The Royal Exchange
Newsletter Date
Rosary High School
Valentine’s Day
Newspaper Staff: Editor-in-chief– Caroline Mejia Co-EditorHeather Hawkins Faculty Editor- Mrs.Shay Contributors: Sarah Foley Heather Hawkins Catherine Hayes Kourtney Lipps Caroline Mejia Rosie Kaitlyn Schatteman Jenna Streich
Inside this issue: Valentine’s Day
Cover
Catholic Schools Week
2
Sidekick: A Short Story
3
Pope Francis
4
Spotlight Saint
4
Ask Rosie
5
Crossword
6
Class Review
8
Comic
8
I don’t like Valentine’s Day. I haven’t since everyone stopped giving each other those little cards and fun-size pieces of candy in elementary school. The fact that it’s commonly recognized as a holiday celebrating the joy and happiness that comes from a romantic relationship really brings a single pringle like me down. It’s not so bad at an all-girls school like Rosary – I don’t have to deal with too many sappy posters on lockers and stuffed teddy bears from resourceful guys from other schools, and I don’t have to deal with awkward suitors whose affections I don’t return. However, it still kind of stinks knowing that someone who isn’t me is receiving heartshaped chocolates and roses. So I’ve decided I’m going to create a holiday when I’m older. I haven’t really come up with a name for it yet (Catherine’s Day seems pretty vain, even if I do deserve some credit) and it will celebrate healthy, thriving platonic relation-
by Catherine Hayes
ships among peers. Have a best friend whom you have known since your diaper days? Buy her a book, or a mug, or some other gift you know she would enjoy. Think someone is super interesting and want to be her friend? Buy her a little bag of chocolates or some other novelty and invite her to talk to you. This holiday would be about thirty times better than Valentine’s Day for many reasons. First of all, friendship doesn’t get enough credit. It seems the majority of media, whether it be songs or movies or books, is focused too much on romance, when in reality, people often have more friends than significant others. There isn’t really a set day in the year to appreciate your gal pals or bros – and that’s really
sad. Secondly, there wouldn’t be any awkward assumptions about romantic interests. It can be awkward receiving a gift from a guy you don’t like like with a little note attached saying, “xoxo.” With friendship, there is none of that! You already know you like each other! That’s why you’re friends! In short, platonic relationships are extremely underappreciated by people today. I don’t know how far I would have made it without my friends. I’m not saying significant others are bad, but there is more than one type of relationship a person can have. Romance is not the only kind. So go out and enjoy your Valentine’s Day. I know I’m going to get those little cut-out cards and pass them out again.
The Royal Exchange
Page 2
Catholic Schools Week Catholic Schools Week: Five days at the end of January solely dedicated to celebrating us. But, we know that that is far from the truth. As Bishop David Malloy told us that Thursday, Catholic Schools Week is about evangelization. That is witnessing the faith, or in the words we hear every day, it is “preaching with our lives.” A person who literally fulfills this call is Sister Nancy Murray. However, we first met her a fateful Monday as Saint Catherine of Siena. The wait was well worth it as all eyes were drawn to a sweet, Italian lady. She came bustling through the auditorium doors, across the floor, and across time and space as she led us 5000 miles across the globe and 700 years back into the past. Her performance was not only charming but also moving as she talked about her mami and papi and her many brothers and sisters; those include not only her biological ones but those that were also a part of la Mantilla with her. Sr. Murray positively captured our attention as she interacted with us, laughed with us, and touched our hearts with the tale of Saint Catherine of Siena. Unfortunately, her time was cut short, but the hour spent together hit much closer
by Heather Hawkins
to home than Siena, Italy in 1347. The Tuesday of Catholic Schools Week was student appreciation day as well as, it seemed, sport team appreciation day as students wore their favorite team’s tops and other apparel l to school. These ranged from famous hockey team jersey to fictional team merchandise and everything in between. In this way, everyone, including those that do not closely follow sports, was able to participate. It was also a lovely surprise to see a cart full of candy, not unlike the Honeydukes Express, that was free, very unlike the Honeydukes Express, come around during lunch time. A heartfelt “thank you” goes out to the parent auxiliary. And another thank you should go out to one Mrs. Ruddy for planning the Rosary Pride Assembly Wednesday. There were 100 reasons why we love Rosary read off to us, and there were choice few that garnered raucous cheers from the gathered students. The girls also showed their pride by cheering on their classmates who participated in the shootout basketball competition. Unfortunately, the assembly was not saved by the bell, rather it was cut short, and many people expressed their disappointment at
