may 2013
volume one issue four
EXPLORE COLORADO A LOOK AT HIKING COLORADO’S MAJESTIC 14ER’S pg. 6
The Student Voice of Regis Jesuit High School
STAFF EDITORS -IN- CHIEF
Allie Petko ‘13; Ben Mohler ‘14 LEAD CONCEPT & DESIGN: Allie Petko ‘13
JOIN THE STAFF SIGN UP FOR JOURNALISM 1 or ADVANCED JOURNALISM CLUB MEETINGS: TUESDAYS AT ACADEMIC SUPPORT & LUNCH BD 166 THURSDAYS at LUNCH GD 207 The RJ Voice is a limited public forum for student expression. The publication is for the students by the students. The newspaper will also serve as a medium for student opinions and ideas. Our staff strives to produce objective, well-balanced and accurate reporting and content that features and appeals to a range of students, their interests, and their viewpoints. The staff is dedicated to being fair, accurate, truthful, and responsible. The staff will seek the truth and report it, minimize harm, and act independently. We promise to be transparent, accountable, and open. The student editors will have final say in the content of the publications. The RJ Voice will not publish any material that is a violation of copyright. The views of columnists are not necessarily those of the newspaper staff. Opinions will be published on designated pages or otherwise marked. Letters to the editor are welcome and encouraged, but will only be published in the newspaper if they are accompanied by a name and signature. Letters should be short and free of “bashing” or obscenity. Letters will not be accepted if they contain any of the unauthorized content listed in items 1-4 above. Letters to the editor do not reflect the views of the newspaper staff and will be marked on pages designated as such. The staff reserves the right to edit letters for potentially libelous material and length. The staff will not edit letters for punctuation, grammar, and usage. Letters with issues will be returned for further review. The publications also welcome questions, comments, concerns, and complaints. Submit letters to the editor and inquiries to the editor-in-chief via email (voice@regisjesuit.com), or in hard copy in the box in room 166( BD) and room 207 (GD). The staff can be reached anytime at voice@regisjesuit.com, in the publications rooms at the respective divisions, or by snail mail at: Attn: RJHS student newspaper, 6400 S. Lewiston Way, Aurora, CO, 80016 Subscriptions available upo request. We are proud members of The Journalism Education Association, The Colorado High School Press Association, The National Scholastic Press Association, and Quill & Scroll National Honor Society All work copyrighted to the RJ Voice 2013. Please request permission to use.
MANAGING EDITORS Matt Mauser ‘14 ; Quincy Gholston ‘13 & Delaney Lanker ‘13, Liam McAleveay 13’, Lead Photography Editors: Emma Bridgewater ‘14 & Jackson Burkholder ‘15 Social Media: Sean Whitley ‘ 13, Jose Chalit ‘13, Matt Mauser ‘14, Maura Rose ‘16
Web: Liam McAleavey ‘13, Elliot Rarden ‘13 RJ Live Broadcast: Tommy Reins ‘13; Stephen Snyder ‘13; Joe Quigley 14’ Editors
Conner Wigton; Andrew Adams; Alex Arora; Danny Girard ; Liam Nugent; Mike Porazzo; Dugan Tighe; Brendan Van Jacobs; Kyle Weatherbie; Hannah Burgan; Sarah Coyne; Arlee Lerew; Grace Marriott; Gretchen Searle; Emily Butler; Tori Casaretto; Molly Coughlin; Olivia Froehlich; Emily Kaiser; Ashlyn Kammer; Nina Kelley; Maura Rose; Carly Sammons; Yana Slabakov; Sophie Stack; Bailey Wallace REPORTERS & Freelancers
Hunter Grause; Hayden Smith; Tito Limas-Dominguez; Jorge Palacios; Matt Shanahann; Tim Toole; Joe Quigley; Jake Lennert; Hayden Schwarz; Chris Clayton; Alex Vasquez ADVISERS
Adam Dawkins ‘98; Jason Ell ‘04 COVER PHOTO
Jose Chalit ‘13 Graphic art
Chris Clayton ‘13 RJ LIVE BROADCASTING CREW
Joe Quigley; Stephen Snyder; Jake Lennert; Joy Barber; Justin Brasel; Tyler Ballinger; Charles Smith; Ryan Maxfield; Tommy Reins; Scott Geordan; Colin Stover; Jack Brown; Squid Shcmitz; Davis Handler
ARTISTS AT R J A closer look at only a few of Regis Jesuit’s many talented artists. BY YANA SLABAKOV | 2013
They are the members of the community with paint smears on their wrists and chalk dust on their fingers. The artists do not have a stadium of fans cheering them on as they race to mix a shade of paint, or put the finishing touches on a sketch. Of course, they may be star athletes or important members of the theater program as well, but artistic talent is a big deal by itself, and they still deserve recognition for what they do. “I would say that in the past 10 years, we’ve become very strong,” says Girl Division art teacher Mrs. Devlin about the art program. “When we enter shows, we typically do very well.” However, sometimes artists don’t get the recognition they deserve. “Especially at this age, I know a lot of people don’t really appreciate art,” says Colton Jones ’14, who got first place in painting in addition to Best of Show at the Continental League art show. As junior Cameron Piper ’14 explains, artists are sometimes overlooked. “It’s not us that gets the attention, it kind of comes to us, really,” he says. “You only get a reputation if people really like what you’re doing, and with the amount of time it takes to get something out
it’s just harder to get attention. Just because people don’t wait for the next thing to come out.” Whether inspiration comes from something they see, other artists, or just a random mix of Google and creative vision, art is hard work. “You have to think about it for a while,” says Colton Jones. “It takes a long time, it doesn’t just come together.” Olivia Nucci, who received the Nordan Young Artist Award scholarship, says that inspiration can come in many forms. “One thing that definitely inspires me this year is dance. People say they can see movement in my work, just like there’s movement in my dance, so that influences it. And just, nature, and people, and I’m just drawn to things. It’s a feeling you get.” So, whether they operate mainly with oil paints, watercolors, or good old-fashioned pencil and paper, Regis Jesuit’s many artists are an integral part of what makes the school unique. So the next time you pause to admire a canvas or a sketch, think about the amazing amount of work and creativity that went into it. Colton Jones and Cameron Piper are both AP Art students. | Emma Bridgewater ‘14
“I guess art is the best expression of yourself. When you do art, you can really do anything. It’s not limited to one thing; it’s limited to your imagination and if you have a broad imagination you can do anything.” - Cindy Gomez ‘14
MAY 2013
“With art it’s never a right or wrong answer kind of thing, and you can do something and make it totally just out of your head. It’s just cool to be able to think up something and have it come out on the paper.” - Caroline Martelon ‘14
“It’s a good occupation. And it makes money. I can just put other things behind me.” - Cameron Piper ‘14
“I just like it because I find it very relaxing. It’s a good way to use up free time without being completely useless.” - Colton Jones ‘14
“I would say that through art, I’m able to express myself in a way that I maybe wouldn’t normally be able to… there’s no limitation. It’s not something where someone else can tell me what to do. It’s my interpretation and it’s what I want to do.” - Olivia Nucci ‘13
Senior Olivia Nucci works on one of her oil paintings. | Yana Slabakov ‘14
Cindy Gomez concentrates on an oil painting. | Yana Slabakov ‘14
VOICE.REGISJESUIT.COM // THE RJ VOICE //
Mike Whitley Soldier of the Year BY SEAN WHITLEY `13
@swhitley95 | 2013
Soldier of the Year is a very prestigious honor that takes a very rigorous process to get to the top. Mike Whitley `10 is in the process for soldier of the year. For one to be nominated you must be liked by all in your platoon and be a great soldier. Mike was nominated to move onto the following stations of company, battalion, state, and now he is competing in regionals. “It’s hard. You have to do a lot of work and stay on top of your game,” said Whitley. As in any competition as you move up in the competition it will get harder. With moving onto regionals the competition will consist of answering questions, boards, physical training (p.t.) test, qualifications, and different obstacles/competitions. “In order to train for this I train hard by making army notecards, doing p.t. running with ROTC, doing my own p.t. of weight lifting and more running,” said Whitley. Mike has been honored in many ways, of receiving a belt buckle for winning the state competition, the Army Commendation Medal (ACM) Award, and receiving more money for his unit for training and sending soldiers to different schools like Sapper school or Ranger school. “Hopefully with competing for Soldier of the Year it will open my doors to going into a Ranger Battalion, but even more so the 75th Ranger Battalion. It’s harder, but it would be cool. It will definitely help me out in the long run with something,” said Whitley.
04 // THE RJ VOICE // VOICE.REGISJESUIT.COM
Spring 2013
COOL RAD
TUNES,
Dejour Elliot ‘15, Ashlan Runyan ‘13, and Laurel Teal ‘13 are the winners of this year’s Poetry Slam. |
RHYMES
As always, Regis Jesuit’s annual Poetry Slam is inspiring, intense, and inventive. BY YANA SLABAKOV
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BAILEY WALLACE ‘16
| 2013
It’s a dynamic mix of poetry, music, and emotions. Once a year, the Regis Jesuit Girl’s Division Library is transformed into a place where words are power and they can smash stereotypes, build confidence, and enchant audiences. “It’s just a really cool, mellow time had by all,” says Laurel Teal ’13, the 2012 poetry slam champion and this year’s second place winner. The poetry slam is the perfect chance for the creatively inclined in the Regis community to show off their sometimes celebratory, sometimes melancholy, sometimes angry, and sometimes hopeful rhymes. “I like the idea of people bringing a part of themselves that you don’t normally see at Regis,” says Noah Simpson ’13. “I would actually like this to be called Diversity Day because people are actually showing what makes them unique. They’re becoming vulnerable. You’re seeing a side of them that they wouldn’t normally show you. And it’s because of this event.” Senior Ashlan Runyan ‘13, this year’s Poetry Slam champion, has been participating every year since freshman year, and she says that poetry has always been important to her. “Prose is sort of a nice way to understand other people, whereas poetry is a nice way to understand myself in relation to those people.”
Slam poetry is different than sonnets or haikus. Emma Carroll ’13, a first time participant this year, says, “It’s not just how it looks on the page. You have to spit it. You have to make a more conscious effort on how it sounds, not just how it reads in your head. Just with the delivery, you have a whole added layer of meaning.” “It’s very new, as a genre of poetry, as a subculture of poetry,” says Runyan. “I think it’s really cool that we have a snippet of it here at Regis.” She also says that the Poetry Slam displays people at the school who are doing remarkable things but don’t often get much credit for it. “Spoken word is really cool because it’s more performative by nature so I feel like more people are involved in it,” says Runyan. “Reading something is nice, but seeing something and experiencing it forms a different kind of community.” Laurel Teal says that poetry is a way to vent emotion. “That’s the point of poetry, to express what’s deep down in your heart. People usually make poems about their repressed feelings. So someone who’s super happy might write angsty sadness poems… it’s because they’re getting it out of their system.”
“If you’re a freshman and you want to get involved, this is a great way to do it,” says Noah Simpson. “It’s always rewarding.” “You basically get to see twenty kids, who are crazy passionate about this stuff, go head to head with words.” says Carroll. “There’s just words, and that’s really amazing.” “It’s peaceful fighting,” says Runyan with a laugh. And in a way, it is.
Poetry Slam Winners: 1st Place-Ashlan Runyan ’13 2nd Place-Laurel Teal ’13 3rd Place-Dejour Elliott ’15 Best Musical Performance: Claire Campbell ’13, Arlee Lerew ’13 and Tanya Glick ’13 singing Landslide by Fleetwood Mac Silent Slam Winner: Gianina Lovett ’13 Jorge Palacios ‘14 was one of the first poets to perform. |
Regardless of the type of poetry or the content of the poem, it is a good way to get out of your comfort zone.
Noah Simpson ‘13 and Jose Chalit ‘13 both participated in multiple musical performances.|
Senior Emma Carroll ‘13 recites her poem during the first round of the competition. |
Arlee Lerew, Claire Campbell, and Tanya Glick after their performance. |
// THE RJ VOICE // VOICE.REGISJESUIT.COM
SPRING 2013
OLORADO’s 14’erS
BY BRENDAN “SKIPPER” VAN JACOBS ‘13 @SKIPPERVJ
W
e are so lucky to live in Colorado, not only for having all four distinct seasons, but also because of the Rocky Mountains that sit in our backyard. This summer, if you find yourself trying to avoid summer reading assaignments, one of my favorite things to do instead is to head west to mount a 14er. Colorado has 53 14er’s, all of which have some form of trail to hike or mountain side to climb.
just some prep and planning, 14er’s are one of Colorado’s most beautiful, fun, and free activities. Most fourteeners are just a few hours away and make for a perfect day trip. Senior Tommy Reins, who has hiked 13 14er’s said, “Hiking is all about seeing views many wish they could witness. I’m so lucky to live in a state where I’m surrounded by countless mountains that offer incredible vistas.”
No one is too unskilled or too unprepared to hike a 14er. They can be a challange, and they can be dangerous- but that is only if you are unprepared.
Use your resources to check conditions and bring necessary gear. But above all remember to have a great time. And to drink water, because dehydration on top of a mountain does not make for a fun hike.
Preparation is key when it comes to 14er’s. Know what the weather is supposed to be like the day of your hike and plan accordingly.
“I hike not only for the solitude, but also the potential for reflection,” Reins said. “Out there it’s just me and the mountain.”
Along with preparation in regaurd to weather, just being ready for an intense hike is important. As a Freshman, hiking Mount Bierstadt, I wore boots up the trail that I had not broken in. My feet hurt so bad that I had walk barefoot down the trail. This could have been avoided with a little preparation. But with
Mt. Elbert Elev: 14,433 ft. Length: 9 Miles Difficulty: Easy
SPRING 2013
Mt. Democrat Elev: 14,148 ft. Length: 4 Miles Difficulty: Medium
GOOD FIRST HIKES Mt. quandry
While a quandary is a difficult challange, Mt. Quandry, is not too hard of a climb. The trail, round-trip, is only 7 miles and the trail is not too steep on the way up. It has some beautiful views all the way and is always a fun hike for people of all skillsets.
Mt. Bierstadt Bierstadt is also another great beginner fourteener. It has a steep summit which you climb up large boulders, and some sections requires crawling up the side. It is usually a relatively quick hike (about 4-6 hours). A great hike, again for all skillsets.
Gray’s and Torrey’s
Gray’s peak is the first summit you climb. It takes a little while to reach the top, but once you do, if you and your group is feeling up to it, you can continue hiking and reach the summit of Torrey’s peak. It is a bit of a longer hike, but definitely woth it to reach the top of two different 14’ers in one day.
Snow usually does not completely melt off of trails of 14ers until mid to late June, so make sure to check that the trail is mostly clear before you head up. A good resource is 14ers.com which has updated reports on trails.
Seniors Tommy Reins and Noah Simpson after a great hike in Colorful Colorado.
Mt. Lincoln Elev: 14,268 ft. Length: 4.25 Miles Difficulty: Medium
Mt. of the Holy Cross Elev: 14,005 ft. Length: 11.5 Miles Difficulty: Medium
Mt. Quandry Elev: 14,265 ft. Length: 7 Miles Difficulty: Easy
What I Keep In My Pack SNACKS Snacks are a very important thing to keep with you on the trail. Some of the best things you can have include: granola bars, trail mix, dried fruits, Clif Bars, beef jerky, and more nuts. These things are good to have periodically to keep you energized on the trail. I also suggest a tastey treat to have at the summit, like some chocolate! SUNSCREEN AND SUNGLASSES It will get sunny up on the trail. Keep your skin and eyes protected. WARM GLOVES AND HAT The temperature towards the top of Mt. Elbert is always less than 50 degrees. It will not be warm the whole hike, so keep yourself comfortable and warm. CAMERA Facebook and Twitter will surely need to see proof that you scaled a mountain, right? MAP AND COMPASS Make sure you have both of these, that you know the area before hand, and could find your way in case you need to find your way.
Mt. Beirstadt Elev: 14,060 ft. Length: 7 Miles Difficulty: Medium Torrey’s and Gray’s Elev: 14,270 ft. Length: 8.25 Miles Difficulty: Medium
GEAR YOU’LL NEED Water bottles Water is the single most important item you can bring on a 14er hike. Make sure to bring at least 2 liters of water. The dry climate that Colorado has and the even dryer climate at higher elevation, water will be the number one necessity up on the trail. Nalgene bottles are usually the best option. Boots Boots are one of the most important things to have when hiking a 14er. Footwear can make all the difference in a hike, making it comfortable and easy hike both up and down, or a miserable hike up and down, and a painful week of walking after the hike. Make sure your boots are broken-in, and that they fit well. Wear a liner sock and a wool sock outside to keep from rubbing. Make sure they come up over your ankle to help avoid rolling your ankle. Back Pack I usually just have a small daypack, which is filled with everything I might need (see “What’s in my pack”). It does not have to be anything too fancy, but if you have at least a cross strap on it across your chest, it will help relieve some of the weight off your back. A Rain Jacket A clear day up on the mountain can turn into a rainy day in a matter of minutes, so making sure you have one is very important. When you get wet, you get cold. And hypothermia is not a fun thing to have 14,000 feet up. Clothing Do not wear any cotton as trail, when its hot out, you or brimmed hat to keep the
it does not wick away water from your skin. At the bottom of the will sweat, and cotton soaks that up. few layers. Wear a baseball sun off your face.
