2 Index
News Opinion Student Life Mini-Feature Feature Health & Lifestyle A&E Sports Backpage Co-Editors-in-Chief Hannah Brown Emily Walvoord Photo Editor
Sammi Shepard Online Editor
Hannah Gibbs Copy Editors
Anna Busse Cassie Busch
Advertising Manager
Katlyn Andersen News Editor
Kerry McCartan News Assistant
Daniel Pape
News Writers Stephanie Brady Carolina VonKampen Anna Busse
Opinion Editor
Caitlin Mahr
Opinion Assistant
Bryan Banowetz Opinion Writers Hannah Gibbs Peyton Rosencrants Meggie Gates Mary Levett Ann Glavan Jack Daubitz Cassie Busch Mandie Kimbro Jackson Esker CJ Lampe
Student Life Editor
Alyssa Zipperer Student Life Assistant
Robbie Thinnes Student Life Writer Kelli Alexander
Mini-Feature Editor
Ansley O’Brien
Mini-Feature Assistant
Meg Michalski Mini-Feature Writers Jack Collins
Feature Editor
Carly Bro
Feature Assistant
Katelyn Winker Feature Writers Spencer Harvieux Eileen Fagan
Health & Lifestyle Editor
Nicole Draker Health and Lifestyle Assistant
McKenzie Potter Health & Lifestyle Writers Jana Loecher
A & E Editors Katy Karas Maddie Smith Lauren Nachman A & E Writers Lauren Van Hoeck Rachel Fortman Lauren Hunstad Lauren Lutgens Jenna Schulte
Sports Editor
Justin Fenske Sports Assistant
Ryan Milke Sports Writers Connor Collins Lucy Martin Alex Fox Lizzy McWhinney John Richardson
Backpage Editor
Megan Lynch
Backpage Assistant
Shelby Christensen Backpage Writer Signey Martin
Photographers Cassie Busch Rachel Fortman
Business
Hailey Sojka
Distribution
Jack Daubitz The Xpress Bi-weekly Xavier High School 6300 42nd St. NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52411 Volume 14 Issue 13
News
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Xavier High School
Xavier celebrates grandparents On April 11, Xavier High School hosted its third annual Grandparents Day Mass. Grandparents were invited to attend a light breakfast and social. This was followed by a welcome from Mr. Goldsmith, who talked about the Xavier experience from the perspective of a teacher, and from Father Thompson, who discussed the importance grandparents have as faith role models for their grandchildren. Then the grandparents and the students attended Mass with the rest of the school in the gym. In 2010, when the first Grandparents Day Mass beganwas held about 100 grandparents attended the Mass. Last year, over 300 grandparents joined their grandchildren at Xavier, and this year was no different with around 300. The idea for Grandparents Day Mass came from seeing that other schools like Dowling Catholic High School in Des Moines, Iowa and elementary schools received great responses from similar activities. Grandparents financially support Xavier and are important faith role models for their grandkids. "Unlike parents, who can be here all the time, grandparents can't come to give opinions, to ask questions, and to learn," Jody Ruff, of the Xavier Foundation, said. "Celebrating Mass together is a great experience." Xavier has gotten a great response since starting the annual Grandparents Day Mass. "The grandparents love it, they always get very excited. They are grinning ear-
Top Left: Senior Collin Neuhaus and his grandmother enjoy Grandparent’s Day. Bottom Left: Junior Meagan Hoffman and her grandparents take a picture during Grandparent’s Day. Sammi Shepherd Photos to-ear," Ruff said. This year, there was a drawing for a couple of copies of a book written by Lorrenne Mulherin, who wrote Grandma Mulherin's Book of Blessings. Mulherin wanted to encourage other grandparents to write down their stories to share with their children and grandchildren. Freshman Julie Woods’ grandparents, Mike and Jo Ann Woods, of Coggon Iowa,
Top Right: Junior Michaela Powell and her grandmother pose for a picture. Bottom Right: Junior Reggie Schulte and his grandmother stand for a photo after the Grandparents Day Mass. Sammi Shepherd Photos attended Xavier’s Grandparents Day Mass for the first time. “They had only ever been to Xavier twice before so they wanted to get more involved in our lives,” Woods said. “They both enjoyed how enthusiastic all of the students were. They enjoyed it so much that I am practically positive that they will come again.”
Carolina VonKampen News Writer