The Patriot October 2005, Issue 1, Vol 41

John Carroll School " Tradition " Pride

The

Patriot " Excellence

703 Churchville Road " Bel Air, MD 21014

E D I T O R I A L S

N E W S

Students present the pros and cons of the school’s new athletic recruiting methods.

page 4 The Race to Save the Lord God Bird author Philip Hoose talks to students about environmental awareness.

page 9 F E A T U R E S E N T E R T A I N M E N T S P O R T S

Myspace internet phenomenon sweeps through the school.

page 10

Student expresses distaste for hit MTV show “Laguna Beach.”

Wasting wallets away As gas prices continue to rise, students try to cope with having to pay higher amounts for gas.

Chris Anderson Design Editor

“Twenty dollars will only Þll up, like, a quarter of my tank,” remarks Vince Martino, a senior who pays for his own gas. “I drive a long way to work,” he adds.

“School is only about two miles away, fortunately.”

Thanks to a recent surge in the price of gas, many teenagers like Vince are watching as the money they make from their jobs goes solely towards getting them to and from work and school.

Colin Clayton, another senior, deals with this problem. “I’m from Havre de Grace; I drive a half an hour to school.”

Clayton adds that he drives his Honda Civic to Abingdon on days when he has work. “I work at the Festival; I drive a lot.”

Unfortunately for Colin, he was forced to Þll up when gas prices were at their peak a few weeks ago. “It was only 32 dollars,” he says thankfully, given the amount others have spent.

Junior Tim Derbyshire reminisces, “When prices were at their peak, I paid 50 dollars.”

Tim, who drives a Crown Victoria, also adds that even in the recent decrease of prices he still pays roughly that amount to Þll up his tank.

Gas prices have been rising for the last few years, but in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, they skyrocketed throughout Maryland to around $3.50 for regular. As the

weeks since the disastrous storm have passed, prices have begun to slowly descend.

Some students are not sure what has caused the recent increases.

Christen Eastman, a senior who pays between $15 and $30 for gas every week, said “I don’t understand why the prices keep rising.”

Still others do not believe that the hurricanes are a legitimate reason for the spikes in gas prices.

One senior stated that she thinks it is ridiculous that prices went up before the country even felt the impacts of the hurricanes.

Nonetheless, gas prices have been slowly descending. In Bel Air, for instance, the average price for regular has dropped from the recent $3.50 average to around $2.85.

For those who live in Frederick or Cumberland, gas can be found at $2.60. Of course, for those who live near Washington D.C., in Rockville and Bethesda, gas is about $3.20.

“It’s kind of strange how different parts of the state have different prices for gas,” comments Clayton. “There’s no set price by the state or federal government for gas. It seems there is very little regulation.”

“I miss those days,” laments Martino, “When you drove around and the most expensive gallon of regular you saw was a dollar.”

It wasn’t that long ago that gas prices were low across the country. In fact, many miss the $1.80 price tag of a year ago and others

Sports editors introduce the Patriot of the Month to honor superior JC athletes. *Based on a survey of senior drivers who buy their own gas.

ly purchase their gas at WaWa. An interesting fact is that the current price for a barrel of crude oil in 2004 dollars is less than it was in the late 1970s during the infamous oil shortage. Many experts predict that an oil shortage on that scale is very unlikely for the United States.

Nonetheless, the price alone is enough to coerce people to stop driving. Some solutions are carpooling, using mass transit, riding a bicycle, or walking.

Unfortunately, for many in Harford County who work in Baltimore City, carpooling is impossible. Very few JC students frequently carpool; only one-fourth of the 60 seniors surveyed actually carpool.

“I only drive myself,” remarks Martino. “Everyone who lives pretty close to me drives also.”

JC opens its heart and lends a hand with Hands and Hearts Jeff Gunnarsson co Editor in Chief

page 14

page 17

even miss the $2.50 price tags of the summer vacation season.

Senior Allie Tscheulin has to endure the agony of paying more than $30 for gas every week. “I live in Baltimore County and gas prices suck massively.”

“I would love for gas prices to drop back to $2.50,” says Clayton. “It’ll really save me a lot of money.”

Senior Tom O’Hara, who pays upwards of $30 per week on gas, commented, “It’s not really worth driving anymore. I’m working just to keep gas in the tank, and with school, I can’t work as much, so I don’t have much cash left over.”

On an interesting side note, students demonstrated overwhelming support for WaWa. One senior said, “Wawa can raise their gas prices all they want, but I shall never commit treason to Lord Wawa.”

In addition, based on a survey of 60 senior drivers that The Patriot administered, 19 out of 31 students who pay for their own gas regular-

photo by Chris Anderson

INDEX

Volume 41, Issue 1 " October 2005

On Aug. 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the gulf coast of the United States. Exhibiting Þerce winds in excess of 140 miles per hour, the vicious tropical storm utterly devastated parts of Mississippi and the Louisiana city of New Orleans.

Hundreds upon thousands of families are now left without homes, food, water, and in some cases, each other. The residents of the affected areas are completely helpless. Hurricane Katrina is possibly the greatest natural di-

saster in US history.

Regardless of the bleak circumstances at hand, we as Americans have a moral obligation to help out in any way that we can.

Every single act of charity helps, especially when one considers the magnitude of contributions that can result from the combination of relief efforts around the nation.

On Friday, Sept. 2nd, a John Carroll School Response Team met to discuss the situation in New Orleans and in Mississippi, and also to brainstorm ideas on how we, as a school, can help towards the relief efforts.

Continued on page 6

Editorials

2 Environmental issue leads to extra money Sandy Wienholt Entertainment co Editor

For the summer reading project, students read a book pertaining to the health of the environment.

The administration invited speakers to drill into students’ heads that they should care about the environment. The question is if the administration actually follows the ideas they impose on students.

Be happy to know that they do care about the environment. In fact, the administration had two fuel oil tanks removed from the property because they could have become a potential hazard for the environment.

Forty-one years ago, two large capacity fuel oil tanks were installed by the loading dock. It was an alternative to other means of heating if the original heating became too expensive. However, over time the tanks corroded and jeopardized the environment.

Donald Excavating was contracted to remove the tanks.

Originally, the administration budgeted $40,000. The excavation ended up only costing around $20,000.

The budget included money for

oil spill clean-up. However, according to Mr. Moxey, who oversaw the project, “the tanks were in good shape for their age.” Therefore, oil spillage was not an issue.

A total of 11,000 gallons of oil were pumped out of the tanks.

Each tank could hold up to 10,000 gallons each.

This large quantity could have caused a huge disaster for the environment if the tanks had been in worse condition.

However, because of the timely manner in which the administration addressed the issue, the health of the environment around the school was conserved.

In addition, money was actually saved. There was an excess of $20,000 left from the budget. The question is what is the money going to be used for?

According to Mr. Barker, the money will be used to “offset our biggest unbudgeted expense— healthcare, disability, and pension beneÞts for employees that came in at higher rates of increase than we expected.”

Since the administration must make up the gap between the money brought in through tuition and the cost to school, this $20,000 will help.

THE

PATRIOT John Carroll School 703 Churchville Road, Bel Air, Maryland 21014 Volume 41, Issue 1, October 2005

co Editor in Chief....................................................Jeff Gunnarsson co Editor in Chief........................................................Neha Prakash Editorials co Editor........................................................Mary Etting Editorials co Editor......................................................Jared Drewen News co Editor............................................................Caitlin Keilty News co Editor...........................................................Joe Christesen Features co Editor..........................................................Emily Lazor Features co Editor........................................................Claire Bronis Entertainment co Editor...................................................Ryan Leeb Entertainment co Editor...........................................Sandy Wienholt Sports co Editor.....................................................Andy Wancowicz Sports co Editor...........................................................Brady Collins Photography co Editor..............................................Jessica O’Brien Photography co Editor...........................................Jennifer DiBiagio Business Manager..................................................Shannon Murphy Copy co Editor...............................................................Kim Hoopes Copy co Editor.....................................................Hillary Livingston Design Editor............................................................Chris Anderson Cartoonist............................................................Savanna Scroggins Moderator.......................................................................Mr. Ionescu

Staff: Courtney Baltimore, Jillian Hughes, Allison Kartachak, Danny Morris, Ann Ploskonka, Anne Sedney, Chris Wilson 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 John Carroll School.

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

Volume 41, Number 1

Students left mute in major school decisions Danny Morris Staff Writer

The Board of Trustees is the driving force behind many administrative decisions for our school.

The board has the Þnal say on such decisions as the hiring and release of teachers, the appropriation of school funds, and other administrative issues.

On the board, there are 16 members, including Chairperson Augustus Brown, a parent representative, an alumni representative, and a faculty representative.

What’s the one thing missing?

Ninety percent of the school’s population has no representation at all on this crucial committee.

There is no student representative on the board.

The students therefore have no voice in determining the direction of our school and are merely expected to accept all of the board’s choices—choices that directly affect our education and high school experience.

This ßaw in our school’s governance has gone unnoticed for far too long.

Students are quick to blame the administration members they are familiar with, such as Mr. Barker, Mr. Scholl, or Mr. Piercy for changes in school policy or the misuse of school funds.

Students should be aware that such problems as the absence of air conditioning, the constant miniaturization of cafeteria food, the raised costs of parking spaces, and the lack of so much as a urinal within a quarter mile of the upper athletic Þelds are not the responsibility of our principal.

It is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees to allocate funding to the various projects throughout the school.

However, the Board may not be as aware of these various issues as the students.

Students know the school much more intimately than any mem-

bers of the board, and their input, through a representative on the board, would be both practical and progressive.

There should be a student representative not just because of the major positive impact he or she could effect on the board, but also because the student body deserves representation.

A school is not its walls or foundations. A school is its students. To deny the students a voice in the decisions which affect us every day of the school year would be absurd and indefensible. A democracy of the few is no democracy at all.

A student representative would not only be able to express the concerns and ideas of the student body directly to the Board, but would also serve as a mediator between the administration and the students.

Changes in policy would be explained to the students by one of their own rather than Mr. Piercy or any of the administrators, a situation which would improve relations between the students and administration.

Mr. Gus Brown, the Chairman of the Board, agreed that having a student representative on the Board would serve to, “…improve communication between the students and the Board, as well as help the students’ understanding of the Board’s decisions.”

Furthermore, as one of the objectives of our education, the handbook speciÞcally states that the school strives to “Stimulate student’s interest in assuming their responsibilities as active citizens in a democratic society, and provide opportunities for decisionmaking, arbitration, voting, and ofÞce holding.”

It would be hypocritical and contradictory if the Board were to refuse to support an objective they helped write.

The Student Affairs Council does an excellent job every year of organizing Spirit Week, the many dances, Homecoming, and various

other activities, but when it comes to effecting change in school policies that the students Þnd unacceptable, this organization falls short.

The SAC is given no real power over decisions made by the administration or the Board. The remedy to this frustrating situation is giving the students a vote on the Board of Trustees.

Empower the students. Allow them to take responsibility and contribute to the effort to improve our school for those who learn, teach, and work there.

Have faith in the students and believe in their ability to make a positive contribution to John Carroll in their four years here.

Students must be prepared to Þght for this mission if need be.

For the seniors, there is no better gift we could leave than a guarantee of future representation for the students.

For the juniors and sophomores, you have grown to know this school well, and realize that there are aspects which need to be changed and problems which must be addressed.

This is your avenue to give voice to these desires for improvement.

Freshmen, though you are still becoming acquainted with John Carroll, this school will likely grow to mean a great deal to you.

With the power to inßuence school policy, you would have the opportunity to make your future years here the best of your life.

In a year where we have seen the rights of students to freedom of speech and expression come under attack to an unprecedented extent, it is time to take a step towards democracy.

We have seen this invasion of rights most vividly in the crackdown on content posted on internet proÞles, dresscodes for school dances, and stricter punishments for venial offenses.

These are not privileges we are Þghting for, they are rights.

Late policy becomes cumbersome Jared Drewen Editorials co Editor The JC lateness policy needs to change. Just about every day, one can see the 10 to 15 people lined up outside the attendance ofÞce to be accepted late into homeroom. Many times, these people standing in line end up actually being late to their Þrst class because the line was so long. They then miss whatever information is given in the beginning of the class.

Obviously, this policy is counter-productive and needs to change. When students miss actual school work for the crime of missing the morning announcements, it becomes readily apparent that there is a ßaw in the system.

Maybe the school ought to be more lenient and allow students to come reasonably late to homeroom, as homeroom is mainly for attendance-taking anyway. Homeroom teachers should be given the power to sign students in as late, which is precisely the duty of the attendance ofÞce as of now. In this way, the students would be marked as late, yet they do not run the risk of being held late to class.

Students who show up late do deserve punishment; however, they still did show up. They should be allowed to go to their classes when they arrive to school rather than being held up in the attendance ofÞce.

The

Patriot

OCtober 2005

3 editorials Dress code incites dance cancellation Jared Drewen Editorials co Editor

During those Þrst few days of school, when you are sitting in class and trying to get used to the hard chairs once again, there is at least one thing that you can look forward to in order to get through your week: the Back-to-School Dance.

Traditionally, the Back-toSchool Dance is one of the most popular dances at JC. Last year it was the only dance that was not cancelled except for Homecoming, Ring Dance, and Prom.

This year, however, even the ever-popular Back-to-School Dance was cancelled due to low ticket sales.

The reason behind this: well, mostly it was due to the new dress code implemented by the administration for the dance.

Usually, people take the Backto-School Dance as an occasion to dress in clothes they wouldn’t normally wear.