Mt. Evans Elev: 14,264 ft. Length: 4.25 Miles Difficulty: Medium
Dugan Tighe ‘13 with his dog Homer, getting get to embark on a hike to the top of Mt. Everest.
VOICE.REGISJESUIT.COM // THE RJ VOICE // 06
SPRING 2013
SAFETY FIRST
DRINK WATER Make sure to drink plenty of water. This is so incredibly important at high-altidude in Colorado’s dry-climate. Make sure to have at least 2 liters of water per person on the hike. Drink periodically. If you begin to get a headache make sure to start sipping water before the dehyrdation gets to your core. LEAVE EARLY AND KEEP A GOOD PACE Make sure to start early in the morning. Be at the trailhead no later than 8. But you want to be off the mountain before the afternoon thundershowers hit the area. You’ll want to reach the top, so keep going at a good pace to make it to the top. That way, you avoid the risk of lighting. GROUPS OF FOUR Always stay in groups of four when hiking. The more the merrier, but keep a group of four. This way, if someone is hurt and needs help, two can descend the mountain, one can stay with the immobile person. This keeps a buddy system in place and everyone safe, no one has to stay alone. Bring as many friends as you can. Hiking up with more people is always more fun, and even safer with more people. KEEP A CELL PHONE Make sure at least one person in your group has a cell phone that will remain off, in a plastic bag (to keep from getting wet), in case of an emergency. I suggest keeping phones off to keep the peace of the outdoors. Either way, 14ers.com has a good database for cell
Scan this QR code with your phone to go to 14ers.com
Long’s Peak Elev: 14,255 ft. Length: 14.00 Miles Difficulty: Hard
VOICE.REGISJESUIT.COM // THE RJ VOICE // 07
“CAT” on the bulldozer is gone. The flame dotting the “I” on Regis on the left sign, is black instead of red. The three blue diamonds on Fr. Steele’s sweater are now white. The stadium lights in the background are now gone. The “RJ” logo on Ms. Boyle’s construction hat is now right side up. The “&” is no longer on the sign to the right.
VOICE.REGISJESUIT.COM // THE RJ VOICE //
MAY 2013
On March 28, Regis Jesuit teachers and staff broke ground for the construction of our new Performing Arts Center and Student Commons. @EmilyKiernann @ninakelley28
BY NINA KELLEY ‘15 AND EMILY BUTLER ‘15
FIND THE 6 DIFFERENCES
RJ Launches iPad Pilot Program By: Hayden Smith & Ryan Maxfield
More than 90% of U.S. students in grades 6-12 today regularly use computers during the school day.
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While every story has its pros and cons, the iPad Pilot Program is no exception, and both sides of the story deserve to be heard. Whether or not the program will be useful solely depends on how much the iPads will be used and for what subjects. Once the iPads have been utilized correctly the next obstacle revolves around keeping the attention of students and avoiding technological distraction. “Regis can put an iPad in every students hand, while many other schools cannot. It will develop something known as one to one instruction where every student and teacher has a device that can explore and adopt new learning styles,” said social studies teacher Mr. Kosena, “The sky is the limit in terms of what we can accomplish with such a spectacular way of learning” Mr. Brian Kosena, the head implementer of the Pilot Program, can foresee an entire new future of technology in the classroom that revolves around every aspect of learning from how notes are taken to online schedules. Mr. Kosena has sat through a number of classes where students have simply taken a picture of the board and completely uploaded their notes.
Applications for education are being reviewed by a panel of Regis Jesuit faculty members, and new study tools include management systems along with a calendar. Endless amounts of paper and textbooks will then be shared online at a student’s convenience.
Despite the success that some institutions have had, not everyone is sold on whether the program will be effective or not. There is some question amongst teachers if the program will allow kids to thrive in their studies, or if it will just provide distractions.
“There is a whole new level of what notes are and what they can be,” Mr. Kosena said. “Our limited ways of learning can completely be unraveled and taken to the next level when it comes to note taking.”
For theology teacher Mr. Wolf, technology in class is not necessarily the answer. “I automatically assume they are playing games even if they are taking notes. I’m completely skeptical and in all fairness it’s only because I would be doing the same thing.”
Pre-recorded lessons will substitute movies in class, and highlighting a textbook will only require the simple movement of a finger. For more than enough reasons of organization, note taking, and lesson plans, the iPad Pilot Program will move Regis Jesuit into a new direction of learning. Mr. Kosena has seen other institutions around Colorado implement iPads into their schooling, including Mullen High School, who has received surprisingly positive results from students. “My goal is to find out the purpose of our instruction,” he says. “We need to fundamentally discover how to operate with so much information accessible and learn how we can apply information after it is already at our fingertips.” The study of how people can apply information rather than find it is a topic known as Project Based Learning, or PBL, and that is exactly what the iPad program will further develop in students; the ability to apply information. “We are not trailblazers, but instead we are early adopters.”
Has the iPad Program either helped or disabled you?
The percentage of teens who own smartphones is 37%, a 14% increase from 2011.
Smith ‘16 and Students and teachers react to technology initiativeBy: Hayden Ryan Maxfield ‘16 t what point does technology disable students and distract them before it improves education? To answer this question the one to one iPad Pilot Program will be installed at Regis Jesuit beginning at the start of the 2014-2015 academic school year. Other schools have already begun the process of integrating iPads into classes, and the Regis Jesuit community has mixed feelings about the program.
Electronic Boom :
Feedback From Students
So it’s fair to ask the question, do the benefits outweigh the distractions, and is it even worth the trouble? Even for skeptics, the answer is yes. “I think the potential for iPads can be good, and I also believe we, as an institution, owe it to you guys to provide an opportunity to learn how to use technology as a college prep school because that’s the way of the future,” said Mr. Wolf. Mr. Klassen had the ability to witness how technology may negatively affect students first hand. His students tested better in a classroom where technology was prohibited than another class that learned the same thing with the usage of technology. The teacher of the other class attributed the lower test scores to the distractions the iPads brought into her classroom. “In theology specifically, we want to challenge students at a depth that challenges the brain. However, when we try and use technology in the classroom, our brains can begin to work similar to Google and only extract surface level
23% of teens own a tablet computer which is comparable to 25% of adults. As of February 2013, 4.5 million iPads have been purhased for the use in schools for grades K-12. Source: pewinternet.org
connections,” Mr. Klassen said. Mr. Klassen and Mr. Wolf also share the fear that technology is effecting the way people interact with one another. “The student’s ability to socially interact is decreasing. They can think that texting or emailing is really a relationship or conversation, and that is not true,” said Mr. Klassen. Mr. Wolf shares Mr. Klassen’s view that technology is effecting social communication.
Peyton Forster ‘14:
“It was harder to focus. People were always on snapchat or facebook. It helped with notes, but people were way more off task than focused on taking their notes.”
Jonah Cohen ‘16:
“Well I as able to use ceratin apps that really helped me in science class. I am a visual learner and I was able to look up planets for example, so I was never really distracted. It was so benneficial to me.”
“The sky is the limit in terms of what we can accomplish with such a spectacular way of learning.”- Mr. Kosena
“It is disturbing to watch as many kids as I do just sitting in the hallways completely absorbed with their electronic device as opposed to communicating with each other,” said Mr. Wolf. For teachers, the uncertainty of the future is a scary thing. However, all teachers agree that there are benefits to having technology in the classroom. They agree that certain apps can help their classrooms, but many questions remain unanswered regarding this topic. The administration at Regis Jesuit has decided that using iPads in classrooms is beneficial. Implementing these devices into our classrooms is like a science experiment. Some schools have had positive test results, but the real iPad test will be up to Regis Jesuit students in two years.
Aedan Hannon ‘14:
“I used an iPad in math and saw no positive reults for what we were working on. Personally I was distracted by the iPad along with many other kids in my class.”
Kathleen Quinn ‘16:
“I love using an iPad in class. I get off task sometimes, but normally I can focus. It’s nice because there are more resources and opportunities to learn.”
Capstone Spotlight BY DELANEY LANKER @delaneylanker | 2013
Senior: Noah Utesch Capstone: T-shirt Quilt Senior: Kathryn Murray Capstone: Skis
(above) “I used the metaphor for the skis as what has moved me down the race courses of life and so on the bottom of them I put Regis Jesuit High School and Texas Christian University because they are the places that are moving me through life,” Murray said.
(above) “When making my Capstone, I couldn’t help but just sit remembering not only all great times, but all the hardship as well, and there were plenty of both. My time here has definitely not been easy, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I am extremely excited to graduate and to head off to college, but I am definitely going miss this school,” Utesch said.
Senior: Jessee Weed Capstone: Miniature Phone Booth
(to the right) “The phone booth was perfect because it’s obviously very British but people also use them to get in touch with other people. I used that to relate to the last four years here because I have really been able to get in touch with who I am. All the pictures and objects inside are of people and experiences that make up who I am, so it’s like I am inside the phone booth,” Weed said.
Senior: Christopher Clayton Capstone: Diving Board
(to the left) “On the front top half of the board, are swimmers, divers and my coach’s signatures. Friends of mine signed the front bottom half of the board; these are the people that are here for me every day. I had my teachers sign on the spine of the board and people who have really influenced my life in one way or another signed the back; these people helped strengthen me and make me a better, stronger person,” Clayton said.
02 // THE RJ VOICE // VOICE.REGISJESUIT.COM
FALL 2012
COLLEGE DECISIONS GIRLS
RJ NATION
A LOOK AT WHERE THE CLASS OF 2013 WILL BE IN THE FALL
BY ALLIE PETKO and DELANEY LANKER @lilpetko @delaneylanker | 2013
Maddie Schmitz Kristin Lee Kaitlyn Leister Ashlan Runyan Kellie Dawson Molly Martin Mackenzie Crowley Halee Sanko
Anne Grubaugh Alex Montoya
Sofia Vigil Shelby Cerkovnik
Angela Kluzniak
Jordan Goldey
Delaney Lanker
Sarah Haas
Kathryn Blumhardt Erin Schilmoeller
Jen Steyaert Faye Hubregsen Juhye Jung
Jenn Judge Maddy Prach Alexa Steckelberg Marielle Renehan Danielle Raffa Kahle Collins Laurel Teal
Courtney Geilow MIssy Franklin
Abigail Bodeau Miranda Smith Ann Perchiazzi Julia Neppel Caitlyn Foxhoven Paige Gunning Marlowe Braley Zoe Sammons Courtney Crabson Maryam Moghaddam Julia George
Dani Buckley
Alyssa Gutrich Raina Cazier Wilson Saron Araya
Natalie Washington
Pitzer College Jacque Composanto
Hayden Butler Erica Dodson Lizzie Shyra Kylee Piper
Breanne Williams
Sophie Stack Natalie Lesjak Emmy Earsom
Kelsey Cunningham
Mary Kathryn Conley Ashlyn Kammer Aaliyah Navarro Lauren Inson Ellen Goffi
Kaley Cohen Megan Pogue
Abby Cutler
Drew Miller Christie McKernan
Erin Sungelo
Lindsay Kriz Mollie Coyle
Ana Holland Mandi Brown Hannah Boe
Emma Carrol
Philadelphia University Aubrey Cornell
Courtney Baltizar
UNDECIDED: Alexsi Russell University of Colorado Denver vs. Fort Lewis College
Amanda Cordova
Kellen Foster Rory Graham
Madeline Ball Emma von Tscharner Kendall Higgins Meredith Hoggatt
COLORADO COLLEGES: University of Colorado Emily Cates Ramya Depa Maddy Krause Madeline Sager Megan Sandhagen Morgan Sievert Mariel Snyder Gianina Lovett Meghan MacDonald Carla Meli Sara Kayhan Jessee Weed Emma Giunta Casey Devlin Jessica Pasaribu Kinda Alquati Cristina Beermann Srida Saraogi
Colorado State University Morgan Berkley Amy Boesen Emma Bohn Sofia Romana Maggie Nugent Kaitlyn Taggart Anastasia Thibodeau Anna Finch Tanya Glick Morgan Gutrich Mary Holmes Sarah Kurtz Ashley Wilson Lindsay Domoleski Brooke Duggan Hannah Burgan
Erin Hinners Gretchen Searle Morgan Pedrie
Colorado College Meghan Kilkenny University of Colorado Colorado Springs Victoria Beaudoin Regis University Neyrylynn Lopez Sarah Coyne Shirley Gleyzer Kaming Quan Claire Campbell
SCOTLAND
Shelby Ksiazek Caterina Derr
Emily Laff Olivia Nucci Kathryn Murray
Metro State Ha Vo Taylor Kahn Arlette Baena University of Northern Colorado Alex Cross Kayli Galluzzi Naomi Butler Megan Miller Ledia Tuquabo Karlee Wolach Grace Marriott Kate Lechman
Julia Secor
Allie Petko Kassie Petko Ryleigh Mynatt Arlee Lerew Isabelle Scott
Lauren Richardson Sam Hardin Kendal Pontarelli Charlotte Johnson Molly Struna Briana Labrie Caroline Brown
United States Air Force Academy Sydney Rohlwing University of Denver Kaitlyn Stafford Ft. Lewis College Shannon Harpham Katie Watson Alexis Keopangna
OTHER OPTIONS: Emily Kaiser Americorpes Relief work in Vicksburg, Mississippi
Heaven Maradiaga Enlisting in the Army
St. Andrews University Sophie Krempasky
RJ NATION Gonzaga Daniel De La Mar Charles Marks Sean Morton Zach Roffe Andrew Schmidt Tim Prybyslawski
Seattle University Jose Chalit
COLLEGE DECISIONS BOYS
BY KYLE WEATHERBIE and CONNER WIGTON @TotallyKyle_W @cwigton03 | 2013
Montana University Shane Moody University of North Dakota CJ Kannawin Noah Utesch
Montana State Chase Bertinelli
Marquette Michael Guenther Noah Simpson
Portland University Sean Curtis South Dakota School of Mines Elliott Rarden
Luther College Matt Mortinsen Wyoming Ryan Martin Dominic Spinozzi David Tobin
Dominican Universtiy Justin Finley
Santa Clara Drew Lazzeri Matt Queen Loyola MaryCal Poly mount Chris McCoy Hayden Schwraz UCSB Claremont Nick DePuy McKenna Brody Weiss College Ian Shelton UCLA Jon Aya Andrew Schmidt CU Boulder Alec Aichinger Sean Brennan Marco Capraro Sam Clouse Stephen Davis Connor Duffey Luca Evangelista Irvin Ferrer JP Giblin Matt Haney Brandon Inbau Collin Jostes Andrew Kunerth Alessio Lopez Adam Manilla Michael Mizgala Christian Naes Robert Orban Garrison Quinn Peter Sam Nathan Stoskus David Varley Conor Walsh Jeremy Warren Kyle Weatherbie
Whittier College JP Fasone
Benedictine David Hall Sebastian Harris
University of San Diego Grant Warren John Hadfield Harry Schmachtenberger
CSU Trey Ahern Geordie Bain Tom Beasley Andrew Beckelheimer Austin Carrese Jonathan Douglas Jason Dunlap Court Dunstan Mike Felicissimo Bryan Green Nick Jakobi Ben Jenkins Brian Musco Tarik Warvariv UNC Zach Christopher Jake Gravina Matt Mundell Alex Just Logan Quinette Cristian Rodriguez Matt Tarman Matt Tweedy
Creighton Randolph Garcia Jack Flynn MJ Kirk Ryan Lunn Jack Pietig Tony Tuccy Brendan Van Jacobs
DU Peter Cal Michael Chen John Garretson George Kyriazi Nathaniel Washington Brian Wegner Regis University Michael Donnelly David Kluzniak Dylan Herda Mesa State Joey Brunner Chris Clayton Travis Robles Colorado School of Mines Kito Acosta Josh Redmann
Iowa State Tommy Reins
Loras College Sean Whitley
Loyola Chicago Alain Matthews Reed Ronan
Notre Dame Jackson Fox Dan Pichler
Mizzou Michael Bell Kansas Brad Hektor
Saint Louis Josh Hamburg Tyler Roxby Washington U. In Saint Louis Matt Jotte
Rochester Institute of Technology Aaron Archuleta
Boston College Nick Miller Rhode Island School Of Design Soo Choi
Mercyhurst Robert Long
Michigan Eric Stemper
Indiana State Antonio Broadus
Rockhurst Alex Mitchell
University of Arizona Jimmy Fullerton Luke McCallin
Columbia College Chicago Tim Bauer Sam Cannata Keagan Bradac
Miami Ohio Spencer Aitken Nathan Haas Brady Hall Taylor Nichols Charlie Sabin Conner Wigton
Xavier Erik Biernat Brien Caseria Max Creager Ryan Mahoney Mike Porazzo
Indiana Joe Chung
University of Pennsylvania Mckenna Klein Penn State Villanova Ryan Wagner Chris Beirne
Sacred Heart University Cole Plummer
UCONN Tim Smith
Seton Hall Zach Suter
The George Washington University George Maring
Richmond Connor Warren
Duke Jake Lennert
Vanderbilt Nick Diab Clemson Pete Dellarco Jack Ingalls
Grand Canyon University Cole Cunningham
Alabama Dugan Tighe
Texas Tech Nick Majka Texas Christian Andrew Reihl
UCCS Liam Mcaleavey Dayton Murray Stephen Snyder CC Jeseph Farchione Metro State Austin Anderson Western State Sean Wood Ft. Lewis Harrison Thrasher CU Denver Henry Gray
UTEP Alex Pena
University of Texas Clark Smith
University of Dallas Quincy Gholston
Brendan Barclay Sam Honeycut University of Texas San Antonio Chris Weinstein
Jacksonville University Blake Knobloch
Louisiana State Brandon Nuccio Eckerd College Sam Cochran Loyola New Orleans Cody Leis
Rollins College Andrew Hauser
Florida Gulf Coast Michael Gainer
Marines Anders Griebel Junior Hockey Brian Engh Hayden Hawkey Michael Yacullo
Our Time at Regis: Class of 2013 tried my best to live them out on and off the golf course.” -Chris Weinstein
Class of 2013 By: Michael Porazzo ‘13
With the end of the school year winding down, and graduation just around the corner, we asked Seniors to reflect on their favorite memories at RJ, here is what they have to say… Q: What was your favorite memory of Regis? And how does it reflect on what it means to wear the RJ as a badge of honor? A: “My favorite memory at Regis was to be a part of the Regis Golf team when we won state for the first time in 26 years during my sophomore year. To wear the RJ logo on my golf uniform meant that when I teed it up for golf I was not playing for myself. I was playing for my school and that meant that the values and teachings Regis had offered me were able to be expressed on the golf course. I wore the values Regis gave me on my sleeve and
My RJ Experience
Q: What will you miss most about Regis? What was it about this thing that will make you miss it? A: I don’t mean to sound cliché- but here I go. The brotherhood is what I will miss about Regis. The unconditional camaraderie that is so hard to define but every man who walks through these halls understands. I am going to miss the knowledge that when I fall, I have 180+ brothers here to pick me up again. I am closer with some than others, and don’t like a few, but just as it is with any family, we all love each other. –Colin Jostes Q: If you could thank a teacher at RJ for something who would it be and what would you thank them for? A: “I would thank two teachers in particular. First I would thank Mrs. Maxfield for being one of the best, if not the best, English teacher I have ever had. She made it possible for me to actually write fairly decent papers. Next I would thank Ms. Boyle because throughout the 4 years of my career in Regis I have done Theatre and Ms. Boyle has been there every step of the way helping me form my abilities back stage, behind the scenes making sure everything is running smooth-
ly. Thank you both!” –Matthew Tweedy Q: Name a time or situation at Regis that has made you laugh harder than you have ever laughed before? (keep it appropriate) A: Last year I was in a class and we were assigned an in class essay. One kid (we’ll call him PJ) forgot his correct writing utensil and so was forced to use a red pen to write the essay. At the end of class all the kids were filing out the door and turning in their essays. PJ happened to be last in line and when he turned his in, the teacher refused to accept it. PJ asked why and the teacher responded that the essay had to be in either blue or black ink. PJ, alarmed, suddenly looked up and asked, “Wait, are you colorblind?” –Colin Jostes Q: What words of wisdom do you have for current and incoming underclassman? A: “My advice to any underclassmen who want to make a difference is to take advantage of the many opportunities Regis offers but I am here to tell you that you can. More than anything else, I think you will be surprised at how much doing for others will change you in a way you never imagined possible!” -Sarah Coyne
Kyle Weatherbie @TotallyKyle_W | 2013
I had no intentions of ever coming to Regis. But when plans fell through with my original school of choice, I knew I had to go somewhere. When I finally decided on Regis I still didn’t know much about the school. I associated the place with cookies and lots of guys in one place. One thing I did know is that it was the infamous school with all the RJ stickers on cars. I thought, either this school must hand these things out to anyone, or they really take pride in their precious little stickers. As I came to know the school even more, I couldn’t wait to get an RJ sticker of my own. The night before the first day of school I was outside in the driveway with a flashlight putting a fresh, white RJ sticker on my mom’s car, I mean everyone else had one and I wanted to show off my new school just like them. As time went on I saw why that little RJ meant so much. Everyone took pride in their school and wanted others to know about it. After all, we are pretty awesome. While it’s fun to show off my RJ, as I look back it’s the people that make having that RJ so special. It’s my friends, teammates, teachers, and the class of 2013 that make me so proud to have that simple sticker. They’re the reason I speed up to catch a car with an RJ, usually to only awkwardly make eye contact with a judgmental freshmen mom. But no matter who it is I pull up to, I know we share something in common, we’re proud to be a Regis Jesuit Raider.
