Magnus Monitor - March 2016 Issue

March 2016
by Selena Roberts
Albertus Magnus High School, 798 Route 304, Bardonia, NY 10954
Volume 9, Issue 3
Sophomore Lauren Shields helps to save lives
I
n an effort to increase organ
donations in New York, the
State Senate passed a fouryear extension of Lauren’s
Law.
Lauren’s Law was first
passed by the Legislature
in 2012, inspired by then
12-year-old Lauren Shields of
Stony Point, whose life was
saved by a heart transplant in
2009.
For years, Shields has
spoken at community events
about the importance of organ
donation.
Accompanied by her family to the Capitol in Albany
on February 24, Shields witnessed the Senate approve
the bill that extended this law.
The bill, sponsored by
State Senator David
Carlucci,
D-Clarkstown, was set to
expire this upcoming
October.
The regulation
mandates those who
apply for a driver’s license to complete the
organ donor registry
section of the application. This section had
been optional prior to
last November.
Since then, the Department of Motor
Vehicles is no longer
allowed to process
license applications
without a completed
donor registry section.
According to Carlucci, this regulation
has increased organ
donor participation
from 11 percent to 17
percent over the past
few months, with an
estimation that over
the next four years
560,000 are expected
to mark “yes” to become donors.
“This is one of
the many steps we
look to take,” he said. “Lauren’s Law is an important
foundation in terms of fixing the mechanics of signing
up people. We know we have
a lot more to do. We have to
fight the stigma attached to organ donation.”
“It is great to know that lives
are being saved because of this
law, and that because the law
has been extended for another
four years, lives of New Yorkers will continue to be saved,”
said 15-year-old Shields, a
sophomore at Albertus.
“Lives are being saved
because of this law”
-- Lauren Shields
Lauren Shields with Senator Carlucci
Photo courtesy of Senator Carlucci
Joseph McGuinness: Beloved Father, Husband, Friend, and Coach
by Brendan Callahan
A
lbertus Magnus has lost
an integral, beloved
member of the Falcon community with the passing of
Athletic Director Joseph McGuinness at the age of 55 after
his bout with cancer. Mr. McGuinness touched the lives of
many throughout his lifetime.
Born November 18, 1960,
in Suffern to John J. and Florence McGuinness, it was clear
at an early age he had a gift
for playing basketball. After
graduating from Clarkstown
South High School, he played
basketball at West Point and
Manhattan College.
He was known during college for being a team-first
point guard who also worked
hard on the defensive end,
perfectly summing up the example which he set for others.
After playing professionally
in Ireland, Mr. McGuinness
devoted more time to teaching future generations about
the game he loved by coaching. He coached at the college
level at Mount St. Mary and
Wagner, as well as at Albertus.
Mr. McGuinness coached
both girls’ and boys’ varsity
basketball, playing a pivotal
role in leading them to sectional titles.
His impact on the basketball
court extends several years, as
current members of the faculty
have played under him, including Mr. Thomas Anderson
and Mr. Raul Lopez.
Condolences came from all
who were fortunate enough
to know him, spanning fom
Ireland to across the United
States.
“Joe’s loss is very big to the
whole Rockland athletic community,” said Principal Chris
topher Power. “My daughters
played for him, and they loved
Joe McGuinness.”
This affection for Mr. McGuinness extends to current
students at the school.
“He was the reason I came
to Albertus,” said senior James
Reilly, who is committed to
James Madison University
with a baseball scholarship.
Even Naismith Hall of Fame
member Mike “Coach K”
Krzyzewski, sent well wishes
and condolences to Mr. McGuinness and his family after
his passing.
“He did an outstanding job;
his love of the game and
National Catholic Sisters
Week: Mass honors Dominican
Sisters of Sparkill
2
love for teaching youngsters
showed up in the best possible
manner in [Albertus Magnus].” said Mr. Krzyzewski.
Fittingly, Mr. McGuinness’
last moments were spent with
the people most important to
him--his family. On February 10th, two days before his
passing, he gathered his wife
Cynthia, his daughter, sons,
brothers, sisters, nieces, and
nephews to attend his younger
son Conor’s game. As a proud
father, he taught and helped
sons Patrick and Conor learn
the game that has been an influential part of his life.
His sons too are collegiate
basketball players like their
dad; Conor currently plays at
Adelphi in New York, and Patrick, at Bridgewater State in
Massachusetts.
Mr. McGuinness is survived by his wife Cynthia, his
three children, Megan, Patrick
and Conor, and 24 nieces and
nephews. Even though he is
no longer with the community
physically, he will never be
forgotten.
He has helped Albertus make
monumental achievements in
athletics while teaching young
Screen shot from school video
created by Mr. Michael Fevola
adults to be responsible and
helpful wherever their lives
lead them. Joseph McGuinness should be celebrated for
all the wonderful acts and
deeds he has done for his players, his school, but most of all,
his family.
