The Patriot June 2003, Issue 6, Vol 38

Entertainment Semi-annual Battle of the Bands rocks JC, while Ashton Kutcher "punks" celeberties in new MTV show. Pages 14-15

Pat riot he

June 2003

Features Evan Pitts scoops up the competition in the Fountain Olympics. u

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Volume 38, Issue 6

Sports JV & V Boy's lacrosse dominate the MIAA League in championships. u

Pages 19-20

Long awaited dedication cerermony eases anticipation for the new gym. u

Page 6

News

John Carroll School ö Tradition ö Pride ö Excellence

Page 9

Editorials Students express views on new Upper Rockfield parking Page 3 restrictions.

School pranks etched deep into JC tradition Erin O’Brien News co-Editor An addiction to practical jokes has been discovered to be spreading like SARS among students and faculty at JC. Team Up and JCAC should be on high alert for warning signs of Practical Joke Syndrome (PJS). These signs include: constant evil laughter, extreme secrecy, an obsession with Native Americans, a love of Notre Dame football, frequent wanderings around a certain classroom door in the math department, and cryptic speech and actions.

If a student or faculty member is found to be in possession of one or more of the following items, they should be also be considered high risk: a fart machine, false teeth, a Mr. Potato Head or any of his appendages, tennis balls, several staplers, a canoe, an artificial hand, or a bar of soap.

When approached, PJS sufferers will develop an excited gleam in their eyes accompanied by a creepy yet satisfied smirk.

PJS ranges in severity from mild to moderate. Some PJS sufferers, such as Mr. Scholl, feel an intense urge to pull over the top pranks. Sufferers with these extreme urges are sometimes referred to as “Piltdown Hoax Pranksters.” Other sufferers,

such as Mr. O’Brien, feel a lesser urge; their pranks are categorized by what has come to be known as “a fast one.” These sufferers are sometimes referred to as, “Puckian Pranksters.” By examining pranks that have been pulled here at JC, members of the school can come to a better understanding of what PJS is all about and how it evinces itself through the sufferer’s actions. Because without understanding and support, there can be no treatment for this terrible addiction.

As a Piltdown Hoax Prankster, Mr. Scholl was known to have pulled some of the biggest pranks at JC. Perhaps the most well known prank in all of JC history was what is called “The Tennis Ball Attack.”

Early one morning, former deans Mr. Scholl and Mr. Smith sneak into the auditorium. It is Friday and in a few minutes, Mr. Brennen’s large group physics class will be coming in for their weekly meeting.

“That class is like sacred,” said Mr. Scholl.

Wearing ski masks, Mr. Scholl and Mr. Smith hoist several garbage bags filled with hundreds of tennis balls up into the catwalk. Right on time, Mr. Brennen and his class walk in and sit down with the two teachers looming above them in excitement. They are about to demonstrate to Mr. Brennen and his entire class exactly what gravity is all

photo by Mr. Chrismer

Mr. Appleby, or shall we say Sister Georgia Appleby, has been the target and victim of students' pranks throughout the years.

about. “We drop one ball and it just bangs next to him,” Mr. Scholl excitedly says.

Looking up, Mr. Brennen yells at the culprits telling them he knows they are up there and to come down immediately. Meanwhile they drop a few more, it seems to be drizzling tennis balls.

Yelling loudly, Mr. Brennen is furious at the pranksters, whom he assumes to be

students. Just when he reaches his boiling point, the drizzling turns into pouring.

“Then we let him have it,” says Mr. Scholl.

Hundreds of tennis balls are then dumped on top of the people below. It was literally “raining tennis balls.” laughs Mr. Scholl “There were thousands of ten-

Continued on pages 12-13

Rugby team flanks opponents in championship Dave Lomonico Staff Writer A little over a year ago, JC engaged in its first rugby match ever against Calvert Hall. With one season under their belt, the team exceeded all expectations and were resounding champions. With the superb coaching job of Mr. Heubeck and Mr. Barker and the excellent sense of team unity, the entire JC rugby team won the first JC athletic championship this year.

Mr. Huebeck attributes the great season to the team’s overall attitude. He said, “The intensity of the team, the commitment to win, and the dominance of the pack allowed us to win the games.”

The rugby tournament took place on April 26 and 27, 2003. The teams were broken up into three brackets each consisting of three teams. JC had to play four games in two days to win the tournament.

On April 26, JC had a match against Towson in what turned out to be a “slaughter” according to forward Jason Botzler ‘03. JC won the game behind an amazing performance by kicker Andrew

Kachur. Kachur made nine straight conversion attempts en route to a 73 – 0 victory.

Sophomore Jason Devoy also turned in a spectacular performance making a try three straight times to open the game.

“It was pretty cool to score three trys,” said Devoy. “It was the first time I ever scored and it was in the tournament.”

Tom Scilipoti ‘03, Pat McGrath ‘04, Ryan Kramer ‘03, Ben Pierce ‘03, Jason Drake ‘03, and Jamie Edwards ‘03 also scored in the match.

Botzler wanted to make sure that the unsung hero of the game, junior Trevor McEvoy, was mentioned. Botzler said, “Although he [McEvoy] has not yet scored, he had great passing skills to work the ball to the backs quickly.”

From that point on, JC envisioned victory. “After that game, every game was a nail-biter,” said Mr. Barker.

The second game that day was against Andover, who JC had never beaten before. However, with strong, solid play up front from the eight forwards, and superb passing in the backfield, JC scraped by with a one-point victory, 15 – 14.

“The main reason we won this game,”

said Botzler, “was because of Ryan Kramer’s solid defensive tackling.”

Mr. Heubeck said, “We had lost to the team earlier and we got revenge when it counted.” He continued by saying, “All of our forwards played well…we played well as a team and won all of the scrums and lineouts.”

Ben Pierce ‘03, Adam Devine ‘06, and Jamie Edwards ‘03 all had a try apiece in the slim-margined victory.

By winning the Andover game, JC had won their pool and were the top seed going into the semifinal match-up against that same Andover team on April 27.

“They had one really good back who was hard to stop,” said Mr. Barker. “However, he missed an easy conversion attempt with the game on the line and they lost.”

It was hooker Andrew Kachur who was the key for JC in this third game of the tournament. His ability to win the scrums kept the ball in JC’s possession and led the team to a 17 – 15 victory. Also, Devoy, Edwards, and Botzler all scored a try along with Kachur’s two-point conversion.

The whole team gave their best effort in this game. It was a series

of sweat, blood, tears and then victory. Botzler said, “Tom Scillipoti sacrificed his body for the rugby team to prevent Andover from scoring.”

The championship game was played later on April 27 in a nerve racking game against Georgetown Prep.

“They [Georgetown] were very well drilled and that’s exactly how they played,” said Mr. Barker.

Botzler continued and said, “Everyone came into the game tired from tourney play…however, the hard tackling by Brent Toland struck fear in the opponents hearts causing them to drop many passes.”

The key play in the match was when flanker senior Ryan Kramer “nailed” Georgetown’s fly-half. “It [the play] took a huge part of their [Georgetown’s] game away,” said Mr. Barker.

After a hard fought forty minutes of play, Toland scored the lone try in the match which gave JC the tournament victory, 5 – 3.

“We had a sense of achievement in only our second year. A club that didn’t exist to one that’s won a championship is very rewarding,” said Mr. Heubeck. “They’re a great group of kids – they play hard and they’re willing to learn the game of rugby.”

Editorials

2

Warmer weather awakens desire for bronzed skin

John Carroll School 703 Churchville Road, Bel Air, Maryland 21014 Volume 38, Number 6, February 24,2003

Editor- in- Chief............................................................................Katie Chlada Managing Editor .....................................................................Rachael Kessler Editorials co-Editor...................................................................Laura Kirchner Editorials co-Editor......................................................................Billy Hughes News co-Editor.........................................................................Courtney Kurtz News co-Editor.............................................................................Erin O’Brien Features co-Editor......................................................................Laurie Krysiak Features co-Editor.........................................................................Britt Cramer Entertainment co-Editor................................................................Katie Burton Entertainment co-Editor.................................................................Sarah Jones Sports co-Editor...........................................................................Rose DiPaula Sports co-Editor...........................................................................John Vigliotti Photography Editor.........................................................MaryBeth Derbyshire Business Manager.......................................................................Pat Harrington Moderator........................................................................................Mr. Ionescu

Staff: Tim Adle, Adam Bell, Liz Burger, Mike Critzer, Aisling Finck, Cati Horn, Pat Isennock, Ashley Keys, David Lomonico, Sam Marll, Joe Matarazzo, Grace Matelli, Stephanie Rew, Lauren Schnupp, Jennifer Smith, Tiffany Tong, Sandy Wienholt

The Patriot is a publication of the students of John Carroll School. The views and opinions expressed in The Patriot are not necessarily the views and opinions of the Board or Administration of The John Carroll School.

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

Volume 38, Number 6

The

Photo by Billy Hughes

Lack of wrestling room disheartens athletes Pat Isennock Staff Writer

the gym (two now), and the auditorium.

The wrestling team was hoping to be able to use the “multi-purLast month marked the occasion pose” room as the new wrestling when the new athletic wing was finished. room, but that plan fell through.

For the past few years, the wresThe athletic wing, however, was not planned to accommodate all JC sports. tling team has been using the cafeteria An important aspect of the ath- as a practice room. The reason that the letic wing is missing. It is something that team has practiced and wrestled there is has been needed for years. A new wrestling that the old wrestling room is too small.

The old wrestling room was made room is not a part of the new gym. With all of the new parts of the annex that will to accommodate ten wrestlers. In wresbe added on, this detail was pushed aside tling, there are fourteen weight classes, because of yet another meeting room. and all fourteen would be on a full varThere are many new features to sity team. JC not only has a full varsity the new annex. First and foremost is the and JV team, but also some extra wrestlers. All of these people new gym complex, itself. add up to about 35 total.

In this new gym, Thirty-five people canthere is a higher ceiling, not safely practice in a room which allows for sports designed for ten people. such as volleyball to be Wrestling coach Mr. played with fewer obHollin is very proud of the structions. There are also wrestling team, and he should three volleyball courts, be. But, like many other stuone going long-ways, dents, he is displeased at the and two crossing the current situation of wrestlers gym opposite the first. The new gym complex practicing in the cafeteria.

There are also three does not contain a “Practicing in basketball courts, wrestling room. with the same layout as the volleyball the cafeteria is unsafe, unsanicourts, as well as one badminton court. tary, and unclean,” said Mr. Hollin.

Members of the wrestling teams On the bottom floor of the new gym are bathrooms and an exercise are also unhappy about practicing in room. The exercise room will be for the cafeteria. “The wrestling team isn’t student use and includes such equipment being given a fair opportunity, we deas weights, ellipticals, and stair-steppers. serve our own room,” said member of All of these aspects of the new the wrestling team, junior Joe Hudson.

It has been decided that the wing are well and good, but it is the last part of the wing that is causing some “multi-purpose” room will not be problems: a multi-purpose room. This used as a wrestling room. Said Mr. multi-purpose room will be equipped with Hollin, “I understand the decision projectors, and it can be used for small that was made, but I don’t agree.”

The administration is still events and banquets, as it will have a capacity of about one hundred people. This working on finding a way to give our room should be the new wrestling room. wrestlers the wrestling room they deserve.

The room is almost unneces- “We’re hopeful that [finding a wrestling sary, and should have been put aside un- room] will happen,” said Mr. Hollin.

JC’s wrestling team is a great til a new wrestling room is constructed.

But because of the injusWith so many places to hold meetings program. and banquets, why does JC need another tice that has been cast upon them, they And pracone? We already have two small meeting can’t practice properly. rooms, the library classroom, the cafeteria, tice is a key component to any sport.

Patriot

Photo by Lauren Schnupp

Photo by Courtney Kurtz

Patriot he

tanning would be to use such meth- sis, are being treated with the use of tanning ods as instant tanning. There are sev- beds. Exposure to UV light has proved to eral no-risk products on the market clear acne-prone skin and correct Seasonal today that are completely safe to use. Affective Disorder, or the Winter Blues.

There are also instant Sunlight is also essential to bone health tan booths that are grow- by helping the body to maintain a normal ing in popularity. Tanning amount of Vitamin D, the hormone responchains such as Hollywood sible for the amount of calcium in the blood.

Tans offer such booths that The two most popular reasons for mist instant tanners for six tanning among teenagers, however, are the seconds with a solution that affect of sunlight on body weight and vanlasts for about a ity. Sunlight stimulates the week. Despite thyroid gland, which boosts these new inthe metabolism, helping novations in people to lose weight. instant tanning, UV tanning Sunlight also darkens the is still more widely used. melanin, or pigment, in the However, this obskin, causing one to tan. session with tanning is not Media in today’s solimited to the JC community. ciety continues to bomShocking statistics show that, bard us with these imas popularity mounts, 16% ages of attractive, dark of teenagers nationwide are Instant tanning complexions.

With all using tanning beds by the booths are a recent the popularity and appeal time they are 15 and 32% alternative to conassociated with bronzed by age 17. With figures like ventional UV tanskin, it looks as if tanning, this, one would assume that ning. and all the risks and benthere has to be some benefit to tanning. efits that come with it, is here to stay.

Several illnesses, such as psoriaPhoto from www.google.com

much-desired glow. But we have to ask ourselves, are these tanning beds healthy?

The answer is yes and no. Of Tropical beaches, palm trees, course we all know that too much exposure sunny weather, bronzed bodies. As sum- to the ultraviolet rays, like mer slowly creeps closer, students are those from the sun, is harmleft anxiously awaiting the end of school ful. UV rays, from the sun and the beginning of their summer vaca- as well as from tanning beds, tion. However, before their vacation can cause long-term damages begins, many students have taken an in- such as sagging skin, loss of terest in getting a head start on their tans. elasticity, wrinkles, sunspots, and worst of Recently, it has all, skin cancer. become a craze for people Skin cancer everywhere to achieve a is on the rise, bronzed glow like that of and recent statistics point out popular Latin celebrities. that one in five Americans However, despite popular will get skin cancer in their belief, it was once considlifetime.

Melanoma, the ered attractive to have a deadliest form of skin cancer, pale porcelain complexion. is now the number one cancer In the beginning among women ages 20 to 29. of the 20th century, people These health risks are deliberately wore clothes enough to deter many people that concealed their entire from using tanning beds and bodies so as not to get a tan. lying outside on sunny days.

Tans were a sign of a poor However, it seems as though lifestyle in which people Tanning booths are these risks do not shy away had to do manual labor, growing in popularity. students who are determined such as farming, instead of being able to pay others to do it for them. to achieve a tan before summertime.

Most tanners feel a sort of addiction However, today’s fascination with deep, “healthy” tans stems from to the darker skin that results from tanning. life after World War I when people be- An anonymous junior said, “Without gan to exercise outside and play sports. a tan, I feel all pasty and disgusting. I Tans then became a sign of wealth and know its not really good for you, but I prosperity as people began lying out- love the way tanning makes me look.”

One sophomore says that going side on sunny beaches to attain them.

As the allure of an attractive tanning is “relaxing” and is “a great way tan grows in popularity, many people are for me to wind-down after a tough day.”

A healthy alternative to UV turning to tanning beds to achieve the Laura Kirchner Editorials Editor

June 2003

Editorials

3

Upper Rockfield Restrictions cause minimal anxiety As of late, there has been only one issue on everyone’s mind at the school.

Something that has turned friend against friend, teacher against teacher, and divided this school into warring factions ready to tear each other apart. The only thing that could be this divisive and create this much tension among the student body: Upper Rockfield parking restrictions.

That’s right, parking restrictions.

Everyone knows that this issue has been a hotbed of activity that is threatening to boil over into total civil war among the student populace.

