Brebeuf Jesuit Arrow - Volume 52 - Issue 8

Brebeuf jesuit preparatory school

Arrow graphic by John Loberger ’15

2801 W. 86th Street, Indianapolis

Monday, April 21st, 2014

Volume 52, Issue 8

Spotlight: Retzy Thompson

By Alianne Staruszkiewicz ’15 Staff Writer

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hroughout the halls and classrooms of Brebeuf, the name Retzy is so well-known amongst teachers and students that a formal introduction almost seems unnecessary. She walks into a classroom and you can feel the energy grow, as there are nothing but smiling faces in the room. A student writes down something inspiring Retzy says in class, submits it to the Brebeuf app, and it receives 176 likes on Breebuf ’s Instagram in no time.

Yes, Retzy Thompson gets her fair share of Instagram and Twitter fame, but more importantly, Retzy is a very special lady who has much to offer beyond her everpresent smile and contagious zest for life.

For the few who don’t know Retzy, she is a retired 4th and 5th grade Brownsburg teacher and has been substituting here at Brebeuf since November 2012. In a recent interview, Retzy shared how she and her husband Kent are honoring their daughter’s life and continuing their own lives while forever grieving an unimaginable loss.

As some might already know, the last few years haven’t been easy for the Thompson family. In October of 2011 a parent’s worst nightmare unfortunately became the Thompsons’ reality as they lost their only child, daughter Ashley, to cancer.

After the very aggressive cancer had spread to her lungs, “It was really, really a battle,” said Retzy.

Ashley, who was 28 when she passed, fought a hard and courageous battle as she went through countless surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments.

Retzy explain, “Ashley was such a vibrant, full-of-life, joyful girl who just loved everybody! She had the energy of 10,000 people and she was our life!”

Facing this harsh reality that many can’t even wrap their heads around was an inevitable challenge for the two. Retzy shared, “It was a time in our lives where I didn’t think my husband and I could ever recover.” Despite their devastating situation, they found and continue to find great strength in each other and from loved ones around them.

“Kent and I have just been so

Photo credits: Alianne Staruszkiewicz

Brebeuf’s beloved sub

blessed with friends, family, and faith! Your faith, your faith will get you through anything, anything.” She continued by saying, “I have so much faith that we’ll see her again, we will be reunited with her again in the next life.” She added, “I know that will happen, and her energy for life keeps me going.”

There are days where Retzy feels she wants to just stay home and cry: “You do have the days you just break down. That will happen, but it can’t be very often because I can hear my daughter say, ‘Mom, get out there. Get out there! There are people’s lives you can touch. There are people you can help.’”

Within just a few short minutes of being around Retzy, one can see how much this influences the way she lives her life. She shared with this Arrow reporter, “There are so many other children, and just because my daughter is no longer on earth doesn’t mean I can’t help nurture and touch the lives of other children and young adults.”

A little over a year after Ashley had passed, Retzy was sitting across the street at Starbucks reading and finishing a cup of

coffee when a group of kids walked in wearing Brebeuf gear. Retzy’s initial thought was, “Oh they’re kids from across the street.” Little did she know, she would soon be a part of “the school across the street,” honoring Ashley’s life by inspiring and helping the lives of many.

The Brebeuf students, a teacher, and an older lady sat so close to Retzy in Starbucks that day that she couldn’t help but observe and overhear. She said in her interview, “I was just enamored with them. They were so considerate and patient.” She added, “They were just so very polite and attentive.”

Most would find this group of students sitting in Starbucks as being nothing out of the ordinary, nothing special, but not Retzy. She explained in her interview, “I thought, you know, you only hear about the negatives of teenagers. That’s what you read in the papers, it’s what you see on TV…This is so wrong!” Without a moment of pause Retzy continued, “Look at these kids. They are exactly who you hope your kids would be .” continued on page 7

Debate team

the undisputed champions

By Katherine Spence ‘16 Staff Writer

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he Brebeuf debate team is one of the school’s most accomplished teams, as can be seen by the plethora of trophies in Mr. Hicks’ speech room. Many students have memories of that room from taking speech class during the school year, and for some of the debate team, this is where it all started, giving their original oratory speeches, then eventually being recruited onto the team by either Mr. Kantz or Mr. Ferries-Rowe. Many, however, pass up the chance. This reporter was able to grab an interview with Sophomore Melissa Walsh, one half of a debate duo with Sophomore Meredith McDuffie, and was able to talk with Walsh about her experiences being on the team.

Walsh described a typical day at a Saturday morning speech meet as being “… long and tiring, and sometimes the pizza is really bad, but you meet interesting people and you learn extremely useful skills.” Many

Brebeuf at around 3 or 4 o’clock.

The types of things that can be debated vary from discussions about nuclear weapons to aid in Africa. Walsh says that how much you prepare really affects the outcome of the meet. She said that she is supposed to start prepping a few weeks prior, but of course with practice it becomes easier to prepare before a meet. Thus, prep time can vary.

When asked about her favorite part of the debate season she said that it was when she and her partner beat the other Brebeuf debate duo of Jack and Tom Sweeney. She said that it was rewarding, “because they’re really good. Actually any time we Photo credit: Bill Hicks won was nice. Winning is really Debate team members: (Above) Jack Sweeny ‘16, Meredith McDuffie ‘16, Merewarding.” lissa Walsh ‘16, Tom Sweeny ‘16, (Below) Nate Meyers ‘14, Brian Mickel ‘14

Many are going on to compete in nationals this year, which takes place from wake up before the crack of dawn to be at waiting for your event, but in that time you June 15th to the 20th. The tournament will school by 6 or 6:30 am. Then they ride a bus can prepare for it or make new friends from take place in Kansas City, and there are high to whichever school is hosting the meet. different schools. After the awards are hand- hopes for our fellow Braves going into it.

Walsh says that a lot of it is just sitting around ed out the students make their way back to

Opinion 2

Monday, April 21st

Raising minimum wage

The Arrow Staff

Editor-In-Chief

a sixteen-year-old Brebeuf student’s perspective

Isak McCune ‘14

By Katherine Spence ‘16 Staff Writer

Design Editor Sarah Spence ‘14

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know I’m probably not the best person in the world to be discussing minimum wage. I mean, what would I know about working for a living? My parents make enough money to send all of my siblings and me to a private school, and we still have enough money to spend however we choose; however, raising the minimum wage actually would affect me.

In fact, it would affect the entire economy of our country. It would boost the economy and would help us not to subsidize large corporations.

