Seniors make their mark on the world

What’s Inside
Seniors make their mark on the world
Brigid Wood-Batarse
Catch the
Fall Trends
Discover new shows,
sounds, and shoes in the
Features section.
See page 4-5.
Fun with
Fish Week
Flip to the centerspread
Senior Stuff section to get
a taste of Welcome Week
all over again.
See page 6-7.
Takeover of
the Teen Baby
Mommas
Read what Erica
Moriarty has to say on
this pop culture craze.
See page 9.
Sister Jane is
the Name
Look at Tiger Tail to
see exactly how well
you know Sister Jane.
See page 12.
To advertise in The Columns, contact Business
Manager Diana Nadira
[email protected]
Index
Page 2...................Editorial
Page 3........................News
Page 4-5................Features
Page 6-7.............Fish Week
Page 8-9...............Opinions
Page 10............On Campus
Page 11.....................Sports
Page 12................Tiger Tail
to give children in economic disparity activities to do in the summer. Neighbors in Action give
rom the tranquil Buddhist
the children a fun time instead of
temples in India, to the
letting them sit at home all day
thundering
vuvuzuelas
because of the lack of money to
and radiating passion of Africa,
go out or allowing them to be
seniors have been traveling the
solicited by disreputable groups
world as peacemakers in action.
like gangs. The children’s ages
This past summer, seniors travranged from five to eleven years
eled to North Africa, South Afold. Most of them rely on governrica, Kenya, Nicaragua, Bata,
ment funds for food. Many chilGuatemala, India and various
dren confessed that the only thing
places around the United States.
they ever had to eat was the food
After seeing the world from a difNeighbors in Action gave them.
ferent perspective, many seniors
The fact that the girls could help
had life-changing experiences
these innocent children even for
and made memories that have imjust a short time affected them in
pacted their lives. a way like nothing else could. The
Thanks to the gracious volunchildren knew they were cared
teer work of St. Agnes Academy,
for. Other Camps
a well in Guatemala was recently
and projects in the United States
built by the Living Water founinclude Camp Smiles, Camp
dation. Accompanied by Ms.
Aranzazu and Camp Champions.
Schiro and Mrs. Donati, the girls
Camp Smiles and Camp Chamtoiled endlessly, drilling and digpions both provided an amazging holes for the well. “It was
ing experience for
the hardest experience
young kids with
of my entire life, but I
Down-Syndrome
would do it again,” seand cerebral palsy.
nior Lyndsey Foresman
They had the opsays. “I would rather be
portunity to play
there right now.” In the
sports and make
end, the volunteers said
life-long
friends.
that it was all worth it
“Camp Smiles was
to see the smiles people
a super amazing
gave them in thanks for
experience for me,”
sanitary drinking water.
Sarah Lenderman
Regardless of the Guasays. “It helped me
temalans’ conditions,
find my calling in
the girls reported that
life which is to be a
the people were exspecial Ed teacher.”
tremely optimistic and
Camp
Aranzazu
amicable. The Guatealso provided amazmalans’ inspiring ating
opportunities
titude moved the girls
for Autistic Teenagto work even harder.
ers in the Program
One would expect a
Peacemakers Prevail: Senior Gaby Greiner shows off her muscles with Buddhist monks inTeens
Mentoring
communication problem training while in India for her senior service project. GUEST PHOTOGRAPHER // MEGAN CLARK
Teens. From rock
because of a difference
in language, yet seniors Lyndsey is despite how little they have,” she enjoyed everything so much climbing to archery and the ice
Foresman and Taylor McBride Alika says. “Here, we constant- was because of the fantastic lead- cream and cake song, the mentors
say that love was the universal ly are looking for the next best ers that guided her through it all. and the teens formed bonds that
language and they all understood thing, but there, they are so satis- After working with the novice la- would never be broken. “Watcheach other without words. Not fied and happy with life.”
mas, all day she would hear the ing Nick climb the hardest side
Nicaragua isn’t the only place incredible story of her “Pa-la” of the rock wall while all of the
only did they help each other
build a well, but they also helped where our fellow students im- (father in Tibet) about his partici- mentors chickened out inspired
to teach the children basic hy- prove children’s education. Alex pation in the Dalai Lama’s army me to try it and make it to the
giene tips. Two of the children, Vaio volunteered in Bata, a tiny and also worked with Nagendra top!” Marielle Pichon says. After
Diego and Wildur, became won- Spanish speaking country lo- who works for the National Geo- kayaking in the lake and makderful friends with all the girls cated in Equatorial Guinea. Even graphic as a writer. Gaby says, ing bracelets, everyone had great
because of their eager desire to though the country is currently “My trip to India was fantastic! I experiences to take home with
learn English. They all worked ruled by a totalitarian govern- loved learning about Tibetan cul- them.
Even though students are all
together to teach each other their ment, Alex Vaio along with oth- ture, eating Indian food everyday
respective languages. “It was the er volunteers joined a program . . . [and] having the opportunity back at St. Agnes, they have each
greatest experience ever, and I called the Academy for Educa- to take a meditation class from a left their mark on different parts
of the world. They left their love
want to go back in five years to tional Development as a non-paid Buddhist monk.”
see what all the kids in Guate- intern. She designed textbooks
Problems of foreign countries in many places and with many
mala are doing now and how our for many villages in need. The weren’t the only ones recognized, people that will remember how
well is thriving,” Taylor McBride schools lacked electricity and but students also recognized prob- the SAA community reached out
says. All the girls feel a gratifying proper bathrooms, but many vol- lems inside the United States and to help them. In turn, SAA stusense of accomplishment know- unteers from other countries sur- worked to solve them. Mrs. Sko- dents bring back the lessons they
ing that they have given wonder- rounding Bata were dedicated to pal along with many other Acad- were taught by the very people
helping improve the children’s emy women worked with a pro- they set out to help.
ful people an easier life.
While children were receiving poor education. Unfortunately, gram called Neighbors in Action. fresh water in Guatemala, senior in Bata 80% of the kids don’t They volunteered in San Antonio
Alika Nileshwar was planting make it past the 6th grade. “It reOn Campus Editor
F
vegetable gardens in Nicaragua
to help educate children about
growing food. In the community of Matagalpa, the city where
Alika was working, many volunteers formed a soccer team to
raise money for new uniforms and
soccer balls. With the excitement
of the World Cup in the air, the
team competed with surrounding
communities to raise money for
the people’s families. Aside from
soccer, there was a lot of dancing as well. The volunteers sewed
four traditional folklore costumes
for the community’s school so the
children could learn to dance the
traditional dances of Nicaragua.
Five days a week the volunteers
were required to teach the children for two hours about Nutrition, Hygiene, Reforestation, the
environment, clean water and
cooking and disaster preparedness. “What inspired me the most
was how happy everyone there
1
ally made me appreciate what incredible education we have in the
United States,” Alex Vaio says.
“I hope I have impacted them as
much as they have impacted me.”
Alex Vaio along with many other
academy women later went to
Africa as well, where Sister Jane
was working nearby in Kenya.
With her gracious ambition and
care, she participated in teacher
training for an orphanage. With holy sounds of chants
reverberating through temples,
senior Gabrielle Greiner had the
once in a lifetime opportunity to
learn from a Buddhist monk how
to meditate. She also set her eyes
on the one and only Dalai Lama.
While experiencing the golden
scenery of India and hearing the
sound of enlightenment in the
Taj Mahal, she also helped novice lamas learn English. She says
that the reason why she thinks
October 2010
Editorial
the columns
The
Columns
St. Agnes Academy
9000 Bellaire Boulevard
Houston Texas 77036
713.219.5400
[email protected]
Advisor................................................................................Ms. Felicia Miller
Editor-in-Chief......................................................................Alyssa Mahoney
Editor-in-Chief............................................................................Sydney Reed
Center Spread Editor..............................................................Sophie Roppolo
Features Editor...................................................................Ashley Balmaceda
Opinions Editor.........................................................................Erica Moriarty
News Editor.........................................................................Maggie Overbeck
On Campus Editor..........................................................Brigid Wood-Batarse
Sports Editor.................................................................................Diana Walsh
Tiger Tail Editor..........................................................................Diana Nadira
Business Manager.......................................................................Diana Nadira
Art Director.........................................................................Jenny Stuhldreher
Entertainment Columnist.....................................................Giselle Rosenthal
Special Interest Columnist.......................................................Camille Young
Food Columnist.........................................................................Nathalie Phan
Perspectives Columnist..................................................Katrina M. Mendiola
The Columns is the student newspaper of St. Agnes Academy. Its content,
which is the responsibility of The Columns staff, is not subject to direct
administrative approval. Unsigned editorials represent the opinions of the
newspaper, while Opinions columns represent the writer’s perspective. Advertisements do not represent the newspaper’s viewpoint. The Columns, an
open forum, welcomes signed letters on pertinent issues from the SAA community. The editors reserve the right to edit and decline to print letters. All
writing may be submitted to Ms. Miller in room 103 or through
[email protected].
Advertising Policy
The Columns accepts advertising that does not promote illegal services or
immoral products to its readers. The moderator reserves the right to accept
or deny advertising with her discretion. Contact Diana Nadira for advertising rates and information. Upon approval of the advertisement, The Columns promises to follow through on all contracts. If advertisments are not
approved, The Columns promises to refund the fee in full.
