By Sean Murphy, 7th Grade
Well, here we are, fast approaching the end of the school year. Its a good time for reflection. For those of you who do not know, AR (Accelerated Reader) is a program teachers use to keep track of students’ progress in reading. Students read books that meet a minimum of their AR book level and take a test on it. This year, teachers count in pages, not points. For example, seventh graders do not pass their AR requirements if they have 100 points, like last year. Instead, they must have 4,000 pages read. It may seem like a lot, but considering seventh graders are reading 500-page books nowadays, it’s a piece of cake. Also, the book cannot have been made into a movie at the time of the test (too late for The Hunger Games). Here are my top five AR books of the year.
5. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever: Author Jeff Kinney delivers another page-turner and AR readers adored this one. If you have seen the movies and not read the books, you are missing out on a lot of fun. This was very popular in the first semester. This installment of the series is another humorous novel tracking the daily life and adventures of Greg Heffely. But this time Greg is stuck inside during a winter snowstorm and the Heffely family goes crazy trying to survive. 3.5 out of 5 paws
4. The Throne of Fire: The latest in the Kane Chronicles, written by Percy Jackson and the Olympians author Rick Riordan, is a gripping, action-packed tale. Protagonists Carter and Sadie Kane try to stop Chaos, (or Apophis in Egyptian Mythology), before the world ends. Percy Jackson covered Greek mythology, but the Kane Chronicles is all about Egyptian mythology. This should be a nice warm-up for the final book in the series The Serpent’s Shadow which comes out May 1st. 4.0 out of 5 paws
3. Catching Fire: Even though it was released in 2009, Catching Fire, the second book in The Hunger Games trilogy really caught on this year, as well as the rest of the three-book series. The story is about Katniss Everdeen (SPOILER ALERT!), victor of the 74th Hunger Games, along with Peeta Mellarek, finding out that her defiance of the Capital at the end of the games is igniting a revolution. This is a book that leaves you begging for more. 4.5 out of 5 paws
2. The Son of Neptune: Rick Riordan has found two spots on my list. The Son of Neptune is the second book in the five-book series called The Heroes of Olympus, which is the sequel series to the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. In this book, we find that Percy Jackson, who did not appear in the first book, can only remember one name from his past: Annabeth (you’ll have to read the previous books to find out who she is). He then finds himself in a Roman camp, where he meets friends and is sent on a suspenseful quest. The third book The Mark of Athena will be out in time for next school year. This really should be sharing the #1 spot, but there has to be a winner, and I doubt you’ll be surprised. 5 out of 5 paws
1. The Hunger Games: This one rightfully deserves the top spot. Published in 2008, The Hunger Games gained increasing popularity over the school year, probably due to the marketing of the movie which came out on March 23. The book is about a girl named Katniss who lives in a futuristic nation called Panem which rose from the ashes of North America. Katniss takes her sister’s place in a reaping for an entertainment death match for the citizens of the Capital. The book is addictive and you will be left begging your parents to go out and buy you the other two books in the series. 5 out of 5 paws
What do you think about this list? Wish I included another book? Please comment on this. I will now return to reading The Merchant of Venice. I am almost done with my AR requirements!
By Nicholas Gale, 12th grade
With the summer break approaching, there are a number of potential blockbusters on the way. The long-awaited Avengers, featuring the super heroes
Iron Man, Thor, The Hulk, Captain America, Hawkeye, and the Black Widow, is a two-hour long, action-packed experience that is bound to keep action fans on the edge of their seats.
The film begins at the SHIELD base where scientists are testing a small cube of pure energy. But after an accident, a portal is opened that releases the Asgardian God Loki who proceeds to steal the cube as well as put a few scientists under his control. Then, each super hero is introduced. Tony Stark, a.k.a. Iron Man, played by Robert Downey Jr., of course steals the show with his witty banter and intelligent insults. Captain America joins the team after being told that the cube he sank in the ocean (at the end of the Captain America Movie) has been stolen from SHIELD and is shown the massive firepower SHIELD has to offer. Thor isn’t as negotiable. He’s after his brother Loki, who he watched fall into a massive black hole that transported him to the other end of the universe. After what was probably the best standoff between Marvel’s three greatest characters, they all team up to find the cube.
