Spectrum - March 11, 2021

Editorials

DRIVE 2021

The Beet

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Detroit Catholic Central

Volume 84, No. 3 March 11, 2021 27225 Wixom Road, Novi, MI, 48374

A year in, Shamrocks return to full face-to-face instruction

CC returned to full face-to-face instruction on March 8.

Photo by Nunu

fully

Cole Nogawa ’22 On March 1, 2021, after nearly one full year of previously unimaginable solitude, loneliness, and heartache, Detroit Catholic Central announced its decision to return to

in-person education for the fourth academic quarter.

While the Brotherhood has met the trials and tribulations of the 2020-2021 school year with undeniable courage, it is expected that this news will come as a relief to those who have long expressed feelings of isolation and dissatisfaction with remote learning.

New study hall offers students the help they need Max Chensse ’22 Headed by Mr. Fras, the Catholic Central Study Hall aims to be the ideal place to get back into the swing of things. With the pandemic taking its toll, the program proved to be a necessary way for students to get back on their feet.

“Administration had the idea to begin the study hall,” Mr. Fras explained. “They identified students that would benefit from extra help after the first quarter.”

While the study hall began as just a small side project, it rapidly expanded, attracting more students as the year progressed.

“As we progressed, administration and myself realized the importance of helping all students in all subjects,” Mr. Fras added.

The study hall conveniently opened up to the whole school and was viewed by students as an effective way to veer into the right direction.

And on top of the study hall being a beacon of light in the fog that is hybrid schooling, it also managed to serve as a way for NHS students to acquire their necessary tutoring hours.

“The tutors are learning the importance of selflessness and helping others,” Mr. Fras said.

For any student at Catholic Central, this new study hall is a sure-fire way to become an involved and productive student here.

Located in the Media Center, the study hall offers one-on-one tutoring for all subjects. Students do not need to sign up and can show up any time between 3:00-4:30 p.m. after school Monday through Thursday. Students do not need to be physically present, as Google Meets for the study hall have also been arranged. Those in LE@D can show up virtually as they wish.

With no appointment necessary, the study hall is an excellent place for any student to get the as-

Though the school’s response to the crisis at hand was exemplary, nothing could have entirely replaced the lost sense of camaraderie.

Alongside excitement for the return to full-capacity education, concerns over the future of social distancing efforts have been raised by numerous community members.

When asked about changes to procedure, Father Fulton responded, “There will be some changes to classroom desk configurations. At lunchtime we will still limit the number of students at a table; however, we will open up the gym bleachers during lunch as well. Eating is one of the more vulnerable moments in the day for students.”

Students will also be able to utilize all of the school’s entrances, rather than just the main entrance. For students and families concerned about distancing, the LE@D program remains an option.

Addressing concerns regarding Easter break vacationing, Father Fulton continued, “The second week of Easter holiday is effectively a quarantine period in the hopes that students who have travelled internationally (which includes Mexico), can respect the school’s request for a 10-day quarantine period.”

Ultimately, Father concluded, “The Shamrock Nation needs to protect the rest of the Shamrock family by avoiding risky behaviors with the potential for infection in order to protect and keep the brotherhood healthy. Now it is more imperative than ever that the Shamrocks attend to those [old] routines in order to keep our school healthy: appropriate mask wearing, handwashing/sanitizing, desk sanitization, etc.”

Junior Billy Ward, when asked about his thoughts regarding the decision to return to full capacity, remarked, “I don’t really see not going back in person as an option.”

The administration seems to agree. “Our infection rates are low, many teachers are vaccinated now, and given the success of the DRIVE, we have few days of school left,” said Father Fulton.

The conclusion remains the same as it has been all year: “It’s up to the Shamrock Nation to keep us all healthy.”

Dawson Compo ’20: A friend gone too soon

sistance he needs, on his terms.

Those doing the tutoring may also show up at any time, but scheduling appointments for their preferred subjects proves to be more ideal.

Study hall is “a win-win for every Shamrock.” Mr. Fras explained how although NHS students “run the show,” it really is the student body as a whole that keeps it running.

The study hall is also designated as a way for students to connect with our Blessed Mother as she offers us this way to improve upon our knowledge and our grades.

“I feel extremely blessed at the end of every day knowing that those things have been accomplished,” Mr. Fras said.

The CC Study Hall: a place not only for the diminishing of stress, but also for living out “Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge.”

Nick Dewhirst ’21

Senior Liam Kendall offers guidance to a fellow Shamrock.

Photo by Mr. Cornish

On the afternoon of January 2, 2021, Dawson Compo ‘20 and his parents, David and Michele, tragically passed away when their private plane crashed into a home.

Dawson was a true friend of everyone he met, and he touched the hearts of many. He was deeply involved and skilled in school, running both cross country and track, playing the trombone in the band, and maintaining high academic standards for himself. He was a hard worker for his father’s company, Compo Builders, and he never took shortcuts. Whenever you were feeling down, Dawson knew how to cheer you up, and he was available to talk to whenever you needed him.

I will always remember him as the best team manager one could ask for. He was at practice everyday despite his inability to run with an injured leg, and he never complained.

He supported the team wholeheartedly, and everyone cherished his presence.

Dawson’s humor was contagious. His spirit filled the room, and he often cracked jokes about himself, giving others a hearty laugh. His close friends will always remember his energy drink reviews on Snapchat and his iconic photos on the jobsite.

It’s times like these where we ask, “Why were they taken so soon?” But we must reminisce on the times we did have with Dawson and his family and what we enjoyed most about their being a part of our lives. Dawson wouldn’t want us to focus on his absence but rather the fun and the memories we shared together.

Dawson had such a bright future ahead of him, and it just doesn’t seem right that it was taken away from him. He and his family lived their best lives and will be remembered and loved eternally both inside and outside of the Catholic Central community.

2

Editorials

March 11, 2021

Do big tech companies hold too much power?

Logan Welter ’21

Parler was a platform that marketed itself as the platform for free speech with fewer restrictions than Twitter or Facebook. This pleased many conservatives and Trump supporters as Twitter and Facebook made it clear that they were not wanted on their platforms.

In mid-2020, many conservatives flocked to the site because a tweet former President Trump made about his concerns with mail-in ballots was flagged as “potentially misleading.”

Parler championed the #Twexit (a portmanteau of Twitter and Exit) movement. However, this respite from the long, oppressive arm of Silicon

We face a dangerous time. We face a time where tech giants in Silicon Valley hold the power to silence the President of the United States.

Following the events of January 6, which saw a mob of right-wing extremists storm the Capitol in an attempt to prevent the election results from being ratified, Twitter and Facebook both suspended the account of former President Donald Trump.

Twitter claims that Trump was glorifying the violence committed in the riots, but if one were to actually read the tweet that caused Trump to be banned, that proves to be a flimsy excuse. “The 75,000,000 great American Patriots who voted for me, AMERICA FIRST, and MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, will have a GIANT VOICE long into the future. They will not be disrespected or treated unfairly in any way, shape or form!!!” is what the former president tweeted on January 8. Saying that this is a tweet that glorifies violence is to conflate the 75,000,000 Americans that voted for Trump and the couple thousand that attacked the Capitol.