not being able to watch the teachers compete in the competition. Perhaps next year this could be a half hour event with several different competitions among the grade levels but also among the teachers. We were one more humbled and reminded of the roots of Catholic Schools Week Thursday when Bishop Malloy presided over January’s mass. It was truly an honor to hear the bishop speak as he emphasized Catholic Schools Week as a time not about ourselves but rather about other people and educating them about our faith. And although the reflection given by Katie Higgins was thought to be converse to Bishop Malloy’s homily, it is easy to see the truth in both of their interpretations of this beloved week. Finally, Friday: a day that needs no other explanation or recap than: THE WEEKEND HAS JUST ARRIVED. And with that, another Catholic Schools Week perfectly executed. 2k15’s week of celebrating not only the beginning of Catholic Schools but also the continuation of evangelization in the Catholic Church has seen both an increase in spirituality, thanksgiving, and pride. Who knows what will happen next year? (Probably another mass and something like the Honeydukes Express, but beyond that, one year we may find ourselves in a whole other world.) Stay tuned to find out.
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Sidekick
by Catherine Hayes
“Next!” Ellen sighed as she stretched backwards over her chair, spine cracking as it bent out of place. She watched the small, chunky man waddle out of her makeshift office and back into the waiting room and then glanced up at the wall. The clock read 12:53. Time was moving so slowly; it seemed like it should have already been nighttime. The next applicant came in; she was a small mousy woman with fluffy brown hair and flushed cheeks. She wore a flowy black dress and shiny black flats. Her application packet was stuffed under one arm as she reached out her hand and shook Ellen’s. “I’m Mary, nice to meet you.” “Hi, Mary.” Ellen answered, her smile tight against her face. This was probably the fiftieth person probably the fiftieth she had seen so far, andshe person if things had seen didn’t sostart picking up far, andsoon, if things she might didn’t just give up allpicking start together. up “What soon, makes you thinkmight she you are justqualified give up to be my sidekick?” all together. “What makes you “Well,” think the you woman said, pulling are qualified out the to manila be my folder. “I read the biography you posted sidekick?” about yourself, “Well,” the andwoman it seems said, we have many pulling out the of the manila same folder. interests, “I so I don’t read the biography think we would you posted clash on the jobyourself, about too much.” and it seems we have many “That’s of the good same to know.” interests, Ellen so I don’t said,think smilewe dropping would clash a bit. on So far, the job Mary too much.” was the same as everyone “That’s else. “I’m goodsorry to know.” to cut right to Ellen said, thesmile chase, dropping but I’marunbit. ning So far, late Mary already. was the Do same you have as any superelse. everyone powers?” “I’m sorry to cut right to “Oh the chase, yes!” Mary but I’m squealed runexcitedly. ning late already. “I was just Do you hoping have you’d any super ask! powers?” Would you like to see?” “Yes,yes!” “Oh please.” MaryEllen squealed answered, pushing excitedly. “I was ajust stray hoping lock of blondeask! you’d hairWould over her youear. likeHer to see?” gaze followed “Yes, please.” Mary as Ellen the woman anstepped pushing swered, back, closed a stray herlock eyes, of blonde hair over her ear. Her gaze followed Mary as the woman stepped back, closed her eyes,
