Jamesonian_April_2025

JAMESONIAN

BISHOP LOUGHLIN MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL

VOLUME 91 I ISSUE 1

White Coat Ceremony

JAMESONIAN Editor-in-Chief ı Esther Branch ’25

Continues a welcome tradition of honoring student achievement

Associate Editors Safiya Bell ’25 Titilolaoluwa Oseni ’25

by Titilolaoluwa Oseni ’25

Contributing Reporters / Photographers / Artists Hannahliza Amankwah ’28 Kaitlyn Black ’26 Nyla Bruno ’25, Caden Charles ’25 Penelope Cloirisier ’25 Daphney Gayot ’25 Simeon Glance ’25 Terence Hughes ’26 Elizabeth McNeil ’25 Samantha Nerelus ’25 Melissa Pagan ’25 Madysen Seales ’25 Tyzhani Seals ’25 Francisco Tale-Gonzalez ’25 Administration Bro. Dennis Cronin, FSC, President Mr. Edward A. Bolan ’78, Principal Mrs. Cecilia Gottsegen, Asst. Principal Along with the author Titiolsoluwa Oseni (seated far right), Science teachers Mr. Orlando Santiago, Ms. Fabiola Lamarque, and Mrs. Raymonde Jason with the Biomed Class of 2025.

The White Coat Ceremony on November 18, 2024, was a memorable experience for me and others—and it was a touching moment for a lot of the students and the teachers.

I had the opportunity to be a part of the event and give a speech. It was nerveracking, but I enjoyed talking to everyone.

I spoke about how through the Biomed program, I was able to decide what I wanted to pursue in the future. I was also able to figure out what I could do outside of school to help me get closer to my goal.

My classmate Shariya Junior ’25 gave a speech; she talked about her experience and plans after graduation.

We heard keynote speaker Dr. Chiamaka Agbasionwe ’09. She is a pediatrician. She talked to us about what she was a part of when she attended and also talked about how Loughlin helped shape her future. It was a heartwarming moment, and it put into perspective how I’m going to go on to do many great things because this school set me up for the future.

Afterward, we received our white coats and took photos with family and friends.

It was lovely talking to everyone around me about what we’d accomplished, and I’m proud of our class. The White Coat ceremony was a great experience, and it gave us medical intervention students a first taste of our futures as doctors or whatever we decide to pursue. This was another example of how Loughlin celebrates their students, and I’m excited for the class of ’26 to experience this next year.

The Jamesonian covers school-wide events, classroom happenings, opinion pieces, and human interest stories of students and staff. Naturally, everything may not be included and we regret any omissions. If you know of someone who is doing something distinctive either in or out of the classroom, seek us out.

Strange Paw Prints...

INSIDE White Coat Ceremony

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Strange Paw Prints...

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School Field Trips

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NHS Hosts Blood Drive

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Concert Spectacular

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An Interview with Ms. Friel

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Marketing Club

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Celebrating Academic Success National Honor Society Induction

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Hispanic Heritage Month

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Christmas Show Sparkle

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2024 Alumni Reunion

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Economics Class Speaker

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Biomed Hospital Shadow Program

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Civic Spirit Week Preview

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Poets & Writers Club Visit BAM

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Sports

Moderators Ms. Josephine McKenna ’90 P ’28 Mr. Michael Peros

Brooklyn Sightings, and No Answers

by Staff

disappearance was quiet, what followed has captured the attention of students, faculty, and the wider Brooklyn community. In the weeks since Leo vanished, large paw prints painted in the school’s signature purple and gold have appeared in unexpected places around campus: the stairwells, the courtyard, even inside the auditorium. No one has admitted to placing them, and security footage offers no explanation.

But perhaps most bizarre are the off-campus sightings. Grainy footage from traffic cameras and neighborhood security systems have shown what appears to be Leo the Lion across various Brooklyn landmarks: crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, lounging near Grand Army Plaza, and even posing outside a Flatbush Avenue. In each clip, the lion moves quickly, always just out of focus, leaving behind more golden paw prints and more confusion.

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Pep Rally

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Fall Play Jaja’s African Hair Braiding a Resounding Success

8 It’s been months since Leo the Lion, Loughlin’s treasured mascot, disappeared without a trace leaving behind a campus full of questions and a growing list of clues that only deepen the mystery. Though the

While many have speculated whether this is a prank, a performance, or something deeper, one thing is certain: Leo’s absence is being felt. The administration has launched an internal investigation, asking the Loughlin community to submit any tips, photos, or sightings to the Admissions Office.

Meanwhile, the halls remain decorated with missing Leo posters. The mystery continues…

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THE JAMESONIAN

School Field Trips

Science Class Visits Newtown Creek

Natural History Museum Visit

by Esther Branch ’25

by Hannahliza Amankwah ’28

Creek Alliance is to educate the public and to restore the ecosystem of the Creek. Their strategies for educating the public are field trips such as the one we went on, in which they educate students on the creek.

