Students Give Back This Holiday Season

Volume 48, Issue 3
Cardinal Gibbons High School
December 14, 2009
The Voice of the Chiefs
Students Give Back This Holiday Season
By Laura Wiley
Students have embraced the true meaning
of the holiday season this year, responding wholeheartedly to the events and drives designed to help
those less fortunate than the members of the Cardinal Gibbons family.
The first fundraiser of the season was a
dress down day that benefited fifteen-year-old
Michael Brewer, the boy who was doused in rubbing alcohol and set on fire by gang members intent upon receiving the $40 that Brewer owed
them for a video game.
Brewer remains in critical condition in
the Intensive Care Unit at Jackson Memorial HosAnthony Nicoletta, Brandon Veliky, and
Joseph Dennison and Nina
pital‘s Burn Center in Miami, facing medical bills Jaliashvili pack the food.
Alex Cuadros load boxes.
over $200,000 dollars. Students helped out the
Brewer family‘s financial situation by leaving
their Sketchers at home and paying $5 for a dress-down pass. officer, were interviewed and spoke about the event.
The Thanksgiving Drive commenced immediately
Mr. Cubas, who organized the dress down day, announced that
after
that
fundraiser and ran from November 10-16. This drive
the school had raised over $3,500, all of which was donated to
supplied six local food ministries (Shepherd‘s Way, San
Brewer‘s cause.
This event, covered by Channel 4 News, was tele- Isidro, Sheridan House, St. Lawrence Kitchen, Covenant
vised in November. Mr. Perez-Cubas, Andrew Zloch, Senior House, and Children Living in Darkness, located in Haiti) with
Class president, and Justina Coronel, Student Government items each class donated including Continued on page 3
Ian Rickard, Patrick Regan, and Nick
Picon, Silver Knights-pages 4-5
Jazz Band, Breakfast with Santapage 9
James Giordano-Fiddler on the
Roof Review-page 24
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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News
December 14, 2009
Insight
“Shadow a Nurse” Program Inspires CGHS Students
By Kelsey Chandler
Seventeen Gibbons girls had the opportunity to be a part of the ―Day in the Life of a
Nurse‖ program sponsored by Holy Cross Hospital. This program allows students to experience what a normal day is like for a nurse and
further educates those who want to pursue nursing as their career choice. Once they arrived, the
girls were separated into several groups and sent
to shadow nurses in different departments
throughout the hospital. Seniors Brittany
McGann and Alyssa Reeder share their experiences that day.
Students are ready to shadow their nurses while wearing their caps and gowns.
A Day in the Life as a Nurse
Commentary By Alyssa Reeder
Once we arrived at the hospital that morning, I was
sent with a few others to Holy Cross‘s Healthplex center.
There, I was able to observe two surgical procedures. During
these surgeries, we learned about the different instruments
used and how to keep an environment free from bacteria. We
were also taught how to staple an open wound and how to
properly insert an intravenous line into a patient.
The first surgical procedure we watched was on a
―hammered toe‖ (when the tip of the toe grows in a distorted
way). When this occurs, nurses and doctors replace it with a
―smart toe‖ to replace the disfigured bone. Once the blood
returns to the toe after surgery, it triggers the ―smart toe‖ to
return to its natural shape.
Viewing these surgeries made me realize that in order
to be a nurse, one must have a strong tolerance for blood. My
next experience in health care should be shadowing a veteri- Seniors Ally Buerosse and Alyssa Reeder pose with two other
high school students and their nurse after watching two surnarian.
geries being performed at the Holy Cross Hospital Healthplex.
My Day as a Nurse
Commentary By Brittany McGann
When we arrived at the hospital that morning, I, along with a few others, was sent to the Emergency Room where I had
the chance to see first hand what it really takes to be a nurse (first—a strong stomach). We first watched a CAT scan being done
on a patient. Later, we watched a man who was involved in a fight have his eye stitched back together.
Once we finished lunch, we learned how to dress properly before entering the operating room (including hair nets,
gloves, booties, etc), how to insert an intravenous line to administer medications, how to check a person‘s heart rate, and how to
put staples in to close an incision.
I loved shadowing a nurse; it gave me the inspiration I needed to fully commit to becoming a nurse.
News
Insight
December 14, 2009
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Students Give Back This Holiday Season
Continued from page 1
canned green beans, soups, boxed cornbread, and stuffing mix.
On November 9, there was a
$5 dress-down day. The proceeds from
this event paid for $20 Publix certificates for local families in need of
Thanksgiving turkeys. By November
16, $3,000 and ninety boxes of canned
and boxed goods were collected.
The Christmas Drive ran
through December 1-8. The boys and
girls from each grade were assigned
items to donate, ranging from canned
fruits to peanut butter to baby food. Five
dollar dress down passes were sold from
December 7-9 which will buy Publix
certificates for various food banks and
the needy families of South Florida.
One student who really made a
difference this Christmas was freshmen
Anthony Riesgo. For the second time,
Anthony participated in the annual Kids
In Distress toy drive by collecting educational toys for children ranging in age
from infancy to twelve years old.
Anthony and his mother will
pick up the toys and gift cards from the
donors‘ houses until December 14.
―My first year participating in
a toy drive for this wonderful organization was so rewarding that I wanted to
help again this year,‖ said Anthony.
With the Thanksgiving Drive,
the Michael Brewer dress-down day, the
Christmas Drive, and the Kids in Distress Toy Drive, the students, faculty,
and staff were presented with a tremendous opportunity to help out this year.
The large number of nonperishable food items and money that the
school collected indicate that the food
banks and needy families will have a
successful holiday season because of the
giving spirit at CGHS.
Anthony Riesgo is with his neighbor
Pamela Holmes holding a few of the
HUNTERS HELPING HUNTERS
By Kaitlin Chandler
The Conservation Club has
dedicated itself to making sure a disabled child will have an unforgettable
Christmas this year. Members sold club
shirts in order to raise money for one of
their biggest projects ―Hunters Helping
Hunters.‖
The mission of this project is
―to improve the quality of life for physically challenged and/or seriously ill
hunters.‖ This is accomplished by providing hunting opportunities to those
who would not otherwise have the ability or resources to fulfill outdoor adventures.