Vol 60 Issue 1
In the midst of routine, don’t
forget, “Carpe diem.”
Alyssa Mahoney
Editor-in-Chief
N
ow that it’s October, the
newness and excitement
of the new school year
has mostly subsided. Students
have actually memorized their
schedules by now, fall sports are
in full swing and we find that
we can, in fact, handle a more
difficult course-load than last
year (something we previously
thought impossible). However,
in the midst of establishing a
routine, I propose that we don’t
get stuck in one. As we take on
the mountains of homework, the
stress and occasionally the overload, it’s easy to feel like we’re
stuck in a grind. We need to escape a feeling of drudgery.
We claim in theory that the most
important things include certain
endeavors. Perhaps it’s time spent
with friends and family, in spiritual renewal, or helping others.
Whatever these undertakings are,
we generally agree that it remains
a constant struggle to actually incorporate them into our lives. Yet,
the month of October presents
endless opportunities to put that
theory into practice.
We have so much to look forward
to. The weather is finally getting
bearable (even enjoyable!). We
can look forward to fall show
premieres. Emerging artists and
established musicians alike offer
new albums for us to enjoy. The
season of fall festivals like the
Greek festival and Renaissance
festival offer a change of pace
and a taste of different cultures
and interests. Even nature seems
to urge us to embrace change.
Trees become an assortment of
red and orange and yellow and
will eventually become devoid of
color at all. Sunlight falls a little
softer than it did is summer. But
how can we embrace this change
when we are urged to just keep
turning the gears in an often mundane routine?
I used to often wonder at the
expression “carpe diem.” It just
seemed over-simplistic to me.
However, I’ve come to realize
that the very candor of the expression expresses its philosophy perfectly. Such clarity of thought expressed so succinctly urges us to
eliminate the unnecessary things
in our lives and focus on what is
truly important.
Masthead photo credit goes to FOTOLIA.COM
Masthead created by Sydney Reed
Tommy Moriarty
TOMMY MORIARTY
Being Unbearably
Handsome Since 1996
Dacy Enterprises
2234 Get Paid Ln
Houston, TX 77634
Tommy’s Contact Info:
Phone: 281-658-7269
E-mail: tpmor iar ty1 4@ mail.str akejesuit. org
Don’t forget to check out the SAA Blog!
Visit: wordpress.st-agnes.org
2
October 2010
News
Vol 60 Issue 1
the columns
Corruption hinders Miners survive in Chile
Haiti
Preval, has recently given awards
to many politicians and celebrities
who continually make contribuBrigid Wood-Batarse
tions to help. Preval has also met
with presidential candidate and
On Campus Editor
singer Wyclef Jean, to make sure
t has been reported that the
the country would go into “good
hurricane in Haiti was a cahands”. However, The Associated
tastrophe that had one of the
Press did an interview with twenhighest amount of monetary aid,
ty-four year old mother Anne Bereven more than Hurricane Katrina
nard, a women living desperately
and the 2004 tsunami. Billions of
under a flimsy tent with hundreds
dollars was given to Haiti. The
of other people. “I don’t know
United Nations alone has pledged
if I’m mad or happy,” she says.
$323 million, and they plan to
“All I know is they haven’t done
give 100 million more this year.
anything.” According to the New
But how has this money actually
York Times, hundreds of Haitians
benefitted Haiti? Is it actually golive tightly and uncomfortably
ing to the people in need? Haiti
in these tents and shacks along a
is a country that is notorious for
road called Routed des Rails. Eric
its poverty and even more so, its
Klein, the founder of a non-profit,
corruption. The United Nations’
non-government foundation and
intentions of compassion and
website called can-do.org told
C N N ’ s
Tony Harris that he
“doesn’t
know exactly why
the
food
hasn’t been
distributed,
and
that
donors to
the country
must
demand
answers.”
TIME.COM There are
over fifty
Helpless and destitute: As floodwaters overran their homes, many
food
TIME.COM sources
Haitians were forced to flee or seek refuge on rooftops.
in Haiti, but
there is still a lack of food. Anconcern were directed towards the
other problem in Haiti is that only
Haitians, but it has not stopped
2% of the rubble and debris has
the corruption that has been dambeen cleared. Government offiaging the country for generacials say the removal of rubble is
tions. The lack of coordination
the key to the start of redevelopover what is being spent where
ment and reconstruction, but with
has caused their government to
the lack of funds and help, it will
become increasingly unstable and
take much longer than it should.
extremely susceptible to abuse.
Out of all the corruption we
It is no wonder that Haiti was
must still keep hope because a
rated one of the most corrupted
few foundations are honestly and
nations by Transparency Internaefficiently donating money and
tional. More than half of all the
seeing that money go to work.
presidents that ever ruled Haiti
They trace their money and make
were overthrown because of dicsure it is used for the right reatatorships, favoritism to the elite
son. Another one of these honest
and carelessness for the country’s
donations is one that our school
people, especially in terms of
has generously donated to, the
education. According to Haitian
Catholic Relief Services. As we
Ronald Charles, a Ph.D. student in
all know we have donated 80,000
Biblical Studies at the University
dollars to the foundation and it is
of Toronto, six powerful families
reported that our money has been
are the true controllers of the Haiused for food and thankfully was
tian economy. Charles also disnot been corrupted. Awareness of
cusses his true feelings about all
Haiti’s corruption is crucial for
the donations to Haiti. “I’m afraid
the country’s healing. We sursincerely for this money going to
passed rampant corruption and
Haiti,” he says. “We are blessed to
saw our money go toward the
have so many people concerned,
good of the Haitian people.
but they don’t know where the
There is an obvious demand for
money is going. Money is barely
a more stable structure and fair
trickling to the people, and people
government. Even though the
are still starving.” After all six
Haitians appreciate the help they
months after the earthquake, 1.6
are getting, they still want to be
million Haitians remain homeless
able to provide for themselves in
and destitute. He later says only
the future and want to avoid befew donation services actually go
coming even more dependent on
to the people, and those are usustronger nations. It is the job of
ally underground, such as Medithe international community to
cines Sans Frontier and Catholic
help Haiti out of this disastrous
Relief Services.
cycle of corruption and get them
Haiti’s president, Rene Garcia
on their own feet once and for all.
I
Diana Nadira
simulate conditions of day, night,
and separating the space where
they’re living into zones.”
4 weeks after the collapse, the
miners were sent their first hot
meal through a tube that reaches
underground. Previously, the
miners received high-protein
milk and glucose tablets. Chilean officials have used this tube
to send the men water, letters
cope with confined spaces and offered advice on how to keep the
miners healthy.
Allegedly, the San Esteban
os 33--for the past two
mining company, owners of the
months, this title has been
collapsed mine, did not follow
used to refer to the 33
the modern safety regulations
miners who are currently trapped
of a safe mine. Because of this
2,300 ft. underground in a gold
added risk, the company paid
and copper mine in Copiapo,
better wages to their employees.
Chile. Since the mine’s collapse
However, since the accident, the
on August 5, 2010, the
company is facing
miners’ biggest chalbankruptcy proteclenges include trying
tion; it cannot afford
to avoid starvation,
to pay the miners
battle thirst, take preduring their time uncautions against funderground. Theregus and bacteria, stay
fore, more than 24
sane enough to work
mining companies
on aiding their own
in Chile have made
rescue, all while resid1,188 job offers to
ing in an environment
all employees of the
of 90% humidity.
San Esteban mining
The miners commucompany, including
nicated with the resthe 33 trapped mincuers. They were asers. Sara Morales,
THEHINDU.COM
signed tasks by Chilean
a deputy human reofficials with the purposeStuck Beneath the Earth:The miners have been trapped underground sources director for
and must endure constant heat.
of allowing them to foTerra Services, a Chilcus on other matters and
from their families, medicine and ean drilling company, promised,
retain some normalcy. Currently, clothing items.
“The 33 won’t be without a job.”
Chilean officials are working on a
Reportedly, an appropriate
In order to rescue the miners,
program to mimic the conditions menu with well-balanced meals three giant drills need to enter one
of night and day since the miners has been created for the Chilean by one. After they reach the minare surrounded by constant dark- miners by a nutritionist from ers, they need to be widened to
ness. Commenting on the subject, NASA. The nutritionist is part of be able to pull the miners through
Health Minister Jaime Manalich a team of 4 experts from NASA the holes one by one. This process
said, “The most important thing that have arrived at the mine to is supposed to end in early Nowe’re doing right now from the aid the trapped men. The team is vember when the last miner will
psychological point of view is to experienced with helping people be rescued.
Tiger Tail Editor &
Business Manager
L
Pakistan in crisis
after massive flood
Maggie Overbeck
News Editor
O
n August 17th, Pakistanis awoke to the Indus
River flooding their own
backyards. The United Nations
(U.N.) declared this to be the
worst monsoon-related flood on
record. Experts believe the floods
were caused by heavy rainfall
this season combined with continual climate change and deforestation. The flood significantly
affects nearly 20 million people,
and more than 4 million are currently without shelter. The flooding ruined everything it touched
from roads and bridges to schools
and clinics. The flooding
only further impaired
Pakistan’s unstable civilian government. Onefifth of the country is affected, an area of nearly
62,000 square miles.