Many people don’t want the minimum wage to be raised because they believe it would hurt the economy; many others aren’t even partial to either side of this fight but choose not to take action because they believe it won’t directly affect them positively or negatively. Raising the minimum wage won’t affect the availability of jobs because by putting more money in low wage workers’ pockets, they will have more money to put back into the economy by spending it. In fact, when the minimum wage was raised in 1996, there were more job gains in the next four years then there had been at any other time in American

Section Editors Opinion -- Sierra Witham ‘14 A&E -- Will Siderys ‘14 Features -- Kristen Henderson ‘14 News -- Maddie Morelock ‘14 Photos -- Gabby Phail ‘14

Staff Writers Eddie Free ‘14 Alianne Staruszkiewicz ‘15 Ann Hourigan ‘15 William Beckman ‘16 Katherine Spence ‘16 Thomas Zelamanovitz ‘15

Advisor

Michael Armbruster

President

Father Jack Dennis

Mission As a student-written and student-edited high school newspaper, The Arrow strives to inform its readers thoroughly of the events and issues relevant to the students, staff, and community. Opinions in The Arrow are not necessarily shared by the BJPS staff, faculty, administration, or community.

Letters to the Editor

The Arrow encourages readers to share comments, suggestions, or complaints by submitting letters to the editor. Editors reserve the right to edit letters for clarification or for space limitations. Libelous or profane letters will not be published.

Email us at arrow@brebeuf.org

Photo credit: Bill Shaw/WTIU News

Nancy Holle (center), President of Indianapolis Faith and Labor Commission, protests with fast food workers at Circle Centre. history.

Many families in Indianapolis struggle with earning money. It is calculated that a family of four would need $67,301 just to use for basic needs. Now, if both parents worked a job where they only made minimum wage, they would make $30,160.

That leaves $37,141 for taxpayers to make up. Obviously that isn’t enough money for even basic needs, which is why Indianapolis ranks 46th out of 50 cities for upward mobility of children who grow up below the median income level. The taxpayers’ money must then be used in the forms of

food stamps, Medicaid, and other programs to help the minimum wage workers. This indirectly subsidizes the large corporations who refuse to pay their workers more.

If minimum wage had kept up with inflation it would be $10.56. Currently it’s at $7.25, and for obvious reasons should be raised. We have to realize as the American people that our country needs to raise the minimum wage because not only will it be good for those who only earn the minimum, it will be good for those who earn more.

Tea party sanity

Democrats who can add, Sesquatchawan, and unfulfilled expectations

By Sierra Witham ‘14 Opinion Editor

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hen I was in third grade, I wrote a non-fiction Young Author book about my dog’s demise, which entailed a van and a screech and my presence at the incident and just a traumatizing day.

I was in third grade in 2004. More than one of my characters sported shirts that read “AGAINST BUSH.”

Both of my parents voted for Bush. Suffice it to say politics has interested me for a while.

When I discovered that the Green Mountain Patriots, “A Grassroots Citizen Movement [their redundancy, not mine] in the State of Vermont,” had their monthly meeting while Senior Kayla Giger and I would be sojourning in Vermont, I decided to observe.

So, on April 6th, I pulled my Prius into the parking lot of VFW Hall in Essex, Vermont, and embarked upon Tea Party territory.

I expected the Green Mountain Patriots to be haunted by paranoia that led them to closed-minded insanity.

While one woman refused to file her income taxes and muttered phrases like “We are not our own country” throughout the two-and-a-half-hour meeting, there were sixteen other Vermonters in attendance. (The leader of the group, a blonde, personable woman named Pat Crocker, told me their usual turnout ranged from twenty to fifty.)

In spite of my expectation, the majority of the Green Mountain Patriots weren’t paranoid. They had access to information that concerned them about the future. I quickly realized there was a difference.

I also expected the Green Mountain Patriots to be unwilling to compromise.

Bob, a guy who clearly prioritized his political education, as he shared his rather deep understanding of the Muslim Brotherhood with Kayla and me, urged the group to collaborate with “Democrats who can add.” Bob, a self-proclaimed Libertarian, insisted change demanded synergy.

Most of all, I expected the Green Mountain Patriots to be bereft of sympathy.

They weren’t.

Pat Crocker is a pediatric physician who spends hours convincing Medicaid to let her perform surgeries they have already deemed “not medically necessary.” She disobeyed Medicaid’s orders by surgically repairing the fingers of a boy suffering from muscular dystrophy in order to prolong his ability to pursue his passion: painting.

Dr. Crocker’s heroic defiance astounded me. For years, I had associated

Photo credit: greenmountainpatriots.org

conservatism with a lack of compassion.

I supported Obamacare because it helped the marginalized. People with pre-existing conditions could finally receive insurance, right?

I wasn’t aware of the way single payer healthcare marginalizes the formerly non-marginalized.

Due to Vermont’s modest population, the state’s residents are often subjected to governmental experiments. The Green Mountain Patriots refer to Vermont as a “petri dish.” Just as Sesquatchawan was the first Canadian province to trial the single payer system before it spread to the rest of the country, Vermont will launch the single payer system in 2017. If it works - or if enough politicians praise it - private health care in the United States might face abolition.

The group’s frustration with Vermont’s Sesquatchawanean status derives from more than an aversion to government intervention. They find the implementation of single payer unnecessary and costly.

According to Healthcare.org, only one in ten Vermonters is uninsured. None of that 10% is denied emergency care. State senator Peter Galbraith (D) revealed the five options that the state government is considering to accommodate the $2 billion single payer plan, one of which involves a 39% income tax. Such a rate would not inspire the elite to continue doing business in Vermont.

Before the group began discussing health care alternatives such as Liberty HealthShare, one gentleman asked if he could share his experience with single payer.

The meeting was unironically democratic; everyone nodded, and the man rose from his chair.

He said he lived in Ontario, Canada, for twenty years. When he began training for a marathon, he sought a doctor for his knee. He was told that he couldn’t find a doctor after October, that “they used up their requirements,” and that they were vacationing in Florida because they wouldn’t get paid for their work in Canada. Since it was illegal to hire a private doctor, he was forced to travel to Minneapolis for patellar

inspection.

The single payer situation in Canada reminded me of University of California v.

Bakke, the 1970s court case that addressed reverse discrimination. The University of California Medical School at Davis rejected Allan Bakke twice, even though he was more qualified than admitted students both times he applied. You see, Allan Bakke was white.

UC reserved sixteen slots for non-white students. Bakke competed for eighty-four slots while minority students competed for 100. The school responded to inequity with more inequity.

I don’t mean to underrate the hardships minorities have suffered for characteristics as innate as their color of skin.

The parallel struck me because affirmative action and universal health care share an aim: to benefit the marginalized, whether their marginalization stems from race or pre-existing conditions. But just as UC’s quota discriminated against white applicants, Canada’s single payer system discriminates against those who need care after October.

toward the group that the media demonizes, and I see the light at the end of the right. I agree that rational people are more qualified to make personal decisions than their government is, and I agree with Dr. Crocker: “The key to helping people in poverty isn’t to give them stuff; it’s having a system that enables them to get out of their situation.”

In other words, the idea of a professional victim - someone who receives government hand-outs in lieu of opportunities to fulfill The American Dream - perpetuates destitution.

Did the meeting inspire me to consider myself a member of the Tea Party?