The purpose is ―to inspire hope
and to build confidence in these individuals empowering them to face chal-
lenges they encounter everyday,‖ according to the club‘s literature explaining the event.
―This (HHH) hits home personally because my freedom to hunt is under attack everyday, and this is my way
A child learns to shoot.
of giving an opportunity to someone
who doesn‘t have one,‖ said club moderator, Mr. Tim Davis.
Conservation Club contributed
more than $300 for the cause by selling
the club shirts. The members are pleased
with the amount earned, and they can‘t
wait to see how the child‘s trip goes.
The money will be sent as a Christmas
present the week of December 12.
Although Hunters Helping
Hunters was a major project for Conservation Club, there have been other
events that the club has sponsored.
Members collected 100 pounds of candy
to send to Shepherd‘s Way Homeless
Family Shelter for Halloween. Club
members also participated in the Chris
Hicox Fundraiser.
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News
Insight
December 14, 2009
Silver Knights In Shining Armor
By Molly Bresnahan
Memory Lacrosse Tournament
Nicholas Picon, Silver Knight participant, raised
$3,861 for the Alzheimer‘s Association through his
service project this November. Nick held a lacrosse
tournament to benefit those who suffer from Alzheimer‘s disease. The ―Memory Lacrosse Tournament‖ was held at Pope John Paul II High School
and included 110 players. Players paid a twenty-five
dollar entry fee all proceeds went to the organization.
There were five boys‘ teams and six girls‘
teams: Gibbons entered three of its teams. Each
game was 7 against 7 and every team got to play at
least twice. Winners were Pope John Paul on the
boys‘ side and Park Vista for the girls.
The inspiration for this project was Nick‘s
grandmother, Regal Perez, who has suffered from Alzheimer‘s
for many years. Alzheimer‘s is a fatal brain disease and the
most common form of dementia.
Today, there are around 5.3 million Americans living
with this illness, and it is the seventh leading cause of death.
There is no cure for Alzheimer‘s, but the fight to find a cure is
prevalent.
Nick Picon
"4-square 4 hearts"
Senior Ian Rickard was chosen as a Silver Knight
candidate and held his service project November 15th. Ian
held a four square tournament to help raise money for The
American Heart Association. Participants paid a minimum of
ten dollars to play in the
tournament and received a
t-shirt and American Heart
Association bracelet upon
entry. Papa John‘s Pizza
sponsored this event and
provided the players with
free pizzas.
Ian chose to raise
money for the American
Heart Association because
his family has a history of
heart attacks. Heart conditions affect many people. According to the
American Heart AssociaIan Rickard
tion, the leading and
most costly cause of death in the past year was cardiovascular
disease, taking 856,030 lives. The American Heart Association is the best known voluntary organization in helping prevent heart disease. Ian's charitable donation of close to $2000
will certainly help.
Winners of the tournament:
1st place : Kevin Gardiner-junior
2nd place: Brandon Blair-senior
3rd place: Eric Lunde-senior
4th place: Elliott Brady-senior
News
Insight
December 14, 2009
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Duck Races for Accessible Spaces
By Molly Bresnahan
Patrick Regan, Silver
Knight nominee, completed his
service project in early December. Patrick held a toy duck race
at Quiet Waters Park to benefit
―Homes for our Troops.‖ Patrick sold hundreds of toy ducks
at several American Legion
posts, Kiwanis clubs, his
church, and sch ool.
The day of the race, the
ducks were put into a mixer and let loose down a fifteen foot
ram he had built. The blood mobile also came and many people generously donated. The fire department came and used its
giant hose as a makeshift current, and the ducks raced 150 feet
across a lake.
"There was a good turn out, and it ended up being a
lot of fun," said Patrick. The winner received $500, second
place $200, and third place $100.
All the proceeds went to ―Homes for Our Troops,‖ a
nonprofit organization that builds handicapped accessible
homes for injured veterans. Patrick chose this organization in
honor of his uncle who had multiple amputations due to poisoning while fighting in Vietnam. His uncle fought for years to
Patrick Regan
obtain a handicapped
accessible home; unfortunately, he died this
past year before that
goal was obtained.
This event was made
possible by Patrick‘s
many sponsors such as
Dairy Queen, The Isle
Casino, the Knights of
Columbus, the American
Legion, Deerfield Thrift,
and Bresnahan Construction Service. Many
stores, such as Publix,
donated gift cards to
purchase the food that
was sold.
Games included a duck pond, a 50/50 raffle, duckduck goose, face painting, and more. Patrick raised over $4000
befor e th e da y of t h e ra ce even began!
To learn more about the event and donate money visit
duckracesforaccessiblespaces.com
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News
Insight
December 14, 2009
November Blood Drive
Giving the Gift of Life
By Patrick Dunne
By Katie Fazenbaker
In coordination with the National Honor Society, the
bloodmobiles made their second visit to the Cardinal Gibbons
campus this school year on the second of November. Students were invited to donate just a few pints of blood and save
many lives in so doing. An
impressive 104 students
were ready to answer the
call, each doing their part to
give the gift of life. As the
day went on, more and more
red and pink bandages appeared on students‘ arms, a
testament to this gift.
The final tally was
a sizable contribution; the
bloodmobiles drove off with
68 more gallons of blood
than they arrived with.
Thanks to these
students and their selflessness, Gibbons can once
again proudly say as a That wasn‘t so bad, now was it?
Chris Deleuze is feigning pain.
school, ―We Gave.‖
Thirty-seven percent of the U.S. is eligible to donate
blood, but, unfortunately, only about 5 percent actually donate. High schools are the number one contributors of blood
to blood banks. When school is out of session, blood banks
receive a significantly lower amount of blood.
One pint of blood can be separated into three components: red blood cells, plasma, and platelets. Red blood cells
carry oxygen to organs. They are used for accident victims
and surgery patients, but can only be stored up to 42 days.
Plasma makes up 55 percent of blood volume and is used for
organ transfers and burn victims. Plasma can be frozen and
stored up to one year. Platelets clot the blood, and are used
for leukemia patients. Platelets can be stored no longer than 5
days.