The girls dress “trashy,” as the school has put it numerous times,

and some of the guys have dressed retro.

The administration has expressed their concerns about how the girls dress for this dance in the past.

They say that, even though it is just meant to be fun, dressing trashy is still wrong and that it will not be condoned.

For the new dress code they kept

it nice and simple: long jeans, t-shirts, no bare midriffs, no bare backs, and they left us with the option of whether to go risqué and show some skin on our feet with sandals or to go conservative and wear shoes. This was the same for both guys and girls.

But most of you knew that, as all but 29 of you boycotted the dance.

With a total of 29 tickets sold by the day of the dance, the administration called it quits and cancelled it.

In past years, ticket sales have exceeded 600. This year, even the majority of freshmen didn’t buy tickets.

In my own humble opinion, the dance’s termination was a direct result of the new dress code.

If you have ever been to a dance at JC, you know that it becomes extremely hot on the dance ßoor after a short time of hundreds of teenagers sweating and talking and yelling all in such a small area.

Maybe the administration is immune to heat, but for the rest of us this is true. Making us wear long jeans to a dance is simply absurd.

Also, one may ask: what if the girls had worn their school uniform to the dance? Would they have been denied access for being scantily clad? After all, the uniform kilt does not cover the whole leg as jeans do.

Another issue that the cancellation brought up was the fear of the senior class that it hurt them monetarily.

However, this is not completely true. According to Mr. Johnson, the moderator of the SAC, funds from the Back-to-School Dance never go directly to the senior class.

Traditionally, the SAC presents around $1,500 to the senior class, but that is the only way any of the funds from this dance would reach the senior class.

The dress code idea was purely

a horrible one. It may have worked out better had the administration been more lenient in it. Maybe allowing shorts would have made it better.

Honestly, though, I feel that it was simply the idea of having an increased dress code at a “casual” dance that discouraged people from buying tickets.

Ticket sales would probably have been higher had the administration been more lenient, but not by much. No one had problems with the old dress code of no spandex, no bare midriffs, and so on.

As things stand, most of the student body is choosing to stay at home and go to their own parties.

After all, one can dance at home to the same music and even with some of the same people.

On top of that, there would not be any of the many restrictions JC feels they must place on us.

High school dances are supposed to be fun events that students look forward to. They are not supposed to be scorned by the student body.

New honor pledge will not prevent cheating Jared Drewen and Mary Etting Editorials co Editors Over the last few years, the school has been increasing awareness of cheating and striving to rid the school of this bane to our existences.

Every year Mr. Scholl gives us the same speech about how when we cheat, we are cheating ourselves, unapproved aid on any scholarly work is dishonorable, and all violators of the academic standards will be severely punished.

Unfortunately, the speech from Mr. Scholl is needed. Facts are facts, and the facts are that students cheat.

This year was no different, except in one aspect; now we must actually sign a document pledging that we will not cheat in any way.

While the attempt to promote academic honesty is a respectable, the new honor code will most likely not have much of an impact on those who are prone to cheating.

“On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this graded academic

OCtober 2005

work.”

This is what is written on the signs in every classroom throughout the school. It is also the statement that we agreed to by signing the paper that was sent around in homeroom a few weeks ago and what some teachers require students to sign on each major graded assignment.

The idea behind this new policy is that the Honor Code “represents a personal commitment to abide by” the standards of integrity set forth by JC. Students are supposed to feel obligated to uphold these standards and signing this document is an ofÞcial statement that they will.

However, the new honor system

does not alter the consequences for cheating in any way. Punishment for cheating will not change whether one signs the pledge or

not.

The Honor Pledge is simply a way of invoking an individual’s personal sense of honor. The administration believes that at least some prospective cheaters will be deterred by this.

They hope that it will increase

The

Patriot

students’ awareness that they very well could get caught.

Attempting to reduce the amount of cheating in the school is a noble cause. However, there seems to be a few holes in the administration’s thinking.

Students will most likely view this as simply another requirement placed upon them. Since the punishments for cheating will not change at all, students will probably also feel that it is an ignorable change for the most part.

Numerous students have already recieved detentions for cheatingfor offences ranging from copying homework to plagiarism.

Also, many teachers do not follow through with making students sign the pledge. By the end of the

year, many students will probably have forgotten all about the Honor Pledge.

We are not saying that it will have no effect at all. Those students who actually do have a sense of honor that they try to uphold will be deterred from cheating if they feel the temptation.

Yet, this brings up the question: would a person with a high sense of honor cheat in the Þrst place?

And on the other side of the matter, wouldn’t a person who is willing to cheat be willing to lie as well?

The idea of the Honor Pledge is a good one in theory, but in practice I can’t see it having very much of an effect.

The only effective way to reduce cheating in the school is what JC was already doing: making sure people know of the consequences of cheating, punishing cheaters that are caught, and keeping a close eye out for academic dishonesty in every aspect of school.

As for the Honor Pledge itself: isn’t appealing to the honor of cheaters an oxymoron?

Volume 41, Number 1

editorials

4

Students debate recruitment Sports recruitment inappropriate at high school level Mary Etting Editorials co Editor

Last year if you turned on the TV, chances are you may have caught a glimpse of one of numerous Þghts related to sports. The Þghts that occurred in professional sports included both the fans and the players.

Aside from the Þghts, professional athletes are given a ridiculously high paycheck—which does not even include the endorsements that they receive for sponsoring products.

With all the outside emphasis on how it’s so important to be athletically talented, one would think that JC would reinforce its standpoint on how academic excellence is more important.

However, the administration and Athletic Department seem to be doing just the opposite: JC has started an athletic recruitment program.

This program, contrary to the belief of many, does not offer scholarships. Incoming freshman will be approached with information regarding sports programs they may be interested in.

With students who are interested in the JC athletic programs but are currently in attendance at a different high school, the student’s family must approach the JC athletic department – the JC athletic department will not approach them.

At Þrst glance, the thought doesn’t seem so bad. Many of our sports teams are somewhat lacking in talent and recruitment seems to be a viable solution.

However, sport recruitment programs are commonly found in colleges, not high schools. This places way too much emphasis on sports, which at the high school level most likely are not that important.

Aside from taking away from the supposedly high academic values of JC, the recruitment program is also a blatant statement that the students currently in attendance at JC are not athletic enough, because students must be brought in who are more inclined to sports.

This could take high school cliques to a new level— those who were recruited due to their athletic ability and those who were intelligent enough to be accepted into JC strictly on the basis of academics.

The attempt to gain athletic ability is respectable; it is understandable to want to have winning teams.

Nevertheless, there is that old cliché that winning isn’t everything.

Last year, the boys basketball team never won a game, yet that did not keep JC students from coming out and supporting their team.

The 2004-2005 boys basketball team was remarkable; they may not have won a game, but they were a great group of guys.

Former players such as Matt Hirschnorn and Chaz Linn brought spirit, humor, and entertainment to the team.

People came out to support them because the games were fun, mainly because the

Volume 41, Number 1

team was fun—they were actually more like a family than anything else.

One of the other great things about the basketball team was Coach Vierheller. Coach V, however, will no longer be coaching this year.

Mr. V did not make the decision to not return to coaching the team because of the pervious season’s record, his contract was not renewed by the athletic department.

Coach V was an irreplaceable member of the basketball staff; however, the JC athletics department is going to attempt to do just that.

It appears that Coach V’s contract was not renewed because the athletic department decided a different coach would be a better Þt.

This new addition to the basketball team is Coach Martin.

Coach Martin has a remarkable pervious success record, with over 30 of his former players going on to play in college; ironically Coach Martin has many connections in the Þeld of high school sports recruitment.

Coach Martin stated that, “I am aggressive on attracting student athletes, especially incoming freshman.”

If JC decides that sports recruitment is a must, then it is only fair that all sports programs—from football to tennis—receive the same amount of recruitment opportunities.

Although scholarships are not currently being given, there are rumors going around that in following years scholarships maybe offered.

If scholarships are given, which is highly inappropriate and possibly illegal for student athletes at the high school level, then there should be an equal amount given to all sports—or at least to boys and girls sports.

The idea itself is not horrible; however the athletic department and coaches must be extremely careful with how they go about the sports recruitment program.

Sports recruitment is a highly controversial topic and rumors are already ßying.

The new sports spirit that appears to be materializing is a positive effect of the athletic program but we must remember, while sports program are important, they are not vital.

Hopefully JC will be able to retain the academic excellence it so proudly proclaims.

The

Improved sports teams will cause increase in school spirit Jillian Hughes Staff Writer

Let’s face it: our school is not a sports powerhouse. We have a few sports we get by in, but for the most part our sports teams lack luster. By recruiting kids to our school, the athletic department is doing the JC community a great service, as well as digging our sports teams out of the hole they have fallen into.

The athletic de-

partment does not award sports scholarships; it locates potential athletes that may possibly be interested in attending the school and sends the athlete information about JC. The department also ensures that the potential candidate would be capable of successfully managing the academic schedule in addition to his/her competitive responsibilities.

By recruiting potential players, JC’s sports teams would improve, which would generate more interest in our school.

With renewed interest in the athletic program, more potential players would apply to the school every year. So really, the athletic department just has to get the ball rolling.

Take girls’ soccer for example. Our girls soccer program today has come a long way from where it was ten years ago.

Now that the program has been built up and seen great success, prospective soccer players are itching to get on the JC team.

Recruiting a few people turns out to be a great advantage for the whole program.

Recruitment is especially needed for JC teams that have new coaches. Since the coaches are not extremely well known and have not yet developed a reputation in their sport, potential players are not looking at the teams, and those teams are the ones that end up in jeopardy.

Some might say that with the addition of these bigger, better, and faster players, other athletes on their teams might fade into the background. But really for

Patriot

those players, recruits are an advantage.

Athletes get better by playing with better teammates.

If JC athletes have an outstanding example to follow, they themselves will improve, as would the level of competition.

By improving our teams all around, more athletes would have the opportunity to play college sports. Colleges look for an athletic resume on an application.

Last year at Haverford, a division III school that does not even grant scholarships, Þfteen percent of all admissions decisions were made based on entrant’s participation in athletics.

With the admission of more student athletes into JC, statistics both on the Þeld and in the classroom would improve. Studies done across the country have shown that student athletes are proven to have signiÞcantly higher GPAs than non-athletes, a higher percent of sports players graduate, and they have a higher attendance rate as well.

Top athletes also exemplify important core values that JC could beneÞt from.

These students would be disciplined, committed, hard working, and have good work ethic. The reputation of JC would be enhanced with the addition of more athletes that exempliÞed these values.

With recruits making our sports teams better, students will take more pride in the school and have more school spirit.

Right now, school spirit is deÞnitely lacking at JC. Hardly anyone goes out to support their peers on the Þeld. Some students might attend a few football games and wrestling matches, but that is about it.

More school spirit and pride in the school is deÞnitely needed, and if recruits can help us accomplish this goal, then they are certainly an advantage. A better basketball team might spark some unity, and a better swim team might give us something to talk about.

There are many more advantages than disadvantages to recruiting players for better sports teams. When you think about it, a good athletics program can only help the school, not hinder it.

In no way is a better sports team going to bring the school disgrace or contribute to its downfall.

Being recruited should not be looked upon as a bad thing, but rather something that can make us better as a school.

We should be thankful that the athletics department is putting so much time and energy into the improvement of our school.

They might have gotten your best friend to come, or that kid that always helps you in biology class.

How can recruiting be such a terrible thing if it raises the standards of our school in the area of sports and academic, advances school spirit and unity, and helps our senior class to attend the colleges to which they apply?

The truth is, it is not bad at all.

OCtober 2005

editorials

5

Students rights to privacy pried into, infringed upon Apparently, the right to personal privacy and freedom of speech no longer applies to JC students.

Through class-wide meetings with Mr. Piercy, students were recently made aware that certain online activities are no longer their own business.

Mr. Piercy made it very clear that any online behavior on AOL Instant Messenger or on sites such as Myspace is subject to his judgment.

This essentially means that any online activities that he may interpret as insulting, derogatory, profane, sexually explicit, or otherwise inappropriate are punishable by Myspace pages, which are all detentions, demerits, and even due to the current crackdown potential expulsion from the school.

Mr. Piercy is not ready to negotiate this new stance on ity is actually a private exchange JC’s patrolling of the internet. of information between two indiHe refused to even listen to the viduals. students’ protests at the morning The contents of these online meeting when this new policy was conversations cannot be accessed explained. by a third party, unless copied and This regulation of the internet pasted by one of the participants. is unacceptable to students. Mr. Messages shared between Piercy commented that putting friends or acquaintances are outmaterial on the internet means that side the school’s jurisdiction. it is exposed to the entire world, Attempting to put boundaries and anyone can access it. on what students are permitted to This is obviously not the case say and do on Instant Messenger is for instant messaging, as this activ- like hiding microphones in lockers

stance is the postings of students on the website called Myspace.

Individuals may create a private account on this site, through which they may comment on friends’ Myspaces, post bulletins which all their friends may read, and express themselves through the contents of their proÞle.

Students have an unwritten right to some degree of privacy in their lives.

Monitoring the activities and actions they participate in in good fun, are being taken down at home is not a reon “innapropriate” internet usage. sponsibility of the school.

Parents should be to catch students making profane the ones responsible for the actions or inappropriate comments as they of their children off-campus.

It is a serious breach of conduct walk through the hallways.

What will be the next revolu- for the school to intrude into the tionary method of catching and territory of the family, and parents, punishing rule-breakers? Security as well as students, should be incameras in the classrooms? Phone sulted by this interference.