They gave a presentation during our visit and I noticed during their presentation that they make education videos that they post on Youtube. Their strategies on educating the public are very effective. They also explained how they restore the ecosystem by nourishing the creek. After the presentation we went on the roof, with binoculars. We were able to see Newtown Creek from an amazing view. Later on we went down to the Creek and got to see geese and the animals in the water. We saw crabs, crawfish and many other little critters.

While we were near the creek we took samples to test in the classroom.

Left, jubilant freshmen take the time to commemorate their visit.

On November 21, the freshman class had the opportunity to visit the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan.

Students explored the museum’s Dinosaur exhibition, Blue Whale display, and the Hall of Human Origins while completing a worksheet provided by the Biology teachers, Mr. Effron and Ms. Lamarque.

Students help raise an oyster cage full of crabs, shrimp, and fish—revealing their resilient life in spite of pollutants.

I take Environmental Science which is an extremely interactive class that focuses on the environment and the ways in which humans affect the environment.

We do lots of fun projects such as making toys from trash or creating DIY water filters. One unit focused on water and in November we went on a trip to learn about Newtown Creek and wastewater.

The Newtown Creek is a 3.8-mile waterway between Brooklyn and Queens.

Long before the Industrial Revolution New York was made up of lush forests, creeks, and wetlands. Newtown Creek was much larger before infrastructure shaped the creek into what it is today.

During the start of the industrial era of the 1800s, companies chose to build their infrastructure near bodies of water. They chose to be near the water to use it as an energy source and to use it as a way to dump oil and other debris. New York City was booming with factories and lots of those factories were placed along Newton Creek. The massive economic growth of New York created a massive growth in pollution in the creek over time. The underlying forces of the creek’s pollution is its deep history.

On our trip we first visited the Newtown Creek Alliance. The goal of the Newtown

That was just the first half of the trip. We had a lunch break then went to visit the Wastewater treatment plant. Wastewater is water from sinks, showers, washing machines etc. and storm runoff. When it comes to wastewater, first it goes through a screening process.

The garbage from the screening process goes to a landfill and the wastewater gets pumped. After the water gets pumped, all the sludge goes to the bottom of the tank in primary settling. Then inaeration, air is added to the waste water to nourish the microorganisms that benefit the environment. Following aeration, the wastewater goes through final settling; in which the remaining sludge settles down to the bottom of the tank. Lastly the water is disinfected and sent back to a nearby waterway.

All the sludge removed from the wastewater gets thickened and gets digested. The food waste from the city gets turned into a nutrient dense mixture called a bio slurry in the process of digestion.This bio is mixed with sludge to help produce renewable biogas for city use.

A highlight of the trip was the interactive visit to the Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium, where 80 species of butterfly dwell alongside various types of moths. While many students were initially hesitant, the guidance of staff members from Loughlin and the Vivarium helped ease their fears and guide them into the experience. Some students even had a butterfly (or moth!) land on them. To see how nature can be so complex yet so versatile—even in an unlikely environment—was both shocking and beautiful.

Students touring the wonders of the museum.

This trip was very informative and fun. I’m grateful Loughlin gives us the opportunity to go on trips like these. If you want to see it for yourself, check out our tiktok @ loughlinlions.

The chance to see this up close is a privilege the class of 2028 enjoyed and certainly appreciated.

COMING SOON TO BISHOP LOUGHLIN! Stay Tuned for the next issue of the

Jamesonian....which spotlights both student activities and the Class of 2025!

NHS Hosts Blood Drive

by Elizabeth McNeil ’25 Bishop Loughlin held its annual blood drive, hosted by the National Honor Society, in November. The event drew tremendous support from students, especially seniors, many of whom stepped up to donate.

The blood drive committee was led

by National Honor Society officer Joli Pierre ’25 who did an excellent job organizing and overseeing the event.

As a third-time donor, I can confidently say that the experience was both smooth and rewarding. The nurses Ms. Madar, along with the members of the NHS Blood Drive committee.

on site were exceptionally helpful, patiently answering questions and providing support throughout the donation process. Their friendly demeanor created a welcoming environment for first time donors and returning donors alike.

In addition to donating, I was honored to serve on the event’s planning committee. Working the sign-in desk and capturing photos of the day allowed me to see firsthand the enthusiasm of my peers. Snacks and drinks were provided to ensure the

donors stayed hydrated and nourished after giving blood.

Events like this showcase our school community’s commitment to making a difference. Every donation collected at a drive contributes to saving lives, highlighting the power of collective action and generosity.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Joli Pierre ’25, Ms. Madar, the National Honor Society, and everyone who participated in making this year’s blood drive possible. Your commitments are truly life-changing.