Digression aside, this is a symptom of a larger problem that is the threat to free speech on social media that the current leadership in Silicon Valley poses. In a free market, it’s difficult to go after social media companies for suspending accounts on their platforms.

The classic saying is “If you don’t like it then make your own,” which is a valid argument when freedom of association (an individual’s right to join or leave a group voluntarily) is being discussed. However, in the case of social media, it doesn’t seem as conceivable. This is because an attempt to “make your own” has already been made After Donald Trump was banned from Twitter, Parler, a social media in the form of the alternative social media platform called Parler. platform, invited him to join.

Valley was short lived. Following the events of January 6, Parler was discovered to be one of the sites on which the people who attacked the Capitol made their plans. This resulted in a complete shutdown of the platform.

Both Apple and Google removed Parler from their respective app stores, and Amazon ceased providing hosting services. How is a free market supposed to function when the three biggest companies in the market come down on new companies with extreme force? It seems nearly impossible.

Because it seems that new networks will be crushed with the hammer of Silicon Valley, the only option seems to be attempting to change the platforms that exist. The fact of the matter is that if you say something that the people at Twitter or Facebook don’t like, you will be silenced.

Normally freedom of association would apply if there wasn’t already a Supreme Court decision in favor of free speech on social media.

In 2017 the Court ruled in Packingham v. North Carolina that social media is considered a “protected space” for lawful speech. One opinion that stood out in that case was the opinion of Justice Kennedy where he called social media the “modern public square.” This means that the same rules that apply to free speech should apply to social media.

We need to come together as a society to advocate for all voices to be heard in the new public square or else we risk the creation of echo chambers where people only hear voices that agree with them. For the sake of our nation’s stability, we either need to confront these companies on a united front or vote for officials who will.

Why the cherished snow day should be protected Drew Laroo ’22 February 16, 2021, will forever go down as one of the greatest days in history. It will be seen for years to come as a day where goodness prevailed over evil, a day where one of the world’s most important institutions was saved, a day where something that’s been cherished for years by students would be maintained. February 16, 2021, was the day that the snow day was saved.

The onset of our technological age has done marvels for schools. In a world ravaged by a pandemic, it has helped us stay connected to each other and has allowed us to continue our education.

It’s now possible to wake up at 7:55 some mornings, throw on a somewhat decent outfit, and begin the school day from the comfort of your house. However, with the convenience that Google Meet and Zoom bring also comes a dangerous consequence: snow days may be abolished forever.

Alas, thanks to Google Meet and Zoom, on a day where road conditions are bad enough to warrant a snow day, it’s possible to have classes virtually. All it would take is the teachers and students to join an online meeting for each class to occur without any disruptions. However, even though it is possible to still have school, it should not happen. The reasoning: snow days are too valuable to take away from students.

The lead up to a snow day is, at times, almost as exciting and great as the snow day itself. A couple days before a storm comes into town there are always comments made about how there could be a chance for a snow day at some point during the week.

Everyone bombards our favorite future meteorologist Nick Dewhirst with questions about how much snow could fall. The next move is to check the always incredibly accurate Snow Day Calculator and the chance for snow that day.

Everyone asks their teachers if they think the day off is possible as buzz travels around the school.

When the evening before a snow day arrives, we frantically check Twitter (while harassing Fr. Fulton about the potential day off) and local news stations.

We either receive the good news that evening, or fall asleep praying for positive news the next morning.

When the good news finally arrives it gives us the freedom we all adore. If the day is called off the evening before, we have the chance to stay up as late as we want to without consequences, aside from a ruined sleep schedule. Regardless of when the day is called off, it gives many the ability to do their favorite snow day activity: sleep in.

The possibilities of things to do on snow days are limitless. One can lie around all day and do nothing, play video games with friends, face the elements and venture outside to “enjoy” the snow, or take part in many different activities. The pure joy one can get from taking a day to do nothing productive is unmatched.

Finally, snow days can provide a break in

our stressful and busy lives. While a second grader might just enjoy a snow day since he can play with friends all day, high schoolers value them as days where they can take a break from their hectic lives. Especially in the current state of our world, one where we often find ourselves more stressed than ever, a snow day is a random but valuable moment where we can enjoy ourselves and relax in the middle of the harsh winter that we endure annually.

Although it is possible to still end the practice of giving snow days, it can’t happen. The experience of a snow day is one not only current students but also students for years to come should be able enjoy.

Celebrating the life of hip hop’s supervillain MF DOOM’s early death shocked the music world Brendan Nordstrom ’21 Metal Face. Zev Love X. MadvilKing Geedorah. Viktor Vaughn. DanDOOM. Hip Hop’s Supervillain.

No matter what the enigmatic, deep-voiced MC was called, the music world felt immense pain after the loss of MF DOOM. DOOM passed away on October 31, 2020, at the age of 49; however, the news did not break until his family released it through a social media post on December 31. The secrecy of his death is a testament to his mystifying personality and lifestyle.

Daniel Dumile was born in July 1971 in London, England, yet grew up in New York. He had a childhood fascination with comic books, which is evident in his music and persona.

His hip hop career began in 1988 when he formed the group KMD with his brother and another artist named Rodan. Before their second project was set to drop in 1993, DOOM’s brother was tragically hit by a car and passed away. Just a few days later, KMD was dropped from their record deal, forcing Dumile away from hip hop and into reclusiveness.

DOOM re-emerged in 1997; however, in the lain. ger

four years of seclusion, he was bordering on home- met with high acclaim as it is considered by many to lessness and even claimed he would get “revenge” be the greatest hip hop album of all time. A sequel on the music industry, which had brought him to that to Madvillainy has been rumored, but it is unclear point. It was here that he created the MF DOOM whether it will be released posthumously or not.

From 2003 till persona and garnered DOOM’s passing in 2020, the title of “Hip he released as many as Hop’s Supervillain.” seven albums, including This was accompaMm...Food and BORN nied by the infamous LIKE THIS, as well as metal mask that he several side projects. In would wear at shows, the mid-2010s, Dumile a tribute to Marvel was denied entry into supervillain Doctor Doom. It is even the United States as he known that he would had never gained citizenship, leaving him to live not take a picture without the mask on. his final days in London.

His passing away He debuted the MF DOOM on October 31, 2020, remoniker in 1999 united him with his lost brother and son in the with the album Opafterlife. It is only fitting eration: Doomsday.

DOOM worked that MF DOOM passed on a number of away on Halloween during a year in which projects and albums throughout the early masks were prevalent.

To understand MF 2000’s, including MF DOOM sporting his iconic mask Vaudeville Villain DOOM, one must first unand VV:2, under the pseudonym Viktor Vaughn, derstand the mysterious nature of the man behind the another reference to Marvel’s Doctor Doom. mask. Besides obscuring his face, DOOM deployed In 2004, Dumile linked up with producer Madlib a number of tactics to ensure he kept his mysterious to create his magnum opus, Madvillainy. With songs persona. Off the bat he led many news outlets and such as “All Caps” and “Accordion,” this album was fans to annually celebrate his birthday on January 9;

however, it was recently revealed that he was not born until July 13, a lie he told simply because he could.