Spending 15 minutes donating blood can save one
life, or even many lives. The most common side effects when
donating blood are weakness and dizziness. These side effects
can be avoided by eating before and after one donates.
NHS set up tables outside of Gibbons Hall complete
with pizza and soft drinks to make sure the donors had eaten
before donating.
A Clash of the Minds
By Patrick Dunne
The Cardinal Gibbons chapter of NHS hosted the
2009 Brain Brawl, an annual gathering of eighth grade students from middle schools throughout the county. Parents,
family, faculty, and school staff all congregated in the media
center to watch the contest. Composing the largest field of
competition in the event‘s history, the ten schools in attendance were as follows: St. Elizabeth of Hungary, St. Joan of
Arc, St. Coleman, Mary Help of Christians, St. Ambrose, St.
Andrew, St. Anthony, St. Helen, St. Mark, and St. Paul. Each
3-5 member team was matched against another in nine hardfought rounds of play to whittle down the field and decide a
winner.
The contest was set up like a game of Jeopardy, each
25-question round having 100-500 point questions in each of
five categories: Mathematics, History, Literature, Science, and
Current Events. Thanks to Brain Brawl moderator and host
Victoria Taravella, each question was not only read aloud, but
also clearly displayed through a PowerPoint presentation projected onto a screen. Each question had been indexed at an
eighth grade level by several NHS officers, each tasked with
creating the questions for a certain category.
Only the best of the best of each class were handpicked to represent their respective schools in this challenge,
and this fact was duly acknowledged. All participants in the
event were rewarded for making it as far as they did; each received two souvenir T-shirts and a rain poncho.
St. Ambrose and St. Andrews managed to fend off
elimination into the semifinals, and ended up rounding out the
top three, for which they both received plaques. But it was the
students of Mary Help of Christians who took home the bragging rights, battling their way into the final round and proving
themselves the day‘s champions.
The winning team from Mary Help of Christians exhibits
their hard-earned trophies and plaque.
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News
December 14, 2009
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Launching A Success
By Kelsey Chandler
Physics students from Mr. Herrmann‘s class headed
out to the baseball fields on November 19 to show just how
well their catapults or trebuchets worked. The mission was for
each group of students to develop a catapult or trebuchet that
could aim and fire golf balls with extreme accuracy and precision.
After hula-hoops were placed ten, twenty, and thirty
feet away from each group‘s device, the students were allowed
five shots to reach each
distance. Every group‘s
catapult or trebuchet was
different from the next;
some groups used wood
with metal springs, while
others built theirs out of
PVC pipe and elastic
bands. Groups constructed their machines
with materials and items
they believed would go
the distance with accuracy.
―Our catapult
took some time and Jon Martin and Blake Peterson
thought to make, but it prepare to fire their catapult.
was fun and taught us a
lot about simple machinery and basic mechanics. It was a
Raymond Schreiber and Conor O‘Dea of the ―Lucky
Lobsters‖ won. Their catapult was the most accurate.
really effective project,‖ said senior Corinne Taylor.
At the end of the day, it was the ―Lucky Lobsters‖ (Lindsey Jacobs, Conor O‘Dea, Andrew Soto, and Raymond Schreiber) who attained victory. They made 5 out of 5
shots at ten feet, 5 out of 5 shots at twenty feet, and 1 out of 5
shots at thirty feet.
A Passion for Fashion
By Cristina Font
Four members of the Spanish Connection Club, Juniors Valeria Fernandez, Micayla Moffat, Jackie Coningsby,
and Madison Willis, participated in a fashion show in order to
raise money for the purchase of a fully equipped intensive care
ambulance that will serve in La Costa, Argentina.
The event, ―Argentine Nights,‖ was hosted by Ciudades Hermanas Argentina, or ―Argentina Sister Cities‖ Association at the Coral Ridge Country Club on October 20th. It
consisted of a dinner, a silent auction, an art exhibit, tango
dancing, and a fashion show.
The girls modeled American and Argentine clothing
designs, as well as Gaucho‘s leather designs and authentic
Argentine leather travel bags.
―It was a really fun way to get service hours and help
out,‖ said Micayla Moffat.
Jackie Coningsby, Madison Willis, Micayla Moffat, and Valeria Fernandez modeled for the fashion show.
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News Briefs
December 14, 2009
Insight
Original Works of Art
The cafeteria is adorned with beautiful art work at
every holiday or special event. The pieces are painted by Fine
Arts students with the help of Ms. Busby, the art teacher.
For Christmas this is one of the original pieces.
Congratulations to Gabriella Ascione for being selected
by the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale North as the
STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Pasta for Pennies
Winners
Brother Ferris's victorious seventh period class
indulged in a feast of breadsticks, salad and pasta, provided
by the Olive Garden. The class championed over an entire
school of competitors, winning the Pasta for Pennies fundraiser.
After consuming his well deserved meal, senior
Drew Zloch exclaimed, "Character is what you say and do
when no one is looking. I believe this class is an exceptional
representation that exemplifies the best of Cardinal Gibbons."
Read it online every day at
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Download the PDF once a
week at
www.miamiarch.org
Get it free at your parish
once a month
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December 14, 2009
9
Music Department: ‗Tis the Season
By Patricia Curry
It is the holiday season when Christmas music is
heard echoing through the halls of M-wing. There have been
plenty of events to see the Music Department‘s talent and get
into the holiday spirit.
There was a breakfast with Santa event at the Galleria
Mall featuring the Jazz Band. A concert was held at St. Paul‘s
where the Orchestra, Brass Quintet, and Solo Singers performed, followed by the Christmas at Gibbons celebration
where the Jazz Band, the Brass Quintet, and Glee Club performed. Jazz Band was also a part of the annual holiday Boat
Parade on December 12th.
The highlight of the season was the Christmas Concert held on December 13, hosted by St. Pius X Catholic
Church, which featured Band 1, Concert Band, Jazz Band,
Orchestra, Chorus, and Glee Club. They performed a selection
of Christmas favorites to a very receptive audience.
Congratulations to Mr. Mengersen and the entire Music Department on a very successful holiday season of performances.
The string orchestra poses with Music Director Mr. Mengersen
at the Concert at St. Paul‘s Church..