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May 2013
Name: Jake “The Blade” Lennert Sport: Baseball Height: 5’9” Weight:150 40 Time: 5.11 Name: Michael “Toppings” Garcia Sport: Baseball Height:5’10” Weight: 180 40 Time: 7.87
Name: Stephen “2 Buttery” Snyder Sport: Swimming Height: 5’9” Weight:167 40 Time: 5.02
Name: Sean “AK-47” Whitley Sport: Football Height: 6’2” Weight:135 40 Time: 4.88
Name: Dugan “Peace in the World” Tighe Sport: Hockey/lacrosse Height:5’7” Weight:108 40 Time: N/A
Regis Jesuit Boys Varsity Managers By: Conner Wigton @cwigton03
Name:Luca “Phat” Evangelista Sport: Lacrosse Height: 5’10” Weight: Solid 190 40 time:4.21 Name: Geordie “The Goat” Bain Sport: Football Height:6’0” Weight:165 40 Time: 4.64
Adoption Stories Three RJHS community members share thier stories BY OLIVIA FROEHLICH 2016
I Am Adopted:
name: Taylor Cuba adoption location: I was born and adopted in St. Louis, Missouri. I was the first open adoption in Missouri too. how old were you: I was 5 weeks old have you met your birth parents: Yes, I have met my biological parents. I have an open adoption so I can visit them when I want to. I have five other biological brothers and my birth parents are married. They are like my extended family. I’m glad that I am close to them, but I don’t really see them as my real parents.
“
Adoption is an option. I think of what it would be like if my biological mom had had an abortion and if I wasn’t alive. I want to make a difference in the world since I am alive and now adopted. I want something good to happen becuase of me. Adoption is awesome. I am glad I am in an open adoption and that I know my birth parents. I am also really happy to have my two little, adopted brothers. My parents have told me that my mom was ready to adopt a child and for a while my dad wasn’t so sure, but when they saw me it was meant to be. My dad couldn’t stop holding me, he was so happy. I was meant to be with my parents.
”
Taylor Cuba and her two adopted brothers.
My Siblings are Adopted:
name: Mark Ahern adoption locations: My brother, Luke, is from China and so is my sister, Sara Jane. My new little sister, Mary Grace, is from Colorado. age at which they were adopted: Luke was about 1 year old and Sara Jane was almost two. Mary Grace was two. length of adoption process: It took about two years to adopt my brother, less than a year to adopt Sara Jane, and only a few months to adopt Mary Grace. bringing the babies home: The first time we went to China, it was a long trip. We didn’t know where things were and we did usual touring around. The second time we went there, we were more familiar with the places to go and how to get around. Sara cried a lot. When we went to pick her up, she had just left her foster family and had gone on a long car ride to meet us. You feel bad for them when they cry and cry, but at the same time you feel so good to have them.
“
There is no difference between my biological siblings and my adopted siblings. They are all my family. They aren’t just some kids that you are watching; they are your brothers and sisters. It was God’s will for us to adopt three children. There are now six kids but we still have time for friends and other family. My mom always says, “More the merrier.” I like having a big family. There is never a dull moment in our house. Even though three of my siblings are adopted, I know that they will have my back until the very end.
”
The Ahern family; Luke is second from the left and Sara Jane is in the lower middle. Mark is the second from the right.
Mary Grace is the newest addition to the family.
My Son and Daughter are Adopted:
name: Mark Onstott adoption locations: My son is from Colorado. My Daughter is from Calcutta, India age at which they were adopted: My son was 5 weeks old and my daughter was 14 months old. time of adoption: It took a year and a half to adopt my daughter from India. It took four years to adopt my son. Although it took longer, it was less expensive and we didn’t have to fill out as many forms. bringing the baby home: The process took so long that when it was done we were so relieved but then we thought, “Where’s the celebration, where’s the brass band?” We were expecting the adoption agencies to celebrate with us. You go pick up your baby and you leave and then you’re like, wow.
“
Adoption is a great and different way to build a family. Whether you can’t have children or want to add to your family, I would recommend it. After going through the process, I would say that adoption is a great thing and that more people should adopt.
”
Mr. and Mrs. Onstott with their two adopted children.
MAY 2013
VOICE.REGISJESUIT.COM // THE RJ VOICE // 19
FEATURE
love, is something Lynch hopes the high school will focus on more, regardless of whether it fits the “college prep” moniker or not. “What’s going to make you happy?” Lynch inquires. “That is a question I’d like high school students to figure out. I’d like them to be asked that. What’s going to light a fire within?” Moore and Lynch, while visiting RJ, were pleased to see the new performance arts center going up. Both are enthusiastic about its potential. “It sends a signal to the rest of the community that there is just the same amount of significance placed on arts as sports or anything else,” says Moore.
THE GRADUATES
The new complex will be the first co-educational building at Regis Jesuit.
An inside look at two distinguished Regis Jesuit Alumni BY MICHAEL COBB & HUNTER GAUSE
D
@hsgause228 | 2014
uring a performance of the spring play or a publication night for the school newspaper, the passion Regis Jesuit students feel for their dreams is almost tangible. For two fortunate alumni from 1981, their dreams became reality. Actor John Carroll Lynch and journalist John Moore, two of the most famous RJ graduates, sat down with the RJ Voice for an exclusive interview to talk about their high school experience. Both have made their mark on the world. John Moore was an award winning theater critic at The Denver Post until he left his position in late 2011 to “invite chaos into his life”. He has won many accolades over the years for his work. In the October 2011 edition of “American Theatre Magazine,” he was named one of the twelve most influential theater critics in the United States. John Carroll Lynch rose to prominence as an actor, having played roles in over thirty different productions both on the big and small screen. He has acted next to such legends as Leonardo DiCaprio in “Shutter Island” and Clint Eastwood in “Gran Torino.”
20 // THE RJ VOICE // VOICE.REGISJESUIT.COM
John Caroll Lynch ‘81 (left) stands with John Moore ‘81 (right) in front of the site of the new performing arts complex.
Both were impacted by their time at Regis Jesuit in a big way. Moore remembers it as a refuge, which helped keep him on track as his family endured an arduous divorce. “It kept me sane during this time of great chaos around me, and it kept me centered,” says Moore. “The Regis community put me in a position where I could be Valedictorian.” For Lynch, his experience at RJ changed his entire thought process, moving him towards what he describes as a Jesuit point of view. “The most important thing that started in the process of a Jesuit education was the ability to think critically with compassion,” Lynch reflects. “To boil down what is essential about anything started with the process here, which is mostly about understanding critically, and compassion for the human condition at every level. Rich or poor.” While the two had firmly decided their paths in life by the time they hit high school, the support of the Regis Jesuit community played a critical role in bringing their dreams to reality.
“Any club or program always seemed passionately devoted,” Lynch says, “and that kind of passion never disappointed me.” In the end, that passion helped drive them to success. “Both of us are examples of people who were doing in high school what we knew we wanted to do in life,” reflects Moore, “and it actually worked out.”
JOHN CARROLL
LYNCH
“Both of us are examples of people who were doing in high school what we knew we wanted to do in life, and it actually worked out.”
SPORTS: Football; Swimming
SPORTS: Cross Country; Golf
ACTIVITIES: Choir Theater Student Council CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 1996: Played Norman Gunderson in “Fargo”
Having had time to reflect on their four years at Regis Jesuit, both John Carroll Lynch and John Moore had a small piece of advice for current and future students.
2009: Acted with Leanardo DiCaprio in “Shutter Island” as Deputy Warden McPherson
Moore’s was similar. “I was really, really sad when graduation came. Enjoy it while it lasts, because it won’t last forever.”
MOORE
“Any club or program always seemed passionately devoted, and that kind of passion never disappointed me.”
“It’s great that it sits in between the two schools,” says Lynch. “The interaction of young men and women in those circumstances are the reason I got involved in theater in the first place. I wanted to meet girls.”
Lynch’s advice was simple. “Enjoy your friends here, because they could be your friends for life.”
JOHN
2008: Acted with Clint Eastwood in “Gran Torino” as Martin, a local barber
2011: Acted with Steve Carell as Bernie Riley in “Crazy, Stupid, Love” 2011: Played Bud Morris (for 29 Episodes) in “Body of Proof”
ACTIVITIES: Newspaper Theater Student Council National Honors Society ACHIEVEMENTS: 2011: Named Favorite Denver Entertainment Columinst by the readers of “Out Front Magazine” 2011: Named One of the 12 Most Influential Theater Critics in the US by ‘American Theatre Magazine” 2012: Westword Best of Denver: Best Performance by a Theater Advocate
Indeed, Lynch’s participation in theater and Moore’s role as editor of the school newspaper, The Raider Review, foreshadowed their futures. For Moore, one newspaper wasn’t enough. In his spare time, he also secretly edited an underground publication known as the Bufu Rag. “Frequently, we would pursue journalism at Regis that the administration didn’t want to see,” recalls Moore. “Oftentimes, we would print in The Raider Review what we were allowed to print, and we would write about what was really going on in the Bufu Rag.” That passion that motivated Moore to edit two newspapers, the passion for what students truly SPRING 2013
SPRING 2013
VOICE.REGISJESUIT.COM // THE RJ VOICE // 21
STORY:
Jackson Kochevar BY SEAN WHITLEY and DANNY GIRARD @swhitley95 @djgirard
Wrestling requires a lot of determination, hard work, discipline, and sacrifices… A lot of sacrifices. DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT TRUE 100% OF THE TIME. EVERY GIRL IS DIFFERENT.
-Says things like you are an awesome friend”,“I’m so glad we are friends”, etc. -Offers to set you up with one of her friends -Doesn’t text you a lot/takes a very BY: MAURA ROSE long time to reply @maura_rose05 -Asks you for guy advice on another guy -She let’s you text her first -She uses; ”!”’s, “:)”’s, “;)”’s -Lots of jokes -Hints that she wants to hang out -Always replies with a question to keep the conversation going -Frequent indirect compliments -Genuinly cares about you and what’s going on in your life
She Likes You, She Likes You Not
EVERYBODY HAS A
Sophomore Jackson Kochevar has learned that the ultimate sacrifice in wrestling is giving up food that he absolutely loves. During the wrestling season, most wrestlers have to give up their favorite food in order to help out the team. “I eat just about anything I can get my hands on. Food is the best thing ever. But my favorite thing I get to eat is anything your dad makes, cause I have had some of your dad’s ribs and fried chicken… and it was heaven in my mouth,” Kochevar said. During season Kochevar can have a little more food than most wrestlers, being that he has a certain weight class that works with his weight. “Well usually I’m good with maintaining my weight, so I can have some carrots and some meats but they are very small portions of what I eat,” said Kochevar. Like all wrestlers, Kochevar has screwed up with over eating during season. “Well one time I didn’t make weight and the coaches made sure that I never missed weight again. That practice was so tough and excruciating, I have never wanted to miss weight again. The coaches did a good job of making sure I never will miss again,” said Kochevar. With loving food so much Kochevar has tried his luck at cooking… Well needless to say he has seen better days in the kitchen. “Well I usually have my mama cook or bake for me cause she is better than me. But if she can’t I just go down to King Soopers and buy something there. It could be a little expensive but totally worth it, so I don’t almost die on my own food,” said Kochevar. Kochevar closes his eyes… Throws the marker… It hits Stephen Snyder.
What’s your story Stephen?
Guatemala 2013: Where do we go from here?
BY ALEX ARORA @BigIndianLove| 2014
We’ve seen poverty at its worst close to home, but how does that translate to life now?
The 2013 Guatemala delegation: Back Row: Mr. Fagnant, Vince Sabin, Mitch Decker, Keenan Carpender, Andrew Norrish, Danny Pan, Michael McCarron, Vail Dorchester, Michael Cobb, Mr. Maes, Mr. Best, Carlos-Andres: Front Row: Sam Lee, Conor McNamara, Alex Arora, Michael Mason, Sean Maierhofer, and John Garretson.
S
pring break is typically a time for relaxation, time with friends and family, whatever it is that helps people unwind from a busy semester. Others might visit potential colleges or prepare for the ACT and SAT tests that are always looming over upperclassmen.