Thank you, Mr. McGuinness, for being a true role
model, friend, and ambassador
Community 2-3
Editorials
4
Lifestyle
6
for the Falcon community.
Albertus will celebrate Mr.
McGuinness’ life at Mass on
Friday, April 15. On Saturday,
April 16, he will be inducted
into the Rockland County Hall
of Fame at 6pm at the Pearl
River Elks Club in Nanuet.
Anyone interested in attending, should contact Mr. Thomas Collins at Albertus.
Entertainment
7
Arts & Activities 8
Page 2
Albertus Magnus High School March 2016
Albertus Community
Dominican Sisters of
Sparkill are honored
at Mass
Annual celebration of National Catholic
Sisters Week continues at Albertus
by Zuni-Mar Espaillait
T
he Albertus Magnus community honored the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill with a Mass on Tuesday, March
8. The Mass, which was held during National Catholic
Sisters Week, recognized those whose work follows Jesus’
teaching and ministry.
The Mass honored the sisters’ commitment to their original vision of providing a quality Catholic secondary education for young men and women in the area.
The Mass was celebrated by Father Ravi from Our Lady
of the Sacred Heart in Tappan, NY, along with Msgr. Ed
Barry, an AM alumnus.
Those sisters in attendance represented former faculty,
staff, board members, as well as the leadership team of the
congregation.
After the Mass, members of the school’s Preaching Team presented each of the sisters with a single, long-stemmed red rose. Afterwards, Sisters and
alumni joined members of the faculty and the Preaching Team in the gym for coffee and refreshments.
“All the sisters expressed how much they thoroughly
enjoyed the day,” said Sister Nancy Richter, Campus Ministry Moderator.
Top: Sr. Ann Matthew receives the Holy Eucharist from Msgr.
Ed Barry. In the back, senior Matthew Sullivan accepts the Host
from Father Ravi as senior Michael Dale follows.
Bottom: Dominican Sisters of Sparkill pose with the roses they
received from the Preaching Team. Photos by Toni-Linn Moore
Sophomore Kasey Kemmer, member
of the Preaching Team, reflects on the
meaning of the season of Lent
During an Ash Wednesday service, Kasey addressed the community
by Kasey Kemmer
L
ent is a time of self-denial. It is a time to pray
more, fast, give to others, and
most importantly offer things
to God.
It is during this time that
people seek opportunities to
gain self-recognition for their
supposedly selfless acts.
In this Gospel, Jesus questions his disciples on their intent behind all that they do.
When we complete service,
are we doing it with the pure
intent of giving back to those
in need, or is there another motive that inhibits our hearts?
As one of the four Dominican Pillars, service plays an
essential role in our Albertus
community. We all must complete 20 hours of service, but
are we simply begrudgingly
adding numbers to a calculation seeking praise, or are we
truly trying to make a difference without
recognition.
Our silent
acts of kindness
speak louder
than words ever
will.
I had a friend
who lived in a
homeless shelter for 8 months
without
my
knowing of her
hardship.
Her family struggled to
put dinner on
the table, and
Photo of Kasey by Toni-Linn Moore
she often would not eat so her
mother and brother could.
When I would see her, she
would always offer me whatever she could.
One day I asked her, “Why
do you offer me things that
you can’t have for yourself?”
She then asked me, “Did Jesus
encourage people to keep what
they have, or to share it with
others?”
Her selflessness shows what
Jesus wants us to do and has
left an impact on how I show
generosity to others.
People who place themselves
above others to get ahead may
receive personal gain, but in
the end they will only be set
back by their actions.
Having a private relationship
with Him is what sets us apart.
We sometimes fall astray
and have a sense of drudgery
in celebrating Lent because it
means there will be a change
in routine, but instead of
changing a routine, we should
change our focus and look at
the wider picture, as Jesus recommends in the Gospel.
Lent is a time of conversion
of the heart. Prayer, fasting,and
almsgiving can redirect us to
open ourselves up to God and
the needs of others by focusing on relationship instead of
reputation.
When we genuinely open
our hearts to seek God’s will to
others, a good reputation will
come along.
The only true reputation
that matters is not only of this
world, but also further on. Lent
is a time for self-reflection and
for action.
Lent is not a time to merely
“give up something.” It is a
season to do something for
others, and for God. It is a time
to refocus the heart to the bigger picture.
Based on the Gospel of
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
March 2016
Albertus Magnus High School Page 3
Albertus Community
Students committed to
aiding the hearing impaired
New sign language club launches successfully
AMHS juniors earn outstanding
scores on ELA Common Core English
Regents exam
by Madison Giuliano
by Selena Roberts
T
n June 2014, NY State introduced the ELA Common Core English Regents exam with
the plan to phase out the existing Comprehensive English exam. Juniors could still take
the Comprehensive exam up until this year, when they were required to take the Common
Core exam.