The Jazz Band poses in front of
the Christmas tree in the Galleria
Mall.
Jazz Band members are performing
at the Breakfast with Santa at the
Galleria Mall.
See this entire issue and back issues in color on our website:
www.chgsfl.org
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News
December 14, 2009
The History of Kwanzaa
By Ma-Ena St. Paul-Danier
Christmas is not the only holiday being celebrated this season. In 1966, Kwanzaa, derived from the phrase
―matunda ya kwanza,‖ which is Swahili for ―first fruits,‖ was
created by Dr. Maulana Keranga to
celebrate the African-American heritage and bring the
com m un i t y
t ogether. It is celebrated from December 26 to January 1,
and each day recognizes one of seven
The Festival of Lights
By Molly Bresnahan
Hanukkah is an eight day celebration at the end of
the year; however, not many know why we celebrate it. In
Hebrew, Hanukkah means ―dedication.‖ It began over 2,000
years ago when Judah Maccabee led the revolt against
the Syrian-Greeks who tried to restrict all of their religious and
spiritual practices. The Maccabees were successful despite
their significantly smaller population and army. When they
Insight
principles.
The seven principles are unity, self-determination,
collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics,
purpose, creativity, and faith. During those seven days after
Christmas, the African American community reinforces the
foundation of its culture and recognizes these principles as
building blocks to better lives and relationships.
Each night, a candle is lit from the Kinara, beginning
with the black candle in the center. The family discusses one
of the seven principles. They also recognize one of the seven
symbols which are the Mazao (crops), Mkeka (place mat),
Vibunzi (ear of corn), Mishumaa Saba (the seven candles),
Kinara (candleholder), Kikombe Cha Umoja (unity cup), and
the Zawadi (gifts).
On December 31, the feast Karamu is held to celebrate the last day of the year and to welcome the new year.
came back to their temple, there was only one vial of pure oil
to light the lamp. The oil was only supposed to burn for one
day but it lasted eight days until more oil could be obtained.
We celebrate Hanukkah every year on the twenty-fifth day of
the Hebrew month ―Kislev‖ to commemorate the miracle of
the festival of lights.
Menorah: The Menorah has nine candle holders: one for
each day that the oil lasted in the temple and one in the middle,
known as the shamas, which lights the other eight. Only one
additional candle is lit
each of the eight nights.
The Menorah symbolizes
the miracle of the oil lasting for eight days.
Dreidel: Dreidel is a gambling game played with
chocolate gelt. The dreidel was originally used to
secretly teach Jewish
scripture. When the Syrians did not let Jews practice religion, the dreidel
The Dreidel
made it look as if they
were simply gambling.
Star of David: The Star of David represents not only Hanukkah but all things Jewish. The six pointed star actually represents the number seven. This symbolized the seven days God
took to create earth.
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December 14, 2009
Three Kings Day
By Cristina Font
El Dia de los Tres Reyes Magos, Three Kings Day,
is a Catholic holiday celebrated in Spain and some Latin
American countries on January 6th, the last day of the Christmas season. This is the date in history when the Three Royal
Magi arrived in Bethlehem after following a star in the heavens to present gifts to the newborn baby Jesus.
Hispanic children all over the world gather dry grass
or hay into shoes or shoeboxes to be placed under or beside
the bed while they sleep on the eve of Three Kings Day. Like
Santa Claus with his reindeer on Christmas Eve, the three
Royal Magi travel on their camels to each child‘s house to
leave gifts, just as they did for baby Jesus. The grass or hay is
meant to be eaten by the camels and exchanged for toys while
the children are asleep.
Depending on its traditions, each country celebrates
Three Kings Day somewhat differently. Although Hispanics
also observe Christmas, the giving of gifts is usually reserved
for Three Kings Day.
Ramadan
By April Ortenzo
Ramadan is recognized as the ―tuning up‖ period for
over one billion Muslims throughout the world. From the break
of dawn to the setting of the sun (daylight hours), it is mandatory of all Muslims to totally refrain from all consumption of
food, drinks, smoking, and marital sex. Ramadan is the ninth
month of the Islamic Calendar and is determined by a variation
of physical visuals of the moon and astronomical calculations.
Along with being a time for inner reflection, devotion
to God, and self control, Ramadan is a time for Muslims to realize sympathy for the less fortunate and appreciate the gifts God
has given them.
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Entertainment
Insight
December 14, 2009
Guess W
Match the name to the picture,
and the decade it was taken.
Mr. Mahon
Ms. Adams
Mrs. Cunningham
Mr. Minor
Ms. Fournier
Brother Michael
Ms. Busby
Mr. Hamilton
Mr. Lasher
Mr. Adolino
Mrs. Hanke
Mr. Battista
Mrs. Hoag
Mr. Perez-Cubas
Sister Marie
Sister Janet
Mrs. Lee
Mr. Zmuda
Decades:
20‘s
40‘s
50‘s
60‘s
70‘s
80‘s
1.
2.
There are 3 extra names.
4.
3.
5.
6.
7..
8. The baby
Entertainment
Insight
December 14, 2009
Who?
9.
8.
10.
12.
11.
14.
15.
13.
Email your answers to [email protected] on or before Christmas eve.
A drawing will be held from all correct entries. The winner who will receive $10
will be announced after the break.
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Sports
Insight
December 14, 2009
National Champions
Congratulations on a
Great Golf Season
By Justina Coronel
Brothers Vincenzo
and Maurice Padula attended
the Super Y-League North
American Finals, which is a
five-day tournament that
included the best youth soccer teams in the U.S. and
Canada. This event is considered the top youth soccer
event in North America.
Both the U.S. and
Canada‘s top teams competed for the 2009 Super YLeague title. This event also allowed U.S. Soccer National Staff Coaches to
scout players during the final.
Senior Vincenzo and sophomore Maurice both played for the Schulz
Academy team. They competed in this five-day tournament that included more
than 130 teams. Schulz Academy beat all these amazing teams and was
awarded the title of National Champions.
―This is an event that I will never forget,‖ said Maurice.
The Girls Golf Team went to State for
the first time and placed 9th overall. This was a
very impressive finish for the girls.