BISHOP LOUGHLIN MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL

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Concert Spectacular

Bishop Loughlin Surprises Incoming Lions with a Stunning Concert Event

by Nyla Bruno ’25

In Brooklyn, NY on October 11, 2024, the auditorium of Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School was filled with rhythm, melody, and pure excitement during its annual Concert Spectacular, a warm welcome extended to eighth-graders from nearby middle schools. Its goal? To spark the imagination of future Loughlin Lions, by presenting the school’s celebrated arts programs in a fusion of music, dance, and vocal performances, creating an inspiring experience.

The performance began with the Senior and Advanced Band, under the direction of the talented faculty trio consisting of Mr. Kenneth Pexton, Mr. Everett Wilson, and Mr. Jalen Grandchamps, presenting timeless school favorites such as Rocky, the infamous School Song, and the jazzy Birth of a Band. Their music had the audience enthusiastically clapping along, visibly captivated by the talent unfolding in front of them.

The Small Band delivered a vocal and instrumental performance of Michael Jackson’s Do You Remember the Time, creating a sort of nostalgic air in the room. Their soulful rendition showcased the versatility of Loughlin’s music program and left many of the visiting eighth-graders visibly impressed.

However, the excitement extended beyond just the music. The House Dance Team entered the stage, infusing it with bold energy through their amazing routine. This year, they introduced a section inspired by vogue and ballroom culture, drawing cheers from the audience with their energetic movements, precise poses, and confidence. The display of creativity and power in their performance showcased the talent of Loughlin’s dance team to the middle schoolers.

The Latino Dance Ensemble showcased a rhythmic performance celebrating cultural pride, followed by the Chorus delivering a stunning set filled with harmony and soul.

During the event, the eighth-graders were completely engaged, swaying in their seats, rooting for each performance, and chatting eagerly about what they had witnessed. The performances inspired discussions about becoming a part of the band, giving dance a try, or joining the choir. The thought of “This could be me one day,” quickly caught on and spread rapidly.

The Concert Spectacular went beyond being just a performance; it extended an invitation to imagine a brighter future at Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School.

As the curtains drew to a close, it became obvious that the event had made a lasting impact, planting the seeds of inspiration in the hearts of the future Lions.

The concert entertained with both song and dance, as performers from the dance groups dazzled the audience with their infectious energy and dexterous movement.

An Interview

Kaitlyn Black talks to Language Teacher Ms. Shannon Friel

by Kaitlyn Black ’26

Jamesonian: How did you become interested in learning languages?

Ms. Friel: I grew up bilingual—speaking English and Spanish at home. It was like a way for me to understand how my brain works. Bilingual people have interesting brains; there are a lot of studies about that.

Ms. Friel studied linguistics in college and how societies may seem like they have only one language but in reality, there are always more.

Ms. Friel: Only for a few months now.

Ms. Friel gives her students the impression that she is an experienced educator.

Jamesonian: Why did you want to be a teacher?

Ms. Friel: Because I have learned several languages myself. I speak English, Spanish, French, Russian, and German.

Jamesonian: Five Languages, that’s incredible!

Marketing Club

by Esther Branch ’25

Ms. Friel: I like learning languages so I’m very passionate about teaching them to other people.

Jamesonian: How long have you been a teacher?

Club News

Ms. Friel: For example, Argentina—they say we have one language, but we also have Italian, Yiddish, and indigenous languages.”

Jamesonian: What were you doing before you taught at Loughlin?

Ms. Friel: Journalism, and I was also a student. I recently graduated.

Jamesonian: Journalism? Wow, that’s interesting. What did you do as a journalist?

Ms. Friel: I wrote for my school newspaper, and I also wrote about politics.

Jamesonian: What are some things you like to teach and why?

Ms. Friel: I love to teach about Latin American culture, which is why I have my students make projects. You know, language without culture is simply void.

Culture is my favorite part.

Ms. Friel enjoys talking about her culture with her class and loves to incorporate her Argentine roots into her curriculum.

Jamesonian: What stands out to you about Loughlin?

Ms. Friel: The community, for sure. And how much people take care of each other—especially among the teachers.

It seems they really have each other’s backs. I feel like the students are very united in a lot of ways that I haven’t seen before. There seems to be a good student community and a lot of sense of love for the school.

Jamesonian: If you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would you share?

Ms. Friel: That is a really hard question.

Remember that people are multifaceted and that everything in life is multifaceted.

You’re never going to see everything until you talk to another person.

This September, Loughlin proudly announced a new club, Marketing Club— responsible for creating content for Loughlin’s social media platforms. The best way to promote Loughlin to future students is to publicize the school in a way teens can relate to.

Content showcases Loughlin’s amenities to impress parents and has a lighthearted relatability to impress possible students.