It is not Mr. Piercy’s place to taps for suspected delinquents?

Unannounced house visits to independently judge whether a search for drugs and alcohol? The student’s online conduct is approJohn Carroll Patriot Act is just a priate. It is not his place to deal out punishment to individuals if their few steps away.

However, the main issue that actions are completely unrelated brought about this new hard-line to the school. http://www.myspace.com

Danny Morris Staff Writer

John Carroll, our school’s namesake, was a great patriot of his time. Would he have approved of this kind of abridgement of freedom of speech and expression?

It is true that by signing the form in the student handbook, and choosing to go to John Carroll, we are agreeing to follow the rules and guidelines of the administration.

However, this does not mean that we should shy away from campaigning for change. Protest is more than a right in our country.

It is a patriotic duty for citizens to protest when their government is out of line.

The administration of JC has now overstepped its bounds, and we, the students, are obligated to Þght for changes to this Stalinistic program.

Students deserve a voice in matters that directly affect us on a daily basis. Rights that were once referred to as inalienable are being trampled left and right in the name of our education.

Is this the way to prepare us to “serve responsibly in shaping a more just and compassionate global society” as the mission statement suggests?

Of these new developments within our school there is only one thing left to say: Attorney General John Ashcroft would be proud.

Archbishop John Carroll would be ashamed.

By: Savanna Scroggins

OCtober 2005

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Volume 41, Number 1

News

6 Community opens up its hands, hearts, and homes to Hurricane Katrina victims From pg. 1

collect monetary donations from for its annual mini-mod day. Mrs. students and their families.

Murphy-Dohn set up a booth to up of students and faculty.

“The community’s response to advocate Operation Hands and Mrs. Murphy-Dohn, Mr. Barker, Operation Hands and Hearts has Hearts. To her surprise and utter Mr. McAdams, Ms. Kraft, Sister been extremely delight, she was inMaryanne (Outreach), Mr. Mullin generous,” said undated with dona(Guidance), Ms. Cathell (Develop- Mrs. Murphytions from various ment), Ms. Greig (Development), Dohn. She was families. The conMs. Nichols (Director of Finance), impressed with tributions throughand Ms. Teel (Principal Secretary) the outpouring of out the day totaled all participated in the Response generosity that approximately $3,300.

Team. Seniors Natalie Vielkind the program has At the end of and Meaghan Hinder also contrib- encountered.

One particuPhase One of Oputed to the group’s efforts.

The Response Team’s efforts and lar example of - Mrs. Murphy Dohn eration Hands and Hearts, the school ideas produced a program known the community’s has raised more as Operation Hands and Hearts. generosity octhan $14,000 to The program, explains Mrs. Mur- curred on Suncontribute to the phy-Dohn, is a two-phase opera- day, September tion. Phase One, which ended on 11, when the school opened its hurricane relief efforts. All of this Friday, Sept. 16th, was an effort to doors to the parents of JC students money will be given to Catholic Charities USA, which will in turn use the money for various hurricane support efforts.

Phase Two is an effort to support one family that has been affected by the hurricane. The school will provide clothing, housing, groceries, furniture, and any other needed commodities to the family through the efforts of the school community.

The contributions to the Phase Two efforts of Operation Hands and Hearts have been phenomenal.

“I’ve had dozens and dozens of offers,” Mrs. Murphy-Dohn stated.

Doctors from various families have offered their medical servicHurricane Katrina bears down on New Orleans causing massive es, free of charge. One family offlooding and leaving many people homeless. JC has reached out fered six months worth of rent on a helping hand to shelter some of the homless people. photo from www.ncdc.noaa.gov

Members of the Outreach club created and hung decorative posters throughout the school to encourage students and faculty to donate thier time and money towards the relief effort. an apartment for a family to stay in. Another family even donated a three-bedroom townhouse.

Mrs. Murphy-Dohn explained that the school has not yet chosen the family who will be the beneÞciary of the Phase Two donations, and have not established the criteria for how the family will be chosen.

It is not a stretch to say that we

photo by Jessica Decker

“We have never been more conscious of how blessed we are.”

as a community are extremely fortunate. This can be seen especially in the light of the generosity that has been given in the past few weeks as we watch and try to cope with the aftermath of one of the greatest natural disasters in our nation’s history. As Mrs. MurphyDohn puts it, “We have never been more conscious of how blessed we are.”

Despite rumors, seniors have adequate funds Myths about senior class in debt dispelled by senior class moderator, Mrs. Russell

The panic of seniors is spreading through the halls of JC like the smell of minks when Mr. Kachur’s biology class is dissecting.

Elizabeth Ennis sums up the fears of her fellow senior classmates: “If we don’t make any money, we’re going to end up having our prom in the parking lot at McDonald’s!”

This is the rumor that has been plaguing the thoughts of the class of 2006 over the past few weeks; not that the prom will be held at a McDonald’s, but that a lack of fundraising, in part due to the cancellation of the Back-toSchool Dance, will cause highly elevated prom ticket prices and a mediocre setting for the dance.

“We don’t have money for prom

due to lack of funding,” says Courtney Cornaggio.

Most seniors are in agreement with Courtney, saying that more money must be obtained in order for the traditional prom to take place.

“If we want to have money, the senior class needs to do something,” says Jen Brown.

Becky Kraft voices this anxiety saying, “We need to do more fundraisers!”

When asked how much she thinks prom will be affected by the apparent lack of funds this year, Christina Gunn says, “I guess it depends on how much the parents contribute.”

The students are especially worried about how the ticket - Mrs. Russell prices will be affected.

If they do not make

“The ordeal with the Back-toSchool dance had no impact on money for prom.”

Volume 41, Number 1

enough money, they will have to pay for the prom through their purchase of tickets.

“We already have to spend enough money on formal dances when we pay for attire, and for the girls, hair and make-up - we don’t need the tickets to be really expensive too!” says Kristen Lozinak, who pays for most of the costs of formal dances by herself.

Mrs. Russell, one of the senior class moderators, had something quite different to say about the Þnancial state of senior class.

“I think the class is in a good position,” she said.

Mrs. Russell was shocked to hear the rumor that the Back-toSchool dance being cancelled affected prom funds at all.

“The ordeal with the Back-toSchool dance had no impact on money for prom,” she said. “None of these funds ever go toward prom.”

As for the location of the prom, the M & T Bank Stadium, where the seniors had their prom last year, has already been reserved.

According to Mrs. Russell, last year’s senior class gave their left-

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over money to the class of 2006.

She said, “It is a tradition for the seniors to leave money for the class below them, and last year was no different from any other.”

Mrs. Russell also stated that many fundrais-

cost for prom. Over the past few years, however, the number of student participants has been dwindling.

Mrs. Russell saw how spirited the senior class of 2006 was, and says she would like to see them set a tradition

ers have already been set up that will lower the prices of prom tickets. The largest of these fundraisers is the Senior Variety Show.

Mrs. Russell says. “Now the challenge is just to get all the seniors to participate in the Variety Show.”

In previous years, this fundraiser has generated 30 to 40 percent of the total

photo by Jessica Decker

Kim Hoopes Copy co Editor

for future classes by getting everyone to take part in the show.

She said this would not only make things more fun for the students and audience and work to encourage next year’s seniors, but it would also set ticket prices at an all-time low, making prom more affordable than ever.

OCtober 2005

news

7

NHS Members put down pencils, pick up shovels Students flex more than brains in community effort to help volunteers build Annie’s Playground Danny Morris Staff Writer After driving in a large circle around their destination, having missed the site the Þrst time, the John Carroll busses pulled into the worksite for Annie’s Playground.

Once there, the students piled off the busses and waited for their various assignments throughout the building site.

Small groups were led to their stations by supervisors and given an assortment of tasks ranging from spreading gravel across the ground to promote proper drainage, to serving drinks and watermelon slices to the hundreds of volunteers.

The playground was slowly beginning to take shape at this point.

Wooden towers and the beginnings of a stage were slowly taking form from the piles of wood and metal.

A veritable zoo of monkey bars wove

through the playground, and luminous yellow arches stood waiting for swings to be attached. However, the most impressive facet of the building process was the multitude of volunteers.

The people working at the playground resembled a mosaic of faces and body types.

There were senior citizens nailing boards into place and teenagers evening out layers of gravel. Individuals who had previous experi-

ence or skill in carpentry put their talents to use by operating saws and other power tools.

The playground is dedicated to the memory of Annie McGann Cumpston, a six year old girl who was killed by a drunk driver in Baltimore. Her parents began the project to create a playground, and donations and volunteers have sprang up along the way.

The work done at the playground was arduous for some, but ultimately rewarding. Most students agreed that they had a pleasant experience, and were happy for a break from the daily grind of Wednesday mornings.

Senior Mary Zulty carries a piece of wood as the NHS students help with the completion of Annie’s Playground. The playground was built in memory of Annie Cumpston who was killed by a drunk driver.

Extreme Makeover: Office Edition

-Buy and design a brick for the playground.

-Make a donation of cash or tools.

-Visit www.anniesfoundation.org

Caitlin Keilty News co Editor

The main ofÞce has received some major renovations over the summer. An attractive black and wood façade have replaced the old front desk and partition. The other furniture in the room has also been upgraded, with a towering black bookshelf replacing the various compartments and shelves that were scattered throughout the room. Several of the goals of the school, “Love of Learning, Respect for Self,” and, “Sensitivity to Others” are now engraved above the desk. The carpeting and walls were also redone, achieving the overall effect of making the ofÞce look much more inviting and impressive.

The main office (above) has been overhauled to give a new welcoming apperance.

Sound system pumps up the volume at basketball games Caitlin Keilty News co Editor

The sound system (above) will be used at home sporting events to help fire up the crowd. The updated logo (right) can be seen above the desk in the improved office.

AVON Debbie Brunson Independant Sales Rep Call to Buy or Sell: 410-803-2299 debbiebrunson@comcast.net www.youravon.com/dbrunson

The upper gym has been further improved. A state of the arc sound system has been donated by the Herman family and installed just in time for the new school year. Hardly visible, the two white spheres hang from center of the ceiling and transmit the sounds from the microphone crisply and clearly. This should eliminate the previous problem of many students not being able to hear the speakers during assemblies, masses, and other presentations. When put to the test during Mr. Hoose’s oration, the sound system proved to be a success. When Mr. Hoose played the noises of the Lord God Bird, its song could be heard by every student in the gym. This vital improvement will be greatly appreciated throughout the year.

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Juniors Jessica Buchanan, Anna Gallen, and Michaella Tassinari (top) spread gravel on the ground. Kyle Hanratty (below) works on post that will make a tree house.

WANNA HELP? You can...

Seniors are now officially seniors

Danny Morris Staff Writer

OCtober 2005

Senior Jen DiBiagio levels out an area near a slide. It is important for the ground in the playground to be level so the kids that will soon be playing there will not trip and fall.

At a meeting on September 23, 2005, seniors were Þnally granted their much anticipated privileges.

Mr. Piercy outlined the restrictions that accompanied the seniors’ newly acquired rights. During the school day seniors may use the gym, the canopy and oval area, and the “Senior Bench” to play games and relax with friends. They are also able to leave school early if they have free mods after mod 10 at the end of the day. This privilege is only available if the parents of the seniors Þrst sign an agreement form.

SAC aids in Hurricane Katrina relief Caitlin Keilty News co Editor

The SAC is doing their part to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Once again a dress down day is being sold for a small price, with all proceeds going to Catholic Relief Services to help in Louisiana. The buttons will be sold for $2 and in exchange students can be out of uniform on one day during spirit week. This fundraiser has been very successful in the past, with the majority of the student body participating. In addition, the SAC is downsizing the party favors given out at Homecoming, and donating the extra money saved to the relief effort.

From right, seniors Tom Marucci and Marc Scanlon study diligently with others on the Senior Bench. This is a favorite gathering spot for seniors because it is exclusively theirs.

Volume 41, Number 1

news

8

Administration cracks down on sloppy attire Shanon Murphy Business Manager

As students crowd the halls and you scurry to your next class, the thought runs through your mind, “I know my shirt is untucked, but Mr. Piercy won’t see me, and there is only one minute left between mods.” Then, when you least expect it, Mr. Piercy calls your name, and you slowly walk over, expecting to get the usual warning.

Much to your surprise, Mr. Piercy pulls out the detention slips and a pen from his pocket, and it has your name on it! Just your luck, right? More and more of these types of encounters are occurring. Faculty is on watch, and if your uniform breaks any rules, be ready to stay after school to serve a detention.

This year the administration has decided to crack down on the dress code policies, and to enforce them according to the 2005-2006 student handbook. The faculty will not look the other way on even some of the smallest violations of the dress code. The students are required to represent the school in a full uniform and manicured manner at all times. This includes during school hours and any afterschool extracurricular activities.

Although the majority of students follow the dress code policy, the remaining others are the focus of administration. By the third full week of school, more than two dozen detentions have been administered for dress code violations. Mr. Piercy reminds students, “The dress code has always been a challenge. The issue has always been how to enforce the dress code, and more students seem to be challenging the limits.”

The distribution of more detentions than warnings is hoped to enhance the overall reputation of our school. The student’s attire is pertinent to this overall goal.

Faculty found that giving warnings has been totally ineffective, and that a change in how they enforced the rules has been muchneeded. Mrs. Gauthier, Dean of Students, stated, “The rules are still the same; in the past we issued warnings, but now students have to deal with the consequences.”

These consequences, however, seem “a little over the top,” states junior Regina DiPaula. “What’s the big deal if your sleeves are rolled?

