SPECIAL EDITION
The Viking Voice VOL UME XIII N UMBER 4
A R CHBISHOP W OOD H IGH S CHOOL • WARMINSTER , PA
J UNE 15, 2004
Snyder to take the reins Eric Snyder is set to take the reins of Student Council next year, and has big plans with an even bigger resolve. By Krista Szymborski ‘05 News Editor
Courtesy of The Intelligencer
Salutatorian Joseph Cymerman addresses the Class of 2004 at Villanova University's Pavilion on June 1.
Class of 2004 sets scholarship record The senior class garnered close to $10 million in awards, the most of any graduating class in school history. Salutatorian Joseph Cymerman By William Devlin Advisor and Valedictorian Lisa Whitlock They came to the Pavilion drew applause for their inspiring of Villanova University as words, and a number of academic Archbishop Wood seniors on June award winners and Distinguished 1. They left as Wood alumni and Senior Awards winners (see Page . as record-breakers for scholarship 3) were cheered. Senior Tami Alexander received earnings. . The Class of 2004 was awarded a huge ovation for earning a $9.7 million in scholarship money, Perfect Attendance award for not more than any other Wood class. missing one day of school in 12 years. . Officiating at the 2004 graduaVALEDICTORIAN: tion was Dr. Richard V. LISA WHITLOCK McCarron, secretary for Catholic Education. Dr. McCarron repreSALUTATORIAN: sented Cardinal Justin Rigali and JOSEPH CYMERMAN extended his congratulations to The announcement of the amount the graduates on behalf of the . drew cheers from family and archbishop. The Class of 2004 has set a high friends gathered at Villanova. There were a number of well- standard for succeeding classes to deserved ovations on June 1. live up to.
"Imaginative, top student, fun, friendly, a born leader- these completely characterize Eric Snyder," said a classmate of Synder’s. Many people may be surprised by this description of Archbishop Wood’s new student council president because he seems a bit reserved, but people who know him say he is everything his classmate says he is. I had the ERIC SNYDER opportunity to interview Eric about his life, Wood, and plans.
VIKING VOICE: What made you decide to run for the new Student Council President? . . . . . . . . ERIC SNYDER: I decided to run when I realized I had support from people I respect. People would just come up to me and encourage me to run. So I did. . . . . . . . . . . .
Courtesy of The Intelligencer
Kathleen Heenan embraces a classmate as the Wood graduates prepare to process into the Pavilion at Villanova. LOCATION: VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY DATE: JUNE 1, 2004, 4:30PM SEE A LIST OF DISTINGUISHED SENIOR AWARD VIKING VOICE SENIOR POPULARITY POLL ON PAGE 3. WINNERS AND THE RESULTS OF THE
VOICE: Did you ever think about becoming president or even running before you gained these people's support? SNYDER: I never really gave it much thought. I knew that I could do a good job, but I was really discouraged about running until I realized I had so many people's support. Here at (Archbishop) Wood I know I could actually make a difference because I am approachable and open to anyone's ideas. I will listen to anyone who comes up to me and I will take his or her suggestion seriously. VOICE: Are there any other things that you are involved in? SNYDER: I am actually very
SNYDER continued on page 4
Wood prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary This year marks the fortieth anniversary of the founding of Archbishop Wood High School. To celebrate, the administration has many exciting and student-focused events planned. By Kate Legnetti ‘05 Staff Writer
Forty years ago this September, Archbishop Wood opened its doors to students for the very first time. Since then, the school has employed hundreds of teachers,
started dozens of clubs and sports teams, and educated thousands of students. These students have gone on to become attorneys, company CEOs, teachers, and even astronauts. The 40th anniversary of Archbishop Wood’s opening will be celebrated with various events throughout the upcoming school year. The administration hopes these events will embody the legacy of the Archbishop Wood community. On Friday, April 30, the 40th Anniversary Celebration was kicked off with cake and cup-
cakes for the student body at each lunch period. To continue the celebrations throughout the 20042005 year, the administration has announced a variety of events that will incorporate Wood’s community, both past and present. The Homecoming parade next year will be made much more festive with the addition of student made floats. Aid in technical and design areas will be offered to students interested in creating a float. The administration is hoping to award prizes to the most creative and decorated floats.