and lifted her chin. Almost imperceptibly at first, the temperature of the room began to rise. A few beads of sweat formed on Ellen’s forehead; if this kept up much longer, she might have to use her own powers. Just as it was about to become too much, Mary opened her eyes and a light breeze drifted in, cooling the room to its original temperature. “Well?” “Very interesting.” Ellen said, the tight smile returning to her mouth. “I’ll call you tomorrow if you have the job.” “Oh, thank you so much!” Mary gushed – Ellen cringed at the word choice – and watched as the woman left. Someone who could heat the environment around her would not be very useful to Ellen, who froze things as a super power. She fell back into She her fell chair back into again, her eyes drifting shut chairinagain, exhaustion. eyes Maybe this wasn’t drifting theshut timeintoexgo out and become haustion. a crimeMaybe fighting this superhero. This wasn’t townthe needed time one to go badly enough,out butand it seemed becomeshe’d a never get the crime properfighting companion superto do all her crime hero. fighting This town with. “Excuse needed me?” one A gentle badlyvoice called from the enough, door. but it seemed she’d never “What?” get the Ellen proper shot up, companhands ion to do forming all hera crime defensive fighting stance with. until she“Excuse realizedme?” it was A only gentle the voice next applicant. called from the “Oh, door.I’m sorry. Please, come “What?” on Ellen in.” shot up, hands forming A curly-haired, a defensive darkstance skinned woman until shewalked realized in.itShe waswas onlytall theand intimidating, next applicant. but “Oh, her I’m chocolate sorry. brown eyes Please, come were on in.” warm. The warmth Amatched curly-haired, the heat dark ofskinned her hand when woman walked she in. reached She was out tall andand shook Ellen’s.but intimidating, Ellen herhoped chocolate she wouldn’t brown eyes have were a repeat warm.ofThe what just happened. warmth matched the heat of her hand when “I’mshe Alicia.” reached out and shook Ellen’s. “Ellen.Ellen Please, hoped takeshe a seat.” She gestured wouldn’t haveto a repeat the chair of in what front just of her polished desk. “Why do you happened. “I’m Alicia.” “Ellen. Please, take a seat.” She gestured to the chair in front of her polished desk. “Why do you
think you are qualified to be my sidekick?” Alicia frowned a bit as she thought of an answer; Ellen immediately appreciated this sort of thoughtfulness. Everyone was so quick to answer. It was if they thought speed were more important than quality. That had probably been what the man who called himself Electron had been thinking. “I would be a good sidekick because I move so fast you can’t even see me. I’d take out all your enemies and you could look good for the cameras!” It was that sort of condescending attitude that had gotten him kicked out with a glare colder than her powers. “I’m supportive and loyal; I would allow you to give the directions while backing you up and defending you. I also think our powers complement each other very well.” Alicia finally answered. “Why, what is your power?” The woman lifted her hand and pointed a finger up in the air. A small flame jetted up. This was different from Mary; a concentrated flame could still help Ellen, whereas a general wave of warmth would serve only to undermine her freezing powers. A genuine smile finally touched Ellen’s face as she raised her own finger up, a small flurry of snowflakes drifting from her fingertips. She reached for Alicia’s application file, flipped through a few pages, and then closed it. When she looked up at the other woman, her smile covered her face. “I can’t officially say this until the end of the day, but… Do you want to be my sidekick?”
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The Royal Exchange
Pope Francis Most Recent Innovations by Kaitlyn Schatteman Pope Francis has been known for his simple lifestyle and dedication to helping the poor. He has made controversial decisions since he took his position and many innovations in the Church, especially for the poor. However, as he has proved every Holy Thursday he wants to help all people, whether that mean they have AIDS, addic-
Spotlight Saint In 1858, a baby girl, who would later be known as St. Katharine Drexel, was born into a very rich and successful Philadelphia family. Along with being very wealthy, St. Katharine's family was also very devout. Her mother would open their doors to the poor about three days every week, and her father would spend at least a half-an-hour in prayer each evening. Due to her family's wealth, she could afford to travel widely and frequently. Once, on a European tour, she was able to meet with Pope Leo XIII and ask him to send
tions, disabilities, different faiths, a prison sentence, or are simply a woman. His newest innovations include free umbrellas, showers, bathrooms, haircuts, and toiletries for the homeless. Already 300 of the umbrellas, left my tourists, have been handed out. The bathrooms, showers, and haircuts will be right outside St.