Albertus students had been preparing since freshman year for this new test, and with
increased focus and practices under the guidance of their junior English teachers, Mrs.
Mary Rivers and Mrs. Carolyn Lastowski, they not only passed the January Regents but
exceeded expectations with outstanding scores.
Students passed at a 99% rate, with 81% scoring a mastery level of 85 or higher. Passing
rate is expected to be 100% with the June exam, and it looks promising that Albertus may
still hold the county title for performance on the English Regents exam.
The old Comprehensive test consisted of 25 multiple choice questions on a poem and excerpts both fiction and non-fiction. There were two written assignments: a short response
on the excerpt and poem and a full critical lens essay in response to a quote.
The new Common Core test has 24 multiple choice questions on fiction and non-fiction
excerpts and a poem. There are still two written responses. Students must write a full
argument essay which requires reading four non-fiction texts and citing from at least three
of those texts in the essay. The second assignment is a text-based response to a literary
passage in two to three paragraphs.
“Our students worked very hard, and I was proud of how well they performed. All grade
level teachers have been preparing and scaffolding lessons since freshman year to help
our students face this new Common Core test, so I’m very happy we chose to phase in our
instruction and delay taking this test until this year. Considering how well our students
performed, it was the right decision,” said Mrs. Rivers.
“We were definitely prepared for this test, and it paid off, because everyone scored so
well,” said junior Isabelle Martucci.
“We were definitely
“The test wasn’t as bad as I had
expected, but I guess that’s beprepared for this test, and it
cause we were ready for it,” said
paid off, because everyone
junior Lauren Leeber.
his year Albertus expanded its list of after-school
activities to include an American Sign Language (ASL)
club.
The notion was brought to
the Student Council at the beginning of the year by freshman Jessica Nin, who felt
compelled to start a group that
brings awareness to those who
are deaf or hearing impaired.
Jessica’s deep affection and
calling to the world of the hearing impaired led her to find
that Ms. Boucher, one of the
school’s social studies teachers, is fluent in sign language.
As a result, the ASL club was
added to the list of Albertus’
many after-school activities.
The group allows students to
learn and appreciate the concept of communicative hand
gestures, or signs, and how
they are used to aid the deaf
and hearing impaired.
They desire to educate and
aid those who have hearing
impediments. This May 14th,
the ASL Club will support the
“Walk for Hearing,” a 5k-walk
that takes place at FDR Park in
Yorktown Heights and begins
at 11am.
Furthermore, the group will
I
Photo courtesy of National
Association of the Deaf
be hosting various bake sales
throughout the year. The money the club raises through bake
sales and the walk will go toward an organization that supports the deaf.
Although the ASL club
is quite new, it has already
brought students to learn and
further appreciate those who
are deaf or who have auditory
disabilities.
“It’s so much fun learning
something others don’t understand,” said member of the
club and senior Jackie Onody.
Moving forward, their aim
is to spread greater awareness
and raise charity for the deaf in
the upcoming years.
The club meets Tuesdays after school in Room 102. It is a
great opportunity to learn how
to sign and become a mentor
to those wanting to assist the
deaf.
scored so well.”
-- Isabelle Martucci
Student Spotlight: Amanda Silvestri
by Karishma Melwani
Amanda has enjoyed successful seasons in soccer, basketball, and
lacrosse throughout her high school career
How long have you been
playing basketball? Who or
what influenced you to start
playing the sport?
Amanda: I’ve been playing
basketball since I was in kindergarten. It was probably my
mother who influenced me the
most to play.
Do you look up to a certain
individual in this particular
athletic field who has motivated you?
The players who I look up
to in basketball have always
been my teammates throughout high school. I have had the
pleasure of playing with some
amazing players who have
gone on to play in college.
Have you ever experienced
any minor or major injuries
that could have jeopardized
your chance to play? How
did you overcome it?
I have been very lucky not to
have had any major injury.
Like all athletes, I have had
minor injuries, lots of bumps,
bruises, and sprains; but the
desire to play is greater than
the pain.
Do you face difficulty trying
to manage both school and
demands of the game of basketball?
Balancing school and sports
is always a challenge. I have
played three varsity sports
since I was a freshman. The
time commitment is tremendous, but it taught me how to
set priorities and balance my
time.
Which game is most memorable to you out of all that
you’ve played in the seasons
here at Albertus?
The most memorable basketball game would have to be
winning the Sections in my
junior year. If we are talking
soccer, it would be winning
the Sections this year. For lacrosse, it would be playing in
the Sectional finals. Sectional
games are always the most
challenging both physically
and mentally.
Do you plan to continue
playing basketball or any
other sport in college? Do
you think you will have a career in sports?
I will not be playing basketball
in college. Although I love all
the sports I play, my passion is
lacrosse. I will be playing lacrosse next year at Manhattan
College.
