Insight - Cardinal Gibbons High School

Cardinal Gibbons High School
Volume 47, Issue 2
November 19, 2008
The Voice of the Chiefs
Yes, He Did.
By Jeb Thomas
It’s finished. After many
months, millions of dollars in campaign spending, heated Presidential
debates, and Saturday Night Live
sketches, Election Day has passed.
Presidential candidates Barack Obama
and John McCain have spent a combined total of nearly one billion dollars, making the 2008 Presidential
Election one of the most expensive
races in American history. As of November 4, it has become official –
Obama has “Baracked” the vote to
become the first black president in the
history of the United States.
This election marked the first
time a black male has ever been nominated from a major party, the first time
two senators ran against one another,
and the first time neither candidate
was born in the continental United
States.
Surely this was a groundbreaking decision that will affect the
future of the world’s economy, in ad-
President-elect Barack Obama
dition to our nation’s well-being. Those
who decided to vote early were faced with
extremely long lines. Some people waited
up to five hours. Over 119 million people
voted, with approximately 63 million
votes for Obama and 56 million votes for
McCain. Until now, the most votes cast
in any US presidential election was 120
million back in 2004, when George W.
Bush was running against Democratic
candidate John Kerry.
Even Cardinal Gibbons held a
mock election on Friday, October 31, to
decide which candidate the students and
teachers supported. Fifty-one percent of
the school voted. The majority were in
support of Republican John McCain, who
garnered 311 of the 599 votes. Obama
came in second with 248 votes, followed
by Ralph Nader with 32 votes.
Inauguration Day is January 20,
2009, the day in which Barack Obama
and Joe Biden will be sworn into office as
President and Vice President of the
United States, respectively.
Homecoming Review
see pages 14-16
Thanksgiving Food
Drive
Page 12
Junk in the Trunk
Page 20
Parking Lot
Commandments
Page 22
www.cghsfl.org
Concert Reviews
Pages24-25
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Club News
Insight
November 19, 2008
Student Leadership Leads the Way
By Ryan LaMarca
Student Leadership, Cardinal Gibbons’s largest service club, has had their work cut out for them so far this year.
Beginning with the annual Open House in September, the club
has been working relentlessly to provide countless services to
our students. Regarding the success of Open House, President
Matthew Puzio remarked, “The event’s success all leads back
to Mrs. Hanke and her guiding hand at work.” For the event,
over seventy-five members of Student Leadership dedicated
their Sunday afternoon to volunteer, knowing that Open House
is one of the driving forces in promoting Cardinal Gibbons to
prospective students.
The club also worked at the Guidance Department’s
College Night, another Student Leadership mainstay. Under
the coordination of President Matthew Puzio, and VicePresident Ryan LaMarca, thirty Student Leaders distributed
refreshments to university representatives while directing stuStudent Leadership leads the way at the Homecoming parade.
dents and parents around the gym.
Links to Learning, another major staple of Student
Leadership, has expanded greatly for the new school year. comes under the sponsorship of Yodeline Guerrier. Student
Links to Learning continues after school in the media center, Leadership members have been donating supplies and goods to
while new lunchtime sessions have been added. Student Lead- the Saint Montfort Orphanage in Haiti.
ership members remain dedicated to tutoring students in need
“The success comes from the students. They’re at the
of assistance.
heart of the whole mission, and they personify Student LeaderStudent Leadership participates in a variety of other ship,” said moderator, Mrs. Hanke. “With kids like these, it’s a
activities, including the Christ Church Homeless Feeding Proclub you can be proud of.” Student Leadership maintains its
gram and the Holy Cross Hospital SHARE Program. Both
programs are devoted to helping homeless members of our commitment to care, serve, and lead.
community. Student Leaders have also participated in the
Breast Cancer Walk and the Saint Gabriel’s Pancake Breakfast. The latest project brought to Student Leadership this year
R.E.S.P.E.C.T. LIFE
By Jennifer Gilday
Aretha Franklin’s got nothing when it comes to her demand for
R.E.S.P.E.C.T compared to the Cardinal Gibbons Theology Department.
The department hosts four themed
weeks throughout the school year.
The week from September 29 to October 3 was dedicated to Respect
Life. Speakers were brought in from
the Respect Life Offices of the Archdiocese to discuss different topics
concerning chastity, abortion, and
euthanasia.
Mr. Lonteen, Christian Ministry adviser at CGHS, said the purpose of Respect Life Week was to
reinforce the idea that life should be respected and acknowledged “from the womb to the tomb.” Mr. Adolino’s Bible I
class was especially moved by their guest speaker who had a
first hand abortion experience.
Sophomore Margaux McIntyre
commented, “I wasn’t really affected until our speaker began to
break down. Then, the topic of
abortion wasn’t just something
we heard about in religion
classes, it became real. We were
able to see how it was still affecting this woman, years after she
had experienced it.” The next
themed week of the year will be
AIDS Awareness Week in December.
Our Lady of Guadalupe is the
patron saint of unborn children.
Club News
Insight
November 19, 2008
3
Fine Arts Club News
By Emily Bonvini
The Fine Arts
Club has been keeping
very busy lately. The club
just finished a candy drive
for Kids in Distress and
the Children’s Home Society, where members
stuffed gift bags full of
Halloween candy for the
children. “It’s really great
that we can do this for the
kids,” said club president Angela Giunta. “We wanted to
make their Halloween special.” The club put together over
200 bags to give to the organizations, which care for abused
and neglected children.
On November 7, the Fine Arts Club went on a field
trip to the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art to check out Picasso’s ceramics, Carlos Lena’s paintings, and American art
from 1850-1950. The students were led through the exhibits
in two small groups, each with its own docent. The docents
tested the group’s knowledge of art, basic American history,
and Spanish phrases throughout the tour. After the field trip,
the students walked across the street to Riverfront for lunch.
Clubs Work Together to
Lend a Hand
By Jennifer Gilday
Both the Literature and Biomedical clubs
collected toiletries in gallon sized plastic bags
throughout the months of October and early November for a mission group that works locally out
of Christ Church. The bags will be given to the
needy that come to the church during the Thanksgiving holiday.
The mission group also hosts meatloaf
dinners every Thursday. Over 150 people come to
Christ Church on Thursdays for a hot meal and
good company. They always need volunteers. For
more information, see Mrs. Primavera (moderator of
Literature Club).
Missions Impossible
Not for Physics Students
By Rebecca Handal
For weeks, Physics students stressed over the way
they could make a bridge out of regular toothpicks and
Elmer’s white glue withstand the weight of 100 pounds.
Some said it was impossible! Nevertheless, the students
proved to be, in the words of Mr. Herrmann, “mental giants.” On September 29, the bridges were tested. Many
watched their masterpieces smashed to smithereens as
weight was added. First period student, Alex Giachetti’s
bridge was so strong that he could stand on it.
The students’ next mission was the egg-drop experiment in which they had to create an apparatus to protect
a raw egg from breaking when dropped 100 feet from the
top of a fire engine ladder. On November 7, the students
proved they could conquer seemingly impossible assignments. Mission accomplished.
Students are
ready for the egg
drop test.
A fireman drops
an egg apparatus
from the fire
engine ladder
100’ in the air.
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Club News
Insight
November 19, 2008
CGHS Helps Students and Soldiers in Iraq
Key Club moderator, Mrs. Quailey, began a new project this year when she was contacted by a family friend. He told her about a
friend fighting in Iraq who wanted some toys for
the children there. Her club members were eager
to help.
Major Glenn Kiesewetter contacted the
club members and informed them that the children in Iraq are afraid of the soldiers; the toys
help to “break the ice.” The Key Club has already sent its first shipment of 40 pounds of
Beanie Babies.
They are still collecting for another shipment. If you would like to contribute, see Mrs.
Quailey in room C101.
Major Glen Kiesewetter is distributing the Key Club Beanie
Babies to the Children in Iraq.
Pennies, Pasta, and Parties, OH MY!
By Emily Bonvini
Think of all
the pennies thrown into
fountains, forgotten on
the floor of the car, or
caught between the
cushions of a living
room sofa. What if all
that spare change went
to a good cause? Mu
Alpha Theta wanted to
achieve just that
through their fund raiser Pasta for Pennies. The “pennies” collected go toward the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, which
funds cancer research, education, and patient care. On October
10, 2008, the fund raiser came to a close, with a final total of
$2,352.94.