Members of the club take photos and videos during school events. However, the more fun stuff comes when students put their own spin on content. For example, following a dance trend, interviewing, or editing any type of unique video together that displays Loughlin and all its greatness. Marketing Club is moderated by Mr. Hallett and Mr. Napolitano. They give assignments, microphones, insights, and ideas. While Loughlin has had an Instagram account for quite some time, more recently we have created a Tik Tok account. Most of the content made by members of the Marketing club gets posted on the tiktok account. Check us out: @loughlinlions on tiktok and Instagram.

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THE JAMESONIAN

Celebrating Academic Success National Honor Society Inducts 84

by Hannahliza Amankwah ’28

2024 NHS Ceremony Facts

2024 Inductees pictured with Principal, Mr. Bolan ’78 and moderator, Ms. Madar, at the National Honor Society Induction ceremony.

Bishop Loughlin is known for many things—a beautiful building, a rich school culture, and amazing sports programs.

The list goes on. And in many ways we celebrate these things. On Thursday, October 24th, we celebrated one of the most important: our academics. The National Honors Society (NHS) is one of Loughlin’s greatest honors. Not only does it shine the spotlight on those who have at least an 87% overall average, a final average of 70% and a 65% on NYS

Regents exams, but students who reflect Loughlin spirit and core values: character, scholarship, leadership, and service.

As a freshman, having the opportunity to attend this induction ceremony was inspiring. When hearing from the NHS president and other leading members of the chapter, brought to mind the reasons why Loughlin was my chosen school. Not just because of the beautiful building, our rich school culture, amazing sports programs as mentioned earlier, but also

because of who the Loughlin community presented itself to be: full of character, a foothold for one to present scholarship, a home for students to be shaped into leaders, and a platform to learn to serve.

The National Honors Society is part of what makes Loughin, Loughlin and to be part of this distinguished Loughlin chapter should be the goal of all current and prospective students. Best of luck to the inducted members of the chapter, continue to make Loughlin proud.

• 84 students were inducted (seven new seniors and 28 juniors) • Thirty-two seniors were inducted for a second year.

To be inducted in the Loughlin NHS chapter, students must earn an 87% average or higher, receive teacher recommendations, and demonstrate exemplary character, service, and leadership.

Celebrating

Hispanic Heritage Month @ Loughlin

Christmas Show Provides Plenty of Sparkle

by Esther Branch ’25

by Titilolaoluwa Oseni ’25

Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of the history and culture of influential Latinos and various Hispanic communities. The month-long festivities last from September 15 to October 15 but originally only began as a commemorative week first introduced by California Congressman George E. Brown in 1968. It wasn’t until 1989, that President George H.W. Bush became the first president to extend the celebration to a full 31-day period.

As New Yorkers we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with parades, art exhibitions, and cultural programs. As Loughlinites we celebrate with banners, movies and dancing. For many years our amazing Librarian, Mr.Frank, streams movies in the library that celebrate Hispanic heritage all month long, featuring movies such as Coco, Encanto and The Book of Life. This display of Hispanic culture continued with a large banner inside the building at the entrance. This poster honored various Latino icons and was the first thing students see when walking into the building.

Lastly Loughlin for many years has had a Latino dance team which continues celebrating Hispanic culture beyond Hispanic Heritage Month. The dance team performs various dancing styles such as bachata, merengue, or salsa to many classic and popular Latino songs. They perform multiple times a year and are a great addition to the culture at Loughlin. At Loughlin we make sure to recognize and honor everyone’s culture and Hispanic Heritage Month is a great example of how we celebrate, the Loughlin way.

Loughlin bands also produced some wonderful music.

Bands from all the grades showed their talent, and you can tell how much hard work and dedication each of the band members took part in. We also had a performance from our alumni, which sounded great; it was nice to see how people who had previously attended still kept the talents they had at Loughlin.

There were also many performances from singers and we had a performance from Ms. Josephine Santos McKenna ’90, a small band, and a chorus. There were many Christmas classics performed, and it set the “Christmassy” mood.

On December 20 the annual Christmas show at Loughlin took place, and it was a wonderful experience. The whole school sat in the auditorium, and we got to see what the performing arts department was working on—we were all impressed. Our hosts were Isabella Santiago ’25 and Josiah Celius ’26, and they did a great job in emceeing the show. We watched great performances from modern, African, house dance, step, and cheer. Each group, in their own way, put on a great performance for everyone, and it was wonderful to see the creativity in the choreography.

Lastly, we got a visit from Santa himself, where he threw candy canes and wished everyone in the crowd a Merry Christmas.

I loved each performance, and there was never a dull moment, just like in previous years. Overall, I loved the event like I always do, and I’m going to miss these shows when I graduate.

Left, Francisco Tale-Gonzalez ’25 and right, Kingston Pauyo ’27.