Have you ever struggled with
a weakness in a game on the
field or court? How did you
overcome this?
All athletes struggle with some
weakness in their game. My
weakness would be in my offense. As a result, I was forced
to focus on my offensive attribute and develop my skills
further.
What is your favorite aspect
of the game?
My favorite aspect of any
sport is defense. Many athletes
enjoy the offensive part of a
game, but I love defense.
Amanda shoots for a basket at the Falcons’ home court.
Photo by Mr. Dennis O’Keefe
Page 4
Albertus Magnus High School March 2016
Editorials
Albertus agrees: America needs a strong leader
An overview of the political process for selecting a Democratic and Republican candidate for president
AND the results of an in-school poll
Student Poll: Issues for
the Next President to Address
by Emma Woodhead
R
Let’s Talk Politics
ecently students were offered the opportunity to participate in an optional, anonymous poll.
Specfically, students were asked to consider the presidential race and the current
candidates in the Republican and Democratic parties and what issues they would want
those candidates to address as President of the United States.
On the poll handout, they had to check the three most imporrtant issues they believe
Americans face today. Their choice of issues included: national security/fighting terrorism, education/college debt, environment/global warming, racial issues, immigration, the economy and job growth, and affordable healthcare.
Approximately 300 students participated. The results of the poll are below.
The primary system and “who’s who” in the race
by Pie Kardgar
T
he United States of America is in the midst of one of the wildest elections in history, but it is not yet time to go to the polls to vote for the
president. The country is still in the process of choosing candidates. The
Republican and Democratic parties both have to nominate a candidate
through the primary/caucus system.
What, might you ask, is a primary and a caucus, and what is the difference between the two?
A primary is a preliminary election to appoint delegates to a party conference or to select the candidates for a principal, especially presidential,
election.
A caucus is a local meeting where registered members of a political
party in a city, town, or county gather to vote for their preferred party
candidate. The difference between the two ways to nominate a candidate
is that primaries are open statewide to all citizens, and a caucus is a local
gathering of registered political parties.
The election process is also open to U.S. territories such as the Virgin
Islands, and others get to host primaries and caucuses. In the U.S. thirteen states hold caucuses (with Iowa being the first, and most important),
and the rest host primaries.
What does a person get if he or she wins a primary or caucus? He or she
receives the much-coveted delegates. Each state’s amount of delegates
vary; also the amount of delegates needed to win a nomination varies.
For the Republicans, a candidate needs 1,237 delegates to win the
nomination, and Democrats need 2,383 delegates to win the nomination.
As of now, the current Republican candidates include businessman Donald Trump, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, and Ohio Governor John Kasich.
The Democratic candidates are Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
All candidates have and will speak about issues such as the Syrian
refugees, immigration, health care, the state of the economy, and education. As they travel across the country and hold rallies or town hall meetings, the candidates reveal their position on these issues. Of course, each
voting citizen of the United States might focus on specific issues he or
she values most and will endorse those candidates who will address those
issues. As part of this editorial, I asked several people what issues do
they deem important. Many were most concerned with national security,
but some felt other issues were of paramount importance.
“The economy and healthcare are very important to me,” said science
teacher Mr. Gregg Mower.
I also spoke with U.S. history teacher Mr. Thomas Anderson to get his
opinion of the entire political process of choosing a presidential candidate in the United States.
“We offer an excellent process to make sure everyone’s voices are
heard in order to nominate a candidate. The primary process wasn’t always the same in U.S. politics; we didn’t have a direct primary system
until the 1800s, which is positive because now the people get to decide,”
he said.
According to junior Zachary Shaffer, “The system is flawed despite the
efforts for equality. The formation of two main parties seems to have put
our country into a forebearing struggle.”
At press time (March 18) the Republican race is getting heated as Ted
Cruz is catching up to Donald Trump. The number needed is 1,237 delegates, and Donald Trump has 678, followed by Ted Cruz with 413, and
John Kasich with 143.
As for the Democrats, the number is 2,383. Clinton has 1,614 with
Sanders at 853.
What important issues should our next
president address? Here’s how the students voted:
National Security
Education/College Debt Environment/Global Warming
Racial Issues Immigration The Economy/Job Growth
Affordable Healthcare Other Issues
208
164
62
124
125
148
42
15
Issues Students Want Presidential Candidates to Discuss
Chart by Emma Woodhead
As of press time, above are the current candidates in the race.
Top: Democratic candidates Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton
Bottom: Republican candidates John Kasich, Ted Cruz, Donald Trump
Collage courtesy of CNN.com. Top graphic “Vote 2016” courtesy of fineartamerica.com
March 2016
Albertus Magnus High School Page 5
Opinions
Student Help Desk
Advice Column
by Lauren Shields
Q. My friend has recently been depressed and
not like herself, but every time I try to talk to
her about it, she becomes closed off. Should I
talk to someone to try and help her?