Danielle Welker (left), Madeline ThamJohansson, Sarah Anthony, Jennifer
Lindquist, and Bridget Wilson
SOCCER TEAMS KICKIN‘ IT INTO HIGH GEAR
By Kaitlin Chandler
Gibbons soccer season is off to a fresh start.
The players are hyped for the upcoming games, and
they are already pleased with the way they have been
playing so far.
Mrs. Margo Flack is the coach for the girls.
The captains are seniors Ally Buerosse and Haylee
Shoaff, along with juniors Jenny Grant and Sarah
Motta. Their record so far is five wins and two
losses. The girls victory over archrival Archbishop
McCarthy, a 2-1 defeat, was a highlight.
―Archbishop was our best win so far. Everyone played really hard. It was a great game,‖ said
senior Steph Booker.
Coach Rafael Ferreiro is the leader for the
boys. This year‘s captains are seniors Conor O‘Dea,
Vincenzo Padula, Trenton Fehl, and junior Guy Discuillo. Their record so for is 2 wins, 1 loss, and 1 tie.
The boys‘ biggest win so far was definitely
a nail biter. They beat Monarch 1-0, and A.J. Ironman scored the winning goal.
―We are a team with a lot of heart, and
that‘s going to help us go far this season,‖ team
Captain Conor O‘Dea said.
The girls get pumped for the St. Thomas battle.
Sports
Insight
December 14, 2009
15
Shooting for State
By Justina Coronel
Coming from last year's rough season
of 11 wins and 11 losses, this year's Girls
Varsity Basketball Team completely transformed. With 6 new members, and 5 returning players, this diverse team is coming together to reach one goal: state!
―This year my goal as a senior is to
strive for the top and hopefully make it to
states!" senior Catherine Weisz exclaimed.
The first two games they defeated Coral
Glades and Olympic Heights by almost 40
points.
"We hope to win a district championship. We do not want to settle for anything
less. I want to also congratulate the 5 seniors, The girls JV and Varsity Basketball Teams were excited before their opening
Catherine Weisz, Justina Coronel, Danielle game.
McNealy, Hali Garcia, and Aimee Osceola, who have stuck through it all," said Coach Kevin Gordon. the pack, this year's team is looking better than ever.
These Lady Chiefs have 6 more home games and 9
"We really work hard, and it's paying off. We hope
away games left. Come out and support the Lady Chiefs.
and strive to make it far. Our main goal is to make it to state,"
This year's Boys Varsity Basketball Team has so far
said senior, Connor Simmons.
excelled in the beginning of its season. With 4 seniors leading
Hockey Team in a Slamming Season
By Kelsey Chandler
The endless ―3 on 3‘s down low‖
and ―battles for the puck‖ at each practice
have certainly paid off. This year‘s hockey
team crushed Western High 20-1, University
8-0, and Cypress Bay 13-5 at the Incredible
Ice skating rink. The co-captains are seniors
Randy Veliky and Brandon Blair.
―This year we will win state; everyone should really come out and support the
team!‖ said #10 Randy Veliky. The players
plan on keeping up their undefeated record
when they face Park Vista, Northeast, St.
Thomas, and Spanish River in upcoming
games.
To find out more about this year‘s
hockey season and team, go to
www.gibbonshockey.com to see pictures,
meet the players, and to see dates and times
of upcoming games.
Team effort: #10 Nick Carpenter, #17 Jack Callahan and #7 Greg Nash
16
Sports
Insight
December 14, 2009
Santa‘s Competing for Others
By Jenna Ludwick
Lining up at the starting line are thousands of marathoners, each anxious for the gun to sound. Most compete for a
finisher‘s medal, bragging rights, or a personal record. However, assistant cross country coach Pete Santamarina isn‘t running for himself; he competes for the benefit of those in need.
With more than twenty marathons under his belt,
coach Santamarina always runs to raise money for those less
fortunate. For every marathon, 26.2 miles, his efforts directly
contribute to cancer victims or to the Sick and Injured Fund at
the Fort Lauderdale Fire Department where he‘s been working
for 13 years. This February will be the sixth consecutive year
that he has run the A1A marathon for the ―Sick and Injured
Fund.‖ He donates money to injured firefighters who can no
longer afford the cost of medical assistance.
One girl Pete Santamarina has helped is two-year-old
Kendra Vermont who was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Not
only did Pete run a marathon for Kendra, but he continued his
efforts in the Umstead One Hundred Mile Race in North Carolina for her.
Another beneficiary of his determination is Michael,
a victim of Hotchkins Disease. After running a fifty-mile race
Congratulations Swim Teams
The Aqua Chief went to the State Competition
at the Orlando YMCA. The Girls Team placed eighth
and the Boys Team placed sixth.
Competing on the girls' side were Brooke Evans, Kelly Schwanted, Brittney Evans, Deidre Milano,
Alex Sutton, Jenny Zislin, and Rebecca DeRogatis. The
boys who qualified were Michael Marino, Ryan
Rosenbaum, Michael Zislin, CJ Burke, Joey Yakimiw,
Victor Vassallo, and Matt Zielinski.
Alex Sutton was named to the Sun-Sentinel
First Team All-County.
for Michael, Coach Santamarina
said, ―Running these races for
them gives me a great feeling
because I ran for someone who
couldn‘t. I‘ve donated my time
and money to help relieve their
stress in difficult times.‖
Coach Pete Has been
involved with running almost his
entire life. He began running in
high school and continued run- Ryan McCann (left),
ning long distance endurance, Coach Santamarina, and
cross country including half David Bonner
marathons, marathons, and triathlons. He even finished a double ironman which consists of a
4.6 mile swim, a 224 mile bike ride, and a 52 mile run to finish. Apart from his own running career, he assists Coach
Glenn Lee in track and cross-country.
He‘s convinced other firefighters to donate their time
to train everyday and participate in the A1A marathon.
―I definitely encourage others to do the same. It‘s a
great way to reach out to others who need your help,‖ said
Coach Santamarina.
Congratulations Runners
The boys and girls Cross Country teams represented Cardinal Gibbons at the State Final Championship in Dade
City. Girls placed 5th and the Boys placed 23rd in the 3.1 mile
race.