While a date has not yet been announced for Homecoming weekend, the administration is confident that this will be the most enjoyable Homecoming weekend in the school’s history. On November 6, 2004, the school will hold a Gala for the alumni at the Downtown Marriott, which is attached to the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The Gala will include cocktails, dinner, dancing and live music. The Alumni Office will have a listing of other attractions and events in and around
WOOD continued on page 4
FUN FACTS • THE
BOYS SCHOOL ORIGINALLY
HAD NO OFFICIAL UNIFORMS, ONLY REQUIRED STYLE OF DRESS.
• THE FIRST TUITION CHARGED AT WOOD WAS $20 A YEAR, BEGINNING IN THE EARLY 1970S. • MR. WILLIAM MASTERSON IS THE LONGEST-SERVING FACULTY MEMBER. • WOOD
STARTED WITH ONLY TWO GRADES, WITH THE FIRST CLASS CHOOSING THE SCHOOL COLORS AND MASCOT.
News & Opinion
Page 2
Olga says farewell I would like to take this time to wish my fellow Vikings farewell. I have served faithfully as your Viking advice wench during my time here at Archbishop Wood, but I find Sweden's call grows too strong for me to ignore any longer. I must return to the land of plundering so dear to my Norse heart. Luckily, though, the same exchange program that brought me to you will soon send over my younger sibling who has inherited Ask Olga Help & Advice from my dear parents the same strong head for pillaging and advice that I have. He will replace me here to solve all your problems. Please don't forget old Olga, your Viking advice
Contributing Staff EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EMILIE HAERTSCH
STAFF OFFICE ROOM 312
MANAGING EDITOR ASHLEY SIFER
PRODUCTION OFFICE LOCATED IN LIBRARY
EDITORIAL EDITOR TOM SHAKELY
AWARDS CATHOLIC STANDARD & TIMES
NEWS EDITOR KRISTA SZYMBORSKI Angela Schlauch ‘04
wench. If you ever happen to come into the Scandinavian docks feel free to stop by my ship. There's always a spare hammock for any Viking friend of mine. So now, Archbishop Wood, I bid you not a "farewell", but an "until we meet again!" -Olga
2003 FIRST PLACE • BEST EDITORIAL THIRD PLACE • BEST LAYOUT • BEST PHOTOGRAPHY
FEATURES EDITOR JEN MCCANN SPORTS EDITOR MELISSA DIPENTO PRODUCTION & DESIGN TOM SHAKELY ADVISOR MR. WILLIAM DEVLIN
2004 FIRST PLACE • BEST NEWS ARTICLE SECOND PLACE • BEST LAYOUT • BEST PHOTO -
OUTSIDE SOURCE
C HATTERBOX : Rules of Attraction Relationships can be good and bad, but with the right boyfriend or girlfriend, they can last. The Viking Voice asked a student from each year:
WHAT ARE QUALITIES YOU LOOK FOR IN MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITE SEX?
June 15, 2004
Where has all the laughter gone? There are hundreds of sitcoms and thousands of comedians, but surprisingly few can combine originality with humour.