Not exactly. I can’t ignore the currently marginalized. I’m not confident a sufficient number of people can overcome greed and financially support ground-up progress. Our materialistic society doesn’t encourage the wealthy to honor their noblesse oblige, and, consequently, government must redistribute wealth for the unfortunates’ sake.

At the beginning of the meeting, Pat asked Kayla and me why we decided to join them. Kayla pressed her lips together and turned toward me, obviously uncomfortable admitting we wanted to witness the crazy.

I squirmed to phrase our intent in a way I hoped wouldn’t offend anyone. I said the Tea Party didn’t exactly have the best reputation in Indianapolis, and we were interested in listening to their perspective.

Pat pushed. “If you don’t mind me asking, what do they say about us?”

“He calmly requested that I ask those who attack the Tea Party ‘which of their principles they would like to compromise?’”

The terrifying distinction, however, is that Bakke didn’t die when the University of California denied him.

I left the meeting disgusted with myself. I had embodied the stereotypical young political junkie: I was dangerously impressionable. Not only had I bought into liberal philosophy, a natural effect of a justice-oriented education, but I had despised the Tea Party in its entirety, mostly because of the documentary, Park Avenue: Money, Power and the American Dream, which, in retrospect, was biased to the point of inaccuracy.

My interactions with the Green Mountain Patriots obliterated my disgust

I alluded to the infamous lack of compromise.

One man raised his hand. I nodded toward him. He calmly requested that I ask those who attack the Tea Party “which of their principles they would like to compromise?”

As I said, I don’t identify with the Tea Party. Nevertheless, I think some of their principles merit exemption from compromise. The governed deserve a transparent government. It would be a shame for us to minimize the brilliance of our Founding Fathers. Increased executive power endangers democracy. Liberty must be preserved.

Features 3 Monday, April 21st

You’re a Good Actor, Cameron Howe

Photo credits: Bill Hicks

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Cameron Howe as Charlie Brown lamenting in his own ennui

Transfer students share their experiences at Brebeuf

wonderful additions to our commmunity

By Thomas Zelmanovitz ‘15 Staff Writer

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e often find ourselves saying goodbye to our friends who leave Brebeuf before graduation: those who transfer to another school.

We wonder how they will fare without the care of such wonderful people as the Brebeuf community.

Now, let us stop to observe things from the opposite perspective: how have students who have transferred into Brebeuf been accepted? Are they satisfied with their experiences here? Why come to Brebeuf in the first place? What is different here?

What do they miss? Three transfer students were interviewed for this article, and all three of them Juniors, namely Abby Lillo, Allison LoPrete, and Sonia Stanciu.

TZ: Did you come to Brebeuf with any ideas or preconceived notions of what it would be like here? What were they?

Abby: I came to Brebeuf with the idea that I would be very challenged academically, and I was right. Within the first week I noticed that students and teachers alike strive for excellence. I also thought that I would be exposed to a larger variety of people than I was in the small Christian school from when I came.

Allison: I came to Brebeuf a little nervous about finding people to talk to, but at the same time I was looking forward to finding new friends. I knew Brebeuf was going to be harder academically, but that I would grow spiritually. I also knew that I would have more opportunities for community service.

people and make new friends. The friends I have made this year are by far the best friends I have ever had. It’s crazy to think I have only known most of them for 6 months.

Allison: The part of Brebeuf that has been my favorite is meeting new people. I also have grown in my love for the performing arts and landed a lead in a musical and placed first place in two of my speech categories for the first time alongside Brebeuf ’s speech team. Brebeuf is very different compared to an all girls Catholic school, and sometimes different is good and so is change. But, that doesn’t mean it isn’t hard.

TZ: Your least favourite, and why?

Abby: I really don’t have a least favorite part. The hardest part for me was adapting to the rigorous curriculum, but I am honestly thankful for the emphasis Brebeuf puts on academics.

Allison: Honestly, it’s hard to describe my least favorite part of brebeuf because I’m bias due to my old school. My least favorite moments here are the moments where I am missing what I had in the past such as my field hockey team and my previous theater family and auditorium.

TZ: Has your experience here matched your expectations? In what ways?

Abby: Brebeuf has provided me with so many new opportunities and experiences than those of my old school. For one, I never got to make new friends at Heritage because it was so small - I had been with the same 100 people since kindergarten.

Also I didn’t get the chance to learn and hear about other people’s religion, so the diversity is really cool to finally experience.

Sonia: N/A TZ: Which part of the Brebeuf experience has been your favourite, and why?

(Religious, Academic, Social, etc) Abby: My favorite part about coming to Brebeuf has been being able to meet

By Thomas Zelmanovitz ‘15 Staff Writer

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n Friday, April 11th, the Brebeuf Allies Club participated in the National Day of Silence by refraining from communicating in any way. In addition, they wore club T-shirts and rainbow ribbons to identify themselves as participants.

This day was used to bring awareness to the very real threat of bullying inflicted upon people in the LGBTQ+ community, i.e. those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, etc. Students who undertook the challenge of silence felt what it was like to have their opinions and values neglected for a day, and the rest of the community got to see how many people support this cause.

Here are some students who participated in the “day of silence” and what they learned from the experience:

Noah Smith ‘16: “It was great to be able to represent the minorities who are being bullied, and it’s good to know that so many people are accepting of them instead of participating in the bullying. I had a good experience, and my friends were all accepting of that.”

Kallen Ruston ‘16: “I participated in the event because I have friends who have been bullied for being gay. I had a good experience on Friday, and all my friends supported my decision to do this.”

Kate Ward ‘17: “I have friends and an uncle who is gay, and it was good to see so many people showing their support and promoting equality. For me, it was a good experience because I learned a lot about what it’s like to be silenced, but it was bad because it made me really uncomfortable.”

Sonia: I would have to say the mandatory Masses. I’m not religious, and I find it kind of hard to connect to that aspect.

TZ: What is something you didn’t get to experience at your past school that you now have at Brebeuf ?

Allison: Brebeuf has far outdone what I had expected academically and I am learning more than I could have imagined. I did not expect how welcoming everyone is at this school and I guess that’s just a bonus!

Allies Club raises awareness...silently

Sonia: I really like freedoms we get here: our own free time in which to study, and we don’t need hall passes or permission to go places, even if its just going to the bathroom.

Sonia: I actually had absolutely no idea of what to expect from Brebeuf; I came here with a clean slate in mind.

Abby: My expectations were matched and far exceeded. The people here, at large, truly want to be the best they can be academically, and in coming to Brebeuf I have adopted that motivation. I also loved meeting all the different types of people at Brebeuf and admire how diversity is so encouraged in this atmosphere where everyone is encouraged to be themselves.

The cast, clockwise from left: Kate Ward, Jurrell Spencer, Allison LoPrete, Nikhil Jain, Jonah Connelly, Veronica Manges, Grace Brase, Thomas Zelmanovitz, Joe Pyles, Marcus Norris-Price, Rachel Efroymson, Allison Drook, Cameron Howe, Erika Repass, Maria Sasso, Maggie Songtag, Jordyn Marshall, Krista Grendze, Brian Martindale

Allison Drook ‘16: “It was a really interesting experience for me, not being able to express what I was feeling, and that was really eye-opening. I had a great experience, but it was very hard. My friends supported it, and I like trying new things.”