Girls Varsity: Morgan Rodriguez, Alex Macedo, Kandace Newry, Jenna Ludwick, Kara Meadows, Madison Willis,
Francesca Champin
Boys Varsity: Alex Alghussain, Jon Martin, Trenton
Fehl, Blake Peterson, Tim Bonner, Mike Keleher, Andrew
Nicholson
Sun-Sentinel All-County First Team: Macy Huskey and
Morgan Rodriguez:
Miami Herald All-County First Team: Alex Macedo and
Morgan Rodriguez
Sun-Sentinel Coach of the Year: Coach Glenn Lee
Individual event qualifiers: Left, Kelly Schwantes,
Brittney Evans, Alex Sutton and Brooke Evans
The State Cross Country Teams
Entertainment
Insight
December 14, 2009
17
Holiday horoscopes
By Ma-Ena St. Paul-Danier
Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21)
Aggressiveness may hinder your
success in making this holiday the best.
Take a deep breath and smile! Christmas
is a happy holiday. Remember that and
share the cheer with everyone.
Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan.20)
Your pessimistic attitude may
not be the best especially during this season. Attempt to see the good in all things
so that those who are influenced by you
may follow in you positive footsteps.
Remember, there are those looking up to
you.
Aquarius (Jan. 21 – Feb. 19)
Do not let the recent bad news
affect your holiday season. Remain truthful and honor your sense of honesty. It
may benefit you in the end and bring more
than just presents underneath your Christmas tree.
Pisces (Feb. 20 – Mar. 20)
Your benevolent attitude will
kick in your good karma. Give and you
will receive! Someone close to you is in
need of a little help; so give a helping
hand, and Santa will bring you goodi
Aries (Mar. 21-Apr. 20)
During this holiday, family and
friends tend to come together. This Christmas will bring you tons of joy, and a
chance to renew long lost relationships
either with a family member or a friend.
Who knows? It may be a long lost lover as
well. Keep an eye open for a familiar
face.
Taurus (Apr. 21 - May 21)
Dispose of your stubbornness,
kick back, and enjoy your eggnog. Christmas brings you plenty of joy. Although
the stress of financial issues may be in the
midst of everything, Santa has quite the gift
for you, so receive and be grateful!
Gemini (May 22 - June 21)
You‘ve been a bit busy with all
your multitasking this week. From the Christmas shopping to
the tree decorations, you have not had enough time to yourself.
If you do not slow down, you might miss a big celebration.
Exciting news awaits your attention.
Cancer (June 22 - July 22)
Break down your wall of
defense and enjoy some quality time
with family. Your sense of over protectiveness may get in the way of
celebrating with your loved ones this
holiday. Spread some cheer and put
aside the negativity. You never
know, current conflicts may be resolved.
Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22)
Leadership is your best quality.
You are more than likely never the follower because you are ahead of the
crowd and showing the way. Confusion
within your close group of friends or
family seems to be in the way of some
holiday cheer this season. Try helping to
resolve these negative issues and enjoy
some time with your family.
Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22)
Prudence is a virtue, but it can
cause you to hold back your tongue and
refuse to explain your thoughts when
most needed. Tension between a relative
or a close friend may prevent a cheerful
new beginning. Learn to let go of conflicts and enjoy the company.
Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22)
Although vacation is all about
relaxation, do not get too comfortable on
the couch. There are things to be done
and the list is only going to get longer.
Try to get your errands done so that you
may have enough time to spend with
your family. The stress will be the last
thing on your wish list.
Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21)
Your consistent sense of superiority may become a bit of a problem when
participating in Christmas activities. Learn
to share the responsibilities so that you
may have an exciting holiday this year
without controversy.
18
Review
December 14, 2009
New Moon Review
By Laura Wiley
Millions of diehard fans rushed to theaters nationwide
on the weekend of November 20 in anticipation of New Moon,
the second installment of the mega popular series The Twilight
Saga by Stephenie Meyer.
The Twilight Saga contains four novels, the first of
which, Twilight, was published in 2005 and hit the big screen
in 2008. The idea for Twilight came to Stephenie Meyer in a
dream on June 2nd, 2001. In the dream, an average-looking
human girl was conversing with an ―inhumanly beautiful‖ boy,
who happened to be a vampire. The vampire discussed
whether or not his love for the girl could overcome his overwhelming desire to drink her blood. Thus, Twilight was born.
The plot revolves around the romantic relationship that Bella
Swan, an ordinary human, maintains with her vampire boyfriend, Edward Cullen, who feels the constant desire to drink
her blood, which is much more potent to him than the blood of
other humans. Twilight quickly gained the attention of females
of all ages all over the world (selling over 25 million copies
and published into more than 67 languages), most of whom
were infatuated with the Edward‘s chivalry, timelessness,
strength, speed, and of course, insanely good looks. Twilight
was all about finding true love; its sequel, New Moon, dealt
with losing true love.
The New Moon plot launched into action at Bella‘s
18th birthday party at the Cullen household. Bella was upset
about turning eighteen because it made her older than Edward,
who, as a vampire, would remain seventeen forever. Wanting
to live forever with Edward, Bella was desperate to become a
vampire too. But this all changed at her party when she suffered a minor paper cut that aroused the Cullens‘ ravenous
desire for human blood. Edward is tortured by the fact that
Bella‘s death was almost caused as a result of what he was. He
decides to remove all traces of himself and his family from
Forks, Washington in the hope that Bella would eventually
move on. He lied to Bella when he left, telling her she was
―not good for him.‖ Heartbroken, Bella allows her life to fall
apart. Then a childhood friend, Jacob Black, came into play.
He slowly helped her heal, until a sudden twist changed their
relationship forever: Jacob became a member of the Quileute
werewolf pack, a role he had been destined to fill since birth.
The plot spirals out of control, incorporating romance, action,
adventure, violence, Italian vampires, and the fact that werewolves are vampires‘ arch enemies.