Bill Mahr” kept flashing in my head as I was writing the last three sentences.) Calling someone a moron isn’t funny. Don’t assassinate their character, make me laugh by poking fun at, say, something funny. Once you allow yourself to get laughs by character attack, though, you open up a whole other box. If you’re going to call someone names, why not make fun of an entire group of people, say males? For a culture that beats us over the head, and even demands that everyone be colorblind, tolerant, etc., it’s strange that I see countless shows with men who are blubbering idiots,
These days there are probably more “hit” sitcoms and more comedians vying to make it big than ever before. Success in comedy, especially stand-up, rests in the ability of the comedian or writer to make the audience laugh, but what does make us laugh anymore? I, for one, know that most of the supposedly hilarious stuff I see on television leaves me sitting on the couch with nothing but a blank Tom Shakely stare. Opinion Television, for instance, used to be and others that simply use the race funny. The three stooges were or culture of another to elicit laughfunny, Bill Cosby was funnyter. When they have a hawaiian MTV’s “Jackass” isn’t funny. The man with an accent saying “That’s stooges were fun to watch because freaky!”, are they getting me to they pretended to do silly and laugh because he’s got a funny unlikely things; “Jackass,” however, accent, or because whatever “that” actually consists of people doing is, it’s somehow funny? If you’re stupid and idiotic things. Maybe this going to protest discrimination, go is just my view, but watching a guy no further than the largely hypocritget a concussion ical mainstream from rolling down media. But, it’s AR TOO MANY a hill in a barrel is all in the name sickening. of humor, isn’t SITCOMS ARE BLAND “Jackass,” as it? Maddox, an inter- LUCKILY PRODUCERS The good net critic said, is news: producers “finally a show REALIZE THIS AND seem to realize named after it’s their shows lack target audience.” DECIDE TO TACK ON A any element of And no Martha, humour They that’s not a good LAUGH TRACK decide to solve thing. . the problem by tacking on a “laugh Stand-up comedians can be even track” to trick us into a sense that worse. So many of them try to make it’s not the shows that’s not funny, me laugh by shouting something it’s our own old school sense of unoriginal at me. I didn’t go there to humour. But for me, when a show have a “joke” shouted at me. If it’s says “You’ll find this funny, or funny when you shout things, rest else”, I only change the channel assured I’m only laughing at you. faster. It’s the same way with “comediMaybe if comedians and the sitans” who think they’ve found comic com executives examined what used gold because they’ve finally learned to make comedy good instead of to combine the words “idiot” and how they can convey their bitterness “Bush” in a sentence. Wow, they’ve and political views through a mastered the precious art of namemeasly 30 minute show, I would be calling. Time to graduate from able to laugh again. But I’m not kindergarten! (For some reason the holding my breath. words “Politically Incorrect with
‘F
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I look for a guy with nice eyes and a generally good personality. Besides those things though, he has got to be athletic and nice to others. - Freshmen Samantha Iuliano
A good voice is always nice, and his hair style does matter. He should be funny, and not afraid to do stupid things for me. - Sophomore Kasia Wileusz
She should be shorter than I am, and not scary. Nice smelling girls are always a plus, especially if they don’t like socks but do like hats. - Junior John Tran
She definitely had better have a good personality, but she should be able to take a joke. On a side note, she must like feet. - Senior Patrick Socaciu
CHATTERBOX IS A STUDENT SURVEY FEATURE THAT APPEARS IN EACH ISSUE OF THE VIKING VOICE. PHOTOS AND INTERVIEWS BY TOM SHAKELY.
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Remembering the life of Reagan, the day at Normandy With the passing of Former President Reagan on the eve of D-day, America was left to mourn and reflect upon two of the greatest influences on modern history. By Tom Shakely ‘05 Editorial Editor
As an actor and president, Ronald Wilson Reagan possessed a keen sense of timing, always seeming to hit the right note at the right time.
His passing was no exception, as he died on the eve of the 60th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy, the turning point in the European front during WWII. Both Reagan’s passing and the anniversary of D-day carry enormous emotional weight, but it’s important not to focus so much on the tragedy of these events as on the hope and promise that both Normandy and Reagan provided for the entire world. Reagan valued freedom and the promise America offered immense-
www.eb.com
The graves of American soldiers dot the landscape at Normandy where over 10,000 Allied soldiers lost their lives on Jun 6, 1944.