Fourteen upperclassmen and three teachers chose to sacrifice those opportunities for the chance to see a part of the world that many people try to either ignore or just forget about. We chose to visit Guatemala and El Salvador, third world countries where we would attempt to help children whose parents struggled to make a dollar a day.
And none of them seemed even remotely concerned about it. “Guatemala was very humble,” Mr. Best said. “All the people would say ‘good morning, good afternoon, good evening’ and they were very personable.”
Personally, I always see true joy and simplicity in life whenever I’m around young kids. Part of our group split up to go to a nursery and help the kids there for a morning, while the rest of the group stayed at the elementary school. These are kids who have every right to be upset with the world or feel afraid or sad about their lives. But these kids are just like any other kids. They just want to play and have fun with each other. Economic background doesn’t mean anything to these little guys; it’s barely even background noise. It’s a refreshing perspective on life, realizing how little we actually need all these menial luxuries when we could be living life in the world around us. It’s a beautiful reality, but it almost feels like one that we can’t even reach anymore. “I think it’s a noble thing to be more conscientious of the necessities of things we need or don’t need,” Mr. Maes said. “A lot of the stuff we have is a luxury and a privilege and those are good things, but it just depends on how we choose to use them.” There’s a certain simplicity to Latin American culture that seems to get lost in our culture at home. Not one of the families we visited had a TV, or an Xbox, or even much electricity at all. MAY 2013
“I remember I walked into school the first day back and my friend showed me a new wallet he got and I just got aggravated all of a sudden,” Danny said. Realizing the truths about ourselves and seeing poverty at its worst was only one of the hard parts of the trip. We spent the last two days of the trip in El Salvador, visiting the places where a number of Jesuits were martyred throughout the 1980s. “They were just regular everyday people and they were executed doing what they believed was right in a very non-threatening way,” Mr. Maes said. “That was something that was very difficult to grasp.”
We had no idea how much they would actually change us instead. “I had a blast working with those kids,” Mr. Best said. “I did not want to leave the elementary school, I wanted to be there and help all week.”
fine without being so excessive or overindulgent.
Andrew Norrish and Danny Pan with children at the elementary school in Guatemala City.
One of the first things that struck me when we got home was a sense of guilt. I felt almost ashamed for enjoying all these luxuries when I just spent a week with children who may never experience this kind of lifestyle. We discussed this feeling on the trip and agreed that while there is a sense of guilt there, we can’t control the situation we were born into. Even then, it’s hard to evade that feeling. There was a very social element to Guatemala as well. People weren’t so immersed in their phones or just getting from one place to another, they would use the streets as a social experience all its own. It’s basically a polar opposite compared to the United States.
Seeing how far people are willing to go in order to make the world a better place and keep it that way for future generations has a way of putting life in perspective. It emphasizes what’s really important and makes you think about what kind of mark you want to leave on the world. It’s a huge question for everyone, let alone teenagers in high school, but it’s one you can never really think about too much. Mr. Best challenged us to live a life of meaning instead of like seeking success. After seeing the state of Guatemala and El Salvador, and knowing that there are many other countries just like it or worse, it’s easy to see why a life of meaning is something the world could really use.
“The streets for us are just a medium for us to get where we want to go, but for them the streets are more a place to be social and connect with society,” junior Danny Pan said. Something that hit me personally was precisely why there is a stereotype about Americans in the first place. The obesity rate is something that we may not notice that often here, since Colorado is one of the healthiest states in the country, but it felt immediately apparent upon our arrival on US soil. It’s interesting to think of how excessive how we are, knowing how people in the world around us function completely
Observing one mornings worth of trash in Guatemala City.
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MYJOURNEY
FAYE HUBREGSEN
LACROSSE, FIELD HOCKEY BY ASHLYN KAMMER 2013
By the time we reach high school, we usually find our one sport, club or activity that we become passionate about. Faye Hubregsen has found multiple. She began her high school sports career in the fall of her freshman year as a member of the varsity field hockey team. That winter she played on the freshman basketball team and during the spring season she scored goals for the varsity lacrosse team. Throughout her four years at Regis Jesuit she has lettered in three varsity sports: field hockey, swimming, and lacrosse.
A LOOK AT FOUR, FOUR-YEAR VARSITY STARTpart two of a two part series
design by Allie Petko, Andrew Adams, and Dugan Tighe photos by Jackson Burkholder
CLARK SMITH SWIMMING
BY ANDREW ADAMS 2013
Clark Smith had been told that he was only racing for second place. As the starter blew the horn for the 100 meter Fly at the 2009-2010 State Swim Meet, Smith never wanted to win more.
nationally,” Smith said. “I might be able to be the best in the state high school wise, but there are people that I need to compete against in college in their mid to early 20’s that I need to be able to compete with.”
“I wasn’t really thinking, said senior Clark Smith, “I was too angry to lose that race.”
Smith didn’t get to where he’s at for free. This four year varsity swimmer has been working hard since he was little.
That was freshman year. Smith has now taken first in the 100 meter Butterfly at the State Meet three consecutive years in a row, and is looking for it for his 4th and in his final year.
“When I was three my parents signed me up for swim lessons,” Smith said. “They took my clothes off, threw me in, and it was sink or swim from there.”
“I’m starting to look at my competition
Before getting ready to tee off, Sofia takes time to listen to her favorite song and write on one of her Adidas golf shoes that have three diamonds, “I can do all things.” For Sofia Vigil, 8th grade was the start of her golf career. “I live right by a golf course and I was too short to play basketball and volleyball,” she said. As a freshman her goal was to make varsity. Vigil’s tryouts took place at Valley Country Club, where she shot a 38 in 9 holes and has been a top scorer for the team ever since. As intimidating as seniors seem when 24 // THE RJ VOICE // VOICE.REGISJESUIT.COM
BY GRACE MARRIOTT 2013
you’re a freshman, they let her into the Regis Jesuit golf family right away. “I was scared but after a few weeks everybody was accepting and I didn’t feel like a freshman.” Vigil will be attending Lewis and Clark in Oregon next year on a scholarship. “I’m so excited to keep playing. And it helps that I loved the school when I visited.” Vigil’s mom and dad come to all her tournaments. They’re very supportive and have been the reason she’s been so successful. This year, Vigil’s mom is “team mom”.
“I look at practice kind of like how I look at brushing my teeth,” Clark said. “It’s not something I look forward too or that I really want to do it, but if you don’t brush your teeth they will fall out of your mouth and if you don’t practice or work out you’re going to get fat and slow.”
She will be attending Boston College this fall looking at majoring in Spanish and entrepreneurship. She hopes to continue to play through club sports and intramurals. She wants to try a lot of new things while at college, lacrosse and field hockey being her number one activities.
“Being team mom makes me feel so involved not only on Sofia’s team but the whole RJ community,” Mrs. Vigil said. Head coach George Miller tells the team, “mental toughness is being positive and enthusiastic at all times; no matter how bad you thought you did.” Vigil has qualified for state three years in a row, took third at regionals as a sophomore, and as a freshman and junior she was part of the golf team that won state. “I felt like I finally accomplished something in golf.”
Playing varsity sports can never be defined as easy, but they are fulfilling. Being a freshman on the varsity team is always going to be intimidating. Hubregsen says it allowed her to grow as a player. “It forced me to grow and I definitely learned a lot about what it takes to be a Varsity player,” she said. She says that the twenty girls on her lacrosse team are who inspire her the most and allow her to continue to play the sport that she loves. “They inspire me everyday with their intrepid attitudes and incredible talents. They are truly amazing,” she said.
She continues to embrace every second of her sports career at Regis Jesuit and is thankful for all the good experiences, inspiring women, and learned mistakes. “I love the field hockey team for its happy-go-lucky team mentality. I love the lacrosse team for its intense drive to be the best team in the state,” Hubregsen said. “Both are equally irreplaceable entities in my life.” The girls lacrosse team is having a phenomenal season with 11-2 record, ranking 4th in the Denver Post Poll. Other than sports Hubregsen is attempting to master the art of oil painting and learning to play the banjo. No matter what sport or new activity Hubregsen is participating in, she will always be doing it with a smile, and jamming out to Britney Spears on her iPod.
BRIAN WEGNER
Now in his high school career, Smith is in the water for practice nine times a
SOFIA VIGIL GOLF
week and in the gym lifting three times a week.
“There is nothing more fun than going out everyday to compete with 17 of your best friends,” she said.
Field hockey and lacrosse are all but serious until Coach Spencer breaks out into a spontaneous musical number to explain different field hockey concepts or when the girl’s lacrosse team has a team bonding moment while getting cornrows in Florida during a spring break tournament.
LACROSSE Brian Wegner’s fifth grade lacrosse coach told him he would never amount to anything in lacrosse. Now Brian is committed to Denver University, the 3rd ranked lacrosse team in the nation and is Captain of the Regis lacrosse team. “He has had a tremendous work ethic all four years here and now that work ethic is being shown to the younger players and has really allowed our team to grow,” Coach Jake Herman said. “He always helps the team to mature and he was born to be a captain,” fellow captain Blake Knoblach said.
Brian has had many moments in his varsity career that have been more than memorable, but one sticks out in particular. “The moment when we won state has to be my top high school memory. It was such an awesome moment to celebrate with the team we had that year,” Wegner said. “That team was full of really good seniors, who were great people to look up to. They were great examples of captains which I carried over into this year,” Wegner said.
This is Brian’s fourth year on varsity, but his first year starting strictly as a close up defender.
Brian committed to Denver University his sophomore year and was selected to the Warrior Top 40 camp which is for the top lacrosse players in the nation.
“My freshman year I didn’t play at all,” said senior Brian Wegner, “My sophomore and junior year I played as the LSM.”
“We will find their best attack man and put Brian on them to eliminate him from the game. He is the best defender in the state Colorado,” said Herman.
MAY 2013
BY DUGAN TIGHE 2013
Brian is currently leading one of the top defenses in the state, powering Regis into the top 5 all year. “I am able to do so much more on defense because of the offense that Blake and all the other guys provide. It allows me to take more risks on defense because I know our offense can score on anyone,” said Wegner. “I am really excited for the rest of the year,” Wegner said, “we have a really good team this year and this year feels special.”
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Feature
Jordan HaTfield: Jumping Toward state BY MATT MAUSER @mauser14 | 2014
After breaking the 43 year old school Pole-Vault record , junior Jordan Hatfield looks to win the state meet.
One day at lacrosse practice Jordan Hatfield saw some-
thing that caught his attention. It was another high school student throwing himself into the air. Jordan dropped all his sports and decided to commit himself to the sport of pole-vaulting. “I started freshman year, I had never done it before then,” Junior Jordan Hatfield said. After no prior experience Jordan’s career took off. Jordan now pole vaults for the Regis Jesuit track and field team as well as a club team in Boulder called above the bar track club. At Above the Bar, Jordan is coached by five- time Olympic trial athlete Pat Manson. Jordan’s most recent accomplishment was breaking the 43 year old school record set back in 1970. Jordan broke the record by an impressive five inches and continues to improve as he prepares for the state meet.
Jordan Hatfield poses with coaches after breaking the school record by 5 inches |Julie Hatfield
The Sequence
“Getting the record was something that I set as a goal for myself this year,” Hatfield said, “So definitely for this season it was a big highlight.” Along with Jordan’s hard work and pure talent, he
is also a big motivator to the other students on the team. Junior Alex Vasquez credits Jordan for giving him the motivation to work harder and push his boundaries. “When you see him vault it’s amazing and all you can say is ‘Wow’ I want to do something like that.” Vasquez said. “So really he sets the bar really high (literally) and everyone else on the team is trying to reach that level.” As Jordan proceeds with his high school pole-vauly carreer his goal is to one day beat the CHSAA state record. The state record is currently held by his coach at Above the Bar at a height of 17 feet 3 inches.
1. Preparing for the jump 2. Making the approach 3. Planting pole and starting jump 4. Loading the pole to make the jump 5. Beginning to clear the bar 6. Jordan CLears the bar *Sequence photos by Dan Pan’14
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Lucid Dreaming The Key To Dream Control
BY BAILEY WALLACE @sammbailey14 | 2016
T
error is all you feel as you run from the dark figure chasing you. Your mind is consumed with freedom of escape. You stumble on the uneven ground, hoping to be lifted away. And that is exactly what happens. You fly aimlessly above the city. But suddenly you realize something isn’t right. “People can’t fly,” you think. You start to fall to the ground, terrified again. You suddenly become aware that you are dreaming.
confidence for the actual event, because you have already experienced the possibilities. Lucid dreaming takes practice, but remembering your dreams is a good start. A dream journal is the best way to record dreams and recognize patterns. The average person forgets half of their dream within the first five minutes of waking up, so be quick! Although it is slow going, it will be worth it in the end.
Your free fall stops and you choose to go somewhere nice and quiet, soaring to your paradise. You can do anything, be anything. Lucid dreaming is the awareness that you are dreaming, giving you the freedom to give you your own adventure. With practice and reoccurrence, lucid dreaming can lead to many positive things. You can defeat nightmares and simulate real life situations. Living out stressful situations in dreams can help build
without thinking twice.
Reality checks are great ways to prepare to lucid dream. In the dream world, clocks and text change or may appear blurred. Checking time, reading text, and observing waking world objects on a daily basis and having that become a routine can reinforce the idea in your mind so when you are sleeping you can do the same
Having these reality checks ingrained in your head will become a habit, and you will be able to practice them in dreams and be able to take control of your dream world.
Personal Accounts of Lucid Dreaming: Maggie Grossiant ‘16:
I was driving a car and as it took me to a secret place, it swerved off the road and started to drive under water. It could drive perfectly fine under water, and I fished in my car. I knew I was in a dream, and I let the car take control. It’s a shock to realize you are in a dream, and when you wake up you still feel like you are still in your dream. You are never fully asleep.
Andrea Gaccetta ‘16:
When I was younger I had a dream I was in a bootcamp. My friends and I went back to our house then it started to rain. Everyone became soaked, and no one had the key to the house. I suddently realized that I was in a dream, because when I imagined a key under the mat, it appeared. I was able to make things appear in my dream.
Emma Netzel ‘16:
In my dream I was running away from my house, and I couldn’t stop or turn back. I knew I was dreaming, because I couldn’t stop, My legs were moving even when I tried to stop. It was a scary feeling, to realize it was a dream and not being able to control anything that was happening.
Julliana Trujillo ‘16:
I Lucid Dream alot. In my dreams, I realize I am alseep and I choose to go anywhere I wish. Usually I go to old schools or houses, and can always control the setting just by thinking about it.
Madalyn Somer ‘14:
When I lucid dream, i always hear voices in my room. It feels like people are actually there, but really i am alone. Its like being half alseep.
“To see the humanity of all that Walter goes through to sacrifice for his family is pretty cool. So that’s stuff that I definitely enjoy a lot. But obviously, I would never do anything that he did,” he said.
Breaking Bad Breakdown
What makes the best show on TV the best show on TV BY LIAM NUGENT @liamnugents 2014
At first glance, Walter White seems like a pretty normal guy. Of course, you must forget the fact that he is actually a cold blooded, murderous drug lord and master chemist. If you can ignore that ugly truth, he really does seem like a great guy. In reality, White is simply a character, the main protagonist of AMC’s show “Breaking Bad.” Bryan Cranston, who actually won three Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Dramatic Series, plays him masterfully.
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Now, “Breaking Bad” is not like any show before it. The main plot is about a high school chemistry teacher, Walter White, who develops inoperable lung cancer. In an effort to provide for his family, he begins to cook crystal meth with a former student, Jesse Pinkman, played by Aaron Paul. Over the course of the series, they develop an odd friendship. “You go from this student of a high school teacher to now you’re basically best friends, forced to be best friends by the driving force of making
meth. And they have to stay together”, said Jacob Herman. Herman is a huge fan of the show. He can relate to Walter on many levels, one being a chemistry teacher. “Watching it and having a science background, the chemistry of the show is so spot on. That is really something that is pretty cool.” Another reason Herman enjoys seeing things from Walt’s perspective is because they are both dedicated, loving fathers.
MAY 2013
A lot of people would never do any of the things Walter has done over the course of 5 seasons. Not to give anything away, but he has racked up a body count of 7 people, he has made millions of dollars from selling crystal meth, and he has shown no sign of stopping. This transformation from a high school chemistry teacher to a drug lord is unthinkable. But it begs the question: Why is it so interesting to watch? Meth is a drug that destroys entire lives. It is ruthlessly addicting and can lead to death in some cases. Why do people want to see that sort of suffering? Perhaps people want to
MAY 2013
see what life is like on the other side. Breaking Bad has a huge following at Regis, a fan base who probably has never had a run in with meth. Or maybe the flawless mixture of drama and science is what draws so many people, Coach Herman included, to their televisions.
Donna Nelson, a professor of organic chemistry at University of Oklahoma, checks all the scripts for scientific accuracy and provides some of the dialogue for the more advanced scenes. It must come back to the story of Walt and his quest to protect his family, while enevitably losing himself in the process. To watch the conclusion of Walter White’s journey, check out the season premiere in August.