For the New Moon movie, Chris Weitz replaced Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke. Weitz brought back all the
same actors from Twilight: Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen,
the Kristen Stewart as Bella, and Taylor Lautner as Jacob
Black. There was some doubt as to whether Lautner would
return as Jacob due to Jacob‘s huge physical and psychological
transformations in New Moon. However, much to the delight
of adoring fans, the ―sort of beautiful‖ Lautner hit the gym,
gained thirty pounds of muscle, and nailed his audition. His
utter dedication to the character convinced Weitz that he was
Insight
worthy of the role. Unlike Twilight, Weitz stayed commendably close to the plot of the book. Bella‘s birthday party, Edward‘s breakup scene, Jacob‘s transformation, and the Volturi
scenes in Italy were all performed true to Stephenie‘s vision.
The actors were as close to flawless as was possible. Taylor
Lautner‘s performance especially captivated audiences, who
were enticed by his new eight pack, bulging biceps, and winning smile. Even Dakota Fanning delivered a convincing performance as Jane, one of the twisted members of the coven of
Italian vampires called the Volturi.
―It was a great movie,‖ said junior Shannon Weisz.
―It stayed true to the book; there were very few things in the
book that were not in the movie.‖ Shannon‘s opinion was apparently shared by millions of others, for there were more than
two million pre-ticket purchases, and the opening weekend
sales topped those of each of the Harry Potter movies, and fell
only behind The Dark Knight. New Moon is still in theaters
and will be available on DVD in March 2010. The third installation of the series, Eclipse, has already been filmed and will
be released in theaters on June 30th, 2010. If New Moon was
any indication, Eclipse will be a colossal success.
Insight
A Christmas in Movies
By Patricia Curry
‗Tis the season to be jolly, sip some eggnog (the most
delicious of holiday beverages), and watch a plethora of holiday movies, each more cheery and uplifting than the last.
I love a good Christmas film as much as the next, but
there seems to be an influx of horrible, made-for-TV movies.
Who wants to watch a dog save Christmas? This dog voiced
by Mario Lopez has as stupid a premise as his curly haired
mullet and spandex-clad character was on Saved by the Bell.
Some things are
timeless. When those old
claymation Christmas movies about Rudolph, Frosty
the Snowman, and Santa
come on ABC Family‘s 25
Days of Christmas you get
just as excited as you did
when you were six years
old. And don‘t lie, you still
get all chocked up while
watching A Charlie Brown
Christmas when he hangs
that lone ornament on the
sad little tree and the feeble
branch droops under the
weight. Even I shed a tear
when the Grinch‘s heart
grows two sizes in the animated classic How the
Grinch Stole Christmas, so
don‘t feel ashamed.
Most everyone looks
forward to the holidays; it is
the most wonderful time of
the year, after all. However,
some people can‘t seem to
wait that long. Miracle on
34th Street was released on
May 2, 1947 (talk about
jumping the gun) and was a
box office success. I‘m sure
we wouldn‘t mind if it were
appropriate to celebrate
Christmas all year long, but
nothing beats this movie at
Christmas time when you
can snuggle up and drink hot chocolate without feeling ridiculous.
One of the most heartwarming tales ever told is that of
George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life. James Stewart portrays
a man on the brink who is shown just how bleak the world
would be if he had never been born. If the story sounds familiar, it should; almost every television show in the past thirty
years has an episode modeled after this story. This tale of love
Review
December 14, 2009
19
and redemption is a staple on every family‘s television screen
at Christmas time.
A Christmas Carol is one movie that has almost as many
versions as It’s a Wonderful Life has parodies. Charles Dickens was obsessed with Christmas, to put it lightly, but A
Christmas Carol is easily his most famous holiday tale. Really
you can‘t go wrong with any
version from Mickey Mouse
to the Muppets, to the most
recent starring Jim Carrey,
but the 1951 film is considered to be the stand-out adaptation out of the twentysome made.
I doubt many teenagers
are drawn to the more stuffy,
life lesson teaching movies;
we‘d much rather watch Will
Ferrell run around in yellow
tights and pour syrup on spaghetti in Elf, and that‘s totally understandable because Will Ferrell is a boss.
Watching Tim Allen burn an entire meal and having
to take his son to Denny‘s for Christmas Eve dinner is a lot of
people‘s nightmare, especially when *gasp*, they‘re out of
eggnog. Who among us doesn‘t find The Santa Clause hilarious?
Now, maybe it‘s because John Hughes can‘t write
a bad movie or maybe senile
old ladies wrapping up their
cats as gifts is always funny,
but National Lampoon’s
Christmas Vacation is one of
the best Christmas movies of
all time, in my opinion. I
think it‘s because everyone
can relate a little bit to the
dysfunctional Griswold family. Who doesn‘t want to be a
part of the ―Hap-hap-happiest
group this side of the nut
house‖?
A coming of age tale, mean mall Santas, and Chinese
people singing Christmas carols, no wonder A Christmas Story
is often considered the ultimate Christmas movie. There is a
reason that this movie is shown for a solid 24 hours on Christmas Eve; you can watch it over and over again and never get
tired of it, especially the scene when the kid‘s tongue is frozen
to a pole.
The beauty of the holiday season is that instead of driving all the way to Blockbuster all you have to do is turn on
your TV. You‘re sure to find a handful of quality Christmas
movies to watch. So stock up on eggnog and those festive pajama bottoms from Target and watch some Christmas movies
with the family.
20
Opinion
Insight
December 14, 2009
What‘s Your Favorite Christmas Movie?
By Ma-Ena St. Paul-Danier
Decorating pine trees and munching on candy canes aren‘t the only indulgences of this upcoming holiday. Along with all
the festivities and traditions, students shared their favorite Christmas movies with Insight.
Nicholas Frank –
Sophomore-―My favorite Christmas movie is definitely How The
Grinch Stole Christmas.‖
James Giordano and Elda Blaise – Seniors
―Our favorite movies will always be Home
Alone. It‘s a classic.‖
Mike Medina –
Junior- ―Elf is the best
Christmas movie ever. Will
Ferrell is just absolutely
hilarious.‖
Christopher Stark –
Freshman-―I like A Christmas Story because the kid in
the story looks just like me.‖
Insight is looking for you!
If you would like to contribute pictures, art work, cartoons, articles, pictures in your tee-shirts,
or any ideas, please contact us at
[email protected]
This publication is printed by Print Dynamic
954-563-0775
Entertainment
Insight
December 14, 2009
21
Christmas Madlib
‘Twas the _________(noun) before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a _________(animal) was stirring, not even a mouse.