I think last year was better.”

The dress code policy has not changed, but the way administration is handling things has. Students now have to serve a detention after school. These detentions are not cumulative, but seem to get the point across.

As of September 14, 26 detentions for dress code violations had already been distributed, to only the junior and senior classes. The Þrst ten were given to seniors, the remaining 16 given to juniors and seniors. At this early point in the year, detentions are skyrocketing, but primarily because the faculty have been strictly enforcing the rules.

Because of students wearing inappropriate attire in the past, the administration is also taking a stand on how students dress in a casual atmosphere, which includes school dances. School Spirit seems to be diminishing in the process.

Freshman Kayla Curry says, “If they would loosen up on the dress code at least we could have some fun.

When questioned, students said that they did not buy tickets to the dance due to the dress codes that were mandated.

“I heard the Back to School Dance was the coolest and when I heard about the dress code I didn’t want to go anymore,” says freshman Paul Ostrowiski.

Mrs. Gauthier stated, “The rules wouldn’t be so speciÞc, if the students could make the right

School employs psychological attack on cheaters Hillary Livingston Copy co Editor Pete had a long night after play practice, talking to friends online, and studying for hours on end for a Chrismer test, but he forgot to do Spanish homework. Not wanting to go to study hall, he decides to copy of his best friend, but low and behold Mrs. Kraft, their homeroom teacher, catches them in the act.

A lot of students at JC go through Pete’s situation everyday but still don’t consider it “cheating.” This ongoing failure to recognize dishonest behavior has accumulated into quite a large dilemma. This year is going to be different because steps are going to be taken to directly address the problem.

Volume 41, Number 1

Mr. Scholl and the newly formed honor board made up of faculty, administrators, and students have ofÞcially put the honor code into effect this year.

Students have most likely noticed the laminated copy of the honor code hanging in almost every classroom. The teachers will decide separately how this system will work in their classrooms.

Students will be given the honor pledge to sign or will have to write it above any graded assignment, essay, or test that a teacher deems as a risk to student cheating.

If a student is caught, depending on the gravity of the situation, he could receive up to three demerits. This punishment, however, is not new and has always been stated in the handbook.

Mr. Piercy hands out detentions for sloppy dress in the hallways. real problem. choices.” Although school spirit tions Þrst, with the main focus beis a worry for administrators, they ing the dress code.

Athletics are also taking a stand want to Þnd a common ground, one to support the dress code policy. that represents JC appropriately.

Administrators also want to Mr. Larry Dukes, Athletic Direcfocus on larger ideas about disci- tor, held a mandatory parent meetpline, but in order to do so, they ing for all athletes, and the dress need to address the minor infrac- code was a main point on the eve“We want you to know we are taking this very seriously this year,” Mr. Scholl told the juniors at a class meeting. The faculty reinforced the issue by meeting regularly with students, parents, and faculty.

One might wonder why more emphasis is placed on academic integrity this year than in the past. Last year, Mr. Barker and Mr. Scholl attended a council led by a professor at Rutgers University who has been compiling data on the extent of cheating in high schools and colleges. Early last year, the academic honesty survey was given to students to take anonymously, and the results showed an overwhelming amount of cheating.

“We knew we had some work to do in this area,” said Mr. Scholl.

The issue was then fully addressed and the honor code agreed upon.

It is actually modeled after a similar pledge in Baltimore County and city schools, as well as after the University of Maryland’s honor system.

Although the honor code is a deÞnite change and focus in school, it is not guaranteed that every student will abide by it or even acknowledge it.

Junior Erica Katulka says “People aren’t going to stop just - Mr. Scholl because they sign a piece of paper that says I promise not to cheat.”

Junior Allie Loiero adds to Erica’s statement saying, “I think it’s ridiculous because the school just doesn’t trust us and those who have always cheated are still going

“We are taking this very seriously this year.”

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Faculty sees sloppy dress as a ning’s itinerary. He emphasized to the parents that all athletes must adhere to the policies in the handbook. Jerseys may be worn only if the athletes have on their full uniform under their jersey. A collared shirt must be worn at all times, with no exceptions to the rule. to.”

Even if this is the case, Mr. Scholl wants students to know that the honor code does not require a student to turn another student in for cheating. If you see someone copying someone else’s homework, you are not required to report them. Instead, students should remain uninvolved.

Although the honor code may not stop all students, it still sheds light on a serious issue. “It’s not going to solve every problem but it’s a step in the right direction,” said Mrs. Medrano.

Reminders of this issue will be put into students’ minds as much as possible. “We want to get to the point where when people come here they know they don’t cheat at John Carroll,” said Mr. Scholl.

The honor code also is not just referring to the act of cheating. “The heart of this matter is the kind of person you are and the kind of community you live in,” said Mr. Scholl.

OCtober 2005

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9

Lord God, what a day!

Joe Christesen and Chris Anderson News Editor and Design Editor

The ßight of a black, white, and red bird captivates an audience of over 800. The loud, sharp “honks” break the silence in a gym equipped with a state-of-the-art sound system. This bird was able to grasp and hold the average teenager’s attention for over 10 seconds.

The Lord God Bird, otherwise known as the ivory-billed woodpecker, takes the breath away from all who see it. It was also the subject of JC’s school wide summer reading project.

For the past three years, the school has had a school wide reading project, which was Þrst organized by Mrs. Geczy. She began this project with Tuesdays with Morrie, a book about the relationship between a man dying from Lou Gehrig’s disease and his former student.

Last year, the required book, Life Is So Good, outlined the life of a 100 year old man who learned to read in the last few years of his life. The school was able to get the author of the book, Richard Glaubman, to speak to the students.

Continuing with the tradition, this year Phillip Hoose came to talk about the book he wrote, The Race to Save the Lord God Bird.

In his book, Phillip Hoose tries to educate the younger generations about the increasing dangers in our environment. He stresses the seriousness of these issues and urges teenagers to get involved.

The book goes through the his-

tory of the bird from the days when it was commonly hunted for its feathers all the way through to the mid 1900s when it was believed to be extinct.

In February of 2004, the ivory-billed woodpecker was spotted in Arkansas. Mr. Hoose says that the money made from the book will be put towards purchasing habitats in that area. He also raises money for this cause by giving speeches across the country.

He feels that the warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico due to global warming were one of the main causes of the recent hurricanes.

The Rest of the Day

photo by Jessica O’Brien

After Mr. Hoose’s speech, students went to one of four places.

Some students The Life and Times of Philwent to the auditorilip Hoose um to watch a video about two people When asked if the few retraveling the country maining birds could stage a rephotographing the vival, Mr. Hoose replied that it last survivors of a vawill “take a lot of luck and a lot riety of endangered of hard work” to bring the spespecies. cies back from the brink of exSome students tinction. went to the lower From basketball to the wilgym to view displays derness, Philip Hoose has led a from environmenwild life. From his Maine begintal specialists, some nings, to his present status as a representing organileading writer in the modern enzations such as the vironmental movement, his life Chesapeake Bay has been an adventure.

Foundation, some “Robert Stover took me campcoming as individuing and introduced me to the als simply to talk outdoors,” Hoose nostalgically with students, such recalls. He claims that the outas Mr. Bob Chance, doors weren’t always his number who brought in one interest, “I played basketball snakes and turtles for as a kid.” However, thanks to the students to touch Stover’s inßuence, now he dediand observe. cates his life to the protection of Other students the environment. ate lunch, while the As his interest continued to last group wrote a grow, he joined the National Mr. Bob Chance lets the snakes wrap the students’ attention. Many enviornreßection on Mr. Resources Defense Council mental companies set up stand in the lower gym for the summer reading day. Hoose’s speech and on (NRDC) which is an organizatheir overall view of tion that has over one million ac- represent the diversity of life on main purpose isn’t his own enjoy- the day. tive members. Earth by protecting the lands and ment; it is making others aware of After these acNRDC member waters they need to survive.” the plight of the environtivities, John Adams, as In the Nature Conservancy, ment and trying to get homewell as the rest Hoose is currently at work with a them to do somerooms were of the organi- team on conserving the Canadian thing split into eight zation, played Boreals Forest. Hoose’s main different areas, ina substantial work and research, however, went cluding the Brown room, part in shaping into the novel read here, at JC, The the upper gym, and the audiHoose into the Race to Save the Lord God Bird. torium. environmental“I interviewed tons of The people talking in the ist he is today. people,” he says when different areas had a variWhile in the reminiscing about his ety of environmental NRDC he also research writtopics to discuss. studied with ing the book. about In Gus Spaeth, an Most of the it. the band active member people in the “On the best days room, Ms. and the Dean at book who are not I’m more hopeful,” Hoose DeRoia, Yale’s School deceased he interviewed as well as says in regards to how people are an environof Forestry & many scientists in both the United treating the environment and how mentalist from Environ-mental States and Cuba. aware they are to Aberdeen Proving Grounds, gave Science, where He also spent protecting it. He the students insight erosion and its Hoose went to much of his time thinks that Earth effects on the Bay. She also made graduate school. at Louisiana Day and all the sure the students were environHoose is no State University government acts mentally aware people, which she deÞned as the ability to integrate longer a member and Cornell in are good. of the NRDC doing research Hoose is al- knowledge of biology into action.

- Phillip Hoose In the auditorium, Mr. and now is a for his book. ways worried proud member Both schools that the move- Shick asked the speaker about the of the Nature have famed labs ment to help save ban on DichlorodiphenyltrichloConservancy, for ornithological research, as he and preserve the environment has roethane (DDT), and in the lower an organization mentioned in the book itself. Phil- slowed down from where it once gym the speaker gave the students whose mission ip Hoose is clearly an avid lover of was, but he does not believe it has career options in biology. Later in Phillip Hoose adds on to his book by show“is to preserve birds. He openly proclaims, “Bird stopped. He just hopes people are the auditorium, a speaker came on ing video clips and sound clips of the Lord God the plants, ani- watching is cool!” He enjoys the aware of the issues that are cur- to talk about the environmental isBird. He also let JC that the Lord God Bird had mals and natural endless hours spent just trying to rently present, such as the problem sues in Harford County. been found. communities that classify birds.

Philip Hoose’s of global warming. photo by Jen DiBiagio

“Bird watching is cool!”

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Volume 41, Number 1

10

Entertainment

Banana Pancakes

Students sit, wait, wish for Jack Johnson’s inaudible melodies

Beside me a man stoops over, his face twisted in discomfort and his hand over his mouth. His friends crowd around him as he bends and throws up. And that was only before the music started. When the music started, everyone went crazy. We all were enraptured by the amazing singing and guitar playing.

On Friday, September 9th, my friend Kimberly Hoopes and I drove past the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. Then, we realized that we had missed it, and turned around and drove back.

We ended up parking at the mall across the street. Some guys yelled that they were taking a short cut as we walked over to the massive line. A few moments later, they joined the line behind us. We moved slowly to the entrance gate where a few harriedlooking staff members scanned our tickets.

Inside, we found a place on the Þeld behind the pavilion—we did not buy special pavilion tickets so we had to join the other rejects outside. We decided it was better there, though, when we realized that the lack of seats freed up our movement and allowed us to interact more with the people around us.

For the next hour until the opening bands came on, Kim and I people-watched. Next to us, there was a couple comprised of a 35 year old man and his wife, who was about 22. She wore a crocheted bikini top and paid much more attention to her husband’s friends than to her husband. In front of us, we observed a couple that consisted of either a very close brother and sister, or a distant boyfriend and girlfriend.

Finally, the Þrst band, Animal Liberation Orchestra (ALO), appeared on stage. They did not feature any animals in their band, much to my disappointment, but their songs

were amusing, with titles such as “Do You Like My Pecs?”

ALO’s lead singer is Jack Johnson’s pianist, and he also played the ukulele and the harmonica. Jack Johnson came onstage to play guitar for one song, but our hopes that he would stay were crushed when he left after the song. We liked the Animal Liberation Orchestra, but we were eager for Jack.

After ALO, the next starter, Matt Costa, came on. He wasn’t bad, but he wasn’t as entertaining as ALO had been, and the crowd was as eager for the main act as we were.

In the front, under the pavilion, people still clapped and cheered, but the people around us on the Þeld yelled that they wanted Sir Johnson.

Finally, the stage went dark for a few minutes. We waited in elated anticipation and the crowd packed in closer, so that I had one girl almost sitting in my lap and another’s feet pressing into my side.

Then, the lights came on, and Jack Johnson appeared to wild screams. We all rose to our feet and began to dance to the Þrst song, ‘Banana Pancakes.’

Some performers sound much better on CD than in real life. Jack Johnson is not one of them. His soft baritone and skilled guitar playing captivated all of us throughout the entire concert.

Most of the songs he performed were from his most recent album, In Between Dreams, but he also played some from his earlier albums. Jack also played an old Hawaiian song, a tribute to his heritage and to his old ukulele teacher, who was attending the concert that night.

The concert started with some upbeat songs, segued into some gentler ones, then woke the crowd up with the hit, “Better Together.”

Our Þeld was a blur of bodies that moved to the beat of the music, whether it was fast or slow. Everyone danced with everyone else, regardless of whether they’d met be-

forehand. Kim found herself dancing with one of the guys that was standing behind us, while I chatted to someone next to me.

Jack Johnson felt the audience’s excited spirits, saying that this was one of the best venues he’d ever played.

Finally, the show started winding down.

People held up lighters and open cell phones and swayed as Jack played the last quiet songs. When he Þnally waved goodbye and the stage darkened, the screaming and clapping went on for several minutes.