Peter's Square and available on all days, except for Wednesday when that area is most crowded. The haircuts will be available on Mondays, when the shops of most local barbers are closed. Haircuts will be done by nuns, cosmetology students, local barbers, and local hair dressers. The toiletries will give the homeless razors, shaving cream, clean underwear, deodorant, soap, and toothpaste. All of this is supported by donations.
by Sarah Foley more missionaries to Wyoming for her friend Bishop James O'Connor. The pope responded simply, saying, "Why don't you become a missionary?" After hearing this, St. Katharine began seriously considering what he had said. When St. Katharine finally decided to follow Pope Leo XIII's advice, she donated all of her money, a total of seven million dollars, to help Native Americans. She wrote, "The feast of St. Joseph brought me the grace to give the remainder of my life to the Indians and the Colored." St. Katharine founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and the Colored, who eventually opened a boarding school in Santa Fe, New Mexico. By the
year 1942, St. Katharine had a system of black Catholic schools in thirteen states, in addition to forty mission centers and twenty-three rural schools. In total, she established fifty missions for Indians in sixteen different states. St. Katharine Drexel suffered a heart attack at age 77 and was forced to retire. She then spent almost twenty years praying quietly and intensely in a small room that overlooked the sanctuary. She died at age 96, and was canonized by Pope John Paul II in the year 2000, 142 years after her birth. St. Katharine Drexel is a perfect example of how everyone, rich or poor, is called to be a saint.
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Ask Rosie
Dear Rosie, I recently found out that I don't qualify for the honors English class next year. I was really hoping I would get in. Do you have any tips for getting over the disappointment? Sincerely, Down and Disappointed Dear Down and Disappointed, I know that it can be difficult to hear news like that. It’s natural to strive for challenging courses. However, I do not think teachers make the decision lightly. If you were not accepted in the honors class it does not mean you are not smart. It simply means that you will flourish more in a non-honors course. In the mean time, you can think about the fun classes you’ll have next year. You might make friends with girls you wouldn’t have normally talked to. If thinking about next year stresses you out, focus on the present. High school goes by pretty fast and it’s nice to stop and smell the roses-or in our case, look at the snow. Sincerely, Rosie
Dear Rosie, I'm not sure what to do about course selection. There are so many fun classes I want to take but I also want to take honors classes so I look good for colleges. What should I do? Sincerely, Going crazy about course selection Dear Crazy about course selection, This has been one of the most difficult decisions high school students face. While honors classes will look impressive, it is also important to have fun. You should take honors classes for subjects you are great at. It’s okay to take some regular classes. Also, it shouldn’t impact your future negatively. Sometimes, colleges want to see applicants excel in one area rather than be great at everything. Make sure to choose electives you’ll enjoy and taking a study hall or two couldn’t hurt in the homework department. Sincerely,
Submit questions to Rosie at clinabee97@gmail.com!