“I mean obviously all the drama in the show but also I just think that the fact that there is so much true chemistry going on. And you know it’s the true story of a guy sacrificing everything for his family. I think the mixture of all that stuff makes it a great scenario.” This show is unprecedented in its craft with its realistic scientific content. According to AMC.com,
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entertainment
Finkton isn’t exactly the best place to be. Elizabeth, it seems, would agree.
liam’s game
corner
Above: The Handyman that watches over Finkton isn’t too pleased with this worker. Right: Booker takes a shot at the rather creepy Motorized Patriot Below: Songbird. ‘nuff said.
“Booker, are you afraid of God?” “No... I’m afraid of you.”
-Elizabeth Comstock and Booker Dewitt in BioShock Infinite BY LIAM MCALEAVEY ‘13 @liammcaleavey | 2013
T
o be honest, it’s rather difficult to describe the experience of playing BioShock Infinite. The complicated tale of love and quantum physics goes far beyond just the playing of the game itself, and while the central, core mechanics of the game are only slightly changed from the previous BioShock games, this game is an entirely different beast. To begin with, this game is absolutely beautiful. It’s not eerily beautiful like the dystopia of Rapture was, it’s just a feast for the eyes. It’s not difficult to step off the rowboat at the beginning and simply stare at the wood of the boardwalk for several minutes, marveling at the texture of the water as the rain hits the ground. This wonder continues into the world of Columbia, the floating marvel in the sky, as there is something indescribably attractive about not only the idea of Columbia, but about everything in it. Columbia isn’t Rapture. It’s a city that the player sees before any kind of catastrophe happens, and Booker, the player character, gets to participate in the battle for Columbia, and the revolution of the Vox. He watches in fall of civilization unfold. This is a big contrast to what the previous games have given players, with an, essentially, postapocalyptic city ruled by fear and the
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survival instinct. This means that Irrational Games had a lot to think about when designing Columbia. It had to have its own culture, its own art, its own music; it had to be a completely estabilshed city that Booker walks into. And Irrational accomplished this fantastically. It’s just a pleasure to walk in Columbia. It seems to be such a wonderful place, and that’s mostly due to those elements listed above. There’s not a sense of disorganization, or a cheesy, unbelievable world, it seems real. And this makes it all the more difficult to walk by when you cannot help. Later on in the game, Booker walks past a couple, presumably a husband and wife, and the man is standing on a barge, floating about five feet from a dock, calling to his wife to jump. But she can’t bring herself to do it. Later on, the barge is gone, and the player doesn’t know their fate. That established culture filled with real people works two ways. It can make things so believable, but it also seriously tugs on heartstrings when things go south. And another element that is just incredible about this game is Elizabeth. The twenty year old woman that Booker is hired to save is far from the usual AI that we’ve come to expect from shooters. Granted, most gamers have at the very least heard of Elizabeth by now, but actually playing with her is a joy. Senior Dylan Herda said, “I love how having her in the game is just so natural. She’ll lean against the walls, she’ll interact with the environment, and her character is so believable and well thought out.” Elizabeth isn’t the usual NPC that players have come to expect from a shooter. She won’t fire back, she won’t get herself into bad situations, and it’s not the player’s job to protecter her at all times. This is such a refreshing change. It allows not only for the player to feel the impact of the game much more, but it allows for players to grow to love Elizabeth because they’re not focused on yelling at the screen every few minutes because, “Your partner was killed...” Elizabeth stays out of the line of fire and, instead of providing direct
support, she’ll throw useful items to Booker instead. She’ll express what she thinks during and after a battle. In short, she feels like a real person. This works in two great ways. First of all, Elizabeth is able to become an increasingly more important part of the game without being rediculously annoying, and two, it provides a new way for the developers to allow character interaction. There a very few instances in Infinite when the player is locked into a cutscene, and it only happens when there is simply no other choice. Elizabeth can interact with Booker at any time in the game, which allows for the golden gem of gaming to come to fruition: total immersion. Thanks Irrational! While Elizabeth is one of the huge new cornerstones of the BioShock universe, the game wouldn’t really be anything without combat and the new plasmid-like vigors. Both of these elements, in combination with the art style, make the BioShock universe what it is today. Something to note right away is the discarding of the traditional BioShock eight weapon system in favor the standard two weapon, interchange system that we tend to see in more generic shooters. While this may seem like quite the deterant on the surface, it’s actually a bit of a refreshing addition. I mean, let’s be honest, Booker isn’t Doomguy, he shouldn’t be able to carry a shotgun, sniper rifle, rocket launcher, two pistols, and a vollygun, along with hundreds of rounds for each gun. While this may have worked well for BioShock, it wouldn’t have worked as well for Infinite. What the two weapon system does, then, is create a sense of tension while playing the game. Booker doesn’t have a ton of weapons to rely on, especially if the player is on a higher difficulty. The closer the game is to “1999 Mode,” the more necessary it is to stick with just two or three guns to upgrade and work with, one of which is a power weapon such as the Bird’s Eye Sniper or the Barnstormer RPG. And ammo is a constant MAY 2013
The Boy of Silence is a very powerful late-game enemy. Often, it’s best to try to sneak past them.
concern, even if ammo capacity can be upgraded for the particular gun Booker is using. Power weapons are necessary, but not reliable, as they have the least amount of ammo in the game. Strategic choices in the gun department will be the key to success. The other part of the combat is vigors. They look pretty much like the plasmids did in BioShock 2, as they don’t require a change of equipment, and can be used at any time. For this go-round, the powers use body salts, which last longer than the Eve in previous titles, but are much more finite. Booker can’t carry around extra salt jars with him like Jack or Delta could carry Eve hypos, so, again, the combat choices Booker makes are crucial. Generally, there are quite a few salt jars placed around Columbia, but if the player has no idea what he or she is doing, it’s very possible to run out of salts. Something that does need to be said about vigors, though, is that they’re not very integral to the story. Back in BioShock 1 and 2 plasmids were necessary not just for gameplay, but they were absolutley vital to the plot. As Herda said, “It would have been nice if the vigors were a bigger part. They’re there, but there’s no real incentinve to get them other than that they’re powerful.” Vigors are cool, and they’re incredibly useful in combat, but they aren’t that important overall for Infinite. This is pretty much the only area that could have been improved upon in the game. But what the game lacks in super power integration, it makes up for in versatility. The Skylines and accompanying Skyhook tool are new to the BioShock universe, and both are incredibly useful. The Skylines add a new dimention to the BioShock combat system, MAY 2013
allowing the use of guns and vigors from above the enemy. This new vantage point is critical in the majority of the battles in the floating city, and it makes combat much more versitile. It actually allows for different playstyles from sniping to heavy vigor use. Now that makes a shooter impressive. And yet, with all of these elements, BioShock Infinite is actually a relatively short game. If the player is just going for main story completion, it should only take about 10-12 hours. Standard for modern shooters. Here’s the catch, though. Not only is this game packed full of collectables that explain the Infinite universe with much more detail, but the replayability of the game is also very high. It’s actually almost necessary to play the game multiple times. Playing the game over again reveals hundreds of plot points that seemed unimportant the first time around. And if the player didn’t use the Konami code at the start screen, beating the game unlocks “1999 Mode,” the hardest difficulty in the game. This mode requires a complete change in play style, and there’s even an award for completing the game on 1999 without purchasing any supplies. In short, Infinite’s final challenge. Oh, and on a side note, this game has no multiplayer. But that’s ok, because it seriously doesn’t need it. No kidding, the game is that good, it doesn’t need it. And this game could only be made better by future support. Irrational has promised several DLC’s in the next year, and players eagerly await to see what they’ll be. Infinite’s yarn of plot leaves room for just about anything Irrational wanted to add, so there really are
BioShock Infinite at a glance [+] Mind blowing story and amazing character development. [+] Combat is exciting, and Columbia is incredibly immersive. [+] Game is unforgettable, and future support will only make it better. [?] What is Songbird? infinite possibilities for future content. Perhaps players will at last be able to play the sequence that the E3 trailer revealed several years ago. To conclude, this game is incredible. It was well worth the five year development time. 10/10
What About Next Year? Unfortunately, this is our last issue of the year. This means that we can’t input a preview of what the next issue will hold. However, I can do this! Ladies and gentlemen, the person in charge of the game review corner next year will be - drum role, please! ...Danny Girard! Congrats, Danny. VOICE.REGISJESUIT.COM // THE RJ VOICE // 33
Colorado
Adventures
BY JOHN GARRETSON ‘13 AND ANDREW JAMES ‘14
C
olorado is good for more than just snow days and late starts; there is a plethora of adventures that await you in this state. Mountain biking, hiking, backpacking, skiing, boating, all these things and more can be found in Colorado if you know where to look. Noah Simpson, a senior at Regis says it best; “[Colorado is] a place where anything you want to do you can do it, and there’s always a new thing to try out or to do.” Colorado is home to 300 days of sunshine and more than 400 inches of snow every year, which is 200 more days and 400 more inches than most other places in the world. With all this to offer Colorado is a haven for all sport and adventure enthusiasts, as well as beginners to the sports. At Regis you can find some of these enthusiasts, including Noah Simpson, Dayton Murray, Liam Donahue and JP Giblin. These four have utilized Colorado’s entire environment to excel at their passions. Noah Simpson is an avid mountain biker and has been since he was a little kid. His dad mountain bikes, and ever since his dad bought his first one from a garage sale he was hooked. The adrenaline rush that you get from biking is “like a roller coaster ride, but it’s also a really cool workout at the same time.” Living in Colorado has helped Noah realize his potential as a mountain biker. There are some great trails that can be ridden in Colorado that can’t be found anywhere else in the country. 02 // THE RJ VOICE // VOICE.REGISJESUIT.COM
Noah believes that mountain biking is essential to the true Colorado experience. “You’d be missing out on part of Colorado if you didn’t go mountain biking.” As a Boy Scout, Dayton Murray went on a lot of backpacking trips. And like many others, the thrill of being outdoors kept him coming back for more. There is so much of Colorado that cannot be accessed by cars or planes, so backpacking is a great way to explore all of it. “To see the real beauty in Colorado and not from a distance, you would want to get into the thick of it to really understand it.” To Dayton, Colorado is definitely a more adventurous state. With the great outdoor f eatures that can be accessed by living in Colorado, people who live here are more naturally inclined to activities like biking and skiing and things like that. Someone who would know a bit about skiing is junior Liam Donahue. He has been skiing ever since he was three years old, and now skis for the Winter Park Big Mountain team. Because of the sporadic Colorado weather, their competitions vary from once to about three times every month. His team competes with other teams from California, Wyoming, Utah, and Montana during the season. And every time, the skiers from Colorado earn some sort of prize. “The kids who live at the ski hills are obviously a lot better, so there’s definitely quite a curve of skier ability.” Living so close to the mountains gives people
By the Numbers from Colorado the edge over other states in not only competitions, but recreational skiing as well. People can go to the mountains more often because the mountains are right in their backyards. When asked where he would rate Colorado among good ski states, Liam commented “I’d rank us first, at least in the style of skiing I do. Colorado always has a podium position.”
Colorado’s natural resources for at least another four years. So next time you’re sitting around the house, bored out of your mind, remember that there is a natural playground right outside the door. Leave the sitting around the house to people in Nebraska, and get out there and explore all that Colorado has to offer.
Some people in Colorado bike, because of the great bike trails. Some people run because of the nice weather and because the altitude gets them in better shape. Some people swim because of all the great lakes and reservoirs to swim in. And some people, like senior JP Giblin, do all three.
Denver
The training for triathletes is extremely rigorous, and it can be difficult to find places to train for all three elements of the competition. Luckily for JP, Colorado is full of places to train. The environment is so perfect that all professional triathletes come to Colorado at least once a year to train. “Boulder is the mecca for the triathlon; there are so many professional athletes up here for triathlon.”
Senior
Triathlete for a year “Colorado’s great, Boulder is the Mecca for
1,747 ski trails 400 inches of snow 300 days of sunshine 219 ski lifts 45 state parks 28 ski resorts 20.7% obesity rate
triathlon, there are so many professional athletes
11 overall in US health* 4 distinct seasons 1 amazing state to explore
“To see the real beauty in Colorado, and not from a
(lowest in US)*
JP is a triathlete, and has been doing it for about a year now. His uncle got him into it, talking about his Iron Man competitions. JP wanted a new challenge, and he found one in being a triathlete.
up there.”
Dayton Murray: Senior Extreme Backpacker for 8 years
distance, you would want to get into the thick of it to really understand it.”
*America’s Health Ranking
Liam Donahue:
Noah Simpson
Junior
CU Boulder, where JP is attending college next year, is home to a national champion triathlon team. JP is hoping to join the team when he gets up there next year, and continue utilizing all of Spring 2013
3623 Snowmaking Acres 1800+ miles of bike trails in
JP Giblin
Senior Skier for 14 years
Mountain Biker for many years
Now on the Winter Park Big Mountain Ski Team
“You’d be missing out on part of Colorado if you
“Colorado always has a podium position [at
didn’t go mountain biking.”
competitions] from Crested Butte.”
Spring 2013
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STARBUCKS’ SECRET MENU BY BRENDAN ““SKIPPER”VAN JACOBS ‘13 @SKIPPERVJ
Ever go into Starbucks and just feel like something different? Well, as it turns out, Starbucks’ drinks can use substitution ingredients to create new and imaginative drinks, some of which are listed below. Get creative, add a shot of espresso, or a pump of vanilla to your current favorite, the amount of combinations and ways to make a Stabucks drink are endless. Try making your own, who knows, maybe you’ll discover the big new drink. For the drinks below, most Baristas will not know how to create them by name, make sure to ask them with the special instructions located underneath the name of each drink. Enjoy!
Oreo Cream Pie Frappucino Banana Frappuccino Order a Double Choc-
Vanilla Bean Frappuchino with 1 pump of vanilla, olate Frappucino and 1 pump of hazelnut, whip cream blended in, and 1 for White Mocha Syrup whole banana. instead of the regular syrup.
Apple Pie Frappuccino Fill up to the first line with cream base, second line with apple juice, 1 pump of cinnemon dolce syrup and 1
pump of carmel syrup.
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Frappuccino Strawberries and Creme Frappuccino with chocolate chips and mocha drizzle on top.
Biscotti Frappuccino
Buy one of the biscottis near the regiter and ask the barista to blend it into your frappuccino! Delicious in the Mocha and Cafe Vanilla Frappuccino.
Snickers Frappuccino Order a Java Chip Frappuchinno and ask for two extra pumps of toffee nut in the drink and carmel and chocolate drizzle on top.
Grasshopper Frappuccino
Cake Batter Frappuccino The Vanilla Bean Frappuchino with several pumps of hazelnut. Add chocolate chips if you are feeling crunchy!
The Nutella
Order a Cafe Mistro with 1 pump of chocolate syrup, 1 pump of hazelnut, and some carmal drizzle. 36 // THE RJ VOICE // VOICE.REGISJESUIT.COM
Mocha Frappuccino with java chips and 2 pumps of peppermint syrup.
Butter Beer Frappuccino Creme based frappuchino, with whole milk, 3 pumps of caramel syrup and 3 pumps of toffee nut syrup with caramel drizzel on top!
French Vanilla Frappuccino Vanilla Bean Frappuccino with 2 pumps of vanilla, 2 pumps of hazelnut and extra caramel drizzle blended in and on top. SPRING 2013
V
feature HOW YOUR MUSIC SHAPES WHO YOU ARE
Favorite Genre: Rock/Alternative Musical Experience: Select Choir Inspiration: Fellow Classmates and Family Instruments: Microphone, Percussion, Guitar
Favorite Genre: Electronic, Classical Musical Experience: DJ Inspiration: Growing up with music Instruments: Cello, Piano, DJ
ANDREW JACOBSOHN ‘14 | COADY DIBIASE ‘14
M
@AndrewJacobsohn | @skisandchutes
usic has fascinated the human brain for over 30,000 years. It defines people and helps them discover who they are. The beats, snares, riffs, and drops of modern music play an important role in the definition of what it means to be human. Music defines us. Research has shown that accurate judgements about an individual’s level of extroversion, creativity, and open-mindedness could be made after listening only to that person’s favorite songs. According to researcher Mr. Adrian North of Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, UK, the reason people sometimes feel defensive about their taste in music might be related to how much it relates to attitudes and personality. “People do actually define themselves through music and relate to other people through it, but we haven’t known in detail how music is connected to identity,” he explained. In order to explore just how much of an effect music has on the human brain, students and teachers with strong musical backgrounds were interviewed and asked just exactly what they thought music means to them. Mr. Mark Heidenry, longtime computer science teacher at Regis Jesuit High School, began exploring music in high school. One of Mr. Heidenry’s girlfriends in college worked for a local venue which exposed him to the world of music and widen his horizons.