Most students who are not fortunate enough to have on-campus parking spots are forced to use Upper Rockfield instead. Daily, they must either beg for a ride to Upper Rockfield or wearily trudge uphill to the remote parking lot. Now, due to orders from the Bel Air Police Department, the number of parking spaces at Upper Rockfield reserved for JC students is being dramatically cut from 47 to 40.

Why the need for such excessively draconian action by the police?

Dean of Students Mr. Piercy pointed to the insatiable public demand for easy access to the softball fields, saying, “I think they just wanted available overflow parking due to the nice weather.”

Additional rules have also been students will end up hiking to Upplaced on the students. Now, to park at the per Rockfield to park, in spite of the remaining spaces at Rockfield, a student is school’s effort to expand the number of required to place a hangtag or some other parking spots. Senior Ben Murray ruthsort of identifying device on their horse- lessly displayed his lack of sympathy less carriages. The administration has for the underclassmen when he said, “I also required seventy unregistered (U.R.) walked it last year, you walk it this year.” parkers to register, stating the need to keep The new need for students to track of those who park there frequently. obtain permits and hangtags is slightly However, the administration has odd, but it is not a really significant matter. failed to convince Because stumany students of dents are not the need for the required to new restrictions. pay for the One sophomore hangtags to who identified park at Upper himself only as “JRockfield, Dawg” stated, “I the entire don’t like it. I wish controversy they would keep it seems like a the way it is.” moot point, To re- Parking regulations at Upper Rockfield next given the fact solve the prob- year will require students to obtain parking that there lem of reduced permits. will be an parking spaces, the administration has increase in the number of available parkopened up the lot by Bynum Pond. This, ing spots for next year. With the addicombined with the new spaces that will be tion of the pond spaces and the increased available at the oval, and smaller senior availability of on-campus parking, Upclass for next year will hopefully reduce per Rockfield probably will not become the number for students forced to make such a central hub of parking activity. the trudge to Upper Rockfield next year, The parking restrictions are there and thus, the number of parking permits. simply to keep track of who parks at UpStill, in all likelihood, some per Rockfield on a regular basis, not to

segregate and reduce students to secondclass citizen status. So what if you have to go to the school first to get a permit to park at Upper Rockfield? This will probably cause the same amount of discord and rebellion that the student ID’s caused. As far as I can tell, the school was still standing after that incident rocked the boat.

Regardless, most students will probably be irritated at having to hang the tag on their car whenever they need to park at Upper Rockfield. Again, it just seems to be a security measure that the administration has created so as to protect students’ cars. If the school has a registry of the students who park at Upper Rockfield, they can better keep track of possible suspects when acts of theft or vandalism occur. It wasn’t long ago that junior Joe Matarazzo’s car was smashed up. A registry of U.R. parkers could help narrow down the list of possible suspects for future acts of vandalism.

It’s totally obvious that the parking restrictions at Upper Rockfield have taken precedence over senior graduation, the post-war reconstruction of Iraq, and all the other boring stuff that’s been occurring lately. In any case, the new regulations placed on Upper Rockfield parkers will cause a minimum amount of hassle in the administration’s attempt to better keep track of students, and possibly help to prevent further acts of criminality.

unify the country and keep morale up when a soldier’s loved ones, businessmen coming home from work, and kids getting back from school can all tune in to see the latest?

The answer is yes, but the problem with the news today is that it is horribly overdone. Lately, the war coverage is less about keeping people informed and more about producing the ultimate reality show.

It is not necessary to fly reporters out to Iraq just so the background shots are more authentic. Soldiers shouldn’t have to worry about protecting the journalists while in the middle of a firestorm with the Republican Guard. The night vision streaming video that shows tanks locked in combat with the enemy doesn’t reassure me, it freaks me out even more.

That’s another problem with the news coverage, it makes people ri-

many hours the US troops were away from Baghdad and when the next bombing of the city was going to start.

Thank God for Tommy Franks and military protocol, if he had answered all the press conference questions from the reporters (e.g. “what is your strategy for attacking Baghdad within the next 24 hours?”) Saddam’s regime wouldn’t need intelligence.

Maybe it’s because I didn’t live through the Vietnam War and didn’t experience the emotions associated with that kind of a conflict, but I can’t help but be skeptical and disapproving of the war coverage. Given, some information is good, and some precautions are necessary (like airport security), but the news just overdid it. Countdown timers for Bush’s ultimatum, suspenseful music, and simulations of how chemical agents infect humans are things we could have done without.

Photo by Lauren Schnupp

Sam Marll Staff Writer

End to war means end to war coverage Billy Hughes Editorials co-Editor

The end of the war in Iraq signifies the toppling of Saddam’s regime, freedom for the oppressed peoples of Iraq, a homecoming for many of our troops overseas – and most importantly – a return to normal news.

No longer do we have to cope with 24-hour coverage of every movement of every battalion. No longer do we have to hear from Wolf Blitzer in Addisa-whatever about how the weather in Iraq could slow the troops up a couple of hours. Applebee’s in Bel Air can start showing the Scottish games championships instead of the casualty counts.

But isn’t it good that the American people are kept informed? Doesn’t it

diculously paranoid. The fact that some schmuck on the news suggested buying saran wrap and duct tape to combat chemical agents and people actually went out and did it should amaze everyone.

Saran wrap and duct tape are about as effective at protecting against chemical warfare as hiding under a desk was effective at protecting against the atom bomb.

The American people should be trying to go on with their lives as normal as possible (which would also help the economy) instead of getting all bent out of shape about whether the government is calling for a code orange or a code yellow.

One more strike against the news coverage is the fact that it reveals so much. One can’t help thinking that Saddam Hussein could have watched CNN or MSNBC and found out how

Part One “The Mod Chip” by Dan Tims Thanks for letting us test the new Mod Change Alert System on you, Paul.

We’ve had several complaints about the new tones-that they’re annoying, disruptive, and so on. We’ve worked like mad to find an alternative...

The solution? The MOD CHIP! It goes into your brain and gives an electrical impulse when class is over.

Wow! That IS less irritating!

Time for science!

Really? Let’s up the dose a little bit...

AHHH! SWEET UNHOLY JEZEBEL, IT HURTS!!!

M...math time...

Let’s try it out, shall we?

Check it out, guys! With the new mod chip, I’ll never be late to class again!

Well, who says God and Technology don’t mix!

Umm...God.

June 2003

The

Patriot

Volume 38, Number 6

Special Feature

4

Senior Farewell Tara Hofherr Editorials co-Editor Tara Hofherr served as Editorials co-Editor for the ’02-’03 school year. She started her journalism career at JC with her controversial article on the cheerleaders’ questionable uniforms.

Ever since, Tara has captivated readers’ attention with her brutal honesty and unrelenting knack for uncovering school injustices in her Opinions Column.

She also was the mastermind behind the new flag in the revised format of the 20022003 newspaper.

When she wasn’t fending off Bobby Spero’s love for Asians, Tara was making tasty treats for The Patriot staff.

Tara was also an integral part in the SAC winning an award for her dedication to the school as vice president of the senior class and an award at the Women’s Athletic Banquet for her commitment to the varsity field hockey team.

Next year, Tara will be attending Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania.

Sara Clafferty Entertainment Editor

Sara Clafferty served as the Entertainment Editor for the ‘02-’03 school year. This was Sara’s second year as editor, however, this year she undertook this tasking position solo. Her co-Editor, Sara Ruzicka moved last year to Texas, but Sara was committed and proved to be a talented writer and editor.

She was also an active member in JC athletics. As captain of the varsity basketball team and a member of the varsity lacrosse team, her talents were recognized with many senior awards. Sara’s easy going and wholehearted attitude will not only be missed by The Patriot, but by the entire JC community.

Sara will be attending the University of Vermont next year.

Maureen Casey Photography Editor Maureen Casey served as Photography Editor for the ‘02-’03 school year. This was Maureen’s first year as editor. With an eye for great photography, Maureen unquestionably lived up to the challenging position.

Next year Maureen will be attending Villanova University.

Volume 1, Number 1

Colleen O’Brien Editor-in-Chief

Colleen O’Brien served as the Editor-in-Chief for the ‘02-’03 school year. If dedication could be grasped as a tangible entity, Colleen would embody it.

She spent late nights and free mods making the newspaper perfect. She paved a path of excellence for all writers and future editors of The Patriot.

She was by far the most reliable member of the staff, always willing to lend a hand despite her own enormous load of work to do. She juggled a strenuous schedule, however, never failed to display a smile.

Colleen commented that it was her pleasure to be a part of something so great and influential. She said, “Patriot is not a class. It’s a way of life.”

Colleen was awarded for all of her leadership within the school at the Senior Awards Ceremony when she was awarded the Black and Gold Award.

Next year, Colleen will be attending the University of Maryland College Park.

Owen Jordan Sports co-Editor Owen Jordan served as the Sports co-Editor for the ‘02-’03 school year. As a member of the varsity football team and the varsity lacrosse team, Owen had an extremely qualified knowledge of sports.

He incorporated this knowledge with his award winning writing style and intrigued writers all around.

Owen also served as the SAC president and exemplified leadership. He was awarded the Black and Gold Award at the end of the year.

Owen will be attending Roanoke College next year.

Rosalie Gant Features co-Editor

Rosalie Gant served as Features co-Editor for the ‘02-’03 school year. With a hammer in one hand and a sickle in the other, Rosalie added an eclectic flavor to The Patriot staff.

She was an amazing writer in all areas. She won many awards for her talent at the end of the year.

Rosalie will be attending Dickinson University next year.

The

Joel Wienholt News co-Editor

Joel “the Movie Man” Wienholt served as News co-Editor for the ‘02-’03 school year.

Many students were surprised to discover that Joel still went to JC for he spent most of his days in The Patriot room working tirelessly on the news section or just fighting with McCavitt.

Either way, Joel’s genius was intertwined throughout the paper. Not only was he responsible for the news section, he contributed to the entertainment section every issue with his movie reviews.

Staff members will always remember Joel for his obsession with Lord of the Rings.

Next year, Joel will be attending Towson University.

Tom Scilipoti Staff Writer Tom Scilipoti served as a staff writer for the ‘02-‘03 school year. Tom is best known for his “Mullet for a Day” article in the last issue of The Patriot. He always yearned to be an editor, and despite he never reached that goal, Tom surpassed all expectation with his dangerously intelligent rhetoric.

Tom said in retrospect, “This year’s publication was cooler than the 90’s pop duo, Milli Vannilli, Gandolf the Gray (not the white), Greg Davis ’06, and the city of Dundalk combined.”

Tom’s antics and off color humor will be greatly missed.

Next year, Tom will be attending Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania.

Bobby Spero Staff Writer

Bobby Spero served as…wait!

What did Bobby Spero do?

Bobby served as the comic relief for the ‘02-’03 school year. On occasion, he would also undertake the position of the Exchange Editor, sending and receiving newspapers from other schools. However, he is most known for his insanity.

When he wasn’t attacking Tara, Bobby was screaming “Gandolf” at the top of his lungs. He never failed to bring laughter to The Patriot staff.

Next year Bobby will be attending Essex Community College.

Patriot

Matt Garono Editorials co-Editor

Matt Garono served as Editorials co-Editor for the ‘02-’03 school year. Matt is known best for his staunch conservatism and his column, Hardball Politics. He brought awareness to many overlooked factors in the country and in the world.

However, The Patriot staff members know Matt best for his many coined phrases and for his love for a certain girl named “Kikki.” He always laughed at Tom’s jokes despite most of the time he was the butt of them and never failed to add his laughter with seriousness.

Matt was also involved in the SAC as Secretary/Treasurer and in the Political Factor.

Next year, Matt will be attending the University of Maryland of Baltimore County.

Ryan McCavitt Sports co-Editor Ryan McCavitt served as Sports co-Editor for the ‘02-’03 school year. This was Ryan’s second year writing for the sports section. He is well known for his love for the University of Miami and for his suave picture that is posted by his name in all his articles.

Ryan’s late nights spent watching Sports Center were well paid off. His writing reflected a wide range of athletic knowledge and his style embodied that of a great writer. However, it is McCavitt’s unpredictable attitude and antics in The Patriot room that most staff members will remember him for.

Next year, Ryan will be attending the University of Miami.

Congratulations Seniors!!!

Above Picture (from left to right): Tara Hofherr, Joel Wienholt, Matt Garono, Ryan McCavitt, Tom Scilipoti, Sara Clafferty, Colleen O’Brien, and Rosalie Gant. Not pictured: Bobby Spero, Owen Jordan, and Maureen Casey.

Spread by Katie Chlada May 31, 2002

News

5

Country Fair unites Harford County Courtney Kurtz News co Editor JC, Bel Air, Fallston, and C. Milton Wright. What do these Harford County high schools all have in common? Students from each of these very different schools could all be found at the JC Country Fair. The fair gathered people from all over the community to share in a weekend of old-fashioned fun.

This year’s annual Country Fair was held on Friday, May 2, 6-11pm, Saturday, May 3, noon-11pm, and Sunday, May 4, 11am-4pm.

The fair enabled JC students to bond, have fun, and gain service hours all at once.

Students had the opportunity to volunteer at many of the various booths.

However, photo by MaryBeth Derbyshire the fair not Father and daughter only brought enjoy festivities at the a sense of Country Fair. unity to the

JC student body, but also to the Newell said, “It’s nice to be able residents of Harford County. to hang out at a place for teens that’s not The flashy rides, only safe, but fun, too. My favorite part enticing door prizes, and deabout the Country Fair was being able licious treats attracted people to go on the rides with my boyfriend.” from all over the county. “I The fair helped to keep kids off the love how the fair always streets by giving them a safe environbrings the community toment to spend time with their peers for gether,” said Justine Newell, the weekend. Apparently, it also helped a junior at C. Milton Wright. to foster young relationships, and reNewell is not the kindle those of adults. One couple was only one to notice how the fair spotted slow dancing to Michael Bolton’s unites our community. “As a “When a Man Loves a Woman,” while mother of a JC alumni, I think their children were creating refrigeratorthe Country Fair is a great opworthy works of art at the spin art booth. portunity for families to get toFallston sophomore Rachel gether for outdoor fun and fesBorchers said, “I had a great time; there tivities,” said Rose Hamilton, was plenty to do and the weather was owner of the Bel Air Bakery, nice,” which was a pleasant change photo by MaryBeth Derbyshire “and the food… scrumptious!” from last year’s Saturday night rain.

As always, the ac- Jason Botzler walks around the cow until it drops So rain or shine, the JC claimed Country Fair food it’s pie.

Country Fair went off without a hitch. was a tremendous success, said homeschooler Steve Rowley. “I In the words of Rowley, “The fair especially the funnel cake. JC sopho- didn’t think the rides were was good times had by all!” more Matt Hirschhorn said, “I loved fun because I don’t like that the funnel cake. It tasted better com- kind of stuff, but I went anying up as I regurgitated it after riding way and I’m glad I did. I the Zipper than it did going down.” plan on going next year.”

Yet despite frequent warnings that junk Bel Air High School food and carnival rides don’t mix, some senior Dave Freed also atstudents only had one thing on their minds: tended the fair due to complihaving a good time. But the Country Fair ance of his girlfriend’s wishes. is all about embracing life and having fun, “At first I didn’t want to go, and the rides are undoubtedly just that. but it was less expensive than photo by MaryBeth Derbyshire “I went to the fair because my the movies and it was someEnjoying the ride, two girls smile for a photo at the friends were going and my girlfriend thing different to do. The fair. wanted me to go with her on the rides,” fair was pretty cool I guess.”

Hallways hectic, mice cause mayhem, termites terrorize Erin O’Brien News co Editor

Tiny mice like this one scared even the football players.

June 2003

photo courtesy of www.yahooligans.com

A siren sounds as the lights in JC flicker and go out. In the world of today, with terrorist paranoia sweeping the nation, a student’s first instinct may be to dive under their desk for protection.