ly, and his faith in God (though that faith is not now widely reported) helped him to believe that the American dream of liberty and life was ultimately the best and most practical one. He understood that bravery was required in order to champion the American cause, just as bravery was required of the Allied forces not just at the invasion of Normandy, but throughout the war-torn world. It was this encompassing perspective that helped Reagan remain a man of overall high standards, and it was this perspective that aided him so greatly in inspiring all of America in the 80s. When morale was lowest and prospects seemed fewest, he reminded a country of all that it had to be proud of, and all that it had still to accomplish. We owe eternal gratitude to Ronald Reagan, as his eloquent yet forceful statesmanship ultimately eliminated the Soviet threat without the great loss of life that has defined all past wars. Far and away the best thing we can do to show gratitude for those that served us, for people like the soldiers at Normandy and Ronald
Reagan, is to take to heart the lessons of history. As Americans, we are obligated to uphold the principles of our republic, or else all who have died have done so in vain. Just as character and courage defined the lives and deaths of our fallen brothers, so too must character and courage define our daily lives in our words and actions. In this way we keep in step with the principles of our faith and the ideals of this still fragile experiment of freedom and liberty. Personal politics and beliefs aside, it is by no chance of fate that America, indeed mankind itself, has come this far. With life comes an inherent, if unspoken, acknowledgement that good will triumph when all is said and done, for if truth lay in the pessimistic belief that the bad outweighs the good, the good would long ago have ceased to exist. Never will there be a day when our shining city on the hill is dimmed or destroyed so long as memory serves and gratitude and devotion reign. This is something Reagan grasped, and something he embraced in both politics and in
www.holtz.org
Ronald Reagan served as President from 1981-1989. every aspect of his life. We can do no greater service to those who sacrificed everything and to those who devoted themselves entirely to the American cause than to take to heart these words of Ronald Reagan: “I know in my heart that man is good. That what is right will always eventually triumph. And there's purpose and worth to each and every life.”
Seniors & Graduation
Page 3
June 15, 2004
SENIOR POLL Distinguished Senior Awards Initiative: Thomas Gushue Loyalty: Michael Rakszawski Perseverance: Marissa Truskowski Scholarship: Kevin Rakszawski School & Community: Kaitlin Kennedy
THE RESULTS Favorite subject: First: Math Second: English Cutest Couple: First: Meghan Volz/Dane Mangin Second: Kate Bond/Frank Nolan Best Car: Anthony Lupinacci Kate Zumpino Best Hair (girl): Kate Zumpino Laura Riley Best Hair (boy): Ryan Fitzpatrick Dave Guld Funniest: Mark Kitchman Tim Walters
PRESIDENTIAL PREVIEW IF THE ELECTION WERE TODAY, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE FOR PRESIDENT?
www.free-stock-photos.com
BUSH: 51.7 PERCENT KERRY: 36.7 PERCENT PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOM SHAKELY
Friendliest: Pat Kane Melissa Mroz Hardest Working: Kevin Rakszawski Mike Rakszawski Song: “Time of your life” by Greenday “We’re not gonna take it” by Twisted Sisters Cafeteria food: Fries 23% Popcorn chicken 17% Memory: Senior Viking Day Football Championship THE SENIOR POLL WAS ADMINISTERED TO ALL SENIORS DURING HOMEROOM.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Anthony Lupinacci (best car), Dane Mangin and Meghan Volz (cutest couple), the Senior clap-out, President Bush, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Kate Zumpino (best hair), and Meghan Terry (yearbook editor).
Service: Meagan Terry Leadership: Andrew Rascoll Spirit of the Viking: Kathleen Bond and Dane Mangin President & Principal: Kevin Rakszawski
In Focus
Page 4
SNYDER
Be a part of the Viking Voice
continued from page 1
involved. I am in the band, I work at Six Flags, I am in the executive board of CSC, I am the Vice President of NHS, and I write for the Courier Times. But regardless of what else I am involved in, I am willing to give this school all my time. VOICE: You really are busy! So what do you like to do for fun? SNYDER: Well, I am really into music. I go to a lot concerts in this area. I go on road trips to see bands, and a lot of times I don't always have tickets but somehow I find a way to get them. A couple weeks ago I heard that OAR was playing at the Hollister at the King of Prussia Mall, so I got a pass and went. There were hundreds of people there. There was no room inside. Then the police came. I talked to one of them, and towards the end of the show I got him to let us in and watch. I was like 5 feet away from the band. It was amazing! VOICE: So tell us a little about yourself. What's your favorite color? Food? TV show? Movie? Band? SNYDER: My favorite color is blue. I love Chicken Parmesan sandwiches from Dom's Pizza Coup.