This interest in music trickled off after high school, but was reignited with the death of his father-in-law in 2007. “He was a Regis student, and he had a band called “The Bossmen” back when he was a senior,” said Mr. Heidenry. “No one wanted his guitar, and I figured that would be a shame so I said “I’ll take it” and I went on YouTube and started learning how to play”. This new connection with music helped to solidify Mr. Heidenry’s interest. For Junior Samuel Lee, music has always played a role in everyday life. Beginning as a small child, Lee took part in choirs and musicals. From there, his musical interests moved towards more classical instruments such as the cello and piano. This change in interest stemmed from his need to challenge himself. “I put it on myself the challenge of teaching myself guitar and ukulele, which I did. Now, I have put on to myself another challenge: to learn how to DJ and produce” said Lee. The art of DJing, known professionally as production, is an acquired skill. In its most basic form, many different kinds of music are mixed together in order to form new tracks. Collaborations are done between artists, each bringing his or her own style to the table. Artists such as Deadmau5, 3LAU, Adventure Club, and Chiddy Bang utilize samples from different songs in order to form new music. This is what Samuel has been trying to achieve under his DJ name, L33-Jay. For Junior Steven Szachara, music defines his way of life. An up-and-coming star in the Select Choir, Szachara spends time exploring music and discovering new techniques for his vocal performances. “I think my interest in music really began in the 6th grade. I was a member of the theater program at Campus Middle School and also took choir all three years” said Szachara. Music in middle and high school also helped define friendships for Szachara. “A lot of my friends were in the musical department and that’s really where the majority of my friendships came from” said Szachara. The role of music in the theater is vast. Several play productions such as musicals like Les Miserables utilize music as a way to tell a story. Junior Sean Standbridge has hands-on experience with this type of music. Standbridge, who has participated in theater for the last 5 years, has witnessed many different
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productions and countless musical scores. “Music is definitely an integral part of the theater” said Standbridge. He began experimenting with music as a child, with many influences stemming from his father. “I think music has really played a role throughout my life, but if I had to pinpoint a single moment that started my exploration of the arts would have to be as a young child. My dad loves to go to concerts and I think that it really started there” he said. As Robert Jourdain’s critically acclaimed book Music, The Brain, and Ecstasy succinctly puts, “Some people use music as a stimulant, others as a tranquilizer; some seek intensity and beauty, other distraction and clamor; some demand symbolism of the world about them, others delight in pure abstraction.” No matter what you seek in music, you are affected by its undeniable effects on humanity.
STEVEN SZACHARA MR. MARK HEIDENRY
SAM LEE SEAN STANDBRIDGE
Favorite Genre: Blues Musical Experience: Guitar Club Inspiration: Rock concerts from an early age Instruments: Guitar, Bass
Favorite Genre: Alternative Musical Experience: Little Shop of Horrors Inspiration: Father, classmates Instruments: Ukelele, Guitar
WHAT OUR MUSIC CHOICES SAY ABOUT US Pop
If you love listenig to Top 40 hits, or consider Katy Perry one of your favorite artists, you might be a fan of pop music. Research shows that, on average, pop listeners tend to be extroverted and honest. These people may also be considered conventional or less creative than some of the listeners of other popular music types.
Rap/Hip-Hop
If you’re more a fan of Macklemore, Eminem, LL Cool J, or 2Pac, you might fit the profile of a rap fan. Despite the stereotype associated rap with violence or agression, no such link has ever been observed by researchers. Actually, rap fans tend to have high self-esteem and tend to be outgoing.
Country
Country music fans tend to be hardworking, and down-to-earth. While country songs are often centered on heartbreak, people who gravitate towards this genre tend to be the most emotionally grounded.
Metal
Despite the sometimes aggressive image that heavy metal projects, researchers found that fans of this style of music are usually quite gentle. They tend to be very creative, but can be inroverted, and some may even have self-esteem issues.
Indie
Fans of this genre tend to seek out obscure artists. On the whole, these people are usually creative, intellectual, and introverted. These people tend to be relaxed but may suffer from anxiety.
Classical
Classical music fans can be introverted but tend to have a good sense of self-esteem. They also tend to be creative
Jazz/Blues/Soul
Jazz fans tend to be extroverted with high self-esteem. They have the lowest anxiety and tend to be creative and intellectual. Information adapted from: “Music and Personality” from psychology.about.com
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SPEECH AND DEBATE TEAM-STATE WINNERS BY CARLY SAMMONS ‘16 Senior Abigal Bodea has been part of a speech and debate club since middle school.
SPRING BREAK TRIP: GREAT BRITAIN
“I had to choose an elective and ended up with speech and debate and have loved it ever since.” In the recent state competition, she took first place in the Lincoln Douglas debate and is now to compete in nationals. “It made me proud knowing how much work I had put into it. Mr. Onstott, one of my coaches, was happier than I’ve ever seen him.” “To be in speech and debate, you have to work hard. It kind of takes over your life. You have to have passion for it and love it. It doesn’t just happen. You have to work for it.” “My best moment competeing was when I was going against these guys; and they were good on a national level. Everybody knew they were good. But then I beat them.” Sophmore Alyse Harris went home with 11th place in the state competition.
Q: What was it like being in the state competition? A: It was really fun, but also nerve racking. Everyone there was really good. I just had to focus and do my best
Q: How did you prepare? A: I practiced with my coaches, parents, and team mates. Getting feedback really helped me and I just stayed focused
Q: So far, what has been your favorite moment in speech and debate? A: When Abigal qualified for nationals. She hadn’t seen her results yet, so we got to tell her. Also, just hanging out with the team and going to dinner after practices.
-Laurel Teal (semi-finalist Oratory) -Tim Bauer (Finalist Humor) -Johnny Douglas (semiifinalist -Rachel Oakes ( Finalist Drama) US Exemp) -Alyse Harris (Finalist Drama) -Michael Chen (semi-finalist Drama)
Left to right: Tim Bauer, Mark Onstott, Abigal Bodea, Alyse Harris, Christa Gordon
-CARLY SAMMONS 16’ Over Spring Break, Mr. Williamson and Ms. Trollinger took 7 students to the United Kingdom and Ireland. These students were Nikki Smith, Amber Jiatrong, Carly Sammons, Alexis Shamlin, Lauren Inson, Halayna Barrett, and Molly French. On day one, they flew to Ireland and visited Dublin, seeing the city on a bus tour Some of the highlights were going to St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Trinity College to see the Book of Kells. The Book of Kells is kept in the Old Library. It is a manuscript Gospel book containing the four Gospels of the new testament. After to bus tour, the rest of the day was spent exploring the city at their own pace. Exploring Grafton street, they saw many buskers around. As half the group went on a shopping spree, the other half saw more historical sites, including the National Library and the National Museum of History and Archeology. After two days, the group took a ferry across the Irish Sea to Wales. They traveled up to the Lake District for a night. The main sight was Dove Cottage, the old home of William Wordsworth. The next day, they went to scotland to visit the bustling city of Endinburgh, the captal city of Scotland. On the first night, their tour guide took them on a Harry Potter inspired tour of the city, seeing famous sites from the journey J.K Rowling took writing the book. They next day was a bus tour of the city, seeing famous sites and learning more about the citiy’s history. The bus took them through the New Town and the Old Town. The Old Town is the oldest part of Endinburgh. The New Town was formed for the richer people living in the Old Town to go to when the Old Town become unbarable to live in for all the people. The last stop on the bus tour was Edinburgh castle. This sits high up on volcanic rock, with a view of the whole city. After dinner and rest, adventure began again with a tour of the Edinburgh Vaults. These are located under the South Bridge. For over 30 years, these vaults housed many tradesmen and stored illegal items. Later on, medical students put their cadaver bodies in the vaults. Soon after, they were closed. The group went on a ghost tour in the vaults and in the city above. The next day, the group left Edinburgh and went to York, before traveling to London. As they arrived in London, the group went for a tour in Hampton Court. The next day in London, they took a bus tour of the city, yet again. While at St. Paul’s Cathedral, some climbed the 240 stairs to the top, to look out over the city. The rest of the day was free to explore the city. Most of this was spent in Oxford Circus. To get around the city, the group took the Tube around. The last day in London, the tour guide, Paul Daley, took them on a Sherlock tour. They went to 221 B Baker Street and went inside the Sherlock Holmes museum that is placed there. Next, they went to where the BBC show, Sherlock, is filmed for Sherlock and Wattson’s apartment (221 B Baker Street). Later that day, they left on their flight back to the states. “My favorite part of the trip was going to Edinburgh,” says Mr. Williamson. “I had never been there before so it was great to see.”
Profiles A Man For All Seasons An in-depth look at RJ’s Newest Technician
BY Quincy Gholston @quincy gholston Earl Bastian fixes things. He fixes lockers. He fixes desks. He fixes pipes. He fixes walls. He fixes AC units. He fixes heavy machinery. He also fixes tanks, jeeps, and trucks. Mr. Earl Bastian, new Maintenance Technician for Regis Jesuit, has a varied skillset that includes just about anything one might need for home or business repair. It is the career path that he has fixed for himself you might say, since he first gained interest in maintenance.
“Even though I would take something apart, I wouldn’t fully understand it so I had to get to texts to find out what this item or particular component was supposed to do” Bastian said. In this,he mixed the two parts of learning, hands on, and theory. “I mixed the two, with hands on and texts to bring them together it gives you a better look at it” Bastian said. Can you spot the maintenance man?
From there he held a myriad of positions in many different places. From twenty three years of ‘fixing’ things in the military, to working for the Federal Civil Service, to work in the private sector, ultimately leading to Regis Jesuit, Mr Bastian has seen, learned, led, and, yes, fixed, many things.
Mr. Bastin loves repair work. he loves taking things apart and putting them back together again. He loves the challenge. Because of this, Mr. Bastian loves learning. “I’m working on my masters certification for home inspections. I only have three more tests to take. I have a strong desire to learn. And I’ll probably be doing that till the day I die because I do enjoy fixing things, so I like to learn about a lot of things” Bastian said. Bridging the gap of what people think of “vocational learners/ workers” and “intellectual” workers, Mr. Bastian embodies both kinds of people. He wants to know, to feel, to figure out with his hands,yet, he wants to know, remember, and read about the theory and the intricacies of a subject. I always wanted to know how things work, so I would try to fix them. That’s where the knowledge came in, because I wanted to know more. It’s difficult to troubleshoot something when you don’t understand what it’s supposed to be doing in the first place.
MAY 2013
Mr. Earl Bastian, new Maintenance Technician for Regis Jesuit has a varied skillset that includes just about anything one might require for home repair, and yet more. True to the Jesuit ideal of Magis, Mr. Bastian provides what is necessary for physical repair, in addition to his upstanding character and ability to ‘fix’ things on the interpersonal level. In addition to the innumerable jobs he has worked, he found time to serve the community and really connect with people. “I voulunteer at the Arapahoe House, the biggest rehabilitation center in Colorado. I do one-on-one counseling and group therapy. There I take care of people with substance abuse issues” Bastian said. He is so good with people that his wife oftentimes aks him, upon returning from a bar, if he gave any free counseling. Being a former bartender himself,he probably did. In addition to his service,and his job,Mr. Bastain has another obligation: his family. “I have three children and twenty-one(21) grandchildren” Bastian said.
“I held several positions in the Federal Civil Service. I was a mason foreman,carpenter foreman industrial supervisory maintenance mechanic, plumber construction inspector, and a painter. I was also a residential service plumb specialist, and a claims adjustor” Mr. Earl Bastian, new Maintenance Technician said. Earl Bastian fixes things, as a passion (has a passion for fixing things). “I’ve always been good with my hands, I always tinkered with stuff as a kid, fixing things” Bastian said. Fascinated with how things work, Bastian was first introduced into the maintenance industry by a childhood friend. “My first skillset (weird word) I would have to say would be journeyman plumber. I had a friend named Ronny Germany and his father had a plumbing shop, and I hung with him and I started doing plumbing. So that was my first trade.”
men and women and his country well.
Pause, 21 grandkids, pause aged 27 to 4. Earl Bastian fixes things as a service. He took the time and effort to learn a myriad (already used myriad, find different word) of different trades,so that his knowledge would encompass most parts of the maintenance field. He kept building upon his education and learned many different trades, in order to “Make it one call”. He discovered and mastered things like plastering, plumbing,etc, in order to make it easier on the people who depended on his services. “And then I just kept building onto the plumbing trade with plastering, carpentry, locksmith, and various other trades to make it a one call. Because normally plumbers would break holes into the wall; they wouldn’t fix the hole in the wall.” Bastian said. As a further service, Mr. Bastian served in the military for “3 years in the Army 20 years in the Air Force.” He served as an NCO, (non comissioned officer) in many varied positions such as heavy equipment technician, law enforcement etc. It is there that he worked on jeeps, eighteen wheelers and tanks. Basically,as he put it, anything on wheels or track, he would either fix, or tow back to base and fix. He also worked as a drug abuse counselor while in the air force. He also worked as an Equal Treatment officer, managing disputes and claims of unequal treatment. He worked on pretty much anything that moved, hissed, or hummed as he went from working with people, (who make all three noises), to AC units in Air Traffic Control Towers to working heavy machinery, Mr. Bastian served his fellow
Twenty-one grandkids is a great deal of responsibilty and a source of joy for Mr. Bastian, who uses the opportunity of working at Regis Jesuit to slow down and spend time with them. “For my life, you could say I was a workaholic, and that was a problem. I always had to jobs, sometimes up to four, just work sleep work, and before I realized, my kids were grown. My goal is to do forty hours a week, slow my roll, and spend time with the grandkids”. Bastian said. After years as a maintenance technician, manager, etc, Mr. Bastian decided to come to Regis Jesuit.“What brought me to Regis was, before I came here I was working for Lifetime Fitness health club. I was the building engineer there. Highly stressful environment. They tend to care for their members and they should, but they lack care for their employees. This prompted me to look for another position and it just so happened that I saw an opening here, and I applied for it. And to tell you how stressful the environment was, I took a twenty thousand cut in pay to come here” Bastian said. Now as to the why, he simply stated that it was the people here that made a difference. “I’ve worked in a lot of positions and the work doesn’t change. But the environment. Here it’s different, here they care about their people” Bastian said. So there you have it, veteran, maintenance man, counselor, bartender, grandfather to many, Mr.Bastian wears many hats. But under that hat is a man of genuine spirit and deep intellect. So next time you’re passing by the tech room to go to lunch, stop by, say hi,
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OUR FUTURE ENERGY BONANZA
OP-ED
BY TITO LIMAS
| 2014
If any of you are vigorous Economist readers, (like me) then you would have noticed the issue The America that works, where they report, that the shale gas and oil bonanza that has created 1.7 million jobs, $62 billion in taxes and $238 billion in economic activity. This has led our electricity to be cheaper than in Italy or Chile, according to the International Energy Agency which will allow us to be more competitive in manufacturing and in labor. However, I have only one question to you: what happens when all the gas and oil has been pumped out? Oil and gas are not renewable energy and they are not that abundant in the United States. Our oil and gas production will peak in 2030 and then decrease, which will put us back to square one in our quest for energy independence. But don’t be scared, because we still have time for us to solve this problem. We have alternative energy sources that are renewable and clean such as solar, tidal and wind. However, their energy efficiency is far less than natural gas or oil and it is costlier to build wind or solar farms just to power a small city. If alternative energy is to be more efficient than gas or oil, it will require extensive research by the brightest scientists in the best universities in the country. However, the funding will be extensive and there is only one entity that is affluent enough to afford the expenses: the government. Unfortunately, the government is deadlocked by extremists, such as the Tea Party, who are paranoid of any expenditure made by the government. However, I have a plan that I have mostly told you. All of my opinion articles are part of a grand plan to not only become energy independent, but to reform our deadlocked government, improve our education system, and have a real economic recovery. The first step is to vote the extremists out of Congress because those people are nothing but incompetent fools. The midterm elections are coming in soon and the current upperclassmen will be able to vote by then. You vote for the visionaries, the thinkers and the government will be able to get legislation passed again. The second step is an increase of funding in education, especially in the sciences. The government gives tax cuts for corporations in exchange of assisting universities in helping to teach the students and offer the students a summer apprenticeship to deepen the knowledge learned in college. Meanwhile, the government gives the top universities grants to research ways for renewable energy to be more efficient than what it currently is. The top scientists, who are already given a sublime education, will discover a way to make renewable energy cheaper or more efficient, which will make the renewable energy industry able to be profitable. Soon the companies, such as Gamesa, Vestas, etc. will produce wind turbines, solar cells, and tidal plants that will be able to power whole cities at a low cost, which will allow us to be energy independent, a stronger recovery and eventually, a balanced budget. The bonanza has given us time and revenue so we can implement our plan, but this may be our last chance to be fully independent. I have written and hoped, for an entire year, to try to persuade all of you that the tools for a true recovery lie with an active government, and by ourselves. This path towards energy independence will allow us to fully recover and it can start with all of you. To give you a final boost in confidence, I leave you now with one of my favorite phrases: It can be done, it must be done, and with your unwavering support, IT WILL BE DONE. Good bye, good luck and long live the United States.