Across the school in the cafeteria flying termites seize the room. Students still recovering from the recent lunchtime mouse attacks quickly jump onto the cafeteria tables, which seem to have become a safe haven from terrifying pests. To the relief of everyone, Mr. Barker’s voice comes through the loudspeaker to inform the school that there will be no early dismissal. The world has not come to an end. These events are just part in a string of mishaps that have plagued JC in recent years.

On April 16, as students headed toward their mod four classes, the hallway lights illuminated their paths. When they arrived to class they were able to look at the clock on the wall and see if they had made it on time.

However, shortly into mod four disaster struck. What appeared to be an unruly student messing with the light switch was actually the electricity flickering out.

The darkness that fell over

the guidance hallway, the first floor, the cafeteria, the computer labs, and several classrooms engendered fear and confusion across the board. Worried teachers ventured out into the hallway in search of explanation for their pitch-black classrooms. Unfortunate students in the first floor bathrooms were overtaken with anxiety. In the new windowless

BRIAN LOIERO

Y

ou look at the ground: termites.

You look at the ceiling: there’s no lights. A month ago we had mice. These days have not been nice.” classrooms, people were tripping all over the place trying to find the door.

A few minutes later a passing emergency vehicle sounding a siren sent some students, who thought Bel Air was having a bomb raid, diving under their desks. With the lights out and the siren sounding, the school was sent into a state of complete uproar. In the midst of the upheaval, Mr. Barker’s voice resounded over the loudspeaker. He informed the school that the power outage was caused by a problem off campus and that school was to resume as normal.

However, the day’s disasters had not yet come to an end. Students in the cafeteria were soon greeted with another surprise. While quietly eating their lunches they began to hear what sounded like a thousand students chewing on celery. Upon

The

further investigation, it was discovered: with flashlights, acted as guides Termites were attacking the caf- to the essentially blind students. eteria. Startled students could be seen The administration decided jumping onto the cafeteria tables. Having to complete the school day. As the had just recently recovered from the mice day continued, the school became scurrying around the cafeteria the month very cold because the heaters were not before, this incident really put stuworking. Students who needed dents on edge. The termite to use the bathroom had to problem was identified wait until there was an and action was quickly available teacher to guide taken against them. them to the toilet. Hours Within minutes an later the power came back exterminator charged on and everyone was reinto the building with lieved to have heat again. a bottle of termite spray.

Many other incidents For the rest of the day along have occurred in the past with the pleasant perfume of few years at JC. For example, cafeteria food, students were exploding heaters, a flooded breathing in the lingering basement, and a collapsing roof. smell of the spray. Junior Also, there has been a stink Nina Panageotou said, “It bomb and a door falling off smelled like McDonald’s.” of a stall in the boy’s bathroom.

These disturbing incidents Summing up the patare only two of the many mishaps that tern of events, Brian Loiero said, have occurred at JC in the past few “You look at the ground: termites. years. Dean of Students Mr. Piercy You look at the ceiling: there’s no said, “We’ve had several blackouts lights. A month ago we had mice. over the past couple of years, at least one These days have not been nice.” per year. Sometime last year a pipe burst near the main entrance and broken tiles went everywhere.”

Two years ago a blackout left the entire school in complete darkness.

The underclassmen had just arrived in the auditorium when the school went pitchblack. Not only was it dark inside but outside as well. Students were bumping into each othphoto courtesy of www.yahooligans.com er all over the place.

Termites were found to be infesting the school.

Teachers, equipped

Patriot

Volume 38, Number 6

News

6

Sophomore retreat generates mixed feelings

but I was excited to work outside with my classmates,” said Lhotsky.

The success of the day reinforced her ideas about the retreat.

On the other hand, many students had preconceived notions about the Earning a minimum amount of retreat that weren’t exactly so positive. credits, maintaining a certain GPA, and However, many of these opinions were completing forty hours of community changed by the end of the day. “I kind service are all graduation requirements of had bad thoughts about it, but it actuof JC. However, it is a little known ally wasn’t as bad as people made it out fact that a four-year retreat program to be,” said sophomore Matt Maskell. is also a graduation requirement.

According to Cathell, those In the past, this requirement who didn’t enjoy the experience has often been viewed by students as may have only themselves to blame. somewhat less than enjoyable. Reflect“If you go in with a negative ating on last year’s sophomore retreat, titude, it’s only going to be bad bejunior Matt Fritz said, “We played cause you made it bad,” she said. frisbee and this guy talked about bephoto courtesy of Mrs. Murphy Dohn Although some people were not ing a drug addict… I think. It wasn’t satisfied with the results of the retreat, exactly a memorable experience.” A group of sophomores take a break from all their hard work to pose for a picture. Althe consensus was that the day turned Concurring with Fritz’s though they were tired, nothing could hold back their smiles. out to be a huge success. sentiments, fellow junior Joey “When we partnered with in many activities to clean up Aberdeen in “It’s hard to satisfy everyone, but Condon said, “The best part of the retreat was our free time.” Rebuilding Together, it became natu- preparation for the service day. Students every little task we accomplished adds up to an enorIn light of these comments, Mrs. ral that we would work in the vicin- engaged in activities mous contriMurphy Dohn decided to take a differ- ity of Aberdeen where their national such as cleaning up trash, bution for the ent approach to this year’s sophomore community service day will be held planting flowers, and residents of retreat by organizing a more hands- on April 26,” said Mrs. Murphy Dohn. painting over graffiti.

On April 15, sophomores partook the area we “My group on experience for the class of 2005. served, and picked up trash around that’s all that Halls Cross Roads Elreally matementary School.

It ters,” said seemed like the resiMrs. Murdents of the area could phy Dohn. have easily cleaned up “I their own trash, but I feel that we didn’t mind the work,” all benefited said sophomore Shanfrom the renon Lhotsky. “It was treat. It was a a nice way to bond great learning with my classmates.” experience Sophomore Allie and should be Cathell was also assigned done again,” to pick up trash. “I would said Maskell. have rather painted or In gardened,” said Cathell. the words of “I think the people who photo courtesy of Mrs. Murphy Dohn like to garden should gar- Craig Federowicz and Kara Driver work Mrs. Murphy Dohn, “Overden, painters should paint, on re-mulching a local playground. all, I believe and so on.” photo courtesy of Mrs. Murphy Dohn Despite these criticisms, Lhotsky this work camp was so successful that we Under Mr. Kachur’s supervision, Andrea Gaeta and Richard Fleury plant flowers to maintained a positive attitude.

“Ev- will repeat a similar project in the future. beautify Aberdeen. eryone else was pessimistic about the It went so much better than I ever dreamed dress code and the work for the day, it would go. I’m exhausted and proud.”

Courtney Kurtz News co Editor

...AND IT’S FINALLY FINISHED! Two years and two million dollars later, the long-awaited athletic complex is complete! With dancing and cake gallore, March 19th marked the opening of JC’s most recent addition.

photos by Aisling Finck

Volume 38, Number 6

The

Patriot

June 2003

News

7

FACT

SARS pandemic infecting thousands, killing hundreds

T S FA

S

the most infected have been health care workers and their families.

To prevent contracting the disease many people in heavily affected With the war in Iraq and the declin- countries have worn masks to cover ing US economy, American citizens have their mouth and nose. Citizens are enough to worry about. Now there’s a new not the only people working to Country Cases Deaths epidemic sweeping across the Pacific. Sud- prevent the spread of SARS. The 5271 300 Canada den Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) World Health Organization (WHO) China 140 23 has quickly been spreading through- has been working on a cure but England 4 0 out the world over the past six months predicts it will take over a year USA 65 0 SARS was first discovered in Vietnam in to develop an effective medicine.

Total: 8046 682 In the meantime, SARS February and several cases dating back February, to November have since been discovered. is not only effecting the health Symptoms: As of early May, more than 7,000 cases of of thousands but also the world •Fever SARS were detected worldwide. Almost economy. Tourism to Asian coun•Headache 5,000 of these cases were in China, 1,000 tries has declined greatly over •Discomfort were in the Hong Kong region, and 64 sus- the past months. It is predicted •Body Aches pected cases were in the United States. The that if SARS is not under control •Dry Cough number of deaths is in the hundreds and by September, Asian countries up to 100 new cases are diagnosed daily. could lose up to $28 billion.

To Prevent Contraction: However, Beijing’s Symptoms of SARS in•Wash hands often clude high fever, cough, shortness of health bureau says there has re•Avoid travelling to highCitizens of Asian countries have been sportbreath, or difficulty breathing. Patients cently been a decline in cases. risk countries ing a variety of face masks to prevent conThe deputy director-gen•If you think you have tracting SARS. From Hello Kitty to floral contracted SARS, contact eral of the bureau, Liang patterns to the lyrics of a song, face masks Wannian, said, “We have a doctor immediately. effectively curbed the upare customized to match personalities. ward trend of SARS cases.

The number of new cases seems to have reached since the last confirmed case of a plateau, and the epidemic is SARS was detected in Toronto. showing signs of declining.”

Despite progress in China WHO, on the other hand, says and Canada, an increasing numit’s too early to declare the virus ber of cases are being discovered completely under control, al- in Europe and the United States. though they have confirmed that In May, the United Kingdom rethe spread of SARS has slowed ported its first confirmed case of considerably in Asia and Canada. SARS. Over 100 suspected cases photo from www.cnn.com “WHO has today removed are soon to be tested in the US Many tests are performed to confirm suspectToronto, Canada, from the list and several European countries. ed cases of the SARS virus. of areas with recent local transmisWHO representative Keiji may also develop severe pneumo- sion,” a representative of WHO said in a Fukuda said, “The bottom line is it photo from www.cnn.com nia and require a ventilator. recent written statement. Twenty days, is too early to state that the epidemic Doctor examines the Corona Virus, which SARS is spread through direct the time period for considering a strain is tailing down, but we do hope to causes SARS. person-to-person contact, and as a result, broken in a confined area, have passed see that in the next few weeks.” photo from Upfront magazine

Rachael Kessler Managing Editor

Mr. Vierheller on his career, winning Teacher of the Year Erin O’Brien News co Editor Two years ago, as a result of a sudden career change, Mr. Vierheller, also known as Mr. V, started teaching at JC. This year he has received the Teacher of the Year award. Because the students decide the recipient of this award, it is obvious that he has quickly developed

S me”

tudents energize

relationships with many in the school. He attributes this to his friendly nature and captivating teaching style. As a teacher, parent, and coach, Mr. Vierheller has connections with students from every class.

Mr. V came to JC to teach Sacraments and Morality classes to sophomores.

His past careers have included the military and the business world; he has also

coached basketball, and is a father of four.

These endeavors gave him his first taste of teaching, which influenced his decision to pursue it. His close proximity to and the fact that his son was already attending the school also pushed him toward JC. Mr. V attributes, “...being around the school and knowing what Catholic education is all about” to leading him to where he is now.

After a summer of preparation Mr. V began his first day as a religion teacher. Walking into JC on the first day of classes he described his feelings as, “...excited but anxious.”

As the first marking quarter of that year passed he had reached a level of comfort. He had come to realize that teaching was a lot more hectic and time consuming than he thought. However, he said, “It was as much fun as I hoped it would be.”

The key to Mr. V’s teaching success is that he and his students, “have fun, but show mutual respect. We have fun in a disciplined way.” He said, “I hope [the students] see me as friendly but that level of professionalism has to be there.”

He has found ways to captivate his students and has developed an understanding of how to draw students into class discussions. He also relates himself to the topics being covered by “sharing experiences openly, it’s who I am.” He said.

As a teacher Mr. V holds certain qualities as important. “Students energize me…I think being committed, believing, energetic, respectful, open minded to students’ and teachers’ ideas, and being available are all necessary.” He said.

In his past two years teaching, the events that have had the most impact on him are: dealing with September 11th, the war in Iraq, and winning the Teacher of the Year award.

He said he is very honored to have won the award because students choose it. Mr. V said he was, “at first surprised, very surprised.”

He had not expected to win because he thinks there are so many other teachers whom he describes as committed and professional.

Mr. V considers the award as, “motivating to want to do even better from this point, satisfying to know students appreciate my approach to teaching… [And] an honor that causes me to want to better myself.”

He thinks that part of the reason that he was picked to receive the award is because he knows many students from every class. His son, Brian, is a senior and his other son, Josh, is a freshman. Their friends come over to his house and know

Mr. V well. As a parent, it is not uncommon to see him at student sporting events and other activities.

As the JV boys basketball coach he has a coach to athlete relationship with many of the students.

Besides that, at one point, he has taught almost the whole sophomore and junior classes.

Mr. V says that although the award affirms it, he had already had, “…that sense of appreciation I’ve picked up on in just about every dealing I’ve had with a student.”

According to him, the respect and appreciation of the students evinces itself in the way that the students have conducted themselves.

With a successful two year teaching career and the obvious appreciation of his students, Mr. V says that teaching has made him, “happier, happier than I’ve been for a long time.”

W

e have fun in a disciplined way.”

TEACHER OF THE YEAR

June 2003

The

Patriot

Volume 38, Number 6

News

8

Spring break trips send students, teachers abroad Colleen O’Brien Staff Writer

Trip

to

the

Ukraine:

This year three foreign trips took place over spring break. Students and teachers visited the Ukraine, Spain, and Costa Rica. All three trips successfully opened students’ eyes to the cultural, political, religious, and environmental differences of these countries.

The first group, four students (Gus Saliaris, Rosalie Gant, Sam Marll, and Jess Wightman) and Mr. Miller, left for the Ukraine on April 12th. The group took a nine-hour flight from Dullas to Frankfurt, then a three-hour flight to Kier. The group then took a seven-hour bus trip to Khankir where they met their host families. On April 14th, the group went to high school #174- Lyceum “Professional” and met twenty-year old university students who taught Russian. They were also exposed to the entertainment of the Ukraine- operas of the “Bride- Princess” and “Carmen”, puppet shows, a soccer game, International Week concert at the Lyceum, Lyceum’s prom, a ballet, and a nightclub called “Jay.” The group experienced the cul-

The group enjoyed these places because they had learned about the importance in Spanish culture in their Spanish classes this year. The next day the group visited the El Escorial, a royal palace built in the 16th century by Philip II of Spain. It incorporates a cathedralesque church, a monastery, school, and famous library, all of which reflect the deeply pious outlook of the king.

They also visited the Valley of the Fallen; a civil war memorial was built by General Franco to celebrate his victory. The group then traveled to Cordoba, one of Spain’s most famous cities and trading centers with white washed walls and narrow streets.

The trip continued to Seville and then to Granada where the group visited a historic architectural masterpiece, the Alhambra, and the photo courtesy of Colleen O’Brien beautiful Generalife Gardens. The Costa Rica group takes a boat trip through the canals of Tortugero.

The group then traveled to Mijas. The Mijas Costa equals that magic On day four, the group traveled the excitement of the bird watching. combination of sun, sand, and seaports. back to the mainland and drove for about In Montverde, they visited a butThe group departed for the United States on five hours west to the foot of the Volcano terfly garden where they saw marvelous April 24th and arrived home that evening. Arenal. While swimming in the pool at looking butterflies and ate beetles. The While in Spain, the group enjoyed activi- their hotel, ash from the volcano covered highlight of Montverde was a once in a lifeties such as watching Flamenco dancers the water. The group drove around the time experience of zip cording through the and attending Holy Week Processions. volcano trying to hear it rumble, but being rainforest on eleven different cables. One unsuccessful they went to sing karaoke. cable was four hundred feet off the ground

The Costa Rican Adventure:

The third group was comprised of nine students (Maureen Casey, Ben Murray, Miyako Igari, Ashleigh Riesner, Ryan Peusch, Meredith Clark, Colleen O’Brien, Megan Farrell, and Melissa Hmelnicky), Miss Dombrock, and Mr.Hughes traveled around Costa Rica from April 18th to April 28th.