More than 5,000 miles
of roads were washed
away and approximately
7,000 schools have been
destroyed. At least 1,600
people have already died
as a result of this tragedy.
One of the biggest
problems Pakistan now
faces is the lack of support and
relief. Americans contributed a
small amount compared to their
support for the Haitians. Approximately $15 million was raised
to help the Pakistanis by various organizations, which is very
weak in contrast to the over $700
million raised for Haiti. Many
have speculated reasons for this,
including slow but steady waves
of flooding, a small amount of TV
coverage, Haiti’s close proximity
to the U.S. and Americans’ wary
view of its Muslim ally.
However, the U.S. is not solely
responsible. The Pakistani Taliban continuously threatens foreign flood aid workers who are
trying to enter Pakistan. How-
ever, speakers on behalf of the
U.N. dismissed their threats and
said that they will not back down
and will continue all efforts. The
Taliban urges people to not accept
any help from the United States
or Muslim relief groups. They are
still trying to assert as much power as possible even in the midst of
chaos.
The Pakistanis will have to endure a long process to get back
to where they were before these
floods. The damage is said to put
Pakistan years behind economically and socially, possibly decades. Pakistan’s military is overstretched and its economy went
bankrupt. Countless numbers of
people have been left stranded
and without shelter, and many
more are forced to evacuate daily.
All the Pakistanis can do now is
hope that they will receive aid
and be able to rebuild their country quickly.
Water Trap: Pakistanis youth walk along a flooded street in Karachi.
ABC.NET.AU
October 2010
To do or
not to do
Dancing
Downtown
Giselle Rosenthal
Entertainment Columnist
W
hy stay at home and
watch “Dancing with
the Stars” when you
can go out and dance just like
those stars? Dancing is the newest way to spend an exhilarating
night in Houston. Most people
don’t know that The Chocolate
Bar, a quirky, little shop that sells
an abundance of chocolate goodies, is bringing back swing music on Thursday nights and salsa
dancing on Sunday nights! You
don’t even have to know how to
dance swing or salsa to join in the
fun--beginners are welcome. It’s
all about going to have a good
laugh when you and your friends
are taking a shot at the moves.
Even if you don’t think you’re
much of a dancer, it’s incredibly
entertaining just to watch other
people attempt to dance while
munching on some chocolaty
goodness.
If you’re in the mood for something a little more refined, the
Downtown Aquarium offers upbeat salsa dancing with an experienced teacher every Friday night.
The last Friday of every month is
the best time to go since there’s
a live band playing salsa music!
It’s never too late to learn how to
dance and there’s no reason to be
embarrassed. Half of the people
in the class are learning for the
first time too. Who knows? Maybe you’ll become so skilled that
you’ll end up on the television
show “So You Think You Can
Dance.”
Best of all, the Discovery Green
in Downtown offers free tango
lessons outdoors, and I know
from personal experience that this
class is a great deal of fun. First,
the instructor helps the attendees learn the basics. Then it’s all
about improvising and letting the
music move you. There’s also no
need to fret if it begins to rain because they will continue the dancing session under a roof. Just find
the nearest guy and dance!
Features
the columns
Froggie feet that you can’t beat
Sydney Reed
Editor-in-Chief
t’s October, the month
when St. Agnes girls start
needing their sweaters
both inside and outside the classroom. By this time, the ninth
graders begin painstakingly trying to disguise the fact that they
are indeed freshmen. Don’t worry
though little fishies, the name tags
and confused expressions might
be gone, but we still know who
you are (The thirteen Vera Bradley bags hanging off your arms
and the continuous whispering
of
how-to-get-asked-to-homecoming schemes gave you away.
Darn.). Sophomores grudgingly
accept the fact that they no longer receive the special treatment
they used to get as ninth graders
and begin to develop an acute dislike of said ninth graders. Juniors
feel the need to wrap themselves
in blankets and study guides as
they sit in toughest classes in the
coldest classrooms. Seniors…
well, seniors stumble through the
college process, wondering when
the phrase “senioritis” will finally
become less of a dream and more
of a reality. These things at St.
Agnes never change, but the fall
trends do.
I’ll bet you a nickel that the
I
Vol 60 Issue 1
first thing that
popped
into
your
head
when I said,
“fall trends,”
was
jeggings. Maybe
if you’re really
fashion
forward you
thought
of
wearing boyfriend cardigans as skirts
or attempted
the androgynous business Touchy Toes: Sophomore Caroline Matlock models her Five
Fingers toe shores, demonstrating how she uses them to climb
look. If you cantrees on campus.
THE COLUMNS STAFF/ SYDNEY REED
rock the jeggings outside of school--great. If
I have a hunch. I present to you designed for kayaking and yoga.
you decide to wear your cardigan Vibram Five Fingers, more comSophomore Caroline Matlock
as a skirt instead of buying a real monly known as “toe shoes.” Toe
purchased a pair of Five Fingers
skirt--awesome. However, the shoes aren’t water shoes for land;
after discovering them on vacadownside of these trends is that they are performance enhancing
tion in the Galapagos this past
they can’t really be expressed at shoes designed specifically withTHE COLUMNS STAFF// SYDNEY REED
summer. Caroline said, “The best
the Academy. The only trends that your health in mind. According
thing about them is how comfortmanage to fully infiltrate SAA are to Vibram, many wearers report
able they are and how well you
those pertaining to shoes. Yes, oh better posture and less back pain.
can walk, run and climb in them
my, shoes. Sperry’s have been a The design and materials used
with no pain.” To top it off, toe
staple for the past four years and make the shoe form to your feet
shoes come in many different
TOMS currently reign supreme; and give you a “barefoot feel.”
styles, ranging from those that
since 2007 the “it” shoes at the The shoes were originally delook like they’re made of leather
St. Agnes have swung from Vans signed for running and sailing,
to blue camo. There’s a pair of toe
slip-ons to UGGs. My question but now more models have been
shoes for everyone. The question
is, “What shoe will next take St. developed for a wider range of
is--will St. Agnes be a part of “evAgnes by storm?”
function. They even make models
XOXO, GTL coming to a TV near you!
Erica Moriarty
Opinions Editor
T
he new school year comes
with loads of homework
and the stresses of extracurricular activities, but in-between the madness, there’s also
the returning TV shows to look
forward to. This year, The Office,
Gossip Girl, Glee, The Vampire
Diaries and Jersey Shore have
been the season premiers most
talked about around St. Agnes.
All are returning from last season
with new characters, plots and, of
course, DRAMA!
The Office premiered with Season 7 on September 23rd. This
new season has a lot to live up to
since the last two seasons have
been the build up to Jim and
Pam’s wedding and their newborn baby, CiCi. Also, this season
is Steve Carell’s last, so hopefully, it is a good one. Although
there is the inevitable departure
of Michael Scott to dread, there
are Dwight’s newest schemes, office romances and other hilarious
antidotes to get pumped about!
While our favorite employees of
Scranton, Pennsylvania continue
to entertain us, the upper east siders of New York feed the gossip
mill.
The New York socialites came
back with a bang on September 14th with CW’s Gossip Girl.
The last season ended with many
heart wrenching break-ups, so
we should look forward to seeing some budding romance this
season. The drama that the still
CURRENT.COM
Bears, Beats, Battlestar Galactica: The Office returns on NBC and fans can look
forward to more shenanigans from Jim and Dwight.
unnamed Gossip Girl always
creates will inevitably make this
season thrilling. After sitting on
the edge of our seats wondering
who’s actually dead and who isn’t
for an hour, we can flip the channel to sit back and enjoy some of
our favorite show tunes.
Glee returned on September 21st
for only the second time around.
4
The first season was a huge success, especially here at St. Agnes.
This season holds promise with
guest stars like Britney Spears
and John Stamos. The alwaysentertaining drama between the
show choir members and with
the amazing songs should make
this season so good that you can
hardly pull your eyes from the TV
set! In addition to most St. Agnes
girls’ obsession with Glee comes
an obsession with a more mysterious and blood-drawing show.
These days, much of the country
seems infatuated with vampires,
and The Vampire Diaries is no
different. The show gave a sense
-tingling premiere on September
9th. There is still much more to
come this season with the suspenseful cliff-hangers each week
and hair-raising performances in
the fictional town of Mystic Falls,
Virginia. If you’re not looking to
raise your heart rate for an hour
but enjoy a few laughs, look
no further than the tan and buff
juiceheads who lounge on the
shores of Miami.
Although some may call it trash
TV, Jersey Shore is more popular
in its Season 2 than ever before.
The season premiered way back
on July 29th but is still much
talked about. New situations have
created much drama between the
girls who were once close in the
house and even between some of
the boys. We can look forward to
the drama that the rest of the season holds while the cast continues to GTL (gym, tan and laundry) every day in Miami.
There you have it--your fall
preview of what’s hot on TV this
season. Be sure to catch up with
the Dunder Mifflin gang, Manhattan’s elite, William McKinley High, your favorite vampires or the infamous guidos and
guidettes of Jersey in-between
cramming for tomorrow’s test.
Features
Sole-searching sneakerheads
Ashley Balmaceda
Features Editor
I
t was the summer of 1998. For
the first time since I came out
of the womb, I could finally
pick out the sneakers I wanted.