This is the fourteenth year that Olive Garden has
sponsored this fund raiser, and the second year that Gibbons
has participated. The seventh hour class which raises the most
money per student is rewarded with a delicious pasta party
provided by the Olive Garden. Last year, $5.2 million was
raised nationwide, and a total of $36 million has been donated
since the program’s inception in 1994.
The top ten classes this year were the following:
Place
Teacher
1.
Ms. Rizzo
Amount Raised per
Student
$20.20
2.
Mr. Cornejo
$13.96
3.
Ms. McConville
$12.52
4.
Mrs. Serafini
$11.96
5.
Mr. Ziontz
$6.37
6.
Mrs. Zamora
$5.71
7.
Mr. Orcutt
$5.58
8.
Mr. Lonteen
$5.38
9.
Ms. Gertzlin
$5.20
10.
Mr. Coyle
$5.09
Club News
Insight
Mission to Nicaragua
Feature By Jeb Thomas
Albert Einstein once said, “Only life lived for others
is a life worthwhile.” This belief is shared by Cardinal Gibbons junior Alex Alghussain, who recently participated in a
summer mission trip to Nicaragua that lasted a total of nine
days.
Nicaragua, known for its impoverished communities
and lack of common domesticities, is home to roughly five
million people. The first three days of Alex’s trip were spent
at the Ave Maria University in San Marcos, where he met others on the trip.
Following his stay in San Marcos, Alex and his peers
traveled to hostile Nejapa, where he stayed in a guarded facility. The Nicaraguan communities are filled with dilapidated
houses built from scraps; its inhabitants are deprived of running water, and starving dogs roam the narrow streets. Alex
said, “Nicaraguans don’t have as much as we do, but they are
still happy. It is from this trip that I realize that all the opportunities we are given as Americans can’t be taken for granted
because there are so many who don’t have the opportunity to
be all they can be. It is the opportunities that are available in
America that make it the greatest country in the world.”
Following the group’s arrival to Nejapa, Alex began
walking door to door, handing out flyers to local citizens regarding a baseball clinic, which was a huge success. Nearly
one hundred kids attended the clinic each day. They were
taught how to play baseball and given biblical lessons.
To prepare for his trip to this third world country,
November 19, 2008
5
Alex needed a typhoid vaccine and medication to prevent malaria. The Spanish courses he had taken at CGHS enabled him
to communicate with the Nicaraguans.
While there, Alex traveled to an active volcano, took
a zip-line ride through the Mombacho Canopy, and shopped in
a local market. As a gift to the kids he met through the clinic,
Alex donated several Cardinal Gibbons CrossCountry and
Track shirts. He hopes to someday return to Managua and Nejapa to see how his mission group had impacted the area.
Junior Alex Alghussain is with a few Nicaraguan kids who participated in the summer baseball clinic.
Club Starts the Holidays
by Giving
By Brooke Stotsky
The Spanish Connection organized a fundraiser to
help HIV patients in Nicaragua. They raised money by putting together their club dues and selling lollipops, raising
$1000. This money will pay for four months of HIV treatment for the entire country.
Mrs. Lanza, the clubs moderator, flew to Nicaragua
on November 6 to deliver two hundred pounds of clothes in
addition to the money they raised. The donations will be
given to Christ for the Poor, an organization run by Alex Torres, who was once a Cardinal Gibbons teacher. For more information on this excellent cause, visit
www.christforthepoor.org.
According to the Christ for the Poor website,
“Roughly over 170 families reside in Managua, Nicaragua’s City dump. These primitive camps without
electricity, sewers or clean water exist along expressway roads and in the midst of cities.”
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Club News
Insight
November 19, 2008
National Honor Society’s
October Project
A Commentary
By Maureen Thieme
In keeping with the Halloween spirit, National Honor
Society collected Halloween costumes, Halloween goodie
bags, and food items to donate to Children’s Diagnostic and
Treatment Center (CDTC) throughout the month of October. I
coordinated this project for NHS, with the goal of giving back
to the community by bringing Halloween to its neediest members.
The center, established in 1983, provides comprehensive prevention, intervention and treatment services to children
and adolescents with special healthcare needs and their families. With the help of fund-raisers and generous donations, the
center grew from a small room in Broward General Hospital to
the largest child healthcare provider in Broward County.
In total, about 51 costumes were donated, along with
52 goodie bags and about $240 worth of food items for
CDTC’s pantry. The CDTC contacts were Maura Brassil and
Stephanie Clayton. Stephanie is the coordinator of development and community events. She said on the day the costumes
were brought to the center, “Maura just came by with the donations, and they are awesome! Thank you so much for organizing this drive at your school. The kids are going to be so
excited.”
I saw for myself just how excited
they were when I went
down to the center on
Thursday, October 30 to
drop off a few lastminute costumes and
speak to some of the
people who work
there. My guide, Ana
E. Calderon, Ph.D., who
is the assistant administrator of Children’s Diagnostic and Treatment
Center, took me on a
tour of the center and its
clinics, and emphasized
how grateful they were
for the donations, saying, "It was such a creative idea, and the chil- Maureen Thieme is delivering Haldren really love the cos- loween costumes at the CDTC
tumes." The project was Center.
a great way to benefit a
charitable organization in a fun way. "Donating costumes
made me feel happy because it's good to know that I made
Halloween possible for those who are less fortunate than I
am," said Ally Vitale, one of the project's participants. I know
many others felt similarly. I'd just like to thank everyone who
brought in donations.
Making Strides for Breast Cancer
By Brooke Stotsky
Cardinal Gibbons students united once
more in the fight against breast cancer. On October 11th, over five thousand people came out
to Huizenga Park to walk for breast cancer
awareness and research.
More than fifty Cardinal Gibbons students from the Biomedical Club, Key Club,
Student Leadership, and the Exchangettes participated in the walk, which traveled from the
park to downtown Fort Lauderdale.
This year’s walk raised $215,006
The CGHS students who participated are members of Biowhich will go to the Breast Cancer Society.
medical Club, Student Leadership, Exchangettes and Key
Club.
Club News
Insight
November 19, 2008
7
Music Department’s Christmas Wrapping Booth
It is that time again! Preparations are in full swing for the Music
Department’s annual Gift-Wrapping
Booth at the Galleria Mall. This fundraiser is coordinated by the Music
Boosters Association, and staffed by
parents and students of the Music Department. Proceeds are used to help
finance the activities of the Pep Band,
Concert Band, Jazz Band, Drumline,
Orchestra, Chorus, Color Guard, and
other Music Department expenses, as
well as partially fund the cost of the
Music Department’s annual Spring
Trip. The Booth opens on November
28th and will be open until 6 p.m. on
Christmas Eve. In addition to providing full gift-wrapping services, they
will also have a Limited Edition
CGHS Keepsake Ornament for sale.
Please look for them on the 2nd floor
next to Dillard’s, adjacent to guest
services. For questions, please call
Janet Naddell, MBA Secretary at 954309-5067.
Hannah Baldwin (left) and Megan
Tunis hone their wrapping skills at
the Galleria Mall Wrapping Booth.
TellMeMore
By Christine Bonvini
Teachers
always want to go in
-depth with their
curriculum, and that
wish has been
granted. TellMeMore is an
online language
program that incorporates reading
comprehension,
pronunciation, dicta- Mrs. Serafini’s class is working on the
tion, and vocabulary TellMeMore program.
in fun activities that
are based on a topic introduced at the beginning of each unit.
This program is being used by the French and Spanish language students, whose reviews all seem to be the same. Nikki
Giaquinto, a ninth grader, said, “It really gives us a chance to
interact more in Spanish. You’re learning and still having fun
at the same time.”
This year is the first year that the TellMeMore system
is being used at Cardinal Gibbons. Mrs. Serafini, a Spanish
teacher, said, “This program’s main feature mimics immersion
for both Spanish and French. More or less it lets you go at your
own pace.” All world language teachers bring their students to
Tatum Cooper (left), Devon Pinches and Mary Kate
Short are working with the TellMeMore program in the
computer lab.
the library once a week to complete some of the activities that
were assigned to them.
The program also permits the teachers to check on the
students’ progress and allows them to send and receive messages from the students while they are working on the lesson.
If all goes well this year, the teachers plan to keep incorporating TellMeMore into their lesson plans for years to come.