Another favorite stunt of DOOM’s was to have an impostor, or a stand-in, perform for him at live shows. The backstory of MF DOOM includes sending clones of himself to perform his work for him. He claimed that sending a body-double to perform for him was an “extension” of his persona.

After a performer was discovered to be a stand-in, he was famously booed off stage until Dumile himself showed up. At the Adult Swim music festival in 2019, DOOM joined Flying Lotus onstage, until the mask was taken off to reveal comedian Hannibal Buress underneath.

In the fast-paced, electronic age that we live in, the ability to disappear for years at a time cannot be underscored. DOOM continued this reclusiveness even through his death as the news did not break until two months after his passing. Even collaborator and close friend of DOOM’s, Madlib, revealed he found out with everyone else on the 31st.

“Your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper.”

This title granted to Dumile holds true as his influence in hip hop is far-reaching. He has had a direct impact on everyone from lyrical artists such as Joey Bada$$ to more abstract artists such as Odd Future’s Tyler, the Creator and Earl Sweatshirt to chart-topping artists such as Drake.

DOOM’s legacy of intricate rhyme schemes, jazz-style production, and perplexing personality continues to live on through artists and hip hop fans alike as a blueprint on how to push the bounds of creativity.

Online schooling takes a toll on student wellness Tommy Shea ’21 It has been nearly a year since our last full in-person school day at Catholic Central. The story is the same around the country. While the prolonged online learning was indisputably necessary for physical health, questions have been raised about the mental effects of these circumstances.

The education system was designed to provide not only knowledge, but also an environment to motivate students to learn. When students are left to learn without direct instruction, their teachers cannot see when they are struggling, and it becomes much harder for the students to stay on top of their work.

In a 2015 study by Harvard and Stanford professors, the negative effects of online learning on academic success were evident. The students who took the class in-person had a 12.2% higher chance at an A and a 13.5% higher chance at a B than their online counterparts.

Online learning generates a lack of both extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. It is much harder for students to stay focused and inspired while staring at a screen for seven hours. Online learning creates an unfamiliar environment for students to learn, and the effects of these new circumstances are seen in students’ results.

Grades are not the only aspect of student life affected by online learning: the effects on students’ mental health are becoming more clear after months of distance education. Students lose not only educational resources with online schooling, but also other programs provided by the school.

According to data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 35% of adolescents who received mental health services from 2012-2015 received the help through school programs. Without access to the school, these students are not getting the attention they need.

According to Catholic Central’s own Student Wellness Counselor, Mrs. Siberski, “Globally, there are reports that teens are experiencing much more anxiety and depression than in non-Covid years. Social isolation is certainly a risk factor for mental illness.”

Online learning still bears the aspects of normal school but neglects the social aspects that students need for development. As Mrs. Siberski said, the isolation often leads to depression and anxiety, further worsening the students’ already difficult circumstances.

The decrease in access to mental health services coupled with the increase in mental illness among students is a serious problem bolstered by online learning.

Extracurriculars outside of the classroom and Google

Meet are another facet of school altered by online learning.

Sports, clubs, and other activities are essential components of the social environment of school. An absence of these extracurriculars further adds to the lack of motivation as students are left without an outlet for their passions and energy.

Along with providing a powerful motivation for learning, extracurriculars give students the social interactions that are essential to the adolescent mind. Around the country, chronic absenteeism has been attributed to a lack of extracurriculars as well as other non-educational aspects of schooling.

So what is the solution? How do administrators and supervisors gauge when the negative effects of online learning outweigh the physical safety aspects? There is no definite answer.

A hybrid schedule like the one CC had implemented seemed to be a good balance, allowing students to experience the benefits of in-person learning while also keeping an emphasis on safety.

With a plan for full capacity in place, there is hope that these concerns regarding distance learning will become a part of the past.

3

Current events

March 11, 2021

Mid-February winter NHL looks towards Lake storm cripples the country Tahoe for new venue Nick Dewhirst ’21

From February 13-17, the most significant winter storm of the 2020-2021 winter season rocked the United States from the Mexican border to Maine. The greatest impacts were felt in Texas, where millions of power outages, significant ice and snowfall amounts, and inadequate winter weather treatments shut down the entire state.

The storm was noteworthy not only for its impacts so far south, but also for their expanse. At one point, the entire states of Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas and most of New Mexico, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky were under a winter storm warning, likely the first time in history. Oklahoma City recorded its second lowest all-time temperature of -14 on February 16, and snow blanketed the beaches of Galveston, TX, the previous morning.

The storm yielded some of the most widespread power outages in United States’ history. At the height of the storm, nearly 4.5 million people were without power in Texas alone, and in total, nearly 10 million people lost power, surpassing the number of outages set by the Northeast power grid failure in August 2003.

Wind turbines in rural areas were especially susceptible to the ice and plummeting temperatures, which prevented the blades from spinning. However, ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) officials found that natural gas providers that were not equipped to handle freezing temperatures were the main culprit for the outages. Additionally, heavy ice across eastern portions of the state snapped trees onto power lines, further exacerbating the issues.

After the storm moved out of Texas, it quickly raced northeastward. An ice storm occurred in a corridor from central Louisiana to eastern Kentucky, snapping thousands of trees and causing numerous power outages. Farther south, warm, humid air from the Gulf of Mexico met cold temperatures and strong winds aloft, initiating powerful thunderstorms near the coast.

Five tornadoes occurred across Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina on the afternoon and evening of February 15. The strongest tornado, an EF-3 with estimated winds of 160 MPH, destroyed several homes southwest of Wilmington, NC, just before midnight, killing three and injuring ten others.

On the northwestern side of the storm, heavy snowfall occurred from New Mexico to Michigan. An unprecedented 8-12 inches of snow fell across portions of central and eastern Arkansas on the morning of February 15 before the storm intensified and moved northeastward into the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys and the Great Lakes Region.

The storm technically proved to be one of Chicago’s largest snowstorms in history. The weather observer at Midway International Airport officially recorded 17.7 inches of snowfall, which should have placed this storm at #7 on the list for the city. However, because the official site for Chicago’s weather records is O’Hare International Airport, which only recorded 7.5 inches of snow, this storm cannot be officially counted as part of the top 10 list.

This drastic difference in snowfall amounts can be attributed to the lake-effect banding that setup over the city. Strong northeast winds over Lake Michigan and copious moisture from the main system created a perfect setup for heavy lake-effect snowfall in Chicago, which is quite rare because of the city’s location on the southwest shore of Lake Michigan. Locations to the east and southeast of the lake, northwestern Indiana and western Lower Michigan, tend to receive much greater snowfall because of the prevailing west and northwest winds.

This was Detroit’s largest snowstorm of the season as well. Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Romulus officially recorded 8.6 inches of snow, and, generally, 6-12 inches of snow fell elsewhere across southern Michigan. Localized amounts up to 16 inches occurred in the eastern Thumb, where lake-effect enhancement added several inches of accumulation.