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Crossword
The Royal Exchange
by Caroline Mejia and Heather Hawkins
Page 7 Across 1. group of porcupines or a sensation 2. trademark 3. German composer or sound chickens make 4. smallest country 5. home to las vegas 6. Interrupt Return or Investors Real Estate Trust 7. Ned's Declassified's best friend 8. Java with E's 9. Great Britian drink 10. _ Python (British comedy group) also a great animator that passed away this month 11. Men's basketball tournament or misspelling of knit 12. Mapping of the European Research Infrastructure Landscape 13. type of business 14. nonspecific motors 15. Navy _ 16. Jewel of the British Crown 17. Relativity Certified Administrator or Refrigerator brand 18. what they use in a galley 19. countrywide landscape 20. not orpah 21. cheer of encouragement 22. German for hunter 23. a long period of time or a ball of chap stick with an N on it 24. Measure of electricity 25. garbage control 26. not mole 27. type of chocolate exchanged on Feb. 14 in Japan 28. bringing up a subject by not bringing it up 29. Ni Hao in English 30. Japanese demonic spirit 31. _ Scotia 32. red weasel, friend of hairy potter 33. the pop no one drinks 34. suit & _ 35. double helix 36. Jean Kirstein 37. full name of Ginny or state 38. "What can I help you with?" 39. vs. cold, not here 40. apellido del miembro de Fall Out Boy 41. type of loan 42. social media joke photo set usually 43. wrapper does this 44. gold foil experiment 45. residential assistant 46. child of celestial beings/balls of gas 47. laughter 48. 4G Long-Term Evolution 49. video game characters that you don't control 50. sign of adoration in Hawaii (teenagers) 51. water brand 52. fanatic domain 53. great man (See Sanders's ' cup)
Down 1. common American Sandwich 2. before the Olympians (also human consuming beasts) 3. You I See or not the University of Chicago 4. (tv) That's so _ 5. _ Cheetah, the cat 6. roman numeral 56 7. non-alien 8. prefix to the home of Ronald (it rhymes) 9. _ shirt or golf platform 10. act of granting knighthood 11. negation often used by spoiled brats 12. salt and _ or CH2COOH 13. 15th letter of the Greek alphabet 14. knockout 15. large suitcase that opens into two parts 16. opposite of 7 Down 17. "to love" in French 18. backwards of 49 Across 19. Neon Genesis Evangelion 20. First two letters of acronym for person who does your taxes (see 33 Down) 21. the first pokemon 22. One of Joanna Levesque's nickname 23. Brazilian currency 1640-1910 or Historia's (aka Krista Lenz) last name minus an S 24. many Greek "places" 25. summation of every color 26. cleaner in Wall-E 27. Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act 28. "Jesus _ me" (see Mr. I) 29. capital of Whales 30. CH3(CH2)4CH2I 31. See 4 Down 32. speaking or shoes 33. Last two letters of acronym for person who does your taxes (see 20 Down) or legal slave 34. hijo 35. Information, Risk, and Operations Management 36. "I loved you like a brother, _." 37. suffix of anion 38. Marmion trees during homecoming 39. _en Caulfield 40. form of self expression 41. home of Uruguay 42. French A+ 43. Japanese form of agreement 44. French for king 45. Slang for excellent 46. what we wear on our necks or the psychological 2-year old 47. carstairs
Writers who are willing to write reviews and sports articles are needed for The Royal Exchange. If interested contact Caroline Mejia at clinabee97@gmail.com.
Wanted: The Next Generation of Ponderers
by Jenna
Streich Can you know that you’re really looking at your hand? How can we prove that God exists? What does it mean to be good? Do we really have free will? Have questions like these ever crossed your mind? Have you ever wondered if you’re crazy for asking them? Fear not! For in the words of Mr. Sanders, “Some people do art, some people ask questions.” If this sounds like you (and you’re a junior or sophomore with a 3.5 cumulative GPA), then I highly recommend you sign up to
take the Introduction to Philosophy class next semester. This dual credit class (aka you get college credit through Waubonsee) is taught by Mr. Sanders and focuses on various topics and authors across the spectrum of philosophy. The class essentially works like this: you read an essay for homework, then you have a killer class discussion about the reading the next day. The benefits of the philosophy class are numerous. For one thing, you’ll look really cool and
sound super smart at college parties when you start quoting Wittgenstein and Aristotle. Beyond that, however, the philosophy class will sharpen your critical thinking skills and challenge you to think outside the box. Most importantly, philosophy will enrich your mind and provide food for your soul. We seniors (sorry Katie) are counting on the next generation of ponderers to ensure the special vibe that radiates from that class carries on through the ages. So what are you waiting for? Go have Mr. Sanders sign your form today!
How To Make Valentine’s Day Awkward
by Kourtney Lipps