They were the latest trend to
hit the cool kid market–lightup shoes. Suddenly everything
from going to the playground to
walking to the restroom was an
event. I probably gained about
ten pounds of calf muscle alone
because I thought that stomping
my way around would make the
lights shine brighter. For some
people, happiness comes in a
brand new handbag or in a package of chocolate, but for me and
plenty of other people around the
world, it comes in a box of new
shoes.
Some people take sneaker collecting to a whole new level, one
so high that there’s even a name
for them--sneakerheads. This underground culture has become so
popular that it is often mentioned
in the media, especially though
music today. It has also broken
through to television, for example, in the show Entourage since
one of the main characters is an
avid sneakerhead. A plethora of
blogs, websites, online stores
and even magazines are devoted
to sneakers alone. Kanye West,
Pharrell and the late DJ AM have
shown their love for the hobby.
Even a fellow St. Agnes Academy student, senior Nancy Pham,
finds this hobby fulfilling: “Noth-
ing can make a
day better than
a fresh pair of
sneakers.” The
sneakerhead
phenomenon
has also expanded
into
clothing
and
hats; Nike shirts
and sweatshirts
often
colorcoordinate
with their latest
sneaker releases. Here at St.
Agnes Academy, I have even
spotted
girls
styling up their
BLOG.THEMAVENREPORT.COM
uniforms with
e y e - c a t c h - How celebrities kick it: Kanye West and Marc Jacobs show off Kanye’s Louis Vuitton shoes.
ing sneakers. Shoes are a great way to get all sneakers are difficult to find! dans, Air Maxes, Puma classics
creative and express your person- Twice a year, a Sneaker Summit and Vans. While many people
ality which can be especially im- is held right here in Houston. The collect their shoes and wear them,
portant when dress choices are as Summit is sneakerhead heaven; some go so far as to even keep a
limited as they are at SAA.
shoes can be bought, sold, traded, second pair of the same shoe “on
The number of shoes in every displayed and discussed. Prices ice” which means “unworn.” Becollection can reach beyond the may go from two to four digits, ing a sneakerhead can be timehundreds. Enthusiasts go to great depending on how rare the shoe consuming and money draining.
lengths to add the best of the best is. Usually, the more expensive But as with most things in life,
to their collections. The search for shoes are hand painted or de- when something is wanted, great
the most exclusive shoes to the signed and extremely rare; some- lengths are traveled to achieve
most hyped up shoes of the mo- times, only a hundred pairs of a it. Such is the case with sneakerment (or both in most cases) can certain shoe are released in the heads and their shoes, St. Agnes
be a journey in itself. Some stores entire world. Because of this ex- girls and their new bags and eveven hide behind cover stores in clusivity, the artists often become eryone with their boxes of chocoorder to increase the exclusivity overnight celebrities in the sneak- lates. It may take a while to attain
of the sneakers being sold while er community.
some of these things, but in the
others only open for a day to sell a
Shoes that have stayed con- end the fulfillment is worth the
limited edition shoe. Even so, not stantly popular include Air Jor- wait.
Bareilles Bears Her Kaleidoscope Heart
Sophie Roppolo
Center Spread Editor
S
ara Bareilles kept the
world waiting. For three
years and two months, her
fans listened to the twelve pianobased songs of her first album,
Little Voice, and waited to see
if the artist’s sophomore album
would live up to her original musical victory.
Then, on September 7, 2010,
Bareilles released her album,
Kaleidoscope Heart, to the anticipating public. In it, Bareilles
follows the formula for a perfect
album to a “T.” The opening
song on the track, “Kaleidoscope
Heart,” is short and light, to the
point and leaves the listener
wanting more. “Uncharted,” a
catchy piano piece reminiscent
of her early work, picks up where
the title track leaves off, reminding Bareilles’ audience that she is
still the same musical talent when
it comes to lyrics and melodies.
The album then leads into some
of Bareilles’ more mellow songs
with a few upbeat pieces sprinkled throughout. She seems to
have perfected the technique for a
hit album. But does she succeed?
The signature independent
tone the artist’s lyrics voiced in
Little Voice can be found in Kaleidoscope Heart, but Bareilles
also matured in her lyric writing. While the song “King of
Vol 60 Issue 1
the columns
MUSIC.AOL.COM
A Heartful of Music: Sara Bareilles’ lyrics come straight from the heart, as she sings of
love, loss, and trust.
Anything” still rings with the intense independence also found in
her earlier pieces, such as “Love
Song” and “Fairytale,” Bareilles
reveals her more vulnerable side
in her more recent works. This
display of openness can be seen
in pieces such as “The Light,”
in which she describes trusting someone with her love, and
“Bluebird,” which gives voice to
the broken feeling of anticipating a breakup but still still having
the strength to pick up the pieces
and move on. She no longer holds
the world at arm’s length but
embraces it, admitting that she
is not as strong as she may have
seemed in Little Voice. This vulnerability proves a good thing;
Bareilles shows her audience she
can relate to them on more than
one level. Although she strives to
be independent, she is not always
as invincible as she would like to
appear. She believes that seeing
someone change and accepting
this helplessness before her eyes
verifies their humanity. In this
demonstrated maturity, Bareilles
5
proves her brilliance as an artist.
Had she made an album identical in nature to Little Voice, her
continued success might not have
been so great; no one needs two
identical albums made by an artist whose music, lyrics and sense
of self seem unmoved from one
point of time to another.
Overall, Sara Bareilles presents
her sophomore album in a way
that appeals to a larger audience
with a “kaleidoscopic” range of
style, from upbeat and light to
soft and mellow. Even so, her new
album manages to stay true to her
lyrical genius and original, catchy
piano-pieces that fans, both old
and new, will love. If statistics are
your style, the proof can be found
in the charts. This past September, Kaleidoscope Heart made
a jump on www.Billboard.com
as the number one album in the
country.
Bareilles not only wove herself
into the lyrics and melodies of her
songs, but Kaleidoscope Heart
also holds meaning in its title. Bareilles said, “These words are really a representative of how I see
my heart. It’s a colorful but fragmented, ever-changing sum of all
the bits and pieces that make it
up. A kaleidoscope is the tool that
helps make sense of the mess. Or
at least makes it nice to look at.”
And so, with her signature style,
Bareilles bears her “colorful but
fragmented” Kaleidoscope Heart
to the world.
Mind Waves
Battling
the zzz’s
Camille Young
Special Interest Columnist
E
THEMAVENREPORT.COM
May 2010
very now and then, a St.
Agnes student is blessed
with an opportunity to
sleep for a reasonable amount of
time—or so she thought. That
was before the guy she is usually day-dreaming about during
math class texted her to ask if she
was busy. Now she must make a
decision--sleep or talk to her Edward Cullen. Assuming that this
student is like most teenage girls,
she would probably choose to
talk to her love interest. Besides,
she reasons, she never sleeps
anyways. How much of a difference can one night make? I hate
to say it, but quite a bit. Lack of
sleep has serious effects on both
grades and health even after just
one night.
One of sleep’s many purposes
is to help retain new information
and memories gained during the
day. In fact, you might as well
not study if you plan on pulling
an all-nighter. According to Harvard Medical School researchers,
those who pull an all-nighter will
show little improvement the next
day and it will take more than
two full nights of sleep for their
memory to recovery. Also, other
studies have shown that taking 90
minute naps quickens long-term
memory processes, leading to
greater performance in school.
Skipping sleep also affects
many hormones, including Leptin
and Grehlin. Grehlin causes us to
feel hunger and Leptin causes us
to feel full. Whenever you don’t
get enough sleep, Grehlin increases, while Leptin decreases,
resulting in St. Agnes students’
ability to eat ten cupcakes in one
day. In other words, lack of sleep
leads to serious weight gain. Regardless of how delicious an endless supply of donuts tastes, no
teenage girl wants to experience
its consequences.
So the next time you can barely
keep your eyes open, forget about
your Dearest Edward and think
about your well-being. Besides,
Edward will be replaced over
time just like when he replaced
Cedric Diggory. Unlike fictional
characters, the damage of sleeplessness will never fade away.
Surrender to sleep. Your memory
and body will thank you when
you’re 40 and healthier than nocturnal people.
big sis●ter (bĭg sĭs’t r) n. 1a senior who is matched with of one or
more ninth-graders in an effort to welcome them to St. Agnes 2one
who, with St. Agnes administration’s approval, is licensed to stalk
ninth graders in an effort to get to know them before Fish Week 3the
brains behind the fake proposals, “spontaneous” lunch song sessions,
and signature/picture scavenger hunts that characterize Fish Week
e
Big Sis
Fish We
CAMMI QUARTERO-CRAWFORD/GUEST PHOTOGRAPHER
From left to right: ninth grader Christiana Lacamu, senior Cammi Quartero-Crawford, and senior
Catherine Yu.
“I wrote my freshman’s letter on a picture of Justin
Bieber’s face, and for Baby Day I gave her a to-do
list which included serenading a boy at Strake with
Justin Bieber’s ‘Baby.’ Also on Baby Day, my little sister wore butterfly wings and had to get her to-do
list signed by Ms. Coffey, who refused to sign it because my little sister was apparently anatomically
incorrect. Being the AP Biology teacher, she made
sure her students knew that ‘babies don’t have butterfly wings, and baby butterflies don’t have wings.’”