Everyone was reluctant to let this amazing evening come to a close.

It took a long time to get off of the Þeld and through the gates, but nobody minded.

We were all happy and peaceful from the effects of the music.

Kim and I had to search for my car for Jack Johnson sings his hit song “Flake.” The about 15 minutes, but song was a crowd favorite at the concert. still, we didn’t care.

When we got there, we blasted music and danced in our seats as most-daily billings, but they didn’t show it.

The concert, my Þrst of this school year, we left the parking lot.

The show at Merriweather was one of the was worth all the money I didn’t spend and last in the tour, so it was impressive that the more. As the guy in front of us yelled, “Jack concert was so good. I’m sure Jack and the Johnson rocks! I love you, man!” other performers were tired from their alphoto by Emily Lazor

Anne Sedney Contributing Writer

Student condemns By rsson a n n u ief Jef f G tor in Ch di co-E

The past 30 minutes have been the most poorlyspent minutes of my life.

I reluctantly sat down at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 14 and tuned the television to that one channel

Volume 41, Number 1

that has the word “Music” in its title, but plays music just about as often as it promotes positive values for its teenage viewers. Not surprisingly, a rerun of “Laguna Beach” aired at 9:00 p.m.

I must admit, however, that I was looking forward to viewing the acclaimed show for the Þrst time and seeing the vainness and materialism that I had convinced myself I would Þnd.

I also anticipated that I would have sufÞcient material to tear the show to shreds with allegations of its unprecedentedly negative impact on today’s youth. After watching the episode for about 15 minutes, I was disheartened to Þnd that the program was hardly worth such critical analysis.

Although it does vaguely promote the image of narcissistic youths concerning themselves with nothing more than money, sex, and physical appearance, I was more preoccupied with the

craze show’s absolute lack of vitality.

It was utterly void of all meaning.

In addition, trying to follow the course of events (which was nothing more than an ongoing string of meaningless conversations about the opposite sex) was so difÞcult as to deem the act unworthy of the effort required.

Perhaps I am not properly attuned to the plot and background of the show, but I just fail to see the point of watching a group of young men and women go about their daily activities, which, not surprisingly, do not include any sort of Þnancial occupation or endeavor whatsoever (apparently the strain of playing golf all day long is as much as they can handle). Why do we care what they do, what they talk about, where they go, whom they date, or who their friends are?

Other than the obvious monetary inclinations, what makes the Laguna Beach cast so much more interesting than any other group

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of young persons in the country?

Think about this. The producers of MTV and “Laguna Beach” are making millions of dollars off of this show, but it is not because of their hard work and clever scripting. It is simply because we obsessively concern ourselves with the lives of a handful of people whom we will never meet, and who will never have any impact on our lives save whatever results from watching their show.

Is it really acceptable that these producers are becoming richer while doing minimal work to earn such a fortune? Of course not. Can we not be better than this? Can we not demand a higher standard for matters with which to concern ourselves?

Maybe we cannot. Maybe we will all just keep digressing to-

wards the point of utter apathy towards what is presented to us, how it is presented, and who is exploiting us because of it.

Or, maybe we just have absolutely nothing better to do on Monday nights.

Yeah, that’s probably it. Right?

OCtober 2005

entertainment

11

LARRY HENSLEY: Larry Hensley has changed addresses at JC. In addition to hearing the beat of dancing feet, Mr. Hensley is now feeling the pressure of sending this year’s seniors off to college and introducing new freshman into a positive high school atmosphere.

His dramatic antics no longer ring across the stage but are now conÞned to ofÞce space, at least during the school day.

Mr. Hensley has hung up his jazz shoes and put on his thinking cap for the beneÞt of all the students he loves so much at school.

He has traded in the drama of the stage for the drama in every highschooler’s life.

Mr. Hensley was offered the job of guidance counselor in the spring of 2005 after having two separate interviews with Mr. Barker and Mrs. Hefßin.

He used to be a shifting counselor, going from school to school each day, and working with a new batch of students constantly.

“The staff and students have been helpful with any assistance I have needed ever since I got the job,” Mr. Hensley says.

Mr. Hensley was assigned to counsel Mrs. Drinks’ previous students in the guidance department.

Over the summer, some seniors were transferred to other counselors because of college needs since Mr. Hensley was not ofÞcially on the board yet.

However, Mr. Hensley still has a good share of work to do with this year’s seniors despite the transfers.

Mr. Hensley says that at times, he feels like a high-schooler him-

self. He is still getting used to the modular system and bell schedule.

He can very much relate to the freshman class which could help in his counseling for the freshman. Although he is still adjusting, he enjoys the opportunity of learning a different school system.

Despite the fact that Mr. Hensley is new in the guidance department, he is anything but in the theatre department. Last year marked Mr. Hensley’s tenth year with the theatre productions.

“I have enjoyed working with a great production team consisting of Mrs. Lang, Mrs. Brueggemann, Mr. Schick, Mrs. Bair, and Mr. Gaudreau,” says Mr. Hensley.

Mr. Hensley has also been involved in a series of other theatre productions outside of JC. He has done several productions at local community colleges and high schools and has just recently worked on the ck opera “Jesus Christ rock Superstar” at Harford Community College.

When asked if he thinks his position will have any impact on the plays at JC, Mr. Hensley says he hopes to have Mr. Hensley laughs while he reviews a college essay written by senior Meaghan Hinder. his relationship and po- Part of his job as a counselor is to assist students with college applications and essays. sition with the theatre department remain the same. As Mr. Hensley is now tapping to a During the theatre season, Mr. same time. He promises, however, Mr. Hensely adjusts to his new po- new beat. He truly expresses him- Hensley will have to endure the that he will stay just as devoted to sition, some students are forced to self in both the guidance and the- heat of the stage and the grind of the plays as he ever was. do the same. atre departments. the guidance department at the photo by Jessica O’Brien

Allison Kartachak Staff Writer

Veteran choreographer adds counseling to his schedule

Sixth installment feeds Harry Potter addiction

OCtober 2005

el, however, was much calmer.

The action didn’t seem to hit the reader until the end.

“The events became more thrilling at the end [of the book],” said Hagan.

The dragging beginning described the characters with a much sharper edge. They matured greatly and the novel changed from G to PG-13. It just was not suitable for little kids anymore.

Characters were “snogging” left and right. Ron and Lavender hook up. Even Harry gets himself a girlfriend, none other than Ginny Weasley, the same girl he rescued in the second novel.

Junior Regina DiPaula said, “I liked reading more about the characters, like what was going on with Ron and Lavender. That’s so much like we are today.”

So one may question why they would trudge through some 800 pages if all they would read about was the multifaceted romances of teenagers.

Well, the end is worth it.

I cannot keep the secret.

Someone dies. Not an insigniÞcant someone, w

On July 15, 2005, fans of all ages lined the streets in front of bookstores worldwide. They wore long, billowing, black robes and broken glasses. Lightning bolt scars adorned their foreheads.

They wanted to be Harry Potter; they were Harry Potter. These hardcore Harry Potter fanatics craved the next book.

At midnight on July 16, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was released. People were ecstatic and expectant of another book Þlled with adventure.

They would Þnally Þnd out the next events in the whirlwind life of the heroic Harry Potter.

However, the book was much different this time around. It caused different reactions from readers.

Junior Nicole Moriatis said, “I think J. K. Rowling has lost her touch in this addition to the series.”

However, senior Anna Hagan

said, “J. K. Rowling’s writing got better and better with each book.”

What accounts for Rowling’s different style in this novel? The other novels were action packed from the get go.

The Þrst began with a wizard traveling down a street and a huge man riding a ßying motorcycle.

The second novel began with Harry meeting a house elf. The third book saw Harry escape into a magical bus. The fourth even began with an evil attack at the Quidditch World Cup. The sixth nov-

om age.c tersp t o p arry ww.h

Neha Prakash co-Editor in Chief

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but someone who will make you wish that you could turn back time and save them yourself. Rowling really tugged at the dragon heart strings with this ending.

“I had heard someone major dies in this one, but I never expected it to be them and under those circumstances. I didn’t like the end, just because I was crying hysterically the whole time,” said DiPaula.

Worry not, fans. There is one novel left. The bittersweet feeling that there are still hundreds more pages of Hogwarts fun left is great, but once we read the last line of the seventh novel, it all ends. So how will Rowling end out her smash hit

series Harry Potter? Will she let Harry prevail or is she going to let Voldemort take over the world?

Although the sixth book wasn’t as happy go lucky as the rest, we all know that in the end we can’t resist the gallant Harry Potter and his relentless quest to save the wizarding world. However, hard as we try, we all secretly wish we could pick up a wand, utter the word “Lumos” and be transformed into the magical land free of muggles.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince has it all: action, drama, tragedy, and romance. It is worth the hours to read this enthralling novel.

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entertainment Summer reading sparks racial controversy 12

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lem in this day and age. On the outskirts of this issue reside cultural, religious, and even sexual discrimination.

In your mind, replace Bigger with an Iraqi in the year 2005.

This new person would similarly feel trapped in a war-torn nation with a government that restricts all choice.

Replace that character in turn with a teenage lesbian in the southern United States. It is commonplace for homosexuals to be singled out, and even acted against in force by their peers, and worse, the community.

Let us not forget the religious discrimination, as that can be one of the worst forms.

A vivid picture of the situation in the Middle East should come to mind, since Israelites, Palestinians, and more have been feuding over this for quite some time.

Teens by now are undoubtedly assuming that racism is nothing like these issues. To these people, I send a telepathic slap to the face.

Discrimination between skin color and discrimination

between religions both still qualify as discrimination. Inequalities between sexual preferences and cultures are still inequalities. In a country where we are bound to hold all people as equals, are not all of these crimes against humanity equally destructive?

It is in human nature to always “point Þngers” and single out at

Jeff Gunnarsson co-Editor in Chief

Try to say this: Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness. Now, take a deep breath while you can, because once you actually listen to this new album by the progressive rock band Coheed and Cambria, you’ll be left more or less breathless.

The relatively long-winded title of the band’s third album in their series of epic, sci-Þ progressive rock is representative of the fourth chapter (hence the “IV”) of frontman/guitarist/lead singer Claudio Sanchez’s Þctional underlying story (presented in a comic-like “graphic novel”), narrated expansively by the band’s music.

The album consists of 15 tracks making a remarkable blend of one of the most creative and unique musical manifestations our generation has ever known. The compilation is more than an hour long in its entirety, yet it hardly seems to take so long because it comes at you at an incredibly swift pace.

If you are at all an avid fan of Coheed and Cambria, then the content of the album will be articulated to you in a startlingly familiar manner, from a recurrence of the main riff of Blood Red Summer to a reiteration of the lyric, “Jesse, just come look at what your brother did!” from Everything Evil in The Willing Well III - Apollo II: The Telling Truth.

Despite these familiar allusions to past songs, Good Apollo presents to its listeners an entirely new aspect of Coheed and Cambria’s music. Besides the continuation of the distinctively rhythmic beats, ßuidly dual-octave vocals, and duel-

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least one group.

So maybe now the trend is not racism, but instead religious conßict.

Or perhaps cultural feuds are our preference now, who knows?

Either way, Mr. Paaby responds, “Once [teachers] become complacent, [they] are not doing their jobs to teach.”

By this, we must assume that by assigning Native Son, students are not necessarily learning about problems with racism, but with all disputes that cause inequality.

By reading a novel with a theme of racism that “hits closer to home,” students identify easier and can learn to substitute a neverending myriad of issues and controversies in its place. In this way, the English department has proven ingenious with its handling of many lessons in one, for students dedicated enough to expand their perceptive barriers.

This puts the phrase “ignorance is bliss” to an unbelievably high amount of shame, does it not? www.barnesandnoble.com

Six of the ten total novels assigned as summer reading by the English department throughout the separate class levels have a noticeable racial theme. However, according to an internet poll hosted by http://thelink.concordia.ca reports that 93% of Americans believe racism is not an obstacle that we encounter in this day and age.

“We just read the classics [at Fallston High]… You know, The Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men, and all of those Chicken Soups,” claims Fallston High sophomore Jamie Bortz. “I was under the impression that America was kind of over that whole racial discrimination thing. Why isn’t John Carroll?”

The oppression that Native Americans, African Americans, Jews, and many other groups went through was unjust and should have never existed. The vast majority believes, however, that the problem has come and gone, and that it has reached a resolution.

So why then does John Carroll’s English department stress novels that explore racism to such extremes?

In any class that has a goal of improving literary technique, the ways in which a student can apply ideas to more than one situation is going to be expanded. For example, when most students are reading The Odyssey, their teachers’ goal is not for them to learn solely about Greek mythology and history, but something far greater; the roots of many symbols and allusions in a vast range of works lie everywhere in the epic.

The students shouldn’t just be thinking about the face value of the story; that is simply a tall tale Þlled with disgruntled monsters and heroic warriors of old. When the readers fathom the depth of the characters and symbols, they can apply this knowledge to other works, and usually a similarity emerges. One example is the character Circe present in both The Odyssey and in Song of Solomon.

Both provide a form of guidance to the main character. Seeing this, the student should then make associations between such symbols in

the works they read to gain deeper understanding in future literature.

The books under question are not the work of Homer. In truth, some of the only distinguishing characteristics of the novels in question are that they have been granted admission into Oprah’s book club.

Two novels that have received particularly foul student criticisms are Native Son by Richard Wright and Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison. They both have a distinct taste of racism that dominates most other themes in the novel. Explicit violence drips off of the pages, usually performed by the very character that claims to be oppressed by Americans.