A. If you have tried to cheer your friend up and
you have not seen a change in her, know that it is
not your place to “fix” her depression. It is now
time to consult a higher authority. Do not be afraid
to speak to someone about it. Depression in young
adults can become a serious issue, so do not be a
bystander in an instance like this.
First, you should reach out to your guidance
counselor at school, and tell her what is happening. Counselors are not just there to schedule your
classes; they are there to be a source of comfort
when needed in a crucial situation.
If you do not feel comfortable verbalizing your
feeling or issues, try writing them down in a notebook until you feel confident enough to share
them with someone who can help. Finally, if you
are reading this and are depressed yourself, I encourage you to please seek help. Know that ignoring the problem will not make it go away.
Q. My parents do not want me to go to a college
that is far away. How do I convince them to let
me go to the college I want?
A. Although many reading this column may think
it seems too early to start thinking about colleges,
it is not. Your entire time in high school leads up to
college, and you do not want to wait until the last
minute to make this all-important decision.
You may already know what colleges appeal to
your interests, and some may be hours away from
where you live. However, your parents may not
want you too far from home.
In this instance, try to be reasonable and see your
parents’ point of view. Also, devise a plan to show
them that you are responsible and have thought
the issue through. Tell them why the school you
are interested in is the right school for you. Show
them the positives of the school, and what about it
appeals to you.
Finally, do not keep a closed mind. Be open to
listening to other suggestions of different schools.
Remember, your parents and loved ones always
have your best interest at heart.
“Comic” Relief
Table Talk
by Dylan Winchell
Tidbits of World News
Einstein’s general Theory of Relativity is finally proven
A
coalition of scientists,
working with various
universities across the world,
has finally proven the last
portion of Albert Einstein’s
Theory of Relativity true. The
team announced on February
11th that they had successfully
recorded the sounds of two
black holes colliding. The
small sound, which rose to
the tone of middle C before
stopping, is the first evidence
of gravitational waves. These
Photo courtesy of altervista.com
waves are “ripples in the spacetime fabric,” which Einstein predicted more than a century ago. For theoretical physicists who
have spent large portions of their lives on this theory, this news means the end of a centurylong process. Many of these physicists believe this to be one of the major breakthroughs in
modern science, coupled with Alexander Graham Bell’s first telephone call and Sputnik’s first
orbit around Earth. Source: New York Times.
O
Apple denies the FBI’s request
n February 17th, Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed his answer to the FBI’s long-standing
request to install a backdoor to iPhone encryptions: “No.” The FBI has asked that Apple
include backdoors to their encryptions of data on iPhones, in order to hurry along criminal
investigations. This debate arose as a result of the investigation into the San Bernardino
shootings in December. The culprit, now deceased, owned an iPhone, which the FBI wanted
to scan. Apple’s reason for denying such an update for the iOS is that such technology would
pose a massive security threat if placed in the wrong hands. The FBI believes this information
could be used once, on one phone; but Apple denies this and is continuing to fight them. Source:
www.offthegridnews.com
Apollo 10’s crew heard “Space Music” on their
flight near the moon
A
ccording to NASA, in 2008 a recording was unearthed of a conversation between the
crew of the Apollo 10. Apparently, the team had heard some strange noises when flying
past the far side of the moon, which they later described as “space music, weird noises.” This
information will be detailed in Discovery Network’s latest episode of “NASA’s Unexplained
Files.” Experts in the field of aeronautics have varying opinions on the files. Some believe that
the “music” was a result of interference with other instruments in space at the time; with the
flight being in 1969, it’s highly possible that the sounds could have been caused by interference
with other nations’ property in space. Others believe that, if interference had been occurring, the
astronauts would have known and attributed the noise to it. The fact that they even had a conversation voicing discomfort with the “music,” some argue, proves something by itself. Source:
news.discovery.com
by Jahalee Johnson
Page 6
Albertus Magnus High School March 2016
Lifestyle
Annual NYFW reveals trends for the spring
All eyes were on New York City runway in February.
by Gia Cricchio
N
ew York Fashion Week
arrived in the city in style
once again. This year, the
event began on February 11th
and lasted until February 18th.
Fashion designers had an opportunity to showcase their
spring collections to the one
and only Big Apple.
Designers such as Calvin
Klein, Donna Karan, J. Crew,
Kate Spade, Michael Kors,
Rachel Zoe, Ralph Lauren,
Sherri Hill, Tory Burch, Tommy Hilfiger, Vera Wang, and
many more all made extraordinary designs for this upcoming
spring season.
These designs consisted
mainly of neutral colors along
with pastels, such as lavender, incorporated into the ensembles. What appeared to be
vogue were flowing, silk pants
and the classic below-the-knee
cut of dresses, complete with
belted waistlines.