-Senior Cammi
Quatero-Crawford
“I loved fish week!
My Big Sis, Sydney Reed, was so
sweet. I was sent
on a secret mission to take pictures of different
things and people
around
school.
She dressed me
up as Red Vines, a
type of candy for
the parade. I had
a lot of fun can’t
wait until I’m a senior and get have
a fish of my own!”
-Ninth grader
Meg Roppolo
MOLLY CHANG/GUEST PHOTOGRAPHER
Ninth graders Kate Moger and Rachel Smythe get into character, as Pacman and Ms. Pacman.
“I gave my Little Sis, Kate Moger, a camera and told her to go
take pictures with certain teachers, a bunch of my friends, and
even me! I was really excited when Kate came and found us
during lunch, and it was a great opportunity to get a sneaky
picture in with my Little Sis!”
-Senior Molly Chang
BLESSIE VALDEZ/GUEST PHOTOGRAPHER
Senior Blessie Valdez and ninth grader Catherine Raymond pose for a picture after the costume parade.
“We dressed our fish up as characters from PACMAN -
SYDNEY REED/THE COLUMNS
Ninth grader Meg Roppolo gets excited about the costume
parade.
ghosts, Pacman, Ms. Pacman, and fruit bonuses. My fish,
Catherine Raymond, was a banana fruit bonus from Pacman. She was so excited when she found out our theme
was Pacman! The Pacman costumes went really well with
each other, especially since we made the costumes such a
wide array of vibrant colors! Our fish were awesome Pacman characters and they were very enthusiastic and willing to go on the many Pacman chases their big sisses sent
them on throughout the school.”
-Senior Blessie Valdez
eek 2010
Centerspread by:
Sophie Roppolo
e
CHELSEA TILL/GUEST PHOTOGRAPHER
Mr. Hollinger and ninth grader Leah Sullivan show the camera
their thug side to the camera.
“I
gave my fish, Leah Sullivan, a
photo to-do list, and one of the
things was ‘do a thug pose with
Mr. Hollinger.’”
-Senior Chelsea Till
“Fish Week was so much
fun! My Big Sis, Brigid
Wood-Batarse, made me
eat all of the candy that
she gave me and wear all
of the stuff in the package.
I was dressed up as a piñata. It was fun, but I had
to put the piñata on and
off every class period because I couldn’t fit in my
desk with it. The car ride
to and from the dance was
the best. We listened to
Jersey Shore and danced.
The dance was really fun,
one of the best I’ve been
to this year. The sleepover
was what I was looking
forward to the most. We
stayed up until 3:30 talking. I loved my Big Sis!!”
-Ninth grader
Emily Thamm
Little Sis
lit●tle sis●ter (lit’l sĭs’t r) n. 1someone who, as a ninth-grader, is
new to St. Agnes and may be a bit overwhelmed 2an Academy
ninth grader (a.k.a. “fish”) who may be given certain tasks to
perform during Fish Week, be it proposing to someone, singing
in public or posing for pictures;
NOTE: Fish are friends, not food!
MEGAN MURNANE/GUEST PHOTOGRAPHER
Ninth grader Emily Thamm and senior Brigid Wood-Batarse take a picture before the costume
parade.
KATRINA M. MENIDOLA/THE COLUMNS
Ninth grader Tatum McNeil proudly displays the signatures she’s aquired on the “mission”
her Big Sis sent her on.
“I sent my freshman, Tatum McNeil, to collect signatures from all over the school: a girl in Performance
Workshop, a Journalism Staffer, a Strake Jesuit senior, and all sorts of teachers - but she had to give
those people a ‘magic word’ before those people
were allowed to sign her board. Then, I dressed her
up as a piñata with my senior group for the parade.
iARRIBA!”
-Senior Katrina M. Mendiola
TAYLOR MCBRIDE/GUEST PHOTOGRAPHER
From left to right: Senior Taylor McBride, ninth grader Jillyan Moore, ninth grader Hannah Kendall, and senior
Chelsea Thompson.
“I dressed my fish, Jillyan Moore, up as a fly, and my
friends and I got to hit the other ninth grade flies with
fly swatters during the parade! We also made them
buzz in the hallway when they saw us. It was great!
BUZZ OFF!!”
-Senior Taylor McBride
Opinions
October 2010
Phood
with Phan
Nathalie Phan
Food and Dining Columnist
Plastic considered
perilous?
T
here are many quirky
characteristics one would
use to describe the typical student at St. Agnes: attractive, having unshaven legs, the
ability to constantly make up
multiple “defso” words in just
one sentence, or (of course) the
unhealthy addiction to NetView.
But to sum it all up, any Academy
woman can describe our culture
in just one simple word: food.
Whether you like the intricate
delicacies they serve in the cafeteria or not, lunch can be a hassle
especially if you have to wait in
those lines in front of the microwaves. Though there are fewer
students and more microwaves
than cafeteria cashiers, each student’s lunch takes up to five minutes to heat. But wait a minute!
Are those myths concerning heating (and freezing) plastics legit or
are they just urban legends?
When food is wrapped in plastic or put in plastic Tupperware
containers and microwaved, substances that are used to make the
plastic (plasticizers) can leak into
the food you heat up (especially
if the food happens to be extra
fatty). Scientific evidence suggests that the chemicals that seep
into your food from plastic may
be harmful. Many of you probably have not noticed the recycling symbol under your plastic
containers (numbers between one
and seven encompassed in a triangle of arrows). Plastics with the
numbers one, two, four and five
are generally considered to be the
safest while three and six may be
damaging to your health. Number seven stands for polycarbonates which you should also avoid
–these have “PC” printed underneath the seven. Styrofoam is
considered microwave-safe. The
next time you decide to heat your
lunch, take more precautions: try
microwaving your food in glass
or ceramic containers or use paper
napkins. Perhaps you can reconsider using the microwave completely. In addition, make sure
you wash your plastics by hand
because in the dishwasher, plastics are exposed to detergent and
heat. Cut down your exposure to
chemicals in plastic and you’ll
be safe from evil cancer-causing
plasticizers and can go back to
your happy St. Agnes food-filled
life.
the columns
Vol 60 Issue 1
Islamic mosque sparks controversy
Diana Walsh
Americans also seem to share two blocks away from the north- Obama supports this outlook by
Sports Editor
the common question, “Why east corner of what was the World stating, “Muslims have the same
s Americans, we remem- build it here?” Location seems to Trade Center.
right to practice their religion as
ber the sudden tragedy be a big issue for those opposed
Perhaps the clearest argument everyone else in this country . . .
that struck our country to the project. The main reason as to why the building of this That includes the right to build a
on September 11, 2001. Due to for this concern is that people community center should be al- place of worship and a commuheinous terrorist attacks, count- believe that having an Islamic re- lowed and accepted is the fact nity center on private property in
less numbers of innocent lives ligious center located on Ground that our country was founded on lower Manhattan in accordance
perished in downtown Manhatthe concept of freedom which with local laws and ordinances.
tan. Today, dispute
This is America, and
surrounds the buildour commitment to reing plans for a project
ligious freedom must
on the remains of the
be unshakable.” If the
World Trade Center. An
Muslim
community
Islamic mosque is set
desires to construct a
to be built on the actual
place where they can
site of Ground Zero,
meet and practice their
and 68% of Americans
religion, they should
are currently opposed
be allowed to do so. As
to it. The opening of
Americans, we need to
this center, set for Sepsteer clear of the doutember 11, 2011, is one
ble-standard and ensure
of the most leading
that freedom is granted
controversial
topics
to each and every one
discussed today.
of our country’s citiFirst and foremost,
zens.
the “mosque” that is
With that said, we
set to be built is not
should not interpret this
solely a mosque but
project as a threat but
an Islamic community
as a beacon of hope to
center that will be open
YAHOONEWS.COM build up our country’s
for the public. It will be
sense of community
Gathering for a cause: Supporters of the Islamic community center gather in New York on September 11, 2010.
thirteen stories tall and
and cultural relations.
include many recreational facili- Zero would be offensive and includes religious freedom. Dis- The construction of the Islamic
ties such as a swimming pool and dishonor the lives lost on 9/11. allowing the construction of this community center can be an opa basketball court. The only as- In reality, the community center center would reject our country’s portunity for Americans to look
pect related to the Muslim faith is will not be on the actual site of most valued principle and strip a beyond our past judgments of the
a small house of worship which Ground Zero. In fact, it will be lo- specific denomination of people Islamic religion and broaden our
will be located on the top two cated on 51 Park Place, which is from a basic right to practice their understanding of the cultural difloors of the building.
own religion. President Barack versity that fills this country.
A
Facebook alters communication
every single one of your status updates since you’ve joined
director, one in five divorced cou- everybody Facebook stalks may Facebook, potentially informing
Camille Young
ples mention Facebook as a con- seem to justify this obsession, but him of almost everything you’ve
Special Interest Columnist
tributor to their divorce. Many of in reality it devours our privacy, done since ninth grade. If this ins a ninth grader, I was these couples claimed they read revealing even the tiniest details formation isn’t enough for him,
equally in love with my suspiciously flirty conversations of our lives to anybody we’ve he can save his favorite Facebook
shiny, new laptop as I their ex-spouses had over Face- friended. Think about it: some- pictures of you onto his computer
was with the endless entertain- book, leading to their divorce. body you never talk to might and make a collage out of them
ment of Facebook. Over time, Still, these accusations are not check your page multiple times for his bedroom wall.