In Native Son, the main character single-handedly murders a young white girl, whose family employed him, and hides it by stufÞng her into a furnace.

When her head did not Þt, he attempted to sever it with his pocket knife. When he reached the bone, the tool proved ineffective, so he resorted to hacking it off with a hatchet. But this story is enjoyable and teaches good morals, right?

Students have difÞculty understanding how they are supposed to feel sympathy for a bloodthirsty murderer. It has been in my personal experience that the general rule “when in doubt, seek Paaby out” comes into play.

Mr. Thorkild Paaby, 2005’s teacher of the year, is a teacher whom many regard as one of the most perceptive individuals at JC. He is also a teacher of Sophomore Honors English, which, as fate would have it, is the year that he assigns Native Son. Analyzing the work, Mr. Paaby sees Bigger, the rampaging murderer of Native Son, in the same light as a “caged rat”: the world is very much like a “prison” to him and there is “diminished opportunity and choice.” Bigger “resorts to violence impulsively,” just as a cornered animal would.

The interesting part about the novel is that it is not only a historical landmark of the past; on the contrary, it can effectively describe many troubles we face today.

Broaden your mind for a moment outside the border of racism, since this is apparently not a probwww.harperacademic.com

Ryan Leeb Entertainment co-Editor

ing liquid-metal guitars, Coheed and Cambria have opened up to a broader range of musical styles and inßuences.

The recurring use of grandiose string arrangements and keyboard melodies add enticing new textures to their music. The occasional emphasis on bass line solos also adds an alluring new edge to the band’s sound. The opening song, Always & Never, creates a simple blend of Þnger-picked acoustic guitar and gently harmonized vocals to produce a calm, peaceful introduction to the album.

The next track, Welcome Home, diverges from its predecessor with a minor-keyed, hard-hitting explosion of rock and rhythm, followed by a two-minute detonation of clashing guitar solos.

Later into the album, Wake Up deviates signiÞcantly from Coheed and Cambria’s general style by offering the listener a serene progression of string arrangements and soft drum beats.

It is led by the lullabied vocals that sing of the love between two of the characters in Sanchez’s story.

Whether you have followed Coheed and Cambria from their very genesis or merely recognize them as one of the newly featured bands on MTV, you owe it to yourself to be exposed to the musical innovation that this revolutionary and arguably masterminded group of musicians has brought about.

Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness was released on Sept. 20, 2005. Even if just for the musical exposure and experience, this album deserves a listen. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be inspired to delve even further into the epic and radically imaginative world of Coheed and Cambria.

OCtober 2005

Features

13

Is MySpace really y o u r s p a c e?

photo by Emily Lazor

Emily Lazor Features co-Editor

OCtober 2005

Upon visiting the MySpace homepage you are greeted with a banner that says, “MySpace, a place for friends.” What this banner really means to say is, “MySpace, a place for stalkers, local bands, teenage girls who didn’t get enough attention in their childhood, and most importantly people who love to create pseudo internet personalities.”

When surveyed about Myspace, JC students responded with yet more ways to complete this phrase.

Among them are “MySpace is a place for….,” “pale kids,” “Mr. Blair,” “brain washing,” “creepy beer guys,” “idiots, including myself,” “Terri Schiavo,” “old men who like to hit on little girls,” and “everyone but complete losers…no, don’t quote that, I’m kidding.”

MySpace is an online community comprised of over 30 million “friends” who use the site to post pictures, blogs, and comments. Users can post up to 10 pictures of themselves doing anything they want. This anything usually being not wearing clothes. Blogs give users the freedom to post about every waking moment of their day.

Wait a minute, why am I telling you all of this? You probably have a MySpace that you sign onto religiously everyday before and after school. You’ve probably heard someone say, “I think I’ve seen you on MySpace before,” in real life. You probably spend at least an hour nightly reading chain messages posted by people who actually think that a little girl without eyes will come kill them if they don’t repost it 72 times before midnight.

Over 300 JC students and alumni have MySpace accounts according to the websites’ “school search” feature. Though, that number doesn’t even include users who don’t have John Carroll listed in their school section, or those who only created one to make fun of other people’s pictures.

MySpace is not only extremely popular, but also extremely addictive. The pictures, comments, and personal information people post change every second.

The psychology of MySpace is what draws people in, making some people ask questions like, “Did he really just post a comment that says, ‘DUDE THAT PARTY WAS SO AWESOME LAST NIGHT, WAIT I CAN’T EVEN REMEMBER IT CAUSE I WAS SO TRASHED… YO’” and “Why did this person I don’t talk to in real life just leave me a 10 sentence comment?”

One very important aspect of

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MySpace is “the scene kids,” or “scensters” to those in the know.

According to sophomore scenster Derrick Goodmuth, “a scene kid is basically an emo kid, just the word ‘emo’ has died. Now we have the term ‘scene.’ A scene kid is basically someone that just goes to a show every Friday and Saturday night.”

You can generally identify a “scenster’s” MySpace right off the bat.

However, if you have no idea what I’m talking about, here’s a quick and easy checklist to use when scene kid watching: dramatic eye make-up, oversized sunglasses, a choppy haircut, tight girls’ pants. These are all pretty much requirements, whether you’re a boy or a girl.

It’s also important that they have at least one picture posted of themselves making a “tough” face, bonus points if it’s taken in a mirror. Most people in “the scene” also have a strange love for dinosaurs and little girl bows, but honestly I’m sure everyone does deep inside.

Well, enough with the negativity. MySpace does some good. It’s a great way to keep in touch with people you don’t get to see often, not to mention a great way to meet your future husband!

While eating deliciously undercooked wafßes and hash browns one morning at the Hickory Wafße House last July, one of my friends started taking random pictures with his new digital camera.

Our waitress saw the ßashes out of the corner of her eye and screamed, “Stop it! I don’t want to Þnd a picture of my head pasted onto some other person’s body on MySpace!” That’s messed up, I thought to myself, but it got even worse.

Our waitress began to explain how she has her own MySpace and how she met her Þancé by using the site’s search. She simply wanted someone who was her age, lived in the area, and who enjoyed country music.

So, she searched for him, found his proÞle, and sent him a message.

A couple of weeks ago, we went back only to Þnd out that she now has his initials tattooed on her lower back.

Oh, the magic of the internet!

To the non-MySpacer, anyone who claims to have an addiction to the site seems simply ridiculous. “Looking at MySpace makes me happy because I just know that all these people are even more bored than I am,” explains senior Meaghan Hinder. She admits that the detail still doesn’t make her like it: “If MySpace was a person I’d punch it in the face.”

As an avid fan of wasting time, I signed up for MySpace last May. Then in August, after I realized that I do everything in my ability to encourage procrastination, I decided to delete it. Since that day, I have been drug free and have kept my bank robbing down to twice a week.

Luckily enough, I deleted mine right before MySpace was found on

the computer of a certain JC faculty member. Mr. Piercy hit the jackpot when he found English teacher Mr. Blair’s presumably student-made MySpace.

Thanks to “Mr. Blair’s” 77 MySpace friends/John Carroll students, Mr. Piercy found the gateway to everything involving John Carroll on MySpace, kind of like Columbus Þnding the route to the Orient. But just like Columbus, Mr. Piercy was in for a surprise. It wasn’t America, just a picture of Editorials co-editor Jared Drewen wearing a Pirate eye patch.

The student response to getting “busted” for MySpace was not a happy one. “MySpace is my business, that’s why it’s called MySpace, not your space,” says senior Kevin Turek.

The disciplinary action involving MySpace doesn’t really seem to phase people that much. Junior Emily Earnshaw half-jokingly says, “I’d be happy to be kicked out [of John Carroll] to stand up for my birthgiven rights.”

Other students have no idea what’s going on: “I plead the Þfth?” says Junior Patrick Little.

So is getting punished in school for something written from a home computer a violation of one’s rights? Not exactly: “Schools, especially private institutions, have been given even more freedom in limiting freedom of speech when it comes to safety reasons,” explains Mr. Piercy.

He continues saying, “Students have this idea that freedom of speech means you can say whatever you want wherever you want, but the truth of the matter is that freedom of speech is not absolute.”

Mr. Piercy gives the advice that when posting something on the internet, you should make the immediate assumption that someone you don’t want to see it will. “It takes several harassing phone calls to get someone in trouble with the law, but only one harassing written email or comment and someone can be taken in,” says Mr. Piercy.

But what if you’re just a normal kid writing normal things on MySpace?

Well, then don’t worry, says Mr. Piercy, “Someone recently posted ‘Hi, Mr. Piercy!’ on their MySpace. I mean, I thought that was funny.”

The future of MySpace.com is looking rather bright, but like all fads, once everyone takes part in it, the trend will eventually die out. “I see George Bush having one,” says junior Maggie McEvoy. Not a bad guess, seeing as there are over 647 users who claim to be him.

Many celebrities other than the president boast MySpace proÞles, and a new star may soon be added to their ranks because, according to Mr. Piercy, “I’m actually thinking of making my own.”

Volume 41, Number 1

features

14

Teenagers looking to help lend a hand to camp for kids “Don’t leave without me!” I shouted as I quickly shoved the pipe cleaners, paint, and model magic back into their respective drawers. I grabbed my towel and sprinted down the dirt path leading to the shore of Lake Sebago.

Panting, I was relieved to discover that the children were still busy putting on their life vests, and had not yet manned their canoes. I watched as several of the children struggled to Þnd a vest small enough to Þt their much too petite frames. I hurried over to assist them, and once they were all suited up, we jumped in our canoes and paddled out into the open lake.

Despite all the fun that they’re having, these children suffer from a disease known as Fanconi Anemia. It is an extremely rare blood disease that usually presents itself before the age of 12 and in many cases leads to bone marrow failure or cancer.

Patients are usually very small, have malformed, missing, or extra Þngers, and sometimes experience learning difÞculties. Their life expectancy is 20 years.

The children were very excited to be with other kids that share their misfortune. They bonded by sharing their stories and spreading their hope for a cure.

One of these is the tale of nine year old Molly Nash touched millions of hearts when it appeared in “Newsweek” in July 2003. After Molly was diagnosed with FA, her parents made a life altering decision.

Through extensive medical procedures, they were able to conceive a healthy child, Adam, who could donate bone marrow to save Molly’s life. This decision became controversial because twenty embryos were discarded in the

process.

Her parents testify that there was nothing negative about their decision, and consider the lives of both Molly and Adam to be blessings. Molly absolutely loved being at Camp Sunshine, where she could interact with other FA kids.

After an hour of waterfront activities with Molly and others, we headed up to the baseball diamond for a game of kickball. Shortly after that, we walked down to the Challenge Course, made up of ropes, swings, and team-building games.

Next on the schedule was lunch, followed by martial arts, an extended game of nukem volleyball, Counselors Jake and Tom Bianco, and Mike Newman all from Massachusetts take a short and swimming in the break in between activities to pose with some of Camp Sunshine’s campers. indoor pool.

Dinner was a welcome time to rest and refuel, so are among the most optimistic that in general. ing, the other counselors that volthat we would have the energy to I have ever met. Amy, an 18-yearNine old Alexandra experienced unteered were wonderful people attend the Masquerade Ball that old girl from Pennsylvania, lost her her Þrst crush when she met Tom- with kind, helpful hearts and made was taking place that night. The two older sisters to the disease. my, one of the councilors at camp. my week at camp even more enball was a great success, with the She told me that Camp Sunshine Her admiration and the simple joyable. The time that I spent at children and their families danc- gave her an irreplaceable feeling manner in which she followed him Camp Sunshine did not seem like ing until the late hours of the night. of hope because she could see how wherever he went reminded me of community service at all. In fact, I The exhausted kids then retreated many people cared and supported the innate innocence that all chil- dreaded saying goodbye. dren possess.

I highly suggest Þnding someto their rooms and slept soundly her in everything she did.

Her infatuation with Tom and thing that interests you, something despite their excitement for the She knew it was impornext day. tant for her to be an example to the constant attention he paid to- to which you can devote your This is a typical day at all the younger children of how wards her showed me how much community service time, rather Camp Sunshine located in the much they could accomplish de- of an inßuence each individual can than just pumping out the hours at some soup kitchen in which you tiny town of Casco, Maine. From spite their short life expectancy. have on a child.

I’ve always loved kids, but I have no desire to help.

8 am to 10 pm, the activities are She passes the hope on to them, as It allows you to truly beneÞt non-stop, barely leaving time for she is currently attending Stanford truly admire the children I encountered at this camp. I strive to from your experience and actually the kids to breathe. The kids seem University in California. to have no problem running from This camp was truly an Þnd in myself the determination have fun while you are there. You station to station throughout each eye-opening experience for me. displayed by the Nashes, the opti- may even Þnd yourself eagerly action-packed day.

Not only did I learn to appreciate mism possessed by Amy, and the waiting to go back. I have already booked my plane ticket back to Although the odds are each and every breath I take, but I pure love showed by Alexandra.

Not only were the kids inspir- Casco, Maine for August 2006. stacked against them, these kids also learned to appreciate children photo by Caitlin Keilty

Caitlin Keilty News co Editor

photo by Caitlin Keilty

photo by Caitlin Keilty

Interested?

For more information on Camp Sunshine visit www.campsunshine.org or contact camp director Mike Katz through email at mkatz@campsunshine.org.

Camp Sunshiners Joseph Genglehart and Richard Jukilatti have fun throughout the day despite thier disability.