Because it’s now March, winter storms of this magnitude are quite unlikely for the rest of the year. However, with spring fast approaching, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes will quickly become the dominant form of severe weather.

Nick D’Abate ’21 The 18th hole of the golf course seems like the most unlikely place to host a hockey game. However, it did just that when the NHL Outdoor Series at Lake Tahoe hosted two games on February 20-21.

Both fans and players alike could not get enough of the views boasted by the beautiful Sierra Nevada landscape and its resemblance to the sport’s roots.

For Vegas captain Mark Stone this scenery was all too familiar. “We pretty much had seven or eight outdoor rinks within walking distance from us growing up,” Stone recalls. “My brother, Michael, and I would spend a crazy amount of time out there. There was a little hut so you could go in there, throw your skates on, head out for three or four hours, freeze your toes, go back in, warm up, and then head back out.”

Spectators from all over the country

arrived, even by wake runner, at an event where no spectators were permitted. It just goes to show the level of passion the NHL community has for the sport of hockey.

One negative aspect of playing hockey outside is it is not like a standard icehouse or arena. The temperature and conditions of the ice cannot be controlled as easily. This may pose a problem as it did for both the Golden Knights and the Avalanche. Sunny conditions throughout the day deteriorated the ice over the dark logos.

In efforts to keep the players safe, the game was postponed after the first period until later that night.

After the game resumed, the Avalanche won the game 3-2. The next day the Boston Bruins defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 7-3.

Players can enjoy the unique scenery while competing in Lake Tahoe

Looking back upon 25 years of Pokémon Brendan Nordstrom ’21 Millions of childhoods across the world consisted of children sitting in front of their Gameboy, DS, 3DS, or Nintendo Switch to battle their way through gym challenges, overcome enemy teams, and explore any of the eight regions. Through 122 video games, 23 seasons of anime, 14 movies, 898 Pokémon, and more, the Pokémon franchise has maintained its pop culture influence since 1996.

On February 27, 2021, the highest grossing media franchise celebrated its 25th anniversary. The Pokémon Company first started in Japan

by Satoshi Tajiri and was originally branded as “Pocket Monsters.” It wasn’t until its English adaptation that it was referred to as “Pokémon” and utilized the famous “Gotta Catch ‘Em All” slogan. The story follows a young trainer who battles others with creatures called Pokémon.

The story traditionally involves beating a number of gym leaders while fighting evil organizations and going on side missions along the way.

The first video game was released in 1996 and began with Pokémon Red and Blue which took place in the Kanto region, designed after the Japanese region of the same name. The game began on the Gameboy and featured its signature pixelated game design.

It wasn’t until Pokémon Diamond and Pearl in 2006 that the

Game Boy (1996)

franchise moved to the Nintendo DS. This was shortly followed by Pokémon Black and White in 2010 which featured the Unova region, based off of New York City. Black and White began the franchise’s shift away from the pixel model and towards a more 3D look.

Pokémon X and Y as well as Sun and Moon were next and found a home on the Nintendo 3DS. Finally, in 2019, Pokémon released Sword and Shield on the Nintendo Switch, which also marks the first time a Pokémon game could be played on a television.

At the Pokémon 25th anniversary celebration, the company announced two new games set to be released in upcoming years. The first is Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, a faithful remake of the Diamond and Pearl games, originally released in 2006. The other new game, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, also features the Sinnoh region and appears to be Pokémon’s take on an open-world game with graphics akin to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

Another game to come out of the franchise is Pokémon GO, which released on July 6, 2016. This game was available for download on the app store and is an augmented reality game, meaning it appears as if Pokémon are appearing in the real world. Players could also battle at gyms which were placed at different public spaces,

Nintendo DS (2006)

Nintendo 3DS (2013)

such as churches and parks. The game ended up winning 13 awards as well as promoting a healthy lifestyle and supporting businesses.

The franchise has also taken to other forms of media as Indigo League, the first season of Pokémon anime, reached television screens in 1997. The show follows protagonist Ash Ketchum, a Pokémon trainer and his adventures against team Rocket and through the gym challenge.

Twenty-two more seasons have been released and continue to be released.

Pokémon has also reached the big screen as Mewtwo Strikes Back hit theaters in 1998. Most recently, Detective Pikachu, a live action movie starring Ryan Reynolds, was released in 2019.

A final key aspect of the franchise is the Pokémon card trading and battling. Every fan knows the excitement of opening a fresh pack of Pokémon cards and waiting in anticipation to see what falls out.

Cards have become such a hot commodity that the highest selling card, a First Edition Shadowless Charizard, sold for around $360,000.

For 25 years, the Pokémon franchise has won the hearts of countless children and adults alike. Any fan can recount the fear in encountering Team Rocket in Pokémon Red and Blue, the excitement in battling the shiny Gyrados at the Lake of Outrage, or the intense final battle against N in the Unova region. With no end in sight, Pokémon looks forward to another successful 25 years.

Mobile devices (2016)

Nintendo Switch (2019)

The Pop Culture Grid: DRIVE Edition Who Are They?

Andrew Memmer

Luke Butler

Mr. Carrier

Teacher that should have gone down the slip ’n’ slide and why?

What challenge should have Senior Mondays or three week been on the Wheel of MisforSpring Break? tune?

What will you miss most about hybrid learning?

Mr. Carrier because he loves when DRIVE assemblies are interrupted

More haircuts

Is it too much to ask for both?

Ctrl C, Ctrl V, and Ctrl F

Fr. Fulton

Walking on Legos barefoot

Three week Spring Break, duh!

Wearing pajamas and the extra sleep

Karaoke

Three week Spring Break.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Only having to see the juniors every other day

Mr Wiggins. I happen to know he loves ice cream sundaes!

March 11, 2021

4

DRIVE 2021

DRIVE 2021: Saturday Morning TV Despite different look, CC comunity thrives in historic DRIVE Jack Smith ’21 There’s been a buzz in the air of Catholic Central recently. The students, faculty, and staff waited eagerly and worked tirelessly for perhaps the most important event of any school year, but of this school year especially. The DRIVE has come and gone, and with it, a breath of fresh air, new traditions, and a slice of normalcy.

The DRIVE is Catholic Central’s annual fundraiser for tuition assistance. Each year, the Shamrocks are tasked with selling raffle tickets to anyone and everyone they possibly can. The raffle tickets are drawn in April for a $20,000 grand prize along with a few additional smaller prizes.

The majority of the money, however, is used to help future Shamrocks pay for their education. Last year’s total was $606,514.13. The expectations for this year were high. Then came, of course, Covid-19.

Many thought DRIVE was simply canceled this year. But without it, a major source of school spirit is lost. It was, therefore, vital to make sure that this great tradition could continue under the circumstances. Mr. Carrier personally ensured that this long-standing tradition was not lost.

Despite the restrictions brought about

by Covid-19, Mr. Carrier and Student Activities guaranteed that DRIVE would maintain its characteristic of being student-driven.