I finally realized that these lap- necessarily true. When people are every day for reasons you may
Despite how far-fetched and
tops are as breakable as glass, angry, they perceive text with an- never know. Your stalker imme- creepy this scenario sounds, ocand Facebook is not the
currences like this have
world of happiness and
happened. This scenario
sunshine that I had imagshows that tracking peoined. I found Facebook to
ple down using Facebook
be more like Heaven and
is incredibly easy. BeHell intertwined. It was
cause Facebook stalking
heavenly in the way that
is so simple, people need
it allowed me to catch up
to be careful about what
with old friends but hellish
they post. Anybody’s so
in the way it affected my
called Facebook “friend”
relationships with others.
can very well turn into
The most common and
their horrifying, psychotunavoidable problem with
ic kidnapper.
Facebook is miscommuWhile Facebook is filled
nication. Although comwith the danger of stalkers
munication is the basis of
and risk of broken friendFacebook’s existence, it
ships, it still has many
is extremely hard to read
upsides. Through Facepeople’s tones online. For
book, people are able to
example, many people
communicate with longhave trouble understandVANCOUVERSUN.COM lost relatives and keep in
ing if a friend is serious
touch with high school
when they call them a jjThe Internet Phenomenon: Fifty percent of the 500 million active Facebook users log on each day to
friends after graduation.
“disgraceful freak” onlinejkupdate statuses, upload pictures, and stalk their friends. Altogether, people spend 700 billion minutes on Facebook also allows peojjjthis worldwide obsession each month.
or if they are joking around.
ple to ask classmates last
Sometimes comments of this sort ger. The tone of an online chat is diately learns the basics about minute homework questions or
start arguments and may lead to in the mind of the beholder and you from the “Info” box on your cram together for finals by coma broken friendship. Friendships vulnerable to misinterpretation.
profile. Depending on how much bining notes in groups. Facebook
aren’t the only relationships endAnother problem Facebook has you provide, he can memorize can be harmless as long as you
ed over Facebook though. Ac- caused is “Facebook stalking.” your birthday, hometown, phone think before you post and are
cording to a study by Mark Keen- Everybody does it, but nobody number, email, school and hob- wary about which friend requests
an, Divorce Online’s managing wants to admit it. The fact that bies. Next, he can go through you accept.
A
8
October 2010
Opinions
“Your eggo is preggo” and I want to know!
Erica Moriarty
Opinions Editor
E
ver since the movie Juno
came out, I have noticed a
sprouted interest in documentaries, shows and movies involving teen pregnancy. In fact,
it is not only an interest but often
an obsession! Shows like “16
and Pregnant”, “Teen Mom” and
“The Secret Life of the American
Teenager” have millions of teenage girls addicted. I must admit
that I myself find my guilty pleasure in following the lives of the
knocked up. However, not until
lately have I stepped back to ask
what it is about these shows that
captivates us.
Through careful and strenuous analysis, I have come to the
conclusion that these depictions
of teen pregnancy are simply
entertaining. For example, Juno
took its viewers in with its infamous Junoisms: “This is one
etcha-sketch that can’t be undid,
homeskillet” as well as the countless other crafty sayings in the
movie that make it fun to watch.
Juno, nevertheless, is fictional. It
does convey a questionable message, but ultimately, it was made
to entertain. People like to watch
movies and shows like Juno or
The Secret Life of the American
Teenager for the witty banter, the
struggle between the antagonist
and protagonist or even the concept that it isn’t happening in the
real world and therefore can’t
happen to you. The lives involved
in the nonfictional world of teenage pregnancy, however, are not
so dazzling.
“16 and Pregnant” and “Teen
T
become pregnant before the age
of 20. That means that there are
another 60% of teens that either
practice abstinence, use effective
birth control or were just lucky
enough not to get pregnant. Either
way, the 40% who were given the
“great gift of screaming, pooping life” in the words of Juno,
STARCASM.NET
Teen Mom: The new show follows four “ordinary” girls in the beginnings of their
young parenthood.
Mom”, both on MTV, tend to
show the less glamorous side of
teenage pregnancy. Tough decisions such as battles between
families or the constant struggle
to balance being a teenager and
a parent fill the hour-long shows.
So why do people continue to be
obsessed? Perhaps it is because
the troubled lives of these people
make us feel better about our
own.
Nearly 40% of girls in the U.S.
Halloween rising
Jennifer Stuhldreher
Art Director
rick or treat, smell my feet,
give me something good
to eat. Does that phrase
bring back fond memories, or
does it make you cringe in pain?
Candy, costumes and scary good
times--what’s not to love about
Halloween? Well, at least when
you’re three.
Halloween is one of the greatest
nights of the year. You get to dress
up as anything you want and get
as much candy as your arms can
carry. However, once you start to
outgrow the cute princess phase,
people start looking at you funny
as you’re standing on their porch
with your arms outstretched in
hopes of at least one delicious
piece of candy. I know this feeling all too well, as I was one of the
kids that continued trick or treating through my freshman year of
high school. Yes, you can refer to
me as a Halloween dork, but then
I will not share any of my lifetime
supply of candy with you. What
can I say is this--I never wanted
to grow up. I mean, just because
I’m in high school doesn’t mean
that I stop dreaming and enjoying
the costumes and candy.
After my freshman year, it
hit me; Halloween is a holiday
aimed at little kids. Halloween
reminds me of Christmas because all the children have Santa
Claus and Christmas magic to
believe in while teenagers do not.
Vol 60 Issue 1
the columns
At least we still get presents for
Christmas and feel semi-included
on some level. This feeling is unlike Halloween where the only
inclusion we receive is taking a
younger sibling trick or treating
or answering the door and giving
away our own sacred candy. Now,
I’m not saying that because Hal-
provide schadenfreude to those
watching them. This concept of
schadenfreude is the natural instinct of finding delight in another’s misfortune. No matter how
harsh it may sound, most who enjoy watching these teenage pregnancy shows are participating in
the malicious enjoyment in some
way or another.
The simple entertainment of
these shows or the act of schadenfreude can be the reason for the
een, but I do believe in the reality
of Halloween losing its meaning
to teenagers. So, where does this
leave the holiday for lovers like
me? I, for one, wear bat earrings,
a spider necklace and pumpkin
socks the week leading up to Halloween. Yet, once Halloween actually arrives, I am at a loss for
what to do.
I think all holiday freaks like
me need to take Halloween back.
BLOGS.TARGETTX.COM
Waking up the dead: Teenagers attempt to take Halloween back.
loween is like Christmas (and as
a teenager I don’t believe in Santa
Claus) that I also don’t believe in
the ghosts and unexplained phenomena associated with Hallow-
There are still certain things out
there for teenagers to enjoy during Halloween, even though it’s
not a substitute for the magical
night we have imprinted in our
9
obsession, but there is also one
more. Some would argue that the
media provides a path for these
girls on Teen Mom to get famous
because of their poor judgment.
Recently, Farrah, Maci, Amber
and Catelynn from Teen Mom
seem to continually pop up on
US Weekly and People magazine
because they’re on the show. Although these girls receive some
glamour for having a kid too
young, I don’t feel that it’s the
main reason why there’s such an
obsession with the show and others like it, for I have more faith in
the intelligence of the teenagers
in the U.S. than that.
I strongly believe that girls can
see past this sheer screen of fame
and pay attention to what is actually happening in the show: Farrah can barely provide for herself
and her child, Maci is currently
at odds with her baby’s father,
Amber and her boyfriend are
constantly fighting and Catelynn
still deals with the guilt of giving
her child up for adoption nearly
a year later. I personally don’t
know anyone who would enjoy
one of these abysmal fates, so
I don’t feel that girls notice the
small fame and want to be like the
teen moms. Perhaps it is better to
take these movies and shows with
a grain of salt and see them what
they are: entertainment and following one’s natural instinct play
out.
minds from past Halloweens.
One way to revive this holiday
is visiting haunted houses where
nightmares lurk behind every corner just waiting for the next victim to unexpectedly walk by. This
attraction separates the women
from the girls, and it is a great
way to bring back some of the
frightening aspects of Halloween.
Another great way to experience
this spooky evening is watching
a scary movie at the theatres or
at your house. Though a movie
is not the same as anything your
imagination might have shown
you in your youth, this is a great
alternative. The movies give you
a chance to freak yourself out
while you remain in a controlled
environment. This idea is great
for anyone who can’t handle
too much of the scary aspects of
Halloween, and your friends can
always help calm you down (or
maybe they’ll freak you out even
more!).
There are ways for teenagers to
enjoy Halloween, but it pales in
comparison to the real experience.
Halloween is an amazing holiday
to get into, but it will never hold
as much mystery and wonder as it
once did. The questions that form
in a child’s mind and the things
that are acceptable for children to
do on Halloween are completely
out of range for anyone around
my age. Halloween has lost its
sparkle and the only way to really
bring back the holiday is to completely commit to what you are
doing and, of course, dress up in a
killer costume.
Pareidolia
Katrina M. Mendiola
Perspectives Columnist
A study on Time
T
ime is my enemy.