BISHOP LOUGHLIN MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL

Graduates and Students Make for a Memorable Reunion Loughlin’s 42nd annual Alumni Reunion

Economics Class Guest Speaker

Mr. Frank from Edward Jones Shares Financial Wisdom

by Elizabeth McNeil ’25 Mr. Frank broke down the fundamentals of credit cards, explaining how they work and the importance of paying off the full balance each month. He warned that only paying the minimum amount due leads to interest charges, which can quickly add up. By paying in full, you avoid interest for that statement period, helping us stay out of unnecessary debt. He also discussed student loans for college and the importance of fixed and fluid interest rates.

by Safiya Bell ’25 I had the privilege of attending the Bishop Loughlin Alumni Reunion in October celebrating the classes of 1949, 1954, 1959, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019— meeting different alumni throughout the day. I worked as an ambassador and was tasked with organizing clothes and also getting to know different alumni. I had a lot of fun during this event and got to not only learn about the experiences of different alumni but I was also able to reflect on how much Loughlin has grown and how privileged I am to currently attend the school.

I spoke to Jenette Rodriguez ’09; she talked about being involved in Lasallian Youth, Latino, and art clubs, books, and movies. She loved being involved with the school and felt that there was a lot of importance in being involved. It was also expressed that Loughlin was a great place for college preparation, set them up with different scholarships and worked with great guidance counselors. Hearing this was something I related to because I do see a lot of importance in contributing to your school community and finding your niche. I also feel as though Loughlin was a great way for me to prepare for college, and our wonderful guidance counselors are constantly helping the seniors out with their college applications.

Another alum I had the honor of speaking with was Elliot Gilby ’04. He is a photographer and he was also very involved with Loughlin as a member of the chess club, intramural football, and bowling. He believed that while attending Loughlin, there was never a dull moment; something was always goingthat kept him busy. When asked what he gained from Loughlin, he mentioned that here at Loughlin he felt that he was able to build

a spiritual connection to God, and he felt Loughlin specifically gave him a sense of connection to his spiritual self. He also expressed his love for the Loughlin events and being able to see the school again. I would say I agree with this wholeheartedly.

James Major ’84 mentioned how one of his fondest memories was winning the state championships back in 1983, and that his favorite teacher was Mr. Flack. Another alum shared that he remembered when there weren’t any tables in the cafeteria and everyone had to stand up to eat during lunchtime, and how there was a “smoking” room at the back of the cafeteria (times have changed!).

It was inspiring to meet people at this event and learn important lessons on how to go through life as I get older. There was also a wonderful performance from our Loughlin band, which also had different alumni performing. It was a piece I had never heard before, but overall it was wonderful, and I enjoyed every moment. After this, there was a speech from current senior Sade Wittgham ’25, who talked about how Loughlin changed her life and about all she is involved with through Loughlin, which is HSA and softball. Her speech was enlightening, and it was wonderful seeing another student talk about how Loughlin will be the stepping stone that brings her closer to her goals.

Events like the Alumni Reunion are important because they are a great way for us to reflect on the past and see how much Loughlin has changed over the years. They also give alumni a chance to reconnect with this wonderful community. Overall, I enjoyed this event so much. I met awesome people, the refreshments were great, there were great performances, and I would love to attend these again!

Civic Spirit Week

Students Visit Deputy Borough President Rev. Kimberly Council ’90

Mr. William Frank.

In the Senior Economics classes, students had the privilege of meeting Mr. William Frank, a financial advisor from Edward Jones. He was a guest of Mr. Callahan from the History Department. Mr. Frank’s golden rule, “don’t lose money when you don't have to,” is a practical strategy his shared for financial responsibility and building long-term wealth.

The class was highly engaged throughout his discussion. When Mr. Frank asked questions, students were quick to respond with thoughtful answers, showing a solid understanding of the concepts. We were also curious and asked him questions of our own, which led to an interesting discussion about cryptocurrency and how it works.

Mr. Frank’s visit was both insightful and inspiring, equipping us with valuable financial knowledge that we can apply in the real world.

Hospital Shadow Program

Loughlin Biomed students attend orientation to prepare for Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Shadow Program

by Staff

Bishop Loughlin and the Long Island Jewish Forest Hills have partnered to offer junior and senior Biomed students a unique opportunity to take part in an after-school shadowing program at LIJ Forest Hills— providing hands-on experience throughout the hospital to see what a career in healthcare can look like.

Sixteen students attended an orientation to prepare them for the program (18 are part of the program). At the orientation, they toured several hospital departments, learned about hospital safety and privacy regulations, and received their official hospital ID badges and volunteer jackets.

Students are scheduled to shadow doctors and other medical personnel at the hospital afterschool for nine weeks—up to twice a week. Every three weeks they rotate to different departments of the hospital, including emergency, radiology, laboratory, pharmacy, robotic surgery procedures, food and nutrition, quality control and infectious prevention. By the end of the program, students receive a unique hands-on experience throughout the hospital and obtain greater perspective about a potential future career in medicine.