Avengers starts out slow and progresses to an epic climax. But even the slow parts of the movie still have awesome fights and witty conversations. Seeing Stark with Professor Banner (the Hulk) was a real treat because they’re probably the two smartest people on the planet in the Marvel comic universe. And they can actually hold a conversation with one another—in one scene, Tony Stark even says “Finally, someone here that speaks English.” Seeing Captain America try to adapt to a new world that has significantly changed since the 40s is also entertaining. Thor, on the other hand, was kind of thrown in. He shows up late in the movie and only joins with
the intention of getting his brother. And the two assassins Black Widow and Hawkeye were definitely left out of the spotlight.
Seeing The Avengers is a great way to kick off the summer. It’s got everything! Fights, chaos, witty banter, and thrilling fight scenes. I definitely recommend this movie to any comic book fan as well as anyone who loves a good action flick. I’ll be seeing it a number of times and hope to catch things I missed the first time.
By Fred Minor, 12th grade
Why does the stereotype that men don’t like poetry exist? And why do people have the perception that real men don’t write poetry? Because it expresses feelings? There isn’t one accurate or concise answer for any of these questions. One assumption that can be made is that we weren’t introduced to the art form early enough in our lives. The other reason may have to do with the social standards and expectation of masculinity.
One ironic fact is that males have historically been the dominant gender when it comes to poetry production in the 20th and 21st centuries. In our English classes, we’ve all read the works of William Shakespeare, Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, and many more.
The English teachers at Holy Cross understand the stereotype since they teach all boys. Mrs. Gonzales, who currently teaches juniors and seniors, doesn’t mind the fact that males are stereotyped that way. She said boys act one way, girls act another. It’s perfectly understandable, but she has a way of reaching students with music. Her lesson plans include Drake and Lil’ Wayne. She said they have some powerful lyrical poems that are appropriate for students to read and analyze.
Dr. Jacobi, who teaches seniors, said that when sonnets are read in her English IV class, she has students choose contemporary songs that deal with the same issues. She said most of her students are big music fans, and the music helps them to relate to poetry.
So the stereotype should at least be altered that young males or unexposed males, rather than all males don’t like poetry.
There are a multitude of reasons to write poetry. Some write poetry to exercise emotions out on paper and some just write because they find that written expression comes easier than verbal. Still others are influenced by something they’ve read or heard in a song, and, of course, some use stanzas to get girls. As a young poet, I must say that all of these reasons seem accurate. Music has inspired me to write, and sometimes not knowing what to say at a particular moment frustrated me—it came out better on the page. And yes, I have used my skills to express my feelings to the opposite sex.
As you know, there are many forms of poetry. Not all poems have to rhyme and some aren’t even written. Freestyle lyric poetry is extemporaneous. Poets tend to perform freestyle lyric poetry on stage, but it’s not prepared. This may be one of the harder forms, and is for quick thinkers. Some of your favorite artists are considered poets because of their rich lyrical content. Not all poems have to be long. Japanese Haikus are short, but a good one hits you like a bucket of water to the face.
Due to social and biological reasons, men will probably always have the tendency and expectation to hide their feelings, emotions, and compassion. But to break the stereotypical shackles, you should try picking up the pen and see where it takes you. So the next time you dismiss poetry as “for girls,” remember that it is—it can help you get them and keep them!
By Fred Minor, 12th grade
By Dwyane Darensburg, 12th Grade
A cripple to all seniors, it’s difficult to fight
Graduation is approaching, we can almost see the light
Of no more homework, no more exams
Just spending our last summer with our closest friends.
High school was enjoyable, memories we’ll never forget
But it’s time to move on, taking that next step
Of intimidating college professors and surviving on our own
In a dorm full of surprises, instead of a cozy home.
So goodbye Holy Cross, we’ll miss the times we shared
With all the unknowns about college, I trust we are prepared.
By Nicholas Gale, 12th Grade
The three most popular and famous card games are Magic: the Gathering, Pokémon, and Yu-Gi-Oh. Each game play mechanics are quite different. Because they are so popular, other games have a hard time winning fans as many serious players have already dedicated their time to another card game. But a new game, Cardfight Vanquard, has grown quite popular among Yu-Gi-Oh players. The game just started hitting retail stores like Wal-Mart, but has been a hit in Japan and Singapore for years now. Cardfight Vanguard incorporates game mechanics from each of the three aforementioned games and even has the artwork done by the Yu-Gi-Oh card artists. Here’s what you need to know to get started.