The ________(plural noun) were _______ (-ing verb) all snug in their beds,
While visions of ______(food) danced in their heads.
Then out on the _______ (place) there arose such a clatter,
I ________(past tense verb) from the ________(furniture) to see what was the matter.
When, what to my wondering ______(plural noun) should appear,
But a miniature _______(noun) , and eight ________(adjective) reindeer.
With a _______(adjective) old driver, so ________(adverb) and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
And As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney ________(celebrity) _______(past tense verb) with a bound.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the _______(plural noun) , then ________(past tense verb) with a jerk.
And laying his ______ (noun) aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the _______(house part) he rose!
But I heard him______(verb) , as he ________(past tense verb) out of sight,
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"
Dedicated to providing a deeper vision
of scholastic, spiritual and social
activities
Kathleen Fazenbaker, Jenna Ludwick,
April Ortenzo, Ma-Ena St. Paul-Danier,
and Laura Wiley
Contributing Writers: Patrick Dunne,
Brittany McGann and Alyssa Reeder
Editors: Patricia Curry and
Cristina Font
Contributing Photographers: Staff and
Brother Michael Brickman
Staff Writers and Photographers:
Molly Bresnahan, Kaitlin Chandler,
Kelsey Chandler, Justina Coronel,
Adviser: Mrs. Rita Loewe
Established November 1962
Insight Staff:
22
Entertainment
Insight
December 14, 2009
Holiday Activities
By Katie Fazenbaker
Need something to do this holiday break? Instead of
staying home all break, get out of the house and do some of
these activities with friends and family!
Holiday Fantasy of Lights – Head down to Tradewinds Park
and drive through 3 miles of holiday decorations, including
train stations, castles, giant teddy bears, and more. The display
starts Monday, November 30th and runs the month of December from 6 to 10 p.m. $9.00
Jingle Bells Holiday Dance – Bring the family down to Warfield Park and dance the night away. December 21, 7-9 p.m.
Santa on the Beach – Don‘t miss Santa and his elves! Santa
Claus will be on the Fort Lauderdale Beach passing out candy
with his elves, December 21, 12 noon.
Spyro Gyra & Jane Monheit – A Night Before Christmas –
Grammy nominated Spyro Gyra and Jane Monheit perform
classic Christmas carols at the Parker Playhouse December 16.
OUR FATHER'S HOUSE SOUP KITCHEN
2380 Martin Luther Boulevard
P.O. Box 70
Pompano Beach, FL 33061
Tel: 954.968.7550
Soup Kitchen & Food Pantry
Lunch: Mon-Fri, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
ST. AMBROSE CATHOLIC CHURCH
380 S Federal Highway
Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
Tel: 954.427.2225
Food Pantry (Just Deerfield Beach)
TEMPLE BETH ORR
2151 Riverside Drive
Coral Springs, FL 33071
Tel: 954.753.3232
FAX: 954.753.2559
Food Pantry
Mon-Thu: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Fri: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
A Seraphic Fire Christmas –Join South Florida's acclaimed
professional chamber ensemble in singing traditional Christmas carols at Miramar Culture Center on December 16.
"The Nutcracker" - Presented by Ballet Etudes –The Ballet
Etudes proudly presents the 35th anniversary performance of
―The Nutcracker.‖ December 18-20 at the Mirimar Culture
Center.
Winter Wonderland on Ice -–Enjoy a great performance featuring Olympic Bronze medalist and 2-time European Champion Jozef ("Jumpin' Joe") Sabovcik set to the sounds of the
season at the Crest Theater on December 18-20.
Or if you feel like lending a helping hand, volunteer
at one of these food pantries:
ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC MISSION
3350 Powerline Road
Oakland Park, FL 33309
Soup Kitchen
Daily, 4-5 p.m.
GATEWAY COMMUNITY OUTREACH
701 NE 2nd Street
Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
Tel: 954.725.8434
FAX: 954.725.8436
Homeless Prevention & Food Program
Food Pantry—Call for hours & nearest location.
How many words can you
make out of the word
CHRISTMAS?
(130 possibilities; minimum 4 letters)
Entertainment
Insight
December 14, 2009
The sole rule of Sudoku is a simple
one: every row, column, and 3x3 box in the
puzzle grid must contain the numerical sequence 1-9.
The catch is that no digit can be repeated in the same row, column, or 3X3
box, and you must work around the given
digits.
Sudoku
Answers:
Holiday Word Search
23
24
Insight
December 14, 2009
Fall Production: Fiddler on the Roof
By Patricia Curry
―Mozeltov!‖ The Drama Department‘s fall production of
Fiddler on the Roof ran from November 19-22 at the Hollywood Playhouse with packed houses and amazed audiences.
If you were one of the many people who went to see
Fiddler on the Roof, I‘m sure you‘ll agree it was fantastic.
Senior James Giordano was pitch perfect in the demanding lead role of Tevye, an aging Jewish man who struggles with the changing world that challenges the traditions of
his people. His wise sayings, private conversations with God,
and signature dance moves were highlights of the play. Katie
Hirsch, whose natural charm balanced out the sarcasm of her
character on stage, played the part of his wife Golde.
Other memorable roles include the village‘s beloved
rabbi (portrayed by Matthew Hennigar), whose senile ways
and impromptu blessings display Hennigar‘s brilliant sense of
comedic timing. Lia Testa embodied Yente the matchmaker,
which is quite an accomplishment when you realize that it
really is a 17-year-old girl on stage, not an eccentric old Jewish woman who spends her lonely days rambling on to disinterested neighbors and spreading gossip.
Each part was perfectly cast and portrayed wonderfully on stage, from revolutionary students and witty daughters, to cruel Russian soldiers and impoverished tailors.
The director and head of the Drama Department, Mark Sheremeta, worked diligently on this ambitious
play for months. Along with the help of the entire Sheremeta
family, Amanda Satchell, Mike Boni, and all the cast and
crew, Mr. Sheremeta crafted a wonderful production.
The entire cast share a bow.
Shelby Vicino and David Stewart perform their scene.
James Giordano and Katie
Hirsch have a tender moment.
Alex Giachetti and Brittany Bush
share a scene.