Civic Spirit members recently spent the afternoon with Deputy Borough President Kimberly Council ’90. It’s one of several Civic Spirit events that will be spotlighted in the next issue.

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LIJ Forest Hills is a Center of Excellence for robotic surgery.

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THE JAMESONIAN

Poets & Writers Visit BAM The Brooklyn Academy of Music

by Safiya Bell ’25 On November 6, 2024, members of the Poets & Writers Club and the library aides traveled to the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) to view a visual and dramatic performance of June Jordan’s poetry.

The performance was titled Flowers for June, and several graduates of BAM’s afterschool Arts & Justice program presented their original pieces inspired

by Jordan’s work. As an avid enthusiast of slam poetry, especially poetry related to Black womanhood and societal issues, I truly enjoyed this performance.

I deeply appreciated was the thoughtful moment of silence to honor and acknowledge the Lenape people whose land the center is located on, which I felt was a meaningful addition to the play.

Another highlight was the integration of ancestral and West African cultural elements into the performance. Before the show began, we were invited to recite an ancestral chant, followed by the resounding echoes of “Asé.” During the performance, there was an interpretative dance to Jordan’s Poem about My Rights, accompanied by a musician quietly strumming a N’goni, a West African instrument similar to a harp, in the background. In the Q&A session following

the event, that same musician shared how important learning about West African cultural practices was to him & his family.

He expressed his desire to continue that legacy and pass these traditions down to his children, which I found heartfelt and inspiring.

One of my favorite performances was from a poet named Grace, who presented her original piece titled Response to A Poem About Police Violence. This poem addressed the senseless killing of a Brooklyn man named Arthur Miller–an incident that I hadn’t even heard about until listening to her piece. Throughout her poem, Grace employed a literary device called a palindrome–which is when a poem can be read the same both forwards and backwards. Her choice of structure as well as her evocative delivery, really made the poem stand out to me.

Another poet named Sanai recited Jordan’s I Must Become a Menace to My Enemies. Her delivery was also quite powerful, and during the Q&A session, she explained how her poem represented “rage.” Sanai said that she combined her feelings of rage from the recent presidential election and the BLM protests back in 2020 to craft a performance that was both personal and politically resonant.

Members of the Poets & Writers Club visit the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

From a rap inspired by the insurrection at the Capitol Hill to the vivid artwork displayed on stage–this performance was truly fascinating. The Loughlin attendees were clearly intrigued by the performance–they asked tons of

questions & even took selfies with the performers! The level of maturity and grace these students showed was astounding, and, as the leader of both clubs, I am incredibly proud of them. I look forward to our next trip!

Track ‘ Stuffʼ

Track and Field @ Loughlin

by Staff

Tomi Olusanya ’26

Between the fall and winter seasons, both the Track and Field and Cross Country Lions have had plenty of reasons to roar. On Saturday March, 29th, at the CHSAA Season Opener, the Track and Field Lions came home with sixteen medals—five gold, seven silver, and four bronze. Among the first place winners, Tomi Olusanya ’26 won both the 100 and 200 meters and freshman Alijah Lies ’28 made his outdoor debut, placing first in the freshmen boys 100 and 200 meter dash. That same weekend, Moriah Walker ’26 received the 2024 USA Track and Field (USATF) Athlete of the Year Sportsmanship Award at the 10th Annual USATF Banquet Awards Celebration. It’s an award given to those who embody grace, discipline, dedication, and resilience.

At the recent Millrose Games, held at Madison Square Garden, the Lady Lions emerged as the CHSAA Millrose Champions in the 4 x 4 relay. Nia Reid ’26, Najea Smith ’27, Moriah Walker ’27, and Tomi Olusanya ’26 ran a blazing 3:59:93 to win the trophy—and also had the opportunity to meet Olympic Gold medalist Masai Russell.

There was also reason to celebrate at the Colgate Games on February 1, held at the Armory Track and Field Center in Manhattan. Two Lady Lions advanced to the finals. Junior Nia Reid came in fourth place and received a finalist trophy in the 800 meters with a time of 2:23:01. In addition, Junior Tomi Olusanya was awarded a firstplace trophy—and a $2,000 educational grant for her performance of 57.52 in the 400 meters.

On Sunday January 26, at the CHSAA NY and Brooklyn/Queens Varsity Sectional Championship, also held at the Armory in Manhattan, a number of Lions distinguished themselves. The Lions brought home a second place City Championship plaque, a third place Sectionals plaque, a MVP award, and fourteen medals. Tomi Olusanya ’26 had a great day both on the track and in the field. She placed first in both the 600 and the 300 meters; in addition, Tomi placed third in the triple jump and was the Section MVP. The relay team of Najea Smith ’27, Chelsea White ’26, Jada Elcock ’27, and Morgan Bass ’28 took first place in the 4 x 4 relay. Also, Najea placed second while Nia Reid ’26

from left, Alexis Taylor ’28, Omariyah Wilkerson, Tomi Olusanya ’26, Moriah Walker ’26.

placed third in the 300 meters. Nia also won the 1000 meters, with a time of 11:09.