Deck Construction:
Each player needs a 50 card deck exactly. The deck must have exactly 16
“trigger” units. There are four trigger units: critical, heal, draw, and stand.
You do not have to have all four triggers, and since more than one card can be
a specific trigger unit, you can run more than four of that trigger (say two
different cards are critical units, now you can run 8 total critical units).
The only rule is that you can only have four heal units. And in a 50 card deck,
they rarely show up.
Starting the Game:
Each player has a starter unit, this unit is known as the Vanguard starter and it must have a grade number 0 in order to be a starter. The starter can be separated from the deck (like in a different color sleeve) but does count for the 50 cards. Each player draws five cards, if certain cards in hand do not suit the players needs, they can “mulligan” those cards back into the deck, shuffle, and draw the same amount of cards they put back in. Which player goes first is decided by a dice roll and there is no choice, whoever wins the roll goes first. For more information on how to play, see
below.
Conclusion:
If you are interested in playing cards, I recommend Cardfight Vanguard. And now is a good time as it’s so new. Players will be ready for new packs. The game can last from five minutes to a half hour. And all of the different kinds of decks share very similar effects, so each deck is so similar that you don’t have to worry about liking a deck type that doesn’t perform well competitively.
More on how to play:
At the beginning of each turn, the player draws one card. The player then enters
into the “ride” phase—the player may “ride up” the vanguard to the next grade
(so a grade 0 vanguard may be overridden by a grade 1 vanguard). Then you may
play up to five “rear guards” that must be either the same grade as the
vanguard or lower. You can play as many rear guards each turn as possible, but
only the front row (two rear guards and the vanguard) can attack.
The back row is meant for boosting the front row (adding the monsters attack to the other’s attack power). To declare an attack, the player must turn the card sideways “tap” the card and tell which of the opponent’s monsters they are attacking. The vanguard is the obvious target, but the front row rear guards can also be attacked (if a rear guard is defeated, it goes to the graveyard. If the vanguard is damaged, the player receives a damage counter). The attacking player does a “drive check” when attacking with the vanguard only, to drive check the attacking player reveals the top card of their deck. If there is a trigger unit they may apply that
special condition, (draw trigger lets you draw an extra card; stand triggers
allow a guard that has already attacked to attack again; heal triggers allow
you to heal one damage counter if you have equal or more damage than your
opponent; critical triggers give an extra damage to your opponent), the
triggers also allow a plus 5000 boost to any guard of your choice.
The defending player on the other hand may attempt to stop an attack. Each monster (except for grade 3) has a shield number on their side. Playing these adds that number to the strength of the monster being attacked. If the boost is higher than the attack of the attacking monster, the attack is prevented.
By Eugene Lawrence, 12th grade
Over the last few weeks, drama class goes as follows: Pray and then head to the black box theater to work on Center Stage’s finale, Mister Roberts, a dramedy about life onboard a US Navy Ship during World War II. It’s been quite a busy year for Center Stage and tracking Ms. Baisier down for quotes is a testament to that. When I started reporting this story, I asked her about the upcoming productions, and she replied by asking if I could move a soggy painted board for her.
In March, Center Stage packed the Watson Family Theater for performances of Pygmalion, and last semester sold out the theater three consecutive nights for Man Kind and Co., a humorous, yet educational spin on Greek mythology with modern day references. Other recent productions from last year include Agatha Christie Made Me Do It, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthurs Court, and Best in the West.
Ms. Maria Baisier is the grand orchestrator behind the curtains of the Center Stage Drama. A Kentucky native, Ms. Basier is an accomplished teacher with thirty years of educational experience, and from a young age, she’s been interested in theatrical arts and literature. She received her BA in theater from Dominican College and her certification in English at Tulane University. She has been twice named to the “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” in 1996 and 2005. Ms. Baisier is an accomplished essayist and has received the Octavia Levert Non-Fiction Award. Under her pen name, M.L. Davis, she published the book: “Pieces: Putting Life Back Together after Loss.” She contributed three essays that appeared in the book Katrina. She has also participated in numerous plays.