Volume 41, Number 1

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OCtober 2005

features

15

Next school function might be in your basement Friday, September 2, 2005 is a day that will live in infamy. You may recall that this was the evening JC’s annual Back-to-School Dance was scheduled. Every year, this is a huge event where students get dressed to the nines and come to the school cafeteria to dance the night away. Due to the event’s notso-unexpected failure this year, however, students opted to not attend and to plan their own shindigs instead. This debacle has undoubtedly sparked a new trend toward alternate, student-run affairs.

The Patriot staff fears that these events may turn out to be sub-standard to the ones which normally take place at JC, and so we have decided to offer you a step-by-step guide to planning your own school function.

Step 1: Select a date. Be sure to pick a day on which something crucial is happening at JC. Homecoming, October 29, is the most obvious, but home football games, parent meetings, play performances, and even the Open House work well. Choose an event that is likely to be cancelled or sure to be overshadowed by your affair.

Step 2: Get parental approval.

While your parents may question why you’ve chosen to host your soiree on the same night as your school’s Homecoming dance, they might just go for it. Approach

them as you would if asking for a favor and offer to set some reasonable rules. Treat your folks as you would treat the JC administration when planning a school event— with respect and consideration.

And remember—it never hurts to ask. Getting your parents’ OK for your party is probably easier than trying to get out of the house dressed for the Back-to-School Dance, anyway.

Step 3: Invite your guests. It may seem logical to ask only your friends to your party, but it really doesn’t make sense. Invite without discretion. A good idea is to tell everyone you know, and give them instructions to tell everyone they know. Make sure to invite people who are well-known enemies; this will create an essential element of a good get-together—drama.

Step 4: Have fun with it. The point of all this is to have a good time. Ways to enhance your celebration include: playing non-offensive music, having ambient mood lighting, and enforcing a strict dress code. If anyone complains remind them of what their alternative is—another less-thanthrilling weekend spent waiting for JC to plan their next big bash.

Step 5: Be careful! There is a Þne line between fun and recklessness.

Although students never cross this line at regular school functions, they might not be able to handle themselves outside the JC envi-

ronment. One way to ensure that they behave is to have a “time out” corner for unruly guests.

Also keep in mind that the point of hosting your own school function is to have most of the school attend, but use caution when spreading the word on campus.

The administration knows more than you think they do, thanks to some of your less-than-quiet classmates. Try not to let these people know until right before the event, because do you really want Phil Piercy to be your guest of honor?

Remember—HAVE FUN. After all, that’s exactly what you’re going for by hosting your own school function, right? It may even be a little easier to do just that without the company of the school faculty breathing down your neck.

photo by Claire Bronis

Claire Bronis Features co Editor

Students enjoy themselves the night of Septemeber 2 as the Back-to-School Dance is in full swing. As expected, the event was a huge success.

Students Serving Students is successful Ann Ploskonka Contributing Writer July has become my favorite month of the year as of two summers ago.

I Þrst got the call about the Students Serving Students tutoring program from Mrs. Laurie Christensen (mother of Joseph Christensen, class of ’07) during June of 2004. She explained to me that they were looking for JC students to help with summer school at Magnolia Elementary School.

This was a new program that Joseph had started and Mrs. Christensen was moderating. I wasn’t really sure if I really wanted to do it at Þrst. Spending four hours of the day Þve days a week for an entire month didn’t sound pleasant.

However, I’ll try anything once, so I told Mrs. Christensen to sign me up for just the Þrst week.

I arrived at the school the Þrst weekday of July for the orientation meeting about the program.

The school itself was run down with a weird, almost sci-Þ, circular layout to the classrooms.

We met in the cafeteria and were given the run-through of the rules and schedule again. At the end of

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the meeting, we were assigned teachers and classes that we were going to work with starting the next day.

I ended up in a Þrst grade class with Mrs. Czisny as the teacher. At that point, I had no idea how close to that class I would become.

After the meeting, I went to Mrs. Czisny’s classroom and found her writing the plans for the next day on the chalkboard. She was an older, grandmotherly type woman in her 60s.

I introduced myself, and she explained what she would have me doing for the next month. I was going to work a lot with the kids directly, keeping them quiet and on-task and helping them with any lessons that they didn’t understand.

Every week Mrs. Czisny read a book on Monday to the class and kept the theme from that book as their lesson for the whole week.

During one particular week, she was reading them a book about bean plants and how they grow.

All the children in the class were interested in the bean plant.

They would ask question after question about it, and it was amazing how attentive they were while the book was being read.

The next morning at breakfast, I told my mom about how much the kids were interested in that bean plant and that I had an idea for a little surprise for the class.

After spending some time in that school, I knew that they had neither the money nor the resources to get their class an actual bean plant.

It just so happened that my mom had planted bean plants in the garden that year. With her permission, I dug one up, roots and all, and put it in water in a clear, glass container.

Then I took plastic sandwich bags and put bean plant seeds in each bag for the kids to take home with them.

By that point, I was late for school and had dirt all over my hands, but I was so excited about the bean plant, it didn’t matter.

When I arrived, Mrs. Czisny’s jaw just about hit the ßoor.

The class spent their small group discussion time identifying parts of the plant and at the end of the day they got their very own bean plant seeds.

I ate lunch everyday with the class, and that particular day’s lunchtime discussion was dedicated to where every child was go-

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ing to plant his or her bean plant seeds.

As I worked with the class further, it became apparent that one of the boys in the class was seriously troubled.

He would tell me stories of how he had gone to heaven (describing it in great detail) because God had taken his soul while he was sleeping and then realized it wasn’t his time yet and put it back in his body.

I was really intrigued by this boy, not because I believed his stories, but because I wondered what made his mind work that way.

One day at lunch, his mother came to the school to eat lunch with him. I happened to be eating with my mom at the same table.

Noticing my nametag, she started talking to me. I explained about how I was with the program from John Carroll and I worked in her son’s class.

She told me that he just adored me and would talk non-stop about me at home. Then she started talking about his past. His father had abused him as a baby and toddler.

The boy now went to therapy along with his mother. At that revelation, I Þnally knew where all his stories came from and why he

was telling them.

I enjoyed Students Serving Students so much last year that I did it again this year. However, things were set up a little differently. I was at a different school, Hall’s Cross Roads Elementary in Aberdeen, and it was an all day program from 8 AM to 2:30 PM. I was also in a class with a male teacher in his 30’s, which created a different class dynamic from the dynamic with Mrs. Czisny last year.

Despite the differences, I had so much fun and enjoyed it maybe even more than last year. I have a whole new set of stories to tell from dealing with so many different kids with special needs ranging from speech impediments to autism and I met so many wonderful people as well.

This experience has really helped me grow a lot. It’s taught me that if you step outside of your box for just one day, you might Þnd a hidden passion you never knew you had. Because of this program, I am now seriously considering becoming a teacher.

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features 16 Students seek exciting summer employment isn’t sure that he wants a lifelong career in accounting, it was a far more constructive summer employment experience than others’.

Senior Jeremy Finck described his job with less than enthusiasm.

“I worked in this bookstore at the library and I had to sort these books and the ones that were used I put these stickers that said ‘used’ on them and then I put them on the shelves and the ones that were too big to Þt on the shelves I had to put in these boxes in the back room and when people wanted to buy them I had to go in the back and get them for the people and a lot of times there wasn’t anything to do and I’d look at some of the books and…”

While the general idea of a job is to get paid, many students don’t seem at all concerned with their pay, just the nature of the job.

Freshman Amy Grem doesn’t object to getting paid six dollars an

hour to work in the sticky snowball hut at Don’s Produce because “the snowballs taste really good and I got free ones!”

Another freshman, Allison Gruel, says her summer job babysitting her cousins was “fun,” even.

“I just got to sit by the pool and let them swim.”

All of the long hours and endless summer days accumulate to form a deÞnite purpose. Senior Eleni VanRoden states that, “I loved having a job as a lifeguard this summer because not only did I meet great people, but it was a fun experience and I learned a lot.”

It was a guarantee last summer that a JC student could be spotted working around the local area at any time, whether that meant pumping delicious syrup into a snow cone on a sweltering day or sitting on a lifeguard stand swinging a whistle around their Þnger for an endless period of time. A

Courtney Baltimore Contributing Writer

few individuals say that they were forced to get a job under the pressure of their parents, but most other students were prompted to experience the thrill of employment by their own free will.

Although summer is slowly coming to an end, students still feel the desire to keep the revenue ßowing. Students would agree that, despite the fact that fall is a predominant season for sports, the weekends are still a perfect time to squeeze in a few hours of work time.

Others would argue that the weekends are the only downtime for teenagers during the hectic and oftentimes chaotic school week.

Regardless, most people try to Þnd enjoyment and pleasure in all the activities they participate in, which allows the time to ßy by that much faster and makes the long summer days feel that much shorter.

photo by Chris Anderson

Summer vacation. It’s a time of rest, relaxation, freedom—and work. It is a time for students to put in some extra hours at their jobs to help them pull in some extra cash.

Upon the students’ return, a heavy sensation of sorrow was ßoating in the humid academic wing. It seemed, however, as though everyone had a story to tell, many of which involved summer employment. High school is the perfect opportunity for many individuals to apply for a job because it teaches teenagers a sense of responsibility and motivation for future careers.

Senior Kevin Turek spent several weeks of the summer working in the accounts payable department of the Diamond Properties construction company in Fairfax, VA. He earned 15 dollars an hour paying bills and Þling paperwork for the company. Although Turek

JC teachers tie the knot While spring is usually the time for weddings, JC teachers are getting a head start on the season. Science

teacher Ms. Heidi Dombrock and Spanish teacher Mr. Edward Maynard are both happily engaged.

Claire Bronis Features co Editor

Heidi Dombrock and Brandon Weaver Ms. Heidi Dombrock will become Mrs. Brandon Weaver in early July. The wedding will be held in St. Michaels, MD. The groom has a successful job in fiber optic communications. The happy couple met through friends. Weaver proposed to Dombrock August 13 after a romantic dinner in Chesapeake City. The Weavers’ wedding preparations are already in full swing; Dombrock has her dress selections from Francesca Bridal narrowed down to four and has reserved Liz Pyzik

Volume 41, Number 1

Eddie Maynard and Katie Dippel

photo from www.theinn.co.uk/

photo by www.disney.com and www.theinn.co.uk

for an appearance at the wedding.

“I didn’t want to propose on the fourth of July in case things didn’t work out and then she’d have bad memories about that holiday,” Mr. Eddie Maynard says about deciding when to propose to his fiancé Katie Dippel. No worries, now, though, because when Maynard popped the question on July third the elementary school teacher said yes. The big day will be April 28 at Swan Harbor in Havre de Grace.

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As selected by Brady Collins, Sports co Editor

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photo by Victor Beato

The media often puts today’s professional athletes in the national spotlight for the selÞsh things they do.

It seems at times that the prototypical star in sports today is simply the guy who makes sure he’s on television and that every person in the world knows what he thinks, assures us all that he is the greatest ever, and, most of all, that he’s worth being paid more money than the average American could ever dream of seeing.

For instance, a distinct image of “distressed” Terrell Owens lifting weights in his driveway immediately comes to mind for numerous members of the media and fans.

But that’s not what this is about; this is about the “good guys” in sports, the ones that have stepped up and donated their time and money to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. And yes, that T.O. guy manages to get some more of the spotlight for himself, but this time, it’s in a good way.

Since I just mentioned him, you’re probably asking yourself, “T.O. giving people money? After he spent all summer complaining that he wasn’t being paid enough?” Tragedy can soften even the hardest and greediest of hearts.

That’s why Terrell Owens spent an off day, September 8, visiting the refugees staying at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas. He worked with the Red Cross handing out clothing and other supplies to the victims. In addition, T.O. took some time out to sign autographs, hand out teddy bears, and even played a bit of football and basketball with some of the children. For once, I feel safe in admitting that I’m a T.O. fan.

Another athlete at the forefront of relief efforts is former Duke and current Chicago Bulls guard Chris Duhon, a native of Slidell, La., which was almost completely destroyed. In addition to raising over $400,000, half of which is going to the Red Cross while the other half is going speciÞcally to Slidell, Chris is housing Þve friends from the city in his Chicago home.

Also helping out in the relief efforts were both Eli and Peyton Manning, who delivered a planeload of supplies to Baton Rouge, Lance Armstrong, who donated $500,000 for cancer patients affected by the storm, and Steve McNair and Brett Favre, who teamed up to send a tractor trailer full of supplies to Mississippi.

Seeing these athletes, as well as the many others that I have not taken the time to name, lend a hand to the displaced shows that they too have a human side. While some may just be doing this to get attention, the whole “look at me I’m a good person” thing, I get the feeling that these people, who to many of us seem larger than life, have been truly affected by what they’ve seen and heard. It’s good to see that they aren’t “too big time” to help out the needy.

This might be revolutionary, but how about all the players donating half of their salaries for this season to the relief efforts? I think they could still live on what they’d have left; in fact, what they’d have left is still more than I, or most other people in the world, will ever make in a year.

photo by Danny Morris

Andy Wancowicz Sports co Editor

New programs aim to spice up athletics, draw in more students Andy Wancowicz Sports co Editor Over 70 percent of JC students participate in at least one sport, one of the highest percentages of student athletes of all area schools. And now, that number is certainly about to go up.

The athletic department has taken on a whole new look and strategy since Mr. Larry Dukes took over last year.

New uniforms and new,

The

modern equipment have become more than a pipe dream; for most sports at JC, including soccer and basketball amongst others, they are now a reality. In addition, and arguably more importantly, a number of new athletic opportunities have become available for students.