A number of freshmen did well, with Morgan Bass ’28 placing third in the long jump, and Omariyah Wilkerson ’28 and Alexis Taylor ’28 placed fourth and fifth in the high jump, respectively.

On Friday, January 3 at the annual Hispanic Games, the Lady Lions brought home fourteen medals—nine gold, four silver, and one bronze. Freshman Morgan Bass placed third in the 55 meters and first in the long jump. The sophomore girls came in second place in the 4 x 4 with the team of Najea Smith ’27, Camille Cruz ’27, Liyah Bryant ’27 and Jada Elcock. The varsity girls came in first place in the 4 x 4 with the team of Tomi Olusanya ’26, Morgan Bass ’28, Lahza Batiste- Robinson ’28 and Nia Reid ’26.

At the 70th annual Bishop Loughlin Games, held on Dec. 21-22 at the Ocean Breeze Complex on Staten Island, our Lady Lions brought home two plagues and sixteen medals—six gold, eight silver, and two bronze. In the freshman division, Morgan Bass ’28 won the Long jump and placed second in the 55 meter dash, followed by Lahzai Robinson ’28 taking fourth in the 55 meter hurdles. In the sophomore division Najea Smith ’27 placed second in the sophomore 300 meters, followed by Camille Cruz ’27 placing second in the 600 meters. In the varsity division, junior Tomi Olusanya came won the 600 meters placed second in the 300 meters, followed by junior Nia Reid placing third in the 600 meters. The varsity 4 x 2 team came in second place—thanks to the efforts of juniors Nia Reid, Tomi Olusanya, freshmen Lahzai Robinson and Morgan Bass. To close out the day, our sophomore team of Najea Smith, Camile Cruz, Liyah Bryant, and Jada Elcock wond the 4 x 4 relay.

Earlier this year (October) at the CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens Cross Country Freshmen/ Varsity Championship at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, the freshmen and varsity Lady Lions brought home seven medals and five personal best times. Of particular note, freshman Morgan Bass placed fourth (out of 42 freshmen runners) with a time of 11:55. As you can see, a number of freshmen and sophomores are proving themselves to be formidable competitors, which bodes well for the future of Track and Field at Loughlin.

Thanks to Coach Mary Mells for her contributions to this article.

BISHOP LOUGHLIN MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL

7

Loughlin Basketball

by Titilolaoluwa Oseni ’25 Loughlin had many exciting basketball games this season. I am a manager for the JV boys basketball team and see firsthand how hard our team works—and our teams are all promising. Varsity players who stood out include Nadon Dean ’25 and Jaiden Germain ’25. We played against many formidable schools, but Loughlin never gave up. Our first games against St. Francis Prep and Xaverian were back-to-back wins for both teams. We’ve also had wins from freshmen playing great against one of our rival schools, CTK—taking wins both on the away and home games. Our Varsity B team had some tremendous wins against CTK, and our Varsity A team won against Mount St. Michael.

Overall, the Loughlin basketball teams showed this season that we are a strong school that never gave up. The teams had ups and downs, but never stopped fighting for a win. What also makes basketball a big part of Loughlin is the Loughlinites themselves, who constantly show up to each other’s games to show their support. At each game, I’ve seen the love and school spirit firsthand. We are all proud of our school and we will always support our teams working towards victory.

Each grade level showed exceptional talent and throughout the season you saw them grow with each game and each practice. No matter what challenges lie ahead, one thing is certain: basketball at our school is thriving, and we are proud of how far our teams have come.

After the season ended, The Tablet, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Brooklyn, recognized junior Bryce Hamilton and sophomore Marlon Martinez as part of their Diocesan All-Star Team. Bryce plays guard and averaged 16.6 points per game while Marlon, also a guard, averaged 13.2 points per game. We hope they return next year to stake an even stronger claim among the elite players featured in The Tablet.

Lions trying to control that ball during a triple-header.

Soccer: A Challenging and Rewarding Season

Keep Calm and Strike On

by Madysen Seale ’25, with Tyzhani Seals ’25

by Caden Charles ’25

Loughlin’s Bowling Team

This year’s bowling team with Coach Angela Proce (center).

’26 added, “The competition is the best part, seeing my high scores is great; I get to see my progress in real time.” Moreover, Josiah Louisma ’25 said, “When I scored 198 points in a single game, I hope to score 200 soon.”

The team’s bond was made clear when talking about their favorite memories Jacob said “When I rolled four strikes in a row!” Amari Jordan ’26 added, “Being able to make many friends—there’s a sense of community and friendship on this team.”

A very happy soccer team, along with the managers.

This year’s soccer team faced a challenging season—full of injuries, stronger opponents, and elevated expectations following last year’s championship victory.