Ms. Baisier’s experience and easygoing attitude are what make her a favorite among students. However, when she steps in the theater, she does not hesitate to critique her students. It’s never personal though.
If you ever wanted to unleash your inner thespian, then drama might be the program for you. You don’t even have to act. In fact, there are people with stage fright who have excelled in drama. There are jobs for lighting, props, and even a set disciplinarian. This program allows even the most independent students to work in a cohesive and team-oriented environment. Ms. Baisier summarizes this aspect of the department: “Drama, like any team sport, requires the effort and enthusiasm of each member of the group.”
The Drama team has successfully produced projects and earned notoriety and a reputation around campus for producing intelligent and humorous productions. This year, that tone was set with George Bernard Shaw’s comedy, Pygmalion. The department reached a comedic peak in March with the revival of a Comedy Night, this year titled “Laughing at the Ides of March.” It was a great success and garnered even more attention for Center Stage around school. Christian Gerrets, a.k.a “JD Sledge,” class of ‘94, hosted the Comedy Night and warmed up the crowd with a stand-up routine.
Ms. Baisier has many ambitious ideas for Center Stage and the future is bright with emerging talent, including freshmen Daniel Williams, sophomores Jude Sheridan and Ronnie Cantin, and junior Logan Field. Besides these students, there are many others who work behind the scenes. Junior Tevin Wright and his family provide all the snacks and refreshments. Junior Seth Tamporello produces most of the media and promotional materials. These are just a few of the many talented students that thrive under the direction of Ms. Baisier. Assistant director Rene Crais, class ’04, also lends a hand in producing plays and events. Junior Michael “Stiggy” Stiegler commented, “Ms. Baisier is a director that pushes her student in all aspects of art and makes sure that they reach beyond their full potential.”
With the addition of the Comedy and Arts nights, Ms. Baisier has done an amazing job expanding the department’s horizons. Just like everything else at Holy Cross, there is annual improvement and great potential. “I think that the future is terrific,” said Ms. Baisier. “I have 52 boys coming for Drama I, and I look forward to it.”
By Zach Wahlder, 11th Grade
With the 2012 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival kicking off on Friday, it’s time again for our annual music/food bonanza. And with some of the biggest names in the music industry headlining, this year, more than any other, seems to be one of the most promising lineups in years and as you’ll see in my top picks, it’s all about ROCK this year. Happy festing.
FIRST WEEKEND
- Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band: Grammy and Oscar Award winning artist, Bruce Springsteen is back and bigger than ever with an extended Sunday night set and a new album, Wrecking Ball. This is the first time since 2006 that the Boss and the band will have appeared at Jazz Fest. Bruce and his fellow rockers are known for their long and hard-rocking shows that leave spectators wanting more. If you only see one act at the fest, make it this one. Sunday, April 29.
- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Lauded as one of the few great live rock n’ roll bands still playing today, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have survived through decades-long transformation in music culture, have sold tens of millions of albums along the way, and finally make their debut appearance at Jazz Fest. As the years go by their concerts continue to grow in legend. They’re a key headlining act and should be worth the hassle of the crowds. Saturday, April 28.
SECOND WEEKEND
- Esperanza Spalding: As one of the biggest breakout musicians in 2011 and the recipient of the 2011 Grammy for Best New Artist, Spalding’s diverse musical style is a combination of pop, jazz, and hip-hop. Her cross-genre accomplishments have made her a rare talent and she continues to impress new listeners. This will be Spalding’s second Jazz Fest appearance. Thursday, May 3.
- Florence and the Machine: The English indie-pop band has certainly made musical waves over the past few years. Florence’s debut album, Lungs, was an instant success and attracted the attention of millions of fans around the world. She’s now back with her second album, Ceremonials, and bigger than ever. She’s known for her powerful and mesmerizing vocals and we’ll see if they carry over in a live, outdoor festival setting. Thursday, May 3.