An unusual color that was
showcased in multiple collections for this spring was black.
It is rare for black to be
fused into spring designs because typically for the spring,
designers tend to lean toward
pastels and lighter neutrals due
to the change in weather coming from a cold and desolate
winter into a bright and colorful spring.
Overall, the designs were
classic and beautiful. Fashionistas can look forward to
seeing the spring lines hit the
racks.
More than likely, store windows and celebrities will be
sporting the new designs even
sooner.
Left and middle: Michael Kors
Above: Donna Karan
Photos courtesy of fashiontimes.com
Boston triumphs in
health revolution
Recipe: Fresh Trifle
A fruity dessert for any holiday
Teenage foodie reviews Boston food market
by Erin Santos
by Emily Auld
his dessert is good for any family
holiday. Easter is coming up, and everyone in the family will love this fruity,
creamy dessert. This recipe is from my
grandmother and has been a favorite in
my family for years.
O
ne of the most hip college cities in America now boasts
an incredible health food selection, including tasty vegan
options that will satisfy all types of eaters. Among the abundant options for organic and vegan dining is CocoBeet, a small
storefront located at 100 City Hall Plaza in Boston, next to
the Government Center subway stop. With the slogan “PlantPacked Living,” co-founders Kyle and Onur have a mission to
deliver balanced, nutritious, fresh, local, and easily-accessible
vegan food to Boston customers.
CocoBeet boasts a selection of smoothies and juices for
cleansing or enjoyment, as well as breakfast options, including
quinoa bowls and avocado toast. Lunch options such as the
avocado, tomato, cucumber, and chipotle “cheese” sandwich
on sprouted Ezekiel bread or the vegan Caesar salad fuel hungry passersby for the afternoon. Hot food options, from mac
and cheese to veggie shiitake bean chili, warm the hands and
the body on a chilly day. All desserts are raw, from pumpkin
pie with vanilla cashew cream to chocolate coconut truffles
and more.
For food packed with energy and vitality, CocoBeet satisfies
and delivers. Although currently a singular location in
Boston, the store administration hopes to expand to
New York City in the next
few years.
CocoBeet
100 City Hall Plaza
Boston, MA
Photo courtesy of yelp.com
T
Ingredients:
2 cans of fruit cocktail
1 jar of raspberry jam
1 plain pound cake
2 packages of instant vanilla pudding
½ cup Madeira wine (optional)
A large clear glass bowl
Whipped cream (homemade is
recommended, optional)
Rainbow sprinkles (optional)
Directions:
Photo by Erin Santos
Prepare the vanilla pudding according to the directions on the package and place in refrigerator.
Drain the fruit and set aside. The fruit must be set in the drainer for about a half hour.
Meanwhile, slice the pound cake into approximately ½ inch slices, and spread a generous
amount of raspberry jam onto the cake slices.
Put a light coating of pudding onto the bottom of the bowl, and cover with a layer of pound
cake. Put a layer of fruit on top of the pound cake. Sprinkle with a light coating of wine on top
of the fruit (optional). Put another thick layer of pudding on top. Repeat steps until the bowl
is full.
Prior to serving, top with whipped cream and decorate with sprinkles (optional).
Homemade Whipped Cream
Whip a pint of heavy cream and 4 tablespoons of confectioners’ sugar with a mixer until many
peaks are formed. Refrigerate until just prior to serving.
March 2016
Albertus Magnus High School Page 7
Entertainment
Audiences flock to Hail, Caesar!
by Samantha Pisano
B
rought to the big screen
by directors of Fargo and
The Big Lebowski, Hail Caesar! is a sure crowd-pleaser.
The star-studded movie,
which includes George Clooney, Josh Brolin, Scarlett Johansson, and Channing Tatum,
follows Hollywood “fixer,”
Eddie Mannix (Brolin) as he
works in the Hollywood film
industry during the 1950s.
Working for Capitol Pictures,
Mannix arranges the studio’s
production, Hail, Caesar!.
This epic movie within a
movie is set in ancient Rome
and stars famous actor Baird
Whitlock (Clooney).
During filming, Whitlock
drinks out of a glass of wine
that is tampered with and
drugged by one of the extras
on set. After he passes out behind the stage, he is abducted.
While searching for Whitlock,
a note arrives, written by the
Communist group aka “The
Future,” demanding $100,000
in exchange for the star, which
Mannix arranges to get.
Meanwhile, Whitlock is taken to a Malibu beach house
where he awakens and wanders into a meeting of “The
Future.” Members slowly introduce themselves, and it is
revealed that they are writers
in the movie industry.
The group begins to explain
their beliefs to Whitlock, and
he becomes closer to their
cause.
While this is taking place,
back in Hollywood, Mannix
is faced with yet another case
of actor trouble. Western film
star Hobie Doyle is cast in a
drama directed by Laurence
Laurentz.