Departing from BWI Friday morning at 7:30 am the group flew to Miami, and then onto San Jose, Costa Rica. There they met Mr.Hughes’s friend and their tour guide, Gaston.

The group also met their bus driver for the trip, Grevin, whom they called “Loco”.

After lunch and some sightseeing of San Jose, the group relaxed at the pool and then had their welcome dinner. On the second day photo courtesy of Colleen O’Brien they traveled for about th El Escorial, a royal palace built in the 16 century by four hours to Tortugero loPhilip II of Spain. cated on the Caribbean Coast. tural side of the Ukraine by learning about In Tortugero, famous because of many Ukrainian traditions at the universi- the green sea turtles that lay eggs there evty, eating traditional Ukrainian food at the ery year, Lyceum, visiting WWII memorials, going the group to the Ukrainian Museum of Natural His- went on tory, visiting a Ukrainian art museum and various planetarium, going to a local zoo called boat rides “Shercheiko Garden”, and visiting various through ornate churches in Kier. The group also atriver tended various classes at schools in the area canals bird and spent time sight-seeing on the streets. to watch The Spanish Excursion: The second group was comprised and look of twelve students (Lacie Barlow, Catherine for different Horn, Allison Kingery, Patricia Kingery, species of Kathryn Kinzler, Ryan Kotula, Christa wildlife.

Puhl, Amy Rosario, Lauren Rosenberger, Kristin Spieker, Doug Szoka, and Casey They saw spider Young) and Mrs. Michael, Mr. Appleby, and howler monkeys, the Jesus Christ Lizand parent Mrs. Kotula. The group took ard, turtles, caiman, iguanas, the poison dart th an overnight flight to Madrid on April 15 . frog, beautiful butterflies, bare throated tiger In Madrid the group visited the Royal Palherons, white egrets, and great blue herons. ace, the Plaza Mayor, and the Puerta del Sol.

W

photo by Colleen O’Brien

The picturesque view of the Children’s Eternal Rainforest in Monteverde.

The following day and over a mile above sea level. The stuthe group’s tour guide had injured dents and Miss Dombrock flew through his ankle and had to leave the group. the air and took in the incredible view.

They traveled to the Ensenada National Next the group went to Caracara Wildlife Refuge located on the Gulf of to see the scarlet macaws and Nacoya on the Pacific coast. Here the enjoyed the last chance to experigroup met their new tour guide Jose, went ence the sunny weather of Costa Rica. horseback riding on the ranch, and travOn the 28th they traveled back to San eled through the mangroves looking for Jose for a farewell dinner and then armore birds and wildlife. The group ex- rived in Baltimore on Monday at 10 pm. perienced an infestation of insects in their cabins at night and had to bunk up with each other in the “safe” cabins.

Next the group traveled to the Montverde Rainforest.

On the road there they stopped and saw the jabaru.

Mr. Hughes has been trying to see this bird every trip to Costa Rica photo by Colleen O’Brien and was finally The V alley of the Fallen, a civil war memorial to Franco. successful. The entire group enjoyed

hile swimming in the pool at their hotel, ash from the volcano covered the water.”

Volume 38, Number 6

The

Patriot

June 2003

Features

9

Student’s trip to Ukraine proves memorable Sam Marll Staff Writer For two seniors, this junior, a Russian teacher, and a freshman, this year’s spring break was spent not in Costa Rica or DC or New York, but in the Eastern Bloc country of Ukraine. We endured the brutal city life of Kharkiv, we hung out in countless cafes, and we ate spaghetti noodles with ketchup. It was quite a strange time, but well worth it.

Day 1: When we first arrived at the customs office in Kiev after twelve hours of plane hopping from Dulles to Frankfurt to Kiev, we were herded into a tiny basement room that reeked of human sweat and urine.

After getting past customs, we endured a 7-hour bus ride cross-country to Kharkiv. The first thing I noticed on the trip was that the city looked like Baltimore if Nazis had invaded it, and that the country looked like a barren wasteland devoid of human life. As Mr. Miller said, “Look

at the inferior Soviet architecture; it’s not old, it’s not old!” Finally, after traveling for 36 straight hours, we met our host families.

Day 3: Our intrepid group went to

the local high school, Lyceum #174. The walls were plastered with hand-made American flags. Up until this point, I believed that I would be able to utilize my Russian speaking skills to get by. Not so.

We were forced to rely on the freshman Jess Wightman, who happens to be a native of Kiev and speaks fluent Russian.

Day 5: After school, we Yanks decided to go to the local pool-hall “Bear.”

There we promptly proceeded to get emphysema from all the second-hand smoke, and senior Gus Salieris gave the locals a presidential whomping at American billiards. We also learned how to play Russian billiards.

Day 7: It was about this time that senior Rosalie www.google.com Gant was forced to eat breakfast cereal with boiling hot Pictured above is a map of the Ukraine. The cities of Kiev and Kharkiv are where the students milk, and Gus Salieris spent the majority of their time. wowed his host family with his trendy yellow wrestling to Rosalie and very possessive of her, we bought Communist flasks, Comshoes. Unfortunately, I con- and began to hang around her constantly. munist medals, and Communist pins.

After two weeks in Ukraine, we Day 13: Gus, Jess, and I all tracted gout after eating 5 pounds were reluctant to go back to America. spent time in one of the school’s English of ham, 3 pounds of turkey, 2 However, we had to, and after another classes.

Afterwards, I went to the local pounds of rabbit, and a pound of 36 hours of plane hopping, where at one military base where I was allowed to pracchicken all in the same sitting. point a Chinese man used my body as tice riding a tank, and watched offi cers Day 11: At this point, a pillow, we made it back to the States. teach the kids how to assemble AK-47s. our group had spent enough time We all came back with lots Day 15: After a 12-hour train in Kharkiv to learn that Ukrainiof great pictures and memories, as ride, we arrived in Kiev again.

We went ans are models of enlightenment well as about 80 pounds worth of on a walking tour of practically every and tolerance. Only once did we see graffiti at the school that said “YAN- single Orthodox church in Kiev, and food given by our host families.

KEES GO HOME.” Meanwhile, one girl to the WWII memorial Baba Yar. We named Olga became extremely attached also visited a local street bazaar, where

Junior goes to “Olympics” Laurie Krysiak Features Co Editor For most people, the word “Olympics” stands for only one thing: sports. It makes them think of the summer and winter games that showcase the world’s greatest athletes. However, junior Evan Pitts recently introduced JC to a totally different type of Olympics: the Fountain Olympics.

Evan, an employee of the Friendly’s in Harford Mall, traveled to Massachusetts over the weekend of May 9 through May 11 to compete in these Olympics. Making the cut was no piece of cake. Evan and his partner, Dawn, had to take on teams from Friendly’s restaurants up and down the east coast.

Their first challenge on their quest for the gold was the local district competition, in which they competed against five star teams from the area.

Their next hurdle was competing in the regional competition, in which they competed against 156 star restaurants from Pennsylvania to Florida. In each of these competitions, Evan and Dawn successfully put together sundaes that impressed the judges and landed them first place finishes.

With position in the Olympics secure, Evan and Dawn jetted off to Massachusetts. Once they got there, they had some time to go sightseeing before the Olympics. “We got to go through the ice cream factory and see how they make the ice cream,” said Evan.

This leisure time did not last very long, and Evan and Dawn were soon

May 31, 2002

photo by Marybeth Derbyshire

Junior Evan Pitts shows off one of his prize winning sundaes.

standing in front of their table ready to begin creating their prize-winning sundaes.

However, just throwing together sundaes wouldn’t get contestants very far. “Judges grade you on how fast you make the ice cream and how good it looks,” explained Evan.

Evan and Dawn competed against 9 other teams, and in the end, they placed fourth in the country. Although their sundaes did not win first place in the Olympics, it was still an unforgettable trip for Evan. As he said, “It was a good learning experience.”

The

Patriot

Volume 1, Number 1

Features

10

Innocence of Playground Shattered by Murder Epidemic For the past decade, hate has spawned sprees of violence and murder in the hallways of America’s schools.

O

By Katie Chlada Editor-in-Chief algebra class and immediately killed two students and a teacher before ordering the whole class to line up against the wall in the back of the classroom. He was going to kill each student one by one like a member of the Nazi Gestapo if a teacher had not heard the gunshots and risked his own life by fighting Loukaitis for the gun.

Two years later, Eric Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, began plotting to kill at least 500 and blow up their school with homemade bombs.

On April 20, 1999, the boys entered Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado and began their slaughter.

The murders did not go according to plan, but after an hour, 12 students and one teacher were left dead when the boys turned their guns on themselves.

The above horror stories are only brief samples of what has plagued America’s schools for the past decade.

Many think that the brutality and instilled fear derived from the images produced by the minds of these young individuals are only to be found in horror movies or Pearl Jam videos. How-

ever, the recent shooting in Red Lion, Pennsylvania proves that these images still flash vividly in the minds of many school students across America. hy? It is the only question being asked after each of these appalling incidents. Is it hate, depression, revenge, or blood thirst that drives young people to turn guns on their schools? No one can make a decisive answer, for each case is different; however, psychologists, police, teachers, and youth agree that each case has a degree of influence from the outside world. This influence is harvested in the mind of the individual, leading directly to a form of action against the internal pain.

After Columbine, society scrambled for a scapegoat and justification to the carnage. Marilyn Manson and Rammstein fell under the harsh scrutiny of the media and society for their suggestive lyrics of death and ultimately were considered the main influences of Harris and Klebold. Many relied on the excuse that the boys were outcasts and depressed. Others blamed

February 2, 1996

December 15, 1997

May 19, 1998

Two students and one teacher killed, one other wounded when 14-year-old Barry Loukaitis opened fire on his algebra class.

Two students wounded. Colt Todd, 14 was hiding in the woods when he shot the students as they stood in the parking lot.

One student killed in the parking lot at Lincoln County High School three days before graduation. The victim was dating the ex-girlfriend of his killer, 18-year-old honor student, Jacob Davis.

n April 24, 2003 gunshots rang through the ears of students in the Red Lion Area Junior High school as James Sheets, 14, killed his principal, Eugene Segro, before killing himself. With this recent act of school violence, the issues forged by Columbine and other shootings have been dredged from beneath the dirt and are forcing society to recognize the severity of this murder epidemic amongst America’s youth.

Society has adopted the trend of sugar coating the media and overlooking such acts of violence in schools. It was not until the mass murder at Columbine High School in 1999 that people actually started detecting a serious problem with the psyches of many school students. However, this problem did not start with Columbine.

It was only exacerbated by the propaganda machine of the media to the point of uncovering previous acts and influencing more violence in schools.

In 1996, the town of Moses Lake, Washington was rattled by the news of murder in the classroom.

Barry Loukaitis, 14, walked into his

Moses Lake, Washington

February 19, 1997 Bethel, Alaska

Principal and one student killed, two others wounded by Evan Ramsey, 16.

October 1, 1997 Pearl, Mississippi

Two students killed and seven wounded by Luke Woodham, 16, who was also accused of killing his mother.

December 1, 1997

West Paducah, Kentucky

Three students killed, five wounded by Michael Carneal, 14, as they participated in a prayer circle.

Volume 38, Number 6

Stamps, Arkansas

March 24, 1998

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Four students and one teacher killed, ten others wounded outside of Westside Middle School during a false fire alarm. Mitchell Johnson, 13, and Andrew Golden, 11, shot their teachers and classmates from the woods.

April 24, 1998

Edinboro, Pennsylvania

One teacher, John Gillette, killed, two students wounded at a dance at James W. Parker Middle School. Andrew Wurst, 14, was charged.

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Fayetteville, Tennessee

the ideal of the Trench Coat Mafia, towhich both boys belonged. These different issues may have influenced the boys’ lives to some extent, however, the media and society failed to divulge what was the true cause and ruination of the boys’ appreciation for life.

Certainly music or groups cannot be blamed for Columbine or any other act of school violence.

Hate is the overall factor that remains as the connecting link between each action. Barry Loukaitis, after entering his math class, killed two boys, who he called his main tormenters.

In 1997, Luke Woodham, 16, killed his mother and two students while wounding seven others because he was made an outcast and called a Satanist by his peers. These cases and others demonstrate hate from both sides of the spectrum, victim and murderer, as the catalyst to school violence.

Mr. James Chrismer, JC history teacher, during a lesson about slavery said, “You have to be taught to hate.

You have to be taught to discriminate.”

Even from the days of America’s early existence, this intangible entity has re-

School Shootin

April 20, 1999

Littleton, Colorado

Two students killed, 22 others wounded in the cafeteria at Thurston High School by Kip Kinkel, 15. Kinkel Had been arrested and released a day earlier for bringing a gun to school. His parents were later found dead at home.

At Columbine High School, 14 students (including the killers) and one teacher were killed, while 23 others were wounded in the nation’s deadliest school shooting. Dylan Klebold (left), 17, and Eric Harris (right), 18, had plotted for a year to kill at least 500 and to blow up the school.

After an hour, they turned the guns on themselves.

June 15, 1998

Deming, New Mexico

May 21, 1998

Springfield, Oregon

Richmond, Virginia

One teacher and one guidance counselor wounded by a 14-year-old by in the school hallway.

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November 19, 1999 Victor Cordova Jr., 12, shot and killed Araceli Tena, 13,in the lobby of Deming Middle School.

June 2003

Features verberated through the lives of every individual. Society has been taught to hate that in which it does not understand. Children are taught this directly through their parents, television, and peers (at school). As a result, other children are isolated and become the objects and victims of this hate. The already fragile and easily influenced psyche is left feeling inadequate. This inadequacy will permeate their lives and destroy rational thought. The progression of such emotional havoc is otherwise known as depression. epression has also been a common link between many of the shooters. Not everyone with depression should be a suspect for school violence, but its symptoms do offer us insight into the mind of a potential killer. One in every twenty adolescents suffers from clinical depression. When depressed, teens lose all perspective and believe that the rest of their lives will be dominated by the feeling of depression. Despair, hopelessness, worthlessness, and thoughts of death follow in their shadow. The numbers continue to stagger with 95% of suicide cases attributed to depression.

Dr. Boris Birmaher of the University of Pittsburgh concluded, “Adolescents have more difficulty expressing their feelings in words. When kids become depressed, they become irritable, act out, have temper tantrums and other behavioral problems. They lack the life experience to successfully sort through their problems.”

Young people who experience thoughts of death are more vulnerable to act on those thoughts because they do not fully comprehend the consequences of their actions. They do not realize that their actions will be final and that the consequences will be great.

Depression blinds them to that fact, and death becomes the only viable answer.

Although teasing and ridicule lead to some cases of depression, it does not lead to all cases. However, people should realize the effects of their hate and find ways to prevent such emotional plunder in others’ lives.

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ngs 1996-2003

www.cagle.slate.msn.com/news/schoolshootings

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olumbine struck fear into the halls of every school in America and the task of preventing other killing sprees like it became a main goal in school safety. Students are being taught mediation skills (problem solving and communication) and ways to handle their emotions, especially anger, without hurting others. These skills are targeted to help them avoid potentially dangerous situations.

As school buildings are constructed and old ones are renovated, safety has become an essential element of their design. In new schools, office areas are now centrally located for easy accessibility from other locations in the building or campus.

Hallways have convenient exits

Mt. Morris Township, Mich. Santee, California

Six-year-old Kayla Rolland was shot dead at Buell Elementry School. The assailant was identified as a six-yearold boy with a .32-caliber handgun.

Savannah, Georgia

Two students killed by Darrell Ingram, 19, while leaving a dance sponsered by Beach High School.

May 26, 2000

December 6, 1999

Fort Gibson, Oklahoma

Four students wounded as Seth Trickey, 13, opened fire with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun at Fort Gibson Middle School.

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February 29, 2000 March 5, 2001

March 10, 2000

Faces of Terror

and are well lit. Dead-end hallways and staircase hideaways have been eliminated, and restrooms are located closer to administrators to prevent students from gathering in mass groups.