I watched "My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancé" all the time. My favorite movie is "Good Will Hunting." I can't really say what my favorite band is, but probably OAR or the Beatles.
Looking to be more involved in activities at Wood next year? The newspaper might be the right choice for you! Next year we will have major vacancies in the staff, and to fill those we’re appealing to you. We’re looking for anyone interested in general writing, editorials, editing, graphics, photography, and a number of other things. If you enjoy doing any of those things, we have a spot for you at The Viking Voice. Even if you don’t think you’re a good writer you should consider joining, as regular writing can only serve to improve your skills and help you discover new ones.
VOICE: Is there anyone who inspires you to be a good leader? SNYDER: There's not anyone in particular, but I really don't want to let the school down. I also asked Eric about plans for next year but he wouldn't give me specifics. "My biggest objective is to have something for everyone. I want everyone to get something out of this year-have something to remember. I also want to make improvements on the school if possible. I am going to work my hardest to make it a great year for everyone." He also mentioned that since next year is the 40th anniversary of the school, there will be a lot of different things going on, and hopes that everyone will get involved. Overall, next year looks like it will be an amazing year for all. With Eric as our president, we will be able to unite not only as a senior class, but as a school.
Mrs. Murray and Eric Snyder enjoy the greener aspects of Wood’s campus.
WOOD
continued from page 1
Philadelphia that weekend for alumni who would like to come to the city early, or stay for the weekend. During the second semester there will be student-focused events, including a new format for the ACE award assembly. The celebration will end in May or early June of 2005 with a cruise for the alumni from
Penn’s Landing that will feature a silent auction and buffet dinner. The 40th Anniversary of Archbishop Wood is sure to be an exciting and memorable time in the school’s history. As this important milestone begins, it is a time to find new and creative ways to continue the Archbishop Wood legacy.
Working on the paper will not take up a lot of your time, though you will be expected to come to regular meetings. You’ll have the creative license to suggest your own ideas for articles, features and interviews, and have the chance to interact regularly with the editors and advisor to ask questions and get what you need to get the job done. If you have any questions, or if you’d like to sign up to be on next year’s staff, send an email promptly to: - tomshakely@gmail.com
STAFF POSITIONS -
Photographers Sports writers General writers Game reviewers Poets DVD Reviewers Concert & band reviews Editorial writers Computer People Your talent here!
We’re also looking for someone who is familiar with php-nuke to help run next year’s viking voice website. Please contact me via . email. Email me sooner rather than later. .