8
News
Insight
November 19, 2008
College Night
By Brooke Stotsky
Despite the less than perfect
day Monday, October 13, the Cardinal
Gibbons gym was packed with students,
parents, and families from South Florida. More than 900 people came to the
annual College Night to meet with college representatives from the University
of Florida, Harvard, Barry University,
and 150 other schools to help the students learn about their many college
options.
“This certainly could not have
happened without the support of our
Administration, Maintenance Department, Technology Department, Student
Leadership Society, National Honor
Society, boys P.E., Cafeteria Staff,
Guidance Staff (especially Nancy
Ortenzo and Elizabeth DiGiorgio), and
all of you who proudly wore your college shirts and encouraged your students
to attend. Thank you!” said Kathy
Blyth, head of the Guidance Department.
Above Left: The representative from
Miami University loves our addicting
cookies!
Above Right: Daniel Stark asks questions to the representative from Northwood University.
Brain Brawl Boasts Broward’s Best
By Rebecca Frank
Every year, the National Honor Society hosts the
Brain Brawl, a competition based on wit, knowledge, and a
firm understanding of Jeopardy. Dr. Bonniwell, the moderator
of NHS, handpicked senior, Kelsey Ingerto, as this year’s
Brain Brawl chairperson. In doing so, Kelsey was expected to
plan the logistics for the event on October 11th. “It was a lot
of work,” Kelsey said of the responsibility, “but it turned out
really well, and the competitors were great!”
Of the eight participating schools—St. Andrew’s, St.
Mark’s, St. Elizabeth’s, St. Malachy’s, St. Coleman’s, St.
Clement’s, and St. Anthony’s—the top three winning teams
received plaques with their school’s name engraved on them.
St. Andrew’s, as the first place winner, received a trophy per
team member.
After seven grueling rounds based on questions of
history, science, mathematics, literature, and current events,
third place went to St. Elizabeth’s, second place went to St.
Mark’s, and first place went to St. Andrew’s. Each of these
teams, as an extra bonus for their wins, received $100, $200,
and $300 per person toward their future Cardinal Gibbons tuition, respectively.
Alejandro Serrano, captain of the St. Andrew’s team,
said of the competition, “I thought it was going to be really
close; we were nervous.” Teammate Nico Claros chimed in,
“We’re excited and proud to be here and to have won!”
Both Kevin Griffin and Rebecca Frank were hosts for
the event. Kevin said, “We overcame some problems, but it
was fun, and I got to see the kids from my old school, St. Coleman’s!”
The winning team from St. Andrews is all smiles.
Left:
Kelsey Ingerto welcomes all to the
Brain Brawl 2008.
Right: Host Kevin Griffin
and technician Erica Aispuro
chat mid-competition.
News
Insight
November 19, 2008
9
Big Brothers Big Sisters: Past and Present
By Taylor Field
Big Brothers Big Sisters was established in 1904 in
New York City by a court clerk named Ernest Coulter. He was
tired of seeing so many boys coming through his courtroom
getting into trouble, so he set out to find mentors and volunteers to help guide the boys. According to literature from the
organization, “Today, Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest,
largest, and most effective youth mentoring organization in the
United States.”
Cardinal Gibbons High School participates in this
program by sending juniors and seniors to Rickards Middle
School every Wednesday. The goal is to create a lifelong
friendship between “Big” and “Little” siblings and help Littles
to improve their manners, social skills, and study habits. Littles are often underprivileged students with issues at home or
face other tough obstacles in life.
Big Brothers Big Sisters provides a great opportunity
for the Big siblings as well. Senior Anita Breibord said that
being in this program has helped her to “learn to be grateful”
for what she has. Not only does the newfound friendship provide for the younger sibling, it also can be very beneficial to
any older brother or sister.
Big Brothers Big Sisters proves beneficial:
•
•
•
Participation gives students more confidence in their school
work.
Membership helps students to get along with their families.
Members are 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs;
27% less likely to begin using alcohol; 52% less likely
to skip school.
Big Brothers/Big Sisters meets in the library at Rickards
Middle School each Wednesday.
My First time as
a Big
nervous as I was. I revealed my inexperience, and it was a perfect icebreaker.
The rest of the hour we worked
on history homework, and filled out
worksheets geared towards getting to
know each other. I really enjoyed meeting him and finding out what he liked to
do for fun, and learning what his family
was like. Our goals for the next few
weeks are to improve his social and
writing skills. I can’t wait to work more
with my new “little brother,” though
he’s actually taller than I am!
A Commentary by Taylor Field
I walked up to Rickards Middle
School feeling a little uneasy the first
day of Big Brothers Big Sisters. I knew
that the organization’s goal was to provide a good mentor for students, but I
wasn’t exactly feeling very inspirational.
I was so nervous and overwhelmed at
such a large school; it was bigger than
my middle and high schools combined! I
was assigned a little brother, and sent to
meet him in his classroom. The feeling
of a new kid in a new school overwhelmed me as I entered my Little’s
classroom and all necks turned towards
the doorway upon my entrance. “I’m
here to see Wilson” I said with a quivering voice. A young, tanned, skinny teenage boy raised his hand and grinned.
My little brother’s name is Wil-
Taylor Field is pictured with her Little Brother, Wilson .
th
son, an 8 grader, who was born in the
Dominican Republic and moved here
roughly four years ago. I tried to keep
my composure and pretended I knew
what I was doing. With time, the tension
eased and I realized Wilson was just as
Big Brothers/Big Sisters is always looking for volunteers from all
walks of life! To find out more about
how you can become a “Big Brother” or
“Big Sister” visit www.bbbs.org
10
News
“Wake up, get out of bed,
drag a comb across your
head”
By Jennifer Gilday
One of the
many complaints
one can hear arising
from the halls of
any high school
across the country
is, ‘I am so tired!”
There’s a reason for
this common complaint, and it’s not
because the average
high school student
is procrastinating
his or her life away. Rather, it is one direct effect of the conflicting schedules between the beginning of the school day and
the circadian rhythm which controls teens’ bodies.
It is a common belief that as the human body ages, it
needs less sleep. FALSE! According to Mary A. Carskadon
Did you know?
•
Insight
November 19, 2008
of Brown University Medical School, adolescents need approximately 9.2 hours of sleep per night. The average teenager gets a mere 6.5 hours of sleep per night. Most teens try
to “make up” that lost time on the weekends, which is an unhealthy habit that can lead to a poorer quality of sleep.
Teenagers experience a “phase shift,” which causes
them to fall asleep at a later time compared to children. So,
just telling a teen to hit the sack early isn’t only impossible,
but it’s against Mother Nature. According to a Wolfson and
Carskadon study, the brain hormone melatonin, which has a
connection with the body’s sleep function, is produced later at
night for adolescents as compared to kids and adults.
Carskadon conducted an experiment with 40 high
school students. For half of these students, she had school
start at 7:20 a.m. for the other half, 8:30 a.m. The group that
started at 7:20 a.m. was “pathologically sleepy.” Half of them
fell into direct REM sleep in an average of 3.4 minutes. This
pattern is usually seen in patients who suffer from narcolepsy.
Additionally, further experimenting by Carskadon
and her colleagues found that students who went to sleep 40
minutes later and obtained 25 minutes less sleep received C’s,
D’s, and F’s. Those students who received more sleep and
went to sleep earlier, achieved A’s and B’s in school.
For more information and tips on getting more Z’s,
visit: http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/take_care/
tips_sleep.html
Are you in this circle?
100,000 traffic accidents result
from drowsiness and fatigue.
50,000
•
In more than
of these accidents young drivers are at the wheel.
•
Teens require more than
per night.
•
9 hours of sleep
42% of teens get less than 9
hours of sleep per night.
•
Falling
asleep during
classes
Inability to
concentrate
16% of teens get 8.5 hours of
sleep, while 26% get 6.5 hours
of sleep.
(http://www.apa.org/monitor/oct01/ sleepteen.html)
ARE YOU GETTING
ENOUGH Z’S???
According to TeenHealth
Difficulty
waking up
in the
morning
Feelings of
moodiness
and even
depression
Opinion
Insight
November 19, 2008
11
How do you feel about the outcome of the election?
“I am very pleased that Obama
won the candidacy. After 8 years under
Bush, I feel it is time for a change in our
nation. I also appreciate that a minority
won and look forward to a better 4 years. “
–Senior, Taylor Lurie
“I am worried about Senator
Obama’s lack of experience in dealing
with foreign relations. I wouldn’t want to
have to move Mrs. Hamilton and Jr. Hamilton to Iceland because of a feeling of a
lack of security.” – World History
Teacher, Mr. Hamilton
“I’m really happy. Obama is the
change we need. I can’t wait to see what he is
going to do. I like that he wants to tax the
upper class in order to give money to the
poor.” – Freshman, Cassandra Jean-Francois
“I am happy with Obama’s win
of the presidency. He will benefit the people more than McCain. I don’t mind regulation in order to assist the lower and middle classes.” – Junior, Brian Wicker
“It is a great turning point in
American History, and it embodies the
idea that we are all created equal.” –
Freshman, Karl Herbert
“I am strongly disappointed. I’m
Cuban so I am afraid of the threat of communism. As Karl Marx has said, ‘From each
according to his capabilities, to each according to his needs.’ ” – Junior, Nicholas Picon
“The outcome of the election is a
good one. Our decision to elect an African American as President shows the
progression the United States has gone
through in the last few decades…. About
fifty years ago we were fighting segregation. Obama was the best choice for our
country. We need someone who can actually make a difference for our country AND the rest of the world.” - Sophomore,
Alex Macedo
“I am disappointed in the results of
the election. I do not believe Obama has
enough experience to lead our country….
Obama’s economic policies will only put our
country in more economic crisis. It is so bad
my father wants to move to Canada.” Sophomore, Jennifer Grant
“I am disappointed. I believe in
capitalism and little government regulation on
businesses; anything that goes against that
ideal is disadvantageous in my opinion. My
largest complaint is Obama’s idea of socialized medicine and welfare.” –Senior, Stephanie Preston
“I accept the outcome of the
election. I would’ve rather it had gone the
other way, however. I don’t believe in the
growth of government and government
regulation. I do admit we need change in
policy. President Obama will in fact be
the next president of the United States,
and I feel that all people, Democrats and Republicans alike,
need to support him as our nation’s leader.” American Government Teacher, Brother Ferris
Students and staff voted for the President on October 31st.
There were 599 votes cast. McCain won with 311 votes to
248 votes for Obama.
12
Opinion
Insight
November 19, 2008
THANKSGIVING FOOD
DRIVE
The types of items requested are available in the office. Items should be taken to homerooms no later than 9:00
a.m. Wednesday, November 19.
By Brooke Stotsky
As we look forward to
the amazing feasts we will be
enjoying this Thanksgiving, gathered around the table with family
and friends, let’s remember that
not all Americans are so lucky.
With hard times quickly approaching for many families, it is
an excellent time to get into the holiday spirit and start giving
back to those around us.
On that note, Cardinal Gibbons kicked off its annual
food drive on November 13. The hope is to supply three food
ministries with both non-perishable foods and Publix gift certificates. There was a $5 dress-up day Thursday, November
13. The money raised will go to buy Publix gift certificates to
be used by families in need. This is an excellent way to get on
Santa’s “nice” list.
Artist: Max Freeman
Updates
Insight
CGHS Offers Dual
Enrollment
Cardinal Gibbons High School has partnered with St. Thomas University to offer dual
enrollment classes on campus. The Dual Enrollment Program gives high school students the opportunity to take college-level courses and receive college credit. The courses are taught by
CGHS teachers and the curriculum meets university criteria. In order to be eligible, students need
a 3.5 GPA and must maintain a B average in the
dual enrollment class. If eligible and interested,
students should contact Dr. Breton in the Main
Office.
Courses offered next semester in Dual
Enrollment:
General Chemistry II
Laboratory: General Chemistry II
Composition
Honors Writing
Introduction to French II
History of Western Civilization II
Introduction to Psychology
Applied Psychology
Introduction to Spanish II
Intermediate Reading, Composition, and
Conversation
November 19, 2008
13
Alumni News:
•
Frank Imparato from the Class of 2003 performs
magic and illusion under the stage name "Jimmy
Rook." He has performed for Disney and recently ap-
•
Diane Nilan, a class of 1968 CGHS graduate, is an
advocate working to raise awareness of homelessness for
children and teens. In 2005, she created the nonprofit organization HEAR US to help these homeless children. She
sold her possessions and bought an RV to travel the country and create a documentary to give a voice to these children. Learn about HEAR US at: http://www.hear.us/
Faculty News:
Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Mark Sheremeta on
the adoption of their 2 beautiful children: Alex James Sheremeta (4 yrs.) and Mikayla Beth Sheremeta (21 mos.) The adoption was made final in Jacksonville on October 17th, 2008.
Mr. and Mrs. Sheremeta with their children, Mikayla and Alex.
becca Frank, Jennifer Gilday, Brooke Stotsky, and
Jeb Thomas
Dedicated to providing a deeper vision of scho- Contributing Writers: Christine Bonvini, Ryan
LaMarca, and Maureen Theime
lastic, spiritual and social activities
Insight Staff:
Editor-in-chief: Jennifer Gilday
Artists: Alexa Witz and Max Freeman
News Editors: Taylor Field and Jeb Thomas
Staff Photographers: Taylor Field, Brooke Stotsky, and Rebecca Frank
Contributing Photographers: Brother Brickman
Entertainment Editors: Emily Bonvini and
Rebecca Frank
Staff Writers: Emily Bonvini, Taylor Field, Re-
Adviser: Mrs. Rita Loewe
Established November 1962
14
Halloween HomecomingInsight
Opinion
November 19, 2008
By Emily Bonvini
Dress-up Day:
Gibbons kicked off Homecoming 2008 with a bang. The students were
given free rein to wear whatever Halloween costume they wanted on the first Friday of our fun-filled week. Some costumes were really creative - not many schools
could say that the entire cast of Sesame Street walked down the hall alongside the
likes of Sarah Palin and 80s workout instructors.
The assembly’s biggest highlight was the boys’ junior and senior Powderpuff cheerleading dance-off. The juniors set the stage with an exciting routine. The
seniors took to the gym floor with their very theatrical routine, including some impressively choreographed opening and
closing scenes. The assembly was the
perfect start to this year’s Homecoming
celebration.
Artist: Alexa Witz
Sesame Street visited CGHS for
Homecoming this year.
Closing Assembly:
This year’s closing assembly was the perfect mix of all the fun that made up Homecoming 2008. With activities like Boomers in Boca and watching Little Nicky at Movie Night, Homecoming Week had something for everyone.
The cheerleaders pumped up the crowd with a killer routine full of heart-pumping stunts and electrifying cheers. Then,
the dance team put on an exciting, music-video-worthy routine to “When I Grow Up.” In addition to these stellar performances, the talent show winners were given the opportunity to strut their award-winning stuff in front of the entire
school. The CGHS pride was undeniable, and that Chief spirit made its way onto the football field for the game against
Taravella.
Left: The drumline marches
through C-wing
before the assembly.
Right: The
cheerleaders
performed a
fantastic routine.
Insight
Halloween Homecoming
November 19, 2008
15
Talent Show:
From heartfelt original songs to outrageous skits, this year’s Talent Show had it all. CGHS’ most talented students performed inside a packed gym on Sunday night, showing everybody their amazing
skills. Freshman David Stewart won the guitar category with a charming cover of Secondhand Serenade’s “Fall for You.” Brittni Taylor took the crown for best singer, and reminded everyone to keep
texting in votes for the Voice of an Angel competition. Fernando Almeida won the singer-piano category, and the Pink Ladies, Tara Quailey, Katie Lawless, Lindsey Jacobs, Elizabeth Ehle, and Jordan
Grushka, dominated with their stunt routine. The skit winners were Mark D’Agostino and Mike
Morrill with their hilarious rendition of “A Whole New World,” complete with a “flying” magic carpet made up of Chris
McConville and Frank Pettineo.
David Stewart won over the
audience with his music.
Fernando Almeida showed off his
piano-playing talents.
Left:
The Pink Ladies put the
“stun” in
“stunt.”
Brittni Taylor sang an inspirational song.
Right:
Mark D’Agostino,
Mike Morrill,
Frank Pettineo, and
Chris McConville
share their “whole
new world” with
CGHS.
Homecoming Dance:
It had finally arrived - the biggest event of the year, the Homecoming dance, was held at the Broward Convention
Center on Sunday, October 19. The swanky ballroom was decked out in spooky Halloween decorations, thanks to the hard
work of Mr. Cubas and the Junior Class.
