By Sean Murphy, 7th Grade
Change has been a constant for our generation at HC. Think about it. The new campus with the additions of the student center, the baseball diamond, and now the cafeteria. The move up to 4A. We are growing and gradually adjusting to our new surroundings. So how are you going to be a part of all these changes? Just run for student council your senior year or run to be your grade president? Easy, right? Well, what about your friends over here in middle school land? It is time for a middle school student council. Nominations, campaigns, and voting would be just like the high school elections, just with shorter candidates.
You may be wondering how this would benefit the school and students. Well, for one, it can teach students at a younger age about running for office, voting, and leadership. Another reason is that middle school students would likely have more events, clubs, dances, and activities. And having an active middle school council would prove that students can help in making changes to the way we run things. Finally, as an added benefit, it would be one more attractive reason why prospective parents would want to send their sons to this great school.
How would the structure work? It would almost be identical to the high school student council with a few slight alterations. As eighth graders are basically the seniors of the middle school, they should fill the position of president, vice president, and the other offices. Fifth through seventh graders would all have class representation. The 5th grade would require a month or two for students to get to know each other before voting.
A middle school student council would be a great opportunity for our younger students to represent their classmates, contribute to their school, learn about elections, and gain leadership experience. Please comment or write a letter to the editor and tell us your thoughts. Let’s take a more active role in our great school’s future!
By Christopher Rodriguez, 11th grade
Tigers, I come to you with a very serious waste problem. Every day, students print reports, essays, presentations, and projects to the wrong rooms and printers, and instead of going to the room to get the paper, we just print another copy to the room we are in if and when we realize our careless mistake. We do this because we think something is wrong with the printer or that the file wasn’t sent to the printer. Then, maybe after printing twice to the wrong room, we realize that we’ve selected the wrong room. This problem needs to stop. Fortunately, there are easy solutions.
When I asked Mr. Arnone how serious the problem was, he told me that anywhere from 100 to 150 sheets of paper are wasted daily. English and Drama teacher Ms. Baisier has it especially bad. Since her printer serves as the default to every student’s laptop, she receives up to 30 sheets of paper from various students on a good day and 50 sheets on a bad day. Not only is this a waste of paper, but also money. It takes up to $600 dollars to restock a printer with paper, toner, and color.
There is a simple solution: Students, before you press print, take one second to confirm that you are printing to the correct room. If you don’t know the room that you’re in and need to avoid disrupting class, simply look up at the Wi-Fi boxes on the ceilings in every room. If you happen to print to the wrong room, you can simply go get the paper when time allows rather than printing multiple copies. By doing these two things, students can save the paper and money it takes to keep these printers running. They can also relieve certain teachers of the annoyance of random papers printed to their room. So remember, think before you print.
By Nicholas Smeltz, 12th grade
As students, there is a universal problem that we all share and deal with on a daily basis: Parental nagging. Parents tend to jump on their children’s backs for the same reasons—grades, chores, curfews, trust, where we are, who we’re out with, etc. Here are some tips on how to reduce these annoyances.
Do homework and study: The number one reason a parent is going to give you static is for your grades. Some people may curse edline as a gateway to the underworld—you can’t hide that physics test you bombed. Many of us may get home from a long day and jump on Xbox or watch TV until midnight and then try to squeeze your homework in at the last minute. You know it’s not going to end well. If you come home and do your homework and study without your parents telling you to, they will appreciate your self-discipline and will likely give you a little more wiggle room. Make a little deal with them: For every A that you get, have them do one of your chores.
Build a sense of trust: Some of us are approaching the age where we may be going out and doing something other than what we told our parents. But, I’m here with some advice: Always tell your parents the truth. It may result in being grounded or losing your car, but being caught in a lie will always result in stricter punishments. As you build a better sense of trust with your family, they will give you more freedom because of your maturity.
Let them know where you are: Many of our parents are calling us constantly asking us where we are. Before we know it, we have ten missed calls and twelve texts. To keep them calm, always pick up the phone and return the message. If you are moving locations, let your parents know. It will only take a few seconds to send them a short text about your plans. Always call them if you are running late over curfew that they set for you. Hearing your voice will be more assuring to them.
Do your chores: We’ve heard the infamous line “Do your chores!” too many times. Like the homework advice, do them before they tell you. They can include taking out the trash, washing dishes, walking the dog, cleaning the pool (ITS WINTER! NOBODY IS SWIMMING, in my case) or cleaning your room, but show your parents that you are disciplined enough to be self-motivated.