Mr. Carrier explained, “The students still picked the theme, still decorated the homerooms and the hallways, and still made sure that the school had a completely different feeling for a time being.” Giving the school a different feeling was especially important this year because of the general dampening brought along by Covid-19.

As we saw, many aspects of DRIVE looked very different this year. Mr. Carrier explained that the goal of Student Activities was to make it look as DRIVE-ish as possible without certain key components, such as the live assemblies.

Instead of live assemblies, DRIVE became more of a live television broadcast, fitting to this year’s theme of television shows. Mr. Carrier said that the biggest challenge was to try and create the same kind of atmosphere without having the student body gathered together.

This atmosphere was maintained at a smaller scale, as the student body was able to gather in the halls and sing the Hand Cheer, Alma Mater, and DRIVE Song together. Also, the laughs and cheers of the live studio audience made the broadcasts feel more like an actual assembly rather than a simple video.

Perhaps the most notable additions for this year were the Wheels of Fortune and Misfortune.

The Wheel of Fortune changed the whole dynamic of the cash drawings, allowing students to spin and take a chance of doubling their money at the risk of losing half of it, or even all of it.

The Wheel of Misfortune, as Mr. Carrier explained, “provides a way to bring some discomfort into the challenges rather than just having a bunch of kids sign up for challenges they want to do. We’re going for quality over quantity.” We saw, for example, some students take a dip into a hot dog bath, while other students, and even some faculty, flew down the ice cream slip and slide.

Another part of DRIVE that was new was the introduction of the mural. Due to Covid-19, the 2020 Boys’ Bowl mural was not able to be completed early in the year. However, Mr. Dent and his Advanced Art students worked together to ensure that this year would not go without a mural, and they definitely provided. When the coverings dropped at the final assembly, revealing the

Star Wars-themed mural, a combined DRIVE and Boys’ Bowl atmosphere was felt. It was unlike anything the school has seen in at least the past year.

And then, the totals upstaged all else.

Mr. Carrier hoped that we would raise enough money to make a substantial difference in the lives of those seeking tuition assistance.

He stated, “That is the ultimate goal of any DRIVE.” This year, however, Mr. Carrier hoped that “as a school, with everything we’ve been through this year, we are able to fully immerse ourselves into the fun and exciting atmosphere of DRIVE.” While the whole DRIVE was very impressive, anyone watching the final assembly, in person or through broadcast, saw that the spirit was not lost. The Shamrocks raised $600,578.13, a task which seemed impossible merely a week before.

On top of that, the seniors (and the juniors) defeated the freshmen. The freshmen lost the DRIVE! The standard is now set for generations of Shamrocks to come.

As Fr. Fulton said in his speech on the final day, “The best motivation for the Shamrock Nation is telling them they can’t do something.” DRIVE 2021 has proven Fr. Fulton’s words to be true, and it served this year, and will serve for many years to come, as the one of the purest examples of the Catholic Central spirit.

A look behind the cameras: DRIVE’s unsung heroes James Lindenberg ’21

er and the IT department, Mrs. Teed, and members of Broadcast club who would help stream the assemblies to each homeroom. With a proj-

This year has brought many challenges and has forced many changes to CC traditions. One of the biggest questions we asked ourselves was, “How could we have a successful and safe DRIVE?” Since the DRIVE is such a crucial event for the families of CC, our administration and Student Activities needed to get creative to find a way to make DRIVE a safe reality. This year, we saw many historic feats, such as raising over $600,000 as a school and watching the senior class beat the freshmen. However, what many did not see was the hard work and efforts of many people behind the scenes.

Right after the festivities of Boys’ Bowl, Student Activities, led by Mr. Carrier, began planning a DRIVE which could accommodate for both safety and the normal shenanigans we know and love.

Student Activities divided itself into committees which were responsible for specific activities and events, such as the assembly, hallway, skit, and quota prizes.

One of these committees involved Mr. Mill- A look behind the scenes of a DRIVE livestream

ect this large, everyone had to work together to make sure that it would still be successful, despite looking different compared to past years.

Photo submitted

Along with a task of this magnitude, there are going to be some small setbacks along the way.

Throughout the week, there were a few occasions where things did not go according to the thorough plan, including some minor IT issues. However, the devoted team was able to resolve each issue and create something special for our school community.

If it was not for these pivotal members, our school would not have had the spirit and motivation to ensure a successful DRIVE and the fulfillment of our traditions.

The DRIVE is a magical time in our school because, as brothers, we come together to give back and raise money for our future and current classmates. The DRIVE is only as great as the amount of effort put into it, so it was important that the school set a new standard of motivation and charity for the success of future DRIVEs. In the words of Student Activities member and tech guru senior Jacob Yee, “We were going to make this the best possible sendoff for our seniors and leave this place better than we found it.”

March 11, 2021

5

Mural

Advanced Art students unveil first DRIVE mural Charles Mentzer ’21 It is every Shamrock artist’s dream to one day be a part of the Boys’ Bowl mural, a tradition with decades of history -- and color to back it up.

This year, the Boys’ Bowl mural blended right into the chaotic mess that was 2020. What normally proves to be a simple art project carried out within the first few months of school quickly became a year-long task in the midst of the pandemic.

A ruthless team consisting of seniors Andrew Memmer, Kyle Malachowski, Tim Giese, Tommy Shea, Danny Turek, Dylan Fras, Chris Goebel, Michael Wadowski, Brady Butcher, Joe McComb, Nick Croskey, Bret Beale, Jack Smith, and me began painting during the December lockdown, well after the Boys’ Bowl had taken place. Our 14-10 victory over De La Salle only served as motiva-

tion for the crew to complete the mural, no matter the hardships.

This year’s mural proved unique not only in its artistic form, but also in its complex timeline.

For starters, the boards used to display the mural were completely new. The old boards dated back to 1985 and have since been repurposed.

With new boards in hand, the mural team was finally ready to begin painting. Unfortunately, another lockdown ensued. Due to indoor restrictions, the team was forced to move the boards out into the equipment shed by the football field in order to proceed.

In fact, the very first brush strokes of the mural were done outside in the snow.

As soon as the team was permitted back into the building, they began to work consistently throughout each day. With no deadline in sight, the team had all the time in the world to per-

fect the landscape, characters, and overall action of the piece.

Because the mural’s main focus is on Boys’ Bowl, each year tends to portray the Shamrocks demolishing the opposing school.

As you may have noticed, this year’s mural includes all of the Catholic League schools. This change in theme reflects the constant battle we face with every school within the Catholic League. With the Boys’ Bowl already passed, it only seemed fitting to portray Shamrock dominance as a whole.

The team chose Star Wars as the overall theme, and perfectly executed a battle scene on the barren deserts of the planet Tatooine. When asked whether or not Mr. Dent and his team would be able to finish this year’s mural, they had but one reply: “Do. Or do not. There is no try.”

6

Sports

March 11, 2021

Shamrock hockey driven by unfinished business Gordon Jones ’22 Covid-19 restrictions have impacted us all in a unique way. Whether it’s getting used to wearing masks, or social distancing, or being online every other day, we all have had to adapt and overcome the challenges brought on by the pandemic and restrictions made to help stop the spread.