Other precautions have been taken such as visitor tags, doors that lock from the outside, and teacher training in detecting a potentially dangerous student. However, it seems once again society has failed to dig to the root of the problem in their terms of prevention. With the continuous cases of school violence despite these measures, the modes of prevention should be seriously redirected. nce again, the root of the problem is hate.

The modes of prevention should be modeled

Two killed and 13 wounded by Charles Williams, 15, firing from a bathroom at Santana High School.

March 30, 2001 Gary, Indiana

One student killed by Donald R. Burt, 17, who had been expelled from Lew Wallace High School.

November 12, 2001 Caro, Michigan

Lake Worth, Florida

One teacher, Barry Grunow, shot an killed at Lake Worth Middle School

by Nate Brazill, 13, with a.25-caliber semiautomatic pistol on the last day of classes.

January 18, 2001 Baltimore, Maryland

One student shot and killed in front of Lake Clifton High School.

The

Chris Buschbacher, 17, took two hostages at the Caro Learning Center before killing himself.

April 14, 2003

New Orleans, Louisianna

One 15-year-old was killed and three students were wounded at John McDonogh High School by gunfire from four teenagers. The motive was gang related.

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with this in mind. Hate cannot be eradicated from the lives of every individual, but action can be taken against it. Ultimately, tolerance and acceptance of every individual will decrease school violence in America.

Hindsight is indeed 20-20.

One would think that after the last decade plagued by murder and violence in the school system, one would realize the heart of the matter. Columbine and recently Red Lion Area High both confirm that schools and America have become a breeding ground for hate.

Without the recognition and eradication of such hate, school violence will continue to grace the headlines of every newspaper and television screen in America, and violence will remain a way out for victims of that hate.

April 24, 2003

Red Lion, Pennsylvania

John Sheets, 14, walked into the Red Lion Area Junior High School cafeteria on a Thursday morning. He appeared normal to surrounding students as he took a seat towards the front. Around 7: 30 am, Sheets pulled a large nickel-plated revolver from his backpack, one of three guns police say he had taken from his stepfather’s gun safe. Sheets aimed it at Principal Gene Segro, who was about 5 yards away, and fired.

Segro dropped to the floor, with a gunshot wound to his chest. After the initial shock, pandemonium spread like wild fire as students ran towards the exits. Sheets stood in awe. He put another gun up to his temple and squeezed the trigger. Both Sheets and Segro died in the shooting.

Volume 38, Number 6

Features Students, faculty carry on legacy of pranks 12

the name of their team. “Things have appeared that no one can explain, ” Mr. McAdams says cryptically about the pranks The Wrath of Mr. O’Brien: Probably the most infamous Punkian Prankster is none other than athletic director, Mr. O’Brien. He is known around the school to have pulled pranks on almost every single veteran teacher.

Mr. McAdams was not going to be at school one day, and Mrs. Gauthier was his substitute. He tells the faculty to call Mrs. Gauthier if anyone needs to call off of work. Mr. O’Brien deviously convinces about fifteen teachers to call her house and say that they are sick and not coming to work. Mrs. Gauthier is now left to find substitutes for all of the absent teachers.

With a chuckle Mr. O’Brien tells his next prank. Mr. Stewart is a former JC teacher, and he and Mr. O’Brien used to coach football together. On one particular day, Mr. Stewart is in a rush to get out of

One of Mr. O’Brien’s more recent practical jokes was planned by he and Mr. “There were thousands of tennis Appleby. The two of them and Mr. Ward balls; I had to duck to avoid being pelted to had gone to an Orioles game the weekend death.“ says Mr. Brennen. before. At the game, Mr. Ward had unsucOnce he gets a handle on the moment, cessfully tried to catch a fly ball in a pretzel Mr. Brennen turns to the back of the bag. auditorium and storms toward the steps When Mr. Ward arrives to work that lead up to the catwalk. “We were that Monday Monday, he follows his usual routine. prepared.” says Mr. Scholl with a grin.

The first place he goes is down to his lockAs Mr. Brennen climbs the stairs, er to store his clothes for baseball practice. the two pranksters cleverly shimmy down When he opens his locker, there is a pretzel the fire escape ropes located behind the bag sitting there. Inside of the bag is a curtain. When they reach the stage floor baseball with a note, which says that the they let their identity be known to the person who put the ball in his locker was class. “We jumped from behind the curthe man who actually caught the ball that tain and waved to the kids.” Mr. Scholl Mr. Ward had dropped. remembers.

The note also says that the man The prank has still gone unpunished, as feels bad for Mr. Ward so he decided to Mr. Brennen recalls, “I threatened retaligive him the foul ball that he dropped. Of ation but don’t think I ever came up with course, the note and the ball were planted justice.”

by Mr. O’Brien and Mr. Appleby, who The Wrath of Mr. Scholl: were teasing Mr. Ward for trying to catch When left untreated, the addiction a ball in a pretzel bag. becomes worse. Mr. Scholl has not always Kidnapping of Mr. Potato Head been categorized as a Piltdown Hoax Mr. Appleby seems to be Prankster. In his younger years, when the person who JC pranksters have he had the less severe form of PJS, he targeted the most often. Almost was a Puckian Prankster. Before the every year, some students steal Mr. tennis balls he had pulled another less Appleby’s most prized possessions, sinister prank. his Mr. Potato Heads.

Late one night at JC, after a Back in 1997, several seniors were long day at school, Mr. Scholl and Mr. involved in the theft. These PiltHurlinger, a former JC religion teacher, down Hoax Pranksters committed begin to experience the itch that many one of JC’s most notorious jokes.

PJS sufferers frequently get when left All of Mr. Appleby’s Potato Heads alone. No, they did not have poison are stolen from his classroom along ivy; they were feeling the urge to pull with their appendages. a practical joke.

Throughout the year ranAt the time of the prank, all of the som notes along with pieces of Mr. teachers at JC had the exact same Potato Head’s body are left around desk.

With no one else in the school. The thieves also leave the building, Mr. Scholl and Mr. Hurlvideos of his precious Potato Heads inger snuck into the rooms of their felbeing abused. One video shows low teachers. They took out the main a student throwing the Mr. Potato drawer of their desks and switch them Head inside a passing car. Another with the main drawer from another shows the thieves passing the Potateacher’s desk making sure to switch to Head along a line of anonymous sloppy drawers in place of organized hands, which lead to the toilet, ones. where the Potato Heads are tossed.

“Neat, proper Mr. Ward’s Mr. Appleby was up in arms about went into slobbo Mr. Stewart’s,” recalls photo by Mr. McAdams this prank. “He was furious...I Mr. Scholl.

Good-natured faculty members known as “Piltdown Hoax Pranksters” pose in disguise. Their think he was offended by the fact The next day the confused teachers motto: prank or be pranked. that people were throwing Mr. wander around the school, desk drawer Potato Heads into the toilet,”said When Mr. Hughes, not seeing practice early because he has to go to his in their arms, in search of their missing Miss Pyzik. the canoes, asks Joe where they are, he wedding rehearsal. Mr. O’Brien thinks drawer.

During a different school coolly tells him against the building next it would be funny if he were to hide Mr. The Counterprank: year that the seniors stole his favorite Poto the back entrance. Mr. Hughes says that Stewart’s clothes. As Mr. Stewart frantitato Head, they returned it at the end of the When a sufferer of PJS has a practical they are not there, so Joe takes him out to cally looks for his tuxedo, Mr. O’Brien, year dressed in a graduation cap and gown. joke Whenpulled on them in revenge, it is show him. His face sinks as he discovers exhibiting a common PJS attitude, sits in Another year, they left the Mr. Potato Head known as a “counter-prank.” Because of that they are not where he left them. Mr. the corner and laughs. “He was late for sitting on the bleachers peering eerily into the many practical jokes that Mr. Scholl Hughes flips out on Joe thinking that some- his rehearsal and I don’t think his wife was Mr. Appleby’s classroom. has pulled, some PJS ridden members of one stole them. Meanwhile Mr. Buppert is very happy,” comments Mr. O’Brien with When Mr. Appleby was still a first year an evil grin on his face. the faculty took punishment into their own watching with pride from a hidden area. teacher, however, he was actually who was Office Pranks: Mr. O’Brien leans back in his hands and counter-pranked him. the victim of a prank.

Another of Mr. Buppert’s pranks chair and thinks for a minute. His eyes One Halloween, Mr. Scholl had a Two faculty members dressed up conference to go to. The previous summer, was pulled on guidance counselor, Mrs. light up as he thinks of another of his faas repairmen. During one of his classes, Mr. Scholl was bitten by a recluse spider. Heflin-Shupe. While she is out of her of- vorite practical jokes. It was the first day they come in and set up a ladder pretending Because of this, he had developed a bit of fice, Mr. Buppert puts a motion sensitive of football practice and there was a new to replace an imaginary light bulb while at arachnophobia. While he is gone, these plastic frog near the entrance to her office. coach, Mr. Bartlett. The team is practicing the same time completely ignoring Mr. PJS members adorn his office with plastic Every time she passes the door the frog the Oklahoma drill, when the tacklers and Appleby and his class. spiders and fake spider webs until they are croaks. She said the frog was well hidden ball carriers are supposed to hit one anothPJS sufferers love nothing more than to er until the whistle is blown. Mr. O’Brien, hanging everywhere. When he returns, so she had to search all over for it. pick at things that their victims would conhe is greeted with a shock of terror as he “There are certain people who like to giving the novice coach a chance to show sider to be their pet peeves. opens his office door to a hellish mass of decorate people’s offices, ” hints Mrs. his skills, hands Mr. Bartlett the whistle One of Mr. Appleby’s pet peeves and tells him to blow it whenever he wants Gauthier. fear. is noise in the hallways. For his birthday, Puckian Pranksters Mr. Perry and the drill to end.

Another counter-prank pulled some of the Puckian Pranksters in the facAs the team tires out from the on Mr. Scholl was by a common Puck- Mr. McAdams are those people. They are ulty got together their mexican hats and ian Prankster, Mr. O’Brien. While Mr. known to decorate each other’s offices. drill, Mr. Bartlett decides that it is time for rattles. Calling themselves a birthday maScholl was principal he mistakenly missed After that incident, Mr. McAdams com- the drill to end. He puts the whistle in his riachi band, they dance into his classroom a meeting for the IAAM Women’s Athlet- ments “I opened up my door to streamers mouth and blows, but no sound comes out. making as much noise as they can in order So he blows on the whistle again and again ics. The next day Mr. O’Brien convinces a and balloons.” to disturb his class. woman who works in the cafeteria to call In an ongoing counter prank the two of and again but still no sound comes out.

Another time the faculty memup Mr. Scholl, pretending to be the director them argue over which college football Mr. O’Brien says he was laughing so hard bers, suffering from PJS came to his classhis stomach hurt. He had taken the bead team is better, Notre Dame or Nebraska. of the meeting that he missed. room wearing white lab coats. They knock Throughout every football sea- out of the whistle before he had given it to When he checks his answering on his door and when he opens it, they machine he receives a derogatory message son, they pull small pranks on each other in Mr. Bartlett.

Continued from front page

Volume 38, Number 6

from the pretend director calling him a terrible person. She goes on to tell him that if he ever had any daughters that she would feel bad for them because Mr. Scholl has no interest in women’s athletics.

Mr. Scholl has three daughters who are actively involved in JC athletics so this outrageous claim did its job of making him feel guilty.

As he sits there thinking about how to respond to this message Mr. O’Brien just happens to walk by. “He saw me laughing and figured out what was going on,” says Mr. O’Brien.

In 1994, as a counter-prank to his student Joe Thompson, who was a senior, PJS sufferer Mr. John Buppert Sr. pulled a practical joke. Joe had borrowed a few of Mr. Hughes’s canoes. The day he returns them he leaves them standing against the school near the back entrance.

When he goes inside to tell Mr. Hughs that he left them there, Mr. Buppert and several faculty members hide all of the canoes.

The

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June 2003

Features throw buckets of confetti all over him.

Math class is not the most exciting place to be toward the end of a student’s senior year. This is probably the case when a student is in the most danger of developing PJS. To liven things up a little bit, Mr. Appleby’s students thought up a plot to confuse him. At the same time on the clock, the entire class stares at one corner of the room. Confused, Mr. Appleby turns around trying to figure out what everyone is staring at.

Sneaky Students: Teachers are not the only people at JC who are showing signs of PJS. Students, for the most part seniors, have long been infected. Mr. Perry has documented and confiscated many of the tools that student pranksters have used in the past.

Perhaps one of Mr. Perry’s favorite student pranks happened while he was still Dean of Students.

He was called down to a certain unnamed teacher’s classroom.

The teacher was in a state of complete fury.

Apparently, the student had an electric fart machine in his possession. He had taped it underneath his chair and had repeatedly pushed the button that caused it to make farting noises.

Mr. Perry was forced to take disciplinary action, however, “When I got back to my office, I broke down laughing,” he remembers.

Mr. Perry seems to hold in his memory every one of the tricks commonly played by seniors. “Fishing for Freshmen” involves putting a dollar bill on a string and moving it when students reach down to pick it up. Fake mice to scare the freshmen girls are commonly found around senior bench.

Every year a student has put a bar of soap in the fountain. By the end of the day, the entire thing has bubbled over.

During an assembly one year a student wears an artificial hand. When he goes up to shake hands with the principal it detaches itself from his arm.

By the time Mr. Heubeck was a senior, he and his classmates had also developed

13 PJS. There was a set of twins in his class, Greg and Paul. Greg was in his religion class.

One day, Paul attends religion class pretending to be Greg.

The teacher has no idea of the identity switch, however the students do. “We were trying not to laugh the whole time,” says Mr. Heubeck.

Class pranks are also a favorite among the seniors who almost all suffer from PJS. A few years ago almost all of the seniors brought in battery operated alarm clocks. Everyone sets the alarms to go off at precisely 2:15 and places them in their lockers. At 2:15, the halls throughout the the entire school are filled with the earsplitting sound alarms clocks.

Just recently the seniors all brought bouncy balls into an assembly.

When their class is dismissed to leave everyone throws the balls at the same time.

The whole gym went into an uproar.

Mr. Piercy’s first response is a bit of a grin. However, remembering his position of dean of students, he wipes it off and changes it to a scowl.

The Underhanded Underclassmen: Underclassmen sometimes suffer from PJS as well. Mr. Couchman looks remarkably like a character from Office Space named Milton who is obsessed with his red Streamline stapler. Senior Tom Scilipoti stole Mr. Couchman’s stapler last year and painted it red and than returned it to Mr. Couchman who did not quite understand the joke.

Two years ago, senior Chris Isennock brought a universal remote to Mr. Blair’s class. While the class is watching a movie, he discreetly fast-forwards and rewinds it. Mr. Blair eventually identifies the prankster and immediately confiscates his remote.

There is no known cure for PJS, but there is treatment. If a friend suffers from this horrible addiction, talk to them.

If they will not seek helpfor themselves, seek help for them. PJS is a serious addiction that must be treated before the sufferer ruins his or her life and the lives of others.

Props of a Prankster:

Anyone in possession of any of the following items may be suffering from Practical Joke Syndrome and should be considered a threat to all students and teachers.

Mr. Potato Head

Multiple Tennis Balls

Artificial/Mechanical Hand

Multiple Staplers

False Teeth (usually chattering)

Fart Machines (under desks)

Summer jobs bring more work for some students Liz Burger Staff Writer It’s a bittersweet summer “tradition”: students in the JC community have embarked on the search for summer jobs. As the school year draws to a close, students have the time to work full-time jobs and earn money used either to pay for the necessities of teenage life or to put in savings for future expenses.

The reasons students get summer jobs seem to be universal. The major worries of JC students include making money, saving money, buying clothes, and paying for cars, college, or insurance.