When you feel like filing for emancipation, take a second to look at the scenario from your parent’s point of view. Their goal of raising you is to make you a trustworthy, disciplined, and responsible adult. Many of you will be parents in the future and you’re going to understand their concerns. Once you show them that you can operate on your own, they will open the cage and let you roam free like a bird.
By Zachary Stoufflet, 11th grade and Sean Murphy, 7th grade
To a Middle School student, an upper classmen is a giant. It’s quite easy to be swept away in the tide of a bell change. The first survival tip is to either hold on to the sides of the lockers, or just hold your breath and charge into the surge of students. If you fail, then find a friendly upper classman such as Robert Daroca to grab on to and then navigate the surge. Remember the high school students are large and in charge over many of you. The battle is like David and Goliath, but with average 5’10 upper classmen versus a 4’2 lower classmen. The atrium in the high school building is the widest point in the building, but remember stepping on the HC seal is prohibited. Final tip: move fast and think critically. Good luck.
By Austin Doyle, 11th grade
To avoid tripping over the smaller members of our middle school while scrambling to get to class on time, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Generally when you walk through tall grass you would pick your knees up to crush the tall grass under your feet. This would not be a good idea when walking through the middle school building. We don’t want any squashed middle schoolers now, do we? When MS students gather in groups, I’ve come to realize that they tend to cluster on the sides by their lockers. So, a good strategy is to stay in the middle of the hallway. If the hallways are extremely crowded try yelling, “Free candy in room 106!” If the staircase on the Admin end of the building is congested, make your way to the staircase closest to Paris Ave., which is usually much less crowded. If you don’t feel like walking to the other staircase walk onto the HC in the middle and use your handy dandy grappling hook to pull yourself up to the second floor. If all else fails, beg your teacher, perhaps on your knees, to dismiss you at least a minute early so that you can beat the mad rush. Good luck.
By Eugene Lawrence, 12th grade
Student appearance has always been an important part of the Holy Cross tradition. According to the school’s Dress and Appearance codes, “Students must have neat, clean, and combed hair.” It must always be at an appropriate length as well. However, the rule that seems to cause the most problems is the one facial hair. A student’s face must be “clean shaven, and sideburns may not extend past the ear.” Now, cutting sideburns may not be difficult, but for some students, hormones and genetics make the task of maintaining a clean shaven face particularly challenging.
When it comes to facial hair, there are several classifications. First, there is the average “Fuzzy Faced Tigers.” Shave on Monday, stubble by Wednesday. That should be manageable. Then there’s the guy with a baby face except for the upper lip area. Yes! There are students strutting across this campus with pseudo-‘staches who
probably don’t even have armpit hair.
Last, but certainly not least, you have the “Fourteen going on 40 look.” These are veterans who have needed to shave since they read their first Dr. Seuss book. For example, fellow senior Jeffrey Rittinger. He’s just hairy. I mean not Finnegan hairy, but hairy. Other guys like Dwyane Darensburg and Jordan Stafford fall into this category but have unique growth patterns. As for Dwyane,well, he went from baby-faced 9th grader to Mr. invisible goatee. Now, Jordan Stafford, well, he’s an entirely different beast with facial hair that begins at his jawbone.
Students always seem to have creative reasons as to how or why they did not shave. I’m sure Mr. DesOrmeaux wouldn’t mind lending them a razor. I, myself, miraculously have one of the cleanest shaving records school. Some students think shaving is a real hassle. For example, let’s say those “three day” guys I mentioned
earlier are clean shaven Friday, and by Sunday, they look Amish. Although shaving is a pain, treat it like a routine, like brushing your teeth. Since a freshman I have wondered why I have to shave cleanly. Well, as I have matured, whether HC meant to teach me this or not, I have learned that being cleanly shaven is a way to represent oneself. And even though I will grow a Fu-Manchu styled mustache next year, I know when that job interview is lined up, or the pretty girl comes around, I’ll be clean
shaven and presentable. Thanks, HC.
By Nicholas Smeltz, 12th grade
Have you ever been driving down a street and a car pulls up next to you and all you hear is a deep bass sound rumbling BWWWOOOBBBB, BWWWWOOOOBB? Some call that music.