Allison: I would lie if I told you that I like Brebeuf better than my old school,because I have noticed that the opportunities I had at my old school are more fit to me and unfortunately they are not the same here.

I miss Mercy High and my friends there tremendously. But, Brebeuf has new opportunities that I am still discovering. I’m learning that when God closes one door another one opens, and sometimes you have to really look for what is behind the door frame. What else you got Brebeuf ?

Sonia: One on one time with teachers. I really appreciate that, and I think it’s really valuable to be able to have that connection with the teachers.

Nikhil Jain ‘17: “People have the right to be who they are, and just because they are different doesn’t give the rest of us the right to push them down. It was a really good experience because I got to experience things from the point of view of someone who is oppressed. It was very frustrating, but overall, I enjoyed it.”

Photo credits: Thomas Zelmanovitz

n March 25th, students witnessed Brebeuf ’s latest theatrical performance. After months of hard work, the cast put on a show that had the audience coming back for seconds, and even thirds! As the MPR filled each night with friends and family of the cast, the expectations for each show were raised daily, and as this reporter and cast member observed, those expectations were easily exceeded at each and every performance.

Be sure to attend the Fall Play and Spring Musicals next year, and show support for our talented student actors.

Rachel Efroymson ‘16: “It was really great to spread awareness for those people who are being bullied and can’t express themselves. It was a really good immersive experience, and I learned a lot.”

John Eisenhut ‘15: “I think it was great that so many people participated in this, and I learned a lot about what it’s like to have your opinions silenced, and it made me really uncomfortable, being silent for a whole day.”

Features 4

Monday, April 21st

Senior Week

a glimpse into the past

By Sarah Spence ‘14 Design Editor

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s the end of the year quickly approaches, amidst the frantic finals cramming, AP Exam cursing, and college decisions, one thing in particular will be on the minds of each of the seniors: the notorious “Senior Week.” A uniquely Brebeuf experience, Senior Week is a way for the seniors to enjoy their final few days as high school students before college comes and crushes them under a pile of school work and debt (I kid…mostly). For many of the underclassmen, Senior Week is a mostly misunderstood enigma that leaves them awe-inspired or confused. Have no fear for this brave Arrow reporter is here to uncover and explain Senior Weeks of years past.

No Senior Week would be com-

plete without five wild dress-up days. In the past, seniors have stunned the school with outfits that could rival some of the best Hollywood costume designers. Probably most memorable, at least to this Arrow reporter, was “hillbilly day” complete with overalls and John Deere hats. Advice to the underclassmen: this is a senior-only activity. If you show up on “clown day” in a multi-colored wig, red nose, and big shoes, you’d be better off walking past Dean Adams in sweatpants without a valid excuse. Instead, just watch wistfully from the sidelines as the super-cool seniors strut their stuff.

One of the most highly anticipated events of Senior Week would has to be “alternative transportation day,” where each senior tries to outdo one another by coming to school in the most absurd of ways.

Rollerblades and roller-skates have a consis-

tent appearance at alternative transportation day but are not the craziest transportation alternatives. Some notable mentions from past Senior Weeks include a senior riding in a wagon pulled by her dogs and younger brother, a yacht party, and canoe riders carried by other seniors. This is a must-see event, so advice on this is: get to school early, find a good view of the drive in front of the building, pop some popcorn, and enjoy the show before first period.

The cherry on top of the Senior Week sundae is the Senior Prank. Despite the best efforts of some administrators, the seniors have managed some intricate and some daring pranks over the years. From Promgate to sardine filled lockers, some pranks will be forever remembered while others were major flops. A classic prank that rears its head nearly every year is the parking lot

prank. Seniors would arrive to school early and park to maximize the number of spots taken up so underclassmen would be forced to park far away from the school. The poor, unfortunate souls who arrived for zero hour had their cars Saran wrapped or covered in car paint. In past years, some pranks have pushed the envelope. Overall, the pranks have been mostly worth remembering, but they come with their consequences.

Senior Week, as it stands, serves as a final hurrah, a fond send-off to the beloved Brebeuf seniors. Between the occasional overstepping or the lack of enthusiasm, Brebeuf tends to have quite a good showing for Senior Week. Hopefully, this article has shed some light on the goings on during this time so that you might have a bit more ease during this crazy week.

Spring Break Sends Students Packing

By Maddie Morelock ‘14 News Editor

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pring Break 2014 provided a much needed week-long break for Brebeuf ’s students and faculty. While many chose destinations such as Florida or Cancun, a few students opted to participate in Brebeuf ’s student exchange and service trips, which took place in Barcelona, Toulouse, New Orleans, and El Salvador.

The experience of visiting El Salvador with a group of Brebeufians had a profound impact on senior Anna Funke, who explained that “visiting the University of Central America and seeing the place where the Jesuits were killed” was particularly moving because “it provided a completely different perspective on what [she is] called to do and how [her] life relates to everything that happened in El Salvador.”

The students who attended the New Orleans service trip worked on the construction of a home in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. These students and faculty helpers spent their week both building a home and experiencing the Louisiana culture.

Junior Olivia Roudebush appreciated the sense of achievement the group felt by the end of the trip. She explained, “We could see our progress as more studs and walls went up - by the end, we looked at it and could say, ‘That’s a house that eventually someone’s going to live in, and we helped them get to that point.’”

Other students chose a different route and participated in an exchange program for two weeks. These trips, which took one student group to Barcelona and a second to Toulouse, included spending time in the classroom, sightseeing, and exploring the

European cities.

Junior Olivia Miller visited Barcelona for her spring break. Getting the opportunity to “see the city of Barcelona through the eyes of someone [her] age” was the greatest contributor to her incredible experience.

Whether these students spent their breaks in service or immersed in new cultures, they all drew

something special from their time away from home. It’s safe to say that those who took these journeys had enriching experiences that may not be found in Florida or Cancun.

Partcipants in the Barcilona exchange toss coins into a fountain; according to local legend, they are now sure to return to the city.

Senioritis Epidemic Sweeps Campus a handy guide to the symptoms

By Gabby Phail Staff Writer

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o you suffer from a diminishing GPA? Have you been getting yelled at more by your teachers? Is your mind fogged? Is your attention span getting shorter and shorter? Are you a senior? If you answered yes to any of these questions, please contact your college or academic advisor immediately because you may be experiencing senioritis. The Arrow has put together this guide to show you what the symptoms of this disease may look like.