- Jimmy Buffett : Known for his signature Gulf coast sound, Jimmy Buffett is a crowd pleaser. Such classic songs as “Margaretville,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,”, and “Fins” have attracted a wide array of loyal fans over the years who are known as Parrotheads. Along with many gold, platinum, and multi-platinum records, Jimmy is also a best-selling author whose work has appeared #1 on the New York Times Best-seller list. Thursday, May 3.
- Eagles: These Rock & Roll Hall of Famers have sold more than 120 million albums worldwide and have launched their new tour bringing back the big hits like “Hotel California,” “Life in the Fast lane,” and “Desperado.” The Eagles are known for their versatile style with their genres ranging from hard rock, folk, country, soft rock, and even classical. Their live concerts have been highly praised. Saturday, May 5.
- Foo Fighters: Former drummer for Nirvana and now lead singer for the Foo Fighters, Dave Grohl leads the Grammy award-winning band to the Big Easy for a great rock show. Their lengthy concerts are full of energy and never cease to amaze. The Foo Fighters are known to be very engaging with the crowd and provide an electrifying atmosphere. Sunday, May 6.
By Bryce P. Benefield, 9th Grade
On March 15, 2012 Ms. Baisier’s drama department put on a wonderful show called “Laughing at the Ides of March,” which turned out to be a huge success and raised money for Pennies for Patients. This presentation was mostly improvised acts. There were also a few short skits and a three-minute version of Pygmalion (the previous play Center Stage put on).
Sophomore Bryce Scherer and junior Jack Sheridan kicked off the evening with their rendition of the song “Make Them Laugh.” They did a fine job; however, there were moments when the original singer on the background track was audible. But this was only a minor production flaw. The physical pranks that ensued during an instrumental part of the song were a nod to “Three Stooges” style of physical comedy and set the tone for the evening.
After the opening song, HC alum Mr. J.D. Sledge stepped on to the stage for a few minutes of superb standup comedy. After the standup, Mr. Sledge acted as MC and led the actors through games such as “Animals at the Oughtabeen Zoo,” “Bedtime Stories,” “Emotional Party,” “Radio Stations,” and “Wrong Number.”
They started the improv games with a rehearsed scene titled “The Mistake” which showed Richard Saavedra and Alex Loicano in a bank office. The names of the two characters are never given, but the concept is that the costumer played by Saavedra is not able to make a withdrawal and the bank manager, played by Loicano, says that the computer was saying that he is dead.
The next scene was not rehearsed but all improvised. With suggestions from the audience, actors were put on the spot and had to use their wits. The scene showed Eugene Lawrence as a suicide hot line operator who is dealing with Michael Stiegler, Logan Field, and Bryson Warren. Warren is trying to reach a seduction hotline. Boy, did HE get a wrong number! Meanwhile Michael Stiegler who plays a character with a strong country accent is calling for support because his wife left him.
The next scene called “Radio Stations” featured Brice Duhe and Bryce Scherer. The pair, riding down a street, starts to argue, but Scherer tries to ignore him and keeps changing the station on the radio. But the stations are live people—characters Richie Saavedra, Hunter Castle, and Trey Malone. Saavedra did classical and show tunes, Hunter read news, and Trey Malone sang R&B. Malone stole the show. The audience giggled when he sang Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep,” but Malone brought the house down when he went into Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.” Trey did a great job of staying in character.
One of the highlights of the night was the improv game called “Bedtime Stories.” An actor would have to step out of the theater while the audience tells Mr. Sledge good topics for the story, then the actor would have to incorporate all of the ideas into one story on the spot. One of the top two stories were Bryce Scherer’s story which had to include Lady Gaga, Hollywood, and zombies. Logan Fields’ story included Arnold Schwarzenegger, cowboys, and bears.
There are plans to make comedy night an annual or even semi-annual event. Center Stage has a winner on its hands; the only concern would be getting a seat.
By Austin Doyle 11th Grade
In this era of sequel-happy movie franchises, Hollywood has yet another potential blockbuster. The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins is the latest book series to be made into a movie. The first movie, to be released March 23, couldn’t have come at a better time. Harry Potter’s thrilling ride ended last summer and Twilight’s reign will end this summer. There are two questions people are asking: “Will it stand up as a franchise?” and “What should I expect?”
Based on the popularity of the book series, it will be surprising if the film adaptation does poorly in box offices. The production company is making a major publicity push for this movie. New movie posters are intentionally leaked online every couple of weeks, new trailers have been released on the internet that aren’t seen on TV, and let’s be honest, when a movie has Taylor Swift sing not one but two songs for the soundtrack, you know the production company is pulling out the big guns. Then there’s the cast. The lead character, Katniss Everdeen is played by Jennifer Lawrence. Some may know her as Mystique in X-Men: First Class. The male lead, Peeta Mellark is played by Josh Hutcherson, arguably one of the most successful actors of his generation. Hutcherson has played in movies such as Journey to the Center of the Earth, Bridge to Terabithia, and Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, currently in theaters. Rock legend Lenny Kravitz also makes an appearance.
Expect action. In case you have been stuck in a mine for the last year, the basic plot goes like this: In a future post-apocalyptic America, two teenagers are taken from each district and thrown into an arena and forced to fight as a result of a failed rebellion that took place seventy four years earlier. Having read the book, I can say if the movie does stay true, the fight scenes should pack a punch.
This year, The Hunger Games was required reading for English I classes, and, as compelling as the book is, I’m willing to guess that all students enjoyed it. English Department Chair Ms. Chabreck said, “It is one of my favorite books ever. It’s an easy read with lofty themes.”
With the excitement mounting as March 23 approaches, all I have to say is, “May the odds be ever in its favor.”
By Zach Wahlder, 11th Grade
It was approximately 6:37 p.m. when I entered through the doors of the New Orleans Museum of Art. Being such a lover of art, I couldn’t believe that this would be my very first visit to the museum. But I wasn’t here for pleasure. I was here for business. Okay, maybe a little pleasure.
On February 3, 2012, Artfully AWARE, an international non-profit organization, took over the museum for a very special event. Artfully AWARE connects communities, collaborates with local partners and generates positive change in people’s lives through advocacy events and innovative community development projects. People from all over our community and the world submitted their artwork to be displayed throughout the museum. Numerous organizations, schools, and artists from all over the city participated together in celebrating the rich diversity of New Orleans. Holy Cross was well represented in the mix.
Entering through the Great Hall doors, I found a vibrant and energetic atmosphere that permeated the entire museum. I walked into a festive celebration of dance, music, art, creativity, and people of all backgrounds to observe the intriguing work that covered the walls of NOMA. I was quite surprised by the huge turnout and the strong showing of hipster types. (While I made somewhat of an attempt to dress the part, I did not, by any means, attempt to act the part. When I see a picture of a lion attacking a horse, I see a picture of a lion attacking a horse, not some symbolic representation of government wreaking havoc upon society). Anyways, back to the story. As I continued on, there was what looked to me in the middle of the Great Hall, a group of dancing tribal people adorned in large and colorful outfits, which was fascinating. I later found out that these men and women were a part of a group from the Mardi Gras Indian Tribe, the Guardians of the Flame.
As I made my way through the massive crowd into the back of the museum where the school’s and organization’s artwork was displayed, I came to the spot where Holy Cross displayed their work. It looked like two metal bins stacked upon each other with a rusted metal rail placed in the middle. To top it all off, a chain hung down the middle. In a quest to find out and understand what this interesting, untitled piece of work symbolized, I found one of the artists, sophomore Alex Vial. “The piece represents mankind’s similar beginning and end,” he explained. “We are born into an age where troubles are present everywhere and if we do not fix one person’s problems then they could soon become our own.” Sophomores Jude Sheridan and Andrew Ricks contributed to creating the piece.
After our epic adventure of exploring the museum and viewing art from all around the world, the evening’s festivities slowly faded. Holy Cross did a fantastic job and their art received the much deserved attention. On Monday, I spoke to art teacher phenom Mr. DuMouchel and asked him what he thought about the night. “I’m not sure what it meant to the boys—you’d have to ask them. But it meant a great deal to me and the school. It’s not like the work was exhibited in some auditorium somewhere. It’s the New Orleans Museum of Art. Our students had work in the same place as Picasso, Tiepolo, Renoir and Degas to name a few. The event was a big success for Artfully AWARE and we were a part of it. I hope the boys that participated are aware that they were a part of something special.” Spoken like a true artist.