Winter sports have been uniquely affected by the restrictions. Michigan health officials said that indoor contact sports were likely to spread the virus, and, therefore, the state government and the MHSAA have had to push back the start of the season. While the swim, bowling, ski and boardercross teams have all been mostly on schedule, basketball, wrestling, and hockey were all postponed.

The 2021 Varsity Hockey team has already had to overcome extreme challenges and the season has only just begun. The team started this season on a positive note with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Cranbrook in their first game.

The very next day the boys traveled to Mount Clemens to face off against Catholic League rival De La Salle. The Shamrocks prevailed with the 3-0 victory over the Pilots to improve to 2-0.

The season so far has included wins over Division 2 powerhouse Livonia Stevenson, Catholic League rivals Brother Rice, U of D, and Divine Child, and Brighton and Grosse Pointe North.

They have one loss on the season against Cranbrook with a score of 4-0.

However, they avenged this loss with a 3-0

victory in the Catholic League Championship game.

Coach Kaleniecki looks to make a push to the

state championship after the Covid-19 lockdown cut short an extraordinary playoff run last year.

Shamrock hockey gets ready to hit the ice.

Coach Kaleniecki spoke on the challenges that this tumultuous offseason and state setbacks have given the team.

“The biggest thing is trying to keep everyone focused on the day ahead of them,” he said.

When asked about how this year’s team has responded to the challenges, he said, “I’m blown away by how well they have been able to focus and how engaged they are day in and day out.”

About their goals for this unusual season, senior captain Nicholas Borchardt said, “Those goals include competing hard every day at practice, making the most out of every game, especially with such a short season, and staying safe so we can play.”

Senior captain Brenden Cwiek is especially proud of how this team has overcome struggles.

“Covid-19 has taken away a lot of our freedoms and motivators. We miss having the students in the stands; we miss being able to bond in the locker room after practice. The fact that the team has overcome these losses shows that we were able to take on the worst of the adversity. With that in mind, I have no doubt that this team can take on any challenge that we face during the season.”

Photo submitted

Young basketball squad finds its footing Daniel Lafferty ’23 With a 3-5 record, the Catholic Central basketball team has overcome early adversity to get their season back on track.

The unity of the basketball team is shown through the hard work and efforts of everyone, from the senior captains Brady Butcher and Landon Lodato and junior captain Cooper Craggs, to the newest members of the team, such as freshamn Chas Lewless.

One of the hardest things to do as a team during this pandemic is develop chemistry. To overcome this obstacle, these Shamrocks arranged and played street basketball during the summer and trained together over Zoom.

Now that the boys are back playing the sport they love, it is especially satisfying to watch them play.

Anyone who watches them will see a team that has a bench that is cheerful, ecstatic, and supportive.

One of their goals is to reach the regional finals, which is absolutely achievable.

In an interview with Brady Butcher, he said, “Our greatest strength by far is the all-around unity and connection of the team.

It really feels like a brotherhood. Out of the four years I have played basketball at CC, this team has felt the most connected.”

He explained further, “Hard work pays off. I’ve worked very hard and am honored to be the captain with my Shamrock up on the wall. It will feel good to look back and know I gave 110%.”

The basketball team has proven to be and will continue to be the epitome of “Faith over Fear.”

Bowlers rolling into postseason Dominic Aiello ’23 CC’s bowling team is back with a new leader: Coach Laura Kuchinski.

She founded the bowling club in 1997 and is now returning to lead the varsity team.

“Coming back to coach at Catholic Central was like having the torch passed back to me,” Coach Kuchinski said.

The team itself has had to adapt, like other sports, to the health and safety guidelines implemented because of Covid-19.

“Bowling this year is different because the Catholic League

Photo submitted

Shamrock defense swarms the ball against Rice.

schools are not all competing at the same time,” she commented.

Despite the restrictions, most of the players are still excited about their upcoming games.

“One thing that’s a shame is that we can’t play in any tournaments this year. It usually gives us a chance to play teams outside of the Catholic League, but I and the rest of the team are pretty excited to have any sort of season, especially one with regionals and states,” senior captain Nick Zappia said.

The team currently has a record of 2-2-1.

“I truly believe our var-

sity guys will give each school a run for their money,” said Coach Kuchinski.

“While there is strong competition with two specific schools, the guys of Catholic Central tend to be more like the silent storm . . . they walk in, roll some extremely high scores, and leave with the other schools staring with their mouths open.”

They may endure some losses, but the bowling team will quickly regain their footing.

They’re off to a great start to their season and have ambitions to continue to beat their opponents.

Wrestlers focus on improvement Diego Cabello ’22 After a long hiatus and uncertainty if there was even going to be a season, wrestling is back at CC with expectations to raise the standard.

The season, which usually begins in November, was suspended, but on February 4, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that winter sports could resume. On Monday, February 8, practices at CC resumed, and the team returned to the mats.

This year, precautions have been taken because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tournaments consist of

only four teams instead of 16, and the season’s schedule is shorter. Fans are not allowed into events, and only two family members per participant are allowed. The wrestlers are required to receive a Covid-19 test before all matches, but they do not have to wear masks when they compete.

The first event of the year, on February 13, included wins against Traverse City Central (63-9) and Rockford (57-9).

Despite the challenges this year, the team has worked on staying in shape at home.

Senior captain Phil Burney said, “This year we are doing the

best we can to stay motivated and positive about the season even though it’s been set back.”

Even though the season has had its challenges, it is still an opportunity for personal and team growth.

Coach Hancock added, “I hope our guys progress athletically, physically, mentally, and just become better individuals. We have goals of winning, but we want to ‘raise the standard’ -- this year’s motto.

When we live up to the standard, we will find success.”

7

Sports

March 11, 2021

Swimmers ready to prove themselves once again Swim and Dive focused on the future, not the past William Carstens ’23 The Catholic Central swimming team was heartbroken when they had to end their season last year.

They had worked tirelessly to put themselves in a position to win a state title before Covid-19 snatched it away from them. They were devastated; however, the team has persisted and moved forward.

“Working so hard the last three years to put our team in a winning position definitely made

the end of last season hurt a lot more,” said senior captain Matthew Kozma, “and it is still devastating, but we can’t change the past.”

“Our team is still motivated and ready to give it our all this year.”

This season, the swimming team has trained vigorously to regain their position under unprecedented conditions and has rapidly adapted to new rules and logistical challenges.

They are starting swimmers on both ends of the pool, they are wearing masks while not actively participating, and they are swimming in smaller groups.

The swimmers have already clinched stunning victories against Brother Rice and U of D Jesuit and are prepared to win more.

The swimming team has faced disappointment and adversity and have come out better from it.

Now, the team once again stands poised to make a run at the state title, despite facing steep competition from Cranbrook and Father Gabriel Richard.

MHSAA State Finals March 26-27 @Hudsonville HS Father Kauffman leads the swimmers in prayer before a meet.