Whenever I think there’s
too much time—when I’m
bored or excited, for instance—
time seems to stretch its cat-like
limbs and meander as slowly as
possible, as if to torment me;
whenever I need time, there never
seems to be enough of it. I clutch
at its tail and try to keep it close to
me, but in the end, Time always
manages to run away.
Summer’s over. I tried to cling
on to each day away from the
stress of school that I had, but as
expected, Time’s little anthropomorphous feet kicked me square
in the face and escaped from me
once again. As I sit here on the
floor nursing my nose, the realization begins to dawn on me--I am
a senior now. A senior with a potentially broken nose, taken offguard by the speed and strength
of Time, but a senior nonetheless.
Just the other week I was walking through the art wing when I
saw the young version of myself
from four years ago. Granted, she
had different colored hair and an
entirely different face altogether,
but she carried three bags in addition to a lunchbox, and her eyes
looked exactly like mine did-lost.
Where did all the time go? It
seems like it was just yesterday
that I was a ninth grader walking into the New Gym for Tiger
Camp with a head full of questions and a heart without answers--will I make friends here?
What if I fail everything? How
will I manage to find my way
around this enormous place? The
school bells keep making a twinkly sound; are they broken?—but
now, I’m a senior. I’m expected
to know my way around; I’m expected to know what to do in my
future. I’m expected to grow up
and know all the answers.
Time, the rapscallion it is, managed to take me by surprise yet
again. Now, there’s hardly a minute for me to sit down and take
a breath between all the college
visits I must attend, applications I
must complete and tests I have to
take. Time just seems to go ever
faster.
So, ninth graders: you may
not think it now, but high school
is going to fly by. Capture Time
in your arms while it still limps
slowly by. And to the Class of
2011? The race against time begins.
October 2010
On Campus
Let’ s go clubbing!
Katrina M. Mendiola
Perspectives Columnist
S
chool clubbing, that is. St.
Agnes has a wonderful variety of different clubs to
choose from, and this year, the
range of clubs to choose from
was widened as several new clubs
joined the ranks.
TOMS is a very popular shoe
brand, especially here at St. Agnes, with a good mission statement to boot (no pun intended)—
so, of course, it was only a matter
of time before the TOMS Club
was formed. Olivia Adams and
Emma Gorski were inspired to
bring the TOMS club to St. Agnes after a LifeTeen confirmation class. When they found that
Ashlyn Simon wanted to form a
TOMS Campus club as well, they
teamed up with her. “This club is
a part of the official TOMS Cam-
pus Club program through the
TOMS company,” Ashlyn said.
“There is an entire department of
the company devoted to TOMS
Clubs on college and high school
campuses. Anyone who wants to
start a TOMS Club at their school
must submit an application first.”
“We have a lot of fun events
planned for this year,” Emma
said. “Each semester we will hold
a special event. We will also do
things that benefit other charities,
and not just the TOMS movement.” By the way, you don’t
have to own a pair of TOMS to be
a part of the club.
The new Outdoor Adventure
Club sponsored by Ms. Boratko is
a welcome addition for the more
adventurous souls. Ms. Boratko
spent a lot of her summer vacation camping and hiking in the
mountains of California and the
Rockies and was inspired to start
the columns
the club. “I figured that if I like
all these outdoor adventures there
would probably be a lot of students who would like them too.”
Club members would organize
ticular interest is the Aikido Club,
headed by Samantha Bradley.
The word aikido literally means
“way of harmony.” Aikido is a
form of non-violent martial arts
GUEST PHOTOGRAPHER/MEGAN DONOVAN
Carnival Festivities:Posters at the Club Carnival proudly display the traits of
ous clubs.
into small committees to plan
outings and events such as hikes,
bike rides and kayaking.
A newcomer that sparked par-
vari-
that trains a person how to defend
herself if grabbed or attacked.
Samantha wanted to start an Ai-
The Club really can’t handle St. Agnes
Nathalie Phan
magine this: You are walking through the hall of the
Science Building where you
see crowds of people dressed in
t-shirts with the state of Florida
on the front, strutting through the
halls with apple print-outs taped
to the bottom of their jeans. Our
intense baking culture has just
gone up a level for there is a
life-sized chocolate cake statue
of a man dressed in candy blingbling. Excited? Despite our 8.2
percent lead in the “Last School
Standing” contest hosted by Hot
Hits 95.7 FM, our happy Carpal
Tunnel-developing, knee sockwearing, plaid-loving selves will
not receive a Flo Rida concert at
school.
via e-mail with
the HOT 95.7
Program Director, Mark Adams. “There’s
not a DJ at HOT,
or anyone in our
Promotions or
Programming
department,
that wasn’t impressed by your
school.” he said,
acknowledging
Put your hands in the “ayer” for Flo Rida:
the fact that we
EN.NAANOO.COM were competing
Too bad the club can’t handle us. EN.NAANOO.COM
It was not a surprise for most of
with many other
us to learn that our aggressively larger schools. “We were incredicompetitive spirit earned us the bly pleased by your level of enthutop spot in the contest. Such an siasm and support.” What would
accomplishment was verbally re- Flo Rida’s reaction have been if
warded by the radio station itself the rapper found out he was perduring an interview performed forming for an all-girls Catholic
Alyssa Mahoney
Editor-in-Chief
Ninth graders get so much attention. The community surrounds
them in this big, warm hug that
only St. Agnes can provide and
tries to make sure that students
adjust well to the academically
demanding environment. However, as five new faculty members
join the SAA community, students
should try to get to know new faculty members just as they would
new students.
Out of the entire new faculty,
Ms. Raymond probably has the
most difficulty changing her view
of her colleagues as former teachers. An SAA graduate, she now
teaches English and World History. So why back so soon? Ms.
Raymond said, “I have always had
fond memories of my time here…
I was very excited to come back to
St. Agnes to teach.” Though things
have definitely changed since she
went to St. Agnes, some changes
were harder to get used to than
others. The uniform skirts, which
changed from khaki to gray, was
a change easier to accept than Mr.
Miles’ insistence that Ms. Raymond call him by his first name.
Upstairs in the math wing, Mr.
Lewis teaches geometry and AB
Calculus. Although he hails from
Boston, Mr. Lewis is not new to
Houston. He attended Rice University where he double-majored
in math and philosophy. Mr.
Lewis readily acknowledges that
getting used to the St. Agnes environment wasn’t easy. “The allgirls thing . . . [has] taken some
getting used to. It’s not that hard
for me to go an entire day without talking to another guy which
is pretty strange.” During Welcome Week, Mr. Lewis received
his own special welcome. Several
ninth graders approached him,
prompted by their Senior big sisters, no doubt. One ninth grader
even proposed marriage to him
with a ring pop.
While students easily notice
new teachers in classes and hallways, other positions, like Ms.
Hasletine’s, are more behind-thescenes. After working with the
Houston Holocaust Museum for
several years, Ms. Haseltine joins
Food and Dining Columnist
I
high school? Adams stated that
he spoke with Flo
Rida’s manager prior to speaking
to Sr. Jane and shares his reaction: “It was a much understated
and completely unfazed, ‘coo,’”
Adams said. “I’m sure Flo would
have had a blast.”
After many a VTV announcement, tons of Facebook messages, forwarded e-mails and
even an awesome promotional
student-made site (votesaa.org),
our school, with a measly 800
students, managed to dominate
other schools such as Lamar and
Cinco Ranch without any sketchy
voting methods or having participated in any “suspicious activity.”
Hunter Greene, the promotional
director of 95.7, contacted the
administrators of our studentrun site after having viewed the
site, complimented the layout
designer, Jessie Edwards, junior,
New faculty joins SAA community
the SAA community. As part of
the advancement department, she
works hard to raise money for
than one might expect. Anyone
who goes to St. Agnes, whether
for work or study, tends to share
GUEST PHOTOGRAPHER/MEGAN CLARK
New to the team: From left, the new SAA faculty includes Rob Lewis, Dominique
Breuer, Kaitlyn Kelley, Carleen Raymond, and Stephanie Haseltine (Carolee John not
pictured).
the school. Ms. Haseltine loves
her job, especially the sense of
community. “You can see it in
the teachers, the staff, and the
students. We all come here every
day hoping to make the best of
each day.”
The SAA faculty has much
more in common with students
10
some common issues. Ms. Haseltine describes the school temperature as “so cold!!!” Just like a new
student might be, Coach Kelley
is still trying to learn the names
of her students. “It’s tough when
they’re all in uniforms and sideponytails!!!” she said. Ms. Haseltine enjoys singing the school
Volume 60 Issue 1
kido club at St. Agnes because
she thought it was a good form of
self-defense that should be open
to all St. Agnes students. “[During meetings, a] real Aikido class
will take place as if at the Dojo,
[or] training area,” Samantha
said. “It’s fun and great to show
people. Plus, you learn a lot about
the Japanese culture.”
Among the new arrivals are revivals. These revivals include the
Harry Potter Club, which mysteriously died out for a little under
two years after its first meeting
and the After School Life Drawing Club—a club that offers students some much-needed peace
after school through sketching
life drawings.
There are so many clubs out
there, so consider getting involved in at least one of our many
amazing organizations. Clubs are
fulfilling and a lot of fun, and
they help to form strong friendships. There’s definitely a club
for everyone.
on the work she did creating the
site which has received over than
2,000 visits. “Thanks for creating such a cool website,” Greene
said, clearly impressed with the
work she accomplished that took
over a little over an hour to make.