Despite the team’s difficulties, our players showed grit and will, demonstrating that commitment and teamwork are just as crucial as skill. Key players stepped up throughout the season. Our senior, Tomar Brown, led by example, motivating the team during difficult matches. Striker Dakari Drakes ’26 delivered crucial goals, while goalkeeper Justyn Charles ’25 made game-changing saves that kept us in contention. Midfielder Dwayne Williams, Jr. ’25 controlled the pace of the game, ensuring that our strategy remained strong.

Though we didn’t repeat as champions, the season highlighted our team’s unity.

Every player played their role, pushing each other to improve. Even Tyzhani Seals ’25 and I played a crucial role.

We were determined to keep the team focused and motivated while ensuring that our players remained physically and mentally prepared throughout the season. We also helped by fostering team spirit giving the team the strength to stay competitive despite setbacks.

Coach Penny emphasized discipline and perseverance, reinforcing that success is about more than trophies. This season tested our limits, but it also strengthened our bond, setting us up for future success.

Bishop Loughlin is home to a diverse set of extracurricular activities, from poets and writers, to track and field.

However, one group in particular is especially interesting, the bowling team is an incredible group of talented individuals, having fun and striking hard. This group demonstrates both impressive athleticism and strong team work, with all members helping each other improve.

The team is led by Coach Proce who encourages members to push

themselves and try harder. The bowling team is made up of a variety of individuals, from different grades, and their own unique set of skills.

I had the chance to speak with several team members about their experiences, their favorite memories, and what they’re looking forward to for the next season.

When asked what he loves most about bowling, Jacob Dorsey ’26 responded with “My favorite thing is how fun it is, and the bowling strategies I try.” Myles Bryant

Looking ahead, Miles said, “I hope to be team Captain and I hope that Josiah, and August ’25, can do something bowling related in college. I want to qualify for the playoffs again.”

The team is stronger than ever with a deep sense of community; their sense of camaraderie has helped them to grow and bond. Their consistency and dedication have helped them reach as far as the playoffs. There is no doubt that they will go even further. Whether you have experience bowling or if it’s your first time at the lane, the bowling team is the right team for you.

Volleyball

by Staff Varsity volleyball and junior varsity volleyball had fairly successful seasons—though JV fell a little short and came in second place for Tier 3.

They did however participate in back to back championship games. In their match against Cristo Rey, Loughlin emerged victorious 2-0, beating Cristo-Rey by the scores of 25-16 and 25-17. Against St. Jean Baptiste, Loughlin won 3-0, with scores of 25-8, 25-22, and 25-18.

Both teams were extremely excited for their division final game at Nazareth,

but alas, both teams were defeated. This doesn’t discount the fact that both teams exhibited a fair amount of talent, and though a few players are departing, those

who remain will ensure that Loughlin’s Volleyball teams will prove successful in the years to come.

Music History Class Pep Rally 2024!

by Staff

Left, Mr. Mason demonstrating the guitar and right, Mr. Mason and Mr. Napolitano after the class.

Mr. William Mason’s Music in History class is a favorite class among seniors, no doubt helped by Mr. Mason’s extensive knowledge and engaging way of communicating with students. On this occasion, he was assisted (in instruction and on guitar) by Mr. Chris Napolitano for a most entertaining session.

Lion athletes enter the gym—past our welcoming Cheerleaders—to a roaring Loughlin reception at the November 27 Pep Rally.

Fall Play Jaja’s African Hair Braiding a Resounding Success

by Safiya Bell ’25 and Francisco Tale-Gonzalez ’25 Left, Jaja’s African Hair Braiding is open for business and below, hairdressers at Jaja’s clash over clients and culture, before coming together for each other.

From November 13-15th, Loughlin’s Drama Club proudly presented their fall production, “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding.”

Written by playwright Jocelyn Bioh, the play vividly captured the daily lives of a group of West African women working in a Harlem salon. Each scene was filled with drama, hilarious anecdotes, and heartfelt moments shedding light on the struggles of immigrants as they adapt to life in a new home.

Mr. Thomas Hoefner, English teacher and director of the Drama Club, expressed his motivations for choosing this play. “I

was mainly looking for a comedy that was contemporary and featured an ensemble of Black women, but there were so few of those that it was alarming.” This is Mr. Hoefner’s first time as director of the club.

He has previously been a theater director at other institutions such as St. Joseph’s College in Brooklyn and The Mary Louis Academy in Queens.

The performance received glowing reviews from students and faculty alike.

Hayley Farrow ‘26, who played Miriam, one of the hairstylists, also expressed

excitement about her participation in Jaja’s.“I really enjoyed acting in this play!

My friends and I had fun with it throughout.”

She says that she’s looking forward to

the club’s upcoming SpongeBob Musical, where she hopes to play one of the leading roles, preferably SpongeBob himself.