try swings at the ball to Senior Mike McCabe g din Cabe will be atten to get on first base. Mc g rin rsity and is conside South Carolina Unive ural baseball team. playing for their intram

cliff

nches the ball to Senior Alex Marlow lau get an opponent a fellow teammate to g Occidental out. Marlow is attendin xt year. ne College for baseball

support is appreciated now more than ever. field, we say ‘1, 2, 3, Hamer.’ I think Coach “Any time there is a tragedy like this, it Siler is working on getting a sign on the certainly gives you perspective to what’s fence that has a circle, his number, and important and you just never know from his name. His mom, on Monday, [April 3, one moment to the next when your time threw] the first pitch,” Archibald said. to go is. The baseball community has been The JC community has also helped out really great in showing us the care and suptremendously to support that we’ve report the team as they ceived. So we’re exhope to make their traordinarily grateful run to the playoffs. for all of that,” he “He’s our number 10 “[The commusaid. player on the field at nity] has supported Overall, the team us very well due to is excited for the seaall times, that’s for everything. They’ve son and more motisure. Number 25 is been more supportvated now than ever ive now than in the before. “There’s not always with us.” past. Their support more pressure but Head coach Darrion Siler makes us want to more of an incentive play together beto succeed. We have cause we don’t want so many more peoto let them down. We ple watching us, and want to show them we are a force to be we want to do well for them,” Waugh said. reckoned with,” senior Ryan Waugh said.

Although the team is excited, they also Not only has the JC community reached noted that they have to stay focused and out, but many schools have also shown just play the game. their support through several different me“We just go out there and play to the diums. best of our abilities as much as we can. You “Just about everybody in the MIAA has can’t go out and think too much because reached out in some way, even all of the lo- that’s when you get yourself in trouble,” cal public schools. Dulaney [High School] Archibald said. made us these amazing wristbands that The team will continue to hold Hamer in say ‘JH’ on them. I’ve gotten cards from their memory as they make their run to the pretty much all of the public school pro- playoffs, hoping to win the championship grams. Coaches have reached out, called, in his honor. and texted me,” Siler said.

“He’s our number 10 player on the field The team was extremely touched by at all times, that’s for sure. Number 25 is these gestures, and according to Siler, the always with us,” Siler said.