Summer jobs offer long stretches of wage-earning, working hours, where teenagers can earn money to fulfill these desires or needs.

As sophomore Jocelyn Barnickel

June 2003

said, “I need a job so bad! I am way beyond broke, and I owe my parents like over a hundred dollars for clothes and insurance.” Transportation seems to be a huge issue with JC students as well.

Says sophomore Brittany Button, “ I need a job because I have no money and my parents don’t want to pay for all my stuff anymore. They said they’re tired of buying clothes and paying for gas, since I’m too poor to buy a car.”

Along with these troubles, many of these students are between the ages of fourteen and eighteen, and therefore, are required to obtain a green work permit before they can even interview for a job.

Without such a permit, no underage citizen can legally be employed, and thus the permit is, in essence, a job “permission slip”.

Luckily, these permits are easily acquired in the guidance offices and have consistently been available to students within the JC community.

More than thirty percent of the student body have recently gotten work permits from these offices to prepare for their upcoming search for the coveted summer jobs.

Students find summer jobs in a variety of places, yet some occupations are more popular than others.

Many students in the

The

JC community have applied to work at the food court and the stores in the White Marsh and the Harford Malls.

States sophomore Brett Leppert, “I have been fired from about every place in the food court at White Marsh mall, so I’m gonna try Harford Mall. Maybe they know a true hard worker when they see one.”

These malls have become the hottest places for employment amongst JC students (and other students in the county) due to their accessible location and the possibility of alluring employee discounts. Still, others choose to work elsewhere-- citing the monotony and long hours of mall-like employment as their deterrent to this kind of job.

Despite these notable disadvantages to the typical high school summer job, employment at the mall can seem like a dream come true when compared to some of the unglamorous occupations other students work over the summer.

A JC student, who would like to remain anonymous, has talked about his unfortunate job of shoveling manure at a local farm: “It really isn’t fun, but I make seven bucks an hour for doing it.”

The advantages to this kind of employment can be enticing; seven dollars an hour may not seem like much, but it is a significant $1.85

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more than minimum-wage employment at fast food restaurants or the mall (minimum wage is $5.15 an hour). Over time the cents can really add up. Students should be sure to weigh the pros and cons of these kinds of issues when applying for summer jobs.

Because of problems such as transportation to and from work, summer vacations, un-flexible work hours, unpleasant jobs, or minimal pay, some students opt not to find summer occupations and spend their summer relaxing. The rest of us are busy looking for work so that we can attain both the things we need and the things we want.

For those who are not hunting for jobs, the upcoming summer will be filled with plenty of leisure time. For those who have found a job, however, this summer is going to be all about making money and saving up for what may be needed in the future.

Volume 38, Number 6

Entertainment

14

Students face-off at Battle of the Bands Katie Burton Entertainment co-Editor May 9th proved to be a successful activity night for the SAC with a variety of bands showcasing their many talents.

This night had been publicized a great deal in hopes of drawing a large crowd.

However, there were only 250 students present. Junior Emily Haller said, “The turnout wasn’t that good, but the bands sounded really well, especially Matt Carr’s band.”

Haller was referring to Audio Rehab, the band in which senior Matt Carr is the front man.

Audio Rehab was one of the most anticipated bands to play. On the flyers, their name was in big bold letters under their own title as the “headliners.”

Six other bands played including: Urchins, Sumandhi, ADD Conspiracy, Giddus, Turquoise Slaughter, and Maybe Yesterday.

Students who expressed many different

types of styles came together to perform in front of their peers. The bands played mostly rock music, but some silly songs were incorporated in their performances as well. In addition to the bands playing in the auditorium, there was a DJ in the cafeteria.

The bands were not too thrilled about having a DJ in the cafeteria while they were playing.

Junior Ryan Hammil said that it took the emphasis away from showcasing the bands.

Senior Jackie McGill liked the fact that there were two events going on simultaneously.

She said, “Hearing the bands play was cool, but dancing with my friends was also fun.”

Students bounced back and forth between the cafeteria and the auditorium.

They would dance for a little while, but made sure to be back in time to watch and cheer on their friends who performed.

Most students enjoyed the event, such as senior Cindy Byer who said, “I was impressed.

There was a wide variety of talent.”

However, some had a me-

diocre response. Sophomore Dane Frank said that some of the bands played too long and he really only liked two of the bands that played.

Students all had their favorites. Junior J.P. Tress said of the show, “It was good. ADD conspiracy really got the crowd going.”

Frank was partial as well. He said, “My favorite band would have been Audio Rehab or Hammil’s band.”

Frank was referring to Sumandhi, which consists of mostly students from C. Milton Wright High School.

The majority of the bands consisted of underclassmen including Giddus, Urchins, Turquoise Slaughter, and Maybe Yesterday.

ADD Conspiracy member senior Jason Botzler said of this experience, “It was a lot easier than I thought it would be. It was fun hearing people’s reactions to the songs. ‘Bar Room Barf’ was the first original song we wrote as a band, and it was great to see people thought it was unique.”

Photo by Aisling Finck Sophomore Jessica Riefler, Junior Meghan Jacques gets her groove on a member of Turquoise Slaughter, with senior Jackie McGill. liked playing at the Battle of the Bands “because of the good acoustics.”

This SAC event gave students She also commented on the view from a chance to show their friends what the stage because while playing she they could do. Senior Jamie Edwards, could not see anyone’s faces. Not be- a member of ADD Conspiracy said, “I ing able to clearly distinguish anyone think the whole show was a success beeased the nerves of the bands performing. cause we got a lot of good bands to play.”

Iron Chef spices up the Food Network Cati Horn Staff Writer Imagine two men, rushing, chopping, jumping, throwing, tossing, and basically doing everything in their power to outdo one another. Imagine the sweat, the blood, the tears, as one is granted the ultimate title (named the best in his field), and is praised and celebrated on international television, as the other is forgotten and left behind. Imagine the rivalries, the drama, the challenges as up-and-comers face off against their instructors, or against the famous persons in their specialties. Imagine that this is a cooking show. Welcome to the Iron Chef.

The craze all started in Japan in 1993 with an idea for the ultimate cooking show- a tournament. Two chefs are given one hour to create an entire meal around a main ingredient, which they receive at the start of the show. This Japanese super-hit is centered on two master chefs competing for the title Iron Chef, a name granted only to a gastronomic expert in a specialized area of food preparation.

This frenetic culinary battle begins with the champion from the previous show and the host. A new contender is introduced and the rules are presented. The chefs are all experts in their field of study.

At the start of an Iron Chef competition

Volume 38, Number 6

the two chefs are asked to perform and create a five-course meal that is both enticing and exotic. Eventually, the meals are rated, and a winner is pronounced.

The loser is asked to leave and is replaced by a new challenger. This process continues until one chef proves himself unbeatable, and is named “Iron Chef” in his field of cuisine The competitors are given one hour to complete a full meal, but

there’s a catch. A mystery ingredient must be integrated in every aspect of the meal- from appetizer to entrée to dessert. The ingredient can be anything from live squid, soybeans or yogurt, to a simple codfish. “I saw the episode with the squid; it was interesting,” said freshman Mike Volpe.

The stranger the ingredient, the higher the level of skill required by the cooks.

This makes for an unpredictable show.

A large platter of the ingredient is laid out before the chefs and the hour

The

begins. Pressure-cookers, spices, and everything from coca-cola to oregano are used to add new and interesting flavors to the competing dishes. The goal is to impress the panel of judges, who sample the meal and grade it on originality, consistency, and (of course) taste.

The chefs may use assistants but have to design the meal alone. For a cooking show, Iron Chef is surprisingly intense and keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

The ongoing commentary is from the eventual tasters of the meals, who spend the entire show making speculations on the goals and methods of the cooks. This is often the most entertaining aspect of the show; being filmed entirely in Japanese, the voiceovers of the panel’s comments are often irrelevant or botched during translation.

The panel, which usually includes celebrities (namely Japanese actresses), food critics, and the host, judge the chefs on the taste, presentation and originality of the dishes. They are given the meal in courses and must make comments on the spot, immediately after sampling the food.

Presentation of the food is also a large part of the scoring process. The food must not only taste exquisite, but must also look appealing. The chefs add sauces and occasionally flowers to help enhance designs, both on the plate and on the palette.

Originality is the next topic of

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grading. Chefs must use spices and sauces from their area of culinary expertise. The food needs to demonstrate original thought and preparation while also following the Iron Chef regulations (and including the mystery ingredient).

This international super-hit has revolutionized the Food Network, adding a fast-paced reality show to its lineup of predictable culinary programs. Food Network mainstays like Bobby Flay’s Hot Off The Grill, Emeril, and Two Fat Ladies just can’t match up to the originality and addictiveness of Iron Chef Chef.

Even with its many appeals, some people just don’t seem to care about the Iron Chef, such as freshman Andrew Michael, who said, “I don’t like cooking shows.”

As inconceivable as this is, the sad fact is that some people just don’t have the time to watch the cooking network, regardless of its international popularity.

Junior Patrick Harrington asked, “Is [Iron Iron Chef Chef] a T.V. show?”

Still, not everyone is in the dark about competitive cooking and the Iron Chef. Freshman Whitney Donald, says Chef “I have only seen it once or twice, but it is fun because they wear funny hats.”

It seems that the show not only holds the interest of channel flippers and die-hard viewers, but it also makes a fashion statement.

The viewers of the Iron Chef are able to fulfill their appetite for the culinary phenomenon by watching reruns twice a day on the Food Network or viewing never before seen episodes on Saturday mornings.

Super fans can email the Iron Chefs, buy t-shirts online, or purchase tickets to the show.

Whether you enjoy pumpkin, veal, lobster, or tofu, the Iron Chef can satisfy your taste with its unusual cooking ingredients and intense competition.

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Entertainment

15

Punk’d pummels celebrity egos Laurie Krysiak Features co-Editor

to pay his taxes for several months. After calling his mother to inform her of his situation, Timberlake and his best friend It is a sunny afternoon in southern Trace sit on the front stoop and watch California. It seems like any other day for as the men carelessly handled his things. pop star Justin Timberlake, who is pulling As appealing as the scenario may into the driveway of his mansion. Howev- seem to some pop haters, this is not a sumer, upon parking his truck and getting out mary of the six o’clock news. It is taken from an episode of Punk’D, MTV’s newest semi-reality show that features the extravagant practical jokes that That 70’s Show actor Ashton Kutcher pulls on well-known celebrities.

On the show, which airs every Monday at 10 p.m. on MTV, Kutcher organizes the extreme pranks such as the one pulled on Justin with the help of friends and family close http://www.breny.com/pics/punkd/ to the “victim”, including Ashton Kutcher secretely watches as his prank Timberlake’s mom and best unfolds. friend. Kutcher watches of his car, he is greeted by uniformed men on monitors hidden from the scene of the loading boxes supposedly filled with all of pranks as they unfold. Then, he casually his possessions, including his dog and gui- enters the scene at the end of the joke, hutar, explaining that his agents have failed miliating and usually being “attacked” by

People savor down under Sarah Jones Entertainment co-Editor

arrived within minutes.

They range from around three to nine dollars, with a variety to offer from soups to shrimp.

Along with a variety of “AusGreat food, fast and efficient service, and reasonable prices amount to sie-Tizers,” there was an assortment of a great restaurant to meet up with friends entrees. The large portions promised to be and family for a meal. Many seem to think filling. Many of the entrees included steak, so at the Outback Steakhouse located in the however, you could choose from Lobster Tollgate Shopping Center off Bel Air Road. tail, chicken, ribs, salmon, and pasta. The Outback Steakhouse, which has entrees ranged from ten to twenty-three been open for several years, always has a dollars, and, if desired, you could order a crowd waiting to get a table no matter what delicious house or Caesar salad for an additional two dollars. the time. With a There is also a chilvariety to choose dren’s menu including from, Outback “Joey Sirloin” and Steakhouse offers “Kookaburra Chicken food that everyFingers,” with prices one can enjoy in a ranging from four to down-under theme, five dollars. using Australian After ordercolloquialisms for ing the entrees, our all of its dishes. salads were brought On out. The salads are Mother’s Day, the always fresh and wait wasn’t bad for what I consider to be the families that the best salad around called ahead for town.

Our sodas seating. This is a were refilled withgreat resource for out even needing to those families that ask. The waiters and know they would waitresses work as a like to eat out at team and they are alOutback.

It always on top of things. lows them to arrive The entrees close to the time were brought out and when they will everything looked be seated instead Photo by MaryBeth Derbyshire and smelled wonderof having to wait. ful. Along with being However, even Junior Pete Rollins scarfs down a juicy cooked to perfection, with call-ahead burger at Outback Steakhouse. the food tastes great. seating, you still have to wait about fifteen minutes to be Also, if you still have room and crave someseated, which is more convenient com- thing sweet, you can order a dessert. Some pared to the possible wait of two to three desserts include “Cinnamon Oblivion” and hours especially for a large party. While “Chocolate Thunder for Down Under.”

As usual, Outback Steakhouse waiting outside, hostesses were offering “Aussie-Tizers,” such as fried mushrooms pleases its customers with unbeatable called “Bushman Shrooms” and chicken service and tasty food. When choosing Outback, you can’t go wrong wings called “Kookaburra Wings.”

When we were seated, the and you will leave a happy customer. waiter took our drink and “Aussie-Tizer” Outback is sure to be a pleaser to all order. Our drinks and appetizers had of its customers no matter the age.

June 2003

The

the celebrities, most of whom already know Ashton. In Timberlake’s case, he strolled onto the scene as the boss of the moving company before lifting his cap to inform Justin that he had been “punk’d.”

As well thought-out as these pranks are, mastermind Ashton, who came up with the http://www.breny.com/pics/punkd/ idea of the show and Cry me a river: Justin Timberlake owes $900,000 in back also co-produces it, taxes? I dont think so- another punk’d celebrity. has a much needed posse who help the example, he sucked up to female celebripranks go off without a hitch. Along with ties on the red carpet of an award show, friends and family of the victims, as well telling them how beautiful or well-enas a few extra actors, Ashton has two of his dowed they were, before turning around own friends who do most of the dirty work. and telling Pierce Brosnan that Timothy First, there’s Dax Shepard, an im- Dalton was actually the best James Bond. prov actor who auditioned “seven or eight” With Ashton’s knack for fooling times to prove that he was worthy of this his friends and the viewer’s desire to final“coveted position” of pushing the patience ly see egotistical celebrities be humiliated, celebrities, such as on the episode when he Punk’D has quickly become one of MTV’s called Frankie Muniz from across the street most highly rated and viewed shows. It’s a to inform him that he had stolen his car and show created by a guy who has the same inwas calling from his [Muniz’s] cell phone. stinct to pull a prank on someone that most Next, there’s Ryan Pinkston, who teenagers do, except now we get to see male at the age of fifteen is innocent looking celebrities brought to the brink of tears on enough to say anything to unsuspecting national television. Now that’s reality TV. celebrities without being rebuked. For

Concert scene explodes Catie Horn Staff Writer This summer, many students plan on attending much-anticipated concerts such as HFStival, Warped Tour, Ozzfest, and Summer Santitarium.

The HFStival lit up the music scene at RFK stadium in Baltimore on the weekend of May 24th.

With their trademark set up, including a main stage, street stage, local stage, and buzz tent, HFStival provided its fans with a unique atmosphere.

The concert was sponsored by the popular alternative rock station 99.1 WHFS and headliners included Audioslave, Good Charlotte, Godsmack, AFI, Finch, and Hot Hot Heat.

Before this concert, students were psyched about the lineup.

Freshman Erin Bartkowiak said, “There are some really good bands playing this year.”

While some students went for the atmosphere and to experience a variety in music, lots of students were interested in going to see one specific band.

Freshman Abby Smith said, “I would go to see New Found Glory or Finch.”