Severe boredom that can only be cured with Netflix (Senior Austin Stevens)

Extreme cases of tardiness caused by an impaired internal clock (Senior Gabby Lopez)

Levels of fatigue never before experienced by any other student ( Left frame: Senior Nate Meyers, Right Frame: Seniors Luke Boes and Neil Brady)

Progressively decreasing motivation and productivity (Senior Megan Carmichael)

Uncontrolable urges to check social media sites (Senior Amanda Gaddis)

Lack of time management skills caused by continuously rising procrastination ( Senior Shannon Pehler)

Arts and Entertainment 5 Monday, April 21st

(A spoiler-ridden) Divergent review, The Fault in Our Stars preview for YA enthusiasts

By Sierra Witham ‘14 Opinion Editor

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s a movie adaption of a dystopian novel with mostly up-and-coming actors, Divergent was destined for success in today’s pop culture.

However, people who accuse author Veronica Roth of being unoriginal because of the similarities between Divergent and The Hunger Games should recall the similarities between The Hunger Games and Battle Royale, which hit Japanese shelves in 1999… and the similarities between Battle Royale and The Outer Limits, an American television series that aired on ABC from 1963 to 1965.

While both The Hunger Games and Divergent explore the value of intuition, the faction system Roth created emphasizes a different philosophical question than Suzanne Collins’ geographical separation: who are we?

That question and the actionpacked nature of the Chicago-based story prompted Summit to buy the rights to the film before the first copy of Divergent sold.

(Note: Roth was a whopping twenty-two when that first copy sold.)

The soundtrack’s original songs from Ellie Goulding, Snow Patrol, M83, and more mainstream artists indicate the high expectations for the film.

Did Divergent meet the expectations of Young Adult enthusiasts?

The acting did.

Shailene Woodley, who plays Tris Prior, transforms from an awkward yet ambitious and inquisitive girl into a heroine who gives Katniss Everdeen a run for her money.

The 2012 Golden Globe nominee had the audience of the premier at Castleton’s AMC in tears. Sniffs serenaded the theatre as Tris lay beside her dying mother.

Theo James manages the duality of Tobias “Four” Eaton well. He portrays both the introspective, compassionate guy from

Ansel Elgort, who plays a Hoosier/noted non-smoker in The Fault in Our Stars

Ansel Elgort’s doppelganger, Noah Smith ‘16, who is a Hoosier (and also a non-smoker)

Abnegation and the tough, intimidating stud in Dauntless.

Kate Winslet (Jeanine Matthews) is… well, Kate Winslet.

Ansel Elgort conveys Caleb Prior’s air of Erudite superiority and the black and white way in which Caleb’s brain functions, impressing viewers conscious of the fact that Divergent is his second movie.

As the villainous Peter Hayes, Miles Teller maintains his sense of humor movie-goers have come to appreciate.

Yet the acting only distracts readers from discrepancies.

Tris’s interactions with Four lack the witty dialogue that established their connection in the book, and Tobias never proclaims that he loves Tris; in the ritualistic game of capture the flag, Tris seizes the flag rather than Christina; the screenwriter, Evan Daugherty, passed on the opportunity for a thrilling, visually pleasing/conscience displeasing scene, as Peter never stabs Edward in the eye; the Dauntless do not celebrate Al’s suicide; Jeanine is inserted in scenes that

didn’t directly include her in the book, etc.

Perhaps Veronica Roth’s opinion of the movie comforts lovers of the book.

Roth, who co-produced the movie, told Variety, “I was nervous as all get out the first time [I watched it] because you never know how someone’s going to interpret your work, but now it’s just fun. For me, it gets better each time I see it.”

However, those who agree with novelist John Green’s belief that books belong to their readers hardly care if Roth is pleased. They’re hurt that Daugherty and Neil Burger, Divergent’s director, betrayed a book to which they feel emotionally and psychologically attached.

Now those readers wonder if they’ll be disappointed on June 6th, the day the film adaptation of The Fault in Our Stars premieres in theatres. TFiOS features both Ansel Elgort and Shailene Woodley. That’s right: the two transitioned from playing siblings in Divergent to playing cancer-infested lovers.

Elgort calls The Fault in Our Stars his favorite book, yet Nerdfighters (follow-

ers of John Green and his brother, Hank) have expressed concern that Elgort’s portrayal of Augustus in the trailer didn’t match Augustus’s charisma in the book. One can attribute their concern to first-person narration, or Hazel’s perception of Augustus as opposed to the character himself.

Green approves of Ansel Elgort as Augustus. The Indianapolis-dweller vocalized his affection for Elgort when he referred to the “Johnsel” bromance in a VlogBrothers video.

Green also approves of Shailene Woodley as Hazel Grace Lancaster. He wrote on Tumblr: “Shailene just understood Hazel as I imagined her.”

Woodley didn’t need the part; when she auditioned, she was filming Divergent, and she was, at the time, cast for the new Spiderman movie. She wanted the role of Hazel because she adored Hazel, particularly her wisdom.

What problems might Nerdfighters have?

The movie was shot in Pittsburg rather than Indianapolis for tax reasons, so, no, the Fox 2000 crew didn’t set up at the Speedway at 86th and Ditch. There is also speculation of a more realistic ending.

But don’t psyche yourselves out, Nerdfighters. In an interview with Time, Woodley said she thinks “the movie really mastered the tone of the book.”

Even if Woodley was dishonestly promoting her work, Brebeuf Senior Margaret Clark won’t be disappointed. Clark said, “Hazel Grace is the only character to freakishly relate to me on so many levels, so, no, I won’t be disappointed if the movie is a shallow tear jerker cancer movie disaster. The book remains brilliant. Plus now nobody will look at swing sets the same way again.”

Brebeuf Fashion Report: spring is here!

Sophomore Jon Dimos is spotted wearing a “preppy” Vinyard Vines pullover.

Senior Valerie Morton sports a perfect jacket for spring, and Junior Claire Wiland is seen wearing a pair of the very popular white converse.

By Alianne Staruszkiewicz ’15 Staff Writer

E Senior Wes Wagner shows off his favorite spring pieces.

veryday might not yet be 60 degrees, sunny, and beautiful, but warm weather is becoming more frequent, as spring is officially here. Many Brebeuf students recently received a taste of sweet summertime as they jetted off to various tropical destinations for spring break. In addition to soaking up the sun and relaxing by the pool and beach, students also had the opportunity to show off old and new spring/summer fashion favorites.

Although the ever-popular crop tops and highwaisted shorts will never be seen in the halls of Brebeuf (due to dress code restrictions), warmer weather is just around the corner, and according to Elle.com, the crop tops are here to stay.

With the weather still a bit up and down, transitional pieces to ease into spring are a must. Adjusting for the season doesn’t have to leave a dent in your wallet or be an inconvenience. A simple change like ditching the cozy parka and shifting to a short lighter jacket, vest or blazer couldn’t be easier.

In addition to being easy, sporting one of these outerwear pieces in this spring’s hottest color, “Dazzling Blue,” will give off the perfect spring vibes.

Another pain-free yet noticeable way to move into spring is by tucking away the tall leather boots, Uggs and Sorrels. Instead, search for and invest in a few great pairs of ballet flats. From every color, pattern, texture and style imaginable, finding enough to experiment with this spring won’t be a challenge.

For the guys in the Brebeuf community who are looking to take a fashion forward step into spring, take a look around at fellow classmates, as there are quite a few guys who seem to have a knack for fashion. From the classic Sperrys or Oxfords to the shorts and pants in pastel blues, greys, and pinks, there are plenty of guys who have already started to bring their spring style to life.

Additionally, spring is the prime time for The Prep’s “preppiest” to sport their favorite Vineyard Vines quarter zip pullovers, shep shirts, vests, shorts, and pants.

Here are just a few Brebeuf students who were spotted around campus proving to be on point when it comes to spring fashion.

The guys haven’t had any hesitations when it comes to breaking out their best shorts. Sophmore Jake Scott sports a pair of light salmon shorts.

Junior Caroline Moorin looks effortless in a dress that screams spring.

Freshman Nidhi Kamalesh puts together a superb outfit for any rainy day.

Junior Sam Mohr’s style is on point as he poses in one of his many spring outfits.

Junior Ellie Bonanno is caught off-guard wearing a fun floral jacket paired with a lace top.

Junior Maddie Pritchett couldn’t look more excited about spring as she shows off her flowy white top with lace detail and Birkenstock sandals.

Sophomore Ernesto Castanares’ sky blue plaid shirt is a great pieces to transition into spring.

Ed’s Eats

Arts and Entertainment 6 Monday, April 21st

this mexican restaurant mexican’t

By Eddie Free ‘14 Staff Writer

Don’t Foster the People

a disappointing flop

M

any people will consider their spring break vacations the best vacations of the year. Often times the quality of food determines the quality of one’s vacation. Over spring break, I went to the popular Brebeuf vacation spot, Moon Palace, in Cancun, Mexico. The great thing about Moon Palace is that it is an all-inclusive resort. All-inclusive resorts are incredibly convenient because they have unlimited food and drinks for the duration of your stay. Moon Palace has fourteen restaurants that vary from small pool-side snack shacks to high-end Italian. Trattoria is considered the nicest restaurant on the resort and easily the best candidate for review.

It’s important to mention that Trattoria is not very easy to get to. The restaurant is located at the golf course clubhouse, which is a good seven minute shuttle ride away from any of the Moon Palace lobbies.

Some people may consider this a bad thing, but the isolation actually creates a very pleasant atmosphere. My family and my roommates family arrived about ten minutes early for our reservation, so we were not seated immediately. When we were seated, a very friendly waiter took our drink order and called over several other employees to bring

By Will Siderys ‘14 Arts & Entertainment Editor

us warm garlic-cheese bread and freshly cut chunks of cheese. The bread was very enjoyable; it had a crunchy outer layer with a soft core that soaked the flavor of the garlic and cheese, which tickled my taste buds with every bite. The freshly cut cheese was a very soft and flavorful pepper jack and a very sharp cheddar. It complimented the cheese bread very well.

The waiter brought out the menus and it had the typical high-end Italian food items. I decided to order the cheese soup as my appetizer and the beef filet as my main course. I was not very hungry, so I decided to skip the salad option. The soup was brought out about fifteen minutes after I ordered. When it arrived, the bowl was empty except for an asiago bread stick. The waiter came right back with a large bowl and ladled the hot cheese soup into my bowl. I assume they did this to prevent the breadstick from getting soggy. I thought the soup was very mediocre. I expected there to be more than just cheese in it, but it really was only melted cheese. After I finished dipping the breadstick with the soup, I saw no point in finishing the bowl because it tasted like the melted queso dip that anybody could get at a cheap Mexican restaurant here in Indianapolis.

My filet arrived soon after I was finished with my soup, and it looked very good. It was a very beautiful presentation of the food; the meat sat at the corner of

the plate and had a decorative garnish and a beautifully spread sauce surrounding it. I ordered my filet rare, so I immediately cut the meat down the middle to check if it was cooked properly. It was cooked closer to medium rare, but I did not feel like making a fuss and sending it back, so I ate it.

The meat was decent. It was not incredibly flavorful by itself and the outside was a bit charred. I decided to dip it in the dark orange sauce and that made it more enjoyable.

I did not know what the sauce was, but it was sweet yet savory and had a hint of almond in it. I was rather disappointed that I needed the sauce to enjoy the steak because I feel a good steak should need no sauce and only a light seasoning so that I can enjoy the actual flavor of the meat.

Overall, I thought that Trattoria was a bit overrated and mediocre. The service was great, but the bad food really ruined the whole experience. Don’t get me wrong, it was probably the best restaurant on the resort, but that really isn’t saying much. If any of my readers decides to go to Moon Palace next year, I suggest you eat at Trattoria one night, but make sure you make your reservations right when you arrive at the resort because the restaurant fills up very fast.

2

011 was a great year for L.A. based band Foster the People, with their hit single “Pumped Up Kicks” spending eight consecutive weeks on the Billboard top 100, which prompted the release of their first LP, Torches. While Torches was only skin deep in content, it was by far one of the catchiest releases to come from the indie rock/pop genre in a long time. The rise in “Hipster” culture also contributed largely to the album’s success, with Torches being a more sing-along friendly version of its contemporaries, including Bon Iver’s eponymous release, Hurry up We’re Dreaming by M83 and Days by Real Estate. Foster the People’s reliance on a catchy chorus was hit more than miss on their first LP, which is respectable at a time when it seems like the only way to be a “real” artist in the indie scene was by proclaiming that you weren’t going to give people what they wanted, but what they needed. Torches was the best example of lightning in a bottle, seeming to be at the exact right place at the right time. Three years later though, I didn’t imagine the result of a second attempt by “The guys who wrote pumped up kicks” to be held back by its songwriting.

Foster the People have now released Supermodel, their follow-up to Torches, and the result is depressing, to say the least.

That was the album’s intended purpose, or maybe it was to inspire, or maybe it was just a way for singer Mark Foster to sing his diary entries in their entirety over some of the most underwhelming and unimaginative music to come out so far this year. All the friendliness, warmth, and sing-along appeal that Torches had is dead now, and it was murdered by Mark Foster’s desire to write a record about the shared fears that people have about growing up, becoming an adult, and not fulfilling certain dreams and goals. While this is, in theory, a noble cause, one that has been executed thousands and thousands of times by other artists, Foster’s attempt at trying to weave his “Everything is going to be ok!” mantra throughout this album comes across as insulting. Lyrics like “Never mind what you’re looking for/You are gonna find what you’re looking for” echo an air of pretension that carries through the entire album. Foster sounds like he doesn’t believe what he’s saying, and neither should you.

3.0/10

Titanfall

it’s not a titan fail

By William Beckman Staff Writer ‘16

T

itanfall, the newest game from Respawn Entertainment was released on the Xbox One and the PC March 11th to large critical and commercial success. The Xbox 360 will get Titanfall on April 8th. The new first-person shooter (FPS) sold 700,000 copies at launch, and Microsoft is predicting that the game will sell over two million copies by the end of the month.

As the first big Xbox One shooter, this game needed to be a very good game with some attractive elements to it. As an FPS in which you have the option to control a giant robot, Titanfall will draw in most people with an Xbox One and attract those without one to buy one.

Many people feel that Call of Duty gameplay has gotten stale and would welcome a fresh take on the classic shooter.

Titanfall does exactly that, adding two new elements to the old FPS formula, setting it apart from most shooters that are out on consoles today. With Titanfall, EA hopes to have the “C.O.D. Killer,” or the franchise that will take Call of Duty’s spot at the top of the FPS market.

The gameplay of Titanfall is about as good as any arcade style FPS has been in the last few years. There is quick, fluid gunplay as well as parkour elements. The parkour in the game adds a very interesting and important element to Titanfall’s gameplay, as using this feature allows players to jump from wall to wall and move across the map with ease. Titans, the giant robots that the player can control, are very well balanced, fun and easy to maneuver.

The titans are a huge part of gameplay and can give a huge advantage to the player if obtained early on. There are three different classes of titan, and all of them have different characteristics and completely customizable. These classes are the Stryder (fast and weak), the Ogre (slow and strong), and the Atlas (average speed and strength).

Similar to the guns and maps, these different titan classes have their own unique advantages and are fun to play with.

One thing that has turned people off from buying the game is that it is 100% multiplayer and has no offline play. The game being all online matches has made some potential customers second-guess their purchase of Titanfall, because they feel that a game without single-player mode is

not worth the $60 price tag that comes with it.

This concern, while legitimate, shouldn’t turn you off from the game if you have sixty dollars sitting around and are a fan of the FPS genre. This game is a smooth multiplayer experience that, while lacking single player elements, makes up for its shortcomings with balanced and interesting multiplayer matches.

One problem many people have with the game is that it only has 5 game modes, while competitors such as Battlefield and Call of Duty have over ten apiece. These complaints will soon be put to rest because the developers of the game confirmed on Twitter that more game modes are on their way, sure to make the game even better than it already is.

This new FPS feels like a Call of Duty game except that is innovative, adding in mechs and parkour, making certain that the game will have a lasting impact on the gaming world. Titanfall is very fun game that will most likely waste hours of my time, and will probably become a huge part of the next-gen console gaming market.

9/10

Sports 7

Monday, April 21st, 2014

College commitments Braves continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level

William Beckman Staff Writer ‘16

S

ports fans have been talking about the school’s many student athletes who are talented enough to play sports at the next level and have made their committments. With PJ Thompson having committed to Purdue (see story in next edition of The Arrow), here is the latest news:

A

dam Kroot is attending Williams College, a liberal arts school in Massachusetts, to play basketball. Williams is a prestigious school with a strong basketball tradition. When Kroot went to visit, he knew that Williams was the college for him. He has been playing basketball since he was in the second grade, but he says he wasn’t very good until middle school when he started to work on his skills more.

Other options for Kroot were Wash. U of Saint Louis, NYU, and Northwestern, but chose Williams out of them all. If Kroot weren’t playing basketball in college, he says he would like to have gone to IU or Miami of Ohio.

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atthew Keller is going to the University of Evansville to play soccer. He is enthusiastic to be participating in a top 30 soccer program and is excited to be playing on a team with such a great team dynamic. One thing that he is excited for especially at Evansville is the studying abroad program, where he will be able to study at Evansville’s sister school, Harlaxton, in England. Besides studying abroad, Keller will be studying international business. He started playing soccer from the moment he could, following in the footsteps of his two brothers who also went to Brebeuf and went to college on soccer scholarships. Keller had offers from schools like Penn., Butler, and Loyola, but he chose Evansville because it suits his interests so well. Keller says that if he couldn’t play soccer in college, it wouldn’t affect his choice and that he would still attend Evansville.

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ick Chambers is going to Emory University to play baseball. He has been playing baseball since Pre-K and is looking forward to his time in college. Originally, he wanted to play in the Ivy League and had offers from schools like Xavier, but he eventually chose Emory for the many advantages he feels it has over the other schools he was looking at. Chambers says that Emory has a great business school and greek life, two things that he is interested in taking part in. He is also excited to go to college in a large, growing city like Atlanta. If Chambers weren’t interested in playing baseball in college, he says his first choice would have been Vanderbilt, but if he weren’t accepted there he would have probably attended IU.

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nna Imhoff is going to attend Indiana Wesleyan University to play basketball. She is very excited to be going to IWU not only because of their basketball program, but also because they have a solid nursing school. She was verbally committed to Evansville, but when she visited she didn’t like it as much as she thought she would and withdrew her commitment.

When Imhoff visited IWU, she knew that it was the college for her. Evansville and other schools she got offers from like Bowling Green were all very attractive, but she says that they were too far from home and, in addition, she likes that Wesleyan is a smaller school. She started playing basketball as well as soccer in elementary school but quit soccer before high school to focus on basketball. If she didn’t play basketball, Imhoff would go to either Purdue or Penn State.

C

ourtney Simons is going to Miami of Ohio to play volleyball, and she is quite excited about it. She says that Miami of Ohio is the perfect fit for her and she can’t imagine going to any other college.

Courtney has now been playing volleyball for six years, and she says that when she first started she was not great. She almost quit for that reason, but her mom told her to stick with it. Now she is committed to a Division 1 school. Simons has had offers from many other schools looking to recruit her for her volleyball skills, but she says that Miami of Ohio “feels like home.” If she weren’t playing volleyball, however, Simons says that she would have gone to a school in the Chicago area. Chicago appeals to Simons because she likes the vibe of the big city.

Retzy continued continued from Cover

Retzy said, “It hit me right then. I just need to go across the street and volunteer there. I just want to volunteer.” In an affectionate “Retzy” manner, she went on to say, “I would love to have some way to help these young people who are going to give so much to the world.”

After filling out an application, Retzy didn’t even get out the door before Audrey Knuckles was encouraging her to try substituting. Ms. Knuckles told Retzy, “We need subs. Why don’t you just try it. Just try

it.” Without a moment of hesitation, Retzy said, “I’ll try anything!” As Retzy was recalling the day, she mentioned, “I could hear Ashley in the back of my head saying, ‘Get out there, Mom!’”

A glimpse of Retzy in the hallways or classrooms shows that she looks completely in her element. She told this Arrow reporter, “I’m telling you, from day one, I’ve loved it! I love this energy; I love this age group; I love the high school atmosphere; I love the way the kids treat each other here; the environment is so uplifting!” She added,

“I do believe I was sent here for a reason. It has been the greatest gift I could have been given after such a loss.”

Retzy also shared, “I feel like in some ways Ashley has sent me here - I mean in a roundabout way I found myself here, and my Angel Ashley had something to do with this. She continues to strengthen me each day.”