And what about the much-quoted knee socks, Carpal Tunnel and
plaid comments made one afternoon by DJ Kaden? The station
informs us that they “tease out
of love,” also assuring us that
they “have a picture of [Kaden]
in a Catholic school girl uniform
somewhere so he better watch it
or that’ll end up on our website.”
In the end, Mark Adams reminds
us all that “St. Agnes IS the Last
School Standing.” Join Cinco
Ranch students at their school in
Katy for the Flo Rida Rida concert on October 1, 2010 and make
sure you bring your SAA ID!
song. Ms. Raymond admits one
of her more embarrassing fashion
mishaps. “All I can say about my
senior picture is that denim overalls used to be cool. Seriously,
they were!” Mr. Lewis, meanwhile, fights a losing battle with
his classroom projector.
They also share some interests
and quirks. Ms. Raymond loves
to travel and has visited many
parts of Europe and South America. She takes pride in her ability
to sing the alphabet backwards.
Like many SAA students, Coach
Kelley is involved in intramural
sports. She formed a badminton
team with Mrs. Vincent called
“The Farm” and looks forward
matball later in the year. Mr. Lewis fenced competitively and enjoys skiing; in his free time, one
might find him reading a book
by Kurt Vonnegut or watching a
movie by the Cohen brothers.
Despite their different stories
and backgrounds, the new faculty
all shares one thing in common—
their love for St. Agnes. . All seem
amazed at the “camaraderie . . .
and supportive tone at all levels,”
as Coach Kelley put it, and “belief in the mission and girls [of St.
Agnes],” as Ms. Haseltine said.
October 2010
Sports
the columns
Cross country off and running
Maggie Overbeck
News Editor
T
he St. Agnes cross country team is off to a great
start this season. At the
Incarnate Word Academy Invitational Meet on August 21st, the
team started off the year with the
varsity and junior varsity squads
coming in second overall, and
the ninth grade team won first
in their division. The Tigers finished as runner-up out of all the
schools competing. Varsity medalists included sophomore Shannon Gaden and ninth grader Alex
Gonzales.
On September 10th, the Tigers
competed at the Lamar High
School Invitational meet. Ninth
grader Alex Gonzales medaled,
finishing 12th out of 185 runners,
along with 10th graders Shannon Gaden and Marissa Etter and
senior Torey Dierckman. These
Winners are chosen based on certain criteria, including personal
mastery, leadership and good
sportsmangirls comship.
p e t e d
The cross
against
country team
m a n y
starts
off
large 4A
every pracand
5A
tice with a
schools
rigorous abs
but
still
workout at
finished
school folon top delowed
by
spite the
running apcompetiproximatetion and
ly 2 miles
the Housaround Stoton heat.
rey Park to
Before
warm
up.
the seaThe athletes
son was
then stretch
even
in
ALICE MELENDEZ // GUEST PHOTOGRAPHER and continue
full swing,
with
varithe cross jljljBringing it in: The SAA cross country team brings it in after a tiring but successfulday at the
ous workouts,
c o u n t r yjljlj Lamar meet.
scholarship through the Positive
team was getting recognition. Coaching Alliance (PCA) and which range from running hills
Senior Haley Boyd is one of sponsored by Deloitte LLP and to 1200-meter ladders. The girls
25 Houston area students to be the Thrive Foundation for Youth. know that to be prepared they
must do more than just run. Junominated for a $1,000 college
Vol 60 Issue 1
nior Jesse Harper-Tarantolo said,
“To prepare for our meets we get
a good night’s sleep and load up
on carbs such as pasta the night
before, or at least that’s what I try
to do!”
To run cross country takes
speed and endurance. The runners must be able to run at a fast
pace for a long time. “The heat
doesn’t help because it’s literally beating down on you every
second, but in the end, it’s totally
worth it,” Harper-Tarantolo said.
Cross country is different from
other sports because it takes so
much endurance and relies more
on the individual. It has a large
physical impact on the runner’s
body, and each runner must make
sure to drink lots of water and ice
her legs to stay in shape.
The SAA cross country team is
ready for anything this season.
They set high goals and have a
sense of determination; therefore,
students can definitely expect to
hear more about this hardworking team.
Volleyball teams kicks off season with a bang
Diana Walsh
Sports Editor
F
or most students, back to
school means brand new
classes, a clean report card,
an increased homework load and
catching up with friends. For
some of our athletes here at SAA,
back to school means the start of
a brand new and exciting volleyball season. Three separate teams
are determined through tryouts,
held in the beginning of August;
then, without skipping a beat the
preparation for the upcoming
season begins!
The three teams (Freshman,
Junior Varsity, and Varsity) begin their intensive practices days
before most students force themselves out of bed for that first day
of class. During these practices,
the girls adopt new skills, learn
knew drills and discover what it
through a little sister/big sister
tradition which involves giving
each other goody bags filled with
candy and presents. During longmeans to play and work together vorite of the SAA student body is the crowds in the stands have
weekend tournaments, the teams
as a team. As a form of training “Dog’s Nite”, an event where hot- their fun cheering on the players
manage to kill time in-between
for this fall’s season, the teams dogs are sold for 25 cents each--a and occasionally dodging a ball,
games by sleeping, eating, watchparticipated in scrimmages that deal too good to pass up. While the players enjoy their game days
ing other volleyball matches or
allowed the girls to get
catching up on their schoolwork.
a feel for a typical volTo make warming up more interleyball match.
esting and enjoyable, the teams
As if the games
play “red light-green light,” “ninaren’t exciting and
ja,” and other games to get them
action-packed already,
pumped and ready for their next
the teams give certain
match.
game days a few twists
The SAA volleyball teams are
that are meant to trigger
stronger than ever this year and
school spirit. Themes
they proved it all ready through
such as “Black-Out,”
the success of their district openwhich encourages stuer on September 9th. The Varsity
dents to come deckedand Freshman teams faced Duchout in all black to show
esne Academy and walked away
their school spirit, are
with two solid wins. Before the
used to draw in large
season ends, be sure to come out
crowds of supporters
to one of their home games and
to cheer on the teams.
THE COLUMNS STAFF// DIANA WALSH show the Tigers your support!
Another theme which
Bump, set, spike: The Freshman team demostrates team work during a game against Needville.
Make sure you don’t miss out on
clearly proves to be a fathe 25 cent hotdogs!
Houston hopes to host the World Cup
Giselle Rosenthal
Entertainment Columnist
N
ow that the 2010 World
Cup has come and gone,
the FIFA delegates have
already started looking for the
locations to host future tournaments. As they toured the world,
they stopped in the United States
for three days. During these three
days, the six delegates toured the
five cities they had chosen out of
the eighteen that were suggested
by the USA bid committee. After inspecting East Rutherford,
Landover, Miami, and Dallas,
they visited our very own town:
Houston. The FIFA representatives, led by the Chilean Soccer Federation president, Harold
Mayne-Nicholls, met with Mayor
Annise Parker and Bob McNair,
the NFL’s Houston Texans owner, at the Reliant Stadium. After
completely scrutinizing the stadium, the prospect of accommodating the World Cup seems
be chosen
as the venue, the U.S.
must win a
bid which
will be determined
on December second.
Since Brazil has all
ready been
selected for
the
2014
World Cup,
the United
States
is
INDEPENDENT.CO.UK
competing
for 2018 or
FIFA in the future: Imagine having all of these people here is Houston for the World Cup!
2022, although Europe is expositive. McNair made the valu- the city and the brilliant welcome
pected to be given the privilege
able point--that the officials also they received from the mayor
of hosting the game in 2018.
know--about all of the successful and McNair. Gulati claimed that
Currently, the main competitors
soccer games Houston has hosted Houston’s preparation and enthufor the 2018 game include Engin the past, including the Dynamo siasm proved that Houstonians
land, Russia, Spain-Portugal,
games. Sunil Gulati, president of are truly passionate about the
and Belgium-Netherlands; therethe USA bid committee, loved World Cup.
fore, the U.S. will be challenging
However, before Houston can
11
Japan, Australia, Qatar, and South
Korea for 2022.
After the spectacular tour of the
Reliant Stadium, with a red carpet and all, the six-person FIFA
inspection delegation was greeted
by Dynamo player Brian Ching, coach Dominic Kinnear and
Rockets basketball player Yao
Ming at the George R. Brown
Convention Center. Yao Ming assisted Beijing, China enormously
to qualify for the 2008 Summer
Olympics. Brian Ching helped the
United States team qualify for the
2006 World Cup in Germany and
is one of Houston’s most powerful people when it comes to international soccer. Even if the Reliant Stadium isn’t chosen as the
venue, the chances of the United
States being chosen are extremely
high because it fulfills the essential criteria set by FIFA. The representatives were also very impressed with Dallas’s Cowboys
Stadium which is only about four
hours away from us! No matter
which way the pendulum swings,
these upcoming tournaments will
be thrilling to watch.
October 2010
Tiger Tail
the columns
Diana Nadira
Tiger Tail Editor & Business Manager
Collide-oscope
Katrina M. Mendiola
Perspectives Columnist
12
Vol 60 Issue 1