However, after Doyle’s hopelessly terrible performance,
Laurentz approaches Mannix,
asking him to remove Doyle
from the film. Upon learning
Doyle’s role is non-negotiable,
Laurentz is forced to train the
Western film star to be a better
actor.
Doyle later attends the premiere of one of his Western
movies and is disappointed by
the way he is portrayed in the
film. He and his date decide to
visit a nightclub following the
premiere, where he recognizes
Sitcoms That Made History
by Kiera Egan
S
itcoms make viewers laugh, provide entertainment, bring light to important
cultural issues, influence an entire time period, or change the world of television. Listed below are just a few of the comedies that have shaped American
society and entertainment.
I Love Lucy - Winner of the Peabody Award for “recognition of distinguished achievement in television,” I
Love Lucy is possibly one of the most well-known and
enjoyed American sitcoms. Starring comedian Lucille
Ball, I Love Lucy was the most watched sitcom for four
of its six seasons. The show had a massive influence
on future sitcoms and introduced the idea of the rerun.
Ball’s character on the show was loud and always getting into trouble, which helped erase stereotypes that
housewives had to be quiet and submissive. Ball also
controlled much of the sitcom’s production and direction, opening doors for women in the television world.
M*A*S*H
- Taking place during the Korean
War, the premise behind M*A*S*H at the time
would never be considered for a sitcom. Nowadays, sitcoms that blend elements such as Scrubs
or Friends is common, but at that time, M*A*S*H
was one of the first and most popular shows to
succeed in mixing comedy and drama. Due to its
serious setting, the show relied on a good amount
of dark humor, a style of comedy not usually in
sitcoms. Its final episode is the most watched of
all American television; over 125 million people
watched it. M*A*S*H influenced the entire genre
of comedy-drama TV shows.
The Simpsons
- As the longest running sitcom, The Simpsons has managed to entertain audiences for more than twenty years with its consistently funny writing and cartoon appeal. It is a
pioneer for the cartoon world aiming their show
at adult audiences. Prior to the show, cartoon audiences had been children or families. Without
The Simpsons, shows like Family Guy, American
Dad, or Bob’s Burgers would not exist. The characters, plot, and satire of the show truly shaped
American culture. Many of the show’s quotes,
like Homer Simpson’s catchphrase, “D’oh!,”
have been adopted into society; and the show has
won 31 Emmys, further proving its overall success.
the briefcase holding
the money demanded by “The Future.”
The money-filled
briefcase is carried
by Burt Gurney (Tatum), star of a sailor
film. Doyle follows
Gurney to the beach
house only to find
Whitlock inside.
How will the whirlwind of events end
for Eddie Mannix
and the rest of the
Hail, Caesar! team?
This farcical film
is
laugh-out-loud,
funny, and surely a
must-see!
Photo courtesy of IMDb
Roseanne
- One the top rated shows of its
time, Roseanne was immensely influential for
the plot and characters it introduced. Centered on
the small town Connors family over nine critically acclaimed seasons, Roseanne established
precedents for future sitcoms. A main focus of
the show were the Connors’ financial struggles,
an issue not usually tackled in a family sitcom.
Also, main character, Roseanne, promoted feminist ideals and did not succumb to typical stereotypes. Although some characters are overweight,
the show never used weight as a way to demean
characters, something interesting for that time.
The show tackled important issues such as domestic abuse, racism, sexism, sexuality, and premature birth without compromising its witty humor, making Roseanne hilarious yet hard-hitting.
Seinfeld
- Widely popular, this “show about
nothing” completely changed the sitcom world.
Fundamentally, the main characters have no real
connection to each other and intentionally lack
emotional depth, ideas foreign to the sitcom
world prior to the show’s release. The show feels
like stand-up acted out in real life and was created so that the audience could enjoy it without the
hassle of keeping track of a plot (or feeling sympathy for the characters). It coined such phrases
as “double-dipping” and “yada yada yada.” In
2002, TV Guide named Seinfeld the best TV show
of all time, with a whopping 76.3 million viewers
watching the series finale (making it the fourth
most-watched series finale ever). Seinfeld is a fan
favorite amongst critics and viewers alike.
The Office (U.S.)
- An adaptation of the
British sitcom of the same name, The Office was
developed by Greg Daniels in the US. While
preserving the mockumentary style and interesting characters of the UK version, it became an
even larger success than the original. The mockumentary style popularized by The Office is now
commonplace in the sitcom world with Parks
and Rec and Modern Family taking advantage
of this camera confessional structure to drop
fourth walls to make the show more relatable to
an audience. Spawning ten seasons, The Office
provided memorable characters such as ignorant boss Michael Scott (Steve Carrell), sarcastic prankster Jim (John Krasinski), conservative
Angela (Angela Kinsey), and the work-obsessed
Photos courtesy of locatetv.com Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson), allowing the
show to become a massive success.