If you looking for another kind of rock, the Summer Sanitarium Tour might satisfy your craving. It plays Friday, July 18th, and tickets are already on sale. Metallica, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Deftones, Mudvayne, and more will be on stage at the event.

Clearly the biggest and most jampacked concert set of the summer is the

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Warped Tour. Featuring 52 bands from all different genres of music, the Warped Tour unites punk fans with rock junkies and emo kids. Up and coming bands like The Starting Line, Simple Plan, and All American Rejects as well as old veterans like Mest and The Ataris will light up the stage.

Philadelphia will be spilling bat blood all over the stage this summer as the infamous Ozzfest comes to town. Ozzfest is for those people who truly have an eccentric and unique taste in music.

Korn, Disturbed, and the self-mutilator himself Marilyn Manson will accompany namesake Ozzy Osbourne on stage at the high-energy event.

For those interested in low-key concerts with local bands, there are open mike nights at Harford Community College, Recher Theater, or Ten Car Pile Up. At these music hot spots, local and up-and-coming bands are able to showcase their talent to loyal fans as well as those hearing them for the first time.

Ironically enough, some students choose not to take advantage of these opportunities to sate their musical appetite.

As freshmen Jeffrey Lipinski stated, “I am not into the music scene.”

Likewise, others remain uninformed about musical opportunities in the area. Katie Camden, a junior, said that she did not know of any concerts that she would be attending in the coming summer months.

Although not everyone is a music fanatic, this summer you can always find a concert that fits your style close by, no matter your taste in music.

Volume 38, Number 6

Entertainment

16

Re-enter The Matrix...again less, this makes for the best movie ever.

Who really needs plot? Really, plot is just an excuse to change locations, and sometimes outfits. Granted, The Matrix: Reloaded has a continuing plot from In 1999, a movie called The Mathe previous movie and probably makes trix came out to little fanfare, but as the sense in some capacity. However, on first weeks went by it quickly rose to the top of viewing most people will walk out of the the box office charts. The movie quickly movie confused but thordeveloped into a cult oughly entertained by the classic and was cheesily many explosions, numerous imitated in just about evfight sequences, and cool ery film created thereafter guns. Take, for example, (ahem…Shrek?!). With the often-previewed scene Reloaded, the Wachowski Reloaded where Neo fights a hunbrothers are set to outdo dred “agent Smiths.” The themselves and go above intelligent moviegoer will and beyond what can be easily recall that this agent easily copied or recreated. ultimately can’t be killed, Following the and can reproduce himself success of the first Matrix infinitely making for an film, the Wachowski’s unfair fight. The viewer received virtually unlimwill also remember that ited funding from Warner Neo can fly away whenever Brothers studio.

This he wants. Nevertheless, allowed them to pursue Neo chooses to stay and their dream of continuwww.ecrannoir.fr/films/99/matrix/matrix_reloaded/images/matrix03.jpg fight the Agent Smiths ing the Matrix saga; the Matrix hero Neo (Keanu Reeves) shows off his gravity-defying skills as in a scene that is memoscript was initially written he fights multiple “Agent Smiths” rable and action-packed. as part of a trilogy. The Inevitably, the release filming process contin“freed his mind” and fights as humanity’s ued for over two years, but The Matrix: last hope against an army of hostile ma- of this second installment of The Matrix Reloaded and its sequel Revolutions, were chines, determined to topple the human’s Trilogy will spawn numerous imitations, filmed in one stretch. The process was last stronghold of free will and dominate not to mention Matrix merchandise. Alcomplicated by the strenuous martial arts the world without opposition. The movie ready, all the major video game systems training (Carrie-Anne Moss, who portrays has a complex plot, involving Neo search- have released the highly innovative “Enter Trinity, broke her leg in only the first ing for “keys” and other metaphorical the Matrix.” This game is derived from a week of filming), the complexities of the nonsense, which would aid in his quest script created by the Wachowski brothWachowski brothers’ filming techniques, against the Matrix. This, of course, is ers and thus is an extension of the plot of and the unfortunate death of members on really just an excuse for the Wachowski the movie. However, other products with the cast (originally, Aaliyah was slated brothers to film, write and direct one lesser ties to the Wachowski’s also claim to play the role of Niobe, now played by action sequence after another. Regard- the Matrix as part of their advertising Billy Hughes & Britt Cramer Editorials co-Editor & Features co-Ediditor

Jada Pinkett-Smith). Thus, The Matrix: Reloaded is a testament to hard work, innovative filming techniques, and the ability to give life to an entire new universe, on screen… it appeals to the computer geek/ conspiracy theorist inside all of us.

In this second installment of the Matrix, Neo (a.k.a. “The One”) has

campaigns. Mountain Dew features popular commercials showing Matrix agents plugging the soft drink. Burger King has created The Matrix wristwatches for their “Big Kid” and “Kid’s Club” meals.

Electronic company Samsung has especially jumped on the Matrix bandwagon, creating a 63-inch plasma “Matrix” flat screen TV, a “Matrix” DVD player, plus a limited edition Matrix cell phone designed like the kind Neo uses in the movie.

Predictably, the movie has also released a soundtrack, which was one of the top selling CD’s the week of the film’s release.

Despite the recent release of The Matrix: Reloaded Reloaded, many filmgoers eagerly and impatiently await the debut of the final portion of the Matrix Trilogy.

Revolutions is set to be released in November of 2003, and most viewers are dying of anticipation from this sixth month delay.

However, Matrix producers have no fear of losing their fans’ interest in the trilogy. The Matrix: Reloaded was released four whole years after the introduction of the first film, and sixth months seems like an insignificant time period compared to this extended delay. Regardless of the films’ flaws, the Wachowski brothers have tapped into a dorky part of us all that few are willing to admit exists. For some reason, we all enjoy the alternate universe, the paranoid scheming, the computer enhanced fight scenes, and the unlikely hero. No matter who you are, the Matrix has you.

McCarthy’s Blood Meridian shocks readers less one of McCarthy’s greatest works.

The story revolves around the journeys of the Kid. He has no name; he “The explosion in that dead silence is just “The Kid.” Abandoned at birth, was enormous. The cat simply disappeared. the Kid eventually finds himself working There was no blood or cry, it just vanished...” for a group of homicidal mercenaries led “The skin had split open by the murderous John Glanton and the along the bridge of its nose and the brilliant, but quietly psychotic, Judge. bone shone through pinkish white...”

As the story progresses, the mer“The horse lurched forward and the cenaries go from working in Mexico scalpboy toppled backward, the entire foreplate ing Native Americans to enslaving Mexiof his skull gone and the brain exposed...” can women and children in labor camps.

These are the relatively tame Throughout the story, the Kid parts of Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Me- struggles to stay alive in the cruel borderridian, or, the Evening Redness in the lands of the Texas-Mexico region, while West. Probably one of the most hor- the mercs he fights with slowly degenerrifyingly violent books ever written, this ate from hired guns to petty thieves and tale of death and violence on the Texas- raiders. The ruthless merc leader, Glanton, Mexico border in the 1850s is neverthe- kills anyone, even women and children, as long as the pay is good. And towering over everything, the Judge diligently works to complete a bizarre dual mission of genocide and enlightenment, as “everything that exists... exists without my consent.”

McCarthy brings to life the dark and frightening world of the 1850’s, a world characterized www.humanities-interactive.org by blind racism Sam Marll Staff Writer

Volume 38, Number 6

The

against Indians and hypocritical faith in doing, whether it’s sketching birds in God. The violent characters McCarthy cre- his notebook or tossing puppies into the ates seem so distant from river and shoottoday’s Americans, but ing them. These by showing the everycharacters, comday violence of America pletely devoid during the Wild West, he of morals and helps to expose how the principles, carry expansion of the United McCarthy’s view States during this time of a depraved and actually occurred, as well evil humanity. as the dark side of man.

The story, the Throughout characters, and the book, the author the imagery successfully conveys combined manthe bleak and desolate age to create one feelings of never-endof the greatest ing bloodshed with his books of all time. skillful use of language.

The vicious story Take, for example, how of human misery he describes the end reand depravity sult of a scuffle between and how racist, two mercenaries, one of hateful men whom was decapitated: work together to www.scuttlebuttsmallchow.com/bookwest.html “Two thick ropes of dark exterminate an blood and two slender rose like snakes entire culture is unparalleled. The reader from the stump of his neck and arched will be shocked at the wanton brutality hissing into the fire.” The author man- of the book, but amazed by McCarthy’s ages to use colorful, vibrant language that ability to depict human nature in all its makes even death seem alive and animate. ugly glory. The imagery and descripMcCarthy also creates characters tions that he uses to depict the epic so bizarre that the reader cannot help but battles of the book are phenomenal. be fascinated by them. The dark anti-hero Though this book is bloodier than of the book, the Kid, is just as willing to a slaughterhouse, it remains one of the best kill as the other bounty hunters that sur- pieces of literature of the twentieth century. round him, yet still retains the innocence Those who read it will find it to be among that gives him his namesake. The Judge, the most violent they have read, but also one a seven-foot-tall and completely hairless of the masterpieces of American literature. behemoth, does whatever he feels like

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June 2003

Entertainment

17

They’re going to party like they’re the class of 2003!

Young girls dream of three things: their first boyfriend, their Prom night, and their wedding. These dreams are a culmination of year’s worth of anticipation and fear, concerns and desires. On May 17th, 2003 one of those three dreams came true for the girls of the class of 2003.

The John Carroll senior Prom was held at the Holiday Inn Select in Timonium. The weather was fair: a slight breeze, but fortunately no rain. There were over three hundred in attendence to the affair. The doors opened at 7PM, and there was an array of limousines, trolleys, cars, and a motor home waiting to enter.

Senior Kirsten Kneussel opened the evening by dancing to “The Twist” with one of the elderly trolley drivers. She set the mood for the amazing evening that was to follow.

Dinner was served around 7:30, and everyone was ushered into the buffet room where there was an assortment of food, everything from vegetable lasagna to chocolate mousse. Once everyone had finished eating, the dance was launched full force. Even some of the teachers could not resist the inviting music.

At the stroke of midnight, the dance ended. Five hours had flown by in what seemed to many like five minutes, but the night was still young. Students left the Holiday Inn and made their way to the ESPN Zone in the Inner Harbor.

There were games to be played, prizes to be won, and food to be eaten. This wrapped up around 4AM, and that concluded the evening-the night-the morning.

It was a dream that started with that first pair of patent leather dress up shoes and it evolved into a night full of fantastic memories of one last even as the class of 2003.

The evening was a reflection of the true charisma and spirit of this senior class. Prom was certainly an unforgettable night and a perfectly fulfilled dream, at least for this senior.

Clockwise from left: Christie Buckley; Emma Scholl and Ashley Dove; Becky Moore and guest; Catherine Fortunato and Adam Murtaugh; Bobby Spero, Brian Vierheller, Ben Pierce, Bobby Louis, and Brian Loiero; Katie Herman; Amanda Burke and Jeff Gray; Bobby Spero and guest; Jen Denicola, Darby Moore, Kim Quinn, and Heather Walterhoeffer; Matt Carr and Brad Bartkowiak.

Spread by Tara Hofherr

June 2003

The

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Volume 38, Number 6

Sports

18

NFL draft adopts defensive theme Michael Critzer Staff Writer On April 26-27, 2003, a total of 32 teams selected 262 players in 15 hours and one minute. That’s 3:43 a selection.

By pick No 200, there were 42 defensive linemen chosen. One in every five picks to that point was a defensive linemen. In fact, six defensive tackles went in the top 25.

The 2003 NFL draft swayed defensively.

However, defense was not on the Cincinnati Bengal’s minds as they chose quarterback Carson Palmer out of Southern California with the top pick.

In fact, Palmer signed a multi-million dollar contract the day before the draft.

The top five picks were rounded off by Charles Rogers of Michigan State who was drafted by Detroit while Andre Johnson of Miami will be playing for the Houston Texans. Dewayne Robertson of Kentucky State went to the New York Jets and Terence Newman of Kansas State will go to Dallas. These top five picks in the words of former NFL scout Pat Kirwin are “great picks.”

From the University of Maryland, Scooter Monroe, JC graduate of ‘99, attempted to walk on to the Philadelphia Eagles in anticipation of playing wide receiver. Mr. Perry, who coached Scooter

at JC, said, “He has improved consider- 24 sacks in 2002 shattered a school, conably and has the potential to be an NFL ference, and NCAA single-season record. defensive threat.”

Many JC athletes The Ravens also selected Kyle have followed Scooter’s young career Boller, quarterback from California. through JC, Maryland, and now the NFL. Head coach Brian Billick, who has yet to The Minstart the same nesota Vikings early quarterback in in the second round consecutive drafted fellow Uniopeners, is versity of Maryland hoping to make Terrapin and teamsomething of mate E.J. Henderson. the young passThe Ravens er. Over the followed this year’s past few years, draft suit and picked the Ravens up Terrell Suggs, a have struggled defensive end out offensively, of Arizona State. averaging With just 33 sacks fewer points in 2002, the Ravens than most of will find a niche the other teams at either defensive in the NFL. end or strong side There was a linebacker for firsttime this past round pick Suggs. season when The design will be to the defense create a pincher rush, had actually photo by www.espn.com with Suggs from managed to put Boller went 225 of 42 1 for 2,815 yards, 28 up more points one side and Peter TDs 10 INTs for a 126.8 QB rating.

Bowlware from the than the offense. other. Suggs capped Analyst Len off his college career with 44 sacks and Pasquarelli gave Baltimore an 65.5 tackles, setting a school record. His “A-plus” during his reviews and

grades for the AFC and NFC teams.

Given the events of draft weekend, and considering the latest draft bounty assembled in Baltimore, it is time for a long-overdue tip of the cap to Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome and personnel director Phil Savage. For years, these two have worked seamlessly, and the Ravens have enjoyed some of the league’s most solid drafts.

Baltimore Raven rivals, the Washington Redskins, drafted wide receiver Jacob Taylor out of the University of Florida.

This is one of the only drafts in which teams picked up potential rookie starters to replace many of the league’s veteran players. The average age in the NFL is 25. Many would like to see this average go down to as low as 22. In order to lower this age, colleges will have to generate better players for the NFL. None of these drafts matter unless they can successfully contribute to the league.

NFL analysts expect last year’s Super Bowl participants, champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers and runner up Oakland Raiders to once again compete. Rising teams such as the Cleveland Browns and now quarterback sensation Carson Palmer’s Cincinnati Bengals may also provide standings competition.

ESPN analyst Mel Kiper, Jr. said “Watch for Baltimore or former Super Bowl champions New England to make a run.”

Spring sports teams finish a strong year Ashley Keys Staff Writer

Varsity Baseball

Captains: Joel Wienholt

(Sr); Randy Boyle (Jr); Eric Dezell (Jr) Key Players: Randy Boyle; Eric Dezell; Andrew Sacks (Jr) Big Game: Joel Wienholt pitched JC to a 5-1 win over number one ranked Mount Saint Joe. Record: (as of 5/7) 3-14 “A lack of hitting and defense made us fight for each win.” ~Joel Wienholt

Varsity Girls’ Lacrosse

Captains: Meghan Blume

(Sr); Alyx Moore (Sr); Sam Sankovich (Sr) Key Players: Lauren Bradley (Jr); Ali Levendusky (Jr); Ang Gaeta (Soph) Big Games: Roland Park and NDP were both ranked teams. JC kept NDP’s consecutive goals at a minimum, which was the Volume 38, Number 6

lowest record in the IAAM. Record: 1-9-1 “The season was marked by strong character and determination.” ~Meghan Blume

four for the tournament.

Record: 4-4 “A year after the death of our coach, we pulled together to have one of the best tennis seasons in recent history.” ~Chris Hoover

Rugby

Captains: Jason Botzler (Sr); Varsity Golf Brent Toland (Sr) Key Players: Alex Key Players: Jamie Edwards Brueggemann (Sr); Kevin (Sr); Ryan Kramer (Sr); Brent Toland ; Trevor McEvoy (Jr) Big Game: The rugby team won against Calvert Hall at home and brought home the first JC athletic championship of the year.