IN DEFENSE OF THE THEATRE BY LIAM MCALEAVEY
| 2013
There’s a lot of heated debate going around as to whether or not the new building is the right choice for the school. Some say it should be a new pool. Others, a better football field. Still others believe the entire endeavor is a waste of money. Well I must say, that all of these are incorrect. In fact, I would say that this new theater has been far too long in coming. You see, our current theatre is something that is known in the world of thespians as a “black box.” This means that it’s not even a real theatre. It’s made for practice, and nothing else. On top of this, it’s falling apart. It leaks everywhere. It has no room to fit the people that want to come and see our shows. It’s filled with hazardous situations for our actors and crew. And that’s just the start. All of those things I just mentioned are certainly glaring problems, but what about the things that you don’t see? The area under the stage? Filled to the brim with mostly unusable supplies. Wood, paint, anything else that we need to fit under there. The area under the elevated seating? Absolutely packed with extra props, set pieces, and assorted items that wouldn’t fit in our prop closet. The prop closet/tool closet/costume closet is filled to bursting. And we have two dilapidated sheds out behind the football field, stacked with set pieces and large props that are fit together like somebody was playing a game of Tetris. And yet, every year, we still manage to pull of an amazing show. So to be honest, I think this theatre deserves to be built. Our cast and crew works extremely hard every year to put together two incredible shows, with a shortage of usable supplies, no room to store them, and in a building that’s too small, and that is falling apart. SPRING 2013
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Student Profiles
Classical DJ
Sam Lee combines his knowledge of classical music with his love of being a DJ
BY DANNY GIRARD @djgirard | 2014
For Sam Lee, inspiration comes at any time. Creating music is a spontaneous art. “I do not really have a zone but in the middle of nowhere, like even in the middle of class maybe,” Sam said, “I will be thinking of music and a melody will come out.” His love of music started when he was a child. “I was in choir musicals as a kid,” Sam said. “From there, I started to play instruments such as cello and piano because my sister’s playing of the violin in orchestras piqued my interest.”
original tracks.” For Sam, inspiration comes from many different places. “I am inspired by deadmau5, Cascade, and other big artists “When I started listening to their music. And then I looked at how they actually perform and that really inspired me,” he said. “But before that I got into music because I played classical instruments. I think that is where I get a lot of my inspiration from.”
However, Sam Lee has since moved from classical instruments to learning how to DJ. “Now, I have put on to myself another challenge:” Sam said, “to learn how to DJ and produce.”
Sam enjoys not only creating new tracks, but adding onto beats that he has already heard. “I just kinda go along listening to music, watching videos, and messing around on the piano,” Sam said. “Whenever something catches my interest or sound good, I use that and then just expand from it. “
Not only is Sam a DJ, but he is a producer as well. “I make my own music,” he said. “I produce and create
Sam not only uses his music for creative purposes, but as an outlet. “Music is an expression of things in my life.
The Art of Shoes
Design options are available as well. Cameron gives the example of Nico, who wanted a Japenese theme. “He gave me his name in characters that he wanted on the shoe. He left the rest of it up to me, which is kind of how it works typically,” Cameron said. “Customers can be as specific as they want, or they can just give me a theme.”
Cameron Piper shows off his painting skills on a new medium BY DANNY GIRARD @djgirard | 2014
When Cameron Piper paints, he needs his peace. “I just stick to my room. I appreciate the quiet aspect of being in my own room,” Cameron said. “I just turn on music and sit there and paint a couple of hours a day.” Cameron has an interesting medium however; he paints custom shoes. “Basically, if someone wants to have some kind of artwork on their shoes, they come to me and we discuss what they want in a shoe.” He said. “I have a set price to cover supplies and time, but basically it is custom painted shoes however they want that I paint myself.” Cameron puts a lot of time and effort into his craft. “Depending on the design I will make a sketch for it, I put a lot of time into it. I want to be an artist; I want to take pride in my work,” Cameron said. “I usually put, on average, 6 hours into a shoe, but it depends on the design.” Cameron’s shoe painting has gone a long way. He has even started to make a business out of it. People like Nico Duperret have approached Cameron, asking for their own custom shoes. “I saw Cameron’s art and I asked if he could make me a pair.” Duperret said. “I am really happy with the product that Cameron produced.” 42 // THE RJ VOICE // VOICE.REGISJESUIT.COM
I start with inspirations or just things that I make when just messing around,” Sam said. “I just create music.” Music is not only an enjoyment for Sam, but a possible career path. “I dedicate much of my life to music. It is part of my life. I want it to be part of my future as well,” Sam said. “I have made relationships in orchestras and collaborations, and I believe that if I do continue with music, music will give me career opportunities.”
Cameron takes inspiration from a lot of different places. “After taking AP art I was inspired. I became motivated to do more art and to look at other artists who were painting. I looked on the internet and saw people that were painting guitars and shoes. When I saw other artists doing it, I was motivated to do it try it out.” However, a list for shoes is starting to form. “The list is not too long yet, but I am hoping it will be personally,” Cameron said. He also is open to any new customers. “The whole shoe painting thing could be a business to me, so I encourage people not to be shy,” he said. “I will appreciate the business, even if a total stranger asked me for shoes, which has happened before. I want any business I can get. Although, with waitlists building up it might be a while to wait.” Cameron can be contacted many different ways. “So far I have only been contacted through Facebook, just because that is where I started,” he said. “People can also, once my site is up, contact me through there. Basically, I am open to however they want to talk to me. They can walk up to me if they like.” However, he does not want to limit himself, and is open to doing new things. “I try not to limit myself at all;” Cameron said, “I do all sorts of things.” MAY 2013
S O
G
M I X U PS BY GRETCHEN SEARLE and ARLETTA LEREW @gretchgsearle | 2013 @arlettalerew | 2013
A. “Lucy in the Sky with Dimonds” By: The Beatles 1. “A girl with kaleidoscope eyes” 2. “A girl with colitis goes by” B.
“Forget You” By Cee Lo Green 1. “I guess he’s an Xbox and I’m more Atari” 2.
“Guess he’s an expert and I’m more an attorney” “Poker Face” By Lady GaGa
C.
1. “Can’t eat my, can’t eat my, no he can’t eat my popcorn face” 2. “Cant read my, cant read my, no he cant read my poker face” D. “Party in your bedroom” By: Cash cash 1.“There’s a lot of talk about youuuu” 2.“There’s a lot of taco bell ooooooo” E.
“Love Me” By: Lil Wayne
1.“I don’t know what I would do with a child” 2. “I don’t know what I would do without y’all” Answers: A)1 B)1 C)2 D)1 E)2 43 // THE RJ VOICE // VOICE.REGISJESUIT.COM
P R A N K S
CLASSIC 1)Putting someones hand in a warm cup of water while they sleep will make them wet the bed.
CLEVER 1)Putting skirts on the mens bathroom signs so everyone gets confused. 2)While someone is sleeping take a couple M&Ms and lick one side a place it on their face. When they wak, they will have colored fdots on their face.
CLICHÉ: 1)Whoopie Cushions 2)Hand buzzers 3)Putting a water bucket above the door so when someone walks in, the water spills on them. BY HANNAH BURGAN and GRETCHEN SEARLE @gretchgsearle | 2013
May 2013
Entertainment
TOP TWEETS
FIrst World Problems BY ANDREW ADAMS AND MATT MAUSER
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@mauser14 | 2014 @aadams13 | 2013
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Some chick asked me what i would do with 10 million bucks, so I told her I’d ask her where the rest of my money went.
My new iPad doesn’t warm my lap as well as my MacBook Pro.
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I put a band-aid on my thumb and now I can only text with one hand.
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Our nation’s parks and wildlife preserves are woefully underequipped when it comes to Wi-Fi signals.
The rental car I got on vacation had plates from a different state than the one I was visiting, so I looked like a tourist.
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I can never really enjoy St. Patrick’s Day because green and orange are both tacky.
May 2013
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MUSIC BUZZ: Sigur Ros Feature
BY JOSE CHALIT
@jemiliochalit | 2013
They changed my life forever. When I found them, I had been on a post-rock, music scavenger high. I was finding all sorts of new music and finally branching away from my past likings. It was May of 2010. Techno and hip-hop used to be my ‘jams’, but this was a time when I had faith. The band that sparked this hunt for me was M83, after a friend had shown them to me in 8th grade.
Top: Sigur Ros Album “Takk..” and t-shirts sounds they make during most of their album “( )”.
After being on YouTube for a few hours every day Explosive sounds and enigmatic compositions, their sound is unlike any others and for a couple of weeks, all the has never ceased to amaze me and impact me. suggested videos I had clicked on finally led me to an Icelandic band. Music, in many ways, does what words can not do. The words on this paper are visible to the eyes, and that is the end of it. What makes these words important is Hoppipolla was their first song I heard. The the story behind it, the emotions. music video was elderly folk playing around like little kids, lighting fireworks and Music is like that in the way that it is merely nothing more than sound that is heard jumping in puddles. by the ears, but the emotions and story that a song can tell is what makes music more than just sound. It was the first time I found ‘beauty’ in music. In that way, Sigur Rós holds a very dear place in my heart. Their music is not The more I listened to the band, the more of something that is describable by words, but only by sound. their music grew on me emotionally. I was enthralled by the beauty of their ‘HopelanLeft: Single “Varud” dic’ lyrics, the seemingly gibberish Middle: Album “Valtari” Right: Album “( )”
FALL 2012
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Relationships
1. It is me and my boyfriend’s one year anniversary….please help I NEED GIFT IDEAS-Hopeless Romantic Well, you can never go wrong with something homemade. Homemade gifts are always easy and thoughtful. Even though they are not “expensive” necessarily, they are a great reflection of your personality and feelings that you have for him. Well one idea is to just take him out and have a good time, like take him hiking and pack a lunch then take him out to dinner.
2. I have a best friend and I think she likes me but I don’t like her in that way. How do I let her down easily without ruining our relationship?-Alex Nemechek Just be honest. If she is truly your best friend, she should respect your boundaries. It is not your fault that you feel the way you do. Unfortunately for her she’ll have to just be friends, but in the long run she will appreciate your honesty. That’s easy. Just say, “You are my best friend and I hope nothing happens to change that.” 5. What does it mean if I’m only getting one word texts from the guy
I like?- Awkward Anna It could mean that he is busy at the moment or preoccupied. In that case, just tell him that he can text you back when he’s not busy. That way you won’t annoy him. Most boys are just bad at texting so, give him time to respone. If he still does not reply, then chica I’m sorry to say but he proboably isnt feelin it.
6. How do I tell a girl I like her without ruining our great relation-
ship?-Best Friend Ease into it. Girls may suprise you on how intuitive they are. She might catch onto your hints and end up feeling the same way. Drop little hints while being flirty. Throw some pick-up lines in there. Example: Did you eat lucky charms this morning because you look magically delicious!
How did you get asked? BY: MAURA ROSE
D R. B I G L O VE
3. What does it mean to go to prom as “friends”?-Anonymous user 45674563 It means exactly how it sounds. Your date wants to have a great time with no strings attached. They probably just want to have a good time and not have to worry about impressing you. Just enjoy your date and enjoy the night. You never know what could come from a good date! Exactly what it says, as friends, but it doesn’t mean that things can’t change. 4. If I like this girl, is it worth trying to have a relationship before we both go to college?-CU bound Yes, maybe not a serious one, but there is no harm in going out on a date. Take her out and see if there is a spark…you won’t regret it. Yes, relationships are worth the time and even though you will be moving on, relationship experiences are good to have.
+D R. L I T T L E L O V E
7. At what date should I introduce him to my parents? -Lauren Lerew The first date for sure! You need to know that he is comfortable around your family and also, that your family likes him. So the sooner you find that out the better. Meeting the parents is a big step in the relationship. It’s something that needs to happen, but maybe not right away.
8.What is a good inexpensive date that we will both enjoy? We want to go out but at the same time we do not want to do anything extravagant.-Twitter Fan Go star gazing. That is a great way to have fun and be intertained without having to spend alot of money. Plus it is very romantic and you will for sure earn brownie points. A ride to the country side. There is nothing like listening to music with the windows down and your arm around your girl.
TWEET US YOUR QUESTIONS
@DrBigLittleLove
@maura_rose05
Ben Mohler asked Madison Rose to Prom by having his friends decorate her room with streamers, 90 balloons, and a sign while they were on a date.
She said yes!
Hennessey Stuart asked Katie Carlson to Prom by lining up signs on the main road by the Girls Division.
She said yes!
Careers, What’s Your Path?
A Guide to careers By: Tony Genella ‘14 And Aedan Hannon ‘14
Tips for interviews • • • • •
Set an intention of the impression you want to make Think about what you wear Be conscious about your body language Avoid bad days Be interested and interesting
Forbes Magaine
Best Paying College Majors 1. Computer Engineering 2. Chemical Engineering 3. Computer Science 4. Aerospace Engineering 5. Mechanical Engineering
Forbes Magaine
O
ften, the future looks stressful and daunting for most high-school students as the decision on what to pursue in college and the future looms. The majors and jobs of the future are often unknown or uncertain. However, some sources can help predict the future of jobs and what fields are consistently useful.
experience. There are so many different subjects in which students can major, from medicine to engineering to finance. Across the board there are numerous courses to help you prepare for the future and have a successful career.
Ms. Misgen, who attended Boston College and was a philosophy major said, “What was nice is in my major is that a lot of these core classes are built in. You have to take two semesters of philosophy and two According to Reader’s Digest, some of the semesters of theology. most sought after jobs include You get to satisfy a lot Environmental Health & Safety Specialists, of the requirements Urban Planners, and Physician Assistants, through the and many salaries in these fields strike six major and that figures. Also, Sales Directors, Engineering meant that even Managers and Product Marketing Managers though I had are some of the highest earning and most this challenging sought after areas of expertise by employers. major that took a lot of course These jobs do not come easily though. There time I still had are specific characteristics that employers some flexibility are looking for when looking to hire people so I was still able for these jobs. The top personality trait to do my pre-med according to Forbes Magazine that requirements.” employers are looking for is professionalism, closely followed by high-energy and Many college majors confidence. However, it is not only your allow you to have personality traits that employers are that flexibility to evaluating. pursue the multiple avenues of learning According to Forbes Magazine, the top five that you may want to most critical job skills that employers are pursue. Although some looking for are: majors give you 1. Critical Thinking, flexibility in the future, 2. Complex Problem Solving, such as a philosophy 3. Judgment and Decision-Making, major, others do not. “I just 4. Active Listening, feel like I wish I would have 5. Computers and Electronics. had more diversity, other classes that would have taught me things outside All these factors might sound scary and of math which would have qualified me for uncertain, but ultimately what can help you jobs outside of teaching high school math,” land a job and have a successful, steady life said Ms. Etling, a graduate of the University is college and what you do with that of Missouri. There is nothing better than learning tips on how to go through the processes of determining what you will do for the rest of your life through those who have already done it. Ultimately, it is your decision and your life, but careful research and consideration should always go into a decision of this magnitude.
The selection of a major is an often stressful process, but Ms. Etling offered some advice, “Accept that it is okay if you change your major. I think that there are a lot of people that choose their major and then they are in it and they think ‘oh my gosh I can’t change, this is what I have to do’”, she said. “But don’t worry about that and change your major. If you are like, ‘Wow I really love this political science course and I never thought I would be interested in something like that,’ then explore that.”
John Hill is a doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and is currently the director for the University of Colorado Sports Medicine Fellowship. He graduated from the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific in 1987.
Students must make sure that they keep all their options open through college. Many people may rule out certain fields because they believe that it may be too difficult or boring or even that it may take too much time in school. One example is the medical field, which has one of the longest processes to earn a degree. However, students should not close these open doors.
“If you are looking at it from high school, it seems like a lot of years of training, because there are at least four years of college, four years of medical school, three to seven years of residency, and a lot of people do a fellowship. If you look at the total time, it seems overwhelming and daunting, but it really is not that long”, he says. “A lot of people go to college and its fun. In medical school, every year there is something different that you are doing, and you are really in the middle of what you want to do by the time you hit your third year.” Nowadays the focus of our society is on money, but students should not always focus on potential salaries when picking a major. Mrs. Timme is an English teacher at Regis Jesuit. “I think people should pursue the things that they are passionate about. It always makes me a little sad when I see kids just pursuing the degree that they think is
going to insure the biggest paycheck. I understand that’s a real motivator for some people and that’s just fine”, she says. “But I think if teaching is your passion, whether it’s teaching Yoga or teaching Music or teaching English, even if it is not a career, think about it as something that you do as a volunteer”. Money will not bring you happiness; rather it is what you are passionate about that will. With all this said, choosing a path for college and jobs is overwhelming. But there is always room for change. ”My career in medicine has been very similar to that [a smorgasbord]. I have done everything from a major in obstetrics, delivering babies, and surgeries to sports medicine. So that is where it is kind of fun to enjoy the path and not to just focus on the end result, and to take each day as fun”, John Hill said. It is your life and passions that will ultimately make college and jobs worth the work. Life changes drastically and is often very uncertain. You can take certain steps and precautions to ensure that your future is bright and that you can have the career and live the life you want.
Cornell University ILR School’s after graduate career fields
vision, “but making sure that every student has at least one teacher that he can talk to and knows cares about him.”