For centuries, music has provided comfort, energy, and inspiration. In the Americas, Native Americans began with simple percussions and woodwind instruments, such as a drum and the pan flute. Later, string instruments like the violin and cello were an important step towards orchestral and classical music. Much of the popular music that we enjoy today is rooted in classical music. Since the 1920’s, the guitar was an important instrument in music and helped shape rock and roll and all its sub-genres. However, today, younger generations of aspiring musicians are using technology and software to create music.
First, a simple definition of a musician: One who is trained to play a musical instrument. It takes time and effort to master playing a traditional instrument. Musicians ranging from Beethoven to Eddie Van Halen have all dedicated significant parts of their lives to mastering their instruments. They are remembered by the music that they produced and how they pushed music in new directions.
Today, the definition of a musician seems to be much broader and inclusive. Younger generations seem to believe that simple beats produced by computers or electronic equipment is music. We then have to ask ourselves: Is the computer now an instrument? Dubstep, a deep bass line topped with reverberant drum patterns and electronic wobbles, seems to be the current tech flavor of the moment and relatively new artists such as Deadmau5 and Skrillex are riding the genre’s popularity wave.
Many popular artists use a Mac program called Pro Tools to produce their songs. This program is used to alter bass beats and add synthesized audio. These sounds are placed over a drum track that is usually looped throughout the song. Dubstep can be performed by just about anyone if they have the proper equipment. No musical background is necessary. With the rise of technology, are these new artists truly “musicians” or are they just a bunch of computer geeks?
Skrillex and Deadmau5 both may have talent in manipulating audio in computer programs, however their creations should not be considered music.
By Zach Wahlder, 11th Grade
With the end of the year rush right around the corner, Holy Cross students will be making some important decisions regarding student leadership. It’s once again time for students to vote for new, fresh faces that will lead and represent our school next year. So, before you click a box on Monday evening, April 2nd, stop and ask yourself if you are voting for your own best interests, or for the school’s?
In recent years, “likeability” has become a major factor in elections, especially the presidential race, and more specifically, the 2004 Presidential race between George W. Bush and John Kerry. President Bush, despite his flaws, came off as a pretty likeable guy. Someone you would feel comfortable being around. A frequently cited Zogby/Williams Identity Poll reflected this sentiment finding that 57% of undecided voters would rather have a beer with Bush than Kerry. Also, at the same time a Pew Research Center Poll asked swing voters who came off more as a “real person,” Bush or Kerry? Bush won, 56% to 38%. Despite this obvious advantage, many opponents of Bush have labeled him as “dumb” and “arrogant” as opposed to Kerry who was labeled as “smart” and “intelligent.”
It seems that for Americans, more than any other people, the vote for president comes down more as a personal choice. A study published in 2006 by Emory University psychology professor Drew Westen, PhD, and colleagues in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience described the neural correlates of political judgment and decision-making in people. The team examined the brain activity of 30 men before the 2004 U.S. presidential election as they listened to statements being made about their chosen candidates. It was discovered that the brain areas responsible for reasoning did not show increased activity as the men made their final decisions after the information was given. On the other hand, the brain areas controlling emotion showed tremendous increases in activity.
The same can be said for any other election, especially our student council elections. Most people seem to vote on their own individual interests, rather than in the best interests of everyone else as a whole. To hold an aura of likeability is to hold an advantage over every other candidate, which in the end, can prove to be the deciding factor in who will win the race. Now you may be thinking, How can you even attempt to compare the Presidential election to a student council election? Yes, the President of the United States has a more sizable influence over us than our student council. But our student council can have a significant impact on campus life and how the majority of our school events are organized and run.
We should take elections seriously, no matter the scale. So, come election day it is of utmost importance that we set aside subjective thoughts on likeability and popularity and use rational and reasonable thinking when deciding between candidate A and candidate B. Don’t vote for a certain candidate just because he is your best friend or because he seems more likeable. Vote for the students who will best represent our school and whose actions will benefit the entire student body.
Remember to vote!
By Eugene and Q. Lawrence, 12th Grade
As patriotic Americans, we love a good hamburger. However, we’re first and foremost chicken men. In recent years, the poultry gods have blessed us with two elite chicken establishments to choose from and we’re both quite pleased.