Signing day: 18 scholar-athletes sign commitments

Front, left to right: Aidan Bishop (UD Mercy - Lacrosse), John Browning (Trine University - Wrestling), Adam Christie (LTU - Soccer), Brandon Falk (Adrian College - Tennis), Sam Dersa (SVSU - Football), Gavin Willard (Siena Heights University - Football) Middle, left to right: Joey Dombkowski (WSU - Swimming), Josh Gage (Calvin University - Lacrosse), Josh Getz (Kalamazoo College - Baseball), Bruno Guberinich (CMU - Football), Jack Stephens (Adrian College Rugby), Michael Ramirez (WSU - Football) Back, left to right: Jack Guerrera (Hope College - Golf), Jack Leuker (University of Chicago - Soccer), Connor Jaisle (St. Clair County Community College - Baseball), Josh Liike (UMass Lowell - Lacrosse), Connor McKee (Hope College - Baseball), Joey Per (SVSU - Golf)

Photo by Mr. Cornish

Lions undergo total franchise overhaul Brendan Nordstrom ’21 The 2021 Detroit Lions team will look vastly different than last year’s team -- or any team in the past twelve years for that matter. The ephemeral era of Matt Patricia came to a shameful end as the team ended 2020 with a 5-11 record. The team finished the year led by interim head coach Darrell Bevell, as Patricia was fired after week 12. This ushered in a number of concerns about the Lions’ future, particularly the vacant head coach and general manager positions and the state of franchise quarterback, Matthew Stafford.

Jim Caldwell left the Detroit Lions in 2017 after a four-year tenure, a 36-28 record, and two trips to the playoffs. The Lions’ organization and fans claimed it would not settle for mediocrity -- a noble move for progressing an average team to a successful one.

However, the organization took two steps backwards with the hiring of Patricia and his subsequent 13-29-1 record (the fourth worst percentage in Lions’ history) and a noticeable lack in postseason appearances.

The disgrace of the Patricia era did not end there as countless players celebrated his firing and recounted the hostile environment. With a team at its lowest point in years, the selection of the next head coach was a pivotal decision to be made by owner Sheila Ford Hamp and president Rod Wood.

The big names that appeared in the Lions’ search included Bevell, Kansas City Offensive Coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Tampa Bay Defensive Coordinator Todd Bowles, and many more. The Lions finally landed on the passionate New Orleans Saints assistant coach, Dan Campbell, to clean up the carnage left by Patricia.

Campbell played for the Detroit Lions as a tight end from 2006 to 2009. At his opening press conference he explained how he wanted the job because he understood the community and realized how it has been “kicked,” “battered,” and “bruised.” He also explained the mindset he plans on instilling in the team: “When you knock us down, we’re going to get up and on the way up, we’re going to bite a kneecap off.”

On January 23, news broke that the Detroit Lions and Stafford had reached a mutual agreement to part ways. This stung for the Lions’franchise and fans alike.

The Lions lost a quarterback who helped them climb out of the 0-16 pit of 2008, and Stafford lost the team and city that had welcomed him with open arms for over twelve years. This was an agreement that was unfortunate but inevitable.

The Detroit Lions are entering a full rebuild, and building a team around a 33-yearold is not realistic. Stafford escaped the potential of a wasted career, a plague that has afflicted all-star running back Barry Sanders and recent Hall of Fame inductee Calvin Johnson.

Stafford leaves the Lions as the franchise leader in completions, passing yards, passing touchdowns, and passer ratings. He ranks 16th in NFL history in passing touchdowns and passing yards.

Stafford is headed to Los Angeles to lead the Rams, a team which was in need of a quality quarterback. Stafford has the chance to prove his skill with a well-rounded team and secure his legacy with a playoff win or even a ring.

After a number of interviews in a pool of twelve candidates, Brad Holmes emerged as the Lions’choice for general manager. Holmes was a scouting director for the Los Angeles Rams and played a crucial role in

drafting Aaron Donald, Todd Gurley, and Jared Goff.

The team he crafted would end up going to Super Bowl LIII in 2019. Holmes’ reign as the Lions’ general manager began by fielding calls and running negotiations with a third of the league about potential trades involving Stafford.

He eventually made a blockbuster trade with his former team, the Rams, involving two first-round picks, a third-rounder, and Jared Goff. Holmes now faces a number of important decisions that could impact the Lions’ rebuilding efforts, including the contracts of wide receiver Kenny Golladay and defensive end Romeo Okwara, the role of Goff, and the seventh overall pick in this year’s draft.

The Lions’ future appears to be bright with an enthusiastic coaching staff and a new face in the general manager’s chair. The next few seasons may not be pretty; however, Campbell and Holmes have the keys to the kingdom, including a number of first-round picks, to create a successful team that could push past mediocrity in years to come.

Spectrum

Spectrum Staff Written and published by the students of Catholic Central since 1936.

Congratulations to Sean

27225 Wixom Road Novi, Michigan 48374 Room 101

“Teach me goodness, discipline, and knowledge.”

Moderator Mr. Ianni

Editors-in-Chief Nick Dewhirst Brendan Nordstrom George Nunu

Staff Writers Dominic Aiello Aedan Branigan-Brown Diego Cabello Will Carstens Max Chensse Andrew Ciarelli

Nick D’Abate Gordon Jones Daniel Lafferty Drew Laroo James Lindenberg Charles Mentzer

Artist

Andrew Memmer

Photographer Sam Gomez

Cole Nogawa Tommy Shea Jack Smith Logan Welter Phobia

Egan for returning to campus for the first time since his diagnosis!

Welcome home!

Shoutout

The Beet

“Only facts. None fiction.”

CC Esports: “No more gaming the system.”

Cole Nogawa ’22 The past few months have seen what can be described as nothing less than a financial revolution; working men and women have united in order to prove once and for all that we the people are the ultimate source of power in a free economy.

This fiscal epic has shaken Wall Street to its core. Billionaires have been dethroned; wealth distribution has shifted with the vigor of an earthquake, and stock prices have indeed risen “to the moon.”

I am speaking, of course, of the battle between Catholic Central Esports and the Finance Club.

When Detroit Catholic Central announced a transition to all-online education in early November, investors throughout the school began to panic, fearing a catastrophic decline in revenue for the entities and corporations to which they had entrusted their hardearned cash. Sadly, their fears were later realized.

By the first of December, the price of nearly every major CC-affiliated stock had plummeted. Curiously, the value of Slader (SLD), StuDocu (STU), and Chegg (CHG) holdings remained largely unaffected.

After assessing the situation, the Finance Club, presumably seeking to further inflate their already bloated pockets, launched a campaign to systemati-

cally bet against the well-being of corporations and the futures of investors by shorting key stocks such as Trufoods (TRU), WCCTV (WCT), Michalik Candy Corp (MCC), and Dewhirst Weather Network (DWN).

One Finance Club member, who prefers to remain anonymous, recalls: “EVERYTHING was going down. I mean, the band wasn’t selling any tickets, no one was watching the news, no one cared about snow days now that school’s online. Dude, even the black market wasn’t seeing any transactions.