“We engage the world, we don’t run from it. It’s who we are.” -Mr. Nick Fagnant
School Security: Evolving and Involving
This sense of community and connection that Regis Jesuit forms supplements the tangible security (cameras, guards, locked doors) to create a safe environment for the students and faculty.
T
Although the tangible security of the school is essential, Regis Jesuit has found a more solid foundation for the safety of its students and faculty. With the Aurora theater and Sandy Hook shootings fresh in the minds of people across the nation, the school’s security has become a topic of debate. However, even before these trage-
dies, Regis Jesuit has been consistently working for years to increase its security in and around the school. Regis Jesuit is preparing to spend $30,000 on new security cameras, making a clear statement that security is a high priority. Since Regis Jesuit is a private institution, money must be raised internally and improvements in security are being made over increments of time. “Money isn’t everything, but it is a big player in reality,” said Boys Division principal Mr. Carruthers. “We aren’t a public school, we can’t just float a bond for an increase in 7 million dollars and say we will do all
However, the school is trying to determine a balance between creating a safe environment while at the same time, creating a welcoming campus and community to the students.
Construction of the new Regis Jesuit Performing Arts Center, April 30, 2013.
“We have adapted over the last 10 years,” says Ms. Lotito, Dean of Students in the Girls’ Division. “We are trying to actively involve our student community and are constantly looking at assessments of our campus.”
Ms. Lotitio, Chair of the newly formed Security Committee is working alongside Mr. Emerson, the school’s security specialist, on projects in the school and how our tangible security can be improved. The money raised from the LARK raffle tickets will go to fund the security projects.
BY ALEC JOTTE ‘15 AND TAYLOR KALLSEN ‘15
he frustration of trying to open a locked door, the small black cameras that are scattered across the roofs of hallways and classrooms, and the excitement of a lockdown drill saving you from class.
“We don’t build community with the goal of safety, but I think the best thing we can do for security is be a community with people that care about each other,” said Mr. Fagnant.
this all at once.”
But security is more than just cameras and guards. The students, as part of the community, play a decisive role in keeping the school a safe place.
Although money plays a pivotal factor in the ability of the school to increase the tangible security of the school, the greatest asset of the school in terms of security goes beyond the cameras, locked doors, and personnel.
Security cannot be a reason to cut off the Regis Jesuit community from the world community.
The student body plays a critical role in maintaining the security of the school.
“We engage the world, we don’t run from it. It’s who we are,” Mr. Fagnant said.
“We rely very heavily on our student population,” security specialist Mr. Steve Emerson says. “You guys are not the average public school group of kids.” The administration relies on the student body to report things that are out of the usual. Especially with the construction of the new Performing Arts Center on campus, the administration is relying heavily on the student body. But, the safety of the school is more than just reporting unusual occurrences. The community of Regis Jesuit greatly affects the overall safety of the school.
One of Regis Jesuit’s outdoor cameras. Regis Jesuit plans to spend $30,000 on new seurity cameras.
“There are always things you can’t prevent,” said Mr. Fagnant, Service Director in the Boys DiMay 2013
VOICE.REGISJESUIT.COM // THE RJ VOICE
CLASS OF 2016: LOOKING BACK AND LOOKING FORWARD
8/13/12: Compass Day
August 8/16/12: 2012 First Day of School
From Compass Day to Freshman Retreat to what lies ahead BY PAUL LUCERO ‘16 and CHIBUEZE AGWU ‘16
F
r. Kevin Dyer thinks of Compass Day as a method for allowing the freshmen to feel accepted in the school and connected to it before class begins.
Freshman Retreat serves a similar function, but it’s more of a re-lighting of the spark that Compass Day originally lit. What about the time in between?
by the new schedule due to their lack of experience with the old one. “[The opinions of the upperclassmen] clouds your view of the schedule that you had,” Mr. Wolf said, “not having any experience of it. If it was more positive up top, freshmen would have a different view of the schedule.” Advisement is also something which has changed the way that Regis works.
once a week, but after that, back off.” Views on this system differ, however. Freshman Justin Given views Academy Days as nothing more than a label that really changes nothing. “I kind of like it,” said Given, “possibly because I haven’t experienced anything else. I’m excited to see what they can come up with for next year.”
Although the schedule affects the Take the new schedule, for example, “[the schedule] is also demanding school on a day-to-day basis, major something which has a day-to-day event days, such as Freshman Retreat effect on the lives of everyone at Regis. of the students to not give them and Compass Day, can have a similarly an opportunity to hang out.” profound effect. This affects the entire school in different ways. Mr. Rick Wolf finds it a “Freshman Retreat is a time for [the - Mr. Wolf detriment, his Ping Pong club having freshmen] to stop, think about what only met a few times this year. they’re all about, and re-dedicate Freshman Noah Lordi thinks that themselves to the mission of the perhaps there are too many Academy “It’s been a little bit oppressive. I think school,” said Fr. Dyer. Days with the current system, and that it’s also demanding of the students to perhaps it would be better to lessen not give them an opportunity to hang them in the future. out, to relax and be themselves. I think “I learned a few concepts it’s a tragedy.” Mr. Wolf said. “Since we aren’t really doing anything [during Diversity Day] but I in most of the advisement periods, it’s However, Mr. Wolf doesn’t think that didn’t really learn anything really not that helpful,” Lordi said. the freshmen are put at a disadvantage “Maybe, at the start of the year, have it deep.” - Noah Lordi
PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (PAC) TRIVIA • In total, the new PAC will be greater than 44,000 square feet in size, whereas the current theater in the GD is only 2,500 square feet in size. • The PAC will have a total cost of $13.2 million. • Journalism, music, and acting classes will be • hosted here, as well as a new Raider Shop and snack bar. • Since the completion of the BD in 2004, this is the first new building to be added to the campus. // THE RJ VOICE // VOICE.REGISJESUIT.COM
9/7/12: First Football Game
Diversity Day, another major event day, is viewed by Noah Lordi as something which is fun, but not that insightful. “I learned a few concepts [during Diversity Day], but I didn’t really learn anything deep,” said Lordi. “I was in a workshop about mixed martial arts combined with dance, and I learned about how it was a thing, but I didn’t really learn much about the culture or why it came about.” Fr. Dyer thinks that the upcoming Performing Arts Center, which will be completed circa January 2014, will also have an effect on Regis. MAY 2013
2/8/13: Board of Trustees approves PAC construction February 2013
3/5/13: Diversity Day
12/18/12: Finals Week
10/5/12: Homecoming
4/4/13: Construction begins
2/1/13: Freshman Retreat
4/9/13: New modular unit completion
Class of 2016 Timeline
3/12/13: New Raider Night
Performing Arts Center Timeline
3/19/13: Preparations affect parking & buses
5/20/13: Finals Week May 2013
January 2014: Construction complete January 2014
“I’m excited to see what they can come up with [for the schedule] for next year.” -Justin Given “I think it will give a greater impetus to some of the arts programs, such as the music programs and the acting programs, that we have,” said Fr. Dyer. Mr. Wolf shared his thoughts on not only what changes the freshman class but also the freshman classes have changed over the years. “Socially and communally, there has been a little bit of a drop-off in terms of how connected people are in the freshman class,” Mr. Wolf said. “I attribute that to technology, honestly.” Fr. Dyer concurs with this opinion, especially when technology is a constant presence in the classroom and is potentially being misused. Fr. Dyer believes that this decreases kids’ confidence in social situations. “There’s still something to be said for being in the physical presence of another person,” Fr. Dyer said. Mr. Wolf, however, said that he doesn’t think that this change is entirely the fault of the students. “The emphasis needs to be on educating you guys about how to use the technology properly. I think MAY 2013
it would be a mistake to give you the technology, say ‘good luck’ and then get upset when you’re not following the rules that have been laid down.” Mr. Wolf said. When asked if they had anything else that they wanted to share about the class of 2016, Mr. Wolf said, “You guys are a very handsome group of freshmen as a whole.” Fr. Dyer said, “Personally, I would say that you are a very well-groomed group of freshmen.” Mr. Wolf replied to this remark with, “Most of you, anyways…”
“There’s still something to be said for being in the physical presence of another person.” - Fr. Dyer Clockwise from top left: Mr. Wolf, Freshman theology teacher; Fr. Dyer, freshman theology teacher; Noah Lordi, ‘16 student; Justin Given, ‘16 student; Mrs. Gray, director of Freshman Retreat; Mr. Bruno, director of Compass Day
VOICE.REGISJESUIT.COM // THE RJ VOICE //
DOG DAYS
To-do List HUNGRY HIGH SCHOOLER
Museum of Outdoor Arts ( FREE!) 1000 Englewood Pkwy Englewood, CO 8010 ( 303-806-0444) -Outdoor Movies in the Park ( FREE!) (www.denver.org/whatto-do/museum-art/ denver-outdoor-summermovies )
La Baguette de Normandy 76524 Keystone Blvd Parker, CO 80134 ( 303-805-9130 ) Denver Museum of Nature and Science 2001 Colorado Blvd Denver, CO 80205 ( 303-370-6000)
- o
- Denver Botanic Gardens 1007 York St. Denver, CO 80206 ( 720-865-3500 )
Colonna’s Pizza 11215 S. Parker Rd Parker, CO 80134 ( 303-840-5444 )
Cherry Cricket 2641 E 2nd Ave Cherry Creek, Denver, CO 80206 ( 303-322-7666 )
HOT DAYS, COOL DATES Estas Park- The Taffy Shop 121 W. Elkhorn Ave Estas Park, CO 80517 ( 970-586-4548 ) Bobalicious Tea House Southlands Mall, next to the movie theatre ( north side ) ( 303-627-5468 )
Hidden Places FOOD Spices Cafe 1510 Humboldt St. Denver, CO 80218 www.spicescafe.com Waffle Brothers 393 Corona St. Denver, CO 80218 www.wafflebrothers.com Ace Eat Serve (Ping Pong Restaurant) 501 E. 17th Ave. Denver, CO 80203 www.acedenver.com Devil’s food 1020 S. Gaylord St. Denver, CO 80209 www.devilsfooddenver.com D Bar 1475 E. 17th Ave. Denver, CO 80218 www.dbardesserts.com Bonnie Brae Ice Cream 799 S. University Blvd. Denver, 80209 www.bonniebraeicecream.com
Film on the Rocks at Red Rocks in the summer. Schedule comes out early May w w w. r e d r o c k s o n l i n e . c o m / C O N CERTSEVENTS/FilmOnTheRocks.aspx
Little Man Ice Cream 2620 16th St. Denver, CO 80211 www.littlemanicecream.com
ENTERTAINMENT Alpine Slides
Heritage Square, Golden CO 18301 W. Colfax ave E103, Golden, CO 80401 www.heritagesquare.info/rides. htm Laser Quest 8988 E. Hampden Ave Denver, CO www.laserquest.com Twist & SHout 2508 E. Colfax Ave. Denver CO 80206
Tips From Mrs. Caldwell
Academic Pressure
1. Get 8-9 hours of sleep 2. Eat healthy
By Justin Brasel and Connor Likos College, grades, sports, success... we have all heard these words over and over again. Extreme amounts of pressure are put on high school students the second they open the doors Freshmen year. Students are affected by many different types of stress. Students are primarily stressed out from school itself. “You have counselors like me saying you need to take all of these classes to get into competitive schools,” said Regis Jesuit counselor Marsha Caldwell. “You have teachers that say you need to do better on your tests and you need to write better essays.” Mrs. Caldwell believes that this intended motivational technique often turns into stress for students. There are several ways that a student can reduce their levels of stress. The amount of sleep a student gets is crucial to their stress levels. In a recent study done by the University of Rhode Island, 68% of high school students appeared to be getting less than the required eight hours of sleep a night. Students who do not get enough sleep often become anxious. Mrs. Caldwell believes that a good way to reduce stress is to have a balance between classes that look good on a transcript and classes that you are interested in. She also suggests taking classes that provide a solid foundation for college. Mrs. Caldwell believes that colleges are more selective than they were 20-30 years ago.
Coach McPhee
3. Balance your classes However, she does not think that they are more selective because they have higher standards. They are more competitive due to the fact that more students are applying to college for the same amount of spots. Students can feel stressed because they are overwhelmed. Sophomore Misgana Kassa faces a different type of stress than what most people at Regis Jesuit. It’s sometimes hard for me to come to a predominantly white school, when I come from a predominantly black neighborhood,” he says. Senior Tommy Reins felt the amount of stress changed as he went up in grade levels. “Freshman year and Sophomore year was not that stressful of a time. Junior year was absolutely the most stressful time for me since it was
“I like to walk and listen to music to try and help reduce the amount of stress that I am dealing with. I feel music seems to calm me down.”
4. Excercise
5. Find something you’re passionate about a time of searching for colleges.” Colleges are looking for solid grades and high test scores which makes Junior year the hardest year. “Once I found out that I was going to Iowa State, it become a lot easier for me as a Senior.” Managing many classes can be stressful. Junior Cameron Bradley finds himself not being able to get his homework done because he doesn’t have enough time. “I feel that teachers don’t really consider that we have other classes that we have to do work for,” Bradley said. English teacher Mrs. Jackie Maxfield feels the best way for students to reduce stress is to come in and talk to their teachers. “I try and become aware of outside tournaments that students are in so I can give them some leeway,” she says. Stress is apart of life. It won’t go away and will always be there. Stress can be a positive or negative factor in our lives. The most important thing is how we react to stress and use it to enrich our lives.
Mrs. Maxfield
“When I am stressed out, I feel that the hardest thing to do is try to slow down my day.”
Students Paul Lucero ‘16 “Most stress comes from my parents and from the stress that I put on myself to do well in school” Misgana Kassa ‘15 “Stress has taken a pretty big toll on my life academically”
Cameron Bradley ‘14 “Teachers put the most stress on me with all the homework assignments, tests, and quizzes.”
Tommy Reins ‘13 “I have already made my decision of where I am going to college, so I am not really stressed at this point.”
NATIONAL MERIT FINALISTS
This is the picture caption explaining what is going on in the photo with names in Bold Bold with the year following, for example, First Last ‘13 with the photgrapher named after in italics, like so | First Last ‘13
FOUR SENIORS EARN TOP HONOR BY SOPHIE STACK | @sophie_stack_ |2013
Senior National Merit Finalists (from left) Frank Morton, Matthew Haney and Matt Jotte pose with Boys Division principal, Mr. Carruthers.
I
f you don’t know what a National Merit Scholar is, you probably should, because these kids are going to have you wishing you tried a little harder on your standardized tests.
Senior finalist Mollie Coyle Explains, “Basically, a National Merit Scholar is someone who gets a good score on their PSAT, and then gets an equally good score on the actual SAT. There’s a cutoff PSAT score for each state so that a certain number of students qualify, and then if you get a high enough SAT score you move on to become a Semi-Finalist, then a Finalist.” From the class of 2013, Seniors Mollie Coyle, Matt Jotte, Frank Morton and Matthew Haney are all finalists. For Matt Jotte, this was never something he had planned on. “I didn’t know what National
Mollie Coyle ‘13
Merit was before I got it,” but he sure is glad he did, explaining, “It looks pretty good on a college apps so it increases your chances at a few places,” he says. “I received a few offers from state schools for full tuition.”
college since it looks good on a transcript, and the college fairs help raise awareness of the different schools out there.” Jotte said.
“Some of the harder classes I’ve taken have taught me how to filter out the factual info from the useless info in a textbook and how to Jotte didn’t find this to be any big feet. take good notes, which are pretty good prac“I’ve spent a good chunk of my free time over tical skills for college.” the years doing schoolwork instead of watching TV or playing video games, but I haven’t For Mollie Coyle, her experience at RJ was really made any monumental sacrifices or very personal, “I was completely encouraged to speak my mind, and be myself. I got to deanything,” he says. bate and discuss some really great literature, For Mollie Coyle, it was a different story. “Be- and Mr. Davenport was (and is) an amazing ing a National Merit Scholar in and of itself teacher. That class (honors English) really didn’t take a lot of sacrifice – I just took the is reflective of a lot of my Regis experience. PSAT and SAT and hoped for the best. But in AP Literature this year with Mrs. Dawkins is terms of getting to the level where I could get the same. I’ve also fallen in love with calcugood enough scores on those tests, it’s taken lus here at Regis, which is a phrase I’d never a lot of work. Academics have sort of been my though I’d say, thanks to some of my math life for as long as I can remember, antisocial classes. My academic experience has been and nerdy though that might sound. I study a tough, but great.” lot. I work really hard in school. I’ve given up volleyball, I’ve stressed more than I can even Mollie Coyle will head to Georgetown next begin to describe… And yeah, I suppose year, and Matt Jotte to Wash U. St. Louis. It is I have been somewhat antisocial over the clear that these two and all of the other scholars are bound for success. years. For me, it’s been worth it.” It’s clear that all of these scholars would have done fine at any high school they went to, but they do not regret coming to Regis Jesuit. “[Regis] Offering a lot of AP classes helps for
// THE RJ VOICE // VOICE.REGISJESUIT.COM
MAY 2013