Yes, well, you see, we have a split personality. Let us explain. Eugene, he’s probably six foot three or four and 185 pounds with a wet t-shirt. He’s a slender, talkative, and wooly-haired guy, but don’t let his slim frame fool you, the boy can eat! He’s borderline psycho for his Raising Cane’s. He boasts about his infatuation via Facebook, Twitter, and text. True story: He’s had Cane’s for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the same day (they open at 10:30 a.m., by the way).
Then there’s Q. He’s a quiet guy, who’s diagnosed himself with OCD. If it’s not perfect, he can’t deal with it. His appetite is based off design. Yes, design—keep reading, it will make sense. At the dinner table, he hates when his peas mix with his potatoes. He’s just a very organized guy. He craves Chick-fil-a like pregnant women crave chocolate turtles on Valentine’s Day. But oddly, he doesn’t even purchase chicken there, he just loves the design of their famous waffle fries. You can see him in your neighborhood food court examining the waffle fry patterns with a look of insanity like Victor Frankenstein.
These two personalities share one body and the dispute will probably continue until the heart stops. Raising Cane’s is simple. It has the convenience of a fast food joint, but the service, and family atmosphere that make it a suitable venue for a junior prom dinner. Just ask the junior year version of Sherman Mushatt and ourselves. We definitely impressed our dates with some ol’ fashioned chicken strips and sauce. Add the fresh toast, and crinkle cut fries and you have an amazing meal. The coleslaw? Probably the only mistake founder Todd Graves made. But fortunately, Todd allows you to swap it for an extra piece of buttered toast. Oh yeah, we almost forgot to mention the cubed ice. Q. is a big fan.
What makes both organizations great is that they were both founded by hardworking moral men. And obviously because they both involve poultry. Let’s not forget the fact that both establishments have fun animal mascots. Both restaurants were established around major universities. For all you seniors out there who are looking to attend college in the South, be ready for Raising Cane’s and Chick-fil-a to be a part your “freshmen fifteen.” Just keep in mind that if you plan on visiting Eugene and Q, don’t expect a trip to the French Quarter, but our treat to Cane’s or Chick-fil-a.
By Zach Wahlder, 11th grade
Of all the troubling issues in America today, one of the most common is currently being overlooked: Teenage bullying.
According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, 28 percent of students aged 12 to 18 reported that they were bullied in school during the 2008-2009 school year. Teenage bullying not only results in serious physiological-emotional injuries, but can also lead to the loss of life. A simple internet search will reveal numerous accounts of kids who have taken their own lives because of bullying. According to the CDC, suicide is the third leading cause of death of young people, resulting in about 4,400 deaths per year.
Today, some of the most lethal forms of bullying come through insults, teasing, ridicule, and gossiping rather than just physical aggression and violence. Of all the supposed reasons for which teens have been bullied for, sexual orientation remains the number one factor. Within the past year and especially in recent months, teenagers of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender orientation have been targeted and bullied, and have taken their lives because of it. One recent incident received national attention. Jamey Rodemeyer, a 14-year-old of Buffalo, N.Y., committed suicide on September 18, 2011 after being continuously bullied for years because of his sexual orientation. Jamey, after coming out to friends and family in May, posted a YouTube video on the new online site, It Gets Better Project, which provides testimony from adults and celebrities to reassure troubled and potentially suicidal LGBT youth that life improves as they get older.
It’s stories like Jamey’s that continue to cause public uproar all around the country. It prompted pop artist Lady Gaga to recently meet with President Barack Obama and discuss teenage bullying in America. And it’s not just Lady Gaga. Countless celebrities such as Ellen DeGeneres, Neil Patrick Harris, Sarah Silverman, Anne Hathaway, and Chris Colfer have taken to social media to display their support for bullied teens. Another attempt at highlighting the continuing efforts against bullying has been the release of the new documentary film, The Bully Project. It was one of the most talked-about movies at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival where it premiered. The film delves deep into the lives of children and their families that suffer from bullying. Its wide release date in U.S. theaters is March 9, 2012, but it continues to be screened across the country in numerous film festivals.
With the rise in popularity of major social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, bullying has taken a new direction. Parents should take the responsibility to monitor their children’s online activities. Inaction is just as harmful as bullying itself.
Bullying is a major problem that needs to be addressed on the national level and should be solved immediately. While little is done to combat bullying, more and more kids will continue to suffer and could end up taking their own lives. So before you insult someone for their weight, intelligence, sexual orientation, or personal appearance, take the time to think about the negative impact that you will have on that kid’s life and the harm you will cause.