It shouldn’t have failed. It couldn’t have failed.”

Upon catching wind of the Finance Club’s plan to exploit the financial havoc wreaked by Covid-19, the Esports team decided to take a stand. Using the team’s Discord server as a base for communications, Junior captain Billy Ward launched an offensive against the school’s fatcats. He gleefully recounts, “Oh yeah, we really showed them [who’s] boss. If there’s one thing the Esports team doesn’t stand for, it’s gaming.”

Together with his approximately 150 compatriots, Ward began to buy and hold as much school-affiliated stock as he could. The resulting surge in stock prices has, to date, forced the Finance Club to incur an estimated loss of $289,821.

SLD STU CHG TRU WCT MCC DWN

$11.28 $7.07 $19.28 $20.21 $4.21 $6.96 $12.04

+10.07 +4.55 +16.76 -44.04 -3.41 -4.99 -1.31

The CC SHAMstock Exchange has seen great instability over the past few months.

Covid-19 vaccine comes with a catch Andrew Ciarelli ’22 With the Covid-19 vaccine being administered to healthcare professionals and others nationwide, there have been numerous reports of negative side effects.

Catholic Central is no exception, as many faculty members have noticed odd changes to their appearance and behavioral norms. Perhaps the most dramatic of these side effects was the rapid hair growth experienced by none other than our athletic director, Mr. Babicz.

According to numerous teachers and students, the first few hairs on his otherwise bald head began to appear in mid-January. From there, growth increased exponentially over the next month.

The hair reached a length so tremendous that Mr. Hancock even called him out for it, mistaking him for “another one of those smug juniors.”

Currently, Babicz sports a hairdo akin to 2009 Justin Bieber, leaving many to believe that personality changes accompanied the regrowth as well.

On the subject of vaccine-related personality changes, Fr. Fulton has experienced similar side effects following his vaccination. He eventu-

We here at the Spectrum are dedicated to reporting only the most relevant news.

In this edition, we will be covering the question on everyone’s mind: will I get the Covid-19 vaccine or a PlayStation 5 first?

This is the greatest question investigative journalism can possibly answer.

At this time, a select group of Americans have received the full vaccine, namely the elderly, healthcare workers, the wealthy, and, apparently, Antonio Biggs.

The PlayStation 5, too, has only been available to select groups. These groups consist of people willing to camp through the cold nights to secure the console upon its release, those able to buy it online because they have faster internet than you, and your usual set of supermarket scavengers, savages, and scoundrels. However, this does not answer the question of which one you can get first.

Both the vaccine and the PlayStation 5 have faced distributive delays, shipping mishaps, and a plethora of other problems. It is reported in some parts of the world that armed highwaymen have been hijacking shipments of both, as if it’s the

behavior seems very unlike our Basilian principal.

Scientists believe the behavioral side effects are a result of the vaccine “unleashing the chaos” within us all, and it has manifested itself in the form of our very own theology teacher Mr. Godfrey.

Sources in the student body have described dramatic changes to the weekly “holy hour” he hosts. According to one sophomore, Mr. Godfrey has stopped bringing his acoustic guitar to school each Tuesday. Instead, he allegedly plays a jet black Fender Stratocaster, covered in flame decals.

Students have even seen him offer freshmen extra credit to be his “roadies” and carry two 100-pound subwoofers into the chapel.

“It’s different from the holy hour we’re used to,” said one sophomore, “but you won’t care, once you hear [Mr. Godfrey] shred that ‘Our God Is An Awesome God’ guitar solo for the first time.”

The resemblance is uncanny.

PS5 or Covid-19 vaccine?

Aedan Branigan-Brown ’21

ally succumbed to newfound, disastrous urges and called a snow day on February 16. Even considering the foot of snowfall we received that night, this

1600s. If you thought uranium was the only thing Somalian pirates stole, you’re in for a surprise.

But another reason for delay is that the vaccines have people lined up and down the block, socially distanced, of course. The downside to being stabbed by a needle for the “greater good” is that the doctor will not be giving you a lollipop afterwards, which isn’t any good if you ask me. The PlayStation 5 also has lines, but it’s just your average checkout.

Which is worth the wait, you ask? A vaccine may ensure your life, but that might end at any time either way. The PlayStation 5 will at least provide entertainment in your last few days, which may not be many if you don’t get the vaccine. It’s quite the trade off.

To conclude, we have no answers. We may never have any. The Covid-19 vaccine is slowly but steadily being distributed, but unless you manage to bribe your doctor and play directly into the American healthcare system, you won’t be getting yours yet.

The PlayStation 5 isn’t much more promising, as you’ll probably have to wait for the next generation of consoles to have it in your possession.

Another snow day may come before either, but Fr. Fulton doesn’t foresee such a future.

PS5 or Covid-19 vaccine demand by state

Frosh Frolics: A young man’s first DRIVE Dear Notes app, Well, the DRIVE is over . . . and it was awesome!

At the beginning, there were a lot of things I didn’t understand. You can’t imagine my confusion when I went out into the hall for the hand cheer and everyone said “SELL” instead of “L.” Then they started singing the DRIVE song, but Mr. Herman never taught us that! I eventually caught on, although I always forgot to clap during the “with money” part.

Without homework and tests all week, I had no clue what to do with all of my free time. Thankfully, I had a speech in English class I could prepare for to pass the time. Unfortunately, Mr. Griffin marked me down for reading straight from my notecards.

I thought it was really cool how the assemblies were streamed straight to the homeroom like a real TV show. Mr. George even let us play chess during the assembly.

If we’re being completely honest, though, I still have no idea how the cash drawings work. All I know is that I wouldn’t be stupid enough to risk losing money by spinning the wheel. My favorite part of the assembly definitely had to be the senior skit; however, I didn’t understand why so many people were shirtless!

I really wanted to bring in triple quota, but I was too nervous to go door-to-door selling tickets because I’m not allowed to talk with strangers in my neighborhood. I decided to text all of my family members instead and in total they bought twenty tickets. Thankfully my mom bought the last book so that I could at least bring in quota.

It was very disappointing that the freshman ended up losing the best hallway competition. At least we didn’t misspell “Sophomores” or have parents help us, though. Mr. Herman even promised us service hours if we came to hallway setup, but when I submitted Mr. Carrier as the contact, the hours got rejected! No amount of service hours would help me recover from being yelled at to make cardboard cutouts.

To make matters even worse, the Seniors beat us in the overall DRIVE total competition for the first time in years! I don’t even know what a “Senior Point” is. When the Seniors won, I wasn’t even sad because there was a really cool shot of the mural. Oh well, at least Mr. Burke gave me a high-five and told me “nice job” afterwards.

Next year I have already set some lofty goals. I’m going to outsell that Luke Butler kid and lead the sophomores to their first ever victory! I just hope we have a better theme than PBS.

Vaccine PlayStation 5

Now with 13 days off, I have more time to study for finals, research colleges, and start creating a contact list for next year. Until next year’s DRIVE. Sincerely,

Excited Frosh