The night kicked off with the crowning of this year’s Homecoming king and queen, Mark D’Agostino and Shelby
Sweeney. After that, CGHS got down on the dance floor, breaking out moves so intense that the floor actually shook. Senior
Janet Holtfretter said, “This year’s Homecoming was the best yet; I’ve made memories that will last a lifetime.”
Everybody danced the night away!
The chocolate fountain was the
highlight of every chocoholic’s
night.
Cross Country poses for a picture during the
dance.
16
Homecoming Games
Insight
November 19, 2008
Chiefs Triumphant Against Taravella
By Jeb Thomas
The Cardinal Gibbons Homecoming football game on
October 17 marked a perfect start to an inevitably memorable
weekend. As the crowd cheered on their classmates, the
Chiefs were prepared for their game against Taravella High
School. With a bit of a slow start, Gibbons (3-3) finished the
third quarter with a tied score of 14-14. During the fourth
quarter, quarterback Chris Schirripa threw a pass to junior
wide receiver Sean Corker, who scored a 60-yard touchdown.
The Chiefs then continued their lead when junior Jory
Gohagen returned an 18-yard fumble to score another touchdown. To finish off the game, Shirripa threw another completion to tight end Joseph Fitzpatrick for a 6-yard touchdown,
eventually leading to the defeat of Taravella, a 6A public
school, with a stunning score of 42-28. During halftime, several clubs marched around the track, tossing candy into the The Gibbons football team charges onto the field for the 2008
crowds while holding their banners in hand as the official Homecoming game against Taravella.
Homecoming Court was announced.
Seniors Prove It Really Is Their House By Taylor Field
“They say winning isn’t everything, but man did it
feel good!” said senior Lynzy Ferris. This year’s Powderpuff
rivalry could be sensed for miles. The antagonism started with
the simple taunting between the senior and junior girls, displaying propaganda-like contradictory shirt sayings and flyers.
Junior girls donned shirts saying, “The Dynasty begins here,”
clearly sure of an impending victory, but seniors quickly retorted with shirts reading, “Your dynasty never began.” Fortunately for the class of 2009, the $15 for their shirts was not in
vain as the Almighty Seniors (Our House!) won the Powderpuff game.
It is impossible to achieve victory unless one dares to
battle, and battle they did. The juniors had a very impressive
offensive line with players such as running back Elizabeth
Ehle, quarterback Ally Beurosse, and wide receiver Stephanie
Spurgeon. However, the seniors’ defensive team was one for
the records. Running signature plays like “Sierra Mist”, the
“Ron Burgandy,” and the “Black Attack,” they kept the juniors
at bay. The game played like a yo-yo with the lead changing
back and forth. As the game neared an end, it was up to the
seniors’ defensive line to keep the juniors from scoring points
to win the game. With twenty seconds left on the clock, the
final play began. A hush came over the normally screaming
fans as they waited with anticipation to see the way it would
play out. The seconds moved quickly and in moments the
players concluded the game. The junior team fought their
hardest, but the seniors ended up dominating the field, and the
game, with a score of 17 to 12.
Above: Some of the winning senior Powderpuff team players and
coaches
Below: Some of the junior Powderpuff team players and coaches
Insight
Sports
November 19, 2008
17
Aqua Chiefs Show Depth, Heart, and Talent
By Jennifer Gilday
Cardinal Gibbons Aqua Chiefs ended their third consecutive season undefeated with a 10-0 record. The team was
first runner-up at Catholic States, first runner-up at BCAA’s,
District champs, and at Regionals the boys were first runnerup and the girls were third runner up.
One of the most challenging dual meets of the season
was against Marjory Stoneman Douglas. The last time the
Chiefs lost a dual meet was three years ago against the MSD
Eagle’s. The Aqua Chiefs were well-equipped with not only
major depth in both the girls’ and boys’ teams, but also their
infamous “conch shell.” Both teams met at FLA undefeated.
Kelley Yakymiw (left) is ready at the blocks.
They all were ready to show how their hard work would pay
off.
The meet was a back-and-forth tug-of-war, but ultimately the depth and heart of the CGHS Aqua Chiefs overcame the Eagles. Gibbons defeated the defending State
Champs by being relentless and swimming without giving up.
One of the most inspiring swims this season was by
captain, Hunter Cwalinski, at the Regionals Meet. Cwalinski
won the 100 freestyle with an astonishing 46.07, came third in
the 50 free, and was on the 400 free-relay, which came in second to the Pine Crest Swim Team.
The scoreboard shows Hunter Cwalinski’s winning 100 freestyle time: 46.07.
Lady Chiefs Volleyball Team Advances to Regional Finals
By Jennifer Gilday
The Lady Chiefs may have had a rollercoaster of a
season with some of the players injured, but captain, Grace
Svatek, said that for Regional Quarters, and Semis, “We’re
playing as one solid unit. We’re playing for each other, and
everything is coming together.” The team dominated Mater
Academy at Hialeah Gardens on November 11 with the first
match 25-17, the second 25-14, and the final match 25-13.
As we go to press, the Lady Chiefs will be moving on
to Regional Finals on Saturday, November, 14, against their
biggest rival, Jensen Beach. Junior Courtney Buchanan said,
“This game is going to be the hardest one we have had to face
yet. They beat us last year in Regional Finals, so not only are
we fighting for a ticket to States but also revenge.” Win or
lose, they have had a great season. Go Chiefs!
The volleyball Team along with coach, Katherine Farland, is
pictured with the District Championship trophy.
18
Ad
November 19, 2008
Insight
Sports
Insight
November 19, 2008
19
Cross Country Outruns
Competition
By Rebecca Frank
At the District Championships, held at Mills Pond
Park on November 6, Sean Pulver won the individual District
Champion Title. He led the boys to a team third place finish.
The girls, led by freshman Macy Husky, placed second at the
meet. They missed first place by a mere 2 points.
It is no surprise that the Cardinal Gibbons Cross
Country Teams continue to be immensely successful this year.
Their successes, which were recognized at the fall sports assembly, are almost entirely due to the amazing instruction of
Coach Lee. He recently achieved his 800th win, and was commemorated at the assembly by Principal, Mr. Ott, who
awarded Coach Lee with a plaque.
These wins include this year’s girls’ team triumphs;
they have won all but two major meets this year, one of which
they lost by only one point. Leading the girls’ team are freshman Macy Husky and senior Courtney Perry.
In addition to these already shining accomplishments,
the girls also won the Westminster Invitational (which was at
Westminster sports complex on October 18) and the BCAA
Championship, defeating schools such as rival St. Thomas and
other major schools at Marham Park on Friday, October 24.
The Varsity boys are led by senior captains Sean Pulver and Jeb Thomas. This team too is doing exceptionally
well, despite the absence of their second and fourth place varsity runners. All in all, they placed fifth at the John L. Leonard Invitational, which was held on October 10, as well as
placing second at the Westminster Invitational.
Alexa Macedo
Coach Lee accepts the
plaque for his 800th win.
Right: Macy Huskey
Sean Pulver
(662) leads the
pack.
Kinney and Rogerson Make State
By Staff Writer
When most Cardinal Gibbons’ students were sleeping in after a late night at the Homecoming Dance, the golf
teams were on the links at 8 a.m. playing the Regional Tournament. The boys’ team missed a chance to play at the State
Tournament by one shot after a controversial ruling. Fortunately, the two top seniors, Shawn Kinney and Ryan Rogerson, had sudden death playoffs for the two individual spots
and both qualified for States.
The first round of the State Championship was the
coldest day of the year so weather played a major factor in the
scores. Kinney came in with an 80 and Rogerson was two
better with a 78. Both players were back in form on the second day shooting identical two over par 74’s. The strong
finish placed them both in the top 20 in the tournament.
Both players hope to continue their competitive golf
in the college ranks
Golf State Qualifiers: Shawn Kinney (left) and
Ryan Rogerson
20
Entertainment
November 19, 2008
Junk in the Trunk
By Brooke Stotsky
What is that smell?
Must be a skunk.
Ahhh, No!!
It’s just that junk in your trunk.
A hat, a cat, a shirt
Your old freshman backpack
A picture of your Grandma Sue
They’re all chillin in the back
You’re rollin up to school
You’re feelin pretty cool
But no one knowsWhat’s crowdin’ those trunks.
The chicks and the hunks
We’re comin’ to raid the junk in your trunk!
Insight
Cardinal Gibbons Spirit:
Spot the Shirts Home &
Away!
By Weston & Morgan Mildren
Since many of us travel to different places around the
globe, and often wear our Cardinal Gibbons t-shirts, let’s see
how far the Gibbons name can travel. We want pictures of
you in your T-shirts in parts of the United States, Europe,
Africa, Asia, Australia – wherever your travels take you!
Submit them to Insight for a fun display of how far our
CARDINAL GIBBONS SPIRIT reaches!
We found:
• Two Invisible Man masks
• An "I'm Sassy" Hat
• Various Beanie Babies
• A cane
• A "Mark" Hat
• Starter cables
• A T-shirt
Ashley Herbert in her Gibbons shirt is overlooking the Civil War Battlefield in Sharpsburg, Maryland
This month’s “Junk in the Trunk” photo is of Mark Baker.
Keep it clean or else. . .
Katie Castellano in last year’s Homecoming shirt is
milking a cow. The picture was taken at Causey
Farms in Ireland.
Entertainment
Insight
November 19, 2008
Thanksgiving Recipes
These recipes are more for what to do after the feast.
Three out of the four are leftover ideas that will leave you satisfied for the days that follow Turkey Day.
21
Turkey Caesar Wrap
Roll large tortillas with sliced turkey, shredded romaine, diced tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and creamy Caesar
dressing to make a Caesar Wrap. Voila, a new spin on the
Caesar Wrap that even Rome would approve of.
From: http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/family/feature/
famf1100turksand/
THE CALIFORNIA ROLL-UP
Roll large flour tortillas with sliced turkey, lettuce,
tomato, avocado, alfalfa sprouts, and shredded Monterey Jack
Cheese. That’s it, enjoy!
From: http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/family/feature/
famf1100turksand/
Turkey Nachos!
Ingredients:
1(8-ounce) bag plain tortilla chips
2 cups shredded cooked turkey
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
½ pound Monterey Jack cheese, coarsely grated
Sour cream
Salsa
Preheat the broiler, and then layer the ingredients in a large baking or roasting pan: first chips,
then turkey, then beans, then cheese. Broil until the
cheese is bubbling and the chips are starting to brown
in places, usually about 3 to 5 minutes. Enjoy with
sour cream and salsa on the side.
From http://wondertime.go.com/life-at-home/article/
turkey-nachos-recipe.html
Sudoku:
Turkey Treats
Ingredients:
Oreo Cookies
Royal Icing
Whoppers Candy
Candy Corn
Use half an Oreo cookie for each body and
an entire cookie for each tail. Then, use a dab of
royal icing to attach the Whoppers for heads.
Pipe icing eyes, and use the icing to attach the
candy corn feathers and beaks.
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/
display?id=50605
The rule of Sudoku is every row, column, and 3x3 box in the
puzzle grid must contain the numerical sequence 1-9. No digit can be repeated in the same row, column, or 3x3 box, and you must work around the
given digits.
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22
Entertainment
Insight
November 19, 2008
The Parking Lot Commandments
By Emily Bonvini
Faithful students, your corridor
improvements have been recognized.
The hedge thanks you for obeying the
rules set out in the Sacred Covenant.
Although hallway decorum has improved, parking lot behavior is spiraling
into a state of moral and metaphysical
evil. Eternal rest (and dry weather) will
be granted unto pious students who
abide by The Parking Lot Commandments.
1. Thou shalt turn thy bass down.
I know, I know. You just spent some
ridiculous cash on a new stereo system,
complete with subwoofers that leave
absolutely no room for textbooks in your
trunk. I get it. But please, can’t you wait
until you’re safely on Bayview Drive to
blast Lil’ Wayne?
2. Thou shalt always share thy umbrella.
Rihanna said it best. Next time a fellow
student is in danger of having his or her
white uniform shirt become completely
see-through, give the gift of dryness and
say, “You can stand under my umbrella
(ella, ella, eh eh eh!).”
3. Thou shalt assist thy neighbor with
backing up.
We’ve all been there – it’s 2:40, you’re
exhausted, you have to be at work by
3:30, and nobody will let you out of
your spot. Gibbons, help a brother out
(literally). Pedestrians, stop the flow of
traffic. Going for subtlety? Walk in front
of an oncoming car and “accidentally”
drop something. Want a more direct
approach? Channel your inner policeman and throw up a demanding “halt”
hand gesture.
4. Thou shalt watch where thy doors
swing.
Nobody likes seeing that little ding in
their otherwise perfect passenger-side
door. Exercise caution, because what
goes around comes around.
5. Freshmen shalt tell thy parents to
learn the Sacred System of the Parking
Lot.
Alright, I understand that it’s hard to tell
adults that they’re wrong, no matter how
egregious they may be. But if one more
mom-mobile goes the wrong way
through the parking lot and blames me,
I’m going insane.
6. Thou shalt drive slowly through puddles.
Trying to avoid puddles in the Gibbons
parking lot is harder than trying to find
an unoccupied laptop after the half-bell
during B-lunch. By speeding through the
offending puddles, you’re splashing up
all sorts of icky rain water and parking
lot gunk, potentially ruining an innocent
bystander’s brand new Coach bag.
7. Juniors with parking spots, take heed:
Thou art not as cool as thy seniors.
Maybe I’m just bitter that I didn’t have a
spot last year (but then again, neither did
most of the Class of ’09). I bet you think
you look so cool tailgating out the back
of your mom’s SUV.
8. Thou shalt not park in another’s spot.
It’s the domino effect – one person parks
in the wrong spot, that person gets to
school, he parks in a different spot, then
that person has to park in a different
spot… Did anyone follow that?
9. Thou shalt not park askew in thy spot.
Learn how to park before applying for a
spot. Do whatever it takes – practice on
weekends in a Wal-Mart lot or something. There’s nothing worse than
squeezing in between cars to get to class
on time.
10. Freshmen, thou shalt know thy
place.
Everybody knows there’s no way you’re
really good enough friends with the seniors to keep books in their cars. Follow
the traditional route and get a locker (in
other words, you stay in D-wing; we
stay on the asphalt).
The CGHS Bucket List
By Brooke Stotsky
The last month has been an interesting one. With Homecoming and Halloween in October and Thanksgiving and the holidays just around the corner, this year is flying by. Before we know it, it will be over. Spend sometime making memories for your
Bucket List.
• Toejam: grab that bathroom pass and sneak out of class to catch the exclusive shows during various lunch periods.
• Participate in the Thanksgiving Food Drive, an excellent way to become involved in your community and make
someone else’s holiday season just a little bit better.
• On a cool day, make a thermos of hot chocolate, go to the beach with some friends, and watch the sunrise.
• Lend a helping hand to help Mark Baker: clean out his trunk—trust me; he needs it.
• Get in touch with nature; go camping. November and December have perfect camping weather. Spend the night
under the stars.
Keep making those memories!
Advice
Insight
November 19, 2008
Insight from
the Insight
By the Insight Staff
I’m a freshman, and this probably sounds weird, but I hate
big groups of people. Walking in the hallway stinks, and I
don’t know what to do about it.
--Hates Hallways—
You’re not weird! It’s a bit different, but consider
all those people who have phobias about peanut butter sticking to the roof of their mouths. That’s weird. As a freshman
though, you have every right to be intimidated. Now, I don’t
think your teachers will let you out of class early to avoid the
hoards, but as always, we at Insight have a solution!
This might be a tad stressful, but try alternate routes
to class than the ones you currently take. People often don’t
think to walk in the road rather than squished against the front
of the school, or walk along the second floor hallway instead.
Depending on the time of day, those areas are typically less
crowded; try them out, and see what works!
My best friend’s been dating this guy the last couple of weeks,
and she stopped talking to me because she thinks I’m jealous.
I’m not, but I got mad at her because her BF treats her badly.
I don’t know what to do, because she won’t talk to me and he
always yells at her.
--Worried Friend—
23
Worried Friend, I am so glad you wrote to us and
asked for help. What your friend has done—turned on you
for her man—is not something to be taken lightly. However,
from what you’ve said, this is obviously not the true problem
at hand. Even though your friend is not being physically hurt,
verbal abuse is still taken very seriously and should never be
disregarded.
Try and brave the snit you’re in and talk to your
friend about this. If you can’t get through to her, we suggest
that you then talk to a parent or teacher. It may seem a bit
drastic to get so official about it, but such things honestly
should never be overlooked. Violent words can lead to violent actions, and no one wants that.
Find an adult you trust, and get some proper help.
We here at Insight may be brilliantly savvy, but we aren’t
qualified to properly handle such delicate situations. So
please be careful, and good luck! Also, don’t forget that even
though your friend may not immediately like you for getting
involved, you are doing the right thing.
We are willing to help with all of your problems
and needs! Our staff, as well as many
specialized advisors, are on hand with suggestions for all
of your seemingly unanswerable pleas. Ask us what
movie to see, where to eat, how to deal, and what to do,
and we are there for you!
Submit any questions to:
• [email protected]
• Mrs. Loewe in C103
• Any of the “Ask Master J” boxes in your religion class
• The office
Anonymity is guaranteed!
Insight Staff
Jennifer Gilday, Emily Bonvini, Taylor Field, Brooke Stotsky, Rebecca Frank, and Jeb Thomas
24
Reviews
Insight
November 19, 2008
The Mayday Parade Hits an All
Time Low down Every Avenue off
“The Maine” street
By Jennifer Gilday
October 17, 2008, “The Compromising of Integrity,
Morality, & Principles in Exchange for Money Tour” came to
Revolution in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Along with an adrenaline-rushed show came a press conference at the Museum of
Science. The bands on the tour are the following:
EVERY AVENUE
E v e r y
Avenue formed in
Marysville, Michigan in 2003. The
quintet signed with
Fearless Records in
2007. Their debut
full-length album,
Shh, Just Go With
It, hit stores February 2008.
They
performed
a t Emily Bonvini, Jen Gilday, and BrittWarped Tour this ney Tages pose with their new rockin’
summer and are friends, Every Avenue!
now the openers
for “The Compromising of Integrity, Morality, & Principles in
Exchange for Money Tour” with fellow Fearless Records
bands The Maine and Mayday Parade, and Hopeless Records’
All Time Low. They are also going to be featured as one of
the “Freshmen 5” this fall on MTVU.
South Florida Insider said, “Combining a highly
imaginative and contemporary feel of modern rock with the
driving energy of pop-punk, Every Avenue’s collective sound
is a unique blend of The All-American Rejects and Fall Out
Boy.”
Guitarist Josh Randall says, “The people who told us
we wouldn’t go anywhere playing music and that we were
wasting our time are now the people who are asking us to put
them on the guest list. We just say, ‘Oh, you know what, that
list is all filled up already. Sorry!’ It’s hysterical.”
Every Avenue keeps an enthusiastic attitude in everything they do. As CampusCircle.net reported, “Shh, Just Go
With It takes life’s lemons and squeezes them into pure rock n’
roll joy.”
Their signature move, the “pump-jump,” is running
rampant through the music world and has an evident impact at
their shows. Fun, fresh, and funky, this band will have listeners hooked by the end of the first song. As lead vocalist David
Strauchman says, “Hopes and dreams and memories, you can’t
take away from me.”
MAYDAY PARADE
Straight out of Tallahassee, Mayday Parade has
depth, soul, and catchy tunes. With the 2006 Vans Warped
Tour and a major musical festival in the UK and Japan with
Paramore, the singing quintet had no reservations about jumping on “The Compromising of Integrity, Morality, & Principles in Exchange for Money Tour”.
Mayday formed in 2005 when two bands, Defining
Moment and Kid Named Chicago, decided to form one band.
The origin of the band’s name is interesting. The five used to
climb on the rooftops in Tally and watch the winter parade and
guitarist, Alex Garcia, liked the word mayday; therefore, they
decided to call the newly formed band, Mayday Parade.
They signed with Fearless Records in the fall of 2006
and took on their first full U.S. tour with Brandston and Melee.
They continued on a second U.S. tour with Plain White T’s.
The boys, along with making their own music, write
their own lyrics. The songs pertain directly to their own life
experiences. “Three Cheers for Five Years” is especially important to drummer, Jake Bundrick. He said, “I was in a relationship for a long period of time, and when it was over, I just
wrote.” Their new album, A Lesson in Romantics has sold
over 45,000 records. The band’s lyrics are raw and project the
feelings of the majority of teenagers, that’s why teens can relate so readily with Mayday’s lyrics.
ALL TIME LOW
Finally, a band has embraced the “pop-punk” title that
has been handed to them. All Time Low’s vocalist/guitarist
Alex Gaskarth says, “A lot of bands that start out being called
‘pop-punk’ shy away from the term or end up trying to force
their sound in a different direction. We’re proud of who we
are, and we’re trying to take pop-punk back to where it used to
be: a place that’s about having fun, being positive, and building a community.”
ATL formed in 2003 when Gaskarth and guitarist
Jack Barakat teamed up with bassist Zack Merrick and drummer Rian Dawson. The Maryland natives were still in high
school when they signed with Hopeless Records in 2006.
Their debut Put Up or Shut Up EP exemplifies the basics of
the original pop-punk genre. The group looks to bands such as
Blink-82 and New Found Glory (FYI New Found Glory was
formed in Coral Springs, FL).
After releasing Put Up or Shut Up and graduating
from high school, ATL was free to start their first full-time
tour. They have toured with the likes of Sugarcult, Plain
White T’s, and Motion City Soundtrack. When the band
worked with producer Matt Squire to form their first fulllength album, So Wrong, It’s Right, Gaskarth noted that the
band needed to “step up their game.” “We went into the sessions with 15 songs, and Matt was like, ‘Okay, these three
songs are great, and the rest suck.’ But it was the perfect opinion to get, because Matt has a great ear for what we want to be
writing, which is really solid pop-punk songs.”
Continued on the next page
Reviews
Insight
November 19, 2008
25
THE MAINE
Continues from the pervious page
This young band, stepping straight out of Tempe,
Arizona, has an energy that is undeniable. Their music is surprisingly refreshing and has lyrics that reflect life experiences:
the good, the bad, and the ugly. The band has little concern
about their image, as long as they make good music for the
fans.
Bass player Garret Nicklesen and drummer Pat Kirch
started the band and knew that they would need a kickin’ vocalist. During their search, they stumbled upon their friend,
John O’Callaghan at a local party. They asked him to sing, so
John belted out an Ivory song. He proved to be a perfect fit.
Guitarist and vocalist Kennedy Brock and guitarist Jared
Monaco later joined, and the band was complete. Ivory proved
to be an important influence on the band, even inspiring the
name “The Maine” from one of Ivory’s songs “The Coast of
Maine.”
They started touring in their notorious beaten-up Suburban van that frequently ran out of gas and served as their
hotel room. Fearless Records president Bob Becker saw
something special in the band and asked them to sign with
Fearless Records in 2007. Their first full-length album, Can’t
Stop Won’t Stop (CSWS), was produced by Matt Squire
(Panic! At the Disco, All Time Low, The Cab) and was mixed
by Chris Lord Alge (Green Day, My Chemical Romance).
Brock says, “The title explains our mentality. We never want
JACK ATTACK!
By Emily Bonvini
After seeing Jack’s Mannequin front-man Andrew
McMahon climb atop the bed of his Baldwin piano, it is hard
to believe that just three years ago he was lying in a hospital
bed, fighting for his life. McMahon was diagnosed with acute
lymphoblastic leukemia just before the release of his band’s
first album, Everything in Transit. Since then, McMahon has
done a lot of growing up – he got married, started touring
again, and discovered how beautiful and fragile life is. From
his performance at City Limits in Delray Beach on October
18, it is clear that his life experiences have brought his already
brilliant music to another awe-inspiring level.
Before Jack’s Mannequin took to the small stage,
Treaty of Paris played an upbeat, entirely acoustic set, throwing in an unexpected and quirky kazoo solo in lieu of one on
electric guitar. Following Treaty of Paris was Eric Hutchinson,
a singer-songwriter enjoying some recent mainstream success
as a featured artist on VH1’s “You Oughta Know.” He joked
with the audience, saying that they “weren’t into the music,”
but once he played his latest single “Rock & Roll,” the room
was under his sunny, carefree spell.
Finally, Jack’s Mannequin erupted onto the stage
with “Crashin,” the first track off their new album, The Glass
John O! from The Maine proves to be a ladies’ man with
Brittney Tages and Jen Gilday!
to take steps backward and we never want to stop being enthusiastic. Having a positive outlook is important.”
CSWS displays the band’s optimistic attitude. O’Callaghan says, “We know there’s going to be bumps in the road,
but what would life be without those? It wouldn’t be fun. We
want to inspire people not to take life for granted, not to take it
too seriously.”
Passenger. McMahon played piano
with such emotion
and passion, oftentimes jumping atop
his piano and
pounding on the
keys with his feet.
The
gloriously
long two-hour set
included all but
Andrew McMahon
two songs off Passenger, with a few
old favorites from Everything in Transit and McMahon’s old
band, Something Corporate. The highlight of the show was
when McMahon’s bandmates left the stage for his intensely
personal song “Caves” about “being poked and prodded in a
cold, lonely hospital.” During the performance, a girl in the
audience took off her wig, held it in the air, and began to cry.
McMahon’s uplifting music is a lifeline for many fans, and his
story of cancer survival is an inspiration to anyone going
through tough times.
The sold-out show, which was more like a dance
party than a concert, wrapped up with a four-song encore and
left everyone dying for more. Want to experience it for yourself? Check out Jack’s Mannequin on the U.S. Army Stage at
this year’s Buzz Bake Sale on December 6.
26
Reviews
Insight
November 19, 2008
The Dark Knight
By Ryan LaMarca
After several
multimillion dollar blockbusters had already made
their way through the box
office, the 2008 summer
movie season peaked in
July with the release of
the much anticipated Batman sequel The Dark
Knight. The film had controversy surrounding it
months before the release
due to the untimely death
of one of the film’s stars,
Heath Ledger, who portrayed a chilling, horrific new take on
the Joker. Upon its release, The Dark Knight shattered the
weekend box office record set by Spider-Man 3 a year earlier
by grossing $158 million. It continued to make millions and
millions of dollars until capping off at a domestic total of
$527 million, the second highest gross on record, second only
to the $600 million total set by Titanic. To date, the worldwide total gross of The Dark Knight is $992 million.
Starting off with a bang, The Dark Knight quickly
reminds us that this is a much grimmer and grittier Batman
than anything expected. Director Christopher Nolan uses the
Batman mythology to craft a movie that is more a crime
drama than a superhero movie, making the characters as realistic as possible. Much praise is due to the late Heath Ledger
and his phenomenal performance as the perennial Batman
foil, the Joker. Ledger’s Joker is a much more radical departure from the classic Joker look established in previous movies, but the edgier, grittier personification of the character
suits the mood of the film perfectly. Ledger’s performance is
Oscar-worthy, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he is nominated
for a posthumous award.
With a running time of nearly two and a half hours,
the movie has a lot of time to explore the character developments of not only Batman and the Joker, but also that of District Attorney Harvey Dent, a character put directly in the
Joker’s crosshairs. Dent, played by Aaron Eckhart, undergoes
a horrific transformation that will shock newcomers to the
series and please fans of the character.
The Dark Knight is the epitome of modern movie
perfection. Its strong emphasis on story and characters
helps to elevate it above many other superhero and comic
book movies, proving it to be not only one of the best movies of the summer, but also of the entire year. The Dark
Knight hits DVD and high-definition Blu-ray disc on December 9.
For more movie reviews visit Ryan LaMarca’s website:www.tansut.com
Have You Seen Saw? Saw V,
That is.
By Jeb Thomas
“I want to
play a game.” This
phrase has been used
several times throughout the Saw movie
franchise, yet it never
seems to get old. The
first Saw movie was
introduced to theaters
in 2004, and has since
become a national phenomenon. The story’s
antagonist, Jigsaw, is a literal genius, with a bit of a messed-up
mind. The truth is, no one could stop him - even if they wanted
to stop him. Consider him a noble man who does the wrong
thing for the right reason. He finds it his duty to “test” certain
ungrateful citizens by kidnapping them and then placing them
in tormenting situations to help them better appreciate the
beauty of life. These captives are faced with certain difficulties
in which they must decide whether or not to suffer for the sake
of their own life. Don’t feel bad for those who do not make it
through Jigsaw’s meticulous predicaments; Jigsaw always gives
his subjects a chance of survival.
Although Saw V answers many of the questions introduced throughout the first four installments, it produces even
more questions and generates even more confusion. Unless you
have seen the first four films, it is highly unlikely that you
would understand the plot in this film. Despite the complexity
of its plot, a thriller is a thriller, and Saw V will keep you entertained. According to senior Ryan LaMarca, our resident movie
critic, Saw V’s plot is “devoted, complex, and caters specifically to fans of the series.” There are no well-known actors in
this film; however, they are decent for a horror
movie.
In my opinion, wait for the movie to
come
out on DVD, and then rent it.
s
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ea !
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t
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n
I
no
Advance
Insight
November 19, 2008
27
Seussical Expected to Soar
By Rebecca Frank
With the graduation of last year’s strong, theaterdriven senior class, both the Drama Department and loyal
spectators were unsure about the deparment’s future. Without
what had been the “core” group, entirely new foundations had
to be set.
It was, therefore, a great delight to the Gibbons drama
family when a mass of fresh, talented faces auditioned for the
fall production, Seussical the Musical, a compilation of all of
Dr. Seuss’s stories. This brand new batch of ducklings has
truly revived the Drama Department, and brought new zest and
interest.
David Stewart, a freshman from St. Ambrose Middle
School, plays one of the leads as the Cat in the Hat in Seussical. His talent has definitely caught students’ attention, most
recently at the Homecoming week Talent Show; he won the
category for “best song with a guitar” with his version of “Fall
for You” by Secondhand Serenade.
David is only the tip of the iceberg. “We have an
amazing cast this year,” said I.T.S. President and Production
Stage Manager Yode Guerrier. “It’s not just the freshmen who
are good—the seniors, like Christy [Sperrazzo], Mark
[Dagostino] and Ryan [Burke] are great too.”
Mr. Sheremeta, the show’s director, agrees. “What
makes [this year] great is that it’s not only the freshmen; we’ve
got kids who’ve been at the school for years and only just decided to audition for this show.”
With rehearsals almost five days a week every week,
the cast and crew of Seussical the Musical are truly dedicated
and working hard. “I’m having a blast,” said junior, Katie
Hirsch, who plays Sour Kangaroo. “It’s been a lot of work,
but it’s worth it. I’m so excited for opening night!”
Show dates:
th
Thursday December 4 , 7:30 pm
Friday December 5th, 7:30 pm
Saturday December 6th, 7:30 pm
Sunday December 7th, 2:00 pm
Tickets
available
now!!
Cast List
Grinch ........................................................................................... Caitlin Manley
Gertrude .......................................... . ............................................ Christy Sperrazzo
Cat in the Hat .................................. .. ........................................... David Stewart
Wickersham Brother ....................... ............................................. James Giordano
Sour Kangaroo ................................ ............................................. Katie Hirsch
Mayzie ............................................ ............................................. Kristie Neubauer
Wickersham Brother ....................... ............................................. Kurt Kohler
Mayor’s Wife .................................. . ............................................ Lia Testa
General Schmitz/Wickersham Brother ......................................... Mark Dagostino
Horton ............................................. ............................................. Ryan Burke
Wickersham Brother/Yertle the Turtle.......................................... Ryan Horten
Jojo.................................................. ............................................. Shelby Vicino
Mayor .............................................. ............................................. Tyler Gjesdahl
Bird Girls: Allison King, Brooke Talbot, Erin Hallick, Kimberly Boeckler
Ensemble
• Ansley Parish
• Barbara Puodzius
• Brittnay McGann
• Christina Senesi
• Dani Mason
• Emily Netter
• Giuliana Santini
• Roxana Winiarcyzk
• Susie Liston
28
Insight
November 19, 2008
Left:
Freshman Attendants
Sara Jacobs and Karl Herbert
Right:
Sophomore Attendants
Lauren Acton and Orville
Reynolds
Homecoming Court: Caroline Edgar, Fallon Roy, Dani Mason, Stephanie Preston, Mark D’Agostino (King), Shelby Sweeney (Queen), Mike
Morrill, Chris Schirripa, Shamus Flavin, and Ryan Bass
Left:
Junior Attendants
Dareyon Chance and
Lauren Griffin
Cross Country strikes a pose.
Gibbons boys show their creativity.
Brittany leads the seniors onto the field.
Ladies look lovely
at Homecoming.
Seniors celebrate their powderpuff win.
Whose house? Our house!
The gym is crowded on movie night.
Armando serenades a swooning
audience.