Record: 6-3 “Everyone worked together to give a strong record.” ~Jason Botzler

Varsity Boys’ Tennis

Captains: Chris Hoover (Sr); Billy Hughes (Jr) Key Players: Chris Hoover; Billy Hughes; Alex Stutzer (Jr) Big Match: The tennis team defeated Lutheran which was their last scheduled game.

The win put them in the top The

Tehan (Jr) Record: 9-3 The Varsity golf team played in the MIAA finals, but unfortunately lost to St. Paul’s.

Varsity Softball

Varsity Boys’ Lacrosse Captains: Brad

Bartkowiak (Sr); Brendan Ireton (Sr); Kyle Leppert (Sr); Drew Westervelt (Sr) Key Players: Brad Bartkowiak; Keith Hinder (Sr); Owen Jordan (Sr); Kyle Leppert ; Alex Renjel (Sr); Brian Vierheller (Sr); Drew Westervelt Big Games: JC defeated Park twice, and beat Spalding 11-3 to win the MIAA championship.

Varsity Track

Key Players: Chris

Colbert (Sr); Chris Roberts (Sr); Dean Roberts (Soph); Greenwood (Sr); Amanda Chris Drescher (Sr); Krissy Keller (Sr); Stephanie Quinter Zerhusen (Jr); Rachel Layer (Sr) (Soph) Key Players: Kristen Big Meets: The girls beat Greenwood; Amanda Keller; Mercy in a tight match.

Courtney Scott (Jr) Record: Boys: 0-7 Girls Big Game: JC played C. 4-3 Milton Wright in the annual Highlights: Sophomore JC Invitational and Kristen Rachel Layer won second Greenwood led JC to a 1-0 place in the mile at the win in eight innings.

IAAM championships.

Record: 6-11

Captains: Kristen

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June 2003

19 Sports All-Star cheerleading wins support, titles John Vigliotti and Rose DiPaula Sports Editors Many people tend to look past cheerleading. They see the jumping and yelling and ignore the dedication it takes.

All-Star cheerleading is on the rise as programs, such as the Vipers, demonstrate the patience and athletic ability this sport takes.

Over the past four years, All-Star cheerleading has gained popularity in Harford County. Harford County is home to three All-Star cheerleading programs: the Harford Hurricanes, the Jaguars, and the Vipers. The Vipers are the most successful out of the three, claiming the only National cheerleading title in Harford County.

The Viper All-Stars were created when the Calvert Hall Co-ed All-Stars merged with the Bel Air All-Stars in 1999 and have established a prominent program for cheerleaders. The Vipers believe in helping a child grow in spirit, mind, and athletic ability.

The Vipers have their own gym and dance studio, providing programs for Pee Wee, Junior, Large Senior Advanced, Small Senior Elite, and Co-ed Elite teams. The Pee Wee team is for grades four and under and the Junior team is for grades nine and under. The three senior teams are composed of grades ten and up, based on tumbling skill. More experienced tumblers compete on the Elite teams. The Pee Wee, Junior, Large Senior, and Small Senior are all-girl teams.

The Large Senior team is made up of more than 20 girls and the Small Senior team is comprised of less than 20 girls.

Viper teams run, do pushups, and engage in other strength exercises.

They are required to take an extra tumbling class if on a Junior team or older.

The work pays off for the All-Stars, as

the JC cheerleaders, but I was amazed at how different the teams were. Vipers are definitely better performers than the JC cheerleaders,” said sophomore and Viper fan Molly Housman.

Cheerleading requires commitment and dedication of time. Vipers’ season begins at the end of April and ends the first week in April of the following year, leaving time for a two-week off-season. The Viper AllStars, a “club” cheerleading program, travel to Richmond, Ocean City, College Park, Atlantic City, Fort Lauderdale, and Disney World for competitions. Vipers can opt to go to Hawaii to cheer at the Pro Bowl. They attend the University of North Carolina for camps and practices that last all summer long.

The Junior and all three Senior teams traveled to Florida for Nationals in Disney World in March. The four teams experienced success when the Large Senior team placed third, the Small Senior Elite and Junior squads took second, and the Co-ed Elite placed first.

“Winning Nationals was the photo by www.viperallstars.com best experience I’ve ever had.

It is amazing when you work so The Viper Co-ed Elite team finishes their routine at Nationals in Disney World. hard and your life-time dream finally comes true,” said senior and Co-ed captain Kristen Nevel. exact position, you’re done!” said sophoFor a team to win, every member must permore and Large senior member Laura Leeb. form fl awlessly, with only one shot to do “I thought the Vipers would be the same as all of their teams have been ranked nationally since the teams’ establishment.

All-Star cheerleaders do not learn dances or sideline cheers as high school cheerleaders do. All-Star cheerleaders focus on a single, two-minute and thirty-second routine for competitions. The cheerleaders learn their choreography in August and continue to perfect the routine through April, throughout the competition season.

Viper cheerleading is very different from high school cheerleading. “High school cheerleading has more of a relaxed style.

You still need to look good, but with AllStars, you have to hit it right on the money, the first and only time. If you’re not in the

it right. There are no second chances, and if one does make a mistake, it’s all over.

“Winning as an individual is pretty cool, but winning on a team is so much better. It’s so satisfying because it means that all 25 people, not just one, were perfect,” said freshman and Co-ed competitor Alex Nevel.

JC students are highly active in Vipers. Graduating seniors from Vipers include Lindsay McCormack, Kristen Nevel, Danielle D’Antona, and Laura Borchers. Other members include junior Katie Falter, sophomores Laura Leeb, Lydia D’Antona, Rose DiPaula, and freshmen Alex Nevel, Katie Costello, and Jen Brown.

“What drew me to this team was the excellent workouts, the traveling and the friendships,” said Large Senior member Lindsay McCormack, “Your teammates become your lifelong friends.”

The Vipers have one thing to say to those that doubt them: “Consider this: every practice we cheer so loud that we lose our voices. We jump so much that our muscles pull. We do motions for so long that it doesn’t even feel like we have arms. We stunt until our hands bleed, and every time we’re under a stunt, someone’s life is on the line! We go over counts until only the numbers 1-8 are ingrained in out heads, and we know all of this before we start,” said Leeb.

With their rigorous work ethic and entertaining benefits, Vipers has become an ideal program for young athletes wishing to succeed.

These young women and men are unquestionably forging a name for cheerleading.

JV lacrosse in championship, defense leads team “When we’re on top of our game, it’s hard for the opposing team to get anything off of us,” said Ireton.

“We had a really strong defense With a 13–1 record, a stifling and because of it we’re going to the defense, and a solid offense, the JV boy’s championship game,” said Tagliaferri.

On offense it was sophomore lacrosse team powered by its opponents this season. The team hasn’t changed Mike Nawrocki who terrorized opposing a thing as they face off against a well- teams on attack by scoring over 25 goals coached Friends team in the championship this season and adding 7 assists. “He [Nawrocki] was our go to guy all season game.

“Basically, when you’re 13–1, long,” said Mr. Perry.

Nawrocki won the team’s Most we’re on the verge of a very successful season,” said Mr. Perry, assistant coach Outstanding Player award for his amazing and offensive coordinator. “We have season. “It was great to get the award, but I couldn’t have strong sophomore done it without leadership my teammates,” surrounded by said Nawrocki. a great group of Sophomore Chris freshman,” said e’ve got a very Stevenson (over 10 Mr. Perry. goals), freshman good chance Though Matt Rayburn (8 the attack and of winning with the goals), and freshman the midfielders Mike McGehee gave JC lopsided strength and character of (over 16 goals) and dominating our team. I wouldn’t want rounded out the victories this attack. The team’s season, it was the to be Friends facing us.” attack also received defense that was solid contributions the heart and soul of the team. “We had a great defense that set up the goals that we from freshman Will Archer (6 goals.)

The midfielders complemented needed,” said head coach Mr. Hughes.

Sophomore captains Mike the attack with a great sense of team Tagliaferri and Ryan Ireton along with play. The first midfield consisted of three freshman Julian Maliszewski led the freshmen: Billy Boniface (over 12 goals), defense. Also, sophomore Dustin Lynch Matt Hinder (3 goals), and Phil Pons (6 was a dominating goalie. “Dustin Lynch goals). “They [the first midfielders] did an had an outstanding season saving goals,” outstanding job offensively learning the said Mr. Hughes. Together, the defense system,” said Mr. Perry.

The second midfield gave the allowed less than forty goals this year.

Dave Lomonico Staff Writer

W

June 2003

The

team dependable backups for the first They earned revenge on Friends 8–5 in a midfield. “The second midfield worked rematch game in mid-season. extremely hard and they were an important “We’ve got a very good chance part of our team’s success,” said Mr. Perry. of winning with the strength and character Freshman Dave Schmidt, Mark Scanlon, of our team. I wouldn’t want to be Friends and T.J. Reynolds contributed all season facing us,” said Mr. Perry. on the second midfield.

After a victory in the “The thing I like about this team championship over Spalding 11-3 by the is that they get better every game,” said varsity lacrosse team, the JV team hopes Mr. Hughes. After an early season loss to match. As support for each other, the to Friends, the team never looked back, JV players will look to varsity to help them winning their next 12 games. “The team overcome a strong Friends squad. chemistry got better after every game and After a sudden harsh and we started to command the opposition,” disappointing end to the team’s said Ireton. championship run last year, coaches and The team had a few memorable returning players from last year are thrilled games including a “personal pride” game to be able to finally play in the big game. against C. Milton Wright in which JC won Win or lose against Friends, the 14 - 7. However, the turning point of the JV boy’s lacrosse team has had a successful season, according to Mr. Perry and Mr. and memorable season. “We have a Hughes, was a victory in midseason over great group of kids and we exceeded our Park. expectations this year,” said Mr. Hughes.

“We came from behind in the NOTE: as the issue was going to Park game and this was the climax for print, the final championship match against us,” said Mr. Perry. The team relentlessly Friends was postponed due to impending stormed back into the game and showed heavy rains and impending thunderstorms. that they would not be easy to put away.

“We also had two big wins over Spalding in which our defense really dominated,” added the goalie Lynch.

401 Washington Avenue It is fitting that JC Suite 204 will have to play Friends in the championship – the Towson, MD 21204 only team that has beaten 410-769-9200 FAX 410-7699203 them this year. However, email mcraiglaw@worldnet.att.net JC is prepared for the championship game.

Mary R. Craig Attorney At Law

Patriot

Volume 38, Number 6

Sports

20

Varsity boys claim championship Rose DiPaula Sports Co-Editor

Revenge is always sweet. On Friday, May 23, the JC boys’ varsity lacrosse team won the MIAA championship and their revenge on the Archbishop Spalding Cavaliers. The title-defending Cavaliers, the Patriots’ lone loss of the season, were also MIAA champions in 2000 and 2001.

The loss to Spalding earlier in the year was a tough one. Senior Drew Westervelt, who has since signed to play for UMBC next year, scored at the buzzer, tying the score 7-7. The Patriots lost in sudden-death overtime, 8-7. Despite their perfect season washed away, the Patriots still believed they were good enough to go all the way.

photos by MaryBeth Derbyshire

After the Patriots 8-7 win over Park on May 9, JC was guaranteed a 1 seed going into the tournament.

Senior Owen Jordan stated, “Friday, May 23, it’ll be 83 degrees and sunny with a breeze. We’re winning the championship at Towson University under the lights, so be there!”

Owen’s weather predicting skills may not be that great, as it was 55 degrees and rainy, but his game predictions apparently are. In a season marked by postponements and cancellations due to rain, it was fitting that the Patriots won the title in the rain.

The Patriots beat Spalding soundly, winning 11-3 to claim the B Conference title.

JC claimed its first lacrosse title since 1996

and ended the Cavaliers’ championship streak of the past three years.

Jordan scored two minutes into the game and was followed by two consecutive goals by sophomore Brett Leppert. To start the second quarter, junior Ryan Hamill scored off of a pass from Jordan, making the score 40. Seniors Keith Hinder and Westervelt, along with Hamill all scored in the second quarter, with the score 7-0 at the half.

The Patriots did not allow Spalding to score until the beginning of the third quarter, bringing a shutout possibility to an end. JC goalie, senior Brian Vierheller, backed by juniors Jeff Pilarski and Matt Scanlon, and seniors Brian Tomcho, Brad Bartkowiak, and Brendan Ireton on defense, made 24 saves in the game.

“When he [Vierheller] plays like that, our defense plays a heck of a lot better,” said Ireton.

Jordan said, “I heard somebody say, ‘There’s a magnet in his stick.’”

Both Ryan Hamill and Keith Hinder ended the game with three goals each.

Brett Leppert and Owen Jordan finished with two goals, while Westervelt scored once.

The Patriots’ win can best be described in the words of junior Jeff Pilarski, “Giddy up!”

The Patriots had all the pieces to the puzzle this year. They had an outstanding defense and a fearless goalie, scoring, speed, and comic relief.

“Greg Boyle would add comic relief before intense games with great dancing,” said sophomore Dane Frank.

“I’m always nervous, but I always tried to lighten the mood,” said Boyle.

This team started together freshman year, and has now finished number one together. This team began with a new coach four years ago, and now ends with a champion coach.

“Every year we seemed to grow a lot more. The big thing was that we wanted to put up an ’03 banner in the gym,” said Head Coach Keith Hinder, Sr., Varsity coach of three years and JV coach of one.

“There’s no better feeling than to be able to walk into the gym 50 years from now and see an ‘03 banner,” said Boyle.

The season may not have been a “perfect season” to some, but JC now has a ’03 banner to hang in the gym. NOTE: Some quotes and information came from the coverage in the Baltimore Sun.

photo by MaryBeth Derbyshire

Goalie Brian Vierheller makes a save and prepares to clear the ball in hopes of obtaining a fast break.

Golf team goes to finals Junior Kevin Tehan finishes second in the MIAA singles tournament by 1 stroke Adam Bell Staff Writer The JC golf team has completed yet another fantastic season. They qualified for the playoffs, again, in the tough MIAA Conference. As soon as the team clinched a playoff spot, they set their eyes on the championship.

This season’s outlook was different than years past. In past years, the Patriots expected to compete in the upper echelon of the MIAA, finishing in either first or second place. Junior Matt Murphy said, “Our goal at the start of the season was to finish somewhere in the top four in the conference.

The Patriots lost two of its better players and leaders, Brian Thomas and Tom Watson, to graduation last year. Murphy, junior Derek Lynch, and freshman Kevin Hentz were all expected to step in and pick up where Thomas and Watson left off.

Seniors Alex Brueggemann and Scott Rytter and junior Kevin Tehan solidified the top six spots on the squad. The team finished third in the MIAA with a regular season record of 8-3. “We achieved our regular season goal,” says Murphy.

“Our post-season goal was to play in the championship.”

JC defeated St. Mary’s in the first round of the playoffs 16.5-4.5. In the semifinals on Wednesday, May 14th, the Patriots squared off against Loyola. This was a tough match for the team because the Dons defeated the Patriots 11.5-9.5 in the regular season. However, the Patriots went to Loyola’s home course and won, which advanced them to the finals.

After defeating Loyola, JC knew they had improved since their first match loss. They entered the championship with pride and confidence.

However, the championship was disappointing.

The Crusaders of St. Paul’s defeated the Patriots and ended their hopes of winning the championship.

The team was crushed, although their goal of finishing in the top four was achieved. The team played better than anyone expected, and they have high hopes for next season, with many returning players. Returning players include tournament runner-up Kevin Tehan and freshman Kevin Hentz.

photo by MaryBeth Derbyshire

Volume 38, Number 6

The

Patriot

June 2003