- tomshakely@gmail.com
2003-2004 All-Catholic athletes FALL TEAMS Field Hockey • First Team Caitlyn Watts • Second Team Laura Riley Football (Blue Division) • First Team John Haviland Pat Kane Mike Kruzits Tom Laurich John McFadden • Second Team Mike Barainyak Jason Devine Brian Devlin Dane Mangin Bill Gross Christian Szablowski Bryan McCartney
Tom Shakely
June 15, 2004
• Honorable Mention Patrick Carty Mark Helmuth Tim Kilkenny Tom Smith Volleyball • First Team Kate Suder (MVP) Kelly Brett
• Second Team Kate Cloud
• Honorable Mention Chris Troxell
• Second Team Sean Regan John McFadden Chris Kirk
Bowling (Girls) • Honorable Mention Shannon Cox
Softball • First Team Ashley Sifer
Soccer (Boys) • First Team Joseph Taylor Jay Halbreiner
Indoor Track (Girls) • Second Team Jeanine Braithwaite
• Honorable Mention Laura Buzzard
• Second Team Ryan Drum
Swimming (Boys) • First Team Thomas Whelan
• Honorable Mention Charlie Barrett Frank Nolan
• Second Team William Langlois
• Honorable Mention Christine Gregory Natalie Notaro Meghan Volz
Cross Country (Girls) • First Team Kathleen Bond Cross Country (Boys) • Honorable Mention Matthew Giusti William Salamone
WINTER TEAMS Basketball (Boys) • First Team Matt Spadafora • Second Team Tim Walters
• Second Team Kate Senneff Kaitlin Reinert
Basketball (Girls) • First Team Pam Rosanio (MVP)
Soccer (Girls) • First Team Breean Daley Mary Kay Waddington
• Second Team Nicole Arcidiacono Bowling (Boys) • Second Team Dan Slocum
Stephen Direso
Swimming (Girls) • First Team Katelyn Crompton Michelle Racine Lisa Whitlock Jillian Brennecke Jaclyn Smith Wrestling • First Team Tom Bissett Matt Weygand • Second Team Chris Szablowski Edward Waddington • Honorable Mention Tom Brooks Mark Helmuth Steve Lewis John Haviland
SPRING TEAMS
Price: $16.95 (Paperback) Author: Gordon McAlpine Barnes & Noble- September 2003
and Frank's lives. The idea is that the inspiration for the series these future authors were to write came from the mysteries that they experienced personally. Also interesting to the avid reader is that in Paris, Frank and Carolyn socialize with such literary luminaries of the 1920s as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, and Ernest Hemingway. Though this scenario is very farfetched, the conversations the characters hold on writing actually make for the best reading in this novel. At one point, Carolyn asks Hemingway for advice on a sentence in a book she's working on. Hemingway gives ample criticism, but when Carolyn tells him that her sen-
• Second Team Nick Carroll Mike Pavlak Bryan McCartney • Honorable Mention George Cerwinski Chuck Clarke Brian Koller Tim Kilkenny Steve Roy Mark Kitchenman Lacrosse (Girls) • First Team Amanda Makiod Meghan Volz Caitlyn Volz • Second Team Caitlyn Watts Kristin Conboy Tennis • First Team Derek Mancini
Baseball
Mystery Box a must-read for Dixon, Keene fans Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys fans, this one's for you. Gordon McAlpine's recent young adult novel, entitled Mystery Box, is a fictionalized account of the authors of these series, Carolyn Keene and Franklin W. Dixon. Though those names are actually pseudonyms for the countless numbers of authors who wrote for the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books throughout the years, McAlpine manages to create a well-woven plot centered around the two main characters meeting and subsequent relationship in 1920s Paris. For Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys readers, pieces from the earliest works are woven into the novel as events in Carolyn
Lacrosse (Boys) • First Team Drew Rascoll Derrin Mangin Tony Aquilino Dane Mangin
tence is just a sentence, he responds, "If you've taken the time to write it down…it's the moon and the stars." For anyone who is interested in writing, it's worth reading this novel just to see what the great authors say about writing. The plot centers on Carolyn and Frank leaving home and living in Paris, both to escape their home lives and because they seem to be searching for something (which actually turns out to be each other). The main problem for the reader is the total lack of emotion the characters show throughout the novel. They have experiences that should evoke great anger, or sadness, or joy, or something! But
On the
BOOKSHELF
they convey nothing. The general emotion given off is disillusionment, and for the reader (at least this one) that can be quite aggravating. Both characters find and lose and find each other again while uncovering the mysteries of their own lives and developing their writing skills. If only they would feel something amid the turmoil of their existence, this novel would be satisfying. I recommend this novel for the avid Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys reader, the aspiring writer, or the disillusioned youth. For everyone else, it's no must-read. - EMILIE HAERTSCH ‘04
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF