Brebeuf Jesuit Arrow - Volume 52 - Issue 4 - December 2013

BREBEUF JESUIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Arrow graphic by John Loberger ’15

Wednesday, December 11th, 2013

2801 W. 86th Street, Indianapolis

Volume 52, Issue 4

Robotics club reigns

By John Loberger ‘15 Staff Writer

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he newly formed Robotics Club rocked the competition at the VEX Robotics Championship in Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 16th and 17th. Coming in 2nd place, this ingenious group has hit the ground running. Students in the club crafted their very own robot to compete against other schools and groups.

With a careful design, their robot was able to complete the competition course 10 times out of 14 without fault for getting picked up by the ball it is hoisting. The course includes knocking over smaller balls, picking up a large ball and hoisting the robot into hanging while holding the big ball above 12 inches. The team is prepping their robot for further competitions, one of which is the Warren Central VEX Toss-Up Qualifying Tournament on December 7th.

Photo credit: John Loberger

Teacher spotlight: Mr. Spotts

Team members Matthew Homes ‘14, Gheleb Netabai ‘17, and Haile Netabai ‘16 Photo credit: JD Ferris Rowe

LGBTQ dialogue

flipping the script and teaching acceptance Isak Andrew McCune ‘14 Editor-in-Chief

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n Thursday, November 21st, a Diversity Dialogue was held in the MPR to encourage discussion about matters involving teen sexuality and bullying, namely those related to the LGBTQ community. The dialogue was lead by the Brebeuf Allies club and took place during that morning’s second period.

To stimulate discussion, the dialogue was preceded by a showing of the short film Love Is All You Need? a piece that depicts a world in which the gender paradigm is shifted and homosexuality is predominate. It is the story of a heterosexual teen who is challenged by bullying and societal rejection because of her sexual identity.

Mr. Brown, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Brebeuf, commented, “We were worried about how people would process [the content in the video], and there was clearly a stretch of time when people were actively sorting through their reactions to it, but I thought that Mr. Elliott and Mrs. Money-Brady did a great job…

helping people work through that piece and focus on the larger issues that the video was about.”

Following the showing of the film, the floor was opened to conversation about acceptance of the LGBTQ community.

“Even if you already felt some way about it or if you already supported LGBTQ in some things, [the video] still hit you, still moved you, so that I can imagine what it would be like to be someone who didn’t know and who didn’t understand would have a pretty powerful impact,” said Junior Jess Ameen on the subject.

Some students took the implications of this dialogue in a different direction.

For instance, Senior Wes Wagner commented, “[The dialogue] is so interesting because we’re in a Catholic school, and the Catholic Church teaches one thing, and we’re in this room discussing a completely different view, with our own priests, so it’s just, the tension… you could cut it like a knife.”

Photo credit: Alianne Staruszkiewicz ‘15 Alianne Staruszkiewicz ‘15 Staff Writer

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atthew Spotts never imagined himself taking the profound path to becoming a Jesuit priest.

It wasn’t until the end of his junior year at Fordham University that felt the calling. In a recent interview, he explained with great enthusiasm and passion how he kept looking at the Jesuits at Fordham University and saying, “I want… whatever that is: that sense of joy, purpose, identity, vision they had, whatever that is, I want that!”

One might think there is a single life-changing moment when a man suddenly knows he is meant to become a Jesuit, but that wasn’t the case for Mr. Spotts.

With a soft and serene tone in his voice he explained, “It was in the very classical Ignatian way, a persistent quiet call.” He went on to say, “My desires are what lead me to the Jesuits.” Currently finishing his first semester at Brebeuf, Spott’s is teaching, AP European History, World Civilizations, and Intro to Philosophy.

Christmas is only a few weeks away and Mr. Spotts is just as excited as many Brebeuf students. Christmas traditions are a significant part of the season in the Spotts family, and although they have many, Mr. Spotts let out a little laugh and admitted the family’s quirkiest was their annual “who can make the tacky Christmas ornament” contest.

If you’re wondering what to give Mr. Spotts for Christmas, you can’t go

wrong with your favorite Christmas cookie recipe. He mentioned in conversation that he has the biggest sweet tooth and loves pretty much all desserts! As far as Christmas music goes, Mr. Spotts shared that last year his favorite two songs were “Oh Holy Night” by Mariah Carey and Sugarland’s “Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel.”

If you’re looking for a movie to curl up to the fire and watch, he suggests his favorite, Love Actually!

Mr. Spotts might only be here for a couple of years while on his journey to becoming a Jesuit, but it’s clear to see he is cherishing every day he spends at Brebeuf.

When asked about his experience here so far, he enthusiastically said, “I love it, love being here, love teaching!”

As the interview came to a close, Mr. Spotts ended by sharing, “The best thing about being a Jesuit is that it gives me so many opportunities to share my life, my deep desires, my joys with other people.”

He went on to emphasize that sharing his lives, desires, and joys with other people works best when he gets to be with people who are sharing their life, their joys, their experiences, and their struggles, with him. Mr. Spotts concluded the interview by saying, “To being a part of a community where I can share yes what I have but also listen and be part of what other people’s experiences, hopes, and joys are, that’s what I look forward to.”

Op Ed 2

Wednesday, December 11

The Arrow Staff

Editor-In-Chief

Hipsters

too deep for you

By Will Van Winkle ‘14 Guest Writer

Isak McCune ‘14

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Design Editor Sarah Spence ‘14

Section Editors Op-Ed -- Sierra Witham ‘14 A&E -- Will Siderys ‘14 Features -- Kristen Henderson ‘14 News -- Maddie Morelock ‘14 Sports -- Claire Burdick ‘15

Staff Writers Eddie Free ‘14 Gabby Phail ‘14 Clay Bowes ‘15 Alianne Staruszkiewicz ‘15 Ann Hourigan ‘15 Dorian McCarroll ‘16 Katherine Spence ‘16 Thomas Zelamanovitz ‘15

Photo Editor

John Loberger ‘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

aking into account the innumerable opinions that are held by teachers and students at this school, one can see the vast chasm that separates one student from the next. Democrats, Republicans, jocks, nerds: they all roam the school as nonchalantly as a butterfly flying through a warm, summer day. With said groups, different opinions rise, and each forms a separate identity that steadily converges with beliefs held by other independent cliques.

All of these disjointed groups and opinions mean that judgment will come from every angle. Thus, the term “hipster” is a loosely defined, cookie-cutter term that can neither be proven nor disproven through one’s own hipster lens. Luckily for us, popular images of hipsters have been thoroughly examined from every angle, and only a few make the cut as a clearly defined ‘hipster.’ Going back to the Urban Dictionary definition I previously paraphrased, I will begin a thorough and only partially biased investigation of the widely accepted view of the hipster and how this creature may appear in the halls of Brebeuf.

Though independent and counter-cultural thinking are widely popular at Brebeuf, there are still a few beliefs and sayings that may set the hipster apart. The independent thinker commonly utters the phrases “before it was cool” or “before you knew.” This belief in “first is the best” is found in every widely accepted hipster there is. One is not a hipster if not for this.

Many hipsters only like activities or businesses that other people hate, or hate things that are “mainstream” or “conformist.” This type, however, tends to flirt with wannabehipster territory, as brandishing distaste is a prominent stepping-stone to making others believe one is truly a non-conformist.

Indie-rock is the most pronounced trait of the universally accepted hipster for many reasons. Music preference is the most easily broadcasted form of independent thought, for it can be posted to almost any-

Photo credit: selfie by Will Van Winkle

where. A hipster two years ago would have claimed that Bon Iver and Fun. were the pinnacle of music and that no other groups could touch these bands’ peak. Now those same hipsters gripe when these names are announced, for they are much too prominent. They are peeved because the bands have risen to popularity; the majority of hipsters at Brebeuf consider Bon Iver and Fun. to be ”sell-outs.” This indicates a deeper grudge hipsters hold, for these bands are not “sell-outs” or any less talented, but since people know them, the counter-cultural aspect is gone, hence the hipster cycle is broken. Unfortunately, this happens so often at Brebeuf the degradation of talented bands is considered as normal.

The other three aspects I want to examine are art, witty banter, and attire. In the eyes of a hipster, art shows creativity, a trait that is only found in mentally gifted, independent thinkers. In the eyes of a normal person, art is time-consuming, typically unenlightening, and sometimes even boring. Of course, in the mind of a hipster, this lack of passion for the arts can only be attributed to dependent and conformist thought. The same hipster who loves his art will also frequently use sarcasm – a product of witty banter.

Black Friday at Lafayette Square Mall

Though there is no uniform that would outright represent itself as hipster, many types of clothing can be used as a baseline. This base includes, but is not limited to, skinny jeans, deep v-necks, small band t-shirts, and Oxford-style shoes. There are different types of dress for different kinds of hipsters, but these characteristics would be the most prominent and strived for of all.

Overall, independence and liberalism go hand-in-hand with Jesuit ideals, so fortunately for hipsters, these traits are welcomed with open arms at Brebeuf.

After doing my research thoroughly and finding the universal opinion of the hipster I can say one thing: it is sad. A lot of people truly despise hipsters, which makes me scared, because whether I like it or not, I am lumped together with the worst of them. I, by no means, am a hipster. I am an independent thinker in the purest sense of the word, but fortunately, intentional counter-culturalism is not for me. The hard truth is that many hipsters pose a very good question in today’s society: should the popular majority really decide what we do and how we act? I encourage you to ponder the mysterious inquiry of the hipster, and re-evaluate your worldview.

All photo credits: Isak McCune

a community in crisis

By Isak Andrew McCune ’14 Editor-in-Chief

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few weeks ago we all celebrated Thanksgiving, a national holiday in which people are meant to show appreciation for their most affecting relationships and possessions. This day of thanks is immediately followed by Black Friday, when malls and shops put many of their items on short-term discount for the approaching holiday season. Whether you were at Castleton Mall or The Fashion Mall at Keystone, you probably noticed the rushing crowds of people attempting to get the lowest price on their Christmas presents. You would not have seen this reporter.

On Black Friday, I went to my local marketplace, Lafayette Square Mall, to investigate the state of Black Friday in the most purportedly dangerous shopping center in the Indianapolis area. My intention was to better understand the prejudice affecting this community and its members. I wanted to get a sense of the accuracy of these preconceived notions.

In the week leading up to this adventure, I informed a few of my friends that I would be doing this piece for the newspaper. The unanimous response I received was that of concern: people seemed genuinely scared for my well-being at Lafayette Square.

Many opposed my trip outright. Others commented on the fact that I would not fit in racially and that such difference could increase my chance of being mugged or otherwise endangered. I did not tell my grandparents that I was going to Lafayette Square, because I knew they would forbid me from ‘taking the risk.’

That being said, I cannot claim to have any less prejudice than my peers: I brought along a friend, IUPUI student Casey McDonough, so that I would benefit from the safety of a buddy system.

All of this preparation and anticipation leading up to November 29th made me rather nervous, and I was frankly surprised at the real outcome of my investigation. I got to the mall at about 10:20 AM (the Mall opened at 10 AM like it normally does; there were no special hours for Black Friday). Upon arrival, the parking lot was relatively empty; there were perhaps 100 cars there. Casey and I parked a bit outside the greater concentration of vehicles to give ourselves an observatory walk into the mall.

I locked my wallet and iPhone in the glove compartment, and we got out of the car into the cold November sun.

I glanced at the leafless trees that lined the mall entrance road. A couple walked a few yards in front of us as we crossed the street toward the main entrance. I couldn’t help but notice his nice leather boots and her stylish wool jacket. On the entry door window was a little sticker of a handgun in a red circle with a line through the middle.

Once inside, Casey and I meandered throughout the barren hallways. He commented, “This looks like Castleton on a Tuesday afternoon.”

It was true: there were maybe ten people strolling through the main hallway and maybe one or two people glancing at the clothing in each shop we passed. Casey and I were the racial minority. I saw at most ten white people in the entire mall.

We walked a bit and finally came upon the food court. Casey and I had been chatting about our shared experiences as children at this mall, but when we first set our eyes on the food court, we grew silent. It was empty.

A couple came out of the Burlington Coat Factory at the far end and nonchalantly crossed the lonely floor tiles. No wonder this

area has such a bad reputation; nobody shops here.

There were three food shops open in the food court (none of which I had seen anywhere else; Casey and I even exchanged laughs over the queerly titled Pizza Queen eatery). A few green benches and some yellow tape quarantined the children’s play area.

The busiest store in the whole mall was Shopper’s World, another chain of which I was not aware. This is where I saw the one and only sign in the entire mall that acknowledged the existence of Black Friday.

The sign said that Shopper’s World would be giving away a gift card for each day of the week leading up to the fateful shopping holiday. There were perhaps thirty to forty patrons in its aisles quietly seeking some new clothes and children’s board games.

There were two lines of five at the Shopper’s World cash register at which each customer patiently waited his or her turn.

I tried to remember whether or not this Shopper’s World place was in the same location as the old Sears store. I told Casey that I would be able to recognize it better on the upper level, so we went around the central pillar to get to the escalator.

Unfortunately, a partition separated us from its entrance; apparently Shopper’s World doesn’t get enough customers to warrant opening the second floor.

Having covered the entire mall, we began to walk back toward the main entrance. It was then that I noticed the Growing Minds Childcare Ministry. I was perplexed by its location;

why would someone want to keep their kids in a place commonly considered dangerous, a place that has had its copious share of shootings? I took a second to debate the question in my head before remarking to Casey about it. What if this is the safest place some people can afford?

I began to feel guilt for the prejudices I held of the Mall. I realized that the people of this neighborhood are suffering because of those erroneous notions. Maybe if a few more people shopped there, it wouldn’t be going through such difficult times.

Upon our exit, Casey and I acknowledged to each other that we felt perfectly safe inside the Mall, so we went back through with our phones to get some nice pictures of the empty shopping center. During our second inspection, I noticed the lavish chair and mise en scéne of a typical Mall Santa setup. The sign in front implied that The Big Man would be there soon. While I didn’t wait to see, I do wish he got there. For the community’s sake.

Arts 3

Wednesday, December 11th

By Will Siderys ‘14 Arts & Entertainment Editor

cover images provided by Flikr

Modern Vampires of the Random Access Memories Yeezus Kanye West Daft Punk City Vampire Weekend The credit for Daft Punk’s 2013 Dark, jagged, and Vampire Weekend, regardless of the privileged, Montessori school attending, and elite demographic they represent, is still as groundbreaking and reflective as they were on their eponymous debut. Where their last two albums painted a picture of youthful restlessness and blithe living, Modern Vampires of the City takes an honest, prophetic, and cold.

Pretension still lingers on Vampire Weekend’s third release, just like it has in the past, which is reassuring because it saves the album from sounding like the incoherent ramblings of a depressed teenager.

Songs like “Diane Young,” “Step,” and “Ya Hey” keep a good amount of self-seriousness while still feeling like they’re all a part of a maturing group that refuses to let their music get in the way of themselves.

album could be attributed to the streamlined and accessible approach to their newest album, which features the likes of industry golden child Pharrell Williams and independent sweetheart Panda Bear of Animal Collective, but that’s unlikely. The real reason Daft Punk’s 4th studio album is such a critical and commercial success is that they’ve finally limited their use of electronic instruments. Yes, Daft Punk is and has always been an “electronic” group, but not really.

Their overuse of drum machines, synthesizers, and samples worked only some of the time. Classics like “One More Time” and “Around the World” also came with another hour worth of album, which was almost as enjoyable as a constant migraine. Random Access Memories cuts down on the artificial, which makes listening to their album to be a more fluid experience.

Ed’s Eats

Ruth’s Cafe

By Eddie Free ‘14 Staff Writer

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reakfast: the most important meal of the day and one that many people skip.

For some, breakfast is usually a bowl of cereal or a banana; for others, it is smorgasbord of meat, eggs, toast, and juice. When I get the chance, I prefer the latter. Recently, Senior Abby Dill told me about a restaurant near Keystone Mall, called Ruth’s Keystone Café; this perfectly fits my breakfast preferences.

As we entered the restaurant on a pleasant November morning, I was immediately greeted with the pleasant scent of bacon, sausage, eggs, and many other foods being cooked. There was a certain bustle about the place that gave it a unique and lively feeling; I could hear the conversation and laughter of patrons, the cheerful waitresses taking orders from the customers, and the noise of busy work in the kitchen. The décor added to the animated atmosphere; quirky signs with random quotes and many bright paintings were all over the wall. We sat down at a table next to the window and browsed over the menu. It had the typical breakfast staples: omelets, eggs Benedict, eggs in purgatory, breakfast skillets, and many other enticing items. I decided to order biscuits and gravy with a side of bacon.

It took approximately 15 minutes for the food to arrive to the table, and it was steaming hot. The biscuits and gravy were different than most that I’ve had before. It was very thick gravy with heaps of ground sausage smothering

Photo taken by Abby Dill

the small biscuits. The gravy was very rich and flavorful; each bite brought forth the creamy texture and savory flavor of the gravy mixed with the salty taste of the ground sausage. It was easily one of the best biscuits and gravy I have ever had. The bacon was also very good. At many breakfast places the bacon is chewy and seems like it has been microwave cooked; at Ruth’s, it was warm, very crispy, and very flavorful.

Abby decided to go with the eggs florentine, which she proceeded to describe: “The gooey brie cheese sat and melted on the hot crisp toast and tomato while I inhaled the delicious fresh greens and fruits on the side. Once the time of melted perfection hit, I dove into my main course and prepared for the breakfast of a lifetime.

The tomato, cheese, spinach, and mysterious sauce blended in perfect harmony as I cut through the crispy toast. By the time the first wind of fantastic flavor hit, I had already scarfed down the entire two loaded pieces of toast. It was that good.”

Ruth’s Keystone café was a unique and excellent breakfast restaurant; the atmosphere was great, the service was quite enjoyable, and the food was phenomenal. I will definitely be going back.

If you go 3443 E. 86th street Indianapolis Hours: Mon-Fri: 6:30 AM – 3:00 PM Sat-Sun: 8:00 AM – 3:00PM Bring about $20

louder than ever, Kanye West met the lofty expectations for My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, his 2010 masterpiece, with an amount of uncompromising energy you don’t usually receive from a hiphop artist’s sixth studio album.

West set out to recreate the wheel by swapping out the complex orchestral arrangements that the upper-echelon of rap culture has become accustomed, opting instead for a mix of 80s Chicago acid-house and 90s industrial. Even with a noticeable lack in lyrical wit that’s helped West keep his music a two-way, artist-and-listener affair, Yeezus still stands as the best hiphop release of the year.

mbv My Bloody Valentine

Settle Disclosure

More often than not, band reunions and subsequent releases after long hiatuses amount up to a watered down collection of songs, where artists embrace nostalgia and the “good old days” rather than giving listeners a reason to revere and cherish what they’re hearing.

Kevin Shields and company didn’t return from their 20-year hiatus with intentions to capitalize on a loyal fan base while standing in the shadow of their ‘91 masterpiece Loveless. Like its predecessors, m b v explores the far corners of all that is modern music, but still manages to create the same amount of awe and paralysis that put My Bloody Valentine on the map in the first place.

The current state of the electronic music genre is polarized; artists like Burial, The Haxan Cloak, and Grimes occupy a camp of constant experimentation, while producers like Knife Party and Pretty Lights have aimed for accessibility and found millions of fans along the way. The problem that arises from this kind of fractured state is that electronic musicians often have to decide between accessibility and experimentation. Sibling duo Guy and Howard Lawrence, better known as Disclosure, found the middle ground between the two camps on their first studio album, Settle, and the result is an exciting, powerful, and marketable 18 song collection.

Doctor Who

By Sarah Spence ‘14 Design Editor

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50th Anniversary

ifty years after its original premiere on November 23rd, 1963, Doctor Who continues to amaze fans with its heart-wrenching stories and loveable characters. The brain-child of Steven Moffat, the 50th Anniversary episode wowed viewers with action-packed scenes and a plot that gave hope to the millions of Whovians and Timelords alike.

For those who are still unaware of Doctor Who’s awesomeness, you may want a summary. The Doctor is a 1000-year-old alien called a Timelord from the planet Gallifrey. Being a Timelord, he is capable of regenerating his body whenever one of his forms dies (with a total of 12 regenerations), which allows for the long-standing nature of the show. Each time he dies, the Doctor regenerates a new body and personality, and this is why many different actors have played him throughout the years. His common enemies include the Daleks, Cybermen, and any other evil alien species out

to destroy the universe. He travels through time and space in his TARDIS (acronym for Time And Relative Dimensions In Space) with his companions.

To understand the events that take place in the Fiftieth Anniversary Episode, all one must know is that at a point in the Doctor’s life, he had to destroy his entire planet, and therefore the entire Timelord race, in order to save the rest of the universe and everyone in it from ultimate extermination by the Daleks. The anniversary episode tells a version of this story, but one where the events of that day are able to change. John Hurt joins the legacy of Doctors as the “War Doctor” or the version of the Doctor during the events of the war when he destroyed Gallifrey. Matt Smith, the current Doctor, and David Tennant, the tenth doctor, join Hurt in this episode as well as a few surprise cameos.

Together, the three versions of the Doctor must decide what course of action they will

take. Will they destroy Gallifrey, their home and the people they love, and let the rest of the universe live? Or will they sacrifice the universe for the greater good of their home? With help from Clara Oswald, the twelfth Doctor’s companion, and Rose Tyler, the tenth Doctor’s companion and love interest, the Doctors will make a decision that will affect the entire universe and their own future.

The episode was met with acclaim from fans and critics all over the world. The episode won a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest simulcast television drama with its broadcast in over 94 countries and 1500 cinemas worldwide. The next episode to be broadcast is the 2013 Christmas special, which will feature the final appearance of Matt Smith in his role as the eleventh Doctor. His successor is actor Peter Capaldi, known for his role in the British television show “The Thick Of It.” photo provided by Flikr

Christmas 4

Wednesday, Dec ember 11th

Tis’ The Season!

How to survive Christmas break Sarah Spense ‘14 Design Editor

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h, it’s finally here. The past few weeks of studying, reviewing, and late night cramming were all put toward finishing finals so that you can enjoy two glorious weeks off of school, doused in Christmas spirit. You throw your books in your locker, step outside into the brisk winter air, and pull out your phone to see who wants to celebrate the start of break with you.

That’s when it hits you. You remember that your friends have left you for the snow covered mountains or sand covered beaches of whichever vacation spot they’ll be enjoying for the duration of break. The next two weeks suddenly seem impossibly long as you envision yourself stuck at home again, re-watching episodes of Gossip Girl on Netflix while you chow down on a bucket of coconut ice cream.

Not this year, friends! This year, for those of you unfortunate enough to be in Indiana over winter break, Here are a few suggestions that

will hopefully bust those winter break blues.

1.

Cookies. Everyone loves cookies and winter break is the best time to break out some old cookbooks and get baking.

Try to stay away from generic holiday cookies and experiment with different cookie recipes. Once the yummy delicious cookies have been baked (or eaten in dough form, whichever you prefer), whip up some icing, add a bit of food coloring, and decorate those bad boys. Don’t just stop at cookies either; fudge, cake, and chocolates all help to bring about holiday spirit and lift your spirits. Make a plate for your neighbors and family or just eat them all yourself, but don’t forget to post a picture of the sugary goodness on Instagram so your friends know exactly what they’re missing.

2.

Crafts. This option is for those who like to let their creative side loose

every once in a while. It’s also perfect for those who might be hard up on cash to buy presents for their family members. Remember all of those DIY projects you’ve seen on Pinterest? Now is a fantastic time to put them to the test. All you need is $20 and a bit of creativity. Buy a bead kit and make bracelets, or buy some clay and make pots. Some craft stores even have boxed crafts that come with all the materials and instructions, many for under $30. This is a great way to stave off boredom and create a few homemade gifts for your loved ones.

3.

Gift-wrapping. Let’s be honest, we are all aware of Santa’s nonexistence, so your parents probably don’t go to great lengths to hide their gift-wrapping. However, if you have younger siblings or young neighbors who still believe in Santa, this is the perfect opportunity to escape boredom and do something nice.

Offer to wrap your neighbors’ gifts so their kids can experience one more year of Santa magic. Put on some Christmas tunes or a favorite movie and get wrapping.

4.

The Outdoors. Winter is good for one thing and one thing only: snow. Sledding, snowball fights, snowmen, and ice-skating are all great ways to stay busy during winter break. Have a blast with siblings, neighbors, or whomever you can find to enjoy the snow.

Compete to see who can make the bigger snowman or have sledding races. No matter what you do, this is sure to help make the best of break. Don’t forget the hot cocoa after a long day of fun outside in the cold.

Christmas fashion

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newspaper edition

Gabby Phail ‘14 Staff Writer

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his holiday season, The Arrow has created a list of Christmas movies to watch each night of December leading up to Christmas. This is a compilation of the newspaper staff ’s favorite movies that capture the holiday spirit. They can be found through Netflix, Redbox, iTunes, Hulu, On Demand, etc.

It’s time to put on your favorite Christmas socks, pour some eggnog, sit back, and enjoy these holiday favorites.

The Holiday (2006) Home Alone (1990) Scrooged (1988)

Love Actually (2003) White Christmas (1954) Die Hard (1988) Jake Scott ‘16

Madison Jordan ‘16

Victoria Smith ‘16

Four Christmases (2008) Santa Baby (2006) Babes in Toyland (1986) A Christmas Carol (1951) Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

Susan Fisher ‘16

Morgan French ‘15 (Left) and Rachael Harlow ‘15 (Right)

Morgan French ‘15

The Abominable Snowman (1957) Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) The Year without a Santa Claus (1974) Christmas with the Kranks (2004) Holiday Inn (1942)

Mr. Franklin

Mr. Connely and Ms. Thibodeaux

Mrs. Basso (Left), Ms. Ramos (Center), and Mrs. Money-Brady (Right)

Elf (2003) A Christmas Story (1983) How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) The Santa Clause Movie Marathon (1994,2002,2006)

Mrs. Huntington

Rachael Harlow ‘15 (Left), Morgan French ‘15 (Center), Maren Graham ‘15 (Right)

Wednesday, December 11th

25 Days Of Christmas

Frosty the Snowman (1969) The Nightmare Before Christmas (2006) A Charlie Brown Christmas (1993)

Alianne Staruszkiewicz ‘15 Staff Writer

ecember has finally arrived and many Brebeuf students are in full Christmas spirit. Although these winter months bring dreaded bitter cold weather, there is also much to look forward to this time of the year. From daily Starbucks runs to grab your favorite holiday drink to finding the perfect Snoball dress or suit, most would agree that December is a much anticipated month. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, winter typically means exciting traditions and quality time with friends and family.

Not only is it a great time to show off your favorite stylish winter ensembles and lavish holiday dresses, it’s also the perfect time to reveal your best quirky Christmas and winter themed finds. People express their love for Christmas in many ways, but over the past few years, crazy festival Christmas socks and elaborate, deliberately ugly Christmas sweaters have been in very high demand. Look no further than these spirited Brebeuf students to find the ultimate inspiration for your ugly Christmas sweater party or the must-have Christmas socks to show off throughout the holiday season!

Christmas 5

The Polar Express (2004)

Brebeuf celebrates Christmas

Ann Hourigan ‘15 Staff Writer

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hristmas, a universal favorite holiday celebrated by many around the world, is a time in which families, friends, and communities are able to come together, whether in their religious faith, jolly tunes, or a pretty tree next to the fire place.

The students of Brebeuf decide to celebrate each year in a unique fashion. Festivity fluctuates each year depending on the amount of Christmas spirit of each individual, but one aspect remains: it’s always celebrated.

Whether it’s a lone Christmas tree in a random math room or lights hung up in one’s locker, the spirit can be felt at all times and in all places of the

school. Junior Mac Ely stated that his favorite part of Brebeuf ’s Christmas season is the festive sweaters worn by those around the school. He said that he looks forward to seeing the new additions to Brebeuf ’s closet each year.

Because of Brebeuf ’s commitment to Catholicism, Jesus and the religious part of Christmas are important to the individuals of our community. These different parts of this celebrated holiday show the kind of diversity not only celebrated by the world, but uniquely by Brebeuf.

Jesus: The Dude

By Sierra Witham ‘14 Op-Ed Editor common complaint around Christmas time pertains to the abbreviation of Christmas as “Xmas.” Christians often voice their frustration with the disregard of Christ in the holiday. They argue that the abbreviation indicates the extent to which America has strayed from the purpose of Christmas: to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

However, the abbreviation does recognize Jesus. A Dictionary.com blog explains, “X is the Greek letter ‘chi,’ the initial letter in the word Χριστός. And here’s the kicker: Χριστός means ‘Christ.’” (If you are interested in more information, or feel inclined to read responses that rival the most accusatory YouTube comments, see http://blog.dictionary.com/xmas-christogram.)

Granted, not everyone who uses the abbreviation is aware of its translation; the linguistically naive may type the shortened term strictly to save time. While Christians who complain about the use of “Xmas” may also be linguistically naive, their problem with others “ignoring” their savior for the sake of saving a second remains relevant, as the criticism leads to an interesting question: would Americans think of Christmas as a time to honor Jesus’s life, as opposed to an opportunity to receive presents, if they had a more concrete idea of whom the man was?

To profile Jesus as a comprehensible human rather than a third of the Trinity, The Arrow examines a couple aspects of this revered historical figure that constitute his person.

Iconography of Jesus tends to portray him as a somber, reflective individual. (The Arrow staff understands the reasoning behind the grim depictions. After all, the man did sacrifice himself.) But what physical characteristics did Jesus posses?

A

GotQuestions.org, a Christian site that answers religious inquiries with Bible verses, cites Isiah 53:2 (ESV). The verse reads, “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him.”

In other words, Jesus wasn’t an outwardly attractive guy.

GotQuestions.org continues to explain that Jesus was Jewish, so he probably exhibited Jewish features, such as dark hair and brown eyes.

How did Jesus become a renowned leader without the help of handsomeness? Were people drawn exclusively to his tales of an afterlife and ability to perform miracles? Perhaps not.

James Martin, S.J., author and editor at large of America magazine, speculates that Jesus had a sense of humor.

Martin’s article, “Jesus Was Funnier Than We Think,” in RELEVANT Magazine references a story found in the beginning of the Gospel of John. In the story, Nathaniel hears that the Messiah is from Nazareth, a middle-of-nowhere, scarcely populated town. Nathaniel rags on the town, saying, “Can anything good come of Nazareth?”

Not only does Jesus find the crack comical, he decides that, with the joke, Nathaniel has proven he can be trusted. Consequently, Jesus welcomes Nathaniel as his apostle.

Consider Jesus’s first miracle. He transformed water into wine to keep the spirits at a wedding party high. What further evidence of his fun personality does one need?

Whether or not you opt to abbreviate Christmas to “Xmas,” remember, on December 25th, Christians acknowledge the birth of an average-looking fellow who appreciated a good quip.

Features 6

Jubilant Java

Wednesday December 11th

make your own festive holiday beverages

By Maddie Morelock ‘14 News Editor

W

hether you’re snowed in during Winter Break or trying to find a way to procrastinate studying for finals, we’ve adapted some quick and easy recipes from various web sources to help you make your own delicious mock Starbucks drinks – without paying the Starbucks price.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Caramel Macchiato

• 3 Tbs. mocha powder (can be Starbucks brand, but any kind will suffice) • 1 ½ Tbs. peppermint syrup (again, Starbucks brand is recommended but not necessary) • 12 oz. steamed or heated milk • Whipped cream

• 2 Tbs. vanilla syrup (recipe below)

• 3 Tbs. strong ground coffee

• ½ cup fresh espresso (strong coffee can be used as a substitute)

• 2/3 cup water

• 1 cup milk, steamed and frothy with foam • 3-4 Tbs. caramel sauce (ice cream topping works well)

• Festive sprinkles

Mix the 3 Tbs. of mocha powder with 3 Tbs. of warm water, creating chocolate syrup. Pour this syrup into a 12 oz. mug, mixing in the peppermint syrup.

Top it off with some whipped cream and sprinkles, if you’re feeling festive.

Combine sugar and water in a sauce pan to make the syrup.

Bring to a boil on high heat and continue to boil for 5 minutes.

Let cool and add vanilla extract.

Stir well and keep refrigerated.

Use an espresso machine to make coffee. Heat milk until hot – do not boil over a stove top.

Blend coffee and milk together until frothy. Add the vanilla syrup to coffee and milk in a mug. Top off with caramel sauce.

Stress-free for finals ‘tis the season

By Gabrielle Phail ‘14 Staff Writer

T

oward the end of every semester, one might notice students becoming fearful, fretful, or stressed with anticipation for those fateful few days of finals. Here are a few tips for those of you trying to alleviate your tension.

Rest Although it may seem that pulling an allnighter is the best way to study for exams, this method is actually counterproductive.

There comes a certain point when you need to sleep. You will not retain the information that you study while you’re half asleep at 3 o’clock in the morning. In the long run, you are not getting much out of late night studying, and it will only make you tired the next morning, sending you into a vicious cycle of fatigue. Make sure to organize your studying in a way that allows room for a solid amount of sleep.

Organize Effective organization is an easy way to send you on the road to success when studying for finals. No matter how messy of a person you are, this is an simple task to accomplish. Separating each class’s papers (quizzes, tests, notes, etc) into individual binders chronologically will help you keep track of things. This also prevents frantically searching through your folders and backpack for a three month old quiz the night before your test, because everything is in its proper place. (Note: This is only effective if done far enough in advance. If you start organizing the weekend before finals, you will waste your time organizing papers instead of actually studying.)

Be Productive Spending your time wisely while studying for finals will be rewarding when the last stretch arrives. Procrastinating will only hurt you in the long run, because it will cause you to

Pumpkin Spice Latte

cram, stay up all night, and retain a lot less information. When you procrastinate and end up cramming the night before your test, there will not be enough time to accomplish everything you planned to finish.Therefore, if you are trying to pass your exams, procrastination is not the way to go. Instead, make a schedule that assures enough time will be spent on each subject over the course of a week or two; that way you never have to cut corners due to time restraints.

Stay Active and Take Breaks Confining yourself to your room for the entirety of finals week is not as effective as you may think. In fact, being completely secluded and sedentary will make you tired and less efficient with your work. You might think that leaving your desk for a few minutes will break your focus and prevent you from getting back to work when you come back, but this is not always true. You can only handle so much information at once, and eventually it will go in one ear and out the other. When you are making a study schedule, allow time for a 20-30 minute break between every two hours of studying.

During this break, don’t sit and watch tv; the best thing you can do for yourself is stand up and walk around, step outside, and get a snack-- everyone’s brain needs a little time to recoup after all that studying.

Eat Well Often people find that the stress of studying for finals will lead them to eat junk food in order to feel better. In reality, this has the opposite effect. Although fatty, high-calorie foods may be quick and comforting, this only satisfies you for short amount of time.

Healthy, nutrition rich foods are actually the best way to fill your stomach’s needs in the long run and help keep your brain ready and alert. Instead of shoving a handful of M&Ms into your mouth when you need something quick, try snacking on almonds or carrots. It may sound hard, but your body and mind will thank you in the long run.

• ½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice • 2 tsp. honey or agave nectar • 2/3 cup milk Brew the coffee using the water.

While the coffee is brewing, stir pumpkin pie spice and honey/ agave nectar together until completely blended, and set it aside. Pour the milk into a microwave-safe bowl and, keeping the bowl slightly tilted to the side, vigorously whisk the milk for about 2 – 2 ½ minutes (or until frothy).

Microwave the milk in the bowl for 8-10 seconds. Pour the coffee into a mug and stir in the honey/agave and pumpkin pie spice mixture until completely dissolved. Top with the hot milk.

Christmas: what’s the big deal? a Jewish perspective

By Thomas Zelmanovitz ‘15 [Jewish] Staff Writer

J

ews have been around for nearly five thousand years, and we’ve gone from being a proud, powerful people to being conquered by, well, just about everyone. It’s really no wonder then that we’ve become bitter in our old age, criticizing most everything. Some say that these have lead us to dominate the world economy because of a Napoleonic complex and our shrewd business sense. In any case, a riveting topic for discussion in many Jewish circles is Christmas. While some Jews think Christmas is just a stolen take on the Romans’ Saturnalia festival, others find it quite entertaining to observe their friends and neighbors as they celebrate the holiday. Chanukkah is obviously the better end-of-year celebration, but to give Christmas some recognition, here are some common Semitic views on X-mas: Complaints:

-Like Saturnalia, Christmas is only one day, and it is conveniently placed exactly on the day of the ancient pagan celebrations.

-It is a much bigger hassle to put up a tree than to just light up a couple of candles. Consider how much Christmas trees cost!

-If anyone had bothered to do their religious research, he would’ve found that Jesus wasn’t actually born on Christmas day. The Bible says there were baby sheep in the manger, and everybody knows that sheep breed in the winter and are thus normally born in the spring. Come on, people. That’s common sense.

-Christmas has become a highly commercialized holiday and has lost its true meaning. You’d never see that with a serious holiday, like Yom Kippur.

-Did we mention we have seven days of presents?

-Christmas carols are horrible and emotionally scarring. If you disagree, then you need to re-evaluate both your life and the lyric “I saw momma kissing Santa Claus under the mistletoe.”

-You cannot look me in the eye and tell me the entire premise of Santa Claus isn’t a bit dubious. No, seriously.

-Think about it. Macabre snowmen coming to life with a demonic, black-magic, hat? Is nobody going to consult the Winchesters about that? Seriously?

-Let’s be honest, Saturnalia celebrations are much more entertaining than hanging socks on your mantle.

Reasons why Christmas isn’t so bad:

-Food doesn’t need to have symbolic meaning to remind you of suffering or good times you might have had.

-Admittedly, model trains and iPhones are better presents than pencils and notebooks. As comedian Lewis Black put it, Chanukkah is essentially “a back to school holiday.”

-Christmas Dinner is a heck of a meal. Admittedly, even the ham is good.

-Elf is one of the greatest movies ever made and nothing you could say would ever change my mind.

By Clay Bowes ‘15 Staff Writer

Luke

Eddie vs.

I

n the heat of wrestling practice, Senior Eddie Barks man handles Senior Luke Sartino and wins pretty handily. Though this is not Luke’s prime fighting technique, it is still quite an accomplishment for Eddie to beat a World Champion Karate and Jiu Jitsu master.

While this is impressive, wrestling is different than karate and more restrictive than Jiu Jitsu. Who would win in a no rules brawl where Eddie’s strength and reach can be put to the test against Luke’s technical skill?

Two of the nicest people at Brebeuf just happen to be the two best fighters.

Although they would never fight each other, many students have argued over who they believe would win in a hypothetical fight.

Strength wise, Eddie has a 275 pound bench, a 345 pound squat, and 205 pound hang clean, compared to Luke’s 180 pound bench, 265 pound squat, and 145 pound hang clean. Eddie also has a reach advantage of four inches, plus bear hands with a grip that is nearly impossible to break.

When asked about his hands Eddie stated, “I’ve had the same sized hands since fifth grade, so I’ve gotten some practice.” Senior Carlo Alviar, self-proclaimed Eddie Barks

Photo credit: Clay Bowes

and Luke Sartino expert, states, “Luke cannot choke Eddie, Eddie’s neck girth [measured to be 18 inches] is just too massive for Luke to get his tiny hands around.”

Luke Sartino has been fighting all his life. Luke started Jiu Jitsu when he was 10 and Karate when he was 3, and now he is a second degree adult black belt. He has been fighting all his life, while Eddie has only been wrestling for four years. Luke is

Upset...

in emotion, not in result

By Clay Bowes ‘15 Sports Writer

H

istory was made on November 29th when the Brebeuf football team made it to their first state championship ever. They unfortunately came up short in the game against Andrean High School; however, it was a great day for the Brebeuf community.

The Braves started the game slowly, falling to a 21-0 deficit. The team fought back, though, and cut the lead to 14 to end the half 28-14. The whole second half, undefeated Andrean team played on their heels as the Braves fought back to get within one point in the fourth quarter.

In the middle of the fourth quarter, the Braves got a big stop on defense and started the game-winning drive. After a referee mistakenly assumed Coach Roessler was calling for a timeout, the momentum

began to shift. Two plays later Junior Aaron Banks threw a pick-six to give Andrean an eight-point lead. This falter should not overshadow Banks’ 268 yards with two rushing touchdowns and one passing touchdown.

Late in the fourth, the Braves started their final drive for their last chance to send the game into overtime. Through short pass plays where the receivers ran out of bounds, the team marched down the field for a final strike against Andrean. Alas, the team could not pull through, but it was still a fantastic comeback.

“The whole Brebeuf community should be proud of what the team did and they had a fantastic season,” said Junior Sam Mohr. Danny Shuck, while being sidelined by an ACL tear earlier in the tournament stated, “it was the greatest season I’ve ever been a part of and I’m definitely going to miss all the seniors next year.”

D1 (intramural) talent

By Clay Bowes ‘15 Staff Writer

O

ne of the undisputed greatest traditions at Brebeuf is the intramural basketball season. Going to these games is a great way to spend afternoon PRT’s.The season started up on November 26th and the pre-Christmas break schedule came out last week.

There is a new intramural superstar team this year that may even rival the Robotic Ballers, arguably the best student intramural team of this generation. That team is the Baseketballers, led by multiple Intramural All-Stars from last year like Senior Ben Powell, Senior Spencer Martin, and Junior Adam Iffert. Also, they will have the added experience of Junior Matt Menne, who won the championship last year with his brother’s team, The Flint Tropics.

Other notable teams this year are Money Team, led by Grant Prather; Turkana Boys, led by Stu Dillon; Count Ladies, led

by Sam Duncan; and Danny’s ACL, symbolically led by Danny Shuck and his new ACL.

Look for these four teams to make runs in the final tournament this year.

The overall number one team this year will be Faculty/Staff as always. After losing their first game in Brebeuf history last year against Ballers on Point, the Faculty/Staff team looks to redeem themselves this year.

Although the team lost fan favorite Mr. Petty, the team will do just fine with the addition of Social Studies teacher Mr. Hamlet and College Counselor Mr. Moore. If anyone is to beat this team, it will be one of the top four student teams listed earlier.

The awards for this year’s intramural season will be MVP, 6th man of the year, and best role player. You can check these lists as the season goes on through the BJIM Scouts blogspot or by following them on twitter @ BJIMScouts. You can also find out information about the season through your neighborhood BJIM Scout: Nate Meyer, Zach Smith, Carlo Alviar, and Clay Bowes.

This season is expected to be one of the most exciting ones yet, so try to catch some games this year. You never know what will happen.

an agile fighter and with such finesse could sneak around Eddie all he wants. Luke is very technical and knows ways to defeat Goliaths like Eddie. Luke’s best bet to stand a chance against Eddie is to keep his distance and just counter Eddie’s advances.

Strength and Conditioning Coach Joel Tyler Clem was asked about the imaginary fight since he has coached Eddie and Luke in their Advanced Physical Condition-

S

photo credit: Dorian McCarroll

urrounded by her teammates at yet another “Pasta Dinner” Susan Fisher carb loads for the semi-state cross country race she is going to run the next day.

Her teammates assure her that they all support her no matter how she does in the race.

This type of family style bond is what makes the cross country team such a tight-knit group. That bond helps the team to excel in any trials that they face.

Susan Fisher is a sophomore varsity cross country runner who brings a lot to the course. Fisher, along with the whole cross country team, has done extremely well this season, winning a 2A state championship. Fisher first started running when she

ing classes the past two years. Coach Clem claims that Eddie will easily win, but in that Luke has faced and defeated guys Eddie’s size before in Jiu Jitsu. Eddie definitely beats Luke in wrestling, a style of fighting Luke has only had one year of training in, but Luke has had a decade’s worth of training in a martial art form designed for self-defense.

Eddie would have to get through a swift kick by Luke to get him onto the ground to win the fight. If Luke could stay away and rack up blows to Eddie to wear him out, he could keep his karate advantage. Once Eddie and Luke reach the ground, the advantage would switch to Eddie because of the weight and strength advantage.

Luke would have to try and put him into a submission hold before Eddie could get the upper hand and finish off Luke.

Fortunately for the world, this fight will never happen because of how nice these two guys are. Luke and Eddie have been friends since grade school at St. Luke, but it is always interesting to think about how Brebeuf ’s best wrestler matches up to Brebeuf ’s own world champion karate master.

State round-up

recapping Braves’ success

By Claire Burdick ‘15 Sports Editor

I

n light of Brebeuf ’s success in fall sports this past season, here are the quick highlights of our most successful teams.

Girls Volleyball- State Champ “When we scored the last point, I was completely in shock. I could not believe that we had actually made it that far, and I was and still am so proud of my teammates,” said Junior Gold Ozobu of her team’s victory. It was a moment of both redemption and relapse. Three years prior, the girls volleyball team lost in the state final. But the team was not okay with letting that happen again. Instead, the girls channeled the energy of the team ten years prior. In 2003, the Braves defeated Providence in the state final and started a decade of success for the volleyball program. Ozobu continued, “We did a fantastic job holding each other accountable and motivating ourselves, which really payed off in the end.”

Football- (see article left) Boys Cross Country- 4th in state unclassed Strength is not one of the first qualities that most would think of when considering cross country, but strength propelled this team to the best finish in recent history. “Over the summer, everyone, not just the top seven, worked hard. That pushed everyone even more and helped us throughout the year,” said star Junior Zack Snider. In a sport like cross country, schools are not divided by class, size, or previous performance. These boys proved that you do not need the most people to win, you just need determination and depth. “We had some of the best depth in the state, and we should only continue to get stronger,” explained Snider. This team placed fourth at the state tournament, meeting their team goal. The growing strength through every practice and race paid off for the Braves.

A run-in with Susan Fisher

By Dorian McCarroll ‘16 Staff Writer

Sports 7

Wednesday, December 11th

was about two years old and has been a part of a team for six years. One might ask what made her join a team in the first place. Fisher answers, “I like the team dynamic, and I also like running… most of the time.”

Fisher isn’t the only runner in her family. Her older brother Glenn Fisher ‘13 ran while he was at Brebeuf, and it became a sibling sport. Her cross country teammates also became like siblings to her and supported her as she went to semi-state.

Making it to semi-state was a big deal, and as her impressive season came to an end Fisher reflected back on the memories she made.

Her favorite cross country memory was “when Coach Kling slipped on the muddy course and fell!”

The fun times on the cross country team are numerous and there are many

Zach Smith & Scott Van Der Wiel- made it to state “In fact, it didn’t really feel real,” said Senior Scott Van Der Wiel of the success he and doubles’ tennis partner and fellow Senior Zach Smith found. Smith and Van Der Wiel played together all season long taking down most any opponent they met. Their chemistry helped them all the way to state, a feat that’s prestige is not lost on the boys. “Scott and I worked really hard to get to where we did. It was an awesome experience,” commented Smith. The boys played well together, and they unselfishly attributed their success to “the support coaches and fans,” including Carlo Alviar, Jack Ball, and Brent Clayman.

Susan Fisher- semi state qualifier (see article below) Cheerleading- 4th place at state in co-ed class Not to be overshadowed by any other sports, the cheerleaders made it to their state finals in the co-ed division. Junior Sophie Zinn spoke of the jubilance felt by the team when they finished: “My stunt group was worried about one of our stunts hitting, and once it was hit perfectly, there was nothing to bring us down. Once we got off the mat, our coach told us everything hit. We all just hugged each other crying because of how happy we were.” In a new division this year, with the addition of Freshman Tyler Hagen, the team were unsure of how they would finish. The spirited bunch finished fourth at the state meet and could not be more proud.

They hope their achievements foreshadow further success in the future.

Honorable mention: Carlo Alviar, the only tennis player in the state to take the eventual state champ to extra sets in the season, unfortunately lost in the sectional final of state tournament play.

aspects about the sport that Susan loves. In her opinion, the best part of running cross country is not feeling guilty about stuffing yourself with a bunch of junk food after a race. On the other hand it’s not all fun when you’re running.

“The final kilometer of every race and running at semi-state without my teammates beside me,” Fisher identified as the worst part about this season.

Going as far as she did was no small feat for the sophomore; she would say her biggest accomplishments so far is making varsity cross country and not failing Honors World Civ with Mr. Lo, both as a freshman.

The determination from sports carries over into academics, and Fisher is as much of a talented runner as she is a focused student.

Page 8

Wednesday, December 11th

Love it/Hate it Design editor Sarah Spence lets us know what she’s loving and hating this month.

Love it:

-Cheese toasties -Puns -Tumblr -Wax Liam -Reading papers from freshman year -Unwrapped -The 9th Doctor -Iced coffee - Funny t-shirt sayings Hate it: -The movie Elf -Dry eyes -Any form of snow -Misunderstanding slang terms -Passive-aggressiveness -Group chats -Spotify ads -Teenagers who say, “Santa isn’t real?!?”

-Indiana weather -Hot tea -Checking edline

Student Snapshots What’s the worst Christmas gift you’ve ever gotten?

So this one time...

Design Editor, Sarah Spence shares a work horror story.

S

o this one time, I was at work (at Jimmy Johns) on an unusually busy Saturday evening. Just imagine four girls singing, making sandwiches, and telling jokes will we prepare dinner for our impatient customers. That particular night, I was working as “consolidator” which involves wrapping the sandwiches and handing them to customers. As I began to wrap another sandwich, a customer leaned over

DIY Project Love the look of a jolly holiday wreath, but not the cost? Make one yourself!

Here’s some great things you can make a DIY wreath out of.

-DVDs -PVC pipe -Pumpkins -Old cardigans -Lacrosse stick -Desperate Housewives box set -Receipts from the gas station -Hosepipe -Brebeuf Arrow -Astroturf -Copper pipe -Rain barrell -Crepes -Cast iron pipe -Tylenol

the counter and I assumed he was about to ask for napkins or mayonnaise packets. However, what he proceeded to tell me was nothing what I had expected.

He leaned over the counter, looked at me, and said, “Someone pooped on the floor of the men’s restroom. It’s right in the middle of the floor too. It was deliberate.” Doing a double take, it took a second for my brain to fully understand what he had just told me. Someone had gone to the bathroom of a Jimmy Johns, and pooped on the floor?

With a disgusted look on his face, he took his sandwich and left the store, leaving me and the other customers standing in shock. I

Wacky Words Handy terms in other languages without English equivalents -Backpfeifengesicht (German) - a face that deserves to be punched -Cavoli Riscaldati (Italian) the consequences of trying to save a hopeless relationship; translates to “reheated cabbage” -Kaelling (Danish) - a woman shouting obscenities at her children -Mencolek (Indonesian) - the action of tapping someone on their left shoulder, watching them look to their left, and passing them on their right -Schadenfreude (German) - the delight derived from witnessing someone’s pain; see “Scarlet Takes a Tumble” -Jayus (Indonesian) - a joke that warrants laughter because it is told poorly

quickly told my friend to the left of me what had happened and she was stunned. After a quick game of “nose-goes” (of which I lost) I grabbed a pair of gloves and the mop bucket and headed to the bathroom.

Upon opening the door, I was shocked to discover that there was no excrement on the restroom floor. My confusion increasing by the minute, I checked behind the toilet and in the corners to no avail. There was no poop. I quickly checked the women’s bathroom because, maybe he was confused and went to the wrong bathroom.

But there was no poop on that bathroom floor either. I was so

confused. Some man came into the store and ordered a sandwich only to then proceed to lie to the employees about poop on the bathroom floor and leave before he could be called on out on those lies.

Everyday at work previous to that, we had crazy customer stories, but this one takes the cake. Never in my life would I imagine a person deliberately lying to Jimmy Johns employees about poop on a bathroom floor.

Yet, here I am. A victim of this ruthless lie. What’s more, he didn’t even stay to see our reactions. That would have been the best part for sure.

Tweet Roundup “If Lebron’s so much better than Jordan then explain to me why Bugs Bunny has never once asked for his help in a game. Can’t argue with facts.” - @robfee

“Annemarie listens to early 2000s hipster bands.

Simple planmarie.” - @ NN_55

“Girl, you misheard me.

I said I want to ‘take you for granite.’ We’re going to build the kitchen of your dreams and I’m paying for it.” - @trevso_electric “I wonder if milkmen still exist.” - @suddain “Sorry, milkPEOPLE.” @suddain “Supreme Court will also hear Hobby Lobby case on owning a hot glue AK47 for personal use.” - @ lizzwinstead

“‘It’s a principle of success I call the bigger towel syndrome: The more money you make, the more big, soft, fluffy towels you crave.’ – Oprah” - @lanyardigan

“The children awoke on Christmas to find their stockings full of warm orange soda. Thank you, Fanta Claus!” - @ mrtimlong

-Black mold

Bethany Driggers ‘14- My grandma has gotten me a wooden jewelry box for the past 4 years.

Joe Pyles ‘14-I got a brick once.

W

Doodle Digest

e’re all familiar with the seemingly never-ending slog of boring classes throughout the school day. Slyly checking Twitter, chatting it up with our neighbors, eyeing the clock, and working on homework for other classes are all acts done by students who must endure the tedious notes and lectures that teachers recite from memory in the same monotonous voice that have haunted the dreams of

children for eons. Luckily, with the necessity of various school supplies like pencils, pens, erasers and other various writing utensils, artistically inclined students have found comfort in “Doodling.”

Brebeuf is home to plenty of doodlers, but some have the same eye for detail and understanding of shading, point of view and patience as those who created the art Junior Chris Sullivan drew his doodle during an uninteresting class. works that line the halls by the His is a lovely sketch of a skim boarder, not a surfer, shooting through principal’s office. the barrel of a colossal wave. Chris says he is not a surfer himself, but he thought this would be a fun thing to draw. Chris tends to draw his doodles in stages; this means he keeps a similar style or type of drawing for a period of time and then moves on to something else. Chris has been in trouble for doodling before; he says: “The life of a doodler is a trying one: I’ve been scolded on several occasions for doodling whilst I should have been taking notes.”

JW Demaree ‘15- A box of grass with a note that said “go eat some grass, you worthless goat”

Andrew Hammond ‘15- A dead horse

Senior Chandler Grau was struggling to pay attention in class, so he drew the masterpiece above.

In the drawing, Grau depicts the all-seeing-eye with money raining from clouds above. Below the eye, the word “Illuminati” is written in block letters.

Grau is trying to convey the point that our nation and its wealth is actually controlled by the secret society formed in the 1700s called Illuminati.

Senior Haley Mayer is different from Chandler and Chris with her doodles. Chris and Chandler doodle because they do not have much else to do at certain points in class; Haley doodles because she loves fashion. Haley often draws dresses and other pieces of clothing. She says teachers have never been mad at her for doodling, but the occasionally ask her if she wants to be a fashion designer. Haley also loves drawing the Yin-Yang symbol.

Page 8 created by Kristen Henderson, Maddie Morelock, Sierra Witham, Eddie Free, Dorian McCarroll and Sarah Spence.