March 2016
Albertus Magnus High School Page 8
Arts & activities
New banners display falcon pride
by Mackenzie Nyemcheck
M
any at Albertus are excited about the new banners displayed in the gymnasium.
Since arriving July 1 of
last year, President Robert
Gomprecht is systematically
achieving his goals of improving the school. He is focused
on developing the intellectual
life, the overall community
atmosphere, and the physical
facilities.
In addition to updating the
exterior of the school and replacing all light fixtures with
energy-efficient LED lighting,
he turned his attentions to the
gym. In addition to the older
banners, modern banners now
properly acknowledge those
whose names appear on them.
Most notably, a new flag
that honors the fallen of 911,
greets all who enter the gym.
The many sports banners exhibit the achievements earned
throughout Albertus’ history
of not only individual athletes
but also teams.
Social studies teacher Mr.
Thomas Anderson oversaw
this makeover, organizing the
information and coordinating
the manufacture, purchase,
and placement of these banners. According to Mr. Anderson, these banners are the
gift of the class of 2015.
All those who enter the
See the May issue of
Magnus Monitor for full
review of Footloose
gymnasium, either to attend sporting events, Mass,
or school functions such as
the spring play, can appreciate this improvement and
commemorate those whose
names appear on the banners.
“The banners are professional and classy,” said
Coach Timothy Gavan.
This cosmetic improvement is more than decoration
because it instills a sense of
pride for the school’s many
accomplishments.
Photos by Mrs. Rose Ruppino
Mock Trial wins its first case
by Mackenzie Nyemchek
T
he Mock Trial team won
its first competition in
the competitive Westchester
league. The assigned case
was the People vs Kelly Roberts, which argued Fourth
Amendment rights.
The fictional defendant,
Kelly Roberts, was observed
by undercover officers on a
corner known for drug dealing. The suspect ran to her
apartment, which was next to
a daycare. The police entered
the property of Ms. Roberts
without a warrant, citing
probable cause because of
proximity to the daycare.
Using this information
and evidence, the team created an argument for both the
prosecution and defense.
Defense attorneys were
senior
Samantha
Heavner, sophomore
Seamus Townsend,
and freshman Mackenzie Nyemchek. Junior Josie Buckley,
sophomore Toni-Linn
Moore, and freshman
Jessica Nin were witnesses.
The defense argued
the officers violated
At press time 100 students were set to bring the Musical Footloose Kelly Roberts’ Fourth
to the stage. Photo courtesy of LoHud.
Amendment rights.
Albertus Magnus High School
798 Route 304
Bardonia, NY 10954
Magnus Monitor is a student-produced newspaper that publishes four times a year. Student editors make all content decisions under the supervision of the advisor. The newspaper is a
member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and the
Scholastic Press Association.
Opinions expressed within the paper do not represent the
staff’s views or the views of the Albertus Magnus administration and staff. Letters to the editor are encouraged but cannot
be anonymous.
Please submit via email to [email protected].
Their performance, argument,
and evidence were stronger
than the prosecution from
North Salem, securing Albertus’ first win in the Westchester
league.
Prosecution attorneys were
seniors David Yakal, Liam
Ridge, and sophomore Ryan
Silverstein. Witnesses were
senior Katie Reilly, junior Zach
Schaefer, and freshman Elizabeth Rauchet.
“I was happy we had our first
victory this year. All worked
together, and we had great senior leadership; and it appears
a bright future ahead with our
underclassmen,” said Moderator Mr. Joseph McKenna
Next year, Coaches Mr. Jim
Dixon and Mr. Paul are planning to change the name Mock
Trial Club to the Thomas
Moore Law Club. This will
allow members to compete beyond the Westchester league,
meet real judges, and observe
ongoing trials. They plan to
meet weekly in early October,
extending the span of Mock
Trial.
Kristen Murphy ‘92, currently
an insurance defense attorney,
strongly recommends students
join Mock Trial if they hope to
pursue a career in law.
“Mock trial allows you to
understand how to prepare,
analyze, and build a case. Also,
exposure to trials allows you to
develop courtroom tactics such
as thinking on your feet; and
with my experience in Mock
Trial, I learned the basis of
law,” Murphy said.
Mock Trial team in the courthouse lobby.
Photo courtesy of Samantha Heavner
Newspaper Staff
Contact us @ [email protected]
Editor-in-Chief
Samantha Heavner
Co-Editor-in-Chief
Selena Roberts
Layout Editors
Edward Faro, Reilly Golden,
Chelsea Yagel, Karishma Melwani,
Tayina Solon, Tamara Jones
Photographers
Toni-Linn Moore
Faculty Advisor
Mrs. Rose Ruppino
Special Thanks
Sr. Nancy Richter, Mr. Michael McAndrew,
Mr. Michael Fevola, Mr. Dennis O’Keefe,
Mr. Thomas Anderson