Regarding the love and appreciation the Brebeuf community has for her, Retzy said, “I want you to know how much it means to me [and] how much it’s meant

to me. I’m so blessed!” She went on to say, “I could not tell you how much it means to me to be wanted and embraced. I feel like Brebeuf has embraced me, and I want these kids to know that they have no idea how much they’ve given me, for it is far more than I have given them. They need to know that. They are doing something for me that I can’t even put into words. They are giving me a reason to get up in the morning with a smile, a direction, and an opporutninty to make a difference in young lives, joining the ‘Brebeuf Family.’”

Page 8

Ruminations on Sin

Monday, April 21

Love It Hate It Junior staff writer Thomas Zelmanovitz tells us a few things he’s loving and hating this month.

Love It: 1) The Romantic Period 2) Metallica 3) Being passive aggressive 4) Classical Music 5) My hair 6) Doing fun things with my hair 7) La Hacienda 8) Chuck Schuldiner 9) John Milton’s Paradise Lost 10) Mr. Fanara Hate It: 1) People who don’t read for fun 2) The Westboro Baptist Church 3) People who are mean to waiters 4) That one cramp I get in my leg 5) When my foot gets stuck in my boot

By Isak McCune Editor-in-Chief

I

am a bastard child. I was born while both of my parents were attending Brebeuf Jesuit in the mid-‘90s. In part, I choose to go to Brebeuf because of the school’s acceptance of this occurrence; my mother knew that people at Park Tudor and Cathedral had been expelled for getting pregnant in high school. I think this mentality of openness and acceptance that Brebeuf embodies is healthy for all of society: certainly, if my mom had been expelled, she would have had much more difficulty succeeding to the extent that she has.

That being said, I find it difficult to confront contrary perspectives to open-mindedness, especially when such an opinion stems from religious teachings (I realize the irony of this statement, that I have trouble being open to those who are closed). In modern times, there are still many who criticize teenage pregnancies as sinful prenuptial procreation.

Certainly, sexual action between teens could be considered irresponsible or imprudent, and these may be reasonable justifications for criticism; I simply don’t understand why differences in moral standing should afflict

relationships between people (at least in instances when these moral differences do not physically impede upon the rights of each respective individual).

I understand that a person can choose to dislike and eschew a person for whatever they want – even for illogical reasons – but it is often difficult to understand.

To apply this to other examples, there are people who judge the choice of others to get a divorce or an abortion. Have we not all seen those protestors outside the Planned Parenthood on Georgetown road? Have we not all heard the cries to preserve the “sanctity of marriage” in a time during which the divorce rate is climbing higher and higher?

Plenty of religious sins effectively ostracize the sinner in society.

Atheists are criticized, blasphemers hated, homosexuals bullied.

And this isn’t just something done by religious people; I know plenty of atheists who write off Christians the moment they meet them. Richard Dawkins goes as far to suggest that a faith in God is tantamount to an illogical madness. Academic atheism has become, in a way, a doctrine itself, antithetically discounting God with its own omnipotent, omniscient, Logic.

Overall, what I’m trying to point out is this tangible animosity that can arise due to the nature of having emotional connection to one’s beliefs.

Religious beliefs, particularly those associated with religious mysticism and literal interpretations, can be incredibly intractable. Hence the number of wars conceived with the intention of religious purification, like the Crusades. Hence the number of genocides and murders that are associated with religious conflict, like the Holocaust.

Of course, we all understand that passionate belief isn’t just negative; we attend Brebeuf, for God’s sake! There are definitely benefits to religion and fervent belief.

Certainly, being convinced of one’s beliefs does do quite a bit of good for the world. Christianity preaches the love of thy neighbor; Buddhism practices the appreciation of the ultimate oneness of the soul (I could go on with these religions, but they all really point to the same thing). Conversely, science seeks a definite knowledge of the universe – not that science is necessarily in association with atheism, but seeking truth and knowledge

based on observation is much different from having faith in that which cannot be observed. All of these are positive actions that lead humans to lead valuable, fulfilling lives.

In fact, without passion for one’s beliefs, what progress could occur? If we were all homogenized workers who ultimately felt indifferent about climate change and gay rights and racial equality and partisan values and feminism, who would stand up for the rights minorities? Who could?

Having conviction for one’s beliefs is the root of all action. Being passionate for one’s cause leads to the love of that cause. If we intend to act in vocations we love, we must first be passionate enough to love to do.

So ultimately, yes, do what you love. Believe what you want to believe. Hate what you desire to hate. Just try to be a bit more open-minded when approaching a situation. You might find that a 15-year-old pregnant girl grows up to be a wonderful transplant surgeon, an intelligent conversationalist, and a loving mother; to me, that’s no sin.

Student Snapshots What is your least favorite ice cream topping?

6) Seat belt buckle touching my hand in the summer 7) People who don’t listen to Heavy Metal 8) People who won’t even give Country Music a chance 9) Overly Nationalistic Americans 10) Strangers thinking I’m a girl when they look at me from behind

“Anything mint.” -Jalu Obeime ‘14

“Mixed nuts.” Evan Sandoe ‘15

“Jelly!” Brooke Hiatt ‘14

Bursting fruit bead things.” Cameron Lee ‘17

Easter True and False Which of these fun Easterrelated facts are true and which are false?

1. When consuming the ever popular chocolate bunny, 76% of Americans prefer to bite off the ears first.

2. Easter is the fifth highest card-sending holiday in the United States.

3. A 50 day period follows Easter called Eastertide.

4. The Annual Easter Egg Hunt at the White House began with President William Ewart Gladstone.

5. Easter is the oldest Christian holiday.

6. The Easter Bunny originated in Germany.

7. It takes 12 minutes to make the delicious marshmallow treats known as Peeps 8. The amount of Jelly Beans produced for Easter can fill a plastic Easter egg the size of an 8 story building.

9. Pretzels were originally associated with Easter instead of chocolate eggs, bunnies, or marshmallow Peeps.

10. Easter always falls on 4/20 Answers: Numbers 2, 4, 7, 8, and 10 are false.

Tweets Sierra Witham gathers the funniest tweets of the month. @MattGoldich: Maybe it’s bad luck to walk under a ladder because it’s “bad luck” to be paralyzed when a guy falls off a ladder and crushes you. @JohnFugelsang: Vladimir Putin is divorcing, but I prefer to think Mrs. Putin voted to secede.

@joshgondelman: Actually considering buying a Bluetooth to camouflage all the talking to myself I do. @keatingthomas: Some relationships get strained from overemotional periods. Mine get strained from overused ellipses.

@markleggett: Did I ever tell you about the time I didn’t try to make everything all about me? @janinebrito: Bath Thought Process: This’ll be so relaxing. *waits a min* Ok. Has it been long enough? How much longer do I sit here till it’s worthwhile?

Page 8 was created this month by Kristen Henderson, Thomas Zelmanovitz, Sarah Spence, Sierra Witham, Gabby Phail, and Isak McCune.

@mrseanpatton: I bet a rebellious teen in Portland is all like “No Dad, I’m going to Church and I’m driving my F150! Then I’m joining the army!” @emilymayamills: When dogs get sad because their owner stepped away, I make them feel better by whispering, “You know she’s manipulating you, right?”