Last year, an equestrian team was added and experienced much success, including a victory in their Þrst event. This year, JC will

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also feature ice hockey, indoor soccer, and badminton teams.

“We’re real excited to add these three sports. It allows us to participate in all of the current conference sports and it opens more opportunities for even more students to get involved,” said Mr. Dukes.

Ice hockey, coached by Mr. Robert Goodwin, and indoor soccer, led by Mr. Gary Lynch, will be played in the winter sports season while badminton will be played in

the spring. The badminton program is still in search of a coach.

The teams held meetings last spring that were “very well attended,” according to Mr. Dukes.

For the short term, these new programs hope to build a solid foundation and sustainability for the future.

With the apparent interest in the new sports, it appears that will not be a problem.

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sports

18 Chris Wilson Sports Team Reporter

photo from Caitlin Kielty

photo from Caitlin Kielty

For the prior few seasons, the girls’ cross country team has been building toward a championship and Þnally this season that building project is becoming a reality.

After a thrilling Þrst place Þnish in the Bull Run Tournament, the girls know how good they are and know that they can win the IAAM “B” Conference.

Junior Jess Buchanan said, “Not only can we win the ‘B’ Conference, but I think we

could win the ‘A’ Conference too.”

This just shows how much faith the team has in each other and their abilities.

The overall leader in points for the team is junior Brittany Furst, who has proven to be the natural leader in each race for the team.

Along with Furst, sophomore Erika Stasakova has been another powerful runner that aids in the pummeling 11-0 start for the team. Junior Anna Gallen noted that a lot of the meets have been won with JC Þnishing with the top 5 spots.

Other top performers for the undefeated Patriots include freshman Meghan McAdorey and senior Amanda Selvy.

With half of the season left to go, the girls look towards their home meet against Seton Keough as the Þnal win to secure a perfect season. Gallen noted that Seton Keough would be their toughest opponent and they needed to be focused to win that meet at home.

The team has grown together and become a cohesive, deeply talented unit has become the team to beat in the IAAM “B” Conference. By the end of the season, the team hopes to Þnish the season undefeated, a task that would reward all of the hard work put in by each and every one of the girls this season.

Going into next season, the Patriots return four of their top Þve Senior Amanda Selvy runs during the Bull Run on Saturday September 17. performers.

photo from Caitlin Kielty

Girls’ cross country running away with lead

Junior Brittany Furst leads the team in points.

Members of the girls’ cross country team, along with Coach Rob Torres, pose with the plaque they received for winning the Bull Run.

Boys’ volleyball dominates MIAA

photo by Victor Beato

Andy Wancowicz Sports co Editor

Junior Sean Adams lays the smack down against the Calvert Hall Cardinals.

Volume 41, Number 1

After winning the conference championship two years ago, last year’s championship loss inspired this year’s mixed group of players to strive to continue the tradition of excellence in volleyball. According to Coach Herb Simon, coming into the year, the players knew that they had to step up their games or forever be labeled as the group that let down the tradition of JC volleyball.

Senior leadership has always been key to the volleyball team, accord-

ing to Coach Simon, and this year is no different.

Captains Sean Adams, Zach Hagerman, and Julian Maliszewski, along with seniors Pat Gauthier and Josh Becker and junior Ryan Horka, are the core of this team and are critical in setting a good example for the young players and motivating the group to its maximum potential, as well as playing up to their own.

The winning tradition appears to be safe and in good hands as the team has started off 100, including a dominant performance against the defending champion Loyola Dons at home

The

on September 19. In the game, the Patriots shut down Loyola star Bret Keller, minimized their mistakes, and physically overpowered the Loyola team, which grew more and more frustrated as the game went along and the crowd grew more excited.

Following this, the Pats shut down the Calvert Hall Cardinals in a prime time match-up.

The game drew a huge crowd and also included a kitchen sink and a bullhorn. The match was not quite as smooth as the previous one, yet still the team overcame their mistakes to shut down the Hall attack. Late

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in the game, frustration became a factor, including the Þnal point of the game which Calvert Hall protested loudly.

On September 26, the Patriots continued their winning ways against the Gaels of Mount Saint Joseph’s. Coming into the game, both teams were undefeated, yet the Patriots came up with a sweep on the road.

With performances like that, it is clear why the team is using the motto of “U R EZ” this year; simply because when they play at their highest level there is no team in the conference that can run with them. Despite this, fu-

ture games against Calvert Hall, Mount Saint Joseph’s and another showdown with Loyola will probably prove to be tests.

This “hard working and potentially very potent” team, according to Coach Herb Simon, appears to be headed in the right direction, to a return to the top of the MIAA “A” Conference.

Junior reserve Clint Noack best sums up the resounding feeling amongst the team: “We go out to every game knowing that we’re going to win; and so far we haven’t disappointed ourselves.”

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Boys’ soccer showing signs of life Brady Collins Sports co Editor

thing if we get there,” said senior captain Mike Whiteleather. The team is counting on the experience and leadership of the 4 seniors and many juniors on the team.

Though the young players are not experienced with the size and speed that “A” conference teams such as Calvert Hall, Curley, and Mount Saint Joseph have in their line-ups, they are performing better than expected, playing a huge role in the team when going up against the physically stronger upperclassmen.

Sophomore Trevor Wade is the top scorer among the underclassmen, while Cameron Edgerton and freshman Dale Beach are a consistent force on defense with help from seniors Mike Whiteleather, George Giannakis at their back, and Mark Morrison in goal. Juniors Chris Wilson, Trevor Wade, and Mike Gradishar along with

senior Matt Rayburn lead the Patriots with a strong midÞeld, contributing to the goals scored in the season thus far. Trevor Wade is leading the team in goals; other main contributors are Mike Gradishar, Eddie Maher, and Chris Wilson, who leads the team in assists. The four consistent starters for the team at forward are Jan Varga, Nick Borowy, Pat McAvoy, and Zach Montuori. They have all helped the Patriots in their key wins this season against C. Milton Wright and Park School.

Overall, the whole team is excited not only for this season, but for seasons to come in the future.

Thanks to the young, talented underclassmen that the Patriots possess, the team looks forward to once again making a name for themselves as a soccer powerhouse in the MIAA “A” division.

photo by Brady Collins

In one of the biggest battles games that the team will play all year against cross-town rival Mustangs, the CMW fans were outnumbered by the Patriot fans three to one. Numerous confrontations broke out on and off the Þeld due to the intensity displayed by both schools; those confrontations caused certain students to be threatened with getting kicked off the premises and also caused JC player Eddie Maher to be given a yellow card for intervening in a Þght between CMW forward Kyle Bem and JC captain Matt Rayburn.

The game was won on a goal

by Trevor Wade assisted by Nick Borowy with 17 minutes left in the game; the Patriots rallied behind their defense for the rest of the

game to hold out CMW’s strong offensive threat.

This year’s Varsity Boys’ Soccer team is surprising the teams from other schools who have, in the past, considered John Carroll an automatic win. Probably the team’s most noticeable new asset is the number of young players.

Sophomores Trevor Wade and Cameron Edgerton are major contributors to the team along with fellow sophomore Mike Gallion.

The team is dominated by juniors, most of which have played since their sophomore year, and for Pat McAvoy, Jan Varga, and Chris Wilson this is their third year playing on the varsity level. Not to be forgotten are the four senior captains, Mike Whiteleather, Mark Morrison, Matt Rayburn, and George Giannakis.

This year their goal is “to reach the playoffs, and to win the whole

Junior Pat McAvoy, in his third year on varsity, sets up to pass the ball to junior Mike Gradishar in the first half of the September 26 home game against Archbishop Curley, a 5-0 defeat in which the team had to use backup defenseman Mike Gallion in goal after goalie Mark Morrisson, a senior captain, was ejected midway through the first half and junior Andrew Pippitone was injured at the start of the second half.

Two girls’ lacrosse players receive national honors Chris Wilson Sports Team Reporter Lacrosse has long been a dominant sport at JC, for both girls and boys. On top of the team success, two members of the girls team received signiÞcant honors.

Class of 2005 member Kristen Barry and current senior Delia Pais were among the seven local Harford County players that were named US Lacrosse Women’s Division High School All Americans.

Senior Delia Pais and 2005 graduate Kristen Barry were nominated

by Mr. Hughes and Miss Krystin Porcella, their lacrosse coaches for this nation-wide achievement.

To be nominated for this notable award, the girls had to have been a starter or a signiÞcant contributor for the varsity team and have a cumulative GPA of 3.6 out of the 4.0 GPA point scale, beginning with freshman year. Also, 50% of their school classes must be honors or college preparatory.

The girls also have to be a junior or senior and must have made signiÞcant contributions to their school and to their community, beyond their actions on the athletic team. The girls must be well balanced and not just survive on athletics.

Both Delia and Kristen show a well-rounded personality that begins on the lacrosse Þeld and carries over into their community, homes, and school, contributing to the team in leadership roles, working hard in the classroom, and giving back to their school and community through service.

Currently, Delia is a member of both the varsity tennis team and the National Honor Society.

Delia, Kristen, and the other Þve Academic All Americans play for the North East Maryland Select lacrosse club (NEMS) on either the 2005 or 2006 teams.

Football still seeking first victory of 2005 season Chris Wilson Sports Team Reporter After two strong seasons of physical and mental greatness in the MIAA “C” Conference, the football team was moved up for the 2005 season to compete in the “B” Conference. With stronger teams and a tougher schedule the team is looking ahead to the tough challenges that they will face this year.

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Unfortunately, the team has suffered 4 very tough losses to begin the season. “We just aren’t pulling together,” said junior, John von Paris. The team suffered their Þrst losses to Bel Air, Cardinal Gibbons, St. John’s Prospect Hall, and Mercersburg (PA).

The team has relied on consistency from their new kicker, junior Eric Roberts, who has scored their only points this season.

“I still have faith,” said von Paris, “We just need to pull it together fast.”

Like von Paris, the team knows they have the capability of winning; they dominated all of the “C” Conference teams during the last two seasons. And have continued to do so against those teams that moved up with them to the “B” Conference when the “C” Conference was removed after last

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season.

The team hopes to avenge their early season losses with a win in their homecoming game against the St. Paul’s Crusaders.

“It would be huge to beat them, and bring home probably the biggest win of the year for homecoming,” said junior Andrew Seufert.

With a lot of time left to improve, the team will continue to work hard and try to Þx the areas

where they are lacking. And by the end of the season feel the ability to consistently put points on the board, a goal with what they are struggling with so far this season.

The team is focused in putting these games behind them and playing the game they are capable of, and maintain that for the remainder of the season with the goal to Þnish not at the bottom of the MIAA “B” Conference.

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Girls’ soccer moves on, continues long-standing tradition of success in IAAM “A” ConferChris Wilson Sports Team Reporter

photo by Danny Morris

In the wake of another perfect season, but without the dominant force that was Ashley Myers on offense, the Girls Varsity Soccer team is hoping for current upperclassmen to step up and Þll the void left by last year’s graduating class.

With the loss of key players Ashley Myers and Jamie Zimmerman who graduated last year, the team has had to work harder to win together and cannot depend solely on the strong center of the Þeld.

“The loss of the center of the Þeld has really hurt us,” said senior captain Amanda Sergi. Fortunately, many players have stepped up to Þll these roles. Sophomore Ally Carey has Þlled in at forward, assisted by the center midÞeld of senior captain Em-

ily Horwath, and junior Melissa Gomes.

Sophomore Sarah Mosier and junior Britney Gilmartin have been Þghting for the empty spot in the goal and have both stepped up strong when called upon. Juniors Allison Humphries and Jess Hnatiuk have both stepped up to Þll in the defense roles, with Humphries at stopper and Hnatiuk at sweeper.

Sergi noted that in order to beat NDP, McDonogh, Spalding, IND, and Mercy they would need to play tough. “We’re a young, but strong team” said Sergi. The team knows that they need to give it their all and work to not let little mistakes get in the way.

After the Þrst four games of the season, the girls have a record of 2-2. With wins over St. Mary’s and Seton Keough as well

photo by Danny Morris

Freshman Jennifer Eikenberg shoots in the second half against Mt. de Sales Gilmartin made it clear that the seniors are deÞnitely not in it for themselves, but for the better of the team.

Many key role players are playing their second and third year on varsity, and because of last year’s success, they realize what it takes to win. They have also used what the seniors from last year left behind to their advantage. This year, the team has added Þve new and talented freshmen to the squad, who they hope can step up when called upon and contribute to the dominance that the team carries.

Though the team started off with a less than stellar start by John Carroll Girls Soccer standings, there is not a doubt among the players, and their coaches that this team can complete another season at the top of the IAAM “A” Conference.

photo by Danny Morris

Senior Emily Horwath dribbles up the field against Mt. de Sales.

as two tough losses to River Hill and Pallotti, the team has already found its weaknesses and strengths. “We haven’t been able to Þnish,” said Sergi, “We have done an excellent job of defending though.”

After 21-0, one might think that is as good as it gets, however, the players think very highly of the abilities and leadership of their senior captains.

Sophomore Jenna Quaranta said, “They have conÞdence in all of us.”

It is apparent throughout the team that Quaranta’s statement is true when she said that the senior captains, Emily Horwath, Allison DiPietro, Amanda Johnson, and Amanda Sergi are very caring and teach the team a lot.

“They are tough on us, yet they treat us like equals,” said Quaranta.

JC and Mount de Sales players jockey for position to control this high-flying ball early in the second half of the Patriots blow-out 6-0 win on Monday September 26.

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